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Nicole Vulcan

Nicole Vulcan became Editor of the Source in 2016 and was promoted to Editor in Chief in 2024, managing the Editorial Board and the news team's many investigative projects. She's also at work on her debut book of journalistic non-fiction, titled "Self Medication," which traces Oregon's drug decriminalization efforts in the 21st Century, and tells a parallel tale of her own family’s losses from fentanyl addiction in the age of Measure 110. With all of that on her plate, send snacks. Catch up with the adventures at her book's Substack, called Self Medication.

nicole@bendsource.com
Posted inNews

Going Forward After Dissolving a DEI Initiative

Deschutes County commissioners dissolved the County’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee this month, citing a fear of losing federal funds. Two County employees share why those efforts still matter.
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Janice Garceau is the director of Deschutes County Health Services, and Ashton Varner is a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist who also chaired the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee that the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners dissolved in early February. The Source spoke with Garceau and Varner about the effects of that decision on […]

Posted inNews

Meeting the Moment for 19,000 Children and Families

Q&A with Cassi MacQueen, executive director of Deschutes Children’s Foundation, on the road ahead for nonprofits serving children and families
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The Deschutes Children’s Foundation, through its four campuses in Bend, Redmond and La Pine, house a total of 23 partner organizations that serve over 19,000 children and families each year. As part of our Women’s Issue focuses on meeting the moment, and how local nonprofits are feeling the effects of changes at the federal level, […]

Posted inFood & Drink

A Year of Central Oregon Chow

Highlights of a booming food scene in Bend and beyond
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In Central Oregon, the old adage holds: If there’s one thing constant about the local food scene, it’s change. From celebrity openings to the closing of places locals will sorely miss, a lot came and went in 2024. Here’s a highlight reel of what the Source Weekly covered in Bend and beyond. January In January, […]

Posted inFood & Drink

A New Izakaya on Division Street in Bend

Yokocho Izakaya offers small plates, great vibes
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A new Japanese izakaya opened Nov. 3 along Division Street in Bend. Yokocho Izakaya opened in the space once occupied by Orchid Thai, featuring small plates, ramen, curry and other Japanese food and drinks. An izakaya, according to a description from a Tokyo-based tour company, is translated as “dine-in sake shop,” and is a traditional Japanese […]

Posted inFood & Drink

A New Menu for Neighbor Rotisserie

The new menu includes a bowl and more sandwiches
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Neighbor Rotisserie, the restaurant on Newport Avenue that opened in May and quickly earned the “Best New Restaurant” designation by the readers of the Source Weekly, has made some changes to its menu. While there’s still a focus on the rotisserie items that gave the space its name, the new menu includes a bowl and […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Revamped Digs for the Bar, Restaurant at Juniper Preserve

A reason for a locals’ staycation
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Two new restaurant concepts at Juniper Preserve, the resort at the Pronghorn Golf Club, are offering a reason for a locals’ staycation. Juniper Preserve introduced Iris and Blue Bar, its newest restaurant and lounge, in September. The culinary offerings, the vision of Chef Ryan Eisert, incorporate ingredients from local farmers and purveyors and include a […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Give My Regards to Ryoshi

Ryoshi Sushi & Izakaya is growing a solid following on the south side of Bend
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It’s Sunday night, and in most quarters of Bend that would mean quiet diners, empty tables and a vibe of everything being ready to tuck into a pre-Monday slumber. But that’s not the case at Ryoshi Sushi & Izakaya, located in the complex housing the Bend Factory Stores on the south side of Bend. In […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Soup for You, Soup for a Neighbor in Need

Central Oregon Soup Company opens on east side
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A new venture is warming up bellies from Bend’s east side — and helping neighbors in need while they’re at it. Paul Hegg opened Central Oregon Soup Company at the beginning of November, featuring hot soups, “little dippers” — something of a combo of breadsticks and a sandwich, for dipping into soup — along with pasta […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Indian Grocery Items at Real Taste of India

Bend adds to its flavor offerings with sundries inside Indian restaurant
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Real Taste of India, the Indian restaurant located along OB Riley Road in Bend, now has more to offer. The business announced this week that it’s now offering Indian grocery items, adding more flavor variety to a city that until recently didn’t have its own market dedicated to Asian foods. (With the opening of Tomi […]

Posted inNews

Deschutes County Voters Will Choose Two More Commissioners in 2026

Bid to expand Deschutes County Commission approved; now comes budgeting and other details
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On Election Day, voters in Deschutes County overwhelmingly approved a measure that expands the Board of Commissioners from three members to five. Measure 9-173 had garnered 64.46% of the vote as of the latest returns Wednesday. The positions created by the measure will appear on May 19, 2026 ballots in Deschutes County, with the new […]

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