Barney Lerten
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hoodoo Ski Area will offer free lift tickets to all guests who donate four or more non-perishable food items on Wednesday, April 9. Donations will be collected at Hoodoo Ski Area.
This event is sponsored by Team Kia of Bend.
The free lift ticket is valid 9 am – 4 pm on Wednesday, April 9, only. One free ticket per person.
All donations will be given to local Oregon food banks.
Barney Lerten
Announcement came on same day Latino Community Assn. canceled Central Oregon Latino Fest
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Father’s Group organization in Bend has canceled this year’s Juneteenth Celebration at Drake Park, noting “today’s increasingly political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats, particularly toward Black and Latino communities.”
“Safety must come first,” the organization said in a Facebook post, adding that the decision was made “after deep reflection, consultation and with heavy hearts.”
It was one of two Central Oregon community organizations to announce an event cancellation on Monday, citing similar safety concerns. The Latino Community Association said it has decided to cancel this fall’s Central Oregon Latino Fest in Madras.
Here’s the announcement posted late Monday by The Father’s Group on its Facebook page:
To Our Beloved Community,
After deep reflection, consultation, and with heavy hearts, we are postponing this year’s Juneteenth Celebration at Drake Park.
This decision did not come lightly.
As you know, Juneteenth is more than just a holiday for us—it’s a time to uplift our history, celebrate our resilience, and stand in joyful solidarity. But in today’s increasingly volatile political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats—particularly toward Black and Latino communities—safety must come first.
Every year, our celebration welcomes families, youth, elders, and people from all walks of life. Your safety is our top priority. As protectors and organizers, we refuse to put our community at risk. We’d rather pause now than regret later.
But make no mistake—we are not backing down. We are regrouping. And we’ll be back in 2026, stronger, safer, and bolder than ever.
In the meantime, we encourage you to support and attend the beautiful celebration being held by our friends at Central Oregon Earthseeds! 
They’re hosting a “Juneteenth – An Evening at the Campfire,” featuring a vibrant Black Business Market featuring a DJ and Jermaican Jerk Culture! Stay tuned for more information soon!
Let’s continue to show up, build together, and create safe spaces that center joy, culture, and connection. So make sure you mark your calendars!
Thank you for your understanding, love, and continued support. We’ll see you soon—and when we do, it’ll be unforgettable.
With love and solidarity,
The Father’s Group”
Barney Lerten
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Five Central Oregon schools have achieved a distinguished milestone in school counseling, earning the coveted Recognized ASCA Model Program certification from the American School Counselor Association . This national recognition underscores their commitment to comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs that support student success.
The honored schools include Redmond School Districts’ Sage Elementary (counselors: Faith Seals and Angie Chown) and Obsidian Middle School (counselor Shawn Diez and Hannah Imrem from student services). In Sisters, Sisters Elementary and Sisters Middle School (counselors Kate Kuitert, Brook Jackson and Kelsey Jaeckel), and in Bend Caldera High School (counselorsMorgan Davis, Lesley Zavala, Belle Hodgert, and Justin Calbreath).
With this achievement, these five schools join an elite group of only seven other RAMP-certified schools in Oregon. These five are the only schools east of the Cascades to receive the honor.
What is RAMP?
The RAMP certification is a prestigious national distinction recognizing schools that implement outstanding school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model. Schools earning RAMP status demonstrate a commitment to student-centered counseling in three critical areas:
Academic Development – Helping students set goals, enhance study skills, and prepare for college or career success;
Career Readiness – Providing career exploration opportunities to ensure students are well-prepared for the future workforce; and
Social-Emotional Learning – Delivering counseling services that promote student well-being, personal growth, and mental health.
Achieving RAMP certification is a rigorous, multi-year process that requires schools to align their counseling programs with the ASCA National Model, utilize data-driven practices to measure and improve student outcomes, and provide comprehensive student support tailored to academic and personal success.
“RAMP is the gold standard for school counseling programs,” said Jim Boen, regional director of Mental and Behavioral Health for the High Desert Education Service District (HDESD). “It represents a deep commitment to helping students thrive, not just academically, but in their personal and future professional lives.”
A Collaborative Regional Effort
The High Desert Education Service District played a crucial role in supporting the RAMP journey for the four Redmond and Sisters schools. Over a two-year period, HDESD:
Funded Professional Development by bringing in an ASCA trainer to educate school counselors across the tri-county region.
Provided Technical Assistance to help schools navigate the rigorous RAMP application process.
“This achievement is a testament to the high level of training and the exceptional dedication of our school counselors in Central Oregon,” said Boen. “To see not just one, but four schools successfully complete this process is phenomenal.”
Boen added that the collaboration among school counselors throughout the region has been so valuable that the region’s school counselors have continued meeting to share best practices, and support one another in elevating school counseling programs.
Caldera High School’s Independent Success
While HDESD supported the four Redmond and Sisters schools, Caldera High School in Bend-La Pine Schools pursued RAMP certification independently as they began the process while opening Caldera High School in 2021. This highlights the unwavering dedication of their school counseling team to implementing high-quality, data-driven programs that benefit students.
National Recognition
RAMP certification is valid for five years, after which schools must reapply to maintain their status. The newly certified schools will be officially recognized at the ASCA Annual Conference, where they will be honored for their excellence in school counseling.
For more information about RAMP certification, visit the ASCA RAMP website.
Isabella Warren
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Homelessness looks different in and around all of cities across Deschutes County, officials say – especially in La Pine.
Outreach groups say they’ve long struggled to reach the homeless in the La Pine area, and as major homeless encampments in the county like along China Hat Road are closed, more homeless could be moving to the area.
The county says it’s preparing.
“What we see from our perspective is a lot of folks that are from the community,” said Colleen Thomas, supervisor of the county’s homeless outreach services. “We see a lot of generational poverty as well. If they aren’t able to access the limited resources that we do have, a lot of the folks may not be able to access some of the resources, including shelters or housing programs.”
Deschutes County says the outreach team is currently trying to prevent campers from moving farther onto Forest Service land, preventing isolation, which could pose dangers for those with mental health issues.
The homeless have been at the center of wildfire prevention in La Pine following the Darlene 3 fire, where a viral video showed a burning camp at the center of the devastating blaze. The Forest Service has not confirmed the cause of that fire.
The Problem Solvers are continuing to investigate homelessness in La Pine for a full report later this month. Please reach out with any information for this story to problemsolvers@ktvz.com.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding video)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s Department of Transportation is facing funding issues that are so bad, non-interstate routes like U.S. Highways 97, 20, and 26 could see little to no paving after 2027.
The highway system is facing ongoing challenges as the condition of many roads continues to decline, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s 2024 Pavement Condition Report.
The report highlights that while 87% of Oregon’s 18,000 lane miles of pavement are still in fair or better condition, the quality of roads is slipping, with the percentage of “good” pavement reaching its lowest point since 2001.
The report points to a significant decline in the number of roads classified as in “good” condition. Over the past decade, the amount of pavement rated as good has decreased, and without adequate maintenance, many roads in fair condition are at risk of deteriorating into poor condition within the next few years, the agency says.
ODOT’s goal is to preserve the condition of Oregon’s highways through regular maintenance. As roads age, maintenance needs become more complex and costly. Timely maintenance, such as resurfacing and crack sealing, are the most effective way to prevent roads from further deterioration and to extend their service life.
In the past 20 years, ODOT has managed to maintain a paving cycle of about 25 years. However, this is set to dramatically increase to a 500-year cycle by 2030. This will limit the ability to repair and preserve many roads, particularly non-interstate routes, which will see fewer repairs moving forward.
“ODOT’s structural revenue issue is forcing the agency to dramatically pull back on our pavement maintenance and preservation efforts,” said Delivery and Operations Administrator Amy Ramsdale. “Without additional revenue or revenue reform, the quality of Oregon’s highways will significantly decline in just a few years.”
Oregon lawmakers are looking at various options to shore up ODOT’s funding, though nothing is concrete as of yet. KTVZ News is tracking the developments and will keep you posted.
Other Key Findings from the Report
The number of roads in poor condition has been increasing, with more expected to deteriorate in the coming years.
Asphalt roads typically last between 10 and 30 years, while concrete roads last 40 to 60 years, depending on weather and maintenance.
After 2027, non-interstate routes will receive little to no paving, affecting overall road quality.
The report emphasizes the importance of proactive maintenance to slow the deterioration of the state’s roads and prevent more costly repairs down the road. While ODOT has managed to meet key performance goals for pavement condition in the past, the growing backlog of maintenance needs and the increasing age of the state’s roads present significant challenges in maintaining these standards in the future.
For more detailed information, visit the 2024 Pavement Condition Report on ODOT’s website.
Visit this site for more information on the structural revenue issue facing ODOT and transportation agencies across Oregon.
Tyson Beauchemin
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new Indian food restaurant is preparing to open its doors in downtown Bend and it’s called Spiceland. Behind a banner advertising the restaurant, the new staff is working hard to set up shop. They’re in the process of moving into the space formerly used by the Japanese fusion bar ‘Chomp Chomp’.
The owner of Spiceland has been running Indian restaurants in the Pacific Northwest for three decades and currently manages the ‘Evergreen Indian Restaurants’ in both Eugene and Corvallis.
Spiceland aims to be an affordable casual dining experience where workers and families can sit down for authentic Indian cuisine.
Speaking for the owner, consultant and barman Craig Hanson said, “We’re going to be serving authentic Northern and Southern Indian cuisine, including kathi rolls and lamb shank curry. We’re also going to have dosa, and just things that you would expect to find in an authentic Indian restaurant.”
There’s no fixed opening date for the restaurant, but its hope is to open the doors as early as next week. Spiceland will also feature a bar with craft cocktails.
Barney Lerten
EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A known, high-volume Central Oregon drug trafficker was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison Wednesday following a multi-agency investigation led by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, federal prosecutors said.
Ricky Fontaine, 32, of Bend, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
“This case is the result of excellent collaboration among the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit, the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We thank the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for partnering with us to prosecute this case in federal court.”
According to court documents, on April 1, 2023, after obtaining information that Fontaine was actively selling drugs—including fentanyl—in Deschutes County, detectives from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Fontaine.
Fontaine, who at the time of the stop had an unrelated active felony arrest warrant, attempted to walk away from the traffic stop on foot but was quickly apprehended by the detectives.
The detectives searched Fontaine’s vehicle and found more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl, a .22 caliber handgun, scales and drug packaging materials. The detectives also found several photographs of Fontaine posing with large quantities of packaged fentanyl pills.
A few hours later, the detectives executed a second search warrant on Fontaine’s residence and found additional fentanyl pills, scales and packaging materials.
KTVZ News reported at the time that three people were arrested and about 13,000 counterfeit Oxycodone fentanyl pills were seized in a series of 2023 raids around the county, concluding a lengthy investigation by the sheriff’s office Street Crimes Unit into drug trafficking from a supplier in Mexico.
Court documents show four local charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, were dismissed later that year after Fontaine was indicted by a federal grand jury
On January 18, 2024, Fontaine was charged by superseding indictment with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On December 4, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit with assistance from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE) and the Redmond Police Department. It was prosecuted by Andrew R. Doyle, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Live phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity invites the public to tour a one-of-a-kind home at 1475 SE Wilson Avenue, designed specifically for middle-income buyers who have scarce options in Bend’s housing market.
The first open house took place Wednesday and another is set for Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.
The home, built in partnership with Hiatus Homes, is the first in Bend to blend Net Zero energy efficiency, Universal Design, and middle-income affordability, serving families earning 80–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), roughly $82,000–$135,000 for a household of four.
“This is more than a home—it’s a model for the future,” said Carly Colgan, CEO of Bend-Redmond Habitat. “It proves we can create housing that’s attainable, sustainable, and inclusive without compromise.”
About the Home:
2 bed / 2 bath, 1346 sq. ft.
Attached garage
No down payment required
Built to Net Zero standards — dramatically reducing utility bills
Universal Design ensures lifelong accessibility, regardless of age or ability
Loan prequalification needed: $315,000+
Anticipated home sale by June 2025
The project is made possible through funding from the City of Bend’s Middle Income Pilot Program, Deschutes County HOME Funds, and the Bend Chamber’s Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.
Why It Matters: In a city where the median home price hovers around $750,000, the local workforce struggles to remain in the community they serve. With 95% of Central Oregon employers citing housing as a barrier to hiring, this home is part of a vital shift toward practical, long-term solutions.
“We’re setting a precedent,” said Colgan. “This home is just the beginning — it’s a catalyst for more affordable, accessible homes across Central Oregon .”
How to Apply:
Prospective buyers can apply through Habitat’s website at bendredmondhabitat.org/Wilson-Ave. The application deadline is Monday, April 21.
For more information, visit bendredmondhabitat.org or call (541) 385-5387.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The murder trial of a Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother just over a year ago has been delayed for three months, until July, at his attorney’s request.
Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott on Wednesday set a July 22 trial date for Joshua Lawrence Smith, 41, on a second-degree murder charge in the March 20, 2024 killing of Janice Marie Smith, 59, at the Legacy Landing Apartments in northeast Bend.
A scheduled April 22 jury trial was canceled after defense attorney Raun Atkinson filed a motion saying they needed more time to prepare for trial and review recently provided evidence in the case.
That includes nearly a year’s worth of jail correspondence by Smith, who appeared by video at Wednesday’s hearing and remains held without bail. Atkinson also noted his own health issues and co-counsel’s recent family leave.
District Attorney Steve Gunnels told KTVZ News last year that Smith’s mother died of blunt force trauma after a “violent physical interaction” between the mother and son. Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge last August.
Herriott also set a one-day hearing on pre-trial motions for May 23 and a trial readiness hearing for July 15.
Kade Linville
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Humane Society of Central Oregon is preparing for the upcoming adoption season with a brand new Kitten Shower on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The shelter will be collecting donations of kitten essentials like non-clump clay litters and wet and dry kitten food.
The donation drive event is free to attend and will also include opportunities to learn more about cat adoption. Plus there will be fun activities and refreshments.
To learn more about the event and what items you can donate, check our KTVZ Events Calendar item.
