SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon air quality impacts from the 2025 wildfire season were “minimal,” compared to previous years, as the state’s largest wildfires broke out far from the most populated cities, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality reports. The DEQ on Thursday released the 2025 Wildfire Trends Report, which measures how particulate matter from the
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Unionized classified staff at Central Oregon Community College launched a strike authorization vote Friday morning to protest what they describe as poverty-level wages. The workers, represented by the Oregon Education Association, indicated they are willing to walk out to secure higher pay. OEA said in a news release that the strike
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit, operated by the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, announced Friday that it is expanding its curb-to-curb Dial-A-Ride service areas across the region starting March 30, to boost access to flexible transportation for residents. CET also said it will launch a pilot paratransit Dial-A-Ride service in Deschutes River Woods, starting May 4, bringing new transportation options to the community just
Continue Reading
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 49th season of the landmark Sunriver Music Festival will take place this year and at least one work by an American composer will commence every program this season. The nonprofit festival presents orchestral performances and supports music education throughout Central Oregon. The upcoming spring and summer schedules highlight a commitment
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Back in 2024, KTVZ News introduced viewers to a Central Oregon baby facing extraordinary challenges. Now, as he celebrates his recent 2nd birthday, he’s exceeding all expectations. Jackson was born with a rare brain disorder called hemimegalencephaly, a condition that affects only a handful of children worldwide each year. The disorder
Continue Reading
Mt. Bachelor reopened Friday morning, a day after high winds prompted its closure, but some blustery and icy conditions had some lifts on hold.
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 2-day-old burn pile that was believed to be out rekindled in Wednesday’s strong winds northeast of Sisters, burning nearly two acres before crews stopped its spread. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews were dispatched around 1:25 p.m. to a wildland fire reported to be spreading into brush and trees. It was
Continue Reading
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Madras City Council is overseeing city management collectively after the recent departure of an interim city administrator, the continuing struggle to appoint a new police chief and now the resignation of the city’s finance director, officials said Wednesday. Here ‘s the details as laid out in a news release that
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest said Wednesday that firefighters plan to start spring understory prescribed burning season as early as next week, if conditions become favorable. At the same time, Central Oregon public health departments urged preparation for the season and the smoke it will bring. The forest said it hopes to
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools has chosen a name for its newest high school, opening next fall. The new choice option school will be known as Deschutes River High School. The district’s School Board voted unanimously for the name at its meeting Tuesday night. Deschutes River High will offer a new model where students
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – From building affordable homes to mitigating wildfire risks to providing local childcare and distributing fresh food, youth ages 16 to 24 are getting a chance to earn money, improve their communities, and build their resumes. Now, the organization that makes it possible, Heart of Oregon Corps, is getting help to provide those programs, thanks to a $25,000 grant
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council announced Tuesday that it’s been selected as one of 25 Community Host organizations for the 2026 Weaver Awards, a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. The Weaver Awards are part of a collection of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hey kids! It’s time to “ready, set, skate!” for FREE with Camp Fire Central Oregon on Sunday at The Pavilion in Bend. The nonprofit youth development organization is inviting the whole community to its annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day (aka #KidDay) celebration—three action-packed hours of *FREE ice skating for the first
Continue Reading
(Update: adding video, comments from students, dean of OSU-Cascades, and local lawmakers) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Years of growth are continuing here in Central Oregon, as OSU-Cascades is taking another major step to support student wellness and campus life. The Oregon Legislature has approved $42 million for a new Student Health and Recreation Center, giving students access to
Continue Reading
Here are KTVZ’s Sunrise Birthdays for Tuesday, March 10th. Happy Birthday! You can see more recent entries and submit an upcoming birthday to air at: https://ktvz.com/share/sunrise-birthdays/. It’s under the Contests tab on KTVZ.com.
Continue Reading
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes recently announced that it has opened applications for Rooted at Antler, a permanently affordable, net-zero homeownership community at 1699 West Antler Avenue in Redmond. The Antler Campus is the second RootedHomes community in Redmond. Recognizing the need for both affordable and mid-market housing in Central Oregon, RootedHomes said it has developed this community for families
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover following a severe shortage in February and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types remain critical to keeping momentum up and the blood supply steady headed into
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue teams fanned out from Edison Sno-Park over the weekend, looking for six friends reported overdue on a hike – but it was all a training mission, a key step to be better prepared for the real thing, when it comes. The Search and Rescue
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend recently honored longtime Bend resident Jim Crowell for his decades of service and support with the organizaton’s inaugural Service to Youth Award. The award was presented at the clubs’ annual meeting on February 24th. Future recipients will be awarded the Jim Crowell Service to Youth Award. Crowell, a resident
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore.. (KTVZ) — Sisters Habitat for Humanity announced Monday the completion of the Village Meadows development, a 21-home affordable housing neighborhood. The final two homes will be dedicated on Friday, March 20, “marking a milestone for the community and the households who now have access to safe, stable, and affordable homeownership,” the organization said in a news release that continues below.
Continue Reading