BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices in Bend remain above the national average, but drivers in Central Oregon could see some relief at the pump soon. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Bend is $4.54 this week. That is 36 cents higher than the national average. Prices are
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act passed the U.S. Senate, providing a tax exemption for wildfire survivors as Oregon faces its worst wildfire season in modern history. The legislation allows qualified relief payments to be excluded from federal taxable income, including funds received years after a disaster. The
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Smoke from several active wildfires is expected to bring unhealthy air quality to parts of Central Oregon, with the heaviest periods forecast during morning and overnight hours. Smoke in the region is expected to come primarily from the Rowe Creek Complex. Additional smoke from the Grasshopper Fire could affect Spray and
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Prineville, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest decreased the size of an emergency closure order for the Coyote Fire today, reopening a portion of the Maury Mountains to the public. The decision affects land within the Lookout Mountain Ranger District following increased containment of the wildfire. While some areas are now accessible, an emergency
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council approved $350,000 in homebuyer assistance Thursday to support eight local households purchasing homes through Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. The funding addresses a financial barrier for buyers who can afford monthly payments but cannot qualify for a mortgage large enough to cover the cost of a home in
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, if you plan to drive through Central Oregon, plan for continued delays. U.S. Highway 26 remains closed between Prineville and Mitchell as wildfire activity and heavy smoke continue to make travel unsafe. Transportation officials say crews are monitoring conditions around the clock, and will reopen the highway as soon as it’s
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(Update: adding ‘former’ – the bus driver is no longer employed with Bend-La Pine Schools) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A former Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver accused of driving under the influence after transporting elementary students in April has been formally charged with 19 misdemeanor counts. Deschutes County court records show prosecutors filed charges July
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Update: As of August 6th, Deschutes County Circuit Court records show the pending case against Steven Charlton has been dismissed. The judgment of dismissal applies to all five felony counts Charlton was indicted on by the Grand Jury. Any outstanding warrant in the matter is recalled. BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Steven Nicholas Charlton, the pilot
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue is offering two free monthly trainings designed to help Central Oregon residents respond during life-threatening emergencies. The Hands-Only CPR class teaches participants what to expect when calling 911, how to perform CPR correctly and effectively, and what happens when first responders arrive. The class is open to
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Fire officials are reminding motorists to exercise caution behind the wheel as wildfire danger continues. One small spark can start a wildfire. Small actions such as parking on dry grass, dragging chains, or operating machinery near dry vegetation can create dangerous sparks.
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The weeks “Show Us Your Garden” segment features an awesome garden with “Old Glory” the American Flag prominently featured in the picture. Another photo the shows off some great veggies in early stages of development. Finally we see an owner and gardener showing off her “happy place” on the back deck.
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MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Four of five Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District board members are expected to be removed from office following a special recall election. Current results show most of the recalls passing by more than 300 votes Approximately 23% of ballots have been returned so far, which is the expected turn-out for a
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police are reminding you to put down your phones, after a targeted distracted driving enforcement operation. Last Friday, officers spent two hours at the intersection of NE Third Street and Burnside Avenue looking for drivers using cell phones behind the wheel. During the enforcement effort, police issued 30 citations and 10 warnings. Three drivers
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend man died yesterday evening after intentionally crashing his plane in a remote area west of the city. Detectives with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office determined that 48-year-old Steven Nicholas Charlton was the sole occupant of the Cirrus SR22T aircraft when it went down at 6:46 p.m. The crash followed
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The Crook County Fair is back this week, bringing four days of carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits and classic fair food to Prineville.This year’s “Blue Ribbon Days” fair runs Aug. 5-8 at the Crook County Fairgrounds. Admission and parking are free. Opening night is Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m., with full-day
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UPDATE: The NTSB has provided KTVZ News with a statement concerning Tuesday’s plane crash in Deschutes County. Below is their press release:NTSB is investigating the crash of a Cirrus SR22-T on Aug. 4 in Bend, Oregon. The preliminary information we have is the plane impacted terrain under unknown circumstances. An NTSB investigator is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive this afternoon. Once
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend housing leaders are bracing for a tougher stretch as local shelter and affordable housing programs face shrinking dollars and fewer options. At Tuesday’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting, city staff were expected to walk through shelter planning strategies tied to the city’s changing role in addressing houselessness, along with the
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Warm Springs, Ore. (KTVZ) — A rancher in Warm Springs has launched an online marketplace to sell wild horses after wildfires in Northern Jefferson County damaged grazing land on the reservation. The Bench fire has burned more 67,000 acres in Warm Springs, including land used for grazing by wild horses. Smith and his family have
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(Update: adding comments from OSFM, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, video) CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — As firefighters are sent across Oregon to battle wildfires, small departments must balance the broader call for help while ensuring they have enough personnel to respond to emergencies at home. Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue shares
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Bend ORE. (KTVZ) — A suspect was injured and arrested Monday evening following a shooting involving officers on Highway 20 in Linn County. The incident occurred near milepost 36 and River Bend County Park after authorities received reports of a motor vehicle crash and a disturbance involving a gun. Oregon State Police and the Linn
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