Good morning, Bend.

Last weekend, a fundraiser in Powell Butte raised nearly $8,000 to cover medical expenses for 16-year-old Paige Wood (injured in a car crash last summer).

Organizers are still counting money from a silent auction.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace will deliver 60+ beds on Friday to help kids in Burns who lost theirs to last spring's floods, and local Furnish Hope will send household furnishings to support families rebuilding.

The nonprofits work together to meet urgent community needs.

Meteorologist Scott Elnes will leave Central Oregon Daily on Dec.

19 to join The Weather Channel in Atlanta—he will sign off with a final Singalong Brothers event at UPP Liquids at the Box Factory at 5:00 p.m.

A new concert series debuts at Tower Theatre in January, presented by OSU-Cascades and the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts.

Yagódy will perform on Jan.21 and Grammy-nominated Andy Akiho with Imani Winds will perform on April 12, with tickets at $30 + fee or $5 for students.

Nina & The Rebel Rockers will perform at Silver Moon Brewing on Thursday, Dec.

11 at 7 p.m., kicking off a busy weekend that features Kalida’s set on Saturday, Dec. 13 and a free open mic on Sunday, Dec. 14 for local artists.

Four acts have been announced for the 2026 Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend.

Goo Goo Dolls (with Neon Trees) will perform on July 26 while Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics are set for Aug. 19, and ticket sales open this week.

A new four-piece art installation by Lori and Lisa Lubbesmeyer is on display on the second-floor catwalk above Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe + Wild Child in the Old Mill District, offering visitors an up-close look at nature along the Deschutes River.

After a fire at Miller Elementary on Nov.

30, teachers reported headaches + nausea and respiratory issues when returning to class on Wednesday, as cleanup measures and air quality tests were underway. The district awaits final test results to confirm a safe environment for students and staff.

Bend-La Pine School District has unveiled a plan to boost early reading skills that will be discussed at the board meeting today; the plan uses a new curriculum with 60 minutes of reading (and 15 minutes of handwriting) daily and aims for 95% proficiency in third grade over 6-7 years.

The Bureau of Land Management announced it is lowering personal-use permit fees for Christmas trees and firewood to $1 on public lands in Oregon and Washington — a move that helps reduce wildfire risks while saving families money.

The new rules apply immediately through Jan. 31.

Deschutes County Public Health urged residents to get flu shots this holiday season to help protect against rising flu cases in Central Oregon—vaccinations are available by appointment at Bend and Redmond clinics.

Crook County and Summit boys basketball teams remained unbeaten this weekend as the Cowboys won their local invitational (defeating Baker, The Dalles, and Scappoose) and Summit captured the Hood River tournament; Crook County will face 6A South Eugene on Friday while Summit plays Putnam on Thursday.

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

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.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Juniper Preserve

9 AM – 4 PM — Juniper Preserve — Cost varies — Enjoy a lavish holiday brunch buffet with festive cheer and seasonal favorites.

Tony Smiley Live Performance

7 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience a vibrant evening of live music from Tony Smiley.

JuJu Eyeball New Year's Celebration

8-10 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Ticket information not provided — Celebrate the year's end with live Beatles tunes from Bend's very own JuJu Eyeball.