The federal government is sending over $1.2 billion of transportation funding to Oregon through the bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law on Monday. With the ink still drying, no specific projects are yet approved in Oregon, but the bill mandates a couple areas where funding must go. However, about a third […]
Central Oregon
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Rich Pass?
Sen. Ron Wyden called out POWDR Corp. for its controversial “Fast Tracks” pass
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden echoed many Central Oregonians’ criticisms of Mt. Bachelor’s “Fast Tracks,” which would allow people to skip regular lines at all but three of the resort’s ski lifts. Passes start at $49 a day, but price will vary based on mountain conditions, day of the week and holidays. A petition seeking to […]
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Winter Sports On A Warmer Earth
Protect Our Winters seeks systemic solutions to protect the environment, and their favorite winter sport
Editors note: The Source team imagines what outdoor communities can do—and are doing—to make them more responsive to climate change Before Bend became known as an outdoor Disneyland for all types of activities, it was primarily known for lumber and skiing. The timber industry shrunk from conservationist regulations, and now skiing seasons could shrink with […]
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Remembering Barry Washington
The shooting of a 22-year-old Black man sheds light on people’s experiences of racism in Central Oregon
Hundreds of people attended vigils to honor Barry Washington, Jr. Sept. 22 and 23 in Bend, just days after police say he was shot and killed by Ian Cranston outside of The Capitol, a Bend nightclub, Sept. 19. Washington’s family and friends also organized a vigil at Benicia Park in Benicia, California, close to where […]
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End of an Abstraction
There’s no single view among veterans on the Afghan withdrawal, but they do face unique challenges both during their service and after
There are around 22,000 veterans in Central Oregon—less than 10% of the population. Nationally about 7% of the population has served in the military. Three million served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A slim, and decreasing fraction of United States citizens know the rigors of military life and even fewer the unique challenges […]
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Record High COVID Cases In Oregon
COVID cases and hospitalizations soar—largely among unvaccinated people
Oregon COVID cases and hospitalizations are exceeding pandemic highs. Only 57 of Oregon’s 883 ICU beds are available when this story went to print. “The delta variant continues to ravage communities across Oregon, our hospitals are scrambling to avoid being overtopped by record numbers of COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon State Health Officer, in a video for […]
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Emerson’s Cleared. Now What?
The City’s after-action report from the closing of a camp on Emerson Avenue could guide future closures on City-owned right of ways
On June 23 the Bend Police Department, in coordination with social services agencies, closed and cleared Emerson Avenue, where 40 to 50 unhoused people were living on City right of ways, using a City policy uniquely tailored for Emerson that could guide how unhoused encampments are swept in the future. At the Bend City Council meeting approving the policy […]
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Three Fires
The Grandview, Darlene and Swamp Wells Trail Fires have burned thousands of acres during the early fire season
Grandview Fire The fire 10 miles north of Sisters torched 6,032 acres, just under 10 square miles, since it was first reported on July 11. The Grandview Fire fed on timber, juniper sage and grass and grew with the help of high heat, low humidity and active winds. It threatened 421 homes, but none were […]
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River Democracy
How 4,700 miles of Oregon waterways got nominated for Wild and Scenic River designation
Rivers are a big economic engine that float our entire state. During the last session of Congress, more of Oregon’s rivers were given Wild and Scenic designation—meaning more protection for these precious waterways. Riding that tide, now Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is going to bat to further increase protected mileage with the River Democracy Act—and […]
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Need A Ride
The labor shortage has made it harder than ever to hail a ride in Bend
Before the pandemic, when Bendites needed a ride, be it to the airport to avoid parking fees, home after a few too many at the bar or – for those without a car – to simply avoid the walk or bike ride to their destination, they could usually find it on a ridesharing app or […]