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Government-Politics

Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance hosts summit on secure firearm storage to reduce deaths

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance hosted an event Wednesday morning focused on community safety and the reduction of suicide deaths by firearm in Central Oregon through secure firearm storage. COSPA hosted the Central Oregon Secure Firearm Storage Summit at Redmond City Hall. The intent behind the summit was to raise

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Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp

Deschutes Sheriff van der Kamp says he’ll resign in late August, while deputies union joins the call for him to leave now

Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp, facing a potential loss of his police certification from a state agency next month, told KTVZ News on Wednesday he will be retiring in late August and will no longer work in law enforcement. But the union representing sheriff’s deputies joined those calling for him to step down right away, and not wait until summer’s end.

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Aerial view of Burns flooding

Governor Kotek requests presidential disaster declarations for floods in Harney, Coos, Curry and Douglas counties

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has formally requested Presidential Disaster Declarations to provide federal support for flood recovery in communities devastated by the 2025 floods across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney counties. “Although this disaster hit some of the most economically vulnerable communities of our state, residents had each other’s back and

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Juniper Ridge Temporary Safe Stay Area map

City of Bend, Deschutes County outline Saturday’s closure of public land at Juniper Ridge, Temporary Safe Stay Area

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County and the City of Bend, working collaboratively to address health and safety concerns at Juniper Ridge north of Bend, have established a Temporary Safe Stay Area for dispersed camping, they said in a joint news release Thursday, on the eve of Saturday’s deadline to move from

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Oregon Department of Forestry declares start of region’s fire season; of 16 blazes so far, half were escaped debris burns

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is declaring the beginning of fire season on Monday, June 2 at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one) in Hood River and Wasco counties. Earlier

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NeighborImpact 40 Years

NeighborImpact cancels two local food distribution programs as impacts of federal supply cutbacks deepen

(Update: Adding video) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Continuing to respond to a shrinking food supply due to federal cutbacks, NeighborImpact announced Thursday the cancellation of two food distribution programs in the region. A mobile pantry distribution in Redmond, currently based at the American Legion and providing food to an average of 277 individuals monthly, will

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Sisters City Council approved Ordinance 543, Defensible Spaces, aimed at enhancing wildfire safety in the growing community 

(update: ordinance 543 approved, new video) SISTERS, Ore. [KTVZ] — The City of Sisters held their City Council meeting Wednesday night.   On the agenda was a significant topic, that Sisters’ residents said, may well protect their homes and town.    The vote was unanimous by: Mayor Jennifer Letz, Council President Sarah McDougall, Council Member Cheryl Pellerin,

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Redmond principals Doug Taylor Corrie Hopper

Redmond School District names Elton Gregory Middle School principal, Vern Patrick Elementary interim principal

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond School District announced Wednesday that Doug Taylor has been selected as the next principal of Elton Gregory Middle School, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Taylor is currently the principal at Vern Patrick Elementary.  Taylor, who grew up in Redmond, brings 16 years of experience in education to his

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