Government-Politics Archives

Danger eases as fall arrives: Forest Service, BLM ending local public use fire restrictions this weekend

September 19, 2025 12:52 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District BLM said Friday they will end public use fire restrictions due to increased moisture, cooler temperatures and decreased daylight hours. Here’s the full announcement by Central Oregon fire officials: Effective at 12:01

Red-light and speed enforcement cameras are coming soon to three Bend intersections; here’s where and when

September 18, 2025 11:59 am Barney Lerten, Spencer Sacks

(Updated: Quotes from Bend City Councilor Ariel Méndez) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend city councilors on Wednesday evening unanimously approved a $2.34 million contract to begin installing an automated traffic enforcement system, better known as “red-light cameras,” at several intersections around the city early next year. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz asked councilors to approve

Butler Market Road and Wells Acres Road Upgrades

Head’s up for Bend drivers: westbound Butler Market Road closes next week as roundabout project begins

September 18, 2025 11:40 am Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend will begin construction next week on Butler Market Road between Brinson Boulevard and Eighth Street, closing a westbound stretch of the road as the new roundabout and safety improvements project gets underway, officials said Thursday. To minimize traffic disruptions, eastbound traffic on Butler Market

Bend City Council discusses plans to close Juniper Ridge’s ‘Dirt World’ but may extend closure deadline

September 17, 2025 7:27 pm Tracee Tuesday

Bend city councilors got a staff update Wednesday evening on the progress and challenges seen at the “Temporary Safe Stay Area” established at Juniper Ridge, which has a higher homeless population than expected – 231 at last count – making it even harder to solve the big question: What next?

Rep. Reschke says he will introduce resolutions to memorialize Charlie Kirk, strengthen parental rights

September 17, 2025 2:36 pm KTVZ

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (KTVZ) — State Representative E. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls, announced Tuesday two resolutions he will introduce during the legislative short session in 2026. The first will be a resolution declaring October 14th as Charlie Kirk Day. The second resolution is a voter referendum to preserve parental rights in Oregon’s Constitution, Reschke said

Haven’t filed last year’s taxes? You could still get a refund – and free filing help is still available

September 17, 2025 3:55 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – If you missed the April 15 tax filing deadline, you can still file your 2024 taxes. Thanks to the Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program, free tax filing help is available through October 15. There is no penalty for filing now if you are due refund money. In

Redmond traffic alert: Single-lane closure begins next week on Northwest Way, near new Wetlands Complex

September 17, 2025 1:48 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The City of Redmond will implement a single-lane, signalized closure on NW Northwest Way from Euston Lane to the new Redmond Wetlands Complex access at 5801 Northwest Way beginning next Monday, September 22, through mid-December. The closure is necessary to install a 48-inch interceptor line linking the Wetlands Complex to the

Deschutes, Jefferson County SNAP recipients get more time to claim food losses due to Flat Fire

September 16, 2025 3:32 pm KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to extend the 10-day time period allowed to request replacement of food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were lost or destroyed due to the Flat Fire that started Aug. 21 in Deschutes and

Mona Mensing Regional Teacher of the Year

Redmond High English teacher Mona Mensing named High Desert Regional Teacher of the Year

September 17, 2025 6:36 am Jillian Fortner

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, .announced Tuesday morning that Redmond High School English Teacher Mona Mensing is one of Oregon’s 16 2025-26 Regional Teachers of the Year.

OSU-Cascades is one of eight universities chosen for a national career development pilot program

September 17, 2025 3:36 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State University-Cascades students will have new opportunities to gain valuable workplace experience through a new career accelerator program, the school announced Tuesday. OSU-Cascades is one of a handful of universities from around the country selected to participate in the National Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator, which aims to help

Rep. Cliff Bentz holds second tele-town hall since announcing he won’t be holding any in-person events

September 17, 2025 2:44 pm Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Representative Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., held his second of two previously announced town halls on Wednesday evening. During the town hall, he spoke about rural hospitals, rural schools and wolves. Additionally, the congressman was asked about timber and wildfires Bentz said: “This situation is becoming more and more difficult because the more

Oregon jobless rate inches upward to 5%, despite gain of 7,000 jobs since July

September 17, 2025 11:59 am KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s unemployment rate rose a bit in August to 5%, despite new data that shows the state’s workforce rising by 7,000 jobs over the past couple of months, the state Employment Department reported. Here’s the full August report from the Oregon Employment Department: In August, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment

Governor Kotek Bend housing workshop WGA 1-15

Governor Kotek directs state agencies to halt non-emergency out-of-state travel and prepare for major budget cuts

September 16, 2025 7:20 pm Spencer Sacks

Governor Tina Kotek sent a letter Tuesday to the heads of all state agencies, telling them to immediately halt any out of state non emergency travel and to prepare for major budget cuts.

U.S. Postal Service is holding hiring events for Bend-area delivery positions

September 16, 2025 4:45 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The U.S. Postal Service is looking for candidates to provide delivery services along designated routes in suburban and rural areas on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, indoors and outdoors to families across their communities. Here’s the full USPS announcement: Those who attend these hiring events will find a wealth of information on USPS employment

Recent rainfall prompts Oregon Department of Forestry to lower fire danger level, lift regulated use closure on two units

September 16, 2025 3:45 pm KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will be updating fire season restrictions, effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The fire danger level for the John Day and Prineville/Sisters Units will be reduced to MODERATE, with Regulated Use Closure being lifted on these two units, which is a result of the

City of Bend seeking analyst as it looks to streamline housing permit review times

September 15, 2025 7:17 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend said Monday it is requesting proposals from qualified parties to analyze permitting processes and recommend best practices. This work is intended to improve housing permit review times in Bend. The Request for Proposals (RFP) opened Monday and closes on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., according to the

Hayden Homes chosen for new 262-acre SE Bend development with focus on affordable housing for educators

September 11, 2025 1:18 pm Gregory Deffenbaugh, Claire Elmer

After being offered for sale by the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL), Hayden Homes has been chosen to purchase and develop a 260-acre property — referred to as the Stevens Road Tract — in southeast Bend.

Oregon Senate GOP leader Daniel Bonham stepping down, backs Rep. Christine Drazan for Senate appointment

September 15, 2025 5:44 pm Barney Lerten

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) announced Monday that he will resign from the state Senate effective October 5, 2025. Senator Bonham expressed his full support for Representative Christine Drazan (R-Canby) to be appointed to serve the remainder of his term, which ends on January 11, 2027. .Here’s the rest of his and Drazan’s announcements, in full: At

BLM’s September timber sales to offer nearly 40 million board feet in Western Oregon

September 15, 2025 5:22 pm KTVZ

(Update: Adding video) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Bureau of Land Management will offer six timber sales in September, totalling 39.7 million board feet to be harvested from 3,470 public acres across western Oregon. Timber produced by these sales will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries, and support jobs across local economies. Here’s the full

Crook County Fair Board to review 2025 fair highlights & Crooked River Roundup proposal, tonight

September 15, 2025 4:46 pm Tracee Tuesday

Prineville, Ore. {KTVZ} — The Crook County Fair Board meeting is happening tonight in Prineville. Several agenda items are set to be discussed including: 2025 Crook County Fair Highlights Consideration of Static Premiums Reinstatement Letter From Kim Griffin: Open Class Livestock Superintendent Indoor Arena Bathroom Refurbishment Crooked River Roundup Proposal Tracee Tuesday will be covering

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