Bend, OR — January 31, 2026 — Local News Update
Bend, OR — January 31, 2026 — Central Oregon prepares for 2026 Point in Time Count to address homelessness, utility work and signage projects to impact Bend and Redmond traffic,…
Central Oregon Prepares for 2026 Point in Time Count to Address Homelessness
Central Oregon is gearing up for the 2026 Point in Time Count, a federally mandated annual effort to assess homelessness across the region. Coordinated by J Bar J Youth Services, the Homeless Leadership Coalition, and various nonprofit agencies, the count aims to gather demographic data to inform future resources for individuals and families facing housing instability. The census will collect information on age, gender, race, and ethnicity to better understand the scope and characteristics of homelessness on a single night.
Utility Work and Signage Projects to Impact Bend and Redmond Traffic
Residents and commuters in Bend and Redmond should anticipate traffic disruptions due to ongoing utility work and signage improvements. Crews are mobilizing equipment and performing utility work on Tumalo Reservoir Road between Johnson Road and Sisemore Road. Motorists can expect lane closures and delays of up to 20 minutes during work hours, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, signage improvements are underway on S Canal Boulevard, Old Bend-Redmond Highway, Powell Butte Highway, and O.B. Riley Road, involving shoulder closures and intermittent lane closures with similar delays during the same hours.
Most of Bend-La Pine Schools Closed Friday, January 30th for Teacher Grading Period
On Friday, January 30th, most schools in the Bend-La Pine School District were closed to allow teachers time to work on grades for the first semester. However, Bend Tech Academy and La Pine High School, operating on a trimester schedule, remained open. The district communicated this closure through a post on Facebook, informing parents and students of the schedule change.
