Author: KTVZ

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The red carpet rolled out Saturday night at the Riverhouse Lodge for a special celebration, the second annual “Permission to Dance” prom, created for people with disabilities to enjoy a night of music, dancing, and connection.

From sparkling dresses to smiling faces, guests experienced a full prom experience — complete with a DJ, photo booth, food, and plenty of fun giveaways.

“I have been waiting for this day,” said Lydia, one of the prom participants. Another attendee, Makaio, said his favorite part was meeting the DJ and even getting a chance to pick a song to play.

The evening wasn’t just memorable for participants, but for their families as well.

“And just to bring some joy in the lives of these kids,” said Wendy Edde, mother of one of the participants. “It’s all inclusive, and it’s wonderful to see the community come together and really support.”

Volunteers and community members made sure every guest felt celebrated. Carlie Shields, who flew home from college just to help with the event, said it was worth every mile.

“It’s very meaningful, because it’s giving kids an opportunity to express themselves in ways they may not feel comfortable in other settings,” Shields said.

Of course, no prom would be complete without a King and Queen — and plenty of smiles on the dance floor.

Every person who attended left with a story to tell — and a memory to keep — from a night where everyone truly had “permission to dance.”

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Second Annual Permission to Dance Prom will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at The Riverhouse in Bend, Ore. Due to the event’s popularity, it is currently full.

Scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the prom provides attendees with a traditional dance experience in a supportive and welcoming environment. The evening will feature a live DJ, an energetic dance floor, appetizers, desserts, and a photo booth to document the celebration.

KTVZ’s Spencer Sacks will be at the prom and will have a full report from the sights and sounds of the fun event. Tune in tonight for KTVZ News at 10pm on Fox and KTVZ News at 11pm on NBC.

The prom is completely free of charge for all participants. This accessibility is maintained through donations from individuals, businesses and community partners throughout Central Oregon’s three counties.

Major sponsors for the 2026 event include The Riverhouse and the Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon. Various other organizations committed to inclusive community programming also provided support for the evening.

Robert Tadjiki, the event organizer, emphasized that creating environments where individuals with disabilities feel accepted requires active planning. He noted that the prom serves as a significant opportunity for connection within the region.

“Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to truly be themselves and feel accepted in their community don’t just happen—they take intention and effort,” Tadjiki said. “That’s what makes this night so meaningful. Permission to Dance Prom is a chance for people from across Central Oregon to experience the joy of dancing, connection and celebration. It’s not just a gift for those attending—it’s a reminder for all of us to celebrate life, inclusion and what it means to belong.”

Organizers hope to grow the event each year. They plan to use the annual celebration to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive community experiences for individuals with disabilities.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A longtime downtown Bend dining spot is getting a fresh new identity.

Drake, located on Northwest Wall Street, will serve its final meals Sunday (April 12, 2026) before temporarily closing for a full rebrand. The popular restaurant has been a staple in the downtown dining scene for years, known for its upscale comfort food and welcoming atmosphere.

KTVZ can exclusively reveal that when the restaurant reopens Memorial Day weekend, May 23 through 26, it will debut under a new name — Olive & May. Owners say the new concept will feature a refreshed menu and updated look, while keeping the same emphasis on local flavor and quality service.

In a statement, the owners said the rebrand reflects their goal to evolve with the community and continue offering a space for locals and visitors alike to enjoy downtown Bend’s growing dining scene.

Olive & May is expected to officially open Memorial Day weekend.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Verizon customers across Central Oregon are experiencing a service outage on Saturday.

Here’s what we know so far:

The outage began around 10 p.m. Friday night and is affecting communities across Central Oregon and as far north as Salem. Verizon officials say they’re still investigating the cause and don’t yet know when service will be restored.

We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Furnish Hope in Bend was chosen for this month’s Pay It Forward segment, which recognizes individuals and organizations making a positive impact in the community.

Through the Pay It Forward initiative with Mid Oregon Credit Union and Dutch Bros Coffee, Furnish Hope received a $500 award. The organization helps transform empty houses into fully furnished homes for people in need.

“On behalf of Dutch Bros Coffee and Mid Oregon Credit Union we would like to give you this $500. Wow thank you,” representatives said during the presentation.

The donation will support Furnish Hope’s Match Program, which aims to raise $50,000 before its grand opening and the unveiling of a new warehouse. Executive Director Megan Martin is encouraging community members to join the effort and “pay it forward.”

“Take each of these $100 bills and invite the listeners out there to consider what your gift of $100 would do. Just imagine a $100 gift being multiplied dollars for dollar and turning into a $50,000 match. All we need are 500 people out there, 500 people that believe in the mission of what we do, which is bringing hope to people throughout our community by showing up with something so simple and basic as household furnishings,” Martin said.

Over the past seven years, Furnish Hope has furnished more than 3,000 homes for families in need.

More information and donation opportunities are available at furnishhope.com.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual national recertification event for the U.S. Forest Service Helicopter Rappel Program is planned next week west of Bend, adjacent to Forest Service Road 41.

The event is scheduled to start next Monday, April 13, and run through April 21, officials said Friday. Additional days are possible if weather impacts helicopter operations.

During the training dates, the public can expect to see up to six helicopters hovering in the air west of Forest Service Road 41 and south of the Cascade Lakes Highway at any given time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., including on weekends. 

While no trail or road closures are anticipated, officials say those recreating along Forest Service Road 41 and adjacent trails should adhere to any posted signage and avoid closed areas for their safety and the safety of training participants.

The national rappel event will provide certification for 65 spotters and 185 veteran rappellers. 

Rappellers are aerial-delivered wildland firefighters who rappel out of a helicopter to fight wildfires that are often in remote, difficult-to-reach locations.

In addition to initial attack, rappel crews also respond to large fires, all-hazard incident operations, and resource management objectives.

For further questions, contact the Deschutes National Forest at (541) 383-5300.

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Barney Lerten

WASCO COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual or individuals suspected of contaminating a pond with spray foam near the White River Wildlife Area in Tygh Valley.

On March 26, several cans of spray foam were located in a small pond bordering the White River Wildlife Area, OSP said in a news release.

OSP says the cans had been compromised, causing the foam to leak into the water. It appeared that the cans and foam had been there for several days prior to their discovery.

Information leading to the identification and citation or arrest of the individuals could yield a reward of $300.

Anyone with information can email a tip to TIP@osp.oregon.gov​ or contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Reference case number SP26-100289.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf$400 Game Fish & Shellfish$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County commissioners recently received a report on cannabis use by young people and are urging parents and caregivers to learn more about the risks it poses.

At an April 1 board meeting, Deschutes County Health Services shared emerging medical findings, scientific data and local public health concerns about adolescent cannabis use in the county, officials said in a news release Friday that continues in full below:.

Staff said early cannabis use has been linked to a greater risk of mental health problems, including anxiety and mood changes, and may also affect school performance and physical health.

Following the presentation, commissioners encouraged parents and caregivers to learn more about the risks of cannabis (marijuana) use.

“Preventing adolescent cannabis use takes education, strong community support and informed families,” said Deschutes County Prevention and Health Promotion Program Manager Jessica Jacks. “Parents and caregivers have the biggest influence on whether a young person uses cannabis, alcohol or other drugs before age 21.”

Highlights from the presentation include:

The latest data show 8% of Oregon youth ages 12 to 17 and 24% of adults ages 18 and older reported cannabis use.

Youth who regularly use cannabis before age 18 are more likely to develop cannabis use disorder later in life.

Cannabis use may worsen outcomes for youth with symptoms of psychosis and may be linked to earlier first episodes of psychosis.

New evidence shows chronic cannabis use, especially during early adolescence, may raise the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia.

Cannabis products today are more potent than in past decades, raising new concerns about health effects and risk.

The legal age to buy and use retail cannabis in Oregon is 21 and older. Deschutes County encourages families to stay informed, talk openly with their children and seek support when needed.

The county’s Prevention and Health Promotion Team works collaboratively with the Shared Future Coalition to help prevent youth substance use, including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and other drugs.

The coalition brings together local leaders from business, government, schools, health care, law enforcement, faith groups, media, parents and youth to reduce substance misuse through education, community engagement and policy.

For more information, visit sharedfuturecoalition.org. To view Health Service’s cannabis impact presentation, visit deschutes.org/meetings – or view below:

Cannabis presentationDownload

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Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department will close a section of Huntington Road near the Three Rivers community for two weeks, from next Monday through Sunday, April 26, for construction work tied to the South Century Drive/Huntington Road roundabout project. 

Huntington Road will be closed to all traffic from the South Century Drive intersection to about 500 feet south of the intersection, officials said Friday. Drivers can detour around the closure using Vandevert Road, U.S. Highway 97 and State Recreation Road (see map). 

Along with the Huntington Road closure, the county says drivers should also expect a continuous single-lane closure on the north and west sides of the South Century Drive intersection from April 13-26.

A temporary traffic signal will guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during busy travel times. 

For more information about travel impacts on county roads, visit the Deschutes County Road Department news and closures page, or email road@deschutescounty.gov.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Officials in Redmond are moving forward with plans to clear a large homeless encampment at an eastside industrial site–a cleanup that will cost $150,000.

Desert Rise Industrial Park

It’s scheduled for June at the Desert Rise Industrial Park, where approximately 90 people are currently living. Notices have already been issued requiring residents to vacate the property by June 15th.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said the decision is firm.

“We have to do this,” Fitch said. “It’s not a question of if. It’s a question of must.”

Residents Face Uncertainty

For those living at the site, the upcoming deadline brings uncertainty. Steve Dominguez, who has stayed at the site for about six months, said many residents are unsure where they will go next.

“A lot of these people probably are not sure where they’re going to go,” Dominguez said.

Steve Dominguez

He described his experience living at the site as difficult.

“It’s a nightmare for me because I’m not used to being out here,” he said, adding that he values having his own space but finds the environment at the site stressful and unpredictable.

“Out here, people are going to do what they’re going to do.” he said.

City Cites Safety and Property Concerns

The city says the cleanup is necessary to prepare the land for future manufacturing businesses and to address ongoing safety and sanitation issues.

Trash at Desert Rise Industrial Park

Mayor Fitch emphasized that public safety and protection of private property are the city’s top priorities. He pointed to concerns about dangerous conditions and widespread trash accumulation at the site.

“The primary responsibility for any local government, any government, that is, is the safety of our citizens and the protection of private property. That goes true for the city. It goes true for the county. We’ve had a lot of testimony about danger out there,” Mayor Fitch said. “That’s another aggravation is that, you know, there’s just a lot of garbage out there. And that should not be.”

He also acknowledged that the cleanup will come with other implications.

No Delay Expected

Mayor Fitch said there is no plan to postpone the cleanup.

“The simple answer is no,” he said when asked about a possible delay.

Mayor Ed Fitch

He acknowledged that closing the site could shift challenges into surrounding areas, including county-managed land, but said the city will coordinate with county officials moving forward.

“We are cognizant that this is shifting the issue from some city property over into the county. We’re going to work with the county. First we have to see what happens,” Mayor Fitch said. “Some of these people are not going to want to be in a managed camp or any kind of place with rules and regulations. So there’s not much we can do for them, but they need to be off of this property. Others who need help, we’ll work with the county on doing that. We’ll work with the providers on making sure that happens, as well as it can be. It’s just going to be a difficult summer.”

Outreach and Limited Options

Before the closure, outreach teams from local resource centers are expected to connect with residents to offer assistance and alternative options.

Mayor Fitch noted that some individuals may choose not to enter structured or managed environments.

“There’s a lot of people out there who don’t want to live under rules and regulations. But people who do want to have safety and some management, some case work, those places are going to be available for them,” he said.

New Managed Camp Opening Soon

A new managed camp is expected to open soon south of the industrial park along Highway 126 near the Redmond Airport. The site is intended to provide an alternative for those willing to relocate to a more structured setting.

Location of new managed camp

For residents like Dominguez, the situation remains uncertain.

“You just have to take it as it comes,” he said. “It’s a sad way to live. I wouldn’t want anybody to come out here and live like this. It’s pretty stressful. Gotta just live day by day and just hope for the best.”

City officials say the coming months will be challenging as the transition unfolds, with the cleanup marking a significant step in Redmond’s efforts to redevelop the industrial area while addressing homelessness in the region.

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John Carroll

Chief Meteorologist John Carroll stopped by to speak to the kinder kids at Culver Elementary School. What a great group of well behaved students. They asked many weather questions and became “Weather Detectives” and found all the clues needed to forecast the weather in Culver for the day.

John read them his children’s book, The Adventure of Robbie the Raindrop, which talks about the water cycle and how to recycle and keep our world green.

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