OREGON (KTVZ) — The USDA Forest Service has announced it will be hiring nearly 600 fire support positions in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. It says these positions are vital to wildfire preparedness and disaster response across federal and state agencies. The jobs include dispatchers, equipment operators, fire engine operators, fire prevention specialists, forestry aids and technicians,
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President Trump says he plans to sign an executive order ending mail-in ballots nationwide. Opponents say the move would cause major challenges — especially in states like Oregon, where vote-by-mail has been the standard for decades.
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BEND, Ore (KTVZ) — Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., was in Bend Thursday to speak with health care professionals and business leaders about concerns they have regarding the effects of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Representatives from health care organizations relayed concerns to the senator about potential funding issues and closures. The Democrat lawmaker also spoke about
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(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new sign at Riverbend Park is asking river users to choose “river-friendly” sun protection. It’s part of Girl Scout Serafina Quercini’s Gold Award project, aimed at reducing sunscreen chemicals that can wash into the Deschutes. I was curious because most people know that coral reefs are impacted
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Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the individual identified and arrested by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was not a camp counselor at Camp Caldera per Caldera.CAMP SHERMAN, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 29-year-old Portland man was arrested Thursday on rape, sexual abuse and related charges of sexual misconduct while working at Camp
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(Update: Adding video) State prison near Madras tells KTVZ it has half the visitor space of others around Oregon MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Long drives, limited hours and growing frustration. For months, the Problem Solvers have been digging into visitation issues at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution. Officials say the concerns boil down to them having
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The first full day of testimony in the trial of a Portland man accused of plotting to commit a mass shooting at a Smith Rock climbing event turned emotional when Samson Garner’s ex-girlfriend spoke about finding a bag of climbing gear on her porch when she returned home from a trip
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UPDATE: Adding video REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Recent rain showers across Central Oregon have provided short-term relief, but fuels remain dry and the risk of wildfire is high as hotter temperatures return, officials said Wednesday. Here’s their update on our fire danger situation: Hot summer temperatures quickly dry out grasses, brush, and timber, leaving conditions
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UPDATE: Adding video WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-2nd District, announced Wednesday that he will be hosting a Tele-Town Hall on Sept. 8 to hear from his constituents and to answer questions about what he is working on in Congress.WHO: The Counties of Klamath, Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Wasco, and Sherman WHAT: Tele-Town Hall with Congressman Cliff Bentz WHEN: Monday, September
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MEDFORD, Ore. (KTVZ)– A Medford woman arrested after a DUII crash in Medford last fall that took the life of a well-known, long-time Bend chef, Jimilee “Jason” Thomas, pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter and two other charges and was sentenced to a decade in prison. Here’s the news release from the Jackson County District Attorney’s
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UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer winds down and Labor Day weekend approaches, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is joining the nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that started August 13 and runs through September 1. While the Community Action Target Team (CATT) will increase patrols to deter impaired driving, this effort
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The attempted murder trial of a Portland man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Smith Rock climbing event in 2023 began Wednesday with a prosecutor and defense lawyer painting sharply contrasting views of his actions and words in the days and weeks before his arrest.
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Hours after seeking the public’s help, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said in an update that a missing man, 34-year-old Michael Gifford, has been located safe in the Portland area.
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(Update: DCSO clarifies some details of events) SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A pursuit of a reckless driver that began in Bend ended in Sunriver Tuesday morning in the arrest of a Bend man who Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said drove recklessly through several communities, struck a patrol car and endangered both the public and law
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UPDATE: On Tuesday, a jury was seated in the Samson Garner trial. A jury of 7 men and 8 women were seated. Twelve jurors were sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, along with three alternates. Opening statements are set to begin on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. BEND, Ore. (KTVZ – August 11) — A Portland man
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A recent large-scale cat rescue has left nearly 100 cats up for adoption in Prineville. The Humane Society of the Ochocos stepped forward to care for the cats after their owner moved out of the state. These adorable feline friends are mostly barn and outdoor cats. Volunteers originally thought there were only about 30,
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La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine-area man was cited for an illegal marijuana grow that was seized in a raid late last week. Here’s a news release issued late Monday by Bend Police Lt. Mike Landolt of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team: Press Release Information: On August 14th, 2025, at approximately
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek announced Tuesday she has declared a drought in Coos and Wheeler counties through an executive order and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. A link to Executive Order 25-19 can be found here. Coos CountyAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Coos County has been
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(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing in Central Oregon, announced Tuesday a significant expansion of its down payment assistance program for veterans. The program expansion was made possible by a $540,000 grant awarded to the organization for this purpose. Here’s the rest of RootedHomes’ announcement: The enhanced
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continued their upward movement in July, with job losses reported in all three counties, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday. The new regional figures echo last week’s report that Oregon’s statewide jobless rate rose to 5% in July, its highest level in four years, when
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