Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Though the generosity of its members and community, Mid Oregon Credit Union said Friday that its 2025 Holiday Dough fundraising effort collected $7,250 from over 220 individuals in support of local food banks this holiday season. 

During the month of December, Mid Oregon’s Holiday Dough invited its members and the community to make financial contributions to assist local nonprofits in their communities. 

Donations raised provide food and other needed items to individuals and families experiencing financial challenges during the holiday season. 

Mid Oregon says 100% of the contributions stay in the community where they were collected and aid these local nonprofits: 

The Giving Plate (Bend) 

La Pine Christmas Basket Association 

Jericho Road (Redmond) 

Madras Community Food Pantry 

Crook County Holiday Partnership (Prineville) 

Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank 

“We know that many families are already feeling the pressure on their food budgets and planning a festive holiday meal can be challenging,” says Kyle Frick, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for Mid Oregon Credit Union.

“We are grateful for the community’s generosity and happy to facilitate this effort that relieves the pressure of food insecurity for many of our local families.” 

Since 2013, Mid Oregon members and the community have donated more than $55,200 to local food banks through Holiday Dough — helping to bring holiday cheer to local families. 

Mid Oregon Credit Union is a full-service, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in and serving Central Oregonians since 1957. With close to 52,000 members in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Lake, and North Klamath Counties and more than $839 million in assets, Mid Oregon partners with members to meet their financial needs and to help them achieve their dreams. Mid Oregon was named a Top Workplace in Oregon and Southwest Washington for four consecutive years including 2025. It was also ranked the #1 credit union in Oregon by Forbes for 2023, 2024, and 2025 and received the Bend Bulletin’s Best of the Best of Bend Community Choice Award in the credit union category for 2023, 2024, and 2025. For more information about its services and branch locations in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, and Sisters, please visit midoregon.com.  

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A powerful storm that has prompted evacuations in Western Oregon also brought 1-2 inches of rain around Central Oregon overnight and sent some creeks and rivers surging close to or over their banks.

The flooding threat in Central Oregon eased Friday as a flood watch was allowed to expire, but much of the state was still dealing with the atmospheric river’s impacts, including evacuations and rescues of stranded people. KGW also reported a Yamhill County man drowned after driving round a “Road Closed” barrier into high floodwaters.

Most National Weather Service observers around Bend reported over an inch of rain, and one on the city’s Westside recorded nearly two inches in the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. Redmond observers reported a half to nearly an inch of rain, and there were similar impacts in Prineville and Madras.

The city of Sisters said Whychus Creek crested around 2 a.m. Friday and was expected to gradually recede throughout the day.

“The creek remains fast-moving and high, creating potentially hazardous conditions along the banks,” officials warned.

“Recent rain has saturated the soil, which can make creek banks unstable and prone to collapse,” the 8 a.m. Friday update said. “For safety, please keep pets and children well away from the water’s edge and use caution near the creek until water levels and conditions improve.”

The city of Sisters made sandbags available on Thursday. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District said Friday it has two sump pumps available for district residents dealing with water in crawl spaces.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday for the east slopes of the Oregon Cascades, including Sisters, Camp Sherman, Sunriver and La Pine, for another 2-6 inches of snow and winds gusting to 35 mph that could make travel difficult.

A flood watch is in effect for a large area of the state until Saturday, but was allowed to expire for Central Oregon on Friday.

The NWS had issued a flash flood warning late Thursday for Shitike Creek, as the Warm Springs emergency manager advised NWS of water backing up behind a log jam upstream of Warm Springs that could worsen flooding. The warning expired Friday morning as river and creek levels were receding in the area.

Mt. Bachelor got three inches of snow Friday morning as it hopes to build a snowpack and have a delayed season opening soon.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend and Housing Works said Friday they have partnered to replace more than 100 high-volume toilets at Summit Park Apartments with high-efficiency models, aiming to save water and reduce utility bills.

The retrofit is expected to save Housing Works approximately $10,600 annually, or $105 per toilet.

The outdated toilets, more than 30 years old and using 3.5 gallons per flush, were replaced with new EPA WaterSense-certified toilets that use only 1.28 gallons per flush. The city rebate program offset $80 of the cost for each toilet, amounting to a total rebate of $8,080, which covered about 34% of the project costs.

Housing Works, the largest provider of affordable housing in Central Oregon, serves about 1% of the population, with 1,400 homes and apartments.

Both parties said the partnership not only enhances water efficiency but also allows Housing Works to allocate savings toward improving their services and reducing rental costs.

“Creating efficiency across our buildings makes sense in so many ways,” said Lynne McConnell, executive director of Housing Works. She emphasized that upgrading these facilities helps fulfill their mission of fostering dignity through housing while benefiting the community at large.

The anticipated return on investment for the upgrades is just under 1.5 years, according to Dan Denning, manager of Bend’s Water Conservation Program.

“Based on the expected annual water and sewer savings, this project’s return on investment was expedited to a little under 1.5 years with rebate funds,” Denning explained, indicating that these savings could significantly benefit property owners.

Further discussing the partnership, Denning stated, “We value partnerships like this one with Housing Works and are so grateful to be able to help improve this property’s sustainability and reduce ongoing operational costs through water savings.”

He highlighted that other multi-family and commercial properties are also eligible for similar rebate programs, promoting water conservation citywide.

For each project, the city offers a complimentary preliminary evaluation to identify potential savings and help plan implementation. Denning noted, “We realize no two projects are exactly alike. Our goal is to foster a successful venture that generates the most savings on each property.”

The new toilets’ water savings will begin to reflect in Housing Works’ budget starting next year. City representatives encourage other multi-family and commercial property owners to explore available rebates for improving water efficiency.

Other city water customers with multi-family buildings, multiplexes with five or more units and commercial properties are eligible for rebates on indoor and outdoor water-efficient devices and projects too.

Visit Multi-Family and Commercial Rebates and WaterWise Communities for more information, or contact Bend’s Water Conservation staff at 541-317-3000, ext. 2, or conservation@bendoregon.gov.

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Kelsey Merison

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Central Oregon? Kelsey Merison highlights three local events, from Jurassic Quest returning to Redmond to a party at The Pavilion in Bend.

For many more and to submit your own events, visit https://events.ktvz.com.

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Claire Elmer

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In Redmond, a community-backed arts effort is stepping up where school budgets fall short. It’s exactly the kind of innovative, student-centered effort KTVZ News and Mid Oregon Credit Union look to celebrate through One Class at a Time — supporting the teachers and programs that make a difference every day.

When budget cuts eliminated art programs in Redmond schools, students lost an important creative outlet. That’s when the Dry Canyon Arts Association stepped in, launching its Jumpstart Art program to fund artists working directly in classrooms.

“Without this program, there is no visual art education in elementary schools,” said Mel Archer, chair of the Dry Canyon Arts Association. “That means there are 3,000 children who wouldn’t get art education except for what we’re doing.”

At Hugh Hartman Elementary, Principal Jen Temple says the impacts go beyond creativity.

“Art really is a medium for communicating culture,” Temple said. “For some kids, it’s the most meaningful way of communicating in general. It’s incredibly impactful to be able to share art with one another.”

The program doesn’t just help students express themselves — it encourages teamwork, connection, and confidence that can carry into other subjects.

Linda Seeburg, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for the Redmond School District, said the arts play an essential role in a well-rounded education.

“We work hard on helping kids learn to read and be proficient in math and science,” Seeburg said. “But the arts round out that experience — and you never know who you’re going to inspire.”

Last year, community donations helped fully restore elementary visual art programs across the district — a major milestone made possible by dedicated educators and local support.

To recognize those efforts, Mid Oregon Credit Union and KTVZ News awarded an additional $1,000 through One Class at a Time — our program to honor teachers making a difference in students’ lives and support initiatives making a difference.

It’s another example of how Central Oregon communities are working together to make a lasting impact — one class at a time.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Trinity Lutheran School in Bend has announced it is closed today, Friday, December 19th, due to no power in the building.

The school said it will send more information to parents via email.

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Spencer Sacks

(Adding video and quotes from ODOT PIO Kacey Davey and State Rep. Emerson Levy)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — When legislators met for a special session earlier this year, they thought it would be the end of ODOT funding discussions. On Thursday, the governor’s office told KTVZ News it is pausing the plan the legislators passed earlier this year.

This comes after a massive campaign led by Senator Bruce Starr to gather 75,000 signatures to put the measure on the ballot, and leave it up to the people. The campaign submitted 200,000 signatures to be verified.

“The governor should work, across the aisle with myself and my colleagues to, rebalance ODOT budget using existing resources, ensuring that our maintenance is done,” Senator Starr told KTVZ News. “We got to keep the roads open during the winter time. We can do that with existing resources. We don’t need to raise taxes to do that.”

Sentiment has been mixed, as legislators grapple with the political fallout of the pausing of ODOT funding. Many are left wondering what this means.

Kacey Davey, ODOT’s Public information Officer told KTVZ News. “The governor has directed us to continue hiring for only critical positions. Right now that’s winter maintenance positions. You can see across the state as we go through storms like we’re in now, these positions are absolutely crucial to keeping our roads and our transportation systems open and safe and moving.”

As some are starting holiday vacations early, many people are hitting the roads and people will feel the effects.

As ODOT adds a new director, this pause adds another burden on top.

Rep. Emerson Levy told KTVZ News, “I think that she is the first step in creating a culture of trust and rebuilding morale within the agency and reconnecting with communities, to build that trust. Until we’ve done that part, it’s going to be really hard to go to the voters and ask them for more.”

For more than four weeks legislators met in a special session to pass a funding package the governor claimed would prevent large-scale layoffs of ODOT employees, fund roads, and keep maintenance stations open. The cost: an increase in the gas tax from 40 to 46 cents a gallon, and an increase in registration from $43 to 85 for gas cars.

Title fees increase from $77 dollars to $216. EV vehicles were not spared, as registration fees increased from $115 to $145.​

One of the maintenance stations on the chopping block is in Sisters just before the Santiam Pass. The ODOT workers there make sure the roads stay open, and first responders are safe in the event of an accident, and as the winter weather piles up, those workers keep the pass open.

Not only is ODOT going to see issues, the DMV will also have its share of problems. A source there told KTVZ News, more DMV sites are going to move to appointments only, due to staffing and money issues. The DMV wants to give customers certainty.​

What this means in the long term is yet to be seen but law makers will begin their short session in just over 3 weeks. The number one issue on everyones mind is finding a solution to ODOT’s current problems.

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — When the Oregon Legislature reconvenes next session, one of lawmakers’ top priorities will be how to fund the state’s transportation budget.

On Thursday, the governor’s office confirmed to KTVZ News that Oregon’s new gas tax and fee increases will be put on hold after a statewide petition gathered enough signatures to suspend the law. The measures will remain paused until voters weigh in during the November election, provided the Secretary of State’s office verifies all submitted signatures.

“Oregonians have exercised their ability to challenge actions taken by the legislature, and the Governor respects the outcome of that process,” said Roxy Mayer, press secretary for Governor Tina Kotek.

Mayer told KTVZ News the governor’s office is deeply concerned about how the Oregon Department of Transportation will be funded moving forward, especially as infrastructure challenges continue to grow across the state.

“Just last week, there was a rain-caused landslide north of the City of Siletz blocking traffic on Highway 229. ODOT crews are actively responding to the situation. This is why we need an adequately funded transportation agency to keep Oregonians safe,” said Mayer.

The announcement follows three Central Oregon Republican lawmakers’ call for ODOT emergency funding on Wednesday, blaming crumbling rural roads. They predict voters will approve a petition repealing the new tax hikes and pledge to collaborate with ODOT on alternative funding.

Funding approved under the emergency bill signed by Governor Kotek is now suspended. According to the governor’s office, the delay could impact transportation projects statewide, and potential layoffs may begin.

“Republicans must now work with Democrats to find a different solution. The Governor is committed to working with lawmakers of both parties, ODOT leadership, stakeholders, and local leaders to find a path forward. The Governor’s guiding principle is to avoid, as much as possible, immediate service cuts that will impact Oregonians,” said Mayer.

This is a developing story.

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Triton Notary

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ)– If you’re looking for something festive to do between Christmas and New Year’s, there’s a unique way to celebrate in Central Oregon, a Winter Solstice Masquerade Ball in Redmond.

The High Desert Music Hall will host the event on Saturday, December 27th, offering a night of music, magic, and mystery. Organizers say the ball celebrates the lesser-known, “forgotten side” of the Yule season, full of mischief, tradition, and old-world charm.

Raechel Gilland, organizer of the event told KTVZ News “Please come dance dressed to your best. If you do not have a mask, we have some masks available for purchase. If you love Christmas, if you love partying, if you love tradition or Renaissance fairs or performance arts of any kind, we’re going to have fun,”

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with several performances, including burlesque and magic acts. After dinner and entertainment, guests can take to the open dance floor for the rest of the night.

The masquerade is for adults, with tickets priced around $50. A special sale is underway, offering a package that includes two tickets and a pair of masks for the ball.

Tickets and event details are available online through Adventure Times Entertainments and the official Winter Solstice Masquerade Ball social media pages

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District is seeking public input on a revised environmental assessment for an invasive plant management project in Central Oregon.

“This is a critical opportunity for the public to help shape how we manage invasive plants across the Prineville District,” said Amanda S. Roberts, Prineville District manager. “We’re looking for feedback that reflects community values while also helping us meet land-use needs.”

Invasive plant species threaten the health of Central Oregon’s landscapes, impacting native vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as quality and recreation. The BLM is proposing updates to its existing management plan to better address these challenges using a broader set of tools and technologies.

“More than 75 invasive plant species grow in the Prineville District,” said Ian Grinter, project lead. “This updated plan will help us respond more effectively to the growing threat of invasive species and protect the ecological integrity of public lands.”

The proposed updates include:

Adding 10 new herbicide active ingredients to improve treatment options for a wider variety of invasive plants, including annual and perennial grasses.

Incorporating new technologies such as drones for aerial herbicide application and monitoring.

Expanding treatment areas to include lands where new herbicides would be used alongside existing methods.

The BLM team will analyze potential environmental effects of these updates, including impacts to:

Soil health and water quality

Riparian habitats and aquatic species

Wildlife and migratory birds, including greater sage-grouse

Livestock forage and grazing

Recreation values and fire risk

The BLM encourages public comments to help identify issues, concerns, and opportunities for improvement. Comments can be submitted online through the project’s ePlanning page at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2041738/510.

The scoping period runs through Jan. 8.

 Written comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to:

BLM Prineville District Office

Attn: Integrated Invasive Plant Management EA3050 NE 3rd StreetPrineville, OR 97754 

Please include “Invasive Plant EA” in the subject line or on the envelope. Comments must be received by Jan. 8, 2026. 

For questions or more information about the project, contact Ian Grinter at igrinter@blm.gov or call (541) 416- 6714.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A brand-new arts and culture festival is coming to the heart of Bend. The inaugural BCD Block Party will take over the Bend Central District on Friday and Saturday, July 10–11, 2026, bringing together local artists, performers, makers, and community members for a two-day celebration of creativity in all its forms.

Designed to highlight the vibrant energy of the Bend Central District, Bend Block Party blends live music, visual art, fashion, theater, comedy, and interactive experiences into a walkable, community-focused festival.

The event kicks off Friday, July 10, with music-only sets hosted across local venues throughout the district, showcasing a range of regional talent and setting the tone for a weekend of creative connection.

On Saturday, July 11, the Bend Central District will transform into an open-street festival, featuring hands-on art activities, chalk art and mural installations, a fashion show, artist booths, games, a dedicated kids zone, and more. The celebration continues into the evening with theater and comedy performances hosted at district venues.

Artists and creatives are encouraged to get involved, artist applications are open now.

Additional details, including schedules, performers, and participating venues, will be announced in the coming months.

For updates, artist applications, and more information, visit bendblockparty.com and follow along on social media.

Event DetailsWhat: Bend Block PartyWhen: July 10–11, 2026Where: Bend Central District, Bend, Oregon

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