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Government-Politics

As fire conditions ease, C. Oregon public lands dropping to Stage 1 fire restrictions, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to improved weather conditions and fewer fire starts, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move into Stage 1 public use fire restrictions on Friday, and Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger rating is currently “moderate.”

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Senators Wyden, Merkley announce $1.3 million headed to Bend Park and Rec for Sawyer Park renovation project

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Wednesday a federal investment of $1.33 million for the Bend Park and Recreation District to renovate Sawyer Park and improve access for outdoor recreation close to home. “Being good stewards of our breathtaking outdoors is essential to our identities as Oregonians,” Wyden said. “I congratulate Bend Park

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No downtown Redmond ice rink this winter, after last season’s equipment failure; city looking at creating a bigger space

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Mechanical issues that closed the downtown Redmond ice skating rink early last winter mean it won’t reopen this winter, and quite possibly the next as well. But plans are in the early stages to create a bigger, better facility and bigger downtown draw. City councilors reviewed some concepts and size options

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Redland Wetlands Complex

BLM seeks public input on 540-acre acquisition by city of Redmond for wastewater treatment, wetlands complex

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management said Wednesday it is seeking public input on the city of Redmond’s request to acquire an over 540-acre parcel of public land to accommodate expanding the city’s wastewater treatment facility and associated wetlands complex. The Upper Deschutes Resource Management plan would have to be amended for

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New Oregon Health Authority hospital dashboard features give insight on private insurer spending trends

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority released an updated interactive dashboard this month that shows how much commercial insurance companies paid Oregon hospitals for common procedures in 2022. This dashboard also shows how those payments differ within and among hospitals in Oregon. OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said, “Transparency is important to everyone involved in

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Ochoco National Forest trims Maury Mountains closure area as Wiley Flat Fire reaches 84% containment

(Update: Wednesday’s fire update, containment at 84%) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following significant progress in firefighting efforts, the Ochoco National Forest, in consultation with fire management officials and the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, said Tuesday it has reduced the Wiley Flat Fire Area Closure in the Maury Mountains. “This decision comes as containment lines have

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Oregon housing agency, Bend-Redmond Habitat make homeownership dreams come true for a dozen Bend households

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Housing and Community Services and Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity are celebrating the completion of a dozen new energy-efficient, affordable homes in Bend.  One of the new homeowners at the 27th Street Townhomes is Ashley, who can watch her two children grow up knowing they have a stable place to call home

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Oregon gains 1,500 jobs in August as jobless rate holds in the same narrow range since last fall

In August, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 1,500 jobs, following a revised increase of 6,800 jobs in July. August’s gains were largest in private educational services (+2,000 jobs) and health care and social assistance (+1,200). Declines in August were largest in leisure and hospitality (-1,700 jobs) and government (-800). Health care and social assistance expanded rapidly, adding 1,200 jobs in August

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Merkley, colleague introduce bill to end Prohibition-era ban on Postal Service shipping of alcoholic drinks

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) launched an effort Tuesday to end the Prohibition-era ban that prevents the U.S. Postal Service from shipping alcoholic beverages to consumers. Currently, private shipping companies like FedEx can ship alcohol, but the USPS cannot. The Senators’ USPS Shipping Equity Act allows USPS to ship alcoholic beverages

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Kroger and Albertsons make a final pitch for their merger before a judge decides whether to block it

Associated Press Writers PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The federal government urged a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday to temporarily prevent a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, saying in closing arguments the combination would “almost certainly” benefit shareholders and not everyday shoppers. Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission and for the supermarket chains gave

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Redmond’s rebuilt SW Reservoir Drive reopens to through traffic; Phase 2 set for next year

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond reopened the newly reconstructed SW Reservoir Drive from SW Helmholtz Way to SW 35th Street last Friday. This major arterial has been closed since late January while crews worked to complete Phase 1 of this significant city Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project, focused on increasing safety and mobility

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BLM, dozens of La Pine-area volunteers partner to clean up ‘Jackpine Camp,’ abandoned illegal dump site

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — This summer, the Darlene 3 and Jackpine fires near La Pine shone a spotlight on the negative effects of long-term overstays and illegal dumping on public lands. In response, community members approached the Bureau of Land Management with a request: Could they organize a group cleanup? The newly formed Newberry Regional

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Oregon Republicans ask governor to protect voter rolls after DMV registered noncitizens

Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Oregon on Monday asked Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek to ensure the integrity of the state’s voter rolls following reports that some 300 noncitizens have been mistakenly registered as voters since 2021. The mistake occurred in part because Oregon has allowed noncitizens to obtain driver’s licenses since

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Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District puts first tax measure on Nov. 5 ballot, seeking stable funding source

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District said Monday it has placed Measure 9-176 on the Nov. 5 ballot, asking Deschutes County voters to approve a permanent tax rate at a limit of six cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. If approved, the measure would provide a stable funding source

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Feds sending nearly $43 million to Oregon to pay for weather-, disaster-related road repairs in recent years

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Monday that the Federal Highway Administration is sending $42.7 million to state and federal agencies in Oregon to reimburse them for repairs to roads and other critical infrastructure that was seriously damaged during recent natural disasters. The federal funds will be used to reimburse the agencies for their vital

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