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Central Oregon

State budget rebalance maintains critical services despite federal cuts

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon lawmakers on Monday released a 2025-2027 budget rebalance designed to preserve essential state services despite a multi-year budget crisis triggered by federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. “The federal budget cuts have caused both short-term and long-term crises for Oregon’s budget,” said Sen. Kate Lieber, D-SW Portland and Beaverton,

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Home hardening city of Bend

‘Home hardening’: City of Bend plans to adopt new state residential building code aimed at reducing wildfire risks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council is moving forward with plans to adopt new home-hardening requirements aimed at making new residential buildings more resilient to wildfires. During a work session last Wednesday, councilors directed staff to begin the local adoption process for Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Section R327 is

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Oregonians face new work rules to keep SNAP benefits, urged to connect with WorkSource Oregon

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Recent federal changes require more Oregonians receiving SNAP food benefits to meet work or training requirements to maintain their eligibility. The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Employment Department are urging affected residents to utilize free job and training resources through 37 WorkSource Oregon centers located throughout the state.

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250 in the West High Desert Museum

High Desert Museum launching “250 in the West” series; programs will explore the West’s place in our national story

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum is launching a year-long program this spring to explore the intersection of regional history and American founding themes. “250 in the West” marks the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The program features a series of events focusing on public lands, citizenship

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Aging Disputes: Lava Terrace Cellars submits revised winery plan amid mixed testimony

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three year neighborhood debate over proposed tasting room and winery continues with the Deschutes Board of County Commissioners reviewing a modified application last week. The proposed winery on Bowery Lane is about five miles north of Bend. Commissioner Adair and Commissioner Debone voted to close public testimony for the project, known

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Oregon leaders denounce Trump administration’s strikes on Iran; as of Sunday 3 US service members have been killed in action

WASHINGTON D.C. (KTVZ / CNN) —  Oregon’s elected officials are voicing alarm and condemnation after the Trump Administration confirmed the United States joined Israel in launching coordinated missile strikes on Iran — an operation that U.S. officials say was designed to cripple Iran’s nuclear program and bring down the regime in Tehran. Iran has retaliated with a

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Trump touts tariffs, economic gains in State of the Union; Rep. Bynum cites toll on Oregon businesses

WASHINGTON D.C. (KTVZ) — President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to declare that “America’s back,” highlighting what he called economic and national security successes during his first year back in office. The remarks came amid slipping approval ratings and growing voter concerns about inflation and household costs. The president

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Baker School Bus Redmond crash

Culver woman pleads guilty in SUV crash into school bus in Redmond, faces 2-year prison term

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Culver woman who ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of a small school bus in Redmond nearly two years ago has pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including DUII and third-degree assault, a month before she was due to go on trial.  Katrina Nicole Dacus, now 36, earlier pleaded not guilty to 26 charges, including numerous counts of reckless endangering

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Bend Polar Plunge PD

Take the chilly plunge, support a good cause: Special Olympics Oregon’s Bend Polar Plunge set for Saturday

(Update: Adding video, KTVZ.COM Poll, local law enforcement involvement) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Officers from the Bend and Redmond police departments and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will gather at Riverbend Park on Saturday morning with family, friends and fans for the annual Polar Plunge. The event serves as a major fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

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Hoodoo view NE top of Ed Thurston Chair

Hoodoo Ski Area reopens for the weekend, days after heavy rain brought flooding, forcing its closure

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The challenging off-and-on season is back on again at Hoodoo Ski and Recreation Area, which reopened on Friday, a few days after heavy rainstorms caused flooding that forced its closure.  “Fortunately, the waters have largely receded and things have firmed back up, so we are able to bring you some fun once again,” the resort said

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Crook County Commissioners advocate for Central Oregon priorities at 2026 State of the Union address

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) — Crook County Commissioners Seth Crawford and Susan Hermreck were in attendance at the 2026 State of the Union where they advocated for Central Oregon Priorities at the nation’s capital. While in Washington, D.C., Commissioner Crawford and Commissioner Hermreck met with Congressman Cliff Bentz, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Senator Ron Wyden to

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Kelly Ornberg St. Charles nutrition

Amid surge in need, St. Charles makes access to healthy, affordable food a priority; new program launching

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Many Central Oregonians struggle to access affordable, healthy food – and that need is increasing, according to results from the 2025 Community Healthy Needs Assessment recently produced by St. Charles Health System. Officials said Thursday the survey showed 24% of Central Oregonians said better access to affordable healthy food is the factor that

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St. Charles Health System funds food insecurity programs in Central Oregon

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Saint Charles Health System is providing grant funding to community organizations to help Central Oregonians access affordable healthy food. The initiative aims to support local groups that target food insecurity throughout the region. According to a survey by the health system, 24% of Central Oregonians said better access to affordable healthy

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Stratton Matteson Colton Jacobs Photography

Friends, family mourn loss of Bend splitboarder Stratton Matteson, killed in British Columbia avalanche

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Family and friends are mourning the loss of an inspiring, well-known member of Bend’s backcountry community, splitboarder Stratton Matteson, who was killed by an avalanche in British Columbia earlier this week. The Central Oregon Avalanche Center confirmed Stratton’s passing in a Facebook post on Thursday, saying he “was a beloved member

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