Month: August 2025

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding statistics, full story, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In 2024, Oregon topped the list of U.S. states for number of recall attempts relative to its population – 0.76 recall attempts per 100,000 residents.* But so far in 2025, recall petitions are well below the state’s average for this time of year. 

As of June of this year, only three officials statewide were targeted for recall — seven fewer than the mid-year average of the past five years. But here in Central Oregon, things look a little different. 

Despite a statewide slowdown, two local recall campaigns launched in the last two months, signaling that voter frustration may be simmering on a local level.

A recall of embattled former Sheriff Kent van der Kamp started at the end of June by some of his own within the sheriff’s office. That recall attempt was meant to be a fail-safe, if van der Kamp did not resign — but he announced his resignation effective July 31st, mere hours after the recall effort went public. 

The second attempt is led by a La Pine resident, William Minnix of Oregon For The People, whose recall petition against Governor Tina Kotek was approved by the State on Friday. Minnix must collect nearly 293,000 signatures by October 27th. If successful, Governor Kotek would have five days to resign before a recall election would start.

According to BallotPedia, in Oregon, recall efforts peaked in 2024; 32 officials were targeted and 19 were removed from office — a 59% success rate, the highest in recent history.

But a recall doesn’t always mean removal from office. 

Between 2020 and 2024, more than 60 officials in Oregon were targets of recall attempts that did not meet the requirements to trigger an election. 

When voters did weigh in, the outcomes were mixed. Just last year, seven officials survived recall elections, while only two were removed.

Under Oregon law, petitioners must collect valid signatures totaling at least 15% of the votes cast in the election. In addition, those signatures must be collected within 90 days of filing, then verified by the state election office. Due to these hurdles, voters rarely receive a recall ballot. 

Still, local campaigns popping up this year suggest recalls remain a political tool for the public, especially in smaller communities where organizers can mobilize quickly.

Whether Central Oregon’s recent efforts signal a larger shift remains to be seen. Only time will tell if the state’s below-average mid-year trend will continue throughout 2025.

*Information provided by editor at BallotPedia.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Northwest developer Killian Pacific said Tuesday it has secured a long-term retail lease with two beloved Central Oregon businesses – the Way West, a Western-inspired bar with a fresh-cut deli and provisions counter from Bend Brewing Company, in collaboration with Sisters Meat & Smokehouse – at Jackstraw, its 313-unit mixed-use residential and retail project.

Here’s the Northwest developer’s full announcement:

This space will anchor Jackstraw’s retail experience and will bring a distinctly new food-and-beverage concept to Bend’s Southern Crossing neighborhood. Centrally located between downtown Bend and the Old Mill District, Jackstraw spans a 4.7-acre site at Industrial Way and Lava Road and is adjacent to Bend’s Box Factory retail center.

As Jackstraw nears completion, residential pre-leasing began in July, and move-in availability is October. Once complete, Jackstraw will serve as a vibrant new hub for retail, living, and community connection.  

Construction for the Way West is slated to begin in late 2025, and it will open its 3,800-square-foot indoor-outdoor space at Jackstraw in Spring 2026.

Located along Jackstraw’s activated ground floor retail corridor, the Way West will sit adjacent to a dedicated pedestrian plaza on the southwest edge of the site, just south of Lava Pass – a flexible multi-modal street designed for low-speed traffic and occasional community events.

The plaza will feature Fossils of the Future, a site-specific sculpture series by artist E. Tyler Brown, offering a space for reflection, art, and neighborhood connection. 

The Way West will feature a full bar operation, with beer and cocktails curated by Bend Brewing Company, and a fresh-cut provisions counter operated by Sisters Meat & Smokehouse, two local icons known for quality, hospitality, and heart.

A western-inspired horseshoe bar anchors the interior space, while roll-up garage doors open onto a 1,500-square-foot outdoor patio complete with a fire pit, shade structures, and flexible seating. The result is a seamless, year-round indoor-outdoor gathering place, a true expression of the Central Oregon lifestyle. 

“The Way West brings together two standout brands that represent the best of Central Oregon’s quality-focused food and beverage scene. We are looking forward to unveiling this new concept to our future resident community and to the surrounding neighborhood,” said Killian Pacific Director of Development Cassidy Bolger. “Their focus on high-quality, personalized customer service, and creating a quintessential local experience aligns perfectly with our vision for Jackstraw and the dynamic mix of retailers we are bringing to the site.”  

A hybrid between Bend Brewing’s award-winning beer culture and Sisters Meat’s fresh butcher offerings, the Way West will bring a brand-new program to Bend’s Southern Crossing neighborhood. It will offer grab-and-go options, marinated and smoked meats, house-made jerky, sausages, as well as a relaxed, family-friendly bar with full-service cocktails and non-alcoholic selections. 

“We’re building something that feels like home — a space that celebrates Central Oregon where people can gather, grab a drink, pick up great food, and connect,” said Packy Deenihan, co-founder of the Way West and owner of Bend Brewing and Waypoint BBC. “This is a local story through and through; this is about collaboration, craftsmanship, and pride in where we live.” 

“Our motto at Sisters Meat has always been to serve amazing products with exceptional service at a fair price,” said Kay Johnson, co-founder of Sisters Meat & Smokehouse. “We’re excited to bring that same philosophy to Jackstraw, and to work alongside another locally grown brand to create something fun, fresh, and deeply rooted in the community.” 

Locally owned and based in Bend, Compass Commercial Real Estate Services provides retail brokerage and property management services for Jackstraw and the Box Factory. 

“The Way West is a fantastic addition to Jackstraw. Their presence will not only attract more exceptional tenants, but also strengthen the synergy between Jackstraw, the Box Factory, and the broader district,” said Russell Huntamer, Partner at Compass Commercial Real Estate Services.

“With the Way West, Sisters Coffee, and Drybar now on board, and the Box Factory just steps away, this area is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic destinations in Central Oregon. The energy and gravity created by these projects is building something truly special, a powerhouse of community, creativity, and commerce. Each tenant has been thoughtfully curated with Bend’s unique ethos, charm, and livability in mind, ensuring Jackstraw feels authentically local while offering something new.” 

Jackstraw has been under construction since Spring 2023 and is now more than 88 percent finished. It has a mix of apartments and townhomes, offering plenty of room and ample storage for everything from bikes to oversized fishing kayaks, modern design, parking for residents, interior courtyards, and refined spaces.

Jackstraw strives to bring new life to the neighborhood with seven stories of apartment homes and resident amenities, including a fitness center and a rooftop lounge looking toward the Cascade Range, a terrace overlooking Lava Road and the Box Factory, landscaped gardens, a resident lounge, and multiple co-working areas.

The ground floor will feature 18,000 square feet of retail space, providing a vibrant mix of local shops, restaurants, and services – energizing the Southern Crossing neighborhood. The Way West joins two recently secured retail tenants, Sisters Coffee Company and DryBar at Jackstraw. 

For more information about Jackstraw, please visit https://www.jackstrawbend.com/. 

For renderings of Jackstraw (focused on the retail), please visit this link: 

250801_Jackstraw_The Way West Announcement Photo credit goes to Killian Pacific. 

For leasing information, please visit: https://www.compasscommercial.com/property/jackstraw/ or call (541) 383-2444. 

About Killian Pacific 

Founded in 1971, Killian Pacific is a Pacific Northwest real estate firm that owns, manages, and develops places with lasting impact across Oregon and Washington. With a team of just 24, we take a highly intentional approach—balancing business outcomes with social and environmental responsibility. As a Certified B Corporation, we believe real estate can be a force for good, shaping stronger communities and a more sustainable future. For more information, visit www.killianpacific.com. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes, a local non-profit dedicated to affordable housing, is breaking ground later this month on its newest community, Rooted at Antler, on Friday, August 22 from 11 am to 1 pm at 1699 West Antler Avenue in Redmond.

Here’s Tuesday’s full news release:

The community is designed to address Central Oregon’s mid-market housing shortage, offering homeownership to buyers earning up to 120% of the Deschutes County Area Median Income (AMI), a significant increase from the typical 80% AMI. 

Rooted at Antler will feature 

Middle-Income Cottages: Ten single-family, three-bedroom cottages, similar in design to the popular Simpson and Poplar models, will be available for purchase. Seven of these ten cottages are specifically designed for families earning up to 120% AMI, a demographic often underserved by current housing options.  

Accessible Split-Level Duplexes: The community will feature four split-level duplexes, marking RootedHomes’ first homes with ADA accessibility. The four bottom units are designed to be fully ADA accessible, featuring lower counters and larger bathrooms – a direct result of resident-driven design input. The top levels of these duplexes will offer three-bedroom units.  

Enhanced Community Features: Addressing common concerns, Rooted at Antler includes enclosed storage areas off porches, providing convenient space for bikes and other personal items. To alleviate parking limitations, parallel parking will be strategically integrated along the street. 

The lottery for these homes is expected in January/February. This new community is ideally situated across the street from a Housing Works rental apartment development and a Head Start Daycare, creating a comprehensive and supportive neighborhood environment for families. 

“CS Construction is proud to support RootedHomes in turning their exciting vision for the Antler Development into reality,” said Matthew Cohen, Managing Partner of CS Construction. “As a participant on the project team, we have been fortunate to see first-hand the level of commitment, passion, and professionalism the Rooted Team has for creating equitable housing opportunities that enhance and make our community a better place for everyone that calls Central Oregon Home.” 

Eliza Wilson, Executive Director of RootedHomes, emphasized the project’s responsiveness to community needs. “Rooted at Antler is a direct answer to the pressing demand for middle-income housing in Central Oregon.

“We heard the community’s concerns about affordability, and this project directly addresses that by creating homes that are accessible to a broader range of working families. We also listened closely to feedback regarding practical needs, which is why we’ve incorporated thoughtful solutions like more parking and much-needed enclosed storage areas, making these homes truly livable and functional for our future homeowners.” 

To attend the groundbreaking ceremony, RSVP via email destiny@rootedhomes.org. For more information on RootedHomes and Rooted at Antler, visit https://rootedhomes.org/communities/redmond.  

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RootedHomes, formerly Kôr Community Land Trust, is a Central Oregon nonprofit dedicated to creating sustainable, affordable homeownership opportunities for the local workforce. By utilizing the Community Land Trust model, RootedHomes ensures long-term affordability and access to healthy homes for generations. This innovative approach allows RootedHomes to steward the land, keeping housing costs down. Prioritizing equitable access to energy-efficient homes and their associated health and financial benefits by developing to net-zero energy standards is a priority of the organization. RootedHomes is committed to empowering homebuyers who have historically faced barriers to building wealth through homeownership. Through sustainable practices and community-centered development, RootedHomes is making a tangible difference in the lives of Central Oregon residents. Learn more at rootedhomes.org. 

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As August begins, fire weather forecasters predict higher-than-average temperatures will continue to dry fuels in the region and, along with lightning, cause numerous natural fire starts across Oregon and Washington, the U.S. Forest Service warned Tuesday

Since the end of May, fire managers in the Pacific Northwest have engaged in fighting 53 large fires covering just over 200,000 acres, including National Forest lands.  

Through initial and extended attack, firefighters work to keep fires small, as they did with last week’s starts from lightning in central, south-central and eastern Oregon.

“However, without significant cooling and rain, communities should anticipate more large fires on the landscape in August and September,” the agency said.   

With four large wildfires currently burning on National Forests in the region, 15 national forests are now in campfire restrictions to help prevent additional human-caused wildfires. Fire danger levels on all National Forests, except the Siuslaw National Forest, are High to Extreme.  

Fire managers say that with numerous expected natural ignitions, now is the time for people to double down on fire prevention efforts. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this year, nearly 93% of all wildfires in the nation have been started by people. 

For more news and information about national forests in the Pacific Northwest, visit our news page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/r6/news-events or our home page, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6. For more information about the USDA Forest Service visit https://www.fs.usda.gov. 

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