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High Desert Museum

Oregon Cultural Trust awards record $4.15 million to organizations statewide, including several local projects and programs

(Update: Adding video) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€“ An increase in fiscal year 2025 donations, as well as investment earnings, has resulted in an all-time high of $4.15 million awarded to cultural nonprofits and organizations statewide by the Oregon Cultural Trust. The $4.15 million includes awards to 91 individual arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits, organizations and

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Keith Manfuacturing Walking Floor, Kawak Aviation Firefighting Bucket

This year’s ‘Coolest Thing Made in Oregon’ contest is down to eight finalists – and two are Central Oregon products

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The first round of voting in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Oregon contest concluded Monday, narrowing the list of finalists to eight – two of them from Central Oregon. Voting began two weeks ago with 16 finalists representing a wide variety of products manufactured throughout the state, from Pendleton to

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Central Oregon unemployment rates are still rising, amid a mix of job gains and losses

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continued their upward movement in August, with rates increasing in Jefferson and Crook County, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday. Here’s the full report for the Bend Metro Area and all three counties: Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties): The Bend MSA gained 550

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Relief at the pump: Oregon, Bend gas prices fall after weeks of sharp rises fueled by pipeline outage

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€“ Gas prices in Oregon and Washington are retreating as operations of the Olympic Pipeline resume, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday The major pipeline was down starting about September 2, creating very tight supplies in the region. Wholesale prices for gasoline shot up and consumers were hit with double-digit increases at the pumps.

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Bend Chamber hopes to ease housing shortage by offering library of pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs to public

(Update: adding video, adding interview with Bend Chamber, City of Bend, and Bend YIMBY) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Bendโ€™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 โ€” starting with a library of pre-approved ADU

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Epic Aircraft 100th plane

Five-year milestone in the sky: Bend’s Epic Aircraft delivers its 100th certified plane

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€”ย Epic Aircraft, designer and manufacturer of the leading single-engine turboprop, announced Friday the delivery of its 100th certified aircraft. The milestone coincides with the companyโ€™s 11th Annual Odyssey Fly-In, a gathering of Epic Aircraft owners, pilots, and partners in Bend, Epic Aircraft said in Friday’s announcement, which continues below. โ€œAchieving this delivery

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NatureConnect Fest

There’s something fun for everyone as NatureConnect Fest returns to Bend’s Alpenglow Park

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — NatureConnect Central Oregon is excited to bring back their popular event, NatureConnect Fest!ย  NatureConnect Fest celebrates the diversity of ways that we all connect with nature. The event will provide something for everyone, including nature arts and crafts, STEM activities, outdoor recreation, a scavenger hunt, food, and more. Families can try

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BestCare sees uptick in dangerous kratom use in Central Oregon

(Update: adding video, comments from BestCare, Recover Together Bend) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – BestCare Treatment Services says theyโ€™re seeing more people walk through their doors because of kratom, a substance some turn to for pain or anxiety. Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant containing mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Low doses can stimulate while higher doses

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SOLVE clean-up

SOLVE hosting inaugural ‘Pick It Up, Bend!’ community cleanup in downtown Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — SOLVE is hosting the inauguralย โ€œPick It Up, Bend!โ€ย onย Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pmย in Downtown Bend. This community-powered cleanup brings together residents, local businesses, and volunteers for a hands-on morning removing litter and beautifying public spaces, with the backdrop of the scenic Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

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High Desert Museum Raptors of the Desert Sky

Bend’s High Desert Museum receives accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” 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 AZAโ€™s independent Accreditation Commission for final review on Sunday for accreditation in what has been a years-long

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