🚨 Roundabouts, Redmond Flights & a Bend Fugitive on a Bike

Issue #351

In partnership with

 

Good morning, Central Oregon!

As we roll into the first full week of August, Central Oregon is buzzing with summer energy—from time-honored traditions at the Crook County Fair to the soaring sounds of the Sunriver Music Festival. This week’s issue is packed with local updates, community events, and need-to-know news—from free mattress recycling to new air travel options out of Redmond. We’re also tracking the latest on area crime, construction progress, and fire updates across the region. Whether you're planning a weekend outing or just keeping up with what's happening around town, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into what’s up this week across Central Oregon👇

In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

🎪 Crook County Fair – “Timeless Traditions”

 🎶 Spotlight Festival: Sunriver Music Festival (Aug 2–13, 2025)

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🏞Oregon Parks to raise prices amid rising costs and record visitors

📰Young Republicans launch first Central Oregon chapter to engage next generation

🛫Alaska Airlines is adding year-round daily Redmond–Burbank flights, starting this fall

🚗New Bend roundabout opens early near Petrosa and Pine Nursery Park

🛏 Bye-bye, old mattress: Free recycling locations arrive in Central Oregon under new state law

 🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

⛑️Search Continues for Missing Tuber at Dillon Falls - No new Updates

🚨Crime News

🚓Bend fugitive, car theft suspect eludes large police search, arrested while riding bike

🚨Redmond Police seek tips after hit-and-run damages speed trailer

📰Regional News

🥰Community News

📰 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon’s ’30 Bigs in 30 Days’ aims to recruit urgently needed mentors for boys

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

📰 New east Bend roundabout ahead of schedule, won't need second closure

🔥Central Oregon Fire Info

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

Bend Airport 08.04.25

 BEND

SISTERS

PRINEVILLE

 

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

Featured Events

🎪 Crook County Fair – “Timeless Traditions”


📍 Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 S Main St, Prineville Map
🗓️ Wednesday, August 6 – Saturday, August 9, 2025 | Open daily 10 AM–9 PM (Opening night: 5 PM–9 PM) 
🎡 Fair / Live Entertainment / Family-Friendly


Step into four days of wholesome, hometown fun with free admission and parking! Enjoy live music on the main stage with acts like Brady Goss & the Band, Court Priday, and Countryfied closing out Saturday night. Dive into classic fair favorites—carnival rides (12+ rides), games, and mouthwatering fair food stalls. Catch thrilling livestock shows from 4‑H and FFA participants, cheer on benefit barrel racing, join free water events for kids, pony rides, face painting, and balloon art. Don’t miss the community barbecue & scholarship dinner kickoff on Wednesday with “Wonder” under the tent and a lively line‑dance lesson Thursday evening. Wrap it up Saturday with the parade, livestock auction, and a final BBQ celebration. All this—and more—under the nostalgic theme “Timeless Traditions.” 🔗 More Info

 🎶 Spotlight Festival: Sunriver Music Festival (Aug 2–13, 2025)

For 48 years, the Sunriver Music Festival has brought world-class orchestral performances to Bend and Sunriver—and the week of Aug 4–10 offers some of its most engaging highlights. Led by Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell, the season features four classical concerts, a pops concert, a solo piano recital, and a family-friendly performance—many rehearsals and events are free and open to the public (sunrivermusic.org).

About the Festival

The festival opens at Tower Theatre in downtown Bend on August 2 and culminates at the Sunriver Resort Great Hall on August 13 (sunrivermusic.org). The lineup celebrates 150 years of French musical heritage and showcases compositions from Leipzig and Vienna, including Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 5 (sunrivermusic.org). Featured soloists include pianist Stewart Goodyear, cellist Mark Kosower, violinist Yi Zhao, and a silver medalist from the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (sunrivermusic.org).

🎟 Events During Aug 4–10

Classical Concert II: The Classical Tradition

🗓 Thursday, Aug 7 – 7:30 p.m.
📍 Tower Theatre, Bend
Conductor: Brett Mitchell | Soloist: Mark Kosower (cello)
Program highlights:

  • Bolcom’s Commedia for (Almost) 18th‑Century Orchestra

  • Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

  • Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro

  • Stravinsky: Danses Concertantes
    This concert blends classical beauty and modern flair, perfect for both longtime fans and new listeners alike (sunrivermusic.org).

Family Concert

🗓 Friday, Aug 8 – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Benham Hall at SHARC – Sunriver
One-hour, informal concert designed for kids and families, including:

🌟 Why It’s a Feature Worth Writing Home About

  • Programming Variety & Musical Depth: From Bolcom and Mozart to Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Beethoven, the festival balances tradition with innovation.

  • Acclaimed Soloists: Internationally recognized performers like Stewart Goodyear and Yi Zhao elevate every concert (sunrivermusic.org).

  • Family-friendly Engagement: The Aug 8 concert adds interactive elements like the instrument zoo—perfect for introducing youth to orchestral music.

  • Local & Cultural Connection: Held at iconic venues, the festival emphasizes community outreach via free rehearsals and educational programs (sunrivermusic.org, sunrivermusic.org).

🔍 Looking Ahead

Beyond this week, audiences can enjoy Classical Concert III: The Leipzig Connection on Aug 11, a solo recital by Van Cliburn medalist Vitaly Starikov on Aug 12, and a grand Season Finale: “Vienna Waits for You” on Aug 13, featuring Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony (sunrivermusic.org, sunrivermusic.org).

Final Take

For those seeking world-class orchestral music, educational outreach, and community connection wrapped in a scenic Central Oregon summer setting—the Sunriver Music Festival, especially the Aug 7 Classical Tradition and Aug 8 Family Concert, makes an ideal feature. It’s the perfect intersection of artistry, family engagement, and cultural community.

📅 Events: Bend

 🎶 Sunriver Music Festival: Summer Festival — Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St, Bend) & Great Hall at Sunriver Resort
Aug 2–13, various times — Eight-concert series featuring pops, classical, family, and chamber performances. Bend Magazine🌽 Bend Farmers Market — Brooks Alley (between Oregon & Franklin St), Downtown Bend
Wed, Aug 6 • 11 AM – 3 PM — Local produce, meats, cheeses, artisan foods.
🎶 Sunriver Music Festival: Classical Concert II: THE CLASSICAL TRADITION — Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St, Bend)
Thu, Aug 7 • 7:30 PM — Bolcom’s Classical Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Stravinsky neoclassical works. Visit Bend
🎶 Sunriver Music Festival: DEMOLA — Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St, Bend)
Sun, Aug 10 • 7:30 PM — Contemporary repertoire presented by JMax Productions. towertheatre.org
bendfarmersmarket.com
🎨 Central Oregon Locavore Indoor Market — 207 NW Franklin Ave, Bend
Sat, Aug 9 • 10 AM – 2 PM — Year-round indoor market featuring farms & makers. Central Oregon Locavore

 📅 Events: Redmond & Nearby



🎵 Live Music at WXYZ Lounge — DoubleTree by Hilton (3075 N Business 97)
Wed, Aug 6 • 6 PM – 8 PM — Acoustic acts in a cozy hotel lounge. Experience Redmond
🌽 Redmond Farmer’s Market (Alternate site) — Centennial Park, Fridays through Aug 29 • 3 PM – 7 PM — Weekly summer market (May–Aug). local.aarp.org

🌽 Redmond Saturday Market — Overlake Christian Church (9900 Willow Rd NE)
Sat, Aug 9 • 9 AM – 2 PM — Organic produce, food trucks, live music, kids’ crafts. Experience Redmond


🎪 Redmond Outdoor Recreation Expo — Paulina Event Center (63330 Oregon 61)
Sat, Aug 9 • 9 AM – 3 PM — Gear demos, vendor booths, river safety demos. (info via local rec calendar)

🌄 Events: Sisters



🎨 Makin’ It Local Art Exhibit — Sisters Country (290 E Main Ave)
Fri–Sun, Aug 1–31 • 10 AM – 5 PM — Glass art and paintings by local creators. sisterscountry.com


🎶 Big Lawn Series: Joel Chadd and Band — The Suttle Lodge (13300 US-20)
Mon, Aug 4 • 6 PM – 8 PM — Free lawn concert featuring regional musicians. Sisters Oregon

🎬 Outdoor Movie Nights — Village Green Park (305 S Fir St)
Thu, Aug 7 • 7:15 PM – 10:15 PM — Family-friendly film under the stars. Sisters Oregon

🛒 Sisters Farmers Market
📍 Fir Street Park
🗓️ Sundays, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
👪 Farmers Market / Family-Friendly
Shop fresh produce, artisan goods, and enjoy live music and kids’ activities at this weekly community market in Fir Street Park. 🔗 More Info (Sisters Oregon)

 

🌲 Events: Sunriver & La Pine

🎶 Music in the Pines Concert Series — La Pine Community Park (16405 1st St)
Thu, Aug 7 • 5 PM – 8 PM — Free family-friendly outdoor concerts. lapineoregon.gov
🌽 La Pine Farmers Market — La Pine Community Park Pavilion
Tue, Aug 5 • 11 AM – 2 PM — Local produce, crafts, live demos.

🌽 Sunriver Resort Farmers Market — Activity Barn (57007 Center Dr)
Wed, Aug 6 • 10 AM – 2 PM — Farm-to-table produce and artisan vendors. Visit Bend

🎨 Sunriver Art Fair — The Village at Sunriver (57000 Abbot Dr)
Fri–Sun, Aug 8–10 • 10 AM – 5 PM — 70+ juried artists in fine arts & crafts. Sunriver Art Fair
🎶 Sunriver Music Festival: Pops Concert — Great Hall, Sunriver Resort (17600 Center Dr)
Sat, Aug 9 • 7:30 PM — Broadway & film music tribute by festival orchestra. Visit Bend

🐴 Events: Prineville, OR

🎡 Crook County Fair — Crook County Fairgrounds (1280 Main St)
Wed–Sat, Aug 6–9 • See schedule — Carnival rides, livestock shows, live demos. Visit Central Oregon
🌽 CROP Farmers Market — Stryker Park (NE 4th & Court St)
Sat, Aug 9 • 9 AM – 1 PM — Seasonal produce and artisan foods.

🛍️ Events: Madras

 🚗 First Thursday Pin-ups & Hot Rods — Downtown Madras (Canal & 4th St)
Thu, Aug 7 • 5 PM – 6 PM — 1950s-themed car show, pin-up contest, live tunes. Madras Downtown Association
🌽 Madras Farmers Market — Sahalee Park (Madras)
Sat, Aug 9 • 9 AM – 2 PM — Produce, artisan goods, family activities.

Check back often in the Calendar App below as it is updated regularly 👇

HAVE an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?

Other Event Sources:

Local News…

Oregon Parks to raise prices amid rising costs and record visitors

Starting October 1, 2025, Oregon State Parks will begin charging day-use parking fees of $10 for in-state visitors and $12 for out-of-state visitors at Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, La Pine State Park, and Prineville Reservoir State Park. Overnight camping rates will also increase at Tumalo State Park, La Pine State Park, and Cove Palisades State Park to $29 for tents and $52 for full hook-up RVs on weekends and during peak season. Find more information here

Oregon State Parks is also collecting feedback to help guide its effort to re-imagine a stronger resilient park system. The survey includes priorities for new and existing experiences, services and amenities as well as views on public-private partnerships, sponsorships and other funding options.  

 

Alaska Airlines is adding year-round daily Redmond–Burbank flights, starting this fall

Alaska Airlines announced it will launch daily nonstop service between Redmond Airport and Burbank, California, operating year-round beginning this fall to meet growing travel demand in Central Oregon. (KTVZ)

New Bend roundabout opens early near Petrosa and Pine Nursery Park

A new roundabout at Deschutes Market and Yeoman Road in northeast Bend opened Friday, two weeks ahead of schedule. The upgrade aims to improve traffic near Pine Nursery Park and the growing Petrosa development.

Bye-bye, old mattress: Free recycling locations arrive in Central Oregon under new state law

Under Oregon’s new mattress-recycling law, two free drop-off sites have opened in Central Oregon as part of the Bye Bye Mattress program. Residents can now dispose of old mattresses at no cost, drastically reducing landfill burden and increasing material reuse. (KTVZ)

 Fire & Rescue…

Crime News…

Bend fugitive, car theft suspect eludes large police search, arrested while riding bike


A 24-year-old Bend man wanted on car-theft charges evaded a multi-agency ground search before officers located and arrested him riding a bicycle several miles from the initial crime scene. Central Oregon Daily News

Redmond Police seek tips after hit-and-run damages speed trailer

Central Oregon Daily News

Redmond Police are asking the public's help after someone hit one of the city's speed trailers Friday afternoon and took off.

Redmond PD said it happened around 3:00 p.m. at SW Canal Boulevard and SW Badger Avenue. The trailer was set up to clock southbound traffic.

Anyone who witnessed it or has information is asked to call non-emergency Dispatch at 541-693-6911, and refer to case # 2025-23482.

Regional News…

Community News…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon’s ’30 Bigs in 30 Days’ aims to recruit urgently needed mentors for boys


This August, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon launched a campaign to recruit 30 male mentors in 30 days, seeking to match more than 70 boys currently on the waitlist with caring “Big Brothers.” The program offers trained support, access to a 20-acre campus for activities, and staff oversight to ensure safe, enriching relationships. (KTVZ)

 

New east Bend roundabout ahead of schedule, won't need second closure

Progress on the Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard roundabout construction is ahead of schedule due to remarkable coordination among the project teams. Crews now anticipate completing the work within this year’s construction season, with no need for an additional intersection closure next spring.

Bend

Redmond

Deschutes County

Sponsors…

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 😎 Just sayin

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