Bend
Daily News
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 12th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Central Oregon volunteer teams completed the annual PIT Count in January to tally sheltered and unsheltered homeless residents in Bend and nearby areas. The effort (coordinated by the Homeless Leadership Coalition) will help agencies refine local support as final numbers are compiled in early spring. Source Weekly
- ➤ A 67-year-old substitute teacher without stable housing is living at the Shepherd’s House Ministries Lighthouse—a low-barrier shelter in Bend that provides meals, case management, and peer support. His story shows how rising rents and a lack of affordable housing have pushed even educated residents into homelessness. Source Weekly
- ➤ Two young Bend residents who once faced homelessness are forging new lives. Kira Newman now lives in an RV with his wife and champions youth policy, while Will Richardson earned his GED and settled into a subsidized apartment, showing resilience after past hardship. Source Weekly
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Damien Jurado will perform his 'Greatest Hits' set (with St. Yuma) at Volcanic Theatre Pub on Friday, Feb. 13 with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 at 70 SW Century Drive in Bend. Bend Bulletin
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ At a Feb. 10 school board meeting, parents with advocacy group Well Wired presented a letter from over 1,100 community members calling for reduced screen time and a reevaluation of AI + ed-tech use in Bend-La Pine Schools based on research on digital impacts on learning. Source Weekly
- ➤ The BEAM (Belonging, Education, Acceptance, Meaning) after-school program at Bear Creek Elementary supports neurodivergent kids with tutoring and social-emotional learning by resolving conflicts through conversation. Now in its second year as a nonprofit, the program is seeking board members to help expand to daytime care. Bend Bulletin
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ After more than a year of work to update outdated water and sewer systems for safety, the final stretch of Olney Avenue between Wall Street and First Street reopened on Wednesday morning, with permanent asphalt applied early due to warm winter weather so that no spring work is needed. KTVZ
- ➤ Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released survey results from 771 residents that will shape the 2026 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, with winter storms, wildfire, and extreme heat noted as top concerns; the office plans further outreach and input sessions (contact [email protected]). KTVZ
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Maarty Leunen coaches Ridgeview High while his son Gavin nears a career milestone with just four points needed to join the 1,000-point club at Redmond High on Friday. The father-son matchups during practice strengthen their skills ahead of the state playoff push. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Local coaches and Bulletin sports staff have selected nominees for The Bulletin’s Athletes of the Week (Feb. 2-7), featuring standout performances in basketball and wrestling. Community members can cast a vote for one boy and one girl on the Bulletin website. Bend Bulletin
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Live Music with Brandon Campbell Trio
7-9 p.m. — Currents at the Riverhouse — Check venue for entry fee — Experience the genre-bending sounds of the Brandon Campbell Trio with a mix of gypsy swing and rockabilly.
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KANALES & GRUPO ESCOLTA Live Concert
9 p.m. — Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex — Ticket info at Tickeri — Enjoy a night of vibrant music and dancing with Kanales and Grupo Escolta.
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Galentine's Brunch at The Coyote
10 AM – 2 PM — The Coyote — Celebrate sisterhood with brunch, mimosas, karaoke, and giveaways.
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Beertown Comedy Open Mic
6:30-9 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughter at the #1 Open Mic and Locals Night in Bend.
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Capoeira - Introductory Session
7:00 – 8:45 PM — High Desert Martial Arts — Workshop fee includes a T-shirt — Experience the rhythm and movement of Afro-Brazilian martial arts in a beginner-friendly session.
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Bigfoot County Live Performance
7-1 a.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy soulful blues-rock and country tunes from Bend's very own Bigfoot County.
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Live Comedy with Scott Losse & Andrew Rivers
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy laughter and relatable humor from Scott Losse and Andrew Rivers in Bend, Oregon.
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Sonic Benders - Dance-Driven Roots Funk
8-11 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Experience local talent creating booty-shaking boogaloo soul jazz funk.
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Oregon Fryer Live with The Smoke Drifters
7 PM - 1 AM — The Belfry — $15 — Enjoy an eclectic mix of Americana and rock from Oregon Fryer, capturing the spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
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Not'cho Grandma's Bingo Fundraiser
9:30 a.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — $13 per person — Experience high-energy bingo while supporting the community and enjoying a fun atmosphere.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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