On May 15 the Bend City Council voted to move forward with the expansion of the city’s mural code. This would mean that artists and building owners can collaborate to acquire permits to paint murals in any area of town—and not just in the Maker’s District, as is currently on the books. In April, Pine […]
Bend City Council
Posted inNews
A Ballot Measure on Mirror Pond?
Bend man works toward a public vote to block City funds for dredging, with stipulations
What to do with Mirror Pond—the body of water that sits behind the 110-year-old Newport Dam on the Deschutes River—might be one of the most contentious topics for Benditos in recent memory. Many people living near the pond, and some that own businesses that overlook it, want the City of Bend and the Bend Park […]
Posted inNews
Oregon is Moving Toward a Plastic Bag Ban
A new House Bill could ban grocery stores from giving out single-use plastic bags
The City of Bend voted on a decision back on December 5 to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, a plan that will officially go into effect on July 1. However, the whole state of Oregon might also be following in that same direction with House Bill 2509.
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
Corrections The print edition of the story, “Many Arms” (1/30), stated that a recent Lyle Lovett show in Sisters was part of the Sisters Folk Festival Americana project, which we have found to be inaccurate. That concert was organized by the Sisters Schools Foundation. The story, “Wasted in Bend: Clothing in the Landfill” (2/14), stated […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
Bend City Council Has the Bend City Council lost its fricken mind? This is my own “Political Analysis,” in effect “the story behind the story” that most readers will not see in the local press. I believe Sally Russell is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” She ran as a member of the Democratic Party and […]
Posted inNews
Protest of Chris Piper’s Appointment to the City Council
About 30 people braved the cold weather Jan. 30 to voice their displeasure with the Bend City Council appointing Chris Piper to fill Sally Russell’s seat for the next two years.
Posted inOpinion
Transparency and listening fall off in appointee process
Ahead of the November election, then-Mayor Pro Tem Sally Russell promised, were she to be elected as Bend’s first directly elected mayor, that she would prioritize listening to constituents as she makes City decisions. Following the election, then Mayor-Elect Russell, tasked, along with the rest of the council, with appointing someone to fill the council […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
City Council Appointment Process I am concerned about the recent city council appointment process and the missed opportunity for Bend to become truly welcoming. The process was promoted as public and non-partisan but appears was neither. Kathy Austin, James Dorofi and Kerani Mitchell were the top three candidates at the close of Monday’s council meeting, […]
Posted inNews
Sally Russell Sworn in as Mayor
Russell became Bend’s first directly elected mayor since Mickey Mouse first appeared on screen
During a brief Bend City Council meeting on Wednesday night, Municipal Court judge Gwen Moore swore in Sally Russell as Bend’s first directly elected mayor since 1928. “This is a night of celebration,” Russell said before the swearing in and after changing her pro tem placard to read “mayor.” The Bend Children’s Choir performed “America […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
In Response to, “Powering the Dredge” on 12/13 The so-called “process” referred to by Mr. Fuller reached its culmination during the March 18, 2015, Bend City Council meeting. The crowd overflowed into the lobby, and at least 75 percent of those offering public testimony DISAGREED with the “alternative vision,” which would have used up $5 […]
