Author: KTVZ

Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding quotes from Rep. Emerson Levy, (D) – Bend)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –It’s a tense time in the state of Oregon as budget planners are already being asked to prepare for cuts between 2 and 5%. Here’s why. 

The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in 2025, cut federal government spending, which includes money sent to the states.

Oregon is projecting a loss of $890 million to the state budget.

Unlike the federal government, the state of Oregon’s budget must remain balanced.

The money taken in from taxes must be equal to the money the state spends on programs, making an already tense short session even more contentious.

Representative Emerson Levy told KTVZ News, “Once you get to 5%, you will feel that rate. That’s jobs that services. Our largest expenses are within OHP, the Oregon Health Plan. We’re already seeing cuts and rates for local providers that take up kids. So, I hope that it is not that 5%, because we will definitely feel it in the community.”

Rep. Emerson Levy says that she has been asked to prepare for cuts of 2%, 2.5%, and 5%.

 Another issue being discussed is the ongoing issue of education and student scores.

Proficiency numbers are down across the state, leading to greater concern about how it’ll be addressed.

“I think one of the most effective things to do is to knock on the door and say, ‘ Hey, what do you need to get to school?” Rep. Levy told KTVZ News, “So anything that we can do to increase that or fund that, to really build a relationship with that family is really important.”

The short session could run up to 35 days, and we’ll be keeping an eye on every twist and turn from Salem.

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Mitchell’s next court date set for January 20th)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thursday afternoon, Bend man Stephen Mitchell, arrested for the murder of his wife, was arraigned in Deschutes County Court. His next court appearance is set for January 20th, where it will be determined if he is fit to stand trial, according to court records.

Earlier Story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge on Thursday ordered that a Bend man accused of killing his wife, then disturbing her remains, be held without bail.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier Thursday that Stephen Kemm Mitchell, 45, was arrested early Wednesday and booked into the Deschutes County Jail.

Formal charges filed Thursday include second-degree murder, second-degree abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Christi Lynn Mitchell, 43. The latter two charges involve alleged actions involving his wife’s body.

Christi Mitchell’s body was discovered after deputies responded to a report of suspicious circumstances just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the agency.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels confirmed to NewsChannel 21 that the victim was the suspect’s wife, and was arrested at their home.

“They were renting an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) on the property where the homicide occurred,” the DA told us. Court records show Stephen Mitchell lived in the 63000 block of North Highway 97. No information has been released about the cause of death.

Appearing by video from jail, Mitchell told Circuit Judge Alison Emerson he wanted to request a delay so he could speak to a group, including the DA’s office.

Emerson said Mitchell could represent himself, or talk to family members about possibly hiring an attorney. But in the meantime, she appointed the Atlas Law Group to represent him advised he should not speak to anyone else about the charges until he talks with the appointed lawyer, Raun Atkinson.

Deputy District Attorney Alison Filo asked that Mitchell continue to be held without bail, as he was “discovered being packed and ready to flee.” She said he has a prior weapons offense, and prosecutors believe he poses “an extreme danger to the community, if he were to flee.”

The judge agreed to the no-bail hold and set arraignment in a week on an expected grand jury indictment.

Read the press release from DCSO in full below:

“On January 7, 2026, at 2:58 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a property near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive just north of Bend. Upon arrival, the body of Christi Mitchell, 43, was discovered. Deputies contacted Stephen Mitchell, 45, who was still on scene and took him into custody.

Following an initial interview and investigation, Stephen Mitchell was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing several charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Physical Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Burning, and Abuse of a Corpse.

The public may notice police presence near Deschutes Memorial Gardens on the north end of Bend as the investigation continues.

The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Fire Marshal’s Office.

Further inquiries regarding this case should be addressed to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.”

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the use of Flock cameras in Bend to road planning, KTVZ News asked Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler your pressing questions Thursday morning.

Make sure to submit your questions for the mayor here. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After hearing citizen concerns from a packed crowd and sharing their own, Bend city councilors agreed Wednesday night to turn off and remove four Flock license plate reader cameras, and not renew the city’s contract with the company.

The four cameras, installed six months ago at the north and south end of town for use in criminal investigation, were turned off as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday, and “they will be uninstalled in coming days,” city Communications and Engagement Director René Mitchell told KTVZ News.

The city also won’t renew the annual, nearly $20,000 contract with Flock, funded through a grant, that extends through May, Mitchell said.

“Council discussed the issues, heard input from community members and staff, and gave direction not to renew the contract,” she told us.

“Typically, contracts under $250,000 don’t go through Council,” Mitchell explained. “The City Manager determined the contract wouldn’t be renewed with this vendor, and Council agreed with that decision and then gave direction to turn the cameras off.”

Several Oregon cities have taken similar steps in recent months amid citizen concerns about access to the information gathered by the cameras.

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-Jan. 7) — Bend City Council chambers were filled Tuesday night as residents voiced strong concerns over the city’s use of Flock cameras, a license plate reader system used by law enforcement to help investigate crimes.

Flock is an automated license plate reader platform that captures images of vehicles, including license plates and identifying details such as make, model, and color. The system can alert police in real time when a vehicle matches a hotlist, such as a stolen car or a missing person.

While law enforcement and some city leaders say the technology can be a useful crime-fighting tool, many residents say it raises serious privacy and constitutional concerns.

Bend resident Jonathan Westmoreland told KTVZ News he began researching the system and felt compelled to speak out.

“So I did some research into Flock, and it seemed like their business practices are a violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of the citizens of Bend,” Westmoreland said. “After researching more, I felt it was my civic duty to come down here and see if I could do something to make a change.”

Residents cited fears of mass surveillance, continuous data collection on law-abiding drivers, and concerns about how long vehicle data is stored, who can access it, and whether it could be misused or breached.

According to the Bend Police Department, four Flock cameras are currently installed in the city — two on the north end of town and two on the south.

During the meeting, several councilors acknowledged the system does offer benefits, but said those benefits must be weighed against public trust and privacy concerns.

Councilor Ariel Mendez said the cameras have helped law enforcement, but raised concerns about the broader implications of the technology.

“Flock cameras do provide some benefits to help solve crimes,” Mendez said. “We heard that they have been useful in some law enforcement activities. However, there are also some pretty serious concerns about Flock security practices, access, and misuse of the database that they compile.”

City officials confirmed Bend’s contract with Flock runs through May 2026. Councilors said the four cameras will remain in place while discussions continue on whether to renew the contract or end the use of the cameras and any data they collect.

No final decision was made Tuesday night, and council members indicated the issue will return for further discussion before the contract expires.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An R.V. Fire in Redmond took place earlier Wednesday.

Fire Officials believe it was intentionally set.

Details are still coming in but here’s what we’ve learned:

Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney told KTVZ News, the fire near 11th and Greenwood is currently being investigated by Redmond Fire and Rescue and the Redmond Police.

There were no injuries.

a viewer sent us this video of the scene earlier while driving east on Antler Avenue. It shows dark thick black smoke pouring on what appears to be an RV, according to the viewer. She said the RV was near an encampment better known to locals as Redmond Dirt World.

This comes after a week ago, Justin Jiminez was shot and killed in Redmond Dirt World. KTVZ News spoke with Justin’s mother.

We’ll update you with new information as we get it.

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Triton Notary

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ)– Oregon’s “Motor Voter” program, the system that automatically registers eligible voters through the DMV, is now up for public debate.

State election officials held a public hearing this week in Salem, inviting citizens to share their views on proposed rule changes to the program. The Secretary of State’s Office says the updates are meant to strengthen the accuracy, security, and oversight of voter registration.

The review comes after an independent audit found hundreds of people were mistakenly registered to vote through the program and a handful even cast ballots. The audit’s findings fueled renewed scrutiny over how voter eligibility is verified.

At the hearing, several citizens raised concerns about voter trust and verification. One speaker urged the state to take extra care to ensure only eligible citizens are registered, saying confidence in the system is vital to preserving election integrity.

Public comments on the proposed changes are being accepted through January 13th. Residents can find details and submit feedback through the Secretary of State’s website.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As child care providers across the country await clarity amid delayed and frozen federal funding, NeighborImpact said Wednesday it has received confirmation of a renewed $2.7 million federal grant that will enable its Head Start program to continue serving families in Central Oregon for the next five years. 

While NeighborImpact continues to assess how ongoing child care funding uncertainty may affect other programs, it said “this renewal provides continued, reliable early learning and care for families enrolled in Head Start.”

NeighborImpact Director of Marketing and Communications Rachel Haakenson told KTVZ News the grant awarded for 2026 totals $2,748,320.

“This is the same exact amount that was awarded in 2025 and is the first time in at least six years —possibly longer — that funding remained completely flat over the prior year,” she said.

The grant renewal supports NeighborImpact’s Head Start program in Crook and Deschutes counties, which currently serves 617 children and their families through early childhood education, health services, and family support. (Jefferson County is served by another grantee.)  

Head Start is a comprehensive early learning and family engagement program for children from birth to age 5. Designed to support families facing economic hardship, the program offers classroom- and home-based education and connects families to health screenings, nutrition support, and other resources that help children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and help parents build stability at home. 

“This funding allows us to continue doing what Head Start does best — supporting children’s development while partnering with families during some of the most formative years of a child’s life,” said Kim Brown, director of Head Start at NeighborImpact. “For the families we serve, Head Start isn’t just pre-school. It’s a foundation for long-term success.” 

NeighborImpact pointed out that it has continued to grow its early-learning services in Central Oregon. The organization recently opened its second Early Head Start Center, providing in-person care and education for 2- and 3-year-olds in classroom settings. 

Early Head Start centers are currently located in Redmond and Prineville, where families have access to reliable child care that allows parents to work. NeighborImpact is seeking funding to expand Early Head Start classrooms in Bend, La Pine and Sisters.  

“Especially in times of uncertainty, families need consistency,” said NeighborImpact Executive Director Scott Cooper. “This renewal allows us to continue providing stable, high-quality Head Start services that are proven and effective in ending intergenerational poverty.” 

NeighborImpact said the Head Start programs support children and families in Central Oregon by strengthening early learning and long-term well-being. The program takes a whole-family approach, offering support that extends beyond the classroom. 

NeighborImpact Head Start is accepting applications now. Families interested in enrolling their children can call 541-323-6543 or visit www.neighborimpact.org/headstart for more information. 

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding quotes from Senator Merkley and video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After weeks of confusion regarding the legality of hemp on a federal level, a new bill could bring clarity to consumers, producers, and dispensaries.

We’ve gone from “more relaxed” after 20-18, to an impending ban on hemp products in 20-25.

During the government funding bill votes, a provision was put in by Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell that would close the hemp loophole making it illegal.

Now both Oregon Senators are trying to keep the “more than one billion dollar industry” legal.

A new bill co-authored by Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden will create a federal framework to legalize hemp. 

Senator Merkley shares, the biggest concern is “Delta-8” that has circumvented other state’s laws

“My hope is to have a nationally regulated, market that, avoids the abuses that have occurred with delta-8 and youth, and delta-8 being a replacement for marijuana in states that don’t allow marijuana, which has made those states angry,” Senator Merkley told KTVZ News. “We can fix those things, and preserve a very healthy, profitable hemp market.”

The bill would also create guidelines on product and consumer safety, like making the federal legal age to be 21 like alcohol, and limiting its marketability to kids.

The bill would also create serving sizes for edible, inhalant, topical, and drinkable cannabinoids.

For example, edible cannabinoid products can not contain more than five milligrams of thc per serving, and a container can not have more than 50 milligrams. 

If it passes and becomes law, it’ll benefit producers by creating a nationwide market place for hemp products.

On the consumer side, it would create a database, like what we have in Oregon, that can track the entire journey from seed to sale.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall, with one of the agenda items centering on an amendment to the city’s agreement with Flock Group Inc. — the company providing automatic license plate reader technology for Bend Police.

The proposed amendment would modify the city’s existing contract with Flock, updating the hardware and software products used under the agreement. Officials say the change effectively replaces the older equipment and software with new products while keeping the rest of the contract intact.

KTVZ News will be there, focusing on what the amendment means for transparency, technology use, and public safety here in Bend.

You can watch the meeting online at https://www.youtube.com/live/3CTAuN76Opw

Catch Tracee’s Tuesday full report tonight on our FOX and NBC affiliates during the 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said the department began using four Flock cameras six months ago at the entrances and exits from town. She said the license plate readers are used in criminal investigations, where they are looking for specific vehicles.

Some residents critical of the city’s contract with Flock planned to speak to councilors as well, noting that several cities in Oregon and elsewhere have dropped or paused use of their cameras in recent months amid concerns over who would have access to the license plate and other data.

Miller told KTVZ News, “The Flock system is currently set to local lookup only. We did that as an additional safeguard in December, though previously we did have it set to share with Oregon agencies.”

Miller also stressed that the Flock camera system is not the one being used by city contractor Vierra Mobility for the police department’s new Automated Traffic Enforcement system. Bend Police said in their fourth-quarter report that those red-light and speed cameras will go live this month at three locations: NE 27th Street and Neff Road, SE Third Street and Reed Market Road, and SE Powers Road and Business 97.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners plans to hold a public hearing next Wednesday to consider proposed wildfire mitigation standards for new residential construction in unincorporated areas of the county.

Last fall, following the repeal of the Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map with Senate Bill 83, county commissioners directed staff to modify building codes to reduce wildfire risk in the community.

Staff proposed amending the county code to align with state wildfire mitigation standards in Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC).

Last month, the Deschutes County Planning Commission held a public hearing and, after deliberation, voted unanimously to recommend that the board approve the proposed amendments.

If adopted by commissioners, the standards would apply to all new residential construction in unincorporated Deschutes County, including some accessory structures.

Key requirements include:

Roofing: Requires noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials, such as asphalt shingles, slate shingles, metal, tile or other approved roofing.

Exterior Walls: Exterior wall coverings or wall assembly should use noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials.

Glazing: Exterior windows, skylights, and glass in exterior doors must be tempered, multilayered, glass block, or have a 20-minute fire rating.

Ventilation: All attic, soffit, and underfloor vents must use fine, noncombustible metal mesh or ember-resistant designs.

Gutters and Downspouts: Where provided, gutters and downspouts must be constructed of noncombustible materials and have means to prevent debris buildup.

Eaves, Soffits, and Cornices: No installation of ventilation openings on the underside of eaves, soffits, or cornices.

The public hearing will be held during the regular BOCC meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. in the Barnes Sawyer Room of the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St., Bend. The public is invited to attend in person or virtually.

Virtual log-in information and the meeting agenda, including the specific hearing time, can be found at www.deschutes.org/meetings.

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