Month: February 2026

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A conduct complaint was filed this week against Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, alleging he created a hostile environment and intimidated a colleague during a committee session on gun policy. The complaint claims Kropf pressured Rep. Thủy Trần, D-Portland, to change her vote on an amendment to a high-profile firearms bill on February 16th.

The incident in question occurred during a House Judiciary Committee work session for House Bill 4145. After Trần initially voted “no” on a proposed amendment, Kropf called an immediate recess and spoke with her privately for nearly 20 minutes. When the committee reconvened, Trần changed her vote to “yes,” which allowed the measure to pass and advance out of the committee.

Derek LeBlanc filed the formal conduct complaint with the Legislative Equity Office on February 16th, 2026, as a private citizen. LeBlanc, who was present for the work session, described watching the interaction from the gallery.

“Rep. Trần had just voted no. The next person up to vote was Rep. Kropf,” LeBlanc said. “But he pivoted really quickly, called a recess and then took her outside for, I would imagine, close to 15 minutes.” While LeBlanc did not hear the private conversation, he expressed concern regarding Trần’s appearance when the lawmakers returned to the room.

“I don’t know what was said specifically,” LeBlanc said. “All I can read is obviously her body language as she came back into the room. She was visibly distraught. She looked like she was shaking.”

Rep. Trần did not respond KTVZ News’ request for comment, but addressed the incident to OregonLive/The Oregonian. She characterized the atmosphere during the session as unprofessional.

“Upon reflection, it created a hostile working environment to me, staff, advocates and the public,” Trần said. While the complaint alleged she was “visibly shaken” and had “tears in her eyes,” Trần clarified that “there were no tears,” though she noted that “the meeting caused stress for many in the room, not just me.”

Despite the friction during the meeting, Trần stated to OregonLive/The Oregonian that she continues to value her professional relationship with Kropf. “I have a great deal of respect for Democratic Rep. Kropf of Bend, but his management of events made for a less than ideal situation during a Monday meeting,” Trần said. She added that she understands the “tremendous pressure” placed on committee chairs during a short legislative session.

Rep. Kropf, who serves as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, declined to comment on the specifics of the complaint, but issued a statement regarding the intensity of the legislative environment.

“It’s natural that tensions run high in this building: we’re doing important, detailed work that will affect all of our fellow Oregonians for years to come and we’re doing it on a very public stage,” Kropf stated. He noted that the atmosphere is “particularly true when navigating a weighty issue like preventing gun tragedy.” Kropf also emphasized his regard for Trần’s work as a legislator.

“I can say that I have known Rep. Trần to be an incredibly thoughtful legislator and I hold deep respect for her as a colleague,” he stated.

Kropf is a chief sponsor of the bill that was being debated during the session. The incident drew criticism from other lawmakers, including Rep. Alek Skarlatos, R-Winston, who addressed the behavior on the House floor Tuesday.

Without naming Kropf directly, Skarlatos called the act of pulling a member out of a committee to change a vote “inappropriate.” He told fellow representatives that “everyone’s vote is sacred” and such actions go against the principles of a republic.

House Bill 4145 seeks to modify the firearm permit provisions of Ballot Measure 114. The voter-approved measure, which has been the subject of multiple legal challenges regarding its constitutionality, has not yet taken effect since its passage in November 2022.

The Legislative Equity Office is currently reviewing the complaint filed by LeBlanc. Investigations conducted by the office are generally confidential under legislative rules. House Bill 4145 is now scheduled to move to the House floor for further consideration.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Christians marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday by receiving traditional ash crosses on their foreheads. The day initiates a 40-day period focused on fasting and repentance.

The season of Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before he began preaching. Mirroring this, believers often give up specific luxuries or habits to reflect on their repentance. Traditional fasting practices include eating smaller portions and abstaining from meat on Fridays.

During today’s service at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Redmond, ashes in the shape of a cross were applied to the foreheads of the gathering. Pastor Saji Thomas, explained that the mark is a public sign of humility.

“And ashes is not telling that ‘I am a saint’,” Thomas said. “It says that ‘I am a sinner and I am ready to repent.’ So it’s kind of witnessing for others.”

While Ash Wednesday is primarily recognized as a Catholic tradition, several other Christian denominations also observe the day. Father Thomas invited any individuals who wished to participate in the spirit of repentance to receive ashes at the start of Lent.

In addition to traditional fasting, Thomas suggested his congregation make changes to their daily habits. He encouraged participants to reduce their screen time and replace it with prayer time.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 12-year-old Bend resident, Alder Gonzales, really wants his own e-bike. But instead of asking his parents or saving up birthday and holiday cash for years to buy it, he decided to earn it for himself.

Gonzales has started his own auto detailing service. He goes door to door, knocking asking if people need their car cleaned. He manages the business while balancing his schoolwork.

The venture has seen a significant increase in business recently, after he was posted in a local facebook group. He’s started traveling directly to clients’ homes to work on their cars.

Alder isn’t just a kid with a hose and some dish soap. He’s got proper cleaning equipment. He also utilizes specific products designed for both the interior and exterior of vehicles. He tries his best to re-create the high-quality results of a real auto detailer for his customers.

Gonzales still need to balance school and his side hustle, but he’s looking to the future, where this could become a proper job for him

“I see a lot of people who do this for, like, a full time job and they get like a bunch of clients,” Gonzales said. “They have, like, a big business.”

Gonzales has an idea for how he wants his future auto detailing business.

“All this stuff would go in the van and have and it would just be ways to do so because I could drive to people like from anywhere and I could just work out of the van,” Gonzales said.

He’s still a long ways from getting his e-bike though. And will have to clean a lot more cars to achieve his dream.

If you want to hire Alder, you can contact him through his professional email: crystalcascades6@gmail.com

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — From Friday through Monday of Presidents Day weekend, Prineville Police Department officers made seven DUII arrests in the city, officials said Wednesday.

“That’s seven situations where someone chose to drive impaired and seven times where a life could have been changed forever,” the department said in a Facebook post.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of traffic crash fatalities involve alcohol or drugs, the department said.

“Those aren’t just statistics,” police said. “Those are families, friends and neighbors. A DUII is preventable. A tragedy is preventable.”

“Prineville is a small community, and we care about every person on our roads,” the post stated. “We serve this community because we care deeply about the people in it. Please help us protect Prineville by making the safe choice before you ever turn the key.”

“Someone is waiting for you at home. And someone else is waiting for the person you might meet on the road. 

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