Good morning, Bend.

A 13-year-old boy from Anacortes died Wednesday after crashing into a tree while snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor — ski patrol found him unresponsive 400 yards from Sunrise Lodge and emergency teams responded quickly, though he did not survive his injuries.

Following two tragic deaths at Mt. Bachelor in the past month — including the loss of a 13-year-old skier from Washington — ski expert Lauren Ringrose from Mt. Hood urged families and young skiers to stay in control, choose runs that match their skill level, and ski with a buddy while wearing helmets and proper safety gear.

Bend man Ricky Fontaine, 32, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for trafficking high volumes of fentanyl into Central Oregon.

Summit High School’s Chaos Theory 5468 robotics team set a world record at regionals and will compete at the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston from April 16—19.

The team is ranked number one in Oregon and among the top 1% of 3,700 teams worldwide, showing strong performance on the national stage.

Five Central Oregon schools earned the national RAMP certification for exemplary counseling programs—this honor recognizes only 12 schools statewide, with two in Redmond, two in Sisters and Caldera High School in Bend.

The schools will be honored this summer at the American School Counselor Association national conference—certification is valid for five years and schools must reapply to maintain the distinction.

Oregon lawmakers are asking for public input on the Oregon Journalism Protection Act—which would require big tech platforms to pay local newspapers or contribute to a civic media fund—and interested citizens can submit written testimony until 1 p.m. today.

Central Oregon venues are preparing festive Easter brunch events with special menus, family-friendly egg hunts and themed dining experiences on April 20 in Bend and nearby areas—one event in Redmond will be held on April 19.

Central Oregon Wildlife Neighbors Talk

10 - 11:15 a.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — Discover the wild animals near your home with expert Alysia Wolf during this engaging, family-friendly talk.

Bend 10km Race

12 AM - 4 PM — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Check event page for registration fees — A scenic 10km race featuring beautiful trails and a manageable elevation gain.

Trivia Nights at Greg's Grill

6-8 p.m. — Greg's Grill — Free to play — Test your knowledge and win exciting prizes at this fun trivia night event.

Happy Hour in the Garden

4-6 p.m. — The Environmental Center — Free entry — Volunteer and enjoy beverages while helping in the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden.

Bingo Night at River's Place

6-8 p.m. — River's Place — Cash for bingo cards — Play bingo, win cash prizes, and support wildlife conservation efforts.

Community Tour of KIDS Center

11 AM – 12 PM — KIDS Center — Free entry — Discover the journey of healing for children and the community's efforts to combat child abuse.

COCC Clothing Connection Fashion Show

4:30-8 p.m. — Central Oregon Community College — Free entry — Celebrate Earth Day with a fashion show featuring students and staff while supporting a clothing service for local students.

2025 Salmon Run

9 AM – 1 PM — Riverbend Park — Registration required — Experience the scenic beauty of Bend while participating in the 37th annual Salmon Run with half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances.

Easter Brunch at Juniper Preserve

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Juniper Preserve — À la carte pricing — Enjoy a delightful chef-curated Easter brunch with a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Beertown Comedy Open Mic

6:30-9 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Experience a fun-filled night with laughter from local comedians at Bend's top-rated open mic.