Central Oregon Archives

Deschutes County commissioners hail Central Oregon legislative wins, from youth mental health facility to juniper removal

August 6, 2025 3:20 pm Barney Lerten

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners is celebrating several legislative victories for Central Oregon following an end-of-session report on the 2025 Oregon Legislature presented during its meeting on Monday. Here are the details outlined in a news release KTVZ News received on Wednesday: Throughout the 158-day legislative session, commissioners and county staff actively engaged with

Forest Service to open gate on Forest Road 370 to Broken Top trailhead, but advises of ‘very rough’ conditions

August 6, 2025 2:39 pm Barney Lerten

On Friday, August 8, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest will open the gate at Todd Lake to Forest Service Road (FSR) 370, which provides driving access to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads. Forest Service Road 370 is a very rough road, with sections through which low-clearance vehicles cannot

Sparrow Mercado celebrates grand opening on Bend’s westside

August 6, 2025 11:33 am KTVZ - News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tuesday marked the grand opening for Sparrow Mercado at the new Bend westside development, Discovery West. It’s joining several other businesses in the hub of the development called Discovery Corner. It’s meant to be a small market for residents and visitors, with grab-and-go goods or simple meals you can cook yourself. The

Central Oregonians launch two recent recall attempts against elected officials, despite steep statewide decline

August 5, 2025 11:57 am Claire Elmer

In 2024, Oregon topped the list of U.S. states for number of recall attempts relative to its population – 0.76 recall attempts per 100,000 residents.* But so far in 2025, recall petitions are well below the state’s average for this time of year.

Central Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Conference

‘American Ninja Warrior’ finalist to speak at Central Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference

August 5, 2025 6:01 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An upcoming two-day event in Bend will offer employers and workers a comprehensive set of learning opportunities designed to upgrade their skills in creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces. The Central Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference – scheduled Sept. 15-16 at the Riverhouse Lodge – will address everything from

California man gets 14-year federal prison term for trafficking methamphetamine to Central Oregon

August 5, 2025 5:42 pm Barney Lerten

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) —A Lynwood, California man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Monday for trafficking 11 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Oregon, including a Prineville customer. Luis Banuelos, 34, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on February 28, 2021, as

Mission accomplished: Bend Scout teams up with Central Oregon Trails Alliance on new fence, kiosk at Phil’s Trailhead Skills Area

August 5, 2025 5:09 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jake Garner, a local mountain biker and member of Boy Scout Troop 21 in Bend, reached out to the Central Oregon Trails Alliance in search of an Eagle Scout project for this summer, and now it’s mission accomplished. Together, they identified a long-overdue task: replacing the orange safety fencing and adding

OSU-Cascades Innovation District rendering

OSU-Cascades launches nationwide search for the main developer of its future innovation district

August 5, 2025 10:21 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Planners at Oregon State University – Cascades said Tuesday they have released a request for proposals for a developer to lead the development of the first phase of the campus’s future innovation district. OSU-Cascades is seeking a strategic and long-term development partner to oversee the creation of a dynamic built environment

Bend Brewing Company partners with Sisters Meat & Smokehouse on ‘The Way West’ bar at Bend’s Jackstraw

August 5, 2025 11:58 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Northwest developer Killian Pacific said Tuesday it has secured a long-term retail lease with two beloved Central Oregon businesses – the Way West, a Western-inspired bar with a fresh-cut deli and provisions counter from Bend Brewing Company, in collaboration with Sisters Meat & Smokehouse – at Jackstraw, its 313-unit mixed-use residential

Man who stole rifle at Jefferson County Fair, tried to fire it several times and was shot gets 10-year prison term in plea deal

August 5, 2025 3:13 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man who stole a rifle from a pickup at the 2022 Jefferson County Fair and tried to fire it several times at pursuing officers and others before being shot by police has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Rafael Gomez,

Community Conversations: Local nonprofit urges community to help meet growing need for guardians

August 5, 2025 1:50 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — When adults in Central Oregon are no longer able to make decisions for themselves, the Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program—better known as CO-GAP—steps in to help. The nonprofit provides court-appointed guardianship for individuals who are incapacitated and have no one else to advocate for them. “CO-GAP is Central Oregon Guardian Assistance

RootedHomes set to break ground on new Redmond middle-income housing community, Rooted at Antler

August 5, 2025 11:42 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes, a local non-profit dedicated to affordable housing, is breaking ground later this month on its newest community, Rooted at Antler, on Friday, August 22 from 11 am to 1 pm at 1699 West Antler Avenue in Redmond. Here’s Tuesday’s full news release: The community is designed to address Central Oregon’s

‘She’s not protecting our well-being’: La Pine chief petitioner speaks out on why he began recall effort targeting Governor Kotek

August 4, 2025 11:54 am Claire Elmer

A recall effort is underway against Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and it’s led by a Central Oregonian. William Minnix, a resident of La Pine, started the petition recently and told KTVZ News on Monday the recall is driven by accountability.

Weekend lightning storms spark nearly 40 new fires around the area; crews’ quick attack stops most small, helped by rain

August 4, 2025 11:26 am Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters responded to 39 new wildfire starts around Central Oregon over the weekend, burning a total of nine acres, officials said Monday. Most of the fires were kept small, at about one-tenth of an acre in size, and have been contained or controlled. “This was the result of the quick response

Buckaroo Breakfast at the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo is long-time tradition enjoyed by many

August 3, 2025 3:49 pm Claire Elmer

The final day of the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo was capped off by the Buckaroo Breakfast. After another memorable year, people celebrated the best way this community knows how — with good food, great company, and small-town tradition.

NE Bend roundabout construction ahead of schedule, city says, heading off another closure next spring

July 31, 2025 1:39 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Progress on the Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road and Purcell Boulevard roundabout construction is ahead of schedule due to “remarkable coordination among the project teams,” the city of Bend said Thursday. As a result, “Crews now anticipate completing the work within this year’s construction season, with no need for an additional

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office presence at Fair and Rodeo not just for safety, but community connection

August 2, 2025 6:41 pm Claire Elmer

While Central Oregon fairgoers are focused on having fun at the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo, local law enforcement is working behind the scenes to make sure everyone stays safe.

Day 3 of the county fair is filled with salty food and great times. In its 105th year: An expected tradition, including its big financial impact

July 31, 2025 12:17 am Tracee Tuesday, Triton Notary

(Update: Adding video from day three at Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo) REDMOND, Ore. [KTVZ] — The Deschutes County Fair in Redmond is celebrating 105 years. The fair, which is governed by Deschutes County, is who benefits from the profits of the fair. According to Geoff Hinds, director of the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo

Bend fugitive, car theft suspect eludes large police search, arrested while riding bike

August 1, 2025 6:11 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 24-year-old Bend man suspected of stealing a car and wanted on two probation violation warrants was arrested Friday evening after a manhunt while riding a bike in southeast Bend, police said. Shortly before 11 a.m., officers responded to a report of a stolen 1996 Toyota Tercel in the 100 block

Alaska Airlines is adding year-round daily Redmond-Burbank flights, starting this fall

July 31, 2025 6:10 pm Barney Lerten

SEATTLE (KTVZ) — Alaska Airlines announced Thursday that it’s further expanding its network between California and the Pacific Northwest with seven new routes starting this October, including year-round daily flights between Redmond and Burbank. The news comes about two weeks after Avelo Airlines announced it is closing its base in Burbank and will stop its

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