Bend
Daily News
Friday, September 12th, 2025
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Bend celebrates its eighth annual Welcoming Week as the city and the St. Charles Foundation host events that start today and run through Sept. 21 — featuring cultural shows, health fairs and community talks. Local groups join forces to share diverse stories and bring neighbors closer. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ The week from Sept 13 to 19 offers a variety of events including outdoor yoga and badminton at local venues, a family car show in Sisters, river surfing at McKay Park, pétanque in Sunriver, a restoration tour at Willow Springs Preserve, and a classical music performance at Drake Park—the week ends with a 30th Anniversary Hike at Paulina Creek Preserve and a pirate-themed fencing demo in downtown Bend. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ On September 10, First Interstate Bank employees volunteered with Heartwarmers to make blankets, stuffed toys and other gifts for sick children, the unhoused and seniors+ They supported local charities during the bank's annual volunteer day. KTVZ
- ➤ Bend Fire and the Bend Heroes Foundation placed 35 flags—one showing all the victims' names—at the Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor nearly 3,000 lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ceremony paid tribute to those who died on that tragic day. KTVZ
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Tumalo School experienced a 15% enrollment jump that led to hiring a new kindergarten teacher to reduce class sizes from 28 to 18—helping manage the growing number of students. The school is also preparing for a future transition to a K-8 model that will keep local families together in one building. Central Oregon Daily
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum and California lawmakers introduced HR 5225 which will extend tax relief for wildfire survivors by allowing them to claim exemptions on relief payments as soon as they are received—continuing protections from the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act passed in December 2024. The bipartisan bill will shield survivors from taxes on funds used for living expenses, lost wages or injury while they rebuild—lawmakers said the measure offers timely support. KTVZ
- ➤ Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler discussed plans for bus stop renovations, west-side low income housing, ADU impacts on street parking, parking regulations, and transportation fees affecting utility bills during a KTVZ interview—viewers may submit questions for her next live studio visit. KTVZ
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Last week, a cat in Bend caught a bat that tested positive for rabies—Deschutes County Public Health now urges residents to follow safety guidelines to protect their families and pets. KTVZ
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Developers have plans to build a new community with 366 new homes on a 45-acre site near the corner of 15th Street and Murphy in southeast Bend (Union Master Plan), which will include park spaces and mixed-use areas. The plan was submitted on Sept. 4 and will go to a public hearing next month before city council approval. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Redmond-based Hayden Homes bought the 260-acre Stevens Road Tract on September 11, which lawmakers and city officials said was key for meeting Bend's housing needs and supporting public schools— the developer will soon submit a master plan that follows state and city mandates by including income-restricted housing, parks and commercial areas with wildfire risk mitigation measures. This move brings a major step forward in addressing the region's growing housing challenge. Bend Bulletin
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation will host the Skyliners Ski Swap at The Pavilion in Bend on Oct. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and local consignors must register their winter gear by Oct. 6 with drop-off sessions on Oct. 9 or 10. The event will include a Pre-Sale & Party on Oct. 10 and live music during the Winter Expo while it supports local youth athletes & snowsports programs. Central Oregon Daily
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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
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PorchFest
3-9 p.m. — Discovery Corner Plaza — Free entry — Celebrate community spirit with live local music and food at this family-friendly festival.
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Sunday Morning Worship
10 a.m. — Boys and Girls Club — Free entry — Engage in worship and Bible study in the heart of Bend.
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IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild at Drake Park
4-10 p.m. — Drake Park — Bring your own picnic and enjoy the enchanting sounds of live classical music amidst nature.
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AIA Bend Thirsty Third Thursday Networking
4-6 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — Free first drink for registered attendees — Connect with local design and construction professionals in a lively atmosphere.
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Bend Oktoberfest
2-9 p.m. — Deschutes Historical Museum — Free entry — Celebrate with craft beer, wiener dog races, and live music at this Bavarian bash.
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Commemorating International Peace Day - A Bahá'i Perspective
The Baháʼí Faith considers world peace to be not only possible but inevitable, a future stage in humanity's development. Retired Bend attorney, Jim Slothower, will share the Bahá'i vision of how world peace will be attained and how each of us can play a meaningful role in bringing it about.
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Commemorating International Peace Day - A Bahá'i Perspective
The Baháʼí Faith considers world peace to be not only possible but inevitable, a future stage in humanity's development. Retired Bend attorney, Jim Slothower, will share the Bahá'i vision of how world peace will be attained and how each of us can play a meaningful role in bringing it about.
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OMEP Ready or Not! Business Simulation Game
9 a.m.–2 p.m. — Wille Hall — Registration required — Experience a dynamic business simulation tailored for current and future leaders in manufacturing.
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Drake Park Yoga Session
12-1 a.m. — Drake Park — Donation based — Enjoy a slow flow yoga class in the heart of nature, connecting with yourself and the community.
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People in Space: A Talk by Astronaut Dick Richards
6-7 p.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — Explore the human adventure beyond Earth with Bend’s own astronaut and Navy pilot, Dick Richards.
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Oktoberfest Celebration at Boneyard Pub
6 p.m. — Boneyard Pub — Beer and food specials — Celebrate the season with live music and craft brews at this annual fest.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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