Good morning, Bend.

During Hunger Action Month, Family Kitchen at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Bend is serving free meals to locals facing rising food costs; in its first seven months, the organization delivered over 140,000 meals (a 55–60% increase) to support community members in need.

Firefighters have fully contained the Sno Park Fire west of Bend by stopping its progress on Skyliners Road and lifting evacuation orders, although drivers may still face intermittent restrictions near NF 4606 + crews remain on scene to mop up and check for hot spots.

High Desert Chamber Music will hold auditions on Sept.

8 and Sept. 9 in Bend for its free Spotlight Chamber Players program open to Grades 6-12 students with three years of private instruction — selected students will receive weekly instruction and paid performance opportunities during the season.

The Hayden Homes Amphitheater maintained a 93.5% waste diversion rate by composting, recycling and reusing materials, and Deschutes County Solid Waste staff toured the venue to review its practices.

The Green Team continues adopting new methods to further reduce waste in the community.

Think Wild is recruiting volunteers to join its expanded beaver restoration season—after wildfires and unsafe summer conditions delayed projects—to repair critical habitats across Central and Eastern Oregon.

Volunteer events start Sept. 19 with research and continue through October with native plantings and structure building.

Rain is forecast for Central Oregon this week with no evacuation orders, though fire officials warn that dry fuels keep fire season active.

Cooler weather is expected to slow spread, but wet lightning during storms (a risk factor) may spark new fires.

The Bureau of Land Management announced that the Reynolds Pond Trailhead in the Oregon Badlands will close from noon to 6 p.m. Sept.

11-13 for permitted gundog testing (visitors may use Dry River or Chitwood trailheads for access).

St. Charles Cancer Institute offered early access to Daraxonrasib, a drug that can double life expectancy for advanced pancreatic cancer patients, to seven individuals in early August.

La Pine resident John Johnson (78) is one of the patients who hopes to enjoy more time with family.

A Seattle-based investment firm will acquire 87-unit Steppe Apartments (2365 NE Conners Ave.) in northeast Bend on Wednesday, adding to its growing portfolio amid strong local rental demand.

The complex, built in 2025 and adjacent to St. Charles Medical Center, will offer more rental options.

At The Opener at Western Oregon University, Caldera runners finished among the top three in the girls’ 3,000-meter race.

Miley Morical came in second and Maddie Carney was third—Philomath’s Cassidy Smart won the race and the team title with 90 points.