Central Oregon Prepares for Extreme Heat
Gov. Tina Kotek urged Oregonians on July 3 to take extra precautions in advance of an excessive heat warning, occurring from noon Thursday through Sunday evening. “Oregon will experience record-breaking heat across the state this holiday week,” Gov. Kotek said. “While extreme heat can be deadly for anyone, certain groups – children, elders, people with…
LISTEN: Ami Formica, Co-Founder of Well Wired 🎧
In this episode of the Bend Don’t Break podcast, Ami Formica, co-founder of Well Wired, joins Aaron to discuss the profound impact of technology on children. They explore how smartphones and social media affect kids’ development, social skills, and mental health, highlighting the unique challenges faced by the first generation growing up with these technologies.…
La Pine Fire Reaches 60% Containment
Firefighting crews made significant progress over the weekend in containing the Darlene 3 Fire, east of La Pine. On Sunday morning, the fire had grown to 3,889 acres and was 60% contained. Crews will continue to focus on increasing containment and keeping the fire within its current footprint, according to a press release from Central…
COCC President Signals Retirement for 2025
Dr. Laurie Chesley, president of Central Oregon Community College (COCC), has announced her plans to step down from her role and retire as of June 30, 2025, having served the college as president since July of 2019. Chesley is only the sixth president in COCC’s nearly 75-year history. The college’s board of directors will be…
Deschutes Trails Coalition Announces 2024 Small Project Grant Awards to Support Local Trail Stewardship
The Deschutes Trails Coalition announced awards totaling $22,062 for their annual Small Projects Grant program. This program funds trail-related projects within the Deschutes National Forest. Now in its seventh year, the program has cumulatively funded nearly $250,000 since its start in 2018. Project work will occur between June 2024 and September 30, 2025. Congratulations to…
LISTEN: Lisa Birk, Deputy Superintendent of Bend La-Pine Schools 🎧
In this episode, Aaron sits down with Lisa Birk, the newly appointed Deputy Superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools. Lisa shares insights into her career trajectory, highlighting her extensive experience and dedication to education within the district. They delve into the critical role education plays in the community and discuss the implications of the recent levy…
La Pine Fire Expands East Thursday
The Darlene 3 Fire in La Pine, which started Tuesday afternoon, reached 3,889 acres with 30% containment on Thursday at noon. Winds and warm temperatures have caused the fire to expand east into the Deschutes National Forest. Thursday, firefighters focused on strengthening existing lines, while temperatures and wind were favorable. While some areas are still…
Letters to the Editor 06/27/2024
Rodeos and Animal Cruelty: Tradition Shouldn’t Excuse Violence The phrase, “if you don’t like it, don’t go,” is a common response to those who speak up for animals abused in rodeos. This phrase is problematic when referring to a tradition that involves participants who have no choice and face injury or death. Non-human animals in…
After a Fire, El Sancho Plans to Rebuild
A fire in the early morning hours of June 20 left the beloved east side location for El Sancho destroyed. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental. According to Bend Fire & Rescue, the fire started after ashes from an outdoor cooking operation were improperly disposed. And while the space on Dekalb Avenue is uninhabitable…
Rally for Green Ridge
Wild Ecosystems Alliance and the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project are calling for citizens who care about federal lands in Central Oregon to the Rally for Green Ridge Friday, June 28 at the Deschutes National Forest Sisters Ranger District office in Sisters, to protest the Deschutes National Forest’s Record of Decision for the planned Green Ridge…
Oregon Water Use Is Moving In the Right Direction
There’s a reason we devote an issue each year to water. Not only is it the most basic of human needs, but the issues around it only continue to grow. In recent years, the farmers who actually grow crops in the region have suffered from shortages of irrigation water. A longstanding drought — which has…
In Pixar I Trust
I get that it’s always been “cool” to dislike something once it becomes popular or to root for the downfall of something if it gets too big…but I still like Pixar. I get that they’re Disney now and the Mouse House is very much an Evil Empire that owns Marvel, 20th Century Films, Star Wars, Indiana…
The Third Act: Out Late
Those of us over 65 who have health and stamina thank our lucky stars every day. Realizing that won’t always be so results in a kind of weird frenzy… stop and smell the flowers but at the same time, go, go, go! Less superficially, with the easing of cultural, social and professional pressures during the…
The Bands That Brew Beers, and the Brewers Who Rock Alongside Them
It’s no secret that the Northwest grows great hops and Oregon is blessed with a variety of incredible brewers. There are some “30 breweries in and around Bend,” according to local tourism agency Visit Bend, and while it has been recently reported that the craft brew industry is in decline, it should come as no…
Pub Food, Elevated
The first time I walked into Mill Works Pub, I knew it was gonna be something different. Normally when you walk into a place with “Pub” in the title, the TVs scattered throughout the place will have some type of sports ball playing on them (or multiple). But here the TV near the bar was…
Summertime Mailbag
Thanks to everyone for writing to me and asking lots of great questions. I’ll try my best to continue to answer them in these mailbags! Here we go… Q: I see headlines and articles talking about the undersupply of homes, and yet I also see stories about oversupply of homes — what gives? A: This…
New Owners for The Ale Apothecary
Shortly after launching The Ale Apothecary in 2012, founding brewmaster Paul Arney — fresh off his stint as assistant brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery — told me that his father, Ralph, didn’t see a future for him in the family business. “He saw the writing on the wall. There’s no future in running a small drug…
Source Warmup
Bend Approved Tree Code Changes On June 20, the Bend City Council approved amendments to City codes that regulate how and when trees can be removed in new developments. The updated codes will require developers to plant new trees on-site or make a payment in lieu of preservation if a certain percentage of trees are…
Boarding Babes Branch Out
When Cady Lindsey first invited women in her social media group to paddle the Deschutes together on standup paddleboards, she couldn’t have imagined how that simple post would blossom into a burgeoning community, now numbering over 900 women. “That first post had 40 responses, so I started my own group,” she says. “In the first…
Asambleas ciudadanas locales comenzarán en el otoño
El Ayuntamiento de Bend y la mesa de comisionados del condado de Deschutes aprobaron un Memorando de Entendimiento con el Proyecto de Acción civil del Centro de Oregón (COCAP por sus siglas en inglés), acordando recibir y posiblemente implementar las recomendaciones que surjan por medio de las asambleas ciudadanas. En abril, Josh Burgess, director ejecutivo…
The Long History of Queer Literature
T.J. Klune, New York Times Bestselling author of queer fiction such as “The House in the Cerulean Sea” and “In the Lives of Puppets,” recently visited Bend as part of the Season of Nonviolence Speaker Series at Central Oregon Community College. While prejudice of LGBTQ+ authors still persists, it’s heartening that Klune could come and…
Bend Pushes Water-Saving Landscapes
In the spring of 2024, the City of Bend launched its new turf removal rebate program, which allows households to receive a rebate to convert their grass lawns into low-water landscapes, saving water and money. The pilot program came out of the City’s 2021 Water Management and Conservation Plan analysis. Dan Denning, the City of…
Expanding Access to Water Leasing
When it comes to protecting local water sources, one important mechanism – a process called water leasing – allows someone to loan or rent their irrigation water to another user if they don’t need it, allowing it to be utilized for conservancy purposes. In this process, a water right holder can temporarily and voluntarily defer…
Redmond Awaits Results on Application for More Groundwater
In 2023, Redmond applied for an Oregon groundwater permit, which would allow it to access more groundwater as the town prepares for the future. The Oregon Water Resources Department indicated to Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch that the permit application could potentially get denied. The Source Weekly spoke with Fitch on the permit and the need…
Explore The Pacific Northwest 2024 Overland Expo
Calling all outdoor adventurists! The Overland Expo Pacific Northwest 2024 is set to be the premier overlanding event, as the second of four U.S. event series, spanning three days from June 28-30 at the Deschutes County Expo Center in Redmond. The professional-level trade show brings together over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest offerings in overland,…
Celebrate Independence Day with Live Music in Central Oregon
Celebrating Independence Day in Central Oregon typically involves checking out the Bend Pet Parade, floating the Deschutes River, and of course, watching the fireworks on top of Pilot Butte. If you’re looking for some music to enjoy or you’re not quite sure about your 4th of July plans, here’s your guide to live music events…
Horoscope Week of June 27, 2024
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are entering a phase when you will be wise to question fixed patterns and shed age-old habits. The more excited you get about re-evaluating everything you know and believe, the more likely it is that exciting new possibilities will open up for you. If you are staunchly committed to resolving…
