Source Warmup

Local Organizations Receive Humanities Grants

The High Desert Museum announced it was selected for two National Endowment for the Humanities grant awards, for a total of over $240,000. The grants support increased storytelling and educational resources for the region.

“The High Desert Museum is a cultural and historical gem in Central Oregon. I’m gratified this federal investment will further enhance the Museum’s mission to ‘wildly excite and responsibly teach’ Oregonians and visitors from around the world who are eager to learn more about the history of the High Desert and its natural wonders,” Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement.

Central Oregon Community College and Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts also received a grant from the NEA. COCC received a $10,000 award, which will be used to develop and expand its art-focused summer youth camps. Scalehouse received $20,000, which will support its 2025 Bend Design Conference.

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Crook County Prepares for New Board Appointments Amid Resignations

On Jan. 13, Crook County School Board Chair Jennifer Knight discussed the board’s recent resignations and its plans to fill the vacant seats. Board member Jessica Brumble resigned effective Dec. 10, and Cheyenne Edgerly resigned Jan. 9.

“This means that the board is also declaring board vacancies from zones one and three,” said Knight.

Earlier this month, the board voted to terminate Superintendent Melissa Skinner following a group of local parents who collected more than 1,000 signatures calling for Skinner to go, according to a story from OPB.

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City of Bend Receives Funding for Railroad Crossing Project

The City of Bend announced Jan. 10 that it was awarded $32 million in federal funds for its Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project, eliminating the need to stop and wait for the train on Reed Market Road. The $32 million awarded for this project is the largest amount of grant funding that has ever been awarded to the City, according to a press release.

“The City of Bend is thrilled to receive this large sum of money to make these upgrades to the Reed Market Road Railroad crossing. By updating the crossing, we will see safety improvements for all users, a reduction in emissions from idling cars and eliminate the need to stop and wait for the train to clear the roadway,” said Mayor Melanie Kebler in a press release. “These much-needed upgrades to this vital east-west connection will greatly improve our transportation system and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication that went into securing these additional funds.”

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16,089 acres
The amount of land burned by two of the 30 Bachelor Complex fires this past summer, from the Outside article, “Edison Sno-Park Closed for Winter”

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“For me and my roast style, coffee is alive and you need to be part of the roasting process. No distractions. [You have to] understand what the coffee is doing as it goes through the roasting process. It’s different each day as weather, humidity and, sometimes, I think the attitude of the person roasting can affect the flavor. Because roasting is an art.”
— Scott Hughes from the Chow story, “Third Rock Roastery’s Got the Coffee World in Bend’s Hands”

This article appears in The Source Weekly January 16, 2025.