Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon drug agents raided and dismantled an illegal psilocybin mushroom grow operation at a southeast Bend apartment this week and arrested a resident on drug charges.

Members of the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) team and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team concluded a drug investigation with Wednesday’s raid, Bend Police Lt. Mike Landolt said.

A short-term investigation revealed that Nygel Marcus Boothe, 29, was manufacturing and distributing psilocybin mushrooms. On Wednesday, detectives served a search warrant at an apartment in the Stillwater Crossing Apartments. 

Landolt said detectives located a large-scale psilocybin grow within the residence where Boothe, his girlfriend and two juvenile children reside.  Detectives located psilocybin mushrooms, a psilocybin mushroom grow operation, a handgun, and evidence of drug distribution within the apartment.   

“Detectives were aware of the dangers associated with a psilocybin mushroom grow within a residence, which pose a significant health hazard for people living in that environment,” Landolt said in a news release. “All evidence and hazardous items were removed from the apartment as part of this investigation.”

The Oregon Department of Human Services was contacted and responded to the location to assist police and assure the safety of the children.

Boothe was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and booked on several drug charges.

Court records show Boothe was arraigned Thursday on two felony counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. He was granted conditional release, including no use or possession of controlled substances without a valid prescription and not to associate with those using illegal drugs or frequenting places where they are used, kept or sold. He’s due back in court June 24 for arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment.

Landolt said Boothe was living with a “significant other” who may be facing similar criminal charges at a later date, after the case is presented to a grand jury. 

Landolt said DCIMME would like to thank the Bend Police Department and the Department of Human Services for their assistance during this investigation. 

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies:  Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department,  Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has formally requested Presidential Disaster Declarations to provide federal support for flood recovery in communities devastated by the 2025 floods across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney counties.

“Although this disaster hit some of the most economically vulnerable communities of our state, residents had each other’s back and got through the initial emergency. But they can’t do recovery alone,” Governor Kotek said. “These communities urgently need both state and federal support to help them recover.” 

The Governor’s Presidential Disaster Declaration request includes: 

Public Assistance for Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney counties to repair roads, public buildings, and utilities. 

Individual Assistance for Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties, and separately for Harney County and the Burns Paiute Tribe, to support families displaced by flood damage. 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding statewide to invest in long-term resilience and flood protection. 

The requested declarations would open access to federal funds to help with cleanup, emergency housing, infrastructure repair, and long-term rebuilding. They would also support hazard mitigation projects like reinforced levees, improved floodplain management, and more.

“This is the second major disaster Harney County has faced in a year, following wildfires in 2024,” Oregon Department of Emergency Management Director Erin McMahon said. “With limited local capacity, federal resources are essential to help these communities recover and to prevent future devastation.” 

From mid-March to mid-April, Oregon experienced a historic combination of severe storms, rapid snowmelt, and record-level rainfall. The resulting floods caused landslides, infrastructure failure, and widespread displacement, especially in isolated, rural areas. Homes, businesses, bridges, and utility systems were damaged or destroyed. Many residents are still unable to return home. 

In Harney County, the situation was especially severe. The flooding breached levees and led to the failure of the only wastewater system serving the City of Burns and the Burns Paiute Tribe. Sewage-contaminated floodwaters caused serious public health hazards, damaged homes, and forced extended evacuations.

On March 17, Governor Kotek declared a state of emergency due to flooding and landslides in Southern Oregon. On March 31, the Governor declared another emergency due to severe flooding in Southeastern Oregon.

The requested declarations would open access to federal resources to help eligible individuals and households with uninsured or underinsured expenses and serious needs, support economically and physically impacted small businesses, and support public infrastructure repairs and long-term rebuilding. They would also support hazard mitigation projects like reinforced levees, improved floodplain management, and more resilient infrastructure. For updates and information on available recovery resources, visit www.Oregon.gov/OEM. 

Explore the interactive story map to see the devastating impacts of Oregon’s 2025 floods and the ongoing recovery efforts in Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney counties: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5b3ecd47075844fe8a1d95f28a8e643b 

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Jillian Fortner

(Updated with comments; Jillian Fortner has a report at Six

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s ski season got off to its earliest start in decades, with lifts spinning before Thanksgiving at both Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood Meadows.

Hoodoo Resort also recorded one of its earliest openings on record.

“It came with a ton of early-season snowfall, and that just kicked off the year in such a positive way,” Lauren Burke, Mt. Bachelor’s director of marketing and communications, said Friday.

Jillian Fortner takes a look back at the highs of the 2024–25 season tonight on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.

By March, Mt. Bachelor’s base depth was nearing 160 inches. Cold temperatures throughout the winter helped preserve the snowpack and stretch the season well into spring.

“We saw consistent snowfall throughout the year and then wrapped it up a couple days ago on Memorial Day. So it was an above-average season,” Burke said.

Mt. Bachelor recorded about 450 inches of total snowfall in the 2024-25 season.

Back in 2023-24, the total snowfall only reached around 375 inches. Mt. Bachelor said icy conditions and strong winds impacted their operations that year.

“If you remember, we had major icing, both in town and on the mountain. We saw multiple days of 100+ mph winds,” Burke said.

But not every skier noticed a big difference.

Teddy Hoffman, a Central Oregon local who’s been skiing since he was 3, says he hit the slopes around 35 times this season. He said the snow and conditions didn’t feel all that different from the previous year.

“I’d say it was about the same. There was a little more snow, but yeah. The conditions, nothing seemed too crazy,” Hoffman said.

Nationwide, the National Ski Areas Association says this was the second-highest ski season on record for visits. In the Pacific Northwest alone, resorts saw about 4.7 million visits which is a nearly 11% increase from last year.

Mt. Bachelor hasn’t released its visitor numbers just yet. The resort’s summer operations begin June 26th.

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Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, details)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following KTVZ News’ coverage of Senate Bill 992, which would allow grocery and convenience stores with bottle returns to refuse returns during nighttime hours, homeless advocates have reached out to share their side of the dangers.

Homeless in the city of Bend are using the state’s ten-cent bottle and can deposit system as a form of employment.

“I can’t think of a better group of people to work with. And they really need the help. It’s a hand up, not a hand out. Choice, not charity,” said Justin Gottlieb, who is the creator of the organization We-Can and was formerly homeless.

His organization’s business model gives those still on the street a chance at a paying job, by doing daily deposits.

“Instead of trying to buck the system or break the $35 a day rule, I decided to pay folks who had their $35 limit, who maybe couldn’t collect $35 in cans, and pay them $0.40 on the dollar. “

Supporters of the bill argued that the later deposits have opened up areas to open-air drug markets and brought more homeless people to the area.

 Business owners near Bend’s only BottleDrop say the homeless can be dangerous, especially at night.

Oregon Spirit Distillery owner Brad Irwin told us, “It does attract people who hang out or loiter, and generate income. And it does have a negative public perception, and it does have genuine safety concerns.”

But Gottlieb and other canners hope to prevent that with their canning group

Roger, who helps Gottlieb, said, “When you get close to the end of the month, you look forward to this guy showing up with his bottles. You can take in a bag and get $8, and then, guess what? You’ve got enough money to go in there and get a sandwich over at Safeway or something. “

It hasn’t come without pushback, though. We’ve reported over the years that Bend residents have been complaining about strangers going through their recycling bins to get cans and bottles.

Back in 2020, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller told us, “If it is garbage or recycling that is in a recycling bin that’s going to be picked up by the company that contracts with city or county services, that is not public property. It is not lost or found property. That is the property of either the property owner or the company that is contracted to collect that property.”

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Shannon Brady

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s changing climate is already impacting ecosystems and communities, especially here in Central Oregon. Traditional food gatherers of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs say things are changing quickly.

Laurie Danzuka says, “All the places I used to go when I was younger, we no longer go to those places.”

Starla Green, another traditional food gatherer, lives on the Deschutes River and spoke about the changes to the river and fishing practices. She said: “For the fish, the water temperatures, it affected the fish…The fish counts have gone down in years past. Growing up, people would bring us 100-200 salmon at a time to take care of, to preserve, to put away. Now, we’re even lucky to get 10 or 20.”

Not all communities experience climate change equally. Indigenous and rural communities are often more vulnerable, socially, geographically and economically, and feel the impact sooner and more severely.

Other members of the tribes shared concerns with KTVZ news about water quality and availability, growing seasons, and changes to the river.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are working to protect their lands and traditions through sustainability and conservation efforts through their Conservation Lands Program.

As the climate continues to shift, adaptation and resilience will be key for communities across the globe .

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Barney Lerten

(Update: More info from fire official)

LAKEVIEW, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters were working to contain a new brushfire reported late Thursday afternoon in northwest Lake County, southeast of La Pine.

The Cabin Lake Fire was reported shortly before 4 p.m. and had burned about three acres at last report, about 50 miles southeast of La Pine. It was visible over a wide area and on the University of Oregon AlertWest camera, located on Green Mountain.

Crews were putting a line around the fire Thursday evening and had called in a helicopter to assist, said Lisa McNee of the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.

McNee said the fire was burning in grass and sagebrush on BLM land north of Fort Rock.

Updates on the fire will be posted to the SCOFMP Facebook page. The fire also can be tracked on Watch Duty as well.

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Harley Coldiron

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A rock chuck burrowing in the bank of a canal in Prineville likely caused a breach, which spilled onto the roadway resulting in a closure, and days of cleanup ahead.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office it occurred on Thursday at NE McKay Road near NW Gerke Road. The road was closed in all directions for several hours but has since opened.

It was closed for most of the day because of all that mud, water, and debris that spilled onto the road. The cause was likely an animal like a rock chuck or sage grouse burrowing into the bank. The Ochoco Irrigation District says this is not uncommon.

While the road is open now, the irrigation district said it’s going to take a few days to repair that 20-foot section.

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Tyson Beauchemin

(Update: Adding video, comments by neighbor)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 22-year-old La Pine woman who died in a paddleboarding incident at Pringle Falls was recovered from the Deschutes River Thursday evening after an extensive search and recovery effort.

Upon arrival to the scene early in the day, authorities said they found the woman “entangled underwater but partially visible.” Deputies with DCSO, Oregon State Police troopers, and La Pine Fire Department personnel say she was in a treacherous location, and they lost sight of her while trying to help.

Her husband was helped out of the water downstream from Pringle Falls by a deputy and members of the Sunriver Fire Department. The woman’s name was not released.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said, “As we head into warmer months, the Sheriff’s Office urges everyone planning to spend time on the water to wear a properly fitted life jacket and to be aware of river conditions before exploring. The Deschutes River and other waterways in our region can be deceptively hazardous, especially during spring runoff or after heavy rains. Please take the time to check current conditions, know your limits and ensure you have the right equipment to stay safe.”

Authorities and area residents know well the dangers of the fast-moving waterway and rapids.

The area around Pringle Falls is a private neighborhood called Wild River. After our report last night, residents from the area reached out to KTVZ. First, they wanted to express their condolences and prayers for the families who lost their loved one. But their other message was that Pringle Falls is not meant for recreation – and for your safety, they urge staying out of the water.

Neighbor Debbie Stitz said, “It should not be promoted as a ‘popular recreation area.’ It is extremely treacherous, the stretch of the river, and people should avoid it at all costs. And I feel that more should be done to prevent these types of accidents by the state, either by posting more signage or even having some kind of a buoy rope going across the river, so they don’t proceed any further.”

Stits says if any extra precautions save just one life, it would be worth the cost. In the 20 years she’s lived in that area, she says she can recall at least five deaths at the falls.

Off-camera, other neighbors told KTVZ News they’ve stopped many people from getting in the river and warned them about the dangers. 

—

Earlier story:

Lt. Chris Erhardt told KTVZ news late Thursday night that search and rescue teams found the body of the missing woman.

A major multi-agency search effort was underway Thursday afternoon for a missing person in the Deschutes River at Pringle Falls.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies told KTVZ News at the scene that two people were recreating at the popular spot west of La Pine, possibly paddleboarding, when one person was rescued, but another was reported missing.

Drones, divers, Search and Rescue volunteers and swift-water rescue teams were part of the extensive search and rescue effort.

Sheriff’s Lt. Joshua Spano said the “911 call came in, and we just amassed forces, everyone from OSP behind me to La Pine Fire to the Forest Service.”

“A person in the water – just in this temperature water, this time of day – we’re going to send a lot of resources out there,” Spano said.

Pringle Falls is a series of rapids on the Deschutes River that drop about 25 feet over a distance of 800 feet. A Deschutes National Forest campground also is located in the area.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is declaring the beginning of fire season on Monday, June 2 at 12:01 a.m.

Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one) in Hood River and Wasco counties.

Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season, due to the higher-than-normal snowpack. However, due to the decline in spring rain, rise in temperatures, and windy conditions, the fine fuels in the district have begun to dry significantly.

So far this year, the district has experienced 16 fires, of which half were escaped debris burns. Debris burning is the No. 1 cause of human-caused fires in Oregon. At this time, ODF recommends covering your pile until the rainy fall season, when it’s safer to burn.

With fire season in effect, check the fire restrictions in your local area or the area you’re traveling to. Most Central Oregon counties have already enacted debris burn bans.

The declaration of fire season brings regulations based on fire danger level. Regulated activities are known to cause fires and following regulations will help reduce fire starts. Moderate fire danger level prohibits the following activities:

No debris burning, including piles and burn barrels, unless permitted by the local forester.

Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.

No smoking while traveling through or working in any operation area.

In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL I (one), the following will go into effect:

A fire watch is required for a minimum of one hour during breaks and at the end of the operational period.

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks throughout the fire season.

The Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents to not become complacent in wildfire prevention. The less human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org

ODF’s Central Oregon District protects state and private lands in Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Morrow, Grant., and Harney counties.

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

For local ODF burn information, please call:

Prineville-Sisters Unit – (541) 447-5658

John Day Unit – (541)-575-1139

The Dalles Unit – (541) 296-4626

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