Author: KTVZ

Claire Elmer

(update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend is once again a top Memorial Day weekend destination. This year, as travel, gas, and food costs rise, people are looking for ways to enjoy the weekend without overspending.

For many people in Central Oregon, the plan is simple: get outside.

According to AAA, about 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the holiday weekend, and Bend is among the top regional destinations. But this year’s long weekend is coming with higher costs for many families.

The Century Foundation found Memorial Day staples are up 13% on average from last year, with some summer barbecue favorites — including corn, tomatoes, and pies — jumping 20% to 100%. Gas is also part of the equation, with Oregon prices sitting around $5.20 a gallon as of Sunday.

For locals and visitors, Central Oregon’s outdoor recreation can make the weekend feel like a getaway without breaking the bank.

“It’s expensive here, but we budget,” Bend resident Daniel Wallace said. “We went on the Deschutes yesterday, paddle boarded. Today, we’re going to do a little fishing and get in the water.”

Others say places like Central Oregon’s many parks give people a way to connect, even when higher prices make travel harder.

“I’m enjoying this holiday weekend by just having spent a lot of time with my friends and family,” Bend resident Eddie Lopez said. “Sunbathing, tanning with my friends. We’re going to listen to music.”

Rising gas prices can make it harder for people to travel or meet up elsewhere, making prevalent gathering spaces even more important.

“With the gas prices going up, it just affected travel a lot. So it’s really nice to just have a really accessible public environment like Riverbend Park, to just like, be able to enjoy time with my friends or just meet new people here,” Lopez added.

And for some, the best part of a weekend outside is getting to enjoy it with loved ones. But it doesn’t hurt that it doesn’t have to cost much, either.

“I don’t need to spend money to have fun,” Bend resident Bodhi McClain said. “The river is free. Meeting up with your friends is free. All you need is good people.”

Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial start of summer, and in Central Oregon, outdoor recreation is once again at the center — reminding locals and visitors why our area is loved by so many.

Click here to follow the original article.

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon residents and travelers are facing significantly higher costs for gas and groceries this Memorial Day, impacting travel plans and household budgets. Gas prices in Oregon have reached a record high, while grocery expenses have seen substantial increases, forcing many to adjust spending.

The average gas price in Oregon has risen from $4.01 last year to $5.32 this year. These increased costs are leading residents to cut back in other areas.

Roberta Watson, a resident of Sunriver, described the rapid increase in grocery expenses. Watson noted that a cart full of groceries cost $200 one week last year, rising to $300 the following week.

Shane Purcell, a resident of Bend, commented on the overall expense, stating, “It’s ridiculous. Prices are way expensive. Yeah, they come up quite a bit, so it’s pretty difficult. I don’t know how they expect people to live.”

Despite the record-high gas prices, people are still traveling for Memorial Day, though many trips are staying close to home. Marie Dodds, AAA Oregon Director of Government and Public Affairs, reported that 87% of Memorial Day travelers this year are driving to their destinations.

“I think most Memorial Day trips are going to be fairly close to home,” Dodds said. “And in fact, 87% of Memorial Day travelers this year are driving to their destination despite high gas prices.”

Even out-of-town visitors like Lona Huck, who traveled to Central Oregon from Yakima for a Memorial Weekend tournament, have felt the financial impact. Huck noted that while the costs are higher, the importance of family events still drives travel decisions.

“We filled up in Yakima. But it is a lot more money. But it’s you’re still going to go. You’re still going to do it because you’re supporting your grandson. But it does hit the pocket books,” Huck said.

One resident, who declined to be identified on camera, reported seeing grocery costs increase by hundreds of dollars over the last year. Residents consistently noted the need to reduce spending elsewhere due to these rising expenses.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College’s education program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution is set to confer its first-ever associate degree awards. Nine students will receive their college degrees at the annual graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 9th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The ceremony will take place at the facility located at 3920 E. Ashwood Road in Madras, marking a significant milestone for the recently established program.

The associate degree program began in the spring of 2024, representing a new initiative by COCC. Financial assistance for students in the program is largely provided by federal Pell Grants, following a 2023 legislative change that lifted a 26-year ban on these grants for incarcerated individuals.

When Congress lifted the ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals in 2023, COCC was one of the first institutions in the country to apply for and receive the national grant certification.

Tony Russell, instructional dean at Central Oregon Community College, emphasized the program’s importance. “This program exemplifies COCC’s commitment to educational access and we’re so excited to reach this milestone with our first graduating class,” Russell said.

Under the guidance of COCC biology professor Emma Chaput, the college introduced a fully accredited, cohort-modeled associate degree program. Approximately 30 adults in custody are enrolled in the program during the academic year, out of about 1,100 at Deer Ridge.

COCC instructors travel to the facility to teach subjects that have included biology, history, communication, and human development. The degree awarded is a transfer award, designed to allow students to continue their college studies upon release.

The RAND Corporation conducted a study indicating that recidivism rates for adults in custody who earn an associate degree fall to 13.7%. For those who earn their GED in prison, recidivism rates drop to 50%.

The college provides a range of instructional services at Deer Ridge through a contract established in 2008 with the Oregon Department of Corrections. These educational services include Adult Basic Skills classes and a welding program, anchored by a state-mandated GED prep program.

Welding students will also be awarded certificates at the June 9th commencement ceremony. GED students enrolled in the program will be recognized at a later ceremony.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual Art Meets Wine in Sunriver event will return for its eighth year on Saturday, May 30th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunriver SHARC. The event, hosted by the Sunriver Women’s Club, serves as a major fundraiser to support nonprofits in south Deschutes County.

The Sunriver Women’s Club uses the event as a cornerstone of its mission to give back to the community. Through its Community Grant Program, the club awarded over $96,000 in 2025.

Art Meets Wine 2025, credit: Sunriver Women’s Club

Guests at the event can visit ten winery tasting stations and observe live art demonstrations. The gathering also features auctions offering items such as getaway experiences in Bend and Hood River, a round of golf at Crosswater Golf Club, and original art pieces.

The event provides an opportunity to celebrate Oregon Wine Month. It allows attendees to explore Oregon’s wine country without leaving Sunriver.

More information and tickets are available at artmeetswine.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At 11:30 pm on Thursday, May 21 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a structure fire near Boyd Acres Rd in NE Bend.  First arriving fire units found two residences heavily involved in fire with extension into nearby brush and trees and a second alarm was called. The fire was knocked down quickly, with fire progression stopped within 45 minutes. Assistance was received during the incident from Redmond Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Fire, and Sunriver Fire.  Both residences were uninhabitable with one a total loss, and Red Cross assistance was requested for the residents.  Losses are estimated in excess of 1 million dollars.  

The fire is under investigation at this time.  

The fire did extend into adjacent brush and trees, but was quickly stopped by fire crews.  Wildfires and wildfire losses aren’t just in rural areas, they can occur even within City limits.  Taking simple steps, such as clearing combustible material within 5 feet of the house and using non-combustible ground cover, can greatly reduce the risk of losing your home to wildfire.  For more information on reducing wildfire risk,

This is a developing story. Stay with the digital platforms of KTVZ News for urgent updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jamie Collins will assume the role of Deschutes County Commissioner from Position One, taking over from Tony DeBone in approximately seven months. Collins secured the position with more than 55% of the vote in the recent election.

The transition marks a change of guard on the Deschutes County Commission after DeBone served for 16 years.

Outgoing Commissioner DeBone has been a consistent presence on the board, guiding the county through periods including the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the county during its largest growth.

Incoming Commissioner Collins is not new to public service and has a background as a military veteran.

DeBone has dedicated 16 years to the Deschutes County Commission. DeBone described his dedication to his role, stating he is “just honored to be serving kind of keep. The more I do it, the more I want to just keep the county kind of going down the middle of the road, you know, do the services we do do it well. Serve everybody.”

Collins, a military veteran, commented on his new role, saying, “Well, this is a huge step. This is probably the biggest step I think I have taken in my career in public service. Other than swearing an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States as a member of the United States military.”

With seven months remaining until the formal change, Commissioner DeBone is focusing on current issues. He plans to manage homelessness and unsanctioned camping in partnership with the cities of Redmond and Bend. DeBone elaborated on his plans, saying, “So as I say, now that the budget is going to be passed, it will be six months into the end of this year. You know, managing the homeless, you know, just the unsanctioned camping. Working in partnership with Redmond and Bend on that.”

Commissioner Collins has outlined his immediate priorities upon taking office. Collins intends to establish a crisis task force to address the housing insurance crisis. He emphasized the importance of this issue, stating, “The biggest thing that I want to do on day one is stand up. A crisis task force to tackle our our housing insurance crisis here. This is probably far and away the most consequential thing that will affect our entire economy here in Central Oregon.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Commissioner DeBone said, “Well, as I say, I, when I run for office is big smile on my face. I’m here to serve. And it’s always been a very positive environment for me.” Commissioner Collins expressed his commitment to addressing challenges. “Well, I want to have no one say that. I did not try to tackle the tough challenges that we have here in Deschutes County,” Collins said.

The formal change from Commissioner DeBone to Commissioner Collins is set to occur in approximately seven months. Commissioner Collins plans to establish a crisis task force to address the housing insurance crisis on his first day in office.

Click here to follow the original article.

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital and conservation center, is launching a series of new youth and family volunteer opportunities. These programs aim to engage the high desert community in caring for and protecting native wildlife.

Think Wild, a small non-profit organization in Bend, relies on local community support to accomplish its mission. The new volunteer opportunities will provide younger community members a chance to contribute to Think Wild’s mission and gain hands-on experience in conservation.

Youth volunteers will meet at Think Wild’s wildlife hospital campus in Bend one to two times per month. They will assist with tasks such as patient diet preparation and enrichment building, pollinator garden and yard work, facility and enclosure upkeep and general community project support. These sessions will be split and tailored to specific age groups, with youth ages 8-13 meeting on the last Saturday of each month from 1-2 p.m. throughout the year.

Youth ages 14-17 will meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 2:30-4 p.m. during the spring and summer seasons. This older age group also has sessions scheduled for the last Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout the year.

Think Wild also offers several additional youth volunteer opportunities that take place off-site for those unable to attend regular sessions or seeking more activities. Some of these can be completed at home. Youth volunteers can represent Think Wild at local events and fundraisers to engage with the community and share informative resources.

For families, Think Wild provides plans and guidance for building native bird and bat boxes at home. Youth volunteers can also assist with the rescue and transport of injured and orphaned wildlife to the wildlife hospital, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Families and youth interested in spending time outdoors and contributing to habitat restoration can participate in several ongoing Beaver Works Oregon projects throughout Eastern and Central Oregon One family-friendly event includes building beaver dam analogs in the Ochoco National Forest. Beaver dam analogs are hand-built structures made of sticks and natural materials that mimic a real beaver dam.

The Beaver Works Oregon event in the Ochoco National Forest is scheduled for July 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More details and a link to RSVP for this event are available on the volunteer calendar on the Think Wild website.

Individuals interested in becoming youth volunteers and learning more about these opportunities can fill out the youth volunteer application form or email volunteer@thinkwildco.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

Harley Coldiron

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon residents are invited to a free Affordable Homeownership Fair on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Redmond City Hall. NeighborImpact HomeSource will host the event, connecting attendees with local affordable housing developers and resources for homebuyer education and eligibility.

The fair is part of NeighborWorks Week, which runs from May 23–June 7, 2026. This national initiative highlights the work of NeighborWorks network organizations to expand housing opportunities, build financial stability and strengthen communities.

The 2026 theme for NeighborWorks Week is “Creating Homes, Building America.” NeighborImpact HomeSource prepares Central Oregon residents for homeownership through education, coaching and financial tools.

The event will allow attendees to hear directly from multiple local developers about upcoming projects, eligibility requirements and the steps to becoming a homeowner.

Participating affordable housing developers include Thistle & Nest, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver, RootedHomes, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, Sisters Habitat for Humanity and First Story.

The Affordable Homeownership Fair is supported by event sponsors Hayden Homes, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty and Redmond The Hub. Spanish translation and a sign language interpreter will be available at the event.

The fair is free and open to the public. For questions, residents can email homesource@neighborimpact.org or call 541-323-6567.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From traffic concerns on Highland to water allowances for farmers, Mayor Ed Fitch answers viewer-submitted questions for this month’s Ask the Mayor.

Viewers can submit questions for Mayor Fitch at any time as part of our monthly segment – just click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Burns Fire and Police recently welcomed some special guests for a fun-filled, and educational day.

Burns Fire says Juntura School students, teachers, and families came to the Burns Fire and Police departments for an exciting BBQ and tour.

Everyone had a blast touring the station, emergency vehicles, and participating in the activities.

Click here to follow the original article.