Author: KTVZ

Spencer Sacks

SEATTLE, WA. (KTVZ) — Outfielder Randy Arozarena has been selected to the American League roster for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced today. Arozarena was chosen via player balloting for the game, which will take place on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

This marks Arozarena’s third career All-Star selection, following his previous appearances in 2023 and 2025. He has made the Midsummer Classic in each of the last two seasons while playing for Seattle. This season, the 31-year-old outfielder is batting .287 (86×300) with 54 runs, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 walks and 19 stolen bases in 82 games. He holds a .376 on-base percentage, a .453 slugging percentage and an .829 OPS.

Arozarena is the 15th player in Seattle Mariners history to be named to multiple All-Star teams with the club. He joins a list that includes Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, Félix Hernández, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Julio Rodríguez, Bret Boone, Freddy Garcia, Andrés Muñoz, Harold Reynolds and Kazuhiro Sasaki.

The Mantua, Cuba native is the 14th Cuban-born player in American League and National League history to make at least three All-Star Games. This group includes Hall of Famers Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva and Tony Pérez, along with Camilo Pascual, Mike Cuellar, Leo Cárdenas, Cookie Rojas, Luis Tiant, Bert Campaneris, Jose Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro. Fellow active players Aroldis Chapman and Yordan Alvarez are also on this list.

Arozarena is also one of two players, alongside Cleveland’s José Ramírez, to record at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of the last five seasons, from 2021 through 2025.

In 883 career games across eight Major League seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, the Tampa Bay Rays from 2020-24 and the Mariners since 2024, Arozarena has accumulated 19.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has a career .783 OPS, batting .254 (815×3212) with 506 runs scored, 181 doubles, 11 triples, 127 home runs, 431 RBI, 359 walks and 150 stolen bases. His career on-base percentage is .347 and his slugging percentage is .436.

The Mariners acquired Arozarena from Tampa Bay at the 2024 Trade Deadline on July 26, 2024. The trade involved minor leaguers Brody Hopkins, Aidan Smith and a player to be named later, Ty Cummings. Arozarena won the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year award with the Rays and performed well in the Postseason during the 2020-21 seasons. He hit 10 home runs during the 2020 playoffs and was named the American League Championship Series MVP that season.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia.

Click here to follow the original article.

Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond, held its annual Fourth of July parade, Saturday, through downtown, kicking off Independence Day celebrations in Central Oregon. The morning event featured more than 70 entries.

The parade brought together a diverse group of participants. Streets were packed with residents watching the procession, which included a 101-year-old World War II veteran. The celebration featured various vehicles and historical re-enactors.

John Pavlicek, a Vietnam veteran and resident of Redmond, called it “the best parade this city has ever had.” Pavlicek noted the event has “always been very patriotic.” He also shared his perspective on the significance of the day, stating, “Oh, it’s great because that’s what we fought for, you know, was to give people freedom and be able to live their life.”

The parade showcased a variety of attractions, including trucks, classic cars and horses pulling stagecoaches. Participants also marched in uniforms from different eras of American history, including American Revolution outfits, Civil War Union uniforms and modern day attire. Redmond residents Cortez Lawson and Kendrick Alverado anticipated specific parts of the parade; Lawson looked forward to “all the cool cars that are going to come through, the muscle cars, those are cool,” while Alverado said, “I’m looking forward to some candy too.”

When asked what it means to be an American, Pavlicek said, “I think it means you can accomplish whatever you would like to accomplish. You just have to remember that work is the stable dam and you got to work. Don’t expect anything for nothing. There has to be a fair exchange.” Alverado offered a concise response, saying “Liberty,” and Lawson added, “And its just a free country so I love it here.”

Multiple people spoke about their gratitude for living in America and having the freedom to choose, acknowledging the sacrifices made for this opportunity. Residents at the parade were celebrating what they called the 250th birthday of the United States.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon tradition more than a century in the making brought thousands to downtown Bend Saturday morning, for the annual Fourth of July Pet Parade.

The event, put on by Bend Park & Recreation District, dates back to 1924 and is one of the oldest pet parades in the country. It continues to serve as a hallmark kickoff to the holiday in Bend.

Participants began staging at Harmon Park before the parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m., winding its way north on Harmon Boulevard, east on Newport Avenue and south on Wall Street before ending at Drake Park.

Crowds lined the route as a wide variety of animals took part. Dogs made up much of the parade, many dressed in red, white and blue, while horses and riders also joined in. Spectators also spotted donkeys, a rabbit, sheep and even a lizard among the mix of animals moving through downtown.

The free event, which does not require registration, remains a community favorite, drawing families, pet owners and onlookers together to celebrate the Fourth of July in a distinctly local way.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pilot Butte is being prepared for Bend’s annual 4th of July fireworks show. It will feature more than 1,000 shells and a massive 12-inch finale shell creating a 1,200-foot diameter explosion. The display is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. and is expected to last about 20 minutes.

Extensive safety measures have been implemented by local parks and fire agencies to prevent fires around the butte during the event. These preparations include months of coordination between various agencies to ensure a safe event for the community.

Sam Wilson, Fire Inspector with Bend Fire & Rescue, emphasized the extensive planning involved. “We’ve spent months of preparation and coordination with all of our surrounding agencies to ensure that the community of Bend has a safe and memorable 4th of July,” Wilson said.

For the duration of the event, Pilot Butte will be completely closed to the public, with only firefighters, security personnel and Sure-Shot Fireworks staff allowed on site.

Each firework will launched out of the the tubes which form a ring around the top of the butte. Some shells are fired by hand and others electronically triggered. The largest shells are sunken into containers of sand to absorb the shockwave generated during launch.

Subaru of Bend is sponsoring this year’s event. Jake Thomas, representing Subaru of Bend, noted the community’s appreciation for such displays. “Central Oregon does appreciate, a good fire display,” Thomas said. “So it’s just something that we wanted to give back and help continue that that tradition.”

Sure-Shot Fireworks has been producing this show for many years. Chris Mattison, owner of Sure Shot Fireworks, expressed his excitement for the nation’s upcoming milestone. “Yeah. We are so excited for for the United States to hit the 250 years, there’s been a lot of sacrifices. There’s been a lot of military, a lot of generations to build what we have today. And today is a good day to mark that. A quarter of a century that we did it. We’re still here and we love it.”

Organizers are continuously seeking additional co-sponsors to help enhance future 4th of July events.

The 4th of July fireworks show is set to begin Saturday at 10 p.m. and will last approximately 20 minutes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lance Campbell

LA PINE, Ore. — The gates are officially open and the action is underway in southern Deschutes County for one of Central Oregon’s longest-running Independence Day traditions.

The La Pine Rodeo kicked off night one of its three-day run, expected to draw thousands of holiday visitors. Proudly dubbed “The Greatest Little Rodeo in Oregon,” organizers say the event is a massive economic and social anchor for the entire South County community.

The dust kicks up in the arena as the La Pine Rodeo launches its three-day holiday run in southern Deschutes County.

“The most special thing about the La Pine Rodeo is that it’s the only rodeo in Central Oregon held over the 4th of July weekend,” said La Pine Rodeo Association Board Director Lacee Lady. “It brings all of the local, South Deschutes County businesses together. It gives them an opportunity to come and congregate, and it’s just a really great time.”

Powered by Volunteers

That community spirit extends directly behind the scenes. The entire board of directors operates purely on a volunteer basis, spending the entire week on-site to run the event. Planning is a year-round process, with prep for the next year beginning the literal day after the current rodeo wraps up.

Local support also shines in the hospitality area, where members of the American Legion are spending the weekend cooking up fresh meals for the arriving contestants.

“Scott here, from American Legion is making hamburgers and hot dogs for our contestants,” said a volunteer who goes by Cowgirl. “We’re living a dream. Come on out to La Pine and see the rodeo!”

Beyond the arena action, the event features local vendors, live entertainment, a nightly afterparty in the beer garden, and a nightly fundraiser auction. Every dollar raised from those auctions goes directly back into local community programs.

“There is nothing more patriotic than coming to a rodeo,” Lady said.

Event Details & Showtimes

The La Pine Rodeo runs nightly through Saturday, July 4th.

Gates Open: 5:45 PM nightly

Performances Begin: 7:00 PM

Tickets: Available online via the official La Pine Rodeo Association website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Spencer Sacks

Another strong week of anglers showing off their skills around Central Oregon. Allie recently caught a 17-inch rainbow trout at Twin Lakes. Allie submitted photos of the trout, noting they would make a nice dinner. Waylon also submitted a catch from Twin Lakes. Waylon caught an 18-inch rainbow trout. Porter had a particularly successful outing at South Twin Lake, catching three rainbow trout during his trip. Emelia caught a large trout at the Metolius Fish Hatchery.

Don’t forget to share your catches with us, all you gotta do is click the contests tab.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department is implementing a project to install 24 signs with digital speed displays built into them. These signs will be added to across eight roads in the county.

The initiative is part of a larger effort to remind drivers of speed limits in locations where motorists may exceed safe speeds.

These solar-powered signs display vehicle speeds alongside the posted speed limit. They are designed to serve as reminders rather than tools for surveillance or enforcement.

Deschutes County Road Department Director Chris Doty told KTVZ news people ask for these types of signs to be installed in their neighboods, because they get people to slow down. “Typically it’s about a anywhere from a 2 to 7 mile per hour reduction in the corridor speed,” Doty said. “And so it’s a proven safety countermeasure. Again, just to help folks drive, you know, a safer speed and and operate their vehicle more safely.”

High speeds were identified as a key trend in road user behavior by the Deschutes County’s 2019 Transportation System Action Plan. Data indicates speeding was a contributing factor in 42% of fatal crashes that year. These speed signs, called “Dynamic Speed Feedback signs” are considered a cost-effective method to reduce driver speeds on rural roadways.

The 24 Dynamic Speed Feedback signs will be installed on various roads across the county. Four signs will be placed on Alfalfa Market Road, Burgess Road, Cline Falls Highway, Day Road Powell Butte Highway, South Canal Boulevard, South Century Drive and the Old Bend–Redmond Highway.

The project is funded by a grant totaling $1,032,873, which the county road department received.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrielle Hasara

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority is encouraging residents to plan for safe July 4 celebrations, urging individuals to “Rethink the Drink” to prevent excessive alcohol use. The initiative emphasizes planning ahead to protect individuals, families and communities as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.

Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to motor vehicle crashes, preventable deaths and other health concerns across the state.

More than one in five adults in Oregon drink excessively, contributing to more than 3,000 alcohol-related deaths each year. Alcohol is involved in more than one-third of motor vehicle crashes in Oregon, with impaired driving remaining a leading cause of preventable death.

The Oregon Health Authority is the lead agency for the “Rethink the Drink” campaign, which aims to address these issues.

Independence Day celebrations frequently involve barbecues, parades, fireworks and gatherings with friends and loved ones. Alcohol is often part of these celebrations and its widespread presence can lead people to drink more than they intended or feel pressure to drink.

Binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks for women or five or more drinks for men on a single occasion, poses particular risks during holiday weekends. Beyond motor vehicle crashes, it can lead to violence, falls and other preventable injuries. Data shows that people in their 30s and 40s report binge drinking at nearly the same rate as younger individuals, though most in this age group do not have an alcohol use disorder.

Long-term effects of drinking beyond recommended limits include serious health consequences such as liver and heart disease and several types of cancers. Excessive drinking can also influence how children and teens view alcohol if it is consistently associated with holidays and celebrations.

Dr. Tom Jeanne, deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA, stressed the importance of holiday safety and planning. “This weekend is about celebrating our nation’s history and spending time with the people who matter most,” Dr. Jeanne said. “As people across Oregon gather to mark our country’s 250th birthday, we want everyone to plan ahead so the holiday is both fun and safe. If alcohol is part of your plan, arrange for a safe ride home before you go. Setting a limit and tracking your drinks can also help you avoid drinking more than you intended.”

The OHA offers several tips for a safe celebration, including planning a designated driver, using public transportation or ride-share services and hosting responsibly by offering non-alcoholic beverages. They also recommend staying hydrated by drinking water and eating food while consuming alcohol and considering drinking less by swapping alcoholic beverages with water or low-sugar mixers, or watering down drinks. Additional advice includes setting a weekly limit, tracking drinks using mobile apps or other tools and having conversations with loved ones about the prevalence of alcohol in daily life.

Dr. Jeanne also highlighted the broader health benefits of reducing alcohol intake. “Even small changes in drinking habits can meaningfully improve your health,” Dr. Jeanne said. “And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.”

The “Rethink the Drink” campaign is a health communications initiative led by OHA in partnership with Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission and the Oregon Department of Transportation. This collaboration invites Oregonians to engage in mindful conversations about when, how much and why they drink, not only during holidays but throughout the year.

Resources are available at RethinkTheDrink.com to help individuals who want to drink less, or to support those with alcohol use disorder and their loved ones. The campaign also maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here to follow the original article.

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Volunteers will be out early Saturday morning helping Bend mark the Fourth of July — and the nation’s 250th birthday — with a display honoring veterans.

The Bend Heroes Foundation says it will install American flags along the Bend Pet Parade route, beginning at the Bend Heroes Memorial at Brooks Park, continuing along Veterans Memorial Bridge on Newport Avenue and into downtown Bend.

Boy Scout Troop 25 will lead this year’s installation, marking the troop’s 21st year helping with the annual flag display. According to the Bend Heroes Foundation, each flag was previously flown over the nation’s capital and bears the name of a veteran.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is seeking a communications and marketing intern.

Do you know a student interested in communications and marketing? This is the perfect opportunity for them!

The 3-month temporary position pays $20 an hour and has a flexible schedule.

The position is funded through a grant from the Special Districts Association of Oregon.

You can apply today or learn more by clicking here to learn more.

Click here to follow the original article.