The newly released Oregon graduation data for the Class of 2025 shows Crook County School district reached 97.8-percent, Redmond School District maintained a 91 percent graduation rate, Bend La Pine Schools are at 85.8…Jefferson County is 91.7…Culver is 94.8…and Sisters School District has a 94.5-percent graduation rate.

Two teenagers are recovering after a dramatic ice rescue at the Jefferson County fishing pond Wednesday evening. Emergency crews rushed to the Fairgrounds about 5:15 after a 9-1-1 call reported two juveniles submerged and calling for help. Unstable ice, less than two inches thick, hampered initial rescue efforts. Deputies managed to reach the trapped teens with specialized equipment, fighting freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions. Both victims, aged 15 and 16, were treated for hypothermia and taken to a local hospital. Authorities urge residents to avoid walking on local ponds and lakes, as ice conditions remain highly unpredictable.

Unemployment in Central Oregon barely budged in December, with Deschutes and Crook counties holding steady and Jefferson County seeing a slight decrease. The Bend area’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stuck at five point zero percent, up from four point three percent last year. Deschutes County gained more than two thousand jobs over the year, mainly in health services and hospitality, while Crook and Jefferson counties recorded slight job losses. Most public-sector job growth occurred at the local government level.

Major upgrades are underway at Art Station at Larkspur Park, and Pine Nursery Park in Bend… with construction crews working through the winter to keep projects on schedule.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Deschutes County will soon lower speed limits on several key roads to improve safety for all users.

The Old Bend-Redmond Highway will drop to 50 miles per hour from U.S. 20 to Young Avenue, and to 35 miles per hour from U.S. 20 to O.B. Riley Road.

South Canal Boulevard will be set at 50 miles per hour from Young Avenue to just south of Elkhorn Avenue.

On Powell Butte Highway, speeds will be reduced to 50 miles per hour, and Johnson Road will drop to 45 miles per hour.

Find more details on the Road Department website.

picture courtesy C.O. Daily

Bend Police are investigating a case of criminal mischief after high-voltage electrical wires were cut inside a Pacific Power utility box on NE Talus Place.
The incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, caused significant property damage estimated at over 20-thousand dollars.
Officers found bolt cutters left inside the singed and still-smoking power box, which had been accessed behind a locked gate marked “no trespassing.”
Evidence suggests the individual responsible may have suffered serious or even life-threatening burns in the process.
Police urge anyone with information to contact nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

Deschutes County commissioners are postponing a decision on the county’s controversial district map for two weeks, following two days of public hearings. The proposed Map C, favored by a narrow advisory committee vote last November, aims to create contiguous districts while respecting precincts and communities of interest, and avoiding political favoritism. Commissioner Phil Chang expressed readiness to decide, while Tony DeBone stated his views were already known. Patti Adair requested additional time to consider public input. The board can either approve Map C for a public vote or revise the districting process before moving forward. The issue will be taken up at the next regular meeting February 4^th.

Unseasonably mild weather has been a relief for ODOT crews, reducing the number of snowstorms impacting highway conditions this winter.  KBND's Mike Thomas spoke with ODOT's Kacey Davey.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch

State Republican leaders insist lawmakers cannot repeal Governor Tina Kotek’s transportation tax measure after a successful petition qualified it for a statewide vote.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

A joint city and county meeting in Bend is set for tomorrow (Tu), focusing on major local initiatives.  KBND's Mike Thomas report:

The city of Madras is experiencing a shift in leadership as City Administrator Will Ibershof submitted his resignation Wednesday.

In response, the Madras City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Friday morning at 9 a.m.

During this session, council members will officially accept Ibershof’s resignation and discuss appointing an interim city administrator.

All proceedings will follow Oregon’s public meeting laws to ensure transparency.

City officials assure residents that municipal operations and services will proceed as usual throughout the transition.

Further updates are expected following the council's decision.

Ibershof served as Madras city administrator since 2023.

A suspect has been arrested following a hit-and-run involving a child on a bicycle in Bend. Authorities took 61-year-old Tracy Wood into custody at his home around 6 o’clock last night; after identifying both him and his vehicle, an older-style Honda sedan. The incident took place yesterday morning at the roundabout at Brosterhous and Murphy roads, where a vehicle struck the back tire of a child’s bicycle, causing minor injuries. Witnesses say the driver briefly stopped, then fled the scene. Wood now faces charges for failure to perform the duties of a driver and is being held at the Deschutes County Jail.

State lawmakers have enacted a new bill targeting misuse of drones during emergencies. KBND’s Mike Thomas reports:

picture courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Oregon textiles will be on full display during the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina. KBND’s Heather Roberts reports. 

A late-night pursuit triggered by a routine traffic stop escalated dramatically in Jefferson County on Wednesday. Deputies attempted to pull over a black Chrysler 300 with expired tags, but the driver sped away, reaching more than 130 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 26 and weaving into oncoming lanes. The chase ended in a crash at SE Lone Pine Road. Edward Jones, 32, a fugitive with a felony warrant, fled on foot but was soon tracked and apprehended nearby. Authorities seized two firearms. Both Jones and his passenger, Jasmine Graybael, 35, of Warm Springs now face multiple serious charges.

Jaimie Olle-DNF

Crews with the Deschutes National Forest are continuing pile burning operations this week in the Eagle Crest and Cline Buttes areas.

A snowmobile trip turned fatal northwest of Lake Tahoe after an avalanche claimed the life of Chris Thomason, 42, of Bend. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Monday afternoon on the backside of Castle Peak. Thomason was with four others, including two from Bend, when the avalanche struck. The group located Thomason under the snow after about 10 minutes and spent another 15 digging him out before CPR began. Despite their immediate efforts, Thomason did not survive. He was connected to the Thomason Auto Group.

Brian Fratzke 

The growth of industrial development is expected to reshape Central Oregon’s economic landscape by 2026, as expanding manufacturers and new businesses look for additional space.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

A Redmond family narrowly avoided tragedy after a fire broke out in their garage around 7pm Sunday on NW Teak Avenue. Multiple emergency calls reported the blaze, which firefighters found spreading rapidly. Crews acted fast and successfully prevented the flames from taking over the entire home. Everyone inside escaped unharmed, including family pets, and no firefighter injuries occurred. The investigation revealed that the fire started when gasoline vapors were ignited by a nearby propane heater. Redmond Fire & Rescue is urging residents to take extra caution with flammable materials and be mindful of potential ignition sources in their homes.

UPDATE:

A man wanted in connection with a Redmond homicide was arrested Friday by SWAT. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says 51-year old Henry Vandenberg Junior peacefully surrendered after he was found at a property in Crooked River Ranch, north of Redmond. He’s accused of killing Justin Jiminez on New Year’s Eve, in a homeless camp just outside the city.

Redmond, Ore. - The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a person of interest in connection with a homicide in Redmond. 

On December 31 at 5:57 a.m., deputies responded to reports of a gunshot victim near NE Greenwood Avenue and NE 17th Street, an area known locally as “Redmond Dirt World.”  

When deputies arrived, they found 32-year-old Justin Garrett Jiminez, who had died from a gunshot wound. A firearm was recovered at the scene. The victim’s family has been notified.  

The person of interest has been identified as 51-year-old Don Henry Vandenberg, Jr. Detectives say he goes by the nickname “Tank.” He’s described as a white male, 5’7”, about 160 pounds, bald, with facial hair, and covered in tattoos. 

Notable tattoos include:  

• “Fit for Duty” on his chest 

• “Tank” on his upper abdomen 

• Ace of Spades on his upper left arm 

• Image on the back of his neck 

• “EK” on his right calf 

• Additional tattoos on his forearms 

Vandenberg is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him. If you see him or know where he is, call 911 immediately.