He was an Immigration & Customs Enforcement agent. Or that’s at least what the uniformed man said when he boarded a Cascade East Transit bus at the Hawthorne Station in Bend on April 28. He walked down the aisle, asked passengers their immigration status and rummaged through one passenger’s bag. Then he left. An hour […]
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Local Weather Services Set to Take a Hit Following Staff Cuts
Job reductions within the National Weather Service could impact offices across the country, including an office that covers weather forecasting for Central Oregon. The job cuts โ a result of efforts from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the federal government โ could result in a loss of round-the-clock staffing for offices including […]
Summer Guide 2025
Keep this guide handy to help plan your summer! Kiki with Clichรฉ: Bendโs queer DJ duo, Clichรฉ, prepares for a summer of inclusive local events to find community on the dance floor Same Spirit, New Stage: The 4 Peaks Music Festival Moves Indoors Big Ponderoo: The Sensational Summer Festival in Sisters โGet Innocuous!โ LCD Soundsystem […]
‘High Desert, Higher Costs: Bend And The Housing Crisis In The American West’
The growing cost of keeping a roof over oneโs head โ or owning said roof โ isnโt lost on many folks in Central Oregon. At what point will non-wealthy people simply not be able to afford to live here? Jonathan Bach canโt predict the future, but the journalist analyzes some potential solutions to our regionโs […]
Best of the Nest 2025
The votes are tallied and the winners are here! Thanks to the hundreds of readers who voted. We are proud to announce the best businesses that deliver the gold standard to families and children in our community. Cheers! Click here to view the winners!
Prineville Reevaluates UGB Expansion, Location for Biomass Facility
The City of Prineville decided this week to pause a proposed Urban Growth Boundary expansion, set to accommodate space for a prospective biomass facility among other expansion opportunities. The Prineville City Council voted 4-2 in opposition of the UGB expansion, following concerns from residents about the planned location and a lack of community input. The […]
Dine-Out Drought
Downtown Bend has traditionally been known as the heart of the city; a charming, pedestrian-friendly area that invites both locals and tourists to walk the streets and indulge in shopping, dining and nightlife. About 40 restaurants occupy the downtown area, offering a wide variety of options for those looking to dine in or grab a […]
Sonic Journeys, Evolving Sounds
Khruangbin (pronounced KRUNG-BIN) in Thai means airplane. It’s also the name of the mostly instrumental trio that has been making major waves ever since releasing its 2015 debut, “The Universe Smiles Upon You.” Made up of bassist Laura Lee, drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson and guitarist Mark Speer, the threesome’s ethereal sound has wide-reaching influences ranging […]
A GoFundMe Account is Raising Money for Sandos & Smash Food Truck
Motherโs Day, May 11, was a record day of sales for Sandos & Smash since opening in Tumaloโs The Bite in February. Just hours after closing, the truck ignited around 10:30 pm, according to owner Andrew Vijarro. โItโs a complete loss, unfortunately,โ Vijarro said. Bend Fire & Rescue and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to […]
A Call to Ease Screen Addiction Among Students
A bill in the Oregon legislature aims to restrict the use of cellphones in schools statewide. The bipartisan bill aims to cut down on student distractions, social media incidents and other challenges schools are grappling with in an age of cellphone addiction. While Central Oregon school districts already have policies in place that limit the use […]

