Shepherd’s House Ministries will open daytime cooling shelters at their facilities in Bend and Redmond from Monday to Friday, July 25-29, from 11:00am-6:00pm. The Bend shelter will be located in two locations at The Lighthouse Navigation Center at 275 NE 2nd St in Bend and at The Shepherd’s House at 1854 NE Division Street in Bend. The Redmond shelter will be located at 1350 S. Highway 97 in Redmond, a facility acquired by Shepherd’s House and awaiting renovation in the coming months. With daytime temperatures forecast over 100 for consecutive days, Shepherd’s House will provide a safe and cool space for people experiencing homelessness in Redmond and Bend. Days and hours may be responsive to the dynamic nature of extreme weather events.
Extreme heat poses a risk to the health and life of persons living outside, specifically the risks of dehydration and heat sickness. Shepherd’s House is committed to feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. Redmond City Director Andrew Hoeksema says, “Everyone in Central Oregon will be uncomfortable on these hottest days of the summer. However, many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness have very limited options for going inside to cool off and rest away from the sun. As we seek to extend love and service to our neighbors who need it most, we will open shelters with air conditioning, water, snacks, and personal connection. We are grateful for all who will partner with us in this effort.”
The Shepherd’s House SHARE Van will also be visiting spots around Bend to deliver cold water bottles and snacks, and to check on people living without shelter during this heat wave.
CALL TO ACTION: Shepherd’s House will welcome volunteers at both sites to assist with sheltering. We also invite donations of water bottles, freezer snacks (e.g. otter pops), and pre-packaged snacks. Sign up to volunteer or make a financial contribution online at www.
If you would like to give to support these efforts, monetary donations can be made at https://
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With daily high temperatures forecast to near or above the 100-degree mark next week across parts of the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Power is prepared to face higher demands on the grid from both record temperatures and increased customer need.
“We’ve taken steps for grid hardening, in particular since last summer, to prevent overloading at the substation level and on the distribution system,” said Erik Brookhouse, vice president of system operations for Pacific Power. “We are confident about our network’s readiness for this summer.”
Wildfire conditions have elevated too and Pacific Power has taken additional safety precautions in high risk areas to reduce the risk of wildfire. Among other measures, the company is conducting additional patrols of power lines and temporarily modifying targeted system settings to be more sensitive.
Customers can also take steps to manage their energy use during the summer, staying comfortable while avoiding a surprise on your next bill. To see a full list of energy-saving tips, visit the company’s website. Among the top energy-saving recommendations for summer are:
- Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day.
- Open windows during cooler evening hours.
- Operate the clothes dryer and dishwasher at night.
- If you have air conditioning, set it to maintain an interior temperature of 78 degrees, higher when you are away from home.
More electric energy information is available on Pacific Power’s website at: www.pacificpower.net.
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