Good morning, Bend.

Today, a community benefit for 16-year-old Paige Wood will be held at the Rim Rock Riders Event Center on Powell Butte—featuring a barrel race, vendors, Cowgirl Christmas and a silent auction to help cover her mounting medical expenses from an August crash.

The Assistance League of Bend recently held its Raise A Glass For The Kids fundraiser, raising enough funds to provide new school clothing for 1,441 children in the area.

The event brought community members & local businesses together to celebrate generosity.

Community organizations are ramping up efforts to assist the homeless and low-income residents amid economic challenges, as donations wane and demand grows.

Bend Church and local groups are asking volunteers and donors to help fund meal programs, shelters, and other essential services.

Dylans Mexican Food in Redmond was named the top Mexican restaurant on DoorDash’s America's Favorite Delivery Spots list — the local favorite earned national praise among 20 selected establishments.

The award recognizes its authentic flavors and high customer ratings.

A Bend land clearing and excavation company, Boulder Ridge LLC, was named Eastern Oregon’s 2025 Operator of the Year for thinning 2,000 acres of trees — it will be honored at the Board’s January meeting in Salem to recognize its efforts to lower wildfire risk and boost forest health.

Republic Services has introduced eight ultra-quiet electric garbage trucks — six serve Bend and two serve Redmond, reducing noise and cutting carbon emissions.

The company plans to add its first electric commercial trucks next year to further upgrade service.

Deschutes County Road Department is hosting a second online open house from Dec.

5 to Jan. 5 to review updated roundabout designs at two South Century Drive intersections (Venture Lane and Spring River Road) near Sunriver and Three Rivers; input from last spring improved the designs for safer traffic flow.

Oregon SNAP benefits returned to their normal December schedule after disruptions in November due to the shutdown.

Officials at ODHS warned that over 1,300 EBT cards were deactivated in the Coos Bay and North Bend areas to prevent card skimming.

Perk Imaging signed a lease for a new office in Shevlin Crossing—located at NW Crossing Drive and NW Shevlin Park Road—that will house one of only 10 3D breast screening scanners in the nation, which use sound waves to create clear images without radiation or compression.

Oregon Health Authority advises Deschutes County residents to get their flu shot as flu activity rises and officials expect cases to peak in January and February.

St. Charles Health System reported a 15.7% revenue rise to $1.05 billion in the first nine months of 2025 amid a 2% increase in patient discharges and 5% more surgeries, although operating costs also grew due to a 14.6% rise in wages and benefits, officials said.

Coaches in class 5A selected the all-state football teams for the upcoming season (33 of 37 head coaches cast their votes) and named top players on offense and defense from schools such as Lebanon, Summit, and Silverton.

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

Schilling's 2025 Holiday Makers Market

6 PM - 12 AM — Schilling's Garden Market — Parking ticket required — Celebrate creativity and community with local vendors, festive food, and holiday cheer.

Community Leaders Christmas Party 2025

6-8 p.m. — The Haven Coworking — Free entry — Celebrate the Christmas season with leaders from across Central Oregon in a casual holiday gathering.

Evan Mullins Live Performance

6-8 p.m. — Silverleaf Café — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of amazing covers and original music with talented local musician Evan Mullins.

Holiday Lights Paddle Parade

4-10 p.m. — Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe — Free entry — Experience the enchanting spectacle of illuminated kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards on the Deschutes River.

SantaLand Celebration

11 AM – 5 PM — Old Mill District — Free entry — Experience the festive spirit with Santa, holiday gifts, and special moments in SantaLand!

Open Mic Night at Silver Moon Brewing

1-4 a.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Hone your craft in a supportive environment during this lively open mic night.

SHINE Acoustic Performance

8-10 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Free entry — Enjoy classics from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond with SHINE's acoustic trio.

Swingin' Tower Christmas

7-8:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre, Bend, OR — RSVP required — Experience a festive holiday show with swingin' Christmas songs and local performers against a backdrop of a live big band.

Swingin' Tower Christmas

2-5 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a festive family holiday show filled with swingin’ Christmas songs and seasonal stories.

No School Day Camp

9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson School — Registration fee applies — Turn a day off into a fun-filled adventure with creativity for kids K-5.