BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Civic Action Project and Central Oregon Youth Action Board have mailed 12,500 letters to randomly selected households in Deschutes County to participate in a Civic Assembly focused on solutions for youth homelessness. Here’s their announcement, in full: The Civic Assembly is a democratic innovation in which communities involve
Continue Reading
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink has been appointed to the Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee to be the county representative. The Association of Oregon Counties Board of Directors recommended his appointment to Governor Kotek. The appointment runs through June 30, 2026. “I am honored to be selected to represent the
Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Wednesday he is co-sponsoring legislation to empower tenants and help support housing security in communities in Oregon and across the United States. The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2024 would establish a fund to provide grants to state, local, and Tribal governments that enact legislation ensuring legal representation to
Continue Reading
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Temperatures spiking into the 100s? Check. Rapidly drying grasslands and forests? Check. Possible humidity of less than 20 percent? Check. Ticking all these boxes means fire managers across the Pacific Northwest are anticipating a significant shift in wildfire conditions over the July 4th weekend. “We’re preparing for a dramatic increase in wildfire
Continue Reading
With much of Oregon facing triple-digit temperatures in coming days, Central Oregon and state agencies are offering tips and taking other steps to help residents avoid the potentially negative impacts of the extensive heat.
Continue Reading
Bend-La Pine Schools on Wednesday paid a nearly $7,000 fine imposed by Oregon OSHA for failing to investigate injuries reported by staff at the La Pine Elementary School Learning Lab on four occasions last year, an agency spokesman said. Online reports indicated the injuries were caused by students.
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – As of Wednesday, all Oregon Department of Forestry districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate. ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county,
Continue Reading
Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered state agencies to develop a water testing plan and have an independent analysis performed as residents of over 40 Prineville-area homes claim a nearby gravel mine has caused high levels of dangerous manganese in their drinking water.
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The scenic McKenzie Pass will open the morning of Thursday, July 4 with fresh, smooth pavement for all to enjoy, ODOT confirmed Wednesday. The pass has remained closed while crews paved the narrow and winding section of road between the winter gate and the summit on the east side of the
Continue Reading
Associated Press To save the imperiled spotted owl from potential extinction, U.S. wildlife officials are embracing a contentious plan to deploy trained shooters into dense West Coast forests to kill almost a half-million barred owls that are crowding out their cousins. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strategy released Wednesday is meant to prop up
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Did you notice you slept better last night? As of July 1, Oregonians have a new and powerful set of consumer privacy rights and protections. The Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) was signed into law in July 2023, but it did not take effect until now. The new law is the result
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The state’s Community Involvement Advisory Committee, staffed by the Department of Land Conservation and Development, helps to ensure equitable community engagement in all phases of the planning process. The committee is pleased to recognize three Oregon land use planning projects with its 2024 Achievement in Community Engagement (ACE) Award. The ACE
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The city of Bend is inviting the community to learn more about the Hawthorne Overcrossing pedestrian and bicycle bridge project and to review four bridge-type options at an open house, either in person next week or online through July 17. The City will soon select the design of a new bridge
Continue ReadingThe Redmond School District has sent a $97.7 million bond measure to the Nov. 5 ballot to fund needed projects, Meanwhile, the Deschutes Water and Soil Conservation District may join them on the ballot in a first money measure by the organization.
Continue Reading
The city of Bend continues efforts to tackle the growing issue of housing in the High Desert. Tuesday marked a big win for housing in the city of Bend, receiving $5 million in federal funding.
Continue Reading
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Acting on concerns raised at last week’s Redmond town hall, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded Tuesday that UnitedHealth Group explain why health care providers in Oregon and nationwide still cannot send claims or receive payments for services delivered to their patients, nearly two months after its top executive told the Senate Finance
Continue Reading
Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced last week that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding the city of Bend $5 million to support the city’s efforts to enhance affordable housing accessibility through planning, infrastructure improvements, development and preservation activities.
Continue Reading
The Deschutes National Forest announced Tuesday it is seeking input on the E-bikes on Select Trails project draft environmental assessment. The proposed project would allow Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes on select existing natural surface trails and paved paths located near Bend, Sisters and Sunriver.
Continue Reading
A week ago, the Darlene 3 wildfire broke out on public lands near the community of La Pine. “Fortunately, decades of land treatments performed by the Bureau of Land Management helped stop the fire in its tracks,” the agency said Tuesday.
Continue Reading
The Redmond School Board voted unanimously last week to place a renewal bond measure before voters on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. It represents the second phase of a two-part construction program to make long-term repairs and improve student opportunities in the Redmond School District without raising taxes.
Continue Reading