Bend-La Pine Schools, the city’s largest water consumer, is ramping up conservation efforts. Facility Operations Director Rodger Moore says the district is working with the city on both immediate and long-range solutions, aiming to make the most of every drop. By targeting low-priority irrigation spots—like grassy strips along roadways—the district expects to save millions of gallons and cut maintenance expenses. Plans are underway to transform those areas into visually appealing, drought-tolerant native landscaping. The big-picture goal is to safeguard local water supplies while ensuring athletic and play fields remain healthy for student use.

Deschutes County Election results here

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS                                                  052026

(contested races as of 11:15 PM Tuesday)

Deschutes County Commissioner Position 1 – Jamie Collins is winning the seat with more than 50-percent of the votes in the three-way contest.

Position 3 has Lauren Connally followed by Amy Sabbadini advancing to November’s runoff election.

Rick Russell is leading for the new position 4 seat.

Position 5 would have Morgan Schmidt and Rob Imhoff move to November as the respective top vote-getters.
 

Crook County Commissioner position 2 has Rick Steber and Julie Thompson the top vote getters.

Jefferson County Commissioner has March Wunsch in Position 1 and Kelly Simmelink in Position 2 with each over 50-percent.

The Jefferson County Library Bond is failing.

US Congressional Races:

Republican nominee Patti Adair will face Incumbent Democrat Janelle Bynum in the 5^th District.

Incumbent Republican Cliff Bentz will have Chris Beck as the Democratic challenger in the 2^nd District.

Governor will be a rematch of 2022 with Republicans choosing Christine Drazan while Democrats approved incumbent Tina Kotek.

The levy for the Alfalfa Rural Fire Protection District failed, while the others for Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale are passing.

State Measure 120- the Fuel and Transportation Tax is getting handily defeated.

The Point in Time Count shows a 19 percent decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness across Central Oregon compared to last year. The Oregon Governor's Office says by last June, more than 62-hundred shelter beds were funded, 55-hundred Oregonians who were homeless got into shelters or housing, and nearly 26-thousand households were prevented from eviction.

Central Oregon is tightening fire restrictions starting today, with a "High" danger rating now in effect across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District BLM. Forest Service spokesperson Jaimie Olle says the early move is a result of above-average temperatures, low humidity, and forecasted winds—conditions that increase fire risk. Stage one restrictions prohibit most open fires, except in developed campgrounds and designated wilderness areas. Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed and follow the new rules. For the latest information, check CentralOregonFire.org.

Fifty years after its debut, the Pole Pedal Paddle returns tomorrow, uniting Bend’s community for a unique multi-sport challenge and a major fundraiser for youth athletics. The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, which benefits from the event, currently serves around 800 young athletes, offering programs in snow sports and cycling. Seven-time elite division winner Marshall Greene highlights the spirit of the event as a celebration of Bend’s active lifestyle. Due to minimal snowfall, this year’s race features running instead of skiing. The competition kicks off at 9:15 a.m. at Mt. Bachelor, with festivities continuing at River Bend Park.

Starting Wednesday, campfire bans will be enforced on BLM lands along the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day… and White Rivers, as well as near Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.

All open flames, charcoal, and portable campfires are prohibited, while propane stoves remain permitted with caution.

On Thursday, the 14th, fire restrictions expand to all BLM-managed lands throughout Oregon and Washington.

Officials warn this season could bring record heat and dryness.

Learn more at Central Oregon Fire dot org.
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photo credit: Bend Fire

A garage fire erupted early Sunday on NW Crossing Drive in Bend, quickly spreading into one of five attached townhomes. Fire crews arrived to find flames already inside the residence, prompting a rapid response to contain the blaze. While one neighboring unit suffered minor smoke and soot damage, four of the five townhomes remain habitable. The origin residence sustained heavy damage, forcing the homeowner to seek alternative shelter, though they declined Red Cross assistance. Estimated losses include $500,000 to the structure, $75,000 in contents, and $8,000 to a vehicle outside. Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause.

UPDATE: Monday May 11

Firefighters continue to make progress against the Pine Mountain Fire southeast of Bend.  Fire officials say the blaze is now 70 percent contained.  The fire burned nearly 26-hundred acres.  The east perimeter of the fire is contained.  Firefighters are working to strengthen the remaining lines around the fire.  It was caused by a prescribed burn that was blown out of control by winds last Tuesday.

The Pine Mountain Fire, sparked from a prescribed burn that crossed containment lines Thursday afternoon, has spread to an estimated 2,483 acres southeast of Bend. Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District responded rapidly after declaring it a wildfire, allowing for immediate deployment of additional crews, engines, and aircraft. Smoke from the blaze is expected to be visible from Highway 20, Bend, and the Newberry Caldera. Despite favorable initial conditions, spot fires ignited outside the planned area, quickly turning the situation into an emergency response. Residents are urged to remain aware as firefighting efforts continue.  The Pine Mountain Fire is currently 15% contained. 

photo credit: Bend Fire

Investigators say oily rags improperly discarded in household trash caused Wednesday’s fire on NW Florida Avenue.

Flames from the historic 1925 mill house spread quickly from the exterior up into the attic, leaving the home unlivable.

The Red Cross is helping two adults and two dogs who were displaced. Fire officials are urging residents to dry oil-soaked rags outdoors, store them in a sealed metal container with water, and take them to the hazardous waste facility for safe disposal.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a proclamation declaring May Wildfire Awareness Month.  The lack of winter snow, warmer spring temperatures and less predicted rain will cause fire season to start early and last longer.  The Oregon State Fire Marshall's Office says homeowners should take steps now to protect their property, including making a five-foot barrier around their homes.

Prescribed burns are planned today (Wed) near Crescent, three miles west of Sisters… and the continuing burn of two-thousand acres on Pine Mountain, southeast of Bend.

photo credit: Bend Fire

Fire crews from Bend and Redmond responded quickly to a brush fire along Tumalo Road between Valeview and 92^nd Monday afternoon. Residents and passersby, armed with shovels and hoses, helped slow the flames until firefighters arrived. Thanks to their efforts and the work of four brush engines, the blaze was contained to less than an acre and around a quarter mile in length. While several fences suffered damage, no homes or vehicles were affected. Authorities believe the fire started when hot debris—possibly from a vehicle’s brakes or catalytic converter—ignited the dry roadside vegetation. Drivers are urged to check their vehicles and trailers to help prevent future fires.

photo credit: oregonhikers.org

As spring weather brings more people outside, authorities are urging residents to secure vehicles and keep valuables out of sight at recreation areas.

photo credit: Bend Bulletin

Meta’s data center in Prineville is preparing for significant staff reductions after Milestone Technologies announced it will lay off 66 employees when its contract with Meta concludes.

The workers, whose jobs include data center logistics, operations, and engineering, will begin leaving their positions on June 28.

None of the employees affected are represented by a union, according to the company’s notification.

Meta, the parent company for Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp recently announced a layoff of 10-percent of its staff.

Bend’s water supply stands resilient even as drought persists in Deschutes County.

Residents and businesses are urged to conserve water… aiming for a cut of 17 gallons per person daily, and a 12 percent reduction in commercial use.   Mike Thomas reports:

Bend Fire & Rescue named Drew Whyte the new deputy chief of prevention, and fire marshal.

With a 29-year career across fire agencies in Texas and California, Whyte will oversee community risk reduction, code enforcement, and fire investigations in Bend.

Fire Chief Todd Riley highlighted Whyte's extensive experience and leadership, noting it will strengthen Bend’s prevention division and public safety.

Oregon drivers saw double-digit increases at the pump this week. 

Bend’s average price is $5.09 a gallon.  That’s up 17-cents from last week.

KBND’s Heather Roberts has more. 

On Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:59 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to single-vehicle fatal crash involving a bicyclist on Highway 380 near milepost .60 in Crook County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ford Expedition, operated by Abigail Marie Hedges (36) of Prineville, was traveling southbound on Combs Flat Road (Highway 380) near SE 5^th Street in Prineville, when it struck a bicyclist, Monte Scott Greene (57) of Prineville.

The bicyclist (Greene) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Expedition (Hedges) was not injured.

Impairment is suspected to be a contributing factor in the crash and Hedges was arrested for DUII. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Prineville Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.  

May marks National Wildfire Awareness Month, reminding residents that readiness can make all the difference during fire season.  Mike Thomas reports: 

UPDATE:

The administrative appeal filed by ex-Sheriff’s Captain William Bailey over his firing will be reviewed by an advisory arbitrator, as decided by Deschutes County Commissioners. The arbitrator will be chosen by both Bailey’s representative and county staff. Bailey was dismissed after making statements in the media during his unsuccessful run for Sheriff against Kent van Der Kamp. His team maintains that Bailey’s public remarks were truthful and addressed legitimate community concerns.

The Deschutes County Commissioners will have a hearing Wednesday on the Grievance of Termination filed by William Bailey, a former Deschutes County Sheriff’s office Captain.

Bailey, who unsuccessfully ran for Sheriff in 2024 against now-former Sheriff Kent van Der Kamp, is filing the administrative appeal against the county’s decision to fire him over comments made in the media by Bailey about Van der Kamp during a 2025 radio interview.

The commissioners have the hearing schedule for 1:30 this afternoon as part of the regular board meeting agenda.

The Commissioners could make a decision whether to uphold Bailey’s termination at the hearing.

picture credit: Central Oregon Daily News

U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon was in Oregon Monday. As part of her 50-state “returning education to the states” tour, she stopped at Crook County High School and Crooked River Elementary in Prineville. Congressman Cliff Bentz says his team facilitated the visits, which were not open to the press, along with County Commissioner Seth Crawford. Secretary McMahon toured Crook County’s Career and Technical Education Facilities. She discussed early literacy at the elementary school.

photo credit: Evan Vucci / AP

Former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned as President Trump’s Labor Secretary. According to a statement from the White House, Chavez-DeRemer is stepping down to take a job in the private sector. Although, her tenure in Trump’s cabinet was marred in recent months by an internal investigation into allegations of day-drinking and taxpayer-funded vacations. Her husband was also banned from Labor Department headquarters amid sexual assault allegations, although he was cleared of criminal wrongdoing. 

Deschutes County health authorities are alerting residents after six overdoses related to possible fentanyl-laced cocaine or ketamine in the past week.

Naloxone was used to revive those affected.

Officials urge the public to assume any street drug could contain opioids, recognize overdose signs, and keep naloxone accessible.

Help is available at deschutes.org / harm reduction.