Month: May 2026

Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — “Chaos Theory,” Summit High School’s FIRST Robotics team from Bend recently reached the semi-finals at the FIRST World Championship in Houston. This achievement caps what may be the most accomplished season in Central Oregon robotics history.

The team also made history by winning the Industrial Design Award at all four competitions they entered this season. No team in the history of the game has ever won this award at every competition in a single season.

The Industrial Design Award recognizes the team whose machine best demonstrates industrial design principles, balancing form, function and aesthetics. An independent panel judges this award at each event.

At the World Championship, judges had no prior knowledge of the robot or the team, evaluating “Chaos Theory” against 600 programs from around the globe, including multi-year world champions. The team consistently received the same positive result.

The FIRST Championship, held in Houston, is the largest youth robotics event globally. It draws more than 50,000 attendees from 66 countries across three programs, ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The FIRST Championship took place from April 29 through May 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. “Chaos Theory” competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition, which is the high school flagship program, within the Archimedes Division.

“Chaos Theory” finished its qualification matches ranked 10th out of 75 teams. During Alliance Selection, the team emerged as Alliance Captain #seven. Through the selection process, a top-eight captain chose to join another alliance, moving the captain position down to “Chaos Theory.”

The team then selected its partners, built its alliance and competed in the Division Playoffs. They were ultimately defeated by powerful alliances that included teams holding multiple World Championship titles.

This season marked “Chaos Theory’s” second consecutive trip to the World Championship. In the previous season, the team also reached the semi-finals.

Before arriving at the World Championship this season, “Chaos Theory” had already achieved a significant milestone. They became the first team from Central Oregon to enter the Pacific Northwest District Championship ranked number one, topping 126 teams across Oregon, Wash. and Alaska. They finished that event ranked second, defeating the reigning 2025 World Champion.

The “Chaos Theory” team consists of approximately 25 students and eight mentors from Summit High School. More than 30 sponsors provide support for the team.The team returns to Bend today. After a period of rest, they will begin preparations for the next season, which is scheduled to kick off in January 2027.

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Matthew Draxton

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Community Foundation awarded 258 grants totaling nearly $5.2 million to nonprofit organizations across all 36 Oregon counties. In Central Oregon, 18 nonprofits will receive grants ranging from $12,000 to $20,000.

The funding aims to strengthen community well-being, build arts infrastructure, expand economic opportunities and stabilize families throughout the state.

Most of the funding, $4.77 million, was distributed through the Community Grants program, benefiting 252 organizations.

This cycle, the Community Grants program prioritized organizations serving small, rural communities and those that are either culturally specific or culturally responsive, with nearly half of the grants allocated to economic vitality and livability initiatives.

The Community Grants Program provides flexible funding for nonprofits to address needs such as stabilizing staffing, strengthening essential programs and maintaining infrastructure. This support helps organizations meet rising demand and back community-led solutions in both rural and urban areas.

The Oregon Community Foundation, founded in 1973, works to improve the lives of all Oregonians through philanthropy. Each year, the organization distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships statewide in partnership with donors and volunteers.

Beyond the Community Grants, other programs received funding, including Arts and Culture Grants totaling $250,000 to build the arts sector. This includes support for the Oregon Arts Education Collective, which connects educators and advocates to cultivate an arts ecosystem across the state. An additional $50,000 in Arts and Culture Grants supports the Van Evera Baily Fellowship, designed and administered by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon in partnership with the foundation, to advance professional development for design and building professionals.

Economic Vitality Grants contributed $37,500 to nonprofits helping communities build and sustain strong local economies. These grants support efforts to expand entrepreneurship, strengthen small businesses and increase access to opportunity. An additional $30,000 was allocated for Housing Stability in Oregon grants, supporting research into best practices for organizations assisting Oregonians in maintaining housing and achieving stability.

Furnish Hope Founding Executive Director Megan Martin a Central Oregon nonprofit, explained that her organization started furnishing homes over seven years ago. “We believe that everybody needs a place to call home and that there are people all throughout our community that are working really hard to get back on their feet after something unexpected and oftentimes traumatic has happened,” Martin said. Furnish Hope has furnished more than 3,000 homes in seven years, averaging 50 or more homes each month. “We say: ‘We see you. You’re not defined by your circumstances. Your life has meaning, purpose and value. You are worthy of every single one of these items,'” Martin added.

On the North Coast, the Yachats Youth & Family Activities Program received a grant to provide high-quality preschool, summer camp and after-school activities. Executive Director Kristina Anderson stated, “We try to keep tuition as low as possible so that we can ensure services to all families who walk through our doors.” The program has operated for more than 30 years.

Henderson House, located in the Northern Willamette Valley, is the only confidential domestic and sexual violence service provider in Yamhill County. Henderson House Executive Director Fay Schuler said, “The mission of Henderson House is to provide culturally aware outreach, education and services for victims of domestic and sexual violence through leadership, hope and respect for thriving families.” Schuler noted the organization was founded and is currently led by survivors and offers culturally relevant services to the Latinx population.

In Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Mentoring connects youth ages 9-24 with trained, caring adult mentors. Rogue Valley Mentoring Executive Director Laura Pinney shared her organization’s mission: “Rogue Valley Mentoring is a nonprofit based in Southern Oregon with a mission to transform entire communities through the mentoring of youth.” Pinney added, “Our work makes a difference because it addresses a fundamental human need: connection.” The organization has been operating for more than 20 years and serves youth across Jackson County facing challenges such as poverty and social isolation.

Row River Fire Response Executive Director Kathleen Istudor in the Southern Willamette Valley, discussed the organization’s ongoing efforts. “We started this work in 2022 with a goal of fire protection in the valley and in 2024, the community came together to create a volunteer fire district,” Istudor said. “Along the way, we have come to see how connected we are, not just to each other, but to the land, the watershed and the people beyond our valley.”

Row River Fire Response is working to build a main fire station for its volunteers in 2026.

The full list of the 18 Central Oregon nonprofits are below:

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Matthew Draxton

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Fire Marshal is encouraging residents to complete defensible space and home hardening projects during Wildfire Awareness Month. Simple efforts on homes can significantly reduce the risk of devastating wildfire damage.

A few simple weekend projects within the first five feet of a home can determine its survival against a wildfire.

Wildfire seasons in Oregon are experiencing increased length and intensity. Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety indicates that reducing combustible materials in the zero to five foot zone around a home can substantially lower its risk of ignition from wind-blown embers.

Oregonians can prepare for wildfires by undertaking projects incrementally. These steps include simple actions like clearing gutters, protecting vents and removing items that can catch fire near the home. Residents are advised to cover vents with one/eight-inch metal wire mesh to prevent embers from entering their homes.

Mariana Ruiz-Temple, the State Fire Marshal, said the agency has launched a summer campaign. “With the help of Bigfoot as our guide, we want you to be wildfire prepared one foot at a time,” Ruiz-Temple said. “We’ve launched a summer campaign to show that these small steps can reduce your home’s chances of loss or damage from wildfire.”

Additional recommended actions include removing leaves, pine needles and other combustible material from roofs, gutters and decks to prevent embers from igniting the home. Homeowners should also remove or relocate combustible items such as furniture, cushions, trash cans and rugs at least five feet from the house. Choosing options like gravel or pavers instead of bark mulch within the first five feet of the house and keeping lawns lean, clean and green during fire season are also suggested.

Ruiz-Temple highlighted the impact of community involvement. “Oregon communities have shown time and again that when people take action, they make a difference,” Ruiz-Temple said. “This month is about building momentum. If every household takes even one step, our statewide protection becomes stronger.”

As residents clear their yards, they should be mindful of disposal methods, considering chipping, composting or recycling. If burning is necessary, all local rules and restrictions must be followed. Debris burns that escape control are the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023. The agency is dedicated to protecting people, property and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. It collaborates with local fire agencies, communities and other partners to enhance fire prevention, preparedness and response across the state.

Oregonians ready to further their wildfire readiness can find simple checklists, sign up for free home assessments and get information about local events at preventwildfires.oregon.gov.

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