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OHA says Oregon hospitalsย fall short inย meeting national standards forย preventingย someย health care-associated infectionย measures

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to new data from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon hospitals made gains in lowering the number of health care-associated infections among hospitalized patients and meeting some federal infection reduction goals in 2024. But, hospitals statewide fell short of meeting national standards. Key points from the data: With the exception ofย hysterectomy

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Governor Kotek Appoints Oregon Public Defense Commission Executive Director, photo credit Kelvin Watkins Photography via OPB

Governor Kotek appoints Ken Sanchagrin as Oregon Public Defense Commission Executive Director

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Friday, January 23rd, Governor Tina Kotek announced she has selected Ken Sanchagrin as the Oregon Public Defense Commission Executive Director, pending Senate confirmation. Sanchagrin was selected as the interim executive director in April 2025 by Governor Kotek. โ€œI am humbled by and appreciate the Governorโ€™s confidence in me,โ€ Sanchagrin said.

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Local arts groups win grant award

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —ย  Some local arts groups are getting some cash. The “Arts Build Communities” grants fund more than 50 organizations across the state of Oregon. Here in Central Oregon the High Desert Museum and theย Central Oregon Symphony Association each get $5,000. The museum was singled out for its intergenerational learning film project which

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Wires cut Talus Place

Bend Police search for suspect who cut high-voltage electrical wires, caused outage, $20,000+ in damage

(Update: Pacific Power statement) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Thursday, Bend Police announced they are searching for a likely injured suspect in a criminal mischief case following an early Wednesday morning incident in which high-voltage power lines were cut, causing a power outage in the area for several hours. According to a press release from

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Wildfire fuels disposal

Deschutes County seeks applicants for ‘sweat equity’ bin rentals, to dispose of wildfire fuels

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Natural Resources will begin accepting applications for its 2026 Sweat Equity Bin Rental Program on Sunday, Feb. 1. Officials say the program helps local communities remove fire fuels and improve defensible spaces around homes and other structures by covering the cost of trash bin rentals. Funds set aside for

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City of Bend issues proclamation recognizing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” The Bend City Council recognized Human Trafficking Prevention Month at Wednesday night’s meeting, signing a proclamation that calls attention to an issue that can impact any community, including Central Oregon. City Councilor Mike Riley said trafficking doesnโ€™t just happen elsewhere โ€” itโ€™s a problem that reaches communities across Oregon and the

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Rep. Cliff Bentz

Congressman Cliff Bentz nominates 6 Central Oregon students for service academies; 16 statewide

(UPDATE: Adding video) DESCHUTES CO, Ore. (KTVZ)– Congressman Cliff Bentz today announced the nomination of sixteen Oregon students to the United States service academies, including the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. The nominations recognize each student’s exceptional academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and strong character. The selections were made by Bentzโ€™s Service Academy Nomination

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