Good morning, Bend.

The annual Point In Time count for homelessness in Central Oregon shows a 19% drop due to increased shelter capacity and housing initiatives, with Bend reporting 838 individuals—a decrease from 1,001 in 2025.

The 1,706 participants spanned Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes counties.

Obsidian Music Festival, curated by Vacancy Floor's Buddy True, will be held Saturday evening at Silver Moon Brewing featuring six bands playing doom, sludge and stoner rock from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The event will include live filming & psychedelic visuals and may return next year.

OSU-Cascades has named retiring professor Dennis Lynn to deliver the commencement address on June 14, and he will retire at the end of June after a long career in human development and family sciences.

Bend-La Pine Schools is hiring 10 bus drivers and will host a Drive and Apply event next week at its Transportation Department bus depot, where interested applicants can test drive a school bus and apply on the spot.

OSU-Cascades named Christine Pollard interim dean and chancellor effective May 16.

Pollard has served as senior associate dean since 2023 and will lead the school until a national search selects a new dean (nominations are submitted online) as Becky Johnson returns to retirement.

River Sol, a Bend home built to Living Building Challenge standards, collects and treats its rainwater and reuses wastewater.

The residence uses rooftop solar to produce more energy than it consumes and features sustainable materials, showing green building success despite COVID delays and a 2025 fire (a test of resilience).

Bend Park and Recreation District shared its water-saving results from last summer today as smart controllers and native plant selections reduced water use in 86 parks (only 195 acres are irrigated out of 3,000 total).

The changes support healthier turf and cooler outdoor spaces amid ongoing drought conditions.

Hundreds attended a La Pine City Council meeting Wednesday night to oppose a proposed 20-megawatt data center due to concerns over power, water, and transparency.

City officials stressed that no final decision or land sale has been approved and the project must clear further city and county reviews.

Deschutes County sent 72,205 test emergency alerts Wednesday afternoon using its Deschutes Alerts system to help residents get evacuation information for fire season.

Officials said the system, which added sign-ups after last year’s Flat Fire, will safeguard neighborhoods with quick updates.

A retired Bend doctor tested faintly positive for hantavirus after feeling ill on a cruise ship with 3+ deaths.

He told CNN from a Nebraska biocontainment unit and expects further testing in the coming days.

Bend’s late-night eateries remain a crucial option when most kitchens close by 9 p.m.; spots like Taco Salsa, Axel’s Taco Shop and McMenamins keep serving hot meals well past midnight + each venue has unique hours to help night owls grab a bite.

Caldera freshman Rikaiya Griffin jumped 20 feet twice last week and became one of only three state high school girls to hit that mark.

She will compete with the Wolfpack at the conference championships May 21-22 and the state meet May 29-30.

FRACTAL Live Music Event

7-10 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — No cover charge — Experience an electrifying dance party atmosphere with local favorites Fractal.

Five Pint Mary Concert

7 p.m. — McMenamins Pub at Old St. Francis School — $11 — Enjoy an evening of live music in a charming venue with limited seating.

Willy Vlautin: Stories & Music Night

7-1 a.m. — McMenamins Pub at Old St. Francis School — $19.25 — Experience an enchanting evening of stories and music with award-winning author and musician Willy Vlautin.

Brandi Carlile Concert

5 PM – 4 AM — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the Grammy-winning artist's latest reflections in an unforgettable live performance.

2026 OSHE Spring Conference

May 20-22 — Riverhouse Lodge — Registration fee required — Engage with specialists in a collaborative setting for professional development and networking.

Sugarhill Gang Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Tickets available — Celebrate hip-hop history with the iconic Sugarhill Gang performing their groundbreaking hits.

Claypool Gold Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — $ — Experience a thrilling night of genre-defying music with Primus, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, and The Claypool Lennon Delirium.

Property Research Workshop: Uncover Your Property's History

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Deschutes Historical Museum — $50 per person — Learn expert tips to uncover the history of your property's address.

Living Myth with Jared Anderson

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, LLC — $20 suggested donation — Explore life's landscape through storytelling and shared themes with experienced storyteller Jared Anderson.

Bobby Lindstrom & Ed Sharlet Live

1-3 p.m. — Worthy Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy blues-based old school rock and roll with local favorites Bobby Lindstrom and Ed Sharlet.