Good morning, Bend.

Les Schwab advises central Oregon drivers to switch to winter tires when planning trips in snow, ice or temperatures at or below 40° for better traction; studded tires are allowed from Nov.

1 and drivers should check local road conditions before traveling.

Rapa Nui Tiki Bar in the Old Mill District closed after five years serving Central Oregon, with its owners thanking locals and hinting at a possible return in the future.

The bar was open daily at 3:00 p.m. through Friday, marking its final week of operations.

Frisco-based Mazama Energy raised $135 million on Thursday to continue drilling beneath Newberry Volcano.

The geothermal project targets power generation by 2029 using a 50 MW facility, with plans to expand to 200 MW by 2030 (backed by major investors including Centaurus Capital and Doerr Capital).

Crook County and the Oregon Department of Forestry will host a multi-agency resource center on Saturday, Sept.

26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Crook County High School Gymnasium to help wildfire victims access housing, health, and insurance support, as well as government assistance programs.

The Summit girls soccer team is aiming for its seventh state title after winning three of four matches, led by senior captain Coco Skovborg (who set a high standard).

They will play at Crook County on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and host Caldera on Friday at 4 p.m.

Climbing historian Jeff Thomas explained on the recent Explore Oregon Podcast how Smith Rock State Park evolved into a climbing hotspot in central Oregon + early innovators changed the sport, drawing international visitors.

His account shows how local pioneers reshaped climbing techniques over decades.

Bend Bulletin readers named Hannah Miller of Bend High girls cross-country and Liam Wheir of Mountain View football as Athletes of the Week for Sept.

7 to 12 (Miller ran a 5K at Big Sky Park while Wheir threw for 206 yards leading his team to a win over South Medford).

Summit scored 24 unanswered points Friday night to beat Mountain View 24 to 7 and boost its bid for the Intermountain Conference title—each play marked a turnaround after two early losses, while Mountain View will regroup during its bye week.