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May 2026 Election: Endorsements and Ideas
Deschutes County Commission, Pos. 1 Jamie Collins The Commission is getting bigger and the County exploding in size. And because of those changes, we agree with challenger Jamie Collins when he says what’s needed is a more strategic, thoughtful approach to the challenges ahead. We think Collins, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, disaster responder and…
Free Will Astrology, Week of April 30
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): May is Free Thinking Month for you Tauruses. It’s also Free Feeling, Free Wheeling, and Free Healing Month. Wow! To observe this festive grace period, indulge in any of the following jubilant acts: 1. Declare your independence from anyone who tries to tell you how you should live your life or…
DIY Projects That Actually Pay Off
As we move into the heart of the spring real estate season here in Bend—with sunny days, river floats, and concerts just around the corner—many homeowners start asking the same question: What actually makes a difference when it comes to preparing a home for sale? The good news — boosting your home’s appeal doesn’t always…
The World’s Best Mom
Each year, Mother’s Day reminds us how lucky we are for the mothers in our lives. Their support, strength, and love help us through the tough days and further brighten the best ones. But what does it take to be the World’s Best Mom? I spoke with three Lava Ridge Elementary students and their mothers…
I Tell You Once Again, It’s Bad
Everyone who goes to the movies is after something different. Relaxation, stimulation, escapism—all are valid. That’s why it’s hard for me to reconcile exactly who “Michael,” the Michael Jackson musical biopic, is meant for and if its existence is healthy for culture and society at large. The film ends in 1988, at the height of…
The Summer Season Kicks Off with Big Acts & Baseball
Concerts & comedians take the stage The first show of the season kicks off at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Saturday, May 16, with comedian John Mulaney and special guests Fred Armisen and Mike Birbiglia. So far, nearly 50 different headliners are scheduled into October, some of them performing multiple nights. Six of the performers are…
Bend Is Ripe For a New Indoor Venue. It’s Unclear How That Will Look.
A game-winning slapshot sends a sold-out crowd into a frenzy. A dramatic performance captures an audience at the theater. A band’s rocking encore leaves fans wanting more. Building new indoor venues to facilitate these types of events has been on the minds of visionaries in Bend for years, especially as the City’s growth has exploded. Now, a new effort exploring a multi-use indoor venue has public backing from the City and its tourism agency, Visit…
Empty Managed Camp = Debacle
If there’s a case to be made for expanding the capacity of the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, look no further than the situation currently unfolding at the managed camp recently built by the County and the City of Redmond near the fairgrounds. After some waffling, the City and the County finally agreed to…
Sisters Coffee Co. Continues Expanding
Sisters Coffee Company has opened its newest location at the Jackstraw residential complex off SW Industrial Way. The bright, cheerful spot has a variety of seating options with a wall of windows along the front, part of which can open up like a garage door in warmer months, looking out at the Box Factory. The…
HomeGrown Music Festival Keeps on Growing
The HomeGrown Music Festival — Bend’s showcase of local and, increasingly, regional bands, just keeps on growing. Forty bands — 24 of which are local — will play across five stages at its new host venue, Century Center on Bend’s west side. The Volcanic Theatre Pub, GoodLife Brewing Company and The Commonwealth Pub will open…
Central Oregon’s First Youth Residential Mental Health Crisis Facility Moves Ahead
After clearing a major funding milestone last year, Central Oregon’s first residential treatment facility for youth in acute mental health crisis is moving ahead with a new anticipated opening date of summer 2027. Local health providers and advocates say the 15-bed child psychiatric facility planned for Redmond will be a lifeline for Central Oregon youth with acute mental health issues. That’s because they’ll no longer have to wait days or weeks…
The Hot Mess Fest Celebrates Aging Women
The Hot Mess Fest is a Ladies Night like no other! It’s the brainchild of Courtney Stevens, owner of Craft Kitchen and Brewery and the restaurant’s manager, Samantha Moore, who says there aren’t many evenings focused on what women experience later in life. “Puberty gets plenty of attention,” Moore told the Source, “but perimenopause, menopause…
Letters to the Editor, Week of April 30
Excited to vote for new commissioners I don’t know about you, but it has been a long time since I was able to vote enthusiastically for a political candidate. This time is different. I have the chance to cast my vote for Morgan Schmidt and Jamie Collins, two people who have devoted their careers to…
Bend Breweries Shine in the World Beer Cup
Bend Brewing Company won Gold at the World Beer Cup in the Juicy/Hazy IPA category for its “Because Science Hazy IPA.” The category had 274 entries, one of the largest in the competition which was held in Philadelphia April 22. BBC co-owner Packy Deenihan said in a news release, “The ‘Juicy or Hazy IPA’ category…
What We Risk Losing
To witness the McDermitt Caldera is to be moved. Supported by the east-flowing McDermitt Creek, sloping hills of sagebrush cradle native wildflowers and bunchgrasses. In spring, paintbrush awakens in crimson bursts alongside winks of purple lava aster. Bitterroot emerges, first in succulent leaves, then in white flowers nestled close to the ground. In blooms of…
Savage in Bend: Who is Libby?
Strolling downtown on Brooks Street, passersby may suddenly get bombarded by a lush garden full of eye popping colors during late spring and summer. On the side of the Commons Cafe & Taproom, a tiny space is filled with many varieties of plants like Rockcress, Allum, Iris and others. The Maltese Cross in full bloom…
Deschutes County Commissioners Approve Third-Party Arbitration for William Bailey
Former Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Capt. William Bailey will receive a neutral re-evaluation of his March 2 termination, the Board of County Commissioners voted April 22. While Commissioners Phil Chang, Tony DeBone and Patti Adair had the option to postpone the decision to a later date, they unanimously voted yes to Bailey’s request for a…
An Evening of Psychedelic Sounds
Local band Sun Dive is kicking off summer with two bands from Los Angeles sharing the spotlight at Silver Moon. Vinyl Williams has been creating what he calls celestial pop sounds and a universe of 3D futuristic dream worlds since 2007. He’s releasing the band’s 10th full length album, “Star Harmony,” on May 15, eight…
