Author: KTVZ

KTVZ

Update: Adding video

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new Oregon Zoo license plate sponsored by the Oregon Zoo Foundation will be available at Oregon DMV, starting Nov. 3.

The plate’s design is a nod to the Oregon Zoo’s endangered Asian elephant population and Portland’s nickname of the Rose City, DMV said in Monday’s announcement, which continues in full below:

Artist Jeremy Nichols, whose mural work can be seen around Oregon and beyond, designed the plate to encourage the preservation of the natural world around us.

Oregon Zoo license plates cost an additional $40 to buy for the first time and with each renewal or replacement, in addition to regular registration renewal fees or replacement plate fees. You must pay the surcharge or redeem a pre-paid voucher.

About $35 of the surcharge goes back to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to support conservation education, species recovery and animal wellbeing.

The license plate design was approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Oregon Zoo Foundation and Oregon State Police, and tested by the Washington State Tolling Division.

The Oregon Zoo plate joins DMV’s lineup of specialty registration plates, including Crater Lake, Cultural Trust, Gray Whale, Oregon Ducks, OSU Beavers, Pacific Wonderland, Pollinator Paradise, Salmon, Smokey Bear, Trail Blazers, Watch for Wildlife and Wine Country.

How to apply

The Oregon Zoo license plate will be available through Oregon DMV beginning Nov. 3, by mail, at DMV field offices or through a licensed dealer. DMV does not accept early applications.

While you can apply for an Oregon Zoo plate at DMV2U for renewal or as a stand-alone replacement plate, you cannot redeem pre-paid vouchers online. To use a voucher, customers must apply in person at a DMV office or send their transaction by mail to DMV Headquarters. DMV staff will verify the paper voucher by entering the voucher number into the system.

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KTVZ

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A three-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon at a Crook County intersection fortunately led to only minor injuries, Oregon State Police reported.

Oregon State Police told KTVZ News the crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. Sunday when the driver of a westbound gray Ford F-350 pickup began merging into a the traffic lane, in the way of a silver BMW that also was heading west.

Troopers said the BMW driver tried to avoid a crash by going around the pickup on the right shoulder, but lost control and spun into the path of an eastbound gray Toyota Camry.

OSP said all of the occupants were wearing seat belts, and airbags deployed in the BMW and Camry.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Economic Development for Central Oregon has announced the winners and companies receiving investment at the 2025 Bend Venture Conference, which took place last week at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. 

Here’s Monday’s full news release from EDCO:

Now in its 22nd year, the Bend Venture Conference has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier events for entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. 

Over the course of two days, ten finalists presented their ideas and business models to an audience of hundreds of investors, business leaders and community members, competing for investment and cash awards. 

BVC connects investors and industry leaders with startup founders ready to scale, featuring separate tracks for early and growth-stage companies. The conference drives exposure, funding and long-term relationships that strengthen Central Oregon’s economy and supports promising startups. 

This year, $278,000 in investment was committed across six companies, with additional investment deals still being finalized. An additional $25,700 was awarded in cash to two companies, both from Central Oregon. 

“For more than two decades, the Bend Venture Conference has been a cornerstone of Central Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO. “Each year, we see extraordinary innovation and dedication from the companies that take the stage. The connections and capital generated through BVC do not just change the trajectory of these startups, they strengthen the economic fabric of our entire region.” 

Early Stage: 

The Early Stage Track features companies that are in the proof-of-concept or early-revenue stages and that are testing their products in the market. These companies are evaluated by judges based on revenue potential, proof of market, scalability, and the founder’s experience and grit. 

Toast Wear Inc. (Bend, OR) – Received a $25k cash award made possible by the generosity of local community members, including Taylor Brooks, Rod Ray, Horan MediaTech Advisors, and Scott and Annie Allan. Cold is universal. Your gear is personal. Toast solves both with a personal thermostat for your jacket, making existing apparel your go-to for warmth. 

Yak Incorporated (Portland, OR) – Received a $15k investment from the Founder First fund. Yak is the all-in-one, automation and AI-powered platform that automates audits for accounting firms, cutting admin work in half and ending auditor burnout. 

SokoLife (Eugene, OR) – Received a $5k investment from the Founder First fund. SokoLife is revolutionizing cardiac care with innovative, non-toxic patches for congenital heart defect repair, reducing reinterventions and healthcare costs. 

Growth Stage: 

The Growth Stage track at BVC highlights companies that have demonstrated significant traction and are poised for rapid expansion.  

The Growth Stage finalists that were awarded investment this year are: 

Rapta (Tigard, OR) – Was awarded a $110,500 investment by BVC investors. Rapta supercharges U.S. manufacturing by increasing capacity 30% through eliminating 98% of errors and accelerating workflows 10x faster.  

Photon Marine (Portland, OR) – Was awarded a $65,000 investment by BVC investors. Photon Marine is building the world’s most capable electric fleet. 

Bold Reuse (Portland, OR) – Was awarded a $50,000 investment by BVC investors. Bold Reuse reduces costs and waste from single-use packaging through reusable packaging systems, a Bold Reuse is critical infrastructure for the circular economy. 

MarineSitu (Seattle, WA) – Was awarded a $32,500 investment by BVC investors. MarineSitu provides marine infrastructure monitoring through their AI software platform, preventing costly interventions, saving time and increasing efficiency. 

In addition, the EDCO Board of Directors awarded a $700 cash award to BVC Future presenter Levi Waters, from Caldera High School, founder of ClimbGrade. 

By standardizing grades, ClimbGrade empowers climbers to track progress accurately, helps setters design fair routes and gives gyms a consistent benchmark that strengthens their accountability. 

Brian Vierra, EDCO’s Venture Catalyst Director, noted, “The quality and diversity of companies at BVC this year truly underscores the maturity of our startup ecosystem. Our investors are not only funding great ideas, they are backing founders with the drive to build scalable, high-impact businesses that will create jobs and opportunities.” 

All investments are awarded following detailed due diligence of each presenting finalist. The final amounts to be distributed depend on the investment commitments received from third-party investors, as well as the ability of the winning companies and investors to agree on the terms and conditions of the investment. The Bend Venture Conference cannot guarantee that investments will be awarded in any specific amount. 

2025 BVC Title Sponsors 

About Bend Venture Conference (BVC) The annual BVC, hosted by EDCO, is one of the largest angel conferences in the country. Over the past 22 years, BVC has served to evolve and grow the startup ecosystem throughout Central Oregon and beyond. Since its inception, more than $14 million has been invested in 59 companies as a result of the conference. For more information, visit bendvc.com 

About Economic Development for Central Oregon  

EDCO is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders, whose mission is to create middle-class jobs in Central Oregon by: recruiting new employers to move to the region; helping entrepreneurs start new, scalable businesses; and working with businesses that are already here to grow their operations. For more information, visit www.edcoinfo.com. 

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KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — If conditions are favorable on Wednesday, fire managers with the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct more than 3,300 acres of prescribed burning operations in the Maury Mountains’ 2 burn unit.

The burn unit is approximately 3,330 acres, located along Forest Service Road 16, about 16 miles southeast of Prineville and three miles south of Post. Ignitions are expected begin at 9 a.m. and may take up to two days depending on weather, fuel, and smoke dispersion conditions, according to a pair of news releases issued Monday that continue below:

Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas, including Post, Paulina, Prineville, Redmond, and Bend. Residents along Highway 380, Forest Service Road 16, and nearby roads should expect possible smoke impacts, especially overnight and early mornings.

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety.

Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest will conduct the burn. Crews may use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to assist with ignition and holding operations. After ignition, engine crews will stay on site to secure the perimeter and conduct patrols; smoke may linger for several days.

Meanwhile, the forest also planned to begin pile-burning operations Monday, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through November 28, 2025 as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.Pile burning planned in the following areas:

Forest Service land south of Big Summit Prairie

2024 Crazy Creek Fire area

2024 Rail Ridge Fire area

2024 Wiley Flat Fire area

Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns.

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Ochoco National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Deschutes National Forest of the USDA Forest Service said Monday it is now hiring for several seasonal positions, including wildland firefighters and smokejumpers

“We are looking for dedicated individuals to support fire operations. These seasonal positions are vital to wildfire preparedness and disaster response across federal and state agencies,” the forest said in a news release Monday that continues below: Available jobs include dispatchers, fire engine operators, fire prevention specialists, forestry aids and technicians, handcrew members, smokejumpers, and more.

Applications are open now through October 29, on USAJobs.gov. Local positions include:

Position
Grade
Announcement #

Wildland Firefighter
GW-0456-03
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC033-3DH  

Wildland Firefighter – Engine
GW-0456-04
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC048-4DH

Wildland Firefighter – Handcrew
GW-0456-04
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC049-4DH

Wildland Firefighter – Handcrew
GW-0456-05
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC029-5DH

Wildland Firefighter – Smokejumper
GW-0456-05
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC035-5DH

Wildland Firefighter – Smokejumper
GW-0456-06
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC036-6DH

Wildland Firefighter – Prevention
GW-0456-06
26-TEMPF3-R6-2SC043-6DH

Forestry Technician – Fire Dispatch
GW-0462-04
26-TEMPF3-R6-2PC035-4DH

Forestry Technician – Fire Dispatch
GW-0462-05
26-TEMPF3-R6-FS0936-5DH

Automotive Equipment Dispatcher
GS-2151-04
26-TEMPF3-R6-FS2854-4DT-GD

Automotive Equipment Dispatcher
GS-2151-05
26-TEMPF3-R6-FS2855-5DT-CC

Forestry Technician (Lookout)
GS-0462-04
26-TEMPF3-R6-FS2856-4DH

Forestry Technician (Lookout)
GS-0462-05
26-TEMPF3-R6-FS3451-5DH

Any U.S. citizen or national at least 18 years of age can apply. To learn more about the Deschutes National Forest visit our website fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes. For benefits, information about working in wildland fire, or for more information about the Forest Service, visit www.fs.usda.gov.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The intersection of Olney Avenue and Wall Street is scheduled for a final three-day closure through Wednesday to complete the final phase of sewer line tie-in work for the Olney Avenue Improvements Project, city officials said Monday.

The newly installed sewer line improvements on Olney Avenue increase the capacity of the city’s sewer system, reduce risk across the system, and replace two aging sewer lines from the 1970s that ran underneath the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway crossing, the city said in a news release that continues below:

This secondary intersection closure was anticipated before construction began and allowed us (the city) to open the intersection back in May, prior to the sewer line improvements being complete. To connect the new sewer line, the existing line at the intersection will need to be worked on for three days.

The three-day closure is limited to the Wall Street and Olney Avenue intersection. Access to all driveways and businesses will remain open. The intersection of Olney Avenue and Wall Street is anticipated to re-open to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, Oct. 29.  

Detours will be posted. Business access will remain open during construction and signage will direct alternate routes.

Following Oct. 29, construction on Olney Avenue from Wall Street to Second Street will continue through early 2026 to complete water line improvements replacing aging lines from the 1950s and increasing the water system’s durability and flexibility for emergency response.

Ongoing coordination between the City and BNSF Railway continues for completing the project work and temporarily reopening the road in late December.

More information about the project, schedules and closures: bendoregon.gov/olney.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, comments from Governor Kotek and Hayden Homes President)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — State and local leaders gathered Monday in Bend and Sisters to spotlight Central Oregon’s progress toward building more affordable homes as part of an ongoing statewide housing push.

Governor Tina Kotek joined members of the Oregon Legislature, local builders, and community advocates at Parkside Place, the first stop on a regional tour of new housing developments. 

The tour was arranged to visit real-world examples of Central Oregon’s housing production efforts, public-private partnerships, infrastructure challenges and land use processes – all of which influence development, regionally and statewide.

Participants included leadership and membership from the state Senate and House housing committees and officials with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO), and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).

The visit aimed to show how recently passed legislation (HB 4079, HB 3318, and SB 1537) is helping increase the supply of homes for middle-income families — those who earn too much to qualify for assistance but are still priced out of the market.

“The largest economic challenge for our state is not having enough housing, and having housing at the different price points that people need,” Kotek said. “We know the cost of living here in our state is a challenge.”

The Parkside Place neighborhood, developed by Hayden Homes, is among the projects supported by new state measures designed to streamline permitting and strengthen partnerships between private builders and state housing programs.

“I’m really proud of all the folks here — the builders and community leaders — who are making this work,” Kotek said during the visit.

Hayden Homes President Steve Klingman praised the cooperation between public and private sectors, calling it an encouraging sign for long-term solutions.

“The influence of your (Gov. Kotek’s) leadership is opening doors and creating conversations that we have not seen in decades,” Klingman said, adding that Parkside Place “will be home for the hard-working families who are not able to live and work in Bend due to the high housing costs.”

The governor’s stop in Bend was part of her broader effort to meet Oregon’s target of building 36,000 new homes per year. The tour continued in Sisters, where the delegation learned about additional projects aimed at easing housing pressures across rural communities in Central Oregon.

Both state and local officials say these efforts show what’s possible when investment and zoning reforms align to meet Oregon’s growing housing needs.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Human Services is notifying about 757,000 Oregonians who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that they won’t receive new benefits after October 31 due to the federal government shutdown, Gov. Tina Kotek said Monday.

“This is a cruel and unacceptable situation,” Kotek said in a news release. “President Trump should focus on feeding families by negotiating a deal with Congress, not doing other things like deploying troops in American cities on taxpayers’ dime.”

Here’s the rest of the governor’s news release, in full:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is at a standstill as a result of the federal shutdown.

On October 10, the Trump Administration notified states that due to the shutdown, it was directing them not to begin the process of distributing November SNAP benefits until further notice. The Trump Administration continues to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sending a clear message that the Administration is prioritizing other matters ahead of putting food on tables for Oregonians.

SNAP food benefits go to 757,000 people in Oregon every month — roughly one in six residents. Approximately 210,000 of these SNAP recipients are children, and 130,000 are adults ages 65 and older. Any delay or reduction in food benefits in November will cause unnecessary hardship and hunger for hundreds of thousands of people in Oregon during the month of Thanksgiving. In Oregon, it would hit rural communities and economies particularly hard because of the high number of households utilizing SNAP benefits.

ODHS reaffirmed its commitment to work at the state level to get information to Oregonians.

“We know that hundreds of thousands of children, older adults and hard-working families and individuals depend on SNAP food benefits to get enough food,” said ODHS Acting Director Liesl Wendt. “In collaboration with the Governor’s Office we are closely monitoring the situation and will share updates as soon as we receive information from the federal government about the ability to issue SNAP benefits.

“In the meantime, during this time of uncertainty, we encourage everyone who receives SNAP to familiarize themselves with the free food resources in their community and to make a plan for what they will do if they do not receive their food benefits in November on time.”

ODHS will continue to provide updates through:

ODHS official website odhs.oregon.gov

Official ODHS social media channels

Partner organizations

ODHS encourages SNAP participants to:

Check your EBT card balance regularly

Continue following SNAP rules and reporting requirements

Stay informed by following or subscribing to ODHS communication channels

Sign-up for an ONE Online account and download the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get notices about your SNAP case

Know where to find emergency food resources in your community.

Visit the ODHS Food Resources website to find local programs and food support.

Visit the Oregon Food Bank Food Finder website.

Contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1, texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or visiting www.211info.org.

Older adults and people with disabilities:

Connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) for help finding government and community resources.

Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit www.adrcoforegon.org.

Sign-up for a ONE Online account or download the Oregon ONE Mobile app as the fastest ways to get notifications about your SNAP benefits. About SNAP in Oregon

SNAP is entirely federally funded and helps more than 1 in 6 people in Oregon — about 18 percent of households — buy groceries. This includes children, working families, older adults and people with disabilities.

Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity, driving an estimated $1.6 billion into Oregon’s economy each year.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore.{KTVZ} — A 26-year-old Bend man remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Friday night on Northeast Third Street, according to Bend Police. 

The crash happened around 8:16 p.m. on October 17 between Thurston and Underwood Avenues.  

Officers responding to the scene found a white Toyota RAV4 stopped in the northbound lanes and a man with severe injuries in the roadway. Police say officers immediately performed lifesaving care until Bend Fire medics arrived and took over.  

The victim was transported to St. Charles Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. 

The driver, a 61-year-old man from Idaho, told police he was traveling north on NE Third Street when he struck a man who was crossing the road with a bike. Police say the driver called 911, remained at the scene, and fully cooperated with investigators. 

Third Street was closed in both directions between Revere and Underwood avenues for about two and a half hours while Bend Police’s traffic reconstruction team investigated. 

As of Saturday, no citations had been issued, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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Jillian Fortner

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Parrilla Grill in Bend is hosting a Halloween costume drive through the end of the month, collecting new or gently used costumes for local kids in need.

Families are also welcome to stop by and pick out a free costume while supplies last.

Donations can be dropped off at Parrilla Grill, 635 NW 14th Street in Bend.

Costumes will be donated to The Bethlehem Inn, Stepping Stone Shelter, COCC Thrift Exchange, and Growing Tree.

The Bethlehem Inn is especially in need of costumes for children size 10 and under.

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