A brush fire erupted along NE Studio Rd just after 10 Thursday morning, igniting a 40-foot strip of ornamental juniper bushes in front of a home. The resident tried to douse the flames with a hose, but gusty winds fueled the blaze. Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived swiftly, extinguishing the fire before it could threaten the house or additional bushes. No damage was reported beyond the scorched landscaping, and Studio Rd was briefly shut down during the response. Investigators say the fire started while the occupant used a weed burner, which is prohibited in Bend city limits. All debris burning will be closed throughout Central Oregon at the end of the day on April 30th.

 

Bend Fire & Rescue, working with the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, will end outdoor debris burning in the Bend area a month earlier than usual. The closure begins at midnight, April 30, as regional drought increases fire risk. While rural areas near Bend can continue burning debris until that date, it remains banned inside city limits. Authorities remind residents to follow safety rules, use caution… and prepare for an early fire season.  
 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of scammers impersonating deputies and demanding payment for fake fines or missed court dates.

These callers often use real employee names and spoof phone numbers, but real deputies will never ask for money over the phone. Community members are advised to verify suspicious calls by contacting dispatch at 541-693-6911 and report any scam attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3 dot gov.

The Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project closure south of Bend will remain in effect until at least April 30, 2027—extending restrictions by another year.

Access is prohibited throughout the more than 32-thousand-acre project area while crews conduct hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed burns, and habitat restoration.

Some forest service roads are open, but all major recreation sites and most trails are closed.

Violators risk significant fines or jail time.

Find details and maps on the Deschutes National Forest website.

 

photo courtesy Central Oregon Daily News
The U.S. Forest Service is hosting its annual helicopter rappel recertification event west of Bend, along Forest Service Road 41, Monday April 13 to Tuesday April 21.

Up to six helicopters may be seen in the area between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

Although no closures are expected, those in the area should observe posted warnings and avoid restricted zones.

Rappellers are firefighters who descend from helicopters to address wildfires in hard-to-reach locations.

 

Mt. Bachelor will end its winter season sooner than usual, with the last day set for Sunday, April 19.
The early closing is due to a year of very little snow.
Resort managers say it’s been a challenging time and thank everyone for sticking with them despite the short season.
The closing weekend features the resort's Rendez-van event.

Bend’s annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle sporting event, which starts on Bachelor in May, announced Thursday it would drop both the alpine and cross-country skiing portions of the five-sport race… Instead, athletes will participate in two running legs, still beginning on the mountain. 

Mt. Hood Meadows also plans to end their winter season on April 19th.

Hoodoo and Mt. Hood Ski Bowl are already closed. 

Central Oregon State Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson is celebrating the passage of a new bipartisan law aimed at expanding Oregon’s agri-tourism. At a Sauvie Island event, Breese-Iverson, a fifth-generation rancher, stressed that farming’s future relies on diversification and innovation. The new law allows for more on-farm stores and events, including farm-to-table meals and corn mazes, directly on land zoned for agriculture. Barb Iverson of Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm praised the clarity the legislation brings to operations, while Senator Suzanne Weber highlighted the economic impact that agri-tourism has in areas like Tillamook, with thousands of visitors flocking to local farms each weekend.

 

 

Sherman Bloomer has been removed as chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades after information surfaced during an ongoing university investigation.

The probe began March 18 following a complaint and is being conducted by OSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Access with outside assistance. University officials have not disclosed details about the investigation, citing privacy concerns.

OSU students and staff were notified of Bloomer’s dismissal Tuesday.

Dr. Becky Johnson will serve as interim chancellor and dean.

Bloomer became chancellor and dean at the Bend campus in 2023.

With Oregon’s May Primary fast approaching, Republican candidates for Governor are ramping up their campaigns and releasing new ads. Former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley is focusing on his basketball roots, promising a political “rebound” for Oregon. Canby Senator Christine Drazan pledges to hold state government accountable and return power to citizens. In the fundraising race, Dudley and Drazan each have over two million dollars, while Scio Representative Ed Diehl and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell trail with significantly less. Meanwhile, Governor Tina Kotek’s campaign fund stands at just under three-and-a-half million dollars.

 

 

Significant enhancements are on the way for Cascades East Transit riders beginning May 4. Bend’s busiest bus routes will run more often, with some offering 15-minute intervals during peak times.
Service is also expanding with a new Jefferson County route, connecting Warm Springs and Madras to more destinations.
Updates include a stop at the new Central Library and improved reliability and customer service system-wide. For route info and schedules, visit cascades east transit dot com.
 

Bend’s east side is set for significant growth as the City Council has approved the master plan for Legacy Village. The development will bring new homes, parks, commercial zones, and trails to the area near 27th Street, just east of the new library. Mayor Melanie Kebler highlights that funds from the land sale will benefit Oregon’s common school fund. The project reserves roughly 24 acres for affordable housing, with some homes designated specifically for educators. Shaped by public input, Legacy Village aims to provide diverse housing options, recreation spaces, and local amenities, further transforming the Stevens Road tract added to the city’s urban growth boundary.

 

 

The Oregon National Guard helped rescue an injured snowboarder for the base of Broken Top.  The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office sent 22 volunteers to the Tam McArthur Rim area Monday afternoon.  The 44-year-old Bend woman was found on steep, snow-covered terrain, at more than 73-hundred feet elevation. After search and rescue arrived and provided immediate medical attention, an Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter responded with a paramedic to help evacuate the patient.  She was flown to St. Charles Bend for further care.

Governor Tina Kotek has directed that state flags be lowered to half-staff today Tuesday and Wednesday in honor of Chief Delvis Heath Sr. He served as one of three hereditary chiefs of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, since 1984.

This order aligns with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, following the chief’s passing Sunday, March 29.

Chief Heath devoted his life to advocacy and cultural preservation for the Wasco, Warm Springs… and Paiute tribes.

The flag tribute coincides with his funeral and sunrise burial in The Dalles and Simnasho.

A house fire early Saturday on Thomas Drive in Bend left significant damage but no reported injuries. The blaze was first reported at 5:07 am, with the resident awakened by a smoke alarm and able to evacuate safely. Firefighters arrived within eight minutes, discovering flames coming through the roof of the single-story home. The fire, traced to a pellet stove’s stove pipe in the attic, spread rapidly and caused the roof and ceiling to collapse. Losses are estimated at $480,000, including a vehicle in the garage. Officials remind everyone that properly working smoke alarms are critical to survival.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of overnight vehicle burglaries in La Pine’s Reserve in the Pines subdivision. Authorities report that between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday, an unidentified male suspect entered about 30 unlocked vehicles, resulting in at least five confirmed thefts. No damage to the vehicles was found, but the items stolen varied. Surveillance footage depicts the suspect wearing a light or patterned jacket, a light hoodie with the hood up, blue jeans, and a bright green mask. Residents are urged to review security footage and report tips to the Sheriff’s Office. Community members are reminded to lock their vehicles and remove valuables.

Law enforcement agencies across Central Oregon are collaborating once again through the re-formed Multi-Agency Traffic Team. Officers and deputies from multiple departments will focus exclusively on curbing unsafe driving and making local roads safer. Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasizes that speeding remains the number one complaint from residents. The sheriff noted that a specific, dedicated team is being reinstated due to population growth and increasing roadway incidents. Notably, Deschutes County experiences a higher rate of serious crashes linked to DUI compared to most Oregon counties.

 

 

Two men in their late 20's from the Willamette Valley, who were stranded nearly 400 feet above the ground on a narrow ledge at Smith Rock State Park, were brought to safety after a complex nighttime rescue.  Deschutes County Search & Rescue volunteers responded Monday evening when ropes became wedged in rocks, trapping the climbers in an area known as “Wherever I May Roam.” Navigating steep and exposed terrain in cold overnight conditions, SAR experts reached the men and secured them before conducting a technical descent. The climbers, who began their adventure earlier that day, were uninjured but cold and underprepared for the dropping temperatures. The successful operation concluded around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Park crews in Bend got a head start on spring, thanks to the region’s mild winter. Bend Parks and Rec teams completed maintenance usually delayed by snow, tackling both last fall’s postponed projects and this season’s preparations. A main priority was reducing fire risk—Julie Brown from the Parks department notes specialists spent weeks clearing brush and trimming vegetation during its dormant period. Nearly 2,500 yards of debris—equivalent to 250 dump trucks—was hauled away. That effort, says Brown, is vital for forest health and fire safety. Upgrades to sports fields and new trail construction also moved ahead on schedule.

 

 

Bend Police responded to at least 26 crashes in the past 10 days, with two resulting in serious injuries to a motorcyclist and a cyclist.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reports an alarming rise in dangerous speeding—particularly on Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond, where several drivers were stopped for going over 100 miles per hour.

With spring break bringing more drivers to Central Oregon, Officers are increasing enforcement and urging everyone to slow down and drive responsibly.

 

Deschutes County faces increasingly severe drought conditions, with the number of affected residents now at 67 percent—up sharply from just last month. Bend recorded only 0.02 inches of precipitation over the past week, and recent forecasts predict continued warm, dry weather with below-normal rainfall. The lack of moisture has left Central Oregon’s vegetation unusually dry and vulnerable, prompting urgent warnings from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Residents are urged to burn yard debris only on cool, damp days, clear vegetation around burn piles, and always check for local fire restrictions. In response to heightened wildfire risks, educators and agencies are gearing up for Wildfire Preparedness Fairs throughout April and May, offering workshops on home hardening, defensible space, and safe evacuation planning. Families can find event details and register at centraloregonfire.org.

Bend La Pine schools are experiencing a continued drop in enrollment, which is driving budgetary pressures for the district.  Mike Thomas reports:

 

 

UPDATE:

La Pine, Ore. – Fire crews have continued to make strong progress on the Riverview Fire in La Pine. Fire behavior has significantly moderated, and forward spread has stopped. As a result of improved conditions and ongoing suppression success, all evacuation levels have now been lifted.

 

The fire is currently estimated at 11.4 acres. No homes or structures have been lost or damaged. The fire remains under investigation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire crews are gaining the upper hand on the Riverview Fire burning near La Pine, with slowed fire growth and moderated behavior reported. However, Level 3 "Go Now" and Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation orders remain active as strong winds persist and authorities monitor the situation. 

 

Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation notice is issued for Timber Lane Loop, Riverview Drive, Bridge Drive, and homes along the Little Deschutes River. This area is located north of Burgess Road and west of Huntington Road, east of Forest Road, and south of Elk Court and Deer Run Lane. 

 

Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation notice is issued for the neighborhood north of Burgess, east of Huntington Road, and west of Hwy 97. This includes Cagle Road, Railroad Street, Skidgel Road, Antler Lane, Doe Lane, Pine Drive, Pine Place, Ash Drive, Oak Drive, Elm Drive, Santa Barbara Drive, and Murry Drive.  

 

No homes or structures have been lost to the blaze so far. The temporary evacuation shelter has moved to La Pine High School on Coach Road, where displaced residents can seek assistance. The fire’s cause remains under investigation. For updates, residents are urged to check Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office social media channels.

A motorcycle passenger was killed in a crash at SE Second Street and Miller Avenue in Bend Friday evening. Nineteen-year-old Malachi Longstroth of Redmond was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the motorcycle during a head-on collision with a Subaru Crosstrek. The motorcycle had been heading north at a high rate of speed when the Subaru, driven by a 25-year-old Bend man, turned east onto Miller Avenue. The motorcycle's 20-year-old driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Charles. The Subaru driver remained at the scene and is cooperating. Police continue to investigate the incident.

A late-night home invasion on NW Braid Drive has left one person dead and another hospitalized. Around 11:45 PM on March 12, a resident reported an unknown individual attempting to break into their home. A physical confrontation ensued before the intruder fled on foot. Bend Police responded and found the injured homeowner, who was transported by Bend Fire and Rescue with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers then located the intruder on a nearby golf course, gravely injured. Despite emergency medical efforts, the intruder succumbed to those injuries. Bend Police Detectives are now leading the ongoing investigation into the incident.

Bend officials are pleased with several protections advancing through Oregon’s recent legislative session. Mike Thomas reports: