Month: April 2026

Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Madras city councilors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to appoint David Clyne as new interim city administrator, expressing confidence in his abilities to help solve the city’s recent leadership struggles.

The city’s employment agreement with Clyne, who most recently served as city administrator in Independence, Oregon, will be effective next Monday, April 6, but he told councilors Tuesday night he will get to work right away.

The city said in a news release Wednesday, “The appointment follows a period of leadership transition beginning in January, during which the city operated under interim and council-managed structure while continuing core services and operations.”

Clyne also has served as an interim administrator for several other cities throughout Oregon and Colorado.

Before the vote, Councilor Gabriel Soliz said Klein is what the city needs.

“I know that he will do good work,” he said. “He will do some cleanup work that the city desperately needs. He will help staff with just getting their heads around everything and being sure that things are on track and on task.”

Soliz warned fellow councilors they should be aware of the steep costs of such appointments, but added strong leadership was worth it. Clyne, who attended the meeting by Zoom, said he was excited to start working.

Councilors at a March 4 meeting directed staff to identify qualified candidates to serve in an interim capacity. Three candidates were presented and interviewed by a council subcommittee on March 10. Following that process, the council selected Clyne and finalized terms of the employment agreement.

The city says Clyne brings more than 40 years of local government experience, including service as a city administrator or manager in communities of varying sizes, as well as several interim leadership roles in other Oregon cities. His background includes municipal operations, budgeting, organizational leadership, and guiding cities through complex transitions.

In the city’s announcement, Soliz said, “Mr. Clyne brings a strong background in local government and a proven track record of stepping into complex situations and providing steady leadership. We are confident in his ability to support the Council and staff and help guide the organization through this transition.”

Clyne said, “I am excited to come to Madras and provide support to the community, council, and staff during my time here, The city is going through challenging times, and I look forward to helping address those challenges and ensuring stability moving forward.”

Under the agreement, Clyne will serve as the city’s chief administrative officer, responsible for day-to-day operations, oversight of city departments, implementation of Council direction, and support of ongoing organizational priorities.

The interim appointment is expected to extend through August 1, unless modified by mutual agreement. 

Recruitment for a permanent city administrator is underway, in partnership with Prothman, a recruiting service. More information about the position and application process is available athttps://www.madras.gov/hr/job-opening/city-administrator.

“The City of Madras remains committed to maintaining continuity of services, supporting staff, and ensuring stable leadership during this transition,” the news release concluded.

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Claire Elmer

Update: KTVZ’s Claire Elmer spoke with some of the people who help make the High Desert Stampede possible. Tune in for more Thursday on KTVZ News at 4:00 p.m.

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Stampede has returned for its ninth year at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Ore. The event features world-champion competitors and a lineup of traditional rodeo events designed for a modern audience.

Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in late 2017, the High Desert Stampede is currently recognized as the fastest-growing rodeo in the United States. The production focuses on a fast-paced format that has helped it become one of the top-rated rodeos in the country.

The First Interstate Bank Center arena, where the rodeo is held, has a capacity of up to 4,000 people. Organizers noted that the event serves as an economic driver for Central Oregon, drawing fans from across the region who travel to Redmond for the performances. This high demand often leads to sold-out shows, with the 2022 event reaching standing-room-only capacity.

Jessi Jackson serves as the director of the High Desert Stampede and oversees the production’s modern approach to the sport. Jackson noted that the program is designed to be fast-paced while incorporating high-production elements:

“We pack our performance full of really fantastic contestants, and we keep it moving really fast,” Jackson said. “It’s a very fast-paced rodeo. We have our visiting royalty and our rodeo queens coming. So you’re going to get to see them ride really fast in the arena. And you’re going to see lights and lasers and fire. And we try to highlight a different part of either rodeo or our community and give thanks to, like, our first responders or military. So you’re going to see a little bit of everything during our rodeo.”

The High Desert Stampede has earned national recognition despite being one of the younger rodeos in the country. It was awarded the 2019 Medium Rodeo of the Year for the Columbia River Circuit. The event’s directors initially set a goal of establishing the production as one of the top 60 rodeos nationwide within its first few years of operation.

The organization navigated several challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of the 2020 rodeo due to statewide lockdowns. In September 2020, the High Desert Stampede partnered with Bridwell Pro Rodeos, Sisters Rodeo and Crooked River Roundup to produce the Cascade Chute Out.

This outdoor event was held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Juniper Arena to provide athletes with opportunities to qualify for circuit finals. In March 2021, the rodeo returned to its indoor venue at the First Interstate Bank Center using a specialized safety plan. This arrangement involved creating eight separate and physically partitioned venues within the arena to comply with health orders.

By 2022, the program expanded to include three full performances and a rough stock special section. The event has also established new community traditions, such as the crowning of its first rodeo queen. Linnae Roeder was named the inaugural Miss High Desert Stampede in 2023.

Organizers emphasized that tickets for the performances tend to sell out quickly and encouraged fans to purchase them in advance.

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Tracee Tuesday

Senator Ron Wyden joined KTVZ’s 5 PM broadcast for a LIVE in-studio interview. You’ll see it in the next slide above, or embedded in the article below.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Local and state leaders gathered at Bend City Hall Wednesday afternoon alongside U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden to push back against federal efforts they say could restrict mail-in voting, a system long used across Oregon.

The press conference comes as former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans promote the SAVE Act and other measures that critics argue could limit vote-by-mail access nationwide. One major point of concern raised Wednesday was a recent executive order aimed at tightening restrictions on mail-in voting.

Wyden, joined by Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, State Rep. Emerson Levy and Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang emphasized Oregon’s decades-long track record of conducting elections primarily by mail.

Redmond City Councilor Kathryn Osborne pointed to research supporting the system.

“There’s been a lot of research done on mail-in voting,” Osborne said. “Those data points have come back that mail-in voting is free, secure and fair, and that has been validated numerous times by many organizations.”

Rep.Emerson Levy (D) sought to reassure voters that no immediate changes are in place.

“Right now, mail-in voting remains exactly the same,” she said. “I want voters to know that their ballot is going to arrive and they should send it as usual. And we hope that we will continue to have a good, strong turnout.”

Wyden criticized the push for new restrictions, calling it a political distraction and defending Oregon’s system as a model for increasing voter participation.

He also claimed Oregonians remain focused on broader issues, including health care and government transparency, while continuing to support vote-by-mail.

Oregon has conducted elections entirely by mail for more than two decades, using secure drop boxes, postal delivery and ballot tracking systems designed to ensure access and integrity.

Local officials said they plan to continue defending the system, which they argue expands participation, especially in rural communities like Central Oregon.

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