Bend
Daily News
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
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Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Madras attorney Timothy R. Gassner received the 2025 David C. Glenn Professionalism Award for exceptional service in the 22nd Judicial District. Judges praised his work in the Recovery Court program and his strong support for clients with mental health and substance abuse issues—marking his steady progress from starting his career in 2004 to founding his own practice. KTVZ
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Five startups were named finalists for the Growth Stage competition at the 2025 Bend Venture Conference in downtown Bend, set for October 16 and 17. The companies range from clean tech to AI-driven manufacturing and will compete for investments from 100-thousand to 2.5-million dollars during High Desert Innovation Week that begins October 13 — a sign of growing local innovation — as investors and entrepreneurs connect. KBND
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sunriver will host its ninth annual Fungi Fest & Mushroom Show Saturday at the Homeowners Aquatic and Recreation Center—where visitors can see hundreds of mushrooms on display, hear from experts, and shop from mushroom-themed vendors. Additional events with talks and a sold-out field trip will be held on Thursday and Friday. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Oregon universities, museums and community groups are planning Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on Oct 13 and the surrounding weekend—with events featuring Native art, traditional foods and cultural demonstrations in cities including Portland, Eugene, Salem and Bend. Local organizers are scheduling activities from indigenous marketplaces to cultural paddles and community dinners to honor Native heritage. The Oregonian
DRINK NEWS
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ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Volunteers are needed for the annual fish recovery project at Lava Island Falls—scheduled for October 17-19—to help net and move fish from a one-mile stretch of the Deschutes River when low water flow isolates it from the main channel. Teams will use buckets to transport and count thousands of rainbow trout and sculpin as part of the river conservation effort. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Monday night, the Harvest Moon (a supermoon that looked brighter and larger because it was closest to Earth) rose above the eastern horizon. Local children (including Kingston and Evelyn Fortier) from Bend watched the striking event near Millican. Bend Bulletin
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Oregon Department of Agriculture will stop Japanese beetle eradication efforts in 2026 because of a lack of state funding (this decision affects local growers). Jeff Stone from the Oregon Association of Nurseries hopes the Oregon Emergency Board restores the $2 million when they meet in December (to help protect crops). Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Bend created a new wildfire preparedness position and named Melissa Steele as the first Deputy Fire Marshal of Wildfire Preparedness to lead free home risk assessments through the Own Your Zone program—she brings 24 years of fire service experience and a personal commitment after losing her home in the 2018 Camp Fire. City officials, led by Mayor Melanie Kebler, have planned a 10-month project to boost education and may update building codes to protect homes from wildfire damage in the future. Source Weekly
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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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Live Music with Dave LiaBraaten
7-9 p.m. — Currents at the Riverhouse — Free entry — Experience dynamic performances of classic rock, pop, and acoustic favorites by Bend's own Dave LiaBraaten.
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"You Are Loved" Mural Painting
Join us for a fun day of painting - a new 25-foot "You Are Loved" mural is going up and we need your help! Bring your friends and enthusiasm - we'll provide the supplies and refreshments - no experience needed.
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"You Are Loved" Mural Painting
Join us for a fun day of painting - a new 25-foot "You Are Loved" mural is going up and we need your help! Bring your friends and enthusiasm - we'll provide the supplies and refreshments - no experience needed.
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Not’Cho Grandma’s Bingo
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free – $14 — High energy FUNdraising bingo that guarantees a great experience in Central Oregon.
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2025 BOW Annual BootCamp Sessions
9:00 – 11:30 AM — Volcanic Theatre Pub — Tickets start at $30 — Experience the thrill of the outdoor industry pitch contest and witness emerging brands compete for cash awards.
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Bend Venture Conference 2025
12:30 PM – 5:00 PM — Tower Theatre — Check the website for pricing — Engage with innovative startups and connect with industry leaders at this renowned entrepreneurial event.
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Next Stop Comedy Showcase
7:30-9 p.m. — Bridge 99 Brewery — Tickets may apply — Enjoy a night filled with laughter featuring a fresh line-up of stand-up comedians.
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Sam Bush Live Performance
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Cost info not provided — Experience the unique blend of bluegrass and progressive sounds from the iconic Sam Bush.
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Stayin Alive - Bee Gees Tribute
7:30-9 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the excitement of a full Bee Gees playlist with stunning visuals and heartfelt performances.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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