Who doesn’t like to say the word Zamboni?

Reporter Morgan Owen got to track down the Zamboni driver for the Bend Park & Recreation District’s Pavillion ice rink this week as the skating season got underway at the popular arena.

The Bulletin featured Donnie Horne — better known as the Ice Man — who has 33 years behind the wheel of the Zamboni, which repairs and lays down a fresh layer of smooth ice for skaters. The story has lots of cool details about this job and what it involves, which includes rising at 3 a.m. each day. Aside from that, it’s pretty chill. Read it here.

We had lots of animal features this past week, too. Bend loves its dogs, and reporter Taylor Bayly was on the hunt of a mysterious respiratory illness that appears to be sweeping Oregon, but has yet to show in local canines. Read all the details here.

In the same issue, reporter Michael Kohn reports on the release of a sickly bald eagle that has recovered at Think Wild, the Bend-based wildlife hospital. It is unclear what the eagle may have ingested, but it was quite lethargic when brought to the hospital. Photos of the eagle’s release back to the wild by the nonprofit group were dramatic. You can view them here.

That same day, we had yet another animal story about how discovery of a rabid kitten in Omaha, Nebraska, led to a massive effort to contain the deadly virus.

In Friday’s Explore Central Oregon, Instagram, food and adventure reporter for The Bulletin, Janay Wright, visited with kangaroos and other exotic animals at a Prineville petting zoo. Gramma Roses Petting Zoo is home to numerous birds, animals and insects. Read Wright’s account here.

These features help strike a balance for our readers who may, sometimes, feel like there’s an onslaught of too much serious news. We strive to give our readers a well-rounded diet of what is going on in Central Oregon. We hope you agree and, if you have yet to subscribe to our digital formats, please do so here.

Thanks for reading,

Gerry O’Brien, Editor