Editorial

It was so predictable. Four years ago, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners reduced the county’s tax rate, arguing that we had plenty in reserves. As we can see today, there was not plenty in reserves, but it played really well to a voter base that would relish seeing politicians go to bat to “lower […]

This week’s disgusting display in Buffalo, New York, has us reflecting on the ugliness of racism in our own community, because this is far from just Buffalo’s problem. A number of years ago, the Source Weekly ran a series highlighting how racism was “hiding in plain sight” around Central Oregon. As much as we’d like […]

The Republican primary field for the governor’s seat is decidedly crowded this time around, filled with experienced legislators and newcomers alike. And while many will see the most promise in former state representative (and former House minority leader) Christine Drazan, our support goes toward the type of Republican leader we believe Oregonians can get behind—one […]

In the Democratic primary for Oregon governor, Tina Kotek is the clear frontrunner, endorsed by the Democratic establishment locally and even nationally. During her time as Speaker of the Oregon House, much of that time enjoying a Democratic supermajority, she gained a reputation as being tough and dogged in getting things done. That’s a good […]

Tony DeBone for Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Pos. 1, Republican primary Courtesy electtonydebone.com/ County commissioners handle the relatively mundane business of overseeing land use, the landfill, road maintenance, elections and the public health department, among others. It’s an important role, and one that requires the ability to listen to the concerns of rural, suburban […]

Jimmy Crumpacker for Congressional District 5, Republican primary crumpackerfororegon.com Anyone throwing their hat into the race for Congressional District 5 is going to have the hurdle of introducing themselves to the constituency. As a newly redrawn district, even the Democratic incumbent has only represented roughly half of the people who now occupy his district. But […]

Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congressional District 5, Democratic Primary Courtesy jamiefororegon.com When the last census finished and it was clear that Oregon’s rapid growth had earned it another congressional seat, there was a great deal of excitement about the possibility that Bend might get greater attention from a new smaller district. When the redistricting settled, our […]

Having Earth Day happen in spring is ideal. It’s easy to love our planet—and to commit to protect it—when the flowers are starting to bloom and the trees are bursting with life. There’s still abundant precipitation to water our gardens. The smoke has yet to arrive. For just a moment, we can perhaps forget that […]

This week, an Oregon newspaper reported on the dilemma facing one community: Voters approved, through a bond, the construction of a new central library. But now, the organizers behind the construction are tasked with finding a piece of land large enough to accommodate a project of this massive scale. Why didn’t they be sure to […]