BEND, Ore. — The U.S. Forest Service has approved a major land transfer that will allow the City of Bend to expand its Outback water system west of town, opening the door to new water infrastructure and a realignment of a nearby forest road. The decision covers a 48-acre parcel next to Bend’s existing Outback
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dogs and their owners gathered on the outskirts of Bend this week for an annual training aimed at helping dogs avoid rattlesnakes before they encounter one in real life. For 15 years, Bend Veterinary Clinic has helped bring Natural Solutions Wildlife Enterprises to Central Oregon for rattlesnake aversion training, giving dogs
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority is seeking public comment on a recently published draft health consultation report. The report details health risks from high levels of manganese and other contaminants found in domestic well water supplies north of Prineville. The health consultation report indicates that water from nearly 60 domestic wells tested
Continue Reading
Update: Adding video SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency for Douglas, Gilliam, Harney, Lake and Malheur counties in Oregon. This declaration brings the total number of Oregon counties under drought emergency status to 17 out of 36. The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-09, directs state agencies to coordinate
Continue Reading
(Update: adding comments from Watch Duty) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Summer in Central Oregon is a time many people spend outdoors, but as wildfire season begins, staying alert can be just as important as getting outside. Watch Duty, a nonprofit app best known for tracking wildfires, is expanding its emergency alert model to include floods.
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Ochoco National Forest have completed a pioneering reforestation project in the Crazy Creek Fire burn area. This effort resulted in the planting and protection of more than 74,000 ponderosa pine seedlings across 424 acres of federal forestland. This initiative marks the first reforestation project
Continue Reading
TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Tumalo resident says his irrigation water has been completely shut off, despite having deeded water rights, as drought conditions continue to strain the area’s water supply. KTVZ News is speaking with the Tumalo resident along with state water officials about what the shutoff means for residents’ land, how it affects
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Leaders from multiple agencies convened yesterday, June 4, at Portland International Airport for the 2026 Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Senior Leadership Seminar. The seminar focused on enhancing coordination and preparedness for a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone event, a significant natural disaster risk for the Pacific Northwest. The half-day program
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Enoki, a red panda born June 13, 2023, has arrived at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore., and is settling into her new habitat. The furry nearly 3-year-old’s move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to help ensure the long-term future of red panda populations.
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Think Wild held a volunteer orientation event today at its wildlife rehab, inviting individuals from all backgrounds to discover how they can help save wildlife. The event aims to showcase diverse ways people can contribute to wildlife conservation, moving beyond the need for specialized qualifications. These open invitation events provide prospective volunteers
Continue Reading
Update: Added response from local tire company, which says it immediately stopped working with the property owner after allegations surfaced. BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon environmental regulators say they remain focused on enforcing action against Martin Soto Hernandez, who is accused of illegally storing 6,000 waste tires that remain piled on his rural Central Oregon
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ)— A Prineville property owner has been fined more than $10,000 after state environmental regulators said he continued operating an unpermitted waste tire storage site despite repeated warnings from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. As part of a statewide enforcement report released this month, DEQ assessed a $10,709 civil penalty against Kenneth
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Allergy symptoms are currently high in the High Desert region, leading many people to experience sniffling and sneezing. Local specialists at Central Oregon Ear, Nose and Throat note elevated allergen levels in the area. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Flonase and Zyrtec are recommended for quick relief of symptoms. If symptoms are
Continue Reading
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor’s sixth annual RendezVan festival achieved a 45% landfill diversion rate while also raising over $1,000 for The Environmental Center. The sustainability efforts were led by a Green Team, composed of Central Oregon locals and supported by a Subaru Cause-Marketing Grant and Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever program. The four-day
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new prize honoring innovative solutions to challenges across the American West was awarded Sunday evening at the High Desert Museum in Bend. Brad Parry, vice chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, was named the inaugural winner of the Schnitzer Prize of the West. The $50,000 award was
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — NeighborImpact is encouraging income-qualified households across Central Oregon to apply for weatherization services and free HEPA air purifiers. These services aim to improve home comfort, energy efficiency and indoor air quality as the region prepares for wildfire season. The program is providing HEPA air purifiers with replacement filters through a Healthy
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Park and Recreation District staff presented information on recently completed and future forest health and fuels reduction projects at a board of directors meeting on May 5, 2026. The presentation addressed growing community interest in wildfire risk and protecting natural and residential areas. BPRD manages more than 3,000 acres and
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek received a comprehensive briefing today from state wildfire leaders regarding the potentially severe 2026 wildfire season in Oregon. The briefing took place in Salem, Ore., where Gov. Kotek also signed a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Wildfire Awareness Month. You can watch it online here. Experts warn of
Continue Reading BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) announced the delivery of $992,250 in federal funding to the City of Bend for its Neighborhood Drinking Water Protection Program. The funds are designated to replace fragile galvanized pipes, improve water system redundancy and ensure nearby hydrants can meet fire flow requirements. The federal funding aims to
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon trees are facing another challenging year as climate change continues to impact the state. This spring’s conditions are similar to those in 2015, a period marked by peak high temperatures and drought. These current conditions follow a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records began in 1896.
Continue Reading