Deschutes County Archives

Rep. Bynum nominates 23 Fifth District students to U.S. service academies; 6 are from Deschutes County

February 11, 2026 2:15 pm Barney Lerten

OREGON CITY, Ore. (KTVZ) – Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore. announced Wednesday the nomination of 23 students in Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District to the elite United States Service Academies, including six Deschutes County nominees. Four retired veterans representing Naval, West Point, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies made up Bynum’s Service Academy Board. The board evaluated the applicants

Sheriff Ty Rupert stresses transparency and honesty at town hall meeting in Redmond

February 10, 2026 3:43 pm Spencer Sacks

Redmond, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert held a town hall meeting in Redmond to address community concerns and discuss his first seven months in office. The meeting, held at the VFW building, lasted more than 2 hours and covered topics ranging from gun rights to immigration enforcement. The event is part of

Deschutes County Search and Rescue locates two lost hikers near Green Lakes Trailhead

February 8, 2026 4:17 pm Lee Anderson

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers rescued two young men who became lost near the Green Lakes Trailhead on Feb. 7. The hikers, ages 18 and 20, were reported missing at approximately 6 p.m. in the area located off the Cascade Lakes Highway. The rescue operation began after Deschutes County 911

Turning Point USA adds Club America chapter in Deschutes County

February 6, 2026 4:15 pm Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In the wake of Turning Point USA’s founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination last September, Turning Point and Club America chapters have grown rapidly across the United States. Old chapters are being revived, and new ones are sprouting up. That includes a Club America chapter in Deschutes County. The high school club arm

Catch a wave: ‘Know Waves’ with special programs all through February at Deschutes Public Library

February 5, 2026 6:37 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) From crest to trough, ride “Know Waves” with Deschutes Public Library in February. Make a splash by creating a mini, ocean-themed book and dip your toes into fly fishing with a budget-friendly introduction. Enjoy award-winning singer-songwriter Pete Kartsounes on guitar or unwind with a deeply relaxing movement and sound meditation. Teens can find their rhythm at poetry karaoke and open

Deschutes County seeks new Planning Commission member from Redmond/Terrebonne area

February 5, 2026 5:20 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County has invited residents in the Redmond/Terrebonne community to apply for a vacant position on the county’s Planning Commission. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, March 5, at 4 p.m., officials said Thursday. The Planning Commission reviews land use policies and zoning regulations, making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Members

Low snow prompts Oregon Adaptive Sports to move two upcoming youth events from Hoodoo to Mt. Bachelor

February 5, 2026 3:24 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Low snow conditions have prompted Oregon Adaptive Sports to move this Saturday’s Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers adaptive skiing event and the following weekend’s CamPAH! snowsports camp from Hoodoo Ski Area to Mt. Bachelor. The junior racing event provides young athletes with disabilities a low-barrier entry point into alpine sports. The program

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office completes accreditation, cites commitment to professional standards

February 5, 2026 2:48 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it has successfully completed its accreditation process through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, a step it says is “reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement operations and public safety.” Accreditation is a continuous process conducted every three years to ensure law enforcement

DECISION 2026: Deschutes County commissioners vote 2-1 to send districting map to voters this fall

February 4, 2026 11:41 am Spencer Sacks

After hearing from another packed meeting room that again voiced divided opinions, DeschutesCounty commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to send a proposed five-district map to county voters – and in another 2-1 vote to put it on the November, not May ballot.

Prineville man appeals $30,000 DEQ fine for storing 1,000s of old tires on property east of Bend

February 4, 2026 4:17 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently fined a Prineville man more than $30,000 for storing about 6,000 old tires on property east of Bend. A DEQ official said in a Dec. 30 notice sent by certified mail that Martin Hernandez Soto of Prineville was previously issued a warning letter last

New Deschutes County Fair Director Jeff Curtis

Deschutes County appoints experienced fair executive Jeff Curtis as new Fair & Expo Center director

February 4, 2026 12:26 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has appointed Jeff Curtis as the new director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Curtis, the former CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Association and Alaska State Fair, will begin his new duties next Monday. Curtis replaces Geoff Hinds, who left the position in

Rep. Janelle Bynum’s bipartisan wildfire safety bill passes committee

February 3, 2026 11:06 pm Tracee Tuesday

Washington, DC (KTVZ) — Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s bill to improve safety during wildfire response is moving forward in Washington, D.C. The Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, co-sponsored by Bynum (OR-05) and Representatives Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), passed through committee without opposition. The bipartisan legislation focuses on reducing risks

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

LATEST UPDATE: Mylar balloon sparks Bend power outage—now resolved

January 31, 2026 8:20 pm Tracee Tuesday

(UPDATE – February 1st: power outage caused by Mylar balloon according to Pacific Power) (UPDATE: power has been restored to all affected residents) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Mylar balloon caused a power outage affecting 1,615 Pacific Power customers on Bend’s northeast side Saturday evening, but service has been fully restored, this according to the

Utility work and signage projects to impact Bend and Redmond traffic

January 30, 2026 11:38 am KTVZ

(Adding video) Below are the projects impacting traffic in your area: Tumalo Reservoir Road Improvement (Bend Area) – Crews will be mobilizing equipment and doing utility work on Tumalo Reservoir Road between Johnson Road and Sisemore Road. Traffic Information – Road users should anticipate construction vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. They should also anticipate

Rep. Janelle Bynum pitches patchwork ‘K-30’ plan to tackle generational affordability issues

January 27, 2026 3:56 pm Oregon Capital Chronicle

By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle WEST LINN, Ore.— At a library in suburban West Linn, nursing students, millennial parents and recent high school graduates told their congresswoman they are struggling to reach a slate of traditional educational, professional and personal milestones due to a multi-generational affordability crisis in higher education, housing, health and child

Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert James McLaughlin

Deschutes County Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert responds to Lt. James ‘Mac’ McLaughlin entering the race

January 26, 2026 4:34 pm Barney Lerten

Deschutes County Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert, who is seeking election to a full four-year term, told KTVZ News on Tuesday that he welcomes sheriff’s Lieutenant James “Mac” McLaughlin into the race, but expressed confidence that he is the stronger candidate to lead the agency.

Central Oregon jobless rates hold steady as 2025 ends; region added 1,560 jobs over the past year

January 27, 2026 10:44 am KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates saw very little movement from November to December, holding steady inDeschutes and Crook counties and falling slightly in Jefferson County, the state Employment Department reported Tuesday. Here’s the agency’s complete regional report: Bend MSA (Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties): The Bend MSA’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month, at 5.0%.

Click It or Ticket: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office launches seat belt, child car seat enforcement blitz

January 26, 2026 1:59 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office are stepping up traffic enforcement over the next two weeks to keep families safe by ensuring drivers buckle up and children are properly secured in car seats. From now through February 8, deputies will join law enforcement across the state in the national Click It or Ticket campaign to

Several Deschutes County roadways will soon see speed reductions

January 23, 2026 9:25 am Kelsey Merison

(Update: Video Added) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to the Deschutes County Road Department, speed limits will soon be reduced on several County roadways in an attempt to enhance safety and accommodate the needs of all road users. New speed limits will be posted on the following roads: Old Bend-Redmond Highway: From U.S. 20 to Young

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