The Source Staff

The Deschutes County District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC) will host a public listening session on Oct. 16 to gather community feedback for developing a commissioner district map. Committee members will not conduct any business during the meeting; they will be there solely to hear public input. The DMAC began holding weekly work sessions in September […]

Winter conditions will soon arrive in parts of Oregon. With the passage of House Bill 3991 and new funding for road maintenance coming to the agency soon, the Oregon Department of Transportation is moving rapidly to hire winter maintenance staff.  ODOT is prioritizing filling a mix of seasonal and permanent maintenance positions that provide or […]

Governor Tina Kotek has issued an official proclamation recognizing October 16–19, 2025,as a time for statewide earthquake preparedness and resilience-building activities. The proclamation supports two key initiatives led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM): the Great Oregon ShakeOut and the Great Oregon Camp-In.  The proclamation emphasizes that “the safety and resilience of Oregonians […]

The Central Oregon Trail Alliance would like to thank and recognize Emmy Andrews, COTA’s first Executive Director, for her five years of leadership. Emmy has been instrumental in COTA’s growth: growing volunteer participation by 100%, increasing COTA’s budget fourfold and building COTA’s staff from one to several. During Emmy’s tenure COTA has built the capacity […]

We’re excited to announce our rebranding to the new name Watershed Coffee Roasters!  It’s still us (same owners), same staff, same menu, and same vibes so it will feel pretty seamless as a transition.  watershedroasters.com Formerly the Looney Bean of Bend, our new brand reflects our watershed moment of installing an electric roaster in house […]

Senator Janeen Sollman (D–Hillsboro, Forest Grove & the Rock Creek area) was among the state officials and community leaders gathered by Governor Tina Kotek at the State Library for a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 710.  The legislation recognizes that survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse deserve a court experience of protection, not further harm. […]

On Sept. 30, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) published the maximum rent increases allowed by law for 2026. Per statute, the Office of Economic Analysis calculates the maximum rent increase by adding 7% to the average change in the cost of living over the past year. Only one rent increase is allowed every […]

 The Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District completed a major cleanup effort near La Pine at several long-term camps. The effort required a coordinated response from the BLM and Deschutes County officials before the BLM implemented a cleanup. The clean-up was necessary to address hazardous materials, trash and abandoned vehicles remaining in the area. The […]

Community committees, boards and commissions are a great way to get involved with local government. The City has several Council-appointed advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff. Applications are being accepted for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Budget Committee, Core Area Advisory Board, Human Rights and Equity Commission, Landmarks Commission, […]