Month: August 2026

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — High Desert Chamber Music will hold auditions for its 2026-27 Spotlight Chamber Players program on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Bend, Ore. The chamber music program is offered at no cost to selected students.

The program is open to violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students in grades 6-12 who have completed at least three years of private instruction and possess intermediate to advanced playing ability. High Desert Chamber Music has presented classical music concerts and educational outreach programs in Central Oregon since 2008.

Students accepted into the program receive weekly chamber music instruction coached by violinist Isabelle Senger, founder of High Desert Chamber Music. Participants may also receive additional coaching and mentorship from visiting artists featured in the HDCM Concert Series. Students must make a one-season commitment, with ensemble placement and group assignments determined following auditions.

Members of the Spotlight Chamber Players receive paid performance opportunities throughout the season at HDCM concerts and community events, as well as free admission to HDCM concerts. Past graduates of the program have pursued music performance degrees at institutions including the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Auditions can be scheduled by calling 541-306-3988 or emailing info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com. Application details and further program information are available online through the organization’s website.

Auditions will take place Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Bend.

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Chief Kari Goodheart Petitioner of the Oregon Freedom Amendment, filed formal objections Sunday with the Oregon Secretary of State and Attorney General over the draft ballot title for Initiative Petition 2028-025.

The challenge contends that the Attorney General’s draft ballot title fails to accurately describe the proposed constitutional amendment and does not comply with state legal standards.

The formal objections challenge the draft title’s compliance with ORS 250.035, which requires the caption, summary and result statements to clearly explain a measure and use parallel language. Initiative Petition 2028-025 aims to establish an individual constitutional right to engage in hunting, fishing, farming, ranching and other agricultural practices across Oregon.

According to the formal objections, the draft title fails to accurately reflect the scope of Initiative Petition 2028-025. The measure explicitly establishes a fundamental constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, farm, ranch, raise livestock, cultivate crops, harvest natural resources and engage in generally accepted agricultural and wildlife management practices. However, the draft “yes” statement leaves out trapping, raising livestock and cultivating crops, even though those activities are included in the “no” statement and the summary. The draft caption also omits trapping and other agricultural activities.

The filing also challenges the draft summary for emphasizing restrictions while concluding that the measure’s effect on current law is unclear. Goodheart requested the removal of that assertion, stating that the amendment clearly establishes a constitutional standard and that individual legal applications would occur later.

As Chief Petitioner of Oregon Freedom Amendment Initiative Petition 2028-025, Goodheart emphasized the requirement for accurate information on the ballot. “The people of Oregon deserve a ballot title that tells them clearly what they are voting on,” Goodheart said.

Goodheart argued that the draft creates confusion for voters evaluating the initiative. “The Attorney General’s draft uses different lists in the yes and no statements, leaves protected activities out of the yes statement, understates the constitutional rights created by the amendment and then tells voters that its effect is unclear,” Goodheart said. “That does not provide voters with the clear and consistent information Oregon law requires.”

By submitting formal objections during the statutory comment period, Goodheart preserved the right to seek review from the Oregon Supreme Court under state law. If the Attorney General certifies a ballot title without addressing the objections, an elector who submitted written comments during the public window may petition the state Supreme Court to determine whether the title substantially complies with state requirements.

The proposed constitutional amendment is designated for the Nov. 7, 2028, general election ballot. If the ballot title is certified without addressing the filed objections, the chief petitioner may petition the Oregon Supreme Court for review.

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Hayden Homes Amphitheater maintains a 93.5% waste diversion rate, keeping concert trash out of landfills through composting, recycling and reuse.

Staff from Deschutes County Solid Waste recently toured the facility to observe the behind-the-scenes operations firsthand.

The venue’s waste management strategy relies on clear communication with vendors, strong custodial support and careful post-event sorting.

A dedicated Green Team and waste staff at the amphitheater continuously adapt their practices to find new ways to reduce waste within the community.