Central Oregon Archives

False alarms: 9-1-1 tech ‘glitches’ led to a pair of untrue warnings of a fire at Bend’s new Costco

April 30, 2025 7:19 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon users of a popular website and smartphone app to track the latest fires, crashes and other emergencies were…

Deschutes Forest closure Homeless Law Center

Advocates worry of dangerous enforcement during Forest Service sweep of China Hat Road encampments

April 30, 2025 11:58 am KTVZ

On the eve of the Deschutes National Forest’s closure of nearly 36,000 acres south of Bend for fuels reduction work – and the deadline for over 100…

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook

Bend-La Pine Schools superintendent, others join in video deploring ‘real harm’ caused by federal cutbacks

April 30, 2025 1:20 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook joined six other Oregon superintendents in a video released Wednesday…

Mid Oregon Credit Union celebrates brand new headquarters in Bend’s Old Mill

April 29, 2025 11:14 pm Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday introduced Bend to Mid Oregon Credit Union’s latest branch. The new three-story building is…

‘Health Care For All Oregon’ hopes to bring the idea of universal health care to all Oregonians

April 29, 2025 10:56 pm Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon residents gathered in a pub Tuesday night to talk about something that seems impossible for the average American:…

Packing up: Vehicles towed as homeless rush to move from China Hat Road under Forest Service order

April 29, 2025 6:21 pm KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– After nearly five years, J. Smith is leaving China Hat Road. His van was towed away on Tuesday, in hopes of being repaired, as…

Federal judge rejects plea to cancel or delay Forest Service project; China Hat homeless must move

April 28, 2025 7:03 pm Barney Lerten

A federal judge in Eugene on Tuesday rejected a plea by homeless people living in the woods south of Bend to delay Thursday’s deadline to move out…

In Darlene 3’s wake, campfires banned on BLM lands in the La Pine area to curb danger of human-caused wildfires

April 29, 2025 5:52 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — “To enhance public safety and reduce the risk of wildfires,” the Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday it’s…

Allergy season hitting High Desert sufferers especially hard this year

April 29, 2025 5:25 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It’s a rough spring for Central Oregon allergy sufferers, and Dr. Ripdeep Mangat of Allergy and Asthma Care Center tells us he’s…

For a second time, Governor Kotek is seeking applicants to become the next Jefferson County district attorney

April 29, 2025 2:52 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Three months after her first announcement, Governor Tina Kotek said Tuesday she is accepting additional applications for the…

Think Wild treating second critically ill bald eagle, battling severe lead poisoning

April 29, 2025 1:32 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend wildlife hospital Think Wild said Tuesday it is now caring for two bald eagle patients, both in…

Bend resident’s bid to scare off rock chucks with a smoke bomb under the house sparked a fire instead

April 28, 2025 7:37 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend homeowner’s attempt to use a smoke bomb to drive rock chucks out from under his house didn’t go too well Wednesday…

Redmond fugitive charged in 2016 child abuse case caught, arrested in Oklahoma

April 28, 2025 1:28 pm Barney Lerten

A Redmond fugitive recently charged with attempted rape and sexual abuse of a young girl nearly a decade ago has been arrested in Oklahoma,…

The May 20 Special Election is coming up: Deschutes County details the voter deadlines and ballot timelines

April 28, 2025 12:14 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Elections officials are sharing important information for voters ahead of the Tuesday, May 20, Special District…

Heart of Oregon Corps marks Global Youth Service Day with projects in Redmond’s Dry Canyon

April 25, 2025 6:35 pm Claire Elmer

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Friday was the 37th Global Youth Service Day, and when it comes to hard-working young people in Central Oregon, no one does…

‘They’ve really upgraded this’: You can get yourself some gear at the first annual Bend Bike Fest

April 25, 2025 11:33 am Jillian Fortner

Volunteers were busy Friday at The Pavilion, preparing for the first-ever Bend Bike Fest, happening this…

Bend hotel offers 'tariff-free' discount to Canadian travelers

Bend hotel takes on trade tussle with ‘tariff-free’ discount for Canadian travelers

April 25, 2025 5:59 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Amid U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, Bend’s Campfire Hotel said Friday it’s offering a “tariff-free” enticement: a 20% discount…

Shifting Seasons: Wildfire activity and our warming world

April 25, 2025 12:46 am John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Last year was a record year for wildfires in Oregon, as 1.93 million acres were burned, surpassing the old record of 1.2 million…

Pacific Power plans a second 15-minute power outage late Thursday to 6,530 customers in NE Bend

April 25, 2025 10:30 am Barney Lerten

(Update: Second outage planned in same area) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pacific Power says it plans a 15-minute power interruption late Thursday night for…

It’s time to speak your MIND: USC’s ice bucket challenge makes waves in Central Oregon

April 25, 2025 12:18 am Dylan Anderman

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If you’ve opened social media recently, you’ve likely seen it — hundreds, even thousands of people dumping ice water over…