In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

 🎃 Bingo4Heroes: Costume Contest & Bingo Night!

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🌱 Bend Considers Fee to Curb Gas Appliances in New Homes

🏗️ EquipmentShare Opens Redmond Branch, Expanding Oregon Footprint and Supporting Local Jobs

 🛹 Culver Celebrates Long-Awaited Skate Park Opening

❄️ Early Snowfall Blankets Mt. Bachelor, Boosting Hopes for Strong Ski Season

💊St. Charles, Bend Police host medication take-back event

🍽️A New Chapter for Downtown Bend Dining

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🚨 ⛑️SAR Assists Injured Snowboarder on Mt. Bachelor’s Cinder Cone

🚨Crime News

📰Regional News

 💸 Money Laundering Scheme Tied to Oregon Business Uncovered

🥰Community News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

Monday, October 27, 2025

Cascade Mountain Passes Weather

• North Oregon Cascades:

  • Rain and snow showers will continue into the morning, with a chance of a slight accumulation of up to 1 inch and a snow level of 4,000 feet.

  • The afternoon should become partly sunny, but drivers should remain cautious of wet and slushy conditions.

• East Slopes (Santiam Pass/US-20):

  • A 50% chance of mountain snow is forecast for the morning, transitioning to mostly sunny conditions later in the day.

  • Gusts up to 25 mph are possible in the morning.

• Southern Cascades (Willamette Pass/OR-58):

  • Patchy freezing fog is expected in the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies.

  • Some snow may still be falling early in the day, with lows in the lower to mid-20s.

• Southwest Oregon Cascades (Siskiyou Mountains):

  • Areas of patchy freezing fog are forecast in the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies.

  • Highs will be in the mid-40s. 

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

🎃 Bingo4Heroes: Costume Contest & Bingo Night!
Get ready for a frightfully fun evening at the Dry Canyon Club! It’s our very first BINGO4HEROS night — and we’re kicking it off with a spooktacular Halloween Costume Contest! 👻 Come dressed to impress and daub your way to victory with awesome prizes for bingo winners and the best-dressed ghouls, goblins, and heroes.

🕕 When: October 27th @ 6:00PM
📍 Where: Dry Canyon Club, Redmond
💥 Don’t miss this thrilling night of fun, fundraising, and fabulous costumes — see you there! 

Bend

🎵 Night Moves + Sam Blasucci
Where: Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend
When: Tue Oct 28, evening
What: Indie grooves and California folk-soul under one roof.
More Info: jambase.com/venue/volcanic-theatre-pub
(JamBase)

🎵 Jonah Marais
Where: Midtown Ballroom, Bend
When: Wed Oct 29, 7:00pm
What: Pop singer/songwriter (Why Don’t We) on his solo tour.
More Info: midtownballroom.com/calendar
(Midtown Ballroom)

🎭 BEAT Children’s Theatre: Beetlejuice JR
Where: Open Space Event Studios, Bend
When: Thu Oct 30 – Sat Nov 8 (opening night Thu Oct 30)
What: Family-friendly stage adaptation of the spooky hit.
More Info: openspace.studio/events
(Open Space)

🦇 Katacombs — Bend’s Premier Goth Night
Where: Domino Room (Midtown), Bend
When: Thu Oct 30, evening
What: Monthly darkwave/industrial/goth dance night.
More Info: midtownballroom.com/calendar
(Midtown Ballroom)

🎃🎚️ Barely Alive (EDM Halloween)
Where: Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend
When: Fri Oct 31, late
What: Heavy-hitting bass duo throws a Halloween blowout.
More Info: jambase.com/venue/volcanic-theatre-pub
(JamBase)

🎭 La Bon Burlesque: BITE CLUB
Where: Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend
When: Sat Nov 1, doors 7:00pm
What: Saucy, seasonal burlesque showcase for grown-ups.
More Info: volcanictheatre.com
(Volcanic Theatre Pub)

Redmond

🎃👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Trick-or-Treat on 6th Street
Where: Downtown Redmond (6th St closed Black Butte → Forest)
When: Fri Oct 31, 4:00pm–6:00pm
What: Community street trick-or-treat hosted by Redmond Chamber & partners.
More Info: visitredmondoregon.com/event/trick-or-treat-on-6th-street-2
(Visit Redmond Oregon)

🎃🎶 Nightmare on General Duffy’s Street
Where: General Duffy’s Waterhole, Redmond
When: Fri Oct 31, 4:00pm–10:00pm
What: Outdoor Halloween party with live music, food trucks & costumes.
More Info: visitredmondoregon.com/venue/general-duffys-waterhole
(Visit Redmond Oregon)

Sisters

🎃🎵 Halloween Party: David Jacobs-Strain & The Crunk Mountain Boys
Where: The Belfry, Sisters
When: Fri Oct 31, 8:00pm–11:30pm
What: Roots-blues throwdown; costumes encouraged.
More Info: belfryevents.com/events
(The Belfry)

Prineville

🎃👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Prineville Candy Crawl
Where: Downtown Prineville (Chamber program)
When: Fri Oct 31, 1:00pm–5:00pm
What: Passport trick-or-treat at participating businesses; prize drawing.
More Info: prinevillechamber.com/events (Candy Crawl)
(CASA of Central Oregon)

👻🎃 Ghost Town Haunted House (Crooked River Park)
Where: Crooked River Park, Prineville
When: Fri Oct 31, 5:00pm–11:00pm (Little Boo 5–6pm; Haunted House 6–10pm)
What: 3rd-annual community haunted house; $5 admission; concessions available.
More Info: visitcentraloregon.com/event/ghost-town-haunted-house-4
(Visit Central Oregon)

Sunriver

🎃👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Trick-or-Treat in The Village
Where: The Village at Sunriver
When: Fri Oct 31, 3:00pm–5:00pm
What: Participating businesses hand out treats — look for “Trick-or-Treat Here” signs.
More Info: villageatsunriver.com/events/trick-or-treat
(The Village at Sunriver)

La Pine

🎃👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Figaro’s Trunk-or-Treat
Where: Figaro’s Pizza of La Pine
When: Fri Oct 31, 4:00pm–7:00pm
What: Community trunk-or-treat with candy and costumes.
More Info: allevents.in/la-pine/trunk-or-treat/200029062002014
(AllEvents)

Madras

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Local News…

 🌱 Bend Considers Fee to Curb Gas Appliances in New Homes

Bend city councilors are exploring a new fee on developers who install gas-powered appliances in new housing developments, aiming to encourage a shift toward electric alternatives. With buildings accounting for nearly half of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, council members say the move could significantly impact Bend’s climate goals—especially as the city anticipates the need for over 33,000 new homes in the next two decades.

During a recent work session, city staff emphasized the long-term environmental and economic benefits of transitioning to electric systems. While no formal plan is on the table yet, a joint committee will begin developing the proposed fee structure in January, with a final council vote expected next summer. Councilors say the goal is to incentivize cleaner energy use—not to implement a ban on natural gas, but to guide sustainable building practices for Bend’s growing future.

🏗️ EquipmentShare Opens Redmond Branch, Expanding Oregon Footprint and Supporting Local Jobs

EquipmentShare, a national leader in tech-driven equipment rental and construction solutions, has officially opened its newest branch in Redmond. The new facility at 2475 NW Canal Blvd. is part of a $185 million statewide expansion that will create up to 120 jobs and bring the company’s total Oregon locations to ten. Local and state leaders joined EquipmentShare executives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the company emphasized its commitment to Central Oregon’s growing industrial and residential sectors.

The Redmond branch will offer EquipmentShare’s full lineup of Core, Advanced, and Tooling Solutions—all powered by its proprietary T3® platform, which gives contractors real-time insights and field support to keep projects running smoothly. In addition to investing in infrastructure and innovation, EquipmentShare is also giving back: each Oregon branch will donate $2,500 annually to local nonprofits, with this year’s Redmond donation going to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

 🛹 Culver Celebrates Long-Awaited Skate Park Opening

After more than six years of dedication, fundraising, and community spirit, Culver officially opened its brand-new skate park on Sunday with a celebratory ribbon-cutting. Families packed the new space to enjoy the skate ramp, pump track, and pickleball courts—all part of a project sparked by local residents who wanted to give kids a place to ride close to home. Funding came from community donations, scooter sales, and a memorial fund honoring Darlene Urbach, whose family played a major role in making the park a reality.

Emotions ran high as volunteers, including lead fundraiser Cindy Dix and former student Uriel Mejia, reflected on the years-long journey. For the Urbach family, the park stands as a meaningful tribute to Darlene’s memory and legacy in the community. With the park now open, Culver celebrates not just a new recreational space, but a symbol of what local passion and persistence can achieve.

❄️ Early Snowfall Blankets Mt. Bachelor, Boosting Hopes for Strong Ski Season

BEND, Ore. -- Mt. Bachelor is getting an early start on winter, with more than a foot of snow falling in the past 24 hours and additional snow expected through Monday.

Lauren Burke, director of marketing and communications for the resort, shared a video Sunday morning showing the lodge covered in fresh snow. The early snowfall is fueling excitement for the upcoming ski and snowboard season, with opening day scheduled for Nov. 28, less than five weeks away.

Resort officials say the recent storm is setting the stage for a strong start to the season, provided cold temperatures and more snow continue in the coming weeks. 

💊St. Charles, Bend Police host medication take-back event

BEND, Ore. -- Residents safely disposed of unwanted medications Saturday during a free take-back event hosted by St. Charles Health System and the Bend Police Department.

Community members drove through to drop off medications and properly packaged sharps, which Bend Police evidence technicians collected for safe DEA disposal.

Jennifer Tripp, director of hospital pharmacy services at St. Charles, said, “People don’t realize how quickly expired drugs that you’re not taking anymore add up, or maybe a family member passes away, so it’s a great time to clean out your medicine cabinets and safely drop them off.”

Last year, the event collected 397 pounds of medications and sharps. Those who missed Saturday’s event can drop off medications at the Bend Police Department lobby during business hours or at take-back bins at St. Charles community pharmacies in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville.

🍽️A New Chapter for Downtown Bend Dining

After 17 years as one of downtown Bend’s favorite fine-dining spots, 900 Wall served its last meal earlier this year — and a new restaurant is already preparing to take its place. The iconic corner location at 900 NW Wall St. will soon reopen under the direction of Chef George Morris, formerly of Bos Taurus, who’s bringing his culinary talents to the space with a new concept reportedly called The Hudson.

While official details are still under wraps, early buzz from social media hints at an upscale yet approachable dining experience that will continue Bend’s tradition of creative, locally inspired cuisine. Renovations are underway, and anticipation is building as locals await a fresh new flavor in the heart of downtown.

 Fire & Rescue…

 🚨 SAR Assists Injured Snowboarder on Mt. Bachelor’s Cinder Cone

Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers sprang into action Sunday afternoon after a 29-year-old snowboarder fell and hit a rock while riding the Cinder Cone at Mt. Bachelor, suffering serious pain in his hip and ribs. Due to the steep terrain and difficult access, Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol called in SAR for assistance just after noon.

Fifteen SAR volunteers hiked up the slope, stabilized the injured man, and helped transport him down to a snowcat-access road. From there, Mt. Bachelor staff used a snowcat to reach the West Village lot, where Bend Fire & Rescue took over and transported him to St. Charles Medical Center for evaluation. The Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the swift teamwork between SAR, ski patrol, and rescue personnel.

 Crime News…

Regional News…

 💸 Money Laundering Scheme Tied to Oregon Business Uncovered

Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 40, the owner and operator of La Popular—a money service business with multiple locations in Oregon and Washington—pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy to launder drug trafficking proceeds. A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in the U.S., Barrera Orantes admitted to knowingly accepting $49,500 in suspected drug money and using her business to funnel the cash through wire transfers to Mexico between August and November 2024. She took a 10% cut and used tactics such as false sender names, structuring transfers into smaller amounts, and rotating between store locations to avoid detection.

La Popular operated stores in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Woodburn, Odell, Canby, and Vancouver, Washington, and transferred more than $4.2 million to Mexico during the same time period. On April 16, 2025, federal investigators executed search warrants at Barrera Orantes’ Beaverton residence and several store locations, seizing over $316,000 in cash, a Cadillac Escalade, high-end jewelry, and luxury clothing. She was arrested that day and later indicted on 23 federal counts related to money laundering and failure to report suspicious activity.

As part of her plea agreement, Barrera Orantes will forfeit her home and all seized property linked to the case. She now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2026. The case was investigated by the IRS, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team.

Community News… 

City of Bend Events

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