Author: KTVZ

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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ)– Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, along with other lawmakers from California and Oregon, aimed at giving wildfire victims better access to relief funds. Below are the full details.

Bynum Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Victims of Wildfires

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) introduced H.R. 5225, the Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act, alongside Reps. LaMalfa (R-CA), Thompson (D-CA), McClintock (R-CA), Sherman (D-CA), and Bentz (R-OR).

The legislation builds on the law passed in December 2024 as part of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (Public Law 118-148), which ensures wildfire survivors aren’t taxed on payments meant to cover their certain disaster losses or costs, including living expenses, lost wages, or compensation for injury, death, or emotional distress, if the fire was declared a federal disaster between 2020 and 2025.

This bill extends that same protection through 2032 and allows victims to claim the exemption in the year they receive payments, instead of having to amend prior tax returns and wait for IRS refunds.

“When families are trying to pick up the pieces after a wildfire, they don’t need Uncle Sam taking a cut of their relief,” said Rep. Bynum. “This bipartisan bill ensures that wildfire survivors won’t be taxed on the very funds that are meant to help them rebuild their lives and homes. I’ll continue working with anyone – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – to prevent wildfires and support victims in the aftermath.”

“People who lose everything in a wildfire should not have to face the added burden of being taxed on payments that are supposed to help them recover,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This bill gives wildfire victims certainty and fairness in the tax code while making sure they can focus on rebuilding their lives instead of fighting with the IRS to change past tax returns to receive refunds.”

“Californians are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. In the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods, it is wrong to tax survivors on settlement money that is meant to help them rebuild their lives. Survivors can’t afford to wait around for Congress to provide them retroactive relief,” said Rep. Thompson. “I am proud to work with my colleagues to ensure future settlements to survivors remain tax exempt through 2032, so Americans struck by disaster can focus on rebuilding their lives.”

“Californians are constantly under threat of wildfire,” said Rep. McClintock. “This bill reauthorizes commonsense protections and ensures victims are supported when tragedy strikes.”

“The Palisades Fire in my district caused immense devastation, displaced many families and destroyed entire communities, and the last thing fire victims should face is a tax bill on their recovery assistance,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “This legislation ensures that fire victims in my district and around the country are not unfairly taxed as they focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.” 

“The horrific wildfires in the West have cost families their property, homes, and in some cases their jobs. Until late last year, the United States Tax Code added insult to injury by taxing settlement funds meant for recovery,” said Congressman Bentz. “People who lose their homes and wages due to wildfire should not be taxed on the funds they received as result of these disasters. By extending such protections through 2032, we are helping victims get at least a little closer to recovery from their losses.” 

The extension represents a bipartisan commitment to ensuring wildfire survivors receive the help they need without facing additional financial stress. By extending this tax relief, Congress is giving families and individuals the certainty they deserve while they work to recover and rebuild after devastating fires.

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Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. — (KTVZ) The September 11th attacks forever changed America — and for two KTVZ broadcasters, the memories of that morning remain unforgettable.

Jason Carr and Bob Shaw were live on the air when the first images of the burning World Trade Center appeared. Shaw recalled watching the second plane strike: “I watched it fly in and hit the second tower.”

Carr said the moment was hard to process. “We both looked at each other dumbfounded. When the second plane hit, that’s when it really changed everything.”

Both men say the events reshaped their view of journalism and community. “There was a level of patriotism and people coming together in a way I hadn’t seen in my lifetime,” Carr said.

Shaw added, “It didn’t matter what political party you belonged to. We were all Americans. My biggest memory was how my parents grieved and how they reacted.”

As Central Oregonians remember the lives lost, Carr and Shaw say the lessons of 9/11 — resilience, unity, and reflection — still resonate today.

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Harley Coldiron

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A long-standing homeless camp at Second Street and DeKalb Avenue continues to spark frustration among nearby workers and concern from city officials, as drug use, mental health crises, and ongoing cleanup efforts collide with calls for more lasting solutions.

Many of the encampment residents are locals, including Brittany, who grew up in Redmond and attended both Redmond Proficiency Academy and Redmond High School.

She says her struggles began after losing her father at age 12, “My sister gave [drugs] to me after my dad died. I was 12, and I was really athletic,” Brittany recalled.

The camp sits in a designated “no camping” zone, but enforcement is limited, as Code Compliance Officers for the City of Bend don’t work at night. Zachary Nichols, who has lived unhoused for seven years, said people are well aware of the routine.

“Our due line is between 5:30 and 6 p.m. to set it up, and then seven in the morning to take it down, so that way the city doesn’t take it,” Nichols said. “I clock that crap down all the time.”

The City of Bend says code compliance officers monitor the site daily, enforcing regulations and offering resources. Contractors clean the corner twice a week, and police issue citations daily for trespassing and drug use. Still, some neighbors say it isn’t enough.

“This has to be relabeled a drug problem, not a homeless problem,” one nearby worker told KTVZ News. Another described open drug use, adding: “We’ll be having our morning coffee and they’re smoking off their foil, or heating up a shot, right out in the open.”

The City of Bend told the Problem Solvers that Bend Police even has a detail dedicated solely to the 2nd Street area.

The same worker we spoke to recalled walking by a body, “There was a guy lying out clearly dead. They were having a full conversation sitting there. The guy was dead. They’re laughing, joking, heckling us as we walked past.”

For some unhoused residents, housing isn’t an option if it comes with restrictions. But others, like Jeremy, his wife, and their dog Charlie, say they would accept it in a heartbeat. However, living on the streets makes it that much tougher to acquire housing.

“Housing would be phenomenal…I’m on the list, I think. I fill out all the different forms, but there’s no phone, no phone number. Nobody can reach you. You can’t reach anybody,” Jeremy said.

Until lasting solutions emerge, the tension continues for those living in the camp and those working nearby.

“If they could treat us like we were human beings, that would be great,” Jeremy said.

“I just sleep on the [expletive] concrete. I don’t get much sleep,” Brittany added.

One nearby worker summed it up, “If you had to be here every single day and live with it, you wouldn’t be okay with it.”

The Problem Solvers have done many other reports on homeless encampments in Central Oregon. To watch them, click here.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — To honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Bend Fire and the Bend Heroes Foundation placed 35 flags at the Veterans Memorial Bridge. One of the flags carried the names of all the victims.

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Cami Porter

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office participated in a national campaign over the Labor Day weekend, addressing reckless driving and identifying non-sober drivers.

Below is the full press release and results:

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Target Team (CATT) participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign over Labor Day weekend, marking the first year the agency has joined this national effort. The campaign focused on identifying impaired drivers and addressing other dangerous driving behaviors that put the community at risk.

Over the holiday weekend, the CATT team stopped 90 motorists. Those stops resulted in:

87 warnings

26 citations

8 arrests

3 DUII

The Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone that impaired driving is 100% preventable. To keep our roads safe, please:

Plan ahead and choose a sober driver before heading out

Use a taxi or rideshare service if you’ve been drinking

Take the keys from friends or family who may attempt to drive impaired and help them get home safely

Call law enforcement if you see a suspected impaired driver

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on the five fatal behaviors most often linked to serious and fatal crashes: lane safety, occupant safety, distracted driving, speed, and impaired driving.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On late Thursday afternoon at the Deschutes County Courthouse, the jury announced they had reached a unanimous verdict in the trial of Samson Garner after less than 3 hours of deliberation. 

Garner is the man at the center of the attempted mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park’s Craggin’ Classic event in October 2023. 

Just before 5 p.m., the judge read the jurors’ decision — Garner was found guilty on all 26 counts. 

As the charges and verdicts were read aloud by the judge, Garner remained visibly emotionless and silent. He remained stoic as his sentencing date was set for October 2nd. 

Earlier in the day, the state and defense team presented their closing arguments. 

The prosecution began by reading Garner’s email to his ex-girlfriend in its entirety to the jury, in which Garner wrote about his mental health struggles, violent thoughts, and suicidal desires. It also included what the state called ‘homicidal fantasies’, detailing Garner’s thoughts of causing others pain and shooting spectators as their loved ones watched while helpless.

The state outlined the timeline of events in Garner’s life starting in 2022, when they allege he started to spiral into a dark, violent mindset. They highlighted how those closest to Garner became concerned about his well-being — and the safety of themselves and others — after receiving threatening messages from him. 

Garner’s messages included regrets of not cutting his friend’s head off, threats of cutting off his ex-wife’s fingers and shooting up her family’s Christmas party, and other graphic violent ideologies. 

The defense argued a “moron versus genius” theory, claiming Garner’s behavior would classify him as a moron if the mass shooting was actually his intent. They referenced Garner’s phone being on and showing his location, how he was found in flip-flops and drinking a beer when he was arrested, and was camping 20 miles from Smith Rock. 

Garner testified he was only in Central Oregon to recreate and target shoot to help his mental health. He claimed he was extremely depressed and having intrusive thoughts that scared him, which is what he claimed he wrote about, not actual intentions. 

Garner said he regretted the threatening texts — but claimed he had a dark sense of humor and was black-out drunk when he sent them. 

In rebuttal, the prosecution argued Garner’s circumstances when arrested aligned with the actions Garner himself wrote of taking in regard to the Craggin’ Classic. They reminded the jury of the extensive tactical gear and firearm collection found in Garner’s possession when he was found in Central Oregon before concluding their argument. 

The judge instructed jurors on their instructions before sending them into deliberation. 

The approximate length of Garner’s eventual sentence is not yet known, though it’s expected to be lengthy due to the seriousness of the charges and number of counts. KTVZ will continue to follow the story and will provide an update once Garner is formally sentenced.

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KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Prineville pastor is facing community backlash after allegations surfaced that he shot a neighborhood cat and placed it in a church dumpster.

On Tuesday, posts in the “Prineville Information” Facebook group claimed a local pastor shot a cat late Monday night near Bailey Street.

The cat’s owner said they confronted the pastor after the incident. According to the posts, the pastor said the cat had gotten into a chicken coop, and the injured animal was later moved to a dumpster at the church.

A group of protesters showed up at the church with signs, condemning the alleged shooting.

“You can’t go shooting guns in city limits. You’re free to have guns, but, you know, you shouldn’t be going around shooting, you know, bullets can hit somebody or kids or whatever and just do the right thing, you know, like, hey, there’s other ways to get rid of a cat, you know, like scare it off,” said protestor, Matthew Bond.

KTVZ worked alongside the Prineville Review to investigate. We asked the pastor for comment, but he has not responded to either news organization.

The pastor did post on his Facebook page, saying he believed the cat was feral and had been attacking his family’s chickens. The post has since been deleted, but he expressed remorse over the event.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they are actively investigating.

While deputies would not answer questions about the case, the sheriff’s office also posted on Facebook They urged the community to be cautious of claims made online and to be patient while the investigation continues.

The cat’s owner says the animal survived but may lose its eyes due to the injuries.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A multi-generational family business has made its way to Bend.

The Portland-based luxury home appliance company, Basco Appliances, has been doing business in Oregon since 1878.

Nearly 150 years ago, PJ Cronin founded the business and over time the company moved into electronics and appliance sales.

“We have three locations, all in the Portland market…We service the Bend market today and we have for years. It’s one of our best-selling markets that we have right now. So we thought there was a natural fit to be able to come in to the market, to be able to better serve the Bend customer,” said Chris McConn, the company’s president. “We focus on selling appliances to anybody. So end users, builders, designers.”

The new Westside showroom, located at 1000 Disk Drive, is now welcoming in customers after serving the Bend area from its Portland locations for years.

“People can come in and choose what they want…We have fantastic account managers here that will go through the design process and make sure that we can get the exact specs of the exact appliances that work out with any home in the community,” McConn said. “This is a different type of showroom that customers can come in and see, touch, and feel, and really experience the appliances. We do have a couple kitchens that are fully live. And so we’ll have really fun events here and we’ll demo out all of the appliances.”

For more information on the company and its new bend showroom, click here.

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bend officials say the city’s Veo bike-share program had a strong summer overall.

Since its launch, approximately 5,000 people have signed up, logging nearly 23,000 rides this season.

The Bend City Council approved the permanent bike-share program in April, bringing in Veo to expand local transportation options. Marx said the program was designed to give people a reliable option for short trips.

“The goal was really to create like an alternative way of transportation for short trips, like 1 to 2 miles,” said Tobias Marx, City of Bend’s Parking Services Division Manager.

Still, the rollout hasn’t been without challenges. Some Reddit users say bikes are being left in the way, and Bend Bikes vice president David Green agrees it’s a common issue.

“It’s not as common as it was in the early days of the Bird Bikes, but it’s still fairly common to see bikes parked in the middle of sidewalks or on ADA ramps,” Green said.

The city is working on more designated parking zones to keep bikes off sidewalks.

Another concern is reckless riding, especially by underage riders or those not wearing helmets.

Despite the drawbacks, Green said bike-share could help address traffic congestion as Bend continues to grow.

“The congestion is getting worse, and we’re not going to be able to build our way out of it,” Green said. “We’re going to need alternatives to getting people around town other than private vehicles.”

With Bend’s population expected to grow by 50% over the next 25 years, Green said solutions like bike-share and public transit will need to improve together.

“Bikes and Transit could be a truly amazing alternative to driving for most people.  And bike share is a huge part of that,” said Green.

One limitation, Green noted, is that Veo’s throttle bikes aren’t allowed on Bend Park and Recreation District trails. He says that leaves a gap in the city’s biking network for both transportation and recreation.

If a community member has feedback about the program or comes across an improperly parked vehicle, reach out at 855-836-2256 or hello@veoride.com to report the vehicle’s location.

Here are Veo’s riding guidelines:

Do:

Yield to pedestrians: Give people walking the right of way every time.

Park responsibly: Park your vehicle out of pedestrian paths to ensure safety.

Wear a helmet: Protect your noggin while riding.

Take the bike lane: Ride in the street or bike lane, not on the sidewalk.

Obey traffic laws: Follow stop signs, signals, and speed limits.

Don’t:

Ride underage: Riders must be 18+ to unlock and operate.

Double ride: One rider per vehicle.

Ride on the sidewalk: Keep sidewalks clear and stick to the street or bike lane.

Ride under the influence: Never while under the influence—it’s illegal

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every September 10th, First Interstate Bank has a “volunteer day”, where bank staff are given time off to help out local charities.

KTVZ went out with employees to one local cause.

Heartwarmers is a long-standing nonprofit in Bend that makes blankets, stuffed toys and more. The warm gifts they make go to sick children in hospitals, the unhoused, and to senior citizens.

This makes it a perfect fit for First Interstate’s volunteers.

“It just helps in so many different communities, from Deschutes County to Jefferson County. And, it’s just a great thing that they’re doing here to help kids,” said Lisa Dalton, a supervisor with First Interstate Bank. “When I was making the blanket, I was just thinking of, you know, where it’s going to end up, and I’m just very happy to be part of that.”

The group from First Interstate got right to work making blankets.

Other groups from the bank were out volunteering at other places, including Mosaic Medical.

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