Oregon’s 2016 Legislative Session ends March 5. In the final days of the short even-year assembly, the fate of some of the most important bills will be decided while others will not reach the finish line. Melissa’s Law and affordable housing are two of the bills that could be decided in the final days of […]
Corinne Boyer
Posted inNews
Oregon Legislature
Bill Update
Cannabis bills continued to make gains in the legislature this week with proposed legislation that would help 100 percent disabled veterans, medical marijuana cardholders and primary caregivers of cardholders, and industrial hemp growers. SB 1524: Medical Waiver for 100% Disabled veterans Senate Bill 1524 calls to allow permanently disabled veterans to forego annual medical exams required […]
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The Bills Roll In
Oregon State Legislature to vote on forefront issues
Minimum wage, clean energy and cannabis are three of the top issues in the Oregon State Legislature this year. Lawmakers from throughout the state are in Salem this month for the annual legislative session. On Feb. 1, the 2016, 35-day legislative session began. In 2010, the Oregon Constitution was amended to add a short session […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Family Kitchen
Community support brings nutritious meals to the hungry
The Family Kitchen recently received its biggest donation in its 28-year history. Newport Avenue Market, with the generosity of its customers, raised $56,000 for the organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals for anyone in need. The funds raised will cover 67 percent of the food costs for the Family Kitchen’s meals this year. “One of […]
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Central Oregon Homeless Count
This year's effort leaves many uncounted
On a mild February afternoon, Jim Vistad watches television in a cafeteria. He sits underneath a white board with lists of chores, rules and checkout times. For the past 35 years, Vistad has called Bend home and was once a cook at the Pilot Butte Drive-In. He has watched the city grow and has witnessed […]
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Sidenotes 2/10-2/17
A federal grand jury indicted 16 people involved in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on the charge of Conspiracy to Impede Officers of the United States on Feb. 3. The indictment states that the occupiers used intimidation tactics and traveled to Harney County in October 2015 to warn the sheriff of “extreme civil unrest if […]
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A River Used To Run Through It
WaterWatch sues irrigation districts over Oregon spotted frog habitat damage
“In Oregon, rivers and streams belong to the public, but no law stops private water users from completely draining a stream. It is often perfectly legal to take the last drops from a river, and our state agencies do little to correct, or even document the problem,” according to WaterWatch’s Rivers Without Water, Oregon’s Unnatural […]
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Speak Your Peace
Event helps open up communication in Sisters
In January, Sisters City Council members, the mayor and community members attended Speak Your Peace: The Civility Project sessions to discuss the breakdown in communication within the community. People participated in discussion groups in order to help solve the problems the community has been experiencing. Last year, three city council members resigned and a prior […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Wedding Dresses
Bohemian Vogue
This year has been deemed the year of the fashion wedding, according to Harper’s Bazaar. Paige Tapia, the owner of the Bridal Suite in Bend, with her daughter Brittany, says the shop has seen a lot of bohemian-style wedding dresses. “It’s a broad group, but we’ve seen mostly vintage lace, lightweight, and something you would […]
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Side Notes 2/3-2/10
Greg Bretzing, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, released a statement on the use of deadly force and issued an update on the situation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. As of Jan. 28, the FBI believes that four people are still occupying the refuge. Checkpoints were established around the refuge […]