The phrase “backseat driver” usually gets a bad rap — but safety advocates are giving it a new, potentially life-saving meaning this week.
The National Road Safety Foundation is leading National Passenger Safety Week, January 19th-26th, aiming to empower passengers to speak up when they notice unsafe driving behavior such as speeding or distractions behind the wheel.
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By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. — There’s an ambitious effort underway at the Capitol to overhaul how the state determines funding levels for schools, but lawmakers are torn over the timing and larger questions about the goals of Oregon’s public education system. Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, and Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, co-chairs
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There are plenty of volunteer opportunities happening today, January 19th, for folks looking to make a difference and emphasize the remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Across the country and here in Oregon, people will mark the day with service projects, marches and reflections. One of several events
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SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — For over an hour and a half, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Janelle Bynum took questions from members of the community on Saturday. They were answering questions on both foreign and domestic policy. Both Sen. Wyden and Rep. Bynum took about 12 questions together, giving insight into how they voted on recent
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden is in Central Oregon this week, speaking at town halls in Madras and Sisters. While he is in town, he stopped by the KTVZ News studios. We discussed a wide variety of topics, from ICE to wildfires. During the conversation, I asked him about rural schools’ funding. The
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(Update: Added sot from Clay Pruitt) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BendFilm has announced what it calls a “leadership evolution,” as Executive Director Giancarlo Gatto departs and three veteran division heads form an innovative and collaborative team of managing directors. Clay Pruitt, one of the new Co-Executive Directors of BendFilm, told KTVZ News “I mean, the
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La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The community of La Pine is coming together around a child and family in need of support – and a heart. Braxton Twyman was diaonosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) shortly after he was born 14 months ago. As a newborn, Braxton underwent a series of surgeries. Even though he
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend is preparing to enact a policy barring the use of city facilities for federal immigration enforcement, as outlined in state law, saying the goal is to foster a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants and refugees. “City facilities may not be used for the purpose of investigating, detecting, apprehending,
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday the results of its participation in the national Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over campaign, which ran from Dec. 10 – Jan. 1 to help keep impaired drivers off our roads and ensure safer travel for everyone. During the enforcement detail, deputies worked four
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Facing pending budget cuts at the state level for the 2025-27 mid-biennium — likely 2%, but as much as 5% — Central Oregon Community College said this week it’s “welcoming community advocacy in encouraging state lawmakers, whose next session begins Feb. 2, to maintain current funding levels.” COCC said interested citizens
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The Madras City Council held a special meeting Friday morning to formally accept City Administrator Will Ibershof and appointed Public Works Director Jeff Hurt as his interim successor.
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BANDON, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to the USGS, just before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 15th, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Oregon coast, about 180 miles west of Bandon. This area often experiences earthquakes and no tsunami is expected. Seattle’s Lumen Field currently has six seismic sensors monitoring activity ahead of the Seattle Seahawks
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Shoppers across Central Oregon helped raise more than $85,000 to fight hunger through the 15th annual Food for February fundraiser organized by Newport Avenue Market, Oliver Lemon’s, and Ollie’s Kitchen. The employee-owned grocery stores announced Thursday that the campaign brought in a record $85,236.70, with more than $30,000 matched by parent company Rudy’s Markets, Inc. The
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Powder House, a long-time Bend business, is expanding – establishing a new venue called “Base Camp.” The 8,000-square-foot space will feature outdoor seating with fire pits, 36 taps, handcrafted cocktails and live music. The owners of Powder House, Todd McGee and his wife, have operated the establishment for nearly 25 years
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– For the first time in its 75-year history, Central Oregon Community College faculty and classified staff, represented by two separate unions, are joining forces to demand living wages. Contract negotiations are never easy. They can last for months and even years as employers and employees work to resolve their differences. At Central
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Therapy providers across Central Oregon are sounding the alarm after PacificSource Community Solutions, the coordinated care organization for Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members, announced a 30% cut to reimbursement rates. Central Oregon Speech and Language, a Bend-based clinic, says the reductions make it financially impossible to continue serving Medicaid clients without operating
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek has appointed former Oregon State Senator Tim Knopp of Bend as the state’s new Chief Prosperity Officer – a key role aimed at growing Oregon’s economy, creating good-paying jobs, and supporting local businesses. Kotek announced the appointment Tuesday, saying Knopp’s business background and decades of public service make
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Bend police released a vehicle photo Tuesday and asked for the community’s help in finding a driver who allegedly left the scene of a crash involving a child on a bicycle earlier in the day. Just a few hours later, they announced a Bend man’s arrest and thanked the public for its help.
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — The U.S. House on Tuesday approved a funding package that includes over $6 million for Fifth District water infrastructure projects in Rep. Janelle Bynum’s home district, including nearly $1 million to replace aging water pipes in Bend. A City of Bend representative provided KTVZ News with this background from the grant application
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge agreed Tuesday to postpone plea entry by a truck driver facing manslaughter charges after a newlywed couple crashed into his jackknifed rig on Highway 20 east of Bend and were killed. It’s the second delay in entry of plea by Rajinder Kumar, 32, who faces two counts
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