Month: September 2025

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With nearly 40 local companies and agencies set to participate, Central Oregon Community College is staging JobFest events for career-seekers at its Bend and Redmond campuses pm Thursday, Oct. 2 and Tuesday, Oct. 7, respectively, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both dates.

These events are free and open to the public. Visit cocc.edu/departments/cap/career-services/jobfest for details and a list of participating employers.

Additionally, both campuses will hold free resume-building workshops in advance: on the Bend campus in Cascades Hall, room 240A, from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and on the Redmond campus in the Technology Education Center, room 135, from 3-4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6. No registration is required.

“JobFest is a chance to explore different career fields and learn more about individual organizations,” said Diane Pritchard, COCC’s director of career services, academic advising and placement, or CAP services. 

Attendees can discover employment, internship and volunteer opportunities while determining the types of skills and experiences required for those positions.

For more information, contact COCC’s CAP services at 541-383-7200 or capservices@cocc.edu.

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.

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KTVZ

UPDATE: Adding video

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum announced Thursday it has earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard for animal care and well-being worldwide.

The Museum went before the AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission for final review on Sunday for accreditation in what has been a years-long process. The Museum wildlife team cares for over 100 animals ranging from mammals to birds of prey to reptiles, amphibians and fish, each with its own needs and requirements.

Here’s the rest of the museum’s announcement:

Of the 32 applicants reviewed by the Commission during the AZA’s September meeting in Tampa, Fla., 31 were granted accreditation. Fewer than 10 percent of 2,800 institutions licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exhibit wildlife are accredited by the AZA. As of this month, there were 254 AZA-accredited institutions worldwide.

“We are extremely proud to have achieved AZA accreditation through providing the highest standards in both animal care and our educational programs,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “This is a testament to not only the outstanding dedication of our wildlife team, but to the entire staff and Board for supporting and affirming these high standards, day in and day out.”

AZA is the independent accrediting organization for the best zoos and aquariums in North America and the world, assuring the public that when they visit an AZA-accredited facility, it meets the highest standards for animal care and welfare. AZA accreditation standards are considered the gold standard for zoos and aquariums in all aspects of operations, animal care and wellbeing, education and conservation.

“Congratulations to the leadership and staff at the High Desert Museum for attaining the global ‘gold standard’ in zoological and aquarium accreditation,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core. The High Desert Museum has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care.”

The Museum joins the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and Wildlife Safari in Winston as the AZA-accredited organizations in the state. In addition, the Museum is now one of only 15 other organizations in the United States to hold both an AZA and an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation.

The Museum has cared for wildlife on site since its inception in 1982, from North American river otters to porcupines, owls and turtles, foxes and bobcats. Museum founder Don Kerr believed closeup encounters with wildlife that evoke wonder and awe could lead to learning about and conserving those species in the wild.

To be accredited, the Museum submitted a lengthy application and underwent a thorough onsite inspection and examination by recognized experts in animal wellbeing and zoo operations to ensure it has and will continue to meet the ever-rising standards of animal care, conservation, education and safety.

“AZA accreditation is an intensely thorough process,” said John Lewis, a Museum board member who was director of the Los Angeles Zoo from 2003 to 2009 and once served on AZA’s Accreditation Commission. “It’s deliberately so in order to ensure that the wellbeing of the wildlife in our care as well as the Museum’s conservation, education, research and visitor programs are top quality. The High Desert Museum has done an exceptional job with its care and in achieving this recognition.”

Additionally, the inspecting team observed all aspects of the Museum’s operation in areas such as staff training, visitor experience and learning, safety, financial stability, risk management and guest services. AZA requires organizations to complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years.

“AZA accreditation impacts every section of our work because we are all in this together,” said Director of Strategic Projects Christina Cid, Ph.D. “From finances to education and interpretation to conservation efforts and programming, we strive daily to promote and protect the animals in our care while creating a meaningful visitor experience.”

AZA requires that organizations engage in conservation-related efforts, from educating visitors to contributing to species preservation and scientific endeavors. The High Desert Museum does so through a variety of avenues.

“AZA accreditation is important because we want our visitors to understand our commitment to both the wellbeing of the animals in our care at the Museum and to the stewardship of their wild counterparts,” said Museum Curator of Wildlife Jon Nelson. “The accreditation process ensures that we doing both with a rigorous evaluation of our animal management practices and our conservation and education programs. Ambassador animals at the Museum bring awareness and appreciation to species people might not otherwise think about, like Pacific lamprey, North American porcupines and Mazama newts.”

Daily wildlife programs, such as the summer Raptors of the Desert Sky outdoor free flight demonstration, share information about the adaptations, behaviors and habitat of species as well as how we can help them thrive in the wild.

Behind the scenes, the wildlife team supports and takes part in ongoing conservation projects. From a collaborative effort to help Crater Lake’s Mazama newt to a community science project in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to learn more about the North American porcupine, the High Desert Museum participates in programs that help conserve species and assist in research and studies. More about the Museum’s conservation-related efforts is available at https://highdesertmuseum.org/conservation/. 

“AZA accreditation is an iterative process with new and updated standards coming out every year,” Nelson said. “We are excited to continue the work of elevating animal wellbeing at the Museum, and for the opportunity to collaborate and participate in AZA programs with other accredited institutions across the country.”

The innovative, interdisciplinary experiences at the Museum incorporate similar messaging, instilling a connection to and a respect for the High Desert.

The Forest at Night experience on view at the Museum encourages visitors to explore the nocturnal world through an interactive display while learning how artificial light pollution affects the ecosystem. In 2024, the Museum recognized the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with a series of exhibitions and events, including an exhibition of Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species art series.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation. For a complete list of accredited AZA facilities, please visit www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

ABOUT AZA:

Founded in 1924, the ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 254 of the top zoos, aquariums and related facilities in 13 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

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KTVZ

(Update: adding video, adding interview with Bend Chamber, City of Bend, and Bend YIMBY)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Bend’s population continues to grow, so does the pressure on housing. Now, officials are turning to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as one way to help ease the crunch — starting with a library of pre-approved ADU designs, free for public use.

Thanks to a partnership between Simplicity by Hayden Homes and the Bend Chamber, the library now contains its first additions. The Chamber hopes it’s just the beginning, and that local architects and developers will contribute to the design library. 

The goal is to make the process simpler and more affordable for homeowners who want to add housing units to their property — and in-turn, add housing options to a strained market. 

KTVZ News spoke with City of Bend housing division manager, Racheal Baker, about the benefit of the library.

“Accessory dwelling units are an excellent way for that gentler density to happen within our community at a pace that the community can develop it on its own and afford,” Baker said. 

Compared to building a new home, ADUs have fewer barriers — and with pre-approved designs, the process becomes even more efficient. The city hopes the streamlined process will encourage more homeowners to consider building. 

While the Bend Chamber is excited about the role ADUs may play in the housing shortage, they acknowledge hurdles still exist. With cost estimates to add an ADU to your property ranging from $80,000 to $400,000, many feel the option is still unattainable.  

Sara Odendahl, interim CEO of the Bend Chamber of Commerce, touched on the issue when speaking with KTVZ. 

“The cost of housing remains the biggest downside, I think, to any kind of construction — whether it’s the cost of labor, the cost of supplies, the materials. But hopefully, ADUs utilizing somebody’s existing property can be a way to help address that,” Odendahl said. 

Supporters say ADUs aren’t a cure-all, but every new unit helps. Volunteer with Bend YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard — a local group focused on housing), Ian Karasz, appreciates that steps are being taken to address the housing shortage.

“The new ADU library, to me, it feels like a good step in the right direction. I think it’s a creative solution to the problem…every piece that makes it more affordable and cheaper to build homes is going to be another tool and step in the right direction,” Karasz said. 

The city’s goal is to see at least 100 ADUs built each year — adding up to hundreds of new homes over time. 

Leaders say while challenges like construction costs and interest rates remain, this program offers an innovative path forward. Ultimately, they hope the effort not only adds new housing, but also gives homeowners a way to be part of the solution to Bend’s housing shortage.

Earlier story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — September 18th — The Bend Chamber of Commerce, through generous support from Simplicity by Hayden Homes, said Thursday it’s proud to announce the launch of the Pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Library — an innovative new resource aimed at streamlining ADU development in Bend. 

Here’s Thursday’s news release about the ADU Library:

“Solving our housing crisis requires bold, collective action—and ADUs are a powerful, flexible tool in that effort,” said Ryan Jennings, President of Simplicity by Hayden Homes. “As proud members of the Bend Chamber, we’re honored to lead the way on this pre-approved online design library. At Simplicity, we believe that smart design can deliver more than just shelter—it can offer comfort, beauty, and real affordability. ADUs are a modern solution for modern housing needs, and we’re proud to help make them more accessible for our community.”

The Design Library supports the City’s housing production goals by offering a curated online collection of architecturally reviewed and permit-ready ADU plans. Homeowners can browse, choose, and purchase designs that align with local building codes, enabling faster permitting, cost savings, and greater housing diversity. Simplicity, a member of the Bend Chamber, provided financial and technical resources to help make the Pre-approved ADU Design Library a reality. 

ADUs—compact homes typically attached to or located behind an existing house—play a vital role in diversifying housing in established neighborhoods. They leverage existing infrastructure, support intergenerational living, and offer homeowners a valuable investment opportunity.

In June 2025, the Bend City Council approved a new ordinance to allow up to two ADUs on the same property: one larger unit (up to 800 sq. ft.) and one smaller unit (up to 500 sq. ft.), which can be attached, detached, or a combination. 

“ADUs are an innovative way to strengthen our neighborhoods and expand attainable housing options for Bend residents,” said Sara Odendahl, Interim CEO of the Bend Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to partner with the City and Simplicity by Hayden Homes to bring the Pre-approved ADU Design Library to life. By making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to add these units, we’re helping our workforce, and their families, stay rooted in Bend while addressing a critical community need.”

The Chamber’s new Pre-approved ADU Design Library bolsters this effort by providing pre-approved, code-compliant plans developed by qualified architects. Designs hosted in the library have been reviewed and permitted as a Master Re-Issue Permit through the City of Bend’s permitting program. The designer holds the Master Permit; all that remains is for the homeowner to work with the designer on submitting for a re-issued, site-specific permit. 

Benefits of the Pre-approved ADU Design Library include:  

Saving homeowners time and money by using pre-approved plans that fast-track permitting and reduce design costs. 

Providing designers and developers with a platform to list their ADU designs and connect directly with local homeowners seeking streamlined solutions. 

Gaining more affordable, diverse housing options, supporting workforce housing and neighborhood vitality. 

“With shared advocacy for more housing options, we are excited to see a library of pre-approved plans being added to the Chamber’s ADU resources. It’s great to see the City’s Master Re-Issue Permit program being used to support homeowners in their ADU development process,” shared Kerry Bell, City of Bend Housing Division.

To expand the library’s offerings, architects, designers, and developers are encouraged to submit plans for pre-approval and inclusion. Instructions for how to do this are available at… https://bendchamber.org/pre-approved-adu-design-library/architects-and-builders/ 

The Pre-approved ADU Design Library can be found on the Bend Chamber’s web site at… https://bendchamber.org/pre-approved-adu-design-library/ 

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