Crook County Archives

$42.7 million in federal funds for Oregon rail safety projects include $1.6 million to City of Prineville Railway

October 29, 2024 9:43 pm KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Tuesday that $42,712,400 in federal funding is coming to Oregon for five projects to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability across the state, including $1.6 million for a City of Prineville Railway track upgrade. The investment—funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—comes from the U.S. Department

Ochoco National Forest reduces Paulina Complex fire area closure

October 28, 2024 9:16 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest said Monday it has reduced the fire area closure in the Paulina Ranger District that was established due to this summer’s Paulina Complex of wildfires. It said, “This reduction reflects improved conditions and allows for increased access to popular recreation areas while prioritizing safety for the public

Prineville’s High Desert Moonfest celebrates region with a wide variety of events, activities and programs

October 26, 2024 12:00 pm KTVZ

An inaugural festival featuring a wide variety of fun events took place Saturday in Prineville, called the High Desert Moonfest, a celebration of the community’s heritage, beauty and culture.

Crook County seeks public input on updated transportation plans, including possible new Juniper Canyon access

October 25, 2024 11:17 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Crook County is in the process of updating its Transportation System Plan (TSP), a 20-year strategy that outlines key transportation investments throughout the county. The update aims to address both current and future challenges, such as congestion and safety at critical intersections like Powell Butte Highway and OR-126, as well as

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza confirmed in Crook County farm’s backyard flock of 70 birds, humanely euthanized

October 25, 2024 5:37 pm KTVZ News Partners

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Crook County. It’s the first confirmed case of HPAI in Crook County.

Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland receive National Grasslands Conservation Award

October 24, 2024 1:10 pm KTVZ News Partners

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The National Grasslands Council has awarded the Crooked River National Grassland the 2024 National Grasslands Conservation Award for exceptional achievements in conservation and leadership in sustainable land management practices. The award recognizes the Crooked River National Grassland’s efforts working through strong partnerships with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon Department

Juniper thinning project gets underway on Crooked River National Grassland as part of Wildfire Crisis Strategy

October 24, 2024 12:25 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest announced Thursday that it has begun juniper thinning on the Crooked River National Grassland as part of a broader effort to reduce wildfire risk and restore ecosystem health. Over the past century, fire suppression, historical forest management practices, the discontinuation of cultural fire use by Indigenous people

Deschutes, Ochoco national forest seeking applicants for next year’s seasonal firefighting positions

October 22, 2024 11:40 am KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and Crooked River National Grassland are accepting applications for seasonal firefighting positions for the 2025 fire season. The hiring window opens on Thursday, October 24 and closes on Wednesday, November 6. Applications must be submitted through USAJobs.gov. Available positions have tentative start dates ranging from

Weekend race prompts temporary closure of portions of Millican Plateau, North Millican OHV trail systems

October 18, 2024 3:59 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) Portions of the Millican Plateau and North Millican OHV Trail Systems will be closed Saturday-Monday, Oct. 19-21 for an annual side-by-side race hosted by King of the Kastle, LLC. The racecourse and several points of entry into the area will be closed for the safety of participants and the public, the Prineville District of the Bureau

National Wild Turkey Federation, Ochoco National Forest partner on western juniper removal project

October 15, 2024 2:07 pm KTVZ News Partners

EDGEFIELD, S.C. (KTVZ) — Oregon wildfires have scorched a record-breaking 1.9 million acres this year — the most acres ever damaged in modern state history, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. These ongoing wildfires have posed significant challenges for land and wildlife managers this season, severely impacting landscapes, wildlife and surrounding communities. Despite these

BLM reminder: Public access to Teaters Road remains open, under federal court order

October 11, 2024 2:09 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville District BLM managers reminded the public Friday that Teaters Road outside of Prineville remains open for public access, the result of a legal dispute a few years ago that landed in federal court. “Maintaining legal, public access to public lands is important to the BLM,” said Amanda Roberts, BLM Prineville

OSP Fish & Wildlife seeks tips from public in illegal waste of cow elk on Ochoco Wildlife Management Unit

October 11, 2024 1:56 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division said Friday it is investigating the unlawful take and waste of a cow elk in the Ochoco Wildlife Management Unit and is asking for the public’s assistance to identify whoever is responsible. On Wednesday, OSP troopers from Prineville responded to a report of

It’s not just ODOT: Oregon counties predict severe revenue shortfall for roads, bridges, maintenance

October 9, 2024 12:25 am KTVZ News Partners

Crook County officials join others calling for adequate funding SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Last week, the Association of Oregon Counties presented its 2024 County Road Needs Study to the Legislative Joint Committee on Transportation, forecasting a statewide annual revenue shortfall of 59 percent over the next five years. This will result in an additional $834

That red semi tractor so visibly parked at Prineville Reservoir is moving on – but only after a bit of help to get unstuck

September 29, 2024 4:55 pm Barney Lerten

We recently solved a minor mystery about the bright red semi tractor visible in the Prineville Reservoir State Park live webcam view all summer long. It belongs to the campground hosts, who are moving on as the season ends – but first, their rig needed a bit of help, to get unstuck.

Little Lava Fire holds at 11,225 acres; Bachelor Complex 50% contained; Red Fire near Crescent Lake tops 2,000 acres

September 29, 2024 3:25 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Bachelor Complex, including the Little Lava Fire, held at 50% containment this weekend, with no change in acreage reported, while the Red Fire near Crescent Lake has grown to over 2,000 acres but still 11% contained officials said Sunday. The complex consists of about 30 fires sparked by lightning Sept.

Ochoco National Forest reduces Paulina Complex Fire area closure as containment grows, safety improves

September 18, 2024 10:08 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — After close consultation with fire management officials, the Ochoco National Forest said Wednesday it has reduced the Paulina Complex Fire Area Closure, due to significant progress in containment and improving safety conditions. The reduction comes after thorough assessments of fire behavior, successful containment efforts, and careful consideration of public safety, officials

House District 59 candidates Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, challenger Brian Samp debate the issues live on NewsChannel 21

September 18, 2024 8:49 pm KTVZ - News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon House District 59 Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, and Democratic challenger Brian Samp debated a wide array of issues, from abortion rights and the DMV voter registration errors to transgender high school athletes and the Greater Idaho movement, during a live Decision 2024 debate Tuesday night on NewsChannel 21. Here are

Ochoco National Forest trims Maury Mountains closure area as Wiley Flat Fire reaches 84% containment

September 17, 2024 6:57 pm KTVZ News Partners

(Update: Wednesday’s fire update, containment at 84%) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following significant progress in firefighting efforts, the Ochoco National Forest, in consultation with fire management officials and the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, said Tuesday it has reduced the Wiley Flat Fire Area Closure in the Maury Mountains. “This decision comes as containment lines have

Ochoco National Forest expands Maury Mountains closure area due to increased Wiley Flat Fire activity

September 10, 2024 9:56 pm KTVZ News Partners

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — In coordination with the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the Ochoco National Forest is expanding the Maury Mountains closure area. This decision follows increased fire activity on the western flank of the Wiley Flat Fire, making the expanded closure necessary to ensure public safety and allow firefighters to continue their work without

17-acre Cottonwood Fire on Ochoco National Forest sparked by lightning, not a spot fire from nearby Crazy Creek Fire

August 31, 2024 3:42 pm Barney Lerten

A new wildfire reported Saturday on the Ochoco National Forest east of the nearly 87,000-acre Crazy Creek Fire is not a spot fire from that over month-old blaze but a new start that officials confirmed Sunday was caused by lightning.

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