Update – Highway 97 ‘s Safety Upgrade Is Well Underway

Bend, Ore. – ODOT workers continue the construction of a median on U.S. Highway 97 south of Bend Tuesday afternoon.

The barrier is part of a $6 million Oregon Department of Transportation project that got underway in May in response to multiple head-on crashes between north and southbound traffic over the past several years.

The barrier is expected to be in place along a 7-mile stretch from Romaine Village to Lave Butte, with a gap for southbound traffic to turn left at the High Desert Museum.

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New Consumer Protection Laws Take Effect

Several new consumer protection laws take effect immediately when the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2026. The Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – the state’s largest

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Hayden Homes Amphitheater Leads in Sustainability

The Hayden Homes Amphitheater continues to lead the industry in sustainable venue operations, delivering consistent, measurable results that make every show more environmentally responsible. During the 2025 season, the venue achieved a 93.5 percent landfill diversion rate