Editorial
Posted inOpinion

A Lot is Riding on Drug Deflection. As It Gets Going, We Have Questions.

On drug treatment, let’s hope this time we’re sharing a success story
by The Source Editorial Board

Over the past several years, Oregon has gotten a great deal of attention for its attempt at drug decriminalization, which was plagued by a shortage of treatment beds, no real “teeth” to push people into treatment and the surge of fentanyl that saw our state having the highest rate of increase in fentanyl overdose deaths […]

Posted inOpinion

A Change in Groundwater Allocation Rules is Long Overdue

This year has been better than many, but the effects of years of drought are still among us
by The Source Editorial Board

You’ve likely heard the doom-tales: aquifers depleted, rivers low, wells going dry. Over the past 20 years or so, the West has experienced a megadrought that hasn’t been matched in 500 years. And this time, unlike the 1500s, the problem is made worse by the advent of human-caused climate change. This year has been better […]

Posted inOpinion

It’s Smoke Now or Smoke Later… and Hopefully Not Both

You’re not imagining it: there’s been more smoke in the air this year
by The Source Editorial Board

You’re not imagining it: there’s been more smoke in the air this year. Where once locals would joke about swapping the name for “summer” with “smoke season,” that unwelcome season appears now to include spring. As Jennifer Baires’ May 23 feature story, “Treating the Forest,” outlined, a pilot project happening around Bend is allowing for […]

Posted inOpinion

With a Deadlocked Congress, an Owyhee Monument May be the Thing

Currently, the Owyhee is the largest unprotected area in the western United States, with just 5% of it protected from development
by The Source Editorial Board

All across the West, it’s shaping up to be a wondrous whitewater season. Snowpack levels have been high, reservoirs have had a healthy amount of water, and over at the Owyhee River, everything is looking “just right” for weather and water — meaning many hopeful water-lovers may just get that trip they’ve long been hoping […]

Posted inOpinion

Endorsements Matter

We believe that endorsements work best when used through comparison and contrast, which is one of the reasons we feel so strongly about this issue
by The Source Editorial Board

This May’s primary election has been rather light on endorsements for our local area, with only a handful of primary races being contested. For us, that’s meant only a few occasions to endorse candidates and measures over the past several weeks. With the low number of contested primaries, it may have barely registered that one […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Janelle Bynum for Congressional District 5, Democratic primary

Suffice it to say that this is one of the toughest endorsements we’ve had to make this year — or any year, really
by The Source Editorial Board

Suffice it to say that this is one of the toughest endorsements we’ve had to make this year — or any year, really. Here we have two strong Democrats running to be the Democratic nominee for our relatively new district, Congressional District 5. One, Jamie McLeod-Skinner, is one of the smartest people we’ve ever interviewed […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Phil Chang for Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, Pos. 2

Now that the seats on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners are nonpartisan, the primary shifts a bit
by The Source Editorial Board

Now that the seats on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners are nonpartisan, the primary shifts a bit. If one of the four candidates running for Position 2 gets more than 50% of the vote in the primary, they earn the seat and won’t have to continue their campaign through November. But if no one […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Yes on Measure 9-167, 5-Year Local Option Levy to Improve, Support Student Learning in Bend-La Pine Schools

The levy on the May ballot will help to preserve some of the positions that are currently on the chopping block at BLPS, as well as expanding some of the programs at the high school
by The Source Editorial Board

Many will remember not very long ago, when the unions representing teachers and support staff in Bend-La Pine Schools bargained with the district for months to get more support for educators, and for a cost of living increase that would help educators in this costly part of Oregon keep up. With that, it should come […]

Posted inOpinion

Council, Mayor Should Be Paid Like Professionals

Bend deserves a professional council, and with professionalism comes commensurate pay
by The Source Editorial Board

We’ve said it before, and now that it’s up for discussion once again, we’ll repeat our long-held opinion: Bend deserves a professional council, and with professionalism comes commensurate pay. This month, the City of Bend’s Compensation Committee delivered a report to the Bend City Council, outlining its recommendations for increasing councilor and mayor pay. Don’t […]

Posted inOpinion

Bend La-Pine Schools Is Already Signaling Job Cuts. The May Levy Brings Them Back.

We value public education before the pandemic shed more light on its importance, and we value it still today
by The Source Editorial Board

During the pandemic, teachers and support staff were largely heralded. Not only did many of us get to experience having our children around all day long rather than having them at school, but in overheard conversations on computer screens, we saw the immense burden placed on educators who suddenly had to deliver lessons on video […]

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of The Source - Bend, Oregon directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article