Crook County Archives

DA Hathorn says Crook County has no unrepresented criminal cases after Supreme Court dismissal, but warns risks remain

February 12, 2026 2:29 pm Prineville Review

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Supreme Court’s recent right-to-counsel decision has resulted in the dismissal of nearly 1,500 criminal cases statewide, but no such dismissals have been reported in Crook County, the Prineville Review reports. The ruling, which imposes firm deadlines on the state to provide court-appointed attorneys for defendants who qualify, has already reshaped

‘Essential workforce’: Ochoco National Forest is hiring seasonal workers for upcoming recreation season

February 12, 2026 3:18 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland said Thursday it is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and encouraged local residents to apply. “Our seasonal workforce is essential to both visitor services and on-the-ground stewardship of our public lands,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marszal. “These positions strengthen

Crook County Library considers meeting room restrictions amid security issues, alcohol use, misuse concerns

February 12, 2026 1:28 pm Prineville Review

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County’s public library may soon restrict use of its meeting rooms to normal operating hours after staff raised concerns about after-hours security problems, building access issues, and facility misuse. The discussion took place during the Crook County Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 11 work session, where Lead Library Tech Kim Bales outlined

Crook County Interim Superintendent Dr Joel Hoff

Crook County School Board holds listening sessions after survey shows strong support for interim superintendent

February 11, 2026 11:51 am Claire Elmer

The Crook County School Board took the first step this week toward potentially appointing Interim Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff to a permanent position. The move follows a public survey that showed 96.5% of respondents support making the appointment permanent.

Driver alert: Guardrail and bridge work to slow Oregon Highway 126 traffic east of Powell Butte

February 11, 2026 5:24 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added) POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A road and bridge project will be slowing traffic for the next few weeks on Oregon Highway 126 just east of Powell Butte, ODOT said Thursday, Crews will be replacing guardrail and widening the Central Oregon Irrigation District Canal Bridge at milepost 10 “to make traveling on

Prineville police take man into custody after social media threats prompt Crook County schools alert, increased patrols

February 9, 2026 12:28 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville police took a man into custody Monday morning following reports of threats circulating on social media that mentioned a specific officer and Crook County High School, officials said.

Weekend Crook County rollover crash leaves one dead

February 9, 2026 9:48 am Kelsey Merison

(Update: adding video) CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Saturday, February 7th, a single-vehicle rollover crash involving a green Subaru Forrester occurred on SE Juniper Canyon Road. 47-year-old Angel Ball of Prineville was identified as the driver and was pronounced dead on scene. According to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, deputies discovered evidence that the

Senators secure over $7 million for Central Oregon projects, from canal piping to groundwater tests and ‘floating solar’

February 6, 2026 6:24 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced recently that they secured more than $100 million in federal investments for 54 community projects across Oregon, including over $7 million for four in Central Oregon, from canal piping to groundwater testing and “floating solar” plans. The funding was included in two Fiscal Year

Crook County Sheriff’s Office announces trio of upcoming town hall meetings

February 4, 2026 2:59 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday it will be holding three town hall meetings in upcoming weeks. Undersheriff Bill Elliot said the first town hall meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Powell Butte Community Center from 6-8 p.m. The second town hall meeting is set for

Scam alert: Crook County residents targeted by callers impersonating law enforcement

February 4, 2026 5:59 pm Claire Elmer

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a phone scam involving callers who claim to be members of law enforcement. Officials say the scammers are contacting residents and falsely telling them they’ve missed jury duty or have an active warrant out for their arrest.

Update: Weather delays pile burning work on Crooked River Grassland SE of Madras

February 3, 2026 6:27 pm Barney Lerten

Prescribed fire operations on the Crooked River National Grassland southeast of Madras that were scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, officials said.

Oliver Books in Prineville sparks community connection with month-long reading challenge

February 3, 2026 5:29 pm Claire Elmer

One local bookstore in Crook County is turning the month of February into a community-wide celebration of reading.

Oliver Books in downtown Prineville is hosting a month-long reading challenge designed to bring people together, support local business, and share a love of literature.

Long-time community advocate Family Access Network welcomes its newest board member

February 3, 2026 9:52 am KTVZ - News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Megan Geiss of Bend has joined the Family Access Network (FAN) foundation Board of Directors, the organization announced Tuesday. Geiss, a long-time community advocate, will support the nonprofit’s mission of connecting Central Oregon children and families with essential resources. The Family Access Network organization was established in 2006. FAN raises funds

Driver treated after single-vehicle crash in Powell Butte

February 2, 2026 4:50 am Tracee Tuesday

(First reported by the Prineville Review) POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A single-vehicle crash in Powell Butte sent emergency crews racing across Crook County on the evening of Sunday, February 1, the Prineville Review reports. According to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened shortly before 5 p.m. along Southwest Houston Lake Road near Lester Wick

UPDATE: Prineville reckless driver suspect named, arrested, and in jail

January 31, 2026 2:40 pm KTVZ - News Team

(Update: Naming suspect, Announcing Arrest) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Prineville police stop early Saturday morning led officers and Crook County Sheriff’s deputies on a brief pursuit. Around 1:46 a.m., a Prineville officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield, leading to a chase. The driver led police through the parking

Crook County School District honors standout educators with statewide nominations

January 30, 2026 11:03 pm Campbell Porter

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School District is celebrating excellence in education after nominating three of its outstanding staff members for prestigious statewide awards. Each nominee represents the dedication and heart that define the district’s educators: Kimberly Bonner – Nominated for Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year Kim Crofcheck – Nominated for Oregon Teacher of the Year Kim

Prineville man sentenced to maximum term for first-degree sexual abuse

January 30, 2026 5:08 pm Harley Coldiron

(Adding Video) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Clinton James Dunne, 56, was sentenced to 150 months in prison today following his conviction on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Judge Daina Vitolins ordered Dunne to serve the statutory maximum sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections. The sentence follows a Jan. 7, 2026, trial where a

OSP identifies Bend woman killed in head-on crash on Highway 126 near Powell Butte Highway intersection

January 28, 2026 9:45 am KTVZ - News Team, Barney Lerten

Oregon State Police on Thursday released the victim’s name and other details of Wednesday’s head-on crash of a Jeep and box truck near the intersection of Highway 126 and the Powell Butte Highway.

Crook County School Board sets listening sessions on appointing Dr. Joel Hoff as permanent superintendent

January 29, 2026 3:26 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School Board is inviting students, families, staff and community members to participate in a series of listening sessions to provide input on the potential appointment of Dr. Joel Hoff, currently serving as interim superintendent, to permanent role. “These sessions are an important opportunity for stakeholders to share perspectives, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to the Board,” the school district said in Wednesday’s announcement. The listening sessions, organized by stakeholder group, are

Oregon’s high school graduation rate inches up to record high, still below U.S. average; look up your school, district

January 29, 2026 10:48 am Oregon Capital Chronicle, Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding Crook County, Redmond statements) By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon high schoolers in the class of 2025 graduated at all-time highs for the state but still at a lower rate than recent national averages, according to the latest state data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education.

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