Bend
Daily News
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sakari Farms is a community hub in Tumalo set up by Spring and Sam Schreiner that honors native agricultural traditions and uses conservation practices to support tribal communities (offering seed-sharing workshops and locally crafted products). Source Weekly
- ➤ Latino Community Association has canceled Latino Fest for a second straight year at Sahalee Park in Madras to protect attendees from potential racial profiling and law enforcement intervention. The group will redirect resources to safety programs that document rights violations and offer legal support. KTVZ
- ➤ Furnish Hope, a local nonprofit helping residents transition to stable housing, is moving into a larger space near Bi-Mart in southeast Bend to better serve clients — it will celebrate today with a charitable event from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Central Oregon Daily
- ➤ CASA of Central Oregon will host Casablanca: A Masquerade Gala on Saturday, May 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bend to raise funds for training Court Appointed Special Advocates to support foster children. KTVZ
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Longtime spice shop owner Matt Perry is rebranding his 15-year Bend Savory Spice franchise as Top Hat Spice Shop in the Old Mill District, promising the same quality spices and staff with a fresh local feel. The grand reopening is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 — online ordering will begin. KTVZ
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Forty Feet Tall, with Cptn Over and Palo Sopraño, will perform live at Silver Moon Brewing (24 NW Greenwood Ave.) at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets cost $12. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ TEAL, a tea and art lounge that quietly opened March 12, offers over 60 locally sourced teas, snacks and art supplies and art classes (at 1024 NW Bond St. in downtown Bend). A grand opening will be held once final licensing is approved. Bend Bulletin
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Today, Summit High School’s Chaos Theory robotics team appears at Ridgeview High School for the free Central Oregon Aerial Drone Competition (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) after strong district showing and award win; they will compete in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston from April 29 to May 2. KTVZ
- ➤ COCC Foundation’s Meal of the Year on April 11 in Bend raised over $400,000 for student scholarships and honored David and Deborah Bourke — longtime supporters — at an event that began in 1978. Bend Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Rick Martinson runs Winter Creek Nursery (seven-and-a-half-acre) northeast of Bend, where he grows over 200 drought-tolerant native plants and hosts tours that show residents how to save water using new landscaping standards. Source Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Sisters Ranger District will host a public open house on April 23 to discuss planned forest management for 2026 at its office (201 N. Pine St., Sisters) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ County road crews are clearing Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road, which may open by late April or early May due to low snowfall. The earlier reopening may come ahead of the SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle on May 16, raising safety concerns & prompting caution for both drivers and cyclists. Central Oregon Daily
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local coaches and sports staff nominated standout athletes from April 6-11 as The Bulletin’s Athletes of the Week, spotlighting strong performances in softball, golf, track and baseball. Readers can review details (and vote) at bendbulletin.com/sports. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Central Oregon homebuilders Hayden Homes and Simplicity sponsor the 2026 Cascade Cycling Classic Downtown Criterium. The one-day race runs Sunday, June 21 in downtown Bend — a revived event supporting junior cycling through the Horner Cycling Foundation. Bend Bulletin
-
Watkins Glen & MFG Live Concert
9-11:30 p.m. — Domino Room — Tickets on sale now — Enjoy an exciting night with the Maxwell Friedman Group and a mega Watkins Glen set featuring surprise guests.
-
Reelin In the Years - Steely Dan Tribute
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Cost not specified — Celebrate the smooth grooves of Steely Dan with Bend’s premier tribute band Major Dudes.
-
Teen Volunteer Opportunity with Camp Fire Central Oregon
2:30-4:00 p.m. — Family Kitchen — Free — Connect with Camp Fire through exciting volunteer projects and skill-building outings for teens aged 12 to 17.
-
Sierra Hull Live Concert
6:30-9:00 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the dynamic bluegrass and Americana sounds of Sierra Hull, a six-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year.
-
Universal Health Plan Town Hall (Free + Open To All)
Oregon is creating universal health care legislation. This Town Hall is currently the only in-person chance in Central Oregon to hear from the people writing the state's legislation and to ask questions/provide comments. This will be historic legislation. If you are interested in the issue, support universal health care, or have questions about it, you have to be at this event to make your voice heard. It is free and open to all. DATE: Saturday, April 25th TIME: 3pm to 5pm LOCATION: Trinity Episcopal Church, 469 NW Wall St, Bend, OR 97703
-
Reiki and Sound Bath for Nervous System Reset
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM — Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, LLC — Cost varies — Experience a restorative blend of Reiki and sound healing to relax and reset your nervous system.
-
About Oregon Gold: A History of Mining
7-8 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — Tickets required — Explore the untold story of Oregon's gold rush from 1862 to 1910.
-
Intimate Night with Eric Leadbetter
7-11 p.m. — McMenamins Pub at Old St. Francis School — Enjoy a cozy evening of music and storytelling with Eric Leadbetter.
-
Chris Beland Live Performance
7 p.m. — McMenamins Pub at Old St. Francis School — $11 — Experience heartfelt songwriting from a passionate artist immersed in the dreams of everyday life.
-
Purpose Derby
1-4 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Free entry — Celebrate the Kentucky Derby while supporting StirrUp Purpose through fun activities and auctions.
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
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
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