Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit (CET) is inviting the community to explore public transportation during “Try Transit Week,” occurring June 1st–5th across Central Oregon. The initiative offers free rides on Bend fixed routes and Redmond Flex Routes A and B during commute hours to encourage new riders and highlight public transit benefits.

Throughout the week, riders can utilize free rides on eligible routes from 6:00–8:00 a.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m. CET will also host community challenges, encouraging transit use to local destinations such as restaurants, events, and the Downtown Bend Farmers Market.

Try Transit Week highlights how public transportation can help reduce traffic, lower transportation costs, create greater independence for teens and individuals who do not drive, and support a more connected and sustainable Central Oregon community.

Pop-up events are scheduled at Hawthorne Station, the Redmond Transit Hub, onboard buses, COCC Bend Campus, and the new Central Library in Bend. These events, some in collaboration with the City of Bend, will feature free ice cream, balloons, games, rider selfie challenges for CET trucker hats, raffle prizes for monthly and annual bus passes, and special transit pass promotions.

The week kicks off on June 1st with Bend events from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hawthorne Station and onboard Routes 1–3. A Ride + Dine event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Bend Pizza Kitchen in Northwest Crossing, supporting the Community Movement Fund. A pop-up and lunch field trip are scheduled at COCC Bend Campus from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

June 2nd will feature pop-ups in Redmond and Bend. The Redmond Transit Hub will host an event from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Onboard Bend Bus Routes 7–9 will have events from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. A “Try Transit Week Celebration!” community gathering with a CET presentation is planned for 4:30 p.m. at Dogwood at The Pine Shed.

On June 3rd, “Bus to Farmers Market Challenge” events will occur from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Brooks Alley in Downtown Bend. A pop-up event is slated for the new Central Library from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with another pop-up at Hawthorne Station from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

June 4th is designated as Redmond Community Day with a pop-up at the Redmond Transit Hub from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Onboard Redmond Flex Routes A and B will host events from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., alongside a community gathering in Bend.

The final day, June 5th, includes a pop-up event at Hawthorne Station from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Onboard Bend Bus Routes 1, 4 and 11 will have events from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Promotions during Try Transit Week include a “Buy One, Get One Free” monthly pass and an annual pass sale with a $125 reduced fare or $250 regular fare. New CET Go accounts can also receive a free day of rides. These promotions are only available in-person at a pop-up event, at Hawthorne Station, or by calling customer service at (541) 385-8680.

Raffle winners will be announced at Hawthorne Station at 2:00 p.m. on June 5th. For more information regarding Try Transit Week, community members can visit the Cascades East Transit Try Transit Week Page.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management will host three public events across Oregon to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and recognize the BLM’s 80th anniversary of public land stewardship.

The events aim to foster a deeper appreciation of the nation’s past, the beauty and value of public lands, and the work required to sustain the health and productivity of these lands for future generations.

The first event, Oregon Trail Days, will take place on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT at Geiser-Pollman Park in Baker City. This signature Freedom 250 event for BLM Oregon/Washington will transform the park into an immersive Oregon Trail experience, featuring wagon rides, storytelling, live demonstrations, music, crafts, and games. The free, family-friendly celebration highlights the role public lands play in preserving the landscapes and stories tied to America’s westward expansion. Additional programming will also occur at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center throughout the weekend.

A volunteer event, the Wood River Wetland Volunteer Day, is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT at Wood River Wetland, approximately 30 miles north of Klamath Falls. This event invites the community to assist with invasive weed removal and restoration work on public lands. It highlights the continued role Americans play in caring for public lands through volunteerism and stewardship.

The final event, a Victorian Holiday Celebration, will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area near Newport, This coastal Freedom 250 event connects visitors to Oregon’s maritime history through a Victorian-themed holiday celebration at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Activities may include caroling, historical parlor games, ornament crafts, interpretive storytelling, and live music.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — OnPoint Community Credit Union is encouraging Oregonians to undertake financial “spring cleaning” amid ongoing cost pressures and rising household debt.

New data reveals that 53% of Oregonians are struggling to pay bills, and nearly half cannot cover a $500 emergency expense.

Meredith Bureau, Hillsdale branch manager at OnPoint Community Credit Union, highlighted the difficulty people face in building savings.”Spring is a good reminder to pause, take stock, and get organized to build a stronger financial foundation.”

The 2026 Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard, published by the Oregon State Treasury, shows the widespread nature of these financial struggles. It found that nearly three of every four Oregonians are feeling cost pressures.

• Taking inventory of accounts, debt and recurring expenses to better understand cash flow

• Strategies such as a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to tackle high-interest debt, including consolidation or balance transfer options

• Aligning bill due dates with pay cycles and automating payments to avoid fees

• Identifying and trimming “convenience spending” like dining out or subscriptions

• Finding opportunities to lower monthly bills, from insurance to internet plans

• Turning spring decluttering into extra cash by selling unused items

Tidy payment schedules by aligning bills with paydays and setting up automatic payments to create more consistency. Trimming convenience spending can also free up money for savings or debt repayment. Americans spend an average of more than $3,600 on dining out each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Consumers can also sweep away extra costs from monthly bills by contacting providers for cell phone, internet, insurance and medical services to ask about lower-cost plans or discounts. Additionally, research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests clutter can interfere with financial well-being, contributing to indecision. Decluttering physical spaces may uncover items to sell, creating extra cash and reducing unnecessary spending.

OnPoint Community Credit Union offers access to financial experts at its 59 branch locations, providing one-on-one guidance. Bureau emphasized the cumulative effect of small adjustments. “Small changes can have a meaningful impact,” Bureau said. “The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating a system that helps you feel more confident and prepared, even when costs remain high.”

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crux Fermentation Project in Bend announced the reopening of its pub lawn after a comprehensive renovation.

A popular destination for families and youth sports, the renovated lawn blends thoughtful design, sustainability, and flexibility. This investment reflects a commitment to maintaining the character and spirit that have made the Crux lawn a cornerstone of Bend’s social scene. The project was a partnership with the property owners, the Gehrs family, who are local to Bend.

Crux Fermentation Project CEO Steve Augustyn emphasized the reason behind the investment. “This property has been one of Bend’s favorite gathering places for years and as the city grows, we felt it deserved an investment that helps it grow with the community,” Augustyn said.

He added that the “evolution of our outdoor space makes it more accessible, more sustainable and fun. For everything from families spending an afternoon here to friends connecting or larger groups visiting Bend.” Augustyn stated the goal is to “preserve the spirit of this place while making sure it continues serving Bend for decades to come.”

Several locally owned food trucks will join the Crux lawn this season. These include A Broken Angel, Alpine Smash Co, Mountain Mahalo Shaved Ice and Red Road Pizza Co. Local favorite El Sancho Tacos will also continue operating at the Crux lawn.

Crux will host a community celebration for the refreshed lawn on Saturday, June 6, from 4–8 p.m. The evening event, titled Vintage Rendezvous, is hosted by Vintage House 81. It will feature a curated mix of vintage and modern garments for sale, music and an energetic atmosphere. DJ See Alice will provide music for the event.

The reopening celebration on June 6 will allow the community to experience the updated outdoor area, music and vintage market.

The project was a partnership with the property owners, the Gehrs family, who are local to Bend.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tensions are rising again at Central Oregon Community College as faculty union members and college leadership continue negotiations over wages and working conditions.

The dispute comes just weeks after the college narrowly avoided what would have been the first strike in school history by classified staff. Now, faculty leaders say many instructors are struggling to afford living in Central Oregon and are frustrated by what they describe as slow progress at the bargaining table.

COCC Says It Must Balance Pay With Financial Stability

In a statement attributed to COCC Board Chair Erica Skavold, the college said it values the work faculty do and emphasized that negotiations are continuing “regularly in good faith.”

College leaders also pushed back against criticism of compensation and finances, saying the institution must weigh salaries while maintaining affordable tuition for students and protecting the college’s long-term financial health.

“It’s important to recognize that the college must balance compensation discussions with student affordability, long-term financial sustainability, and other institutional priorities,” Skavold said.

According to the college, current budget projections show reserve levels between roughly 38 and 43 days — or about 10% to 12% reserves — over the next two fiscal years. COCC says those figures are below historic levels and below reserve targets established by the Board of Directors.

Administration Responds to Criticism Over Raises

The college also addressed criticism over administrator raises, saying administrators do not set their own compensation. COCC said salary decisions ultimately go through the board and budget approval process.

The last administrator salary adjustments were approved in 2024 following what the college described as a market compensation study, with increases averaging about 16%.

College officials also said that reviewing and costing several new faculty proposals in real time during the latest bargaining session was not possible due to time constraints.

Faculty Union Says Low Pay Is Driving Burnout

Meanwhile, the Central Oregon Faculty Forum paints a much different picture of the situation.

In a sharply worded statement, faculty leaders accused administrators and the board of stalling negotiations and failing to act with urgency despite public calls from COCC President Greg Pereira to resolve the dispute before the end of the term on June 12.

Faculty representatives argue that COCC instructors are the lowest-paid community college faculty in Oregon and say wages have fallen so far behind that recruitment and retention are becoming serious concerns.

“We’re now in a crisis of deferred maintenance for faculty at COCC,” said Professor Mindy Williams, who leads the faculty bargaining team. “That has resulted in failed faculty searches, faculty leaving the college barely after they’ve begun, faculty burnout, and low morale, all because of our historic low wages and high workload.”

Bargaining Pace Becomes New Point of Frustration

Union leaders also criticized the pace of negotiations, saying administrators have not responded meaningfully to several recent faculty proposals dealing with salaries and promotions.

Faculty members claim recent bargaining sessions produced little movement from the college side despite agreements to increase the frequency of meetings.

The faculty forum additionally addressed recent administrator raises and accused the college of prioritizing capital projects over employee compensation during recent budget discussions.

Next Negotiation Session Scheduled for Thursday

Both sides are expected to return to the bargaining table on Thursday, May 21, as negotiations continue heading into the final weeks of the academic term.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum will open the annual ‘Art in the West’ exhibition and online auction on Saturday, July 18th, 2026, showcasing a variety of traditional and contemporary art.

The exhibition celebrates the people, wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and history of the region, which extends from the eastern slope of the Cascades and the Sierra to the Rockies.

Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., the executive director of the High Desert Museum, highlighted the significance of the collection. “The diverse artistry that continues to captivate our community in this exhibition and the 2026 Art in the West collection in particular, is exceptional,” Whitelaw said. “These pieces reveal fresh, unique perspectives of the High Desert, challenging us to see the region’s landscapes and cultures through a modern lens and deepening our collective appreciation for the West.”

Visitors to the Museum will see a wide range of artworks from landscapes to abstracts to baskets and photographs.

The 2026 exhibition features nearly 130 pieces from acclaimed painters, sculptors, and photographers across the country. National artists such as Arturo Garcia will be showcased alongside local favorites including Judy Hoiness, Taylor Manoles, and Stuart Breidenstein. Garcia’s “Nine Chiefs” oil on canvas demonstrates his love for color, using layered paint and palette knives to create depth in figures. Manoles’ oil painting, “Assurance,” portrays a peaceful sunset over a dark forest, blending orange and yellow hues into the blue of night.

The entire 2026 collection will be on exhibit at the High Desert Museum and available for viewing through the Museum’s online auction page at highdesertmuseum.org/aiw. The 2026 Gallery Guide will go live beginning Monday, July 13th and online bidding will start on July 18th at 9:00 a.m. Artwork can also be purchased outright. The auction is exclusively online and shipping is available.

Art in the West is made possible by Western Art Collector and American Art Collector magazines and Campfire Hotel. Additional support comes from High Desert Frameworks, 1859 Magazine, and Willamette Valley Vineyards.

The exhibition will close on Friday, Oct. 2nd, 2026, at the Art in the West Closing Party, held at the Museum. The event begins at 6:00 p.m., with the auction concluding at 7:00 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with participating artists, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy food and libations. Registration for the closing party is available at highdesertmuseum.org/events/aiw-closing-party-2026.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is encouraging voters to return their completed ballots by 8:00 p.m. tonight for the May statewide election.

Voters can utilize official ballot drop boxes, local post offices for manual postmarks, or county elections offices to submit their ballots. The Secretary of State’s Office has also provided an online tool to help Oregonians locate their nearest ballot drop box.

Tobias Read emphasized the importance of voter participation. He urged voters to meet the deadline. “If you haven’t submitted your ballot yet, you have until 8:00 p.m. to find your nearest ballot drop box and cast your vote,” Read said. “Elections are foundational to our democracy and the more eligible Oregonians who participate, the more our government truly reflects the will of the people.”

Following the ballot submission deadline, unofficial election results will be made available after 8:00 p.m. on results.oregonvotes.gov. This website will be updated every 15 minutes. Additionally, individual counties will post results on their respective websites.

Click here to visit KTVZ’s Decision 2026 page.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Just announced, Banda Carnaval is coming to the 2026 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo!

Banda Carnaval will bring the unmistakable sound of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, to Central Oregon on Sunday, August 2nd.

Read the full press release from the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo below:

“The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo is proud to welcome Banda Carnaval as part of the Kendall Toyota of Bend Free Summer Concert Series. Taking the stage on Sunday, August 2, 2026, Banda Carnaval will bring the energy, passion, and unmistakable sound of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, to Central Oregon for an unforgettable night at the fair.

Distinguished by its talented group of young musicians, Banda Carnaval carries joy, passion, and the drive for success in every performance. Named after the world-renowned Carnaval Mazatlán, the band embodies the spirit and celebration of one of Mexico’s most iconic cultural events, uniting fans through the rhythm and tradition of Sinaloan music.

The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo continues to create a summer experience that brings people together through music, entertainment, and community tradition. From carnival rides and fair food to livestock exhibits and nights filled with live music under the Central Oregon sky, the fair offers something for every generation to enjoy throughout the week.

The concert is free with fair admission, and admission tickets are on sale now. Special VIP front-stage access tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00 am. Both fair admission and VIP concert tickets are available at tickets.deschutesfair.com 

The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo would like to thank our proud concert sponsors Wilco, Indian Head Casino, Kendall Toyota of Bend, and Mike’s Fence Center.

Banda Carnaval is from Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico and is distinguished by its composition of talented young musicians who carry joy, passion, and the thirst for success in their blood!  The band is named after the el Carnaval Mazatlan (the Carnival of Mazatlan),  a world renowned event.  The band epitomizes the joy of el Carnaval Mazatlan, uniting fans with the rhythm of Sinaloan music.”

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Cascade Youth & Family Center, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, is seeking community members across Central Oregon to provide temporary host homes for youth ages 11 to 17 who are experiencing a moment of crisis.

Through the Host Home Program, volunteers offer short-term, safe housing, typically for up to 21 days, to young people navigating family conflict or housing instability. Hosts receive $45 per night per youth, along with training and ongoing support from program staff.

These homes aim to offer youth stability, care and breathing room while program staff work with families toward reunification and longer-term solutions.

Audrey Scott, a representative for Cascade Youth & Family Center/J Bar J Youth Services, emphasized the immediate impact of host homes.

“Sometimes what a young person needs most is a calm, safe space and someone who shows up with care,” Scott said. “Host homes give youth that pause – a chance to reset and feel supported while we work together to find the best path forward.”

The need for host homes currently exceeds availability throughout the region and community members willing to step in can have a lasting impact, even for a short period.

Cascade Youth & Family Center provides a holistic continuum of care for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, crisis and instability across Central Oregon. This includes services such as emergency shelter, street outreach, crisis intervention, transitional living, independent living support and other housing programs.

To learn more about the Host Home Program or to apply, interested individuals can visit the Cascade Youth & Family Center website at https://cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org/get-involved/host-home/.

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Kelsey Merison

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sisters Habitat for Humanity will dedicate the final five homes at Woodlands, a 10-cottage affordable housing community in Sisters, on Friday, May 29th, 2026–and the community is invited to come out and celebrate with the new homeowners and learn more about local efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities.

The Woodlands development was created to offer affordable homeownership for individuals and families earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.

These opportunities are designed to benefit local workers, such as teachers, health care workers, hospitality staff, tradespeople, and service industry employees, who contribute to the vibrant Sisters community.

The home dedication ceremony will run from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by a community open house from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sisters Habitat Executive Director Peter Hoover highlighted the significance of the project. “This milestone represents years of hard work, community partnership and a shared commitment to ensuring that people who work in Sisters have the opportunity to live here,” Hoover said. “We are excited to celebrate these homeowners and invite the community to see firsthand the impact affordable homeownership can have on families and our community as a whole.”

The dedication marks a continuing effort in Sisters Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build equity and long-term financial stability for community members through homeownership.

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