Month: June 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mid Oregon Credit Union has once again been recognized as the #1 Credit Union in Oregon, earning this honor for the third straight year on the esteemed Forbes 2025 list of America’s Best Credit Unions in Each State.

This accolade, awarded in partnership with market research firm Statista, highlights Mid Oregon’s commitment to outstanding member service and community engagement.  

“I am so proud of our Mid Oregon team for being Oregon’s Top Credit Union for the third straight year, and so appreciative of our members for taking the time to recognize our employees for the exceptional service they provide,” said Kevin Cole, President, and CEO of Mid Oregon. “When people join Mid Oregon, they make an investment of trust in us. We are committed to doing everything we can to be worthy of that trust and to helping Central Oregon communities thrive.” 

Mid Oregon’s success can be attributed to several key highlights, including: 

World-Class Member Satisfaction: Consistently achieving high scores that reflect a positive member experience and loyalty. 

Competitive Rates: Offering attractive rates on savings accounts, diverse loan products, and mortgages, providing significant value to members. 

Tailored Business Solutions: Delivering specialized financial tools and services designed to support the unique needs of local businesses. 

Robust Community Outreach & Financial Education: Actively participating in and supporting Central Oregon communities through impactful programs and financial literacy initiatives. 

Industry-Leading Digital Banking: Providing innovative and convenient digital tools that ensure seamless and modern financial management for members. 

The selection process involved surveys from approximately 26,000 U.S. residents, who rated their financial institutions based on factors such as customer service, fees, digital offerings, financial advice provided by representatives, and the level of trust inspired by the organization. The final rankings were determined based on 80% of survey responses and 20% of online reviews. Online-only banks and credit unions were excluded, as well as larger institutions with branches in 15 or more states. 

The complete list of Forbes Best-In-State Credit Unions is available online at https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-credit-unions/.  

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. 

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning on Friday, June 20, the popular USDA Forest Service Annual Northwest Forest Pass will be available for online purchase at www.recreation.gov.

“In a desire to be responsive to interest and input from the public, an Annual Northwest Forest can now be purchased online as we expand pass options for recreation users. Many users have been requesting digital passes for years, and we are pleased to make it happen,” said Tracy Calizon, Assistant Director of Recreation, Lands, and Minerals.

The Northwest Forest Pass allows visitors to access day-use recreation fee sites and facilities at all Forest Service-operated recreation sites across Oregon and Washington. 

The Annual Northwest Forest Pass costs $30, with no additional fee for purchases made online. The digital pass is available at www.recreation.gov by visiting a specific National Forest’s profile and then selecting “Activities & Experiences.” Like the hard-copy version, a digital pass is valid at all Forest Service-operated sites in Oregon and Washington. The digital pass must be printed, signed, and displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard. Please remember that recreation passes are non-refundable.

Hard-copy passes can still be purchased in person at a Forest Service office or local vendor. You may also order hard-copy passes online at Discover Your Northwest or the US Geological Survey Store. 

Additional information about the Northwest Forest Pass is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/passes. 

The Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region offers places for hiking, biking, skiing, nature viewing, scenic drives, and for gathering forest products such as mushrooms, firewood, and Christmas trees. Many of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are free. However, some do require fees or permits to help maintain, manage and improve your national forests and grasslands. Requirements may vary. 

Each year on designated Fee-Free Days the Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. Upcoming 2025 Fee Free dates include: National Get Outdoors Day: June 14, 2025, Juneteenth: June 19, 2025, National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025, and Veterans Day: November 11, 2025.

For more information about the USDA Forest Service visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond is currently working to update two critical infrastructure master plans, the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan (CSMP) and the Transportation System Plan (TSP). 

These Master Plans help assess how City infrastructure is performing and identify current and future improvements. An integral part of these updates is public involvement and feedback.  Both plans are available for review online at www.redmondoregon.gov/master-plans.

The City’s current CSMP was adopted in 2007.  As part of the proposed CSMP update, growth assumptions and flow monitoring have been updated to plan for the wastewater infrastructure needed to serve the community’s forecasted growth. 

To facilitate ongoing and anticipated levels of significant job growth on the eastside of the city, additional transportation facilities will be needed over the next 20 years to maintain a system that is safe, reliable and that provides access to the Redmond Municipal Airport and other critical service areas that are part of the State’s Resiliency Plan.

The amendments to Redmond’s TSP, adopted in 2020, modifies employment distribution in the designated Large Lot Industrial lands south of the Fairgrounds, updates Alternate Mobility Targets along South Highway 97, and aligns project lists with these new assumptions.  The City is and will continue to partner with Deschutes County and ODOT to evaluate how the transportation capacity needs can be met over the long term.

Public hearings for the CSMP and TSP amendments are tentatively scheduled for July 9 with the Redmond Planning Commission and then the Redmond City Council on July 22. For more information or submit comments, contact Planning Director Kyle Roberts at kyle.roberts@redmondoregon.gov or 541-923-7758.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the Alder Springs Fire blazes on in Central Oregon, its smoke is starting to affect our air quality.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality works with the Oregon Health Authority, along with other local agencies, to review fire behavior and determine its effects on air quality.

KTVZ News spoke with the DEQ on Tuesday about the Alder Springs fire, as well as how you can minimize the impact smoke has on your health.

Jennifer Horton, air quality coordinator for the DEQ, told KTVZ regarding the Alder Springs Fire, “It looks like that smoke is staying more local to the fire, at this point. We’re continuing to monitor that situation, and make sure that if there are going to be communities impacted by smoke, that we’re prepared to send that message out.”

The air quality index (AQI) is measured by particulate matter (PM). The number that follows ‘PM’ is a particle’s width in micrometers. PM 2.5 — about the size of a human hair — is considered the most dangerous as it can be inhaled deeply into lungs and into the bloodstream. That is the most concerning particle size for negative health effects, and it’s the component in smoke.

Many parts of Central Oregon have unique geography that can affect how smoke travels in certain areas.

“There are some river valleys in Central Oregon. As temperatures cool overnight, a lot of times smoke is pulled back down those river drainages towards communities,” said Horton.

If you are noticing smoke during the day, be sure to keep windows and doors closed at night, to lessen the impact.

Running your air conditioner will help filter the air within your home. Filters with a Merv rating 13 or higher will catch smoke particles, but ensure that your system can handle the strain first. If you do not have an air conditioner, the DEQ recommends air purifiers or creating your own filtration device with a box fan and filters.

The most beneficial thing you can do to protect yourself is to stay informed. KTVZ News Weather App is available free on the Google Play Store and Apple Store. It is consistently updated with fire and air quality alerts.

You can also check Central Oregon Fire’s website or Oregon’s AirNow. We also have an E::Space air quality map on the KTVZ.COM Weather page.

Limiting outdoor activities, especially strenuous, is also key. If you need to be outside, try to time your exposure to the lowest AQI level.

Chris Varley, a public information officer for DEQ, told KTVZ News, “Things can change really quickly. The air quality monitoring we have set up is designed to provide near-real-time information to Oregon residents. Paying attention to it helps you figure out a good time to maybe take the dog for a walk, or not.”

DEQ stresses how seriously they take their air quality ratings and alerts, especially during fire season.

Varley said, “It’s so much coordination work because air quality advisories often trigger different actions by our local partners. We want to make sure that they’re out and starting that process. We give residents the most information we can, so they can limit their exposure. The dog is going to need to go out for a walk, but there might be a better time to do that.”

For high-risk groups such as the elderly, very young, outdoor workers, or those with a pre-existing condition, keeping track of the AQI is even more critical. For those who require medication, ensure you have it refilled and on hand.

No matter your risk level, if you believe you are experiencing symptoms due to smoke, immediately contact your health care provider.

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