Local News

Redmond shoppers will soon be able to feel warm and fuzzy about saving money on “new and gently used furniture, appliances, home décor, building materials, and more.”   That’s because making a purchase at the new Redmond ReStore will “directly support Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope across Central Oregon,” a […]

The committee tasked with forming a map for five Deschutes County commissioner seats has advanced a plan to the current county commissioners, which is expected to go before voters in May. In a meeting Nov. 12, the District Mapping Advisory Committee voted 4-3 in favor of advancing Map C. That map splits Bend into three sections: east, west and the southern portion, which also encompasses southern Deschutes County down to La Pine. The two […]

There I was, standing in a local smoke shop, browsing the display cases, when a collection of technicolored vapes, gummies and chocolates caught my attention. The raised lettering and foil trim of the packaging glinted in the light. Soaring mushrooms, some with eyeballs, put out a very trippy vibe on products with the brand name Trē House.  “Whoa,” I said to the clerk who’d clocked my surprise. “A magic mushroom vape pen?”  “Yeah,” she said. “They’re pretty amazing.”  I didn’t waste time. My logic went: magic mushrooms — obvi — means psilocybin, a Schedule 1 substance under the […]

With fire season in the rear view, local government leaders continue taking steps to make fire prone areas more resistant. On Monday, Nov. 10, Deschutes County Commissioners directed staff to advance standards to the planning commission that would create building hardening standards for new developments based on section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. […]

When Ty Rupert applied for the job of Deschutes County interim sheriff last July, he listed in his letter of interest a series of institutional goals. Among them: transparency, fiscal responsibility and accessibility to the public. Having won the appointment, Rupert is now 15 weeks into the job. Fresh off some personnel reorganization and a […]

Oregon, a state that prides itself on innovation, can now claim another first: the first state with a professional sports team whose coach was arrested by the FBI and charged with scheming to rig illegal poker games. The recent bust of ex-NBA star and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups focused a national spotlight on […]