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Central Oregon Community College Faculty Hopeful After May 13 Rally  

As the day for potential wage proposal nears, COCC faculty members say they remain hopeful for solutions and cooperation
Avatar photoBy Jesse Coronado

Some Central Oregon Community College faculty say they are feeling optimistic, unified and committed to finding a solution to achieving fair wages after the May 13 rally attended by over 75 demonstrators.   COCC faculty have reached day 119 of good-faith bargaining with their employer and only have 26 more to go before they reach the minimum days required to exchange a proposal. During this time, some faculty have […]

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Oregon’s Housing Supply Increased Only About 5% Between 2020 and 2025

New census data shows significant housing growth in Central Oregon, but the number of new units overall fell far below state goals
by Khushboo Rathore Oregon Journalism Project

Oregon’s housing supply increased modestly between 2020 and 2025, with the biggest growth in Central Oregon, but progress lags far behind the state’s lofty goals. U.S. Census Bureau data released May 14 shows the number of Oregon housing units climbed to 1.9 million, up from 1.8 million, over the five years, an increase of 5%. […]

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Long-planned Galveston Avenue Road Project Set For This Summer

Raised crosswalks, pedestrian medians, new pavement and more is slated for the bustling business corridor
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

A long-awaited street renovation project on a beloved — and busy — commercial corridor in west Bend is expected to commence this summer.   Speed bump-like pedestrian crossings, concrete islands and new pavement are some of the changes slated for Galveston Avenue, stretching from the Deschutes River west to 17th Street. The City of Bend hopes to keep two-way traffic open throughout most of the project and limit full closures to a few days for […]

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Amid Rapid Growth, Redmond Hashes Out Groundwater Future 

The City of Redmond got the go-ahead last year to pump groundwater at higher rates, which officials expect to suffice for the next 20 years or more. But a rapidly declining aquifer poses questions about the long-term security of the City’s sole water source.
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

Hanging from the wall of Josh Wedding’s office is a black and white photo from 1954. It shows how the City of Redmond used to pull water from the Deschutes River, storing it in a pond and piping it downhill using gravity to homes and businesses. When demand grew following World War II, the City began supplementing its water supply with a Central Oregon Irrigation District diversion canal […]

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Point In Time Counts Show a 19% Reduction in Homelessness across Tri-County Area 

Homelessness Leadership Coalition staff and volunteers identified 1,706 people in shelters, hotels and motels, feeding centers and other areas
Avatar photoBy Jesse Coronado

The annual Point In Time count for individuals experiencing homelessness shows a decrease for Central Oregon in 2026, due to expanded shelter capacity and housing initiatives, leaders say.  The purpose of the PIT is to learn more about people who are experiencing homelessness and the barriers they face to getting constructive resources. Every January, the Homelessness Leadership Coalition sends staff and volunteers to […]

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Deschutes County Candidate Accused of Illegal AI Fake-Out on Campaign Website 

Brooke West was a last-minute entry to the race for the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners and hasn’t responded to interview requests from media
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

A relatively unknown candidate for the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners is under investigation by the state’s elections office after a complaint accused her of illegally using AI-altered images of herself on a campaign website.   The candidate, Brooke West, was a last-minute entry into the race for Position 1, entering the race six days before the filing deadline in March. By that time, longtime incumbent Commissioner Tony DeBone and challenger Jamie Collins, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, had already built […]

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Officials Give Preview of New Bend Public Works Campus  

The public will get a chance to celebrate the work going into running Bend and learn about inner workings of Public Works
Avatar photoBy Jesse Coronado

On May 14, the public will get a first-hand look at the City of Bend’s new Public Works campus on NW Talus Place. The project, completed late last year, came in below the project’s $130 million budget.   At the open house celebration, community members will be able to peruse the city’s water testing labs, check on where City workers maintain their vehicles and survey the lots where sludge from storm sewers is processed. The event includes food, drink and an opportunity to […]

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Seven Red Light Cameras Go Live in Redmond May 15

Plans are in the works to add another seven traffic cameras
Avatar photo by Nic Moye

The City of Redmond will turn on its red light cameras May 15. Phase one of the automated photo enforcement traffic program includes six stationary cameras and one mobile unit that can be placed in different areas. The first fixed camera locations will be facing north, south, east and westbound at NW Sixth Street and […]

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The Deschutes Public Library’s New Central Library is Nigh

Opening May 11, the 100,000-square-foot structure delights
Avatar photo by Peter Madsen

As natural light pours down through the airy lobby of the Deschutes Public Library’s new Central Library, off SE 27th Street, newcomers’ first reactions will likely just be: Wow. Passing through the front entrance, one gazes upward toward a gymnasium-tall ceiling from which a large-scale art installation, titled “Juniper,” is suspended by 1,440 cables. Weighing […]

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Brightside Animal Center Open Sundays in June, New Programs Coming

New hours, dog-adventure day and insulation for extreme weather bring in cheers from staff and pets at Brightside
Avatar photoBy Jesse Coronado

Redmond’s Brightside Animal Center will expand its hours of operation to Sundays from 10am to 5:30pm, starting on June 7. The change in hours comes after a year of deliberation between staff members who say community members are more available and willing to adopt or pick up lost pets on weekends. BAC Shelter Director Hannah […]

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