Bend homeowner joins others hailing five bills aimed at boosting housing, signed into law by Governor Kotek

Barney Lerten

HILLSBORO, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek on Monday commemorated the signing of House Bill 2138House Bill 3031House Bill 2258Senate Bill 684, and House Bill 3145, “bipartisan bills aimed at building the housing that Oregonians need with the urgency they deserve.”

“These bills are an essential component of the Governor’s work to break down barriers to more housing construction and bring down the costs of housing across the state,” according to a news release from the governor’s office, which continues in full below:

“Families struggling with the high cost of living are forced to make impossible choices, between staying in the communities they love or finding a place they can afford. This affordability crisis is the stubborn engine of our homelessness crisis,” Governor Kotek said.

“Solving this decades-old problem demands that we bring creative, practical solutions to increase the supply of all kinds of homes as fast as we can. We have to cut red tape and get out of our own way. We have to invest in affordable housing projects. We have to help our cities and counties build the infrastructure they need to start building new homes.”

Habitat for Humanity hosted the event at their site in Hillsboro, Century Commons. Construction at Century Commons will soon be complete, with 18 affordable homes, including townhomes and single-level, ADA-accessible homes. The governor spoke at the event with Deborah Flagan, Vice President of Hayden Homes; Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar, and Brett Dery, a homeowner. 

House Bill 2138 legalizes and speeds up the production of middle housing, to give Oregonians the housing options that suit their needs and lower the price of housing for everyone. The bill builds on the governor’s long history of right-sizing state housing policy to better meet Oregon’s needs and turn back the impacts of exclusionary and discriminatory zoning policies.  

“I never thought I’d be able to say this, but I’m a homeowner in Bend, Oregon, and that’s because affordable housing is finally being prioritized,” Central Oregon Homeowner Brett Dery said. “The legislation Governor Kotek signed will help families like mine find stability, freedom, and a real place in their community. It means living where we work, biking through our neighborhood, and building a future with confidence. I’m grateful for the governor’s leadership and commitment to making homeownership possible for more Oregonians.”

House Bill 2258 will provide a series of pre-approved building plans, streamlining approval processes and eliminating barriers to building small apartments, single-unit dwellings, duplexes, townhomes, and other middle housing options. The bill would also create land use and design standards for the plans, providing clarity and predictability for developers, cities, and counties.

“At Hayden Homes, we’re committed to building homes that the area median wage earner can afford. This year, we opened new communities in Albany, Cottage Grove, and Bend, with homes starting between 90-100% average medium income,” Deborah Flagan said. “These communities are a direct result of past bipartisan legislation allowing for zoning reform and the integration of mixed housing types. I want to thank Governor Kotek for her unwavering leadership. Today’s bill signing reflects the continued commitment to tackling Oregon’s housing shortage head-on.” 

House Bill 3031 creates the Housing Infrastructure Project Fund, which is designed to reduce infrastructure barriers to development with strategic investments. It would provide loans, forgivable loans, and grants to cities, counties, special districts, and federally recognized tribes to fund transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, and site development projects that are directly linked to housing development.

“When I started working on housing in Tillamook County, we hadn’t seen a new affordable development in nearly 20 years. We needed homes for families, seniors, and our workforce, not just vacation properties,” Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar said. “One thing was clear: this work needs a champion. For Oregon, that’s Governor Kotek. Thanks to her leadership, communities like ours are finally making real progress.” 

Senate Bill 684, introduced by Senator Khan Pham, creates the Construction Revolving Loan Fund, a new tool to provide long-term financing for mixed-income residential housing.

“Senate Bill 684 allows us to take the first steps towards building a revolving loan fund that in the future can get subsidized construction loans in the hands of developers eager to build both market-rate and affordable housing in communities across the state,” Senator Khanh Pham (D-Outer SE & NE Portland) said. 

“Housing is a bipartisan problem and requires bipartisan solutions,” Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) said. “It is clear Governor Kotek and the Legislature are committed to finding solutions to our housing crisis.”

House Bill 3145, introduced by Representative Pam Marsh (D-Southern Jackson County), sets aside $25 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) funds to build factory-produced housing. These modular homes can be built faster and at a lower cost than traditional construction, positioning them as a crucial tool to urgently meet the state’s housing goals.  

“Getting out of this housing hole requires us to re-examine our conventional ideas on so many fronts, including land use, permitting, design, and financing. The use of factory-based components that can get homes on the ground more quickly and, perhaps, more inexpensively, needs to be a pillar in our state’s housing strategy,” Representative Marsh said. “House Bill 3145 provides Oregon developers, builders, factory operators, and communities the chance to test new approaches that could help us break through barriers to housing production.”

Since Day One of her term, the Governor has been laser-focused on solutions to create a healthy housing market, where everyone can afford a home. As a result, the state estimates that in the Governor’s first biennium in office, 2,800 affordable housing units were financed and infrastructure for over 25,000 affordable and market-rate housing units were provided. Additionally, tools have been established to continue to accelerate the development of more housing, including the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO), a moderate-income revolving loan (MIRL) fund, and a state land inventory.

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Black bear spotted on the move along Huntington Road

Barney Lerten

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ viewer Brad Baer shared with us a video of a black bear sighting just before 2 p.m. Monday, ambling along in the woods near Huntington Road, south of Sunriver.

According to Baer, the bear was “slow-moving and minding its own business.”

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon is home to about 25,000 to 30,000 black Bears, North America’s most common bear species. By the way, while generally black in color, they can also be brown, cinnamon or blond.

Read more about them at this ODFW web page.

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Rare, orphaned flying squirrel rescued, is being cared for by Think Wild in Bend

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital and conservation center, said Monday it recently admitted an orphaned northern flying squirrel for rehabilitation.

The young female squirrel was found on July 20, 2025, in the middle of a trail at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park near Bend. The finder initially thought the squirrel was deceased, but she began to move when approached, prompting the finder to contact Think Wild for assistance.

Here’s the organization’s full release on how the flying squirrel is doing: 

At intake, the squirrel, estimated to be a few weeks old, was underweight, hypothermic, and showing signs of external parasites, including fly eggs on her back and tail. She also had mild dehydration, but no serious injuries.

After receiving an initial exam and treatment, she was placed in a heated incubator to regulate her body temperature and begin recovery. 

This is the first time Think Wild has treated a flying squirrel patient, so staff contacted Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wildlife Care Center for treatment protocols.

Following these protocols, staff are offering the young squirrel five feedings a day, with a formula designed to support her growth and weight gain. As of last week, she has also begun eating solid food, including crushed rodent blocks, greens, and fruit. 

Unlike their name suggests, flying squirrels do not truly “fly,” but glide from tree to tree, using a membrane that stretches between their limbs. They are nocturnal and primarily feed on plant material, tree sap, fungi, and small animals such as insects and bird eggs. They are typically found in old-growth forests, where they can nest high in the trees, away from predators.  

“There are two species of flying squirrels in Oregon: the Humboldt’s flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel. Recently documented as a new species in 2017, the Humboldt’s flying squirrel is typically smaller and darker, but the two species are very difficult to distinguish without genetic analysis, and work is still being done to accurately determine their distribution, says Kaly Adkins, ODFW’s regional wildlife diversity biologist.

“They are not commonly observed, due to their mostly nocturnal behavior and use of tree cavities for nesting,” Adkins said. “However, flying squirrels can be found in both hardwood and coniferous forests throughout Oregon.” 

Bert Skillen, a local wildlife biologist, said, “Flying squirrels are fascinating creatures who play an essential role in maintaining the health of our forests. They help promote forest health by eating fungi, especially truffles, and dispersing the fungal spores throughout the forest with their droppings. These fungi are critical for trees to take up nutrients.

“Flying squirrels are also an important prey species for the endangered spotted owl,” Skillen added. “A fun fact is that flying squirrels do not hibernate, but they will congregate together in one nest tree in the winter to stay warm. As many as 50 flying squirrels have been found in one nest tree during the colder months – that’s a lot of cuteness in one place!” 

Think Wild took in a rare, orphaned northern flying squirrel, seen at intake exam and being hand-fed formula, peering out from enclosure that simulates tree crevices

Adkins added, “Although this species faces threats of climate change, habitat loss and invasive species, (they are not) currently listed as a species of greatest conservation need in the state of Oregon.”

Though northern flying squirrels are not a species of immediate concern, successful rehabilitation of this young patient will help her continue her important role in maintaining forest health and supporting the ecosystem, Think Wild says. She will continue to receive care under strict protocols designed to promote weight gain and independence. Once she is strong enough, the goal is to release her back into her natural habitat. 

To support the care of this young flying squirrel and other patients like her, Think Wild invites the community to make a donation to the nonprofit wildlife center. Contributions are tax-deductible and help cover food, medical treatment and housing needs.

Donations directly support the rehabilitation of Central Oregon’s native wildlife and can be made at www.thinkwildco.org/support-us/donate.  

About Think Wild 

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, outreach and education, and conservation. We provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. Wildlife conflicts or injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at (541) 241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM. Visit us online at thinkwildco.org, or on Instagram or Facebook @thinkwildco.   

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Greener days: Deschutes County residents are now able to recycle more items curbside, under a new state law

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, officially took effect on July 1.

With this new change, residents can now recycle food and beverage cartons, pizza boxes and small scrap metal (less than 10 pounds) in their curbside carts, county officials said in a news release Monday:

The RMA makes recycling simpler by creating one easy-to-follow statewide recycling list. It also brings significant changes to how packaging, paper, and food service ware are funded, collected, and recycled.

“I’m excited for what the RMA means for Deschutes County residents,” said Tim Brownell, Director of Solid Waste. “In the coming months and years, we will be expanding recycling opportunities throughout the county and ensuring that materials are responsibly recycled. Residents with curbside service should watch for updated recycling guides from their providers. Recycling saves resources, reduces climate impacts, and creates local jobs.”

What’s Changing in Deschutes County?

Deschutes County has updated the list of items that will be accepted in curbside recycling carts and drop-off centers to align with the new Uniform Statewide Collection List.

Newly accepted in curbside carts:

Food & Beverage cartons (milk, broth, juice)

Pizza Boxes (no food residue)

Small scrap metal (under 10 pounds or 18 inches)

No longer accepted in curbside carts:

Shredded paper (can be recycled at Deschutes Recycling, located at Knott Landfill, or any Deschutes County Transfer Station and placed in a shredded paper bin).

Before the RMA, recycling programs varied widely across Oregon. The new law requires that producers of packaging, printing, paper, and food service ware help fund consistent recycling services statewide.

Learn More

Deschutes County Recycling Information: https://www.deschutes.org/solidwaste/page/recycling-what-can-i-recycle

About the Recycling Modernization Act.

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‘That shouldn’t happen again’: Local man recalls family’s tragic loss at Dillon Falls, wants to see cable across river

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, interview with Bend man, full story, Forest Service response)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As recovery efforts continue following the recent tragic tubing accident at Dillon Falls that claimed three lives, a local man says it’s a painful reminder of his family’s past tragedy. 

In the 1980s, Danny Vanni lost his cousins, Steve and Ben, when they were swept over Dillon Falls.

“When I heard this had happened, I relive what happened with my two cousins. And I’m like – that shouldn’t happen again,” Vanni told KTVZ News.

Numerous people have lost their lives to the dangerous rapids over the decades, including a Bend man who died in 2022.

Vanni’s cousins had been floating with Ben’s three young sons, who miraculously survived.  While Steve was found immediately, in a heartbreaking way, it took three more weeks before Ben was found. 

“The good news is, three little boys lived. My aunt had a really tough time, because she saw her grandson floating on something in the water, and it turned out to be Steve’s body. He just told them, ‘Hang onto my neck and don’t let go – no matter what.’ And he didn’t,” Vanni said.

Prior to his cousins’ terrible accident, Vanni says a safety cable was stretched across the river. The cable gave people a final chance to pull themselves out, if they missed the final take-out point before the rapids. 

Vanni claims the cable was taken down to film the movie ‘Up The Creek’ and was never replaced. 

“There was a safety cable there just for people coming around the bend, when all of a sudden realize they’re not on the smooth, easy river part,” Vanni said. “And the idea was to hold on to the cable and pull yourself to the edge, or tie off and wait for rescue. But, they took the cable down for, I believe, a shot they needed of a raft going over the falls. They never put it back.”

KTVZ News reached out to the Deschutes National Forest to confirm the cable’s past existence and whether there’s any option to install something similar. At the time this story first aired, they said they’re currently looking into the situation and will provide information as soon as possible.

Vanni said he is speaking out in hopes the community and those in charge will come together, to prevent future tragedies from affecting another family. 

“Keep all politics and all ridiculousness out of it. Please put the cable back. That’s all we’re asking. We’re a cool town. Let’s keep it safer,” Vanni said.

With one devastated family still waiting for closure, 10 days after the most recent accident at the Falls, safety is top of mind in the Central Oregon community. 

Vanni hopes some good will come from these unimaginable losses. “My heart goes out to this family that’s lost people. I know that feeling and our prayers are with them,” Vanni said. 

After this story first aired, KTVZ News received this response from the Forest Service: 

“Our thoughts are with the individuals, families, friends, and communities affected by the incident at Dillon Falls on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Our staff don’t have historical context to share about whether or not there was a cable across the falls in the 1980s. Installing a permanent line or cable across the river would pose additional safety risks, because the water level fluctuates depending on the runoff and the time of year. Additionally, there are some skilled kayakers who enjoy this stretch of water, and we want to ensure that this access remains available and unimpeded for them, so we do not inadvertently create safety issues for those users as well.

We have evaluated options to help boaters and floaters be aware of the dangers of the rapids along this stretch of river but have not found ways to engineer a permanent solution that does not end up creating more safety issues for all users.

The Deschutes National Forest has focused on preventing accidents by posting signage at numerous points along the river with an emphasis on Know Before You Go. We encourage the public to understand the stretch of the river they plan to recreate on in advance, have deliberate discussions about how to safely exit the river, and ensure everyone has the proper protective equipment for the activity they are engaging in.”

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UPDATE: Salem Man found following overnight search

KTVZ

UPDATE: Leon Lyle Haight has been FOUND.

Below is the press release from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to report that Leon Lyle Haight, the 84-year-old man reported missing from Paulina Lake Campground, has been safely located.

Early this morning, a civilian volunteer who had been searching overnight found Mr. Haight in a remote area just south of Devil’s Horn, east of where his vehicle had been discovered Sunday. Medics evaluated Mr. Haight at the scene, and he declined transport. He is currently being reunited with family by Deputy Dillon Hicks.

Mr. Haight was last seen Saturday morning and was believed to have wandered away from his campsite. His vehicle was located overnight by a local resident off FS Road 2121-200, high-centered with food, firewood, and personal items inside. Deputies and Search and Rescue teams tracked his footprints into the forest and continued search efforts through the night and into Monday morning.

We thank all the deputies, SAR personnel, medics, and especially the community members who volunteered their time and efforts to help locate Mr. Haight.

For non-emergency inquiries, contact dispatch at (541) 693-6911.

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing elderly man who was last seen at Paulina Lake Campground earlier today.

Leon Lyle Haight, age 84, of Salem, Oregon, was last seen at the family’s campsite around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th. He is believed to have wandered off while relatives were away from the campsite. When they returned, they discovered Mr. Haight and his vehicle were gone. The family also noted that a camp axe was missing, and Mr. Haight had previously mentioned they were nearly out of firewood.

Mr. Haight is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs approximately 169 pounds, and has a full gray beard, although the most recent photo provided by the family shows him clean-shaven. He has no known medical or mental health conditions, but does have a history of wandering. 

He is believed to be driving a silver 2008 Honda Civic 4-door sedan with Oregon license plate 988 DRD. Law enforcement and family have checked the area’s roads and access points, but have not located his vehicle. The Salem Police Department also visited his residence in Salem, but he was not found there either.Mr. Haight’s family remains at the Paulina Lake Campground in case he returns. Anyone who may have seen Mr. Haight or his vehicle is asked to contact the Deschutes County non-emergency dispatch at (541) 693-6911.

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Bend woman arrested on reckless burning, theft charges, accused of starting two fires near Deschutes River, Sawyer Park

Barney Lerten

(Update: Police clarify reckless burning, theft charges)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman has been arrested on reckless burning and other charges, accused of starting two fires near the Deschutes River west of Sawyer Park over the weekend that firefighters stopped from spreading.

Police and Bend Fire & Rescue responded shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday to several calls reporting a fire on the west side of the river, across from Sawyer Park, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Fire crews quickly contained the fire at about 20 by 20 feet, officials said.

They then requested police assistance, as a second fire had just started south of the initial fire. That one was stopped at about 5 by 5 feet.

Officers searched the area and found Kristina Louise Paulsen, 45, walking in the area of the fires, Miller said.

“She had a lighter in her hand when she was contacted,” she added.

Officers arrested Paulsen and took her to the Deschutes County Jail on two charges of reckless burning, as well as first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft and a parole violation warrant.

It’s far from Paulsen’s first time being arrested. KTVZ News found she has been arrested at least 7 times in Oregon, mostly for possessing or selling heroin. A 2017 report from KTVZ News found she was 1 of 5 arrested in a large investigation targeting drug distribution in Central Oregon.

For these most recent charges, Miller told KTVZ News the initial charges were reckless burning and not arson because there was “nothing in the report that says we could prove they were intentionally set.”

She also explained the theft charge to us.

“When officers contacted her, they also contacted someone else in the park who said she had stolen pieces of property from him, before the fires were started – not the lighter, random stuff,” Miller told us.

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California man arraigned in Bend gas station stabbing after 2 court no-shows; plea hearing set

Claire Elmer

(Update: Suspect arraigned, plea hearing set; no change in bail)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A California man arrested last weekend in a recent stabbing at a Bend gas station that nearly killed the victim appeared in court from jail Thursday afternoon after two no-shows due to illness earlier in the week, and the judge kept his bail at $500,000.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson set an August 28 plea hearing for Kirk Raymond Reed, 36, of Apple Valley, California.

Reed told jail officials he was too ill to appear on video from the county jail for arraignment on Monday. He also did not appear at Tuesday’s rescheduled hearing, but was on hand for Thursday’s brief arraignment on felony charges of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Asked by his court-appointed defense attorney, Nicholas Patterson, Reed agreed to wait until a later date to address whether his bail could be reduced.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) August 4 — A California man stopped and arrested over the weekend for stabbing a man in the arm at a Bend gas station last month said he was too sick to appear in court for arraignment Monday. But a judge hiked his bail from $100,000 to $500,000, due to his lack of ties to the area and the victim’s life-threatening injuries. 

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller reset arraignment for Tuesday afternoon for Kirk Raymond Reed, 36, of Apple Valley, California after a jail deputy told him Reed said he was feeling ill and unable to attend Monday’s hearing by video from the jail. 

Reed was indicted Friday on charges of first-degree assault, a Class A felony, and unlawful use of a weapon, a Class C felony, and a $100,000 bench warrant was issued for his arrest. 

Bend Police spotted Reed driving south on Highway 97 early Sunday morning and he was arrested by Sunriver Police during a traffic stop at the Pinnacle 365 gas station-convenience store. 

Deputy District Attorney Mara Houck told the judge that the victim “was almost killed” by Reed, who apparently has not been in the area for long and has no ties to the community. 

“The victim was bleeding heavily from his arm,” she said, and suffered what “turned out to be a life-threatening injury.” 

“He almost bled to death,” Houck said, but a quickly applied “tourniquet saved his life.” 

Judge Miller increased the bail amount to $500,000, pending Tuesday’s arraignment. He also directed Reed that if released, he is to have no contact with the victim or the ARCO gas station where the stabbing occurred, and not to possess or use “weapons of any kind, including knives.” 

Bend Police announced Reed’s arrest earlier Monday.

“During the course of this investigation, Bend Police identified 36-year-old Kirk Raymond Reed of Apple Valley, Calif., as a suspect in this stabbing,” Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said. “Officers also identified multiple vehicles associated with Reed.” 

Around 12:34 a.m. on Sunday, Bend Police spotted one of the suspect vehicles associated with Reed traveling south on Highway 97. About 10 minutes later, Sunriver Police officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the Pinnacle 365 on Venture Lane in Sunriver.   

Reed was taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, Miller said. I

“Bend Police wish to thank the Sunriver Police Department and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on this arrest,” Miller said.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — July 26 — A 33-year-old Bend man is recovering after being stabbed in the arm on Friday night at a gas station on the south end of Bend. 

The incident happened around 9:35 p.m. at the ARCO gas station off of South Highway 97. According to Bend Police, bystanders and responding officers rendered life-saving care before the victim was taken to St. Charles in Bend, where he is in stable condition. 

The suspect fled the scene before police arrived. He is described as an adult male with tattoos on his chest and arms, short brown hair, and a mustache. 

As of Saturday morning, no arrests have been made. Police say the investigation is ongoing. 

If you have any information, you are encouraged to contact Bend Police. You can call their non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.

KTVZ will continue to update you on this developing story. 

You can read the full statement from Bend Police below:

News Release from Bend Police Dept.Posted on FlashAlert: July 26th, 2025 9:40 AM

Date: July 26, 2025  

Case #: 2025-00043431 

Incident: One stabbed at gas station, suspect flees 

Date / Time of Incident: July 25, 2025 / 9:35 p.m.  

Location: ARCO South, 61100 block of South Highway 97, Bend  

Victim: 33-year-old Bend resident 

At approximately 9:35 p.m. on Friday, July 25, Bend Police responded to the ARCO gas station on South Highway 97 for a report of a man who had been stabbed.  

Witnesses and responding officers provided lifesaving medical care to a 33-year-old man who had been stabbed in the arm. The victim was transported to St. Charles and is in stable condition.  

Officers learned that the suspect, identified as an adult male with tattoos on his chest and arms and short brown hair and a mustache, had fled the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.   

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Missing children safely located in Klamath County through help of DSCO and OSP

Barney Lerten

(Update: three missing children located)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The three young children who went missing with their mother in Bend earlier this week have been found, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

The children were found at a residence in Klamath County following an extensive search effort led by the DSCO, with assistance from the Oregon State Police.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Josh Spano traveled to Klamath County with an OSP Trooper to recover the children. After more than an hour of calm and compassionate negotiation, the children’s mother, Desirae Gross, agreed to relinquish custody. They were safely turned over to ODHS without incident.

No additional details will be released at this time out of respect for the children’s privacy and the sensitive nature of this case.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the public’s concern and support throughout the search. The most important outcome is that the children were found safe.

Dale Beaver, age 2, Isabella Beaver, age 1, and Ethan Biven, age 3, went missing with their mother, Desirae Gross, from Bend on Tuesday. The Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division said early Friday evening it “believes that they may be at risk and is searching for them to assess their safety.” 

Here’s the rest of the DHS missing child alert, with details about the three children:

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find the children. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of the children or the mother should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  

The family is believed to be in the Bend area, potentially at a houseless encampment along North Highway 97.  

Name: Dale Beaver Pronouns: he/him Date of birth: 11/16/2022 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Name: Isabella Beaver Pronouns: she/her Date of birth: 1/9/2024 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Name: Ethan Biven Pronouns: he/him Date of birth: 12-15-2021 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger, and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety.

As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.  

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Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver welcomes four new board members

Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors.

These individuals bring deep community roots, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to the mission of creating affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods across South Deschutes County. 

Please join us in welcoming: 

Patrick Jackson, Loan Officer at New American Funding 

Jessica McIntyre, REALTOR®, La Pine Realty 

Jennifer Michaud, Branch Manager at US Bank La Pine 

Robin Mirrasoul, Retired La Pine Business Owner 

“We are honored to welcome Patrick, Jessica, Jennifer, and Robin to our board,” said Kim Gammond, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver. “Their combined experience in housing, finance, and community development will help us further our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” 

These new board members will play an integral role in advancing Habitat’s mission, supporting homebuilding initiatives, and expanding outreach in the La Pine and Sunriver communities. 

For more information on our board, volunteer opportunities, or how to get involved, visit: www.habitatlapinesunriver.org

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Founded in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver has built more than 40 affordable homes in three neighborhoods, including Putney Place. Habitat provides more than 100 critical, health and safety repairs to neighbors across South Deschutes County each year, and runs a thriving ReStore in La Pine. 

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