County Transitions Online Dog Licensing Program
Deschutes County is moving its online dog licensing program to DocuPet, simplifying the process for owners to license their dogs, comply with state regulations, and ensure a quick reunion if their dogs go missing. Under Oregon law, all dog owners are required to vaccinate their pets against rabies and obtain a license in the county…
Central Oregon Health Council Launches “Be Well Central Oregon” Campaign
The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is pleased to introduce a bold new campaign—Be Well Central Oregon—to mark the launch of the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan (RHIP). This initiative represents a transformative shift in how partners work together to build a healthier, more connected region. “Be Well Central Oregon is more than a slogan—it’s a community…
Pac Nor Westy Opens Flagship Store in Bend’s Box Factory
Pac Nor Westy, the Pacific Northwest lifestyle brand known for its ethically made apparel, artisan-made goods, and PNW inspired collections, opened its new flagship retail store on Saturday, July 5th in Bend’s Box Factory at 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 105. Founded in the spirit of connection: to nature, to memory, and to place —…
Central Oregon Symphony Association Announces its New Executive Director
Brimming with musical and administrative experience, the Central Oregon Symphony Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Travis Allen will serve as the organization’s next Executive Director. “I am honored and excited to serve in this capacity,” says Allen, “and I look forward to continuing and expanding the great work that COSA does in our…
90 Kids Need a CASA
Right now, 90 children in foster care in Central Oregon are waiting for a CASA volunteer to be by their side. You can help us change that. Our summer CASA volunteer training begins July 15 in Redmond, and we need more community members to step up as advocates for children in foster care. We know…
Sunriver Art Fair – Where Art Shines Bright
Listed as one of the Top Ten Art Fairs in the nation, the Sunriver Art Fair returns August 8-10, 2025, to the open-air setting in The Village at Sunriver, in Sunriver, Oregon. This year over 80 artists will display and sell their juried fine arts and crafts, including ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, metalwork, printing, painting,…
Journalists at ‘The Bulletin’ Have Had Enough
Reporters and photographers at “The Bulletin” are mad as hell and aren’t going to take this anymore. In a news release the Source obtained July 8, unionized staffers at “The Bulletin” detailed their ongoing struggles to convince Carpenter Media Group, which obtained the daily from when it purchased EO Media Group in October 2024, to…
BLM to Address Human-Caused Fires in La Pine Basin
The Bureau of Land Management has announced the mobilization of a National Fire Prevention and Education Team to address human-caused fires in the La Pine Basin. It’s composed of fire prevention specialists from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Zach Ellinger, the team lead for the fire prevention team, told the…
Travel & Leisure Readers Choose Central Oregon Resorts
Two Central Oregon resorts made the top 10 list for Travel & Leisure World’s Best 2025 Readers Survey Awards. Brasada Ranch ranked number five, while Sunriver Resort was listed as number six on the winners’ list. Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte is an upscale retreat with farm-to-table dining options, outdoor activities and stunning views of the…
Fifteen+ New Wildfires Sparked by Lightning
A lightning storm passed through Central Oregon Monday July 8 and ignited at least 15 new fires, most of them clustered east of Prineville. The largest one is the Willow Fire at 800 acres as of Wednesday, July 9. It’s burning in southeast Crook County about 20 miles north of Glass Butte on BLM land. The…
Heat Precautions for Pets
With temperatures soaring into the 90s and beyond, The Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) would like to offer tips to keep your pet safe in the high desert heat. The best spot for your pet is inside a safe, cool house. Dogs and cats cannot cool their body temperatures as efficiently as humans. Tips…
COTA Opens New Mountain Bike Trails At Wanoga Sno-Park
The Wanoga Downhill Trails project, which has been years in the making, broke ground in mid-June and plans to add a total of 5 trails of the Wanoga Sno-Park Complex. Two out of the planned 5 trails will be open to the public starting Wednesday, July 9, which will include an advanced/black downhill flow trail…
City of Bend Selects Vendor for Permanent Bike Share Program
The City of Bend has selected Veo bikes for its new permanent bike share program. Claire Conklin, the City Council Coordinator, stated, “Veo has a great variety of e-bikes and is already established in Corvallis.” Veo is replacing the prior two-year pilot program with Bird bikes, Conklin said, “When the City of Bend put out…
Interim Sheriff Candidates Speak of the Future of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
Integrity. Transparency. Accountability. Five candidates recommended by the union representing the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office employees spoke about their qualifications for the interim sheriff position at the Elks Lodge in Bend on July 7. The mood was anything but contentious as the five candidates, selected by the Deschutes County Sheriff Employee’s Association, touched on themes…
African Rhythms Come to Redmond
This month, the Redmond Library hosts a live marimba performance featuring the Baduku and Bahuru marimba bands from Richland, Washington. The concert is Thursday evening, July 24 on the library’s civic patio. It showcases the distinctive sounds of African marimba music performed by two accomplished youth ensembles. Redmond Library’s Elsa Hager coordinated the event. “It…
Nearly 500 ODOT Workers Laid Off Amid Transportation Crisis
On Monday, 483 current Oregon Department of Transportation employees received notices that end their employment effective July 31. The employees include maintenance crews, support staff and critical operational roles across the state. Additionally, the agency is eliminating 449 vacant positions, further reducing its capacity to provide services. In total, 932 positions will be cut as…
ODOT Layoffs Will Hit Key Democratic Constituency
To better understand the high stakes of the final days of the 2025 legislative session, it’s useful to consider one fact that was largely absent from the debate over House Bill 2025, the multibillion-dollar transportation funding measure that failed in numerous incarnations: The biggest immediate loser will be the members of Service Employees International Union…
Bend Endurance Academy Climber Crowned National Champion, Earns Spot on U.S. Youth National Team and Invite to Youth Worlds in Helsinki
Five athletes from the Bend Endurance Academy’s Performance Climbing Team competed at the 2025 USA Climbing Youth National Championships, held June 26 through July 2 at Portland Rock Gym in Beaverton, Oregon. The event brought together the nation’s top youth climbers for a full week of competition across three climbing disciplines: Lead, Bouldering, and Speed.…
These are the Union-Recommended Applicants for Deschutes County Interim Sheriff
The short list is in. The Deschutes County Sheriff Employee’s Association has recommended five applicants for Interim Sheriff. Those listed are Deschutes County Undersheriff Aaron Wells; DCSO Detective and Special Services Commander Ty Rupert; DCSO Detective Lt. James McLaughlin; former DCSO Captain Deron McMaster; and COCC Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, Cory Darling.…
Oregon Leads the Nation in Implementing the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act
Oregon leads the way as the first state in the U.S. to implement a packaging and paper extended producer responsibility law providing statewide access to consistent and high-quality recycling. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Materials Management Program has been collaborating with interested parties through several years of rulemaking to establish the program. The Recycling…
New E-Bike Rules Rules Begin July 1 at Oregon State Parks
Electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) are now allowed on trails where other bicycles are allowed unless specifically prohibited at Oregon State Parks. E-bikes are also allowed on the ocean shore on wet sand except where specifically restricted. Previously, e-bikes were only allowed on trails that were at least 8 feet wide. Signs will be posted on trails…
Sunriver Music Festival Presents Award-Winning Pianist
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is widely considered “one of the most prestigious contests in classical music” (The New York Times, June 2022). From its origins in 1962 through today, it has remained dedicated to sharing music with the largest international audience possible and to launching the careers of its winners. Sunriver Music Festival…
Think Wild Launches Crooked River Park Restoration Project in Prineville
Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife conservation nonprofit, invites community members to join a volunteer day on Thursday, July 3, to help launch a new habitat restoration project in Prineville. Volunteers will assist with solarization, an eco-friendly, sun-powered method of preparing soil for native planting by laying out large tarps over a 20,000-square-foot site adjacent to…
Budweiser Clydesdales to Appear at 2025 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are making their way to Central Oregon for a rare appearance at the 2025 Bi-Mart Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, presented by Indian Head Casino. The horses will be at the Fair from July 30 through Aug. 3, helping to raise awareness for Folds of Honor. This nonprofit organization provides educational scholarships to…
College View Now Accepting Applications
College View, a newly constructed multi-family apartment community, is now accepting applications and will host a special Application Event on July 11th and 12th. Offering spacious 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment homes, College View is conveniently located next to the OSU Cascades campus and features upscale amenities designed to meet the needs of today’s renters. The rents are $925 for a one-bedroom,…
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break: Deena Kamm 🎧
This week on Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Deena Kamm—longtime performer, vocal coach, and creative force behind Voiceless: A Musical. Deena shares her journey from the high-pressure entertainment industry in Los Angeles to building a voice-centered life and business in Bend, Oregon. They talk about the power of voice—how using it…
Formulaic One
There’s nothing really that wrong with “F1,” the new film from Joseph Kosinski, the mastermind behind “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Tron: Legacy” and a few other films without colons. As someone with less than zero interest in Formula One racing, I found myself invested in the story, while still wishing the film would paint outside the…
Best of Central Oregon Readers’ Poll Voting Now Open!
Click Here to Vote Now! The Best of Central Oregon — the original, biggest and most popular readers’ poll in Central Oregon — is driven by the people who live here. Readers nominate their favorites, and then we count the votes and determine who readers supported the most. We don’t choose the candidates; you do!…
The Extinction of Awe
I don’t think this is much of a hot take, but here we go anyway: the only good Jurassic movies are the first two, the ones directed by Spielberg. I get that “Jurassic Park III,” “Jurassic World,” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and “Jurassic World: Dominion” have their fans and I’m sure that if you were a…
“Welcome the Night”
Several ecosystems begin to stir on land and in the air once the sun goes down. Most people don’t notice or are surrounded by too much artificial light to witness it. The High Desert Museum is offering a chance to “Welcome the Night.” The family friendly event on July 16 is an opportunity to discover…
I Want My Cannabis Social Lounge!
As Oregon hits the 10-year mark this month for its Adult Use cannabis program, the most frustrating aspect is where within Pacific Wonderland one may legally consume cannabis. The short answer is within your home, or front/back yard, provided you have a fence or other view blocking structures. This is to prevent those under the…
Robopocalypse
Music! Horror! Science Fiction! Puppets! Yes, puppets are coming to Bend on Aug. 7 to showcase their new musical, Robopocalypse and this isn’t your average puppet show! Fresh off their celebrated and widely popular national tour, Puppeteers for Fears, brings their premiere all-puppet horror and science fiction musical comedy troupe to Bend, presenting a terrifying…
Cascade Equinox Festival
Brace yourselves, music lovers! As it kicks off its third year, Cascade Equinox Festival is preparing for its most electrifying edition yet, making its triumphant return to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond this September. Celebrated for its diverse programming and captivating experiences, the festival takes an exciting, fresh direction in 2025, pivoting toward a…
Freedom Cities: Deregulating “The American Dream”
Revitalization. Prosperity. Innovation. These are all words some policy groups have used to describe a concept they’re calling “Freedom Cities” — an idea that proposes to create new urban districts on underutilized public lands. The idea, in concept, is that the areas would allow for accelerated and affordable housing, as well as advancements in manufacturing,…
“I Hear Thunder”
It’s the kind of music industry story that dates back to the earliest days of regional rock ‘n’ roll — but with a twist. In the early ’90s, aspiring Cajun roots-rock musician Tab Benoit signed his first music industry contract. Barely out of his teens, he had no idea he was locking himself into a…
Handmade Knife Show
Knives are among the oldest tools used by humans. They date back to the Stone Age, more than 2.5 million years ago, evolving along the way from stones to modern, sophisticated instruments. The DIYcave in Bend is hosting a Central Oregon Handmade Knife Show. It’ll feature expert custom knifemakers and live forging demonstrations. The variety…
Bryan Bielanski Loves Tacos and Bend
Catching Bryan Bielanski in one place can be a difficult feat. He is on tour about 49 weeks a year, playing shows all over (and I mean ALL over) the U.S. and Europe. As a one-man band, he is on a mission to bring his Super Happy Fun Time albums I-IV to as many people…
Sip Wine for a Good Cause
What’s being billed as summer’s biggest wine tasting party in Central Oregon is happening July 18. Representatives from more than 20 wineries in the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge wine regions will gather on the athletic field of Central Oregon Community College. Organizers rent the largest tent in the state which stretches nearly the entire…
Allah-Las Brings the Sand, Sun, and Sounds of SoCal to Bend
Los Angeles rock band, Allah-Las, will play the Volcanic Theatre Pub on July 11. I spoke with singer and guitarist Miles Michaud about shaking the “surf rock” label, more world tours than he can count, and what we can do to destroy The Algorithm. the Source: You guys have been around the world a lot…
First Bend Comedy Festival
The inaugural Bend Comedy Festival is launching over Labor Day Weekend. More than 25 comedians from around the country will perform. Organizer Skylar King says it’ll be a mix of nationally touring headliners and local talent. The lineup includes Kate Berlant (Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, and actress), Susan Rice (“Don’t Tell Comedy”), Ehsan Ahmad (“Kill Tony”),…
Can You Time the Real Estate Market?
If we were to tell you the #1 most-asked question we get from clients (and family, and friends, and standing in line to get coffee), it would be, “Is now a good time to buy/sell?” We really wish it was an easy answer of “buy now!” or “wait until next year.” But unfortunately, it’s not…
Perfection Plus Auto Salon Owner Shane Mayfield Rejoins Elite Air Force One Detailing Team
Perfection Plus Auto Salon is thrilled to announce that its owner, Shane Mayfield, has once again been invited to join the distinguished Air Force One detailing team. This prestigious honor, now in its seventh occurrence, underscores Shane’s exceptional talent and steadfast commitment to safeguarding America’s iconic aircraft. The Air Force One detailing project is scheduled…
Source Warmup
Transportation Bill Dies: Oregon Transit Association Says Cuts Are Inevitable State lawmakers adjourned the 2025 session without passing House Bill 2025, the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package. The Democrat-backed bill was proposed to balance the needs of transportation users across the state, including those who ride transit. The Oregon Transit Association says it’s deeply disappointed about…
It Started with a Stitch
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is celebrating its 50th year. The annual event, held the second Saturday in July, draws more than 10,000 visitors from around the world. It began in 1975 when the founder of The Stitchin’ Post quilt shop, Jean Wells, hung about a dozen family quilts outside her shop. A tradition was…
Flights Wine Bar Earns Prestigious Award
Flights Wine Bar announced it received the 2025 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence. Owner Kelsey Daniels says it’s the first woman-led restaurant in Central Oregon to achieve the prestigious recognition and Bend’s first wine bar to receive the award. Daniels, who’s a Certified Sommelier, said in a news release, “Our wine list is a…
Leadership Bend Class of 2026 Cohort Announced
Selections have been made for the Leadership Bend Class of 2026, a non-profit civic engagement and leadership development program of the Bend Chamber. Leadership Bend exists to identify, develop, educate and connect diverse leaders who impact the Central Oregon region through committed service to the community. Participants are chosen from a broad cross-section of candidates…
Seventh Mountain Resort's Summer Music Festival
Just six miles southwest of downtown Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway, you will find the iconic Seventh Mountain Resort, formerly known as Inn of the Seventh Mountain. Every Friday night from late spring through August they are hosting free live music on their skating rink. With a variety of leather couches set up, and…
The 36th Annual Ochoco Butterfly Count
Sue Anderson, leader of the annual Ochoco Butterfly Count, gathers the participants into a pre-count circle and gives the ten of us volunteers, including Juba the dog (named after the Juba skipper), a morning pep talk prior to all of us heading out in the Ochoco National Forest where this count, sponsored by the Lane…
Awakening Your Inner Hero
We have been training our brains from the day we arrived, both for better and for worse, consciously and subconsciously. Our brain, inarguably the most important part of us, is a miraculous gift. The older we get we can realize its endless value and our responsibility to care for it. Our brains run the show,…
‘Femme Forward’
When local musician and sound engineer Mari started hosting Ladies Night open mics almost three years ago, the outdoor space at Bunk+Brew was the perfect setting for her to amplify the voices of femme artists and build community. It turns out lots of folks were hungry for connection, though, and a combination of popularity and…
Talking to Trees
Camping in Central Oregon as a young being, I felt continually drawn to the trunks of Ponderosa Pines that were close to the ground, like I was, and extended infinitely upward, like I did. My little paws touched the bark and I stood in wonder at how all these puzzle pieces around the tree could…
Understanding Intimacy
My husband is always on me to have more sex. We’re in our 40’s and have two kids in elementary school. Right now, we do it 4 or 5 times a month – sometimes more. Is that OK? —Is That Enough? Dear Is That Enough, The question of sexual frequency is one that comes up…
Horoscope Week of July 3, 2025
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Welcome to a special edition of “What’s My Strongest Yearning?” I’m your host, Rob Brezsny, and I’m delighted you have decided to identify the single desire that motivates you more than any other. Yes, you have many wishes and hopes and dreams, but one is more crucial than all the rest!…
In Shutdown of Federal Lands Sale, a Win for Public Process — But Perhaps Not Public Lands
Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah got stars in his eyes. What if all of the purported housing woes felt in places like St. George, Utah, and Bend, Oregon, could be alleviated by simply selling off millions of acres of land owned and managed by the American people? Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to…
Summer’s Sweetest Score: The Return of the Perfect Peach
There’s a magic to Oregon summers—the long light, the dusty trails, the rivers that never stop running. But if you ask me, one of the best parts of this short, golden season is the return of the peach. Real peaches. Not the sad, mealy kind you settle for in January. I’m talking soft, juicy, sun-ripened…
Letters to the Editor 07/03/2025
Display of Assault at La Pine Rodeo I’ve only attended one rodeo in my life—and I left disgusted by the blatant display and celebration of animal abuse. I didn’t think much more about it until several people close to me, driven by their deep compassion for animals, began actively speaking out on behalf of rodeo…
New Downhill Mountain Bike Trails
Work is underway for a new mountain biking playground. Wanoga Downhill trails are being crafted by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance with input from some elite athletes including Carson Storch, a world-class freeride and slopestyle mountain biker as well as Dusty Wygle, a high-flying freeride mountain biker known for daring tricks. The trails are near…
Your Cooler Called — It Wants Real Food: Easy Camping Provisions for Happy Campers
Let’s talk about the real reason anyone tolerates sleeping in a nylon bag on the ground — the food. Not granola bars and foil pouches of mystery mush. We’re talking honest-to-goodness meals you actually want to eat. Just because you’re heading into the woods doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to beef jerky and…
Nashville Night
The Blacksteer Steakhouse & Saloon at the north end of Bend is undergoing a makeover. It’ll close on July 4th for nearly a month as the new owner, Susan Anderson-Korinzer, remodels, rebrands and relaunches with an entirely new menu in August. To kick off the reopening, Anderson-Korinzer is offering a special themed Nashville night on…
Bend Dirt Fest
Let’s talk dirty. The inaugural Bend Dirt Fest, organized by longtime endurance event director Mike Ripley and his company, Mudslinger Events, rolls into town on Friday, July 12, offering a mix of trail running, gravel grinding, and mountain biking fun—with a distinct local vibe. The Bend Dirt Fest is a spiritual successor to one of…
In Praise of Getting Off the Couch
Rather than wax eloquent on the benefits of going to social gatherings, being vulnerable and experiencing life outside of your comfort zone, I actually got off my couch and attended (or attempted to attend) four different group activities in Central Oregon. It sounds cliché to say that these experiences changed my life, and yet they…
Annual Music on The Green Event Kicks Off Summer in Redmond
Redmond’s annual summer concert series, Music on the Green, kicked off on June 25, with several more shows on the horizon. This year, the concert series will take place at a new venue – American Legion Park – while still offering the same family-friendly, block party atmosphere. The concerts take place on alternating Wednesday evenings,…
Building Connections Through Books
Last week, in the span of a few days, my daughter and two friends reached out, asking, “What should I read next?” This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked for a book recommendation. I do work in a bookstore, after all, and yet, each time, I get a little thrill. Books are a matter…
