BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to continued hot and dry conditions, as well as increased fire starts, the Deschutes National Forest said Tuesday it will include all wilderness areas under Stage 1 public use fire restrictions starting on Friday, July 18. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Stage 1 public use fire restrictions prohibit open
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine-area man accused of striking his dog repeatedly with a shovel this spring was back in court Monday, still representing himself and claiming officials had violated his constitutional rights in several ways, including refusing to return his other two “emotional support” dogs. John Coe Richardson, 75, was arrested in
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(Update: Adding video, details, comments) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildfire season intensifies, many Central Oregonians are turning to the Watch Duty smartphone app or website to stay informed. Since its launch in 2021, the app has become a widely used source for fire information around the region. Watch Duty co-founder Dave Merritt told KTVZ
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Just weeks before embattled Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp retires from his position, an internal investigation has been started against his former political opponent, Captain William Bailey.
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A fully involved house fire quickly began spreading to other properties and the nearby Deschutes National Forest Monday evening, prompting a task force call-up and Level 2 BE SET evacuation alert in the area. Crews reported good progress on stopping the fire’s spread within about 90 minutes.
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(Update: adding fourth applicant for position) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The union representing Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies has released a list of five recommended applicants for the interim sheriff role to succeed retiring Sheriff Kent van der Kamp and they were invited to speak at a public debate Monday night. The five listed by the
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Jessica Andersch, charged with second-degree murder in the killing of her mother a month ago, appeared Monday afternoon in Deschutes County Circuit Court. The hearing was set for Andersch to enter a plea in the case, but that was delayed by more than a month.
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One of several new fires quickly grew to about 450 acres in eastern Crook County on Monday, while another east of Mount Bachelor burned about three acres before it was stopped, as crews prepared for potential abundant lightning from a new round of storms on Tuesday.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is moving its online dog licensing program to DocuPet, simplifying the process for owners to license their dogs, comply with state regulations, and ensure a quick reunion if their dogs go missing. Under Oregon law, all dog owners are required to vaccinate their pets against rabies and obtain
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(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As part of its commitment to enhancing dark skies in the community, the Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 10, to consider proposed amendments to county outdoor lighting regulations. The Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners have expressed support for
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Central Oregonians prepare to enjoy the 4th of July holiday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents and visitors to keep safety top of mind — especially when it comes to wildfire prevention and water recreation. “The 4th of July is a great time to get outside with family
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(Update: Adding videos, Adding details, Jillian Fortner has a report at 6) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Lava River Cave, Oregon’s longest known lava tube, is now open for summer guided tours. The nonprofit Discover Your Forest is offering tours for a second season, after launching the program as a pilot last year. The tour
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Oregon State Police on Tuesday released details of a crash on U.S. Highway 20 west of Sisters Monday morning that killed a 63-year-old St. Helens man.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thousands of Bend-area residents dealt with two unrelated power outages hours apart on Monday, the first occurring in southern areas of the city and later on the north side of town. Late Monday afternoon, Central Electric Cooperative reported that failed equipment knocked out power to about 1,500 members in northeast Bend
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(Update: Adding video, comments from county commissioners) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Deschutes County Commissioners will now decide Deschutes County’s interim Sheriff. Commissioner Patti Adair said at Wednesday’s board meeting, “We do want to select the person that we feel will help with that seamless transition and bring back the transparency and respect that the department should
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A 65-year-old Bend-area man was arrested Thursday on 25 felony counts of first-degree animal neglect, more than eight months after a welfare check at an abandoned La Pine-area home led to a raid that turned up over 100 dead and rotting animal carcasses inside.
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SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The final section of canal piping in the Three Sisters Irrigation District has been completed, marking a major milestone in streamflow restoration, on-farm efficiency, and renewable energy generation. Approved by the Oregon Water Resources Department on April 22, 2024, this latest conserved water project adds permanent flow protection to Whychus Creek,
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According to Central Oregon Fire Management, crews made substantial progress Wednesday on the more than 3,200-acre Alder Springs Fire near Crooked River Ranch, creating a 50-foot perimeter around the blaze.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has unanimously adopted the budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26), following a series of budget committee hearings held in May. The total revised FY 26 budget, excluding Service Districts, is $658.7 million, which represents a modest 0.3% increase from the FY 25 revised budget. It was developed under
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TERREBONNE, Ore. [KTVZ] — Wildfires continue to challenge communities in central Oregon as the Alder Springs Fire approached Crooked River Ranch on June 16th. Residents who were forced from their homes during Level 3 – Go Now evacuations, had so much on their minds like: Is their home destroyed Will their home be
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