Bend
Daily News
Friday, March 6th, 2026
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 6th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Crook County Search and Rescue teams worked overnight after 26-year-old Brian Ichkhanian was reported missing near Lookout Mountain in the Ochoco National Forest. He reached safety around 7:00 a.m. Monday at a local residence — he was tired but unharmed after challenging, icy conditions. KBND
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Tributes are coming in for Bend splitboarder Stratton Matteson, who died last week in an avalanche near Whistler and was honored by organizations like Protect Our Winters (POW) and Patagonia for his climate advocacy and sustainable approach to snowboarding. Central Oregon Daily
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Mike Richardson (who built Dark Horse Comics from a Bend comic shop) is no longer CEO as Embracer names interim CEO Jay Komas to guide the company forward. Richardson stepped down after years of leadership in a transition announced to better align Dark Horse with its expanding ventures. The Oregonian
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Cascade Natural Gas proposed a 17% rate hike for residential customers starting Oct. 26 to cover rising system costs + the Public Utility Commission is reviewing the proposal and will decide in October, which could raise bills by about $11.07 for an average user. Bend Bulletin
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Redmond city officials plan to remove homeless encampments from Desert Rise (between East Antler Avenue and Northwest Greenwood Avenue) by June to ready the property for future development. Outreach and resource notifications will begin this month with police support assisting in the transition. Bend Bulletin
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Oregon will be the first state to require insurers to cover out-of-pocket costs for cervical cancer diagnostic testing after abnormal Pap smears. The unanimous law passed by the legislature awaits Gov. Kotek’s action and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Gov. Tina Kotek signed a law Wednesday that makes March 4 an annual HPV Awareness Day to help Oregonians learn about the virus + boost vaccination efforts as federal guidelines now recommend a single dose. The Oregonian
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Bend High boys basketball team ended a cherished era with a 59-50 win over Mountain View in the final game at the historic gym, which opened in 1956. The school will replace the gym with a new facility opening in 2028. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ High school basketball fans are asked to vote for the top 5A guard during the 2025-26 season—the poll ends Sunday, March 29 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Candidate profiles from various schools help guide the vote. The Oregonian
-
Dad Bods Live
8-10 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Free entry — Enjoy a high-energy night of 80's hits with the lively Dad Bods ready to make you dance.
-
Raging Writers Spoken Words
2-4 p.m. — Spork — Free entry — Ignite your creativity with writing prompts followed by an open mic for passionate performers.
-
KIDS Center 101
5:30-6:30 p.m. — Deschutes Children's Foundation - Rosie Bareis Community Campus — Free entry — Discover the essential programs and services offered by KIDS Center for children and families.
-
Trivia Night at Wonderland Chicken and Worthy Brewing
7-9 p.m. — Wonderland Chicken Co X Worthy Brewing — Free to play — Join a lively trivia competition with food and drinks and win prizes.
-
Art & Health: Scalehouse x Health Care for All Oregon
Free and open to all, with food, drink, artwork, and conversation included. Join Scalehouse and Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO) on Friday, March 13, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, for an Open House to learn about Oregon's universal healthcare legislation and what it means for all of us. Also experience the new art exhibition, “Seeds of Abundance: Limits, Loss & Regeneration.” Donations from the night will support HCAO and Scalehouse.
-
OHA Bend Chapter Banquet
4-10 p.m. — Riverhouse Lodge — Pre-registration required — Enjoy a festive evening of raffles and auctions including a State-Wide Elk tag highlight.
-
Paint Your Own Pet with Sandy Klein
2-5 p.m. — Playful Paws Cat Café — Cost not specified — Unleash your inner artist while painting a portrait of your pet with guidance from an expert.
-
Beertown Comedy Open Mic
6:30-9:00 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughs at the #1 Open Mic for locals in downtown Bend.
-
Child Abuse Awareness Training
5:30-7 p.m. — Becky Johnson Community Center — Free entry — Learn to recognize signs of child abuse and discuss prevention strategies to protect children and families.
-
Josh Blue Live Stand-Up Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the humor of Josh Blue, a celebrated comedian with a vibrant and evolving stand-up routine.
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
If you can't see yourself working with someone for life, don't work with them for a day.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Bend Daily News
Welcome to the Bend Daily News, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Bend, Oregon community. If you like the Bend Daily News, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Bend.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Bend and across Oregon. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Bend Daily News
A free Bend community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://benddailynews.com/sitemap