Section Feature
Posted inNews

Bend’s Police Chief Says Officers Do Not Take Part in Immigration Enforcement

Photos of Police Officers Have Been Misidentified
Avatar photo by Nic Moye

Bend’s Police Chief put out a statement to the public to clarify his department’s relationship with ICE. Chief Mike Krantz says his officers have been misidentified as ICE agents. He says police officers are not a part of immigration enforcement efforts. This is the statement from Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz:   We understand that the […]

Posted inNews

Clearing Up a Misattributed Quote About President Trump in ‘The Bulletin’

A June 20 misattribution to Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair stoked the online theory that A.I. had hallucinated the politician’s ‘anti-Trump’ sea change
Avatar photo by Peter Madsen

T o read it on its face, The Bulletin’s June 20 article, “Plan to sell public lands sparks backlash in Central Oregon,” read like another fairly reported story that localizes the latest repercussions of the Trump Administration here in Central Oregon.  The piece covers the U.S. National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands that […]

Posted inNews

Delays on Reed Market/Bond Roundabout Spark Safety and Traffic Concerns

A long-planned upgrade to a traffic-clogged intersection is gaining renewed calls to move the project up
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

In recent years, the City of Bend has pushed back a road project which aims to expand the roundabout at Reed Market Road and Bond Street, causing frustration for residents who say the busy intersection cannot handle the current flow of traffic. At a June 18 meeting, Bend City Councilor Mike Riley requested that the […]

Posted inNews

Time Running Out on a Bill That Could Help Wildfire Victims

Senate Bill 926 would pressure PacifiCorp to pay compensation before a federal tax break expires.
by Nigel Jaquiss, Oregon Journalism Project

As the 2025 legislative session lurches toward its conclusion, a bipartisan bill aimed at speeding wildfire damage payouts remains stalled in committee. The looming expiration of a federal tax break for fire victims adds urgency to Senate Bill 926. That tax break—available to people who get financial compensation for losses in fires that are declared […]

Posted inNews

Poll Shows Voters Aren’t Worried About Oregon Roads and Don’t Want to Pay to Fix Them

As lawmakers prepare to vote on the session’s signature legislation, Republicans are furious and some Democrats are skeptical.
by Nigel Jaquiss, Oregon Journalism Project

As the Oregon Legislature prepares for looming floor votes on House Bill 2025, a transportation funding bill at the center of the legislative session, polling obtained by the Oregon Journalism Project shows voters are unconvinced of the need for legislation that would raise nearly $2 billion in new funding annually. And perhaps more importantly, the […]

Posted inNews

Deschutes County Sheriff Resigns, Effective July 31

Following accusations of dishonesty, Sheriff Kent van der Kamp decided to resign from his position June 23
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp resigned from his position on Monday morning, following months of scrutiny for accusations of dishonesty. Around 8:20am on June 23, van der Kamp sent an email to Deschutes County, stating his resignation from the Office of Sheriff, effective July 31. According to an email from Deschutes County Clerk […]

Posted inNews

Under Pressure, Travel Oregon Reveals CEO’s New Salary

The agency will continue paying Todd Davidson handsomely in retirement
Avatar photo by Nic Moye and James Neff, Oregon Journalism Project

After a week of secrecy, Travel Oregon and its commissioners have revealed what they are paying CEO Todd Davidson to stay on in the top job for one more year after he retires this month. Davidson, who made a $365,000 base salary in 2024 and is one of highest-paid agency heads in state government, will […]

Posted inNews

Residents Weigh in on Public Lands Sale Proposal

Locals are fighting back against an amendment to the ‘big, beautiful bill’ that would allow the private sale of public lands in Western states
Avatar photo by Julianna LaFollette

Bend locals gathered at Drake Park June 21 to march in protest against the proposed sale of millions of acres public lands in several Western states, including Oregon. The proposal was introduced in early June as an amendment to a Republican budget bill called colloquially the “big beautiful bill.” According to reporting from The New […]

Posted inNews

100 Dead Animals Found Inside House

Homeowner is charged with animal neglect
Avatar photo by Nic Moye

A La Pine man is being charged with animal neglect after Deschutes County Sheriff’s detectives say they found more than 100 dead animals. The investigation began last October at a home in the 50000 block of Deer Street south of La Pine. A woman contacted the sheriff’s office after entering the house to retrieve property that […]

Posted inNews

Travel Oregon Officials Give Well-Paid CEO a New Deal in Retirement

Officials won’t give the public details
by James Neff, Oregon Journalism Project

Shortly after Travel Oregon’s CEO announced his retirement, the commission that oversees the agency voted to keep him on for a year to help pick his successor and approved a new employment package. But the state agency is now unwilling to share with the public the details of his offer letter.  It’s a significant omission […]

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of The Source - Bend, Oregon directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article