Month: March 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new monthly event called “Second Saturdays” will launch at the Old Mill next week, offering a dog-themed take on the downtown Bend’s “First Fridays” gatherings. The inaugural event is scheduled for March 14 from noon to 3 p.m.

The event features an obstacle course specifically designed for dogs alongside various pet-themed vendors. Attendees can also visit The Hungry Hound, a Central Oregon food cart that provides food options specifically for dogs.

Street Dog Hero will be there with adopotable dogs, and vets will give free, basic checkups.

In addition to the pet-focused activities, the gathering includes live music and food carts for people. Beer will also be available for purchase during the three-hour event.

Bryan Du Toit, owner of The Hungry Hound, said the event was created to match the lifestyle of local residents. “Bend is such an outdoor place and everybody here has dogs,” Toit said. “So we just thought we wanted to create a monthly event where people could bring their dogs, plan for it.”

Organizers intend for the meetup to be a permanent fixture on the local calendar. “No, it’s going to happen every month and just come on down and have a great day,” Toit said.

The meetup will be held in the grassy space by the river next to Gregs Grill, which is one of the main sponsors of the series. The event is designed as a monthly pet-themed gathering featuring activities for both animals and their owners.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bella, a 2-year-old Newfoundland, is available for adoption at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Bella is a gentle giant looking for a home familiar with the needs of her breed.

Bella arrived at the shelter from a property that housed many other dogs and is now seeking a permanent environment where she can be the primary focus.

Bella is described as a low-activity dog that enjoys lounging outdoors. She would be a fit for a home with a porch or deck where she can sit and enjoy the great outdoors. Shelter staff noted that she is expected to be easy to walk on a leash and primarily seeks a companion to stay by her side.

Bella needs a little grooming, so her true personality and appearance can shine in a new environment.

The Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits Tuesday through Saturday. The facility operates from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for families interested in meeting Bella or other available animals.

The Pup Crawl fundraiser will continue every Friday and Saturday throughout the month of March. Each event is scheduled to take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at various local establishments.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is inviting residents in the Redmond/Terrebonne community to apply for a position on the county’s Planning Commission.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m.

The Planning Commission reviews land use policies and zoning regulations, making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Members form the official citizen involvement committee on land use planning for unincorporated areas of the county, providing a platform for community input.

Position Details

Vacancy: One at-large member from the Redmond/Terrebonne area

Term: July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030

The Commission meets at the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, every second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Additional meetings may occur elsewhere in the County.

Interested residents should submit an application with a letter of interest and resume, describing their interest in rural land use planning and ability to serve collaboratively on a committee. 

Find the application here: 

Deschutes County Planning Commission Application 

Learn more about the Planning Commission here:

Deschutes County Planning Commission Information

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate passed a Central Oregon lawmaker’s bill during Friday’s final hours of the legislative session to preserve Oregon’s farm stands and create new opportunities for farmers through the enhanced Farm Store permit.

House Bill 4153-A passed the Senate by a 21-8 vote, after previously passing the House 40–14.

Representative Vikki Breese‑Iverson (R‑Prineville), the bill’s chief sponsor, released the following statement in a news release that continues below:

“I brought forward HB 4153-A to support Oregon’s family farms as they face economic and regulatory challenges. These farms are the heart of our communities and showcase the best of Oregon agriculture. This bill preserves the future of farming by modernizing outdated rules, clarifying the law, and giving counties tools to fairly administer permits. I am grateful to the Governor, counties, and all our cosponsors for their partnership.”

Additional chief sponsors and supporters also released statements:

“As the saying goes, we saved the best for last. HB 4153-A allowing farm stores is without a doubt the best bill of the session. I am proud be a chief sponsor and to have carried it on the Senator floor.” – Sen. Fred Girod (R-Silverton)

“HB 4153-A helps support Oregon’s farmers by creating a clearer pathway for farm stores and agritourism activities that allow families to buy directly from the people who grow their food. By setting reasonable guardrails—like limits on store size and requirements that land remain in active agricultural production—we can strengthen local farm economies while protecting Oregon’s farmland. This bill is about helping working farms diversify their income while keeping agriculture at the heart of our rural communities.”  – Rep. Sue Rieke Smith (D-King City)

“I am proud to support this bill because it protects the small-scale agriculture that defines my coastal district. Even the very smallest farms now have a clear path to a farm stand or farm store permit, ensuring they can continue connecting with our community while staying in business.” – Senator David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford)

“We applaud the passage of HB 4153-A, the Farm Store bill, earlier this week in the House and today in the Senate. The overwhelming and bipartisan support for the legislation is the culmination of years of collaborative work, among stakeholders, that balances economic opportunity and farmland protections. Importantly, it introduces farm stores as a critical, commonsense tool for our state’s producers that encourages profitability at a time when our farmers need it the most. The Oregon Farm Bureau thanks Representative Breese-Iverson for her steadfast leadership and is grateful to the many legislative supporters of Oregon agriculture.”- Angela Bailey, President of Oregon Farm Bureau

Current farm stand permits come with major limitations, including significant limits on indoor gathering spaces, restrictions on simple family‑friendly structures like play areas, strict income caps, and significant prohibitions on educational events.

HB 4153‑A creates a new Farm Store permit. It allows an active farm to sell farm products, offer local goods from other producers, and host limited agritourism events such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower festivals, and farm tours.

The bill gives counties modern, clear, and enforceable rules to regulate access, egress, parking, hours of operation, noise, sanitation, and public health and safety. The bill prohibits using a farm store as a residence, hotel, café, or drive thru.

HB 4153‑A was developed though a robust process including a wide coalition of stakeholders including the Governor’s Office, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Oregon Property Owners Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Association of Oregon Counties, and farm operators large and small across the state.

HB 4153‑A will be signed by the Governor at a date to be determined.

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