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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?

  🔥 Wildfire Damage Forces Warm Springs to End Forest Carbon Project

  🏛️ Madras Finance Director Kate Knop Resigns Amid Leadership Turnover at City Hall

 🌾 Oregon “Farm Store” Bill Passes Legislature

🗳️ Student Dinosaur, Otter Designs Win Deschutes “I Voted” Sticker Contest

🏕️ Bend Park & Rec Summer Registration Opens Soon — Expect Long Waits

 💧 Deschutes County Declares Drought Emergency as Snowpack Drops to 30% of Normal

 💨Windstorm topples trees across Central Oregon as arborists warn of hidden danger CODN 🎦

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

  🔥 Wind-Driven Brush Fire Near Sisters Burns Nearly Two Acres

🚨Crime News

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

  🐦 Western Snowy Plover Nesting Season Begins March 15 on Oregon Coast

⚖️ Judge Allows Oregon Gas Tax Referendum to Stay on May Ballot

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘💼Real Estate & Business News

🏘📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

 🏡 Sisters Habitat Completes 21-Home Village Meadows Affordable Housing Neighborhood

 🔥 Bend Considering Fire-Resistant Building Requirements for New Homes

 🥕 Central Oregon Locavore Expanding with Second Bend Location

 🛞 Bend-Based Les Schwab Names New CEO and Board Chair

 👜 Handmade Leather Brand “High Desert Fringe” Opening Storefront in Culver

⛷️ New Indoor Kids Ski & Snowboard School “Shredder Bend” Opening in Bend

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😆Today’s Meme

Answer: B — It had the first city-owned railway in the United States

Expanded Answer:
In 1918, Prineville made national history by creating the City of Prineville Railway, the first municipally owned railroad in the United States. At the time, major rail companies refused to extend service to the town, which threatened the survival of Prineville’s booming timber industry. Instead of waiting, local leaders voted to build their own rail line connecting Prineville to the main rail network in Redmond. The railway was completed in just a few years and became a lifeline for the local economy—hauling lumber, livestock, and goods for decades. Remarkably, the City of Prineville Railway still operates today, making it one of the longest-running municipally owned railroads in the country.

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Local News…

 🔥 Wildfire Damage Forces Warm Springs to End Forest Carbon Project

A forest carbon credit project that once generated millions for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has been shut down after wildfire damage destroyed much of the protected forest. The program, launched in 2015, set aside roughly 22,000–24,000 acres of tribal forest east of Mount Jefferson to store carbon and generate revenue through California’s cap-and-trade carbon market. Over the years, the project brought in about $25 million from the sale of carbon offset credits, becoming one of the tribe’s significant revenue sources.

But the 2020 Lionshead Fire, which burned more than 200,000 acres across the region, scorched large portions of the project area and killed mature trees that stored the carbon the agreement relied on. Tribal officials said the loss of forest carbon made the project no longer viable under the program’s requirements. Leaders say the experience is reshaping how the tribe approaches forest management, with future carbon projects potentially focusing on different areas and incorporating more active forest management to reduce wildfire risk while protecting resources for future generations.

🏛️ Madras Finance Director Kate Knop Resigns Amid Leadership Turnover at City Hall

The City of Madras is facing another leadership change after Finance Director Kate Knop resigned effective immediately on March 9, marking the second high-level departure from City Hall this year. Knop, who had overseen the city’s finances for about two years, stepped down just before the finance department was scheduled to present information to the Madras Redevelopment Commission regarding a loan issued to Initiative Brewing.

Her resignation adds to a series of leadership vacancies in Madras. Former City Administrator Will Ibershof resigned in January, and interim administrator Jeff Hurd returned to his public works role after six weeks. The city is also currently without a permanent police chief following the 2025 firing of Tim Plummer, with Sgt. Angela Elder serving as acting chief. City officials say services remain fully operational as council members and staff work through the transitions, with finance staff temporarily reporting directly to the City Council while recruitment efforts move forward.

 🌾 Oregon “Farm Store” Bill Passes Legislature

A bill aimed at helping small farms sell more of their own products directly to customers has cleared the Oregon Legislature. The measure expands what farm stands and on-farm stores are allowed to sell, giving farmers more flexibility to offer value-added goods such as processed foods made with ingredients grown on their farms.

Supporters say the change helps small and mid-size farms diversify their income and makes it easier for them to operate farm stores without navigating complex commercial retail rules. Lawmakers behind the bill say the goal is to strengthen local agriculture and support rural economies while still maintaining limits so farm stands remain primarily focused on products grown or produced locally.

🗳️ Student Dinosaur, Otter Designs Win Deschutes “I Voted” Sticker Contest

Two local students are the winners of Deschutes County’s 2026 “I Voted” sticker contest, with creative designs featuring a dinosaur and an otter selected for this year’s ballots. The contest invited students from across the county to submit original artwork celebrating voting and civic participation, with the winning designs set to appear on stickers given to voters during upcoming elections. County officials say the annual contest is meant to encourage civic engagement among young people while giving local students a chance to showcase their creativity.

🏕️ Bend Park & Rec Summer Registration Opens Soon — Expect Long Waits

Families hoping to sign up for Bend Park & Recreation District summer camps and programs should prepare for long wait times when registration opens next week. Summer camp registration begins March 17 at 6 a.m., followed by registration for other recreation programs, swim lessons, and sports leagues on March 18. Due to extremely high demand, officials say online registration could take 45 to 60 minutes or more, even with system upgrades designed to handle heavy traffic. (Bend Park and Recreation District)

Bend Park & Rec uses a virtual waiting room system to manage the rush of users trying to secure spots in popular camps and activities. The district encourages families to log in early, make sure their accounts are updated, and have program activity numbers ready before registration opens to improve their chances of getting into the programs they want. (Bend Park and Recreation District)

💧 Deschutes County Declares Drought Emergency as Snowpack Drops to 30% of Normal

Deschutes County officials have declared a drought emergency, citing record-low snowpack and worsening dry conditions across the region. The declaration — signed by Commissioners Tony DeBone and Phil Chang — notes that snowpack in the Central Cascades is only about 30% of normal, raising concerns about impacts to crops, livestock, recreation, tourism, and natural resources. If approved by Gov. Tina Kotek, the declaration would allow the county to access state resources aimed at helping communities manage drought-related financial strain.

Water managers say the situation could lead to significant irrigation cuts in the months ahead. The Deschutes River is already experiencing extremely low natural flow levels, and officials warn that reduced snowmelt will likely lead to record-low river flows and declining reservoir levels later this year. Local irrigation districts that depend on Deschutes River water are expected to face curtailed supplies, potentially affecting agricultural operations throughout Central Oregon and neighboring Jefferson County.

Fire & Rescue…

 🔥 Wind-Driven Brush Fire Near Sisters Burns Nearly Two Acres

Firefighters quickly contained a brush fire northeast of Sisters on Wednesday afternoon after high winds pushed flames from a rekindled burn pile into nearby vegetation. Crews with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District responded around 1:25 p.m. March 11 to a fire spreading between Wilt Road and the Whychus Canyon Estates area, where winds helped carry the flames into surrounding brush and trees.

Firefighters attacked the fire from both flanks and stopped its forward spread by 2:27 p.m., holding the blaze to about 1.8 acres before moving into mop-up operations. Officials say the fire was caused by a burn pile that reignited two days after it was believed to be extinguished, and they are reminding residents to carefully check old burn piles during windy conditions to ensure they are fully out and cold to the touch.

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Crime News…

Community News…

 Regional News… 

🐦 Western Snowy Plover Nesting Season Begins March 15 on Oregon Coast

Beachgoers along the Oregon Coast are being asked to help protect a small but important resident as western snowy plover nesting season begins March 15 and runs through Sept. 15. The threatened shorebirds nest in dry sand above the high tide line, where their well-camouflaged eggs and chicks can be difficult to see. To protect the birds during this sensitive time, recreation restrictions will be in place at designated plover beaches along roughly 40 miles of Oregon’s 362-mile coastline.

Visitors to these areas are asked to stay on wet, hard-packed sand and avoid roped-off nesting zones. Dogs—even on leash—along with vehicles, bicycles, camping, fires, kites, and drones are not allowed in designated nesting areas during the season. Officials say the protections have helped the species recover significantly, with the number of breeding adults increasing from just 45 when the bird was listed as threatened in 1993 to 546 counted during the 2025 breeding survey. Beachgoers near Sand Lake Recreation Area may also see new nesting sites forming and are encouraged to avoid roped areas, pack out trash, and keep pets away from sensitive habitat.

⚖️ Judge Allows Oregon Gas Tax Referendum to Stay on May Ballot

A Marion County judge has ruled that a statewide vote on Oregon’s controversial transportation funding package — which includes a gas tax increase — will remain on the May 19, 2026 primary ballot. Senior (Kate Brown appointed) Judge David Leith declined to block Senate Bill 1599, the legislation passed by Oregon lawmakers earlier this year that moved the referendum from the November general election to the earlier primary election.

The referendum centers on a major transportation funding law approved by the Legislature that includes a 6-cent increase to Oregon’s gas tax, along with higher vehicle title and registration fees and a temporary increase to the statewide payroll tax that helps fund public transit. Opponents of the plan gathered roughly 250,000 signatures to refer the measure to voters, automatically pausing the tax increases until the public decides whether the law should take effect.

Republican lawmakers and some critics challenged the Legislature’s decision to move the vote to May, arguing the change came after the referendum had already qualified for the November ballot and could reduce voter participation. However, the judge determined that the Oregon Constitution gives the Legislature authority to set election dates for ballot measures, allowing the earlier vote to proceed.

With the ruling in place, voters across Oregon will decide the future of the transportation funding plan during the May primary election, though additional appeals of the ruling are still possible before the election.

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Road Construction

Friday’s

Real Estate & Business News

Sponsored by

Central Oregon Market Report | March 11, 2026

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

This morning, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.19%, up slightly from a low of 5.99% on February 24. On January 21, 2025, the rate was 7.05%. While the trend is lower and undoubtedly helping buyers, the 6% threshold has been stubborn. With the new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh set to take the reins from outgoing Chair Jerome Powell on May 15, the appointment still needs Senate confirmation. The likelihood of Powell cutting rates again before the end of his term is low, and there is every reason to believe Warsh will be cautious before enacting any changes. Unrest in the Middle East could throw a wrench in the gears, but a rate cut before the end of the year under Warsh isn't out of the question. However, for mortgage rates this summer, it is likely that current levels will hold for the foreseeable future. Keep in mind that a spike in yields on the 10-year Treasury followed past Fed rate cuts, and it has taken time for markets to settle after Fed activity.

Takeaway: Mortgage rates today are favorable and unlikely to change dramatically until the third quarter of 2026.

This week in Deschutes County, the biggest inventory spike of the year occurred, up 49 from last week to 902 single-family listings. Seventy-five pending sales are up three from last week, with the average pending list price at $852,743. Forty-nine transactions closed at an average of $798,534, and a sold-to-original-list-price ratio of 97.24%.

Crook County inventory is stable at 169, the same as last week. The build-up to peak inventory occurs later in smaller Crook County, a trend that has persisted for years. Twelve pending sales are also the same as last week, with the average pending sale price at $701,800. The pending average is $180k higher than last week, but two Brasada Ranch listings just under $2 million skewed the results. Two transactions closed this week: $435k on Tyler Street and $475k on Martingale, just west of Main Street. The Tyler Street listing closed above the asking price, and the Martingale home just below the list price

Jefferson County's inventory remains tightly clustered around the 110 mark, exactly where it is this morning, up two from last week. Four sales are pending, averaging $522,249, down four from last week. Five transactions closed this week, down one from last week, and averaging $424,790, up from $366,491 last week. The average price reduction before securing a contract this week was 1.04%, with the sold-to-original-list-price ratio at 97.67%.

Activity in 2026 has been steady, but has yet to really take off. I suspect some are sitting back to see what develops. Once the trajectory of mortgage interest rates becomes more apparent, with continued inventory growth, I suspect activity will increase. I still anticipate more sales in 2026 than in 2025 and the most since 2022. The market remains stable, but relatively modest activity and growing supply are keeping sale prices in check.

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Active Listings

 🏡 Sisters Habitat Completes 21-Home Village Meadows Affordable Housing Neighborhood

Sisters Habitat for Humanity has announced the completion of Village Meadows, a 21-home affordable housing development located on Desert Rose Loop between McKinney Butte Road and Brooks Camp Road. The final two homes will be dedicated on March 20, marking the culmination of nearly a decade of work to bring stable and affordable homeownership opportunities to local families.

Construction on the project began in 2015 and relied heavily on volunteers, donors, and future homeowners working together to build the neighborhood. With Village Meadows now complete, Sisters Habitat is shifting its focus to Larch Commons, a planned 25-home development that will include a mix of affordable and workforce housing. More information about Village Meadows and future projects can be found at http://www.sistershabitat.org.

🔥 Bend Considering Fire-Resistant Building Requirements for New Homes

Bend city leaders are considering new building standards that would require homes to be constructed with fire-resistant materials as the region faces increasing wildfire risk and rising homeowners insurance costs. The proposal could require materials such as stone, asphalt, concrete, or laminated wood to better protect homes and neighborhoods from fast-spreading fires.

Supporters say the changes could help improve community resilience and potentially reduce long-term insurance costs, but builders warn the new requirements could also increase the price of new homes. The Bend City Council could take up the proposal as soon as April 1, though some council members and industry representatives say more time may be needed to evaluate the costs and potential impacts on housing affordability.

 🥕 Central Oregon Locavore Expanding with Second Bend Location

Local food nonprofit Central Oregon Locavore is planning to open a second location on Bend’s westside, expanding access to locally grown products for the community. The new site will be located in the Discovery West neighborhood, just west of Northwest Crossing, through a partnership with developer Brooks Resources. Organizers hope to have the new location open by late June or early July, in time for the peak summer growing season.

Founder and director Nicole Timm-Branch said the expansion is part of a new phase for the organization focused on making local food easier to access while increasing sales for farmers and ranchers. The nonprofit operates under a farmer-first model where about 65 cents of every dollar spent goes directly back to producers. Locavore plans to share more details about the expansion during its 10th annual Locavore Gala on April 24 at Tetherow, while its current marketplace continues operating at 1841 NE 3rd Street in Bend.

 🛞 Bend-Based Les Schwab Names New CEO and Board Chair

Bend-based Les Schwab Tire Centers has announced that Tom Nolan will become the company’s new chief executive officer and chairman of the board beginning April 7, 2026. Nolan, who joined the company’s board in September 2025, will succeed Mike Broberg, who is stepping down after nine years with the company, including the last three as CEO. Broberg will remain through early April to assist with the leadership transition.

Nolan brings more than two decades of leadership experience in consumer and retail brands. Most recently he served as CEO of jewelry and lifestyle brand Kendra Scott, where he oversaw major retail and e-commerce growth. Founded in Bend in 1952, Les Schwab now operates more than 600 stores across 15 states and employs over 8,000 people, with company leaders saying Nolan will help guide the next phase of growth while maintaining the company’s long-standing focus on customer service and employee opportunity.

 👜 Handmade Leather Brand “High Desert Fringe” Opening Storefront in Culver

A locally crafted leather goods business is opening a new storefront in Culver this weekend. High Desert Fringe, owned by Brielle Worman, will celebrate its grand opening and ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at 417 First Ave. The shop will feature Worman’s signature one-of-a-kind genuine leather bags, each handmade and designed so no two pieces are the same.

Worman started the business at her kitchen table and has grown it steadily over the years, expanding into accessories, home décor, and clothing. The new storefront gives customers a place to see the handmade pieces in person and marks a milestone for the Culver community, where city leaders say the shop will become the town’s first retail store focused on clothing and accessories. Read more: https://madraspioneer.com/2026/03/11/locally-owned-store-high-desert-fringe-is-getting-a-culver-storefront-this-month/

⛷️ New Indoor Kids Ski & Snowboard School “Shredder Bend” Opening in Bend

A new indoor ski and snowboard school designed for young children is opening in Bend this month. Shredder Bend, part of a national youth ski school program, will open March 18 in the Midway industrial area near SE 9th Street and Wilson Avenue. The facility features artificial slopes where kids ages 1 to 10 can learn the fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding year-round in a controlled indoor setting.

The Bend location will offer small group classes that teach balance, coordination, gear basics, and early riding skills before kids graduate to larger slopes. Programs include parent-and-child classes for toddlers as well as beginner lessons for older kids. The Bend school will be the first Shredder location in Oregon, with introductory showcase classes scheduled for several days following the grand opening.

Read more:
https://www.bendsource.com/outside/outsidefeatures/shredder-bend/

 😎Just sayin

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