Bend Fire and Rescue is investigating a fire and reported explosion near the entrance of the Deschutes County Knott Landfill last (Tuesday) evening. Crews were called around 6:40 to the landfill area at 27th Avenue and Knott Road. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found two front loaders engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to a third machine and nearby mulch piles in the recycling area. Crews put out the equipment fires, then spent about an hour dousing the burning mulch. Deschutes County Solid Waste and Republic Services staff assisted on scene. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

As summer trail traffic picks up, Bend Parks and Recreation is urging families to check local rules before buying or riding an e-bike. Julie Brown says pedal-assist e-bikes are welcome on district trails and can help more people enjoy Bend’s outdoor areas. The concern is with faster, throttle-powered devices that resemble e-motorcycles, often without pedals and not street legal. Brown says those are limited to bike lanes and parking lots, not park trails. Riders and pedestrians are also being reminded to stay alert as parks and river trails grow busier through the season.

Ring camera footage shows Deschutes County Sheriff's Office employees outside a home in the Sunriver area discussing Lorena Akhurst. Akhurst filed a complaint in April against a deputy and James McLaughlin, who is running for Deschutes County Sheriff against Ty Rupert. She says the deputy made her feel targeted and threatened because of her race. In June, Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert placed three sheriff's office employees on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. McLaughlin said he believes in transparency and will apologize for anything he has done to hurt someone.

Bend-La Pine’s School Board has approved a nearly 260-million-dollar budget, as district leaders work to manage long-term funding pressure.

Superintendent Dr. Steven Cook says the district used about 9-million dollars in reserves last year to help finance education on a roughly 250-million-dollar budget. He says the new plan brings spending closer in line with available funding, while avoiding deeper staffing cuts.

Cook says the district trimmed 7-million dollars without eliminating jobs.

Bend-La Pine Schools employs about 2,000 people across 33 schools and departments, making it Deschutes County’s second-largest employer.

Bend Fire & Rescue says an unattended candle sparked an apartment fire at the Stonebriar Apartment Complex on Bend’s east side just before 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Crews arrived to find sprinklers activated in a third-floor unit, with management already working to evacuate the building. Firefighters shut off the sprinklers and began removing water from the burned apartment and two units below. Residents will be displaced from a few days to a few weeks because the automated sprinklers kept the fire from spreading. Damages are limited to about $40,000 between the three affected apartments. Residents are reminded never to leave candles unattended.