Bend-La Pine students return to class in less than three weeks, and transportation crews are gearing up for a busy launch. Executive Director of Transportation Kim Crabtree says moving roughly 6,000 students each school day takes major coordination, with about 150 drivers covering 90 routes from hubs in Bend and La Pine. Crabtree says drivers are preparing for full buses and active neighborhoods, especially during morning pickup and afternoon drop-off. She’s also urging motorists to watch for students walking and biking while the weather remains warm. Families are encouraged to check bus details in ParentVUE, then review routes again after Labor Day for possible updates.

 

 

US 26 between Prineville and Mitchell is back open after a wildfire-related closure, but ODOT says the drive may not be back to normal just yet. Spokesperson Casey Davey says crews are still working near the highway, cutting hazard trees and, at times, back burning close to travel lanes. That means traffic control could change with little notice. Davey says drivers should slow down through burn areas, watch for smoke, and be alert for pilot cars guiding vehicles through affected stretches. ODOT urges anyone heading that way to check current road conditions before leaving, as wildfire impacts can shift quickly.

 

 

KBND News spoke exclusively with COCC President Greg Pereira as he approaches one year leading Central Oregon Community College. Pereira says his first year has centered on listening to employers and local communities, then adapting programs to meet workforce needs across the region. He also wants students to view COCC as a first-choice school, not a fallback, pointing to dorms and students who come from across the country to attend. Pereira says that sets COCC apart from many community colleges nationwide. Fall classes at the Bend campus begin September 21st, with expanded offerings in Madras, Redmond, and La Pine.

 

 

Bend, OR) -- What started as a drug possession investigation helped police uncover an alleged kidnapping in Bend where the victim had a finger removed. Police identified Efram Palafox as a suspect and seized drugs at his house. They also found surveillance video from the Bend hospital where he forced a man to leave with him. Police say the victim was tied to a tree, had his finger removed, and was forcibly tattooed with a derogatory message. The finger was found during a second search of Palafox's house. He faces kidnapping and assault charges.

OSU-Cascades is seeking more employer and nonprofit partners as its Work Integrated Learning program moves from pilot phase into a broader campus launch. Career Design Center director Cynthia Engle says the more community projects available, the faster the program can grow by connecting real-world needs directly with classroom work. Engle says it also helps students who may not have time for traditional internships, especially those already working while attending school. The first full term launches with seven early-adopter faculty members, and more are expected to join throughout the year as OSU-Cascades expands hands-on learning opportunities.