BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Ski’s Pierogis at The Podski Food Cart Lot in Bend is permanently closing after a 12-year run. The food truck, which was was featured on The Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, will be closing at the end of the year. Owner Rich “Ski” Winiarski announced the closure via social media.
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OREGON (KTVZ) — State and federal agencies are making multiple financial and technical assistance programs available to support Oregon communities, small businesses and agricultural producers affected by ongoing drought conditions. Find the full press release here. The available programs offer funding for local water infrastructure, drought mitigation planning and economic recovery. The resources include low-interest
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Homeless encampments along Central Oregon dirt roads have existed for decades, according to organizer Nicholas Dieringer. He said the areas were once known as “the trees,” a name based on their surroundings. Today, they’re called Dirt World. Dieringer said there are eight Dirt World communities across Central Oregon. His project, “Dirtworld:
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BEND, Ore. — Furnishings from the former Shilo Inn in Bend are getting a second life as a community effort helps move donated items from the former hotel to benefit Central Oregonians in need.Local nonprofit Furnish Hope is receiving furnishings from the property, including mattresses, accent chairs, kitchen tables, pillows, microwaves and patio furniture.Volunteers are
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 36-year-old Sisters man died Sunday afternoon following a three-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Curry County. Oregon State Police identified the victim as Louis Henry Vowell III, who was pronounced dead at the scene near the Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint. A preliminary investigation by state police indicated Vowell was riding a
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council voted five-one today to advance a proposed ordinance that would establish a permanent ban on all fireworks. If enacted, the ordinance would change a long-standing tradition in the city. Under previous regulations, fireworks were banned every day except the Fourth of July. The push for a complete
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — New investments from Oregon Housing and Community Services are creating nearly 300 affordable homes across the state. The Oregon Housing Stability Council recently approved funding for projects in Bend, Lincoln City, Phoenix, Roseburg, and Portland. Altogether, the investments will help create 293 affordable homes, including 222 rental units and 71 homes for purchase.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department is offering a reminder to stay sober behind the wheel, as it’s already arrested more than 240 people for DUII this year alone. It’s easy to avoid being a DUII statistic if you plan ahead. “The best thing we can do, is if we’re going to be out drinking, going to
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There’s good news, and it comes from our friends at Think Wild! An adult female garter snake arrived at the wildlife hospital in early June. She was found outdoors barely moving with multiple puncture wounds, and other injuries consistent with a possible cat attack. After more than two months of treatment and
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, progress continues on the Franklin Avenue project, but drivers should be prepared for another traffic closure beginning Monday, August 17th. The closure will affect Franklin Avenue between NE Third and NE Fourth streets. During the closure, traffic will be limited to one-way westbound travel only. There is also an
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(Update: adding video, interview with patrol officer) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A private patrol officer may have helped save a Bend woman’s life after discovering smoke coming from her northwest Bend apartment early Sunday morning. Bianney Ventura, a patrol officer with Patrol Services Inc., was making her rounds at Awbrey Pines Apartments, 2500 NW Regency
Continue Reading BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 20-year-old Kentucky man died Monday evening after falling approximately 177 feet from South Falls at Silver Falls State Park in Marion County.Authorities identified the victim as Zachary Nicholas Mertens of Burlington, Ky.Troopers with the Oregon State Police and deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the park following
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond City Council is scheduled to hear public testimony Tuesday on a proposal that would prohibit the possession, sale and use of fireworks within city limits. Ordinance No. 2026-11 would amend Redmond City Code Section 5.305, creating a broader restriction on private fireworks in the city. Currently, private use of legal
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded $7,500 to the Family Access Network to support basic-needs services for families in Deschutes County, Ore. The grant will support up to 30 local children during the school year. The Family Access Network calculates that providing services to one child for an entire school
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(Update: adding Bend police comments, information about dog death) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With temperatures soaring, the Bend Police Department is reminding pet owners to leave their dogs at home when running errands. Police say they’ve responded to 20 calls about dogs left inside vehicles since the beginning of August, including one case in which
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden traveled across Central Oregon to assess ongoing wildfire response efforts and meet directly with emergency crews. During his tour of the region, Wyden attended a fire briefing in Warm Springs before traveling to Prineville and the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone. He also visited the air base
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(Update: adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thistle & Nest has received a $650,000 award from the City of Bend Affordable Housing Fund to support its Woodhaven Estates development in Southeast Bend. The funding will offset development and construction costs, reducing purchase prices for qualifying buyers earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.
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(Update: adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians gathered at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Sunday to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday while learning how they can help prevent wildfires. The party featured photo opportunities, cupcakes, and activities for children. The Deschutes National Forest co-hosted the event with Discover Your Northwest, a nonprofit
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon residents affected by wildfire smoke will soon have access to free box fan air purifier kits and N95 masks through a grant from Rotary International District 5110’s Disaster Response Fund. A total of 600 box fan air purifier kits and 200 N95 masks will be available beginning Aug. 15
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(Update – August 9, 2026: Crescent Butte Fire has now burned 194 acres) CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crews responded to a reported vegetation fire on Saturday, near Crescent in Klamath County, where smoke was visible from the area. The fire is now known as the Crescent Butte Fire, according to WildCAD. It is burning about
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