Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Shop with a Cop program will host a fundraiser this Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Elks Lodge to benefit local children. The event features a poker tournament starting at 3 p.m., an $80 buy-in, a 50-50 raffle and food.
Click here to follow the original article.Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — As fire season impacts Central Oregon, experts at Think Wild are advising residents on how to safely assist displaced wildlife while respecting evacuation zones and road closures. They’re also reminding people to not approach or handle wild animals unless they are in immediate danger, and to contatact wildlife professionals for guidance.
Click here to follow the original article.UPDATE: KTVZ News has obtained two preliminary review reports from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission concerning Nate Starr and Mark Laucks.
You can view the reports below:
Nathan Starr PRDownload 26-356PJS Mark Laucks PRDownloadUPDATE: The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Friday to launch a formal investigation into current and former board members of the Alfalfa Fire District Board. It encompasses multiple violations of the state’s public meetings law.
KTVZ News has learned Nate Starr, who recently resigned as board president; current acting board president Mark Laucks; and current board member Dustin Piggot are under investigation. Two previous board members who previously resigned are also named in the investigation.
In April, the commission launched an ethics investigation into former Fire Chief Chad LaValle on four separate counts of violations of Oregon ethics law, specifically violations tied to nepotism and misuse of office surrounding the hiring and supervision of his spouse.
Our reporting partners at the Prineville Review previously uncovered in their investigation LaValle’s spouse was being paid using monies from multiple grants provided by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.
In 2024 our investigative team was contacted by former staff members who claimed LaValle hired his wife without properly posting the position publicly.
During testimony to the commission on Friday, Nate Starr was the only individual who offered testimony in which he spent the majority of his allocated time being critical of the news media.
The Alfalfa Fire District has been the subject of significant controversy due to reporting by KTVZ News and our reporting partners at the Prineville Review; including revelations of numerous state investigations including election law violations, ethics issues, grant spending, nepotism and public meeting violations.
This is a developing story, Stay with the digital platforms of KTVZ News for urgent updates.
ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two newly elected board members join the Alfalfa Fire District governing board as the agency faces continued public scrutiny over its leadership, finances and operations.
Residents submit grievancesDuring a board meeting Wednesday, community members submitted a 60-page grievance document detailing complaints and demanding operational changes within the district.
The grievances follow months of public concern surrounding management of the fire district and former Fire Chief Chad LaValle. Those concerns contributed to the failure of a fire district levy earlier this year, which voters rejected amid tax concerns and questions about nonessential services.
You can read the full letter below.
Requested operational changesThe 60-page complaint outlines several requested changes. The document calls for updated district policies prohibiting volunteer firefighters from serving on the governing board and seeks the sale of specific equipment, including a ladder truck, two ambulances and a motorized gurney.
It also requests that district apparatus not be stored offsite without formal contractual agreements and appropriate insurance coverage.
Concerns over board membershipResident frustration has focused in part on board member Mark Laucks, whose position has drawn concerns because he is a volunteer firefighter.
Laucks addressed the document during Wednesday’s meeting.
“We will certainly give this a really thorough review and we will address these matters,” Laucks said. “We will come up with a plan to address these items individually.”
State raises reporting concernsThe fire district has also faced scrutiny from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office over missing financial reporting. State officials sent a letter asking why annual reports had not been filed for three consecutive years and notified Deschutes County that it should initiate dissolution procedures as required.
The district later provided annual reports for 2022 and 2023, but documentation for 2024 and 2025 has not been provided.
In a statement on the filing delays, Deschutes County officials said that, to the best of their knowledge, the Secretary of State’s immediate concern about the district’s financial audit documents and untimely submissions was addressed by former Fire Chief LaValle.
Board review plannedBoard members plan to review the grievance document and develop individual responses to the issues raised by residents.
READ THE FULL LETTER HERE:
AFD Residents’ ConcernsDownload Click here to follow the original article.BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, launched his “Stop the Corruption” town hall tour in Bend, meeting with local residents to discuss concerns regarding federal government operations and policy.
The town hall lasted close to an hour and drew a largely full audience. Central Oregon residents spoke with the senator on a range of topics impacting the region, including the cost of living and concerns regarding the Trump administration.
During the event, Merkley conducted an interactive poll, asking residents to place stickers on items representing what they considered their primary concern regarding federal corruption.
Merkley explained that the tour was launched to gather direct input from community members. “The specific mission was to come over and hold a town hall related to the issue of growing corruption in our federal government,” Merkley said. “And and just hear from folks about what they’re observing, what they’re feeling, how they think we should tackle it.”
The event is part of a series of visits Merkley has made to Central Oregon in recent months. He stated that visiting communities in person is essential for advocating on behalf of the state.
“It’s important because you need to be able to be as effective and advocate as you can,” Merkley said. “And to do that, you have to go and see what’s going on. You have to check in with the local officials and see what’s happening. You have to talk to the Red cross about the evacuations. You have to visit fire crews. Maybe you need to breathe in some of the smoke and know how real it is to have, you know, so many fires burning at once and so many large fires. And and so I think it makes me more effective in fighting for Oregon.”
Merkley is up for election later this year as he seeks another term representing Oregon in the U.S. Senate.
Click here to follow the original article.OREGON (KTVZ) — As wildfires and smoke continue to impact Oregon, health officials are reminding people to take care of their mental health, too.
The Oregon Health Authority says wildfires can cause stress, anxiety, grief and trouble sleeping, even for people who aren’t directly affected by a fire.
Officials recommend staying connected with friends and neighbors and maintaining routines when possible. They also say having an evacuation plan can help reduce stress.
For anyone struggling, help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. OHA says people can also call 211 for help finding local resources.
Click here to follow the original article.Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum is introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding investment options for credit unions.
Bynum and Republican Congresswoman Young Kim of California introduced the Credit Union Investment Authorities Act.
The bill would allow federally chartered credit unions to invest in corporate bonds and asset-backed securities.
Supporters say that could help credit unions offer more competitive savings and loan products to their members.
The bill would also limit investments in a single issuer and give the national credit union administration authority to set safeguards.
Click here to follow the original article.BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –The Bend-La Pine School District is changing how their students use technology with one simple adjustment.
As part of getting ready for the next school year, the tech department is preparing 139 iPad charging carts.
In previous years, older students were permitted to bring their iPads home
Under the new policy, iPads will remain on school grounds and will only be used when instructed by teachers.
District leaders said the shift aims to help students approach classroom technology with greater focus. Stephen DuVal, Executive Director of Middle Schools for Bend-La Pine Schools, spoke on the change.
“But in terms of, really being specific with how it’s used, this will increase that specificity,” DuVal said. “And they’ll be a lot more. I think, directed learning where when the iPad is taken out, it is much more it’s, it’s done with much more thoughtful intent.”
Nearly every student in the district is assigned an individual iPad. The devices are equipped with content filters to prevent access to certain content. The district retains the technical capability to track or lock down devices if they are lost or stolen. District officials also noted that iPads are harder to damage than traditional laptops because they have less moving parts, and no physical keyboard. Even though the screens are the most damaged component, they say they can replaced through Apple Care quickly
Click here to follow the original article.PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Highway 26 between Prineville and Mitchell reopened Thursday, August 13th, following a closure due to wildfires.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office announced the re-opening, and also stated that the Marks Creek Community along Highway 26 has been reduced to Level 2 – BE SET.
The department also asked residents to please continue to stay alert and use caution in areas where fire crews are working.
Click here to follow the original article.BEND, Ore. — Furnishings from the former Shilo Inn in Bend are getting a second life as a community effort helps move donated items from the former hotel to benefit Central Oregonians in need.
Local nonprofit Furnish Hope is receiving furnishings from the property, including mattresses, accent chairs, kitchen tables, pillows, microwaves and patio furniture.
Volunteers are working alongside Furnish Hope to remove the items from the former hotel, giving furnishings that once filled its rooms a new purpose.
The donation supports Furnish Hope’s mission of transforming empty living spaces into welcoming homes for people throughout Central Oregon.
The nonprofit is also looking toward the future as renovations continue on its new permanent home. Furnish Hope hopes to move into the new space in 2027, creating a community hub where the people it serves can connect with volunteers and choose furnishings for their homes.
The organization says the new space will help it expand its reach while continuing to provide furniture and household essentials to people in need.
Watch the video above for KTVZ’s Lance Campbell’s full story on the community effort and how furnishings from the former Shilo Inn are being given a new purpose.
Click here to follow the original article.REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan met with local business leaders and workers during a campaign stop in Redmond on Wednesday. The event lasted nearly 2 hours as Drazan spoke directly with Central Oregon community members.
The gathering covered a range of statewide issues, including education, the business climate and voting. Drazan has made multiple visits to the region this season, having previously campaigned in Redmond during the primary season and visited for Fourth of July festivities.
The gubernatorial election is a rematch of the 2022 contest, when Tina Kotek won the governor’s race in a close vote.
Drazan emphasized her commitment to representing voters throughout the entire state during her visit to Central Oregon. “I love all of Oregon. And I’m going to fight for all of Oregon. And I think that people across our state need to know that I want to hear them and I’m here to serve them and fighting for the future of our state to ensure that this is the best state in the nation To live,” Drazan said.
She also criticized political leaders who overlook rural areas, adding, “It’s really it’s really unfortunate for the politicians that refuse to recognize that there is a state beyond the Cascades.”
Residents who attended the event expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hear from Drazan and voiced hope that she will make further visits to the area during the campaign.
Click here to follow the original article.
