ODOT funding bill clears the House and now heads to the Senate for a vote – here’s what local leaders are saying

KTVZ on September 1, 2025

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A funding package for the Oregon Department of Transportation passed the Oregon House of Representatives on Monday and now heads to the State Senate for a vote.

Oregon House Bill 3991, is a comprehensive transportation funding measure, introduced in the 2025 special session, that proposes to increase gasoline taxes, raise vehicle registration and titling fees, and double a payroll tax used for public transit. It also requires electric vehicle owners to pay new annual fees and makes other changes to transportation-related fees and taxes to fund road maintenance and operations. 

The package is part of a broader effort to modernize Oregon’s transportation funding system.

Public written testimony leaned heavily against the proposal. Through the Oregon Legislature’s website, more than 1,000 written comments were submitted, with over 940, opposed. Only about 2–3% of written testimony supported the bill.

Despite the pushback, some local leaders voiced support, including Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler.

According to the letter below, Kebler supports the bill, seeing it as an urgent but temporary fix to protect city funding, transit, and road safety.

Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair told KTVZ News Sunday evening, she testified virtually earlier in the day to oppose the bill.

She acknowledged the importance of keeping roads like Government Camp and Santiam Pass accessible in the winter, but said she doesn’t believe raising the gas tax and other fees, which would be passed down to Oregonians, is the right move for Oregon. She added that this is the 4th highest taxed state in the nation.

“Government Camp and Santiam Pass must be accessible this winter,” Adair said.

Though members expressed concerns about the financial impact on Oregonians, ultimately the committee voted 7–5 to pass HB 3991.

Among the amendments added to HB 3991, include: 

The Act increases and adds taxes related to roads, cars, trucks, and buses, and says how revenue must be used.  

The Act would make the per-mile road usage charge mandatory over time.  

The Act would let a person pay a yearly fee instead of the per-mile road usage charge.  

The Act tells the Division of Audits to do performance audits of ODOT.  

Directs the Division of Audits to conduct performance audits of the Department of Transportation (ODOT).  

Alters the duties of the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Continuous Improvement Advisory Committee.  

Provides that the Governor shall appoint the Director of Transportation.  

Increases and adds transportation-related fees and taxes. 

Provides uses of revenues.  

Imposes a mandatory per-mile road usage charge for electric and hybrid vehicles.  

Allows an annual fee in lieu of the mandatory per-mile road usage charge.  

Repeals the mandatory toll program.  

Provides for diesel fuel to be taxed in the same manner as gasoline.  

Revises the formula for weight-mile taxes.  

Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment. 

Lawmakers emphasized they will continue to explore ways to reduce the burden on households as the bill advances.

Following the committee’s approval on Sunday, the amended transportation funding package (HB 3991) is scheduled for a vote by the full Oregon House of Representatives on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gas prices expected to drop as fall approaches

KMIZ on September 1, 2025

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Filling up your tank may not sting as much as it did a few years ago. As travelers hit the road for the holiday weekend, Missouri is standing out as one of the states with the lowest gas prices in the country.

Jeff Pawlow, stopped in Columbia for a gas break as he continued his travel to Illinois. Pawlow said he prefers to fill up in Missouri.

“Taxes are much higher in Illinois, so we love gassing up in Missouri, definitely cheaper in the Show-Me State,” Pawlow said.

Gas prices in Missouri have fluctuated over the years. According to GasBuddy, the state’s highest average price was $4.72 per gallon in June 2022. The lowest came during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, when gas sat at just $1.36.

“Yeah, that was nice. I don’t know if we’ll ever see prices that low again,” driver Pawlow said.

Within Mid-Missouri, Chariton, Randolph, and Boone counties have the highest prices, averaging in the $2.90s. Meanwhile, Moniteau, Morgan, and Cole counties hover around the state average in the $2.80s.

Drivers in Jefferson City have seen prices drop about 35 cents from this time compared to last year, while Columbia has experienced a smaller decrease of 21 cents.

Nikuze Yvan, another driver, said the small change makes a difference.

“Based on the budget, sometimes you have to think about gas. My car doesn’t take much, but if I want to travel and prices go down, that’s always a good thing,” Yvan said.

Summer gas prices have held steady and are expected to trend downward as we move into the fall season. According to AAA, gas has been hovering around the $2.80 mark for the past month. That’s about 15 cents cheaper than this time last year.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, retail gas prices nationwide are trending lower as Labor Day approaches. Crude oil, which makes up more than half of what determines gas prices, averaged $67 per barrel this month, about $15 lower than August of last year.

The EIA attributes the lower costs to the seasonal switch to the winter fuel blend, which is cheaper to produce.

Officials said gas prices could drop another 35 cents per gallon by December.

Click here to follow the original article.

CBI investigating officer involved shooting in Cañon City

KRDO on September 1, 2025

Michael Logerwell

CAÑON CITY, Colo. (KRDO) – Friday evening, during a stand-off with a barricaded suspect, a Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy fired a shot, hitting the barricaded man and triggering an investigation into the deputy’s use of force.

According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the incident began as a welfare check, but escalated. CBI says the 27-year-old who was barricaded inside a home on Chestnut St in Cañon City was armed.

During the encounter, a deputy fired a shot, hitting the 27-year-old, causing him non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The deputy who fired the shot was also transported to a local hospital, but not because he was struck by gunfire. Rather, CBI said he went to the hospital after “experiencing a medical event.”

Immediately following the stand-off, CBI agents say they located what appeared to be several explosive devices in the residence. The Pueblo Metro Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined that the devices, consisting of four plastic and one metal item, were inert. Which means that the devices resembled explosives, but did not contain any explosive material.

The 27-year-old is expected to be taken into custody once he is released from the hospital on charges that include 1st Degree Assault, Menacing, and Prohibited Use of a Weapon. His identity has not been released.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Click here to follow the original article.

Central Oregon food trucks impacted by poor air quality during Labor Day weekend

KTVZ on September 1, 2025

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This Labor Day weekend, smoky skies and air quality advisories in Central Oregon haven’t just been keeping people out of parks and trails  — they’re also keeping customers away from food trucks. 

Summer is typically the busiest time of year for Central Oregon food trucks, especially during holidays. But many vendors say as soon as the air quality takes a turn, so does their business. 

Stephan Lavigne, co-owner of On A Wing & A Crepe, spoke with KTVZ about the impacts on his business.

“It’s tough out here in the summertime. It’s the only time that the food trucks can really make that money. And sometimes it’s just like the smoke comes in, nobody wants to come in,” said Lavigne. 

Food truck businesses especially heavily rely on customers ordering take-out or delivery when air quality is poor. 

“We are lucky we get DoorDash orders, so that does help for people that want to stay home,” said Lavigne. 

While owners understand the health risks and want customers to take care of themselves first, times of poor air quality hit their businesses hard. 

“All food trucks need help all the time. I feel like we all just mom and pop businesses just trying to make a living, you know, pay the high rent in Bend, and enjoy a life out here as people do,” said Lavigne.

Click here to follow the original article.

Firefighters contain fire in Indio business

KESQ on September 1, 2025

Athena Jreij

INDIO, Calif (KESQ) — Firefighters worked to contain a fire in the 43000 block of Jackson Street in Indio Sunday afternoon.

Officials say the fire broke out at 2:36 p.m. in the rear of a business. The fire was contained shortly after 3 p.m. with no injuries.

An unplanned power outage was also reported near the area of the fire around 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, affecting more than 1,000 customers.

As of the latest update, 877 customers have had their power restored while 199 are still out. The restoration time for all customers is unknown.

Stick with News Channel 3 as we continue to follow this story.

Click here to follow the original article.