Good morning, Bend.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, First Interstate Bank will close branches at noon to let 100 local employees in Bend and Redmond volunteer on 13 service projects with local nonprofits — including garbage and non-native plant removal with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

Volunteers will join Pick It Up, Bend! for a community cleanup on Sunday, Sept.

27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater (769 SW Columbia St); registration is recommended for free drinks, snacks and prize drawings.

Boneyard Pub will close its NE Division St. restaurant on Oct.

11, but its taproom and brewery at 37 NW Lake Place will stay open. The company is helping affected employees find new jobs + allowing gift card redemption through 2026.

Bend-based production house 500 Motors announced its debut snowboard film KEVORKIAN on Friday, Sept.

11, featuring local pros and serving as a tribute to the community. The free world premiere will be held on Oct. 1 at Trailhead Lodge.

First responders and community leaders in Bend recalled their Sept.

11 experiences, sharing how the day reshaped lives and sparked lasting unity across Central Oregon. Their personal stories underscore deep resilience and a continued commitment to remembering the impact of that fateful morning.

Bend’s Eli Callan began his two-year, 70,000-mile motorcycle journey on Aug.31 and will send The Bulletin his travel stories and photos every other weekend.

He reflects on childhood memories from local spots (Lakeview and Adel) as he embarks on his global adventure.

Local conservationists launched the Blue Mountains Trail, a long-distance path that offers hikers access to diverse landscapes in Oregon’s largest ecoregion today.

Public comments on a Forest Service proposal to expand logging in nearby roadless areas remain open until Sept. 30 (a key decision for environmental protection).

Firefighters stopped a small wildfire near Paulina on Thursday.

The 10-acre blaze, reported off Scott Rd near a reservoir, threatened no homes and is under investigation.

A Bend couple has transformed their cancer journey into a book (The Comfort & Healing Companion) that offers practical tools and hope to patients and caregivers.

St. Charles Cancer Center has distributed 50 copies to those undergoing treatment, and additional resources are available online.

Bend High sophomore Lucy O’Connell and Mountain View senior Ryder Carpenter were named Athletes of the Week by Bulletin readers after strong play on Sept.

5 at the South Eugene Invite and Sept. 4 in the Cougars win over North Medford (nominated by their coaches).

Caldera’s top cross-country runners, Maddie Carney + Miley Morical, will run today at Big Sky Park’s Wolfpack 5K as they gear up for races in Southern California and Portland.

The teammates push each other to improve while building on past success among the state’s best.