BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked two locals after they spotted and helped stop a brush fire, using a water hose and shovel. Though Central Oregon has experienced rainfall this Independence Day, wildfire risk is still extremely high with lightning, high winds, and even flooding forecasted. Below is the full post
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For this month’s ‘21 Cares for Kids: Making a Difference’ spotlight, we’re highlighting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon—a youth mentoring network solely supported by donors and volunteers. “The first thing we did is go climbing at the Bend Rock Gym,” said Ryan Bukstein, a Big Brother. Ryan and Maddox
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Oregon Health Authority announced Tuesday it has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County nearly two weeks ago. OHA issued the advisory on Wednesday, June 18. The agency said Tuesday that “water monitoring has confirmed that the level of microcystin in Lake Billy Chinook
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is moving its online dog licensing program to DocuPet, simplifying the process for owners to license their dogs, comply with state regulations, and ensure a quick reunion if their dogs go missing. Under Oregon law, all dog owners are required to vaccinate their pets against rabies and obtain
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The owner of a Prineville car dealership, the focus of recent KTVZ Problem Solvers reports for allegedly scamming clients while selling their vehicles, has been arrested on 35 counts of aggravated ID theft, forgery and illegal consignment practices. Michael Dwayne Smetzer Jr., 37, of Prineville, entered not guilty pleas to all
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nothing says summer like baseball and fireworks, and the Bend Elks have both Thursday night. Around 9 p.m., the team will hold its annual fireworks show at Vince Genna Stadium. The celebration will light up the sky for about 20 minutes after the Bend Elks take on and defeat the Walla
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The colorful, bombastic Pilot Butte Fireworks Show is just a day away, and Sure Shot Fireworks and fire officials are preparing for the big night.
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Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife conservation nonprofit, invited community members to join a volunteer day on Thursday to help launch a new habitat restoration project in Prineville.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools said Thursday it would like to remind residents and visitors that the use of fireworks is not permitted on school grounds, including playgrounds, fields, parking lots and sidewalks. Here’s the rest of their announcement: This applies to all our Bend properties, which fall under the City of Bend
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(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As part of its commitment to enhancing dark skies in the community, the Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 10, to consider proposed amendments to county outdoor lighting regulations. The Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners have expressed support for
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(Update: Adding video) POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Board of Commissioners have invited representatives from PacifiCorp to attend a public community meeting to discuss the Blueprint South 500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project. The meeting will take place on: Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Powell Butte Community Center Address: 8404 SW Reif Rd, Powell
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — While tradition calls for fun at the 4th of July Pet Parade, precautions are necessary for pets and people. The Humane Society of Central Oregon wants pets participating in the parade to remain healthy and safe. Here’s what they shared with us Thursday: Bring plenty of water and a pet bowl to
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Numerous firefighters on the ground and in the air stopped the spread of a new grass fire that burned about 500 acres southeast of Madras near the Jefferson-Crook county line on Wednesday, prompting evacuations and alerts that later were reduced or dropped.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — College View, a newly constructed multi-family apartment community, is now accepting applications and will host a special Application Event on Friday and Saturday, July 11th and 12th. Offering spacious 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment homes, College View is conveniently located next to the OSU Cascades campus and features upscale amenities designed
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Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday signed Executive Order 25-09, which aims to improve student educational outcomes and mental well-being across the state by prohibiting cell phone use by students during the school day in Oregon’s K-12 public schools.
Continue Reading REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue, the City of Redmond & Redmond Police Department officials said Wednesday they are concerned about potential fireworks-related fires and personal injuries as the Fourth of July draws near. One of the most common fireworks-related fires that Redmond Fire & Rescue crews respond to involves “spent” fireworks placed
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MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Fire & EMS has been awarded $1.9 million from the Oregon Legislature to assist with the ongoing expansion and remodel of its existing fire station. “This critical investment will help bring the project to completion,” the agency said Wednesday in a news release that continues below: The funding will
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(Update: Adding videos, Adding details, Jillian Fortner has a report at 6) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Lava River Cave, Oregon’s longest known lava tube, is now open for summer guided tours. The nonprofit Discover Your Forest is offering tours for a second season, after launching the program as a pilot last year. The tour
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – State Senator Anthony Broadman, Representative Emerson Levy and Representative Jason Kropf announced Wednesday a series of key investments secured for Central Oregon in Oregon’s 2025–2027 state budget. Representing one of the fastest-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, the Central Oregon delegation worked collaboratively to deliver critical funding for public safety, mental
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(Update: Adding video) EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A suspected child abuser living illegally in Culver has been arrested on federal charges, accused of enticing and sexually abusing a minor in Oregon and Washington, federal prosecutors said. Leonias Juber Ramos-Garcia, 25, a Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Culver, has been charged by criminal complaint with coercion
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