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Three-quarters of Oregon is in “Severe Drought”

Nearly all of Deschutes County is facing “extreme drought”
Chris Miller

Almost 93 percent of Deschutes County is in extreme drought conditions, according to information released by the U.S. Drought Monitor, a mapping tool produced by a number of federal agencies. One-hundred percent of the county is facing “abnormally dry” conditions, “moderate” and “severe drought,” U.S. Drought Monitor’s data released on Jan. 31shows. Statewide, the outlook […]

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New Elementary Attendance Areas Approved

Bend-area attendance areas will take effect starting next fall
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Shay Mikalson approved the location of the new Bend-area elementary school attendance areas on Jan. 29. The attendance areas are meant to help with enrollment and prevent overcrowding at the schools.  “These new elementary attendance areas will balance enrollment and reduce pressure felt at the district’s overcrowded elementary schools while providing […]

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Microsoft Pledges $500 Million For Seattle Affordable Housing

Avatar photo Nick Nayne, Principal Broker

Microsoft recently revealed it’s pledging $500 million for affordable housing in the Seattle, Wash. area. The company will commit $25 million in grants and subsidies to address homelessness, $250 million to low-income housing developers, and $225 million in below-market rates to workforce housing developers. Microsoft will continue making more loans as the money is repaid. […]

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Many Arms

Sisters Folk Festival makes organizational changes, aiming to offer more to a community it already serves in many ways
Chris Miller

The Sisters Folk Fest—a mainstay in the town for many years—is going through some changes. Editor’s note: This version has been altered from the original version. In the print edition, we stated that a recent Lyle Lovett show in Sisters was part of the SFF Americana project, which we have found to be inaccurate. We […]

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Lawmakers May Give OLCC Moratorium Power

Jeremy Dickman

Not long after the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Billy Williams, warned that overproduction and interstate marijuana trafficking would attract his prosecutorial wrath, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission halted the processing of new recreational marijuana applications. Now, the state legislature may give the OLCC permanent power to issue moratoriums on producer licenses whenever […]

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Measles in Deschutes County?

Health officials believe a visitor may have exposed locals to the measles virus. Here’s what you should know about vaccinations and exposure
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Editor’s note: The dates of potential measles exposure have been altered from the original version of the story, following an update from Deschutes County Health Services. The agency confirmed Jan. 30 that the person thought to have measles did indeed have the virus, and was in the “early contagious period of the illness.” The Oregon […]

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Grad Rates Set Record

Bend-La Pine Schools’ on-time graduation rate is the highest ever; rates for students of color jump up
Chris Miller

Students in Bend-La Pine Schools graduated on time, percentage-wise, at a higher rate during the 2016-2017 school year than any other year on record—with 82 percent of high school students graduating on time. According to a report from the Oregon Department of Education, all the high schools in the district saw increases in graduation rates. […]

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