A 32-year-old Warm Springs resident is facing charges after Bend Police say a man was seriously injured outside a Too $hort concert Saturday night. Police responded just before midnight to the area of Greenwood Avenue and Hill Street, near the Midtown Ballroom. Callers reported a 44-year-old Redmond man had been punched and was unconscious. The victim was transported by Bend Fire medics to St. Charles. Officers described the scene as chaotic, with a large intoxicated crowd and several disputes underway. With help from a security guard, police identified Hamley Sam Smith and arrested him nearby.

credit: C.O. Daily News

Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair appeared with Democratic U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum Saturday at a League of Women Voters Candidate forum.  The two candidates for Oregon’s 5^th Congressional District met at Ridgeview High School ahead of the November election. Bynum called for more housing construction, less red tape, and support tailored to both urban and rural communities. She also highlighted student needs across the district. Adair focused on Oregon’s tax burden, saying it strains businesses and working families, and argued the private sector should play a larger role in housing development.

credit: Central Oregon Daily News

A Bend man will spend more than ten years in federal prison for an armed robbery at a cannabis dispensary. Forty-three-year-old Russell Ian Boggess was sentenced to 125 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Federal court documents say Boggess robbed the Bend dispensary at gunpoint on July 23rd, 2024, wearing a bandana over his face and carrying a bag. Prosecutors say he pointed a 9mm handgun at an employee and demanded marijuana. The gun reportedly jammed twice when he tried to fire it. Boggess then went behind the counter, took the marijuana, and pistol-whipped the employee during an attempted 911 call. Bend Police arrested him minutes later.

A 65-year-old man is in the Deschutes County Jail after deputies say he stole items and damaged property at the Alfalfa Market Store east of Bend. Authorities say William Demmon, who has no known address, was arrested Tuesday after employees reported theft, and witnesses said he confronted customers outside. Deputies say Demmon then damaged an awning, flower boxes, and landscaping while trying to drive away. He faces several charges, including theft, trespass, reckless endangering, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. Investigators also say Demmon had recently threatened a deputy’s family, and deputies have responded to eleven calls involving him in two weeks.

Deschutes County deputies arrested a Sisters man after a reported disturbance late Sunday night on North Woodson Street. Deputies say dispatchers heard children screaming during the call, and responding officers found an adult woman and two juveniles injured inside an apartment. Investigators say 31-year-old Royce Shipley entered the home without permission and assaulted the occupants before leaving. Authorities believed he may have been armed and was at his nearby apartment. After about 10 minutes of communication with Shipley he surrendered peacefully and is now in the Deschutes County Jail facing numerous charges.

A 13-year-old Bend boy is in critical condition after being thrown from his e-motorcycle when police say he collided with a minivan Friday night at NE 27th Street and Neff Road. The crash happened just before 8 p.m., as a 51-year-old Bend man was turning left and struck the southbound Surron e-motorcycle. Police say the Surron can exceed 50 miles per hour and is not street legal. The driver stayed at the scene and was not cited.

Earlier in the day Friday, another 13-year-old was hit by a car while riding an e-bike in southeast Bend along Ray Road.  In that case, the teenager was hospitalized but is expected to be OK. The driver was cited for failing to yield. Police remind parents current law states a child must be at least 16 years old to ride any class of e-bike on public roadways and paths.

Oregon fire officials are urging residents to rethink how they charge everyday devices during Fire Prevention Month. The Oregon State Fire Marshal says lithium-ion battery fires are rising fast, with firefighters responding to 161 battery-related fires this year alone. Officials say damaged batteries or improper charging can spark fires that spread quickly and are hard to extinguish. Safety tips include using manufacturer-approved chargers, keeping devices off beds or couches while charging, unplugging when full, and watching for swelling, smoke, heat, or strange smells.

The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs’ Association says local fire agencies in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties agreed to the regional opening. Residents should check with their fire department, or beforeyouburn.com, before lighting any debris pile, as conditions and permit requirements may change daily.

Legal burning at Crooked River Ranch in Terrebonne will come with a new step this season. The local fire station is asking residents to register online before burning, or use the “Before You Burn” app. Central Oregon Daily reports the tool helps reduce fire risk by giving crews key information, including the burn location and time. If a fire escapes, responders can find the scene faster and know where nearby burning is taking place. Burn closures in Redmond and Terrebonne expired October first, but residents are still urged to check conditions and complete registration before lighting any legal burn.

picture courtesy C.O. Daily

A newly approved zone change could help bring major new business investment to Redmond. The Bend Bulletin reports Redmond, Sisters, and Deschutes County have signed off on changes to the Greater Redmond Area Enterprise Zone, allowing qualifying companies to receive up to a 10-year tax break for relocating to Redmond and building projects valued at more than 25 million dollars. Under a state law passed in June, companies must show significant capital investment, regional economic benefit, and alignment with local development goals. Potential examples include large-scale projects like Nosler’s new headquarters or Amazon’s Redmond distribution facility, though Amazon did not receive incentives. Bend and Redmond are the first Oregon zones to approve extended abatements.

Firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burning Tuesday about seven miles southwest of Crescent, near the Rivers North OHV Staging Area and Highway 58.

Crews may ignite up to 187 acres if weather conditions are favorable.

Trail 55 in the Three Trails OHV system will be closed for several days during mop-up and patrol.

A burn on the Ochoco National Forest is scheduled to continue through tomorrow.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called to a structure fire on Greenmont Drive just after 4 p.m., with Alfalfa Fire District also sending a water tender to assist. Firefighters arrived within five minutes of dispatch and began suppression efforts, finding flames in the attic area. Officials say no one was home because the house was under construction, and no injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation. Estimated damage to the structure and contents is listed at more than 637-thousand dollars. Fire officials remind homeowners that attic fires can go unnoticed, making working smoke alarms on every level especially important.

Central Oregon Daily News reports an independent investigator is recommending Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant James McLaughlin be fired, citing dishonesty, misconduct, lack of integrity and insubordination. The findings stem from a February SWAT callout in Three Rivers and a Ring camera recording involving McLaughlin and another deputy.

McLaughlin is currently running for sheriff against Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert. His attorney says the case is politically motivated. Rupert says due process is still underway and he cannot comment on possible discipline.

McLaughlin is on medical leave, meaning any discipline may wait until after the November third election.

Unemployment rates showed little movement across Central Oregon in August. The Bend metro area held at five percent, slightly below last year’s five-point-one percent. Deschutes County stayed at four-point-eight percent, while Crook County remained at six percent. Jefferson County held at five-point-six percent, down from six percent a year ago. Public-sector hiring helped offset private-sector losses in several industries.

Authorities in Warm Springs are investigating after human remains were found Saturday near Indian Health Services on Kotnum Road.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs say police received a report of possible remains around 10:53 a.m. near the facility. Officers responded, along with FBI agents, and confirmed remains were found during a search of the area.

The FBI is now processing the scene with assistance from Warm Springs police. The investigation remains active, and officials are asking the public to stay away from the area while investigators continue their work.

More details are expected as they become available.

Bend Fire and Rescue is making it easier for residents to prepare for wildfire season with a new online assessment tool.

Homeowners can request a free wildfire risk home assessment through Fire Aside, then receive personalized recommendations for defensible space and home hardening.

The platform also lets residents track completed mitigation work over time. Requests are available at bend Oregon dot gov slash own your zone.

A southwest Bend neighborhood is urged to watch out for a bear cub. It was seen near Wildflower Park on River Rim Drive on Wednesday. Police spotted it before the cub ran away. No other bears have been seen. Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified. Police ask people to avoid leaving food and garbage out and to keep pets indoors. Anyone who sees the cub should stay away and report it to non-emergency dispatch.

Bend Police say a large group of teens on e-motorcycles created traffic concerns Sunday afternoon after gathering at the Mt. Bachelor Park & Ride, then riding through downtown, Galveston Avenue and westside roads. Callers reported more than 30 riders doing wheelies and ignoring traffic laws. Officers attempted a stop, but many rode off. Three juveniles, ages 12, 14 and 15, were cited or referred to Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice for violations including no license, no helmet and riding on the sidewalk. One e-motorcycle was impounded. Police remind families: riders under 16 cannot legally operate e-bikes, and off-road electric motorcycles are not allowed on city streets.

A Silverton woman was rescued after becoming hypothermic on a hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness, Wednesday. Deschutes County 911 received an alert from a Garmin SOS device near Golden Lake. Search and Rescue volunteers responded and hiked more than six miles through high winds, rain and snow, finding the 56-year-old after about five hours. They gave her dry clothes and warm blankets, and helped her walk back to the trailhead. She was able to drive herself into town to rest and recover. 

Deschutes County authorities are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash northeast of Sisters. Deputies say it happened Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 on Wilt Road, east of Fair Mile Lane. Investigators report a white 2018 Ford F-150 was traveling east when it left the roadway on the north shoulder and struck a Ponderosa pine tree. The driver, 82-year-old Frank Halvorsen of Sisters, was pronounced dead at the scene. An 81-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital by Sisters–Camp Sherman medics. The Sheriff’s Office says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Crook County authorities say a Redmond man has died following a kayaking accident at Prineville Reservoir. Deputies were called Saturday evening after reports of someone in distress in the water north of Powder House Cove Day Use Area. Poor cell service made details difficult to gather. Responders found an overturned kayak near the north shoreline, with a backpack and fishing pole still inside. Search teams, including Airlink, a marine deputy, drone support, and dive rescue crews from Klamath and Deschutes counties, assisted. On Monday, divers recovered 39-year-old Ricardo Toribio Amezcua in about 90 feet of water. Officials believe this to be a tragic accident with no foul play suspected.

A Bend man is in custody after police say a string of burglaries and vandalism targeted local businesses and vehicles Friday morning. Officers arrested 47-year-old James Tharp, Junior after incidents at High Time Vape and Smoke, The Herb Center and Third Street Beverage; where the front door damage alone was estimated at approximately $15,000. Later that morning someone had used large lava rocks to break the windows of five vehicles parked in the area of Northeast Ross and Boyd Acres roads. Nothing was taken from the vehicles. 

Investigators say surveillance showed the same suspect wearing distinctive clothing during the break-ins. Police later found Tharp inside an unoccupied home on Northeast Greeley Avenue, where they recovered about 900 dollars in cigarettes, along with racks, socks, and lighters. He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on burglary, theft, and criminal mischief charges.

The Sno Park Fire west of Bend is now fully contained. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says forward progress has been stopped on the fire along Skyliners Road, and all evacuation notices for the area have been lifted.

Firefighters on the ground and in the air are credited with keeping the fire to about 10 acres. Crews will remain at the scene to reinforce containment lines and continue mop-up work, checking for hot spots and improving fire security.

Drivers should note that Skyliners Road near NF 4606 may still see intermittent access restrictions while fire operations continue.

A Bend man is in the Deschutes County Jail after a traffic stop near Sisters led to a fentanyl seizure.

Central Oregon Drug Enforcement detectives say they had been investigating 46-year-old Jeremy Boggs the past month, suspecting he was selling illegal narcotics.

Deputies stopped Boggs on a motorcycle around 11 p.m. Wednesday at Highway 20 and Indian Ford Road.

Investigators say he gave a false name and had a felony parole warrant.

Boggs was arrested on drug, false information, and parole violation charges.