Ron Larson and Robin Doglio perform a Valentines Day round dance at the Redmond Grange 812 Hall.

Hope you had a nice Valentine’s Day! I know that Robin and Ron did. These two sweethearts met on the dance floor 23 years ago and they’ve been partners, in love and in dancing, ever since. It was fun to spend a little time with them and hear their stories.

Central Oregon has a vibrant square dancing community. And the Hub City, as it so often is, is the center of a culture that radiates out into Prineville, Bend and Sisters. But dancers are aging out and young people aren’t picking up the old ways. If you’re looking for love — or just a little exercise and a new hobby — head down to the Redmond Grange and take a class. Unfortunately, snowy roads canceled last night’s Sweetheart Dance. You’ll have to find the love of your life some other night.

Some good news for the Redmond Airport touched down Thursday: RDM received $7 million from a federal grant program. The money will be used to fill a funding gap in a planned $155 million terminal expansion that is expected to start in earnest this summer.

As we told you about last week, Redmond voters will cast ballots in May on instituting term limits, changing the length of the mayor’s term, and banning family members from serving together in elected positions. They made the news official in a swift vote on Tuesday.

Longtime city councilor and former mayor candidate Jay Patrick gave his opinion on the questions before Redmond voters.

I wrote an editorial this week on all the election stuff voters in Redmond (and across the country) will have to consider in a packed 2024. Here in Redmond, we will vote for mayor and to fill council seats and decide on those possible changes to the city charter. County races will range from commissioners to sheriff, while state races will decide Redmond representatives in Salem. And on the federal level, the competitive congressional district that covers Redmond is also up for election. And, oh yeah, in November we’ll again choose the leader of the free world. Busy times!

Some downtown news we reported this week:

Hayden Homes is looking at redeveloping the long-closed and unsightly Village Squire Motel. Developers have tried before, but failed to get the project to pencil out. If there is a way forward, the closed motel could turn into 26 market-rate apartments.

We also have an update on the investigation into the raccoon and racist note left on the doorstep of the mayor’s law office.

Quote of the Week

“I am not a ‘do for’ guy. I feel that when you constantly do things for people, they don’t get a lot out of it. But if you do stuff with people. That is what a peer support person does. That is what case management is supposed to be. We can do everything for you, but what are you going to learn?”

— Ken Layton, 54, a formerly houseless person now living and working at Shepherd’s House shelter in Redmond, which this week expanded to offer daytime services.

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— Tim Trainor is editor of the Redmond Spokesman.