Author: KTVZ

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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Triton Notary

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. –(KTVZ)– The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and BuildUp Oregon have committed $7.4 million in grants and loans to 9 projects across the state. These are innovative projects that bring early care and education together with affordable housing. Out of the 9 projects, one is in Deschutes County.

Below is the list of all nine projects. Highlighted is the Deschutes County project.

Projects with funding commitments:

Community Partners for Affordable Housing Meadowlark Place Head Start  $750,000 in Beaverton, OR (Washington County)Community Partners for Affordable Housing and DCM Communities are partnering with Community Action to co-locate a new Head Start facility with 104 units of senior housing. The center will offer three classrooms serving preschool-aged children and include ample indoor and outdoor play areas.

Home ForwardImmigrant and Refugees Community Organization (IRCO)$850,000 in Gresham, OR (Multnomah County)Home Forward and IRCO are co-developing a new early care and education center within a 60+ unit affordable housing project. Integrated into the ground floor of the building, the center will support four classrooms with culturally specific programming, as well as education and workforce development for immigrant and refugee families.

Housing WorksAntler Head Start$750,000 in Redmond, OR (Deschutes County)Housing Works will construct a Head Start facility in Redmond with three classrooms operated by NeighborImpact. The project will be part of a larger neighborhood development that includes 18 affordable for-sale homes by Rooted Homes and 60 affordable rental housing units from Housing Works.

Lighthouse DevelopmentWillamette Education Service District$850,000 in Salem, OR (Marion County)Lighthouse Development will build an early care and education center on a site with 180 affordable housing units. The center will be operated by the Willamette Education Services District (WESD). They will have a total of four classrooms that serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as plans to tailor their classrooms to serve children with disabilities.

Home Forward / Killingsworth HousingNative American Youth And Family Center (NAYA)$207,000 in Portland, OR (Multnomah County)NAYA is co-developing and will operate a new early care and education center within Killingsworth Housing, an affordable housing development in partnership with Home Forward and Portland Community College. The development will have 74 affordable housing units, and the center will include three classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This program offers culturally specific programming in partnership with Early Head Start and Preschool for All.

Habitat for Humanity of NewbergHead Start of Yamhill County$700,000 – Dundee, OR (Yamhill County)Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity, Head Start of Yamhill County, and Newberg First United Methodist Church are partnering to develop a three-story building in downtown Dundee. The housing development will include four 2-story condominium homes. On the ground floor, the project will house two Head Start classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Our Coastal Village with Affiliate Chestnut Management LLCElm Park Learning Center$1,430,000 in Florence, OR (Lane County)Our Coastal Village, Inc. will co-locate an early care and education facility in an affordable housing development that includes a mix of 32 two- and three-bedroom units. The facility will partner with two child care operators, Stepping Stones and Head Start of Lane County, and will have a total of four classrooms.

Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI)Learning Train Academy$850,000 in Portland, OR (Multnomah County)PCRI will include an early care and education center in the historic Williams & Russell Affordable Rental Housing project. The facility will be integrated into this dynamic community development with 85 affordable apartments units and offer culturally specific programming through its operator, Learning Train Academy.

Edlen + CoOregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC)$850,000 in Ashland, OR (Jackson County)OCDC will operate a new child care center as part of a mixed-income 100-unit housing development led by Sunstone Housing Collaborative. The center will have two classrooms, one for preschoolers and one for infants and toddlers. The co-located site will support working families — including housing for teachers in the Ashland School District — and offer integrated services in a growing community hub.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

About BuildUp Oregon 

BuildUp Oregon is composed of four Community Development Financial Institutions. Its members are Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), Craft3, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH), and Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF). Together, these organizations are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to high-quality childcare and supporting the growth and development of early care and education providers.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Continuing to respond to a shrinking food supply due to federal cutbacks, NeighborImpact announced Thursday the cancellation of two food distribution programs in the region.

A mobile pantry distribution in Redmond, currently based at the American Legion and providing food to an average of 277 individuals monthly, will cease after Thursday, the organization said. A second produce distribution program, Fresh Express Home Delivery, will also end on June 27. That program feeds 380 homebound individuals each month.

NeighborImpact previously announced that reductions in federal commodity distribution have reduced the food supply to the region. NeighborImpact’s 59 partner food pantries were informed on March 21 that food supplies would be reduced by approximately 17 percent going forward unless and until commodity distribution through the federal Commodity Credit Corporation is resumed.

In April, the reduction in food supply was even more severe than expected — 25 percent.

Food distributed by NeighborImpact is sourced from federal commodities distributed through the Oregon Food Bank, local grocery stores and community donations.

NeighborImpact purchases additional food each month to provide a consistent source of groceries to food-insecure Central Oregonians.

As the regional food bank, NeighborImpact gathers more than 4 million pounds of food annually and redistributes it through partner agencies and its own mobile pantry program. Partner agencies collect another 2.4 million pounds, to supplement the food obtained through NeighborImpact. The system as a whole is feeding around 80,000 people monthly.

“We are very sorry to have to discontinue these distributions,” said Carly Auten, Director of Food Programs for NeighborImpact. “We know how important they are.”

“Food bank visitors tell us at every distribution why the food they receive is essential to balancing household budgets and supplementing SNAP purchases with healthy and nutritious alternatives that often can’t be afforded with their current income and high living costs. We’ve put this off as long as we can, but the food just isn’t there, despite spending thousands of dollars a week to fill in the cuts from the federal level.”

NeighborImpact has been signaling to federal and state legislators that a reduction in federal commodities would eventually mean a reduction in food distribution in the region, said Scott Cooper, Executive Director of NeighborImpact.

Cooper also expressed concern about continuing federal talk of reducing SNAP benefits, reducing housing subsidies and reducing help with energy assistance. “Those types of cuts mean more money out of pocket, and that means more pressure on local food banks,” Cooper said.

“Our system was designed to be a supplement to SNAP benefits, not to replace them. Faith and philanthropy partners have been amazing at supporting us as the food system has expanded,” Cooper said, “but there isn’t much more capacity there, especially in light of the many other cutbacks to which they are being forced to respond.”

Auten said, “Unless we see a change in food supply at the federal level or an increase in community donations, these cutbacks could be just the beginning of changes to free food distributions in Central Oregon.”

About NeighborImpact: NeighborImpact is a private non-profit governed by a board of directors drawn from across the community. Since 1985, NeighborImpact has led the region in developing solutions and bringing resources to Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We help meet the basic needs of Central Oregonians, build economic security and create a community where everyone thrives. NeighborImpact receives federal, state and local grants, foundation grants and donations from individuals and businesses in our community. To learn more about NeighborImpact please visit www.neighborimpact.org.

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