Central Oregon Archives

Destination Rehab receives grant from Parkinson’s Foundation, will help launch, expand access to free programs

October 3, 2025 7:12 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Destination Rehab has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation to expand access to free, community-based programs for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease in Central Oregon. The organization said, “This grant will directly support the launch and growth of three specialized programs: Rock Climbing for Health, Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery

Smith Rock climber survives sizable fall, apparently without serious injury

October 3, 2025 6:42 pm Barney Lerten

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A climber who reportedly fell dozens of feet at Smith Rock State Park on Friday afternoon was not seriously hurt. In fact, authorities said he was up and walking around a short time later and declined medical treatment. Redmond Fire & Rescue took the initial call shortly after 3 p.m. to

Central Oregon man dies in highway crash; OSP releases his name, says what happened

October 3, 2025 1:23 pm Barney Lerten

IDANHA, Ore. (KTVZ) — An 85-year-old Redmond man died in a crash on Oregon Highway 22 near Idanha earlier this week, Oregon State Police reported Friday. Troopers were called out around 11 p.m. Tuesday night to the single-vehicle crash in Marion County. OSP says their initial investigation has found that Richard Wayne Braxling, 85, of

Bend Deputy Fire Marshal of Wildfire Preparedness Melissa Steele

Bend Fire & Rescue creates new role: deputy fire marshal of wildfire preparedness. Here’s who is filling it

October 2, 2025 3:24 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue announced Thursday that Melissa Steele has been named deputy fire marshal of wildfire preparedness, a new position dedicated to increasing community preparedness and resilience in the face of wildfire. Here’s the fire agency’s announcement about Steele and her new role: Steele has been in the fire service

‘It’s really something’: National Women in Roofing’s local council gifts new roof to Redmond veteran

October 2, 2025 10:42 am Claire Elmer

The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon council marked their “Raise the Roof” event by giving a local veteran a brand new roof.

‘It’s the Wild West’: Another Medicare Advantage provider pulls out of local market, leaving only one – maybe

October 2, 2025 5:08 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Citing “significant industry challenges,” Providence Health Plan will no longer offer its Medicare Advantage supplemental plan to Deschutes County residents as of Jan. 1, leaving just one provider, PacificSource – if it can reach a contract agreement with St. Charles Health System. KTVZ News reported earlier this week that PacificSource just

Now hiring: ODOT got its money, but now it’s scrambling to fill hundreds of job openings before winter hits

October 2, 2025 2:45 pm KTVZ

Oregon lawmakers this week approved a package of tax and fee hikes for stopgap funding to the Oregon Department of Transportation. But the agency is by no means out of the woods when it comes to being ready for winter and the need to keep highway and passes cleared of snow.

Four active large fires currently burning in Oregon, bringing the current 2025 total to nearly 3,000

October 2, 2025 9:11 am Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Right now, four active large fires are burning across the state of Oregon. So far this year, 2,944 fires have burned statewide, totaling more than 340,000 thousand acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding Oregonians that even with lower temperatures and intermittent rain, fuels remain very dry with the potential for a fire to start

Oregon Arts Commission Awards $310,000 in arts learning grants to 31 organizations statewide

October 2, 2025 9:04 am Matthew Draxton

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum just received a 10 thousand dollar grant to boost art education for grades K-12. The grant will go towards supporting the kids curate program–which will partner with La Pine Elementary School to provide 50 hours of engaging learning experiences through art. The program will serve 50 fourth grade students over the

Oregon adds oral nicotine tax to fund wildfire prevention and recovery; local lawmaker was behind the move

October 1, 2025 11:47 am Claire Elmer

After being passed by the Oregon Legislature with bipartisan support earlier this summer, a tax on oral nicotine in House Bill 3940 has now taken effect.

City of Bend urges residents to apply for openings on several citizen advisory bodies

October 1, 2025 6:24 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Community committees, boards and commissions are a great way to get involved with local government. The City of Bend has openings on several Council-appointed advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff. Applications are being accepted for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Budget Committee, Core Area Advisory

Redmond police identify homicide victim found in Jefferson County

October 1, 2025 6:09 pm KTVZ

(Update: Adding video) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond police late Wednesday released the identity of a Redmond man whose body was found near Pelton Dam in Jefferson County and said he was the victim of a homicide that occurred in Deschutes County. Here is the news release issued by Redmond Police Lieutenant April Huey: On

Costly northwest Bend house fire brings pre-winter reminder to local homeowners

October 1, 2025 5:10 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Trouble with a furnace made for big trouble for some northwest Bend homeowners Wednesday evening when a fire broke out that caused $250,000 in damage, Bend Fire and Rescue reported. Occupants of the home on Imbler Drive noticed smoke in the hallway leading to the garage, so they evacuated and called

Sentencing delayed for Smith Rock mass shooting plotter Samson Garner as prosecutor recommends sentence

October 1, 2025 3:34 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The sentencing of a Portland man convicted by a Deschutes County jury of planning a mass shooting at a 2023 Smith Rock climbing event has been delayed three weeks, at the request of his defense attorney. After a three-week trial, a jury took less than three hours last month

Camp Fire Central Oregon to host 4th annual Autumn Family Faire, and volunteers invited to join the fun

October 1, 2025 1:55 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of community spirit can only mean one thing: It’s almost time for Camp Fire Central Oregon’s 4th Annual Autumn Family Faire! The annual celebration takes place Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Troy Field in Bend—and it’s completely free for

Olney Avenue closure near downtown Bend likely extended through early 2026 due to soil issue

September 30, 2025 11:01 am Claire Elmer

A portion of Olney Avenue near downtown Bend has been closed since the beginning of the year. The closure is a part of the city’s voter-approved projects on Portland Avenue, Wall Street, and Olney Avenue.

The BLM just spent over $200K to clear out, clean up local homeless camps – here’s what else they did to avoid a repeat

September 30, 2025 6:17 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management has spent about $200,000 to remove five long-term homeless camps from BLM land near La Pine, a nearly month-long effort that also included using boulders and soft soils to block illegal access roads, in an effort to keep it from happening again.

A bomb scare locked down a local courthouse – here’s what happened, and how it turned out

September 30, 2025 4:56 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Justice Center was locked down and the area around it blocked off for a a time Tuesday after a Prineville man told deputies he feared there was a bomb in his car, authorities said. No device was found, and he was arrested on DUII and other charges. Around

Oregon Health Authority lifts recreational use advisory for Ochoco Lake, but says pets should still stay away

September 30, 2025 3:45 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Health Authority said Tuesday it has lifted a recreational use health advisory issued for Ochoco Lake in Crook County. OHA issued the advisory on Aug 27 for the lake, located seven miles east of Prineville, where Crook County Parks and Recreation operates and maintains a campground and day-use area. The

More major health plans could leave St. Charles network soon, if talks don’t reach a deal

September 30, 2025 3:19 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — One week after St. Charles Health System said it reached contract agreements with two insurance providers, Aetna and Cigna, comes word that talks with several other insurers are still ongoing. One company, PacificSource, just warned their Medicare Advantage patients they could go out of network on Jan. 1. A PacificSource Medicare

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