Author: KTVZ

KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce the upcoming grand opening of its new Redmond ReStore, located at 2744 NW 7th Street.

The celebration will take place on Thursday, November 20 at 10:00 AM, in partnership with the Redmond Chamber of Commerce, and will include a ribbon cutting and tours of the new facility, the organization said in a news release Tuesday that continues in full below: 

The Habitat ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home décor, building materials, and more, all at affordable prices. Proceeds from the ReStore directly support Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope across Central Oregon. 

“The ReStore is more than a store; it’s a way for everyone in the community to make a difference,” said Carly Colgan, CEO of Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. “When people shop, donate, or volunteer at the ReStore, they’re helping to build a better Central Oregon, one home at a time.” 

The new Redmond ReStore provides a sustainable shopping option that keeps usable materials out of landfills while helping fund Habitat’s homeownership program. Community members are encouraged to attend the grand opening celebration to learn more about the ReStore’s mission and impact. 

This reopening also marks a meaningful milestone for Bend-Redmond Habitat. A previous Redmond ReStore operated before the 2019 merger of the Bend Area and Redmond Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

In 2020, the organization made the difficult decision to close the Redmond store due to an unsustainable lease and location. Reopening the ReStore has been part of Bend-Redmond Habitat’s capital campaign commitment, and the organization is thrilled to once again provide this valuable resource to the Redmond community. 

About Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity At Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home – a safe, stable, and healthy environment where families can thrive and communities can flourish. Since 1989, we have served more than 250 families with affordable homeownership and revitalized 145 homes, transforming the lives of more than 1,100 children and adults across Central Oregon. 

Learn more at bendredmondhabitat.org 

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Comments from participants)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The application window opens Thursday for grants from the Bend Sustainability Fund, a Visit Bend project that has reinvested more than $3.3 million in lodging taxes into local community projects since its start in 2021.

On Wednesday, city leaders toured several grant recipients to see the impact first-hand.

“We wanted to create this sustainable river access site that shows that quality access and quality habitat can happen side by side,” said Ian Issacson, a landscape architect with the Bend Park and Recreation District.

The Miller’s Landing Access and Restoration Project was a past recipient. It is designed to make the river more accessible to people of all mobility levels.

““We wanted again to provide as many folks in the community, as many options as possible to get in and out of the river,” Issacson said. “So the dry ramp, the wet ramp and the roller launch are all just three different variations of giving people those options to get in and out of the water.”

The grant program also supported Dogwood at the Pine Shed, helping the business relocate and restore its historic building. The bar and lounge have become part of efforts to revitalize Bend’s Central District.

Zavier Borja, director of destination stewardship for Visit Bend, said, “The purpose of this tour is to help highlight a lot of those organizations that are leading and doing that work. And for us, playing our part in ensuring that we’re taking care of this place, you know, that we all love.”

Visit Bend says around $500,000 in grant funds will be available this year.

“So we may have an ask for $1 million, or an ask for $500,000. We have that discussion through the advisory council, to decide how much is given for each organization,” Borja explained.

Visit Bend is seeking projects built to last at least 10 years or longer. Projects should be shovel-ready, with plans to serve a large number of visitors.

The application window runs through January 16.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Dry Canyon Arts Association is among 91 cultural organizations to receive a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust, which awarded a record $4.15 million statewide this year. This first-time recipient will receive $34,000 to support the remodel of a new community art center in downtown Redmond. 

“Art and culture thrive in every corner of Oregon, and the Oregon Cultural Trust is proud to support this essential work in communities large and small,” said Sean Andries, Cultural Trust board chair. “We invite all Oregonians to take advantage of our unique cultural tax credit and help ensure a steady, reliable endowment for culture both now and for generations to come.” 

The Cultural Trust’s competitive grants, which saw 44 percent of eligible applicants receiving an award, ranged from $5,000 to $40,000. These Cultural Development Program grants fund projects that increase access to culture, support community creativity and preserve local heritage. 

About the Dry Canyon Arts Association Award 

For years, the rapidly growing city of Redmond (pop. 40,000) had no dedicated art center or gallery, despite a vibrant community of artists and an evident need. The Dry Canyon Arts Association held the long-term dream of a physical space to serve its 200 members and the wider public. 

That dream is now a reality, thanks to a $34,000 Trust Development Grant supporting the renovation of a large downtown space into the Dry Canyon Community Art Center. KTVZ News first reported on the grant in late September.

“$34,000 is such a vote of confidence in what we’re doing!” said Beth Hanson, secretary for the Dry Canyon Arts Association. 

This grant award is covering about a third of the $100,000 remodel budget for what will be the area’s only community art center. The excitement is palpable as the project nears completion. 

The new center, set to open in phases starting this December, will be a gathering place and creative hub. The first phase features a large 2,000-square-foot gallery space where local artists can display and sell everything from paintings to pottery.

Critically, the center will also feature space for hands-on instruction, fulfilling the community’s biggest need for classroom space. It will host the association’s JumpStart program, which brought art education to 3,000 elementary children this year, and will foster social connections and learning among all ages.

The Dry Canyon Arts Center is finally providing a permanent home to celebrate the arts in Redmond. 

“The greater community is so looking forward to it! There is just an excitement that is re-energizing downtime. I’m thrilled for all these local artists to have a place to show their work,” Hanson said. 

About the Oregon Cultural Trust 

Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust was established as an ongoing funding engine for arts, heritage and humanities across the state. Funding comes through the Cultural Tax Credit, which empowers Oregonians to direct more of the taxes they pay to supporting cultural opportunities for all. Oregon is the only state in the country that gives its citizens this choice. Fifty-eight percent of the money goes directly to cultural organizations and agencies in the form of grants. The remaining 42 percent helps grow a permanent fund for culture. The Trust’s three grant programs fund five Statewide Partners, 45 County and Tribal Coalitions and qualified cultural nonprofits through competitive Cultural Development grants. Learn more at CulturalTrust.org. 

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: adding comments from Deschutes County, DarkSky Oregon)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Earlier this year, Deschutes County amended its outdoor lighting ordinance to reduce light pollution and protect Central Oregon’s night skies while maintaining public safety. The new rules take effect in less than two weeks.

“So before, there were a lot of charts that talked about wattage and bulb type and all of the stuff was very difficult. So our goal was to simplify that,” said county Senior Planner Tanya Saltzman said Wednesday.

Christopher Hill, a board member with DarkSky Oregon, says the county’s updated rules are based on National Dark Sky guidance, aimed at promoting safer, more responsible lighting.

Astrotourism is a growing business, in Central Oregon. People come here to see the night skies,” said Hill, DarkSky Oregon board member and astrophotographer.

Hill says artificial light at night can negatively affect both people and wildlife.

“There is definitely an impact not only on our individual circadian rhythm, but also dissipating rhythm for other creatures. This includes the migration of birds,” Hill said.

The updated county rules take effect Tuesday, Dec. 23 for all new outdoor light installations in unincorporated areas of the county.

 “Our rules don’t apply to the cities because they each have their own regulations,” said Saltzman.”It does not apply to Bend, La Pine, Sisters, Redmond.It does apply to communities such as Tumalo, and Terrebonne and all of the rural counties.”

Property owners with existing outdoor lights installed and working before that date will have until December 2028 to comply with the revised rules.

After receiving feedback from two advisory panels and holding multiple public hearings, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the outdoor lighting ordinance during its Sept. 24 meeting.

The changes include:

Using guidance from DarkSky International to promote safe, responsible lighting.

Updating terminology, which includes “downcast,” “light trespass,” “fully shielded” and “string lights.”

Setting three primary requirements for non-exempt fixtures:

Lights must be downcast.

Fixtures must be fully shielded.

Light trespass is prohibited.

Clarifying existing exemptions and adding others. For example: the updated ordinance clarifies that holiday lighting is allowed from the day after Thanksgiving through Jan. 15 each year.

You can learn more about the county’s outdoor lighting ordinance by listening to the Inside Deschutes County podcast or visiting the Community Development Department website.

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KTVZ

(update: comments from volunteers, Hospice of Redmond)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Over 30 trees are being decorated by volunteers for this year’s Festival of Trees, and each one tells a different story.

For sisters Katy Maynard and Susan Gripshover, decorating a tree together is more than a holiday tradition. It’s a tribute to their dad.

“My dad loved his horses,” Maynard said. “He grew up with horses and had them until the day he died.”

Their father, Jack Poffenbarger, worked as a ranch hand, mechanic, mill worker, and even owned a bicycle and ski shop in Redmond. He later became a highly trained paramedic and firefighter with the Redmond Fire Department.

Now visiting from out of town, his daughters decorated their tree with the things he loved most, a heartfelt way to honor his life and keep his memory close this holiday season.

“We made this little vignette with a rocking horse. He made rocking horses for his grandkids,” Maynard said. “My daughter even made a sign for him: In honor of a gentle soul, a father, grandfather and firefighter, and the man who loved horses.”

Their tree will be one of many featured at the 42nd annual Festival of Trees, a signature fundraiser for Hospice of Redmond.

“It’s all about our community,” said Lauren Lebien with Hospice of Redmond. “We’re a nonprofit, and we raise vital funds every year to keep our free programs going.”

Dozens of volunteers spent Friday decorating the Christmas trees that will be auctioned off over the weekend.

“They bring all their supplies and spend the entire day setting up,” Lebien said. “The space is really transformed by the evening.”

Amid the sparkle and celebration, the event remains rooted in remembrance, and in supporting families cared for by hospice.

“Hospice was very good to us for every passing we’ve ever had to go through,” Maynard said. “Their care has been amazing for us at the end of life.”

The evening’s ticketed, semi-formal Gala will begin at 5:00 pm and feature 31 exquisitely decorated holiday trees. Attendees will enjoy a gourmet dinner by Core Catering and live music, culminating in a high-energy live auction where the stunning designer trees and associated gifts are sold to the highest bidder. 

The evening’s festivities will include a very special announcement regarding the future of Hospice of Redmond and its services across Central Oregon. Attendees will be the first to hear this news, which promises an exciting look at the organization’s next chapter and its long-term commitment to enhancing compassionate end-of-life care for all residents. 

Every ticket purchased is a direct investment in compassionate, essential services throughout the region, funding end-of-life support programs, bereavement, and children’s grief programs like Camp Sunrise. 

The festivities begin earlier in the day with a free, family-friendly tree-viewing event on Saturday, December 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Community members are invited to enjoy the spectacular display, meet Santa, enjoy delicious cookies, and cast their vote for the highly coveted People’s Choice Award. 

Purchase tickets for the Gala at: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/festivaloftrees25/ 

About Hospice of Redmond: 

Hospice of Redmond is a 501(c)(3 nonprofit, independent, and Medicare-certified organization that has been a cornerstone of Central Oregon since its founding in 1979. For over four decades, they have compassionately supported thousands of individuals and their families with quality end-of-life care, bereavement services, transitions programs, and vital community support. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As temperatures drop and the holidays draw near, Diversified Heating & Cooling is once again giving back to the Central Oregon community in a big way.

Celebrating the second year of their annual Heat Pump Giveaway, the local, family-owned company is turning up the heat — literally — by giving away two brand-new, energy-efficient heat pump systems, each valued at over $15,000, the company said in a news release Tuesday that continues below:

The initiative, created to support families in need of reliable heating and cooling, has become a heartwarming local tradition. Last year, Diversified awarded one deserving family a free heat pump system and installation, changing the way they experienced comfort at home. This year, the company wanted to make an even bigger impact by doubling the number of recipients.

“The support we’ve received from this community is incredible, and we want to keep paying that forward,” said Ken Ledbetter, co-owner of Diversified Heating & Cooling. “No one should have to worry about staying warm in winter. Giving away two systems this year is our way of saying thank you and helping families who need it most.”

Each system includes professional installation by Diversified’s expert technicians, as well as all electrical work done by Pro Electric, ensuring that the winning families enjoy long-term comfort and efficiency at no cost.

Community members are encouraged to nominate themselves, friends, or family who could benefit from a new heating and cooling system. Nominations are open now through November 30, 2025, and can be submitted through the company’s website.

“This isn’t just about a giveaway — it’s about bringing warmth, relief, and hope to people who truly deserve it,” Ledbetter added.

Winners will be announced in early December, just in time for the holidays.

To nominate a deserving family or learn more about the giveaway, visit Diversifiedheating.com.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In the 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated maps and advertisements functioned as powerful enticements to attract new inhabitants to the West. Opening this Saturday at the High Desert Museum, Drawn West: A History of Promoting Place explores a century of salesmanship, when artists and cartographers alike crafted an image of the West that depicted both fact and fiction.

The visually engaging exhibition will feature 50-plus maps, artworks and advertisements from the museum’s extensive collections, including work by prominent Western artists Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, Edward B. Quigley and Edward Borein, according to a news release Tuesday from the museum that continues in full below:

Visitors will explore the decades of westward expansion, as roads, railroads, national parks and ski resorts began to sprout across the landscape.

“The museum is privileged to care for some truly amazing historical documents and artworks, and this exhibition incorporates some truly engaging, special pieces from our vault,” said museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “Drawn West brings together these items into a visual history of how narratives about the West took shape.”

The West’s inspiring mountains, broad plateaus and rapid rivers have long evoked a strong connection to a mythic Western character. Artists often represented Western cultures and landscapes through a romantic lens, at times infusing myth into marketing.

Leveraging the Museum’s collection of 29,000 objects, the exhibition is divided into five sections: Westward Expansion, Railroads, Roads, Recreation and Reclamation–covering 100 years of change.

Each section dives into not only the national and legal challenges but also the regional response as more people moved West–all from the lens of the artists, cartographers and marketers of the time.

From the growth of cities and towns along railways in the High Desert to the first Pendleton Round-Up in 1910 and the construction of the Bonneville Dam in the 1930s, each artwork, map and advertisement on display tells a story of near-constant change.

Some of the illustrated maps and art on display include Portrait of Crowfoot, a watercolor on paper by Russell, as well as Russell’s first article published in Harper’s Weekly in 1888, Caught in the Act. The article detailed the harsh realities of inadequate food supplies for Indigenous peoples forced onto reservations to make way for Euro-American settlement.

Russell was known for publicly condemning the government-sponsored settlement of the West and its effect on Indigenous peoples. An original homestead deed from 1907 stands in stark contrast to the detailed painting.

Classic Bronco, a bronze statue by Edward B. Quigley (1895-1984), depicts a bucking bronco and his rider. Quigley used his experiences participating in numerous cattle drives with the Yakama Nation as an inspiration for his art. A copy of Lansford Hastings’ Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California (1845) and a Harper’s Weekly cover illustration by Remington are also on display.

“These are original works by prominent Western artists, some of whom, like Russell, have entire museums dedicated to them,” Whitelaw said. “From an 1841 map of Oregon Territory by Charles Wilkes to bronzes by artists like Quigley to ski advertisements from the 1950s, the exhibition is an engaging look into how the stories of the High Desert were told throughout time.”

From myths and marketing to fact and fiction, Drawn West will encourage visitors to look closer at a century of advertising place. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/drawn-west.

Drawn West: A History of Promoting Place is on view through June 28, 2026. The exhibition is made possible by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, 100.1 FM KBND and the Visit Central Oregon Future Fund.

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 and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, 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. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: adding additional video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sunshine and mild temperatures greeted the many flag-waving Central Oregonians who lined the streets of downtown Bend or took part in Tuesday’s 24th annual Bend Veterans Day Parade, honoring all who have served our country.

For those unable to attend, KTVZ was honored to provide a livestream of the parade on KTVZ+ and our KTVZ News app, sharing an event that included everything from marching bands to bagpipers, cool cars and Shriners in go-karts, Scouts and of course many veterans of various eras who walked or rolled through the route.

The theme of this year’s parade, organized by Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, was “Service to Nation and Community,” celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to serving the country and their neighbors. 

The grand marshal for the 2025 parade was U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran Robert Landers.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies conducted a unique training exercise Monday that involved getting volunteers intoxicated. This DUII roadside sobriety test training takes place approximately once every five years.

Volunteers selected by the sheriff’s office arrived at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds just after 3 p.m. They spent an hour drinking under deputy supervision. Throughout this time, they were given Breathalyzer tests until they reached a level above the legal limit.

Law enforcement officers then took turns administering standardized roadside sobriety tests on the volunteers. Some of the deputies were performing these tests for the first time as part of their training.

The deputies look for involuntary physiological responses. It’s not about “passing” the test, but certain clues cannot be faked.

Patrol Sergeant Danny Graham said there is no substitute for training officers to recognize intoxication by working with people who have actually been drinking.

“It can’t be simulated because we need to experience the real sights and smells and use our senses alongside administering the field sobriety tests,” Graham said. “It helps us pick up on subtle clues that sober people or actors cannot display.”

Among the volunteers, one was actually sober, and it was up to the officers to identify who.

After the exercise, officers studied the latest DUII laws and received further classroom training.

This training offers surprising insights into alcohol’s effects for both officers and volunteers, and it builds camaraderie between them. The volunteers appeared to enjoy their role in the tests.

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Barney Lerten

Update: Adding video

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ —The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday for Deschutes County and Northern Klamath County due to stagnant air conditions trapping smoke and other air pollutants near the ground where people breathe.

DEQ said it expects the air quality advisory to last until Wednesday afternoon.

Check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the OregonAIR on your app on your smartphone.

County health and local air agencies may issue wood burning restrictions limiting the use of wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. Check with your local health or air agency for current restrictions.

People can take the following precautions to protect their health:

• Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality.• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.• People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high.• Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.• Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible.

DEQ’s color-coded Air Quality Index provides current air quality conditions and ranks air quality as follows: Green is good. Yellow is moderate. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory conditions. Red is unhealthy for everyone. Purple is very unhealthy for all groups. Maroon is hazardous.

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