The Source Editorial Board, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

In Shutdown of Federal Lands Sale, a Win for Public Process — But Perhaps Not Public Lands

The notion of selling off public lands in the interest of “housing” has gotten a lot of attention

by The Source Editorial Board July 2, 2025July 13, 2025

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah got stars in his eyes. What if all of the purported housing woes felt in places like St. George, Utah, and Bend, Oregon, could be alleviated by simply selling off millions of acres of land owned and managed by the American people? Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to […]

Opinion

Tourism Could Play a Role in State Economic Recovery — But the Agency Overseeing It Needs More Accountability

A series of articles produced by the Oregon Journalism Project and published on the Source website this past month have highlighted an ongoing concern regarding the state’s tourism promotion agency

by The Source Editorial Board June 25, 2025July 4, 2025

A series of articles produced by the Oregon Journalism Project and published on the Source website this past month have highlighted an ongoing concern regarding the state’s tourism promotion agency, Travel Oregon. According to OJP reporting, Travel Oregon’s executive director — who’s formally retiring this week — has earned a salary that far outstrips the […]

Opinion

Bend BCD: The Clash of the Haves and the Have Nots

Developers, along with a few vanguard businesses in the Bend Central District, think the process of revitalizing, aka developing, the area isn’t moving fast enough

by The Source Editorial Board June 11, 2025July 12, 2025

Last week’s Source feature story, “Promised Land,” made one thing abundantly clear: Developers, along with a few vanguard businesses in the Bend Central District, think the process of revitalizing, aka developing, the area isn’t moving fast enough. Some developers Reporter Julianna LaFollette talked to place not a small amount of blame on the City of […]

Opinion

In Bias Crime Reporting, Accurate Data is Key

Crime is crime, and the more we know about the nature of it, the better jobs law enforcement and prosecutors can do in addressing i

by The Source Editorial Board June 4, 2025June 13, 2025

Peter Madsen’s feature story from last week, “Bias in Our Backyard,” explored the numbers around bias crimes in our area, and the state, in the five-year period since state and local authorities began collecting such data. The numbers available, from the years 2020-2023, were quite striking, with marked increases in the number of bias crimes […]

Opinion

A Bill Banning Cell Phones in Schools Died in the Legislature. If the Governor Takes It Up, the Details are Going to Matter.

Cell phones are a distraction in school, and they are doing more social and mental harm than good

by The Source Editorial Board May 28, 2025June 7, 2025

When we interviewed candidates in Bend and Redmond for the recent school board elections, one thing was almost unanimous: they, like many teachers, are in favor of having strong policies in place that restrict the use of cell phones in schools. There were some nuances in candidates’ arguments — such as a consideration for those […]

Opinion

Public Input Matters. Sometimes It Even Works.

In these highly unusual political times, some battles will be won; some lost

by The Source Editorial Board May 21, 2025June 5, 2025

For a lot of people right now, hope is in short supply. Whether it’s inflation and the price of eggs, the cuts to federal budgets — and in turn, the looming ones to state budgets, the threats to Medicaid or Social Security or the Veteran’s Administration or the perceived abandonment of the rule of law, […]

Opinion

Allowing RVs as Dwellings on Rural Properties is a Good Step. And Yet.

Some 7,500 properties in Deschutes County would qualify to be part of the program

by The Source Editorial Board May 14, 2025May 24, 2025

As of last week, it’s now legal for people in rural areas of Deschutes County to rent a portion of their property to someone living in an RV. The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved this change in line with a state bill from the 2023 legislative session that authorized the use of RVs […]

Opinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 4

Vote Cary Schneider for Bend Metro Park & Recreation District Board, Pos. 4

by The Source Editorial Board May 7, 2025July 3, 2025

Cary Schneider has been serving as an appointed member of the Bend Park & Recreation District board since last year, when he filled the place left by Zavier Borja. Voters should support Schneider continuing in the work. Having served on the BPRD budget committee prior to his service on the wider board, Schneider has displayed […]

Opinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 1

Vote Ashley Proctor for Redmond School District 2J Board, Position 1

by The Source Editorial Board May 7, 2025May 22, 2025

Ashley Proctor is a person Redmond voters should be proud to welcome to the school board. She cites the support of educators and other community leaders in motivating her to see beyond her at-risk childhood — enlisting in the Army, and later, into a career as a social worker helping those with intellectual and mental […]

Opinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Zone 6

Vote Ross Tomlin for Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors, Zone 6

by The Source Editorial Board April 30, 2025June 1, 2025

Voters have two quality candidates in this race. Theo Wilhelm is a K-12 classroom teacher with 25 years of experience; Ross Tomlin, the incumbent who was appointed by the board last year, is a career educator with administrative experience at the community college and education service district level. Both would serve the students, teachers, support […]

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