July 2020

Possibly record-breaking heat

July 29, 2020 3:52 pm KTVZ

Sunny, hot conditions will stay with us through the end of the week.

City of Bend allocates $2.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds

July 29, 2020 3:44 pm KTVZ News Partners

The city of Bend said Wednesday it is releasing $2.6 million of state-directed coronavirus relief funds (from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding) to organizations that can support businesses, families and vulnerable populations.

Federal agents to pull back in Portland, but will stay on standby

July 29, 2020 3:29 pm The Associated Press

Some federal officers guarding a U.S. courthouse that’s been targeted during violent protests in Portland will leave in the next 24 hours, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Wednesday. But the Trump administration’s insistence that some agents would remain in the building and the entire contingent would stay in the city in case they’re needed sparked confusion and concern among demonstrators.

Oregon reports 8 more COVID-19 deaths, 304 new cases, 24 in Central Oregon

July 29, 2020 2:20 pm KTVZ News Partners

COVID-19 has claimed eight more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 311, along with 304 new cases, 24 of them in Central Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority reported Wednesday.

Escaped campfire sparks small brush fire in Bend river canyon

July 29, 2020 2:02 pm KTVZ News Partners

An escaped campfire in a transient camp area sparked a small brush fire Wednesday afternoon in the Deschutes River Canyon south of The Riverhouse Convention Center parking lot, a challenging blaze to access.

World’s last Blockbuster, in Bend, sees a big weekend bump in online sales

July 29, 2020 1:24 pm KTVZ

Bend’s now-world-famous Blockbuster Video, the last one remaining in the world, says it saw a huge boost in online merchandise sales last weekend.

Some C.O. parents say it’s best to keep teaching kids at home, but others face issues

July 29, 2020 12:56 pm KTVZ

After Gov. Kate Brown released new COVID-19 metrics on Tuesday, Bend-La Pine Schools officials said students likely will not return to the classroom in the fall. Some parents say that’s the best approach for their children, but others are struggling to determine what to do amid work schedules and other issues.

Wyden, Merkley press feds to improve hemp farming rules

July 29, 2020 10:13 am KTVZ News Partners

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., asked federal officials Wednesday to change costly and confusing rules for farmers in Oregon and nationwide that cover the growing and testing of hemp.

Watch live: Tech executives appear at House hearing

July 29, 2020 10:07 am KTVZ News Partners

Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google executives testify at House hearing.

ODA proposes new rules limiting use of insecticide

July 29, 2020 9:46 am KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Agriculture convened a stakeholder workgroup that has developed new rules that reduce the unique risk and exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. This workgroup membership included environmental advocates, farmworker health-and-safety organizations, public health and toxicology experts, and agricultural leaders. These regulatory changes to the use and sale of chlorpyrifos reduce

Gov. Brown announces phased withdrawal of federal officers from Portland

July 29, 2020 8:40 am KTVZ News Partners

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that federal officials have agreed to remove their officers deployed to defend the downtown Portland federal courthouse from attacks and that Oregon State Police will step in to assist in building security.

HOT – HOT – HOT!

July 29, 2020 8:00 am KTVZ

All of Central Oregon will be under either a High Heat Advisory or an Excessive Heat Warning today.

State adopts rules to develop more duplexes in single-family zones

July 29, 2020 12:03 am KTVZ

The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission has adopted a model housing code and administrative rules to guide the development of duplexes in medium-sized cities as part of House Bill 2001.

C.O. Youth Conservation Corps reopens under COVID-19 protocols

July 28, 2020 9:55 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – This year, residents around the U.S. are facing unprecedented challenges, as COVID-19 has substantially changed daily lives for all of us. As millions come to terms with recent unemployment, the economic barriers are especially present in Central Oregon, where unemployment has historically been high. This can put enormous pressure on families,

Rethink Waste Program offers free presentations on waste prevention, reduction

July 28, 2020 9:33 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, waste and recycling operations are continuing in most parts of the country. With the exception of a short hold on glass collection, Deschutes County has maintained all normal operations for pickup. However, some reuse, composting, and recycling systems have been disrupted here, from Starbucks’ ban on bringing

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic patient tells her COVID-19 story

July 28, 2020 9:26 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Last year, Elena began to develop issues with her eyes. Her eye pressure worsened over time and she developed blurred vision, severe eye and head pain, and nausea. Without health insurance, she was at a loss as to what to do until her friends told her about Volunteers in Medicine Clinic