Source Warmup

Shelter Appoints New Leader

The Bethlehem Inn has a new leader. The board of directors appointed Michael Hancock as the new executive director. He’s replacing Gwenn Wysling, who announced her retirement in February. Hancock has been with the Bethlehem Inn for six years.

“I joined the team in 2019, a time of transition. Or as I like to think of it, a time of transformation,” Hancock shared in a news release. “We were preparing to open the new Bend campus, and just months later, found ourselves navigating the challenges of a global health crisis. I’m proud of how our team stepped up, adapted, and grew stronger together.” He was there for the completion of the new Bend campus and helped launch the Redmond Community Housing program.

Bethlehem Inn is a community-supported, high barrier emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon.

Fire Forces Evacuations

Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Alder Springs fire which was first reported June 16 at 9:40am. The wildfire blew up to 2,500 acres overnight with zero percent containment as of June 17. It moved across grass, brush and juniper in steep, rugged terrain on the Crooked River National Grassland, Prineville District BLM managed land, and private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association. Several homes in the area of Crooked River Ranch, east of Whychus Creek, were evacuated Monday, June 16. The Conflagration Act allows the state fire marshal to mobilize resources when a wildfire’s threat exceeds the capacity of local firefighting efforts. You can find the latest updates on the Alder Springs fire online at bendsource.com.

—Nic Moye