Bend Yard Fire and Community Support Leads News From the Editor Welcome to this week's edition of Central Oregon Local Buzz. This issue highlights significant developments impacting our community, such as the swift containment of a vehicle fire at a Bend wrecking yard and a train fire that was quickly extinguished south of Bend. Stay informed on these stories and more, including new legislation on nicotine products, environmental initiatives by local students, and infrastructure updates in Redmond. 📰Local News Featured 🚭 Oregon Expands Tobacco Law to Include Nicotine Pouches and Lozenges A new Oregon law taking effect June 5 expands the state's definition of tobacco products to include oral nicotine pouches, lozenges, gum and other nicotine products, regardless of whether the nicotine is derived from tobacco or made synthetically. The change means these products will now be regulated the same way as cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products, including Oregon's requirement that purchasers be at least 21 years old.
State health officials say the update is aimed at reducing youth nicotine addiction as products like nicotine pouches continue to grow in popularity. According to the Oregon Health Authority, oral nicotine pouches became the second most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students in 2024. A recent statewide retail assessment also found that nearly half of tobacco retailers promoted oral nicotine products, often using flavored varieties and low prices that can appeal to younger consumers. Health officials hope the expanded regulations will help limit youth access to nicotine products and address a leading cause of preventable disease and death in Oregon. ⛑️Fire & Rescue News 🚒 Vehicle Fire at Bend Auto Wrecking Yard Quickly Contained A vehicle fire at B&R Auto Wrecking north of Bend Wednesday morning sent a large plume of black smoke into the air but was quickly brought under control before it could threaten nearby buildings or homes. Bend Fire & Rescue responded around 9:43 a.m. to reports of vehicles burning at the Highway 97 wrecking yard. Employees acted quickly, moving two burning vehicles away from the main building as flames spread to a pile of tires and nearby grass along the property line adjacent to Four Seasons Mobile Home Park.
Firefighters and Deschutes County Sheriff's deputies stopped the grass fire from spreading, and crews had the blaze knocked down within 10 minutes of arrival. One employee suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene. Investigators determined the fire started accidentally while workers were draining fuel from a vehicle before crushing it, when sparks from an electric tool ignited fuel vapors. Officials credited the facility's compliance with state safety regulations and regular inspections for helping prevent a much larger fire, keeping fuel tanks and other combustible materials safely separated from the burning vehicles and tire pile. Read more →
🚂 Train Fire South of Bend Quickly Extinguished Bend Fire & Rescue responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of a locomotive fire along the BNSF rail line near Baker Road and Deschutes River Woods. Around 3:15 p.m., 911 callers from Morning Star Christian School and BNSF reported smoke and flames coming from the lead locomotive of a northbound train traveling from Klamath Falls. Firefighters arrived to find flames in the locomotive's braking system and quickly extinguished the fire using water and fire extinguishers. No injuries were reported.
Train engineers were able to stop the train before it entered Bend, preventing traffic disruptions and reducing the risk of a larger incident. Officials noted the train came to a stop in an area where previous wildfire mitigation work had created a fire break, helping prevent the fire from spreading into nearby vegetation or the Deschutes River Woods neighborhood. The incident also highlighted the value of community wildfire-prevention efforts, including vegetation reduction projects funded through a 2024 grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office. Railroad traffic was temporarily halted while the damaged locomotive was removed and the train was moved to a staging yard in Bend. ⛰️Bend 👟 North Star Students Turn Old Sneakers Into Support for Environmental Center Students at North Star Elementary School are proving that small actions can make a big impact. Members of the school's Green Team collected more than 400 used athletic shoes through a community-wide sneaker drive, raising money for Bend's Environmental Center while keeping unwanted footwear out of landfills. The student-led initiative involved third- through fifth-grade students who chose to donate all proceeds from the collection effort to the local nonprofit focused on sustainability and environmental education.
The drive received support from North Star families, local running clubs and community members, with shoes being recycled or redistributed through the GotSneakers program. Organizers say the effort helped teach students about sustainability while giving gently used shoes a second life. Although the school collection has ended for the year, community members can continue donating athletic shoes through June 14 at FootZone in downtown Bend, which is serving as a temporary collection site. Read more →
🦅 Raptors Return to the Sky at High Desert Museum One of the High Desert Museum's most popular summer experiences is back. Through Labor Day, visitors can watch hawks, owls, falcons and even turkey vultures soar overhead during the Museum's daily Raptors of the Desert Sky program. Held each day at 11:30 a.m., the outdoor demonstration gives guests an up-close look at birds of prey in flight while Museum experts share insights into their hunting techniques, behaviors and the important role they play in the region's ecosystem.
The flight program is part of a full lineup of summer activities at the Museum, including wildlife encounters, living history demonstrations, exhibitions and family-friendly events. Because tickets for Raptors of the Desert Sky are sold separately from Museum admission and frequently sell out early, visitors are encouraged to arrive when the Museum opens at 9 a.m. to secure a spot. The program runs weather and air-quality permitting, with schedule adjustments made as needed during periods of extreme heat. ✈️Redmond 🚧 New Roundabout and Airport Way Extension Open June 8 in Redmond Drivers in Redmond will soon have a new route to access the city's growing south end. The City of Redmond announced that a new roundabout at Veterans Way, Airport Way and Lake Road, along with the Airport Way extension, will officially open to traffic on June 8. The project is designed to improve traffic flow, increase safety and provide better access to the area surrounding Roberts Field and future development on the city's south side.
Before the opening, crews will complete final paving and roadway tie-ins during a full closure of the area from June 5 through June 7. City officials say the new connection is a significant milestone in Redmond's transportation network, creating an additional east-west route and improving access to key employment, industrial and airport-related areas. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead during the temporary closure and watch for changing traffic patterns when the new roadway opens. Read more →
🏕️ Redmond, Deschutes County Move Forward with Managed Homeless Camp Deschutes County and the City of Redmond are moving ahead with plans for a new 36-site managed homeless camp on Redmond's east side. The site will be located near Oasis Village and the former Desert Rise encampment, which was recently closed by the city. After an initial search for a nonprofit operator came up empty, the city and county decided to oversee management of the camp themselves while partnering with local organizations to provide support services.
The nonprofit First Light has been selected to provide transitional housing assistance, mental health services, addiction support and employment resources for camp residents. Participants will be selected through the region's coordinated entry system, which prioritizes individuals based on need. Officials say the low-barrier shelter will include rules and regular security checks, similar to other managed camp programs in Central Oregon. The project has a two-year operating budget of $500,000, and county leaders say they hope to open the camp as soon as possible to help address homelessness following the closure of Desert Rise. Read more → 🐎Prineville 🎓 Crook County Foundation Awards More Than $116,000 in Scholarships More than 50 Crook County students are receiving financial support to pursue their education and career goals after the Crook County Foundation awarded $116,330 in scholarships this year. A total of 54 current and former Crook County High School students were recognized during the foundation's annual scholarship ceremony on June 2, with recipients representing a wide range of interests including healthcare, agriculture, science, music and skilled trades.
The scholarships were made possible through donations from community members, businesses and scholarship funds managed by the foundation. Among the largest awards were the Doris Cutright Scholarship, which provided 14 scholarships of $2,500 each, and the Bootstrap Scholarship, which awarded $24,000 through a wage-match program designed to support students who work while attending school. Foundation leaders said the awards reflect Crook County's ongoing commitment to investing in local students and helping build the next generation of community leaders and professionals. Read more → 🏘️Real Estate 🏡 Central Oregon Housing Market Update: Inventory Grows, Buyers Stay Active - By Reed Melton After a brief hiatus, this week's Central Oregon Market Report shows a housing market that continues to defy expectations. Despite mortgage rates remaining stubbornly above 6.5%, buyer demand has stayed remarkably resilient across the region. Inventory levels have increased modestly in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, but remain below what many analysts anticipated for 2026, helping keep competition alive for well-priced homes.
The latest data reveals a notable increase in closed sales throughout much of Central Oregon, suggesting buyers are still moving forward despite higher borrowing costs. While shoppers appear to be more selective than in recent years, attractive homes continue to sell, and inventory growth has been gradual rather than dramatic. The result is a market that remains balanced but active, offering opportunities for both buyers and sellers as the summer season gets underway. Read more →
🏡 RootedHomes Completes 23 Permanently Affordable Homes in Redmond RootedHomes is celebrating the completion of Rooted at 19th, a new community of 23 permanently affordable homes in northwest Redmond. The development uses the Community Land Trust model, which helps keep homes affordable for future generations, and features a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes along with a preserved historic farmhouse. All of the homes were built to net-zero energy standards, helping homeowners reduce utility costs while supporting long-term sustainability.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for June 12 at the development on NW 19th Street. RootedHomes officials say the project was designed to provide homeownership opportunities for local workers, including teachers, healthcare employees, service industry professionals and other Central Oregon families. The nonprofit, formerly known as Kôr Community Land Trust, has developed affordable housing communi Read more →
🏠 Bend Releases Free Pre-Approved ADU Plans for Homeowners The City of Bend has launched four free pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs, making it easier and potentially less expensive for homeowners to add additional housing on their property. The plans allow homeowners to use designs that have already gone through much of the review process, helping streamline permitting and reduce some of the complexity often associated with building an ADU.
The new designs were developed based on community feedback and include a variety of options, such as an accessible studio designed for people with disabilities, a two-bedroom layout and a studio with an attached garage. City officials hope the program will encourage more homeowners to create additional housing opportunities while increasing flexibility for multigenerational living, rental income or guest accommodations. The pre-approved plans are available only for properties located within Bend city limits. Read more → We hope you find this edition informative and engaging, offering a snapshot of Central Oregon's vibrant community life and ongoing developments. Feel free to participate or provide feedback on the issues that affect us all. Stay informed and connected. | 
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