Deschutes County primary election ballots being returned at usual rate
By Monday, eight days before the 2024 Oregon primary, about 22,000 Deschutes County ballots had been returned, close to 14% of the total, and county…
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Redmond man arraigned on charges after several shots fired in home brings police, ‘shelter in place’ alert, 3-hour standoff
A caller reporting several shots fired inside a southwest Redmond home bought numerous police to the neighborhood, and while the caller got the gun…
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Deschutes County officials break ground on long-planned $44.1 million courthouse expansion
Big, long-discussed and awaited changes are coming to the Deschutes County Courthouse. County officials gathered Monday afternoon to break ground on…
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Two prescribed burns completed three miles south of Sisters and five miles east of Sunriver
On Monday, after successful test fires, firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest began prescribed burn operations on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger…
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Irrigation districts, Deschutes River Conservancy promote canal piping as key amid drought, farmers’ water crisis
 In a proactive step toward addressing the critical need for water conservation and infrastructure modernization, two of Oregon’s largest irrigation…
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Deschutes County commissioners to host public hearing on Planning Division’s 2024-25 work plan
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Wednesday, May 15, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners will host a public hearing to seek community input on the…
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Over $10 million headed to Central Oregon for affordable housing projects
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– This week, over $10 million was brought into Central Oregon to build new affordable housing. In Sisters, Habitat for Humanity…
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Deschutes County commissioners hear testimony on proposal to allow RVs as long-term rentals on rural property
Deschutes County commissioners held a public hearing on Wednesday for residents to weigh in on a proposal to allow recreational vehicles to be used…
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Deschutes County Jail staff administer Narcan to save the life of inmate who suffered overdose while being booked
Deschutes County Jail staff took quick, crucial steps Sunday night to save the life of an inmate who suffered a suspected drug overdose while being…
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Disputed south Bend footbridge plans could be getting new life with help of Deschutes County Commissioner Chang
A proposed footbridge over the Deschutes River in southern Bend has created quite a lot of controversy since it was first suggested back in 2012. A…
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Prescribed burn up to 269 acres planned Thursday west of Sunriver along Forest Service Road 41
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Thursday, firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plan to conduct prescribed burn operations on up to 269…
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Deschutes County holds pre-election public certification test of vote-tally system
The office of Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison did Tuesday what it does before each election: hold a public certification test of its ballot…
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Deschutes County honors its nurses during National Nursing Week, shares special video to introduce them
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week, May 6-12, is designated as National Nurses Week, and Deschutes County has produced a special video to help recognize…
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Deschutes County judge speaks out on ‘very concerning’ public defender shortage; seven defendants released so far
Last week, NewsChannel 21 reported on Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels’ alarm over the growing public defender shortage and how that…
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Deschutes County commissioners to receive findings, data about impact of heavy cannabis use on mental health
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Wednesday, during the Deschutes Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board will hear a presentation about heavy…
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Prescribed burn of about 200 acres planned Wednesday five miles east of Sunriver, Highway 97
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Wednesday firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plan to conduct prescribed burn operations about 10 miles south…
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Overnight precipitation scrubs 30-acre prescribed burn planned SW of Sisters; other training exercises continue
(Update: Precipitation prompts cancellation of prescribed burn) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Overnight precipitation has prompted the Sisters Ranger…
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Jury in wrongful death lawsuit over Bend teen’s 2021 Wickiup Reservoir drowning finds driver, victim, mom, others negligent
A Deschutes County jury has ruled in a $34 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of Bend teen killed in June 2021 crash at Wickiup…
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Deschutes County put some ballots in Benton County envelope; Crook County left out 2 pro-move Idaho border arguments
The Deschutes County Clerk’s Office said Friday it has learned that a small number of ballot packets for the May 21 Primary Election were inserted…
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‘We can save lives’: C.O. Suicide Prevention Alliance points to high rates, launches secure firearm storage campaign
The numbers are concerning: Suicide rates by firearms in Central Oregon are higher than state and national averages. The Central Oregon Suicide…
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