Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening today, three prescribed burns are set to take place around Central Oregon.

-10 a.m. 4/24 on 100 acres 3 miles NW of Sisters, W of Hwy 20 along FSR 1012.

-10 a.m. 4/24 on 363 acres 11 miles south of Bend and 4 miles east of Lava Butte

-11 a.m. 4/24 on 80 acres, 4 miles west of the Highway 58 and 97 junction. That’s about 58 miles south of Bend and 8 miles north of Chemult.

Nearby residents are advised to close doors and windows at night to mitigate smoke impacts. Those impacts are most likely overnight and in the early-morning hours.

You can text ‘COFIRE’ to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Electric vehicle drivers can expect 24 new public DC fast charging station options over the next few years across the state, including here in Central Oregon. The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office recently selected seven private electric vehicle charging companies for $16.7 million in federal grants.

These grants will fund the 24 new stations, providing 126 new DC fast charging ports across major state roads, making long-distance travel by electric vehicle more convenient.

The funding for these stations originates from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Through this program, Oregon is allocated $52 million over five years to establish a comprehensive charging network.

This second round of grants, totaling $16.7 million, is a significant part of the statewide initiative to build out public charging infrastructure.

The 24 new DC fast charging stations will be strategically located along Interstate 84 and U.S. Highways 20, 26, 97, and 101. Each station will feature at least four charging ports, with some having as many as eight, contributing to a total of 126 new DC fast charging ports. Click here to view an interactive map of where the new charging stations will be located.

Bend, Sisters, Prineville, and Madras were selected:

-BEND: 70 NW Newport Avenue

-SISTERS: 625 N Arrowleaf Trail

-PRINEVILLE: 1595 NE 3rd Street

-MADRAS: 1678 SE Highway 97

DC fast charging stations are designed with high-powered ports capable of recharging some electric vehicles from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. The private companies awarded the grants chose the station locations, ensuring each site is near amenities such as food, shopping, and supermarkets.

The seven private electric vehicle charging companies were selected through a competitive process. These companies are responsible for installing, owning, and maintaining the NEVI charging stations. Grantees are required to provide a minimum of 20% in matching funds and submit a five-year maintenance plan for each station.

NEVI is a federal initiative with the goal of establishing a nationwide network of public DC fast charging stations in all 50 states over five years along major highways and interstates. By law, the federal funds from the NEVI program are restricted and cannot be used for other purposes, such as state road or bridge maintenance.

A third NEVI grant opportunity is planned for this summer. This upcoming round will focus on filling rural gaps in Oregon’s public DC fast charging network. Specific areas targeted include Interstate 82, Oregon Highway 42, U.S. Highway 95, U.S. Highway 101 south of Reedsport, and U.S. Highways 20 and 26 east of Bend and Prineville, respectively.

The Oregon Department of Transportation Climate Office expects to finalize grant contracts with the selected companies over the next few months. Several stations are anticipated to become operational over the next 12 to 18 months.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) In what President Donald Trump called “the single largest deregulatory action in American history, by far.” his administration revoked the 2009 Environmental Protection Agency Endangerment Finding. Essentially pulling the federal rug out from under states and their emission standards. It limits states powers to regulate emissions and puts Oregon off track for its greenhouse gas reduction benchmarks. This decision has drawn strong opposition, with 25 states, including Oregon, joining a lawsuit to challenge the repeal.

The action undoes a decades-long approach to environmental policy that allowed states to build off of federal emission standards.

The 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding provided the scientific and technical foundation for the federal government’s regulation of climate pollution. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases nationwide and in Oregon. Gerik Kransky, senior transportation policy advisor for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality told me “pollution from vehicle tailpipes creates about 35% of the state’s climate emissions.”

The repeal of the Endangerment Finding represents a shift in environmental policy that has historically operated under a system of cooperative federalism. Central Oregon Democratic representative Emerson Levy noted this system, where the EPA established a baseline, allows states to implement more stringent regulations. “All of our federal policies and all of our environmental policies since the Nixon administration has operated under a system of cooperative federalism where the EPA set the floor but the states they would set the ceiling, so they could always go above the floor and basically what the administration is saying now is there isn’t a floor but what I worry for is the signal that this is sending us is that they don’t want to be our partner and that undoes 50 years of cooperative federalism on these issues,” Levy said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Oregon’s DEQ outlined their concerns in a letter to the White House. Stating the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment finding and the Clean Air Act would negatively affect Oregon. “The harms of recession would fall directly on the people of Oregon,” Kotek said. She also emphasized the importance of federal standards, adding, “GHG emission standards for vehicles and power plants are essential to Oregon meeting climate-change mitigation targets.” The City of Bend also expressed strong opposition to the EPA’s decision in a letter. The city highlighted that a lack of federal standards could worsen fire seasons, making them more severe and increasing threats to Central Oregonians.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the administration’s decision to revoke the finding, critiquing the scientific process the EPA, under then president Barack Obama, used to reach the finding. “To reach the 2009 endangerment finding, they relied on the most pessimistic views of the science,” Zeldin said. He added, “We can rely on 2025 facts as opposed to 2009 bad assumptions.” President Donald Trump called the 2009 finding “one of the greatest scams in history.” However, scientists worldwide quickly asserted that the evidence supporting the endangerment finding has only grown stronger in the 17 years since its publication. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality also told KTVZ News a direct connection exists between climate pollution and the impacts of drought and wildfire across Oregon.

Twenty-five states across the country are suing the repeal of the Endangerment Finding. This legal action is expected to prolong the dispute over federal climate regulations. “25 states have joined in a lawsuit and so I think honestly this thing will be tied up in litigation for a long time,” Rep. Emerson Levy said.

Despite the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, leaders in Oregon remain committed to managing emissions. Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality and elected officials in Bend recognize the importance of limiting emissions to protect the state’s forests, water and natural environment. What else makes our community so great, if not the natural beauty surrounding us.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 200 women gathered at Tetherow Resort in Bend last night for a sold-out Deschutes Women in Business event. The gathering focused on connection, honesty and momentum for women in business, centered on the concept of leverage.

This gathering addressed how women use leverage to build businesses, make career-defining decisions and lead in industries where they are often underrepresented. Such comprehensive discussions and connections are rare in a single setting.

The event featured Julie Harrelson, who helped establish Cascade Seed Fund as a leading early-stage investment vehicle in the region. Diane Bradley, founder and chief executive officer of Jemini, also spoke, challenging attendees to consider leverage beyond business to include personal decisions.

Harrelson and Bradley jointly led a rapid-fire session. This segment covered life-changing leverage points, such as discerning when to decline opportunities, when to accept assistance and how small decisions can generate lasting momentum.

Cate Havstad Casad, who founded both Casad Family Farms and Range Revolution, delivered a presentation. She discussed the economic and health reasons for selecting local meat and supporting agricultural producers in Central Oregon.

Deschutes Women in Business was founded in 2024. The organization has since grown to more than 4,000 followers and its events consistently sell out.

Deschutes Women in Business is industry and stage agnostic. It welcomes women founders, operators and leaders at all stages of their careers and lives. The organization hosts monthly events across multiple formats, designed to facilitate substantive connections, practical learning and real momentum.

Women interested in joining the community or attending an upcoming event can find more information at deschuteswomen.com. Updates are also available by following @deschuteswomeninbusiness on Instagram.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit responded to a call for help on Wednesday, Apr. 23, after a hiker began experiencing a medical issue and became mildly hypothermic on South Sister. The call was initiated at 4:45 p.m.

Two males in their 20s, who had traveled from the Philomath area, were hiking South Sister. They parked at Dutchman Flat at the base of Mt. Bachelor and were descending the mountain when they called for assistance.

13 volunteers from the Search and Rescue Medical and Mountain Rescue teams located the hikers at 8:25 p.m. One of the hikers was able to walk out without needing assistance.

The second hiker, who was experiencing the medical issue, was warmed up by Search and Rescue medical personnel. This hiker was then transported in a Cascade rescue sled.

Search and Rescue crews navigated deep, variable snow to bring the hikers to Cascade Lakes Highway by 3:45 a.m. One hiker was transferred to a Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance for further medical evaluation, while the other was taken to his car.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds hikers to plan ahead before venturing into higher elevations. Hikers should carry ample food, water and appropriate clothing. Conditions in these areas can change rapidly, especially after sunset when temperatures drop, despite spring-like weather.

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Campbell Porter

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in six Oregon counties, citing record-low snowpack and ongoing dry conditions. The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-07, affects Crook, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Morrow and Wallowa counties.

This marks the second drought declaration for Oregon in 2026. A total of nine of Oregon’s 36 counties are now under drought emergency status, including Deschutes County.

The 2025–26 winter in Oregon tied with 1934 as the warmest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These unusually warm temperatures contributed to record-low snowpack with likely impacts on natural resources, water supply and wildfire risk across the state.

The drought emergency declaration unlocks emergency tools for affected communities. These include assistance for local water users and expedited review processes through the Oregon Water Resources Department.

As of April 7, 89% of Crook County is experiencing moderate to severe drought. Indicators for Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and water year-to-date (WYTD) show drier-than-normal conditions. Precipitation across most of the county has been below normal.

Grant County also faces significant drought conditions, with 99% in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over the last year and WYTD indicate drier-than-normal conditions for most of the county and precipitation has been below normal.

In Jackson County, 95% is in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over various timescales point to moderate drought conditions for most of the county. Precipitation conditions have been below normal over the last year.

Jefferson County is severely impacted, with 94% in severe drought and the remainder in moderate drought as of April 7. Moderate to extreme drought conditions are indicated by SPEI values and WYTD precipitation is just below normal at 70% to 90%. WYTD temperatures are well above normal, resulting in well below normal snowpack.

Morrow County has 80% of its area in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. While WYTD SPEI values generally indicate normal conditions, SPEI values over the last year show drier-than-normal conditions for most of the county. Precipitation has been below normal over the last year.

Wallowa County is entirely in moderate to severe drought as of April 7. SPEI values over the last year indicate moderate to severe drought conditions across much of the county. WYTD SPEI values vary, ranging from drier-than-normal to wetter-than-normal conditions and precipitation has been below normal over the last year.

These drought conditions are expected to significantly affect Oregon’s farms, ranches, recreation and tourism sectors. They will also impact drinking water availability, fish and wildlife habitats and other natural resource-dependent activities. Extreme dryness will likely shorten the growing season, decrease water supplies and increase wildfire risk.

Gov. Kotek noted the severity of the situation and the state’s readiness to act.

“Communities across the state are being confronted with unprecedented drought conditions,” Kotek said. “My office and relevant state agencies are at the ready to assist affected communities address drought impacts and continue efforts to secure a stronger, more climate-resilient Oregon. The abnormally dry conditions we’re experiencing should serve as a stark reminder that wildfire season is around the corner and Oregonians need to be ready.”

Previously, Gov. Kotek declared drought in Baker, Deschutes and Umatilla counties in March 2026. The Oregon Water Supply Availability Committee and state natural resource partners continue to monitor water conditions closely.

State and local officials are coordinating with federal partners. The state’s natural resource and public safety agencies, including the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, will closely monitor conditions.

Forecasted snowpack, temperature, precipitation and water supply conditions suggest that drought conditions in the affected counties are unlikely to improve in the near-term.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dogs are big users of parks and trails, but there are few public places where leashes aren’t required, so Bend Police and the Bend Park and Recreation District are teaming up to visit area parks in coming days, reminding everyone about those rules and the costs of not following them.

One of the most common concerns from community members involves off‑leash dogs and their handlers not following these rules, the two agencies said in a joint news release Thursday that continues below:

They are reminding pet owners about leash requirements and the safety benefits of keeping dogs on leash.

BPRD’s park stewards will partner with Bend Police Community Service Officers by visiting several parks and trails this month to talk with dog handlers about expectations and park rules.

From Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1, community members will see extra patrols by staff of both organizations, seeking voluntary compliance and providing reminders to anyone observed with a dog off leash about possible consequences of violations.

Dogs are required by city ordinance to be on leash in any public area in the city of Bend except in designated off-leash areas.

The engagement campaign aims to inform community members about possible enforcement actions, which can include a 30-day exclusion from park district property and/or a $275 fine and being held responsible for a dog’s actions in civil or criminal cases.

“Leashes aren’t just a rule — they’re one of the simplest ways to protect your dog, other park users, and the shared experience of being outdoors,” said Joel Lee, BPRD park stewardship manager. “Leashing your dog also helps protect wildlife, preserve natural habitats, and prevent harmful encounters.”

The park steward team keeps data related to their patrols and contacts in parks and facilities throughout the year.

In 2025, they observed 12,697 dogs on leash and 2,864 dogs off leash, which equates to approximately 77 percent compliance. According to Lee, compliance varies seasonally, as well as across parks and trails, with complaints increasing in neighborhood parks across the community.

Meanwhile, Bend Police received 157 dog complaints regarding incidents on park properties in 2025, and 52 calls so far in 2026. The Bend Police Department maintains a dashboard allowing the public to see police calls for service in public parks. You can access it at https://policedata.bendoregon.gov/pages/parks-incidents.

“We need our community to work together and for everyone to follow park rules,” said Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller. “The law applies to everyone, even if you think your dog is friendly or well trained.”

Leash rules also apply while walking to a dog park from the entrance or a parking lot. Unleashed dogs running from a vehicle can create safety concerns for the dog as well as for others, especially in busy parks such as Hollinshead, Ponderosa, Big Sky and Pine Nursery parks.

Additionally, dog owners are to clean up after their dog. To help out, dog waste bags and trash receptacles are available at many Bend parks and trails.

BPRD has nine dog off-leash areas in local parks, including:

Alpenglow Community Park (61049 SE 15th St.) 3.9 acres, fenced with small dog area and agility amenities.

Big Sky Park (21690 Neff Rd) 5 acres, fenced.

Discovery Park (1315 NW Discovery Park Drive) 1.6 acres, fenced.

Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St) 1.1 acres, fenced with river access and small dog area.

Ponderosa Park (225 SE 15th St) 2.9 acres, fenced with small dog area.

Bob Wenger Memorial Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park (NE Purcell Rd) 18.8 acres, fenced with seasonal splash pad and small dog park.

Hollinshead Park (1235 NE Jones Rd) 3.7 acres, unfenced.

Overturf Butte Reservoir (Skyliner Summit Loop) 4.6 acres, fenced.

Awbrey Reservoir (NW 10th and Trenton) 5 acres, partially fenced (not fully enclosed). Note: acreage is approximate.

Off-leash area etiquette includes only visiting with vaccinated, non-aggressive pets. Also, please don’t allow children to ride bikes or play on agility course equipment located in the dog parks.

Learn more on the Dogs in Parks webpage.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from Deschutes County Clerk)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With the May primary election fast-approaching, Deschutes County voters are being reminded that not all ballots will look the same — and an upcoming deadline could impact what you see.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison says Oregon’s closed primary system means voters must be affiliated with a major political party to vote in that party’s races.

“If a voter wants to participate in a primary election for either of the two major parties, they need to be affiliated with one of those two major parties,” Dennison said.

The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation is April 28. Missing that deadline means partisan races may not appear on your ballot.

Once ballots are returned, Dennison says a detailed verification process begins.

Ballots are collected from drop boxes by two-person teams, then sealed, tracked and transported to the clerk’s office. From there, each signature is hand-reviewed by trained staff.

“Our staff are all trained by forensic handwriting specialists. We know what your signature looks like,” Dennison said.

If a signature is missing or doesn’t match, the ballot is flagged and the voter is contacted with an opportunity to fix the issue. About 4% of ballots are challenged each election and are only counted if corrected.

Any suspected voter fraud is referred to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for investigation and possible prosecution.

Dennison also emphasized the security of the county’s voting system.

“That voting system is not connected to the internet. It’s not connected to the county network. It’s not connected to Wi-Fi,” he said. “That is not susceptible to hackers because it’s not connected to anything.”

From ballot collection to signature verification and auditing, Dennison says multiple safeguards are in place to ensure accuracy and transparency.

“There are checks and balances in place, secure transport and chain of custody, and we’re following the law,” he said.

Dennison encourages voters with questions or concerns to contact the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office, saying understanding the process can help build confidence in local elections.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the future of Elkhorn Avenue to water levels for the summer, 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.

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. And a Warm Springs artist’s work will be in it.

The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening in 2276.

Each state was asked to contribute a submission that represents its people, stories, and values at this historic moment.

In February, the America 250 Oregon Commission invited the public to share their ideas for what Oregon should submit to the time capsule, with suggestions ranging from creative works, written reflections, and symbolic objects. Each state’s submission must fit within a 6″ x 5″ x 2″ archival storage box or consist of a single page of archival paper no larger than 8.5″ x 11″.

The Commission announced this week that Oregon’s chosen submission is a pin handcrafted by acclaimed Native American artist Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, and Yakama).

She is widely known for her sculpting and mixed media artistry, which focuses on 12,000 years of Native American history and traditions of the Columbia River region. Her works have been exhibited globally and can be found in Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland State University, and the Museum at Warm Springs.

The pin that was selected is She Who Watches, Pitt’s depiction of a famous petroglyph and pictograph that is perched high on a mountain visible from her ancestral village. Under the oral traditions of tribes of the Columbia River region, She Who Watches represents Tsagaglalal, a wise and powerful chief who was transformed to stone, where she continues to keep vigil over her people and the Columbia River.

“The inclusion of this pin from one of Oregon’s most celebrated Indigenous artists reminds us that Oregon’s history and America’s history is much longer than 250 or 500 years,” said America 250 Oregon Commission Chair Kerry Tymchuk. 

Lillian Pitt said, “I am honored that my work will be included in this time capsule and am heartened to know that when it is opened in 250 years, people will be reminded of those who have made this land their home since time immemorial.”

Lillian Pitt was born on the Warm Springs Reservation in 1944 and moved to Portland in the early 1960s, where she resides today. She has received many honors, including the Oregon History Makers Award from the Oregon Historical Society.

The Ford Family Foundation recently named Pitt as the inaugural recipient of the 1905 Legacy Award, which will be presented every five years to an active Oregon artist who has been producing art for at least 20 years. The Museum at Warm Springs also will open a new, major exhibition next month, entitled “Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home.”

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, the mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

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