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Central Oregon

Oregon Department of Transportation funds 126 new EV charging ports through federal grant

Oregon Department of Transportation funds 126 new EV charging ports through federal grant

OREGON (KTVZ) — Electric vehicle drivers can expect 24 new public DC fast charging station options over the next few years across the state, including here in Central Oregon. The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office recently selected seven private electric vehicle charging companies for $16.7 million in federal grants. These grants will fund the

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Hayden Homes Give as you Go Fund

Hayden Homes launches ‘Giveโ€ฏAsโ€ฏYou Go Fund,’โ€ฏpledgesโ€ฏ$25 million to charitable causes by 2030

UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Northwestโ€ฏhomebuilderโ€ฏHayden Homesโ€ฏannounced Wednesday a pledgeโ€ฏto invest $25 millionโ€ฏto charitable causesโ€ฏby 2030, as it launches โ€ฏitsโ€ฏGive As You Goโ„ขโ€ฏFund,โ€ฏanโ€ฏinitiativeโ€ฏconnecting homebuilding withโ€ฏa commitment to building aโ€ฏstrong communityโ€ฏacrossโ€ฏthe Northwest. The fund will focus on philanthropic priorities including housingโ€ฏsolutions, youth and education, food security, and Hayden Homesโ€™ non-profit,โ€ฏFirst Story, the company said

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Burn alert: Up to 120 acres of prescribed burning planned Thursday southwest of Lake Billy Chinook

Update: Adding video SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” Firefighters on the Sisters Ranger District are planning prescribed burning ignitions Thursday, if conditions are favorable. Firefighters plan to conduct up to 120 acres of ignitions on Flymon 7 South Prescribed Burn, located 5 miles southwest of Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes National Forest said Wednesday in a news

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She Who Watches pin time capsule Lillian Pitt

Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt’s pin chosen for America’s 250th birthday time capsule, to be opened in 2276

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€”ย On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury theย Semiquincentennial Time Capsuleย in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. And a Warm Springs artist’s work will be in it. The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsuleโ€™s opening

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Jonathan Lockwood Patti Adair House 5th District

Decision 2026: Meet the two Republicans vying to flip Oregonโ€™s 5th Congressional District

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — Republican voters in Oregonโ€™s 5th Congressional District will choose between a longtime Republican communications professional and a local elected official in the May 19 primary.ย  Former legislative spokesperson Jonathan Lockwood and Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair are Republicans from opposite generations vying for the Republican vote.

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Home-hardening

City of Bend’s new ‘home-hardening’ rules to reduce wildfire threat will take effect May 15

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend will enact “home-hardening” requirements on May 15 for new homes, to improve their resiliency in the face of any future wildfires. The Bend City Council recently adoptedย Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, establishing the homeโ€‘hardening requirements designed to improve wildfire resilience for new, detached residential

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Better Together Central Oregon announces transition to operational independence

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Better Together Central Oregon, a nonprofit focused on connecting communities and advancing opportunities for children, youth and families, announced its transition to full operational independence. This milestone, taking effect June 30, 2026, involves concluding a long-standing operational memorandum of understanding with the High Desert Education Service District. The organization will now

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Crook County Judge Wade Whiting

‘Very senseless and horrific crime’: Crook County judge imposes 25-year prison term in 2022 kidnap, fatal shooting

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras man indicted on murder, kidnap and other charges in the 2022 killing of another Madras man was sentenced Tuesday to a 25-year prison term on a lesser manslaughter charge, after he denied shooting or burying the victim, whose grieving family members pleaded for a murder conviction and life sentence.  Victor Manuel Romero Jr., now 29, signed a plea petition last

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Lillian Pitt Mohalla Feather Woman

‘Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home’ exhibition to open May 21 at The Museum at Warm Springs

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — โ€œLillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Homeโ€ โ€” a major exhibition featuring the art ofย celebratedย artist Lillian Pittย (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama)ย and the art ofย a numberย of the artistโ€™s closestย friendsย from her personal collection and collections of other art institutionsย โ€” will open Thursday, May 21, atย Theย Museum at Warm Springs.ย  The exhibitionย will beย on view through Saturday,ย October 10.ย 

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Central Oregon’s unemployment rates hold steady in February, despite fewer job gains than normal

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw very little movement from January to February, holding steady in Deschutes and Crook counties and dropping slightly in Jefferson County, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday. Here’s that full report, from Regional Economist Patrick O’Connor: Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties): The Bend

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Roller skating Bend Pavilion

Roller season gets underway at The Pavilion in Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District said Tuesday it has completed its seasonal changeover at The Pavilion and is now open for roller activities. Spring through early fall welcomes roller skating, inline skating, skateboarding and scootering at The Pavilionโ€™s non-ice season rink and skatepark. See theย scheduleย for all details. There is alsoย registration

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Teaters Road BLM photo

BLM is reminding visitors that Teaters Road remains open for public access

PRINEVILLE, Ore.ย (KTVZ) โ€”ย As the busy recreation season begins, the Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District is reminding visitors that Teaters Road remains open for public access. Gates along the road may be closed for short periods of time, but they will remain unlocked, officials said Monday.ย Visitors may pass through and should leave gates as they

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Oregon safari owner pleads guilty to animal neglect, faces sentencing

Oregon safari owner pleads guilty to animal neglect, faces sentencing

BANDON, Ore. (KTVZ) — Back in February 2025, KTVZ News brought you aย developing story regarding the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, after a December 2024 inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed the safari’s conditions. Several big cats appeared malnourished with visible ribs and hip bones. Coos County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested

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