Author: KTVZ

KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond has announced that the final segment of the reconstructed SW Reservoir Drive, from SW 43rd Street to SW 39th Street, reopened on Wednesday, wrapping up a two-year, $6.6 million project.

The full project corridor, extending from SW Helmholtz Way to SW 35th Street, has been upgraded to improve safety, mobility, and utility service reliability for all users, the city said in Friday’s news release, which continues in full below.

Phase 1 construction began in October 2023, covering the segment from SW Helmholtz Way to SW 43rd Street, and was completed in late 2024.  The second, final phase began last spring, focusing on the segment between SW 43rd Street and SW 39th Street, and included several major improvements: 

Roadway widening along SW Reservoir Drive, including the addition of dedicated bike lanes 

New sidewalks and ADA ramps to improve pedestrian access and connectivity 

Installation of underground utilities, including sewer, water, and stormwater facilities 

Other improvements included new sidewalk connections along Umatilla Avenue and the removal of a private water main, with affected residents transitioning to the city’s water system for improved efficiency. 

The city collaborated closely with the project’s design engineer and contractor, Taylor Northwest, during the winter of 2024–2025 to reassess and refine the roadway design. This partnership helped eliminate the need for major retaining walls and resulted in an updated roadway profile that enhances safety, drainage, and long-term maintainability.

The city extends its appreciation to Taylor Northwest for their flexibility and commitment to the success of this project. 

The total project cost of this infrastructure investment under the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) was approximately $6.6 million. For a detailed description of all the improvements completed, visit the project website at www.redmondoregon.gov/reservoirdrive. 

The City of Redmond said it would also like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation throughout the duration. Public understanding and support were essential in completing this important infrastructure improvement project. 

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Prineville church pastor who allegedly shot a neighborhood cat and placed in a church dumpster now faces a first-degree animal abuse charge.

The Prineville Review was first to report the charge against Jason Andrew Swick,48, this week, having confirmed the filing with Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn.

“The Crook County District Attorney’s Office has charged Jason Swick with one count of Animal Abuse in the First Degree,” said Hathorn. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and the cat’s owner as the prosecution and investigation continues. We are unable to comment further on the matter.”

The Oct. 22 charging document alleges Swick, pastor of the Prineville Church of Christ, “did unlawfully and recklessly cause serious physical injury or death to an animal.” Swick is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 3 on the charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

Swick is accused of shooting a cat named Pumpkin several times at his Prineville home in early September before placing the injured animal in a dumpster at the church.

The cat survived the shooting but suffered severe facial injuries that left him permanently blind.

Swick says on his church’s profile page that he is a basketball referee and substitute teacher at Crook County High School. The Prineville Review said state records confirmed he holds an active restricted substitute teaching license.

KTVZ News earlier worked alongside the Prineville Review to investigate the incident, which sparked a protest at the church. We asked the pastor for comment, to which he did not reply. However, he posted to his Facebook page that he believed the cat was feral and had been attacking his family’s chickens. The post later was deleted, but Swick expressed remorse over what happened.

Depending on the circumstances, the charge of first-degree animal abuse can be either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C felony, the Prineville Review reported. If convicted on the misdemeanor-level charge, Swick could be prohibited from owning any animals for up to five years under Oregon law.

Click here to follow the original article.

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Earth’s climate is changing. It always has, but this time, it’s warming. This warmer climate is already shaping the world in remarkable ways: earlier and hotter springs, more frequent wildfires, and an increase in extreme weather events. Among those most affected by these changes are some of nature’s smallest yet most essential agricultural workers — honey bees.

Honey bees spend their winters dormant, waiting for spring to begin their crucial work. As they gather nectar to make honey, they also provide an essential service — pollination — which supports crops and wildflowers across the globe.

It is a fragile balance each season, from the moment the bees emerge to the end of the growing cycle. Timing is everything. If flowers bloom too early in a warm spring, that delicate timing can fall out of sync, leaving colonies vulnerable. Beekeeper Allen Engle has seen the effects firsthand.

Engle told KTVZ News, “Things that I’ve noticed are the seasons seem to have shifted about two weeks. Seems like the first snow starts usually in the middle of December, and the spring comes a couple of weeks later — usually seems like the end of April, somewhere around there.”

As weather patterns grow more unpredictable, the relationship between bees and the plants they pollinate is being tested. A longer fall, for instance, can extend bee activity well past their normal period of rest. That may sound harmless, but it gives pests such as mites more time to weaken colonies.

And midwinter warm spells? Those bring their own dangers.

“Real quickly they will start eating up all of their food. If they go into the winter light in other words they don’t have enough food, they could easily eat up all of their food and then starve to death, even though they went into the winter healthy,” said Engle.

Even if the colony survives, these disruptions throw off natural rhythms.

Engle elaborated, “The ones I worry about are the native bees. Honey bees have us to take care of them. The native bees, though, they go out — they don’t store honey, only honey bees do that. But the native bees need to get food right away. They don’t have anything stored. They start flying out, there is no food, and they just starve to death.”

When flowers bloom before bees emerge, both honey bees and native bees find themselves without food. This reduces survival rates, weakens pollination, and threatens the balance of the ecosystem.

Another growing threat comes from wildfires. As they become more frequent and burn longer each year, smoke and heat interfere with bee health and behavior.

“I’m in a local bee club, and we have quite a few people who are pretty sure it is affecting what the bees are doing and just the health of the bees in general,” said Engle.

Nature runs on an intricate and reliable schedule. With each disruption in seasonal cycles, that harmony becomes harder to maintain — and the consequences ripple across the agricultural world.

One thing is for certain: these bees are very necessary to our environment, and we must do everything we can to keep them as safe as possible.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has approved $70,000 in county discretionary funds to support Central Oregon families facing food insecurity during the federal government shutdown.

The county has committed one-time payments of $35,000 each to NeighborImpact and The Giving Plate. 

“During this federal shutdown, it’s crucial for Deschutes County to step up and support organizations that ensure our families have enough to eat,” said Commissioner Patti Adair.

“With dramatic reductions in federal funding to our community for nutritional assistance, health care, and housing because of recent legislation, executive orders, and the current shutdown, local governments are doing what they can to take care of our community members,” said Commissioner Phil Chang. “These county investments can’t replace the millions of dollars of SNAP support hungry Deschutes County residents are missing out on, but we’re doing what we can.”

The board’s decision comes as federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has stalled, leaving many in our community in need. The demand for local food resources is also rising due to hundreds of federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay during the ongoing shutdown.

NeighborImpact, located in Redmond, offers food assistance and other aid across the community. More information on the organization’s services can be found at neighborimpact.org.

The Giving Plate, located in Bend, provides essential resources to feed families in need. More information can be found at thegivingplate.org.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County 9-1-1 reminded residents Thursday to use the correct non-emergency number: 541-693-6911. They said some online searches —including AI tools— are providing the wrong number.

According to the county, “9-1-1 staff have recently noticed more calls going to office lines that are not monitored after normal business hours. That can delay a response. Please call 541-693-6911, so your call reaches a dispatcher 24/7.”

Examples of non-emergencies:

Noise complaints after hours

Minor crashes with no injuries and no road blockage

Theft, vandalism or graffiti discovered after the fact

Parking issues or abandoned vehicles

Nuisance dog reports

“If a life is in danger or a crime is in progress, always call 9-1-1,” the county said. “For non-emergencies that need police, fire or medical help, please call 541-693-6911.”

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three men have been indicted on felony drug trafficking charges after a year-long investigation by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and federal Drug Enforcement Administration, authorities said Thursday.

Several narcotics units around the region helped iin the investigation that led to the Oct. 16 federal indictment of Andres Garcia-Mendoza, Julio Duran Vargas and Brett Mitchell Miller, Lt. Mike Landolt said in a news release.

The three men are all charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, Landolt said.

The case, which began in the summer of 2024, wrapped up last spring. It led to the seizure of more than 71 pounds of methamphetamine, more than five pounds of cocaine and more than two pounds of fentanyl across two states, along with the seizure of 16 guns.

Landolt said all ofl the weapons and most of the drugs were seized in the Central Oregon region. But beyond that, he said, specific dates, times and locations of the seizures won’t be released.

Garcia-Mendoza, who is believed to live in Mexico, previously was convicted of federal narcotics offenses in 2013, and is alleged to be the leader of the current drug ring, the lieutenant said.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: the Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard. 

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counter-drug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jia Asian Street Kitchen in southwest Bend has introduced a robot server, the first of its kind in Central Oregon. Her name is Baobao, and she’s quickly become part of the restaurant’s team.

Staff say Baobao isn’t replacing jobs, but instead making work smoother and faster for everyone. The robot helps deliver dishes, clear tables and even prevent collisions in the busy kitchen. That efficiency, employees say, gives them more time to connect with guests.

“It’s to the point where we call her ‘she.’ She’s just another one of us,” said server Daisy Sanchez. “We didn’t have a food runner to begin with, so thankfully Baobao hasn’t replaced anyone — but she’s definitely added an element of entertainment and safety. In the middle of a rush…I just see Baobao come out, and her little chime lets me know it’s time to drop off some food. It makes it easier to spend more time at the table and interact with guests.”

That interaction has brought some unexpected charm. Staff say Baobao has become a favorite among kids, who’ve even made her thank-you drawings after their meals.

While she may not be human, Baobao has changed the rhythm at Jia’s dining floor — bringing both fun and efficiency to the restaurant’s day-to-day routine.

The team says she’s here to stay, helping them handle busy rushes while giving diners a one-of-a-kind experience.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes Children’s Foundation and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery sounded an alarm in a joint statement Thursday.

They said families across Central Oregon are beginning to feel the effects of increasing barriers to accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits — including delays, reductions, and disrupted eligibility.

Both organizations warned that thousands of children and caregivers will experience immediate hardship if benefit instability continues, especially if benefits completely stop on Saturday, November 1. 

Here’s the rest of the two organizations’ joint statement:

“Families are already telling us they are being forced to choose between food, rent, medicine, or gas, and SNAP has made the difference between stability and crisis,” said Cassi MacQueen, executive director of DCF. “Nonprofits are stepping up every day, but we cannot replace SNAP. Cuts or delays to this program don’t just hurt budgets, they create trauma for children.” 

SNAP is widely considered the most critical anti-hunger program in the nation. In Central Oregon, it’s also deeply intertwined with child welfare, health stability, and economic resilience. When SNAP fails, the entire nonprofit network absorbs the shock. 

“We are already seeing families missing meals, skipping essentials, or delaying health care because they simply cannot stretch support far enough,” said Kara Tachikawa, Executive Director of MountainStar. “Families in crisis don’t have a margin. SNAP helps prevent abuse, neglect, and homelessness before they begin — it is a frontline child safety tool, not just a food benefit.” 

While nonprofits like DCF and MountainStar are committed to supporting families through crises, it’s important to be clear, nonprofits cannot replace SNAP or fill the gap when essential benefits are reduced, delayed, or denied.

Nonprofits can stabilize, prevent deeper harm, and respond quickly, but federal nutrition programs are the foundation that keep families from falling into hunger, homelessness, or child welfare involvement in the first place.  

“This is not about politics. It is about protecting children and stabilizing families before harm occurs,” said MacQueen. “DCF and MountainStar remain fully committed to serving this community, but we must name the truth: SNAP is essential, and Central Oregon cannot afford to let it fail.” 

About Deschutes Children’s Foundation 

Founded in 1990, Deschutes Children’s Foundation manages and maintains four nonprofit service centers in Bend, Redmond, and La Pine. By providing collaborative spaces and operational support, DCF empowers its 23 nonprofit partners to focus on their core missions, collectively serving over 19,000 vulnerable children and families each year. 

For more information, visit deschuteschildrensfoundation.org. 

About MountainStar Family Relief Nursery MountainStar has been serving Central Oregon families for 24 years, providing critical support to families with young children at the greatest risk of abuse and neglect. With five locations in La Pine, Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville, MountainStar offers therapeutic classrooms, home visits, parenting education, and essential resources to keep kids safe and help families thrive. For more information see: www.mtstar.org. 

Every year, MountainStar provides: 

support for over 1,300 young children and family members. 

more than 30,000 hours of direct therapeutic support. 

over 1,000 home visits to strengthen families. 

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A direction switch in the detour for the city of Bend’s Franklin Avenue Improvements Project is being delayed by two days, to next Wednesday, due to a delay with the contractor performing the work.

“We want to thank the community for their understanding and patience as we complete this critical project,” the city said in Thursday’s announcement.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5, the one-way traffic on Franklin Avenue between Fourth Street and Eighth Street will switch directions (eastbound open, westbound closed) to complete the next phase of construction.

The temporary traffic direction switch will open the eastbound traffic lane and close the westbound traffic lane. This temporary configuration is expected to be in place through early December.

The city said the switch is needed to allow for construction work on the north side and remaining areas.

Access to local businesses and residential properties will be maintained throughout construction, the city said, and appropriate signage will be in place to guide the traveling public through the work zone.

“We appreciate the public’s patience as we move into this next phase of the Franklin Avenue Improvement project,” said Todd Johnson, senior project engineer with the City of Bend Engineering Department.

“This project will improve safety for all users,” Johnson said. “As always, we urge drivers to slow down, pay attention to signage, and allow for extra time when traveling through the work zone.”

The city says the full project is ahead of schedule and, weather permitting, is expected to be completed in early December.

For the eastbound detour map and more information about the project, visit bendoregon.gov/midtowncrossings.

Click here to follow the original article.

KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The home furnishing and decor store, City Home, is slated to expand into the old mill district in addition to a seasonal pop up in November.

The full press release is below:

Bend just can’t get enough of City Home.

The Portland-based retailer known for its eclectic vintage-inspired home furnishings, decor, and accessories is set to open a seasonal pop-up location in the Old Mill District between lululemon and Will Leather Goods. The approximately 900-square-foot space will sit less than 25 yards away from City Home’s 4,400-square-foot anchor store in the Old Mill District along the Deschutes River.

The new space, which looks to open in early November, will give City Home more room to showcase its various art pieces, rugs, lamps, and furnishings.

“It’ll be a curated collection of elevated, Western-inspired furnishings,” City Home owner and founder Kim Pelett said. “Lots of unique wall art, reclaimed wood furniture pieces, hide rugs and one-of-a-kind antique accessories.”

City Home, which celebrated four years in the Old Mill District this summer, is the passion project of Pelett, who boasts more than 35 years of home decor sales experience. Pellet, who launched the business in 2012, has six full-time locations in addition to this winter’s pop-up.

“We love everything they’re doing so it was a pretty natural choice to give them additional space this winter,” said Beau Eastes, the Old Mill District’s Marketing Director. “Especially when you consider how close it is to their main store. And it’s a great fit next to lululemon and Will Leather Goods.”

Click here to follow the original article.