Bend Daily NewsSubscribe — it’s free

36°CloudyHigh 50° · Low 32° · 58% rain

  1. 6 a.m.36°
  2. Noon46°
  3. 6 p.m.42°
  4. Midnight34°

6:44 a.m. 4:52 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

See this week
  1. 6 a.m.36°
  2. Noon46°
  3. 6 p.m.42°
  4. Midnight34°
  1. Today50°32°
  2. Wed56°34°
  3. Thu56°37°
  4. Fri61°40°
  5. Sat66°43°

6:44 a.m. 4:52 p.m.

See full forecast

Today’s edition · Tues., Nov. 3

Ballots are due at 8 p.m. today, and McKenzie Pass closes Thursday

Plus, a Little League fund for Silver Rail kids and the Old Mill District's new SantaLand spot.

The Bend Daily News team2 stories11 sources4 min read

Election DayTop story

Drop box ballots are due by 8 p.m. today, and Deschutes County turnout is nearing 50%

Ballot deadlines run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 10

  1. Oct. 27Election officials' recommended last day to mail a ballot
  2. Nov. 3Drop box deadline is 8 p.m.; mailed ballots need a postmark
  3. Nov. 10Last day for postmarked mailed ballots to arrive and count

Source: KTVZ

If you haven't voted yet, today's the day. Deschutes County was approaching 50% turnout on Monday, which County Clerk Steve Dennison called "fantastic for where we are in the cycle." Officials say turnout is running higher than in past midterm cycles.

  • Deadline: 8 p.m. today at any official drop box
  • Drop boxes: 13 official sites, including a new COCC drive-through
  • Results: start shortly after 8 p.m.

KTVZ reported last week that more than 40,000 ballots were back by Oct. 26. Dennison said the county hopes for turnout between 60% and 70%. We'd skip the mailbox now. If you do mail it, take it into a post office and ask for a .

Crook County's turnout topped the state average Monday

Source: Central Oregon Daily

View as table
Value
Crook County51.5%
Oregon average41.52%
Jefferson County41.26%

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Bend answered.

Asked

How are you getting your ballot in this year?

Getting Around

McKenzie Pass closes for the winter on Thursday, and ODOT won't maintain it

If you like the drive over (OR 242), time's almost up. The Oregon Department of Transportation will close the highway Thursday as winter weather approaches. The route is a scenic secondary highway, and ODOT puts its plowing effort into main highways instead.

5,325 feetMcKenzie Pass's elevation

The high elevation and narrow, twisting road made it too hard to keep clear in winter, even when it was the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon.

Source: KTVZ

  • Conditions: check .com or call 511
  • Winter hazards: fast-changing weather, no services or cell coverage
  • Spring hazards: fallen trees, rockslides, damaged pavement

It became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962. ODOT said the closure is of the highway, not of public lands, so skiers and snowshoers can go past the gates at their own risk.

The closure bars vehicles but not people on foot

WhoBeyond the gates
VehiclesProhibited
Skiers and snowshoersAllowed, at own risk
Services and cell coverageNone

Sources: Bend Bulletin, KTVZ

Sponsored

Apparel

5 women’s sweaters, cardigans, and fall tops under $35

Presented by The Buy

Sponsored

Fall is in full swing. Make sure your wardrobe is equipped for the get-togethers, cozy days, and special occasions ahead with five tops + cardigans you can grab for an instant look.

  • Asymmetrical bell sleeve top | $9.99 while sale lasts | Rib-stretch fabric and a boat neck make this a feminine, flirty top perfect for date night.
  • Merino blend scoop neck | $23.19 while sale lasts | Top-rated, this lightweight merino wool blend is easy to throw on and goes with everything.
  • Chunky popcorn cardigan | $34.98 while sale lasts | You’ll reach for this cozy, chunky knit every time there’s a chill in the air.
  • Open front cardigan coat | $32.99 | Go for a pop of yellow or classic navy, grey, or black in this warm winter knit that turns jeans and a tee into an instant outfit.
  • Pleated cardigan | $28.99 | This open-front knit made from 100% soft viscose has extra flair with a pleated bottom hem.

More worth The Buy

News Notes

Silver Rail

Bend South Little League has launched a scholarship fund that covers 100% of registration fees for Silver Rail Elementary students who want to play baseball or softball in 2027. Families can register starting Nov. 15 at sre.bendsouthll.org with the code "SILVERRAIL," and the league says verification is confidential. Profits from Silver Rail Strong merchandise go to the fund. KTVZCentral Oregon Daily

Old Mill

Mio Sushi is closing after almost 20 years because the decided not to renew its lease. The space will become the district's SantaLand, which typically opens the day after Thanksgiving. KTVZ

Bus safety

Clocks moved back Sunday, and the sun set around 4:53 p.m. Monday in Bend. That's renewing attention to school bus safety around schools, neighborhood bus stops and areas where students may be walking or crossing streets. KTVZ

Pumpkin

Otis, a 1,600-pound pumpkin at Expressway Market, held exactly 505 seeds, and staff spent hours Monday counting them. The winner of the guessing contest was expected to be announced on the market's social media channels. Central Oregon Daily

Otis the pumpkin held exactly 505 seeds

1,600 pounds
is how much Otis weighed
505
seeds were counted inside Otis

Source: Central Oregon Daily

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.*

The Buy

Product find alert: You’ve never used a steamer like this vacuum clothes steamer, which heats up in 30 seconds and offers powerful, even steaming and vacuum suction to remove dust and wrinkles. Use it on clothes like this women’s batwing sweater for a crisp, polished fall look.*

Job

You have job openings; our job is filling them. List your available positions with our Self-Service Ad Portal and connect with top talent citywide. Submit here in seconds.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Bend answered.

Asked

Will you visit the Old Mill District's SantaLand this year?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.

— David Foster Wallace

Things to Do

Things to Do

Bend, OR

Tuesday, Nov. 3

See every Bend eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the role for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Neighbors

My daughter and I and my 2yr old grand son met up at Rivers place for a late lunch.

“All was going well until a womans dog came up to me and jumped on me scratching my legs and making a hole in my leggings, the dog then proceeded to jump up at my grandson and go right towards his face..needless to say the dog scared my grandson and he started crying uncontrollably. The dog had a harness and leash but…”

— A neighbor, Southwest Bend

97 likes · 59 comments

View post

The Wrap

Ryan GosWING, a pallid bat from Oregon, just won the Bureau of Land Management's Bat Beauty Contest, the fourth year in a row an Oregon contestant has taken the crown. Pallid bats hunt by sound, using big ears to listen for insects moving on the ground.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Bend-La Pine plans Silver Rail community session Thursday

Read yesterday’s edition

The Bend Daily News teamBend’s daily newsletter

How did we do today, Bend?

Tap a face. It takes under a minute.

Not for meLoved it

That’s your morning, Bend.

Send it to someone in Bend who’d want it.

ShareEmailFacebookX
Every source in this edition11 links · 5 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Central Oregon Dailycentraloregondaily.com
  3. KTVZktvz.com
  4. Bend Bulletinbendbulletin.com
  5. KTVZktvz.com
  6. KTVZktvz.com
  7. Central Oregon Dailycentraloregondaily.com
  8. KTVZktvz.com
  9. KTVZktvz.com
  10. Central Oregon Dailycentraloregondaily.com
  11. Bend events calendarbenddailynews.com

Past issues

  1. Mon., Nov. 2Bend-La Pine plans Silver Rail community session Thursday
Every edition

Free every morning

Get Bend Daily News in your inbox.

The news, the things to do, the jobs and the weather of Bend, in five minutes, every morning by 8 a.m.

Subscribe free

Free forever · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

Bend Daily Newsto me · Tues., Nov. 36:00 a.m.

Ballots are due at 8 p.m. today, and McKenzie Pass closes Thursday

Plus, a Little League fund for Silver Rail kids and the Old Mill District's new SantaLand spot.

The TLDR

  1. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. today at any official drop box
  2. Deschutes County turnout was approaching 50% on Monday
  3. McKenzie Pass closes for the winter on Thursday
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Bend Daily News’ other editions

All the news
SchoolsBend-La Pine Schools will hold a Silver Rail community session ThursdayIf you have questions or concerns after the Silver Rail Elementary tragedy, Bend-La Pine Schools has set up a community session for Thu., Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pilot Butte Middle School, 1501 NE Neff Road. District leaders, school board members and Bend Police Department representatives will be there to listen and answer questions.Monday’s editionRead CommunityLes Schwab's new foundation is giving $100,000 to Silver Rail Elementary recoveryLes Schwab Tires has created the Les Schwab Foundation, and its first gift is $100,000 for recovery from the Oct. 15 tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary. The Bend-based company announced the foundation Tuesday, Oct. 27. KOBI-TV NBC5 says the money will support students, families and educators.Monday’s editionRead

Around Bend

From MyCentralOregon.com, KTVZ and Central Oregon Daily, gathered by TMI, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. MyCentralOregon.com1 hour ago

    Silver Rail Elementary Plans Reopening November 12th

    Bend-La Pine Schools shared an update with staff and families of Silver Rail Elementary School on the timeline for reopening the building and inviting families back. The following is a letter sent to

    Also reported byKTVZ

  2. Central Oregon Daily1 hour ago

    5 outlandish NFL trade deadline ideas (Justin Herbert to Vikings?!)

  3. Central Oregon Daily2 hours ago

    Shopping for a golfer? These 12 gifts are perfect for him

  4. Central Oregon Daily2 hours ago

    How Oregon Ducks transfers performed in Week 9 of the 2026 season

  5. Central Oregon Daily3 hours ago

    Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot? See the winning numbers

  6. Central Oregon Daily3 hours ago

    ANALYSIS-Global financial markets were already fragile. Big AI bets could break them