Opinion
Posted inOpinion

In Bias Crime Reporting, Accurate Data is Key

Crime is crime, and the more we know about the nature of it, the better jobs law enforcement and prosecutors can do in addressing i
by The Source Editorial Board

Peter Madsen’s feature story from last week, “Bias in Our Backyard,” explored the numbers around bias crimes in our area, and the state, in the five-year period since state and local authorities began collecting such data. The numbers available, from the years 2020-2023, were quite striking, with marked increases in the number of bias crimes […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor

by The Source Staff

Fix Our Forest Act is Misguided Having lived most of my adult life between Central Oregon and California, I’m no stranger to the devastating impact of wildfires on our homes, health, and communities. These fires have intensified as policy makers fail to implement crucial climate change mitigation measures. The proposed Fix Our Forest Act (FOFA) […]

Posted inOpinion

A Bill Banning Cell Phones in Schools Died in the Legislature. If the Governor Takes It Up, the Details are Going to Matter.

Cell phones are a distraction in school, and they are doing more social and mental harm than good
by The Source Editorial Board

When we interviewed candidates in Bend and Redmond for the recent school board elections, one thing was almost unanimous: they, like many teachers, are in favor of having strong policies in place that restrict the use of cell phones in schools. There were some nuances in candidates’ arguments — such as a consideration for those […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor 05/22/2025

by The Source Staff

Challenging to drive downtown My wife and I live on the SE side of Bend. Over the past five years we have just seen the changes to the downtown area make it progressively more unpleasant to drive to the area for dining. The latest, and perhaps the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back”, has […]

Posted inOpinion

Public Input Matters. Sometimes It Even Works.

In these highly unusual political times, some battles will be won; some lost
by The Source Editorial Board

For a lot of people right now, hope is in short supply. Whether it’s inflation and the price of eggs, the cuts to federal budgets — and in turn, the looming ones to state budgets, the threats to Medicaid or Social Security or the Veteran’s Administration or the perceived abandonment of the rule of law, […]

Posted inOpinion

Allowing RVs as Dwellings on Rural Properties is a Good Step. And Yet.

Some 7,500 properties in Deschutes County would qualify to be part of the program
by The Source Editorial Board

As of last week, it’s now legal for people in rural areas of Deschutes County to rent a portion of their property to someone living in an RV. The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved this change in line with a state bill from the 2023 legislative session that authorized the use of RVs […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor 05/15/2025

by The Source Staff

Local law enforcement’s stance on cooperation with the Trump administration. I think it would be interesting to hear from the leaders of our local, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding their opinions of the overreach by the current president and his administration. Especially with regard to honoring sanctuary status, or cooperating with the federal […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters to the Editor 05/08/2025

by The Source Staff

Local law enforcement’s stance on cooperation with the Trump administration I think it would be interesting to hear from the leaders of our local, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding their opinions of the overreach by the current president and his administration. Especially with regard to honoring sanctuary status, or cooperating with the federal […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 4

Vote Cary Schneider for Bend Metro Park & Recreation District Board, Pos. 4
by The Source Editorial Board

Cary Schneider has been serving as an appointed member of the Bend Park & Recreation District board since last year, when he filled the place left by Zavier Borja. Voters should support Schneider continuing in the work. Having served on the BPRD budget committee prior to his service on the wider board, Schneider has displayed […]

Posted inOpinion

May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 1

Vote Ashley Proctor for Redmond School District 2J Board, Position 1
by The Source Editorial Board

Ashley Proctor is a person Redmond voters should be proud to welcome to the school board. She cites the support of educators and other community leaders in motivating her to see beyond her at-risk childhood — enlisting in the Army, and later, into a career as a social worker helping those with intellectual and mental […]

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