Firefighters contain blaze that threatened La Pine residence

Spencer Sacks

La Pine, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine home was saved Thursday morning after a fire that started in a nearby shop spread to the residence. Firefighters contained the flames on Burlwood Lane and reported no injuries.

The fire broke out when an RV inside a shop ignited. Dispatch reports indicate the blaze then moved from the shop to the home before crews arrived to intervene.

Firefighters responded to the scene on Burlwood Lane to find the shop fire threatening the main house. Crews were able to quickly contain the flames, which prevented the house from being destroyed. No residents or emergency responders were hurt during the incident. New images from the scene show the extent of the response from local crews.

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Officer and two deputies’ actions found justified in officer-involved shootings

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Three members of local law enforcement have been cleared in two separate officer involved shootings back in December.

Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal released his review of both shootings late Friday afternoon.

The report brings insight and clarity into what happened in each case, reviewing body cam footage that was released to the media.

December 22nd Incident

In the first case, an Idaho Falls Police officer was cleared in a December 22, 2025 shooting on Cleveland Street. 

That shooting happened days before Christmas.

The man killed was Eduardo Trejo de Arcos. 

The incident began when his girlfriend’s father called 911, and reported that De Arcos was threatening her with a knife and choking her. 

Officers were allowed into the home where they saw a knife sitting out.

De Arcos denied threatening and choking his girlfriend. He then said he was prepared to kill his girlfriend’s dad if he were to come over, and that the knife was just out for self-protection.

Officers told the man he was under arrest, and De Arcos lunged for the knife. A struggle followed, and one officer fired his service weapon, hitting de arcos.

The prosecutor deemed the officer’s actions justified.

December 17th Incident

In the second case, Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal found that Bonneville County Sheriff deputies acted in self-defense in a shooting on December 17.

Neal determined that Landon Smith, who was allegedly involved in a domestic violence incident in Madison County, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Smith first encountered law enforcement in Madison County after he stole a Jeep and was observed driving recklessly multiple times, but he sped off when officers attempted to stop him.

On County Line Road in Bonneville County, Sheriff deputies executed a P.I.T. maneuver, spinning Smith’s jeep off the street. 

Smith then swerved back on the road, hitting a Bonneville County Sheriff’s vehicle head on.

A second deputy vehicle then hit the jeep to stop it. 

Dash camera footage clearly shows Smith drew a gun and held it to his own head. Only one casing was located in the Jeep.

The report states Smith then shot himself when confronted by deputies.

It also says deputies started shooting when they heard the gunshot, but it appears none of those bullets hit Smith.

The prosecutor determined the actions of the deputies who responded were in the line of duty.

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St Jude. supports Reagan’s fight against rare childhood cancer

KESQ News Team

COACHELL VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Our St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is coming up in March, and it’s time now to get your tickets and to show you how your support helps.

Tonight, we are introducing you to Reagan. We’re sharing her story and how her family says St. Jude offers them hope. 

Reagan’s journey to St. Jude began suddenly in October 2023. Doctors diagnosed Reagan with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. 

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Multi-million dollar settlement in clergy child sex abuse scandal

Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif (KEYT) – The Franciscan Friars of California has agreed to pay a $20 million dollar settlement to dozens of survivors of clergy child sex abuse, with some cases dating back to the 1940’s. 

Tim Hale, a Santa Barbara attorney with Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet, currently represents nine of the survivors.

“It’s a very positive step in the right direction toward solving this bankruptcy and the claims of the 95 survivors who found the courage to come forward but, it’s nowhere near a final resolution,” said Hale.

He said cases involving clergy abuse span parishes and churches throughout the county, from Santa Maria to Carpinteria. Most of the accused friars have died. Hale says more than half of the claims “arose in Santa Barbara.”

He did not know the exact number of local perpetrators.

“We’ve identified over 30 who were assigned in residence at the Mission and St. Anthony’s in the 60’s and the 90’s. There are 95 survivors who are part of this. This part of the settlement is $20 million dollars and it’s being paid for by entities that the Franciscans claim are separate from the Franciscan organization such as the Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Serra Retreat in Malibu.”

Hale said his team has “connected the dots” and found the entities are not separate. He linked this latest move by the Franciscans to a previous 2006 settlement with survivors, a 2023 bankruptcy filing and, the transfer of assets from the main organization.

“$20 million to compensate 95 people who’ve been through such horrors would just be grossly insufficient,” said Hale. “There’s still a lot of work to be done with regards to determining the actual assets of the Franciscans.”

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Man dead after train collision in Montecito

Caleb Nguyen

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) – Montecito Fire crews helped take a man to the hospital after a train hit him near the City Sanitation District on the south side of the tracks.

The man did not survive after an Amtrak train hit him just before 6:00 p.m., according to the Montecito Fire Department.

Santa Barbara Police, among others, tried to use CPR on the man before they took him to Cottage Hospital where he unfortunately passed away.

The man’s name is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin, according to the SBPD.

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Pet Pals: Meet Benito, a brave pup with a big heart

Campbell Porter

Benito has already overcome incredible odds and now, this little pup is ready for his forever home.

The Oregon Humane Society rescued Benito, along with 16 other animals, from a neglect case in Lake County. When responders found him, the 3-month-old terrier-chihuahua mix had a dangerously low body temperature of just 91 degrees, about ten degrees below normal.

Thanks to some quick thinking, the rescue team stopped at the Humane Society of Central Oregon for emergency care. Since then, his recovery has been remarkable.

Benito’s foster family says he’s already showing off his quick learning skills during training.

Now healthy and full of personality, Benito is looking for his new family; just in time for Valentine’s Day. You can meet him and other adoptable pets at the Humane Society of Central Oregon’s open house this weekend or go to their website.

Pet Pals is brought to you by The Backyard at GoodLife Brewing Company.

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85-Year-Old Dies After Hit by Vehicle Outside of Bend Grocery Store

Gregory Deffenbaugh

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An 85-year-old woman died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in a Safeway parking lot in Bend.

Melinda Ann Lyons was hit at approximately 1:10 p.m. at the store located at 320 SW Century Drive.

Lyons was attempting to cross the parking lot to enter the store when she was struck by a silver Ford Eco Sport. Bend Fire medics transported Lyons to St. Charles hospital, where she later died from life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, 77-year-old Evelyn Ranae Olsen, was traveling at approximately 15 mph through the parking lot when the collision occurred. Olsen remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

The Bend Police crash reconstruction team responded to the Safeway parking lot following the report.

Following the investigation, Olsen was cited for careless driving that causes an accident with serious injury or death to a vulnerable user.

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There’s Good News: Downtown Bend to get covered in hearts this Valentine’s Day

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Downtown Bend will be bursting with handmade hearts this Valentine’s weekend, all part of a community tradition that’s all about kindness, creativity, and spreading love.

Students from the Waldorf School of Bend, along with residents of Fox Hollow Retirement Community, will rise early Saturday morning to “Heart Bomb” downtown Bend by covering it with colorful, handmade paper hearts. Each heart carries a personal message meant to brighten someone’s day.

KTVZ visited the school Friday afternoon, to see how the students’ hearts were coming along.

“This year, a couple of our co-creators actually decided to let the students write new messages, so you might see some new ones this year,” said teacher Rebecca McGuire. “But the message overall is that we really want to express love and spread kindness in our community. It’s really valuable for our students to see the joy of making something for someone else and just spreading love.”

This marks the 12th year the Waldorf School has carried out the Valentine’s Day tradition. Students and volunteers will begin placing hearts around downtown starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

If you spot one, organizers encourage you to take it: keep it for yourself, or pass it along to someone else who might need a little extra love this Valentine’s Day.

If you spot the beauty downtown Saturday, please feel free to send photos and videos in through the share tab here on our website.

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Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt receives Ford Family Foundation’s inaugural 1905 Legacy Award in the Visual Arts

Barney Lerten

ROSEBURG, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Ford Family Foundation’s Visual Arts Program has announced Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama) as the inaugural recipient of the 1905 Legacy Award. 

Named in honor of Hallie E. Ford’s birth year, the 1905 Legacy Award recognizes outstanding Oregon artists whose extensive careers and sustained excellence have significantly impacted the artistic community of Oregon. 

The award will be given every five years and is accompanied by $50,000 for the artist to use as they see fit. It is bestowed by nomination and reviewed by an anonymous panel of arts professionals. The 1905 Legacy Award joins the Hallie Ford Fellowship in the Foundation’s Visual Arts program as a further demonstration of Hallie Ford’s deep commitment to supporting Oregon artists. 

“We are pleased to honor Hallie Ford’s vision for Oregon visual arts with the 1905 Legacy Award,” says Kara Inae Carlisle, president and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation. “I cannot think of a more fitting inaugural recipient than Lillian, whose lifelong dedication to culture, craft and community has brought joy to so many while honoring the history and legends of her people.” 

Pitt’s artwork has been exhibited globally, and she continues to garner institutional attention – a tribute to her longstanding status as an artist central to the Northwest’s cultural life. Among the awards and recognitions Pitt has received: 

1990 Oregon Governor’s Award for the Arts; 

Oregon Chiles Foundation Award from the High Desert Museum, Bend, OR;  

Leadership Award from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Portland, OR;  

Honored Citizen by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon;  

History Maker by the Oregon Historical Society; and an 

Honorary Doctorate from the University of Portland in 2022.  

Lillian Pitt’s life and works are featured in The Story of Lillian Pitt. An exhibition of her work will be on display at the Museum of Warm Springs, opening May 21. More information on the 1905 Legacy Award is available on The Ford Family Foundation’s website. 

About The Ford Family Foundation Visual Arts Program 

The Visual Arts Program honors the late Hallie Ford, co-founder of The Ford Family Foundation, who left a legacy based on an interest in, and a lifelong support of, the visual arts. The Hallie Ford Fellowships are the flagship element of the Visual Arts Program. In addition, the program offers grants to visual artists for unanticipated career opportunities; supports artists-in-residence programs; brings curators and critics from outside the region to Oregon for studio visits and community dialogue; supports exhibitions, catalogues and other forms of documentation; and awards grants for small capital projects.   

About The Ford Family Foundation The Ford Family Foundation believes in the power of rural communities. It is a private, nonprofit foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Its investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions so that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life. www.tfff.org 

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A star-spangled celebration: Dignitaries read Declaration of Independence at local courthouse

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of America kicked off with a reading of the Declaration of Independence on February 13th in the Bonneville County Courthouse.

“In the Declaration of Independence, along with the powers that are given to the people, the government rests with us,” said Jon Walker, a Bonneville County Commissioner. “Local governments are a great place for people to understand that’s where their influence is strongest.”

The event opened with Blaiklee Capserson singing the national anthem.

She was followed by Chaplain Kathy Carroll, the executive director of Chaplains of Idaho, who led the audience in a moment of silence in honor of “men and women who died defending our country.”

Three mayors, County Commissioners and elected officials from Bonneville County took turns as they recited the entire Declaration – honoring the founding of our nation with a look back to 1776.

Participating dignitaries included:

Karl Casperson, Commissioner District 1

Jonathan Walker, Commissioner District 2

Michelle Mallard, Commissioner District 3

Chris Poulter, County Clerk

Craig Tibbitts, Treasurer

Randy Neal, Prosecuting Attorney

Samuel Hulse, Sheriff

Lisa Burtenshaw, Idaho Falls Mayor

Brian Powell, Ammon Mayor

Cameron Manwaring, Swan Valley Mayor

Attendees could sign a replica Declaration of Independence on a scroll that will be displayed in the Idaho State Capitol.

“I also liked coming here, seeing everyone participate in reading the Declaration of Independence. It was a really fun time,” said 11-year-old Nixon Landon.

Bonneville County will hold an event each month leading up to the Fourth of July in honor of the freedoms we enjoy and to enhance civic education.

19-year old Ryan Reilly traveled from Ashton to Idaho Falls to honor our nation’s founding.

“It’s fun to see all different kinds of generations here to celebrate our country,” she said.

A 13-star flag is displayed under the historic skylight of the Bonneville County Courthouse.

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