News

In March, Deschutes County and the City of Redmond completed construction on a 36-site campground for people transitioning out of homelessness, complete with new gravel roads, water and power infrastructure and a black slatted chain link fence.   More than a month later, the campground remains empty, a padlock and chain latching the gate shut.   Meanwhile, hundreds of […]

Six overdoses requiring Naloxone resuscitation and hospitalization happened within 24 hours of April 17, according to Deschutes County Health Services. The folks who overdosed weren’t intending to ingest opioids like heroin or fentanyl; they were doing cocaine and ketamine, officials say. In a press release, the Health Services Department urges the public to generally assume […]

Elected leaders in central and southern Oregon are asking the legislature to help pay for tens of millions of dollars in safety improvements along U.S. Highway 97, one of the state’s most dangerous roads. But major uncertainties circling the future of state transportation funding are clouding the effort.   County commissioners from three counties — Jefferson, Deschutes and […]

Parents who expressed a growing concern over the use of iPads and Artificial Intelligence in Bend-La Pine Schools classrooms are celebrating a new policy creating sweeping checks on technology that was just passed.   In an April 14 resolution, the Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors addressed educational technology, or “ed tech.” The resolution directs the district to review the use of all technology, websites and apps, create […]

The four leading candidates for the Republican nomination for governor gathered April 16 at a forum sponsored by the Oregon Republican Party at the Hillsboro Events Center. The livestreamed event marked the first opportunity for voters to see Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, state Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Stayton), state Sen. Christine Drazan (R-Canby), and former […]

In today’s hyper online world, a website begetting a book — and a series of them, no less — might read like putting the cart before the horse. Yet, delightfully, the popularity of Dirty Freehub — the result of a married duo’s passion for route scouting, mapping and storytelling — has inspired this retro-tech arc. […]

People who use Wilson Avenue for cross-town travel will soon have to find a new route.   The City of Bend announced Tuesday that an estimated three-month closure of the Wilson Avenue railroad crossing near 9th Street will begin April 27 to replace track and signal equipment. It’s the final phase of work on the Wilson Avenue corridor, where the City has piloted new protected designs for roundabouts and intersections.   The Burlington Northern […]

Preserving the earth is something that benefits us all and ensures future generations a certain quality of life. Some Central Oregonians are more dedicated and passionate on that subject, making it their career or serving as volunteers. In this week’s Earth Heroes issue, we reached out to local nonprofits for “hero” nominations.   Read the […]