Author: KTVZ

Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council voted five-one today to advance a proposed ordinance that would establish a permanent ban on all fireworks.

If enacted, the ordinance would change a long-standing tradition in the city. Under previous regulations, fireworks were banned every day except the Fourth of July.

The push for a complete ban follows several fireworks-caused fires this year. The Police Department, fire department and City Council members have been exploring options to prevent future fires.

The Redmond City Council has been looking at ways to curb illegal fireworks usage to prevent potential fires for the last three years.

City Councilor Clifford Evelyn advocated for safety measures and suggested residents attend public displays rather than setting off fireworks in residential neighborhoods. “Safety above everything. Okay. Celebrations. We can go down to the fairgrounds and do it down there and watch the fireworks. And take your family home once its done. You don’t have to do it in your neighborhood, okay? It’s very important to keep kids safe, keep adults safe, keep our property safe,” Evelyn said.

Members of the public addressed the council for close to 45 minutes during the meeting. Opponents of the measure argued that a complete ban unfairly penalizes law-abiding citizens.

“I don’t believe the answer is to take a traditional way from everyone, because some people choose not to follow the rules,” one Redmond resident said.

Another Redmond resident stressed the cultural importance of the holiday. “Everyone who celebrates the 4th of July is celebrating their independence. It’s an American holiday. It’s a patriotic holiday. It’s ingrained in our culture. And for those who want to take that away, I just want to say that is wrong,” the resident said.

Other community members supported the ban, citing increasing hazards in the area. Redmond resident John Fullman spoke in favor of the measure. “It’s dangerous. And the danger in our area is just it’s just too much now. So we can’t ignore anymore,” Fullman said.

The ordinance passed its first reading today. The council will hold a second reading at a later date in Redmond.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded $7,500 to the Family Access Network to support basic-needs services for families in Deschutes County, Ore. The grant will support up to 30 local children during the school year.

The Family Access Network calculates that providing services to one child for an entire school year costs approximately $250. Advocates stationed directly in schools link children and their families to essential local resources.

Julie Lyche, executive director of FAN, highlighted the impact of the grant. “CCUIF has been a longtime supporter of FAN and our services in Deschutes County,” Lyche said. “We are thankful for their partnership and dedication to improving the lives of children and families throughout our community.”

Founded in 1993, FAN employs 28 advocates stationed across 66 sites in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Advocates work directly within schools to connect families to community resources, assisting more than 7,600 children and family members annually across the region.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation was founded in 1997 and began its grantmaking in 1998. In its most recent round of funding, the foundation awarded $606,815 to 87 Oregon charities, targeting support toward education, youth and family programs and basic necessities such as food and shelter.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden traveled across Central Oregon to assess ongoing wildfire response efforts and meet directly with emergency crews.

During his tour of the region, Wyden attended a fire briefing in Warm Springs before traveling to Prineville and the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone. He also visited the air base in Redmond, where crews refuel tankers that drop fire retardant over active fires.

Throughout his visits to the fire sites and facilities, Wyden made a point to ask firefighters directly what support and supplies they required to carry out their work.

“They said that in particular they had about half of what they really needed.” Sen. Wyden, U.S. senator for Oregon, said in a news conference today, ” And that’s now given the fact that we got a couple of months, you know, coming up and I think mentioned with made about the kind of people we really need to respond to, the people they’re talking about, which are managers.”

Wyden punctuated his message by adding: “They said that the fires are fresh and the equipment is stale.”

Wyden was joined at the news conference by local and state leaders, including Mayors Kebler and Letz, State Rep. Emerson Levy and Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang.

The participating officials expressed their gratitude to the firefighters battling blazes across the region and emphasized the ongoing need for federal and state funding.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, interview with patrol officer)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A private patrol officer may have helped save a Bend woman’s life after discovering smoke coming from her northwest Bend apartment early Sunday morning.

Bianney Ventura, a patrol officer with Patrol Services Inc., was making her rounds at Awbrey Pines Apartments, 2500 NW Regency Street, when she heard a faint alarm and noticed smoke shortly before 1:40 a.m.

Ventura called 911, activated the main building’s fire alarm and began alerting neighbors to evacuate, according to an incident report provided to KTVZ News.

Bend police officers arrived around 2 a.m. and entered the smoke-filled apartment with Ventura after forcing open the door. Inside, they found a woman asleep in a bedroom while wearing headphones, Ventura and the report said.

The woman was awakened and guided safely outside. She told responders no one else was inside the apartment.

Ventura said she has not been able to speak with the woman since the incident but is thankful she was there when needed.

“I couldn’t really speak to her, but, yeah, just very glad that I was able to be there at the right time,” Ventura said. “No sooner or too late, you know.”

Bend Fire & Rescue confirmed the fire started after food was left on a stove. The apartment complex appeared undamaged from the outside.

Ventura, who hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement, said she enjoys her work and the people she meets.

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Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond City Council is scheduled to hear public testimony Tuesday on a proposal that would prohibit the possession, sale and use of fireworks within city limits.

Ordinance No. 2026-11 would amend Redmond City Code Section 5.305, creating a broader restriction on private fireworks in the city. Currently, private use of legal fireworks is allowed only on July 4, according to the city.

Mayor Ed Fitch said the July Fourth weekend helped convince him to support a complete ban.

“I call it the 7-Eleven weekend,” Fitch told KTVZ. “July 4th, we had 11 fires. Seven of them were caused by fireworks. So it was dramatic.”

The city also said 11 fires occurred in Redmond during the July Fourth weekend.

Fitch said he had resisted a full ban for several years, in part because fireworks have been a family tradition.

“I love doing fireworks with the kids and grandkids, but it’s just getting too difficult,” he said.

The mayor said input from police and fire personnel also influenced his position, particularly the difficulty of identifying illegal fireworks when legal fireworks are also being used.

“Having both legal and illegal fireworks at the same time makes it more difficult to track down illegal fireworks,” Fitch said. “And there’s just too many fires. Plain and simple.”

Fitch said he expects the ordinance to pass and plans to support it.

In written responses to KTVZ, Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney said Redmond Fire & Rescue is concerned about the risk private fireworks can pose to people, property and natural resources during Central Oregon’s hot, dry and windy summer conditions.

“While many fireworks are used responsibly, even legal consumer fireworks have the potential to ignite vegetation, structures, and other combustible materials,” Mooney wrote.

Mooney said the department responds each year to fire incidents directly or indirectly associated with fireworks. He said a ban “would likely reduce the number of ignition sources present during the highest-risk periods of the year.”

“From a fire-service standpoint, fewer fireworks being used generally means fewer opportunities for accidental fires, burn injuries, and fireworks-related emergency calls,” Mooney wrote.

He added that reducing preventable ignitions could help protect homes, businesses and open spaces while allowing first responders to remain available for medical calls, crashes and other emergencies.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office also emphasized wildfire prevention.

“Preventing wildfires caused by fireworks is the primary concern of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office,” Public Information Officer Jason Carr said in a written statement to KTVZ. “Our goal is to help people understand just how quickly fireworks can start a wildfire if they are improperly handled or discarded.”

Carr encouraged people who use fireworks to keep water nearby, use them only on cleared surfaces such as a driveway or paved road, and fully soak them before disposal.

Mooney said Redmond Fire & Rescue recognizes fireworks are a longstanding tradition for many families, but urged councilors and residents to weigh that tradition against the potential risks to neighborhoods, first responders and the broader community.

The public hearing is one of the main agenda items for Tuesday’s (August 11, 2026) Redmond City Council meeting at City Hall.

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Adrielle Hasara

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thistle & Nest has received a $650,000 award from the City of Bend Affordable Housing Fund to support its Woodhaven Estates development in Southeast Bend.

The funding will offset development and construction costs, reducing purchase prices for qualifying buyers earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.

The grant is part of a broader effort by the City of Bend to expand affordable housing options throughout the community. During the same funding cycle, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity was awarded $350,000 to support homebuyer assistance for an upcoming development.

Located off Pettigrew Road, Woodhaven Estates consists of two- and three-bedroom townhomes. The city funds will be distributed to eligible buyers on an as-needed basis, with funding capped at $50,000 per household to reduce the mortgage required for purchase.

The development operates under a community land trust model. Under this structure, buyers purchase the home itself while Thistle & Nest retains ownership of the land beneath it. Resale provisions are designed to keep the homes affordable for future buyers while allowing current homeowners to build equity.

Amy Warren, board president and founder of Thistle & Nest, emphasized the challenge that local families face when trying to buy a home. “High home prices and the upfront costs of purchasing a home remain significant barriers for Central Oregon families, even when they can manage a monthly mortgage payment,” Warren said. “The City’s investment helps us close that affordability gap at Woodhaven Estates, giving more Central Oregonians the opportunity to build equity, achieve greater financial stability and remain rooted in the community where they live and work.”

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices in Bend remain above the national average, but drivers in Central Oregon could see some relief at the pump soon.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Bend is $4.54 this week. That is 36 cents higher than the national average.

Prices are slightly lower than they were yesterday. However, Bend’s average is still 30 cents higher than it was last month and 94 cents more than it was one year ago.

The Lundberg Survey says a turnaround may be in the making. Reports of a possible agreement between the United States and Iran have been a major day-to-day influence on oil prices, which have dropped sharply in recent days.

With many wholesale gasoline prices also falling quickly, the survey says consumers could see prices drop by at least 10 cents in the near future.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act passed the U.S. Senate, providing a tax exemption for wildfire survivors as Oregon faces its worst wildfire season in modern history. The legislation allows qualified relief payments to be excluded from federal taxable income, including funds received years after a disaster.

The measure addresses a loophole where wildfire relief payments can create a federal tax burden for survivors attempting to rebuild. This legislation comes as Oregon continues to battle active wildfires during a 2026 season cited as the state’s most devastating in modern history.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, has advocated for the legislation for several years. He noted that wildfire survivors often face unexpected financial hits from the government following a disaster. “Well that’s it. I mean, think about it,” Wyden said. “You’ve been hit by this wrecking ball in terms of these huge fires, some of them coming out of nowhere. And then you turn around and you get hit by another big burden of big tax burden from the federal government. Enough is enough. And I’ve been able to get it fixed now and will be signed by the president.”

The legislation has spent years working through Congress before reaching this stage. When asked about the lengthy process in the Senate, Wyden indicated that getting relief passed required a long-term push. “Well, you’re being logical and heaven forbid that logic should break out in the Senate,” Wyden said. “But I’ve been pushing this for a long time. And finally, now we’re getting real relief.”

Beyond tax relief, Wyden emphasized that Congress must ensure fire crews have adequate resources to fight ongoing blazes. Oregon is currently contending with multiple active wildfires and the senator indicated that funding for crews is necessary for both current and future seasons.

The bill awaits a signature from the president to be enacted into law.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians gathered at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Sunday to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday while learning how they can help prevent wildfires.

The party featured photo opportunities, cupcakes, and activities for children. The Deschutes National Forest co-hosted the event with Discover Your Northwest, a nonprofit organization that supports public lands and visitor education.

Despite the festivities, Smokey’s longstanding wildfire prevention message remained central to the celebration.

“I think he’s a symbol of the West and the history we have here in the West with wildfire and our relationship with it,” said Travis Surplus, a fire prevention technician with the Deschutes National Forest.

Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign began in 1944. Today, nearly nine in 10 unwanted wildfires are caused by people, making the campaign’s message especially relevant in Central Oregon.

“We’re celebrating Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday, and we’re using this opportunity to remind everyone that we are in public fire use restrictions right now — stage two,” Surplus said. “That means no campfires are allowed anywhere in the Deschutes National Forest, although propane is allowed.”

Officials urged visitors to check current restrictions before heading outdoors, secure tow chains so they do not drag, avoid parking on dry grass, and use outdoor equipment carefully.

Surplus also thanked the public for supporting crews during a busy wildfire season.

“Our firefighters are working extremely long hours away from their families right now, so having public support really makes a difference,” he said.

Organizers hope the event’s youngest guests will carry Smokey’s prevention message into his next 82 years.

Additional wildfire prevention tips are available at SmokeyBear.com⁠.

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Tracee Tuesday

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Smoke from several active wildfires is expected to bring unhealthy air quality to parts of Central Oregon, with the heaviest periods forecast during morning and overnight hours.

Smoke in the region is expected to come primarily from the Rowe Creek Complex. Additional smoke from the Grasshopper Fire could affect Spray and Ukiah in the afternoon, while the Shingle Fire could bring added smoke impacts to Paulina in the evening.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue into Sunday, keeping fire activity active and contributing to another day of unhealthy air quality across the region. Periods of unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups are also possible during the afternoon and evening.

Residents are urged to reduce outdoor exposure, avoid strenuous activity and consider using an N95 respirator. People driving through smoky areas should keep windows closed and set their vehicle air conditioning to recirculate mode.

To limit indoor smoke exposure, residents should close doors and windows and create a cleaner-air room inside their homes.

For current air quality information, visit AirNow’s fire and smoke map.

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