Laurel Brauns
Posted inNews

Listen: Bend’s Community Political Action Committee With Luann Abrams 🎧

Central Oregon’s newest PAC saw a lot of success on Election Day. We chatted with one of its representatives about the process.
Laurel Brauns

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talked to Luann Abrams, treasurer of the Strengthening Central Oregon Political Action Committee, a new community PAC designed to support underrepresented candidates who will bring diversity, fresh perspectives and nonpartisan solutions to the issues facing the region. The PAC had a lot to celebrate on election […]

Posted inNews

In Deschutes County, Phil Chang Wins, New Pot Farms Get the Boot

Democrat Phil Chang wins by 4.6%. The confusing marijuana measure fails.
Laurel Brauns

Democrat Phil Chang won the race for Deschutes County Commissioner with 52.28% of the vote and counting. His opponent, incumbent Republican Phil Henderson, lost with 47.63%. Chang has lived in Bend for 16 years and worked for the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council for nine of those. He helped found the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project which […]

Posted inNews

Post-Election High?

Bend budtenders offer their recommendations for relaxing after Nov. 3
by Laurel Brauns

As the final election results pour in over the next week, the anxiety of an uncertain future or undecided races may make it hard to turn off at the end of the day. The Source contacted budtenders from some of our favorite dispensaries in Bend to hear what they recommended for post-election stress. One enduring […]

Posted inNews

Winter Sanctuary

Riley Ranch offers a peaceful place for hiking, nature watching in winter and beyond
by Laurel Brauns

Bend Park & Recreation District builds new trails and parks all the time. If walking or running the same route has become a habit, change it up and adventure to another part of town to check out a new place. Riley Ranch Nature Reserve opened in 2017, so it might offer a new experience for […]

Posted inNews

Conservation Controversy

Local irrigation districts have a plan to conserve water in the Deschutes River and protect endangered species, but environmental groups say it isn’t enough
by Laurel Brauns

The fate of the Deschutes River is in the hands of the federal government. The Oregon spotted frog could disappear forever. The overall health of the river has rapidly declined from 10 years of drought and over irrigation. The Wickiup Reservoir ran dry this summer. Yet, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is weeks away […]

Posted inNews

Listen: Drug Decriminalization and Measure 110 with Joel Wirtz 🎧

The co-executive director of the Deschutes Defenders shares 17 years of experience working with drug offenders to offer insights about the state’s abominable lack of funding for addiction treatment
Laurel Brauns

For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we talked with Joel Wirtz who is the co-executive director of the Deschutes Defenders, the public defense firm for Deschutes County. We invited Wirtz on the podcast to talk about Measure 110, the proposal on the general election ballot which would decriminalize hard drugs and shift money from […]

Posted inCulture

New Lady Leader in Tech

Central Oregon Community College promotes Laura Boehme to chief information officer
by Laurel Brauns

In September, Central Oregon Community College hired its first female chief information officer, Laura Boehme. She had previously served as the chief human resources officer for the college and will continue to work in both roles. She’s also a business instructor. The COCC Information Technology Services Department employs only three other women besides Boehme out […]

Posted inNews

Plans for a Managed Camp at Juniper Ridge

Pressure from BNSF Railway inspires City to establish a temporary campsite
by Laurel Brauns

After years of controversy at Juniper Ridge, the City of Bend plans to build an RV park and campground for people without homes on the property within a few months. The 1,500-acre City-owned property in northeast Bend was primarily designated for industrial development. But only a few new businesses have moved into the area over […]

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