Avatar photo

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
Posted inNews

Q&A with Co-Director of Neighbors 4 Redmond

Citizen group holds monthly events in the Hub City to inform people about current issues
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Neighbors 4 Redmond is a group of individuals who help inform residents about city-wide and county-wide issues. The group hosts an event once a month at High Desert Music Hall featuring different speakers who help inform residents about what’s happening in their city and county. The next event will be held on Feb. 25 from […]

Posted inNews

Local Program Aims to Expand Child Care

A local child care expansion program created 777 new child care spots in Central Oregon. While the additional funding and education helped many providers, barriers remain
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Charlene Brown, originally from Hawaii, began looking for a day care center in Prineville for her two-year-old daughter last year. During her search, she had trouble finding a quality child care center that she felt comfortable taking her daughter to. She had always thought of opening up her own child care facility. “It’s something that […]

Posted inNews

Oregon, along with Bend-La Pine Schools, saw increased graduation rates in 2023

New data shows overall increases
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

The Oregon Department of Education released new data on statewide graduation rates, which indicated the second-highest graduation rate ever in Oregon. The data, released Jan. 25, showed that 2023’s statewide graduation rate tied the previous class at 81.3%.   Graduation rates for some student groups reached an all-time high, including former English learners, with an 87% […]

Posted inNews

Project Addresses Gaps in the Deschutes River Trail

The City of Bend is partnering with the Bend Park and Recreation District to fill in the trail on downtown Riverfront Street
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

The City of Bend is partnering with Bend Park and Recreation District to improve gaps in the Deschutes River Trail through downtown. On Jan. 17, Bend City Council authorized a contract for a consulting service to design the project on Riverfront Street. The project aims to improve the area along the Deschutes River Trail, between […]

Posted inNews

A Potential “Setback” for Thornburgh Resort

Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals puts the approval of Thornburgh Resort’s Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan back in the County’s hands
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

A recent land use decision regarding Central Oregon’s Thornburgh Resort’s Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan resulted in what opponents are calling a significant setback for the resort. Central Oregon LandWatch, an environmental and land use watchdog, said it prevailed in an Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals decision regarding Thornburgh Resort, a highly controversial resort and […]

Posted inNews

Severe Winter Storm Causes Major Loss

A Bend family faces a tragedy from Oregon’s January winter weather. The Central Oregon community gathers to support the cause.
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

A winter storm traveled through Oregon last week, causing devastation for several families and businesses. On Jan. 18, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a statewide emergency due to the severe ice storm that impacted counties across the state. The declaration came after subsequent requests from counties and an assessment of needs as Oregon entered the sixth […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Four Local Gin-Based Cocktails

You’ll likely find a gin-based drink on any local cocktail menu. Here are four that are worth a try.
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Gin is one of those spirits people either love or hate. Made from berry-like botanical juniper, gin has a very distinct flavor and aroma and can be slightly intimidating for people unfamiliar with its many delicious pairings. Lucky for me, I thoroughly enjoy drinks mixed with this liquor and have noticed a growing presence of […]

Posted inNews

Charged and Ready for Travel

State programs will make driving electric vehicles easier. Will that be enough for people to make the switch?
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Oregon has a goal of reaching 250,000 electric vehicles by 2025. In September 2023, there were 80,000 registered electric vehicles in Oregon, according to Oregon Department of Transportation Public Affairs Specialist Matt Noble. To help reach this goal, ODOT is attempting to incentivize the use of EVs by increasing access to chargers, making EV trips […]

Posted inNews

Campaign for South Bend Footbridge Accelerates

A Bend Park and Recreation survey showed majority support for a southern Bend pedestrian bridge crossing the Deschutes River. Supporters urge Bend to follow through on the project.
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

A recent Community Needs Assessment by the Bend Park and Recreation District, measuring the need for parks and recreation services every five years, found significant support for the construction of a footbridge crossing the Deschutes River near the Bend’s southern urban growth boundary. The results of the survey, discussed at a Jan. 2 BPRD board meeting, […]

Posted inNews

Redmond’s Oasis Village Houses 20 Individuals

A new transitional housing development welcomed 20 previously homeless individuals to its heated bedroom shelters
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Oasis Village, a transitional housing village in Redmond, opened its doors to its first 20 previously houseless residents on Jan. 10. The village is located near the Redmond airport and offers individuals their own 100-square-foot heated “bedroom shelter,” featuring a bed, a closet, a desk and storage. Oasis plans to expand to 34 shelters within […]

Verify your email

We'll send a verification code to .

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of The Source - Bend, Oregon directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article