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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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End of Year Q&A with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler

The Source Weekly spoke with Mayor Melanie Kebler to hear about city accomplishments and priorities moving into the new year
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Before the end of 2023, the Source Weekly checked in with Mayor Melanie Kebler to learn about important accomplishments from the year and priorities moving forward with the growing city. Below is an excerpt from that Dec. 15 conversation.   Source Weekly: What are some of the City of Bend’s biggest accomplishments from 2023?  Melanie Kebler: […]

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Bend Calls for the Purchase and Development of Two City Locations

The City is requesting proposals from developers to purchase and build on Juniper Ridge and SE Ninth Street
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In an effort to promote new infrastructure and housing, the City of Bend is requesting proposals for two separate areas in Bend that developers have an opportunity to purchase and build on. The areas, Juniper Ridge and SE Ninth Street, are both available to purchase, however, they are designated for different types of development. On […]

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Suggested Policies Aim to Address Addiction

Four public safety associations created a list of recommended policies to address addiction community livability in Oregon
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A list of proposed changes to Oregon law attempts to address addiction and suggests modifications to Measure 110, the drug decriminalization and treatment bill passed in Oregon in 2020. The Oregon District Attorney Association, the Oregon State Sherriff’s Association, the Chiefs of Police Oregon Association and the League of Oregon Cities collaboratively developed a list of […]

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Jackstraw Development Awaits $10.6 million Tax Exemption Approvals

A multi-use development near the Box Factory is requesting a $10.6 million tax exemption, months after starting construction
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Mixed-use development, Jackstraw, at the Box Factory, is looking to receive a 10-year tax exemption of approximately $10.6 million under the City of Bend’s Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption. On Dec. 5, the Bend Park and Recreation District Board approved the tax exemption. On January 3, the City Council will review the requested tax exemption […]

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Exploring Climate Friendly Communities

Bend is evaluating areas in the city to designate walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods to reduce dependence on cars
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Nolan Bradford was one of the first residents to move into a completely car-free community in the U.S. – Culdesac Tempe in Arizona. Bradford, a self-proclaimed urban planning enthusiast, jumped at the opportunity to live in the community after learning about it through social media. He sees this type of neighborhood as the future and […]

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Years After Initial Complaints, Residents Still Cite Safety Concerns Over Nearby Hunting Zone

People in southwest Sunriver call for a closing of a nearby hunting area, seeing no resolution after nearly four years
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A hunting zone in an area southwest of Sunriver, along the upper Deschutes River, continues to worry residents who live in the nearby neighborhoods. The group, Big River Safety Corridor, has been working with city and county officials since before 2019 to get the hunting area closed, citing safety issues due to the close proximity to […]

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Deschutes County Approves Property for Justice-Involved Men

Nonprofit, Free on the Outside, will purchase a property in southeast Bend to provide housing for male convicts and sex offenders
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Deschutes County commissioners approved the purchase of a triplex on SE Wilson Avenue in Bend to provide housing for clients of Adult Parole and Probation. The site aims to have its first residents moving in at the start of January 2024. In August, county commissioners gave approval for the Adult Parole and Probation division to […]

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Bend Considers Changes to System Development Charges

The proposed changes are aimed at creating better fee transparency and keeping up with City goals
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The City of Bend is proposing changes to the fees it charges developers for adding new buildings. The methodology and code updates would lower fees for some while increasing fees for others, based on factors such as house size and building types.   SDCs help pay for growth-related infrastructure through development. The fees help cover the […]

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Bend Tree Committee Proposes Updates to Tree Regulations

A 14-member committee, aimed at preserving trees, made its final recommendations to the City
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As the need for housing continues to grow in Bend, the City of Bend is attempting to clarify regulations on how and when trees can be removed in new developments. In March, the Bend City Council set out to find ways to address this update, looking at how to balance the need to preserve trees […]

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Tumalo School Embraces Artificial Intelligence

A Central Oregon school implements the use of AI to teach students to use the program responsibly and effectively
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An independent school in Tumalo, Cascades Academy, invited parents and community members to attend an event on artificial intelligence in education as it implements its new AI Policy. A panel of leaders in AI technologies shared how the technology is revolutionizing the way people learn and work. Since the start of widely accessible AI programs […]

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