Author: KTVZ

Isabella Warren

Isabella Warrenvisited the site of a burn near Sisters; her report on KTVZ News at Five

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest conducted two more prescribed burn operations Tuesday on the Crescent and Sisters ranger districts. 

Firefighters on the Crescent Ranger District planned to conduct up to 42 acres of ignitions on the Sting 16 Prescribed Burn, located about 12 miles southwest of Crescent and two miles south of the Two Rivers subdivision.

The prescribed burn unit is located between OHV Trails #13 and #39. No closures are anticipated for these trails; however, officials say the trails may have some smoke impacts during and after ignitions. Smoke will be visible from Highway 97 and 58 and the surrounding area.  

Residents in Two Rivers, Crescent Lake and Crescent are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Also on Tuesday, after a successful test firing, the Sisters Ranger District conducted 91 acres of prescribed burning on SAFR 240, two miles southwest of Sisters and one mile southwest of the Crossroads subdivision, at the intersection of Forest Service Road 15 and FSR 1512 near Sisters Cow Camp.

The burn was complete by early Tuesday afternoon and crews were transitioning to cooling down hot spots and securing the perimeter.

Smoke was visible from Sisters and the surrounding area. No road or trail closures are anticipated; however, smoke may impact FSR 15.

Isabella Warren is getting a behind-the-scenes look at this season’s prescribed burns for a report tonight on KTVZ News at 5:00 p.m..

Drivers should use caution when traveling in the area. Residents in the Crossroads subdivision, Sisters and the surrounding area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed, to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. 

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when the weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.  

What does this mean for you? 

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.  

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. 

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best when running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner. 

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible. 

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating. 

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional. 

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources. 

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts. 

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Barney Lerten

 MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles’ new community pharmacy in Madras opened to the public on Monday, bucking the nationwide trend of pharmacy closures and helping fill a critical health need for the region.

“Today is an exciting day for our community and St. Charles, as we are opening a pilot community pharmacy in Madras to help increase access to medicine for Central Oregonians,” said Todd Shields, vice president and hospital administrator for St. Charles Madras.

“We are tremendously grateful to the organizations that supported the effort to open a new pharmacy, including the Central Oregon Health Council, Roundhouse Foundation, Bean Foundation and Mid Oregon Credit Union. Thanks to this outpouring of support, we are able to provide this much-needed service to the residents of Jefferson County.” 

St. Charles had announced in early January its plans to open the pharmacy at the site of the former Hometown Drug, near downtown and just three blocks from St. Charles Madras.

The new pharmacy is located at 65 N.E. Oak Street, Suite 100 and will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pharmacy will fill prescriptions (in store and via a drive-up window) and provide immunizations, medication management, injections for long-term care needs and retail sales for over-the-counter medicine and durable medical equipment (like crutches or walkers). 

Learn information about how to fill a prescription at the new pharmacy and other details on their webpage.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, owns and operates hospital campuses in Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond, along with primary and specialty care clinics throughout the Central Oregon region. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,900 caregivers. We proudly partner with our local medical community to provide a wide variety of health services. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Calfiornia woman and a Redmond man entered not-guilty pleas Monday in the fatal early-January shooting of a Bend man at the Holiday Motel and their joint trial was set for July of next year. 

Few words were spoken by either co-defendant Monday as each appeared by video from the Deschutes County Jail for their back-to-back hearings before Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott. Jessica Mae Sanders of Clearlake, Calif., turned 31 last Thursday, the same day that Jason Newton Loun turned 39, court records show. 

The pair were named jointly in an amended indictment last month. They each face the same six charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, in the killing of Robert Lewis Treher, 34. 

Herriott scheduled a six-day jury trial for July 14, 2026. A motion and status check hearing is set for Sept. 15 and a trial readiness hearing a week before the trial is set to begin. 

Prosecutors said at a March hearing that Loun allegedly drove Sanders to the SE Third Street motel, where she entered Treher’s room and stole several items, then shot him with a 9 mm handgun. Loun is accused of finding and threatening Treher, and driving Sanders to and from the scene. 

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KGW

(Update: Mass stabbing suspect identified as Bend man; more details)

SALEM, Ore. (KGW) — A Bend man has been identified by police as the man who  stabbed a dozen people Sunday night at a men’s shelter in Salem, one more than initially reported. Five remain in critical condition, Salem police said Monday morning. 

Police identified the suspect who is in custody as Tony Latrell Williams, 42, of Bend. A preliminary investigation suggests that it was not a targeted attack, but the investigation is ongoing. 

“Last night, a terrible thing happened in Salem,” Salem Mayor Julie Hoy told reporters Monday morning. 

At about 7:15 p.m., Salem police officers responded to a report that multiple people had been stabbed at the Union Gospel Mission Salem of Men’s Mission, which is located at 777 Commercial Street Northeast.

Salem police on Sunday night said 11 victims were taken to Salem Health, each with “varying types of injuries.” One additional victim was discovered when officers were interviewing witnesses, Salem Police Deputy Treven Upkes said while speaking with reporters Monday morning.

The victims include two Union Gospel Mission staff members and 10 guests who were at the shelters or were sitting outside, Upkes said. All are men between the ages of 26 and 57.

Upkes said Williams was traveling on an inter-city bus service from Portland to Deschutes County when he got off in Salem on Saturday. Reportedly, he arrived at the shelter Sunday evening just before police received reports of the attack. 

He faces charges on 12 counts of second-degree assault, a Class B felony. Salem police said the investigation remains ongoing and charges could be upgraded. 

Police said at this time, they do not know the motive or circumstances that led up to the attack.

Hoy said she first learned of the incident late Sunday night via a text. She said she experienced “shock and disbelief” that something like this could happen. 

“Most concerned with those who are still in the hospital and those who were just there,” she said. “It’s a difficult thing to process.”  

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court later Monday. 

The men’s shelter opened in 2021, replacing a decades-old facility and nearly doubling the mission’s shelter capacity with 284 beds in the 57,000-square-foot facility.

KGW’s Sabinna Pierre contributed reporting to this article. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Police tell KTVZ suspect made ‘general,’ not specific threat)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An armed Bend man was arrested Friday afternoon and taken to St. Charles Bend for evaluation after allegedly threatening to commit a mass shooting after an argument with family members, police said Monday.

Shortly before 1 p.m., police received a report of a man who had contacted a family member to report he was planning to execute a mass shooting after an argument with family members, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

The 36-year-old man was known to own multiple firearms, she said.

Later Monday, Miller told KTVZ News: “His threat was not specific to any particular group of people, it was general (not directed at his family – just to kill multiple people).”

Miller said officers responded to the man’s home in the 3000 block of NE Waller Avenue, where they were able to see his white pickup truck parked in the driveway.

One officer put a drone in the air while another observed from a distance, Miller said. They saw him leave the home, carrying an AR-15-style rifle and a duffel bag and wearing a ballistic vest. He then removed the vest, placed it in the vehicle and got into the truck to leave.  

But while he was still in the driveway, officers stopped the truck and ordered him out at gunpoint, and he complied without incident, Miller said. He was taken into custody and transported to St. Charles Bend for evaluation. Miller told KTVZ News on Monday, “It’s my understanding he remains under medical care.”

Officers searched the man’s vehicle and home, and also applied for and were granted an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). That’s a court order preventing a person at risk of hurting themselves or another person from having or getting access to deadly weapons like firearms.  

Miller said the suspect was arrested on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct and unlawful use of or carrying a weapon. KTVZ News’ policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.

KTVZ News is following up on this breaking news; we’ll have updates as we get them and on KTVZ News this evening.

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KRDO

WASHINGTON (KRDO) — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed federal charges against Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the 45-year-old man accused of setting people on fire in Boulder on Sunday.

The FBI called it a targeted terror attack, as he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at people gathered for a demonstration in support of the Israeli hostages. Soliman’s criminal complaint alleges he yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.

The DOJ is seeking federal hate crime charges, according to court records.

pic.twitter.com/GmmP5VddGr

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2025

“(Soliman) stated that he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” the criminal complaint read. “Soliman stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again.”

According to the complaint, Soliman had allegedly been planning the attack for a year and waited until his daughter graduated to carry it out.

“The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world,” read a statement from Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This vile anti-Semitic violence comes just weeks after the horrific murder of two young Jewish Americans in Washington DC. We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe.” 

He reportedly traveled from his Colorado Springs home, where he lived with his wife and five kids, to Boulder.

Editor’s note: Previous information from the FBI spelled the suspect’s name as “Mohamed.” The criminal complaint spells his name “Mohammed.” Because a criminal complaint is a legal document, KRDO13 is currently reporting that spelling unless other information comes to light.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: family confirmation of passing, incident details, fundraising information)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The man pulled unconscious from the Deschutes River near Pioneer Park earlier this month has passed away, his family confirmed to KTVZ News this week.

They identified him as Adam Mott of Bend. He leaves behind many loved ones, including a young daughter. His family has set up a fundraiser for his cremation and funeral. Any remaining funds will be safely put away for his daughter. You can find the fundraiser here.

The family said they believe Mott slipped and hit his head while fishing, causing him to fall unconscious into the water.

Police responded to the area just north of the Portland Avenue bridge on Sunday, June 1st, after receiving a report of the incident. Officers found Mott unconscious and face-down in the water around 2 p.m. Once he was pulled from the river, responders were able to perform CPR and rush him to St. Charles Bend.

A family member told KTVZ News the day after the tragedy that Mott was an avid fisherman who was in the area to “cast a few lines.” The family said they want the incident to serve as a reminder to the community to be cautious while recreating on the river, especially when alone.

Pacific Park, slightly upriver from Pioneer Park, is a popular fishing spot. A man fishing in the area the day after the incident told KTVZ News that he casts a line in the area every time he visits Bend, and typically sees others up and down the river doing the same.

Though he said he personally has not seen this city stretch of river get treacherous, warning signs at the park remind visitors that the Deschutes is wild, and to recreate at your own risk. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update-Adding Video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital and conservation center, has admitted two orphaned bobcat kittens rescued from a highway rest stop for rehabilitation.

The young siblings were rescued after being found alone at a rest stop near Tygh Valley in Wasco County, with no sign of their mother, who is suspected to have been killed by a vehicle, the organization said Monday.

After an initial night in the care of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the kittens were transferred to Think Wild two weeks ago, on May 19. 

At intake, both kittens were estimated to be about four weeks old, underweight, hypothermic, and had diarrhea and external parasites. They had also been fed an inappropriate diet prior to arrival.

Since then, they have received around-the-clock care, including antiparasitic treatments, supportive fluids, proper nutrition, a bath, and their first round of vaccines. 

Over the past week, the kittens have shown promising signs of recovery.

“They are gaining weight steadily, their coats are cleaner and healthier, and they are beginning to exhibit more natural bobcat behaviors like hiding, hissing, and avoiding human presence,” said Savanna Scheiner, Lead Wildlife Technician at Think Wild.  

To minimize the risk of habituation, the kittens are cared for under strict protocols, including limited human interaction, use of camouflage gear, and grooming techniques that simulate maternal care. The tentative plan is to raise the kittens with as little human contact as possible and release them back into the wild after ample live prey testing and once they are old enough to survive on their own. 

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are elusive native predators found throughout Oregon. They are most active at dawn and dusk and prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Young bobcats remain with their mothers for 9–12 months to learn vital hunting and survival skills.

Orphaned kittens face extremely low survival chances in the wild without rehabilitation. With proper care, rescued bobcats can return to their natural habitat and play a vital role in balancing local ecosystems. 

To support the care of these young bobcats and other patients like them, Think Wild invites the community to make a donation to the nonprofit wildlife center. Contributions are tax-deductible and help cover food, medical treatment, and housing needs. Donations directly support the rehabilitation of Central Oregon’s native wildlife and can be made at www.thinkwildco.org/support-us/donate. 

About Think Wild 

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Bend. Their mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, outreach and education, and conservation. They provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. Wildlife conflicts or injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at (541) 241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM. Visit us online at thinkwildco.org, or on Instagram or Facebook @thinkwildco.   

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Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, comments from CET Director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — You can join Cascades East Transit for free bus rides during Try Transit Week, a community-wide celebration of public transportation throughout Central Oregon this week.

Enjoy free bus rides on all CET routes, extended service hours for Bend routes, and a week of transit-themed events and prize giveaways. Whether you’re a daily rider or new to CET, now is the perfect time to hop on board a CET bus to save money and help the environment.  

“We’re really just trying to get the word out. Have a few different fun activities to encourage ridership. And at the same time, it lines up with the expansion hours, which is the most critical element of getting back to a commuter-based system,” said director Bob Townsend.

Starting Monday, Bend Fixed Route service hours are extended during the mornings and evenings Monday-Friday to provide greater flexibility for commuters and riders who depend on transit. The new hours will start at 6:00am, with the last departure at 7:00pm at Hawthorne Station. 

“Most transit agencies within a year went back to their pre-COVID times. But here we are, five years later. And you know, it’s long overdue,” he added.

As the weather warms up, CET says some routes will see an increase in riders,

“Our hopes are that over time we start to increase summer usage because tourists who come in, it’s easy to ride the bus. They can just get an app on their phone and use our service.”

CET will be moving from free rides beginning this fall. Rides will be two dollars each, but riders who qualify can have their fares reduced to one dollar.

Here’s the rest of CET’s recent announcement:

Explore new opportunities to ride the bus in Bend and beyond by joining the Try Transit Challenge June 2-8. Sign up on Get There Oregon and log at least one round trip on a CET bus for a chance to win a $100 grocery store gift card and other great prizes! Be sure to stop by a CET event for trip planning assistance, schedule information, snacks, and prize giveaways.  

Try Transit Week activities include: 

“Perk and Ride” coffee kiosk and breakfast snacks at Hawthorne Station (334 NE Hawthorne Ave.) in Bend from 7:30am-9am for early morning bus commuters. 

Themed events at Hawthorne Station, Downtown Bend Library, OSU-Cascades, Central Oregon Community College, and the Redmond Transit Hub that include bike loading demos, trivia, snacks, and prizes. 

Celebrate with CET on Thursday, June 5 from 4-7 pm at Hawthorne Station for our main event that includes transit trivia, prize giveaways, tours of new Hawthorne Station amenities, snacks, and popsicles! 

A full list of Try Transit Week events is available at cascadeseasttransit.com/trytransit/. Follow us on Instagram @cascadeseasttransit, tag your ride with #TryTransit, and join the fun! 

Links and resources:  

Sign up for a free Get There Oregon account to log your trips at https://getthere.rideamigos.com/s/commute-options 

Visit CET’s Try Transit webpage for a list of events https://cascadeseasttransit.com/trytransit/ 

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KTVZ News Team

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The annual pop culture event, Beaver State Comic Con, made a return to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.

The convention kicked off Saturday with a special appearance from Jerry Mathers, best known as Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on the classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver.

Mathers is headlining a star-studded guest lineup that also includes Reb Brown, the action star who played Captain America in the 1979 television series.

Beaver State Comic Con is a multi-genre convention that celebrates everything from comic books and cosplay to movies, TV, and gaming. It’s a gathering place for fans of all ages to meet special guests, dress as their favorite characters, and explore all things nerd culture.

Autograph and photo opportunities with featured guests are available throughout the weekend.

The event runs from 10 am. to 5 p.m. and wraps up Sunday, June 1st.

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