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Crook County

Oregon expands drought emergency to six counties, including Crook and Jefferson, as record-warm winter deepens water crisis

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in six Oregon counties, citing record-low snowpack and ongoing dry conditions. The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-07, affects Crook, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Morrow and Wallowa counties. This marks the second drought declaration for Oregon in 2026. A total of nine of Oregon’s

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Crook County Judge Wade Whiting

‘Very senseless and horrific crime’: Crook County judge imposes 25-year prison term in 2022 kidnap, fatal shooting

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras man indicted on murder, kidnap and other charges in the 2022 killing of another Madras man was sentenced Tuesday to a 25-year prison term on a lesser manslaughter charge, after he denied shooting or burying the victim, whose grieving family members pleaded for a murder conviction and life sentence.  Victor Manuel Romero Jr., now 29, signed a plea petition last

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Central Oregon’s unemployment rates hold steady in February, despite fewer job gains than normal

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw very little movement from January to February, holding steady in Deschutes and Crook counties and dropping slightly in Jefferson County, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday. Here’s that full report, from Regional Economist Patrick O’Connor: Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties): The Bend

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Central Oregon Aerial Drone Competition to conclude inaugural season at Ridgeview High School

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s inaugural Aerial Drone Competition season will conclude today, April 16th, at Ridgeview High School’s Upper Gym in Redmond. The free event is open to the public and will feature all three Aerial Drone Competition mission events. Student pilots and programmers from Crook County High School in Prineville, Ridgeview High

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‘Students first’: Dr. Joel Hoff appointed as permanent superintendent of Crook County School District following interim success

(Update: adding comments from superintendent Dr. Hoff) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — After months of discussion and community engagement, the Crook County School District has officially named Dr. Joel Hoff its permanent superintendent. Hoff has served as interim superintendent for the past year. Surveys and listening sessions showed overwhelming support for his leadership, with nearly 97%

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