Central Oregon Archives

Fungi Fest returns to Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory: Visitors learn about, check out many mushroom varieties

October 12, 2024 11:55 AM Kelsey McGee

(Update: Adding video, comments from Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory) SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dozens of people turned out early Saturday…

‘It reaffirms why we’re doing this’: Hundreds gather at Drake Park to support local bid to buy Mt. Bachelor

October 12, 2024 10:39 PM Kelsey McGee

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Earlier this year, POWDR announced its intent to sell Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Now, a local duo is leading an effort for…

Hundreds of firefighters are still working to contain several wildfires burning around Central Oregon, state

October 12, 2024 3:09 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Halloween is less than three weeks away, and there are still hundreds of firefighters working to finish containment of…

Merkley, Wyden announce funding for sagebrush restoration projects, including juniper removal in Deschutes, Harney counties

October 11, 2024 10:07 PM KTVZ news sources

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Friday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a total of $679,690 to five…

Wyden addresses hemp beverage industry summit in Bend, calls for standardized consumer protections

October 11, 2024 9:08 PM Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Senator Ron Wyden gave a keynote address Friday at the Pacific Hemp Beverage Industry Summit at Worthy Brewing, talking…

City of Bend considers allowing limited debris, vegetation burning in hard-to-reach areas

October 11, 2024 8:33 PM Barney Lerten

For more than a decade, the city of Bend has banned open burning of yard debris, also known as backyard burning, within the city limits. But…

21st annual Bend Film Festival celebrates independent cinema; we talk to filmmakers

October 11, 2024 11:55 AM Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments from director and cinematographer) Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Bend Film Festival is back for its 21st edition,…

Two former employees of Saving Grace say they were denied the very services the organization provides

October 11, 2024 5:58 PM Isabella Warren

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Monica and Michelle are former employees at Saving Grace, the only nonprofit in Central Oregon providing resources for…

City of Bend and Deschutes County fleshing out plans for Juniper Ridge homeless ‘Temporary Safe Stay Area’

October 11, 2024 4:59 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County commissioners will hold a public hearing next Wednesday and consider alternative draft resolutions to assist…

Hillsboro man drowns at Little Cultus Lake after falling out of fishing boat; father-in-law makes it to shore

October 11, 2024 3:19 PM Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Hillsboro man on a camping and fishing trip with his father-in-law at Little Cultus Lake drowned earlier this week after…

Volunteers sought for annual fish rescue at Lava Island on Deschutes River – but it may not be needed in a few years

October 11, 2024 2:23 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual Lava Island Fish Rescue will kick off next Friday, October 18, and volunteers are urgently needed to assist in this…

OSP Fish & Wildlife seeks tips from public in illegal waste of cow elk on Ochoco Wildlife Management Unit

October 11, 2024 1:56 PM KTVZ news sources

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division said Friday it is investigating the unlawful take and waste of a cow…

Oregon DEQ extends air quality advisory for Deschutes, other counties due to wildfire smoke

October 11, 2024 11:59 AM KTVZ news sources

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality extended an air quality advisory Friday due to smoke from fires in Oregon and…

Deschutes County commissioners to review appointment options after La Pine Park & Rec Board’s resignation

October 10, 2024 11:18 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following Wednesday’s resignation of all five members of the La Pine Parks & Recreation District Board, the Deschutes County…

A matter of trust: Bynum, Chavez-DeRemer spar, clash and tangle on many issues in KTVZ’s final Decision 2024 debate

October 10, 2024 10:23 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., and Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum in the hotly contested, closely watched Fifth…

Deschutes National Forest expands emergency closure area around Little Lava Fire; cooler weather helping crews

October 10, 2024 4:43 PM KTVZ news sources

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Effective immediately, the Deschutes National Forest has updated and increased the temporary emergency fire closure area on…

A vaping device and flavored nicotine pod

Years-long battle over banning flavored nicotine products in Oregon continues, fight returns to Salem in 2025

October 10, 2024 11:55 AM Kelsey Merison

A statewide coalition aimed at permanently banning the sale of flavored nicotine and tobacco products says Oregonians overwhelmingly support its…

Long-term recovery is the key to HB 4002 ‘deflection’ success, Bend treatment center says

October 10, 2024 4:26 PM Isabella Warren

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– It’s still early days for House Bill 4002, which recriminalized drug possession in the state, as local governments and law…

Redmond Airport receives $10 million Connect Oregon grant for its major terminal expansion project

October 10, 2024 4:14 PM Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Transportation Commission at its Bend meeting on Thursday approved a $10 million Connect Oregon grant toward the…

Remains found north of La Pine identified as missing Oregon City man; foul play not suspected

October 10, 2024 2:51 PM KTVZ news sources

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Investigators have identified human remains found in a wooded area north of La Pine earlier this week as an Oregon City man…