It seems the entire community is talking about the current school board elections for Bend-La Pine Schoolsโa strange turn for a May election, which oftentimes is barely a blip on voters’ radars. While we have already commented on the disservice rendered to local voters when candidates opt not to engage in the non-partisan forums and […]
Editorial
Congressional District 2 is a Huge Geographic Area. Break It Up, Already.
It’s been expected for quite some time, but last week, it became official: Oregon is picking up a new seat in the U.S. House. Oregon narrowly missed adding a seat following the 2010 U.S. Census, so it comes as little surprise that we’d add one now, with our state continuing to be a place with […]
In a Housing Crisis, Put the Focus Back on Locals
By now most Bendites have either experienced the crunch of housing first-handโor if not, they know someone who has struggled to find rental housing or to buy a home at a reasonable price, or who has otherwise noted how elevated prices and spiking demand are impacting the quality of life here. While a city such […]
As Bend Transitions to a City, Be Ready to Talk More about the “Big P”
P is for Parkingโand with Bend’s explosive growth, Bendites should be prepared to spend a lot more time talking about it in the months and years to come. The conversations that are already emerging about this topic include ones covering whether we should have to pay for it, how to pay for it, where it exists, […]
We’ve All Sacrificed. Now’s the Time to Set a Course for Oregon’s Live-Event Industry.
When people think of Oregon, among the first things that come to mindโalong with our mountains, waters and treesโis the cultural wealth our state provides. From festivals such as Oregon Shakespeare in Ashland, to Pickathon near Portland, to concert venues such as McMenamins’ Edgefield in Troutdale, or the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, chances are, […]
With Oregon’s Prospective Public-Building Gun Ban, Two More Steps are Still Ahead
Last week, the Oregon Senate voted in favor of Senate Bill 554, a bill that would, if passed, allow state and local governments to ban firearms in public buildings for those with a concealed carry permit. The bill was set to go before the Oregon House on March 29โbut due to more cases of COVID-19 […]
The Tourists Are Coming. Let’s Plan Accordingly
With spring upon us and COVID-19 vaccines promised to be available to all people in Oregon within a handful of weeks, we here in Central Oregon are beginning to look to the summer and beyondโwhen tourism will return with full force to the region. Tour operators and guide services we have talked to say they’re […]
A Welcome Change for Public Lands, and for Native Representation
It’s been easy over this past year to be laser focused on the calamities presenting themselves most urgently: the coronavirus pandemic and the push for racial equality, to name just the top two. But lurking in the backs of our minds throughout this time of crisis has been the issue that is not just ours, […]
Why Redistricting Matters and How You Can Take Part
Just when you thought we’d put aside politics for a whileโso soon after an emotional and contentious 2020 presidential electionโmore intrigue is ahead. Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, the lines defining districts for state House and Senate, along with U.S. Congressional Districts, have an opportunity to be redrawn based on shifts in population. […]
Between Supporting Working Mothers and Passing the Equality Act, the Work Toward Gender Parity Continues
Every year, the Source Weekly puts out its Women’s Issue, typically coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8โa day that celebrates “the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity,” as described on the International Women’s Day website. The issues around equal […]

