After dozens of people packed La Pine City Hall on May 13 in an uproar against a proposed data center, it’s unclear where City leaders and developers stand on the project. The public comment period at the meeting took nearly three hours, with most people in opposition, citing fears the facility would guzzle water, push up power costs, hurt wildlife habitat and […]
After Pushback to La Pine Data Center, Community, Developers Await Next Steps
Posted inNews
Solid Waste Advisory Committee Makes Recommendation for New Landfill Site
The Deschutes County Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended May 19 that the Horse Ridge landfill site be the next Deschutes County landfill. The proposal will go before the Board of Commissioners in June. The decision comes after property negotiations for the previously proposed “Moon Pit” landfill came to a halt last summer. The committee tabled another proposed site, named Roth East, as it still posing concerns over the conservation of the sage-grouse […]
Posted inBusiness News
Visit Bend Awards $300,000 to Support Arts and Cultural Tourism Projects
Twenty-two organizations supporting Bend’s arts and culture scene will receive a total of $300,000 in grants from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF), a Visit Bend program designed to increase participation in cultural experiences and spur economic activity during Bend’s shoulder seasons. Funded entirely by taxes paid by overnight visitors in Bend’s short-term commercial lodging […]
Posted inBusiness News
Applications Open for COCC’s Free Summer Cultural Symposiums
Central Oregon Community College’s five-day, college-exposure summer symposiums, set for June 21-25, are designed — and offered free — for regional high school Latinx, Native American, Afrocentric and 2SLGBTQIA+ students and their allies, with applications being accepted until May 29. Visit cocc.edu/multicultural to learn more and apply; space is limited. Free and open to current high schoolers, these […]
Posted inOpinion
A Data Center Hopes to Move into La Pine and Use 15X the Power the Town Currently Uses
It’s too soon to tell the fate of the proposed data center in an industrial park in La Pine, but if local action and national sentiment are any indication, approval of the project looks iffy. According to Source reporting, a company called Boxminer, which “mines” bitcoin, is seeking to build a data center on a […]
Posted inColumns
The Era of Artificial Intelligence
Remember when you’d sit around with friends pondering questions about life or contemplating some scientific curiosity? How long has it been since an abstract question was just kicked around, stimulating boisterous conversation and spirited debate amongst family or friends? It has become all too easy to reach for the phone and throw the inquiry into […]
Posted inBusiness News
Bend’s Water Quality Report is Here
The City of Bend has published its 2025 Water Quality and Consumer Confidence Report, providing water customers with a clear, comprehensive look at the quality, safety and sources of their drinking water. In 2025, City of Bend water met or exceeded all federal and state drinking water standards. The annual report outlines test results from […]
Posted inBusiness News
$7.4M in Homebuyer Assistance Available
Thistle & Nest is providing a vital pathway to stability for residents in CentralOregon by offering robust down payment assistance (DPA) and an innovative land trust model. Designed to help the local workforce transition from renting to owning, the program addresses the primary financial barriers preventing households from securing a home in today’s market. By […]
Posted inBusiness News
Roundabout Books to Host Author Kevin Fedarko
Roundabout Books is excited to host New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko at an event on June 11 at Summit High School at 6:30 pm to share stories from his award-winning book, A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, recounting his end-to-end traverse of the […]
Posted inBusiness News
Sisters Habitat For Humanity Celebrates Final Home Dedications
Sisters Habitat for Humanity will celebrate the dedication of the final five homes at Woodlands, a 10-cottage affordable housing community in Sisters, on Friday, May 29, 2026. The community is invited to attend both the home dedication ceremonies and an open house to meet the new homeowners, tour the completed homes, and learn more about […]