Deschutes County
Deschutes County Weekly Road Construction Update: October 4-10
Paving of La Pine Area Roadways (La Pine Area) – Crews will be installing asphalt pavement on 3rd Street, 5th Street, Pengra Road and Walker Road in La Pine. Crews will also be paving on roadway approaches and doing shoulder work on 6th Street and Dorrance Meadow Road.
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
Deschutes County sheriff candidates debate focuses on issues, not 'mudslinging'
BEND, Ore. – Wednesday evening’s televised debate between appointed Deschutes County Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert and challenger Lt. James McLaughlin did not avoid the all-too-familiar cloud of allegations swirling around yet another campaign for the elected position.
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026
Household hazardous waste collection events coming to La Pine, Sisters and Redmond
BEND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Solid Waste will host free household hazardous waste collection events in La Pine, Sisters and Redmond in October.
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026
Outdoor debris burning opens Thursday in areas across Central Oregon
BEND, Ore. -- The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs’ Association works with local, state, and federal partners to determine when to collectively open debris burning in the fall.
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026
Election Day approaches: Deschutes County gives voter timeline
BEND, Ore. -- Election Day is just over a month away, on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2026
Deschutes County weekly road construction update - Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Paving of La Pine Area Roadways (La Pine Area) – Crews will be installing asphalt pavement on 6th Street and Dorrance Meadow Road in La Pine.
Friday, Sep 25, 2026
Apply now for a Fall Fuel Reduction Grant in Deschutes County
BEND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Natural Resources is accepting applications for the 2026 Fall Fuel Reduction Grant Program. The county has allocated $50,000 to support projects that reduce wildfire risk in communities across Deschutes County.
Friday, Sep 25, 2026
Deschutes County, partners to break ground on youth mental health facility in Redmond
REDMOND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Health Services and its community partners will break ground next Tuesday on a new sub-acute mental health residential treatment facility for youth ages 12–17.
Thursday, Sep 24, 2026
'Tip a Cop' returns to Greg’s Grill on Friday to raise money for 'Shop With A Cop'
Bend, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office invites the community to join us at Greg’s Grill this Friday, September 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a special Tip‑A‑Cop fundraising event benefiting the annual Shop With A Cop (SWAC) program this Christmas.
Thursday, Sep 24, 2026
Deschutes County to host food waste prevention workshop for food service businesses
BEND, Ore. -- To celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week, Deschutes County will host a hands-on workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Cascade Culinary Institute. The workshop will help local restaurants and food service businesses reduce food waste, conserve resources, and build more sustainable kitchen practices.
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026
Mountain biker, 73, rescued after serious-injury crash west of Redmond
REDMOND, Ore. -- A mountain biker was seriously injured Sunday afternoon at a popular recreation area west of Redmond, officials said. He was helped by Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers, Redmond Fire & Rescue medics and an AirLink helicopter crew who flew him to the hospital.
Monday, Sep 21, 2026
Powell Butte teen injured, cited for DUII after fiery Highway 97 crash
BEND, Ore. -- A fiery crash into a Highway 97 barrier north of Bend early Monday morning injured the driver, an 18-year-old Powell Butte resident who was taken to the hospital and cited on DUII, reckless driving and other charges.
Monday, Sep 21, 2026
Weekly Road Construction Update Sept. 20 to Sept. 26
Paving of La Pine Area Roadways (La Pine Area) – Crews will be installing asphalt pavement on 3rd Steet, 6th Street, and Dorrance Meadow Road in La Pine.
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026
Deschutes County Health Services to host Save a Life Day naloxone pop-up
BEND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Health Services, in partnership with Almadorada coffee shop, will host a pop-up naloxone distribution event on Thursday, Sept. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at Almadorada, 180 NW Oregon Ave., Bend.
Friday, Sep 18, 2026
Mazama Energy raises $135 million to scale world’s hottest Engineered Geothermal System
DALLAS — Mazama Energy has announced $135 million in new capital to accelerate superhot rock geothermal commercial development at Central Oregon's Newberry Volcano, including an oversubscribed Series B led by Centaurus Capital, founded by John Arnold, and Doerr Capital.
Friday, Sep 18, 2026
Back-to-school vaccines can help Central Oregon families stay healthy this fall
BEND, Ore. -- With the school year underway, Deschutes County Public Health is encouraging parents and caregivers to check their child’s vaccination record and make sure they are up to date on needed vaccines.
Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
DCSO to host final shred event of 2026 on Saturday in Terrebonne
Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
Training prepares volunteers to mentor children with incarcerated parents
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026
Snow falls at Mt. Bachelor for second straight weekend
MT. BACHELOR, Ore. - For the second straight weekend, early-season snow once again blanketed Mt. Bachelor on Sunday, offering an early preview of winter as the resort heads into the final weeks of its summer season and begins gearing up for the 2026/27 ski season.
Monday, Sep 14, 2026
DCSO warns public of active phone scams impersonating law enforcement
Bend, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office warned the community Monday about a new rash of familiar phone scam calls involving individuals falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers.
Monday, Sep 14, 2026
Deschutes commissioners, Bend councilors face busy agendas
BEND, Ore. – Several major issues come before Deschutes County commissioners and Bend city councilors this week, from more funding to help Juniper Ridge “Temporary Safe Stay Area” residents to a start to growth planning for Bend’s next 20 years
Monday, Sep 14, 2026
Deschutes County weekly road construction update: Sept. 13-19
Paving of La Pine Area Roadways (La Pine Area) – Crews will be installing asphalt pavement on 3rd Steet, 6th Street, and Dorrance Meadow Road in La Pine.
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Deschutes County again picks a new landfill site - but with a backup this time
BEND, Ore. – Few budget-related items that come before Deschutes County commissioners have total lifetime costs measured in the billions of dollars.
Thursday, Sep 10, 2026
Spreading RV fire stopped east of Redmond, area's 4th blaze in recent weeks
REDMOND, Ore. -- For the fourth time in just over a month, a spreading RV, trash or brush fire brought out Redmond Fire & Rescue crews Tuesday night to an area dotted with homeless camps east of the city.
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026
Super-hot spot: Two companies shoot for next-gen geothermal at Newberry Volcano
La PINE, Ore. -- You might say that AI-related tech businesses, and data centers in particular, are in some super-hot water with the public these days. And much of that uproar is over their large power and water needs.
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026
Weekly Road Construction Update - Sept. 6-12
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026
Deschutes County Weekly Road Construction update: Sept. 6-12
Paving of La Pine Area Roadways (La Pine Area) – Crews will be installing asphalt pavement on 6th Street, and Ascha Court in La Pine.
Saturday, Sep 5, 2026
Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth reports strong year of mentorship and volunteer engagement
Friday, Sep 4, 2026
Wanted person turns self in at illegal trash fire east of Redmond
REDMOND, Ore. – A reported vehicle or brushfire in an area of homeless camps east of Redmond turned out to be someone burning trash, and a Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy called to the scene arrested someone who came forward to report they were wanted on a warrant, authorities said.
Thursday, Sep 3, 2026
DCSO SAR volunteers hike into Three Sisters Wilderness to help hiker
SISTERS, Ore. -- Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers hiked more than six miles in challenging weather Wednesday to find and help a hiker in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area who was becoming hypothermic and sought help.
Thursday, Sep 3, 2026
Sisters man, 82, killed in pickup crash northeast of Sisters
SISTERS, Ore. -- An 82-year-old Sisters man was killed and a passenger was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when their pickup truck left Wilt Road northeast of Sisters and struck a tree, Deschutes County sheriff's deputies said.
Thursday, Sep 3, 2026
DCSO: Public can expect more black bear sightings amid seasonal foraging
BEND, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said Monday its Animal Control Unit has responded to several black bear calls over the past month, "reflecting a normal seasonal increase in bear activity across the region."
Monday, Aug 31, 2026
Sno Park Fire fully contained; Level 1 evacuation notice lifted
BEND, Ore. – A quick, decisive battle by crews on the ground and in the air stopped the 10-acre Sno Park Fire off Skyliners Road, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday as they lifted a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice for the area west of Bend.
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026
DCSO joins regional blitz to protect kids, promote seat belt, car seat safety
BEND, Ore. — A five-point harness buckle takes seconds to click. That small habit is the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Friday, Aug 28, 2026
Bend fugitive arrested on drug charges in Hwy. 20 traffic stop
SISTERS, Ore. – A Bend fugitive suspected of dealing drugs was arrested on Highway 20 near Sisters late Wednesday night after deputies stopped his motorcycle and found what drug agents called a “commercial quantity” of fentanyl.
Thursday, Aug 27, 2026
On 30th anniversary of destructive Skeleton Fire, officials offer steps to cut risk
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Thirty years after the destructive Skeleton Fire burned over 17,000 acres southeast of Bend, Bend Fire & Rescue and the Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2 are urging residents to use the anniversary as a reminder that wildfire remains an ongoing risk in Central Oregon- and preparedness plays a critical role in protecting lives and property.
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026
Midstate Electric truck driver hits La Pine power pole, crashes through fence
La PINE, Ore. – The driver of a Midstate Electric Cooperative truck hit and toppled a power pole, then went through a fence in La Pine Monday morning, sustaining minor injuries, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.
Monday, Aug 17, 2026
Redmond drug arrests lead to kidnap, grisly assault charges
REDMOND, Ore. -- The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and Redmond Police Street Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that led to the arrests of three men on methamphetamine and firearm charges. One also is charged with the kidnapping and assault of a man who was tied to a tree and had a finger removed, officials said late Friday.
Saturday, Aug 15, 2026
New wildfire stopped quickly north of Redmond Airport
REDMOND, Ore. – A new wildfire north of Redmond Airport late Friday afternoon torched trees and put up a thick column of black smoke but was quickly tackled and stopped at about 1/10 of an acre, officials said.
Saturday, Aug 15, 2026
Health officials share tips as wildfire smoke affects Central Oregon
Friday, Aug 14, 2026
Hidden Forest Fire 100% contained; DCSO lifts all evacuation notices
BEND, Ore. -- All evacuation notices for the nearly 300-acre Hidden Forest Fire that broke out last Friday 12 miles southeast of Bend have now been lifted, as the fire is 100% contained, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.
Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026
IR drone seeks out hot spots on Hidden Forest Fire SE of Bend
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Crews working to put out the 2-day-old Hidden Forest Fire 12 miles southeast of Bend continued mop-up operations and secured containment lines on Sunday, bringing the nearly 300-acre blaze to 60% containment.
Friday, Aug 7, 2026
DCSO IDs pilot, says fatal plane crash west of Bend was intentional
BEND, Ore. -- Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detectives have determined that the pilot of a Cirrus SR22T aircraft intentionally crashed the plane n a remote area west of Bend Tuesday evening.
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026
Pilot killed in high-speed plane crash in forest west of Bend
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A pilot was killed Tuesday evening in the high-speed crash of a small plane west of Bend, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office said
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026
DCSO Search & Rescue volunteers find missing Terrebonne woman, 87
TERREBONNE, Ore. – The Deschutes County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday evening it "is happy to report that 87-year-old Janet Montoya has been found."
Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026
DCSO lifts all evacuation notices for the Akawa Butte Fire
SISTERS, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all remaining evacuation notices in the Deschutes County areas associated with the Akawa Butte Fire as of 2 p.m. Monday.
Monday, Aug 3, 2026
DCSO further reduces Akawa Butte Fire evacuation notices
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, announced another round of evacuation level reductions for the Akawa Butte Fire, effective as Friday at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug 1, 2026
DCSO holds Akawa Butte Fire evacuation levels steady amid more progress
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced that evacuation notices for the Akawa Butte Fire were unchanged as of Wednesday. All levels updated on Tuesday, July 28, remain in effect until further notice.
Thursday, Jul 30, 2026
DCSO reduces more Akawa Butte Fire evacuation notices
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, announces another round of evacuation level reductions, as firefighting progress continues on the Akawa Butte Fire. These changes were effective as of Tuesday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026
More progress on Akawa Butte Fire; DCSO reduces more evacuation levels
SISTERS, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, reduced evacuation levels in limited areas on the southeast side of the Akawa Butte Fire as of 11 a.m. Monday.
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026
Good news from Sisters: Some Akawa Butte Fire evacuation levels reduced
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire officials, has reduced evacuation levels to some areas on the southwest and south sides of the Akawa Butte Fire, effective at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Sunday, Jul 26, 2026
Akawa Butte Fire update: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office holds steady on evacuation notices
SISTERS, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office announced that evacuation levels remained unchanged for Saturday as firefighters continue to make progress on the Akawa Butte Fire.
Sunday, Jul 26, 2026
DCSO Search and Rescue crews complete back-to-back missions
Deschutes County, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers responded to back‑to‑back missions this week, assisting injured and ill hikers in two separate areas of the county.
Saturday, Jul 25, 2026
Second home confirmed lost to 26,000-acre Akawa Butte Fire
Friday evening update: Firefighters continue battling the Akawa Butte Fire amid hot, dry, and windy conditions
Saturday, Jul 25, 2026
Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices expand in Sisters area; DCSO offers guidance to residents
SISTERS, Ore. – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office noted late Thursday afternoon that much of the Sisters area has been placed on Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice but stressed that it does not mean an evacuation notice is imminent.
Thursday, Jul 23, 2026
Update: Home NE of Sisters lost to surging Akawa Butte Fire
UPDATE: July 23, 11:50 a.m.
Thursday, Jul 23, 2026
Akawa Butte firefighters prep for critical weather as evacuations grow
SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters on the Akawa Butte Fire, which has grown to nearly 14,000 acres, continue working around the clock to strengthen containment lines and prep structures ahead of critical fire weather expected Wednesday.
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026
Deschutes County weekly road construction update - July 19-25
Monday, Jul 20, 2026
Exploding-target shooter cited for sparking brushfire near Redmond
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fast-moving brushfire that burned over 20 acres, threatened homes and prompted evacuations west of Redmond Sunday afternoon was sparked by a property owner who shot an exploding target – and was cited on two charges as a result, authorities said.
Sunday, Jul 19, 2026
Saturday update: Crews hold the line overnight on three big C.O. wildfires
Here's the Saturday morning update on three of the larger fires burning in Central Oregon, as provided by Central Oregon Fire Info adding links to Watch Duty for updates on the listed fires:
Saturday, Jul 18, 2026
New report highlights early success of secure-firearms initiative in C. Oregon
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County’s Suicide Prevention Program, in partnership with the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance, has released a new report on the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Effectively initiative, or S.A.F.E.
Thursday, Jul 16, 2026