Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A previously convicted local sex offender was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison Friday following a multi-agency investigation for drug dealing and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Richard Jay Jackson, 61, of Bend, was sentenced to a total of 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, to be followed by three years of post-prison supervision, the DA’s office said in a news release that continues in full below.

The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Raymond D. Crutchley, following Mr. Jackson’s guilty pleas in two separate cases.

In July of 2024, Detectives from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at Mr. Jackson’s residence in LaPine on suspicion of drug delivery and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

During the search warrant’s execution, Detectives from the DCSO Street Crimes Unit recovered approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, along with US currency and other drug distribution items.

Simultaneously, DCSO Criminal Detectives, with assistance from the Digital Forensics Laboratory, recovered electronic devices belonging to Mr. Jackson. These devices were later analyzed and shown to contain numerous images of child sexual abuse material.

Mr. Jackson was indicted by a Deschutes County Grand Jury in two separate cases, charging SubstantialQuantity Methamphetamine crimes, as well as multiple counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. The cases were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Matthew C. Nelson and Andrew R. Doyle.

According to DDAs Nelson and Doyle, “These cases – and the results – are due to the hard work andcollaboration of many people at DCSO, Digital Forensics and Street Crimes, and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.

“Narcotics trafficking and Internet Crimes Against Children are serious offenses that should result in serious sentences – even more so when occurring at the same time,” they said.

The District Attorney’s office also said it would like to thank DCSO for its thorough investigation. The investigation was led by Det. Clint Baltzor and Sgt. Thomas Lilienthal.

Click here to follow the original article.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend has a reputation for making lists for its love of dogs; however, one of the most common complaints and pleas for help from community members relates to off-leash dogs.

Bend Park and Recreation District and City of Bend Police Department are reminding pet owners about leash requirements and the safety benefits of keeping dogs on leash. BPRD’s park stewards will partner with Community Service Officers from Bend Police by visiting several parks and trails next week to talk with dog handlers about expectations and park rules.

From Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 16, community members will see extra patrols by staff of both organizations, seeking voluntary compliance and providing reminders to anyone observed with a dog off leash about possible consequences of violations.

Dogs are required by city ordinance to be on leash in any public area in the city of Bend, except in designated off-leash areas.

The engagement campaign aims to inform community members about the possible enforcement actions that can include a 30-day exclusion from park district property and/or a $250 fine and being held responsible for a dog’s actions in civil or criminal cases.

“For people who are afraid or uncomfortable around dogs, an encounter with an off-leash dog can be very negative and at times dangerous,” said Joel Lee, BPRD park stewardship manager. “People in Bend love their dogs, but it’s important that the parks are safe for all to enjoy, so please leash your four-legged friends unless in a designated off-leash area.”

The park steward team keeps data related to their patrols and contacts in parks and facilities throughout the year. For 2024, they observed 11,015 dogs on leash and 2,746 dogs off leash, which equates to approximately 75 percent compliance. According to Lee, compliance varies seasonally as well as across parks and trails with complaints increasing in neighborhood parks across the community.

Bend Police received 95 dog complaints regarding incidents on park properties in 2024, and 42 calls so far in 2025. The Bend Police Department maintains a dashboard allowing the public to see police calls for service in public parks. You can access it at https://policedata.bendoregon.gov/pages/parks-incidents.

“We need our community to work together and for everyone to follow park rules,” said Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller. “We are lucky to have lots of beautiful options in Bend where our dogs can safely be off leash.”

Leash rules also apply while walking to a dog park from the entrance or a parking lot. Unleashed dogs running from a vehicle can create safety concerns for the dog as well as for others, especially in busy parks such as Ponderosa, Big Sky and Pine Nursery parks.

Additionally, dog owners are to clean up after their dog. To help out, dog waste bags and trash receptacles are available at many Bend parks and trails.

BPRD has nine dog off-leash areas in local parks, including:

Alpenglow Community Park (61049 SE 15th St.) 3.9 acres, fenced with small dog area and agility amenities.

Big Sky Park (21690 Neff Rd) 5 acres, fenced.

Discovery Park (1315 NW Discovery Park Drive) 1.6 acres, fenced.

Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St) 1.1 acres, fenced with river access and small dog area.

Ponderosa Park (225 SE 15th St) 2.9 acres, fenced with small dog area.

Bob Wenger Memorial Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park (NE Purcell Rd) 18.8 acres, fenced with seasonal splash pad and small dog park.

Hollinshead Park (1235 NE Jones Rd) 3.7 acres, unfenced.

Overturf Butte Reservoir (Skyliner Summit Loop) 4.6 acres, fenced.

Awbrey Reservoir (NW 10th and Trenton) 5 acres, partially fenced (not fully enclosed). Note: acreage is approximate.

Off-leash area etiquette includes only visiting with vaccinated, non-aggressive pets. Also, please don’t allow children to ride bikes or play on agility course equipment located in the dog parks.

Learn more on BPRD’s Dogs in Parks webpage.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week is National Small Business Week—and Central Oregon is full of them! 

For this month’s Small Business Spotlight, KTVZ News took a trip to a unique shop in Bend that plant lovers call a haven.

At Somewhere That’s Green, the name couldn’t be more fitting.

“We have over 400 varieties of plants in here,” said Whitney Baglien, the manager of the shop.

Whitney Baglien

They know a thing or two about plants. 

“We have a repotting service, and we really specialize in education,” Baglien said. “If people come in with questions about their plants or they know nothing about plants, then we can tell them all about it.”

Founder and Co-Owner John Kish started the shop seven years ago and wanted to add a unique twist.

“We are the premier indoor plant shop in Bend, Oregon. But we’re also the only plant shop-theater combo in the world that I know of,” Kish said. “So we also have a performing art space in the back.”

John Kish

Kish says he’s grateful for the clientele.

“I actually get to just do what I love and work with the community,” said Kish. “I mean, Bend is honestly a community that supports local. It’s rare that that happens. And I think that’s why I stayed here ,and why I started my business here.”

And his employees — like Whitney Baglien.

“The owners tend to prioritize their employees, and that’s hard to find. Especially in a small business, because usually it’s keeping the business afloat,” Baglien said. “They kind of figured out, now that we have it afloat, how do we keep you here? We get paid such a livable wage, PTO, health insurance – the works.”

Bringing plants and people together.

“We’re all super-grateful to be here,” Baglien said.

To learn more about Somewhere That’s Green, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

This week’s Furry Friend is Kona, a 7-year-old black lab who is a very happy girl.

Don’t let her age fool you, Kona is still full of puppy energy.

“She’s a pretty typical lab, so she loves to chase a ball, play with a toy. She loves snacks, and she’s just a happy girl. She’ll make a great partner for most homes,” said Paige Kidd, the development and volunteer manager at Brightside Animal Center. “She’s still got some puppy energy, so she’ll be a great walking buddy. She doesn’t need a ton of exercise because she is seven. She’d love to go for walks and then just hang out with her people for the rest of the day.”

Right now at Brightside, the adoption fee for dogs over the age of one is just $20.

Click here to view Kona’s profile on Brightside’s website.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ – News Team

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Central Oregon? Matthew Draxton highlights three local events, from Mother’s Day celebrations to a 3-in-1 expo center show.

For many more and to submit your own events, visit https://events.ktvz.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

Barney Lerten

(Update: OSP releases crash details)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fatal head-on crash on Highway 97 involving a minivan and semi-truck killed a La Pine man Thursday night. The crash investigation and removal of the vehicles closed the highway until midday Friday.

Oregon State Police released details Friday afternoon of the crash that occurred shortly before 9 p.m. near milepost 156, near Vandevert Road and about 12 miles north of La Pine.

A preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Dodge Caravan driven by the 25-year-old La Pine man crossed the center line and struck a northbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, driven by a 52-year-old man from Williams, Calif.

The collision caused both vehicles to become engulfed in flames and required local fire crews’ efforts to extinguish the fires.

The minivan driver died at the scene, OSP said. The truck driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

The highway was impacted for an extended period of time during the investigation and cleanup of the vehicles.

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sunriver Fire, Alfalfa Fire, La Pine Fire, and ODOT.

Earlier Friday, Oregon Department of Transportation Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey told KTVZ News, “There are some contracted crews there now cleaning up fluids from the vehicles (oil, etc). ODOT is providing traffic control and assisting with clean-up.”

The highway closure and detour onto Vandevert Road made for some lengthy commutes Friday morning. One driver said her trip from La Pine to Bend, which normally takes about 40 minutes, took over two hours. Drivers also encountered smoke from a nearby prescribed burn.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cami Porter

SISTERS, Ore. –(KTVZ)– A water company in Sisters is adding an extra $100 a month to customers’ bills, and it’s not sitting well with some residents. Indian Meadow Water Company is a volunteer owned company serving several subdivisions in Sisters.

The system it inherited is decades old, with crumbling infrastructure and 50 year old asbestos lined pipes. The company has hired an engineer to estimate estimate the cost of repairs, but even before that report is complete, customers are already seeing an extra $100 a month on their water bills, and some are not happy about it.

Steven Huillet, a Sisters resident told KTVZ news ” They are preempting even though because they have no idea what it’s going to cost, but they’re already deciding what this assessment’s going to be. And they have not and will not put an end of when the assessment will end.”

Terry Buchholz, from the Indian Meadow Water Company told KTVZ news “We have been very proactive in trying to figure out how to fund this, and we just have to, I hate to say pull off the band-aid, but we need the funding in order to move forward. The pipes continue to break at a more frequent basis, and we need to move forward.”

Both the company and the neighbors complaining about the increase agree on one thing. 90% of the pipes need to be replaced. Failures have already caused several outages and boil orders. Neighbors want the company to find grants to pay for the repairs. The company says it’s tried and continues to look for them. Neighbors also suggested the private water companies sell to a larger company.

Indian Meadow Water Company says the amount of required maintenance would discourage another company from buying it. On top of that, the asbestos-laced pipes are a liability and make buying the company unappealing.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– While Catholics around the globe celebrate the new pope, KTVZ News discovered a unique connection between our area and Pope Leo XIV at the headquarters of the Baker Diocese here in Central Oregon.

There was excitement and hope surrounding the new pope. We sat down with Bishop Liam Carey, who was surprised by how quickly the new pope was chosen.

While Bishop Carey had some knowledge of Cardinal Prevost before his election, he’s learning more about him now. The bishop says Pope Leo brings a strong background in Catholic canon law and left a powerful first impression. 

Bishop Kerry told KTVZ News, “I was impressed and kind of moved very much moved by the person on the screen. There’s something about his personality that came through. I’ve read one place that he was not a flashy person, he’s kind of a quiet person, but when he speaks, you know that he means what he says.”

When a new pope is selected, he gets to choose his new name, and it turns out the Baker Diocese has some history with the last Pope Leo. Pope Leo XIII was the one who ordered the creation of the Catholic diocese in our area. The bishop showed KTVZ News the documents from 1903 bearing the pope’s signature and seal.

Click here to follow the original article.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Council on Aging of Central Oregon is celebrating new support from partners across the region to expand and sustain critical nutrition services for older adults.

Thanks to recent grant funding and in-kind support, the council says it’s better equipped to meet the growing demand for Meals on Wheels and Community Dining programs in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties.

Nutrition programs play a vital role in helping older adults maintain their health, independence, and well-being. Home-delivered Meals on Wheels ensures that those who are isolated or have limited mobility receive healthy meals and a friendly visit from a volunteer. Community Dining locations offer opportunities for older adults to gather, share a meal and connect with others, reducing the risk of food insecurity and loneliness.

New funding demonstrates the power of local commitment to aging adults:

● In Deschutes County, the Clabough Foundation awarded $7,500 to support the expansion of Meals on Wheels services.

● In South County, the Sunriver Women’s Club granted $4,500 to sustain local Meals on Wheels routes serving seniors in Sunriver and La Pine.

● In Sisters, a collective investment is helping to keep services moving: 100 Women Who Care Sisters contributed $9,200 to strengthen Meals on Wheels deliveries, and Les Schwab provided a crucial in-kind donation of new tires for the Council’s vehicle serving the Sisters community.

● Across the tri-county region, Pacific Power contributed $2,500 toward general nutrition programming, ensuring that more meals reach more older adults where the need is greatest.

“This wave of support reflects how deeply each community cares about its older residents,” said Cassie Regimbal, Executive Director of the Council on Aging of Central Oregon. “We are grateful to these partners for helping us provide not just meals, but also meaningful connections that allow older adults to thrive.”

As Central Oregon’s population ages, demand for nutrition services continues to rise. The Council on Aging remains committed to working closely with community partners to ensure that no older adult is left behind. To learn more about Meals on Wheels, Community Dining, and other services for older adults, visit www.councilonaging.org or call 541-678-5483.

About the Council on Aging of Central Oregon

Since 1975, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon (CoA) has served as the designated Area Agency on Aging for Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, offering adults aged 60 and older and their loved ones a range of support services. CoA advocates for, empowers, and guides older adults and their loved ones to live with independence and well-being. To find out more about the Council on Aging of Central Oregon, visit www.councilonaging.org or call (541) 678-5483.

Click here to follow the original article.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — High Desert Food & Farm Alliance is thrilled to kick off its 10th season of Grow & Give. This program collects locally grown fresh produce from farm gleans, farmers markets, community gardens and home gardeners from May through November.

The program serves the dual purpose of reducing food waste and delivering nutritious produce to our regional hunger relief agencies for our Central Oregon neighbors experiencing food insecurity.  

Grow & Give is the largest program of its kind in Central Oregon, with a strong track record of food recovery and redistribution. In 2024 we collected over 31,000 pounds of produce that might otherwise have gone to waste, contributing to a total of 214,121.77 pounds – the equivalent of approximately 152,000 meals – recovered  since the program’s launch in 2016.

We also support Central Oregon’s agricultural sector by reimbursing local farms for the produce they provide.  Over the past five years, HDFFA has distributed more than $79,000 in payments to our Grow & Give farming partners.  

This year, we’re aiming to increase program donations by 15%—and our community’s support couldn’t be more important. Our regional food bank partner, NeighborImpact, is seeing a 17% drop in food from the Oregon Food Bank due to funding cuts, with fresh produce being hit the hardest. This reduction trickles down to each local food bank and hunger relief agency in Central Oregon. Together, we can fill the gap and ensure families in our community still have access to healthy, nourishing food. 

We invite you to participate in Grow & Give in its 10th season (and beyond)!  Ways to get involved include: 

Volunteering for glean teams! Register at www.hdffa.org/volunteer to get notified of gleaning opportunities on beautiful farms throughout Central Oregon this growing season. 

Donating your own garden’s bounty! Gardeners can bring excess produce from their own gardens to HDFFA’s booths at the Downtown Bend and Northwest Crossing Farmers Markets. Don’t let your carrots and zucchini go to waste – HDFFA will get them to our partner hunger relief organizations. 

Financially supporting the local food system. Your donation will help HDFFA sustain this vital program for the next 10 years, expanding food access through locally sourced produce. www.hdffa.org/donate,  

Grow & Give is made possible with support from Republic Services, Chrysantha Foundation, and our partnership with NeighborImpact. 

Have questions? Contact us at growandgive@hdffa.org  

Click here to follow the original article.