Good morning, Bend.

Local veteran homeowners in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties can qualify for no-cost home repairs as part of the Veteran Restore Health and Safety Program provided by NeighborImpact.

The program offers grants of $15,000 to $30,000 to cover essential repairs including roofing, heating, electrical, plumbing, and accessibility upgrades.

Volunteers worked with the Bureau of Land Management to improve trails and add picnic tables at Reynolds Pond on Friday, Sept.

25, as part of National Public Lands Day; the 12-acre site near the Badlands Wilderness now offers a family-friendly place to fish, hike (wheelchair accessible), and picnic.

Willamette Pass Resort has tripled its snowmaking capacity and more than doubled its fleet of snow guns (to 19) to extend the winter season.

The upgrade will debut when the resort opens for winter on Dec. 11 near Crescent Lake as part of its Master Development Plan.

The Deschutes Historical Museum hosted its 45th chili feed and raffle on Friday featuring Millie’s Chili—a recipe dating back to 1983—and raised funds for museum operations and local history programs, with ticket sales still ongoing today.

Artist Elli Gordon demonstrated her acrylic ceramic techniques today, and she joins the pop-up event at Good Day Darling (1:00 to 5:00 pm) where locals can pick from her collection and vote in a canvas poll giveaway.

She will post her new pieces on Instagram on Sunday.

Archaeology students from the University of Oregon spent the summer near Fort Rock (a historic volcanic landmark), studying 80 sites that reveal clues about ancient human life and changing landscapes.

The field school highlights Native peoples’ long history in the region as students learn old tool-making methods and landscape interpretation.

Sisters Coffee Company is launching its River Blend dark roast on Monday, Sept.

28 to support local river conservation. The company will donate $2 per bag sold in its cafes in Sisters, Bend, and Portland to aid water conservation.

The Oregon Department of Forestry will lower the wildfire danger level to moderate at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow and cancel regulated use closures in units including John Day, Prineville, Monument, Sisters, and Fossil on state-protected lands in Central Oregon — fire season safety protocols remain active.

The Deschutes National Forest is hiring five winter seasonal workers for visitor services and a forestry technician role.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 5 (local residents are encouraged to apply) on USAJobs.gov.

Local health care CEOs warned at a City Club forum that new Medicaid rules starting Jan.

1, 2027 will increase paperwork and shorten renewal periods, possibly leaving about 12,000 residents uninsured and delaying care as reduced reimbursements and rising costs make it harder to retain providers in Central Oregon.

Mars (10-year-old cat) traveled 3,000 miles to Bend for a rare pituitary surgery on Friday, Sept.

25 after being diagnosed with severe diabetes and a growth hormone tumor. The Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon used a custom 3D-printed template and now reports Mars’ improved strength and lower insulin needs.

Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity and Bend-La Pine Schools broke ground on Stone Creek Commons, 18 affordable homes for district staff in southeast Bend; the homes will remain affordable for future buyers through a community land trust.

Rikaiya Griffin, a Caldera girls soccer sophomore who scored a record four goals on Sept.

18, and Mountain View senior linebacker Landon Wimmer, who had 13 tackles in a loss, were voted Athletes of the Week by Bulletin readers + new nominees will be posted Tuesday online.

Ridgeview earned its second shutout of the season by beating Caldera 35-0 last Friday at home.

The Ravens held star running back Clarke in check and will host Summit next Friday (game scheduled).