Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Health Authority said Tuesday it has lifted a recreational use health advisory issued for Ochoco Lake in Crook County.

OHA issued the advisory on Aug 27 for the lake, located seven miles east of Prineville, where Crook County Parks and Recreation operates and maintains a campground and day-use area.

The rest of Tuesday’s OHA announcement:

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ochoco Lake are below recreational guideline values for people.

However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water.

If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom.

Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — One week after St. Charles Health System said it reached contract agreements with two insurance providers, Aetna and Cigna, comes word that talks with several other insurers are still ongoing. One company, PacificSource, just warned their Medicare Advantage patients they could go out of network on Jan. 1.

A PacificSource Medicare Advantage customer passed along an email to KTVZ News on Tuesday that’s headlined: “St. Charles Health System may leave our network January 1, 2026.”

It continued, “Earlier this year, St. Charles Health System terminated its Medicare contract with PacificSource in order to negotiate a new contract for 2026. We’re working diligently to reach an agreement that allows St. Charles to continue participating in our network. If we’re unable able to do so, they will be out-of-network beginning January 1, 2026.”

Under a heading of “What’s next,” the insurer said: “We remain committed to finding a resolution and will continue working hard to reach an agreement with St. Charles. If we are unable to reach an agreement, our top priority will be to support our members through the transition.”

“We will keep you informed with any updates as this situation develops,” the company added.

KTVZ News reached out to St. Charles Public Information Officer Alandra Johnson, who shared this statement:

“We are continuing to negotiate with PacficSource and several other insurance companies. No final decisions have been made at this time. Please consult our website for the latest information on which plans are currently in network for St. Charles providers and facilities.”

Johnson was unable to share specifics of what other insurers they are negotiating with. But she stressed that the PacificSource notice only involves Medicare Advantage supplemental plans – not traditional Medicare, which is always covered. Negotiations are also underway between St. Charles and PacificSource, as well as others, for their commercial and/or Medicare Advantage contracts.

“St. Charles is always in network for traditional Medicare” patients, Johnson said.

She also said “each contract is different” in terms of timing.

KTVZ News has reached out to PacificSource for any additional statement or details.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tuesday night brought the first snow of the season to the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, a timely reminder that winter is around the corner, the resort says.

Coincidentally, Tuesday is the last day to lock in a Kids Ski Free pass, Outplay 365 pass, and get a bonus fifth day on the 4-Day pass.

Pass prices go up Wednesday, October 1, Communications and Community Relations Manager Presley Quon told KTVZ News.

All passes can be purchased online at www.mtbachelor.com.

If seasonal snowfall comes through as hoped, Mt. Bachelor’s 2025/26 Opening Day is slated for Friday, November 28.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes National Forest lands around last year’s Firestone and Flat Top Fires, about 20 miles from La Pine, will reopen Wednesday after an emergency closure order expires, Forest Service officials said Tuesday.

People recreating in the recently burned areas are still being advised to use caution, according to the announcement, which continues in full below:

A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire.

In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind.

When recreating in a burned area:

LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall.

LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion – especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees).

LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas.

For more information or questions, please contact the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541)383-5300. 

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, adding interview with city engineer, small business owner)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A portion of Olney Avenue near downtown Bend has been closed since the beginning of the year. The closure is a part of the city’s voter-approved projects on Portland Avenue, Wall Street, and Olney Avenue. 

The project was originally slated to be completed this fall. But now, the completion date has been pushed back to early 2026. City officials say though they did their due diligence, a soil issue is causing the delay.

Ryan Oster, city engineer for the City of Bend, spoke with KTVZ on-site at the project on Tuesday. 

“We do some geotechnical investigative work. In this case, despite doing that work, the ground condition turned out to be different,” he said. “Instead of getting the hard, rocky condition that we’re all used to, we actually encountered a lot of soft soil. The soil started collapsing onto the boring machine, and so we had to immediately stop.”

The City of Bend has been working with BNSF Railway for construction in the company’s easement. But after encountering soil issues under the train tracks, officials say they now have to wait for the railroad before they can proceed.  

“We’re continuing to try to schedule with BNSF, and only they can do work within the right of way with their crews and contractors. So we’re doing everything we can with our contractors, but we have to coordinate the timing with them,” Oster said. 

For small businesses in the area, the mere idea of extending the road closure is crushing. 

Bryan Messmer, owner of ChillWell, spoke with KTVZ News about the impact the closure has had on his business so far. 

“It’s been absolutely devastating,” Messmer said. “It’s been really rough. I mean, once you’re out of sight, out of mind. It’s extremely challenging for guests to find us.”

Today’s economy is already difficult for local businesses, before the added hurdle of limited exposure in a construction zone. While Messmer is understanding the work is necessary, he is hopeful the city will take charge in dealings with the rail company. 

“I really appreciate the council. I really appreciate the efforts. I get that construction’s always a moving target,” Messmer said. “Hopefully they’ll hang in there with pushing it forward and getting it completed. But kicking it all the way to April 2026 is devastating to us, as a small business.”

The city says did say they will consider a temporary reopening if BNSF cannot get their contractors to the area soon.

While the extent of the delay and projection completion date is still unknown, officials, businesses, and residents alike are pushing for the reopening as soon as possible.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: ODOT clarifies that Highway 242 closure is still in effect)

McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 300 firefighters have brought the lightning-sparked Foley Ridge Fire east of McKenzie Bridge to 58% containment, allowing officials to lift Level 1 evacuation notices in the area, but Highway 242 is closed for ODOT crews to look for any remaining hazards.

“OR 242 is no longer closed due to the Foley Ridge Fire. USFS has lifted that closure,” ODOT Public Information Officer Julie Denney confirmed to KTVZ News on Tuesday.

“However, before we can reopen the highway to traffic, our crews need to go out and assess for any additional hazards,” she said. “Once that safety check is complete, the road will either reopen later this week or remain closed a little longer, if more cleanup is needed.”

Meanwhile, the separate, seasonal winter closure of Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass “is still ahead of us,” Denney said, “but it hasn’t taken effect yet. Please keep an eye on TripCheck for the most up-to-date status.”

Here’s Foley Ridge Fire officials’ Tuesday morning update:

Start Date: 09/06/2025

Percent Containment: 58%

Size: 497 Acres

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 322

The Foley Ridge Fire is 58% contained.  Updates for the Foley Ridge Fire are published every other day, with additional updates shared if any new or significant activity occurs on the fire.  Current information may also be found on the incident website (InciWeb) and Facebook pages.

Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters patrolled, mopped up, cleaned up and secured the fire lines.  They had a productive shift working on the shaded fuel break along Foley Ridge Road.  Today, crews will be repairing and rehabilitating areas damaged from firefighting operations and continuing to work along Foley Ridge Road reducing the fuel load.

Weather: Today will be partly cloudy in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy and rainy in the afternoon, Temperatures are forecast to be around 61 degrees, with light south winds shifting to the southwest with gusts up to 25 mph on ridgetops in the afternoon.

Road Closure Update: Highway 242 (McKenzie Highway) is no longer closed due to fire activity. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is maintaining the seasonal closure between MP 61.91 and MP 76.80. For the current status of Highway 242, please visit tripcheck.com.

Forest Closure Update: The Willamette National Forest has reduced an emergency closure order for the Foley Ridge Fire, which was reported Sept. 6 on the McKenzie River Ranger District. The closure order, which is for public and firefighter safety, has been modified to provide increased access, thanks to successful efforts by firefighters to mitigate hazards and complete contingency fire lines. The closure order is in effect Sept. 29, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified or rescinded sooner.

Closed Trailheads – Rainbow Falls Trailhead and Separation Lake Trailhead

Inaccessible Trailheads – Foley Ridge Trailhead

For the complete list of recreation sites and roads included in the Foley Ridge Fire closure order, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/foley-ridge-fire-closure-order

To report a wildfire, please call 911.

Evacuation Update: The Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for homes on Highway 242 has been 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝. There are no current active evacuation notices in Lane County

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening this Friday through Sunday, the Bend Fall Festival returns!

It’s taking place in Downtown Bend–you can enjoy live music, great food and drinks, and plenty of fall family fun.

You can also plan to sip, shop, and mingle–with plenty of booths for you to explore–from the Oregon Lifestyle Marketplace to a harvest market and a Bend business showcase.

The festival runs Friday from 5-10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free. Click here for more information.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Tuesday, October 14th, join the Humane Society of Central Oregon, CAMP, Fences for Fido and more at Silver Moon Brewing for the first-ever Central Oregon Animal Welfare Summit.

It’s a collaborative event focused on expanding access to veterinary care, essential pet services, and the connections that keep people and pets together.

That’s from 5-7 p.m. and you can RSVP on Facebook by clicking here.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Calling all Bingo lovers!

This Thursday marks Think Wild’s last ‘Bingo on the Brew Deck’ fundraising event at the Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. Pub on Reed Market Road.

From 5 to 7 p.m., support the nonprofit’s wildlife patients, enjoy food and drink, and win cash prizes!

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening Wednesday, October 1st, the Redmond Senior Center is hosting it’s 2025 Wellbeing Fair–a day dedicated to health, wellness, and community connection.

The event will feature up to 20 local and regional vendors offering services focused on aging well, staying active, and maintaining emotional, physical, and social health

The Wellness Fair will give attendees access to fitness & nutrition guidance, mental health resources, senior support services, as well as community & volunteer opportunities. 

There will even be a giveaway with raffle prizes and more!

The event is taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Redmond Senior Center and admission is free.

For more information head over to redmondseniors.org/wellbeing.

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