Deschutes County
Posted inOpinion

Vote No on Deschutes County Measure 9-185

Voters have the chance to decide whether to elect Deschutes County commissioners by geographic district, using a new five-district map. We have serious reservations.
by The Source Editorial Board

It’s that time again — time for our editorial board to weigh in on important issues facing local people in the coming November election. The calendar has just rolled over to September, and while it feels early to start sharing our endorsements for races in early November, the autumn goes fast, and before you know […]

Posted inLetters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor, Week of Aug. 27, 2026

An argument against Deschutes County’s district map, a call to get involved and concern about the new library’s parking in this week’s Letters
by The Source Staff

Guest Opinion: Map C Fails Deschutes County’s Independent Majority When Deschutes County voters consider Map C this November, they will be deciding the future of our new five-seat Board of Commissioners. Drafted by a seven-member advisory committee, the proposed boundaries simply do not meet basic standards of fair representation. As a retired political science professor, […]

Posted inOpinion

Empty Managed Camp = Debacle

A lack of qualified service providers means that Redmond and Deschutes County’s plans for more homeless services are delayed, again.
by The Source Editorial Board

If there’s a case to be made for expanding the capacity of the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, look no further than the situation currently unfolding at the managed camp recently built by the County and the City of Redmond near the fairgrounds. After some waffling, the City and the County finally agreed to […]

Posted inLocal News

Deschutes County Asks Redmond to Pause Homeless Camp Sweep 

As homelessness on undeveloped land stifles industrial growth, County officials fear evicting dozens of campers will only result in more problems
Avatar photo by Clayton Franke

Deschutes County asked the City of Redmond to pause the eviction of dozens of homeless campers from undeveloped land in a City-owned industrial park, saying the move would add chaos to an effort to remedy homelessness in the area and make way for development.   The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved a letter detailing the request at a meeting March 18. That came one week after the Redmond City Council agreed to start notifying people living in tents and trailers on […]

Posted inOpinion

A County Map in Search of a Problem

Voters approved two different citizen initiatives aimed at a more democratic, less-partisan Deschutes County commission. That’s not what they’re getting.
by The Source Editorial Board

Deschutes County government is embarrassing itself. Earlier this month, the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to put a map, dividing the county into five districts, before voters. In a subsequent 2-1 vote the Board voted to put that map before voters in November. The Commission could have gotten this painful map process […]

Posted inOpinion

Why Get in a Lather Over a Lil’ Ol’ County Map?

Gerrymandering and pulling the levers of power in Deschutes County
by The Source Editorial Board

Right now, county residents are up in arms about a district mapping proposal that would divide Deschutes County into five districts. If you have been following the labyrinthine path that got us to this political point, then you know none of this had to be this way. Voters said yes to a referendum in the […]

Posted inOpinion

Are County Districts a Solution in Search of a Problem?

Before the county commission expands to five, the public may have a chance to weigh in on a five-district map. But are districts really needed?
by The Source Editorial Board

If there’s anything that gets people fired up in politics, it’s the topic of where to draw the lines that separate one voting bloc from another. In Texas right now, it’s a fight that may wind its way to the Supreme Court. In Deschutes County, it’s shaping up to be a bitter battle. For the […]

Posted inOpinion

The Redmond Managed Camp Cleared a Funding Hurdle. Can It Clear the Toughest One?

When it comes to helping the unhoused, service providers are a sticking point
by The Source Editorial Board

If you were in Central Oregon before the pandemic, you would have seen a very different landscape as it pertains to the people living unsheltered. People camped in the junipers and overstayed their allotted time on public lands. Tent encampments were still visible. But what did not exist as it does now: The breadth of […]

Posted inNews

Omicron Incoming

The newest COVID variant is concerning many public health officials
Avatar photo by Jack Harvel

A new COVID variant detected in South Africa is causing concern among Oregon Health officials. South African scientists announced a new variant, now called the Omicron variant, was spreading in their country last week and it’s already been detected in 20 other countries.  Scientists are working to understand the novel variant, but it’s currently unknown whether […]

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