From the Editor

Welcome to Central Oregon Local Buzz. In this issue, we present concise updates on key happenings in the area. This week, we cover Flag City USA's 35th year of honoring veterans with a Memorial Day flag display, the devastating late-night fire in NE Bend, a scam alert from Bend Police, the opening of REVOLVR in Old Mill, COCC's first prison education graduates, La Pine's historic building preservation, new affordable housing opportunities, OSU-Cascades' career showcase, and Max Orsini's record-breaking Ride4Life.

📰Local News Featured

Flag City USA Marks 35th Year with Flag Display for Memorial Day

In what has become a beloved tradition, Flag City USA is set to commence its 35th year of adorning the city of Redmond with over 1,600 flags this Memorial Day. This annual event is a cherished occasion for the local community and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals in service to the nation.

Flag City USA's initiative began in 1988, marking the city as a patriotic hub in Central Oregon. Each year, volunteers from various community groups come together to place the flags along streets, parks, and public spaces, creating a stunning visual tribute. This event not only honors fallen veterans but also engages residents in acts of remembrance and community service.

For local residents, this flag display is more than just a ceremony; it is a call to reflect on the freedoms afforded by the sacrifices of past and present service members. It provides an opportunity for residents, especially veterans and their families, to participate in or witness a heartfelt tribute. Many families make it a tradition to walk the flag-lined streets and attend memorial services, fostering a sense of unity and respect within the community.

As the city prepares for another successful Memorial Day, flag displays remind residents of the enduring spirit and dedication required to maintain such a longstanding tradition. Participation in this event underscores the communal values and shared histories that continue to bind the community together, reinforcing the importance of remembering those who served and continue to serve.

⛑️Fire & Rescue News

🔥 Late-Night Fire Destroys Two NE Bend Homes, Causes Over $1M in Damage

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a major structure fire late Thursday night near Boyd Acres Road in northeast Bend after multiple 911 callers reported flames around 11:30 p.m. First crews arriving on scene found two homes heavily engulfed in fire, with flames spreading into nearby brush and trees, prompting firefighters to call for a second alarm response.

Crews from Redmond Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, and Sunriver Fire Department assisted in knocking down the fire, with firefighters stopping its spread within about 45 minutes. Both homes were left uninhabitable, including one considered a total loss, and the American Red Cross was called to assist displaced residents. Estimated losses exceed $1 million, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

🔥 Tumalo House Fire Spreads Into Brush, Causes Over $575K in Damage

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a major house fire Sunday afternoon in the Tumalo area after multiple 911 callers reported flames coming from a split-level home on 76th Street shortly after 2:30 p.m. Fire crews arrived to find the home heavily engulfed, with flames spreading into nearby brush and trees while neighbors used garden hoses to help keep the fire from reaching surrounding properties.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze, though the lack of fire hydrants in the area slowed final extinguishment efforts. No one was home at the time of the fire, but the American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. Damage is estimated at roughly $500,000 to the home and $75,000 to its contents. Mutual aid crews from Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Redmond Fire & Rescue, and Oregon Department of Forestry also responded. The cause remains under investigation.

🚨Crime News

🚨 Bend Police Warn of Jury Duty & Warrant Scam Surge

Bend Police Department is warning Central Oregonians after a recent spike in scams involving callers posing as law enforcement officers and threatening victims with arrest warrants or legal trouble. In several recent cases, scammers claimed victims missed jury duty or failed to appear in court, then pressured them to send money immediately through Bitcoin ATMs or banking apps.

One Bend woman reportedly lost about $7,000 after being told she had a federal jury duty warrant, while another resident sent $4,500 through a banking app over a fake court notice. In a separate incident, a Bend man was instructed to deposit $10,000 into a Bitcoin ATM before the machine stopped working after he had already deposited $2,900. Police say scammers often spoof real agency phone numbers and may already have personal information about victims, making the calls seem legitimate. Authorities stress that law enforcement agencies will never demand payment by phone, text, gift cards, Bitcoin, or apps. Anyone unsure about a suspicious call is encouraged to hang up and contact the agency directly to verify it.

⛰️Bend

🛍️ REVOLVR Opens in Old Mill as Portland Gear Expands Into Bend

Two Pacific Northwest retail brands are expanding their footprint in Bend’s Old Mill District with new storefronts now open in the shopping district. REVOLVR recently opened its new location in the former Francesca’s space following the national retailer’s bankruptcy earlier this year. Owner Jon Davis said the move helps the locally based company better connect with shoppers who prefer the Old Mill area over downtown Bend.

Meanwhile, Portland Gear officially celebrated the grand opening of its first Bend location Saturday in the former Wild Child storefront. The launch event featured giveaways for the first customers through the doors along with raffle prizes as the Oregon lifestyle brand marked its expansion into Central Oregon.

🪶Madras

🎓 First-Ever COCC Prison Education Graduates Earn Degrees at Deer Ridge

Nine incarcerated students at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution are set to become the first graduates of Central Oregon Community College’s prison education program, marking a major milestone for the recently launched initiative. The students will receive associate degrees during a graduation ceremony on June 9 at the Madras correctional facility, where COCC instructors have been teaching courses ranging from biology and history to communication and human development.

The program currently serves around 30 students each academic year out of the prison’s roughly 1,100 adults in custody. Officials say the transfer degree is designed to help students continue their education after release while also reducing recidivism rates. COCC was among the first colleges in the nation approved to receive restored federal Pell Grant funding for incarcerated students after Congress lifted a decades-long ban in 2023. Studies cited by the college show prison education programs can dramatically lower repeat offense rates for participants who earn degrees.

🌞La Pine/Sunriver

🏛️ La Pine Celebrates Preservation of Historic Building Planned for Future Museum

Residents gathered Saturday at Rosland Park to celebrate the future of one of La Pine’s oldest surviving buildings as local historians work toward creating a permanent museum space downtown. Hosted by the La Pine Historical Society and Museum, the event highlighted plans to preserve and eventually relocate the early-1900s structure back into the heart of the community.

The historic building has served many roles over the decades, including as a land office, schoolhouse, and church. Community members originally saved it from demolition years ago by physically moving it to Rosland Park. Now, organizers hope to give it a new life as the centerpiece of a future museum dedicated to preserving La Pine’s stories and heritage. The historical society is currently raising funds for the project through donations and fundraiser T-shirt sales.

🏘️ Applications Opening Soon for New Affordable Housing Community in La Pine

A new affordable housing development in La Pine is preparing to open applications later this month for dozens of income-restricted apartments aimed at helping local families and veterans find stable housing. Wickiup Station Apartments, a new 39-unit community in the Wickiup Junction area, will begin accepting applications May 28 and will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for households earning below 60% of the area median income. Ten of the apartments will be reserved specifically for veterans.

The development will include amenities such as a fitness center, community room, playground, raised garden beds, secured entries, and mountain-view decks. Rent prices are expected to range from roughly $643 to $1,783 depending on unit size and income qualifications, with utilities included. Cascade Management will oversee leasing and property management, and a public lease-up event is scheduled for May 28 at the American Legion in La Pine to help prospective residents through the application process.

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