Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
The Bulletin · Culver, OR
Nearby: Culver, OR25 years of Legal Zin From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, you can help Maragas Winery in Culver celebrate 25 years of Legal Zin, its blend of zinfandel, merlot, cabernet Franc and cabernet sauvignon made from grapes grown at Maragas’ second vineyard, which boasts rich volcanic soil 25 miles north of its Smith Rock area estate. Get a barrel-direct taste of Maragas’ upcoming vintage of Legal Zin, as well as the 2001 and 2022 Legal Zin. Ermisch Cellars, Lava Terrace and Lazy Z Ranch will also be on hand to barrel sample their wines. Bottles will be for sale. Advance tickets are $30, or $35 the day of the event. Admission is 21 and over only, and gets you eight tasting tickets. Contact: maragaswinery.com. Play pinball for Silver Rail On Saturday, the arcade at The Capitol’s Arcade, 190 NW Oregon Ave., Bend, will be donating 100% of the money from that day’s plays to the Silver Rail Elementary PTO.
Madras Pioneer · Culver, OR
Nearby: Culver, ORA vegetation fire began on Nov. 7 and grew to over 200 acres near Lake Billy Chinook through that weekend, prompting Level 2 “Be set” evacuation levels. The fire was reported after 11 a.m. to be at the 6800 block of SW Prospect View Drive west of The Cove Palisades State Park near Culver. The fire was around five to 10 acres when it was first reported. But the cause of the fire was not reported. Crews responded and reported a fire running and torching the area with multiple structures threatened. Structure protection was requested by the first arriving units. There were homes in the areas, but many were believed to be vacation homes, not permanent residencies. Additional resources responded to the scene the afternoon of Nov. 7. The sheriff’s office issued a Level 2 evacuation order around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 for a zone of Lake Billy Chinook. Evacuation levels were downgraded to Level 1 “Be ready” the evening of Nov. 8.
Madras Pioneer · Warm Springs, OR
Nearby: Warm Springs, ORA Warm Springs man has been with aggravated sexual abuse on the Warm Springs Reservation. According to court documents, on Oct. 16 officers with the Warm Springs Police Department responded to a home after a report that a man was found in a bedroom with two young children. Investigators allege a family member entered the bedroom and observed Jesse James Hicks, 34, with one of the children in a way that raised concern. They alerted other family members. Hicks initially denied wrongdoing, according to court documents, but later admitted to unlawful conduct involving one of the children during federal investigators’ interviews. Hicks was charged with aggravated sexual abuse, which has a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. “The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and involve the exploitation of exceptionally vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford in a press release.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORVeterans and volunteers placed over 1,600 American flags across Redmond this Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Redmond School District Superintendent Charan Cline, a veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division and as a long-range surveillance unit for the Seventh Corps during the Gulf War, placed flags along Highland Avenue with his wife and city housing program analyst Linda Cline and volunteers from the Deschutes County 4-H program. Other volunteers with Redmond’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program were placing flags near Centennial Park in downtown. This was the last flag placing of 2026 and Flag City USA’s 35th year. Flag City USA, also known as ad-hoc group Redmond Downtown Flag Committee, has been placing full size American flags with monogrammed names on the hems throughout the city on national holidays, like Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July, since 1991. The group’s work is all based on community support. Cline was trained as a sniper.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORExplore themes of love and loss in a remote, mystical town at Redmond Proficiency Academy’s production of “Almost, Maine.” With shows Thursday through Saturday this weekend, the student theater production is playing at the McClay Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Redmond. It’s based on John Cariani’s 2004 romantic comedy made up of nine short plays. Showtimes are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. The Saturday show is sold out.
Redmond Spokesman · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORThe Spokesman will update items in the police log when such a request is received. Any new information, such as the dismissal of charges or acquittal, must be verifiable. Arrests Monday, Nov. 2 12:10 a.m. 1200 block SW Highland Ave. Alexia Ocampos Robles, 21, Redmond. Charges: Disorderly conduct II and improper use of 911. 2:05 a.m. 2500 block NW 10th St. Madelene Bartosz, 20, La Pine. Charges: Probation/parole violation — misdemeanor. 4:11 p.m. 900 block SW Emkay Drive. Sophia Krawski, 23, Redmond. Charges: Telephonic harassment. 4:59 p.m. 1700 block S. Highway 97. Patrick Morris, 43, Redmond. Charges: Disorderly conduct II, escape III, false info to police — criminal, interfere with police officer, warrant arrest — in state and warrant arrest — out of state. 7:34 p.m. 4600 block SW 37th St. Breezy Pinkerton, 36, Redmond. Charges: Child neglect II. 7:34 p.m. 4600 block SW 37th St. Jason Wick, 44, Redmond. Charges: Child neglect II. 9:59 p.m.
Central Oregonian · Redmond, OR
Nearby: Redmond, ORMothers from Redmond, Madras, Terrebonne form nonprofit, continue work reaching out to others who face suicide loss A year after Julie Leutschaft’s son, Kiefer, died by suicide in 2021 she attended the funeral of another 26-year-old, Tegan. Someone close to the family had reached out to Leutschaft following Tegan’s death. Leutschaft asked if she could attend the graveside funeral. “When that happens to your family, it’s cataclysmic,” Leutschaft said. “You don’t know where to turn. You feel very alone. You don’t even know that there are resources out there.” After some time passed, Leutschaft, who lives in Redmond, reached out to Tegan’s mother Mary Jo Brunner, of Madras, with encouraging words and told her to give herself grace. She also welcomed Brunner to join her grief group at St. Charles Redmond. Six months earlier, Leutschaft had received a call from a mother who had also lost a 26-year-old daughter to suicide. Having both worked for St.
