In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

 🎄 Wild Wreath Workshop in Redmond

🎄🎅 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar – Terrebonne

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

🗳️ Transportation Tax Referendum Nears Oregon Ballot

 🧸🎮 New Collectible Shop Opens in Redmond

 🎨 Dry Canyon Community Art Center Set to Open in Historic Downtown Redmond

🦌 Winter Wildlife Closures Begin Monday Across Deschutes National Forest

🥞🍔 New Applebee’s | IHOP Opens in Redmond with Something for Everyone

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🔥 Sprinkler System Stops Fire at Miller Elementary; Lithium Battery Blamed

🚨Crime News

👩‍⚖️Bend man charged in child pornography case has bail set at $500,000

🥰Community News

🎄 Angel Tree Program Brings Holiday Joy to Central Oregon Kids

📰Regional News

📘 2024–25 Oregon Statewide Report Card Highlights Student Progress and Equity Insights

🛩️ Oregon Reviewing New Drone Rules for State Parks and Coast

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

FEATURED EVENT

🎄 Wild Wreath Workshop in Redmond

Dec. 5th

Get into the festive spirit with The Native Plant Society of Oregon at their Wild Wreath Making Workshop on Thursday, December 5th, from 12:30 to 5:30 PM at the Redmond Library (827 SW Deschutes Ave). Entry is free and includes complimentary warm drinks and holiday cookies! Wreaths are $30, centerpieces $20 — cash or Venmo accepted. Registration is required, so be sure to scan the QR code or visit their site to reserve your spot.

Create something beautiful using native greenery while supporting a great cause — and take home a little holiday cheer!

 🎄🎅 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar – Terrebonne

Get ready for a festive afternoon at the 3rd Annual Lunch with Santa & Holiday Bazaar! Happening Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM to 4 PM, this family-friendly event invites kids to enjoy holiday fun including make-your-own pizza, hot cocoa and cookies, holiday arts and crafts, and of course a photo with Santa. Parents can browse a selection of unique gifts at the holiday bazaar while the kiddos enjoy the activities.

The event takes place at 8483 NW Lone Pine Rd., Terrebonne. Tickets are $10 per child, and the day is hosted by Lone Pine Legacy. For more information, email [email protected] or call 541-383-4246.

HAVE an upcoming event you want us to FEATURE?

Click here to let us know about your upcoming Event!

Deschutes Public Library Events

Other Event Sources:

Visit Central Oregon Event Listings

Bend Magazine Event Listings

Local News…

🗳️ Transportation Tax Referendum Nears Oregon Ballot

A major referendum effort in Oregon has gathered more than enough signatures to challenge the state’s recently passed transportation-tax package, potentially sending the issue to voters in 2026. Petition organizers submitted over 150,000 signatures—nearly twice the number required—to pause the increases and place them on the ballot for a statewide vote. If certified by the Secretary of State, Oregonians will decide whether to uphold or reject the package, which includes a 6-cent gas-tax increase and higher vehicle-registration and title fees.

Supporters of the referendum say the legislature passed the tax hikes without sufficient public input and that voters should have the final say. They argue that the tax increases affect nearly every Oregon household and therefore warrant direct approval at the ballot box. If certified, the referendum would give voters across the state the opportunity to weigh in directly on the transportation-funding plan next year.

Signatures are still be collected - to find a location to sign the petition go HERE.

 🧸🎮 New Collectible Shop Opens in Redmond

Redmond has a fun new destination for collectors and gamers with the opening of Double K Collectibles on South Highway 97. The shop, which officially held its grand opening on November 28, brings a mix of video games, retro and modern toys, trading cards, and pop-culture collectibles to town. For local fans of Pokémon, vintage consoles, action figures, and hard-to-find merch, the new storefront fills a growing demand for specialty hobby shops in the area.

Owners say they want Double K Collectibles to be a community space where collectors of all ages can browse, trade, and talk shop. The store previously built its reputation as a vendor at regional card and toy shows, and the new brick-and-mortar location gives them a permanent home base in Redmond. They’re now open at 2130 S Highway 97, Suite A, with more inventory and special events planned as they settle in.

🎨 Dry Canyon Community Art Center Set to Open in Historic Downtown Redmond

Redmond’s arts community is getting a new heartbeat next week as the Dry Canyon Community Art Center prepares to open inside the newly restored Rogers & Lynch Building — a 1917 landmark once home to the Redmond Potato Show, a general store, and more than a century of local history. The center is the long-awaited dream of the Dry Canyon Arts Association, which began in 2004 as a tiny 19-member collective (then known as the High Desert Society of the Arts) and has since grown to nearly 200 members. For years, the group envisioned a centralized home where artists could gather, exhibit, teach, and build community. That vision gained real momentum in 2025 when an anonymous “angel investor” purchased the historic building for the association, followed by a $34,000 Oregon Cultural Trust grant that helped fund its transformation.

Now, the nearly complete 3,000-square-foot gallery — with plans already in motion for an additional 1,500 square feet — will offer rotating exhibitions, a curated gift shop featuring local makers, and dedicated classroom and studio space for artists of all ages and skill levels. Its opening marks a milestone not just for the Association, but for downtown Redmond, which continues to evolve as a vibrant cultural district. A ribbon-cutting is set for this Friday Dec. 5th at 4 p.m. during Redmond’s First Friday celebration, giving the community a first look at a space built to showcase creativity, connection, and the expanding local arts scene.

🦌 Winter Wildlife Closures Begin Monday Across Deschutes National Forest

Starting Monday, several key areas of the Deschutes National Forest—including the Cabin/Silver Lake, Metolius Winter Range, Opine Travel Management Area, and Tumalo Winter Range—will be closed to motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles and e-bikes) through March 31, 2026. These closures are essential for protecting deer and elk during the harsh winter months, when they migrate to lower elevations in search of shelter and food.

Local mule deer populations have dropped 56% since 2004, and winter disturbances can cause animals to burn through critical energy reserves needed to survive and care for their young. The Forest Service encourages the public to respect the closures to help sustain these vulnerable wildlife populations. Maps and more information are available on the Deschutes National Forest website.

🥞🍔 New Applebee’s | IHOP Opens in Redmond with Something for Everyone

Redmond just got a tasty new addition! The Applebee’s | IHOP combo restaurant officially opened on November 20 at 3807 SW 21st Street, serving up the best of both worlds—fluffy pancakes and hearty breakfasts from IHOP, plus all your Applebee’s favorites like burgers, ribs, and cocktails.

The new spot features two cozy dining areas, one for each brand, and even some exclusive menu items you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you're craving a sunrise stack of pancakes or a late-night burger run, they’ve got you covered daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Fire & Rescue…

🔥 Sprinkler System Stops Fire at Miller Elementary; Lithium Battery Blamed

BEND, Ore. — A fire alarm at Miller Elementary School on Sunday night led Bend Fire & Rescue to discover a small fire in the custodian's workshop off the gym. The building’s sprinkler system activated and successfully contained the flames, preventing them from spreading beyond the workshop, though smoke and water did affect the gym area. The fire was caused by a lithium battery that failed while stored in a cabinet, eventually igniting and triggering the sprinklers. Cleanup efforts were underway Sunday night, with school staff and district maintenance working to ensure a safe return for students. Officials expect any disruptions to be minimal.

Bend Fire & Rescue is reminding the community to use and store lithium batteries safely. Faulty or damaged batteries can ignite days after failure. Tips include using only manufacturer-approved chargers, keeping batteries at room temperature, and never disposing of them in the trash. Improperly discarded batteries are a major fire risk, especially in landfills. Residents are encouraged to contact their waste service or local electronics stores for safe disposal options.

Crime News…

👩‍⚖️Bend man charged in child pornography case has bail set at $500,000

BEND, Ore. -- Bail was set at $500,000 Friday for a Bend man charged with multiple counts related to child pornography.

Kyler Kramer, 22, is charged with 10 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse, with nine of those first-degree. His arraignment was held Friday. A plea hearing scheduled for Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Kramer's arrest came after a CyberTip to Bend Police on Oct. 10 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said. Detectives investigated and allegedly determined Kramer was the one who had accessed Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM). He was arrested at his home in the 200 block of NW Broadway Street.

Community News…

 🎄 Angel Tree Program Brings Holiday Joy to Central Oregon Kids

With Christmas fast approaching, the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program is once again stepping in to help families in need across Central Oregon. For over 45 years, Angel Trees have provided gifts to children whose families may be struggling during the holidays. Last year alone, more than 83,000 toys were donated across Oregon, including hundreds in Bend and Redmond through trees located inside Walmart stores. Each tag represents a local child with real wishes and real needs—an effort only made possible through community generosity.

This year, the Salvation Army hopes to support around 600 families, and the movement is gaining steam online thanks to viral support from influencers like CrimeDocDani. Formerly a social worker, Dani Liles has used her popular TikTok account to raise awareness about the program, inspiring her audience to join in. "These kids just lit up," she said, recalling how Angel Tree gifts brought joy to children in her care. With strong local and online support, the Angel Tree program continues to spread holiday cheer—one gift, one smile, and one child at a time.

Regional News…

📘 2024–25 Oregon Statewide Report Card Highlights Student Progress and Equity Insights

The Oregon Department of Education has released the 2024–25 Statewide Report Card, offering a comprehensive look at how the state’s K–12 public schools are performing. Among the highlights: a record-high 86.6% of ninth graders are now on track to graduate, student and teacher diversity continues to increase, and the number of State Seals of Biliteracy awarded rose to 3,713. The report also notes that Oregon classrooms now serve students who speak 379 unique languages, and nearly 40% of school superintendents statewide are women.

Paired with the annual SEED (Student Educational Equity Development) Survey—which gathered responses from more than 180,000 students—the report provides a more nuanced view of student experience. Encouragingly, 92% of students say they have caring adults at school, and 84% feel welcome. However, students with disabilities and those facing poverty continue to report lower levels of belonging. New domain scores in the SEED data will help schools better understand and respond to student needs. Full reports are available at oregon.gov/ode.

🛩️ Oregon Reviewing New Drone Rules for State Parks and Coast

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is moving forward with plans to regulate drone use in state parks and along the ocean shore. The Drone Rule Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m., to discuss proposed takeoff and landing rules, review feedback, and help shape safe and responsible drone practices. The meeting will be livestreamed on the OPRD Director’s Office YouTube channel, with a recording available afterward.

This effort follows a previous pause in 2022 due to strong public response. A work group made up of drone users, conservationists, and recreation groups was convened to map out areas for potential drone access and restrictions. Public comments on the draft rules are expected this winter, with final regulations anticipated by spring 2026.

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

 😎Just sayin

Follow us on facebook