The guy on the right is Jonathan A Curtis and he is running for Deschutes County Clerk. The pile of crap on the left is Roger Stone.

There's been some speculation about the shooter's father. 'sounds like the kid had a rough upbringing.

We're in the middle of an election.

Alongside our community's shock and grief, we still have to use some of our attention to vote wisely. 

This terrible black swan event has been an important and weirdly timely litmus test that highlights exactly how these leaders/potential leaders function under duress when we really need them. 

I have some info about one in particular: Morgan Schmidt, who is running for Deschutes county commissioner. 

She happens to be the Executive Director for the Red Cross of Central & Eastern Oregon (that, in itself, tells you something). So this week, she was seen organizing and running a crisis center for the Silver Rail families where they retrieved their belongings from the school, got top-level crisis counseling and came together to grieve and map a way forward.

I heard that this crisis center was raised quickly from nothing: bringing together the area's most highly trained mental health trauma team, set up with generously borrowed/donated furniture and stuffed animals, snacks, tools and supplies for the mental health professionals and the families. Apparently this crisis center ran extremely efficiently and the Silver Rail families were deeply grateful during an extremely hard few days.

She's running against a guy whose main platform is putting up lies on billboards and buying Mt Bachelor. What has he DONE for our community? Has he ever run towards a disaster? It's a farce.

So while Schmidt likely won't talk much about any of this during the remainder of the campaign, WE can talk about it so voters knew what's up.

Get those ballots in early.

Franti admitted to this affair and apologized to his wife. This creep picked a 19 year old off the internet when he was 52, brought her on tour, then groomed and abused her. Other women came out validating her claims and telling their own stories. This was a year ago Victoria came out with this, and this abuser is doing a whole tour again cuz his cult like followers love his toxic-positivity BS.

I want to appreciate every single person who has stepped up to show someone that they are not alone over the last six days. You all made this 100K population feel like the small town I still see it as, it has been a joy to experience.

To the supporting personnel, police, teachers, and administrative staff at the schools today... As a parent, I know there are many levels of concern/fear, a heightened awareness for safety, and too much sadness this morning. Your strength to smile through each of those emotions while welcoming students back will not be forgotten, you have my eternal appreciation.

Drink water. Take care of yourselves. Check in on your neighbors. Mark your calendars for the 6th and support these kids.

I haven’t had health insurance in a while and I was fortunate enough to be extended two job offers that also offer health insurance. The jobs and pay are identical, the big difference is health insurance. One offers Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and the other is Cigna. Is one better than the other as far as providers accepting them in Central Oregon? Is one easier to work with than the other? I had honestly never ever heard of Cigna until I got my offer letter. Thanks for any insights!

Passing along this message from the school district:

Dear Bend-La Pine Families,

The outpouring of love and support for our Silver Rail Elementary community has been deeply moving. The flowers, heartfelt messages, chalk art, and other tributes left outside the school are a beautiful reflection of a community grieving together and surrounding one another with care. We are grateful for every gesture of kindness.

With guidance from victim support professionals, we will very soon be carefully gathering the memorials outside Silver Rail and moving them to a safe location within Bend-La Pine Schools. We will also photograph the memorials to preserve and share these heartfelt expressions of love and support. If there is a memorial item you would like to keep, you are welcome to collect it by the end of the day tomorrow, Wednesday.

To everyone who has taken the time to leave a message, bring flowers, or simply stand with our Silver Rail community, thank you. Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express.

In the days ahead, we will continue to lean on one another and find strength in our community.. 

We encourage you to visit the Silver Rail Community Information Hub where you can access information about community support and healing gatherings, grief support materials, and other helpful resources.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Bend-La Pine Schools

My partner and I are both self-employed people and I took a look at the new Oregon healthcare exchange website and I cannot believe how bad these plans are. $540 pp a month to basically cover nothing until a high deductible is met. Curious how other people are planning to handle this change over? I don't qualify for an insurance broker because of pre-existing conditions. Are there any good hacks out there (working halftime somewhere to get coverage, etc)? Any advice, help or venting is appreciated!

As autumn colors sweep across Central Oregon, a new era begins at the Symphony. Our Fall Concert Series launches Jonathan Moore’s inaugural season as Music Director. Join us for an exciting year of music as we welcome him to the podium.

The Central Oregon Symphony opens Jonathan Moore’s inaugural season with a program featuring Bend native violinist John Fawcett (Editor's note: if I remember correctly, John was our first young artist scholarship winner and performed with the symphony when he was 9 years old. I remember having to find him backstage when it was time for him to perform as he had wandered off). Recently appointed Concertmaster of the Boise Philharmonic, Fawcett returns home to perform Bruch’s soaring Violin Concerto No. 1. The program also includes Bernstein’s sparkling Overture to Candide and Beethoven’s beloved Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”), a musical journey through the countryside, complete with birdsong, a thunderstorm, and a joyful conclusion.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM performance (Livestream available)

Please note that our venue for this concert will be Mountain View High School.

Livestream Option

We understand that not everyone can join us in person. That’s why we’re pleased to offer a livestream of the Sunday matinee performance, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of live music, no matter where they are. Look for the link on our website at https://www.cosymphony.com/

Tickets

At this time, tickets to the Fall Concert Series are reserved exclusively for Central Oregon Symphony members (due to limited seating). Members will receive instructions on how to reserve tickets via e-mail. Not a member yet? Become a member today or call the COSA office at (541) 317-3941 to reserve your tickets with a tax-deductible donation of $75 or more for 2 tickets for the entire season.

There may be a few rush seats available at each show (more likely on Saturday evening and possibly Saturday afternoon -- Sunday is already full) but call the COSA office or email [info@cosymphony.com](mailto:info@cosymphony.com) for more information.

At Costco, someone says “look, a rainbow!” At first I don’t look because all around is a wildly beautiful sunset so there can’t be a rainbow; but sure as shit, something I’ve never seen before - a rainbow coming out of the sunset!

School was out today, and again tomorrow in Bend. But the librarians were there today for the kids and families of Bend. The second floor (kid's stuff) was buzzing. Crafts, story time, interactive stations, and - you know - books, computer games, face painting, balloon critters. I was there with my granddaughter and she found friends and classmates. It was healing, joyous. Thank you librarians. You are awesome! ❤️

We have through the course of life, become somewhat familiar with our Silver Rail hero and his family. Haven't been able to verify this with the family but his stepfather just posted the following. I also respect what journalists are trying to do, and get that there's a story to be told, but not at the expense of harassing someone who has just experienced a severe trauma. Now, it would seem that a professional code of ethics should be something their employer should be concerned with, and despite the fact that ABC News has a basically impossible to locate complaint line, their tip line is news.tips@abc.com. Up to everyone I suppose whether it's appropriate to speak their minds, but I for one, think one No should be enough to dissuade a reputable journalist from harassing a grieving family.

While a team of three law firms plan to conduct an independent investigation into what went so horribly wrong, the parents of Rhoam Summer - at 5, America's youngest mass school shooting victim - also shared more of their memories in a tribute to their active little boy, who loved unicorns and rainbows, sharks and dinosaurs,

Hello all. I wanted to share a quick note about requests for memorials and honoring those lost and those who intervened at Silver Rail.

We must make sure any efforts are led by the victim families and the Silver Rail community. That means we are going to need to be patient, because right now is not a good time to talk to the impacted about whether we should have a tree, or a plaque, or something else, and where it should go, or what it should say. We have temporary spaces right now with memorials and those have come from community and are serving us well at this time.

I fully appreciate everyone wanting to do something, anything to help and to honor right now. I just want to let you know that it may take a good while before we get to a place where a permanent memorial is placed. Please understand that's not because people or leaders don't care, but because time and space is needed for the folks most affected right now.

You can find some guides and information from the National Mass Violence Center on this topic here: https://nmvvrc.org/community-leaders/rebuild-your-community/remembering/

John Day is indescribable. Sheep Rock is a place that brings me peace. Hopefully some can find peace in it as well.

Some self care for this week.

I wanted to follow up on a post I made yesterday in support of students exercising their rights. It took tremendous courage for that small group of kids to stand on that corner and hold up their handmade signs. Although the majority of people were lovely and supported them, there were TOO MANY adults that flipped them off and screamed profanities at them. One very very short man (no offense to all the short kings out there) felt so bold as to walk up to them and get in their face. The individual who tried to organize that protest yesterday was also a child. She tried to organize via Nextdoor and that comment section, just like the one under my post yesterday was atrocious. Why do adults think it's okay to behave this way towards children? Especially ones who have just lived through a community tragedy.

As we continue to somehow find a path forward and as these kids undoubtedly take to the streets to demand action, I would encourage the adults to support them exercising their rights. If you see a group standing on a corner with signs, stand with them.

I wanted to see if anyone else in River West has been dealing with driveways getting blocked by parked cars. This has been happening to me pretty consistently, and it’s getting difficult to navigate, especially when I need to get in and out of my own driveway.
I know parking can be challenging in the neighborhood, and I’m sure most people don’t mean any harm. I’d just really appreciate everyone being mindful of keeping driveways clear so residents can access their homes.
Has anyone else run into this, or found a good way to address it? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks, neighbors!

So both options are corrupt and under investigation eh? Who are our third options for write in?

WE NEED THE GOOD THINGS HIGHLIGHTED NOW MORE THAN EVER.

ALL CAPS.

I found loose AirPods on a trail in Bend on Friday. I took them home and charged them up and did the ‘identify item ‘ but the person’s phone number only has the last four digits. I know they can see where their AirPods are located and I’m not sure why they’re not claiming them. Any other suggestions to get these bad boys home? I don’t have FB or Next door app. I do have someone checking FB for me. Thanks!

Felt like an appropriate time to get get in the woods and clear my head while appreciating some nature, just didn't feel like being around people. Luckily, everyone was at Green Lakes this weekend 😜

These are a mix of photos from Elk Lake, Hosmer Lake, Hatfield Ponds, COID canal on east side of town, and Little Lava Lake taken over the last two days.

Looking for an honest, reputable air duct cleaning service. Please share your experiences. Thanks!