Month: July 2025

Barney Lerten

Board plans no public interviews of five candidates for interim sheriff before selection

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At their first meeting in weeks, Deschutes County commissioners approved two expenditures related to homelessness Monday afternoon, but not without a split vote and some familiar debates as they wrestled with the challenging issues. 

First, commissioners voted 2-1 to approve spending up to $250,000 a year for at least the next two years to partner with the city of Redmond on a long-discussed managed camp to be built on the city’s eastside. Commissioners Patti Adair and Phil Chang voted yes, while Commission Chairman Tony DeBone was opposed. 

A land exchange between the county and the Oregon Department of State Lands has been on hold for years, due to the need to remove homeless who are camping on the parcel. 

A work group of city and county staff, along with Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, City Councilor Cat Zwicker, Adair and Chang, has been meeting to provide input on the design and operations. 

An intergovernmental agreement says the “County will make good faith efforts to budget up to $250,000 per year, for not less than two years for Managed Camp operational costs.” 

The location for the planned 36-space managed camp is a county-owned parcel north of Redmond Airport and north of the Oasis Village camp along Highway 126. 

The Redmond City Council is scheduled to approve the city-county intergovernmental agreement on the consent agenda of Tuesday evening’s council meeting. 

Fitch talked with commissioners Monday about the continuing challenges the region faces in homelessness in the wake of recent Forest Service and BLM land closures. 

“A lot of areas are being closed to the homeless, for a variety of reasons,” he said. 

There was a bit of Catch-22 in the familiar discussion, with some details not in place yet. Zwicker said the city will go out to formal bids for a contractor to flesh out those details, including supplies and services. 

Chang said after two fires last week tied to homeless issues, “people are on pins and needles. I know a lot of people really do want to help.” 

But DeBone said he doesn’t support that funding future operations of the camp largely depends on future actions by the governor and Legislature. While he voted no, DeBone said afterward it had been a “good, thoughtful discussion.” 

Commissioners also voted 3-0 to fund an added hour of security patrols in the East Redmond area, until Dec. 1, at $82.50 an hour, which if continued would cost about $30,000 a year. A current county contract with a private security company ends in July of next year. 

DeBone explained later to KTVZ News, “Instead of just making a presence where the future road is going and the land swap, we asked them to be seen on the whole east side of Redmond, where people are unsanctioned long-term camping.”

Commissioners did not take to a vote a staff-provided option to also add more security patrols at Juniper Ridge north of Bend, where over 200 homeless have moved in recent months to the city-county-approved Temporary Safe Stay Area. The county already funds two hours of security patrols a day (costing $165 a day) on county-owned land at Juniper Ridge, while the city does the same on its land. 

Commissioners also made known their choices for a seven-member advisory panel that will help draw up district zoning for the expanded five-member county commission voters approved last year, taking effect next year.

DeBone and Adair each are making two appointments, while Chang will make three. He listed five choices Monday, including Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, but said he will narrow it to his three picks by Wednesday’s planned vote on the committee members.

Another closely watched matter was not on the agenda – the board’s impending selection of an interim sheriff before current Sheriff Kent van der Kamp’s retirement takes effect July 31. 

Five applicants are in the field, and commissioners said they will meet individually with the candidates before a special meeting planned for next Tuesday, July 29 to make the appointment. 

DeBone later explained that he plans to provide his colleagues with “two prioritized names. Commissioner Chang asked for us to invite all five to a board meeting so he could ask questions in public. We determined that we are not going to meet in a public meeting as a group.”

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Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, Adding comments from community coordinator, details on priorities)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Over the course of nearly two years, the Newberry Regional Partnership surveyed the community on top issues. The group has established a five-year strategic plan as the region grapples with growth. 

Community coordinator Kathy DeBone talked with KTVZ News on Monday about the community’s priorities in the survey: “No. 1 was, expand enforcement of illegal camping laws on public lands, at 80.6%, No. 2 was develop critical care specialist and emergency room services in south county, at 75.8%.” she said. “No. 3 was expand after-school STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and summer activities to keep students engaged and learning, at 67%.”

The partnership includes local, state, and federal organizations. Action has already been taken for La Pine’s continuing homeless issue. Thousands of pounds of trash were picked up at abandoned camps by community partners last year, and more are scheduled through August and September.

“People think it’s just one thing that’s going to fix everything, but it’s not,” DeBone said. “It’s not going to fix everything. We have people who do need care. I think we have a lack of capacity for that care.”

The plan will also focus on infrastructure, like the expansion of Highway 97 and public transportation, improved recycling and the area’s culture.

“La Pine and this area has been discovered,” DeBone said. “So we are going to have to deal with it. It’s not, it’s not a question of if, but when.”

After 2030, the Newberry Regional Partnership says it has 67 more topics to tackle. You can find more information about the plan at newberryregionalpartnership.org.

Below is the group’s recent news release:

The Newberry Regional Partnership, in collaboration with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, is proud to announce the publication of the Newberry Country Strategic Action Plan (2025-2030) booklet.

This pivotal plan establishes a clear road map for the future growth, development, and enhanced quality of life in south Deschutes County and north Klamath County, collectively known as Newberry Country.

The unveiling of this comprehensive plan marks the culmination of an extensive effort that brought together invaluable community input and a rigorous nine-month strategic planning process. This collaborative approach ensures the plan genuinely reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of local residents.

The Newberry Country Strategic Action Plan (2025-2030) presents a series of community-based strategies designed to inform and guide sustainable development, ultimately enhancing and improving the quality of life for all who call the region home.

“This plan is a testament to the power of community collaboration,” said Kathy DeBone, Newberry Regional Partnership Community Coordinator. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the community for its invaluable engagement, and to the NRP advisory board and our funders for making this transformative project possible. We believe the Newberry Country Strategic Action Plan will serve as a vital guide, helping us foster sustainable growth and a vibrant future for everyone in our region.

Geoff Wullschlager, City Manager for the City of La Pine, was quoted, “In one of Oregon’s hidden gems—Newberry Country—a bold movement is underway to preserve, protect, and expand the livability, resilience, and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

James Lewis, General Manager of the Sunriver Owners Association, adds: “The ultimate goal is to provide Newberry Country with all of the elements inherent to a complete community— not only to fill in the missing elements, but to plan for growth.”

Newberry Regional Partnership would like to thank the community for its engagement, and the NRP advisory board and funders for making this project possible. 

About the Newberry Regional Partnership (NRP):

The Newberry Regional Partnership is dedicated to advancing rural vitality in an evolving Newberry Country through civic engagement, community-led action, and partnerships.

About the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC):

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council Rural Community Building Program empowers local community members to identify their unique goals and design projects to address local needs by developing connections with partners and resources to bring their visions to life.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Starting Monday and through September 21, nonprofit organizations and government entities (including colleges and universities) are invited to apply for funding through the City of Bend’s new Climate Action Partner Grant Program.

“This is the first year that the program is being offered, and the program goal is to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen our community’s resilience to climate change,” the city said in a news release Monday, which continues below:

By working together with local partners, the City hopes to support projects that protect our environment and create a healthier future for everyone. A total budget of $150,000 is available, and there is no restriction on the amount that can be requested by applicants.

Bend’s Community Climate Action Plan, a community-driven road map that outlines strategies and actions to reduce fossil fuel use and achieve the City’s climate goals. The plan emphasizes collaboration, empowering local organizations to lead meaningful climate actions. The Climate Action Partner Grant Program helps bring these efforts to life by funding initiatives that protect the environment, reduce emissions, and promote a healthier, more sustainable future.

The grant program website contains a list of eligible projects, examples of projects that can get funding, instructions regarding how to apply, information about the review process, and answers to frequently asked questions. A link to the application form can be found here. The City will host two virtual information sessions to provide an overview of the grant program and answer any questions. Details about session dates and registration can be found on the website.

“The Climate Action Partner Grant program is an exciting step towards working together with the community to help meet the City’s emission reduction goals and enhance our community’s ability to adapt to climate impacts,” said Councilor Megan Norris, who also acts as the Council liaison on the City of Bend’s Environment and Climate Committee, “We know the City can’t achieve our climate action goals alone and hope that the grant program can support community organizations doing great work to help keep our community healthy and resilient.”

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday morning, crews continued their recovery efforts in the water for the two people who were still considered missing after Saturday’s tragedy at Dillon Falls — the incident in which six people on inner-tubes went over the falls.

The swiftwater rescue team assisted on Sunday. But on Monday, the dive team was deployed. They were joined by a search and rescue dog who rode in the boat and helped identify key areas for them to search.

KTVZ News was there when a recovery boat was sent out, and about an hour later when it came back to shore…    

Moments after the boat returned, a somber scene unfolded. Crews carefully removed one body from the recovery boat and into a waiting vehicle.

Officials later confirmed a female had been recovered from the water — she was one of the two individuals still considered missing as of early Monday morning.    

Lt. Nathan Garibay, emergency services manager for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, explained their efforts for the day, and going forward.

“Our operations primarily consist of using dive teams to search areas of interest based on information we’ve received from K9 teams, in conjunction with our marine patrol, as well as drone flights,” said Garibay.

“After each operational period, we assess what we’ve completed. So once we get done today, we’ll reevaluate, assess and then identify strategies and tactics that will help us accomplish what our incident objectives are,” Garibay said of ongoing efforts. 

After the first recovery was complete midday on Monday, divers and the search dog prepared to get back in the boat for another search.

With one person still missing, there is still work to do. Officials say they will continue their efforts for however long it takes to recover the last body.

We will continue to keep you updated on this tragic, developing story. 

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