PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Zoo says it successfully released 22 northwestern pond turtles back into the Columbia River Gorge after a year-long head start program, and it’s “time to shell-a-brate”. The endangered reptiles were collected as hatchlings last spring, and reared in the zoo’s conservation lab, where they grew quickly with the help of heat
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Quincy, a Golden Retriever therapy dog, recently retired from R.E. Jewell Elementary in Bend after more than seven years of service. The elementary school marked her dedication with a special assembly, where she received a plaque and a gift basket. Quincy spent her tenure at the elementary school teaching students and
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild Central Oregon is gearing up for it’s Beaver Works habitat restoration projects in the Malheur and Ochoco National Forests–and you have the chance to help out. The nonprofit is looking for volunteers from June 23rd-26th and again from July 9th-12th, to help restore and protect beaver habitat across central and eastern Oregon. The
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There’s Good News today, and it has to do with being proactive. Right now, it’s Melanoma Awareness Month. Throughout May, Project Happy Face is once again bringing its mobile dermatology clinic to the Bend Farmers Market, to offer free skin cancer screenings, biopsies if needed, and treatment for precancerous lesions to farmers
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Campers of varying ability levels took to the trails and waters this weekend, experiencing the thrill of adaptive mountain biking and paddling, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Kelly Brush Foundation and Oregon Adaptive Sports. The multi-day sports program offered participants a unique opportunity to connect with fellow adventurers and
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Our Chief Meteorologist John Carroll took a trip to Central Christian School in Redmond to speak with the 5th grade students about the weather. The students were curious how meteorologists come up with the forecast and what it takes to get it correct. The students became “weather detectives” and looked for clues in the sky
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Presley Abell, a student at Mountain View High School, has won the state-level “Celebrate the West” art competition. She is now competing against winners from 20 other states for regional recognition, with the People’s Choice poll closing May 22. You can vote in the competition here. Abell’s winning painting is titled
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TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) — We have good news to share with you! A young bald eagle is drawing attention at Smith Rock State Park as it continues to grow rapidly under its mother’s care. The eaglet, named “Phoenix,” is now 24 days old and living in a nest high in a towering ponderosa pine, according
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KTVZ News recently welcomed a local Girl Scout troop, where young aspiring filmmakers learned the ropes of video production from the pros. Guided by Bend native Claire Elmer, the enthusiastic scouts delved into everything from filming techniques to weather casting, all while having a blast on the green screen.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild Central Oregon says that one of it’s own, Kylie Lanuza, has been awarded the 2026 Bob Sallinger Memorial Summer Fellowship from Bird Conservation Oregon! This fellowship honors the legacy of Bob Sallinger, a longtime Oregon conservation leader whose work combined science, collaboration, and a deep commitment to protecting wildlife and
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Paddy Pint Road Race, Prineville’s annual running event, donated $5,000 to the Crook County School District on April 30, 2026. The funds are designated for new physical education equipment to enhance student wellness and activity opportunities across the district in Prineville, Ore. The donation will support the school district’s efforts
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend father-daughter duo is being honored for helping preserve Oregon history. Eric Ballinger and his daughter Mia Ballinger helped lead the coalition behind the Oregon Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway Historical Marker, which received an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award on April 29, 2026. The Oregon Heritage Commission presented the award
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon dog whose story captured the community’s attention now has a happy ending. “Mama Eva,” a 6-year-old Cane Corso who survived a roughly 40-mile trek across Jefferson County late last year, has been adopted after months of recovery at BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond. The dog was first spotted
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Deputy Kiersten Schwindt will join the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit. She is the first female deputy to become a part of the unit’s crew. Schwindt became a member of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in 2018. She began her career as a cadet in Redmond.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Nikolas Tone, a student at Bend Senior High, has qualified for the Project MFG National Welding Competition this month in San Diego, Calif. Tone is one of just 24 students nationwide selected to compete in the event. The national competition selected 24 students from a field of 410 competitors across 154 schools.
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Paralympian Rudy Garcia-Tolson, a five-time Paralympic medalist, visited Buckingham Elementary last week. He shared his journey and messages of resilience and self-belief with students. The visit, hosted by Bend-La Pine Schools, allowed Garcia-Tolson to discuss his experiences growing up with a disability and becoming a world-class athlete. He spoke about determination
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Drew Whyte has been named the new deputy chief of prevention and fire marshal for Bend Fire & Rescue. He started his new assignment in February, bringing 29 years of fire service experience to the department. He will lead the Fire Prevention Division and oversee community risk reduction efforts for the
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Local first responders from Jefferson County participated in the inaugural ‘Chilly Swim for Kids’ on April 18th. The event, held at Lake Simtustus, raised money and tangible goods for the KIDS Center, a non-profit organization. It was a polar bear plunge-type event, where participants dove into the chilly waters. The
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild released a rehabilitated bald eagle today in a field north of Prineville. Local farmers discovered the injured bald eagle hopping and walking in the area, prompting them to contact Think Wild for assistance. The wildlife rescue organization identified the bird’s chest injury, and it spent a month in their
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, Harper, a 5-year-old from Bend, is trying to be the 2026 Jr. Ranger in a Ranger Rick Magazine competition. According to her mom, Harper has been a nature enthusiast her entire life and would be the perfect fit! If she wins, she could earn $20,000, enjoy an exclusive wildlife experience with
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