picture: CO Daily News

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek says Central Oregon is making measurable progress on homelessness, pointing to a 20-percent reduction through stronger coordination between local governments and nonprofits. Speaking Monday in Redmond, Kotek said continued progress will depend on lawmakers maintaining support in the 2027 legislative session, especially for addiction prevention and rehousing programs. Statewide, homelessness is down about six percent. Caroline Cruz with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs credited partnerships across Central Oregon, saying improvements in health, family and justice services, education, and transportation are helping connect people to support. Kotek was joined at Shepherd’s House by Warm Springs leaders and elected officials from Bend, Redmond, and the legislature.

Jefferson County Fair officials say next month’s fair and rodeo will go on, but without a carnival.

Fair board member Dan Comingore says their carnival operator canceled less than two weeks ago, citing a shortage of skilled workers and employees overall. Comingore says the board tried every option to secure rides and games, but couldn’t replace the operator in time.

The fair will still feature exhibits, specialty food and drinks, live music, and PRCA rodeo performances. Anyone who already purchased carnival tickets can receive a reimbursement.

The Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo runs July 22nd through the 25th.

Volunteer registration is now open for the 30th annual Deschutes River Cleanup, set for Saturday, July 11th, at six locations from La Pine to Tumalo. Organizers say they need helpers both on land and in the water. Kollen Miller with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council says paddlers must bring a PFD, whistle, throw bag, and water access permit, with some throw bags available on site. Miller says the cleanup has grown over three decades, with crews focusing each year on the river’s greatest needs and surrounding riparian areas. Signups are available through the river cleanup page online.

Deschutes County is rolling out a new rural recycling service, with a six-dollar monthly fee applied broadly rather than through individual subscriptions. Commissioner Tony DeBone tells KBND News the state required the county to offer the service universally if it chose to move forward.

DeBone says the program will accept most common recyclables, including plastic and cardboard, but not glass. He says it also ties into Oregon’s recycling modernization efforts and the county’s work on a new landfill site with material processing.

The change gives residents in distant rural service areas recycling access more similar to what’s already available inside city limits.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is adding a wellness coordinator to support deputies and staff facing the long-term stress of difficult calls.

Sheriff Ty Rupert says caring for employees is essential to serving the public.

“The best way that we can serve our community is making sure that the men and women that I work with are taken care of first…”

Rupert says the coordinator will work directly with personnel, joining ride-alongs, visiting jail floors, and offering private meetings when needed.

The goal is to keep first responders healthy and ready to serve. The county hopes to have the position filled by this fall.