UPDATED: This version has been edited as of Oct. 19. Six people are in the race for Bend’s directly elected mayor. Charles Baer is a local activist who’s added some colorful dialogue in this race. Brian Douglass is a disabilities advocate who believes strongly in a ward system—something we also support in the interest of […]
homeless
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Endorsement: Oregon State Governor
Vote Kate Brown
Central Oregon voters have a tough choice in a surprisingly competitive race for governor. Republican challenger Rep. Knute Buehler is a local who would bring welcome attention to the needs of Oregonians outside the Willamette Valley. Independent candidate Patrick Starnes, the third major party candidate on the ballot—who we interviewed during the primary, lacks experience […]
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Camping at Juniper Ridge
Local officials wrestle with what to do with people living on publicly owned land
Traveling along the bumpy, dusty roads that weave through the property owned by the City of Bend and the Central Oregon Irrigation District, you might see remnants of tents, tarps, a few cars and piles of household items. You’ll also see creative engineering—a house made out of tarps and old crates and a greenhouse full […]
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A Look Inside Bend’s New Warming Shelter
Sagewood Sanctuary is a low-barrier shelter
Ask an advocate for the homeless population in Bend—or a person experiencing homelessness—about one of the top needs for our community, and you’re likely to hear “warming shelter” at the top of the list. Advocates have long lamented the fact that there’s no low-barrier warming shelter for people when the weather dips below freezing. At […]
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Stay Warm, C.O.!
A winter coat drive is coming
Pine Mountain Sports, FootZone and Patagonia @ Bend are bringing the heat to Central Oregonians in need this winter with a winter coat drive and sleeping bag drive! Drop off your gently used winter coats and sleeping bags to any of these locations and they donate the coats to the Bethlehem Inn and and style […]
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Problems on the Plaza
Bend’s downtown is a gathering place for the city—but business owners, officials and loitering youth all differ on how the area should be used
In 2010, the historic Rademacher House—home to Bend’s first mayor—was the site of Arts Central’s educational programming. That year, the organization opted to close down classes in the space, after “a vile act was committed in full view on the porch.” Inside, a group of young children were gathered for an arts class when the […]
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Sidenotes 11/23-11/30
Idaho Man Survives a Crash, a Fall and a Swim in the Snake River An Idaho man who stopped to help another driver on Interstate 84 is recovering after a series of crashes left him swimming in the Snake River. Oregon State Police say Steven Arrasmith of Mesa, Idaho, stopped his Jeep behind Steven Bailey’s […]
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Central Oregon Homeless Count
This year's effort leaves many uncounted
On a mild February afternoon, Jim Vistad watches television in a cafeteria. He sits underneath a white board with lists of chores, rules and checkout times. For the past 35 years, Vistad has called Bend home and was once a cook at the Pilot Butte Drive-In. He has watched the city grow and has witnessed […]
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Homeless in Central Oregon: “It Sucks”
We have it easy. This man does not. I met this guy last weekend while working on this week’s feature story. It’s about being homeless in Central Oregon and you can read it tomorrow (we’re going to press RIGHT NOW!). Anyway, his name is Patrick. He spent two years and nine months in the Navy […]