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As Deschutes County continues to grow, Bend-La Pine Schools and Redmond School District are increasingly renting out school facilities to community organizations for diverse activities, including athletics and cultural events. This trend reflects the rising demand for accessible spaces in Central Oregon, addressing both community needs and school resource utilization.
Eight candidates for the Bend City Council gathered at a forum to address pressing housing issues that are affecting the community. The discussion centered around solutions to the high costs and limited availability of affordable and workforce housing in the region.
Eric Zeece has been appointed the executive director of the new Central Oregon Innovation Hub at Oregon State University-Cascades, starting on November 11. This initiative aims to foster innovation in the region, supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises. Zeece's leadership is expected to enhance business management and technological change in Central Oregon.
The Bend City Council has enacted new regulations regarding camping and parking for individuals living in vehicles within the public right-of-way. This decision aims to shorten the duration that these individuals can park on the streets, reflecting ongoing concerns about homelessness in the area.
Crews fighting the Pine Fire at Pine Mountain have achieved 50% containment over the 6,500-acre blaze, aided by bulldozer lines and air support. The Little Lava Fire, meanwhile, has grown to over 14,500 acres and is 63% contained. Fire officials are actively managing these significant wildfires impacting the region.
Discovery West celebrated the grand opening of its new gathering spot, Discovery Corner, with a spectacular drone show and a chance to meet former NASA astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa. The event included live music, food trucks, and open house tours, attracting a large local audience eager to engage in the space-themed festivities.
Strong winds tested containment lines on the Little Lava Fire, which has burned 12,120 acres but remains largely controlled. Meanwhile, the Bachelor Complex fire is now nearly two-thirds contained. Updates also include information on the Bingham and Rail Ridge fires in the region.
Bend resident Schuyler Morgan is collecting donations to assist victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, feeling a strong sense of duty to help those affected by the disaster. Having moved to Bend just months prior, he is motivated to support recovery efforts back home. Morgan's initiative highlights community solidarity in times of crisis.
A construction-zone electronic reader board near Sisters, Oregon, was vandalized with a political campaign message, prompting immediate attention from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The incident highlights the growing issue of campaign-related vandalism as the election season heats up.
Three young siblings from Bend, Oregon, have been reported missing along with their mother, Sara Barboza. The Oregon Department of Human Services has expressed concerns that the Barboza siblings may be at risk, prompting an active search for their whereabouts.