Good morning, Bend.

At Expressway Market, Otis — a 1,635-pound pumpkin — invites customers to guess its seed count for a chance to win prizes until Halloween.

Grocery Outlet has applied for a permit to convert the former Staples location on Bend's north end near Home Depot into its second store.

The chain, known for its extreme value discount model and treasure hunt shopping experience, will expand from its current Third Street and Wilson Avenue spot.

CeramiCafe (founded in Clackamas in 2002) announced plans to expand to Bend’s Old Mill District with a paint-your-own pottery art lounge where customers can create, glaze, and fire their ceramic pieces.

The venue will also host birthday parties and group events soon.

Les Schwab confirmed it is planning a fourth tire center at SE 27th and Ferguson Road in southeast Bend + the new store will not replace any current location as details on an opening date remain undisclosed.

On Monday, Oct. 12, the Oregon Arts Commission awarded $1.3 million in sustainability arts grants to 317 organizations statewide, including $15,000 for the High Desert Museum and $7,025 for Bend Film Inc., with funds coming from the state’s general fund plus the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture reported 28 cases of Pigeon fever in horses statewide, including 19 in Deschutes County, and horse owners are urged to use fly sprays + quarantine measures to prevent further spread.

This guidance helps protect animals as warmer, drier weather continues.

The OSAA approved girls flag football as an official high school sport this spring on Monday, making Oregon the 25th state to sanction the game.

Local schools including Bend High competed in the sport while it was in the emerging program last year.

Mountain View won a 42-19 IMC football game against Caldera on Thursday with a balanced attack as senior quarterback Liam Wheir threw two touchdowns; Summit beat Bend 42-14 on Friday and Ridgeview defeated Crook County 42-7 in Prineville.

Mountain View will host Redmond at 7 p.m. Friday.