The restaurant formerly known as Esta Bien on NW Hill Street in Bend has been sold and rebranded as Simón. The new owners are Roberto Cardenas, who’s held leadership roles at La Rosa, Rio, and Fat Tony’s, and Rocio Villalobos, from Rio and Madras Brewing. The two chefs are offering a Latin Fusion concept that […]
Section Feature
Posted inFood & Drink
Pho 88 Brings Vietnamese Comfort Food to the Old Mill
New restaurant offers classics like pho, banh mi and vermicelli bowls in a cozy, familiar space
A new addition to Bend’s Old Mill District is serving up steaming bowls of pho, crunchy banh mi sandwiches and plenty of crispy fried appetizers, all with a welcoming, family-friendly vibe. Pho 88, located in the former Mill Works Pub space, is the newest venture from Alice Nguyen, a seasoned restaurateur who previously managed Mio Sushi […]
Posted inNews
Governor Kotek Signs Bills to Improve and Expand Mental Health, Addiction Care
Bipartisan bills take comprehensive approach to behavioral health prevention and intervention
Today, Governor Tina Kotek hosted an event to commemorate the signing of House Bill 2005, House Bill 2059, House Bill 2024, and House Bill 3321, all bipartisan legislation building on the Governor’s initiatives to improve and expand mental health and addiction care in Oregon. Governor Kotek stated: “Mental health and addiction challenges touch lives and […]
Posted inCulture
New Leadership Steps into the Tower’s Spotlight
Executive director shares his vision to expand programming and accessibility
Under the prominent “Tower” sign in downtown Bend stands a theatre filled with history. It first opened in 1940 as a luxurious art deco-style movie theater. Over the next several decades, it evolved to include musical performances, fashion shows and other live performances. By the 1980s, however, the Tower was struggling. A drop in attendance […]
Posted inBusiness
The Old Mill District, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, and Commute Options Partner to Encourage Sustainable Transportation Options This August
World-class shows at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, walking along the river trail, patio happy hours, and retail therapy are highlights of the Bend Summer season. Commute Options is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Hayden Homes Amphitheater and the Old Mill District for the “August Car-Free Commute Challenge.” The “August Car-Free Commute Challenge” is […]
Posted inOpinion
Shifting Priorities Around Exploitation for the Sake of Immigration Reform
Recent reporting and concern from an Oregon senator reveal a deeply troubling pattern
Recent reporting and concern from an Oregon senator reveal a deeply troubling pattern: A focus on a quota of 1 million deportations in the U.S. per year at the federal level is resulting in other investigations, including those aimed at stopping the exploitation of children, being put by the wayside. It is ironic at a […]
Posted inNews
Forest Service Road 370 Opens Friday
On Friday, August 8, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest will open the gate at Todd Lake to Forest Service Road (FSR) 370 which provides driving access to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads. Forest Service Road 370 is a very rough road with sections through which low-clearance vehicles cannot […]
Posted inOutside
Serving the Community
The High Desert Volleyball Association takes the court
If there’s one thing Central Oregon loves, it’s volleyball. The volleyball community in Central Oregon has been continuously growing, and with it, the opportunities to compete. This past year, members of the community came together to form the High Desert Volleyball Association, one of Central Oregon’s newest 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The nonprofit was born out of […]
Posted inNews
Bend Police see uptick in recent scams targeting community members
The Bend Police Department would like to alert community members to an uptick in scams we are frequently seeing in an effort to help you avoid becoming a victim. So far in 2025, we have received at least 243 calls reporting scams and fraud attempts. In July alone, 20 people reported to the Bend […]
Posted inNews
The New Math
Less money equals fewer programs for Central Oregon
Remember when education got a whopping 4% of the federal budget? Well, those days are officially over. The U.S. Department of Education’s budget fell by $73 billion this year, from $268.4 billion in 2024 to $194.7 billion in 2025, bringing the DOE’s spending to a 1.3% trickle. Oregon’s COVID relief funds are also now exhausted, […]
