Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — If you’re planning to celebrate Labor Day with alcohol, police have a message: Plan your ride home before you drink.

A nationwide impaired-driving crackdown is underway, including here in Oregon.

The Black Butte Ranch Police Department is joining agencies nationwide for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The heightened enforcement effort runs from August 19th through September 7th.

Nationally, 505 people were killed in traffic crashes during the 2024 Labor Day holiday period. About one-third of those deaths involved a drunk driver.

Police say if you plan to drink, designate a sober driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or make other arrangements before the celebration begins.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend family officially opened the door to a new chapter on Wednesday, receiving the keys to their new home which was made possible through the nonprofit First Story and its community partners.

Community members, regional leaders, and representatives from First Story and Hayden Homes gathered for a home dedication ceremony welcoming the Hammons family.

“This has been an amazing experience for me and my family, and we are really excited to start our new life,” homeowner Kimberly Hammons said.

First Story helps first-time homebuyers earning no more than 80% of the area median income purchase homes with zero-down, zero-interest, 30-year mortgages. The organization says the lower-cost loans allow families to direct more of their income toward education, children’s activities, and other needs while avoiding additional debt.

Families also complete homebuyer education through organizations such as NeighborImpact, learning about home loans, credit scores, the purchasing process, and fair housing rights.

The program relies on partnerships with homebuilder Hayden Homes, building materials supplier PARR Lumber, NeighborImpact, and a network of individual donors. Partners contribute labor, materials and expertise to help offset rising construction costs and create homes with the same market value and curb appeal as others in Hayden Homes communities.

“This work happens when our elected leaders join us in our commitment to ensuring that Central Oregon remains affordable and livable for our workforce families,” First Story Executive Director Claire Duncan said during the ceremony.

State Representative Emerson Levy (D- Bend) also attended the dedication and said it demonstrated the tangible impact of work completed by state lawmakers.

“We can’t forget that our bills and our laws, they’re about humans and families in our community,” Levy said.

Hayden Homes Chief Operating Officer Craig Smith officially welcomed the family to the neighborhood.

“Let me just be the first from Hayden Homes to say, ‘Welcome home,’” Smith said.

First Story says 80% of families in the program are the first members of their families to own a home, 23% identify as minority households, and 25% include family members with disabilities.

The Hammons family is the 133rd family to become homeowners through First Story and the 16th in Bend.

More information about the organization and its homeownership program is available at firststory.org.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) A Level 3 – Go Now evacuation order has been issued in Crook County as the Rowe Creek Complex Fire flares up.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office issued the evacuation notice Tuesday night for the east side of NE Mill Creek Road from the intersection of Forest Service Road 3370, near the end of the pavement, north to Wildcat Campground.

Officials say the fire is actively burning, with fire crews and aircraft on scene working to contain the flames.

Residents in the affected area are urged to leave immediately and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work.

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Tracee Tuesday

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two longtime members of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District are being honored for their years of service and contributions to the community.

Capt. Dave Wellington and Capt. Doug Meyer were recognized by fellow firefighters and district leaders, who highlighted their work supporting the department’s volunteers and future first responders.

Fire Chief Tony Prior credited Wellington with helping develop a mentorship program involving Sisters High School that has helped encourage the next generation of fire and EMS personnel.

“Dave Wellington particularly started a program with the Sisters High School and a mentorship program that has built up the next generation,” Prior said.

Prior also recognized Meyer for his leadership as a station captain and his role in helping build the district’s volunteer ranks.

“Captain Meyer has been a station captain here, which has really grown our volunteer cadre here at our station,” Prior said. “Their passion is exemplary.”

Wellington said the recognition also reflects the support the fire district has received from the Sisters community.

“The citizens in this district have always, I think, appreciated what we do and have been willing to support us in that endeavor,” Wellington said.

Meyer said the recognition was meaningful because it came from people he has worked alongside for years.

“It means a lot when your contemporaries take their time out to come out and say nice things about you,” Meyer said. “In my case, I had a really good relationship with this crew and the department.”

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District operates four stations across its service area and relies on volunteer firefighters and support personnel.sistersfire+1

More information about volunteering is available through the district’s website at sistersfire.com.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive donated a truckload of school supplies today to the Family Access Network, providing 100 backpacks filled with essentials for local students.

This delivery follows a previous contribution from the charity earlier this year in August, when the group had previously donated another 100 backpacks which were also filled with supplies.

The Family Access Network works to provide resouces to local students whose families face financial hardship. Chris LaRue serves as the development director for the Family Access Network. She descivbied just how wonderful it was to see kids picking out their brand-new supplies.

“It’s extremely heartwarming because you have so many children, that are in need and they come to school and their parents can’t afford a brand new backpack or a lunchbox or a water bottle,” LaRue said. “And for those kids to be able to come in and be given something brand new with everything that they need for the school year, it’s it’s life changing.”

Even with the latest delivery of supplies, the Family Access Network still has a great need for assistance and is welcoming further donations from the community.

Family Access Network will host an organizing party at the end of the month to sort through all received donations. Children will then be able to select their school supplies next month.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — Most Oregonians subject to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work or activity rules qualify for an exemption, according to state officials.

The Oregon Department of Human Services announced that 93% of individuals currently subject to the requirements meet exemption criteria and the agency is urging recipients to review their status to maintain their food benefits.

Expanded federal rules that took effect in July 2025 increased the number of people required to fulfill monthly activity requirements. Under these guidelines, adults ages 18 to 64 without a child under age 14 in their SNAP household generally must complete 80 hours of work or qualifying activities each month unless they qualify for an exemption or live in a waived region.

Jessica Amaya Hoffman, director of the SNAP program at the Oregon Department of Human Services, urged residents to report any recent life updates that might alter their requirements.

“A change in your life can change whether SNAP work or activity rules apply to you,” Hoffman said. “You may have started caring for someone, experienced a health change or begun a new job or training program. Contact us before assuming you have to meet the requirements. We’ll listen, explain your options and help you take the next step.”

Exemption criteria cover a range of personal and medical situations. Individuals may qualify if they are pregnant, physically or mentally unable to work, already working enough hours, enrolled in a qualifying education or training program, living in an exempt county or waived Tribal land, or responsible for caring for another person.

To help recipients verify their status, the department offers a Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form. Staff members can review circumstances, clarify documentation requirements, process reported changes and connect recipients to WorkSource Oregon and other employment resources. The agency sends a counting month notice to individuals who do not meet the monthly activity hours and do not hold an exemption.

The department is hosting a virtual media availability today from 1 to 1:20 p.m. to address questions regarding work rules and exemptions, with a video recording scheduled to be published online following the event.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Right now, fire officials are asking Oregonians to use extreme caution as wildfires continue burning across the state and firefighting resources remain stretched.

The National Weather Service is warning of critical fire weather, including thunderstorms, lightning and strong, unpredictable winds.

Officials say even a small spark could quickly start a new fire.

People are urged to be careful when mowing, using power tools, driving or parking on dry grass, and to follow all current fire restrictions.

The message is simple: Stay alert, be cautious and help prevent the next wildfire.

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Kelsey Merison

UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon National Guard crews are making a big difference in the fight against the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County.

Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters are dropping water on the fire, helping ground crews slow the flames and protect nearby communities.

So far this season, Oregon National Guard aircrews have made more than 600 water drops, delivering about 676,000 gallons of water.

Officials say the aerial support is giving firefighters an important advantage as they work to protect homes and communities.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Right now, Oregon schools are seeing an increase in students regularly attending class, but one state lawmaker says more work is needed.

New data shows more than 7,000 additional students regularly attended school during the 2025-26 school year. That brings Oregon’s regular attendance rate to 64.5%.

State Representative Lamar Wise says the numbers are encouraging, but not enough.

Wise is pushing for better attendance data and policies to help schools address barriers that keep students from attending regularly. Wise says he’ll continue working on attendance solutions during the 2027 Legislative Session.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Drivers in Prineville should expect delays and temporary road closures as sealcoating work continues on several streets.

The project schedule has changed because of construction conflicts and an asphalt plant breakdown.

Sealcoating is now scheduled for Thursday, September 4th and Friday, September 5th, weather permitting, on NE Mariposa, NE Brookstone Loop, and NE Brookstone Drive.

Drivers should expect detours and temporary closures, allow extra travel time, and use alternate routes when possible.

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