Bend
Daily News
Friday, December 19th, 2025
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Subaru of Bend is partnering with Stroke Awareness Oregon as part of its national Share the Love event this holiday season so that money is donated with every new vehicle sold. The campaign runs from November through January 2 and will fund programs that teach about stroke symptoms and support stroke survivors. KTVZ
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A Bend man, 74-year-old Neil Wesner, was rescued Tuesday night on Lake Billy Chinook after deputies located him clinging to his kayak near the Lower Deschutes Boat Ramp using a thermal imaging drone and patrol boat; fire and EMS treated him for hypothermia. Central Oregon Daily
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Summit High music students raised $22,474 at a Wednesday Play-A-Thon in their auditorium — aided by a $10,000 donor match and performances by choir, pep band, percussion and jazz choir — to fund equipment, competition travel and other program needs. Bend Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Visitors can explore Fort Rock State Natural Area, a rare geological phenomenon formed during the last Ice Age, featuring a unique tuff ring and human history—open year-round with an easy mile-long hike and scenic views. The site is reached via County Road 5-10 on Cabin Lake Road. Bend Bulletin
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Lt. Nathan Garibay earned a lifetime achievement award from the OSSA last week at the Winter Conference in Bend, recognizing decades of leadership in emergency management + search and rescue. Central Oregon Daily
- ➤ Bend announced yesterday that its new Public Works Campus now houses an expanded Water Quality Laboratory accredited by ORELAP to ensure safe drinking water. The lab is nearly twice as large as the previous facility and features advanced safety systems — allowing faster water and wastewater testing. KTVZ
- ➤ KWSO on the Warm Springs Reservation received $240,000 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Thursday, Dec. 18 — replacing lost funding from CPB and securing about 40% of its annual budget as it plans to boost long-term stability. Bend Bulletin
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Oregon State Parks will host free guided First Day Hikes on Thursday, Jan. 1 across 25 parks statewide+ including four local hikes at The Cove Palisades, La Pine, Smith Rock and Tumalo. Participants must register for select outings and obtain parking permits where required. KTVZ
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity closed on a $20,000 purchase of surplus land from Bend-La Pine Schools near Silver Rail Elementary to develop Stone Creek Commons, a mixed-income project of 18 energy-efficient townhomes prioritized for school employees. Construction will begin early 2026 and home sales are expected in 2027–2028. KTVZ
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Beertown Comedy Open Mic
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a hilarious night of local comedy at Bend's favorite open mic night.
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New Year’s Eve 2026 Celebration with Watkins Glen
9 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — $28 — Celebrate the New Year with live music, specialty cocktails, and a midnight champagne toast.
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Gino Vannelli Concert
8-10 p.m. — Oxford Hotel Bend — Ticket price unknown — Experience the timeless jazz vocals of Gino Vannelli at this unique venue.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
~ Louisa May Alcott
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