Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

(Update: Police detail sequence of events)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police say a man stabbed his father at their home Monday afternoon, then fled the scene by car, but was caught after a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph.

Here’s the full news release from Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller:

Date: Sept. 15, 2025  

Case #: 2025-00055284 

Incident: Bend man arrested after stabbing his father, eluding traffic stop 

Date / Time of Incident: Sept. 15, 2025 / 3:57 p.m. 

Location: 61400 block of Little John Lane, Bend  

Arrested: Thomas William Wooley, 35-year-old Bend resident 

Offenses: Assault I, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer  

At approximately 3:57 p.m. on Monday, Bend Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 61400 block of Little John Lane. The caller reported that a man, 35-year-old Thomas William Wooley, had stabbed his father at their residence, then fled the area in a white two-door Honda Accord.  

(Miller later told KTVZ News that the caller was in the home, but was not the suspect or victim.)

Officers responded to the home within five minutes, where they found a man with a serious stab wound to the chest. Officers cleared the home, rendered treatment to the victim, and began searching the area for Wooley. The victim was transported to St. Charles Bend by Bend Fire & Rescue.  

At approximately 4:17 p.m., an officer in a marked patrol vehicle located Wooley driving in Deschutes River Woods in the suspect vehicle. The officer attempted to stop Wooley, but he accelerated away from the officer and took off southbound on U.S. Highway 97.  

Officers pursued the suspect and were joined in their pursuit by members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.  

Wooley continued to speed away from officers at speeds up to 100 MPH. Wooley pulled onto the shoulder at approximately 4:21 p.m. near Lava Butte. Officers took Wooley into custody without incident and transported him to the Bend Police Department to continue the investigation.  

The Bend Police Department wishes to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire & Rescue and the Oregon State Police for their assistance on this incident.  

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Barney Lerten

IDANHA, Ore. (KTVZ) — A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a collision with a pickup Saturday night that closed state Highway 22E at Idanha for several hours, Oregon State Police said Monday.

OSP troopers responded shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday to the reported crash near milepost 54 on the highway, a key route between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley.

Troopers said witnesses reported the motorcyclist was traveling west at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a Chevy pickup whose driver was pulling into their home’s driveway.

The motorcyclist, identified as Peter Joseph Okrasinski, 52, of Sheridan, Oregon, was flown to Salem hospital with serious injuries, OSP reported.

There were no reported injuries to the pickup driver, a 35-year-old Idanha resident, or his 63-year-old passenger, troopers said. The pickup driver was tested, and troopers found no signs of impairment.

The crash closed Highway 22 for several hours for crash reconstruction work, the agency said.

KTVZ News also heard from a motorist who said many travelers headed home to Central Oregon had to turn around and return to Salem for the time being, or find another route.

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Harley Coldiron

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond 7-Eleven has installed a temporary door as it begins rebuilding its storefront, after a Bend driver suspected of DUII crashed into the building just before midnight Sunday. The store remains closed while crews construct a safe entrance for customers.

Redmond Police Lt. April Huey said the 42-year-old Bend man was cited and released on a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. In most DUII cases, suspects are released to a sober adult; if no one is available, they are lodged in jail.

She added that the extent of damage caused in a DUII typically does not determine whether a suspect is released or booked into jail.

No injuries were reported; however, the store was closed when KTVZ News visited the scene on Monday afternoon. Construction workers said they are working to build a temporary entrance for customers, but currently, there is no estimated time of completion. The store and the entire parking lot are closed to the public.

The 7-Eleven is the only one in Redmond and is heavily frequented by residents.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: adding video, adding information on project, statements from Hayden Homes representative)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In southeast Bend, a major development is moving forward on what’s known as the Stevens Road Tract. It’s more than 260 acres of land near 27th Street and Reed Market Road, and it won’t be vacant much longer.

The property was offered for sale more than a year ago. Now, it’s set to become a new neighborhood — Hayden Homes has been selected to purchase the land and lead its development.

KTVZ News received a written statement from Deb Flagan, Vice President of Community Engagement for Hayden Homes, about what the project and opportunity means to their company. 

“As a private homebuilder founded and based in Central Oregon, we are grateful for the opportunity to produce much-needed housing in our region. When we provide more Central Oregonians with the opportunity to own their own home, we are contributing to local economic development and helping to build a strong community,” said Flagan.

Plans call for roughly 2,500 homes, including market-rate units and 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable and workforce housing. Many of those homes will prioritize local educators and school staff. 

Hayden Homes’ nonprofit, First Story, offers zero-down, zero-interest mortgages for eligible households. Educators already make up about 15% of First Story families. 

The neighborhood will feature parks, walking and biking paths, and transit connections. 

This project sits adjacent to the Stevens Ranch development, which sold in 2020. Together, the two properties total more than 600 acres of new housing and infrastructure in southeast Bend. 

Beyond local impact, Flagan notes, “The Stevens Road Tract sale is a landmark example of the transformative potential of land use and public-private partnerships. The proceeds of the sale will go to the Common Schools Fund, which in turn helps to fund public schools across our state.”

With Bend projected to need more than 33,000 new homes over the next 20 years, the Stevens Road Tract represents a significant step toward meeting the city’s housing needs — for educators, families, and working Oregonians alike.

Earlier story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — September 11th — The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has selected Hayden Homes, a homebuilder based in Redmond, Oregon, to purchase and develop the Stevens Road Tract, a 260-acre property located in southeast Bend. The project, guided by the requirements of House Bill 3318 (2021), will bring a new neighborhood to the area and help meet the increasing demand for housing in Bend.

Located near 27th Street and Reed Market Road, the Stevens Road Tract will be transformed into a community featuring approximately 2,500 residential units. The development will prioritize long-term housing affordability with 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable and workforce units for both rent and homeownership. A significant portion of these homes will be reserved for local educators and other school district employees. Additionally, the development will include market-rate housing, parks, and transportation options that support walking, biking, and public transit.

Once the sale is finalized, the proceeds will be deposited into Oregon’s Common School Fund, which distributes earnings to public school districts across the state each year.

“The Stevens Road Tract reflects what is possible when state lands are managed with both purpose and vision,” said Kaitlin Lovell, director of the Oregon Department of State Lands. “This sale will support Oregon’s public schools through the Common School Fund and help address a critical need for affordable housing in one of our state’s fastest-growing communities. It is especially meaningful that educators, those who dedicate their lives to our children’s futures, will be among those who benefit most.”

Hayden Homes is recognized for its commitment to providing affordable housing for working families. The company’s nonprofit arm, First Story, offers zero-down, zero-interest home loans to qualifying buyers, including educators and first-time homeowners.

“Hayden Homes is honored to be selected for this innovative housing project,” said Steve Klingman, president of Hayden Homes. “Stevens Road Tract will impact generations of Oregonians not only by providing attainable homeownership and long-term housing affordability in Bend, but also through an investment in public schools statewide. Our local educators are hometown heroes who are instrumental in building a strong community. Hayden Homes is proud of our longstanding commitment to building homes priced for educators and other hardworking Oregonians.” 

The sale of the property is being managed by Cushman & Wakefield, which also represented the state in the successful sale of the adjacent Stevens Ranch property in 2020. Together, the two developments will add more than 600 acres of planned housing and community infrastructure to southeast Bend.

Note: The information in this article was provided by the Oregon Department of State Lands

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Downtown Bend Business Association is looking for volunteers to keep Bend thriving.

Whether you can give a few hours or want to get more involved long-term, there are opportunities for everyone.

You can join one of their four volunteer committees for design, promotion, organization and economic vitality.

One-time volunteers can pitch in on special projects like events, beautification, or community activations. 

Those interested in volunteering can click here to fill out a form.  

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Honor Flight of Central Oregon (HFCO) invites community members to help honor and support local veterans as they prepare for a deeply meaningful journey to Washington, D.C.

This all-expenses-paid trip gives veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

The 2025 trip will take place September 17–20, and the media are encouraged to attend and cover three key events:

Redmond Airport Departure

When: September 17, 2025 – 4:00 a.m.

Where: Redmond Airport

Veterans will gather for departure, with support from Alaska Airlines and refreshments provided by Central Oregon Dutch Bros. A great opportunity for visuals and interviews as the journey begins.

Welcome Home Celebration

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Where: Arrival at 12:45 p.m. at Redmond Airport – Community members are encouraged to gather and give a warm, heartfelt welcome as veterans arrive and make their way through the baggage claim area.

Procession & Ceremony: Veterans and guardians will be escorted from the airport to Ridgeview High School, 4555 SW Elkhorn Ave, Redmond, with the celebration beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.

The public is invited to join this emotional and long-overdue welcome home.

Community members will gather to cheer the Veterans, many of whom never received a proper welcome when they returned from service.

These events are part of HFCO’s ongoing mission to honor veterans with the recognition and gratitude they so greatly deserve.

Community attendance help make the experience even more meaningful for our local heroes.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – This week, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico, will unite in Washington, D.C., as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.

In addition to meeting directly with lawmakers, advocates will also gather outside the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to protect critical funding for cancer research and prevention.

Bend survivors and advocates will meet with Oregon’s Congressional delegation, including Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, to discuss the need to support federal funding for cancer research and prevention ahead of the September 30 deadline to pass a new federal budget.

In the last 30 years, substantial and steady increases in federal cancer research funding have fueled discovery and innovation that has led to a 34% decline in cancer mortality rates. However, future cancer cures are in jeopardy due to dramatic and unprecedented proposed reductions in research funding, staff eliminations, and policy shifts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The administration has recommended an $18 billion cut to the NIH, taking funding back to levels last seen in 2003, or back as far as the mid-1980s when considering biomedical inflation. 

Thankfully, congressional committees have rejected these proposed cuts to NIH and NCI, but the fight is far from over. Lawmakers must continue to push for a spending bill for FY2026 that includes the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention.

The advocates will also ask Congress to support the bipartisan Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. This legislation would create a pathway for Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and clinical benefit is shown. MCEDs have the potential to test for multiple cancers at once with a single blood test.

Additionally, they will ask Oregon’s delegation to extend health care tax credits that help make health insurance more affordable for the nearly 112,000 Oregonians enrolled in exchange plans. If these tax credits are left to expire at the end of the year, affordable health insurance will be out of reach for many more Oregon residents next year.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As crews continue construction on the Deschutes County courthouse expansion project, a major piece of equipment has been removed.

Commuters may notice, a northern portion of Bond Street will be closed between Greenwood Avenue and Wall Street while a large tower crane used in construction, is dismantled. The closure began this past Friday morning and is scheduled to remain in place through Monday evening.

Northbound traffic on Bond is being detoured, with drivers directed to turn left on Greenwood and then right on Wall Street to continue north. Barricades are in place at the Bond and Greenwood intersection. Pedestrian access remains open on the west sidewalk, but city officials urge caution near the site.

The crane removal is part of a $46.8 million expansion that will nearly double the courthouse’s size. The three-story addition will include new courtrooms, judges’ chambers, and updated security features. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

City officials are reminding drivers to plan ahead, expect delays, and follow posted detour signs in the area.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Late Sunday morning, Deschutes County 911 received several reports of an RV fire in the Juniper Ridge Temporary Short Stay Area (TSSA).

When crews arrived, just south of Wiley Circle and about 75 yards east of Highway 97, they found a Class C motorhome fully engulfed in flames.

The fire spread to some nearby vegetation and combustible materials, but thanks to fuel-reduction work done earlier this year, the flames didn’t get far.

Firefighters quickly knocked the blaze down with help from the U.S. Forest Service, Cloverdale Fire District, Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Two individuals and a dog were displaced by the fire, a cat is still unaccounted for. 

REACH was contacted to provide assistance to the occupants of the RV.  

Investigators couldn’t determine an exact cause, but believe the fire was accidental.

Officials say this is an example of why defensible space matters. Earlier thinning and vegetation removal in the Juniper Ridge area helped contain the spread of the fire.

Here is information on what simple steps to take to create defensible space around your home or business: https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/fire-rescue/emergency-preparedness/own-your-zone.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Just before 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, Bend Police responded to a roll-over car crash on Highway 97 near Murphy Road. When first responders arrived, they found the car on fire.

According to witnesses, the single vehicle involved was traveling northbound at about 80 mph on Highway 97 before leaving the road and driving onto an embankment on Murphy Road. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest.

Bend Police were able to remove both occupants from the burning vehicle. The driver, a 31-year old man from Portland, was partially ejected and sustained critical injuries. The passenger, a 29-year old Redmond resident, was ejected and sustained injuries; he is in stable condition.

Northbound lanes on Highway 97 were closed for approximately 4.5 hours as officials investigated.

You can read the full statement from Bend Police below:

At approximately 2:53 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, Bend Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on the northbound lanes of the Bend Parkway near Murphy Road.

Witnesses reported the vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Passat, was traveling at approximately 80 MPH before driving off the road and onto the embankment near Murphy Road. The vehicle rolled several times, ejecting the passenger and partially ejecting the driver.

As officers arrived on scene, the vehicle was in flames. Officers pulled the driver from the burning vehicle and both men were transported to St. Charles. The driver, a 31-year-old Portland resident, was critically injured. The passenger, a 29-year-old Redmond resident, was injured but in stable condition.

The northbound lanes of the Parkway were shut down for approximately 4.5 hours as traffic reconstruction team members investigated the scene.

This is an ongoing investigation. Bend Police would like to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation for their assistance on this incident.

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