Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A community wildfire preparedness event will be held Wednesday, May 27, at Discovery Corner in Bend, with several westside neighborhoods in attendance. The event will provide important information on home hardening and evacuation preparedness.

From 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., attendees can visit with members from Bend Emergency Management, Bend Police, Bend Fire and the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Children can see a Bend Fire Truck up close and meet Smokey Bear. A limited number of giveaways will be available for kids and attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs.

Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Melissa Steele will deliver a formal presentation from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Following the presentation, an informal Q&A session is scheduled from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

The event is at Discovery Corner, 1125 NW Ochoa Dr., at the corner of Skyline Ranch Road and Ochoa Dr. in the Discovery West neighborhood.

The event is presented in partnership by Collier Homeowners Association and Discovery West Homeowners Association. It will involve Firewise Committee members from NorthWest Crossing, Collier and Discovery West neighborhoods.

Additional resources for wildfire preparedness:
– www.projectwildfire.org
– www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa.
– www.projectwildfire.org/evacuation.

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Harley Coldiron

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor’s sixth annual RendezVan festival achieved a 45% landfill diversion rate while also raising over $1,000 for The Environmental Center.

The sustainability efforts were led by a Green Team, composed of Central Oregon locals and supported by a Subaru Cause-Marketing Grant and Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever program. The four-day festival welcomed an estimated 20,000 visitors and focused on reducing its environmental footprint through hands-on waste management services.

For the second consecutive year, Mt. Bachelor assembled its Green Team to spearhead the festival’s sustainability initiatives. This team, comprised entirely of Central Oregon residents, actively sorted each bag of waste into nine different streams, providing passionate support, education and hands-on waste management services. The team also educated campers and visitors on proper recycling and composting practices specific to Deschutes County through conversations and a recycling quiz game. Sustainably sourced Play Forever and Subaru branded prizes were awarded during the quiz.

The Green Team collected a significant amount of recyclable and compostable materials. This included 705 pounds of cardboard and 714 pounds of plastic and aluminum, which accounted for more than 12,000 cans and bottles. They also collected 449 pounds of glass, totaling more than 200 bottles, 130 pounds of compost and 17 pounds of miscellaneous recycling.

Festival guests frequently expressed their appreciation for the sustainability initiative. Visitors from outside Central Oregon noted that recycling rules vary significantly between counties and states. Many attendees specifically thanked the Green Team for helping make sustainability a visible priority at the festival.

Presley Quon, Mt. Bachelor Communications and Community Relations Manager, highlighted the team’s mission. “Our goal was to bring together a group of passionate, hard-working locals to reduce the event’s carbon footprint while helping festival-goers better understand sustainable waste practices specific to Deschutes County,” Quon said. “We had the best Green Team around – their knowledge and energy was unrivaled and the positive response from guests fueled the stoke.”

RendezVan 2026 featured spring skiing, live music, a silent disco, nightly music performances and a variety of new vendors, competitions and activities for all ages. Despite growing attendance and expanded programming, the festival demonstrated how large-scale outdoor events can successfully combine outdoor recreation, entertainment, community engagement and environmental responsibility.

For additional information about Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever programs and initiatives, visit www.mtbachelor.com/playforever.

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Claire Elmer

(update: adding video, comments from future homeowner, First Story director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A local family’s dream of homeownership took a major step forward Wednesday, as First Story, volunteers, and community leaders raised the first walls of their new home in Bend.

First Story, a nonprofit founded by Hayden Homes, helps families build long-term financial security through attainable, affordable homeownership. It supports those living at or below 80-percent of area median income.

“First Story was founded back in 1998 by Hayden Homes as a way to build stability and wealth and end generational poverty through affordable homeownership opportunities,” said Claire Duncan, executive director of First Story.

For future homeowner Kimberly Hammons, the wall-raising represented more than the start of construction — it was the result of a decade of working toward homeownership by saving money, building credit, and staying connected with local resources.

“This means more than I can even articulate in words,” Hammons said. “This represents safety and security, a fresh start and a foundation to be able to build up. And the sky’s the limit.”

The home is being built with support from Hayden Homes, donors, and local partners.

State Rep. Emerson Levy, who attended the wall-raising, said the project reflects a broader need across Central Oregon and the state.

“We know we have a housing crisis in Central Oregon and throughout the state,” Levy said. “But mostly I just want to welcome you to your house, and I hope it is a beautiful story for your family.”

Duncan said First Story wants families who may not think homeownership is possible to keep believing in that goal.

“If there are families who haven’t dared to dream of homeownership, please, please start dreaming,” Duncan said. “With just hope and perseverance, you will get there.”

Hammons said sharing her story is part of the point. While the process can feel daunting, she hopes others in similar situations see what is possible.

“I would like to speak out to other people that are kind of in similar situations as me and just kind of give a little bit of hope,” Hammons said. “Something will transpire and you could be standing here like I’m standing here.”

For First Story and the partners involved, the hope is that other Central Oregonians see more than a house taking shape — they see a reason to keep dreaming.

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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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