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Crook County

‘The right fit’: Prineville city leaders comment on Shane Wilson’s appointment to chief of police

(Update: adding video, comments from assistant city manager) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Prineville has named Shane Wilson as its new chief of police, a decision city leaders say brings experience and stability to the department. Wilson has been with the Prineville Police Department since 2015 and has served in nearly every law

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Small town, big pride: Prineville celebrates inclusion during annual Prideville festival

(Update: adding video, comments from board president) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A small Central Oregon town showed what โ€œbig prideโ€ can look like Sunday, as Prideville brought a colorful celebration of community and belonging to downtown Prineville. The annual festival transformed the area with rainbow flags, live performances, vendors, and families filling the space for

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UPDATE: Lone Pine Fire Northwest of Powell Butte now 100% contained, cause identified

UPDATE: Lone Pine Fire northwest of Powell Butte now 100% contained, cause identified

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€”According to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the Lone Pine Fire, which was burning northwest of Powell Butte, is now 100% contained. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office said the brush fire sparked just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The agency says multiple abandoned motor homes, as well as juniper trees and

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Crook county residents gain free, year-round mattress recycling drop-off site

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Today, residents of Prineville and Crook County gained a new, permanent, no-cost option to recycle unwanted mattresses and box springs at the Prineville Recycling Depot. This service is made possible through a collaboration between Republic Services and the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress Program. The new local facility joins a

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Crook County High School seniors celebrate graduation in style with parade tradition

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County High School graduates celebrated their achievements today by taking part in a long-standing Prineville tradition: the Graduates Parade. The event, held just after noon, brought students and community members together for a unique celebratory procession through the city. Students gathered in the high school parking lot to transform their

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Rising rodeo stars set to shine at Crooked River Roundup in 2026

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€”ย The Crooked River Roundup has announced the lineup of 2026 Young Gun contestants, a special feature event celebrating rising rodeo stars. From June 25โ€“27, 2026, 36 young athletes will compete in six events at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville. These young competitors will showcase their talent alongside Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

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Four Central Oregon students awarded Kiefer Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships

Four Central Oregon students awarded Kiefer Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rimrock Trails Treatment Services and the Kiefer Magical Legacy Fund announced the recipients of the 2026 Kiefer Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships on June 1st. Four graduating seniors from Redmond High School and Crook County High School each received a one-time $2,500 scholarship to pursue higher education in behavioral health and related fields.

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Bentz introduces bill to create new emergency access road and fire safe zones in Juniper Canyon

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-02) introduced legislation today in Washington, D.C., to improve public safety and wildfire preparedness in Juniper Canyon in Crook County. The bill proposes granting the county a permanent right of way for a new public access road and conveying four Bureau of Land Management parcels for “fire safe

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Prineville property owner fined more than $10,000 for unpermitted waste tire storage site

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ)โ€” A Prineville property owner has been fined more than $10,000 after state environmental regulators said he continued operating an unpermitted waste tire storage site despite repeated warnings from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. As part of a statewide enforcement report released this month, DEQ assessed a $10,709 civil penalty against Kenneth

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Central Oregon NJROTC cadets represent the region in Washington, D.C. Memorial Day Parade

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) โ€” Cadets with the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) from Mountainย View High School, La Pine, and Crook County are in Washington, D.C., and marched in the 250th Memorial Day Parade today. They also attendedย theย National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building. The program provides leadership education

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Happening Next: Learn About Homeownership Opportunities at an Affordable Home Fair

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” Central Oregon residents are invited to a free Affordable Homeownership Fair on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Redmond City Hall. NeighborImpact HomeSource will host the event, connecting attendees with local affordable housing developers and resources for homebuyer education and eligibility. The fair is part of NeighborWorks Week, which

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Crook County Democrats oppose animal rights petition that could restrict hunting, fishing and agriculture

PRINEVILLE, Ore. โ€” Crook County Democrats are taking a firm stand against a proposed Oregon ballot measure they say would go too far. The local party has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing Initiative Petition 28, also known as the PEACE Act, a measure that would remove long-standing exemptions from state animal cruelty laws for hunting,

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Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team busts meth dealer in Prineville

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” A 65-year-old Prineville man, Rocky Lee Klein, was arrested Tuesday, May 12, 2026, on SE Juniper Canyon Road on suspicion of selling methamphetamine. He faces charges of unlawful delivery and possession of methamphetamine and driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). The arrest followed a short-term investigation by the Central Oregon

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Crook County Fire and Rescue closes outdoor pile burning, moves to summer burning restrictions

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to Crook County Fire and Rescue, outdoor debris pile burning closed on Saturday, May 9th. Summer burning regulations began the same day. The agency says burn barrels and personal warming fires are still allowed after Saturdayโ€™s closure on designated Restricted Burn Days in accordance with the Crook County Outdoor

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There’s Good News: Paddy Pint Road Race boosts Prineville schools with $5,000 donation

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Paddy Pint Road Race, Prineville’s annual running event, donated $5,000 to the Crook County School District on April 30, 2026. The funds are designated for new physical education equipment to enhance student wellness and activity opportunities across the district in Prineville, Ore. The donation will support the school district’s efforts

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