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City of Bend to Improve Safety on Greenwood Avenue

At a July 17 meeting, Bend city councilors unanimously approved a project that makes improvements on Greenwood Avenue, creating safer travel for pedestrians, bicyclists and cars, according to a press release.

The project will include new protected crosswalks, a buffered bike lane, a reduction in travel lanes for cars to one in each direction, accessible ADA parking spaces, wider parking spaces on the south side of Greenwood Avenue and new crosswalks.

Construction is scheduled to begin on July 29 and will continue through Aug. 14. Residents can expect lane closures and traffic delays throughout the duration of the project.

—Julianna LaFollette

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Deschutes County Urges State Legislature to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

On July 22, Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang read a proclamation, showing support for ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, urging state legislators to take up the issue in the 2025 legislative session. Commissioner Tony DeBone did not support the proclamation.

“Our coalition has been working for years in Oregon to protect kids from flavored tobacco products that are fueling our state’s youth nicotine addiction crisis, and we’ve been winning,” read a statement from Brittany Grant of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “We succeeded in getting the state’s two most populous counties to pass laws ending the sale of these dangerous products. When the State Legislature reconvenes in 2025, we will fight for a law that protects all of Oregon’s kids from flavored tobacco products.”

—Julianna LaFollette

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Bend-La Pine Schools Plan to Demolish Bend Senior High Auditorium

On July 22, Bend-La Pine Schools announced its plans to demolish the auditorium at Bend Senior High School. The decision came after officials determined the 69-year-old structure is substantially compromised and unsafe to occupy. Preparation for the demolition began immediately, with a goal of having the site cleared before students return in September. Portions of the school are already under construction as part of a major modernization.

“We recognize this is an abrupt turn of events and a cause of concern for our staff, students and families,” Superintendent Steve Cook wrote in a press release. “The Lava Bear auditorium has served as an essential and beloved venue for our community. As part of the ongoing modernization of Bend Senior High, we had planned to renovate this space for future generations to use and enjoy. Unfortunately, it’s no longer safe to maintain the auditorium, and it needs to come down as soon as possible.”

—Julianna LaFollette

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8.7

The number of deaths per 100,000 in California, which has the strongest gun safety laws in the U.S.

20.6

The number of deaths per 100,000 in Wyoming, with the weakest gun laws.

— From this week’s “Third Act” column by Ellen Waterston.

“…Hundreds of Oregonians had their questions addressed about community wildfire risk reduction programs and how the map supports protecting Oregon’s communities at highest hazard of experiencing wildfire.”

—Dave Hunnicutt,
chair of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, from the News story, “New Draft of Wildfire Hazard Maps.”

This article appears in Source Weekly July 25, 2024.