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.

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.

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 | [email protected]• City of Redmond: 541-504-3040 | [email protected]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.