SUNRIVER, OR -- Sunriver Police are investigating a spike in rental scams. Sgt. John Beck says incidents are rare in the small resort town, but they've received three reports in just the past week. They all share common threads: vacation rentals found on Marketplace, CraigsList, even E-bay, and the alleged rental company sends over a contract. "They get paid and then basically they disappear," Sgt. Beck tells KBND News, "They never send them codes to get into the homes. Once they get payment, they’re gone."

In at least one incident, the victim was left stranded. "The people that had paid the money to rent the house did show up at the house and then never received a code, so weren’t able to get into it. And then, as they start understanding that there’s a problem, they kind of had a feeling that they’d probably been scammed," says Beck. "It's Kind of a sad deal when you’re all excited to spend a few days away in Sunriver and it turns out like this." 

Sgt. Beck says the cases all present red flags people should watch for, like, if the deal seems too good to be true, it almost alway is. "I assume people realize what the rates are here in Sunriver. But the one, they were like $150 a night, which is just kind of unheard of down here." He adds, "Are you renting a house for half of what everybody else is trying to get for rent? Other things to watch for: absolutely, how the payment is made. Are they asking for - as funny as it sounds - iTune cards? A payment through a web app or phone app that doesn’t offer any protection?"

And, he suggests doing a little online research before you book, "The contract they sent that has the property management name on it, had they Googled that name, they would have found that it really doesn’t exist." In Sunriver, Beck says, most of the rental homes are managed by a local company, and not rented out by a homeowner. 

Beck says they are issuing subpoenas for bank records and other evidence to track down the scammers. But he admits, they're likely not operating locally and may be outside the U.S.

BEND, OR -- Bend-La Pine Schools officials say a promotional sign for an ammunition company will remain below the football scoreboard at Mountain View High, pending a review of district policies. The district recently heard from people concerned about advertising Nosler, a local company that makes and sells ammunition, weapons and hunting gear. 

The school district issued a statement, saying in part, "After considerable consultation with the District’s legal department, the superintendent will allow a Nosler-sponsored sign to be displayed this fall below the Mountain View High School football scoreboard. The District will maintain the status quo with respect to Nosler’s sponsorship at MVHS and other schools while conducting a review of its existing policy and procedures related to advertising displayed on school property." Officials say Nosler and its owners have supported MVHS for over 25 years. 

Bend-La Pine Schools' administrative regulation states: “Advertising which is consistent with community standards, school curriculum and academic goals, and which is age-appropriate and consistent with district non-discrimination policies, may be accepted for placement in school publications and on certain district property.  Advertising on district property shall be prohibited where the circumstances, in the judgment of the superintendent or designee, may be considered exploitative of the students of the district or may otherwise compromise the District?s educational mission.” It also says the district cannot accept advertisements that "promote the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling or firearms; are associated with any company or individual whose actions are inconsistent with the District?s mission and goals or community values; or promote any product or service not permitted to minors by law."

But authorities say they need time to interpret how that applies to Nosler: 

• What is meant by “promote,” and does a sign featuring the company name/logo promote the use of firearms?
• Would an interpretation extend to any business, including sporting goods stores and general retailers, that sell firearms and/or ammunition? What about businesses that produce and sell alcohol, such as local breweries?
• In Oregon, minors under age 18 may not purchase or possess a firearm, although minors are permitted to use firearms for hunting and target practice. 

The district notes, "Those who questioned the placement of the Nosler sign in early September asked if it’s appropriate to allow a business name associated with firearms to have such prominent placement at a school. Some referenced the shooting by a former MVHS student at a Bend Safeway store in August 2022, an event that was deeply upsetting for students, staff and our entire community. As awareness of the sign in question has grown in recent weeks, the school and district also heard from community members supporting how the school recognizes Nosler for its tradition of supporting students in our District."

BEND, OR -- The fur will fly in downtown Bend Sunday. After a three-year pause, the Wiener Dog Races return, along with the first ever Running of the Bulldogs. “The Wiener dog races are back! Dachshunds have long bodies and little tiny short legs to run on. And then the Bulldogs are just kind of machines that really weren't meant to run. We're adding the Running of the Bulldogs and that includes watching those amazing English bulldogs with their lips flapping, as well as the French bulldogs racing down the track,”

The Humane Society’s Lynne Ouchida says the race that started as a Bend Oktoberfest event has been a long-time crowd pleaser. “A perfect event for anybody who loves dogs. I don't care if you're a small breed lover, medium or large or even giant breed lover, you will find something fun to be entertained with by these races,” adding they’re for a good cause, “100% of the registration fees go directly to help the animals in our care and spectators are free. But of course, we'd love it if you can help fill our empty shelves of dog treats, or even just a couple of dollars will go a long way to helping the animals at the Humane Society.”

She says the course is about 75 feet long, “So not too long. Of course, these breeds should not be running for extended lengths. You can line up along the edge and cheer on your favorite dog or your favorite breed. It'll be, I guarantee, an afternoon of laughs.”

The Running of the Bulldogs starts at Noon; Wiener Dog Races begin at 1 PM. 

Competitors must be pure bred Bull dogs and Dachshunds, respectively.

Online registration ($20) closes Saturday, September 30th at noon. Late registration ($25) on Sunday, October 1 is from 11am to noon at Troy Field before the races.

BEND, OR -- Envision Bend releases its Action Plan Friday. Executive Director Matt Muchna says it's the culmination of several years of research and listening to the community, "We heard a lot of things that won’t be surprising to folks that have been in the region for a long time. We value our clean air and water, we value outdoor access, we value small-town feel. And we have issues - we have affordability issues, transportation issues, housing shortage."

He tells KBND News the group focused on four key goals after narrowing down the community’s priorities: "Create an inclusive economy for everyone, working to guide our growth and development, creating an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging in our community, and also creating a safe and healthy environment."

To achieve those broad goals, the 44-page report includes 28 strategies, including increasing workforce housing, improving student mental health and well-being, and preserving Skyline Forest, "How can we conserve and potentially purchase Skyline Forest for the benefit of our community?"

Muchna says it takes into account the city's place in the region, "Really we’re looking at the next five years. And importantly, we’re looking at greater Bend, so this regionality approach. I think it’s Bendcentric, but I think importantly, we’re understanding the implications of living in the Central Oregon region and what that means to Redmond and to Sisters, La Pine, Sisters, Prineville, Madras." He adds, "We can’t plan for Bend’s future without thinking about the region."

Click HERE to read the entire report. Listen to our complete conversation with Matt Muchna at KBND's Podcast Page. The last large-scale visioning project was completed in 2005 and 2006, under the old title “Bend 2030.”

SISTERS, OR -- Sisters School District employees will get priority in the new Woodlands planned community, as a part of a workforce housing initiative. 

“The Sisters School District, the local EDCO, and the City of Sisters reached out to us and asked if we would consider building affordable housing in Sisters. So, we've been working on this partnership for the past six months,” Rooted Homes Executive Director Jackie Keogh tells KBND News the affordable housing non-profit, formerly known as Kor Community Land Trust, is eager to help. “Our homes are going to go for an average of $430,000 compared to The Woodlands current asking prices averaged $700,000,” she says the Sisters district was looking for housing solutions, “They see the need to retain and hire folks who want to be educators but can't afford to live here. And so, we will be giving a preference to Sisters School District employees.”

Rooted Homes helps families who earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing programs. “These are the folks that we call our missing middle. Folks who have good jobs, but those jobs just don't pay enough, given the cost of homes in the market,” says Keogh adding they have more plans for the community, “Our goal is to really expand throughout Sisters with our own new construction, as well as subsequent phases of the Woodlands development.”

Two houses in the Woodlands will go to two district staff selected through a lottery conducted by Rooted Homes this fall. They’re expected to move in next spring.  

File Photo: Sisters High School

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners unanimously agreed Wednesday to not reconsider their denial of the Mountain View incorporation. The original proposal was to incorporate 265 square miles into a new city. The area includes Millican.

Commissioner Phil Chang says there may be other ways forward for the community southeast of Bend, "What interests me about this whole proposal and this application is trying to provide better services for Deschutes County residents. If incorporation or special districts are two potential pathways to pursue better services, I think there are probably more and we’re open to discuss those."

County Counsel Dave Doyle told Commissioners forming a special district for fire or other services would be a separate process. "It would operate completely independent and autonomous of anything that the county would be involved with. And it has about as much chance, I think, of getting off the ground as the city incorporation did." He went on to say, "There’s 150 people out there in an area the size of 10 Bends. You’re not going to get there from here. This fellow can keep trying and trying but he’s not going to get there. He’s eating up a lot of staff time and resources in the process."

Mountain View supporters say they plan to appeal the county’s decision to the state Land Use Board of Appeals.

Also Wednesday, Commissioners received a briefing on how a federal government shutdown could impact local operations. County Treasurer Bill Kuhn told Commissioners local governments around the country will take a hit, "It’s estimated that it could affect as many as four-million federal workers that will be furloughed almost immediately, and a huge impact to our budget; $5 billion per week of wages taken out of the economy."

Commissioner Phil Chang asked about county-run programs that are funded by federal grants and the government, like WIC, which provides health and nutrition services for low-income women and children, "That critical support to those families is going to be cut off. So, I’m curious what that means for us in terms of whether that actually affects - not just the money we put out into the community, but our workforce."

County Chief Financial Officer Robert Tintle said some programs might be able to continue, "What I’ve experienced in the past during these shutdowns, a lot of times, especially grant funded or federally funded programs, funding may be delayed in some areas. Eventually they may catch up, sometimes, depending on if that funding source has a reserve or they have funds they can utilize until they get the additional funds."

In Central Oregon, furloughs could impact everything from the Forest Service and BLM, to the TSA screeners at the airport."

BEND, OR -- After a long, dry summer, Mount Bachelor is getting a little taste of winter this week. "We’ve had rain, we’ve had fog, we’ve had snow, we’ve had wind, and snow levels have really dropped towards almost the base of the mountain, right now. So you’re seeing white-capped Mt Bachelor," says Bachelor's Lauren Burke. 

It’s great for the impending ski season. Not so much for summer operations at the bike park, which are supposed to continue through this weekend. Little Pine will be open Thursday, with access to lower mountain trails only, "If we can get some sun on the upper mountain and start to work on some of those trails, then we’ll do our best to open the upper mountain throughout the weekend, as conditions allow," Burke tells KBND News, "But the forecast still looks pretty wintry for the next few days." Visitors should check conditions on Mt. Bachelor's website before heading up to the mountain. 

This early snow isn’t expected to move up opening day of the snow season, scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving, "As we know, weather is extremely variable, especially in that early season. So, we’re still targeting that November 24th date, and as that timeframe gets closer, we’ll have a better idea of what operations look like."

That opening will occur amid ongoing construction of the new Skyliner Express lift, "We plan on opening here at our West Village area with Pine Marten, potentially Little Pine, or vice versa. And then as we get snow and snow-making across the mountain, we’ll continue to open more lifts. But in terms of Skyliner’s scheduled opening, it is scheduled to open in mid- to late December, right now."

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County’s Search and Rescue teams are preparing for the shift in operations, from lost or injured hikers to the inevitable motorist stuck in backcountry mud or snow. "Some people may underestimate their vehicle’s capabilities or weather can just dictate. Mother Nature is a fickle beast, that’s for sure," says Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Wall. "We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the seasonal change. However, with that being said, at high altitude - or even just here in the High Desert - weather can change extremely quickly. So, we want to make sure people are prepared."

Sgt Wall tells KBND News, "If they’re going to be hiking or on some other type of conveyance in the backcountry, take a map or take a GPS, take a compass - know how to use those instruments - some water, maybe some energy bars or something that’s going to provide them with a burst of energy in the event that they’re confronted with weather." He adds, "It’s not unreasonable to carry a spare layer, whether it be a waterproof or windproof jacket or some type of insulative - a puffy coat; the jacket of Bend, if you will. Have that in the backpack or, if weather does move in, you’re prepared to wait it out or find shelter so you can wait for us."

If your vehicle gets stuck, stay put and call for help. "Stay with your vehicle, try to stay warm and dry and continue to charge your cellular device, because it is an amazing tool for us to help locate you." And, Sgt. Wall says, if you’re headed off the beaten path, always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. 

file photo: DCSO SAR rescues a stranded motorist in January 2023.

TERREBONNE, OR -- A new study from Oregon State University published in Land Economics shows social media doesn’t have as much effect on State Park visitations as once thought.

OSU’s Dr. Ashley Lowe Mackenzie says the research goes against a narrative that apps like Instagram push visitors to find more scenic locations, “Initially a lot of the conversations were around how geo tagging was increasing visitation across various different locations. And the research we did, we found that it was really isolated to a small set of parks that went kind of viral on the app.” The survey of 18 years’ worth of data shows geotagged posts increased monthly visitation by 4% at Smith Rock, Silver Falls, Ecola, and Oswald West Parks. “People within the app really liked those locations and you could tell from the amount of likes that those photos received and Smith Rock of course, was one of the most viral parks out of the Oregon State Parks,” says Dr. Lowe Mackenzie.

Dr. Steve Dundas tells KBND News officials can use the information to gauge trends at popular spots, including Smith Rock, “I view this as a cautionary tale for public land managers who tend to be chronically understaffed and underfunded that at any given moment, there might be a natural feature that's under their management, that could go viral. They could be in line to experience some kind of increase in visitation…Potentially even predict where that next kind of big new place or thing where people want to get selfies will be. And that could help them plan for influxes of visitors that you know, they have to balance providing a good visitation experience while also protecting their resources.”

Dr. Lowe Mackenzie is currently working on a similar study of national parks.

REDMOND, OR -- A national program aimed at improving childhood nutrition is expanding in Redmond. "FoodCorps’ mission is to help kids learn how to eat well, in terms of nutrition - good nutrition and that kind of stuff," Redmond Schools Superintendent Dr. Charan Cline tells KBND News, "Really focusing on getting our kids eating fresh fruits and fresh vegetables."

He says the program will grow to all schools this year, after a successful start at one location, "Last year, we had a FoodCorps person sitting at Lynch Elementary, which is our school that has the highest poverty rate in our district. And the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables those kids ate by far was higher than any other school. They really had a huge impact. Kids were trying new kinds of food; they were really focusing on eating healthy."

FoodCorps serves two other districts in Oregon: Portland and Umatilla, as well as programs in 15 other states. "It’s like an AmeriCorps kind of position, where young people around the nation agree to serve for a couple of years at fairly low pay, and they go and they do good work around the nation," says Dr. Cline, "You see this with teaching corps, you see this with AmeriCorps."

The local program is a partnership with The Environmental Center in Bend and OSU’s Extension Office. It includes classroom lessons, work in school gardens and cafeteria-based food tastings. Cline says, "We’re looking forward to seeing what it can do for kids’ health and just attitude about eating healthy"

Photo courtesy of FoodCorps: A FoodCorps worker delivers apples at M.A. Lynch Elementary in Redmond. 

BEND, OR -- A fire at KTVZ's building on OB Riley Road forced employees to evacuate Tuesday evening. Bend Fire and Rescue responded just after 7 p.m., after staff called 911 and reported smoke in the building.

Firefighters searched inside and the roof for the source of the smoke, and discovered a small fire inside an office. They put the fire out and ventilated the building. 

Damages are estimated at around $60,000. The fire's cause is under investigation. 

News programming was canceled Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. According to KTVZ, "The newsroom and studio were not impacted. Damage was confined to a single office." Station management says, "NewsChannel 21's regular newscasts will resume as soon as possible. We apologize for the interruption in our broadcast schedule."

file photo

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County is revamping its “I Voted” sticker for the 2024 election. Actually, County Clerk Steve Dennison says, the new design will come from local kids. "It’s just always seemed like a fun idea to me, and a way to engage youth - students - in a way that’s not typical," he tells KBND News.  

His office is accepting submissions of original art from Deschutes County K-12 students to be used on the 2" round stickers. Dennison hopes the sticker contest will get kids thinking about elections, "Nobody’s ever too young to start working and understanding our elections process, and understanding how the whole thing works. Having kids engaged in the process and let them gain a better understanding - at least try and provoke their thought to what it means to vote."

But, of course, those stickers can be hard to come by because most people put their ballot in the mail. And that means the little stickers could become a collectors' item, "Deschutes County Clerk’s office is the only place in town to get a 'I voted' sticker. That’s just how vote by mail works." Dennison says some lucky voters might get one at a ballot drop site, "Our guys that drive around the county and pick up our ballots at our dropboxes, they do have pockets full of ‘I voted’ stickers, as well. So, if they come across a voter that’s dropping their ballot off and that voter timed it right, they’ll be able to receive an ‘I voted’ sticker at that time, too."

Elementary student (K-5th grade) submissions are accepted through the end of December, with the winner announced in February, ahead of the May Primary. Middle and high schoolers (6-12th grade) have until the end of June, with the winner announced in August for the general election. Dennison says they could also be used in the future, "I’m anticipating and hoping for some fun entries that might stick around."

Click HERE to download the submission form. 

Photo: Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison shows off a sample "I voted" sticker created by his child. 

BEND, OR -- NeighborImpact launched a new rent and mortgage assistance program this week for people living in Bend. Funding comes from the city and includes $90,000 toward housing payments.

Households making 80% of the area median income or less - based on family size - are eligible to apply for financial help, mentoring on household budgeting and financial coaching. For a family of four, that income limit is $76,150 a year, and $53,350 for a single-person household. 

Applications are accepted at NeighborImpact’s website or at the nonprofit's Bend office (20310 Empire Ave.). Completed and eligible applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-seved basis. 

BEND, OR -- On Friday, July 14, 2023, Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section initiated an investigation involving sexual abuse occurring at the May Spa on Bellevue Drive within Bend Oregon and the Deschutes County area.  The victim reported she had been sexually assaulted by her masseuse during a routine session.  Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Jianming Tang.

On Friday, September 15, 2023, an undercover operation occurred with the assistance of the victim and during that investigation detectives established probable cause of the crime of Sexual Abuse in the 3^rd Degree.  Jianming Tang was arrested and lodged into the Deschutes County Jail.

The Oregon State Police would like to credit the victim for her bravery in participating in the undercover operation. OSP would also like to thank the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team for their assistance, along with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. 

OSP understands there may be other victims who have not disclosed similar incidents.  To report any related or similar incidents involving the May Spa, please contact the Oregon State Dispatch Center at (541) 726-2525 or *OSP and reference OSP case number SP23-216409.

BEND, OR -- J bar J Youth Services and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council received $953,950 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The community is taking policy strides and doing all the right things to lay the groundwork for additional housing supply and for homeless response. So, really showing the solution-oriented approach,” HUD’s Northwest Administrator Margaret Salazar told a gathering of officials from the city of Bend, COIC, and area non-profits Central Oregon is a model for its efforts to end youth homelessness, “We know that when we invest in our youth, not only are we changing the trajectory of their lives, but we're preventing adult homelessness.”

The grant is part of $60-million in federal grants aimed at ending youth homelessness across the country. Central Oregon is the only community in the Pacific Northwest to receive the funding.

J bar J Youth Services Program Director Eliza Wilson says the money is a big boost, and she has several plans to put it to use, “I definitely think having a place where youth know to go, and they can go every day to access things like showers and things like that.” Wilson added it would be a collaborative effort in deciding how the money is spent.

During Wednesday’s check presentation at youth homeless shelter, the LOFT, COIC’s Tammy Baney thanked local officials, service providers, and non-profit leaders for their efforts, “Today is the day that we get to tell our youth that hope is on the horizon.”

In Central Oregon, there are 29 shelter beds for teens, between the LOFT and Grandma’s House.

The number of unsheltered children rose 30% in the last year. The region has one of the highest rates in the country.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County is not getting a new city. Commissioners unanimously  denied a request to incorporate an area east of Bend into the town of Mountain View.

At Wednesday's public hearing, Senior County Planner Nicole Mardell said the petition had the required number of signatures, but the 265-square-mile area may not meet population minimums set by the state, "Staff has concerns with this second requirement, as there was not enough information in the record to confirm that there are 150 people residing in this proposed boundary area." Andrew Aasen, who submitted the proposal, says it does, "I went to every single tax lot in the area and tallied how many people were in the homes. I established over 200."

Aasen asked Commissioners to send the question to voters inside the proposed boundary, which includes Millican, "So, the vision and the purpose of incorporation was brought forward through community participation and the petition was born. Its purpose is to address necessary services and realign the area with its current social and economic trends."

But there was overwhelming opposition to the plan at the public hearing, including from county staff and several local and state agencies. Jon Jinings, from the Department of Land Conservation and Development, testified on the difficulty in creating an urban growth boundary and other zoning rules in such a remote area, "There’s immense, possibly overwhelming, challenges to standing up a city like this - to standing up a town out of virtually nothing. We’re really doubtful that it gets them what they want in the first place."

Maryanne Terry lives in the area and initially thought the proposed city could help ease Bend’s overcrowding, "When we got the idea from the letter about Mountain View, we thought, ‘great! This will help Bend’s whole infrastructure because it is just a city to go to.’" But, she admitted there were a lot of unanswered questions,  and she was concerned about the proposed city's size. At 265 square miles, Mountain View would be bigger than Portland. Aasen argued the boundary was based on historic grazing lands used by George Millican, and said the area needed to be large to meet population requirements. 

Darryl Barnes also lives in the area and told Commissioners, "It seems like pie in the sky to even do a city out there, given the problems with infrastructure, water, services, all of that." He added, "I think a lot of these people in favor of this proposal are disgruntled property owners because they didn’t do their due diligence to find out what they could do with their property and the zoning."

Commissioners suggested taxes collected from such a small group of people would not be enough to support necessary city services and, because 75% of the area is federal land, much of it cannot be developed. After hearing complaints about a lack of fire services in the area, Commissioners encouraged the community to pursue joining a rural fire protection district instead of creating a city, which is a much more expensive endeavor. 

CULVER, OR -- A fifth grade teacher in Culver is one of Oregon’s 17 regional teachers of the year. Becky Brouillard was presented the award at a surprise assembly Wednesday, with representatives from the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Lottery. "It’s an honor. It’s great to be recognized and appreciated," Brouillard told KBND News shortly after Wednesday's assembly at Culver Elementary. She also receives a $1,000 prize. "I got a lot of hugs from last year’s class, the sixth graders, as they were leaving the assembly; and this year’s class, I did get a few hugs from them as they walked out too. I think they’re all pretty excited."

Culver Superintendent Stefanie Garber says Brouillard has taught at the school for 32 years, "A lot of people might, after that length of time, take the easy way out and do the same things over and over. And she has never. There has never been two years that have looked the same." Garber added, "She is so innovative. And she’s by far the most tech savvy person in the building. Her classroom is just such a dynamic place to be."

With so many teachers leaving the profession, Garber says the award is meaningful even beyond Culver, "To recognize somebody who has been here through and through, and is loyal and dedicated and loves children every year for 32 years, I don’t know that there’s a better way to show others who might be thinking about the profession how rewarding this really is."

Brouillard believes she’s in good company, "There’s so many teachers doing so many wonderful things. And unfortunately we can’t recognize everybody. But it’s nice to pick out a couple here and there and showcase what they’re doing." 

Brouillard will represent the Jefferson County region in the statewide 2023-24 Teacher of the Year competition. That winner will be announced in October and receives $10,000. The winner's school gets $5,000. 

BEND, OR -- Bend Parks and Recreation's board of directors has agreed to build a permanent Art Station at Larkspur Park. The district took over Art Station programs in 2016 after the nonprofit Arts Central closed. But the programs had to move out of the old train depot in the Old Mill last year, when the amphitheater needed the space. Since then, they’ve been held at various locations, including at the Larkspur Community Center.

“Constructing a new facility for the Art Station at Larkspur Park provides considerable opportunities for shared staffing, co-programming and scheduling coordination,” Matt Mercer, recreation services director, said in a statement. “The placement within a park also provides direct connection to both developed and natural areas that will enhance art programming and ignite creativity for youth and adults.”

Parks officials believe construction will cost around $2.5 million and hope to have the new facility open by the summer of 2026.

Image courtesy Bend Park & Recreation District

KLAMATH FALLS, OR -- In less than a month, another eclipse will appear over a portion of Oregon. Klamath Falls is in line for some of the state's best viewing of the annular eclipse on October 14, if the clouds stay away. 

Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty says they have to be ready for the county’s population to nearly double, "We don’t know how many people will come. We’ve heard estimates anywhere from 5,000 to 60,000; and our county is a county of 73,000 people." 

She and other local leaders have talked with officials in Jefferson and Crook counties about their experiences during the 2017 eclipse, discovering traffic is one of the biggest concerns, "We’ve learned through them that there was sometimes upwards of a 30-mile stretch of road at standstill traffic. Not only is it frustrating for people, potentially, but it can also be dangerous when you’re trying to get emergency vehicles around, i.e. an ambulance, and you have 30 miles of backed up traffic." But they're looking at all potential issues, "Whether it’s a lot of people on the roads, whether it’s emergencies that result from a lot of people being here, i.e. somebody accidentally starts a fire, we’re trying to plan for all those scenarios."

Like requests made to Madras and Prineville residents in 2017, Minty urges locals to enjoy the event but shelter in place, if possible. "I’m suggesting, and my plan is to stay off the roads, stay out of the stores, be prepared, have cash on hand, have groceries, have gasoline for your vehicle. Those of us who live here, we’re going to need to try to really live light with a very light footprint over those four or five days, to accommodate all the new people here."

In an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the earth and sun, but it’s farther away and doesn’t completely cover the sun. The eclipse creates what’s known as the ring of fire. 

Two large viewing events are planned for Klamath County: Eclipse Fest features the band Smash Mouth near Crater Lake, and the Running Y resort is hosting an Eclipse Into Nature party.

BEND, OR -- Bend’s Bear Creek Elementary celebrates its 60th birthday this year, and the community is invited to a special celebration this Friday evening. "It’s for anybody that’s a current Bear Creek student or family member, and then, the alumni that we’ve had from the last 60 years of people going to Bear Creek," says interim Principal Marc Zollinger.

He tells KBND News the school has made a deep impact over the years, "And it seems like everybody’s got a story or they know something about it. So, it feels like because Bend is expanding so much, it’s been one of those things that’s been here for the last 60 years and it has kind of a storied past at this point."

R.E. Jewell was superintendent when Bear Creek opened in September of 1963. It had 35 more students than its capacity of 240. Today, 505 students are enrolled. Bear Creek launched the first dual immersion program in Bend-La Pine Schools; it's entered its 14th year. The first dual immersion kindergarten class just graduated high school in 2023. 

Zollinger says, "Bear Creek, in its time here in the community, has been kind of a place for students and families to go and find that connection. And we want to celebrate the fact that Bear Creek does this special job of being a dual-immersion school, and we’re just bringing cultures and languages together." He says the sense of community is an even bigger focus this year, "Really, what we’re trying to do is just be a community within the school that includes the families and the parents, and then that really includes the community at large. So that’s one of the big focuses of the school this year, is that concept of community and that concept of belonging. And an event like this that celebrates the heritage of the school  and of Bend, I think really kind of helps bring things together."

Friday’s celebration at the school starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes family activities, snacks and a one-mile fun run. Click HERE for more information.