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New Trial Dates Set for Ian Cranston

Cranston will face a new trial for the 2021 shooting death of Barry Washington Jr

Ian Cranston appeared virtually with his attorney on Jan. 28 at a hearing at Deschutes County Circuit Court, where Circuit Judge Beth Bagley set future dates for Cranston’s re-trial in the 2021 shooting death of Barry Washington Jr. A new 10-day in-person trial will begin on Oct. 20. A general trial readiness hearing will happen […]

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Redemption Versus Revitalization: Bendโ€™s ‘BottleDrop Problem’

City committees want to โ€œexplore and advanceโ€ the relocation of Bendโ€™s BottleDrop. Itโ€™s an idea meant to stimulate investment in the Bend Central District, but would such a move disproportionally impact people experiencing homelessness and poverty?

Wide-eyed, a panhandler in the Bend Redemption Center parking lot declared that a secret shadow government in Portland runs the statewide BottleDrop recycling program as part of a nefarious plot to control the population.  With such an informational murkiness encircling the BottleDrop from local to state levels, this man isnโ€™t alone in offering crackpot theories. […]

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New Year, New Look: City of Bendโ€™s Website Gets a Redesign

The update is intended to โ€œfocus on clarity, accessibility, and getting you to the right place fasterโ€

On Jan. 26, the City of Bend unveiled its new website to the public.ย With big, bubbly visuals, a prominent search bar atop the homepage, and revamped menu organization across the board, the new bendoregon.gov is quite a departure from the previous iteration. The redesign project began in the summer of 2024 when the City issued […]

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Dispersed Camp Sites North of Bend Will Close in June 2027ย 

The City of Bend and Deschutes County are seeking housing solutions for those remaining at the site

In a joint meeting on Jan. 20, leaders from Deschutes County and the City of Bend agreed to extend the date of permanently closing the Temporary Safe Stay Area to June 30, 2027. Thatโ€™s 170 acres in the Juniper Ridge area east of Highway 97, north of Bend, comprised of 50 acres of county land and 120 acres of city land.   In 2024, county and city officials agreed to jointly manage the TSSA […]

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Oregonโ€™s Crashing Pot Prices Put Drug Treatment at Risk

The stateโ€™s Behavioral Health Resource Network faces a multimillion-dollar shortfall

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the percentage decline in marijuana tax revenues since 2021. Since 2022, the stateโ€™s cannabis taxes have paid for free behavioral health and addiction treatment for more than 35,000 Oregonians all across the state, a first-of-its-kind program. “But plummeting pot prices have resulted in aย significantย decline in marijuana tax […]

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Tax Money Put to Quick Use for Flat Fire-affected Landowners

Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District quickly put tax monies to effective use for wildfire-stricken landowners

Last summer, on Aug. 21, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District staff delivered a presentation to its board of directors about a potential pilot program to, among other things, aid wildfire-affected landowners. Literally that same day, the Flat Fire broke out near Sisters. It ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres and prompted that pilot program […]

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Pattie Gonia Sued by Patagonia for Trademark Infringement

The outdoor company is seeking monetary damages of $1

Pattie Gonia, a nationally touring drag queen, entrepreneur and activist for LGBTQ and environmental causes, has been sued by Patagonia, the outdoor brand, for six claims of trademark infringement. The company is seeking a jury trial and damages of $1. The lawsuit may complicate Pattie Goniaโ€™s upcoming national drag show tour, which will visit nearly […]

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Third โ€” Fourth? โ€” Timeโ€™s the Charm

State lawmakers introduce new potential bills aimed at (finally) shoring up Oregonโ€™s outdoor recreation liability conundrum

Snapping a fibula while helping a nonprofit repair a damaged trail. Dislocating a shoulder during cyclocross because the Belgian stair runup is slippery. The Fonz waterski-jumping a shark, biffing it and being eaten by said shark. The first two scenarios illustrate the inherent risks of various outdoor fitness and recreation pursuits. The injuries incurred might […]

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Fresh Legislative Concepts from Central Oregon Lawmakers

Local lawmakers roll out legislative concepts in anticipation of the upcoming short legislative session

In the upcoming legislative session that begins Feb. 2, each lawmaker is allowed to introduce two legislative concepts. The short session runs just 35 days, and there’s no guarantee these concepts will become bills. These are the concepts introduced by local lawmakers. Rep. Jason Kropf, HD-54 LC 273 would make changes to the gun permit […]

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Weighing the Cost and Constitutionality of Deschutes Countyโ€™s Districting Proposal

Former Oregon Deputy AG claims a proposed district map could run taxpayers a six-figure bill

Editorโ€™s Update (1/21): After hearing from hundreds of constituents from all over the county (the majority of whom opposed Map C), the Board of County Commissioners moved 2-1 to wait another โ€œtwo weeks,โ€ Commissioner Patty Adair said, before making any decisions on advancing Map C to a future ballot. In November, Sisters resident and former […]

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