Author: KTVZ

OREGON (KTVZ) — Fire officials are reminding motorists to exercise caution behind the wheel as wildfire danger continues.

One small spark can start a wildfire.

Small actions such as parking on dry grass, dragging chains, or operating machinery near dry vegetation can create dangerous sparks.

Update: As of August 6th, Deschutes County Circuit Court records show the pending case against Steven Charlton has been dismissed. The judgment of dismissal applies to all five felony counts Charlton was indicted on by the Grand Jury. Any outstanding warrant in the matter is recalled.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Steven Nicholas Charlton, the pilot of the plane that crashed Tuesday in Bend, was facing five felony counts of first-degree invasion of personal privacy, Deschutes County Court records show.

The criminal filings contain no information about the plane or the crash and do not establish a connection between the pending charges and what happened Tuesday.

Prosecutors initially charged Charlton on July 30th with one count of first-degree invasion of personal privacy. Court records show he appeared in custody by video for an arraignment that day, and a judge set security at $10,000.

The court ordered Charlton to have no contact with several listed people and prohibited him from accessing cameras or video-recording devices. A release agreement bearing an August 3rd signature is marked as a security release and required him to follow those conditions, remain in Oregon unless he received court permission, and appear at future hearings.

The documents do not identify who paid money toward Charlton’s security or specify how much was deposited.

A Deschutes County grand jury returned a five-count indictment on August 4th. Charlton’s arraignment on the indictment was scheduled for August 6th.

All five counts allege Charlton knowingly and without consent made visual recordings of people who were nude and had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Counts one and two involve one alleged victim. Counts three through five involve a second alleged victim.

The indictment alleges the recordings were made between June 1st and September 30th, 2025. Prosecutors allege each count represents a separate criminal episode. The indictment does not specify where the alleged recordings were made, what device was allegedly used, or whether the recordings were distributed.

Under Oregon law⁠, first-degree invasion of personal privacy is a Class C felony. It applies when someone knowingly records another person in a state of nudity, without that person’s consent, in a place and under circumstances where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Each Class C felony carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $125,000, although any sentence would depend on a conviction, state sentencing guidelines, criminal history, and other factors. The offense does not automatically require sex-offender registration, but state law allows a court to designate it as a sex crime if the court finds registration is necessary for community safety.

An indictment is a formal accusation, not a finding of guilt. Charlton had not entered a plea to the five-count indictment, and the allegations had not been adjudicated before the crash.

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Four of five Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District board members are expected to be removed from office following a special recall election. Current results show most of the recalls passing by more than 300 votes

Approximately 23% of ballots have been returned so far, which is the expected turn-out for a special election, according to Jefferson County Clerk Katherine Zemke. Mail-in votes expected to continue arriving throughout the week. However, Zemek said the outcome of the election is unlikely to be changed by the remaining votes. Zemek also estimated the costs for this special election were around $12,000.

When KTVZ reached out to all of the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District’s board members. They declined interview, but some of them sent written statements.

Executive director Courtney Snead sent the following:

“On behalf of the MACRD staff team, I want to assure our communities that the Madras Aquatic Center will continue operating throughout this transition period. Our staff remains committed to providing the programs and services our patrons rely on. Once the Jefferson County Commissioners appoint new board members, we look forward to working collaboratively with them and the Special Districts Association of Oregon to support a smooth transition and ensure the district continues to provide a safe, clean, and fun swimming experience for all.”

Board member Jean McCloskey also provided a written statement expressing hope for the district’s future governance.

“I was appointed to the board in 2022 not knowing anyone on staff or fellow board members. Serving on this board has been challenging. This district has faced Financial strains and constant turnover of board members and staff for the past 18 years of operation. My hope now is that the Commissioners will be able to appoint at least two new board members that can focus on stabilizing the district financially, to protect the services it provides, that this community values.”

Kora Hollyman was the only board member who did not face a recall during this special election. She did however, respond to our inquires with this statement .

“The Jefferson County Commissioners are responsible for filling the four board vacancies created by the recall. They met this morning to discuss the appointment process and shared that applications should be available by the end of the business day today for those interested in serving on the board. My understanding from this morning’s Commissioners meeting is that applications will be accepted through August 19, with a special meeting scheduled for August 26 to interview applicants and make the appointments.

No matter which side of the election people were on, one thing is undeniable…our community cares deeply about MACRD. The amount of time, effort, and passion that so many people put into this process speaks to that. I respect everyone who took the time to participate in our local democracy.

Looking ahead, I’m hopeful this is an opportunity to bring more community voices and ideas to the table. I look forward to working with the future board and our community to move the district forward in a way that reflects the priorities of the people we serve and builds a strong future for MACRD.”

KTVZ also spoke to the recall petitioners, who expressed satisfaction with the results of their efforts, but also declined interview.

As mentioned in the board members statements, Jefferson County commissioners are preparing to fill the soon-to-be-vacant seats once the election is certified. While they cannot appoint anyone to the board till the election is certified, they can start looking for new board members. The county website will begin accepting applications for board members today (August 5th).

The deadline to apply is August 19 and interviews for the positions are scheduled to begin August 26. Officials hope to have replacements appointed as early as September.

The county commissioners only have a duty to fill two of the vacant seats. After that, a quorum is established, and the board could begin searching for members on its own. However, County Administrative Officer, Jeff Rasmussen told KTVZ they could appoint all the vacant seats if they received enough qualified applicants. The application page is now live.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police are reminding you to put down your phones, after a targeted distracted driving enforcement operation.

Last Friday, officers spent two hours at the intersection of NE Third Street and Burnside Avenue looking for drivers using cell phones behind the wheel.

During the enforcement effort, police issued 30 citations and 10 warnings.

Three drivers were also arrested after getting a third cell phone violation, which is a Class B misdemeanor.

Police say distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the community and are urging drivers to stay focused on the road. 

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue is offering two free monthly trainings designed to help Central Oregon residents respond during life-threatening emergencies.

The Hands-Only CPR class teaches participants what to expect when calling 911, how to perform CPR correctly and effectively, and what happens when first responders arrive.

The class is open to individuals, schools and workplaces. It is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire Training Center, 63377 NE Jamison St., behind the North Fire Station.

The training is free but is not a certification class. Space is limited to 20 participants, and registration is encouraged.

Bend Fire & Rescue also offers a free Stop the Bleed class. The one-hour training teaches participants why uncontrolled bleeding is dangerous, how to recognize severe bleeding and how to control it quickly and effectively.

Stop the Bleed is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire Training Center. Space is limited to 20 people.

Private classes are also available for groups, workplaces and schools. To register or ask questions, call 541-322-6300 or email bfrcommunitytraining@bendoregon.gov.

Warm Springs, Ore. (KTVZ) — A rancher in Warm Springs has launched an online marketplace to sell wild horses after wildfires in Northern Jefferson County damaged grazing land on the reservation.

The Bench fire has burned more 67,000 acres in Warm Springs, including land used for grazing by wild horses. Smith and his family have operated a horse ranch in Warm Springs for generations, where they domesticate and sell wild horses. Now he’s started the “First Nations Online Horse Market” to manage an influx of horses he’s taken in during the fire. Because the surrounding land was heavily burned they belive releasing horses back into the wild is not an option.

During the fire, access to the ranch was blocked, which stopped him from having an in-person auction. This pushed Smith to go online.

Smith said the effort is designed to find homes for individual horses and save them from being culled or sold en mass.

A rodeo veteran himself, smith sees a lot of beauty and potentional in these horses “These are quality horses. And they got so much, ability, you know, that they need to be out there being utilized, you know, in the sporting event world, or there’s tons of things that these horses are capable of doing,” Smith said.

Because Smith cares for animals on his property and provides food for wild horses on the reservation, the ranch requires more feed and veterinary services than in previous years.

To that end, Smith also started organization called “Mustangs-The Native American Way.” The group was created to collect support for his ranching efforts and the horses he manages. Smith is also seeking to establish partnerships with other local equine groups in the region.

Community members interested in acquiring a horse or providing support for the ranch can contact the Jason Smith Ranch directly for more information. The ranch can be reached at 203-253-1412. Inquiries can also be sent via email to jasonsmithranch@gmail.com.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend housing leaders are bracing for a tougher stretch as local shelter and affordable housing programs face shrinking dollars and fewer options.

At Tuesday’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting, city staff were expected to walk through shelter planning strategies tied to the city’s changing role in addressing houselessness, along with the possible impact of cuts to state and federal funding. The discussion comes as Bend looks ahead to the planned closure of the Temporary Safe Stay Area by June 30, 2027, and the loss of 70 beds at the Franklin Avenue Shelter.

Amy Fraley, Senior Program Manager for houselessness services, said the programs most at risk include safe parking and Central Oregon Villages, a small pod shelter located at Bear Creek and 27th. “So the programs that are most vulnerable in this moment with those cuts are safe parking programs, as well as Central Oregon Villages, which is our small pod shelter located on Bear Creek and 27th,” Fraley said.

Fraley also said the city is working to keep people connected to shelter options as the Temporary Safe Stay Area winds down. “So as of right now, there aren’t 198 beds available. Neither insure shelter or safe parking or affordable housing. So we’re just going to have to work really diligently with our partners to continue their placement,” Fraley said.

“The affordable housing funds and the CICT or commercial and industrial construction tax funds are being prioritized within our housing division goals. And these particular accomplishments today are supporting our shelters and homeless services, affordable homeownership development and affordable rental development units,” Mellissa Kamanya, the city’s Affordable Housing Coordinator, said.

Kamanya also said the city is looking at surplus land as one way to speed up affordable housing development by identifying parcels with infrastructure already in place. But she said one of the biggest challenges remains funding shortages, which can slow or stop projects before they are built.

For Bend, the stakes are local and immediate. City officials have said state funding is not keeping pace with need, and the gap could make it harder to preserve shelter options and keep people housed as the city prepares for more changes ahead.

The committee is also expected to discuss affordable housing funding, surplus land and Community Development Block Grant accomplishments and challenges, including how the city may identify property in Juniper Ridge that could be eligible for affordable housing.

KTVZ News will have more on the meeting and what it could mean for Central Oregon.

(Update: adding comments from OSFM, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, video)

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — As firefighters are sent across Oregon to battle wildfires, small departments must balance the broader call for help while ensuring they have enough personnel to respond to emergencies at home.

Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue shares personnel and equipment through Central Oregon’s mutual-aid system.

“We all share resources and help each other out because not one of us, a single agency, could handle the amount of fires we see in Central Oregon,” Fire Chief Sean Hartley said.

This year, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local fire agencies through its Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program. Each agency received up to $35,000 to help pay for additional staffing during wildfire season.

Priority was given to rural districts receiving less than $2 million in annual property-tax revenue.

“It really does help with wildfires and deployments to those wildfires,” OSFM Public Affairs Director Kassie Keller said. “But it also helps just during the regular course of the day. Whether it’s EMS or a car crash or things like that, the staff are on and they’re able to respond to all the calls.”

At Crooked River Ranch, the grant pays for one additional firefighter each day, providing greater flexibility both inside and outside the district. The award covers that firefighter’s wages for roughly three to three-and-a-half months.

Hartley said the additional staffing has already strengthened the department’s response to wildfires.

“Wildfire is a big issue in Central Oregon. It’s one of the things that can impact our communities the most,” Hartley said. “Through that Wildland Fire Season Staffing Grant, we were able to get multiple rigs to these calls very quickly and keep the fire small.”

Firefighter and EMT William Robles said residents also have an important role to play before a fire begins.

“Managing your property, making sure it is wildfire-safe, is always a good thing,” Robles said. “Just always be ready. Even if your house isn’t under evacuation, always have that plan, because it can happen quickly.”

Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue has received funding every year since the grant program began in 2022.

Bend ORE. (KTVZ) — A suspect was injured and arrested Monday evening following a shooting involving officers on Highway 20 in Linn County. The incident occurred near milepost 36 and River Bend County Park after authorities received reports of a motor vehicle crash and a disturbance involving a gun.

Oregon State Police and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at 7:25 p.m. Upon their arrival, officers encountered an individual armed with a handgun and shots were fired during a confrontation.

The suspect was injured in the shooting and is currently in police custody. No officers were injured during the confrontation and the Oregon State Police reported that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Albany Police Department has assumed the lead role in the investigation. Future updates regarding the case will be provided by the Albany Police Department or the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.

Highway 20 was expected to reopen at approximately 8 a.m. today after being closed throughout the night. Investigators remained at the scene near River Bend County Park to process evidence through the early morning hours.