Two Bend schools deal with warm-up water woes: frozen pipe at Highland Magnet, burst pipe at Realms HS/MS
(Update: Burst pipe, water flow and ceiling leaks at Realms Middle/High School)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two Bend schools dealt with the weather-related issues Tuesday that many others are grappling with as days of frigid temperatures led to an inevitable warm-up: frozen pipes in one school, a burst pipe and ceiling leaks in another.
As temperatures warmed, a water pipe at Realms Middle School/High School in northeast Bend burst around 3:35 p.m., shortly before students were dismissed for the day, Director of Communications Scott Maben said.
"We had water in two bathrooms, two classrooms and a main hallway," Maben told us. "We also have some roof leaks there that prompted us to close three high school classrooms. We have a contractor there repairing the pipe, and a water cleanup crew onsite tonight, to be prepared for holding classes there tomorrow (Wednesday)."
Earlier in the day, a lack of running water amid Tuesday morning's continued near-zero temperatures prompted a two-hour delay in classes at Highland Magnet School at Kenwood School in northwest Bend.
Bend-La Pine Schools Director of Communications Scott Maben said he'd learned the school had no running water this morning. A message to district parents announced the delay, due to "water service issues."
The Highland school bus was operating on its regular schedule, and students who rode it were accommodated at school until classes begin, the district told parents in its BLConnect system.
The water was "slowly coming back in some rooms" at mid-morning, according to Becca Burda, assistant director of communctations.
"They are still working to discover the cause but said it's likely frozen pipes," she added.
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Earlier storm-related announcements:
Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday for many and a day of service for others. But the impacts of the High Desert's major weekend snowstorm continue, from Redmond Meals and Wheels to delayed trash pickup by two companies.
The Redmond Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday due to inclement weather," we learned Monday. "There will be no Meals on Wheels delivery, please use you emergency meal kits. The Center plans to reopen on Wednesday with delivery of Meals on Wheels."
Cascade Disposal said late Sunday it was suspending garbage collection on Monday "due to icy conditions and the safety of our drivers and community."
"We ask all customers to put cans out on their normal collection day so they will be available when we resume services," the business said. "All customers will be serviced by Saturday, January 20th."
Republic Services also said it suspended Monday collection due to inclement weather and will be doing garbage pickup one day later than scheduled the rest of the day, expecting to be complete by Saturday if all goes well.
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Redmond Meals on Wheels had announced it would not be delivering Monday.
"Please use your emergency meals today," the organization said, adding that the center would be open Monday for hot lunches onsite from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the Redmond Senior Center. Call the facility at at 541-548-6325 with any questions.
