Author: KTVZ

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District opened its new 5,000-square-foot Art Station at Larkspur Park today in Bend, Ore. Located at 1650 SE Reed Market Road, the permanent center serves as a hub for art and enrichment programs for preschool, youth and adult participants.

The newly constructed center replaces temporary BPRD and community spaces used since 2022, when programs moved from their previous location in a historic train depot. The facility includes three classrooms, a clay studio, a gallery wall, administrative office space and restrooms. Large classroom windows offer natural light and views of surrounding trails and natural areas.

The center features a clay studio equipped with a kiln room, 12 pottery wheels and two kilns, more than doubling class capacity for ceramics, pottery and clay arts. Bend Park and Recreation District will also continue operating its Harmon Clay Studio alongside the new facility to meet community demand.

Two multi-purpose classrooms host a broad range of activities, including crafts, digital arts, drawing, glass arts, jewelry making, painting, mixed media, music, robotics, science and theater. Catherine Ellis serves as recreation manager for the district. “Inspired by the legacy of Arts Central and the old train depot former location at the Old Mill District, the new building offers a space for all to create, learn and connect with others,” Ellis said. “Opening the facility was a dream for several years and we’re thrilled to begin our first classes this week.”

The facility’s entryway features an Art Porch with 11 carved wood columns that rise 14 feet, designed to mirror Central Oregon’s old-growth juniper trunks and columnar basalt outcroppings. The structure provides space to display exterior artwork banners and was funded in part by a $25,000 grant from The Bend Foundation.

Staff and art instructors plan to host free monthly drop-in open houses on the second Saturday of each month from November through February. These events will take place on Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9 and Feb. 13, featuring themed art activities for the public.

An official grand opening celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will offer building tours, staff introductions, art demonstrations and information on upcoming classes, workshops and facility rental opportunities.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 41-year-old Portland man was killed Saturday, Sept. 19, after being struck by three vehicles on Highway 101 in Lincoln County, according to the Oregon State Police. Authorities identified the victim as Nicholas Ryan Perkins.

The crash occurred at approximately 8:21 p.m. near milepost 122, close to Gleneden Beach. Prior to the collision, state police had received emergency calls reporting a person walking in the roadway.

According to a preliminary investigation by state police, Perkins was in or near the lane of travel when he was initially hit by a southbound gray Chevrolet Colorado driven by Renee Ronilyn Wohlwend, 61, of Lincoln City. Perkins was subsequently struck by two more vehicles: a southbound white Mercedes Sprinter van and a northbound blue Toyota Sequoia.

The Mercedes Sprinter van was operated by Gregory Lear Miller, 34, of Flagstaff, Ariz., while the Toyota Sequoia was driven by Michael Aaron Hadden, 50, of Depoe Bay. Miller was stopped south of the crash location and arrested for failing to perform the duties of a driver. None of the three drivers reported any injuries.

Perkins died at the scene. The crash and subsequent investigation closed Highway 101 for approximately 4 hours. Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Depoe Bay Fire District, Pacific West Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at Greg’s Grill in Bend, Ore., this Friday, Sept. 25.

The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with Greg’s Grill donating 20% of all food sales to the county’s annual Shop With A Cop program.

The Shop With A Cop program pairs local law enforcement officers with students selected by schools and non-profit organizations for holiday shopping each December. Participating children choose gifts for family members or basic necessities such as clothing, shoes, cookware and bedding. The program has also provided emergency household items, including beds and generators, to support families during the winter months.

During the previous year, the Shop With A Cop program served 95 children across Deschutes County. The initiative invested $57,000 directly to support local families, supported by $31,000 raised through community fundraising efforts.

In addition to the restaurant’s food sales contribution, attendees at Friday’s event can donate through cash, checks or a QR code scanned on site. Community members unable to attend can donate online through the Sheriff’s Office website, in person at the front desk, or by mail. Checks payable to “Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office – Shop With A Cop” can be sent to 63333 Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97703.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Julie Gilbertson, a first-grade teacher at John Tuck Elementary in Redmond, Ore., will be named one of Oregon’s 17 Regional Teachers of the Year for the 2026-27 school year.

Gilbertson will be honored tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. during a surprise all-school assembly at John Tuck Elementary.

The award is presented by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. Each Regional Teacher of the Year receives a $1,000 cash prize and moves forward as a semi-finalist for the statewide 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year award.

Gilbertson, who has taught at John Tuck Elementary for 20 years, was nominated for the award by a school parent who praised her dedication to her students. “When considering a teacher to uplift, I think the energetic powerhouse of someone like Julie Gilbertson cannot be overstated,” the parent wrote in the nomination. “Though she would never present herself or seek out such recognition, I believe she does it because that is who she is, at her core. She not only believes in her impact, but she observes it with each student and each year over her 20 year tenure at the school.”

In her nomination materials, Gilbertson expressed her commitment to creating an inclusive classroom environment. “Creating a classroom environment where every student feels valued for their unique identity is more than a professional goal for me. It is a personal mission,” Gilbertson said. “I am driven to ensure my students never feel the need to shrink themselves. I believe that to see change, one must be an example for it.”

Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, family members or friends. Candidates undergo a selection process managed by the 19 Education Service Districts across Oregon, where regional panels evaluate applicants on instructional expertise, leadership, commitment to equity, community involvement and educational vision.

Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams commended the regional honorees for their leadership and dedication. “We are so proud of this year’s Regional Teachers of the Year who consistently demonstrate hard work, build strong relationships, empower their students and create classroom environments that lead to student success,” Williams said. “As mentors, advocates and community leaders, they show us all that the best is on display in schools large and small, rural and urban, from the first years of schooling to the final preparations for a student’s next steps beyond high school. We thank them for their inspiration and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

The recognition program is funded through a partnership with the Oregon Lottery, which has allocated more than $10 billion to public education in Oregon since 1995. Over the past year, nearly $4 million in lottery funds went to the Redmond School District and Deschutes County received over $14 million. Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells praised the educators recognized through the program. “These are exceptional educators who inspire students daily across Oregon,” Wells said. “We are honored to celebrate their dedication and the lasting impact they have on our students and families.”

The full list of all 17 regional winners will be published on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. The 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be announced later this fall, with the statewide winner receiving a $10,000 cash prize and an additional $5,000 for their school.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Katmai National Park in Alaska is hosting its 12th annual brown bear bracket competition, inviting the public to pick which bear is best prepared for winter hibernation.

The annual contest allows anyone to build a bracket selecting their favorite brown bear as the animals feast on salmon and bulk up. Voters are encouraged to choose the bear they believe is best equipped to glide through winter hibernation without difficulty.

The 2025 champion, a brown bear named “32 Chunk,” is competing to keep his crown in this year’s tournament.

Participants who correctly predict the top bear receive bragging rights as their prize.

The winning brown bear will be announced on Sept. 29.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Union members with the Central Oregon Community College Faculty Forum will hold a practice picket, rally and media availability tomorrow, Sept. 23, in Bend, Ore.

The event is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Coats Campus Center on the Central Oregon Community College campus. It comes after the union declared an impasse with the college on Aug. 28 following more than nine months of contract negotiations.

The Central Oregon Community College Faculty Forum is an affiliate of the Oregon Education Association. Faculty members are seeking compensation increases to match market rates and are prepared to strike to secure a fair contract.

State Sen. Anthony Broadman is scheduled to speak at the rally alongside leaders from the union’s bargaining team. Members of the union will also participate in a media availability following the rally to discuss the status of contract negotiations.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The American Red Cross is appealing for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to schedule donation appointments this fall. The organization provides more than 6.5 million blood products to hospitals nationwide each year.

The call for donations aligns with National Preparedness Month in September. Red Cross officials stated that maintaining a sufficient blood supply is necessary for disaster response, including home fires and natural disasters.

Donors who give blood or platelets between Sept. 21 and Oct. 18 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. In addition, individuals who donate at a Red Cross donation center through Sept. 30 and mention the word “pickleball” to staff or volunteers can receive a custom Red Cross pickleball paddle and ball while supplies last.

To be eligible to donate, individuals must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where permitted by state law and weigh at least 110 pounds while in generally good health. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements. Donors must present a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification at check-in.

Appointments can be made using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on Alexa Echo devices. Donors can use RapidPass online on the day of their appointment to complete pre-donation reading and health history questionnaires before arriving at the drive.

Blood drives in Deschutes County include appointments at the Bend Blood Donation Center, along with drives at the State & County Offices on Wall Street today, the City of Bend Police Department on Wednesday, Awbrey Glen Golf Club on Sept. 28 and the US Bank Downtown Bend Branch on Sept. 30. Drive locations in Redmond include Redmond Community Church on Sept. 24, the LDS Redmond OR Stake on Sept. 29, Desert Song Community Church on Oct. 1, the Technology Education Center and Mountain View Fellowship on Oct. 5 and the RPA Operations Building on Oct. 6.

Additional local donation drives are scheduled at the Sunriver Library today, Cascade Bible Church in La Pine on Sept. 28, St. Charles Prineville on Sept. 29, Juniper Canyon Baptist Church in Prineville and Sisters Community Hall on Oct. 2 and Faith Baptist Church in Hines on Oct. 6.

Donation drives across Crook, Deschutes and Harney counties are scheduled to run through Oct. 6.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 73-year-old Bend man was airlifted to a hospital Sunday afternoon after sustaining injuries while mountain biking in the Cline Butte Recreational Area near Barr Road.

Deschutes County 9-1-1 received a call about the injured rider at 1:29 p.m. A Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Deputy contacted the man by phone and determined that a Search & Rescue team was necessary due to the location and reported injuries.

A response team consisting of one deputy and five Search & Rescue volunteers initially located the rider. After performing a medical evaluation, responders requested additional aid from Redmond Fire & Rescue, which used a side-by-side utility task vehicle to reach the location across rugged terrain.

AirLink launched a helicopter to assist based on the rider’s condition and concerns regarding serious injuries. Search & Rescue volunteers carried the man on a litter to the aircraft after it landed near the scene. AirLink then flew the patient to St. Charles-Bend for medical treatment.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, department officials acknowledged the work of Search & Rescue volunteers, 911 Dispatch and Redmond Fire & Rescue for their quick response during the rescue operation.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 24-hour mental health vigil titled “Shine a Light” will begin this Friday at 7 p.m. in Drake Park. Organized by Hearts Unknown Education and the National Alliance of Mental Illness, the event aims to support people struggling with mental health issues.

Organizers plan to light a flame at the start of the vigil and keep it burning continuously for 24 hours. The event centers on reminding community members that they are not alone in their mental health struggles.

Community members attending the event are invited to bring safe candles, flashlights and glow sticks to help illuminate the night. The vigil will be held at the Drake Park footbridge. Participants may sign up for scheduled shifts to hold the flame. They’re also invited to share their stories throughout gathering, coming and going as they choose.

The event will begin with presentations from Hearts Unknown Education staff and other mental health professionals. Following the opening talks, participants are invited to stay overnight in the park and watch the sunset, and then the sunrise together.

Nico Carpinelli is the founder of Hearts Unknown Education. His message is one of simple hope: “You know, to take mental health out of the darkness and shine a light on it and, come together as a community and sit by the river,” Carpinelli said. “You with your family, With your friends. If one person comes out of this feeling a little less heavy We’ve reached our goal.”

The vigil will end on Saturday at 7 p.m. with a party featuring live music at the Hearts Unknown Education campus.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend is undertaking an ongoing project to improve sidewalk accessibility across the community. One of the ways they’re doing this is the installation of ADA compliant curb ramps at cross walks.

Every time the city constructs or updates a street crossing, the work must comply with Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.

Curb ramp installations vary depending on the specific slope and size of the sidewalk. On average, installing a single curb ramp costs the city approximately $4,000.

Kassandra Kehoe serves as the equity and inclusion manager for the City of Bend. Kehoe is passionate about make sure everyone has the access they need. “Interacting in any capacity with our accessibility programs is fantastic. And by simply using a curb walk, you’re accessing things that weren’t accessible 20-plus years ago, right? I think about my own grandmother, who had polio and a curb ramp meant the difference between us being able to enjoy civic life and not right and that’s really what they represent,” Kehoe said.

Local residents can report accessibility barriers or issues preventing sidewalk access through a dedicated forum on the city’s Bend Works app and website. City staff are currently addressing about 35 outstanding accessibility reports, prioritizing work based on severity and community impact.

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