LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Gwenn Wysling 🎧
On this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Gwenn Wysling, Executive Director of Bethlehem Inn. Since 2010, Gwenn has been at the helm of the Central Oregon-based shelter, leading its mission to provide emergency housing and support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With a background in hospitality and…
Reed Market Overpass Project: Traffic Relief and Construction Impacts
For years, Bend residents have called on the City of Bend to address a train crossing along a busy section of Reed Market Road, between SE 15th Street and Third Street. With several trains crossing each day, stopping anywhere between five minutes to upward of 20, the City of Bend is attempting to alleviate issues…
If You Want to Help Homeless People, Listen
The message arrived on a Tuesday morning, around 10:30am. It was early October 2021, and that year’s exceptionally hot weather had finally broke in St. George, Utah, where I was working. “A woman called to let you know that your mom has been evicted,” said Joseph Witham, my editor at the time. “She said your…
Judge Blocks Kotek’s Executive Order Requiring Union Labor for State Construction Projects
Marion County Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hart issued a temporary injunction today blocking a December executive order by Gov. Tina Kotek. The December order decreed that state agencies “shall” enter into project labor agreements with labor unions for most state construction projects. Earlier this month, the Oregon-Columbia chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America…
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Kisky Holwerda 🎧
In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, we sit down with Kisky Holwerda, the driving force behind Bend, Oregon’s Ponderosa Players. A passionate theater director and educator, Kisky shares how this innovative troupe is fostering creativity, building community, and bringing bold, original performances to life. From the joys of working with young actors to the…
Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Repeal Wildfire Hazard Maps
Oregon House and Senate Republicans introduced legislation on March 18 that would repeal the state’s wildfire hazard map. The new piece of legislation is meant to address community frustrations around rising insurance costs and threats to property values. The map, which came out of Senate Bill 762, classifies lots as low-, moderate- or high-hazard zones…
5 Star Concierge Expands to Bend, Oregon, Offering Comprehensive Services for Seniors and Their Families
5 Star Concierge, a premier lifestyle and household management company, is excited to announce its expansion into Bend, Redmond, and Sisters, Oregon. Specializing in personalized, non-medical assistance, 5 Star Concierge supports seniors and their families by providing a wide array of services designed to enhance quality of life and alleviate daily challenges. Recognizing the unique needs…
SFF Presents offers spring classes at Sisters Art Works
SFF Presents has announced two adult art and music classes at Sisters Art Works beginning in April. First up is an all-day painting class with renowned local painter, Paul Alan Bennett on Saturday, April 26, followed by a 6-week bluegrass workshop with Joe Schulte every Wednesday evening from April 30 – June 4. Registration is…
Train Your Brain program provides free helmets to third graders
This spring more than 2,000 third graders throughout Central Oregon will learn about brain injury prevention and helmet safety through the Train Your Brain program taught by local athletic trainers, now part of St. Charles Health System. This program, formerly led by The Center Foundation, provides interactive assemblies and free multi-sport helmets to local elementary…
The Cascade Cycling Classic Downtown Criterium presented by Worthy Brewing needs volunteers
The Horner Cycling Foundation is excited to announce that the Cascade Cycling Classic Downtown Criterium is slated for Saturday, June 14th, 2025. Volunteers are needed for various positions such as course marshalling, setting up and tearing down the course. To sign up to help, please go to www.cascadecyclingclassic.com and click on the Volunteer tab. This…
Registration Open for the Second Annual Central Oregon Small Farm School
The Central Oregon Small Farm School is back for its second year, and registration is open! This event for small-scale farmers and agriculturalists will take place on March 29, 2025, at the Central Oregon Agricultural Show in Redmond at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. For $40, attendees will gain access to a diverse selection of sessions,…
A Novel Idea: Oregon’s Largest Community Read Program Kicks Off in April
Now in its third decade, A Novel Idea continues to harness the power of books to foster empathy and understanding among people throughout Deschutes County. This year, Ritu Mukerji’s debut novel Murder by Degrees and the youth selection, The Queen of Ocean Parkway by Sarvenaz Tash, promise to spark thought-provoking discussions and events, including in-person…
New Oregon Department of Forestry Report Says PacifiCorp Wasn’t Responsible for Santiam Canyon Fire
Oregon Department of Forestry investigators have determined that the 2020 Santiam Canyon fire was not caused by downed power lines as plaintiffs’ attorneys have alleged but rather by hot embers drifting into the canyon from the nearby Beachie Creek fire. The report, released March 19 to the Oregon Journalism Project under a public records request…
The Spies Who Loved One Another
Can we agree that Steven Soderbergh is one of America’s most exciting, influential and innovative filmmakers currently working? Or, are his movies not “sexy” enough to elevate him to the ranks of artists like Hitchcock, Scorsese, Godard and Truffaut? Actually, I don’t really care if we agree: I’m calling it. Since 1989’s “Sex, Lies, and…
Local Heart of Oregon Corps Member Nationally Recognized
A recent graduate of Heart of Oregon Corps, Logan Nichol, was recognized by the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps on March 13 as one of six Corps Members of the Year. Nichols was chosen among more than 22,000 individuals. The Corps Members of the Year award honors young members who exemplify leadership and…
Strategic Cuts to the Budget are One Thing. This is Not That.
A lot has been said this week about the stopgap spending bill that Congress passed last Friday, when it was yet again on the precipice of shutting down the government. Democratic members of the U.S. House voted in lockstep against it, while in the Senate, a few key members of the Democratic caucus voted yes —…
Climate’s Toll: Birds on the Brink
In June 2021, a devastating heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest, with temperatures soaring from 108° to 121°F. In Central Oregon, Pelton Dam on the Deschutes River reached 119°F. The impact devastated wildlife, with birds among the hardest hit. Babies leaped from nests in droves, overwhelming wildlife rehabilitation centers across the region. As climate patterns…
Pho 88, Bend’s New Vietnamese Eatery, Comes to Old Mill District
Bend’s dining scene is about to get a flavorful addition. This spring, Pho 88, a Vietnamese restaurant from seasoned restaurateur Alice Nguyen, will open in the Old Mill District. Set to launch in May, the restaurant will take over the former Mill Works Pub space. Nguyen, who previously managed Mio Sushi in Bend, is bringing…
The Crown Curry Brings Authentic Indian Cuisine to Bend
The warm aroma of freshly baked naan, rich curries and fragrant spices will soon fill the former Nome Italiano space as The Crown Curry prepares to bring authentic Indian flavors to Bend. The new restaurant, helmed by experienced restaurateur Bhavna Pardeshi, is set to open in late April or early May, adding a vibrant new…
Letters to the Editor 03/20/2025
Guest Opinion: The Idea of Public Lands Needs No Defense, It Only Needs Defenders Millions of acres of high desert public lands in Central and Eastern Oregon include some of the region’s most beloved areas like Steens Mountain, the Owyhee Canyonlands, the John Day River and Hart Mountain. Those who enjoy exploring these sinuous canyons,…
Horoscope Week of March 20, 2025
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 70 miles per hour three seconds later. But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover. This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they…
Get Ready to Rock at RendezVan
Every spring, a uniquely Bend-style celebration unfolds at Mt. Bachelor, bringing together RVers, campers and van-lifers for a long weekend of spring skiing, live music and good times on the mountain. RendezVan returns April 17 to 20, offering festivalgoers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, après tailgating and live performances against an alpine backdrop. Beyond…
Beyond the Basics
When it comes to cocktails, most people stick to the classic base spirits — vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and brandy. But the world of spirits goes far beyond these usual suspects. Whether you’re looking to expand your palate, impress guests or simply shake up your usual routine, exploring unique spirits can open up a…
Kitchen Sink Chicken Soup
Some recipes are handed down on tattered index cards, smudged with sauce and written in practically illegible cursive, while others evolve from pure necessity — using what you have to make something greater than the sum of its parts. Kitchen Sink Chicken Soup is a little bit of both. It’s old-school comfort meets modern-day resourcefulness…
The Medicine Cabinet Within: Human Touch
We are a culture that has gone through a massive transformation in the way we connect to one another and information over the last 20 years or so. Ironically, while we have the tech for such tremendous connectivity, we may have simultaneously lost some of the incentive for old-fashioned physical connection and closeness — trading…
Unsung Heroes of the Century
In winter, those who venture up the Cascade Lakes Highway (aka Century Drive) to Virginia Meissner Sno-Park or beyond may not consider how much blood, sweat and tears go into making that possible. However, the Oregon Department of Transportation is acutely aware of what’s involved, especially those workers who lose precious sleep ensuring that the…
Source Warmup
Ski Fatality at Mt. Bachelor A skier at Mt. Bachelor was pronounced dead on March 17 after being buried in a tree well. Around 3pm, an individual at the resort reported a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain,” according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. DCSO identified the deceased as 34-year-old Benjamin Shelkey from…
Late Winter Market Report
While national economic trends often dominate the headlines, it’s imperative to analyze the specific conditions prevailing in our locale. Often people speak about “the market” in general, which is far too broad. You must really zoom into your location to understand the dynamics of what’s going on. We can’t ignore national trends, as they do…
The Wood Brothers Are Following Their Hearts
Two decades ago, brothers Oliver and Chris Wood got to share a stage when Oliver’s band, King Johnson, opened a show for Chris’ acclaimed jazz-rooted group, Medeski Martin & Wood. Oliver sat in with Chris that evening and something magical happened. The brothers realized they still had a musical and personal connection and wanted to…
