Deschutes County Releases Proposed Budget Deschutes County released its proposed budget for 2025. The total proposed budget is $727.8 million, a 0.6% increase from last year. “The County remains in a stable financial position. However, sustained inflationary pressures continue to strain available resources,” said County Administrator Nick Lelack. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 […]
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Posted inOpinion
Vote Janelle Bynum for Congressional District 5, Democratic primary
Suffice it to say that this is one of the toughest endorsements we’ve had to make this year — or any year, really
Suffice it to say that this is one of the toughest endorsements we’ve had to make this year — or any year, really. Here we have two strong Democrats running to be the Democratic nominee for our relatively new district, Congressional District 5. One, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, is one of the smartest people we’ve ever interviewed […]
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Redmond to Retain Two High Schools In 2023, the Redmond School District began discussions about combining the district’s two high schools to address needed repairs at Redmond High School. After hearing staff, parent and community feedback, the district chose to continue pursuing options to keep Redmond High School open, according to a press release. While […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote Phil Chang for Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, Pos. 2
Now that the seats on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners are nonpartisan, the primary shifts a bit
Now that the seats on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners are nonpartisan, the primary shifts a bit. If one of the four candidates running for Position 2 gets more than 50% of the vote in the primary, they earn the seat and won’t have to continue their campaign through November. But if no one […]
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Vote Yes on Measure 9-167, 5-Year Local Option Levy to Improve, Support Student Learning in Bend-La Pine Schools
The levy on the May ballot will help to preserve some of the positions that are currently on the chopping block at BLPS, as well as expanding some of the programs at the high school
Many will remember not very long ago, when the unions representing teachers and support staff in Bend-La Pine Schools bargained with the district for months to get more support for educators, and for a cost of living increase that would help educators in this costly part of Oregon keep up. With that, it should come […]
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DEA Plans to Reclassify Cannabis The Associated Press announced on April 30 that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration plans to reclassify marijuana as a less-dangerous drug. The proposal still needs to be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The reclassification from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug would recognize […]
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Tackling Absenteeism in Schools Oregon state Rep. Hoa Nguyen (D-East Portland and Damascus) started an informal workgroup with legislators, educators, families and students to identify potential solutions for chronic absenteeism in Oregon schools. The group had its first meeting on April 19 and will propose legislation for the 2025 session, according to a press release. […]
Posted inOpinion
Council, Mayor Should Be Paid Like Professionals
Bend deserves a professional council, and with professionalism comes commensurate pay
We’ve said it before, and now that it’s up for discussion once again, we’ll repeat our long-held opinion: Bend deserves a professional council, and with professionalism comes commensurate pay. This month, the City of Bend’s Compensation Committee delivered a report to the Bend City Council, outlining its recommendations for increasing councilor and mayor pay. Don’t […]
Posted inOpinion
Bend La-Pine Schools Is Already Signaling Job Cuts. The May Levy Brings Them Back.
We value public education before the pandemic shed more light on its importance, and we value it still today
During the pandemic, teachers and support staff were largely heralded. Not only did many of us get to experience having our children around all day long rather than having them at school, but in overheard conversations on computer screens, we saw the immense burden placed on educators who suddenly had to deliver lessons on video […]
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Bend Transportation Fee to Appear on Bills in July The Bend City Council adopted a controversial Transportation Fee at the April 3 City Council meeting. The fee, which will be collected through a customer’s regular utility bill, is intended to support and maintain the City’s transportation system. The City is using the fee to keep […]