(pic from Bend Chamber)

Property-owner opposition has halted Bend’s proposed Central District Economic Improvement District. City Manager Eric King says the objection level exceeded the threshold allowed under state law, where opposition from 33 percent or more of affected owners prevents an assessment from moving forward.

The district was intended to help fund promotion, events, business development, and upkeep of public facilities in Bend’s Core Area. King says some owners felt the plan was premature, with redevelopment still in transition and projects not yet fully in place.

The City Council is expected to formally rescind the ordinance that created the district. King says broader redevelopment plans for the Core Area will continue.

pic: Chief Mike Krantz

Bend Police are offering more detail on technology used during last week’s suspect search. Officers were looking Thursday for a person who had eluded police, before making an arrest Friday. Chief Mike Krantz says Reverse 911 lets police send targeted alerts to people registered within a specific area near an active response. He says drones also help officers safely assess a scene before moving in. By getting an overhead view, police can locate a suspect, track their position, and guide officers in cautiously. Krantz tells KBND News those tools are improving safety for officers, suspects, and the community.

 

 

pic: Steve Gunnels, D.A.

Criminal cases are slowing in Deschutes County as more defendants are found unable to understand charges or help their attorneys. District Attorney Steve Gunnels says the county’s aid-and-assist docket has more than doubled in recent years — from 24 people in January 2020, to 36 in 2022, and 53 this year. Gunnels says the main bottleneck is limited space at the Oregon State Hospital, where defendants receive treatment aimed at restoring competency for trial. He says the growing strain reflects a broader rise in severe mental illness, creating delays locally and across the state.

Thursday afternoon around 4:45 pm, Saint Charles in Bend went into lockout after a phone call threatened a shooting.  Bend Police were on the way when they attempted to pull over a man near Northeast Neff Road and 27th Street who is wanted in connection with a July 7 domestic assault. The suspect ran from the vehicle into a nearby apartment complex. Officers set up a perimeter, used drones and K9s, and the County alerted nearly 2,000 nearby homes and businesses to stay indoors. The search was unsuccessful.  Police are still looking for a white man, 6-foot-1, 155 pounds, last seen wearing a black hat, black T-shirt and gray camouflage cargo shorts, with tattoos extending onto his neck. Anyone who sees him should call 911. The shooting threat to St. Charles was unrelated and unfounded.

 

credit: CO Daily News  
A Prineville family has filed a 26-million-dollar complaint against Knife River Corporation, claiming its Crook County gravel mine contaminated their well water and caused health and property problems. Central Oregon Daily News says Ashley and Michael McCormick are asking for damages, medical monitoring, clean water… and a halt to mining at the site.
Knife River denies responsibility, saying naturally occurring metals in groundwater are tied to the area’s volcanic history.

Central Oregon’s wildfire season is seeing a near-normal number of starts, but far fewer acres burned than usual. Forest Service spokesperson Kaitlyn Webb says summer heat is still creating concern, with vegetation drying out and becoming more likely to ignite. Crews have responded to 124 wildfires so far this year. Webb says the key difference is acreage: the 10-year average for this point in the season is about 19,000 acres burned, while this year’s total remains much lower. Public use restrictions remain in effect across Central Oregon as fire danger continues.

 

 

Evacuation levels have been lowered near the Coyner Fire north of Redmond after crews stopped the fire’s forward progress. All Level 3 “Go Now” notices are now reduced to Level 1, meaning residents should remain ready in case conditions change. The Sheriff’s Office is urging people in the area to stay alert and watch for fire crews and emergency vehicles. The fire remains at 20.5 acres and is 20 percent contained. Firefighters worked through the night July 5th, strengthening the perimeter and cooling flare-ups in unburned fuel. Crews are continuing mop-up around containment lines and nearby structures.

Redmond Fire and Rescue crews responded around 7:30 Sunday night to a reported structure fire near Northwest Fourth Street and Northwest Hemlock Court. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming from the front of a single-story manufactured home, with nearby homes threatened. Crews quickly stretched hose lines and kept the fire from spreading beyond the one residence. Officials say no one lives there; the home was being used for storage. Because of the volume of items inside, firefighters battled the blaze from outside for safety. Investigators say illegal fireworks ignited dry vegetation, spreading to a fence and then the home. Fireworks are banned within Redmond city limits.

Bend officials are reminding residents fireworks are banned anywhere within city limits, including sales, possession, or use, as dry summer conditions raise fire concerns. Reports of fireworks activity can be emailed to fireworks at bend oregon dot gov.

Rules vary elsewhere. Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch says only legal fireworks are allowed there on July Fourth, and police will be watching, with steep fines for violations. Fireworks are also banned in Sisters and Sunriver, while Prineville, Madras, and La Pine have no local restrictions.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon urges pet owners to prepare now, as fireworks and holiday disruptions can frighten animals.

 

 

Bend’s Fourth of July celebration brings back a longtime downtown favorite Saturday with the 99th annual Pet Parade. Julie Brown with Bend Parks and Recreation says generations of families have made the parade part of their holiday tradition.

Brown says the route starts at Harmon Park, loops through downtown, and ends at Drake Park. The walk takes about 40 minutes, and all kinds of participants are welcome.

People can begin gathering at Harmon Park at 8:30, with the parade stepping off at 9:30 Saturday morning.

 

 

Five Central Oregon trail projects are getting a boost from the Deschutes Trails Coalition’s Small Project Grant program. The funding supports tools, equipment, and on-the-ground trail work across the region.

Executive Director Jana Johnson says the grants are powered in part by visitor donations through the Dollar for Trails program, run with local hotels. Guests can contribute to help maintain the trails they use while visiting Central Oregon.

Johnson says about 30-thousand dollars was awarded, supporting Sisters-area trail work for equestrians and other recreation users, equipment for Central Oregon Trail Alliance, gravel biking tools, and Cascades Wilderness crews.

Projects are expected to begin this season, with funds available through 2027.