Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two Central Oregon lodging properties, FivePine Lodge & Spa in Sisters (No. 2) and Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend (No. 9), have landed in the top 10 in the Best of the Best Hotels in the U.S. category of Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards.  

“Having two Central Oregon hotels ranked among the top ten in the country is a direct reflection of a region-wide commitment to delivering an exceptional visitor experience,” said Scott Larson, CEO of Visit Central Oregon. “What makes these rankings particularly meaningful is that they reflect honest, candid feedback from some of the world’s toughest critics – the traveling public. Tripadvisor is the gold standard when it comes to being a trusted resource for travelers worldwide, and we’re proud to see FivePine Lodge and Oxford Hotel receive the recognition they deserve.” 

The Best of the Best Hotels awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over the 12-month period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Winners are among the top one percent of the 1.6 million hotel listings on Tripadvisor. 

“We’re incredibly proud to see FivePine Lodge & Spa recognized as one of the top hotels in the nation,” said Scott Humpert, executive director of Explore Sisters. “This honor is a testament to the heartfelt hospitality, thoughtful design, and unforgettable guest experiences that make FivePine such a special part of the Sisters community, and is a shining example of the excellence visitors can expect when they choose Sisters, Oregon. We are thrilled to see our neighbors at the Oxford Hotel earn this well-deserved recognition, too.” 

In recognizing the top 25 winning hotels, Tripadvisor had this to say about FivePine Lodge & Spa and Oxford Hotel: 

#2 – FivePine Lodge & Spa: Relax and unwind in the serene nature of FivePine Lodge & Spa. The peaceful forest retreat offers multiple rustic cabins and a spacious main lodge, all thoughtfully decorated with luxe bedding. Enjoy free breakfast every morning, a nightly happy hour, and free bike rentals to get to the nearby town. Other amenities include an on-site spa, outdoor pool, movie theater, microbrewery, and fitness center. 

#9 – Oxford Hotel: Oxford Hotel Bend combines mountain views with eco-friendly amenities and local products, immersing guests in their surroundings. Enjoy nearby attractions, plus convenient parking. The hotel is dog-friendly and provides four-diamond hospitality. Dining options highlight local flavors, ensuring a memorable experience. 

“Superb destinations deserve superb lodging,” said Jeff Knapp, CEO of Visit Bend. “Tripadvisor users clearly agree that when it comes to the best places to stay in the U.S., our region is at the top.” 

For more information on Central Oregon activities, lodging, and experiences, go to visitcentraloregon.com. 

ABOUT CENTRAL OREGON: 

Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, where vast forests give way to the arid high desert, Central Oregon is characterized by year-round adventure, authenticity, inspiration, and environment. From the towering peaks of the Cascades to the pristine waters of the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River, and the more urban experiences of Bend, Sunriver, and Redmond, to the rural charms of Sisters, La Pine, Prineville, Madras, Warm Springs, and Maupin, Central Oregon offers a perfect mix of recreation and sophistication. Barely three hours from Portland, and with daily direct flights from eight major markets, getting to Central Oregon is a breeze. For more information, visit www.visitcentraloregon.com or call 800-800-8334. 

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the busy recreation season begins, the Bureau of Land Management reminds visitors that Teaters Road remains open for public access.

While the gates may be closed for short periods of time, they will remain unlocked, and visitors may pass through the gates to use the road, the BLM said Monday. Visitors should leave all gates in the same state they are found, open or closed, when passing through.

Teaters Road provides a direct connection between Highway 380 north to the BLM North Fork Crooked River area and the Ochoco National Forest, both popular destinations for recreation and important areas for timber production. It also serves as the only public access point to a 160-acre “island” parcel of BLM- administered public land along Teater’s Road.

The BLM encourages all visitors to be respectful when traveling on Teaters Road to access public lands. Much of the road runs through private land, so visitors are reminded to drive slowly and watch for livestock.

For more information about recreation access in the Prineville District, contact the BLM office at (541) 416-6700.

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Harley Coldiron

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The commission that oversees teacher certifications in the State of Oregon says they will revoke licenses for educators, but only once charges are proven. Right now, the commission only has four investigators for over 600 open cases, highlighting their ongoing need for funding and staff.

The details from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) came after KTVZ News sent a number of questions following the child abuse indictment of Sarah Marie Sessions.

Session, who KTVZ discovered still has an active teacher’s license, once lived near Sunriver and taught at Ponderosa Elementary during the 2020 school year.

First, the TSPC is responsible for investigating allegations of educator misconduct and taking disciplinary action when appropriate. When an educator is accused of a crime, TSPC reviews the matter to determine whether it falls within its jurisdiction and whether it may constitute a violation of Oregon’s laws or rules governing educators.

Though they do investigate these situations, the TSPC stressed that teachers are entitled to due process and are believed to be innocent until proven guilty. To ensure this, the commission typically waits for the court case or criminal investigation to finish before it takes action.

When and if the charges or misconduct are proven, the TSPC can suspend or revoke the license of an educator who “violated applicable laws or professional standards”.

However, the agency is facing a serious staff shortage and is in desperate need of more funding. The TSPC told KTVZ News they “currently have more than 600 open investigations,” with a team that starting July 1 will only have four investigators. That means each investigator will have at least 150 cases.

The commission says it’s “actively seeking additional resources to improve the timeliness of investigations.”

One of those efforts is Senate Bill 805, which was put forth by Gov. Tina Kotek. She has at times been unhappy with the commission’s inability to investigate cases in more timely fashion, particularly those linked to sexual abuse.

The bill is currently before the Senate, where it is facing both praise and pushback.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Getting into a collision can be stressful, sometimes scary. Fortunately, reporting the collision to Oregon DMV just got easier.

Drivers involved in a collision can now complete and submit the report to DMV using our new online service. All you need is an internet connection and the ability to log onto DMV2U.oregon.gov. Get the details on the DMV Collision Report webpage.  

“DMV is focusing on more self-service options,” said DMV Administrator Amy Joyce. “The new online option for the Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Report is part of DMV’s expanding menu of online services that are available 24/7 at DMV2U.

“The online collision report saves customers time, since they no longer need to submit the form by mail, fax or at a DMV office. Customers can save and return to the report later, it will be available for 30 days. This latest effort aimed at improving the DMV experience for our customers is another mechanism to provide customers with a self-service option.”

By law, you must file a collision report (formerly called an accident report) with Oregon DMV within 72 hours of a motor vehicle collision when any of the following are true:

Injury or death resulted from the collision.

Damage to your vehicle is over $2,500.

Damage to anyone’s property other than a vehicle involved in the collision is over $2,500.

Damage to any vehicle is over $2,500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene.

ODOT’s Crash Analysis & Reporting Unit recorded 46,762 reportable crashes on all roads in Oregon in 2023. Oregon DMV staff annually process about 200,000 Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Reports. 

DMV said the online collision report will vastly improve the collection of collision data, which other ODOT divisions use to plan and build safety projects, and which DMV’s Transportation Safety office uses to distribute federal grant money and other resources to improve driver behavior.

The collision report on DMV2U can be filled out using smartphones and other devices, and you will immediately receive a confirmation email and reference number. We strongly recommend you download a copy or print the report you submit. The online collision report meets ADA requirements and saves you time since you no longer need to submit the form by mail, fax or at a DMV office.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry and other fire prevention experts are urging everyone to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. There have already been 32 escaped debris burns reported on ODF-protected land in 2025, nearly double the number compared to this time last year.

The average size of a spring escaped debris burn is about one acre, or the size of a football field, and generally requires suppression from the local fire protection agency.

Over seventy-five percent of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused, with escaped debris burns topping the list.

With forecasters becoming increasingly confident that this season will be hotter and drier than normal, now is the time to practice wildfire prevention. As grass and vegetation begin to dry out, the risk of a fire creeping away from a debris burn pile increases. Make sure to weigh your options and have all of the fire prevention tools in place before lighting the burn pile or incinerator.

Besides burning, preferred options for brush removal include composting or recycling. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options.  

But if burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices.

Call before you burn—Regulations vary by location. Call your local district, fire protective association, fire department, or air protection authority to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and if you need a permit. 

Know the weather—Burn early in the day and never burn on windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily. 

Always have water and fire tools nearby—When burning, have a shovel and charged water hose or a bucket of water on hand to put out the fire. 

Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile—Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above. 

Keep burn piles small—Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, a maximum of four feet by four feet. Add debris to the pile in small amounts as the pile burns. 

Burn only yard debris—State laws prohibit burning materials, treated wood or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors. 

Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up your fire. 

Stay with the fire from start to finish—NEVER leave your debris burn unattended. State law requires monitoring debris burn piles at all times, until it is out cold. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be put out quickly. 

Put the fire out cold/completely—Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is cool to the touch. 

Recheck burn piles—Return to the burn site periodically over several weeks to check for heat or smoke and refrain from adding new yard debris on top of old ashes. Burn piles can retain heat for several weeks and rekindle when the weather warms up and winds blow. 

Costs of run-away debris burns—State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires all year. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs, as well as the damage to your neighbors’ properties, which can be extremely expensive.

As the summer fire season quickly approaches, consider putting off any burning until next fall or winter, when conditions are more favorable. Just cover a portion of the pile with plastic, such as a tarp, to keep dry until you decide to burn. Delaying your burn plans will give the debris more time to cure and prevent spring holdover fires.

More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website. Find public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands before your burn.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new roundabout is about to be built at the intersection of Skyline Ranch Road and Skyliners Road on Bend’s Westside, and that will mean a detour for summertime drivers.

Construction is scheduled to start Monday, June 16 and continue through the end of August, with a full closure of the intersection.

“The project is taking place over the summer months to lessen the impact on nearby schools,” city officials said Monday. “Once completed, this roundabout will facilitate more efficient traffic movement at this very busy intersection.”

The roundabout is being funded and built by the developer of the Discovery West neighborhood as part of their development agreement with the City of Bend.

The construction of this roundabout will facilitate the completion of Skyline Ranch Road over the next couple of years, north to Shevlin Park Road.

The intersection of Skyliners Road and Skyline Ranch Road will be closed during construction, with a detour in place. Skyliners Road traffic will be detoured via Mt. Washington Drive to NW Crossing Drive to Skyliners Road. 

Skyline Ranch Road traffic will be detoured. Traffic heading north on Skyline Ranch Road (from Tetherow) will need to use Metolius to get to Mt. Washington Drive, then follow the detour routes.

Skyler Ranch Road and Skyliners RoadDownload

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video, adding comments from Visit Bend, local hotels)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Travel over the Memorial Day weekend this year is expected to set a new record, with the Bend area again the top Northwest destination, AAA Oregon/Idaho said Monday.

“It’s going to feel busy,” said Nath Wyeth, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Visit Bend.

According to Visit Bend, tourism in the area has continued to grow year after year.

“Last year, Memorial Day weekend was actually a really strong weekend. It was up, about four and a half percentage points from the year prior. So we’ve seen continued growth Memorial Day weekend,” Wyeth said.

Many local hotels are at full capacity this weekend, attributing the surge in visitors to the warm weather and the wide range of events happening across the area.

“It’s a mix of Mount Bachelor’s closing weekend and a major concert in town. With great weather, people from drive markets are heading this way,” said Devin Cuzzolina, Area Director of Operations at Oxford Hotel. “Overall, people just enjoy the activities and hospitality Central Oregon has to offer.”

Hotels mentioned many will be in town for a baseball tournament this weekend as well.

The Campfire Hotel says many locals are also checking in for a quick getaway.

“People want to come out and get away from their everyday life a little bit without having to travel too far,” said Keagan Parks, general manager of the Campfire Hotel. “We’ve also heard people like to get away from their in-laws during holidays for a night. Things like that tend to drive people to this property and it’s great. We love seeing locals here.”

AAA projects 45.1 million Americans (13.2% of the population) will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend. That’s an increase of 1.4 million travelers (3.1%) over 2024, and surpasses the previous record of 44 million travelers in 2005. The record volume is fueled by a record number of people traveling by car.

In the Pacific Region, Region (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA), 7.8 million people (14.4% of the population) are expected to travel, a 3.7% increase compared to 2024.

About 617,000 Oregonians will travel over the long weekend. The Memorial Day travel period is defined as Thursday, May 22 through Monday, May 26.

The holiday marks the unofficial start of summer, which is projected to be the busiest travel season.

“We’ll be busy all summer long. People are coming to town so remember to make reservations early. We do offer special rates for people attending concerts,” said Debra Jolma, Director of Marketing and Sales for Waypoint Hotel.

“AAA expects record travel this Memorial Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean that all folks are taking extravagant vacations to far-flung destinations. Rather, a majority are packing up the car and taking a road trip. In fact, AAA expects a record number to travel by car this Memorial Day weekend – 39.4 million,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

AAA Oregon/Idaho says despite concerns about the economy, travelers are taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved one, and many are planning trips closer to home.

“Many will be driving to places like Central Oregon or the Oregon coast or visiting friends – some travelers will take day trips. Those who are traveling farther from home usually extend their trips beyond Memorial Day for a week or more. Many of these trips have been planned and booked months in advance,” says Doreen Loofburrow, vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Top Memorial Day Destinations

AAA booking data reveals that theme parks, beaches and cruise ports are among the most popular destinations domestically and abroad, based on searches and bookings by members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

With the majority of travelers taking trips by car, Bend, Portland, Eugene, Boise and the Oregon Coast are the most popular regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Anaheim tops the list of U.S. destinations because of the Disneyland Resort. Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas are popular warm-weather destinations. And the top European cities are London and Dublin.

Read more at: https://info.oregon.aaa.com/aaa-more-than-45-million-americans-including-617000-oregonians-to-travel-for-memorial-day/

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — “It’s a powder day in May!” Mt. Bachelor exclaimed in its Monday condition report after at least eight inches of new snow fell, followed by more during the day.

There were “even deeper readings around the resort, and it’s still coming down,” the resort said in its 7 a.m. update.

Conditions around the hill were “variable,” they said later, adding, “We’re incredibly grateful for yet another chance to make turns in freshly fallen snow on a May 12th – enjoy!’

Betsy Norsen, the Mountain Operations Manager for Mount Bachelor said “Se were only forecast for about three inches, but between 1 and 3 a.M. We got six inches. Kind of what I call thundersnow. It’s some instability in the in the atmosphere and it over produces snow totals. So we were the beneficiaries of that today. ”

The wintry conditions were expected to stick around a bit longer, with flurries continuing into Tuesday.

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Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, comments from family)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Previously excluded evidence has been ruled admissible in a Bend murder trial by the Oregon Supreme Court. The trial of Randall Kilby in the fatal assault of Daphne Banks has been delayed for years, though he’s already serving a life term for killing two roommates with a hatchet.

The evidence includes police police questioning where Kilby allegedly admitted to hitting Banks, resulting in her death in the hospital days later.

It’s a sign of some relief for Lacie and Rio Killian, the daughters of Daphne Banks.

Rio said, “I feel like this whole last year, I’ve had a lot of heavy weight on my shoulders. It’s finally been lifted with this news. “

Her other daughter, Lacie, said, “We’re going to have to relive our mother’s murder all these years later. So yes, this was the best outcome. Is it the easiest outcome? I don’t think so. It’s going to be a very difficult and long road ahead of us. “

The police questioning was part of a separate investigation into the murders of brothers-in-law Jeffrey Taylor, 66, and Benjamin Taylor, 69. Kilby was already sentenced to life in prison without parole for the hatchet killings of his two roommates.

In 2023, presiding Crook and Jefferson counties Circuit Judge Annette Hillman issued a ruling, barring some of Kilby’s statements to police as unusable.

Both parties agreed to have Hillman rule jointly on defense motions to suppress Kilby’s statements in both cases because, the judge wrote, “the arguments and evidence were similar in both cases and defendant’s statements were made during the same interview” with Bend Police Sgts. Whitney Dickson and James Kinsella.

Dickson said she had intended to focus the interview on the Taylors’ deaths, but Hillman noted that officers did question Kilby about Banks’ death.

Prosecutors claimed the statements should be allowed in both cases, as there had been no formal charges filed in either case when the five-hour interview was conducted, although Kilby had been arrested as a suspect in the Taylors’ killings and was read his Miranda rights against self-incrimination.

Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels recently confirmed to KTVZ News, “The (state) Supreme Court ruled that we can use Mr. Kilby’s statements as evidence against him in a trial regarding the murder of Daphne Banks. Those statements had previously been ruled inadmissible.”

Deputy DA Aaron Brenneman told us a status hearing originally set for last Friday has been delayed, pending formal signing of the ruling by the Supreme Court.

Bend police were informed about a 43-year-old Bend woman who sustained a life-threatening injury earlier in the morning and was taken to St. Charles Bend, where she remained in critical condition, Sgt. Cindy Ksenzulak said at the time.

Officers were told the injury appeared suspicious, and they began an investigation at the home where it occurred, in the 60000 block of Granite Drive.

At the time, people in the home, including Randall Kilby, said the woman had fallen and hit her head, the sergeant said.

Now, Banks’ family hopes the decision will bring them one step closer to justice.

“I don’t even feel like I’ve been able to grieve my mom’s death,” Lacie said. “It’s just been like a stage where there’s been no progress.”

Rio added, “I’m ready for closure on it all, too.”

Daphne Banks and her daughters (family photo)

Oregon Supreme Court ruling – Randall KilbyDownload

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Kade Linville

(Update: Adding video)

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bend Fire & Rescue and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a food truck fire early Monday morning at the 19000 block of Seventh Ave in Tumalo.

Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies responded to the call around 1 a.m., arrived on the scene and found flames coming through the roof of the popular Sandos & Smash food truck when they arrived, but they kept it from spreading to nearby food carts and the large propane tanks they all use.d found flames coming through the food truck’s roof.

Fire Inspector/Investigator Jason Kamperman said the food truck was unoccupied when firefighters arrived and the fire was quickly extinguished by fire teams. No injuries were reported, Kamperman said.

The investigation into the origin of the fire is ongoing, but as of now, officials say the cause appears to be accidental.

Due to the level of damage reported, the food truck and its contents are considered a total loss.

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