PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Several elected leaders declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for downtown Portland over the public health and public safety crisis fueled by fentanyl. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson made the declaration for a 90-day period during which collaboration and response
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SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Republican Oregon lawmaker has suggested that “you don’t want” Muslims, atheists and other non-Christians to serve in elected office. Rep. E. Werner Reschke, of the small town of Malin near the California border, made the comments in a Jan. 17 appearance on “Save the Nation,” a talk show streamed on
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Crook County School Board voted unanimously Monday night to ask voters to support an $11 million maintenance bond measure on the May 21 ballot after significant water leaks and heating issues affected most school buildings during this month’s winter storm. One of the worst leaks impacted the small gym at
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Three former Alfalfa Fire District volunteers and firefighters are coming forward to express their concerns over the conduct and practices of Fire Chief Chad LaVallee, which recently led to a state OSHA finding of three violations — two “serious” — and a $138 fine.
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It’s hard to believe, with Monday’s spring-like weather, but two weeks ago most of Oregon was dealing with a days-long severe bout of snow and ice. The winter storm caused a spike in overtime and other supply costs for Oregon’s Department of Transportation.
Continue ReadingPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered an Oregon newspaper not to publish documents that it obtained regarding a sex discrimination lawsuit against sports behemoth Nike. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that an attorney who represents plaintiffs in the case sent the documents to one of its reporters on Jan. 19 and then asked for
Continue ReadingSALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — All Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of Oregon’s free file options, the Oregon Department of Revenue announced Monday. E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The year 2024 is a leap year — it happens once every four years — which means the month of February has one extra day, the 29th. So the U.S. Postal Service asks: Why not take advantage of the additional time and find a new career with the USPS? There’s a
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Redmond City Council has unanimously approved implementing a 12.5% rental car tax that’s due to take effect March 1, to help fill a funding gap on needed transportation projects, beginning with the Eastside Arterial Project. The city’s recent five-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program identifies $64 million worth of projects, and
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A La Pine-area woman who left her home late Wednesday without a phone or ID and was reported missing the next day, prompting an extensive search and public notice, was found deceased Saturday, and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said foul play is not suspected.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here is the ODOT Region 4 construction update for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 2. Here at ODOT, we are committed to providing a safe and efficient transportation system for everyone. We invest in Oregon’s future through roadway improvement projects. The following projects are located within Region 4; Central Oregon from
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., applauded the Biden administration Friday for pausing approval of Calcasieu Pass (CP2) in Louisiana, while the Department of Energy takes a greater look at the process for determining whether the project and other proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals are in the public interest. Merkley has long
Continue Reading WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., have joined Senate colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to restore funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for Fiscal Year 2024. The crucial funding that expired at the end of FY23 gave assistance to low-income families, Tribes, and urban communities with
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – In light of the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement to invest nearly $11 million in community wildfire smoke preparedness programs, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., applauded the Biden administration’s action to follow through with federal support for the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings program, which he created in 2022 as chair of the
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LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — A new California bill would require certain vehicles sold or manufactured in the state to be equipped with speed limiter technology. California Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced the new bill, officially known as SB 961, as part of the SAFER California Streets legislation package. The package aims to reduce traffic deaths and
Continue ReadingSix months after Prineville Police Chief Larry Seymour and Captain Rob Gray were placed on “paid non-disciplinary leave,” pending an investigation, the city announced Monday that both men have resigned, under a negotiated settlement. But they stayed mum on what that investigation found, citing restrictions on public disclosure in state statutes.
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The Oregon Department of Administrative Services said Friday it’s learned that a mailing error occurred while sending the tax form 1099-G to those who have received benefits from the Unemployment Insurance program in 2023.
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(Update: Adding video) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation is seeking information from the public as they work with Oregon State Police to solve the shooting death of a wild horse on the Ochoco National Forest about a week to 10 days ago, officials said Thursday. Forest Service LE&I is
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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Thursday two community-initiated projects they championed will be receiving federal investments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade water infrastructure. Funding for these projects in Prineville and Willamina was secured in the Fiscal Year 2022 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations portion of the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Judy Trego has become the third candidate to file for the newly non-partisan position of Deschutes County commissioner and challenge incumbent Phil Chang this spring. Two years ago, Trego, a Republican, ran for the Oregon House District 54 seat held by Democrat incumbent Jeff Kropf and lost to him in the
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