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Clayton Franke

Clayton Franke is a reporter supported by the Lay It Out Foundation. His work regularly appears in The Source. Previously, he covered local government for The Bulletin and for a small newspaper on the Washington coast. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism in 2022. When not reporting he enjoys skiing, hiking and live music.

clayton@layitoutfoundation.org
Posted inLocal News

Longtime Incumbent, Credentialed Challenger Clash in Deschutes County Commissioner Position 1 Race 

U.S. Coast Guard veteran and disaster responder Jamie Collins has doubled the fundraising totals of 15-year commissioner Tony DeBone
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

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, […]

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Embattled Winery Proposal North of Bend Gets Deschutes County Approval 

Neighbors are divided over a tasting room and production facility at a 5-acre vineyard
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

After a four-year dispute, owners of a 5-acre vineyard just north of Bend finally have Deschutes County’s approval to open a wine tasting and production facility. Still, neighbors in opposition say the fight is far from over.   The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners tentatively approved the application March 25, pending a final decision in the coming weeks. The board greenlit the proposal amid some neighbors’ fears the winery would pollute well water and bring […]

Posted inLocal News

Redmond May Ban Throttle-Powered E-bikes from City Parks

The City says speeding e-bikes are causing safety issues, but enforcing new rules could be difficult
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

The City of Redmond may be the latest government body to clamp down on e-bikes, with new regulations stirred by a stream of complaints over speeders in City parks.   The City Council launched a survey March 24 asking the public whether throttle-propelled bicycles should be banned from City parks. Results of the two-week survey will inform an April discussion that could lead to new rules in place by summer. But questions remain about […]

Posted inLocal News

Political Hopefuls, Sisters Mayor Face Off in Deschutes County Commission Position 5 Race

The race features clashing views on homelessness, a proposal for local ownership of Mt. Bachelor and wildfire issues
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Four candidates are running for Deschutes County Commission Position 5, a brand-new seat added by a 2024 ballot measure expanding the county commission from three to five members.   The late addition of Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz added another layer of complexity to the May 19 primary, likely shrinking the chances that any candidate will receive the 50% of the vote needed to […]

Posted inLocal News

Bend Awards $100,000 to Support Immigrant Families Amid Federal Crackdown 

The City Council condemned the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics with a resolution Wednesday
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The Bend City Council denounced the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort and awarded a nonprofit $100,000 to help families affected by the immigration crackdown.  The move came in response to calls for support by the Latino Community Association, a Central Oregon nonprofit providing support services for immigrants. Half of the funding awarded Wednesday will help the nonprofit work with the City to produce Bend’s Welcoming Week, the annual slate of events promoting diversity and culture, and connecting people to […]

Posted inLocal News

Deschutes County Asks Redmond to Pause Homeless Camp Sweep 

As homelessness on undeveloped land stifles industrial growth, County officials fear evicting dozens of campers will only result in more problems
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Deschutes County asked the City of Redmond to pause the eviction of dozens of homeless campers from undeveloped land in a City-owned industrial park, saying the move would add chaos to an effort to remedy homelessness in the area and make way for development.   The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved a letter detailing the request at a meeting March 18. That came one week after the Redmond City Council agreed to start notifying people living in tents and trailers on […]

Posted inLocal News

State Clears Hurdle for 450-Home Mixed-Income Community in Northeast Redmond

Oregon lawmakers continue to test whether bending urban growth boundary rules can spur affordable housing construction
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A state land use policy board agreed to tweak the rules of a 10-year-old affordable housing experiment that should help lift a 450-home development in northeast Redmond off the ground.   Utilities are set and new streets will be paved this spring at a 40-acre site in northwest Redmond, slated to become a new community called Northpoint Vista. But much of the home building […]

Posted inLocal News

Oregon Elections Chief Weighs in on Deschutes County Races, Campaign Finance and Voter Reform

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read visited Central Oregon this week
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Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read — a state elected official responsible for running elections  — swung through Central Oregon this week to meet with high school students, local and state politicians, elections officials and local media. In an interview with the Source Tuesday morning, Read discussed campaign finance reform, election integrity, his pushback to federal legislation seeking to toughen […]

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