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Julianna LaFollette

Julianna earned her Masters in Journalism at NYU in 2024. She loves writing local stories about interesting people and events. When she’s not reporting, you can find her cooking, participating in outdoor activities or attempting to keep up with her 90 pound dog, Finn.

1reporter@bendsource.com
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Fair Play: Behind the Scenes at Deschutes County’s Biggest Attraction

Deschutes County Fair Director Geoff Hinds talks tourism, expansion, events
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The Source sat down with Deschutes County Fair and Expo Director, Geoff Hinds, to talk about what makes the fairgrounds special, the facility’s impact on tourism throughout the region and its expansion plans moving forward. the Source: What makes Deschutes County Fairgrounds different from other places? Geoff Hinds: It’s one of the largest County fairs […]

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Redmond Makes Way for Natural Wastewater Treatment

The City is set to start construction on its new wetlands complex in early July
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Redmond is set to transform the way it treats wastewater with a new natural system known as the Redmond Wetlands Complex, intended to meet the needs of its growing population. In constructing this project, the City of Redmond will decommission its existing, mechanical Water Pollution Control Facility to transition to its new system, which will […]

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Jackstraw Development Announces Two Retail Tenants and Construction Updates

The mixed-use project near the Box Factory will house Sisters Coffee Company and Drybar
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The mixed-use residential and retail development, Jackstraw, adjacent to Bend’s Box Factory area, announced on June 17 that it secured two long-term retail leases for the building. Joining the development will be Sisters Coffee Company and Drybar, a salon providing hair styling services. The ground floor will feature 18,000 square feet of retail space, with […]

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Alder Springs Fire is Human Caused

Authorities say 200 homes are threatened
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Authorities say the Alder Springs Fire is human caused and estimate it will be contained by July 1. The fire started Monday, June 16, eight miles northwest of Terrebonne. It’s estimated to be around 3,442 acres with 0% containment. According to Central Oregon Fire Info, the Alder Springs Fire is burning on the Crooked River […]

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Thousands Join ‘No Kings’ Protests in Central Oregon

Residents in Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville and La Pine joined nationwide protests against the Trump administration on June 14
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People across the region took part in city-wide events and marches for the national ‘No Kings’ protests on June 14 against the Trump administration. With demonstrations in Bend, Redmond, La Pine, Prineville and Madras, the region saw thousands of people in attendance. In Bend, organizers estimate about 3,000 to 6,000 community members attended the local […]

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Safe Parking Set to Operate on Public Safety Campus in Bend

The program will offer six new micro shelter units in north Bend for people experiencing homelessness
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A new safe parking program will create six micro shelter units at the site of the Deschutes County Public Safety Campus in north Bend. Mountain View Community Development, the organization running the safe parking program in Redmond, identified the nearly .05-acre site as viable location, allowing more safe spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness to live. On […]

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Reigniting E-Bike Rebates

An e-bike rebate program will offer residents a $1,800 rebate for the purchase of an electric bike
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A revitalized program will offer 70 residents the chance for a $1,800 rebate on the purchase of an e-bike. Local organization, Commute Options, is partnering with the City of Bend to launch this E-bike Rebate Program, starting on June 16. The program will allow eligible residents to utilize a rebate for the purchase of an electric […]

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Bend Police Embraces Drones, Grapples with State Limits

Bend PD sees the use of drones as a key tool for community safety. A proposed bill could broaden drone regulations, allowing for increased usage.
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On May 30, the Bend Police Department received a report that a Bend resident had threatened to execute a mass shooting in the area. The man, identified as 36-year-old Nathaniel Benjamin Wright, was known to own multiple firearms. Bend PD officers responded to Wright’s home on NE Waller Avenue and saw his white truck parked […]

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Redmond’s Antler Community Paves Way for New Child Care Facility

A new grant brings a Redmond housing development one step closer to building a child care center within the mixed-use neighborhood
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Plans for a complete community in Redmond are taking shape, seeking affordable housing, commercial buildings and a new child care facility to serve the community. The Antler Campus, located at 1699 W Antler in Redmond, will have a total of 76 housing units, including affordable rental and homeownership options. Local affordable housing developers Rooted Homes […]

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Promised Land

A vision for a walkable, mixed-use community in the Bend Central District is on the horizon, but progress on housing is stagnant as barriers to development remain
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Just east of downtown Bend lies the focal point of a long-planned revitalization aimed at transforming the widely undeveloped Bend Central District into a walkable, mixed-use community hub. With a vision that transforms the so-called “underutilized” area, advocates have been working with community members and the City of Bend to help invest in the central […]

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