Local News Archives

Bynum: Two SW Redmond housing, road safety projects to get total of $2.25 million in federal funding

February 4, 2026 5:38 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., said Wednesday she’s secured over $6 million in federal funding for affordable housing, community infrastructure and child care initiatives across Oregon’s Fifth District, including $2.25 million for a pair of affordable housing and highway safety projects in southwest Redmond. The largest is $2 million for the Cinder Hollow affordable

There’s Good News: Highland Elementary students blast off on ‘mission to Mars’

February 4, 2026 7:51 pm Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News launched a new initiative to end each newscast with a positive story from around Central Oregon, called “There’s Good News.” For our first edition, we highlight students at Highland Elementary in Bend. They “blasted off” this week on an imaginary mission to Mars, turning a school day into an

Send a valentine, support wildlife: Think Wild offers custom gifts, with local delivery

February 4, 2026 6:52 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This Valentine’s Day, Think Wild is partnering with local businesses to offer local, sustainable gifts and delivery services throughout Central Oregon. “Purchase a gift package for a friend, tweet-heart, or significant otter, and support local wildlife!” the organization said in a news release Wednesday that continues below: Each

DECISION 2026: Deschutes County commissioners vote 2-1 to send districting map to voters this fall

February 4, 2026 11:41 am Spencer Sacks

After hearing from another packed meeting room that again voiced divided opinions, DeschutesCounty commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to send a proposed five-district map to county voters – and in another 2-1 vote to put it on the November, not May ballot.

Bend man charged with DUII, assault in Redmond pickup-pedestrian crash that injured Warm Springs woman

February 3, 2026 7:16 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend man faces assault and DUII charges after a pickup-pedestrian crash on Highway 97 in Redmond Monday night that seriously injured a Warm Springs woman. Jordan Keeney, 24, was arrested by Redmond police after the crash was reported around 9:22 p.m. on Highway 97 at SW Veterans Way, Oregon State

Crook County Sheriff’s Office announces trio of upcoming town hall meetings

February 4, 2026 2:59 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday it will be holding three town hall meetings in upcoming weeks. Undersheriff Bill Elliot said the first town hall meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Powell Butte Community Center from 6-8 p.m. The second town hall meeting is set for

Scam alert: Crook County residents targeted by callers impersonating law enforcement

February 4, 2026 5:59 pm Claire Elmer

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a phone scam involving callers who claim to be members of law enforcement. Officials say the scammers are contacting residents and falsely telling them they’ve missed jury duty or have an active warrant out for their arrest.

‘Going to be a big hit:’ Bend business optimistic about local super-bowl ad encouraging early allergen introduction to babies

February 4, 2026 5:25 pm Matthew Draxton

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — A Bend-based baby food company is making the most of Super Bowl Sunday. Square Baby, initially founded in 2018 by Katie Thomson, is using an ad spot to spread awareness about early exposure to food allergens, with a clever and cheeky twist. They’ve created the “Deez Nuts” campaign to educate and encourage parents to

New Deschutes County Fair Director Jeff Curtis

Deschutes County appoints experienced fair executive Jeff Curtis as new Fair & Expo Center director

February 4, 2026 12:26 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has appointed Jeff Curtis as the new director of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Curtis, the former CEO of the Portland Rose Festival Association and Alaska State Fair, will begin his new duties next Monday. Curtis replaces Geoff Hinds, who left the position in

Update: Weather delays pile burning work on Crooked River Grassland SE of Madras

February 3, 2026 6:27 pm Barney Lerten

Prescribed fire operations on the Crooked River National Grassland southeast of Madras that were scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, officials said.

Visit Bend opens applications for arts and culture grants funded by tourism

February 4, 2026 7:44 am Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Visit Bend is accepting grant applications now through March 27th for high-quality arts and culture events support, funded entirely by lodging taxes paid by overnight visitors. From musical productions to art exhibits to film festivals and more, the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund supports cultural opportunities that draw visitors to Bend–and $300,000

Crude oil prices surge, pushing gas costs higher

February 3, 2026 11:23 pm Tracee Tuesday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crude oil prices climbed to a four-month high last week, reaching more than 65 dollars a barrel. Triple-A says the surge was fueled by rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, along with severe winter storms that disrupted oil production across much of the country. Those factors pushed gas prices higher

Governor Kotek testifies in support of senior housing bill

February 3, 2026 11:16 pm Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek is calling for more affordable housing options for Oregon’s aging population. On Tuesday, she testified before the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness in support of House Bill 4082, which aims to expand housing for residents 55 and older as well as for working-class Oregonians. The bill would

Love takes flight: KTVZ captures surprise engagement at Madras Airport

February 3, 2026 7:26 pm Campbell Porter

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here’s some especially good news, just in time for Valentine’s Day. A Madras couple took their relationship to new heights when pilot Dallas Tronsdale proposed to his girlfriend, Reniyah M’Beceah, right after they landed at the Madras Airport, Tuesday afternoon. KTVZ cameras were there as the surprise unfolded. The couple had just finished a joyride

Bend Summer Festival is moving up to late May, also gets a new title sponsor

February 3, 2026 6:12 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After 35 years of fun under the often-hot summer sun, the Bend Summer Festival will be kicking off the season with a new, earlier schedule – and a new title sponsor. The 2026 Hixon Mortgage Bend Summer Festival returns to downtown Bend Friday–Sunday, May 29–31, marking the event’s first-ever move to late May –

OSU-Cascades study reveals tourism costs outweigh benefits for residents in popular destinations

February 3, 2026 5:29 pm Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon State University-Cascades has published the findings of a years-long study of sustainable tourism, revealing that the costs of the industry are beginning to outweigh the economic benefits for residents in many popular destinations. The research suggests that local communities are increasingly reaching a breaking point where tourism pressures negatively impact

Oliver Books in Prineville sparks community connection with month-long reading challenge

February 3, 2026 5:29 pm Claire Elmer

One local bookstore in Crook County is turning the month of February into a community-wide celebration of reading.

Oliver Books in downtown Prineville is hosting a month-long reading challenge designed to bring people together, support local business, and share a love of literature.

Warm Springs man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for abusing two minors

February 3, 2026 5:12 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Warm Springs man who admitted last fall he sexually abused two minors on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in 2024 was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in federal prison. Harold Charley, 39, also was sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release, federal prosecutors said in a news release. According

Former Deer Ridge officer caught in illicit prison relationship loses certification for life

February 3, 2026 5:10 pm Harley Coldiron

(Update: adding comments from Jefferson County District Attorney on why charges were not filed) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – State officials revoked the certification of Emily Fisk, a former corrections officer at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution, following an investigation into a sexual relationship she had with an inmate. Fisk resigned from her position in 2022 instead

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend launching its first Saturday child care to better support local families

February 3, 2026 2:13 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend is launching its first Saturday programming beginning this week to provide additional child-care support for local families. The organization says it will offer services for youth ages 5-18 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The expansion marks the first time the organization will offer

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