Author: KTVZ

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding ‘former’ – the bus driver is no longer employed with Bend-La Pine Schools)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A former Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver accused of driving under the influence after transporting elementary students in April has been formally charged with 19 misdemeanor counts.

Deschutes County court records show prosecutors filed charges July 21st against 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher. She faces one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants and 18 counts of recklessly endangering another person. All are listed as Class A misdemeanors.

The charges stem from an alleged April 3rd incident. Each reckless-endangering count alleges Gerlicher created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to a person identified only by initials.

The DUII count alleges Gerlicher drove on a public roadway or premises while under the influence of alcohol or had a blood-alcohol concentration of at least 0.08% within two hours of driving.

KTVZ previously reported that Gerlicher had completed an afternoon route from Pine Ridge Elementary School with 18 students aboard before heading to High Desert Middle School for another route.

Bend Police said Gerlicher reported possible brake problems, prompting a transportation supervisor to respond. Investigators said the supervisor found no mechanical problems but suspected Gerlicher was impaired and removed her from duty.

Police later arrested Gerlicher at her Bend home. Investigators said a test taken about seven hours after the district’s initial testing showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.16%, twice the legal limit.

No students were physically harmed, according to the school district. The district said at the time that Gerlicher had been placed on leave pending further action and that the families of the 18 students were notified the day after the incident.

The newly filed court document lists Gerlicher’s next court appearance for August 27th.

The charges are allegations. Gerlicher is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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Lance Campbell

The Crook County Fair is back this week, bringing four days of carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits and classic fair food to Prineville.

This year’s “Blue Ribbon Days” fair runs Aug. 5-8 at the Crook County Fairgrounds. Admission and parking are free. Opening night is Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m., with full-day activities running Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Families can enjoy carnival rides, 4-H and FFA exhibits, livestock competitions, local vendors and entertainment throughout the fair. Organizers say the event continues to celebrate Crook County’s agricultural roots while giving families a chance to come together before summer winds down.

Whether it’s cheering on young exhibitors in the show ring, grabbing fair food or taking in the nightly entertainment, organizers say there’s something for every age.

Visitors are encouraged to check the daily event schedule before heading to the fairgrounds.

Watch the video above for a behind-the-scenes look at opening day of the Crook County Fair, including interviews with fairgoers, organizers and a look at what visitors can expect this year.

For continuing coverage of the Crook County Fair and other Central Oregon news, visit KTVZ.com, download the KTVZ News app and follow KTVZ on social media.

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John Carroll

The weeks “Show Us Your Garden” segment features an awesome garden with “Old Glory” the American Flag prominently featured in the picture. Another photo the shows off some great veggies in early stages of development. Finally we see an owner and gardener showing off her “happy place” on the back deck.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Fire officials are reminding motorists to exercise caution behind the wheel as wildfire danger continues.

One small spark can start a wildfire.

Small actions such as parking on dry grass, dragging chains, or operating machinery near dry vegetation can create dangerous sparks.

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Claire Elmer

Update: As of August 6th, Deschutes County Circuit Court records show the pending case against Steven Charlton has been dismissed. The judgment of dismissal applies to all five felony counts Charlton was indicted on by the Grand Jury. Any outstanding warrant in the matter is recalled.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Steven Nicholas Charlton, the pilot of the plane that crashed Tuesday in Bend, was facing five felony counts of first-degree invasion of personal privacy, Deschutes County Court records show.

The criminal filings contain no information about the plane or the crash and do not establish a connection between the pending charges and what happened Tuesday.

Prosecutors initially charged Charlton on July 30th with one count of first-degree invasion of personal privacy. Court records show he appeared in custody by video for an arraignment that day, and a judge set security at $10,000.

The court ordered Charlton to have no contact with several listed people and prohibited him from accessing cameras or video-recording devices. A release agreement bearing an August 3rd signature is marked as a security release and required him to follow those conditions, remain in Oregon unless he received court permission, and appear at future hearings.

The documents do not identify who paid money toward Charlton’s security or specify how much was deposited.

A Deschutes County grand jury returned a five-count indictment on August 4th. Charlton’s arraignment on the indictment was scheduled for August 6th.

All five counts allege Charlton knowingly and without consent made visual recordings of people who were nude and had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Counts one and two involve one alleged victim. Counts three through five involve a second alleged victim.

The indictment alleges the recordings were made between June 1st and September 30th, 2025. Prosecutors allege each count represents a separate criminal episode. The indictment does not specify where the alleged recordings were made, what device was allegedly used, or whether the recordings were distributed.

Under Oregon law⁠, first-degree invasion of personal privacy is a Class C felony. It applies when someone knowingly records another person in a state of nudity, without that person’s consent, in a place and under circumstances where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Each Class C felony carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $125,000, although any sentence would depend on a conviction, state sentencing guidelines, criminal history, and other factors. The offense does not automatically require sex-offender registration, but state law allows a court to designate it as a sex crime if the court finds registration is necessary for community safety.

An indictment is a formal accusation, not a finding of guilt. Charlton had not entered a plea to the five-count indictment, and the allegations had not been adjudicated before the crash.

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Tyson Beauchemin

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Four of five Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District board members are expected to be removed from office following a special recall election. Current results show most of the recalls passing by more than 300 votes

Approximately 23% of ballots have been returned so far, which is the expected turn-out for a special election, according to Jefferson County Clerk Katherine Zemke. Mail-in votes expected to continue arriving throughout the week. However, Zemek said the outcome of the election is unlikely to be changed by the remaining votes. Zemek also estimated the costs for this special election were around $12,000.

When KTVZ reached out to all of the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District’s board members. They declined interview, but some of them sent written statements.

Executive director Courtney Snead sent the following:

“On behalf of the MACRD staff team, I want to assure our communities that the Madras Aquatic Center will continue operating throughout this transition period. Our staff remains committed to providing the programs and services our patrons rely on. Once the Jefferson County Commissioners appoint new board members, we look forward to working collaboratively with them and the Special Districts Association of Oregon to support a smooth transition and ensure the district continues to provide a safe, clean, and fun swimming experience for all.”

Board member Jean McCloskey also provided a written statement expressing hope for the district’s future governance.

“I was appointed to the board in 2022 not knowing anyone on staff or fellow board members. Serving on this board has been challenging. This district has faced Financial strains and constant turnover of board members and staff for the past 18 years of operation. My hope now is that the Commissioners will be able to appoint at least two new board members that can focus on stabilizing the district financially, to protect the services it provides, that this community values.”

Kora Hollyman was the only board member who did not face a recall during this special election. She did however, respond to our inquires with this statement .

“The Jefferson County Commissioners are responsible for filling the four board vacancies created by the recall. They met this morning to discuss the appointment process and shared that applications should be available by the end of the business day today for those interested in serving on the board. My understanding from this morning’s Commissioners meeting is that applications will be accepted through August 19, with a special meeting scheduled for August 26 to interview applicants and make the appointments.

No matter which side of the election people were on, one thing is undeniable…our community cares deeply about MACRD. The amount of time, effort, and passion that so many people put into this process speaks to that. I respect everyone who took the time to participate in our local democracy.

Looking ahead, I’m hopeful this is an opportunity to bring more community voices and ideas to the table. I look forward to working with the future board and our community to move the district forward in a way that reflects the priorities of the people we serve and builds a strong future for MACRD.”

KTVZ also spoke to the recall petitioners, who expressed satisfaction with the results of their efforts, but also declined interview.

As mentioned in the board members statements, Jefferson County commissioners are preparing to fill the soon-to-be-vacant seats once the election is certified. While they cannot appoint anyone to the board till the election is certified, they can start looking for new board members. The county website will begin accepting applications for board members today (August 5th).

The deadline to apply is August 19 and interviews for the positions are scheduled to begin August 26. Officials hope to have replacements appointed as early as September.

The county commissioners only have a duty to fill two of the vacant seats. After that, a quorum is established, and the board could begin searching for members on its own. However, County Administrative Officer, Jeff Rasmussen told KTVZ they could appoint all the vacant seats if they received enough qualified applicants. The application page is now live.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police are reminding you to put down your phones, after a targeted distracted driving enforcement operation.

Last Friday, officers spent two hours at the intersection of NE Third Street and Burnside Avenue looking for drivers using cell phones behind the wheel.

During the enforcement effort, police issued 30 citations and 10 warnings.

Three drivers were also arrested after getting a third cell phone violation, which is a Class B misdemeanor.

Police say distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the community and are urging drivers to stay focused on the road. 

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue is offering two free monthly trainings designed to help Central Oregon residents respond during life-threatening emergencies.

The Hands-Only CPR class teaches participants what to expect when calling 911, how to perform CPR correctly and effectively, and what happens when first responders arrive.

The class is open to individuals, schools and workplaces. It is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire Training Center, 63377 NE Jamison St., behind the North Fire Station.

The training is free but is not a certification class. Space is limited to 20 participants, and registration is encouraged.

Bend Fire & Rescue also offers a free Stop the Bleed class. The one-hour training teaches participants why uncontrolled bleeding is dangerous, how to recognize severe bleeding and how to control it quickly and effectively.

Stop the Bleed is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire Training Center. Space is limited to 20 people.

Private classes are also available for groups, workplaces and schools. To register or ask questions, call 541-322-6300 or email bfrcommunitytraining@bendoregon.gov.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

UPDATE: The NTSB has provided KTVZ News with a statement concerning Tuesday’s plane crash in Deschutes County.

Below is their press release:

NTSB is investigating the crash of a Cirrus SR22-T on Aug. 4 in Bend, Oregon. The preliminary information we have is the plane impacted terrain under unknown circumstances. 

An NTSB investigator is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive this afternoon. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.  

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records: 

Flight track data 

Recordings of any air traffic control communications 

Aircraft maintenance records 

Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident 

Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience 

72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight 

Witness statements 

Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation 

Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras 

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. 

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident. 

The NTSB has no role in the release of the identities of accident victims and/or the extent and number of injuries nor does it release the identities of those injured or killed; that’s handled by local authorities.   

A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database with the NTSB number WPR26FA289. It will also be posted on NTSB Newsroom Twitter .  

The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months.   

Additional information about NTSB investigative processes is available at Media Resources (ntsb.gov)  

UPDATE: The FAA has informed KTVZ News the NTSB is now in charge of the investigation.

Below is their press release:

A Cirrus SR22T crashed near Bend, Oregon, around 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.

UPDATE: KTVZ News has confirmed the pilot of the aircraft that went down is deceased.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident along with the FAA and NTSB.

Below is their press release:

Bend, Ore. — On Tuesday, August 4, at 6:46 p.m., the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a plane crash west of Bend.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, died upon high‑speed impact with the ground. No other injuries or deaths occurred, and the crash did not result in a fire.

No additional information will be released at this time.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News has confirmed law enforcement are investigating an incident involving a single engine aircraft in rural Deschutes County – west of Bend.

According to a spokesperson for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the incident is under investigation and they are aware an aircraft went down.

According to reports, first responders rushed to a reported aircraft emergency near Bull Creek, south of Upper Tumalo Reservoir after 6:00 pm.

Editor’s Note: KTVZ News is not publishing the tail number of the aircraft until official confirmation is provided by law enforcement or the FAA.

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