Laurel Brauns
Posted inNews

Public Defenders Clash With the District Attorney ▶ [with video]

Deschutes County DA announces his refusal of police union money; plans to support more treatment options—but a crowd attending called for more
Laurel Brauns

Deschutes County’s District Attorney John Hummel held a press conference Monday to respond to the ongoing local and national outcry against police brutality. He delivered a long list of reforms he intends to fight for in the future as well as the social justice accomplishments he’s achieved during his five years in office. It began […]

Posted inNews

Racism with a Smile ▶ (with video)

Q & A with Riccardo Waites, founder of the Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly
Laurel Brauns

Riccardo Waites is the head of the newly formed Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly, which already has 220 members as of June 9. He formed the group in response to his experiences of racial discrimination while living in Bend for the last 20 years, as well as the desire to create a cohesive political movement […]

Posted inNews

Bend Police to Get Body Cams

The City responds to local and national protests condemning police brutality with new program
Laurel Brauns

The Bend City Council discussed a proposal to spend $100,000 on police body cameras at the city budget committee work session on June 3. The cameras cost anywhere from $200 to $1,200, but camera maintenance and data storage is something the department must include in its budget for the new program. The proposal comes at […]

Posted inNews

State Approves Phase Two Reopening for Deschutes County

After balking at some recent cases that weren’t linked to a source, state officials approved the county’s application Friday afternoon
Laurel Brauns

Twenty-six Oregon counties were moved into Phase Two of reopening on Thursday, but Deschutes was not among them. Friday afternoon at 2:40 p.m., the county commissioners finally got the call that the County was approved. Moving into Phase Two in Deschutes County means restaurants and bars can stay open a few hours later, movie theaters […]

Posted inNews

City Predicts Millions in Budget Shortfalls

With hotels empty for months and no one to ticket for speeding, the City gets creative on cuts and leaves most of its reserves in the bank
Laurel Brauns

Sharon Wojda, the City of Bend chief financial officer, told the City Council Wednesday night that the city might come up $14.5 million short at the end of its budget cycle in July 2021. She recommended the city aim to cut $20.5. Before the coronavirus hit, the city planned to spend approximately $128 million over […]

Posted inNews

Another COVID Outbreak at Warm Springs

Tribes make plans to slowly reopen government offices and the casino
Laurel Brauns

The Oregon Health Authority reported 11 positive cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County on Monday. The spike is connected to another small outbreak within the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, for a total of 35 positive cases among local tribal members. As of June 3, 27 tests from the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center […]

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St. Charles Financially Devastated

Hospital may lose $50 million in 2020; announces plans to cut employee hours and executive pay
Laurel Brauns

Well before coronavirus officially hit Central Oregon, St. Charles Health System took steps to plan for a COVID-19 surge and double capacity. Before Gov. Kate Brown banned “non-essential” surgeries, hospital executives stopped them to preserve personal protective equipment. Elective surgeries are a major source of revenue and help to make up for the lower reimbursement […]

Posted inNews

Tourists Won’t Stay Home

Bend’s occupancy rate surges to 64% over Memorial Day Weekend; some local trails packed
Laurel Brauns

Three weekends ago, Deschutes County entered Phase One of reopening: restaurants, shops and boutiques welcomed customers inside for the first time in months. On Monday, the Deschutes County Commissioners voted to send its Phase Two reopening application to the State which would allow gatherings of up to 100 people outside. If approved, local theaters, pools, […]

Posted inNews

Phase Two Reopening… Already?

Movie theaters, pools, bowling alleys, summer camps and churches could reopen as soon as Friday
Laurel Brauns

The Deschutes Board of County Commissioners voted on Monday to send its Phase Two application to the State. Big changes like gatherings up to 100 people outside—and indoor gatherings of 50 people—may be enough to restore some summer traditions like BBQs and neighborhood Fourth of July parties. It also might save some weddings and family […]

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