Tony DeBone was first elected to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners in 2010. He won again in 2014, and again in 2018 and 2022. Now, as he seeks a fifth term, he faces an aggressive and well-funded challenge. Jamie Collins, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and founder of a climate consulting firm, has more than doubled DeBone’s campaign donations, […]
Longtime Incumbent, Credentialed Challenger Clash in Deschutes County Commissioner Position 1 Race
Posted inOpinion
In This Game of Us vs. Them, ‘Them’ is Now Married Women
This past weekend, people gathered in Bend, Redmond and other cities around Central Oregon for yet another No Kings demonstration against the Trump administration. By the way we figure it, if the protests keep happening, the numbers only stand to grow. So much of the proposed legislation being proposed by the federal government is about […]
Posted inOutside Features
Petersen Rock Garden Receives Some TLC
The passion Rasmus Petersen felt as he began creating the Petersen Rock Garden in 1935 remains alive to this day in both the caretakers of the property and the visitors who flood the grounds daily. Petersen lovingly built the ornate rock sculptures over four acres on his rural property between Bend and Redmond, first sourcing […]
Posted inSmoke Signals
Cannabis Discrimination
Oregon’s Adult Use Cannabis program is 10 years old, and those of us who work within it thought by now we would have – more – than we do. Things like social cannabis consumption spaces, cannabis tourism packages, and events on par with the many beer, wine, cider, and spirits festivals Oregon hosts. Such options […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor, Week of April 2
Amy Sabbadini for County Commissioner I am asking readers to vote for Amy Sabbadini in the upcoming County Commissioner election. Now more than ever, it is imperative to have logical, science-minded leaders who will embrace evidence-based practices. We need leaders to support the behavioral and public health programs that are critical resources for our community. […]
Posted inBusiness News
Kaleidoscope 2026 – An Evening of Concert Dance
Bend Dance Project celebrates its 20th anniversary with “Kaleidoscope 2026” showcasing new works of concert dance by local and guest choreographers and performers. Bend Dance Project’s sponsored company, Jazz Dance Collective, will be joined by local groups Bend Contemporary, Footnotes of Bend, Central Oregon Ballet, Further Movement Collective, Academie Ballet de Classique, and Sakura. The […]
Posted inBusiness News
Sprouts Montessori of Bend Awarded $719,200 State Grant
Sprouts Montessori of Bend is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a $719,200 property acquisition grant from the state’s Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF). Administered by Business Oregon (the Oregon Business Development Department), the CCIF is funded through Oregon lottery-backed bonds authorized by the state Legislature in 2023, representing a $50 million […]
Posted inBusiness News
Quiz Me Baby One More Time – Wine With Your Gyn Podcast
Dr. Sarah Hellmann and Dr. Erin LeGrand from the Wine With Your Gyn Podcast are teaming up with The Haven Coworking Space and community partners to present two upcoming fundraising events supporting their mission to help women connect and destigmatize conversations around women’s health. The first event, a 90s Trivia Night, will take place on […]
Posted inBusiness News
Bend Fire & Rescue Invites High School Students to Apply for 2026 Camp Fire Axe
Bend Fire & Rescue invites Central Oregon high school students who are considering a career in the fire service to apply for Camp Fire Axe, an annual four-day summer academy put on by professional firefighter/paramedics. Camp Fire Axe is an opportunity for students ages 16 to 19 to learn about fire response, CPR, trauma and […]
Posted inBusiness News
St. Charles’ Train Your Brain Program Provides Free Helmets to Third-Graders
This spring more than 2,000 third graders throughout Central Oregon will learn about brain injury prevention and helmet safety through the Train Your Brain program taught by St. Charles athletic trainers. This program provides interactive assemblies and free multi-sport helmets to local elementary students across the region. “Helmet safety is a simple yet crucial way to […]