LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Bill Kowalik 🎧
In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer talks with Bill Kowalik, PhD, founding board member and Chairperson of DarkSky Oregon. Bill shares the mission behind DarkSky Oregon, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Oregon’s dark skies and combating light pollution for the health and well-being of all life. They discuss the importance of raising…
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Abby Rowland 🎧
In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Abby Rowland, Executive Director of Saving Grace, to discuss Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the vital services Saving Grace provides to survivors. Abby shares her journey, explaining what drew her to Saving Grace and her passion for working in direct services. They explore…
Bridging Housing Gaps in Redmond
Every year, new efforts continue to appear and expand in Deschutes County to help transition people out of homelessness. After seeing success in a number of different projects aimed at housing vulnerable populations, local leaders and service providers have plans to expand current successful projects, while introducing others that address gaps in the housing continuum.…
Abandoned Puppies Found at Bend Park
An individual found a box of abandoned puppies at Hollinshead Park, which was reported to Bend Police on Sunday, Oct. 6. The box contained eight puppies, who are now with the Companion Animal Medical Project, a nonprofit that provides free veterinary care to the unhoused population of Central Oregon. The individual who found the puppies…
Phil Chang named to Oregon Transportation Commission
Phil Chang, a Deschutes County Commissioner with a long career in natural resources management, is joining the Oregon Transportation Commission. The Oregon Senate confirmed Chang to the five-member Oregon Transportation Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 25. “We’re fortunate to have someone with Phil’s experience and insight join the Commission,” said Commission Chair Julie Brown. “He’s spent…
Bend Venture Conference (BVC) Announces the New Economy Track Finalists
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is excited to announce the four finalist companies advancing in the New Economy Track for the 21st annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 17 – Friday, October 18, 2024. Through an innovative partnership with Venture Partners and The BFM Fund, the New Economy Track provides a platform…
Tooth Taxi Mobile Dental Clinic Supports Central Oregon Youth with Nearly $1.7 Million in Free Dental Care
The Central Oregon dental community will convene at Brasada Ranch on November 1-2 to address key topics in oral hygiene, continuing education, and collaborative efforts within the dental industry. This event is particularly timely, coming right after Halloween, a season when sugar consumption often spikes. Children in Oregon have some of the worst oral health…
Unlock Workplace Potential with Anthony Poponi’s Newest Book: “The Little Book of Workplace Happiness”
Discover the keys to a thriving workplace with Anthony Poponi’s latest release, “The Little Book of Workplace Happiness”. Anthony Poponi is a renowned international motivational speaker and corporate culture strategist and facilitator. In his newest book he explores the crucial elements of trust, culture, leadership, and employee engagement. With actionable insights and his signature humor,…
La Pine Community Health Center Named a Top Workplace by the Oregonian
La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) is proud to announce its recognition as one of the Top Workplaces of 2024 by The Oregonian. This prestigious accolade is awarded based on the results of an extensive employee feedback survey, measuring aspects such as work environment, alignment of values, and the effectiveness of management. LCHC stands out…
Two Central Oregon Resorts and One Hotel Earn Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Two Central Oregon resorts, and one Bend hotel, have earned a place in the coveted Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, including the Northwest’s No. 1 and No. 2 resorts and the Northwest’s No. 8 hotel. Sunriver Resort was named the Northwest’s No. 1 resort, jumping four spots from No. 5 in 2023. This…
2024 Heaven Can Wait
Please join us as we celebrate 25 years of Heaven Can Wait! Historically, Heaven Can Wait raises over $100,000 a year to provide love, support and compassion for breast cancer patients and their families. In honor of our 25th year, we hope to raise an additional $25K for patient support programs that help provide free…
Month-Old County Deflection Program Reports Small Successes
It’s been a little over a month since a new state law went into effect recriminalizing minor drug possession and encouraging law enforcement agencies to connect those caught with small amounts of drugs to treatment programs in lieu of criminal charges. Numbers are just coming out on the impact so far. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputy…
![Brewery Engineer Seeks to Unseat Current Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins ▶ [With Video]](https://i0.wp.com/www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/news2-1-6398b3e497a610e7.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Brewery Engineer Seeks to Unseat Current Bend City Councilor Megan Perkins ▶ [With Video]
Current City Councilor Megan Perkins is running against Nick Cerveny, a veteran and engineer at Deschutes Brewery. The two recently participated in an interview with the Source Weekly, discussing issues they hope to advocate for on the council. Both candidates spoke of the importance of infrastructure funding, addressing houselessness and managing water resources. Both also…
City Committee Opposes Proposed Camping Code Change
A local committee and members of a service nonprofit are urging the Bend City Council to reconsider a planned action that could create heightened restrictions for sheltering in vehicles. The proposed code changes would require vehicles to move a defined distance after 24 hours, a contrast from its current code, which requires vehicles to move after…
Sheriff Candidate Kent Vander Kamp’s Personnel Records from a California Police Department Released to Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
A months-long lawsuit brought by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office against the City of La Mesa, California, ended last month with La Mesa releasing the personnel records for Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, a candidate for DCSO’s top spot. The release follows a public records request by DCSO to obtain Vander Kamp’s personnel file after DCSO learned…
![Vote Anthony Broadman for Oregon Senate 27 ▶ [With Video]](https://i0.wp.com/www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opinion1-1-2bd02b3405deecac.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Vote Anthony Broadman for Oregon Senate 27 ▶ [With Video]
Listen to candidates Michael Summers (R) and Anthony Broadman (D), who are running for Oregon’s Senate 27 seat, and at broad brush, it might be hard to distinguish between them. Both see housing and housing affordability as the top issues for this campaign. Both talk about the need to adequately fund schools. Both want to…
A World-Class Weekend
Here we go, ladies, gentlemen and everyone across the spectrum! On Oct. 10 the 21st Annual Bend Film Festival arrives, and I’ve seen an astonishing number of movies, not just in my duties as Lead Shorts Programmer for the fest, but in preparation to recommend some non-shorts related cinema to all of you. From the…
Awakening Your Inner Hero
Random? I don’t think so. My last name, Gershater, is not a common one. Most people haven’t bumped into a Gershater prior to our “randomly” meeting someplace. It didn’t take long to learn that nobody knows how to spell it. Invariably, when I’m asked my name, the response is some version of, “Would you please…
Is A Cannabis Workers Union Coming to Oregon?
There are numerous topics that are historically divisive, of which people have very strong feelings — politics, religion, reproductive rights — and to that list you can add unions. This November, Oregonians will be asked to vote on Ballot Measure 119, which moves Oregon toward unionization of cannabis workers. This measure is made more complex…
Comfort. Food.
The perfect dish. Not a dish that is flawlessly constructed or stunningly plated (although that can be part of it), but the meal that your mind instantly goes to when you decide you don’t wanna cook dinner and need your favorite comfort meal. In that moment, nothing else will do. Someone else might not care…
Local Love: A Q/A with Guitar Slinger Eric Leadbetter
I grew up working on my family’s cattle ranch, and so every time I got done working, I’d run back to my grandpa’s house and I’d plug in my amplifier and crank my little boom box that I had — some Allman Brothers, Santana, Grateful Dead, Hendrix — and I would try and play along…
In Conversation with Author Donna Barba Higuera
The day Donna Barba Higuera won the John Newbery Medal for most distinguished American children’s book, she had no idea that the award was coming. “The moment they said it, I was speechless and so emotional. I had to calm down after the call. It was one of those experiences where you know from then…
La transformación de un motel añadirá 76 viviendas de apoyo
El 1 de octubre, un nuevo proyecto de realojamiento con apoyo situado en el renovado Old Mill and Suites de la calle 3 de Bend empezará a acoger a residentes que antes no tenían vivienda. Este proyecto tan esperado creará 76 nuevas viviendas y ofrecerá estancias más largas y servicios de apoyo a las personas…
New Oregon program pays parents to care for kids with intensive medical, behavioral needs — but few can access it
Calli Ross’s son Tennyson was assigned a number this summer. It’s 136. So was Paige Hall’s son James. He’s 156. And Shasta Kearns Moore’s son Malachi is 1,151. The numbers, which top out at 1,349, mark the spot that each boy occupies on the waitlist to qualify for a new Medicaid program in Oregon: the…
Buying ‘As Is’ Property
When exploring the real estate market, you may encounter properties listed for sale in “as is” condition. This means the seller is selling the property in its current condition, without making any repairs or addressing existing issues. While this might seem risky, there are potential benefits and considerations to weigh before deciding to make such…
Interactive Creativity Comes Alive at Bend Fall Festival’s Art in Action Avenue
As the crisp air rolls into Bend, downtown transforms into a vibrant celebration of art, music and community at the annual Bend Fall Festival. Picture yourself wandering through downtown with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, browsing art displays, enjoying live music and sampling local food and drinks. From family-friendly activities to creative installations, the…
Source Warmup
Promoting Voting Without an Address The National Coalition for the Homeless created a campaign to help people experiencing homelessness become registered, active voters. The campaign, “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote,” offers a toolkit on promoting voting access for low-income individuals or people without a home address, to help overcome obstacles that traditionally prevent…
Songs of Growth and Heartache: Jade Bird on Love, Loss and Music
Jade Bird’s musical journey began early, writing songs at just eight years old. Drawing on folk, Americana and country influences, the British singer/songwriter has carved a niche for herself with raw, emotionally charged lyrics. Her latest EP, “Burn the Hard Drive,” delves into personal heartache, reflecting on loss and growth. In this Q&A, Bird opens…
Horoscope Week of October 3, 2024
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On those infrequent occasions when I buy a new gadget, I never read the instructions. I drop the booklet in the recycling bin immediately, despite the fact that I may not know all the fine points of using my new vacuum cleaner, air purifier, or hairdryer. Research reveals that I am…
Letters to the Editor 10/03/2024
RE: “On the Outskirts,” Feature 9/19 Just read the “On the Outskirts” article … nicely written and sadly showing that what we have dealing with this continually growing problem is a handful of politicians (or wannabes) with no valuable first-hand real-world leadership experience whose primary goal is re-election or getting elected. Doesn’t that read like…
A Chicken Collab at Worthy’s Downtown Location
As of Oct. 1, Wonderland Chicken has moved its Bend operations to Worthy Brewing’s downtown location. Wonderland operates a food truck in Sunriver and most recently had its Bend truck parked at Bunk + Brew. It partnered with Worthy to bring its signature Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, house-made mac and cheese, fried pickles and other…
Cuppa Yo Opens in Prineville
A frozen yogurt shop with locations on Bend’s east and west sides, along with locations in La Pine and Redmond, has added another Central Oregon locale to its lineup: Prineville. The Cuppa Yo in Prineville opened last month and held a grand opening on Sept. 28. Like the other locations, Cuppa Yo lets visitors dish up…
![In Oregon House 53 Race, Redmond School Board Director Keri Lopez Challenges Incumbent Emerson Levy ▶ [With Video]](https://i0.wp.com/www.bendsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/news1-1-99c5c68a83fe563a.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
In Oregon House 53 Race, Redmond School Board Director Keri Lopez Challenges Incumbent Emerson Levy ▶ [With Video]
Current representative for House District 53, Democrat Emerson Levy, will face off against Republican Keri Lopez, the current director of the Redmond School Board, for the Oregon House seat in the November election. Lopez, who’s running on the premise of adding balance to the legislature, leaned on her expertise from the Redmond School Board for…
