High Desert Museum Sees Funding Cuts to Several Projects
Leaders at the High Desert Museum learned that federal budget cuts could impact a number of projects offered to museum guests. The funding cuts, realized primarily through the termination of federal grants, are set to impact a series of improvement projects at the museum. Museum Director Dana Whitelaw says they’ve learned about the losses over…
After the Latest Sheriff Revelations, More Questions Than Answers
As the public learns new damning revelations about the newly elected Sheriff, Kent van der Kamp, lots of questions remain. But one thing is certain: The residents of this county deserve far more from their top law enforcement official than they’ve been getting thus far. The string of lawsuits stemming from the actions of former…
Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp Delays Post-Investigation Announcement
When Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp was placed on the county’s Brady List, he said he would make an announcement regarding his future at the DSCO by April 22. This announcement has been delayed until April 23, according to Jason Wall, the DSCO public information officer. Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels recently…
Coming Down the Bend Parkway: Phase 2 of Transportation Fee
Local folks and business owners may see another hike on their utility bills if the Bend City Council votes for the proposed Transportation Fee Phase 2 on May 7. The City of Bend uses fees to finance its transportation operations and maintenance, which includes pavement restoration and street preservation. During Phase 1, a single-family household…
This Year’s Earth Day Celebration Will Not Include a Parade
Earth Day celebrations kick-off Saturday April 26 at 11am at Troy Field in downtown Bend. It starts an hour earlier this year because there won’t be a parade. Priscilla Calleros, the event manager at The Environmental Center which sponsors the celebration, says several factors led to the decision to cut the parade. A letter posted…
Oregon State University-Cascades Wins $2 Million National Park Service Grant
Oregon State University-Cascades researchers will analyze National Park Service data to figure out the ecological health and resilience of national parks, thanks to a $2 million grant the university has received from the federal agency. The data will be sent to OSU-Cascades analysts by hundreds of National Park Service scientists across thousands of projects at…
Rundown for the May Election
The special district election will take place on May 20. Here’s a complete list of upcoming levies, school and park board candidates in Deschutes County. School Boards For the Bend-La Pine Schools district, candidates for Zone 1, 2 and 4 are running unopposed – Jennifer Lynch for Zone 1, Marcus LeGrand for Zone 2 and…
LISTEN: Grand Craft Bend: Michelle Mitchell
We sit down with the OG Kombucha Mama, Michelle Mitchell, co-founder of Bend’s own Humm Kombucha, to learn about Humm’s humble beginnings in Mitchell’s kitchen experimenting with brewing kombucha, to how big the kombucha market has become and where it fits into today’s wellness drink landscape. Click here to LISTEN NOW
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Ed Fitch 🎧
On this episode of Bend Don’t Break, we’re joined by Redmond Mayor, Ed Fitch, longtime Redmond resident and dedicated public servant. After growing up just outside of Chicago as the ninth of eleven children, he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in history from Marquette University, followed by a law degree from Willamette Law…
Horoscope Week of April 17, 2025
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I am always surprised when there appears yet another authoritative article or book that implies there is one specific right approach to meditation. The truth is, however, that there are many ways. Here’s teacher Christopher Bamford: “Meditation is naturally individual, uniquely our own. There are no rules. Just as every potter…
Letters to the Editor 04/17/2025
Guest Opinion: Fool’s Gold As a communications counselor for 40 years, working with large, complex organizations like IBM or Aetna, I have a lot of experience with “downsizing” efforts. The Trump administration claims that the actions they’re taking to cut jobs and eliminate functions will improve the efficiency of the Federal Government and save money.…
A Spicy New Restaurant is Opening in Bend
A new Indian restaurant is planning to open in downtown Bend by the end of this month. Signs are already in the windows for Spiceland, located on NW Bond Street between Oregon and Minnesota avenues. It’ll have authentic and modern Indian dishes along with an extensive crafted cocktail and mocktail menu, according to a press release.…
Five Colorful Birds to View this Spring
Some birds are showier, more colorful and arguably prettier than others. And while experienced birders get excited about all sorts of gray-coated, similar-sounding, hard-to-identify birds — the avian equivalent of deep tracks — others might prefer to focus on the greatest hits. For those folks, it’s time to look to the trees and the sky,…
One-Two-Three Punch to Food Programs Mean More Suffering for Oregonians
Another week, another realization about how the federal government affects local people’s lives. Last week, local nonprofit NeighborImpact sent out a warning about its ability to help keep people fed. Recent cuts to food programs would mean a 17% reduction in the amount of food it can provide to the tens of thousands of people…
The Medicine Cabinet Within: Holistic Approaches to Seasonal Allergies
Central Oregon is a place where spring is somewhat confused, wavering between beautiful warm days beckoning time on the river, right next to another epic pow day, calling us right back to the mountains. The flowers and trees are equally confused, but a recent blast of sunshine and warmth had the Juniper trees deciding it…
Redmond Welcomes Marijuana
The Redmond City Council voted in favor of allowing marijuana dispensaries within city limits on April 10. The vote implemented a 3% tax on the sale of marijuana items, and applied time, place and manner restrictions to how dispensaries can be operated within the City. The vote comes after a November advisory ballot measure, gauging…
Orange Glazed and Fully Baked
If you’re lighting up this 4/20 (or even if you’re not), Snoop’s got your back — straight from the Doggfather’s kitchen. I originally found this recipe in “From Crook to Cook,” the cookbook my youngest gave me for Christmas last year (he knows his audience). I was flipping through it on my eldest son’s birthday…
Another Brick in the Wall
As someone who pays their bills by watching and then writing about movies, I don’t really get to differentiate between movies that are “for me” or aimed at a completely different demographic. I watch it all. And I take that seriously. I go into every movie genuinely hoping for the best and don’t critique the…
Trivial but Serious Fun
Trivia games are alive and thriving in Central Oregon. There’s a game to be played somewhere most every night of the week. Check out the Source calendar for a complete listing every week. I managed to hit four over the past fortnight. First on my list was JC’s because it adds a physical challenge to…
Utillian 6: High-Quality, Portable Dab Rig
I’m at an age to recall when the sole option for “concentrates” was hashish, which was, thankfully, a very fine option. Then came water extracted “bubble hash,” which was awesome, when you could find it. When Oregon launched its Adult Use program 10 years ago, dabs exploded like a basement butane hash oil lab. Suddenly,…
Teacher Hero:Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund
As sunlight filters through towering trees, Dr. Anne-Marie Eklund sits quietly with her students, encouraging them to simply listen and observe. “What did you notice that you didn’t 10 minutes ago?” she asks — whether it’s a new bug or a leaf or something else her students didn’t see before. At Cascades Academy, a private…
Bringing Cello to the People
Countless classical music organizations around the world struggle to answer the question of how they will bring what’s seen as an aging artform to younger audiences. Big-city symphonies frequently collaborate with pop, rock and hip-hop stars for one-off gigs where string sections accompany 808s and electric guitars. As special as these symphonic showcases may be,…
Water Hero: Kate Fitzpatrick
Kate Fitzpatrick, the executive director of Deschutes River Conservancy, wears many hats as an advocate for water and the outdoors. Her work with DRC, a local nonprofit, helps to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes River Basin. Fitzpatrick has been with the organization for 21 years, and in her current position for…
Repair Addendum
Navigating a repair addendum in a real estate transaction can feel like walking a tightrope, balancing your desire for a sound home with the realities of negotiation. Understanding how to approach this crucial document is paramount to protecting your interests and ensuring a smooth closing. The repair addendum arises after the home inspection, outlining specific…
Newest Hero: Think Wild & Youngest Hero: Sally Compton
Think Wild, a local organization that works to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, rescue and rehabilitation, continues to expand its services to help. While the nonprofit initially formed in 2016, it launched its wildlife hospital and conservation center, one of its main programs, in 2020. Executive Director Sally Compton has been…
Source Warmup
Deschutes County Sheriff Placed on Brady List Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp announced on April 14 that Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnells placed him on the Brady List – a public record for information about officer misconduct, decertification or other public complaints. In the press release, van der Kamp said he disputed…
Air Hero: Bill Kowalik
Bill Kowalik says he doesn’t consider himself any kind of hero. He says he’s part of an active network of volunteers across Oregon seeking to preserve dark skies and diminish light pollution for the health, safety and well-being of all life. “Blue light at night is a particular problem. And more and more people are…
Trailblazer Hero: Jay Bowerman
While Jay Bowerman is largely retired, the octogenarian sure keeps busy. Bowerman, 82, has recently authored two scientific research papers, which will be published by the Northwestern Naturalist journal. One paper details the nematode parasite that Bowerman has found at alarming levels in the bodies of Deschutes River bull frogs. The other is dedicated to…
Earth Hero: Alex Hardison
One of Alex Hardison’s most meaningful experiences with the natural world is also one of his earliest childhood memories. It begins on a small sailboat his parents had chartered, not far from their home in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, Washington. There they bobbed in the Salish Sea. The North Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains…
Bend Bike Festival Rides in with Community, Sustainability and Fun
Bike lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will gather for the inaugural Bend Bike Festival taking place on April 25-27. The main festivities, including the popular gear swap, happen Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sunday from 9am-4pm at The Pavilion in Bend. The festival builds on the long-standing Bend Bike Swap, a major fundraiser for Bend Endurance Academy,…
Get Your Groove On!
When it comes to high fidelity, no sound is as sweet as when a tonearm drops onto a heavy slab of 180-gram vinyl, releasing a cacophony of music deeply embedded in the waxy grooves. To assist local music lovers in seeking out those grooves, there’s a vinyl garage sale on the west side of Bend…
