Serving Central Oregon since 1903 • $1.50
Friday • January 22, 2021
WINTER
VIEWING
RARE BIRDS
EXPLORE » B1
SPORTS PULLOUT, B3-6
St. Charles Redmond battles outbreak
By SUZaNNE rOiG
The Bulletin
About a third of the 31 caregivers at
St. Charles Redmond who tested pos-
itive for COVID-19 had received their
first dose of the vaccine at the time of
the outbreak, a hospital official said.
St. Charles Health System, which
employs about 4,500 people in Cen-
tral Oregon, began vaccinating care
providers on Dec. 21, said Lisa Good-
man, health system spokeswoman.
As of Thursday, St. Charles Redmond
has vaccinated 62% of its 450 staff in
Redmond.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention states that two
doses are required to achieve immu-
nity from COVID-19. Both brands
of vaccines require two shots, one 21
days after the first and the other 28
days. A person may not be protected
fully from the virus until a week or
two after the second dose.
Goodman said the source of the
outbreak is still being investigated by
the hospital and Deschutes County
Health Services.
“We have taken many steps to mit-
igate this outbreak,” Goodman said
in an email. “The community should
feel confident and safe seeking needed
care at the Redmond hospital.”
COVID-19 | Teachers
up next for vaccine, A6
According to a weekly outbreak re-
port by the Oregon Health Authority,
there are 10 workplace outbreaks of
COVID-19 in Central Oregon. Most
are at assisted living facilities. Five
PANDEMIC CLOSURES SEND
GYMNASTICS ACADEMY TUMBLING
deaths have been reported in these
ongoing outbreaks, the longest is at
the Mt. Bachelor Assisted Living facil-
ity where 29 people have tested posi-
tive, according to the Oregon Health
Authority.
The hospital said it is taking steps
to protect patients and caregivers by
adding additional COVID-19 protec-
tions.
See Outbreak / A6
BEND SURVEY
Housing
and transit
remain top
priorities
Addressing racial equity
on the list for residents
By BrENNa ViSSEr
The Bulletin
Dean Guernsey/For The Bulletin
More affordable housing and better
transportation infrastructure remain
the top priorities among Bend resi-
dents, according to a recent survey,
though addressing social inequities
in city government has also become a
high priority.
These priorities were identified in a
community survey, which was com-
missioned by the city and conducted
by DHM Research, to gauge the gen-
eral attitude Bend residents have to-
ward the city, as well as to learn what
issues they felt needed to be addressed
the most.
The statistically valid survey, which
interviewed roughly 300 Bend res-
idents of various ages, incomes and
races, showed that residents’ priorities
of improving transportation and in-
creasing affordable housing have not
changed since 2018 — the last time
this survey was conducted.
Sharman Watt, owner of Central Oregon Gymnastics academy, has been forced to close down her business due to COVid-19 restrictions.
By MiCHaEL KOHN
The Bulletin
S
harman Watt, owner of Central Oregon
Gymnastics Academy, was flying high a
year ago. Her business had 400 kids en-
rolled in a variety of programs, a few of them
headed for state-level competitions, and all of
them having a blast while flipping, bouncing
and tumbling in the high energy facility.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Revenue
skidded to a halt and the bills began piling up.
Ten months after the start of pandemic-related
business closures, Watt said her family is out of
money and at risk of losing their business.
“We have stretched everything,” said Watt,
44. “This was the only source of income for
our family.”
See Gymnastics / A6
Legislature cranks up session after two-day delay
By Gary a. WarNEr
Oregon Capital Bureau
After a two-day delay caused by
FBI reports of possible right-wing
attacks on state capitals, the Oregon
Legislature got down to the business
of the 2021 session.
On Thursday, 12 committees
TODAY’S
WEATHER
kicked-off with virtual hearings.
About 46 House members held a
20-minute floor session to move
along the first batches of bills onto
the political conveyor belt of read-
ings and assignment to committee.
Rep. Ron Noble, R-McMinnville,
gave what was officially the opening
Morning flurry
High 33, Low 18
Page B5
INDEX
Business
Classifieds
Comics
prayer, but was more a plea for co-
operation amid the crises and chaos
— with an “amen” at the end.
“We must figure out a way to
climb out of the mire, and the time
is now,” Noble said. “Is it naive to
think we can create a vision forward
and people with differing options
A7-8
B6
B7-8
Dear Abby
A8
Editorial
A5
Explore B1-2, 9-10
Horoscope
Local/State
Obituaries
A8
A2, 4
A8
can engage without vilifying each
other? Maybe. But I’m willing to
try.”
Noble said the alternative of re-
maining in the political mire would
destroy families, communities, the
state and nation.
Puzzles
Sports
LEON DEVEREAUX • 1923-2021
Former Bend mayor
and WWII pilot dies
By KyLE SPUrr
The Bulletin
Leon E. Devereaux Jr., a World
War II pilot and former Bend mayor,
died Thursday. He was 97.
Devereaux was born on Aug. 26,
1923, in Bend, where he grew up. He
graduated from Bend High School in
1941. He worked for Brooks-Scanlon
Lumber Co. Inc. for 38 years.
Friends and colleagues remem-
bered Devereaux for his kindness and
dedication to promoting the history
of Bend through his involvement with
the Deschutes Historical Society and
later with local veterans groups.
See Legislature / A6
B8
B3-5
See devereaux / A6
The Bulletin
An Independent Newspaper
We use
recycled
newsprint
Vol. 119, No. 19, 18 pages, 2 sections
DAILY
GoFundMe campaign
to save Central Oregon
Gymnastics Academy
aims to raise $100,000
See Survey / A6
U|xaIICGHy02329lz[