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Central Oregon

Warmer, windier conditions on C.O. wildfires put up smoke but help to firm up containment lines; Highway 126 fully reopens

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon firefighters saw more progress Friday in containing the remaining large wildfires in the region, despite some warmer and windier conditions that burned more fuel within the fire perimeters, officials said Saturday. Another sign of progress came Friday at 6 p.m., when Highway 126 west of Sisters and south of

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‘Absolutely devastated’: C.O. parents want answers after learning daughter’s sex abuse case may be dropped

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon couple say they feel defeated after learning their daughter’s year-long sex abuse case could be dropped, without their knowledge. “We were told that everything that’s going on in the last year has been for no reason, dismissed,” the victim’s stepmother said. “Absolutely devastated, heartbroken that our kid isn’t going

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Wyden, Merkley announce $200,000 federal award for Farmers Conservation Alliance efforts in Central Oregon

 WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced Friday the Farmers Conservation Alliance in Bend has earned a $200,000 Energizing Rural Communities award from the U.S. Department of Energy.   “In my meetings and town halls throughout Oregon, I hear regularly from farmers and ranchers about the negative impacts the climate crisis is

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Jefferson County Middle School English teacher Christa Rohrbach honored as Regional Teacher of the Year

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, announced Friday afternoon at a Jefferson County Middle School surprise all-school assembly that English teacher Christa Rohrbach has been named one of Oregon’s 18 2024-25 Regional Teachers of the Year! Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and

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COCC’s new associate degree program at Deer Ridge state prison in Madras is a pioneer for Pell Grant approval

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College recently received Pell Grant certification from the U.S. Department of Education for its newly designed associate degree prison education program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras — one of several such programs in the entire country, and the first in Oregon to earn that distinction. The

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Nearly 2-week-old Bachelor Complex of fires now 37% contained; more progress on Flat Top, Firestone blazes

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly two weeks after lightning sparked a rash of fires in the Cascades and points east, the more than 450 firefighters battling the Bachelor Complex southwest of Bend, including the Little Lava Fire, has reached 37% containment, while the Firestone and Flat Top fires are now 87% contained, officials said Friday.

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As fire conditions ease, C. Oregon public lands dropping to Stage 1 fire restrictions, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to improved weather conditions and fewer fire starts, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move into Stage 1 public use fire restrictions on Friday, and Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger rating is currently “moderate.”

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Ochoco National Forest reduces Paulina Complex Fire area closure as containment grows, safety improves

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — After close consultation with fire management officials, the Ochoco National Forest said Wednesday it has reduced the Paulina Complex Fire Area Closure, due to significant progress in containment and improving safety conditions. The reduction comes after thorough assessments of fire behavior, successful containment efforts, and careful consideration of public safety, officials

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House District 59 candidates Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, challenger Brian Samp debate the issues live on NewsChannel 21

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon House District 59 Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, and Democratic challenger Brian Samp debated a wide array of issues, from abortion rights and the DMV voter registration errors to transgender high school athletes and the Greater Idaho movement, during a live Decision 2024 debate Tuesday night on NewsChannel 21. Here are

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Oregon Wildlife Federation promotes three wildlife crossing projects, one on Hwy. 20 in Central Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildlife move around their habitat for food, shelter and to find mates, the roads and highways that crisscross our state make that a dangerous and sometimes fatal journey. According to Oregon Department of Transportation’s carcass collection records, each year in Oregon, approximately 5,000 large-bodied animals are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions.

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