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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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Irrigation Practices Called Into Question

Analysis of federal data shows a large portion of local irrigators are still hobby farmers, continuing to worsen drought conditions
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Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides a complete count of farms and ranches in the state and its various counties, shows that many Central Oregon irrigators are hobby farmers. The USDA conducts a census every five years and looks at land use, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. The 2022 […]

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Deschutes County Psilocybin Decisions

Hearings officer denies Juniper Resort application; decision remains on facility near Pine Nursery Park
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Two separate proposals, each looking to establish a new psilocybin service center in the County, were seeking approval from a Deschutes County hearings officer. On April 9, Deschutes County held a public hearing regarding a land use decision that would allow a psilocybin manufacturing and service center to be permitted on a property across the […]

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Understanding Data on Houseless Populations

The Coordinated Houseless Response Office discussed the 2024 Point in Count Data and how it collects information to help the unhoused community
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The Homeless Leadership Coalition released its Central Oregon 2024 Point in Time Count, the annual count of sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Members of the Coordinated Houseless Response Office met on April 25 to discuss the data and how it helps providers serve and offer resources […]

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Redefining Bend Cuisine

New restaurateurs contribute to Bend’s evolving scene
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Bend is no stranger to great food and numerous dining options. In recent years, the city has seen the number of restaurants grow and the style and cuisine evolve, adding to Central Oregon’s increasingly diverse food scene. Several new, modern and upscale restaurants that have opened in the area have impressed locals and restaurant owners […]

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A New Means of Community Involvement

Central Oregon leaders aim to implement citizen assemblies, promoting more representative decision making
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Central Oregon is on the path to implementing a new method of community involvement called citizen assemblies. Speakers at an April 18 City Club forum shared the idea with attendees as a new means of decision making that involves community members. Citizen assemblies involve a process that supports more representation in local decision making by […]

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City Council to Vote on Pay Raise

The City’s Council Compensation Review Committee recommended a pay increase for the mayor and city councilors
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The Bend City Council will vote on compensation raises on May 1, as recommended by the Council Compensation Review Committee. Currently calculated from a percentage of the Area Median Income, the mayor makes $19,540 a year and City Councilors make $9,770 a year. The recommended increase would adjust the mayor’s compensation to $50,000 a year […]

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Deschutes County Proposes Next Landfill Site

A committee tasked with evaluating new landfill locations made its final recommendation
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The Deschutes County Solid Waste Advisory Committee made its final recommendation on a new landfill site on April 16, choosing the Moon Pit location. The committee, which has been meeting for almost two years, was tasked with finding a new landfill location in Deschutes County, as Knott Landfill is expected to reach capacity in 2029. […]

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Volunteers Participate in China Hat Area Cleanup

Public Land Stewards hosted a cleanup event on April 13, bringing in over 150 volunteers to help pick up trash and debris
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Update: PLS confirmed after publication that crews and volunteers removed a total of 41,660 pounds of trash.  Local volunteers braved bad weather on Saturday to take part in a cleanup event, picking up trash and debris on public lands in the area southeast of Bend. Over 150 people attended the Public Land Stewards event, which […]

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Contested Apartments Face Resolution in May

A City hearing officer will make a decision about a proposed Awbrey Butte apartment, Compass Corner, at the end of May
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A highly disputed development proposed in the Awbrey Butte neighborhood of Bend will face a final decision at the end of May, after more than two years. The City of Bend held a public hearing on April 4, discussing the proposal and listening to final in-person remarks about the development. The proposal is for a four-story […]

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BLPS Chair Resigns, Board Accepting Applications

BLPS Board is accepting applicants for its vacant seat after Chair Melissa Barnes Dholakia resigned
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Bend-La Pine Schools announced that school board member Melissa Barnes Dholakia resigned from her position as Chair on April 4. Her resignation comes after she decided to apply for a position in the school district. The decision was announced on April 9, at the school board’s monthly meeting. Barnes Dholakia announced that she applied for […]

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