Good morning, Bend.

Scouts from Troops 101, 21 and 23 will soon offer their annual Christmas tree recycling program in Bend to turn used trees into mulch and bark chips.

Residents can donate $13.50 or more to support local troop activities.

On Friday, locals and visitors joined Bend's annual Holiday Paddle Parade on the Deschutes River, where boats lit up with festive decorations amid warm weather.

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe reminded participants to secure their decorations to protect the river.

Bend services for the homeless are under strain as economic uncertainty and lower donations increase demand.

Bend Church’s Compassionate Care Fund now helps up to 30 residents weekly + the Central Oregon Homelessness Alliance will hold its education forum on Feb. 26 at Westside Church.

CASA of Central Oregon is accepting applications for an 8-week, 40-hour online volunteer training course beginning Tuesday, Jan.

13 to prepare volunteers as advocates for children in foster care. Community members have until Friday, Jan. 9 to apply & help support over 70 kids waiting for a CASA volunteer.

Andersen Corporation acquired Bright Wood Corporation in Madras on Wednesday, Dec.

10. The company, a key local employer and long-time family business, will operate with local leadership (new CEO Pat Meyer) to continue manufacturing window and patio door components.

Government data shows that unemployment in Oregon increased from 4.2% to 5.2% for September after a federal shutdown delay, as the report was released on Dec.

11. National rates climbed to 4.4% with 7.6 million job seekers, and a new report is expected on Dec. 16.

Fourth graders at Cascades Academy raised funds by selling crafts at their Holiday Hut on Dec.

11 and used the money to buy toys for local families and supplies for the Humane Society.

Oregon is in a snow drought as the Deschutes River Basin holds only 8% of its expected snow water equivalent so far this season.

Local slopes remain closed and economic activity is slow, with forecasters saying a strong cold storm may rebuild the snowpack — though warmer temperatures might worsen the drought.

From Dec. 14 to Dec. 20, crews will work on road construction projects across the area.

County teams install concrete at the South Century Drive/Huntington Road intersection in La Pine (with new traffic controls) while utility and winter work alters routes in Redmond, Terrebonne and near Cascade Lakes.

Deschutes Public Library shut down its physical and digital services Friday after a data breach affected its communications department; branches remain closed through the weekend as an outside firm secures systems (Redmond and Bend reopen Monday while La Pine, Sunriver and Sisters reopen Tuesday).

The Bulletin presented five questions for central Oregon high school basketball as the winter season is underway.

The analysis reviews challenges for teams at Summit, Crook County, Ridgeview, Redmond, and Trinity Lutheran (published Dec. 12) as they set new benchmarks.

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

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.

Sunday Swim: Cold Plunge in the Deschutes

7:30-8:00 a.m. — Riverbend Park — Free entry — Start your Sunday with a refreshing cold plunge in the beautiful Deschutes River for an energizing morning experience.

The quintessential home in Bend Oregon

Located in Bear Creek Estates, this 6 bedroom home offers comfortable luxury in every way. The triple garage PLUS RV Parking just add to the reasons to own this beautiful Morrissette built home.