Central Oregon Archives

‘A new challenge’: Downtown Bend restaurant Joolz shuts down dining but keeps business going

July 19, 2022 11:52 am KTVZ

The owner of the Middle Eastern, Lebanese- influenced restaurant, Joolz, on Wall Street in downtown Bend said after changes brought on by…

Smith Rock climber injured in 90-foot fall, prompts challenging rope rescue up 110-foot cliff

July 18, 2022 9:48 pm KTVZ News Partners

A Smith Rock climber injured in a long fall was lifted from the bottom of a 110-foot cliff Monday night in a challenging, five-hour technical rope…

‘We continue to struggle’: St. Charles Health System taking steps to recover from major losses

July 18, 2022 6:53 pm KTVZ

“We are not able to meet the increase in costs in the health care industry right now with a requisite increase in revenue,” St. Charles Health System…

Deschutes County adopts $408 million budget, up 6.5%; numerous road, other projects outlined

July 18, 2022 4:08 pm KTVZ - News Team

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has adopted the county’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget, including a wide range of programs and projects,…

Authorities shoot, kill cougar in DRW; 2 residents cited after firing several shots at ‘aggressive’ animal

July 17, 2022 11:37 pm Barney Lerten

Authorities shot and killed a cougar near a Deschutes River Woods home Sunday night, hours after two men fired several shots at the animal they said…

25-acre brush fire stopped north of Madras; Highway 26 reopens

July 17, 2022 7:55 pm Barney Lerten

Firefighters tackled a brush fire that broke out Sunday evening about seven miles north of Madras, burning about 25 acres and prompting closure of…

Hot week headed our way

July 17, 2022 6:37 pm KTVZ

Happy Sunday, Central Oregon! As always, I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the weather we’ve been having. We’ve seen mostly clear skies over…

Three people killed, seven seriously injured in 3-vehicle crash on Highway 97 south of Chemult

July 16, 2022 5:56 pm KTVZ News Partners

Three people were killed and seven others seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 97 south of Chemult late Saturday afternoon,…

St. Charles Health System lays off, scraps 2 upper-level positions amid financial, staffing, ‘max capacity’ challenges

July 16, 2022 9:05 pm Barney Lerten

Three days after Joe Sluka resigned as St. Charles Health System president and CEO, the organization announced it has laid off and eliminated two…

High Desert Garden Tour showcases lush greenery and flowers for people to enjoy

July 16, 2022 6:25 pm KTVZ

The 27th Annual High Desert Garden Tour started early Saturday morning. Many people came out to take videos and photos of the colorful greenery.…

Sunriver Nature Center welcomes two baby trumpeter swans

July 16, 2022 6:24 pm KTVZ

The Sunriver Nature Center has just welcomed two baby trumpeter swans. Valentina has been at the center for a year and a half now and is partnered…

Dozens turn out for grand opening of Sunriver scuba diving store

July 16, 2022 6:22 pm KTVZ

A new scuba diving store in Sunriver, the Den Dive Shop had its grand opening Saturday afternoon. The owner, Zack Smith, told NewsChannel 21 he came…

Investigators find High Desert Middle School staff let visitors past locked door for years

July 15, 2022 11:54 am KTVZ

High Desert Middle School officials violated school district policy by allowing a man who turned out to be a wanted, registered sex offender past…

‘I think it’s great’: Redmond Park and Rec plans to send $49 million recreation center to voters in November

July 15, 2022 11:35 am KTVZ

Like much of the High Desert, Redmond continues to grow. To accommodate that growth, a proposal is headed for the fall ballot to fund a major new…

Drug agents say Bend fentanyl trafficker tossed bag of drugs from car when stopped, arrested N. of Terrebonne

July 15, 2022 4:20 pm Barney Lerten

A Bend man, an alleged trafficker in fentanyl pills, threw a bag of drugs out the car window as he was pulled over on Highway 97 north of Terrebonne…

Central Oregon public land agencies boost fire danger rating to ‘high’ as temperatures warm, fuels dry out

July 15, 2022 1:30 pm KTVZ News Partners

The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management on Friday increased the…