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City of Madras and Jefferson County

Jefferson County, City of Madras partner to develop five-year strategic plan; survey, events seek public input

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County and the City of Madras announced this week that they are partnering to create a shared vision for the future through the development of a five-year strategic plan. The strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for the next five years, guiding decisions about priorities such as economic growth,

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‘A special event’: St. Charles celebrates NICU families during reunion

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – St. Charles’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit hosted a reunion for current and former patients and their families alongside caregivers on Saturday at St. Charles Bend. This free family-friendly event featured interactive games, a bouncy house, face painting, AirLink tours, a visit from a fire truck and refreshments. Attendees were encouraged to wear a favorite superhero

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Students cellphone use

State Rep. Emerson Levy, Bend Police sergeant to take part in bipartisan roundtable on phone-free schools rule

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Next Tuesday evening, Sen. Lisa Reynolds, MD (D-Portland), who worked with Governor Tina Kotek on her recent executive order creating phone-free schools, will convene lawmakers and community leaders in a roundtable discussion on how to make the new rule work best for student success and well-being. Here are the details, as released Friday

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Untreated, treated areas at Darlene 3 Fire

Deschutes County outlines five-year plans for federally funded La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County provided new details Friday about how it will use a newly awarded $3.4 million USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant for its La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project over the next five years. “The project is a collaborative effort to reduce fire fuels, educate the public, increase wildfire preparedness,

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SCAM ALERT: Oregonians warned about fake ‘government officials’ urging you to convert savings into gold bars

(Update: Adding video) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -– A state agency issued a warning to Oregonians on Friday about a “gold bar” scam that’s rapidly spreading across the nation, causing millions of dollars in losses. “This scam involves fraudsters impersonating government officials who convince victims to purchase gold bars to supposedly protect their nest eggs,” the

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Oregon offshore quake USGS map

5.9-magnitude earthquake rumbles off southern Oregon coast; over two-dozen people report feeling it

(Update: More information, background from USGS spokesman) BANDON, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 5.9-magnitude earthquake rumbled off the southern Oregon coast late Thursday night, and several people felt it onshore, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. No tsunami alerts were issued, but by midday Friday, 25 people had reported feeling the quake. It occurred around 11:45 p.m.

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Jefferson County drug bust CODE Team

Drug agents find fentanyl, meth and guns in crashed car, arrest two fugitives north of Madras

(Update: Adding video) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A long-term drug investigation concluded Wednesday night when a suspected trafficker’s vehicle crashed north of Madras, and detectives with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team seized large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and three guns, authorities said. Officers said they suspect the drugs were introduced into Jefferson County from

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City of Bend survey finds overwhelming ‘hate’ for Greenwood Avenue ‘road diet,’ despite massive increase in cyclists, pedestrians

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A year-old pilot program to reduce traffic speeds, improve safety, and encourage walking and cycling has sparked sharp division in the city of Bend. The program converted a four-lane roadway into two lanes as part of a “road diet” designed to curb crashes and make the corridor safer for pedestrians and

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Redmond Fire truck at Smith Rock

Redmond Fire & Rescue reopens outdoor burning next week, but there are rules – and debris burning is banned in the city

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue announced Thursday it will reopen outdoor burning at 8 a.m. next Wednesday, October 1, but advised there are rules to follow, including a ban on debris burning within the city limits. Here’s the fire department’s full news release: With the forecasted decrease in temperatures, the risk for

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