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In this issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🤔Local Trivia Wednesdays

🌄Bend, OR Weather

📅 What’s Up Central Oregon?

📰Local News - What’s a Happening?

 🚨 Speeds Over 100 MPH Spark Safety Warning in Deschutes County

 🚌 Middle School CTE Cuts Raise Concerns in Jefferson County

 🦊 Volunteers Help Track Rare Carnivores Across Central Oregon

🏕️ Homeless Camp Cleanup in Redmond Delayed Amid County Concerns

 🏡 Village Meadows Brings Affordable Homeownership to Sisters

⚠️ 911 Outage Disrupts Emergency Calls in Crook & Jefferson Counties

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

 🚑 Two Serious Crashes in Bend Highlight Growing Safety Concerns

 🚨 Fatal Head-On Crash on Highway 97 Near Chiloquin

🚑 Hiker Rescued After Medical Emergency on Misery Ridge Trail

 🔥 Tumalo Shop Fire Caused by Vehicle Fuel Leak, Sparks Wildfire Reminder

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

 🐎 Rescued Mustang Finds New Purpose After Tragic La Pine Case

📰Regional News

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

🚨 Speeds Over 100 MPH Spark Safety Warning in Deschutes County

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to slow down after several recent incidents involving extreme speeds—one topping 115 mph—along Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond. In one case, a 23-year-old Redmond man was arrested for DUII after deputies clocked him weaving through traffic at speeds reaching into the 120s. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit. In separate stops the same day, two other drivers were cited for speeds exceeding 100 mph.

Officials say dangerous driving is becoming a growing concern across Central Oregon. Between February 20 and March 20, dispatchers fielded 114 DUII complaints and nearly 300 traffic-related calls. Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasized that speeding and impaired driving dramatically increase the risk of serious crashes, noting enforcement will ramp up heading into spring and summer. Drivers caught exceeding 100 mph face steep penalties, including fines over $1,100 and license suspension. Authorities are urging people to plan ahead, drive sober, and prioritize safety over speed.

🚌 Middle School CTE Cuts Raise Concerns in Jefferson County

Jefferson County Middle School is cutting two sections of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, a move that’s raising concerns among educators and families about reduced hands-on learning opportunities for students. The cuts come as part of broader staffing and scheduling adjustments within the district, impacting classes designed to give students early exposure to real-world skills and career pathways.

CTE programs are often seen as a critical bridge between academics and future careers, and the reduction may limit access for some students interested in technical fields. While district leaders say adjustments are necessary, the decision highlights ongoing challenges schools face balancing budgets, staffing, and student opportunities. (Madras Pioneer)

🦊 Volunteers Help Track Rare Carnivores Across Central Oregon

A new partnership between Think Wild and Cascadia Wild is expanding efforts to monitor rare carnivores across Central Oregon—and they’re calling on volunteers to help. The program focuses on elusive species like gray wolves, wolverines, Sierra Nevada red foxes, and martens, using tools like remote cameras, track surveys, and scat collection to better understand where these animals live and how they use the landscape. (KTVZ)

The community science effort will deploy trained volunteers throughout the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, helping researchers gather critical data that supports wildlife conservation and management decisions. Organizers say the program not only fills important gaps in tracking these hard-to-study species, but also gives locals a hands-on way to connect with and protect Central Oregon’s unique wildlife. (KTVZ)

🏕️ Homeless Camp Cleanup in Redmond Delayed Amid County Concerns

Plans to clear a large homeless encampment in east Redmond are facing delays after Deschutes County officials asked the city to pause the cleanup effort. The site, located in the Desert Rise industrial area, has grown significantly—now housing dozens of campers—as the city pushes to reclaim the land for future development. However, county leaders worry that moving forward too quickly could displace people without a clear alternative and create “chaos” as individuals relocate to nearby county-owned land.

The city had planned to begin clearing the site in the coming months, with outreach efforts and resources offered to help campers relocate. At the same time, a new managed homeless camp near the Redmond Airport is nearing completion, but it is not yet operational. County officials say waiting until that facility is open could provide a more stable transition and avoid shifting the burden—and costs—elsewhere in the region.

🏡 Village Meadows Brings Affordable Homeownership to Sisters

A long-awaited affordable housing project in Sisters is now complete, as Habitat for Humanity celebrates the final homes at Village Meadows—a 21-home neighborhood more than a decade in the making. The development provides local families with access to stable, affordable homeownership, created through a combination of community support, volunteers, and future homeowners helping build the homes themselves.

Leaders say the project represents more than just housing—it’s a pathway to stability and opportunity in a region where affordability remains a major challenge. With Village Meadows now finished, efforts are already shifting toward the next phase of affordable housing in Sisters, aiming to continue meeting the growing need for workforce and family housing in Central Oregon.

⚠️ 911 Outage Disrupts Emergency Calls in Crook & Jefferson Counties

A recent network outage disrupted 911 landline calls in Crook County and temporarily knocked out phone and payment systems at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, creating concerns about emergency access across parts of Central Oregon. Officials said the issue impacted the ability for some residents to reach dispatch through traditional landlines during the outage.

Authorities urged residents to use alternative methods—such as cell phones—to contact 911 if needed while systems were being restored. The outage highlights the importance of backup communication options during emergencies, especially in rural areas where reliable access to emergency services is critical.

Fire & Rescue…

🚑 Two Serious Crashes in Bend Highlight Growing Safety Concerns

Bend Police are urging extra caution on local roads after two serious injury crashes in just four days—part of 26 total crashes reported in the past week. On March 17, a motorcycle rider was critically injured at NW Franklin Avenue and Harriman Street after attempting to pass stopped traffic using the bike lane, colliding with a vehicle turning left. Just days later, on March 20, a cyclist riding an e-bike was seriously hurt at SE Second Street and Miller Avenue when a vehicle turned left directly into his path. Both incidents required extended road closures while crash reconstruction teams investigated.

With spring break bringing more drivers to Central Oregon, officials say these crashes are a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong. Bend Police are asking drivers, cyclists, and motorcyclists alike to stay alert, slow down, and expect heavier traffic in the coming weeks.

 🚨 Fatal Head-On Crash on Highway 97 Near Chiloquin

A 76-year-old Grants Pass woman was killed Tuesday evening after a head-on crash on Highway 97 near Chiloquin, according to Oregon State Police. Investigators say the woman, driving a Dodge Ram with a trailer, crossed into the southbound lane for unknown reasons and collided with a Ford F550 towing equipment. The crash happened around 7:49 p.m. and shut down the highway for roughly six hours.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 44-year-old man from Washington, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to cross the center line.

🚑 Hiker Rescued After Medical Emergency on Misery Ridge Trail

Emergency crews responded to Smith Rock State Park Thursday afternoon after a 67-year-old man from California suffered a medical emergency while hiking the popular Misery Ridge Trail. Deputies, Search & Rescue volunteers, Redmond Fire & Rescue, and park rangers worked together to reach the patient and provide on-scene care before carefully transporting him down the trail using a wheeled litter.

The man was then transferred to a waiting ambulance for further evaluation and transport. Officials highlighted the coordinated response as a reminder of the strong partnerships and trained volunteers that help keep Central Oregon’s outdoor spaces safe for both residents and visitors.

🔥 Tumalo Shop Fire Caused by Vehicle Fuel Leak, Sparks Wildfire Reminder

A structure fire in Tumalo on March 20 has been ruled accidental, caused by a fuel leak and backfire from a vehicle parked inside a shop at 65425 76th Street. The 1,600-square-foot shop and its contents—including two classic vehicles and a motorized scooter—were completely destroyed, with additional heavy damage to a nearby travel trailer. Total losses are estimated at around $220,000. Fire crews were able to stop the flames before they reached nearby homes, despite vegetation allowing the fire to spread beyond the structure.

The fire, first reported around 5:11 p.m., was highly visible from Highway 97 and quickly drew a large response from Bend Fire & Rescue, along with Cloverdale and Redmond crews. Officials say the incident is a timely reminder as wildfire season approaches, urging property owners to create defensible space around all structures—not just homes. Clearing vegetation and flammable materials within five feet of buildings can significantly reduce fire risk.

Crime News…

Community News…

🐎 Rescued Mustang Finds New Purpose After Tragic La Pine Case

A mustang connected to a recent Central Oregon homicide is getting a second chance—and helping others heal in the process. Teamo, a 10-year-old sorrel paint mustang, was one of six horses taken in by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office after her owner was killed near La Pine on March 1. Now, she’s beginning a new life at StirrUp Purpose, a Bend-area equine therapy program where staff say her calm temperament and connection with people make her a perfect fit.

Within days of arriving, Teamo showed strong potential as a therapy horse and will soon begin training to work with clients through guided activities and riding sessions. The program, which focuses on emotional healing through equine interaction, says Teamo’s personality and age will allow her to serve for years to come. Her transition also highlights the quick work of local animal control and partner organizations to place rescued animals into safe, meaningful environments.

 Regional News… 

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