I hope you enjoyed the first Thursday edition of the Spokesman in many years. It was exciting to see the positive response from a new, thicker paper and see it back on its old, traditional publication date. Thank you for reading and subscribing.

One of the lead stories in the new edition was about COCC and RPA teaming up to offer local students an introduction to the building trades. Students are getting hands-on training and employable skills and also making high-quality work in the process. The tiny homes the students construct will eventually head to Oasis Village to help house those in need.

I always get a kick out our “Flashback” feature that delves through past editions of the Spokesman. There was a humorous one this past week about officers raiding the legion hall looking for bootleg liquor that turned out to be an April Fools joke. Front page news in 1924! Hope you all have your pranks ready for Sunday (wink, wink).

When the calendar does finally turn, that means we’ve got a new “Artist of the Month.” Check out Terry’s work next weekend when the First Friday art walk returns to downtown Redmond.

Also next weekend the Central Oregon Ag Show blows into town. The Spokesman is a major sponsor of the event, and we’ll be out manning a booth Saturday and Sunday so please stop by and say hello.

Looking for work? If you’ve got some time today, swing out to the fairgrounds and BasX’s hiring fair. Already one of Redmond’s largest employers, they are looking to hire 150 more workers by June.

Need a pick-me-up? Always smiling Betty Kelly has you covered with her monthly “Bright Side” column.

Redmond High will have a new football coach next fall, but it will be a familiar face to many Panthers. The new head honcho worked as defensive coordinator the last three seasons.

And we’ll leave you with some news on two people suspected of committing multiple thefts earlier this month in Redmond. Redmond PD says they have the duo identified, but believes they have left the area. Neither has been arrested.

Quote of the Week

“A lot of students — and I’m not going to say all of them, but quite a few — are disengaged with the traditional high school experience. They’re just ready to explore and get some hands-on skills … The confidence boost that they walk out with is pretty amazing.”

— Hallie Caron, assistant director at the Redmond Proficiency Academy

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If you haven’t already, consider purchasing a subscription for digital access or weekly print delivery. Visit redmondspokesman.com or stop by our office, at the intersection of Deschutes and 6th St., and we’ll get you signed up at an affordable price. It’s the best way to support our work and stay informed about your community.

— Tim Trainor is editor of the Redmond Spokesman.