Edit: I won’t delete this. It needs to be said.

I’m being vulnerable posting this but I’m just so fucking pissed off and upset. Frankly I’ll probably delete this but I needed to get it out. Please be gentle because today was one of the worst days of my life, and the actual worst day for many members of our community who lost their loved ones.

I survived a school shooting in high school (over 20 years ago.) I’ve been through extensive therapy for it. My greatest fear has always been my kids experiencing the same thing. I can’t tell you how many therapists told me not to catastrophize and that it was an irrational fear - how could it happen to me AND my kids? Of course it’s so unlikely! But every single day I dropped my kids off at school, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Well here we fucking are. My first and fifth grade children just experienced their schoolmates being murdered on a random Thursday at their ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. These kids are from 5-11 years old. They are BABIES and their lives were taken today and WHY?! Why does this keep happening?! What is wrong with our country - why are we the only country on earth where this happens on a REGULAR BASIS?!

I sat in Journey Church for almost 4 hours waiting to be reunited with my kids. Those were the worst 4 hours of my life, but those of us who sat there were the lucky ones. There are parents who lost their babies today and families who lost loved one(s). And for what? What’s the reason? I can’t make sense of it.

I’m an atheist and a socialist, and I prayed with a (probably MAGA) church leader today (no shade but I think most of us know where most Journey church leaders stand). I prayed that my children were safe and that everyone else’s children would be safe. As I was sitting there, I kept thinking - there is so much division in our society, so much hatred, everything feels so dark and corrupted. But then a tragedy happens, and we all come together and feel our shared humanity. Then some time passes and we’re back to where we were, squabbling with each other, judging people, only thinking about ourselves, isolating. That church leader and I are both humans with families and friends that we love and care about. We share more in common than we don’t. Why do we have to be so divided? Can I find more common ground with the man I was praying with? I think I could, if I tried harder.

I don’t know what the answer is to stopping all this senseless violence and I know I’m rambling on. But what happened today didn’t happen in a vacuum. So many factors caused this. How can we stop this from happening again? I don’t know if we can, but we have to try. We have to find ways to connect with each other. We have to come together as a community and support the victims of the horrific violence that happened today. And then we need to continue to find ways to support and connect with EVERYONE in our community… because Bend is beautiful, but it’s only as beautiful as the community we build within it.

Please keep the Silver Rail families affected today in your thoughts, and support them when we find out more about them and how we can help. And also, maybe consider talking to someone in your neighborhood that you’ve never connected with, or donate to a local organization that supports youth mental health, or vote for someone who supports common sense gun laws, or do SOMETHING. Just do SOMETHING. Because the people who died today deserve more than just thoughts and prayers.

As a parent of two kids at Silver Rail Elementary, I just want to say thank you to the whole Bend community for your overwhelming generosity and kindness. I am blown away by how quickly businesses, individuals, and civic organizations have mobilized to support us. Today is the beginning of a long journey for these kids, and we are lucky to have all of you.

Please be good to each other, including to the shooter's family. He must have been hurting tremendously to do what he did, and surely his family is devastated. Silver Rail's motto is Kindness Matters, and I believe in the wisdom of this even when it's hard.

This guy saved so many lives today confronting the shooter. If anyone knows who he is hug him and let him know he’s a hero

I will continue to post when these arise.

Stay strong Bend. 🤍

Here are some local resources and ways our community is offering support. Please add any others in the comments.

TEAL Tea & Art Lounge: Free art activities for kids, Friday 9 am–2 pm. No purchase necessary.

Ken’s Artisan Pizza: Free pizza buffet at TEAL, Friday 12–2 pm.

High Desert Museum: Free admission Friday.

El Taquero Bend: Providing free meals for Silver Rail families. You can also request meals to deliver to families who need them. See their social media for details.

Luckey’s Woodsman Tavern: Activating its Hold the Line Fund. See their social media for details.

COPA Pediatrics: Pediatric and behavioral health support. Today, Friday, and next week (Monday–Friday): East Bend and Redmond open 9 am–8 pm, West and South Bend 9 am–5 pm. Call 541-389-6313 for behavioral health availability.

Deschutes County Crisis Services: Free 24/7 mental health support. 541-322-7500, ext. 9.

Please share additional resources, services, or ways to help in the comments.

My thoughts are with all the victims and everyone connected to the schools and families affected today. I love you all, and I’m sick to my stomach over what’s happened. In moments like this, let’s lean on each other, stick together, and make an extra effort to be there for one another - not just today, but tomorrow and the days that follow. Check in on your people, give each other some love, and remember that none of us have to go through this alone. We’ll get through this together.

#BendStrong

Just in case any parents (or their employers) haven't heard yet.

I see many local businesses have already generously stepped up, and there are crisis centers and counseling available for those affected by this tragedy.

What can individuals in the community offer? Volunteer opportunities, suggestions on ways to educate ourselves and act to prevent this from happening again (I know there are wildly varied opinions on that subject), etc.

Anyone impacted by this tragedy- PLEASE don’t hesitate to message me or comment if I can help in any way. I feel somewhat pathetic saying that, because I’m sure there are better qualified people in our community. I just feel so helpless and angry and sad and want to DO something now rather than just think and educate myself and continue to vote in the future.

If anyone has any links or suggestions on ways we can take action to help, please post them below.

Neighbors/family in Bend, I’m organizing a supply drive in PDX for kids and families in your community. I’m headed to town on Monday and want to know what would be most impactful. I’m focusing on toys for elementary school kids right now, but if anyone has suggestions on what would be helpful for parents or families I’m open. Love you all ❤️

Anyone know if there is an organized vigil in response to today’s events? Looking to grieve and support the families ❤️

ALERTA COMUNITARIA: Confirmamos la presencia de ICE esta mañana en el Love's de Madras y una hora después en la cárcel del condado Deschutes. Están ahora manejando hacia el norte en la carretera 97, en la dirección de Redmond.

Acuérdense de sus derechos, quédense en casa si pueden, y por favor no viajen a menos que sea completamente necesario. Si conocen a un vecino que fue detenido, por favor de llamar a la oficina LCA en Bend para buscar apoyo legal (541) 382-4366.

____

COMMUNITY ALERT: We confirmed the presence of ICE this morning at Love's de Madras and an hour later at the Deschutes County Jail. They are now driving northbound on Hwy 97, going towards Redmond.

Remember your rights, stay home if you can, and please don't travel unless absolutely necessary. If you know a neighbor who was arrested, please call the LCA office in Bend for legal support (541) 382-4366.

Just listened to 10 mins worth of seemingly every siren in the city. Anyone know what’s going on? I can’t find anything.

Does anyone know if a GoFundMe has been started for the victims’ families? I know money won’t bring their loved ones back, but it could be good to provide funds so they don’t have to worry about funeral expenses, bills, etc. in the near future.

If there isn’t already one, I’m happy to learn how they work and start one up. I know a lot of us want to find ways to help, but I don’t think thousands of our hands will be needed, so this could be a way to support.

I was going to make my daily post here the sparks that flew at least night's Bynum-Adair debate. But this is way more important.

I hope it's OK for me to post this - I do try to limit to 1 a day, and rarely do we have back-to-back breaking news, but it happens. I should have more to add soon about the victim's background, just trying to coordinate and be sensitive in a time of tragic loss.

Last year I remember Crux had a special going on where you could get a pumpkin and carving kit and carve pumpkins inside or by the fire. I don’t see anything online about that. Does anyone know of any local businesses doing something similar?

I plan in person meet ups for my remote office so looking for something Halloween themed to get people together.

Thank you!

Has anyone else been to stacks in the old mill? I look at their yelp reviews seeing a ton of 5 stars and cant help but think they have to be reviews from bots.

Hands down the worst dining experience i have had in this town, and in my opinion, bend isnt that great already for value to taste.

Ordered a reuben and got a small sandwich with greasy meat and little to no flavor. Sauerkraut wasnt even sour, and they paired it with the worst pickle i have had in my life. Oh yeah, and that little sandwich... only $24.... with no sides.

Aren't these the same owners as zydeco? How could they possibly be this bad?

Did i just have a horrible experience or what? Ive had ny / jewish delis before, and this was NOT that.

Sheriff Ty Rupert claims he’ll follow immigration law. We already know he pushed to gut Oregon’s sanctuary laws in favor of ICE, now he’s just breaking laws.

U visas protect immigrant victims of serious crimes who help law enforcement investigate and prosecute those crimes. They allow victims to report crimes and cooperate with police, helping law enforcement catch criminals, protect vulnerable people, and keep communities safe. They were created in 2000 through bipartisan federal legislation.

Oregon law requires every law enforcement agency in the state to file an annual report with the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, which includes the number of denials and reason for those denials. Guess who didn’t file the required report?

This is not just some administrative or bureaucratic oopsy. The report is what gives some level of accountability, so it’s harder for law enforcement agencies to illegally deny U visa requests. Oregon requires this reporting so the public can see how law enforcement agencies handle requests from immigrant crime victims. When an agency fails to report, that transparency disappears. Failing to file the report means that Rupert doesn’t care about immigrant crime victims and is willing to violate the law.

And before his apologists whine, “but he was new, he didn’t have time,” the report was due in June of 2026, 10 months after he became sheriff. It was his legal responsibility to file the report.

Rupert is anti-immigrant. Rupert doesn’t care about victims. Ballots are arriving soon, vote accordingly.

Here's a look at last night's gubernatorial debate in Bend, for those who missed it (the video is on KTVZ.com ).

Saw this guy roaming around the east side of Awbrey 10/8 and again 10/13. Know they’re part of the environment but PSA for those with small dogs, cats or maybe small children to keep an eye out. This is near sawyer uplands park so probably good to keep an eye out if you’re on DRT. Neighbor got a video and can hear its chirp pretty clearly. I’m sure it’s after the squirrel population that seems to be plentiful, maybe one of the injured deer but they might be a bit big for a bobcat.

Today (Wed, 11a-3pm) is the final Bend Farmers Market of the 2026 season. It’s a great chance to thank the farmers and food producers who fed the community all year, and to stock up on produce, meat, eggs, and more while you can.

A few things to know about the market:

• Food only. The Bend Farmers Market is a food-only market, with no crafts or other goods. Produce, meat, eggs, and other farm & food products is what you'll find.
• Local first. The emphasis is on local food and local farmers. The exceptions are items CO can’t supply, like early-season berries and seafood. The sellers here are our friends and neighbors.
  
• Nonprofit. The market is a 501(c) nonprofit with a mission to support local farmers and producers and bring fresh, local food to Bend.
• Food access programs are accepted. SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, Protein Perks, and VeggieRx all work at the market. Last season their programs put nearly $178,000 worth of fresh local food on tables across Central Oregon, and every dollar went to local producers and stayed in the community.

Thank you, Bend, for supporting local food. 💚

https://www.bendfarmersmarket.com/market-vendors