Local News Archives

Oregon expands drought emergency to six counties, including Crook and Jefferson, as record-warm winter deepens water crisis

April 23, 2026 12:46 pm Campbell Porter

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in six Oregon counties, citing record-low snowpack and ongoing dry conditions. The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-07, affects Crook, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Morrow and Wallowa counties. This marks the second drought declaration for Oregon in 2026. A total of nine of Oregon’s

Bend Police, Park and Rec will visit parks to remind dog owners about leash rules, seek voluntary compliance

April 23, 2026 11:24 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dogs are big users of parks and trails, but there are few public places where leashes aren’t required, so Bend Police and the Bend Park and Recreation District are teaming up to visit area parks in coming days, reminding everyone about those rules and the costs of not following them. One

Ask the Mayor: Redmond’s Ed Fitch speaks on Elkhorn Avenue extension, water levels for the summer, and more

April 23, 2026 8:23 am Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the future of Elkhorn Avenue to water levels for the summer, Mayor Ed Fitch answers viewer-submitted questions for this month’s Ask the Mayor. Viewers can submit questions for Mayor Fitch at any time as part of our monthly segment – just click here.

Hayden Homes launches ‘Give As You Go Fund,’ pledges $25 million to charitable causes by 2030

April 22, 2026 2:46 pm Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Northwest homebuilder Hayden Homes announced Wednesday a pledge to invest $25 million to charitable causes by 2030, as it launches  its Give As You Go™ Fund, an initiative connecting homebuilding with a commitment to building a strong community across the Northwest. The fund will focus on philanthropic priorities including housing solutions, youth and education, food security, and Hayden Homes’ non-profit, First Story, the company said

Burn alert: Up to 120 acres of prescribed burning planned Thursday southwest of Lake Billy Chinook

April 22, 2026 4:06 pm Barney Lerten

Update: Adding video SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters on the Sisters Ranger District are planning prescribed burning ignitions Thursday, if conditions are favorable. Firefighters plan to conduct up to 120 acres of ignitions on Flymon 7 South Prescribed Burn, located 5 miles southwest of Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes National Forest said Wednesday in a news

She Who Watches pin time capsule Lillian Pitt

Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt’s pin chosen for America’s 250th birthday time capsule, to be opened in 2276

April 22, 2026 5:46 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. And a Warm Springs artist’s work will be in it. The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening

Deschutes County commissioners send William Bailey’s firing appeal to advisory arbitrator, will decide his fate later

April 22, 2026 5:20 pm Tyson Beauchemin

Deschutes County commissioners voted 3-0 Wednesday to send a grievance filed by former Sheriff’s Captain William Bailey over his firing to an arbitrator, who will be chosen by mutual agreement, take testimony on the issues and make a recommendation to the board in coming months.

Bend police: teens accused of targeting people with airsoft guns at Old Mill District

April 22, 2026 5:37 pm Tracee Tuesday, Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police say several teenagers are facing consequences after an alleged incident involving airsoft-style weapons in one of the city’s busiest shopping and entertainment areas. Officers say the incident happened late April 18 at the Old Mill District. According to police, a group of juveniles in a red lifted pickup truck

COCC invites public to ribbon-cutting ceremony for expanded Madras campus

April 22, 2026 11:55 am Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College is inviting the public to its official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for its Madras campus expansion, 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at 1170 East Ashwood Road. The event will feature brief remarks from COCC President Dr. Greg Pereira and community partners, followed by the official

City of Bend’s new ‘home-hardening’ rules to reduce wildfire threat will take effect May 15

April 22, 2026 11:00 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend will enact “home-hardening” requirements on May 15 for new homes, to improve their resiliency in the face of any future wildfires. The Bend City Council recently adopted Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, establishing the home‑hardening requirements designed to improve wildfire resilience for new, detached residential

Better Together Central Oregon announces transition to operational independence

April 22, 2026 9:11 am Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Better Together Central Oregon, a nonprofit focused on connecting communities and advancing opportunities for children, youth and families, announced its transition to full operational independence. This milestone, taking effect June 30, 2026, involves concluding a long-standing operational memorandum of understanding with the High Desert Education Service District. The organization will now

Oregon Lightning face Albany Firebirds in home opener

April 22, 2026 8:59 am Matthew Draxton

REDMOND, Ore. – The Oregon Lightning will host the defending Arena Football One champions, the Albany Firebirds, this Saturday, April 25, 2026, for their 2026 home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time at the First Interstate Bank Center. This matchup marks Oregon’s second game of the 2026 AF1 season and the first

Cascades East Transit to boost bus service frequency in Bend

April 22, 2026 8:54 am Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit will increase bus service frequency and improve connections across Bend beginning May 4, 2026. The transit agency aims to provide better reliability for commuters throughout the city. The service improvements will see Routes 1 and 4 along 3rd Street operate every 15 minutes on weekdays between 10:30 a.m.

Dispose of unwanted prescriptions at Bend Police DEA Drug Takeback

April 22, 2026 8:32 am Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening this weekend, the Bend Police Department will host a DEA Drug Takeback event. The department says it’s to give citizens a chance to safely dispose of unwanted or unused prescriptions, as flushing old prescriptions can add the drugs to the water table, and throwing them in the garbage could mean they end up in

Lake Billy Chinook to host Oregon marine law enforcement training

April 22, 2026 7:55 am Kelsey Merison

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, Lake Billy Chinook is about to get very busy. The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its annual marine law enforcement training on Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County between April 27th and May 8th. According to the board, this intensive training is designed for new or seasonal marine law

COLD CASE SOLVED: 20-year sentence for man in 1983 Oregon manslaughter

April 22, 2026 7:45 am Kelsey Merison

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1983 cold case in Oregon. The state justice departments says 73-year-old Marcus Sanfratello pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree. The victim is Teresa Peroni, who was Sanfratello’s girlfriend when she went missing. Investigators say new DNA

Are you missing a pig? Crook County Sheriff’s Office asks for public’s help reuniting lost swine with owner

April 22, 2026 7:20 am Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville readers, are you missing a pig? The Crook County Sheriff’s Office posted this to their facebook page on Tuesday: They say this little piggy was found near Bear Creek Road. If this is your pig, or you know who it belongs to, you’re asked to contact the Crook County

Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations

April 21, 2026 7:34 pm Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Central Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet on Monday following investigations into alleged misconduct involving her and her husband. Chavez-DeRemer served as U.S. secretary of labor for 14 months. She is the third Cabinet member to leave the administration in recent months, following the departures of

Child Psychiatric Facility rendering Redmond

Construction set to begin this summer on youth psychiatric facility in Redmond – a first for the region

April 21, 2026 6:43 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Construction is expected to begin this summer on the first child psychiatric facility in Central Oregon, a crucial addition that will keep many youth in the area for inpatient treatment and not have to travel far from their family and friends. Deschutes County commissioners got an update on the project Monday from county Health Services Director Holly Harris.

There’s Good News: Bend motorcyclist and sidecar sidekick hit the road with key message about organ donation

April 21, 2026 6:14 pm Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If you see a man riding around Central Oregon on a classic motorcycle with a big poodle in the sidecar, stop: He wants to talk to you about something very important. Max Orsini and his service dog Gnocchi are spreading the message of Orsini’s charity, Ride4LifeNW, by traveling around the state

Email:
Select all that apply: Morning News Headlines Daily Weather Forecast Breaking News Alert Afternoon Headlines Contests and Promotions