Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, Oregon drivers could be getting some relief at the pump.

According to GasBuddy, the average price of regular gas in Oregon has dropped 11.2 cents over the past week, now sitting at $4.49 a gallon.

That’s nearly 59 cents lower than a month ago, but still about 54 cents higher than this time last year.

GasBuddy says prices declined in nearly every state over the past week, but warns refinery disruptions overseas could keep fuel prices from dropping much further in the weeks ahead.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire broke out on Saturday in Crooked River Ranch that has since been fully contained.

The fire was burning near the 14,000 block of SW Peninsula Drive.

The first arriving engine found a 1/4 acre brush fire being pushed by winds, threatening the home and several sheds on the property.

According to Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, the homeowner had recently utilized goats to reduce grass and shrubs on a large portion of the property. This work slowed the spread of the fire and firefighters were able to contain the fire to the property of origin.

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Tracee Tuesday

(Update: fire was caused by illegal fireworks)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue crews responded to a structure fire Sunday evening in northwest Redmond, where investigators say illegal fireworks sparked the blaze.

Firefighters were alerted around 7:30 p.m. to a possible fire near NW 4th Street and NW Hemlock Court. When crews arrived, they found a single-story manufactured home with heavy flames coming from the front of the structure, with the fire threatening nearby homes.

Crews quickly deployed hoselines and were able to keep the fire contained to the one residence, preventing it from spreading further.

According to fire officials, no one was living in the home, which was being used for storage. Due to the large amount of stored items inside, crews were limited to fighting the fire from the outside because of safety concerns.

A fire investigator determined the fire was caused by illegal fireworks that ignited nearby dry vegetation. The flames then spread to a wooden fence before reaching the home.

Redmond Fire & Rescue reminds the public that all fireworks—legal or illegal—are prohibited within Redmond city limits, and individuals may be held liable for any damage caused.

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Bend Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, and Redmond Police.

Reported: July 5th; 8:30 pm

Redmond Fire & Rescue crews are responding to a reported structure fire Sunday evening in northwest Redmond.

According to a social media post from the agency made about 12 minutes ago, firefighters are on scene near NW 4th Street and NW Hemlock Court. Details about the extent of the fire, potential injuries, or what may have caused it have not yet been released.

KTVZ News is working to gather more information and confirm additional details from fire officials. This is a developing situation, and crews remain actively on scene.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available and keep viewers informed both on air and online.

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Spencer Sacks

SEATTLE, WA. (KTVZ) — Outfielder Randy Arozarena has been selected to the American League roster for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced today. Arozarena was chosen via player balloting for the game, which will take place on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

This marks Arozarena’s third career All-Star selection, following his previous appearances in 2023 and 2025. He has made the Midsummer Classic in each of the last two seasons while playing for Seattle. This season, the 31-year-old outfielder is batting .287 (86×300) with 54 runs, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 walks and 19 stolen bases in 82 games. He holds a .376 on-base percentage, a .453 slugging percentage and an .829 OPS.

Arozarena is the 15th player in Seattle Mariners history to be named to multiple All-Star teams with the club. He joins a list that includes Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, Félix Hernández, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Julio Rodríguez, Bret Boone, Freddy Garcia, Andrés Muñoz, Harold Reynolds and Kazuhiro Sasaki.

The Mantua, Cuba native is the 14th Cuban-born player in American League and National League history to make at least three All-Star Games. This group includes Hall of Famers Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva and Tony Pérez, along with Camilo Pascual, Mike Cuellar, Leo Cárdenas, Cookie Rojas, Luis Tiant, Bert Campaneris, Jose Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro. Fellow active players Aroldis Chapman and Yordan Alvarez are also on this list.

Arozarena is also one of two players, alongside Cleveland’s José Ramírez, to record at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of the last five seasons, from 2021 through 2025.

In 883 career games across eight Major League seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, the Tampa Bay Rays from 2020-24 and the Mariners since 2024, Arozarena has accumulated 19.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has a career .783 OPS, batting .254 (815×3212) with 506 runs scored, 181 doubles, 11 triples, 127 home runs, 431 RBI, 359 walks and 150 stolen bases. His career on-base percentage is .347 and his slugging percentage is .436.

The Mariners acquired Arozarena from Tampa Bay at the 2024 Trade Deadline on July 26, 2024. The trade involved minor leaguers Brody Hopkins, Aidan Smith and a player to be named later, Ty Cummings. Arozarena won the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year award with the Rays and performed well in the Postseason during the 2020-21 seasons. He hit 10 home runs during the 2020 playoffs and was named the American League Championship Series MVP that season.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia.

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Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond, held its annual Fourth of July parade, Saturday, through downtown, kicking off Independence Day celebrations in Central Oregon. The morning event featured more than 70 entries.

The parade brought together a diverse group of participants. Streets were packed with residents watching the procession, which included a 101-year-old World War II veteran. The celebration featured various vehicles and historical re-enactors.

John Pavlicek, a Vietnam veteran and resident of Redmond, called it “the best parade this city has ever had.” Pavlicek noted the event has “always been very patriotic.” He also shared his perspective on the significance of the day, stating, “Oh, it’s great because that’s what we fought for, you know, was to give people freedom and be able to live their life.”

The parade showcased a variety of attractions, including trucks, classic cars and horses pulling stagecoaches. Participants also marched in uniforms from different eras of American history, including American Revolution outfits, Civil War Union uniforms and modern day attire. Redmond residents Cortez Lawson and Kendrick Alverado anticipated specific parts of the parade; Lawson looked forward to “all the cool cars that are going to come through, the muscle cars, those are cool,” while Alverado said, “I’m looking forward to some candy too.”

When asked what it means to be an American, Pavlicek said, “I think it means you can accomplish whatever you would like to accomplish. You just have to remember that work is the stable dam and you got to work. Don’t expect anything for nothing. There has to be a fair exchange.” Alverado offered a concise response, saying “Liberty,” and Lawson added, “And its just a free country so I love it here.”

Multiple people spoke about their gratitude for living in America and having the freedom to choose, acknowledging the sacrifices made for this opportunity. Residents at the parade were celebrating what they called the 250th birthday of the United States.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon tradition more than a century in the making brought thousands to downtown Bend Saturday morning, for the annual Fourth of July Pet Parade.

The event, put on by Bend Park & Recreation District, dates back to 1924 and is one of the oldest pet parades in the country. It continues to serve as a hallmark kickoff to the holiday in Bend.

Participants began staging at Harmon Park before the parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m., winding its way north on Harmon Boulevard, east on Newport Avenue and south on Wall Street before ending at Drake Park.

Crowds lined the route as a wide variety of animals took part. Dogs made up much of the parade, many dressed in red, white and blue, while horses and riders also joined in. Spectators also spotted donkeys, a rabbit, sheep and even a lizard among the mix of animals moving through downtown.

The free event, which does not require registration, remains a community favorite, drawing families, pet owners and onlookers together to celebrate the Fourth of July in a distinctly local way.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pilot Butte is being prepared for Bend’s annual 4th of July fireworks show. It will feature more than 1,000 shells and a massive 12-inch finale shell creating a 1,200-foot diameter explosion. The display is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. and is expected to last about 20 minutes.

Extensive safety measures have been implemented by local parks and fire agencies to prevent fires around the butte during the event. These preparations include months of coordination between various agencies to ensure a safe event for the community.

Sam Wilson, Fire Inspector with Bend Fire & Rescue, emphasized the extensive planning involved. “We’ve spent months of preparation and coordination with all of our surrounding agencies to ensure that the community of Bend has a safe and memorable 4th of July,” Wilson said.

For the duration of the event, Pilot Butte will be completely closed to the public, with only firefighters, security personnel and Sure-Shot Fireworks staff allowed on site.

Each firework will launched out of the the tubes which form a ring around the top of the butte. Some shells are fired by hand and others electronically triggered. The largest shells are sunken into containers of sand to absorb the shockwave generated during launch.

Subaru of Bend is sponsoring this year’s event. Jake Thomas, representing Subaru of Bend, noted the community’s appreciation for such displays. “Central Oregon does appreciate, a good fire display,” Thomas said. “So it’s just something that we wanted to give back and help continue that that tradition.”

Sure-Shot Fireworks has been producing this show for many years. Chris Mattison, owner of Sure Shot Fireworks, expressed his excitement for the nation’s upcoming milestone. “Yeah. We are so excited for for the United States to hit the 250 years, there’s been a lot of sacrifices. There’s been a lot of military, a lot of generations to build what we have today. And today is a good day to mark that. A quarter of a century that we did it. We’re still here and we love it.”

Organizers are continuously seeking additional co-sponsors to help enhance future 4th of July events.

The 4th of July fireworks show is set to begin Saturday at 10 p.m. and will last approximately 20 minutes.

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Lance Campbell

LA PINE, Ore. — The gates are officially open and the action is underway in southern Deschutes County for one of Central Oregon’s longest-running Independence Day traditions.

The La Pine Rodeo kicked off night one of its three-day run, expected to draw thousands of holiday visitors. Proudly dubbed “The Greatest Little Rodeo in Oregon,” organizers say the event is a massive economic and social anchor for the entire South County community.

The dust kicks up in the arena as the La Pine Rodeo launches its three-day holiday run in southern Deschutes County.

“The most special thing about the La Pine Rodeo is that it’s the only rodeo in Central Oregon held over the 4th of July weekend,” said La Pine Rodeo Association Board Director Lacee Lady. “It brings all of the local, South Deschutes County businesses together. It gives them an opportunity to come and congregate, and it’s just a really great time.”

Powered by Volunteers

That community spirit extends directly behind the scenes. The entire board of directors operates purely on a volunteer basis, spending the entire week on-site to run the event. Planning is a year-round process, with prep for the next year beginning the literal day after the current rodeo wraps up.

Local support also shines in the hospitality area, where members of the American Legion are spending the weekend cooking up fresh meals for the arriving contestants.

“Scott here, from American Legion is making hamburgers and hot dogs for our contestants,” said a volunteer who goes by Cowgirl. “We’re living a dream. Come on out to La Pine and see the rodeo!”

Beyond the arena action, the event features local vendors, live entertainment, a nightly afterparty in the beer garden, and a nightly fundraiser auction. Every dollar raised from those auctions goes directly back into local community programs.

“There is nothing more patriotic than coming to a rodeo,” Lady said.

Event Details & Showtimes

The La Pine Rodeo runs nightly through Saturday, July 4th.

Gates Open: 5:45 PM nightly

Performances Begin: 7:00 PM

Tickets: Available online via the official La Pine Rodeo Association website.

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Spencer Sacks

Another strong week of anglers showing off their skills around Central Oregon. Allie recently caught a 17-inch rainbow trout at Twin Lakes. Allie submitted photos of the trout, noting they would make a nice dinner. Waylon also submitted a catch from Twin Lakes. Waylon caught an 18-inch rainbow trout. Porter had a particularly successful outing at South Twin Lake, catching three rainbow trout during his trip. Emelia caught a large trout at the Metolius Fish Hatchery.

Don’t forget to share your catches with us, all you gotta do is click the contests tab.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department is implementing a project to install 24 signs with digital speed displays built into them. These signs will be added to across eight roads in the county.

The initiative is part of a larger effort to remind drivers of speed limits in locations where motorists may exceed safe speeds.

These solar-powered signs display vehicle speeds alongside the posted speed limit. They are designed to serve as reminders rather than tools for surveillance or enforcement.

Deschutes County Road Department Director Chris Doty told KTVZ news people ask for these types of signs to be installed in their neighboods, because they get people to slow down. “Typically it’s about a anywhere from a 2 to 7 mile per hour reduction in the corridor speed,” Doty said. “And so it’s a proven safety countermeasure. Again, just to help folks drive, you know, a safer speed and and operate their vehicle more safely.”

High speeds were identified as a key trend in road user behavior by the Deschutes County’s 2019 Transportation System Action Plan. Data indicates speeding was a contributing factor in 42% of fatal crashes that year. These speed signs, called “Dynamic Speed Feedback signs” are considered a cost-effective method to reduce driver speeds on rural roadways.

The 24 Dynamic Speed Feedback signs will be installed on various roads across the county. Four signs will be placed on Alfalfa Market Road, Burgess Road, Cline Falls Highway, Day Road Powell Butte Highway, South Canal Boulevard, South Century Drive and the Old Bend–Redmond Highway.

The project is funded by a grant totaling $1,032,873, which the county road department received.

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