Being very concerned about the lack of affordable housing in our area, I’m constantly researching possible solutions and current and future housing trends. This past month, several media articles have stated that home improvement and remodeling projects are outpacing new home construction. Another hot topic: the increase in the median age of owner-occupied homes. These trends […]
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Reefer Regs Roll Hard
While Oregon’s recreational cannabis industry strives—and often succeeds—in being Daniel Day-Lewis (aka, a “good actor”), there are times when we take actions more like Adam Sandler (aka, “bad actor”). Growers, producers, dispensaries and others face judgement and penalties on two fronts: the electronic public square of social media, and the more fearsome regulatory agency smackdown, […]
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Drying Up?
One homeowner says Central Oregon Irrigation improvements are causing her residential well to go belly up
Six weeks ago, a local woman experienced water pressure loss at her home off Rogers Road, near the old Bend-Redmond Highway. “All of a sudden there was no water. I looked at the 1,800-gallon holding tank connected to my well, and it was empty,” she said. The woman believes her 50-year-old well dried up as […]
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Hazy Skies
Unhealthy air quality hampers recreation and school sports
Hazy beers may be the new craze, but hazy skies are still as unwelcome as an ex at your wedding. Although this summer is so far nowhere nearly as smoky as last year, the region is still experiencing hazy days where the sun is blocked out and the air smells and feels heavy. For people […]
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Mayor Debate
Bend’s mayoral race kicks off with a debate involving four candidates
In May, residents of Bend voted in favor of electing a directly elected mayor—a shift from the previous process of allowing Bend city councilors to name a mayor from sitting city councilors. The deadline to turn in the necessary signatures in order to appear on the November ballot in the mayor’s race is Aug. 28—but […]
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Cops Arrest Man at Redmond Airport
Redmond Police say a Bend man bit an officer after trying to grab a 3-year-old child near the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Roberts Field August 9. Cops arrested Arnulfo Maldonado, 25, after they say he tried to pull a child away from his mother and father. According to Redmond Police, the child’s father threatened […]
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The Death of Sara: Not a One-Off
Intimate partner violence in Central Oregon is widespread, complex and concerning to women of many demographics
“Women are constantly told what they need to do to keep themselves safe, what not to wear, where not to go, who not to talk to. When will we start expecting men and predators to change their behavior?” —Anonymous Sara Diana Gomez’s local domestic violence story went viral when she was reported missing earlier this year. […]
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A River Runs Through Here
Water issues downriver in Jefferson County affect those upriver, too, impacting the economy, recreation and food
“Without water – no farms – no food.” With that simple statement, Jefferson County Commissioner Mae Huston emphasizes the importance of irrigation water for farms near Madras, in Jefferson County, where the seed industry, along with other crops, are the lifeblood of the rural community. Without adequate water supplies for farmers, she says the City […]
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More Affordable Housing Coming Soon
Local developer secured financing for 48-unit building
Pacific Crest Affordable Housing, a Bend-based developer of affordable housing projects, has received millions in federal and state tax credits in an effort to afford to build the $15 million, 48-unit affordable apartment building near Pine Nursery Park in northeast Bend. The project, Canal Commons, is slated to have 12 one bed, one bath units, […]
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An ADU May Be More Feasible Than You Thought
An article in the most recent issue of Realtor Magazine on additional dwelling units mentioned a Portland company called Dweller making ADUs available to homeowners. ADUs come up frequently as a way to increase housing affordability and availability and, in recognition of this, cities are relaxing standards for them. In a nutshell, Dweller provides homeowners […]