Thank you for subscribing to the Inside Deschutes County E-Newsletter! Here's what's making news across the County:

Spring 2023 FireFree Events

Fire season is quickly approaching, so now is the time for Central Oregonians to plan to reduce their risk by creating defensible space and take advantage of upcoming spring FireFree events.

You can drop off yard debris at FireFree collection sites FOR FREE in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. 

Details are as follows:

Knott Landfill

Saturday, May 6 – Sunday, May 21, 7 Days/week, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Negus Transfer Station in Redmond

Saturday, June 3 – Saturday, June 17, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Northwest (Fryrear) Transfer Station near Sisters

Saturday, June 3 – Saturday, June 17, Wednesday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Southwest Transfer Station near La Pine

Saturday, June 3 – Saturday, June 17, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunriver Compost Site in Sunriver

Friday & Saturday, May 5-6, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Box Canyon Transfer Site in Madras

May 13-14 and May 20-21, 8:30-4:30 each day

For more information, please visit firefree.org.

Community Vaccine Clinic Updates

Our last regularly scheduled walk-in clinic will occur on Wednesday, May 10. If you have been waiting for your bivalent booster or even your primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the free clinics scheduled throughout Deschutes County. 

Moving forward, Deschutes County Health Services will be prioritizing COVID-19 services including vaccination for the vulnerable/high risk populations in our community and providing other opportunities like scheduled clinics for vaccine access.

For more information, please visit this link.

May 16 Special Election

The May 16 Special District Election is just a few weeks away! This election includes contests for local special district board members as well as local ballot measures. 

Ballots were mailed on Wednesday, April 26. Have questions? Give us a call at (541) 388-6547.

Or visit our website for more information.

Road Department Plowing Cascade Lakes Highway

The Deschutes County Road Department will be back in the mountains tomorrow, plowing and snow-blowing Cascade Lakes Highway.

These photos were taken today (4/12) near Lava Lake. Crews used a Kodiak snowblower attached to a loader, a dozer and a grader. They were cutting through at least 5 feet of snow at this location.

Deschutes County Road Department workers clear roughly 3/4 of a mile a day, depending on the depth and hardness of the snow.

If you would like updates, please sure to follow us on our social media channels and our website, deschutes.org/road.

Deschutes 2040

Deschutes County in 2040 – what future would you like to see?

As the County grows, what type of housing do you think should be built - and where? Voice your opinion at this link.

Inside Deschutes County Podcast

Episode 2 is now live! Spring is upon us and that means prescribed burns are right around the corner. We talk to Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, Forester Kevin Moriarty and Climate and Health Coordinator Sarah Worthington about the potential impacts. We also talk about the upcoming special election, mule deer and more!

Apple: https://apple.co/3JALtYB

Google: https://bit.ly/3LC8BqZ

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FptmlX

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/40uM6bC

Website: deschutes.org/podcast

A local team of military veterans is working to increase support for their peers and deter pension poachers who charge high fees for services that are currently available at no cost through Deschutes County Veterans’ Services.

The goal is to ensure that area veterans have free and easy access to the benefits they’ve earned, as well as benefits their family members might be entitled to.

“Our team of Veterans' Service Officers is standing by, ready to connect those who have served our country with the benefits they deserve,” said Keith Macnamara, Veterans' Service Officer for Deschutes County Veterans’ Services. “We are also working to increase support for military family members who may not know that they could be eligible for benefits. All of our services are free to veterans and their families, we just need to make sure they know we’re here.”

The VA does not charge for processing benefits or request processing fees.

Some of the benefits available to veterans include compensation, pension, healthcare, education, home loan assistance and support for those who are unhoused. Benefits for eligible family members of veterans who have passed or are disabled may also be available.

To reach the Deschutes County Veterans’ Services team, call (541) 585-VETS, or email vets@deschutes.org. 

Mental Health Week at MVHS

Prior to spring break, Mountain View High School hosted its first Mental Health Week. Mountain View’s Public Health Specialist with the Healthy Schools Program, Lani McQuilkin, worked with student leaders, school staff and community organizations who all came together to make the week’s events possible. The goal was to let students know they're not alone, they have strength, there’s hope and help in our community, and to keep the conversation going about mental health.

Every day students had the opportunity to have guided conversations about mental health in their classrooms, engage with various community partners and participate in fun activities during lunch. Visiting community partners who provided resources during lunch included Deschutes Public Library, YouthLine, Mosaic Medical, The Drop and Deschutes County Health Services.

“I think most teenagers struggle with mental health. There’s a lot of things nowadays that can impact teenagers,” MVHS junior Carys Bell said on a break from Zumba taught by the school’s FAN Advocate, Perla Ruiz. Bell said Mental Health Week shows students there are others just like them who also struggle, brings them together and gives them an outlet. 

McQuilkin added, “If students are able to practice making connections between what supports and resources they have, especially someone they can talk to, they are much more likely to reach out for help, use healthy coping skills and ultimately build resiliency to various life stressors they face.

VIDEO: When I Was a Kid

“When I was a kid…” doesn’t work when talking with your child about marijuana and other drugs. We can help! Visit sharedfuturecoalition.org to learn more.

Audit Report Wins National Recognition

A 2022 Distinguished Knighton Award for best performance audit in the Extra-Small shop category has been awarded to Deschutes County, Office of County Internal Audit by the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA).



The report, Management of Pandemic Case Investigation and Contact Tracing, was judged on several key elements, such as the potential for significant impact, the persuasiveness of the conclusions, the focus on improving government efficiency and effectiveness, and its clarity and conciseness.

Each year, local government audit organizations from around the U.S. and Canada submit their best performance audit reports for judging. The purpose of the competition is to improve government services by encouraging and increasing levels of excellence among local government auditors. Judges from peer organizations determined that this audit was among the best of 2022.

Here is a link to the report.

We're hiring!

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,200 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices. 

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team!

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