Posted inOpinion

Public Input Matters. Sometimes It Even Works.

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

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, […]

Posted inOpinion

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

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 […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 4

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

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 […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 1

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

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 […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Zone 6

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

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 […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Zone 7

Vote Kina Chadwick for Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors, Zone 7

In this race, the incumbent, Kina Chadwick, is most prepared to serve. From their years on the school board, Chadwick has a clear vision of the challenges ahead: funding cutbacks, a need for more early childhood literacy, engaging students and chronic absenteeism among them. They should have a chance to continue their work. Chadwick’s opponent, […]

Posted inOpinion

After the Latest Sheriff Revelations, More Questions Than Answers

Residents deserve far more from their top law enforcement official

As the public learns new damning revelations about the newly elected Sheriff, Kent van der Kamp, lots of questions remain. But one thing is certain: The residents of this county deserve far more from their top law enforcement official than they’ve been getting thus far. The string of lawsuits stemming from the actions of former […]

Posted inOpinion

One-Two-Three Punch to Food Programs Mean More Suffering for Oregonians

Another week, another realization about how the federal government affects local people’s lives

Another week, another realization about how the federal government affects local people’s lives. Last week, local nonprofit NeighborImpact sent out a warning about its ability to help keep people fed. Recent cuts to food programs would mean a 17% reduction in the amount of food it can provide to the tens of thousands of people […]

Posted inNews

Source Warmup

Quick news for Central Oregon

Deschutes County Sheriff Placed on Brady List Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp announced on April 14 that Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnells placed him on the Brady List – a public record for information about officer misconduct, decertification or other public complaints. In the press release, van der Kamp said he disputed […]

Posted inOpinion

Freedom Isn’t Free, But Speech Is Supposed to Be

There’s only so much despair and languor one can take

This weekend’s “Hands Off!” demonstrations, which reportedly took place in over 1,400 locations, were an encouraging sight. Not only did they highlight the varied responses to the current president and his administration, but they reminded us once again of the importance of the First Amendment to the Constitution — which says that the government may […]

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