In Central Oregon, après ski refers to more than winter happy hour deals rebranded with a French preposition and a cool accent. The post-mountain libations, slurped early and fervently, indicate a lifestyle shift that the wisest among us make each winter. During these dark months, outdoor activities are best staged just before the sun comes […]
Peter Madsen
Peter is a feature & investigative reporter supported by the Lay It Out Foundation. His work regularly appears in the Source. Peter's writing has appeared in Vice, Thrasher and The New York Times. Recently, Peter worked on the Canadian Screen Award-winning film “It’s Not Funny Anymore: From Vice Magazine to Proud Boys." He's also the author of Dealers, published by powerHouse Books.
Posted inLocal News
Pattie Gonia Sued by Patagonia for Trademark Infringement
The outdoor company is seeking monetary damages of $1
Pattie Gonia, a nationally touring drag queen, entrepreneur and activist for LGBTQ and environmental causes, has been sued by Patagonia, the outdoor brand, for six claims of trademark infringement. The company is seeking a jury trial and damages of $1. The lawsuit may complicate Pattie Gonia’s upcoming national drag show tour, which will visit nearly […]
Posted inLocal News
Third — Fourth? — Time’s the Charm
State lawmakers introduce new potential bills aimed at (finally) shoring up Oregon’s outdoor recreation liability conundrum
Snapping a fibula while helping a nonprofit repair a damaged trail. Dislocating a shoulder during cyclocross because the Belgian stair runup is slippery. The Fonz waterski-jumping a shark, biffing it and being eaten by said shark. The first two scenarios illustrate the inherent risks of various outdoor fitness and recreation pursuits. The injuries incurred might […]
Posted inLocal News
Fresh Legislative Concepts from Central Oregon Lawmakers
Local lawmakers roll out legislative concepts in anticipation of the upcoming short legislative session
In the upcoming legislative session that begins Feb. 2, each lawmaker is allowed to introduce two legislative concepts. The short session runs just 35 days, and there’s no guarantee these concepts will become bills. These are the concepts introduced by local lawmakers. Rep. Jason Kropf, HD-54 LC 273 would make changes to the gun permit […]
Posted inLocal News
Update: Ian Cranston Posts Bail, Out of Jail
Cranston, whose convictions related to the shooting death of Barry Washington, Jr. were overturned in December, has served four years of a 10-year sentence; Washington’s mother: “I will never forgive you.”
Ian Cranston has been released from Deschutes County Jail, having posted 10% of his $500,000 bail, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Cranston, 31, had appeared virtually at a motion for release hearing at Deschutes County Circuit Court Monday morning, where the bail amount and conditions of his release were discussed. The court will likely […]
Posted inVideo
20/40/60 — Purposely Sweating, Shivering Outside our Comfort Zones
Three Source staffers, representing ages 23, 42, and (almost) 60, get after it doing stuff we normally don’t do
Mastering adulthood isn’t about becoming really, really good at stuff. Instead, we argue that maturity centers on gracious newbie-dom — forever curious, new at something, always. With that in mind, three Source staffers, ages 23, 42 and (almost) 60 got after three athletic/therapeutic pursuits we usually don’t do. Read the full story by clicking here.
Posted inLocal News
20/40/60 — Purposely Sweating, Shivering Outside our Comfort Zones
Three Source staffers, representing ages 23, 42, and (almost) 60, get after it doing stuff we normally don’t do
Bendites, we’ve got our outdoor sports dialed. The means by which we sweat and socialize is so often wrapped up in our identity, we might as well introduce ourselves not by what we do for money but what we do to stay happy, healthy and outside. But what happens when those roles feel limiting? I […]
Posted inLocal News
Year in Review: 12 Must-Read Stories
These topics were the talk of the town in 2025. From the wildfire mapping fiasco to ICE arrests, we reported them.
We’re a quarter-way into the 21st Century and 2025 may have been the gnarliest year yet. Here in Central Oregon, our reporting reflected that whiplash, with reports on local houselessness, Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps and potential deregulation of the “American Dream.” Yet, along the way, we had some fun — gallows humor? — with investigations and first-person narratives about those dang fun Veo e-bikes and sketchy “magic […]
Posted inLocal News
‘Implausible,’ ‘Inconsistent’ and ‘Unsubstantiated’ by Evidence
A third-party investigation casts doubt on a former DEI director’s accusations of racism at City Hall. Andrés Portela says it’s biased.
After the dramatic departure last September of Andrés Portela III, the City of Bend’s equity and inclusion director, City officials vowed to hire a third-party consultant to investigate the allegations Portela listed in his Sept. 12 resignation letter. The allegations include a racially hostile environment inside City Hall, mismanagement of racial incidents by City Manager Eric King and a DEI department stripped of staff and organization. The results of that report, prepared by Amy Ahrendt, owner of Attorney-Conducted Workplace Investigations, suggest that the allegations of […]
Posted inOutside Features
All Wags at Wanoga Sno-Park
Thanks to Dogpac, Nordic skiers and off-leash dogs can shred the groomed trails together
Jeff Johnston has a ritual during Central Oregon’s winter months. Several times a week, he finds himself, along with Kundi, his Australian Shepherd, standing in the pre-dawn light at Wanoga Sno-Park. As he unlocks a shipping container that houses a utilitarian Ski-Doo Skandic snowmobile, Kundi tears around in the snow, marking his favorite spots. After […]
