Oregon is the first state on the West Coast to be approved for a state meat inspection program. Learn more here.

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon on Thursday became the first state on the West Coast approved to operate a state meat inspection program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just finalized a cooperative agreement with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to launch the program, aimed at providing economic opportunity and resilience for Oregon’s livestock producers.

The agreement grants ODA the authority to inspect meat products produced for shipment within the state. Under the agreement, Oregon’s program must develop, administer, and enforce requirements “at least equal to” those imposed under the Federal Meat…

New roundabout art is being proposed for two Bend intersections. Find out more here.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Design renderings of seven proposed sculptures for the Powers Road & Brookswood Boulevard roundabout in SW Bend and Empire Avenue/Butler Market Road/27th Street roundabout in NE Bend will be on view from July 25-August 9, Art in Public Places said Thursday.

Each sculpture design will be on display for one week at both the downtown Bend Deschutes Public Library and at the Larkspur Community Center.

Powers & Brookswood Roundabout                                                       Empire/Butler Market/27th Roundabout

Downtown Library, July 25 to August 1                                                    Larkspur Center, July 25- August 1

Larkspur Center, August 2-9                                                                        Downtown Library, August 2-9

Community members of all ages are invited…

The average gas price has fallen 7 cents a gallon. Learn more here.

CHICAGO (KTVZ) — The average gasoline price in Oregon has fallen 7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $5.39 a gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,307 stations in Oregon. Prices in Oregon are 11.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, but still stand $1.74/g higher than a year ago.

The national average price of diesel has declined 8.5 cents in the last week and stands at $5.65 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Oregon was priced at $4.69/g Sunday while the most expensive was $6.69/g, a difference of $2.00/g.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 12.8…

A local man who’s been walking over 30 miles to work was gifted a car from a complete stranger. Discover more here!

After Central Oregon Daily News told the story of Eric Akers, the Prineville man who walked 33 miles to work in Bend after his car broke down, the emails started pouring in from people who wanted to give him a hand.

Or a car.

We told the story Wednesday of how Eric’s car broke down. Rather than call in sick, Eric got up and started walking. In about 6 1/2 hours, he made it to his job in Bend to start his night shift.

Chris Arsenault and his wife were inspired and reached out to us. Sitting…

Chip-sealing will take place on eight miles of Skyliners Road. Read more here.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County began a chip-sealing project on about eight miles of Skyliners Road west of Bend on Wednesday, and an official assured concerned cyclists that the bike lane is getting a different treatment that won’t leave it too rough for safe cycling.

Some cyclists and others expressed their concerns on a comment thread on Reddit’s Bend subreddit on Wednesday (warning: some graphic language) upon learning of the project, one of several chip-sealing projects the county is undertaking this summer.

But Chuck Schutte, operations manager for the Deschutes County Road Department, said chip-sealing only will be…

Bend’s Street Dog Hero has been honored by the Mexican government for their efforts in spaying and neutering. Learn more here.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Together with the help of local rescue partner Planned Pethood International, Street Dog Hero organized a free spay and neuter clinic in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Over two days, they performed 265 free sterilization surgeries for owned and street dogs and cats.

For this work, Street Dog Hero was recognized by the local municipality and was awarded a certificate from the Puerto Morelos Department of Health and the Department of Animal Welfare and Protection.

Puerto Morelos is a small Mexican port town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, with a population of less than…

Detroit Lake has hit full capacity for the first time in two years. Discover more here.

DETROIT, Ore — It has been extremely challenging the last couple of years for residents of Detroit, Oregon. Wildfires destroyed the small town over Labor Day Weekend of 2020, and businesses who rely on the lake have been struggling because of low water levels the last two years.

The good news is that with the unofficial start to Memorial Day weekend just days away, Detroit Lake is the fullest it’s been in two years.

Lucas Lunski is the marina manager at Detroit Lake Marina. He’s been open for the last two weeks, and he said that they have been busy…

Three intersections on Highway 97 near Metolius in Jefferson County that have a history of serious and deadly crashes is being permanently closed Wednesday.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is shutting down SW Bear Drive and Eureka Lane at US 97. ODOT said poor visibility and the fact the intersections are at the end of a passing lane have made the intersections especially dangerous.

A concrete barrier will be installed where Bear Drive meets the highway.

SEE ALSO: 3 trail segments near Phil’s Trailhead closing to remove vegetation

SEE ALSO: 22 Deschutes Nat’l Forest campgrounds closed for snow

The closure will mean changes for…

Desert Sky Montessori has received On Point Community Credit Union’s Community Builder Award. Learn more here.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the 13th annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education campaign continues, OnPoint Community Credit Union announced Tuesday the five schools. including Bend’s Desert Sky Montessori, that have won this year’s Community Builder awards. The winning schools will receive up to $5,000 for a special project that positively impacts their school and community.

OnPoint also announced today the six finalists for the Educator of the Year awards. Three winning teachers (one representing grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12) will have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for each of their schools. The three runners up (one…

Meta in Prineville awarded a $11,200 grant to Family Access Network. Find out more here.

Meta’s (previously Facebook) Prineville Data Center just gave a $11,200 Community Action Grant to Family Access Network (FAN).

The funds are meant to assist FAN’s Crook County program, supporting the two advocates in the area.

FAN has connected 474 people in Crook County to crucial needs like clothing, food, and school supplies during the first three quarters of 2021-22.

“FAN is deeply grateful for Prineville Data Center’s support of our services in Crook County, and their long-term commitment to the community,” said Julie N. Lyche, FAN Executive Director. “This grant will help many families in Crook County regain stability, so kids can thrive in…