In this episode of Nighttime Benders, Julia Reed Nichols is joined by local comedian Laura B. Wright to chat about her comedy career, adventures on the Oregon Coast, and what it’s like living in Sisters, Oregon. We also sit down with Tom Achilles, a Brooklyn-based comedian who will be bringing his unique brand of alternative comedy to Bend over Labor Day […]
The Source Staff
Posted inPodcasts
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Bree Beal🎧
Executive Director of BEAT Children’s Theatre
In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Bree Beal, Executive Director of BEAT Children’s Theatre. Bree shares her journey from a childhood immersed in theater to studying history, working in the title industry, and ultimately returning to her passion through nonprofit leadership. She discusses joining BEAT in 2014, helping guide the organization through […]
Posted inBusiness News
OnPoint Shares Ways to Save as Back-to-School Costs Hit Record Levels
OnPoint has six tips to spend less this back-to-school season.
Back-to-school season is putting new pressure on family budgets, with spending expected to reach record levels for the 2026-2027 school year. According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, families with K–12 students expect to spend an average of $863.86 this year, pushing total spending to a record $43.3 billion. That includes the cost of basic […]
Posted inBusiness News
Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Belong: $10,400 Awarded to Help Local Youth Thrive
This year, the grant directly impacted the lives of 41 local children.
Deschutes Children’s Foundation (DCF) has awarded $10,400 through its Every Kid Fund to six local nonprofits, helping remove the financial barriers that can keep children from participating in meaningful after-school experiences. The second-quarter 2026 recipients are Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend, Camp Fire Central Oregon, Family Access Network, Cascade School of Music, Youth Choir […]
Posted inBusiness News
$10,000 Grant from Cow Creek Assists Women to Have Mammography Testing Done
This is the second year LCHC has received this grant.
La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) has received $10,000 from Cow Creek to use for their “Ladies Day Out” event. This generous donation has allowed LCHC to take several ladies to Central Oregon Radiology Associates (CORA) in Bend, Oregon to receive breast cancer screenings, along with health education and information about the importance of regular […]
Posted inBusiness News
City of Bend Announces Welcoming Week 2026
All events are free and open to the public to attend.
The City of Bend is thrilled to announce the ninth annual celebration of Welcoming Week from Sept. 10-19. This annual celebration aims to bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Welcoming Week in Bend first began in 2017. Due […]
Posted inBusiness News
Governor Kotek Brings Oregonians Together to Hear the Impact of SNAP Cuts
After approximately 35,000 Oregonians have lost food assistance under HR 1, the state is working to help eligible families navigate new federal requirements.
Governor Tina Kotek convened a conversation on Saturday with Oregonians experiencing the impacts of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” hearing directly from SNAP recipients, workers, farmers, food security advocates and community leaders about what the loss of federal food assistance means for families and communities […]
Posted inBusiness News
Think Wild Releases Juvenile Golden Eagle After Successful Rehabilitation
The successful release is especially meaningful given the challenges eagles face both in the wild and in rehabilitation.
A juvenile golden eagle rescued near Summer Lake in late June returned to the wild last week after more than six weeks of rehabilitation at Think Wild’s wildlife hospital in Bend. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) personnel rescued the eagle along a roadway near Summer Lake on June 26 after finding the bird […]
Posted inBusiness News
Redmond Proficiency Academy Opens Expanded Forest Building, Creating World-Class Learning Spaces
The new six-classroom expansion will increase capacity and reinforce the downtown Redmond campus.
On August 15, 2026, Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) officially opened its newly renovated and expanded Forest Building, marking a transformative milestone in the school’s commitment to innovative, student-centered education. The expansion adds six state-of-the-art classrooms and approximately 9,000 square feet of learning space to RPA’s downtown campus, nearly doubling its instructional footprint. A VISION REALIZED: […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor, Week of Aug. 20, 2026
A case for a “Best Of” in Prineville, defense of Wyden’s efforts and pushback against the notion of an affordable housing bond
White Elephant Our County officials have consistently made decisions in direct conflict with the goals and values of Bend, the county’s largest community. The new courthouse expansion is the most visible and offensive example of their distain for our city. In 2-1 votes, commissioners DeBone and Adair have consistently voted against Bend’s interests. During his […]
