High Desert Food & Farm Alliance Expands Fresh, Local Food Access Over the Holidays

As 2025 comes to a close, grocery bills are at a record high and SNAP benefits are precarious at best. In light of these current circumstances, the HighDesert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA), a regional non-profit serving Central Oregon residents who experience food insecurity and supporting local farmers & ranchers, launched a special Winter VeggieRx […]

Deschutes County is encouraging community members to review a draft of theGreater Sisters Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and provide feedback by January 10. “A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a valuable tool for areas at risk from wildfires,” said Deschutes County Forester Kevin Moriarty. “Communities across Central Oregon work together with forest and fire management agencies […]

4 Seasons Home Services has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the seventh year.   The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada (www.nationalhomewatchassociation.org/). Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that […]

Deschutes County Public Health is urging residents to protect their health this holiday season by getting the flu vaccine. With celebrations bringing people together indoors, there’s an increased risk of flu transmission, and although hospitalizations remain low, the percentage of positive flu tests in Central Oregon is rising. “Flu season usually peaks in late winter or […]

As the Northwest continues to face a critical shortage of affordable homeownership opportunities, First Story is inviting eligible families in Deschutes County to apply for a newly built home in Bend and a newly refurbished Fresh Start home in Sisters. The first eligible households to apply will be selected for this life-changing opportunity in 2026. First Story, an Oregon-based […]

Hospice of Redmond, a cornerstone of Central Oregon hospice services since 1979, announced a major organizational evolution, officially rebranding as ClearPath Healthcare. This new identity reflects an expanded mission beyond traditional hospice care, highlighted by the launch of a new In-Home Primary Care service set to begin in March 2026. The strategic expansion is a direct […]

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is pleased to announce it has awarded grants totaling $800,000 to expand campus veteran resource centers and enhance services for student veterans at Oregon’s public universities and community colleges. These centers play a key role in helping veterans make the transition from military service to college life and […]

Michael “The Train Man” Lavrich started sharing his model trains with delighted children—and adults—roughly 25 years ago at the Downtown Bend Library. In the decades since, his annual display of model trains has become a highly anticipated holiday tradition for countless families in Central Oregon. This year, Lavrich is back to share the trains with young […]

The Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP) held its graduation ceremony for Class 70 on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, for 160 Cadets who completed its 22-week program. The graduation ceremony took place at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. OYCP is an alternative high school operated by the Oregon National Guard, located in Bend, Oregon. “Today, […]