Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning Monday, August 4, the Sisters Ranger District Station will be temporarily closed for public and employee safety while construction of the new ranger station nears completion and staff relocate.

The closure may remain in place through Wednesday, August 27, depending on construction and office relocation schedules. The Deschutes National Forest will resume visitor services at the new Sisters Ranger District Station as soon as possible.

Once the new building is ready for occupancy, employees will need time to move into the new office and ensure they can safely support visitor services again prior to re-opening. Phone lines, internet, and computer systems will need to be installed and tested and permits and merchandise items will need to be transitioned and organized.

Forest Service visitor services will be temporarily unavailable in Sisters while the office is closed. The public can obtain day use and annual Northwest Forest passes by visiting a local vendor (see vendor map here) or purchasing online at Recreation.gov.

While visitor services are temporarily disrupted, the public can call or visit other nearby Forest Service offices on the Deschutes or Willamette national forests. Addresses and contact information for Deschutes National Forest offices can be found here: fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/offices and information about neighboring Willamette National Forest offices can be found here: fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/offices.

For more information about the upcoming office closure and transition, reach out to the Sisters Ranger District at (541) 549-7700.

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Tracee Tuesday

(Update: Adding video from day three at Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo)

REDMOND, Ore. [KTVZ] — The Deschutes County Fair in Redmond is celebrating 105 years. 

The fair, which is governed by Deschutes County, is who benefits from the profits of the fair. 

According to Geoff Hinds, director of the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, the annual fair’s economic impact is over $50 million each year.  

But how is that profit utilized?

Hinds said the profits are invested back into the facility. 

“Now over 25 years old and requires continued investment. Not only in buildings, but also in operating equipment like air conditioners, heaters, light switches, electrical operation, toilets, sewers. But also things as simple as the grass. Just like you have to take care of your grass at home. We have to take care of over 100 acres of grass. So, we have to generate a significant amount of income in order to expend it back on those. And then the other thing we’re able to do is provide some funding to non-profits, either through fee reduction or, for use of the facility or, sometimes we can find causes that are important where we can provide donations to, and we’re, we’re excited to do that this year. If it were to do with Folds of Honor and Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink: Bucking Cancer Together programs.” 

The fair is also an opportunity to highlight local businesses. 

Patrick Gordon, the owner of Hazard the World, said, “That really means a lot to us to have people come back, say hi, get to visit with them, and they come in and get more stuff from us, which we just are so humbled by, and people just are really supportive of our brand here in the Deschutes County. So, it means a lot to us to be here,” said

Each year, thousands come out to enjoy the festivities of the fair, but as Redmond City Councilman John Nielsen points out, it also poses challenges. 

Councilman Nielsen told KTVZ News:  

“As the fair has grown in popularity, our transportation infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. Redmond is actively investing in eastside roadway improvements to meet rising demand, but large-scale events like the fair highlight a critical gap: South Highway 97 is overburdened, and Redmond needs a southern interchange beyond Yew Avenue to support both major events and everyday travel.” 

From many, many months of planning the fair, the ultimate reward is the fairgoers. 

Bend resident Liesl McLendon said, “We live in Bend. This is our first time ever to the fair, because of Brothers Osborne. So the concert actually brought us out here.”

Liesl’s husband, Daniel, added: “We’re really excited to be here. That’s amazing. It’s going to be fun. We’re looking forward to all the things that the fair has to offer.” 

The Deschutes County Fair is open for five days, through Sunday.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the dates and times:  

Wednesday, July 30: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM 

Thursday, July 31: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM 

Friday, August 1: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM 

Saturday, August 2: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM 

Sunday, August 3: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM 

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A group of women came together to make a big difference for our local Meals on Wheels program. The group is called 100 Women Who Care. There are actually more than 100 of them. 4 times each year, each member puts up $100 into a collective fund. That fund is then given to a worthy charity. This week they managed to give more than $14,000 to Meals on Wheels. One of the members gave a heartfelt speech about why they should select that particular charity.

Christi Haynes from 100 Women Who Care told KTVZ News “These people, many of them are isolated, and the only people they see are the Meals on Wheels delivery person who brings them food and it lightens and brightens their day when someone who visits them continually comes.”

100 Women Who Care celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 2014, the group has raised more than $800,000 for Central Oregon nonprofits.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week, we serve up three lovely gardens from Central Oregon. One of the gardens gives great joy to the tender, as all the hard work pays off with beautiful flowers and plants. Another is a combination of enjoying the wonderful sunset, as the blooms are all around you. Third is a cool display of poppies and bachelor buttons. These are just a small sample of the gardens across our region. Keep those pictures coming! You can find the entry info and a great garden gallery under the Contests tab.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A pair of fun and friendly sea lions featured at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo didn’t just flap their flippers and dance in unison Wednesday evening for our Lynsey Harris, but they also nuzzled her like a pet puppy.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A new hub for creatives in Bend is opening its doors. This was the scene at the open house for the new Open Arts Center on Greenwood Avenue.

The center is going to be a hub for artists and a hangout spot for teens. The center is free for any teen who wants to be part of the program. There, they can practice their existing skills, learn new ones, or even get mentorship from adult artists.

It also marked the realization of a long-held dream for the founders.  

Maija Kellner-Rode and Claire Brislin, co-founders of the Open Arts Center, told KTVZ News: “We met two years ago, and it really felt like a moment of destiny, where two individuals who had been dreaming of this idea individually came together and were ready for it.

“There’s a real gap here in creative community hubs for a larger community, and having a place where people can come to share ideas, create community, create belonging, all in one center.”

It’s the founders’ hope it becomes a place for traditional art, dance and music.

This is only the beginning, when it comes to renovations they have planned for this space. The center will also be looking for donations from the community, when it comes to furniture, instruments, and art supplies.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District is opening registration for fall recreation programs and sports leagues on Monday, Aug. 4 and Tuesday, Aug. 5 for programs in September through December. The Fall 2025 Online Playlist is available for viewing and download now.

Monday, August 4, 6:00 a.m.: Recreation, enrichment and sports programs, camps and leagues registration opens. This includes no-school day camps, art, crafts, sports, ice skating, technology, fitness, outdoors, cooking and more. Sports leagues include adult curling, adult hockey, youth indoor soccer, youth volleyball, middle school Ultimate and youth/middle school/high school basketball. 

Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 a.m.: Swim lessons and aquatic programs registration opens. This includes lessons for youth and adults.

Registration information night event on July 30

BPRD invites community members to attend its Registration Info Night on Wednesday, July 30 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Larkspur Community Center where staff can assist attendees to get ready for registration.

With English and Spanish services available, staff can set up/update a household account, provide activity details, help build a wish list, learn about youth recreation programs and inclusion services and therapeutic recreation programs for those with disabilities, and assist with the scholarship process as needed. Learn more at bendparksandrec.org/event/registration-info-night/.

How to prepare for registration

For patrons who haven’t logged into their online account in the past 30 days, they are strongly encouraged to do so now to be sure they can successfully log in without issue and register for recreation programs on Aug. 4-5. BPRD staff recommend adding programs to a Wish List in the online registration account and noting the opening dates of the programs.

When registrations open at 6:00 am each morning, patrons are encouraged to register online or in person at any of these locations:

District Office: 799 SW Columbia St. – open at 6:00 a.m. (Aug. 4-5 only)

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center: 800 NE 6th St. – open at 5:30 a.m.

Larkspur Community Center: 1600 SE Reed Market Rd. – open at 6:00 a.m.

If having trouble while registering online, contact Customer Service by phone at (541) 389-7275.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify. BPRD encourages community members to apply early to ensure the application is processed in time for registration. In the last year, approximately 3,300 individuals received financial support to participate in programs that provide enriching activities and contribute to a physically active community

Additionally, please note that any outstanding balances on a household account must be paid in full before registering for any programs.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If variety is indeed the spice of life, you’re in for a spicy treat at this year’s 105th Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo.

A good example is when our own Lynsey Harris and Dylan Anderman got to ride a pair of camels on Wedneday’s opening day

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Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Habitat for Humanity of La Pine-Sunriver said Wednesday it’s now accepting applications for the first four affordable homes in the new Park View neighborhood in north La Pine. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. 

These homes are part of a permanent affordability model designed to help families build equity while ensuring long-term housing affordability for future homeowners, the organization said in a news release.

Each home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an attached garage, with fire-resistant landscaping, energy-efficient design and a commitment to Dark Sky community standards. 

Eligible applicants must meet income qualifications. Applicants should earn between 60-80% of the area median income, but are encouraged to contact HFHLPS if outside these parameters. 

Applications can be found on the HFHLPS website: habitatlapinesunriver.org/home-ownership and prospective homeowners learn more about the home here: habitatlapinesunriver.org/homes. 

The estimated sales price for these homes ranges from $175,000 to $225,000, after subsidies. 

Habitat encourages community members to spread the word to anyone who may benefit, including employees, friends, and family.   

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Founded in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver has built more than 40 affordable homes in three neighborhoods, including Putney Place. Habitat provides more than 100 critical, health and safety repairs to neighbors across South Deschutes County each year, and runs a thriving ReStore in La Pine. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rooster wrangling is not part of many folks’ typical workday, but a Deschutes County sheriff’s sergeant’s helpful actions this week show that you really never know what a day will bring.

The sheriff’s office said in a lighthearted Facebook posting Wednesday about the McGrath Road poultry encounter: “Sgt. Turk (David Turkington) went beak-to-beak with a runaway rooster near the Bend Airport this week.”

“It took a few minutes, some gentle persuasion, and maybe a little chicken whispering — but the rooster is now safe and sound at the DCSO Animal Rescue Ranch,” the agency said, adding: “It turns out that being a chicken owner has its perks. “

“Just another day of unexpected calls and community service for our Patrol Team. You never know what you’ll encounter in Deschutes County!”

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