Inside Deschutes County

Deschutes County

Deschutes County is in the heart of Central Oregon, located between the towering Cascade Mountains to the west and the high desert plateau to the east. The county encompasses 3,055 square miles of scenic beauty, mild climate, diverse recreational opportunities and a growing economy. Join us as we discuss the exciting progress and growth of our area.

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#76
Yesterday · 30 min
Suicide Prevention in Our Community
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. On this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Caroline Suiter and Bethany Kuschel from the Deschutes County Suicide Prevention team discuss how to recognize when someone may be struggling, start a conversation and help prevent suicide. They also highlight local prevention efforts, upcoming events and resources available in our community.
#75
September 2 · 35 min
Bonus: Understanding Wildfire Evacuation Decisions
In this bonus episode, Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert and Emergency Manager Ben Duda discuss how decisions are made during a wildfire emergency. They explain how agencies work together, what factors influence emergency response and evacuation decisions, and what residents should know when conditions change quickly.
#74
August 17 · 20 min
Bonus: How Emergency Alerts Reach You
In this bonus episode of Inside Deschutes County, we take a closer look at how emergency alerts reach you during a wildfire or other emergency. Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda and Deschutes County 911’s Chris Perry join us to explain how information moves from first responders in the field to the public, from a deputy knocking on your door to Deschutes Alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts and social media. We also discuss lessons from recent wildfires and what you can do now to make sure you receive critical information when it matters most.
#73
July 29 · 35 min
Bonus: The Akawa Butte Fire Response
In this bonus wildfire update episode of Inside Deschutes County, Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda and Al De Vos with the Oregon Department of Forestry use the Akawa Butte Fire as a starting point for a discussion about wildfire response, preparedness and public safety in Central Oregon. They explain how agencies work together during a wildfire, what residents should know about evacuations and emergency notifications, and where to find trusted information throughout fire season.
#72
July 22 · 34 min
10 Things to Know: 106th Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Fair & Expo Director Jeff Curtis counts down the 10 things you need to know before the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo returns July 29 through Aug. 2. From new attractions and entertainment to longtime traditions, Jeff shares what visitors can expect and highlights some of the biggest changes and additions for 2026. Whether you're planning your first visit or you've attended for years, you'll come away with a better understanding of what makes this year's fair a community tradition worth experiencing.
#71
July 2 · 12 min
Bonus: Fourth of July Fire Safety
In this special bonus episode of Inside Deschutes County, the first in a series of wildfire season updates, Deschutes County Emergency Manager Ben Duda is joined by Heather Miller with the Oregon State Fire Marshal to discuss current fire conditions, fireworks safety and what residents should know heading into the Fourth of July weekend. They also share where to report fireworks concerns and simple steps everyone can take to help reduce wildfire risk. Fireworks reporting: • Deschutes County (county jurisdiction): Non-emergency, 541-693-6911 • City of Bend: 541-322-6380 | fireworks@bendoregon.gov • City of Redmond: 541-504-3040 | reportfireworks@redmondoregon.gov
#70
June 26 · 24 min
Bridging Behavioral Health and Community Justice
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Gary Costa and Jesse Kratz from Behavioral Health join Jeff Pickens from Community Justice to discuss their collaborative approach to supporting people on parole and probation. Learn how this partnership connects clients with behavioral health services, improves outcomes and strengthens public safety through coordinated care.
#69
May 12 · 25 min
Transportation Funding and the Future of County Roads
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, we catch up with Road Department Director Chris Doty to talk about the ongoing transportation funding conversation happening across Oregon and what it could mean locally for roads, maintenance and future projects. We also discuss how this year’s mild winter impacted operations, what’s ahead as budget season arrives and Chris’s recent appointment with the National Association of County Engineers.
#68
April 14 · 23 min
Inside the Terrebonne Community Plan
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Tanya Saltzman, Senior Planner with Deschutes County Community Development, joins us to talk about the Terrebonne Community Plan. She explains how the plan guides future growth in Terrebonne, what priorities have been identified through community input, and how those ideas are translated into policies and development standards.
#67
March 10 · 26 min
10 Things to Know: May 19 Primary Election
In this episode, Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison joins us to share 10 things voters should know ahead of the May 19 Primary Election. We talk about why this election is getting extra attention in Deschutes County, including the move from three to five county commissioners and how those seats will be filled. Steve also walks through key dates and deadlines, what else will appear on the ballot and where voters can find reliable election information.
#66
February 23 · 36 min
Welcoming the New Fair & Expo Director
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, new Fair & Expo Director Jeff Curtis joins the podcast for a conversation recorded shortly after his arrival in Central Oregon. He shares his background in event and venue management and what drew him to Deschutes County. Jeff also talks about his vision for the future of Fair & Expo, including opportunities to grow events, strengthen partnerships and build on the facility’s role as a year-round community asset.
#65
January 30 · 34 min
Lessons From a Career in Solid Waste and Public Service
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell reflects on his career in public service and the evolution of Deschutes County’s solid waste system as he prepares for retirement. The conversation covers how the system works day to day, key milestones during his tenure, and the challenges of managing waste for a growing community. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how local waste management affects daily life and the long-term planning needed to keep the system running effectively.
#64
January 13 · 25 min
Emergency Management and Winter Readiness
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Ben Duda, Emergency Manager with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, explains how the County prepares for winter storms, wildfires and other large-scale incidents. Even when winter is slow to begin, planning and coordination continue behind the scenes to keep the community ready. The discussion also covers how alerts and warnings are issued and practical steps community members can take to stay informed and prepared.
#63
Dec 15, 2025 · 34 min
Recycling Updates, Holiday Sorting, and a Quiz
In this episode, Jackie Wilson from Deschutes County Solid Waste shares updates on the County’s expanding recycling options and the broader recycling modernization effort underway. The conversation also looks at why this is such a busy time for Solid Waste, with more waste and recycling generated during the holidays, and wraps up with a fun Recycle or Trash quiz to help clear up some common recycling questions.
#62
Nov 19, 2025 · 28 min
A Conversation With Deschutes County’s New Health Services Director
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, we talk with the County’s new Health Services Director, Holly Harris. She shares what drew her to the role, her background in behavioral health, and how those experiences shape her approach to leading one of the County’s largest and most complex departments. She also offers her perspective on the work ahead and her vision for how Health Services can best support the community.
#61
Nov 7, 2025 · 37 min
Changes to County Outdoor Lighting Rules
How dark should the night sky be in Deschutes County? In this episode, we talk with Tanya Saltzman from the Community Development Department about new lighting standards that take effect Dec. 23. Then, Chris Hill and Bill Kowalik from Dark Sky Oregon join the conversation to share why protecting our night skies matters for wildlife, human health, and our view of the stars.
#60
Oct 27, 2025 · 34 min
Understanding the County Budget
In this episode, we take a closer look at how the County budget comes together. With property tax statements recently going out, it’s a good time to ask how Deschutes County decides where those dollars go. Commissioner Tony DeBone, Chief Financial Officer Robert Tintle, and Budget and Financial Planning Manager Cam Sparks break down how the County budget works, what drives it, and why transparency matters.
#59
Sep 29, 2025 · 32 min
Vaccines and Respiratory Health in Central Oregon
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, we sit down with Dr. Richard Fawcett, Deschutes County Health Officer, and Sarah Van Meter, Immunization Program Coordinator, to talk about vaccines and the upcoming respiratory season. They share what community members should know about flu, COVID-19, and RSV, along with updates on vaccine access in Central Oregon.
#58
Sep 9, 2025 · 32 min
The Courthouse Expansion Project
In this episode, we take a closer look at the Deschutes County Courthouse expansion. Facilities Director Lee Randall and Capital Improvement Manager Eric Nielsen walk us through the next big milestones and what’s ahead for construction. Presiding Judge Wells Ashby also shares what the expansion means for those who work in the courthouse, reminding us it’s not just about bricks and steel but about creating a space that supports fairness, access, and the people at the heart of our justice system.
#57
Aug 26, 2025 · 36 min
Sheriff Ty Rupert
In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert shares his vision for the Sheriff’s Office and what lies ahead under his leadership. He also reflects on the path that brought him to this moment, offering a look back at his career in law enforcement and how those experiences shaped his approach as Sheriff.

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