Deschutes County Archives

Deschutes County election workers undertake the process of counting, verifying ballots

November 5, 2024 11:18 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ballots are being counted at the Deschutes County Building. When ballots come in, whether it’s via mail, or dropped off at the lobby, ballots are run through a sorter, verifying they’re valid ballots. They are then moved to be counted by the election boards for processing. There are about 40 county employees, along with on-call workers and partners from other departments, first making

Deschutes National Forest closing FS road driving access to Three Creek Lake and Broken Top on Wednesday

November 5, 2024 9:33 am KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest plans to close Forest Service Road 16, which provides access to Three Creek Lake, and Forest Service Road 370, which provides access to Broken Top, to wheeled motor vehicle traffic on Wednesday. Forest Service Road 16 is closed annually at the Upper Three Creek Sno-Park during the

Decision 2024: Despite voter turnout being down by 20%, Deschutes County clerk sees an increase in late voting

November 4, 2024 11:33 am KTVZ

Election Day is at hand, and Central Oregon county election officials are among those preparing for the big night.

Highway 97 reopens north of La Pine after head-on crash that injured three, one seriously

November 4, 2024 3:01 pm KTVZ News Partners

A two-vehicle head-on crash closed Highway 97 north of La Pine for a time Monday afternoon, ODOT reported.

BLM seeks tips from the public after vandals cut nearly a mile of fence west of Redmond

November 1, 2024 6:16 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District on Friday asked the public for tips to help them find whoever vandalized a fence on public lands west of Redmond earlier this fall. The fence served to mark the boundary between public and private land along Kingwood Avenue. In September, vandals systematically cut

Decision 2024: Deschutes County ballot returns are down at this point, compared to 2020 election

October 31, 2024 11:53 am Kelsey Merison

In less than a week, we could know who the next president of the United States will be, as well as the winners of numerous statewide and local races, along with state and local ballot measures.

Camp Fire Central Oregon launches hiring initiative to staff south Deschutes County after-school programs

October 30, 2024 11:23 pm KTVZ News Partners

Camp Fire Central Oregon has just launched a major hiring initiative to staff its newest and expanding arm of after-school programming: Camp Fire Afterschool (CFA) in South County. With the recent closure of the La Pine Parks and Rec District, which directly impacted the HUB program in South County and left families scrambling to find

Deschutes County Road Department plans to close Cascade Lakes Highway, Paulina Lake Road for the winter on Nov. 19

October 30, 2024 9:48 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department announced this week that it plans to close the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at about 8 a.m. The high-elevation forest highways are closed annually in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to provide for winter

Candidate Kent Vander Kamp slams Sheriff Shane Nelson following critical Facebook post, days before election

October 30, 2024 11:25 am KTVZ

One week before the ballots are counted in a hotly contested election for Deschutes County sheriff, incumbent Shane Nelson issued a public letter further questioning the qualifications and background of candidate Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp — and that has some voters up in arms, some even calling for him to step down.

As winter storm moves in, ODOT fully closing McKenzie Pass Highway for the season on Friday

October 30, 2024 12:00 am KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Incoming winter weather has ODOT crews closing the east side of McKenzie Pass, Oregon Highway 242, this coming Friday, Nov. 1. The gates on the west side of the pass were closed last Friday. This will mark the beginning of the full seasonal closure. McKenzie Pass is a secondary, scenic highway.

Deschutes National Forest firefighters set to begin pile burning season this week

October 29, 2024 11:15 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters across the Deschutes National Forest plan to begin pile burning as conditions are favorable, starting this week, officials said Tuesday. Firefighters select pile burning units for ignition based on moisture levels, forecasted weather and conditions predicted to move smoke away from communities where possible. Firefighters primarily plan to start with

Don’t just dump your Halloween pumpkin; Deschutes County, disposal companies urge composting option

October 29, 2024 9:28 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Halloween fades and the pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns on your porch lose their glow, the Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste, Cascade Disposal and Republic Services urge you to give the squash a second life by composting them instead of tossing them in the trash. More than 1 billion pounds of

‘There’s nothing more important’: Deschutes County clerk seeks to reassure voters in wake of ballot box attacks

October 29, 2024 10:34 am KTVZ

It’s officially a week before Election Day, and recent arson attacks are raising more concerns about ballot drop box safety. Two ballot boxes were set on fire Monday in Portland and Vancouver, Washington, raising questions for many voters about whether their ballot will be safe.

Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint to be closed for a day for staff training

October 28, 2024 8:59 pm KTVZ News Partners

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint will be closed for a park staff training event all day on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Safety barricades will be placed at the park entrance road from Highway 126. The public is asked to please respect the closure and not to go past the barricades. For questions, please contact

BLM to begin La Pine-area fall pile burning this week with 192 acres off Masten Road

October 28, 2024 4:44 pm KTVZ News Partners

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Incoming favorable weather, including the possibility of snow, is allowing fuels crews with the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management to begin burning piles in the La Pine area as part of their 2024-2025 fall/winter prescribed burning program. Beginning Thursday, crews will start burning 192 acres of machine piles

Decision 2024: Controversial Deschutes County Commission expansion measure has voters and commissioners split

October 24, 2024 11:41 am KTVZ

Many Oregonians have already received their ballots in the mail, and some have already cast their votes. But for those still needing explanations on the statewide election measures, this week will be for you, as NewsChannel 21 is breaking down this year’s ballot measures as we approach November 5th.

Deschutes River Conservancy to get $25 million from feds for canal piping, other water-saving projects

October 24, 2024 3:45 pm KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Thursday that five Central and Eastern conservation projects have secured a total of more than $95 million in federal investment to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand strategies that enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. . “These significant federal

Deschutes County commissioners revisit, vote 3-0 to back revised plans for Juniper Ridge homeless ‘temporary safe stay area’

October 23, 2024 3:33 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Bend City Council sets special meeting; mayor reaction to county vote) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A week after things went sideways on joint plans to close much of the Juniper Ridge area north of Bend to homeless camping and create a 170-acre temporary safe stay area, Deschutes county commissioners voted 3-0 Wednesday to adopt

Debris burning set to open Monday in Deschutes County Fire District No. 2 outside of Bend, where it’s banned

October 24, 2024 11:07 am KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Outdoor debris burning will open at sunrise next Monday for areas outside the City of Bend within the boundaries of Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2. Debris burning is not allowed throughout the year within the city limits of Bend, as per city ordinance, officials reminded Thursday. Here’s the rest

Camp Fire Central Oregon steps in to save South County after-school programs, says it needs community support

October 23, 2024 10:05 pm KTVZ News Partners

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In light of the recent closure of the La Pine Parks and Rec District, which recently ceased operations and laid off staff, Camp Fire Central Oregon says it’s stepping in to support local families and youth. The closure has directly impacted the HUB program, which provided essential after-school child care services