Month: May 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District is inviting community members to join its Natural Resources and Trails team and participate in any of a half-dozen upcoming volunteer project days, from May to October.

Volunteers are needed to pull weeds, remove trash, close off unofficial trails, and plant native vegetation at several volunteer projects scheduled throughout the summer.

The first event is this Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon on the Manzanita Trail that connects Discovery Park to Shevlin Park. Activities include litter pick up, raking, weed pulling, moving smaller rocks and sticks.

Tools and materials will be provided by BPRD; however, participants are encouraged to bring work or garden gloves, closed-toe shoes, refillable water bottle, sunscreen and clothes appropriate for the weather that day.

This opportunity is best for adults and children aged 14 and older. Advanced sign up is strongly encouraged.

Other upcoming volunteer events include:

Saturday, June 7 – Trail Improvement Project at Shevlin Park9:00 am – noonIn honor of National Trails Day. Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to trim back overgrown vegetation along the edge of the trail corridor to improve passage. Projects will be on multiple trails throughout the park on both flat and uneven terrain.

Saturday, June 28– Weed Pull at Drake Park, trail and boardwalk 8:00 – 11:00 amIn partnership with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and Deschutes River Cleanup event. Volunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand pull thistles and remove other noxious weeds growing along the new boardwalk and trail area in Drake Park. Adult volunteers with kayaks or canoes may be able to help with removing weeds growing next to the river.

Saturday, July 19 – Weed Pull at Big Sky Park8:00 – 11:00 amVolunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand-pull noxious weeds.

Saturday, August 16 – Weed Pull at Discovery Park West, natural area8:00 – 11:00 amVolunteers will work with BPRD staff to hand-pull noxious weeds.

Saturday, October 18 – Pollinator Planting at Alpenglow Park9:00 am – 12:00 pmHelp plant native vegetation that will support area pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and moths.

Important information about volunteering with these projects is available on the SignUp Genius event webpage.

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices are rising in Central Oregon, across the state and in other West Coast states after a fire last week at a refinery in Benicia, California in the Bay Area, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.

Here’s their full weekly report:

The Valero refinery produces 145,000 barrels per day. Any kind of disruption to a refinery or pipeline on the West Coast tends to send prices higher across the region due to reduced supplies.

Meanwhile, gas prices are showing smaller changes in most other states, but prices could climb due to Memorial Day travel. AAA projects record travel for the holiday weekend, with most going by car.

For the week, the national average for regular holds steady at $3.16 a gallon. The Oregon average gains three cents, to $3.93 a gallon, while the Bend average rose 3.5 cents, to nearly $3.83 a gallon – a dime below the statewide average.

The fire broke out at Valero’s refinery in Benicia, California on May 5. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation. The fire caused shelter in place orders for surrounding areas due to smoke from the fire.

The increase in West Coast prices comes ahead of the Memorial Day travel weekend. AAA projects record travel for the holiday, with 45.1 million Americans, including 617,000 Oregonians traveling 50 miles or more from home. That’s an increase of 1.4 million travelers (3.1%) over 2024 and surpasses the previous record of 44 million travelers in 2005.

Find all the details, graphics, top destinations, best and worst times to drive, and advice for travelers in the AAA Memorial Day travel news release.

“Crude oil prices have jumped since last week, as markets digest news that the U.S. and China are easing tariffs. Higher crude prices and greater demand for gas over the Memorial Day holiday weekend could put upward pressure on pump prices,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

The Oregon average began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.93. The highest price of the year so far is $4.01 on April 5. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on January 2.  

The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.16. The highest price of the year so far is $3.27 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.06 on January 5.

This week eight Oregon counties have averages at or above $4, up from five a week ago.

Clackamas $4.02

Columbia $4.06

Harney $4.14

Jackson $4.05

Josephine $4.05

Lake $4.11

Multnomah $4.11

Washington $4.07

Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures. The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend until June 1. Switch-over dates are earlier in California with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.

Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in this country declined from 13.47 to 13.37 million barrels per day for the week ending May 2. The record high is 13.63 million barrels per day for the week of December 6. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.

The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) had been mostly in the upper $60s to mid-$70s since last September, but crude prices dropped in early April as markets reacted to President Trumps tariffs and the impact on U.S. and global markets. Additional downward pressure on crude prices came after the decision by OPEC+ to increase production. The lowest closing price since September was $57.13 on May 5, which was the lowest closing price since February 2021. The recent high price for crude was $80.04 per barrel on January 15, which was the highest price since last August.

Crude oil is trading around $63 today compared to $59 a week ago and $79 a year ago. In 2024, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.

Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, concerns remain that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But now the cartel is boosting production again, by 411,000 barrels in May and the same amount in June.

Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 54% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 14% is refining, 16% distribution and marketing, and 17% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. decreased from 9.10 b/d last week to 8.71 for the week ending May 2, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This compares to 8.80 million b/d a year ago. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline supply slightly increased from 225.5 million barrels to 225.7. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day, compared to 9.5 million barrels daily the previous week.

Pump prices are poised to rise ahead of Memorial Day travel due to higher crude oil prices and increased demand for gasoline.

Quick stats

Oregon is one of 13 states with higher prices now than a week ago. Nevada (+15 cents) and California (+13 cents) have the biggest week-over-week jumps in the nation. Indiana (-11 cents) has the largest week-over-week decline. The averages in Rhode Island, Kansas and Connecticut are flat.

California ($4.92) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the 13th week in a row. Hawaii ($4.50) is second, and Washington ($4.30) is third. These are the three states in the country with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week 22 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 25 states with an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Mississippi ($2.64) and Louisiana ($2.70). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.

The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.28 this week, compared to $2.14 a week ago.

Oregon is one of 35 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is three cents less and the Oregon average is six cents less than a month ago. Minnesota (-22 cents) has the largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Colorado (+10 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 46 cents less and the Oregon average is 49 cents less than a year ago. Alaska (-79 cents) has the largest yearly drop. Colorado (-7 cents) has the smallest.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with all seven  states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.

Rank
Region
Price on 5/13/2025

1
California
$4.92

2
Hawaii
$4.50

3
Washington
$4.30

4
Nevada
$3.96

5
Oregon
$3.93

6
Alaska
$3.60

7
Illinois
$3.40

8
Arizona
$3.31

9
Utah
$3.30

10
Idaho
$3.29

As mentioned above, California has the most expensive gas in the country for the 13th week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Alaska round out the top six. Arizona is 8th. Oregon slips to fifth most expensive after four weeks at fourth.

Six of the seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week increases, and Nevada and California have the largest weekly jumps in the country due to the refinery fire in the Bay Area: Nevada (+15 cents), California (+13 cents), Washington (+4 cents), Oregon (+3 cents), Arizona (+2 cents), and

Hawaii (+1 cent). Alaska (-1 cent) is the only state in the region with a week-over-week decline.

The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast edged up from 76.0% to 76.3% for the week ending May 2. This rate has ranged between about 72% to 92% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate ticked up from 88.7% to 89.0%.

The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased from 26.10 million bbl. to 26.67 million bbl. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.

Oil market dynamics

Crude oil prices rose Monday and today, adding to increases last week, after a 90-day pause in tariffs between the U.S. and China. Crude prices had plunged on concerns that tariffs could lead to a global economic downturn.

Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2 million barrels from the previous week. At 438.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI jumped $1.11 to settle at $61.02. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI added 93 cents to settle at $61.95. Today crude is trading around $64 compared to $59 a week ago. Crude prices are about $15 less than a year ago. ($79.12 on May 13, 2024)

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Target Team (CATT) participated in the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign last month, stopping dozens of drivers for distracted driving or other issues that led to dozens of warnings, citations and a few arrests.

During the month of April, members of CATT focused specifically on distracted driving, though they did stop motorists for other violations, Lieutenant Chris Erhardt said. As a result, CATT members stopped 93 motorists, resulting in 63 warnings, 33 citations and four arrests.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office urges motorists to put the phone away and focus on the roadway. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on the five fatal behaviors that cause crashes: lane safety, occupant safety, distracted driving, speed, and impaired driving. 

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Barney Lerten

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KTVZ) — SELCO Community Credit Union has awarded $77,500 in scholarships to 21 students throughout Oregon, including $7,000 to two students in Bend, as part of its annual scholarship program.

The recipients were chosen from a competitive field and a record number of applications, breaking last year’s record that followed the decision to broaden eligibility to include vocational, continuing, and nontraditional students.  

SELCO awarded 20 scholarships worth $3,500 each to students throughout the state. In addition, SELCO awarded Madison Chimenti of Eugene the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship—given to a Lane County student who demonstrates excellence in education, leadership, or civic responsibility despite adversity or lack of opportunity.  

SELCO’s scholarship program received a significant overhaul as part of the SELCO Steps Up philanthropy initiative launched in 2024, which expanded scholarship eligibility while increasing the total amount awarded by nearly 50%. 

One of the key goals for SELCO Steps Up is to evolve its programs to meet the community’s changing needs, including a shifting academic landscape. Trade school enrollment surged 4.9% nationwide from 2020 to 2023, while university enrollment slipped 0.6% over the same period, according to a recently released report by Validated Insights, a higher education marketing firm. SELCO’s scholarship program—once limited to high school seniors headed to a two- or four-year college—better reflects this shifting academic landscape. 

“It’s clear that today’s students are thinking differently about their futures, and these scholarships are evolving with them,” said Craig Carpenter, SELCO’s Senior Vice President of Lending & Business Banking. “The Selection Panel had a tough job narrowing down such a strong and diverse group. We’re proud to support students taking bold steps toward bright futures.” 

To qualify, applicants must be a SELCO member or the immediate family of a SELCO member. Applicants must also have a GED or cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or a 3.0 GPA in their last college term) and plan to attend a vocational school or an accredited two- or four-year college/university. 

The 2025 SELCO Scholarship recipients from Central Oregon are: 

$3,500 SELCO Scholarships 

 Name 
City 
County 
School to attend 

Taylor Brickey 
Bend 
Deschutes 
University of Washington 

Allie McIntosh 
Bend 
Deschutes 
Grand Canyon University 

SELCO started its scholarship program in 1991 as an important component of its mission to help members reach their financial and educational goals. In the past five years alone, SELCO has awarded more than $300,000 through this program. And unlike many scholarships, these funds can be used for educational expenses beyond tuition. 

Each recipient will be invited to attend a ceremony at SELCO headquarters in Springfield on Thursday, May 22. For more on the recipients, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/scholarships/2025-recipients/. 

About SELCO Steps Up: 

The SELCO Steps Up program aims to create positive, innovative, lasting change through volunteerism, resource support, and collaboration with community partners. In 2024, the first year of SELCO Steps Up, SELCO volunteered nearly 1,400 hours and reinvested nearly $415,000 in the communities it serves through educator grants, scholarships, and impact-driven sponsorships. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a focus on removing barriers to financial literacy. By empowering individuals and families to achieve financial well-being, SELCO strives to build a strong foundation for all its members and neighbors. Learn more at www.selco.org/steps-up. 

About SELCO Community Credit Union: 

Founded nearly 90 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.8 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mid Oregon Credit Union is celebrating the success of its Spring 2025 fundraiser, which generated over $3,750 to support literacy efforts in Central Oregon. One hundred percent of the funds raised will directly benefit the six local communities where the donations were collected. 

From April 7-25, Mid Oregon members and the wider community showed their generosity by making donations at credit union branches, online at midoregon.com, and over the phone.  

Adding a personal touch to their giving, many donors wrote messages on cut-out books, sharing cherished book titles, favorite authors, inspiring quotes, and words of encouragement for young readers. 

Mid Oregon’s annual Free Shred event, held in partnership with Republic Services on Saturday, April 19, also played a significant role in the fundraising success.

This popular event not only provided valuable fraud and identity theft protection to over 250 participants but also collected $1,193 in SMART Reading donations. An impressive 6,600 pounds of documents were securely shredded across Bend, Madras, Prineville, and Redmond. 

The funds raised are specifically allocated to support literacy initiatives within each of the six communities where they originated: $629 for the Bend community, $1,092 for the La Pine community, $144 for the Madras community, $415 for the Prineville community, $463 for the Redmond community, and $1,015 for the Sisters community.  

SMART Reading provides children with two essential elements for literacy success: dedicated one-on-one reading time and access to books. Through their One-to-One SMART program, volunteers model the joy of reading and support children’s independent reading efforts during shared reading experiences.

Participating students also get to choose two books each month to build their home libraries and encourage continued reading with their families. With over 60% of Oregon third-graders currently not meeting reading benchmarks, this is a critical time for improving literacy rates.  

“Mid Oregon members and SMART Reading committed to make an impact to improve literacy in Central Oregon’s communities,” stated Kyle Frick, SVP of Marketing and Community Relations at Mid Oregon. “We are consistently impressed by the generosity of our members in support of these valuable community initiatives.”  

Jennifer Zardinejad, Central and Northeast Area Director of SMART Reading, added, “We’re so grateful to Mid Oregon, their members, and the community for contributing to SMART Reading’s work in Central Oregon. Amazing things are possible when the community comes together to ensure kids have the books and reading support they need to thrive!”  

Mid Oregon Credit Union is a full-service, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in and serving Central Oregonians since 1957. With over 50,000 members in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Lake, and North Klamath Counties and close to $779 million in assets, Mid Oregon partners with members to meet their financial needs and to help them achieve their dreams. Mid Oregon was named a Top Workplace in Oregon and Southwest Washington for 2022, 2023, and 2024. It was also ranked the #1 credit union in Oregon by Forbes for 2023 and 2024 and received the Bend Bulletin’s Best of the Best of Bend Community Choice Award in the credit union category for 2023 and 2024. For more information about its services and branch locations in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, and Sisters, please visit midoregon.com. 

SMART READING SMART Reading is a children’s literacy nonprofit that serves kids in Oregon’s highest need schools with two ingredients critical for literacy and learning success: one-on-one reading time and access to books. SMART Reading mobilizes volunteers to read with PreK through third-grade children, building confidence, literacy skills and a love of reading. SMART Reading provides a meaningful way for Oregonians to make a direct impact in their communities.  Since 1992, SMART Reading has steadily grown to become Oregon’s largest volunteer literacy program. Kids in the program receive 14 new books throughout the school year to keep and read with their families.  To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit smartreading.org or call 877-598-4633  

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