Bend
Daily News
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ At Shepherd's House on Division Road, residents used a pre-Christmas workshop on Tuesday (Dec. 30) to craft quilt squares and gingerbread houses that celebrated recovery and community, gifting volunteer Diane Miles a quilt marking her return to the UK. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is hosting free guided First Day Hikes at four Central Oregon state parks on Thursday, Jan. 1. Each event needs registration and a day-use parking permit, with trails starting at 10 a.m.+1 p.m., and dogs must remain on six-foot leashes. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ An editorial recounted positive changes in 2025 as Central Oregon celebrated renovations at Stevens Ranch Library, expanded support for food banks and CASA (special advocates), a new library project, a 3.1 million dollar child psychiatric facility, finished road projects, job growth from Gold Beach Lumber, and high school state titles. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Hayden Homes donated $10,000 to Oasis Village in Redmond on its two-year anniversary to support transitional services that helped residents move toward permanent housing. Central Oregon Daily
- ➤ Cascades East Transit offers a bus service from Bend to Mt. Bachelor, with departures from the Park & Ride at 6:30 a.m. and from Hawthorne Station at 6:40 a.m. before the last bus leaves at 5:30 p.m.; high demand has prompted plans for an extra trip and tickets cost $12. Central Oregon Daily
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A Bend family and their pets were displaced Tuesday morning from their NE Vail Lane duplex after a stovetop fire broke out while the occupant slept; working smoke alarms alerted them and Fire & Rescue contained the blaze, limiting damage to $75K while the Red Cross assists until repairs begin. KTVZ
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Bend’s 2026 concert season features Larry and His Flask reuniting in Bend on March 27 at Silver Moon Brewing, School of Rock’s kickoff on Jan. 25 at Domino Room, and WinterFest with Tiffany on Feb. 14 + many shows at Midtown and Tower Theatre. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ The new 2026 stargazing calendar offers Bend residents a variety of sky events— including a total lunar eclipse on March 3 that begins at 12:44 a.m. and a Christmas Eve supermoon on Dec. 23. Meteor showers and planetary views promise many clear nights ahead for local stargazers. The Oregonian
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Shevlin Park will begin a controlled pile burning operation on Monday, the 5th, to manage forest health by burning thinned debris. The project will last five days and produce visible smoke while the parking lot near Aspen Hall remains closed for safety. KBND
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Today, a new $5 bus service runs three round trips daily from Bend to Meissner Sno-Park with departures at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. from near the Pavilion on Bradbury Way; riders must reserve in advance and arrive 15 minutes early for gear check-in. Service becomes weekend-only after Sunday. Central Oregon Daily
- ➤ Bend restaurants offer happy hour specials with discounted drinks and bites after work. Deals run from 2 to 5 p.m. at venues such as Amaterra Kitchen (members-only with a $25 fee), Fire on the Mountain, Hawkeye and Huckleberry Lounge, Lady Bird, The Pine Tavern and UPP Liquids. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Hoodoo Ski Area hosts its annual New Year's Eve celebration today at the lodge where the Easy Rider lift runs from 4 to 9 p.m., live music by Leroy (with the Sidekicks) plays, and fireworks start around 9:20 p.m. The resort will close on Jan. 1 until snow allows operations. KTVZ
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Summit Holiday HoopFest held at Summit and Ridgeview high schools showcased 16 teams in tight games and state championship rematches from Saturday to Monday (highlighting buzzer-beating wins that energized local fans). Bend Bulletin
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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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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.
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Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) Class
8 AM - 4 PM — Ewing Outdoor Supply — Exam registration required (additional fee) — Gain essential skills for irrigation contract execution with provided lunch.
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Bend Thirsty Third Thursday Networking
4-6 p.m. — The Cellar — First drink free for registered attendees — Network with design and construction professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Maxwell Friedman Group Concert
7 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — $19.25 — Enjoy an evening of live music in a vibrant local venue.
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CORK Mom Squad Running Group
9-10 a.m. — Miller's Landing Park — Free entry — A welcoming running group for moms of all running levels to connect and share experiences while staying active.
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Comedy Night with Anthony Poponi
8-9 p.m. — Bangers & Brews Westside Bend Oregon — Ticket price not listed — Enjoy a night filled with sharp wit and quick crowd work from comedian Anthony Poponi.
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Sierra Nevada Red Fox Discovery Night
7-8:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Free entry — Discover the elusive Sierra Nevada red fox with expert insights and captivating field stories.
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Archery Summit Wine Dinner
5-9 p.m. — Tetherow Resort — Cost varies — Experience a multi-course dinner paired with exceptional wines amid the winter charm of Bend.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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