Deschutes County has earmarked $125,000 for fuel reduction grants aimed at helping local communities reduce wildfire risk. Residents can apply for grant funds beginning Sept. 1. Since 2022, the County has allocated $425,000 in support of the Fall Fuel Reduction Grant program, which has funded 68 communities. Grants are intended to help communities with specific,
Continue Reading
He thanked the Central Oregon community and told KTVZ News he is moving to Wyoming to join the leadership team for the Cheyenne Frontier Days – the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After six years of leading the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Director Geoff Hines is departing to
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) applauds a significant investment that will help more households with low incomes pay their utility bills. In June, legislators passed House Bill 3792, doubling funding for the Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) from $20 million to $40 million. Governor Tina Kotek signed the bill, along with other energy affordability bills, into law yesterday. “The biggest issue on people’s minds
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend is preparing for a major expansion of its Outback Water Facility—an estimated $50 million project aimed at keeping up with the city’s rapid growth and ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for years to come. Bend’s dual-source water system pulls from the Upper Deschutes Basin, serving not only city
Continue Reading
CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) — The commercial harvest season for Matsutake mushrooms on the Deschutes National Forest runs Sept. 2 through Nov. 3. Permits are required and cost $200 for the full season, $100 for a half-season, or $8 per day with a three-day minimum. Harvesters must be 18 or older and carry both a permit
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With technology quickly advancing, schools are having to adjust, adapt, and evolve to the digital world by implementing technology into curriculum. “We recognize that kids are growing up in a digital world. It is not going to go away. And so what’s really important for us is to teach them the
Continue Reading
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued a recreational use health advisory for Ochoco Lake in Crook County due to elevated microcystin levels. The agency says people should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present. Drinking water directly from areas
Continue Reading
OREGON (KTVZ) — Labor Day Weekend is just a few days away and many are packing their bags for a weekend of camping. The Oregon Department of Forestry is encouraging those looking for a getaway to explore some of the state’s less-traveled state forest campgrounds. The department says, “Unlike high-traffic destinations across state forests or state
Continue Reading
This week we share with you three really special gardens. A garden with a breathtaking view of the sunsets each night, another with a towering sunflower watching over everything and a driveway lined with color and beauty.
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — First-time mom from Bend, Amanda Grippin, is turning to the public for help as her infant daughter battles life-threatening illnesses and terrifying unknowns. Baby Bobbi was just a month old when her mom noticed she had the sniffles. After an alarmingly fast progression, Bobbi’s symptoms worsened, and she was rushed to Saint
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For the entire month of August, KTVZ and our local shelter and business partners once again teamed up to clear the shelters and find loving homes for pets. This week, we’re highlighting the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Animal Rescue Ranch. “This ranch exists because we still live in a rural county,
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following the pandemic, there’s been a rise in the need for mental health resources–not just in schools, but everywhere. KTVZ News recently spoke with the Bend-La Pine School District about the need, and what the increase signifies. The district believes the need has always been there–but as the topic becomes de-stigmatized,
Continue Reading
REDMOND, Ore. [KTVZ] — Redmond City Councilors held their meeting Tuesday night. In council chambers, there were two major agenda items: Central Dry Canyon Project Airport Terminal Building Expansion Project The Central Dry Canyon Project has improvements across parks, streets, and water facilities. The city’s engineering staff requested council approval of a change order totaling $175,418.60, to reconstruct pavement
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Actor Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office, says he and his family were forced to evacuate their Central Oregon home as the Flat Fire burns 2 miles northeast of Sisters. The wildfire spread quickly, forcing Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations. Fire crews managed
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday morning just before 9:00 a.m., Crook County Sheriff’s Office and EMS from Crook County Fire and Rescue responded to a car crash in southwest Prineville on SW George Millican Road. When first responders arrived, they found the female driver had been ejected from the vehicle and was deceased. Officials
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With students heading back to the classroom next week, school districts are adapting to Governor Tina Kotek’s order to ban phone usage in school. KTVZ has been following this story for six months, highlighting the efforts of parents, teachers, and legislators. Central Oregon School Districts are now taking different approaches to the
Continue Reading
Mt. Bachelor is gearing up for the fifth-annual Redline Rally, Central Oregon’s premier downhill bike event. Ahead of Saturday’s action-packed event, here’s part of an awesome interview the Bachelor team sent to us with one of the local riders excited for this weekend! “Redline Rally is basically an invitation-only event. It’s on Saturday, August 30th at
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. {KTVZ} — A community meeting was held Monday night at the Sisters High School auditorium, where fire and law enforcement officials updated the public on the Flat Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal said their mission is to protect people, structures, and firefighting personnel – in that exact order. As of this report, 827 homes
Continue Reading
(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer winds down, one thing is top of mind for many children and parents: the 2025-26 school year! With the school year right around the corner, many are flocking to shops to pick up last-minute items–from supplies to new clothes, and everything in between. In Bend, there are
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As crews work to contain the Flat Fire, now at just under 22,000 acres, Think Wild Central Oregon is offering tips on how to aid wildlife. The nonprofit says Oregon’s native species are remarkably well adapted to living with fire, but many animals do not survive in large fast-moving fires like this.
Continue Reading