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?

 🚌 Free Rides Ending — CET to Begin Charging Bus Fares Feb. 1

🏕️ Juniper Ridge Safe Stay Closure Delayed 6 Months

 🔥🗑️ Deschutes County Opens 2026 Bin Rental Program for Wildfire Prevention

 🦌 Oregon Bill Would Clarify “Corner Crossing” on Public Lands

 🚗 Oregon Lawmakers Make Second Push to Legalize Small Kei Trucks on Highways

 🚛⚡ Prineville to Add Three Electric Trucks to City Fleet

🚒⛑Fire & Rescue News

🚨Crime News

 🔌 Wires Cut, Explosion Ensues — Bend Police Seek Suspect

🥰Community News

📰Regional News

 📉 Oregon Job Market Slips Slightly in December

📆City of Bend Calendar of Events

🚧 Road Closures & Construction

🏘️💼 Real Estate & Business News

🏘️📊Central Oregon Market Report by Reed Melton

🛡️ Oregon Bill Would Require Home Insurers to Reward Wildfire Prevention

📚 Dudley’s Bookshop Café Expanding to Old Mill District This Spring

 🍩☕ New Food Truck in Bend Serving Hot Mini Donuts & Coffee

💖Sponsors

😆Today’s Meme

✅ Answer: C) 1940
💡 Expanded Answer: The Tower Theatre officially opened in 1940 as a movie and live performance venue, becoming a cultural cornerstone of downtown Bend. With its distinctive Art Deco architecture and iconic neon sign, it quickly became a gathering place for the community. Though it closed in 1996, a major community-led restoration brought it back to life, and it reopened in 2004 as a thriving performing arts hub.

GOOD MORNING

 BEND

What’s Up Central Oregon? 

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Local News…

 🚌 Free Rides Ending — CET to Begin Charging Bus Fares Feb. 1

After nearly four years of free rides, Cascades East Transit (CET) will begin charging fares again starting February 1, 2026. CET suspended fares during the COVID-19 pandemic, but riders will now need to pay when boarding buses across Central Oregon.

To ease the transition, CET is rolling out a mobile fare payment app called CTEGo, allowing riders to load money and scan their phones when boarding. For those without smartphones, traditional paper passes will still be available. CET is also hosting a series of pop-up events through the end of January at locations in Redmond, COCC, and Warm Springs to help the community get familiar with the new system.

📲 Download info, fare schedules, and full pop-up event details are available at:
centraloregondaily.com – CET fare changes

🏕️ Juniper Ridge Safe Stay Closure Delayed 6 Months

The City of Bend and Deschutes County have pushed back the full closure of the Juniper Ridge Safe Stay site by six months, citing weather concerns and the need for more time to transition residents into stable housing. Originally set to close entirely in December 2026, half the site will now close in June 2026, with the remaining half staying open until June 2027.

The temporary site off Highway 97 has provided essential services like water, hygiene stations, and trash removal, while five contracted service providers work to help residents secure long-term housing. As of November 2025, 35 individuals have exited homelessness through the program. City officials say closing during winter would likely push unsheltered people into forests or city streets. The extension gives residents more time to connect with resources in the midst of an ongoing affordable housing crisis.

 🔥🗑️ Deschutes County Opens 2026 Bin Rental Program for Wildfire Prevention

Starting February 1, Deschutes County Natural Resources will begin accepting applications for its 2026 Sweat Equity Bin Rental Program, aimed at helping local communities reduce wildfire risk by covering the cost of large trash bin rentals used to remove fire fuels and create defensible space. The program will support roughly 25 neighborhoods or communities this year.

This is a community-level initiative, meaning individual properties are not eligible. Priority is given to high wildfire risk areas, Firewise USA™ participants, and those focusing on clearing the first 100 feet around homes. Communities that haven’t previously received funding are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through February 28, with recipients notified in early April. Learn more and apply through the Deschutes County Natural Resources website.

 🦌 Oregon Bill Would Clarify “Corner Crossing” on Public Lands

State senators Mike McLane (R‑Powell Butte) and Anthony Broadman (D‑Bend) have introduced Senate Bill 1545 to make it explicitly legal for Oregonians to “corner cross” — the act of stepping from one parcel of public land to another where their corners meet, even if private land lies on either side. The practice has been a legal gray area in Oregon, with uncertainty about whether it could be considered trespassing; the bill aims to protect public‑land users like hunters and hikers from trespass allegations and shield landowners from negligence claims.

Backed by bipartisan support and outdoor groups such as the Oregon Hunters Association, the legislation seeks to balance access to public lands with respect for private property and clarify rights that are already recognized in parts of the West. “Legal clarity improves access to public lands and protects landowners,” lawmakers said, calling it “common sense from Salem” to ensure safe, clear access for Oregonians enjoying the state’s natural spaces.

 🚗 Oregon Lawmakers Make Second Push to Legalize Small Kei Trucks on Highways

Oregon lawmakers including State Senator Anthony Broadman (D‑Bend) and Representatives Virgle Osborne (R‑Roseburg) and Alek Skarlatos (R‑Canyonville) are reintroducing bipartisan legislation in the 2026 legislative session to allow small Kei trucks to be registered and driven on Oregon highways. Currently legal to own and use on private property, these compact utility vehicles — popular with small businesses, farmers, and contractors for their affordability and versatility — are not street‑legal under existing state law. The new bill would define clear size, engine, and age criteria so they can be titled and registered like other vehicles while maintaining safety standards. Supporters say this change could lower transportation costs and offer practical options for rural and working communities, aligning Oregon with other states that already permit on‑road use of Kei trucks. (ktvz.com)

🚛⚡ Prineville to Add Three Electric Trucks to City Fleet

The City of Prineville is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the addition of three new electric trucks to its municipal fleet as part of an ongoing effort to reduce emissions and modernize local government operations. The vehicles will help city departments carry out essential services while cutting fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions as Prineville moves toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.

The investment reflects a broader trend among Central Oregon communities embracing electric vehicles for public services — from garbage trucks to fleet support vehicles — as technology improves and infrastructure grows. City leaders say the new electric trucks will support a range of day-to-day tasks while reinforcing Prineville’s commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term fiscal responsibility.

Fire & Rescue… 

Crime News…

🔌 Wires Cut, Explosion Ensues — Bend Police Seek Suspect

Bend Police are asking for the public’s help after someone broke into a Pacific Power utility box on NE Talus Place and cut high-voltage wires, causing a dangerous explosion. The incident occurred overnight and was discovered on the morning of Wednesday, January 21, when officers responded around 7:42 a.m. to find the box still hot and smoking. Bolt cutters were left behind inside the utility box, which sits behind a locked gate marked with a “no trespassing” sign.

The attempted wire cutting caused a fire and explosion, with Pacific Power estimating more than $20,000 in damage. Police believe the suspect likely sustained severe or even life-threatening burns. Anyone with information is urged to call Bend Police non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

Community News…

Regional News…

📉 Oregon Job Market Slips Slightly in December

Oregon’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% in both November and December, remaining higher than the national average of 4.4% in December. The state lost 2,200 nonfarm payroll jobs in December, with significant cuts in construction (-2,500 jobs), retail trade (-900), and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-900). These losses followed modest job gains in November.

There were bright spots: professional and business services added 1,100 jobs in December (and 1,900 over the last two months of 2025), showing signs of recovery after early-year losses. Government employment also rose by 500 jobs. Meanwhile, construction and retail hiring trends softened noticeably toward the end of the year, with holiday retail hiring falling short of seasonal norms and retail jobs down 5.4% compared to three years ago.

City of Bend Events Here

Road Construction

Friday’s

Real Estate & Business News

Sponsored by

Central Oregon Market Report | January 21, 2026

by Reed Melton from “EnjoyBendLife Real Estate Group”

 After briefly sitting below 6% early in 2026, the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage this morning is 6.21%. A 20-basis-point increase is relatively small, but it will certainly have an impact. Still, mortgage rates are trending lower, nearly 100 basis points below January 2025 levels. Inventory levels are up slightly from this time last year across all three counties of Central Oregon, while lower mortgage interest rates are easing some of the pressure on buyers. While significantly lower mortgage rates may not be on the horizon anytime soon, increased competition amongst sellers creates many opportunities. All in all, the housing market today is more balanced than in recent years.

The Deschutes County inventory this morning shows 771 single-family homes listed, down 8 from last week. The average price of actively listed homes is $1,193,038, and 417 listings have reduced their asking prices by an average of 6.17%. Sixty-three sales are pending, an increase of seven from last week, and continuing the trend of increasing activity as 2026 progresses. The average pending sale price is $791,858, and 34 of those pending sales had reduced their asking price by an average of 5.95%. Thirty-three transactions closed this week, averaging $995,333, with 16 reducing the price before securing a contract, an average of 6.51%. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 95.14% this week.

The inventory in Crook County this week is up by 2 to 152 single-family listings. The average list price for the active inventory is $980,154, and 85 listings have reduced their asking prices by an average of 6.61%. Growth in actively listed homes has increased for two consecutive weeks, possibly signaling an early inventory buildup for 2026. Four sales are pending this week, averaging $943,475, with all four reducing the asking price before securing a contract, an average of 7.02%. Four transactions closed this week, averaging $396,575, with no price reductions before securing a buyer. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 98.31%.

Jefferson County inventory increased by three this week to 116, with the average list price at $538,750. Sixty-seven of the active listings have lowered the asking price by an average of 3.9%. One sale is pending this week at $399,000 in Crooked River Ranch, reducing the asking price before securing a contract by 10.34%. Five transactions closed, averaging $361,300, with two listings reducing the asking price by an average of 10.91% before securing a contract. The sold-to-original-list-price ratio was 91.12% this week.

Early activity and inventory levels to start 2026 point to a more productive year than 2025, which was better than 2024. Total sales are down from what might be considered "normal" levels of over 4,000 sales of single-family homes in Deschutes County. However, sales this year are likely to come very close, if not surpass, that threshold. Trends and thresholds help determine where we are in the current cycle, but carry little meaning for buyers or sellers in the big picture. Timing is personal for every individual, and timing the market is impossible. When you are ready to buy or sell, evaluating the market to position yourself properly is the key, as waiting is always an unknown. No matter your timing or needs, I am always available to help shed some light on the Central Oregon housing market. Reach out anytime! 

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Active Listings

🛡️ Oregon Bill Would Require Home Insurers to Reward Wildfire Prevention

Oregon lawmakers are considering a new bill that would require home insurance companies to take wildfire prevention efforts into account when setting premiums and coverage terms for property owners. The proposal from Sen. Jeff Golden (D‑Ashland) aims to ease rising insurance costs and improve access to coverage in wildfire‑prone areas by prompting insurers to recognize activities like home hardening (fire‑resistant siding/roofing) and defensible space vegetation management in their risk models — potentially leading to lower rates or incentives for homeowners who invest in reducing wildfire risk. (Central Oregonian)

Under the bill, insurers using catastrophic and wildfire risk modeling formulas would have to show how they factor mitigation efforts into pricing, or offer alternative discounts for proven risk‑reducing action. Supporters say the change could make insurance more affordable for those in high‑risk areas and better align pricing with actual wildfire risk reduction, while industry representatives emphasize the need for clear standards and careful implementation. (Central Oregonian)

📚 Dudley’s Bookshop Café Expanding to Old Mill District This Spring

Dudley’s Bookshop Café — a beloved independent bookstore in downtown Bend — is opening a second location this spring in the Old Mill District, bringing that walkable shopping and dining area its first independent bookstore. The new shop will be about 900 square feet and sit between Will Leather Goods and lululemon, just steps from the Deschutes River Trail and expected to open in late spring ahead of the busy summer season.

Owner Tom Beans says the Old Mill’s pedestrian traffic makes it a perfect fit for a bookstore that thrives on discovery and browsing, and co‑owner Amy Rose notes the space will focus on a curated selection of books — especially titles related to the Pacific Northwest — with face‑out displays and staff recommendations, though it won’t include the downtown café’s espresso bar at first. The build‑out plans to honor the district’s industrial character by incorporating reclaimed materials into the shop’s design.

🍩☕ New Food Truck in Bend Serving Hot Mini Donuts & Coffee

A brand‑new food truck called Pacific Roots has rolled into northeast Bend, dishing up hot, made‑to‑order mini donuts and coffee — perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or an afternoon pick‑me‑up. Toppings range from Nutella and local honey to rotating seasonal flavors, giving customers plenty of tasty options to customize their order.

The truck — which started on the Oregon Coast — is parked near Poncho’s Place and has quickly become a local favorite for its fresh, warm donuts and quality coffee. Follow them for updates on hours and seasonal menu twists as they settle into the Bend food scene.

 😎Just sayin

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