Local News Archives - The Source

Fireworks Permanently Banned in Redmond

Ban is effective immediately; residents can dispose of fireworks at their nearest fire station

by Dallas Finn Calvert August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

Fireworks are officially banned in Redmond, as the City Council approved a permanent prohibition on fireworks at its Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting, voting 6-1 in favor of ordinance 2026-11.  The Council conducted the first reading of the ordinance, which prohibits the sale, use or possession of fireworks in the city, on Aug. 11. However, because the Council vote wasn’t unanimous […]

Local News

Eight Candidates Vie for Redmond City Council, Mayor

Mayor Ed Fitch has two challengers in a reelection bid, while five others seek council seats

by Clayton Franke August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

The races for Redmond Mayor and City Council are set as the deadline to file as a candidate in the Nov. 3 general election passed Tuesday afternoon. The field features eight candidates, including three for mayor, and five candidates vying for three City Council seats. Incumbent Mayor Ed Fitch will have two challengers looking to […]

Local News

Candidates Set for Bend Mayoral and City Council Races in November

Two candidates, including the incumbent, are running for mayor, while candidates for both City Council positions will run uncontested

by Dallas Finn Calvert August 25, 2026August 26, 2026

Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 5pm was the filing deadline for the Bend City Council and mayoral races that’ll be decided on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Two City Council positions are up for grabs, including Positions 5 and 6, both of which will feature uncontested races. Ariel Méndez currently holds Position 5, for which he’s running for reelection, while Elana Reinholtz is running uncontested […]

Local News

First Residents Move into Managed Homeless Camp in East Redmond

The developed campground had been sitting empty for five months

by Clayton Franke August 25, 2026August 26, 2026

After seven years in the juniper forest, Sami Brimmer doesn’t take flat ground for granted. “Look how level that is,” she said, pointing to the gravel parking space below a lengthy camper trailer. “Can you imagine trying to level a trailer out in the dirt?” Brimmer is one of 15 or so residents to move […]

Side view of a Deschutes County Sheriff car

Local News

A Serious Allegation from a ‘Monkey Trainer’ is the Latest Intrigue in the Race for Deschutes County Sheriff

U.S. Marine veteran and sheriff candidate James “Mac” McLaughlin refutes “stolen valor” allegation, connects accusatory YouTube videos to Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert’s campaign worker

by Peter Madsen August 25, 2026August 25, 2026

When Ty Rupert campaigned for and won the interim sheriff appointment last year, he swore to keep unflattering headlines about the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office out of newspapers. Nonetheless, two open investigations swirl in the November General Election’s race for sheriff, and at least a third is on the way. The newest inquiry stems from […]

News

Redmond Asks Voters to Decide on Extending Psilocybin Mushroom Ban

Oregon allowed therapeutic magic mushrooms in 2020, but Redmond has opted out twice since then

by Clayton Franke August 25, 2026August 25, 2026

Psilocybin will be on the ballot in Redmond again this fall, for the third time in five years. In November, voters will decide to continue a temporary ban on businesses that facilitate supervised magic mushroom trips to treat an array of mental health problems. Redmond voters and dozens of other jurisdictions have enacted bans […]

Local News

Public Art Commission in Redmond Wants to Hear Your Vision for Future Public Art

Take an online survey about what you’d like to see, art-wise, on Redmond streets

by Peter Madsen August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

For many in Central Oregon, the mention of Redmond evokes one of the city’s most-celebrated works of public art. Standing 30 feet tall, the Art Deco-inspired aluminum sculpture “Thoughts of Flight,” completed by local artist Jerry Werner and a small team in 2012, honors the importance of the Redmond Municipal Airport – Roberts Field. It’s […]

Local News

Celebrate Your Canine Companions

Fun events celebrating National Dog Day are happening around Central Oregon

by Dallas Finn Calvert August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

It’s time to celebrate your best friend! National Dog Day is Wednesday, Aug. 26, and a few fun events are happening around Bend in honor of our canine companions. On Saturday, Aug. 22, check out the Dogs & Lagers Fest at Crux Fermentation Project. From 12-5pm, this family-friendly, fourth-annual event features food, lagers, local vendors and adoptable dogs from Street Dog Hero. At GoodLife Brewing on Saturday, Aug. 22, check […]

Local News

Forest Protections for 200,000 Acres in Central Oregon Subject to ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal

Protections are a “double-edged sword” for future of municipal watershed, Bend official says

by Clayton Franke August 21, 2026August 25, 2026

Nearly 200,000 acres in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests could be subject to road construction and logging as the Trump Administration moves to repeal 25-year-old protections on public forest lands. The United States Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that oversees the U.S. Forest Service, announced on Aug. 18 a filing to rescind the […]

Depicts a light-filled room at Viaggio Wine Merchant with two walls filled with shelves of wine and seating for patrons

Local News

Local Businesses Named in USA Today’s 10Best Annual Awards

Central Oregon companies recognized in wine, beer, fly fishing and more

by Dallas Finn Calvert August 20, 2026August 21, 2026

Several Central Oregon businesses recently received Readers’ Choice awards in the USA Today 10Best annual polls across a plethora of lifestyle and travel categories. Readers vote on the annual awards after a panel of experts, chosen by USA Today, nominates 20 finalists in each division. The news organization adds new categories regularly throughout the year, so people can vote for the top 10 nationwide in the […]

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