Month: October 2025

Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: adding quotes from Dr. Steve Cook, adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-LaPine Schools Board met on Tuesday for a work session to discuss goals for the district to take it into the future.

This meeting is part of an ongoing process to update rules and guidelines for the school board. 

The goal of the meeting was to work on the executive limitation in the updated organization goals. The Board is setting rules and expectations for the superintendent. 

KTVZ spoke with Bend-LaPine Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook who explained his hopes for the sessions.

“The board is undertaking the task to work through all of their, governance policies, their organizational goals, and, what we’re working on today was, refining those organizational goals,” Dr. Cook said.

Dr. Cook Continued, “They make sure that their vision continues to be the same, and that the expectations that they clarify in those, executive limitations are still what they want to declare is what the values are for the board.”

The school board will have its next meeting to discuss the organizational goals in January.

They hope to have these goals finalized and ready to go by the end of the school year.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department has one word for it: “Wow!”

Last Saturday, Bend Police and St. Charles hosted a prescription drug take back event, and the community turnout was nothing short of remarkable.

A steady flow of 203 cars rolled through the Bend Police Department parking lot, each one dropping off unused medications to be securely destroyed.

By day’s end, 706 pounds of medication and sharps were collected — helping keep dangerous substances out of homes and away from the environment.

It was part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an effort involving nearly 4,000 law enforcement partners and collection sites across the country.

Organizers of the Bend collection event expressed deep gratitude to everyone who participated, saying that the generosity and civic-mindedness of Bend residents made the event a true success.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video)

CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — In Culver, families now have a new place to get active — and a lasting reminder of the kind of community spirit one woman inspired for decades.

The city celebrated the grand opening of its new skatepark and pickleball courts this past weekend, dedicated in memory of longtime Culver teacher’s aide Darlene Urbach, who passed away from cancer in 2019.

The project first took shape years earlier, when a Culver student and young skateboarder approached the city with a simple wish for a safe place to skate. What started as a pipe dream turned into an actual half pipe after the community rallied to make it a reality.

Darlene, known for her love of kids and involvement in her community, used to love taking her grandchildren all over the region to visit various skateparks. After her passing, the idea to raise funds in her memory to support the park was a no-brainer for volunteers.

“She’d be super happy,” said her son, Jason Urbach. “The amount of kids running around right now, having fun — that would be the best part of it for her.”

Over the course of six years, her family, local 4-H youth, city leaders and residents raised more than $100,000 through grassroots efforts — from community grants and donation drives to scooter raffles and personal fundraisers.

Volunteer Cindy Dix, who helped lead the campaign from the star, said every contribution reflected the town’s determination to finish what Darlene had championed.

“What makes me the happiest — seeing all these kids behind me on their skateboards,” Dix said. “I couldn’t be more excited for our community and all the kids.”

The park’s completion was made possible with help from a $750,000 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant, funded through Oregon Lottery dollars, as well as support from Jefferson County and local sponsors. The new facilities include a concrete skate zone, custom ramps, and adjacent pickleball courts designed to encourage outdoor recreation for all ages.

At Saturday’s ribbon-cutting, Culver school officials and city representatives joined dozens of residents in honoring Urbach’s memory. Her daughter, Jennifer Harrington, said the park represents her mother’s enduring devotion to Culver’s youth.

“This is a special place to us,” Harrington said. “For our family to have this, and for our mom to be represented like this — it was just a dream.”

During the event, KTVZ, along with Mid Oregon Credit Union and Dutch Bros Coffee, recognized Dix with our Pay It Forward award for her years of volunteer leadership in bringing the project to completion.

Culver leaders said the new park symbolizes the power of community connection — a space that celebrates both youthful energy and the people who shaped this small town’s heart.

The skate park and pickleball courts are open daily at Culver City Park, offering a new recreational hub for families across Jefferson County.

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KTVZ

Update: Adding video

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sunriver Music Festival invites a Central Oregon artist to create the commemorative 49th season poster. 

“For almost five decades, we have showcased some of the most accomplished painters and photographers in the region. The collaboration is a beautiful experience for all involved,” explains Executive Director Meagan Iverson in a news release Tuesday that continues in full below:  

Artist Kenneth Marunowski, 2018 poster artist, agrees. “Signing the gorgeous prints made from my image, and attending two of the brilliant Festival concerts was an absolute delight. During this exciting moment in my artistic life, I truly felt connected to the Sunriver community and like something of a star!” 

David Kreitzer, poster artist for 2020-2021: “To have my art be chosen, and to be on the cover of the Sunriver Magazine as well, was a great ‘Welcome to Central Oregon’ gift. Sunriver Music Festival was very supportive and I was pleased to be a part of it!” 

Sally MacAllister, 2022 selected poster artist: “It was such an honor to be selected as the season’s poster artist. Of course, I was very excited when I first heard the news, but I was overwhelmed when I saw my artwork on the poster and the publicity pieces the graphic team designed. And to have my summer filled with the wonderful concerts – such a rewarding experience. I’m so glad I was able to share my talent with this wonderful community.” 

Here’s your opportunity to join the ranks of these and other esteemed artists by submitting your artwork to the selection committee, which is comprised of a jury of professional artists from the Artists’ Gallery Sunriver.  

Basic Requirements: 

The artwork must be able to be reproduced successfully into an 18” x 24“ poster and for the cover of the Summer Festival program magazine, ticket brochures and note cards. Original works larger than 18” x 24” are not recommended. You can view past posters at sunrivermusic.org and at the Festival office in the Village at Sunriver, Building 13. 

The artwork must fit an 18” x 24” vertical aspect ratio. We encourage all types of art mediums.  

Artist Benefits: 

Press release published in multiple local publications (Cascade A&E, Bend Bulletin, 

Sunriver Scene, and others) with artist’s photo, bio, and artwork. 

The selected artwork is professionally photographed for reproduction to be featured on the front cover of the Summer Festival program magazine, the annual ticket brochure, merchandise, website and and for marketing purposes. The brochure is mailed to over 4,000 Central Oregon residents and visitors.  

Expert reproduction and printing of the original artwork ensures staying true to the 

artist’s colors and medium.  

Posters are displayed throughout Bend, Sisters, Redmond, and Sunriver.  

A full page article about the artist in the Summer Festival program book. 

A framed poster is gifted to every Festival sponsor including businesess, which are often displayed on office walls all over Central Oregon and beyond. 

The original work of art is custom framed by Eastlake Framing and auctioned at Raise the Baton, the Festival’s annual fundraiser. 

Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon.  Proceeds from your donated artwork, through original artwork auction, poster sales and merchandise support the Festival’s mission. 

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 17, 2026 – Please contact the Festival as soon as possible if you are considering submitting art for consideration. Final submission must be received at our office (57100 Beaver Dr., Building 13 in the Village at Sunriver) by February 17, 2026. The chosen artwork is considered a donation to the Sunriver Music Festival. All other submissions will be available for pick-up by early March 2026. 

For more information visit www.sunrivermusic.org, email vivian@sunrivermusic.org or call 541-593-1084. 

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KTVZ

Update: Adding video

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The  Redmond School District is seeking applicants for three vacant positions on the Budget Committee.

The Budget Committee is comprised of all five school board members and five appointed Budget Committee members. Budget Committee members are appointed to serve for three-year terms. 

The Budget Committee will begin meeting and deliberating on the 2026-2027 district budget in the winter of 2026.

Applications will be accepted at the district office until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025. If necessary, applicants will be interviewed at the December 10, 2025 school board meeting. Budget Committee members will be appointed at the January 21, 2026 school board meeting. 

Budget Committee members must reside in the Redmond School District and may not be employed by the district. 

The application is available online here and in person at the district office at 145 SE Salmon Drive in Redmond. 

For questions or more information, please call or email Kathy Steinert, Director of Fiscal Services, at the district administration office, 541-923-8927. 

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