A look back at 2023: High Desert's most difficult issues reflected nation's challenges - KTVZ

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From homelessness and housing to addiction and fentanyl, we were troubled but not alone

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Over the course of a year, most shocking, traumatic incidents on the High Desert, like the 2022 tragic shooting attack at the East Bend Safeway, also echo larger issues evident across our country.

But rarely do the biggest local news events and issues of a calendar year, which of course never start neatly in January nor end in December, reflect so much on much the same issues that our state, region and indeed nation face as they did during 2023.

From the successful efforts and continued frustrations of the rising ranks of the houseless to the closely related challenges of a tight housing supply that put costs out of reach to so many – a tough problem to solve while maintaining the region’s livability. From a serious drug addiction crisis, more specifically the heartbreaking fentanyl scourge, to the economic impacts of drought and wildfire, Central Oregonians were far from immune to the woes of those tough-to-solve problems also seen in so many other places.

From wildfires and their hazardous-smoke impacts to inflation's pinch (or punch) reflected in soaring home prices, residents of the High Desert’s unique setting had anything but unique issues and problems to grapple with.

Many of those efforts were in the world of politics, which had its twists and turns, as always – much of it related to those long-term issues, but also in a year of few elections but plenty of sharp debate, including the record-length walkout by Republican lawmakers in Salem and court challenges to voter-approved ballot measures. The year 2024 already promised to be a tumultuous election year, but the court battles are likely to make it more so.

Rather than an editor's arbitrary ranking of the relative importance of Central Oregon issues and themes, we instead offer a sampling of links to some of our stories on these topics throughout the year, to perhaps jog the memory and see how far we’ve come – or still have to go - to reach consensus, much less achieve successful solutions.  

The challenges of homelessness:

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/07/26/last-hunnell-road-occupants-leave-voluntarily-following-city-of-bends-final-deadline-for-clearing-cleanup/

https://ktvz.com/news/2023/07/12/odot-spends-10000-on-homeless-camp-cleanups-in-rights-of-way-around-c-o/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/10/30/a-huge-game-changer-shepherds-house-holds-grand-opening-ribbon-cutting-for-new-redmond-shelter/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/11/15/central-oregons-homeless-face-the-reality-of-another-cold-winter-as-odot-cleans-another-camp-off-highway-97/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/10/31/nelson-admits-mistake-in-not-checking-dahlgren-background-chang-notes-he-was-paid-in-full-blasts-shoddy-process/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/03/01/former-bend-city-councilor-mayor-craig-coyner-iii-passes-away-homeless/

https://ktvz.com/news/deschutes-county/2023/05/24/officials-purringtons-departure-could-spur-homelessness-progress-in-deschutes-county/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/12/06/35-year-bend-resident-leaving-oregon-says-china-hat-road-homeless-encampments-issues-continue-to-worsen/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/10/03/ground-breaking-ceremony-held-for-oasis-village-transitional-shelter-community-in-redmond/

https://ktvz.com/news/deschutes-county/2023/12/07/deschutes-county-commissioners-vote-2-1-to-allow-safe-parking-for-homeless-near-bend-and-redmond/

The housing crunch: From ‘affordable’ to ‘missing middle’/workforce:

https://ktvz.com/news/central-oregon/2023/09/25/has-even-affordable-housing-in-bend-become-too-costly-to-create/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/03/10/im-really-really-happy-35-businesses-join-effort-to-help-employees-with-workforce-housing-pilot-project/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/10/09/city-of-bend-oks-500k-in-grants-for-pilot-project-to-help-provide-badly-needed-middle-class-housing/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/08/07/bend-residents-share-their-experiences-with-increasing-rent-prices-at-advisory-meeting/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/10/13/incredible-resource-housing-works-breaks-ground-on-permanent-supportive-housing-community-in-se-bend/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/11/07/rootedhomes-and-housing-works-partner-to-provide-76-unit-affordable-housing-community-in-redmond/

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2023/11/01/mt-bachelor-announces-seasonal-worker-housing-partnership-with-bends-campfire-hotel-52-beds-made-available/

The drug addiction crisis, fentanyl scourge and M. 110 debate:

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/12/27/we-shouldve-been-doing-more-earlier-deschutes-leaders-talk-of-m-110-chang-says-it-didnt-cause-fentanyl-crisis/

https://ktvz.com/news/oregon-northwest/2023/09/26/gov-kotek-announces-immediate-osp-action-on-fentanyl-enforcement-disruption-strategies/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/01/05/six-deschutes-county-jail-inmates-survive-apparent-fentanyl-overdoses-inmate-charged-sheriff-points-to-m-110/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/07/25/bend-transient-accused-of-trafficking-fentanyl-from-portland-to-c-o-arrested-for-third-time-in-a-year/

https://ktvz.com/health/2023/12/22/st-charles-neonatologist-explains-effects-of-fentanyl-other-opiates-on-newborns/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/11/14/c-o-drug-agents-arrest-father-adult-son-sisters-redmond-raids-find-large-quantity-of-fentanyl-marijuana-grow/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/09/27/is-measure-110-one-of-oregons-most-controversial-measures-ever-working-after-nearly-3-years/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/12/13/deschutes-da-commissioners-discuss-proposals-to-tackle-addiction-crisis-deal-with-measure-110/

Wildfires, smoke and their health, other impacts on the region:

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/07/27/wildfire-smoke-shifts-plans-for-some-c-o-residents-and-visitors-others-stay-the-course/

https://ktvz.com/news/environment/2023/07/25/children-among-most-vulnerable-to-hazardous-smoke-conditions-bend-parks-and-rec-cancels-some-outdoor-programs/

https://ktvz.com/news/environment/2023/06/06/see-the-numbers-through-the-smoke-deq-tracks-how-wildfire-has-worsened-high-desert-air-quality-in-recent-years/

https://ktvz.com/news/fire-alert/2023/05/12/its-preventative-deschutes-national-forest-offers-rare-up-close-look-at-prescribed-burn-west-of-sisters/

https://ktvz.com/news/environment/2023/08/15/smoky-skies-linger-air-quality-and-heat-relent-a-bit-impacts-lessen-for-bend-parks-and-rec/

https://ktvz.com/news/fire-alert/2023/08/18/oregon-deq-issues-air-quality-advisory-for-deschutes-crook-counties-noah-kahan-cancels-saturday-bend-concert/

Crimes and crashes, tragedies and justice:

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/08/16/friends-grieve-very-caring-selfless-downtown-bend-shooting-victim-nationwide-manhunt-for-suspect-continues/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/12/22/bend-woman-gets-jail-probation-for-punching-bartender-helping-murder-suspect-flee-likely-to-testify-against-him/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/09/13/no-arrests-in-the-2-months-since-evelyn-weavers-killing-da-gunnels-assures-its-definitely-not-a-cold-case/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/12/29/bend-woman-sentenced-to-three-years-in-prison-for-her-3-dogs-fatal-mauling-of-man-at-juniper-ridge-homeless-camp/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/10/24/deschutes-da-discusses-case-against-smith-rock-mass-shooting-plan-suspect-as-details-of-his-troubles-come-to-light/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/12/26/judge-hears-from-tearful-family-member-keeps-2-million-bail-for-driver-in-hwy-97-duii-crash-that-killed-family-of-4/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/12/13/jury-convicts-randall-kilby-of-murder-in-2021-hatchet-killings-of-two-bend-roommates-awaits-trial-in-womans-death/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/05/08/bend-man-arraigned-on-murder-manslaughter-charges-in-fatal-shooting-of-powell-butte-man/

https://ktvz.com/news/accidents-crashes/2023/06/23/bend-mayor-pro-tem-advocates-for-e-bike-educational-panel-after-teenager-is-struck-and-killed/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/10/05/levy-tells-bend-city-councilors-she-will-propose-tougher-clearer-laws-for-younger-e-bike-riders-in-24-session/

https://ktvz.com/news/deschutes-county/2023/11/29/smiling-china-hat-armed-menacing-suspect-still-wants-to-represent-self-in-court-judge-unsure-appoints-defender/

https://ktvz.com/news/crime-courts/2023/08/21/sunriver-man-sentenced-to-nearly-7-years-for-firing-rifle-shot-into-front-of-deschutes-county-jail-wild-chase-afterward/

Government, politics and court fights:

https://ktvz.com/news/central-oregon/2023/05/23/protesters-came-out-in-support-and-against-senator-tim-knopp-to-get-back-to-work/

https://ktvz.com/news/ap-oregon-northwest/2023/12/14/oregons-top-court-hears-arguments-in-suit-filed-by-gop-senators-seeking-reelection-after-boycott/

https://ktvz.com/news/ap-oregon-northwest/2023/11/21/oregon-judge-rules-that-voter-approved-gun-control-law-violates-the-state-constitution-2/

https://ktvz.com/news/election/2023/05/16/bend-fires-levy-narrowly-passes-la-pines-more-handily-crook-county-voters-sweep-out-school-park-board-incumbents/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/06/26/central-oregon-lawmakers-point-to-successes-after-tumultuous-sessions-close/

https://ktvz.com/news/local-news/2023/10/26/bend-residents-weigh-in-on-the-city-of-bends-new-transportation-fee

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2023/08/10/i-think-its-great-customers-and-gas-stations-react-to-the-changes-of-allowing-self-serve-as-an-option/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/11/07/redmond-crooked-river-ranch-fire-departments-gain-levy-approvals-in-short-off-year-election-ballot/

https://ktvz.com/news/deschutes-county/2023/07/07/the-right-time-deschutes-county-sheriff-shane-nelson-to-retire-at-end-of-term-backs-capt-william-bailey-as-successor/

https://ktvz.com/news/deschutes-county/2023/10/25/deschutes-county-sheriffs-sgt-kent-vander-kamp-announces-run-for-sheriff-will-face-capt-william-bailey/

Business issues: Staffing struggles, inflation hits:

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2023/01/12/egg-prices-continue-to-soar-on-high-desert-due-to-avian-flu-outbreak-despite-easing-inflation/

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2023/02/08/were-just-taking-the-brunt-of-it-c-o-farmers-face-more-drought-struggles-as-inflation-pushes-up-costs/

https://ktvz.com/news/environment/2023/10/28/arnold-irrigation-district-manager-senator-merkley-pleased-by-lawsuit-dismissal-and-start-of-canal-piping-project/

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2023/06/09/its-a-relief-st-charles-bend-nurses-talk-about-new-contracts-impacts-and-their-future-at-the-hospital/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/02/15/central-oregon-post-offices-still-facing-struggles-with-staffing-shortages-job-fairs-look-to-fill-positions/

https://ktvz.com/news/government-politics/2023/12/05/odot-reverses-winter-road-maintenance-cutbacks-after-19-million-commitment-from-gov-kotek-other-lawmakers/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/12/03/it-means-a-lot-to-us-fifteen-new-businesses-have-opened-in-downtown-redmond-this-year/

Milestones: Passings of note:

https://ktvz.com/news/accidents-crashes/2023/06/03/we-lost-an-angel-friends-gather-at-steelhead-falls-to-mourn-17-year-old-drowning-victim-isrrael-isai-escobar/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2022/11/21/bend-visionary-old-mill-district-developer-bill-smith-passes-away/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/10/27/longtime-defense-attorney-terry-rahmsdorff-beloved-bend-santa-to-generations-passes-away/

‘The other stuff’: From heartwarming and inspiring to amusing:

https://ktvz.com/sports/2023/08/02/really-cool-bend-north-softball-all-stars-leave-for-little-league-world-series/

https://ktvz.com/news/2023/01/31/bend-18-year-old-and-her-high-flying-guinea-pig-abby-leap-into-guinness-book-of-world-records/

https://ktvz.com/sponsor/breast-cancer-sponsor/2023/10/18/they-got-my-back-redmond-fitness-trainer-navigates-celebrates-breast-cancer-journey-with-her-students/

https://ktvz.com/news/2023/03/30/bend-man-runs-60-miles-in-60-hours-to-mark-his-60th-birthday/

https://ktvz.com/news/redmond/2023/04/25/hailed-as-heroes-vern-patrick-students-staff-parents-help-redmond-driver-with-medical-emergency/

https://ktvz.com/news/warm-springs/2023/05/22/merkley-wyden-visit-warm-springs-to-mark-28-million-federal-investment-in-new-water-treatment-plant/

https://ktvz.com/news/crook-county/2023/05/19/we-didnt-expect-it-that-full-prineville-reservoir-rebounds-to-full-capacity-just-in-time-for-summer/

https://ktvz.com/sports/2023/05/23/inspiration-85-year-old-bend-woman-returns-from-injury-to-run-her-100th-half-marathon/

https://ktvz.com/news/war-military/2023/12/20/senate-oks-wyden-bill-bend-veterans-proposal-to-designate-us-hwy-20-coast-to-coast-national-medal-of-honor-highway/

https://ktvz.com/news/madras/2023/04/06/dax-the-delivery-robot-is-set-to-cruise-the-streets-of-madras-to-provide-key-data-on-sidewalks/

https://ktvz.com/news/central-oregon/2023/12/19/six-chairs-less-waiting-mt-bachelor-skiers-and-boarders-celebrate-grand-opening-of-six-pack-skyliner-express-lift/

https://ktvz.com/news/bend/2023/11/10/bob-the-bend-rock-gets-his-own-facebook-page-becomes-tourist-destination-after-8-cars-fall-victim-to-him-this-year/

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