Deschutes County
Posted inOpinion

Vote Shemia Fagan for Oregon Secretary of State

Fagan’s values and voting record better reflect those of wider Oregon
by The Source Staff

Deciding who to support in the Secretary of State race has come with much discussion and challenges, but Democratic nominee, Shemia Fagan, is the candidate we find most ready for the job. Amid a field of candidates in the primary, we opted to endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner, while also lamenting that McLeod-Skinner did not choose to […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Yes on Measure 107 – Campaign Finance Reform

If this passes, it gives Oregon lawmakers the green light to draw up regulations around limiting contributions.
by The Source Staff

Vote Yes on Measure 107 to amend the Oregon constitution and allow state and local governments to put campaign contribution limits in place. If this passes, it gives Oregon lawmakers the green light to draw up regulations around limiting contributions. The influence of multinational corporations and wealthy donors has disproportionally tipped the scales away from […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Yes on Measure 108 – Vape Tax

Measure 108 would create a tax on nicotine vaping and heated tobacco products
by The Source Staff

Measure 108 would create a tax on nicotine vaping and heated tobacco products. Under the ballot measure, the monies would first go to the administration and enforcement of the tax. The remaining revenue would then be allocated to the Oregon Health Authority for medical and health care-assistance programs, including mental health services and other programs […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Yes on Measure 109 – Clinical Use of Psilocybin

Oregon ranks dead last in the country for high rates of mental illness combined with low access to care. We have a crisis that calls out for innovative solutions.
by The Source Staff

Measure 109 legalizes the use of the plant medicine psilocybin in a clinical setting. It was spearheaded by two Portland therapists, Sheri and Thomas Eckert, who have been working to make psilocybin legal and accessible for years. Psilocybin may induce an altered state of consciousness with feelings of euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote Yes on Measure 110 – Drug Decriminalization

This election, voters have the opportunity to extend folks some needed medical and mental health treatment.
by The Source Staff

We are all veterans of the War on Drugs. And at this point, we have little to show for it. Unfortunately, the history of this conflict is one where community members suffering from addiction have been thrown in jail and branded as criminals for life. But the tide is turning. This election, voters have the […]

Posted inOpinion

Vote YES on 9-139 – Bonds to Renovate, Upgrade, Construct and Equip Library Facilities

Vote yes for the Deschutes Public Library bond.
by The Source Staff

Those who regularly attend cultural events in Central Oregon know a central truth: This region, growing at breakneck speed and poised to welcome tens of thousands more residents in the coming years, is sorely lacking in its indoor cultural facilities. While plenty of public entities could take up the charge to deliver the type of […]

Posted inNews

Listen: Criminal Justice Reform with John Hummel 🎧

The Deschutes County District Attorney discusses innovative ways his office lowered the rate of recidivism for drug offenses
Laurel Brauns

For this week’s “Bend Don’t Break” podcast we talk with John Hummel, who has been serving as the Deschutes County District Attorney since he was first elected in 2014. Before that, he served on the Bend City Council for six years, and then resigned in 2007 to earn his Masters in Public Policy from Johns […]

Posted inNews

Passing on the Grass?

Deschutes County commissioners finalize marijuana opt-out measure to put it on the November ballot
Avatar photo Cayla Clark

Since recreational marijuana grow operations were first legalized statewide in 2015, land-use disputes have overwhelmed Deschutes County officials. An ongoing influx of controversial applications prompted the enforcement of a county moratorium in August of last year, prohibiting new grow and operation applications. On the upcoming November ballot, local voters will have the opportunity to opt […]

Posted inNews

Three New COVID-19 Deaths in Central Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority reported the deaths early Friday, taking the total death toll in Central Oregon to five
Laurel Brauns

The Oregon Health Authority reported early Friday that two people from Deschutes County died from COVID-19. In addition, the first death in Jefferson County was reported by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs late Thursday night. In all, the OHA reported nine new COVID-19 deaths in the state Friday, raising Oregon’s total to 282. Among the […]

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