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Alleged Burglar Named in Late-night Home-Invasion that Turned Deadly

Zachary Dale Zamzow Douglas, accused of burglary, later died of injuries sustained from a struggle with the resident and a subsequent fall from a balcony

In what police suspect was a targeted event, a late-night home invasion turned fatal in the gated Awbrey Glen golf community on Bendโ€™s northwest side on March 12. Zachary Dale Zamzow Douglas, 36 and a Bend resident, allegedly tried to break into the home on the 3500 block of NW Braid Drive around 11:45 pm. […]

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Redmond Teenager Dies in Motorcycle-SUV Collision

Malachi Longstroth,19, was riding as a motorcycle passenger at the time of the crash

A Redmond teenager died on March 13 when the motorcycle he was a passenger on smashed into a turning Subaru driver in southeast Bend. At around 6:28 pm, Bend Police officers responded to the crash site at the intersection of SE Second Street and Miller Avenue. Traveling north on Second Street, the motorcyclists, who were […]

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Deschutes River Highย School Welcomes New Studentsย ย 

Bend Tech Academy changes its name to Deschutes River High School and welcomes students from Realms High School. Students will be able to study technical and college preparatory coursework.

Bend Tech Academy is undergoing some changes this year with a new name and students coming in the next school year.   Deschutes River High School, formerly known as Bend Tech Academy, will be a choice school accepting students from all over Deschutes County. The current curriculum will include technical coursework such as medical business, construction, STEM and engineering, […]

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Controversial Bill to Fix Oregonโ€™s Cash-Strapped Public Universities Awaits Gov. Kotekโ€™s Signature

As enrollment declines and costs rise, universities may be pushed to restructure and combine programs and services

Before adjourning last week, Oregon lawmakers passed a controversial bill aimed at finding solutions for the stateโ€™s financially challenged public universities, which chief sponsor Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland) says face โ€œfierce headwinds.โ€ The universities have experienced declining enrollment and consistent budget deficits over the past decade. Members of the stateโ€™s Legislature hope they can improve […]

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Road Construction Will Close the Franklin Ave. Underpass for About Six Monthsย 

Initial work gets underway in May

The City of Bend is preparing to begin work on a new stretch of Franklin Avenue which means closing a section of the street surrounding the railroad underpass for a total of six months. Crews recently finished work on Franklin between NE Fourth and Eighth streets. Now the focus shifts to a stretch of road between NE Fourth west to NW Harriman Street, which includes the underpass. The City says an average of 14,000 […]

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Alleged Road Rage Incident Resolved by Settlement

Criminal charges against Michael Wild, accused of shoving a minor off his bicycle, have been dropped

An alleged road rage incident that happened on Bendโ€™s west side between a driver and a cyclist shortly after Memorial Day has resulted in a settlement, the Source has learned. Driver and defendant Michael Adin Wild reached a settlement with plaintiff and elite youth cyclist Jack Billowitz, who was 16 at the time of the […]

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Recently passed bill updates age restrictions, prohibits sale of imposter e-bikesย 

The Oregon Legislative Assembly recently amended HB 4007 to change the age requirements for class 1 e-bikes.

Teens as young as 14 years old will be allowed to operate certain e-bikes under a recently changed law.  On March 5, an amendment to HB 4007 passed the Senate with 28 โ€œayes.โ€ The amendment changed the age of class 1 e-bike operation from 16 to 14. The changes to the bill also introduced a definition to the term โ€œmicromobility device,โ€ and outlined fines imposed in accordance with regulations to that definition.   The staff measure summary of HB 4007 states that the amendment, โ€œmodifies […]

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Redmond High Student Competes in Poetry Out Loud

Arianna Morris was one of 11 contestants who made it to the state finals

Redmond High School senior Arianna Morris just returned from the state finals for the 2026 Poetry Out Loud contest. Sheโ€™s the only student from Central Oregon to make it that far. Eleven high schoolers from around the state competed on Saturday, March 7. Morris read two poems: โ€œTo My Dear and Loving Husbandโ€ by Anne […]

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South Deschutes County Water has a Nitrate Problem. County Commissioner Candidates Offer Solutions

New powers granted by the passing of Senate Bill 1154 free up county officials to install sewer systems in unincorporated areas

Southern Deschutes County has a lot going for it: postage-stamp lots tucked into expanses of Lodgepole pine, lesser-glimpsed views of the Cascades and backroads to many lakes and access points along the Deschutes River. Its unincorporated areas, where about 18,000 people live, have also long suffered high levels of nitrate in the groundwater. The shallowness […]

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Outdoorย Liability Bill Reaches the Summit

Oregon lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1517, which shores up the liability concern for outdoor recreation and fitness providers

Get smashed by a snowmobile driven by ski hill employee? Thatโ€™s gross negligence โ€” youโ€™d have a liability lawsuit on your hands. Break your foot because a kettle bell slipped from your grip? Thatโ€™s ordinary negligence โ€” maybe the gym owner should have a glove policy โ€” and youโ€™re outta luck.  Outdoor recreation and fitness providers, along with volunteer organizations, will enjoy a heightened protection against liability lawsuits, once Gov. Tina Kotek signs Senate Bill 1517 into law.  Oregon lawmakers passed […]

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