Good morning, Bend.

Longboard Louie’s on the Bend eastside is closing after 25 years as owner Jeff Parshall eases into retirement when the lease expired in June and no new buyer was found.

Its final day will be Saturday, July 26—leaving local fans to bid farewell to a beloved establishment.

Reporters and photographers at The Bulletin told readers to cancel subscriptions if Carpenter Media Group does not stop layoffs and raise wages.

They issued the call in a press release on July 8 and said a fair contract is needed to protect local journalism—negotiations continue amid plans for more cuts.

Oregon cities like Bend set strict water consumption limits at 143 gallons per person daily while rural well owners pump up to 15,000 gallons without oversight, and the shared aquifer has dropped 20 feet over the past two decades.

Continued declines could cause thousands of domestic wells to go dry—raising concerns for residents and farmers who rely on this water source.

Bend emergency officials now use the Watch Duty app to get fast wildfire updates as fire season intensifies.

Co-founder Dave Merritt said the app (created in California in 2021 and refined with local feedback) now reaches millions and will expand to cover other natural disasters soon.

A lightning storm on Tuesday ignited at least 16 fires across Central Oregon, with the largest near Willow Ridge in southeast Crook County burning about 100 acres and prompting Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 BE READY evacuations.

Fire crews used air tankers, helicopters and engines to fight the blazes — low humidity and breezy winds made suppression efforts difficult.

Cascades East Transit will launch a free pilot bus route—Route 8—next Monday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. that starts and ends at Hawthorne Station and connects Northeast Bend residents to jobs, schools, shops, and major local stops including Cascade Village via ADA-accessible buses.

Summit was awarded the Class 5A OSAA Cup for the third year in a row and earned its ninth Cup since 2009 after winning its 100th team title this spring — with state championships in baseball and girls tennis and top placements in several other sports.

Alex Via, a recent Summit High School graduate and Class 5A Pitcher of the Year, received permission from the University of Portland coaching staff to pitch more innings for the Bend Elks this summer.

Coach Allen Cox said Tuesday’s game showed that Via is set to pitch three to four innings—using his five-pitch arsenal to prepare for college baseball next spring.

Christmas in July with Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive Santa

Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive has taken over for the Toys for Tots which has suspended operations in Central Oregon and Marines from MCL 1308 with support from Summit Health are taking over with our Santa on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st of July and 7 of August every Thursday at 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm BRING A TOY PLEASE its needed

Bend Summer Festival

4-10 p.m. — Lay It Out Events — Free entry — Celebrate summer with live music, delicious food, and vibrant community spirit.

Reflections of History: An Architectural Walking Tour

10:30 a.m. — Deschutes Historical Museum — Reservations required — Explore the historical Drake Park Neighborhood and discover its architectural styles with guided insights.

Silent Disco Outdoor Yoga

5:00 – 6:30 PM — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Donation Based — Enjoy a serene yoga session accompanied by a vibrant playlist while creating unique mantra rock art.

Welcome the Night

6:30-9:30 p.m. — High Desert Museum — $10, Members receive 20% discount — Celebrate sundown and discover nocturnal wildlife under a dark sky with activities for all ages.

Tab Benoit Live in Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket info varies — Experience the soulful sounds of Grammy-nominated artist Tab Benoit in a captivating performance.

Munch & Music Concert Series

5:30-9 p.m. — Drake Park — Free entry — Celebrate the 34th season of free concerts with food vendors and local music featuring Thirteen Til Midnight and Dad Bods.

Spanish Summer Sounds – Learn Spanish Through Music

10:00 – 11:30 AM — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — Engage with Spanish through music and enhance your vocabulary in a fun and interactive setting.

Of Montreal Concert

7-10:30 p.m. — Volcanic Theatre Pub — Check website for price — Experience an eclectic night of alternative rock with Of Montreal.

Dropkick Murphys Concert

6-7:30 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Ticket prices vary — Rock out with Boston's legendary punk band known for their energetic performances and crowd favorites.

Maoli Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Tickets available online — Experience the uplifting fusion of country and reggae from Hawaii’s top independent artist Maoli.