BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Downtown Bend Library will close for a comprehensive remodel on April 10, 2026, marking the first major renovation in the building’s nearly 30-year history. The closure coincides with the opening of the new Central Library, which began offering drive-thru services on March 23, 2026. The downtown facility is expected to
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Law enforcement agencies across Central Oregon are ramping up patrols for Spring Break, launching a three-day traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives. The initiative, called the “Spring Break Blitz,” runs from March 25 through March 27 and comes as the region prepares for an influx of visitors,
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DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Solid Waste will host three free household hazardous waste collection events in Redmond, Sisters, and La Pine this April. The one-day events are designed to help rural residents dispose of toxic materials safely and reduce the number of trips required to the county landfill. While the Knott Landfill
Continue ReadingBEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, announced a proposal Monday to establish a 6-mile “no camping” zone around every Urban Growth Boundary community in the county. The initiative targets unauthorized camping and vehicle habitation in rural lands surrounding cities such as Bend, Redmond, and Sisters. The policy aims to
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Approximately 4,000 high school students from across the state gathered at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond this weekend for the Oregon Future Farmers of America State Convention. The annual event provides resources and training for the next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry. The convention arrives as the number
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is increasing traffic enforcement after three recent incidents involving speeds more than 100 mph, including one arrest where a driver was clocked at 120 mph. Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert is urging drivers to slow down and remain sober following a 23-year-old Redmond man’s arrest for DUII
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Deschutes County Sheriff’s Captain William Bailey is appealing his firing from the agency. The termination followed an investigation into comments Bailey made during a radio appearance in June of last year. The appeal will move to a hearing before the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners. The Deschutes County administrator
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to what it calls “unfavorable conditions, the Deschutes National Forest canceled Thursday’s planned prescribed burning operations on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts”Firefighters cancelled prescribed burning today upon receiving updated weather forecasts showing low relative humidity and elevated winds,” Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Jaimie Olle told KTVZ News.
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The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon has broken ground on a $40 million expansion project, which will add a new wing to the museum and feature new classrooms, expanded gallery space, and new event and gathering spaces for the community.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has chosen Jeff Merwin to serve as its new solid waste director, following a nationwide recruitment. Merwin succeeds current director Tim Brownell, who will retire March 21. “We’re so pleased Jeff will step up to serve as our next solid waste director, especially at such an
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UPDATE: As a result of the Riverview fire which burnt 12 acres, the La Pine Rural Fire District has decided to close debris burning. The fire district also cited ‘unseasonably warm’ weather as a factor in the increased wildfire risk. UPDATE: Fire crews contained a 12-acre wildfire in La Pine on Tuesday afternoon after the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Visit Bend awarded $500,000 to 11 community projects through the Bend Sustainability Fund on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The grants, funded by visitor lodging taxes, support local initiatives focused on environmental stewardship, recreation access, and infrastructure improvements. Established in 2021, the fund has now reinvested more than $3.8 million into 42
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DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Residents across Central Oregon will have several shredding events this year, to safely dispose of sensitive documents, unused medications and worn American flags during a series of free community shred events. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Republic Services, announced four events scheduled between March and September at
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic is set to return to Central Oregon for a two-night run at Hayden Homes Amphitheater this summer, bringing one of the genre’s most dedicated touring acts back to a venue that regularly draws national headliners to Bend. The shows are scheduled for Friday, July 10,
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The Deschutes National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burning operations on Wednesday and Thursday 15 miles southeast of Bend. Firefighters are scheduled to begin ignitions around 9:30 a.m. on the Opine 2B and Flank five units if weather conditions remain favorable. The project will cover up to 692 acres of forest land near the Camp
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Krista Appleby began her new role as the Deschutes County building official on March 10. She is responsible for ensuring construction projects in the county and the cities of La Pine and Sisters comply with Oregon statewide building codes. As the building official, Appleby oversees plan reviews, permitting, and inspections for
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The owner of a property east of Bend had a valid burn permit, but Monday’s work burning ditches got away from them, sparking a fire that covered almost seven acres before it was stopped. Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called around 3:40 p.m. to the escaped burn off the Powell
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County road officials are warning drivers to plan for delays and detours this week as multiple construction projects and seasonal closures continue across the region. La Pine and surrounding area Crews are installing temporary pavement and widening the S Century Drive and Huntington Road intersection while also doing landscape work.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park & Recreation District is launching a new study to evaluate options for connecting the Deschutes River Trail in southwest Bend and it wants your input. The project aims to link the trail to the Deschutes National Forest and recreation sites along the Cascade Lakes Highway. The Deschutes River
Continue Reading BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff’s Captain William Bailey has been fired following investigations into comments he made last year about the sheriff’s office and the department’s former elected leader. According to reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting, the events leading to Bailey’s termination began in June 2025 during an appearance on KNCP’s Muddtoe Radio
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