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Bend and Sisters Move Forward on UGB Actions

After considering two possible sites to bring into the city’s urban growth boundary, the Bend City Council selected a site in southeast Bend, adjacent to Knott Road. The council voted 4-2 to select the Caldera Ranch site, which is 91.4 acres. The plan calls for 716 housing units, with roughly 254 affordable units.

The City of Sisters is also in the process of bringing land into its UGB. The city invited the community to an open house on Dec. 9, sharing insights into the process and allowing residents to offer input into how the city will grow. The city shared five different site options to bring into its UGB at the meeting and will continue discussing options toward the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025.

—Julianna LaFollette

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Legislators Meet Regarding Wildfire Costs

On Dec. 10 through Dec. 12, legislators will meet for the final series of interim committee hearings prior to the 2025 legislative sessions, according to a press release. A special session on Dec. 12 will focus on allocating resources to covers costs associated with the 2024 wildfire season.

“We have a responsibility to pay our bills to the brave individuals who helped protect our homes and property during this terrible wildfire season,” said Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) in a press release. “A narrow special session focused on this common goal is the best path forward.”

This week, legislators will also focus on a variety of issues, including housing, affordability, drug addition, community safety and health care.

—Julianna LaFollette

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Student-Led Snowboard Company Brings Product to Market

The founders of SnoPlanks, the Bend-based snowboard makers, donated the company to Oregon State University-Cascades a year ago, creating a learning opportunity for local students. Now, the student-led operation has brought its first boards to market since the transition.

Two signature, asymmetrical snowboards, the Asym Twin and Asym Fish, debuted at the winter sports expo Snowvana in Portland this past month. The OSU students hosted a booth there, showcasing their designs.

The collegiate program employs 27 students who are majoring in business, engineering, outdoor products and art, media and technology, and students spend up to 20 hours per week running the business during the term. According to a press release, “SnoPlanks is believed to be the only student-led company embedded in a university in the country.”

“This experiential learning gives us all incredible opportunities to improve our leadership and technical skills in a fast-paced environment,” said Caitlin Colgin, the CEO of SnoPlanks and a senior outdoor products major. “It’s thrilling to now watch SnoPlanks’ boards heading into customers’ hands.”

In the last year, SnoPlanks and its student team have taken on a myriad of tasks that come with running a company, including leasing space for a design and prototyping facility, hiring and managing student employees, negotiating a manufacturing contract and fulfilling orders as well as marketing their products, doing branding design and website development.

—Julianna LaFollette

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40,000

—The square footage of Redmond’s new library, opening late January, from the News story, “Redmond Prepares for New Library”

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“It is a forecast. You know, it’s right there in the word. Like the weather forecaster isn’t always right, we’re making our best guess. But it is a tool that’s there for people.”

—Gabriel Coler, Central Oregon Avalanche Center’s lead forecaster, from the feature story, “Avalanche Monitoring Center in Central Oregon Expands Forecast Services”

This article appears in Source Weekly December 12, 2024.