Local News

Meth: Oregon's 'Greatest' Drug Threat

A recent report shows deaths from meth are up over 400% across the state

Deaths related to the use of methamphetamine have skyrocketed in Oregon, from about 50 in 2008 to 412 in 2017, according to a recent drug threat assessment report. Information from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report, released in June, states that meth availability and trafficking remain the area's greatest drug threat, followed by heroin, fentanyl and synthetic opioids, controlled prescription drugs, illegal marijuana and cocaine.

By Chris Miller Jul 10, 2019

William Bailey Deschutes County Sheriff's Office meth drug overdoses

Growing After School Program

To meet a growing need, the Boys & Girls Club increases space, staff and scholarships

To combat the increased need for childcare in the Bend-La Pine school district, the Boys & Girls Club of Bend has increased spots, staff and scholarships to record levels.

By Isaac Biehl Jul 16, 2019

Bend-La Pine school district Boys & Girls Club after school programs childcare Central Oregon

Source Weekly Update Podcast 7/11/19

Meth: Oregon's Biggest Drug Threat, Departure of Bend Art Center and Atelier 6000 from Box Factory, and Death and Drinking.

The Source Weekly Update Podcast! Meth: Oregon's Biggest Drug Threat, the Departure of Bend Art Center and Atelier 6000 from Box Factory, and Death and Drinking regarding Killer Cocktails; all in this week's edition podcast, July 11, 2019.

By Tyler Anderson Jul 11, 2019

Meth Oregon's Biggest Drug Threat Bend Art Center Atelier 6000 Box Factory Death and Drinking Killer Cocktails

The West's Worst Fires Aren't Burning in Forests

Range fires get bigger every year, threatening sagebrush habitat and rural towns

Between the town of Elko, Nevada, and the Idaho border stretches some of the most remote land in the Lower 48, rolling hills and arid basins as far as the eye can see. Last July, this section of the Owyhee Desert was scorched by a fierce, fast-moving blaze with 40-foot flames, the largest wildfire in state history.

By Nick Bowlin, High Country News Jul 10, 2019

High Country News wildfire brushfires

Wasted in Bend: Bagging the Bombs

The dirty secret of a dog-friendly town

Spend time at any dog park in Bend and you'll soon experience the dirty secret of this dog-friendly community: People don't pick up after their pups. It's not just a Bend problem: A study by the Center for Watershed Protection found that 40% of Americans admit to not scooping the poop.

By Suzanne Johnson Jul 10, 2019

dog waste Center for Watershed Protection Humane Society EPA Bend Parks and Recreation District DogPAC The Bomb squad

Regional Roundup

Found this week in Cascades Reader

Bend Bulletin Must Terminate Employees Before Paper's Sale, Documents State A new court filing outlining the sale of Central Oregon's only daily newspaper shows that all employees of the Bend Bulletin and other publications must be terminated before Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers takes control.

Jul 10, 2019

Brian Boquist Cybersecurity Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers

Bendite Makes her Return to "Jeopardy!"

Rachel Lindgren comes back for more in the Tournament of Champions

Bendite Rachel Lindgren is making her return to "Jeopardy!" on season 36 as a player in the Tournament of Champions.

By Isaac Biehl Jul 10, 2019

Jeopardy Rachel Lindgren Bend Central Oregon Tournament of Champions Alex Trebek

Fireworks and Fires

On July 4, Pilot Butte didn’t burn; calls were down

The 2019 4th of July was a tame one by recent standards. No one lit Pilot Butte on fire, no brush fires were reported and, according to the Bend Fire Department, calls were down in comparison to years past.

By Chris Miller Jul 9, 2019

fireworks Pilot Butte fire Dave Howe fire season wildfire

Deputies Kill Young Black Bear Near Sunriver

Deputies say they tried to scare the bear away from homes, without success

Over the weekend the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office responded to calls of a black bear in residential areas. Deputies were forced to kill the bear due to public safety.

By Isaac Biehl Jul 8, 2019

Sunriver Central Oregon Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Bear

Tense Legislative Session Comes to an End

Dems lost the carbon tax bill, but managed to pass other bills—including a new tax on cigarettes and paid family medical leave

Nine days after Senate Republicans walked away from the Oregon Capitol—many leaving the state—most returned on Saturday to participate in a whirlwind legislative session that ended just six and a half hours before the Oregon Constitution would dictate shutting down the session automatically.

By Chris Miller Jul 3, 2019

Tim Knopp Brian Boquist Kate Brown climate change

Got Hemp?

Move over cattle ranching: This industrious green plant is poised to take the number-two slot in Oregon exports

Nestled between views of the Three Sisters to the west and a rocky outcrop of sage and juniper to the east, tiny green seedlings flutter in the wind as they begin to take root. Will and Moira Burns, newly married—and until recently, hobby alfalfa farmers, squat in their newly planted 10-acre hemp field outside of Redmond, examining the rows of baby plants that will grow upward of 8 feet tall.

By Magdalena Bokowa Jul 3, 2019

Oregon Department of Agriculture Will Burns CBD Bendistillery Boneyard Beer FDA farming New Frontier Vote Hemp