Central Oregon Archives

Upcycling for a cause: ReStore Upcycle Challenge Auction to support local affordable housing

November 21, 2025 5:24 pm Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver is thrilled to announce the opening of our ReStore Upcycle Challenge Auction — a community-driven, creative competition that blends sustainability, artistry, and philanthropy. The online auction will be live through December 19, with proceeds supporting Habitat’s mission to build and preserve affordable housing in southern Deschutes

Sky View Middle School teacher Loren Renfroe named Bend-La Pine Schools Educator of the Year

November 21, 2025 4:44 pm KTVZ

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-La Pine Schools Excellence in Education awards culminated Friday afternoon with the presentation of the Educator of the Year award to Loren Renfroe, language arts teacher at Sky View Middle School in northeast Bend. Superintendent Steven Cook and other district officials made the surprise presentation. Renfroe has

Breeze Airways calls off planned Redmond-to-Burbank nonstop flights; Alaska Airlines steps in to fill the gap

November 21, 2025 4:05 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An airline that announced three new destinations from Redmond Airport this summer already has dropped one planned route, months before it was set to start. Breeze Airways, based in Salt Lake City, had announced in mid-July that it would be serving Redmond starting next spring with non-stop flights to Burbank and

Mt. Bachelor delays next week’s planned season opening due to too little snow; new date not yet set

November 21, 2025 12:45 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A week before it was planning and hoping to open, Mt. Bachelor announced Friday that a lack of adequate early snowfall will delay its opening date for the season. No new date has been announced. “After careful consideration assessing the snowpack and studying the latest weather forecasts, we have made the

FREE FISHING: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announces two upcoming opportunities to fish for free statewide

November 21, 2025 9:04 am Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Are you looking for something to do following Thanksgiving? The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced free fishing days on November 28th and 29th statewide! All residents and non-residents are encouraged to participate. Enjoy free fishing, crabbing and clamming! ODFW says free fishing days are a great chance to take

Oregon’s new school ‘report cards’ show more ninth-graders on track to graduate; attendance still trails pre-pandemic levels

November 20, 2025 11:07 am KTVZ

(Update: adding video) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Education released the At-A-Glance School and District Profiles Thursday for the 2024-25 school year. “These profiles were designed with community input to show how schools and districts compare to the statewide average in a number of categories, including regular attenders, statewide assessments, 9th grade on-track to

Violence, crimes at recent local high school bonfire parties prompt serious safety concerns, public warning

November 20, 2025 12:15 pm KTVZ

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A growing number of high school bonfire parties across Deschutes County are leading to serious safety concerns, prompting the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to issue a public warning Thursday, ahead of Thanksgiving Break. “These informal gatherings have escalated into events marked by violence, criminal activity, and unsafe conditions that

Camp Fire Central Oregon receives national recognition, prestigious ‘Culture of Safety Award’

November 20, 2025 6:16 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Camp Fire Central Oregon announced Thursday that it has been honored with the “Culture of Safety Award” from Camp Fire National Headquarters. The prestigious award recognizes the organization’s outstanding commitment to going above and beyond in promoting a positive safety culture within Camp Fire Central Oregon, as well as its proactive

What’s a ‘thermal lounge’? A new Bend business aims to promote the health benefits of hot-and-cold ‘contrast therapy’

November 20, 2025 5:27 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new kind of wellness experience is coming to Bend. Flux Thermal Lounge says it “offers a modern, nature-inspired spin on the ancient practice of contrast therapy: alternating immersion in hot and cold water to support mental clarity, recovery, and resilience.” Here are more of the details shared with KTVZ News

Bend man arrested on charges of possessing child sex abuse material; police release his photo, seek to learn of any local victims

November 20, 2025 1:56 pm KTVZ

A 22-year-old Bend man has been charged with a dozen counts of possessing child sex abuse material, and police released his photo Thursday to learn if any local victims are associated with the case.

‘Pretty positive experience’: Redmond High students, staff share how cell phone ban is going

November 20, 2025 11:05 am Jillian Fortner

If you step into Redmond High School, you might notice a lack of cell phones.

Bend woman pulled over, arrested on Highway 26, accused of trafficking drugs from Portland to Central Oregon

November 20, 2025 4:13 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman was pulled over on U.S. Highway 26 near Madras and arrested Wednesday night after a K-9’s alert and a search of her vehicle turned up fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, drug agents said. The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team had determined during a short-term investigation that Sunshine Wright, 48,

Pay It Forward: La Pine restaurant helps community by feeding those in need, no charge

November 20, 2025 2:33 pm KTVZ

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Our Pay It Forward program recognizes people who make our community a better place to live, so a viewer’s tip we received of a La Pine restaurant, Harvest Depot, that often gives people in need a free meal was very fitting for a salute. The moment owner Joel Brader received

100 Warm Springs students to receive backpacks and school supplies donated by local organization

November 20, 2025 10:32 am Claire Elmer

Sunriver Christian Fellowship is teaming up with the Sydney Paige Foundation to deliver an inspiring boost to young students at Warm Springs K-8 Academy. The organizations will hand out more than 100 backpacks today filled with school supplies to kindergarten through second-grade students.

Bend man arrested after breaking into home, accused of violating restraining order; woman rescued from window

November 19, 2025 6:20 pm Barney Lerten

Update: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A large police presence surrounded a northeast Bend home Wednesday afternoon, helped a woman to safety out a second-story window and arrested a man accused of violating a restraining order. The officers evacuated neighbors, closed two roads for a time and brought in an armored vehicle and drone

One of Bend’s three new safe parking sites was the focus of an earlier debate over how to help the homeless

November 19, 2025 6:48 pm Spencer Sacks

(Update: Adding quotes from City of Bend Shelter Coordinator, Brook O’Keefe and Executive Director of the Mountain View Community Development, Rick Russell) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — One of Bend’s three new Safe Parking Program locations had its first residents move a few weeks ago. Just off the corner of South Highway 97, next to Les

Crooked River Ranch takes straw poll on ATV road access; Jefferson County officials still considering draft ordinance

October 13, 2025 8:52 am Claire Elmer, Tracee Tuesday

Jefferson County leaders are reviewing a proposed ordinance that would allow ATVs on designated roads in Crooked River Ranch, sparking a community-wide conversation about safety, lifestyle, and the future of their neighborhood.

Oregon Rep. Cliff Bentz issues statement on his vote in favor of release of the Jeffrey Epstein files

November 19, 2025 1:14 pm KTVZ

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., issued a statement Wednesday regarding his yes vote earlier this week on H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This bill will require that the Attorney General release, to the public, all documents and records in the possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Here is

ODOT sets open house on new mountain-themed design for Bend’s Hawthorne Avenue pedestrian and bridge crossing

November 19, 2025 11:06 am KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting an upcoming open house on Bend’s Hawthorne Crossing project and its new design, including a chance to meet the project team, ask questions and provide comments. An online open house debuted Wednesday that offers background and details on the project. The in-person open house is set for Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Dogwood at The Pine Shed, 821 NE. Second

Injury single-vehicle crash slows traffic on Highway 20 near Sisters

November 19, 2025 3:05 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A single-vehicle injury crash occurred Wednesday afternoon and slowed traffic on U.S. Highway 20 just east of Sisters. Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Sisters-Camp Sherman firefighters and others responded to the crash, which was reported around 2:15 p.m. near milepost 1 on Highway 20. DCSO Public Information Officer Jason

Email:
Select all that apply: Morning News Headlines Daily Weather Forecast Breaking News Alert Afternoon Headlines Contests and Promotions