Opinion
Posted inOpinion

Public Lands Rule: A New Era for American Land Management

We may not see the effects of this change for quite some time, but we’re betting our grandchildren will thank us
by The Source Editorial Board

You may not have heard much about it, but a massive change just happened on public lands — one that might begin to reverse a trend of over-extraction and land degradation in the United States. Our grandchildren may one day thank us. On June 10, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management put its Public Lands […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor 06/13/24

by The Source Staff

Bend’s identity crisis Bend’s identity crisis is self evident when it cannot complete a tree preservation code. Trees are vital to carbon sequestration and cool cities of concrete. Bend spouts it needs housing but then stalls the housing to build a second windowless big box Costco on a site with extraordinary mountain views now scraped […]

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

Letters to the Editor 06/06/2024

by The Source Staff

Donald Trump is not above the law By now, we’ve all heard the news that Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying his company’s business records to keep information from voters that he knew would harm his 2016 presidential campaign. This isn’t just about “hush money” payments. It’s about breaking […]

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

Letters to the Editor 05/30/2024

by The Source Staff

RE: Endorsements Matter. Opinion, 5/16 I think the Source has done an amazing job, not only with the candidate analysis and primary endorsements this year, but with the breadth and depth of journalism covering local issues throughout the year. Bend is very fortunate to have such a weekly publication. —Dwight Gaudet Primary elections conclusion Another […]

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

Letters to the Editor 05/23/2024

by The Source Staff

Weed killer problems STOP SPRAYING WEED KILLER. Everyone knows it is poison to us too. Kills the bugs and the bees. We can smell it blowing on the breeze. Which means whoever is spraying that much is exposing themselves and the whole neighborhood to a known carcinogen. That means it causes cancer and we know […]

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

2024 May Primary Election Results

Bynum ahead of McLeod-Skinner; Chang set to take County Commissioner seat in early returns
by The Source Staff

Results in the May 2024 primary election began to come in Tuesday night. In early returns, Janelle Bynum bested Jamie McLeod Skinner for the Democratic nomination for Congressional District 5, and in Congressional District 2, Cliff Bentz won over Republican challenger Jason Beebe. For the seat on the Deschutes County Commission, Phil Chang was re-elected […]

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