Ah, Dry January. That magical time of year when we swap champagne toasts for sparkling water and learn that, yes, we can survive socializing without a cocktail in hand. But just because you’re taking a break from booze doesn’t mean you have to settle for boring drinks (or give up your fancy glassware). In fact, […]
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Historic Skyliners Lodge to Close in June
The Bend landmark announced it is canceling reservations and shuttering this summer
Skyliners Lodge, built in 1935, is set to close in 2025. The 90-year-old lodge is run by the High Desert Education Service District under a long-term lease with the U.S. Forest Service. In November, HDESD announced that it would return the lease to USFS and shutter the lodge, canceling all reservations after June 30. HDESD […]
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Project Censored: Racial Disparities and Environmental Emergencies Dominate Project Censored’s Top 10 Stories from 2024
The Story Being Censored Could Be Yours (Whether You Know It Or Not!)
With any top 10 list, there’s a natural tendency to look first at number one, and neither I nor Project Censored would discourage you from doing that when it comes to the annual list of the top censored stories of the year. This year, the top story is about workplace deaths and injuries — with […]
Posted inMusic
Who’s Teaching Who?
Sisters Folk Fest’s video sessions document impactful experiences for instructors and students at last year’s Americana Song Academy
Raise your hand if you’ve ever written a song about peanut butter and boogers. Singer/songwriter Jenner Fox has, alongside a gaggle of 7-year-olds. These are the stories told in the classroom that is the Sisters Folk Festival’s continuing education program the Americana Song Academy. Last year’s classes took place in late September at the picturesque […]
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After Closure, New La Pine Park Leaders Move Forward
Following financial troubles and the resignation of the La Pine Park & Recreation board, new board members look to reestablish the district
In early October, mounting frustrations, complaints and hefty money troubles within the La Pine Park & Recreation District came to a head, leading to the resignation of all of its volunteer board members and the closure of its office. With a full closure, the board laid off all LPRD employees and, subsequently, left all of […]
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The Top Central Oregon Stories of 2024
From fires to elections, this year was full of compelling local news. Here are the top 15 stories that impacted our region.
A City Tax Exemption Program Indefinitely Pauses In early January, the Bend City Council approved a nearly $10.6 million, 10-year tax exemption for Jackstraw, a large mixed-use development near the Box Factory with over 300 apartment units and 16,000 square feet of retail planned. The exemption was requested by developers Killian Pacific via the City’s […]
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Bend Don’t Break Podcast Guests: Top 10 Moments from 2024
Our humble podcast of conversations with the local people who shape our lives had a great list of guests this year. While we regret that we can’t revisit every episode, please enjoy these end-of-year top 10 lists from 10 of our favorites. If you want more, you can find the complete podcasts online. As we […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A Year of Central Oregon Chow
Highlights of a booming food scene in Bend and beyond
In Central Oregon, the old adage holds: If there’s one thing constant about the local food scene, it’s change. From celebrity openings to the closing of places locals will sorely miss, a lot came and went in 2024. Here’s a highlight reel of what the Source Weekly covered in Bend and beyond. January In January, […]
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Interview with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler
Mayor Kebler talks about City accomplishment and plans for the new year
The Source Weekly sat down with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler to talk about plans for the new year, along with noteworthy accomplishments from 2024. We covered significant topics such as housing, transportation and, of course, googly eyes. Housing On housing, Kebler was proud of the UGB expansion the City just approved, along with its investments […]
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Sheriff-elect Kent Vander Kamp Loses Lawsuit Against County for Attorney Fees
Deschutes Circuit Court Judge finds that the County and the Sheriff’s Office were within legal rights to release Vander Kamp’s California personnel records
Friday brought a close to a drawn-out legal challenge sheriff-elect Kent Vander Kamp initiated against Deschutes County, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Public Broadcasting, as well its local reporter, Emily Cureton Cook, with a judge ruling in the county and OPB’s favor. The legal battle began on October 9 when Vander Kamp’s lawyer […]
