Author: KTVZ

KTVZ

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pertussis cases in Oregon have reached an all-time high, the Oregon Health Authority said Wednesday, prompting state officials to urge people to make sure they and their families are up to date on vaccinations — especially those who are pregnant or spend time with babies — and take steps to reduce spread. 

In 2025, as of Wednesday, OHA has received a record-high 1,475 reported cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, breaking the state’s all-time annual record of 1,420, set in 1950. The current outbreak began in the spring of 2024, when Oregon recorded 1,252 pertussis cases by year’s end. Other U.S. states have reported similar caseload spikes.

Here’s the rest of Wednesday’s OHA announcement:

Pertussis can cause severe disease in people of all ages, but babies are most at risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from infection.

To reduce that risk, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends every pregnant person receive a single dose of Tdap vaccine during their third trimester (weeks 27-36) to protect their newborn from pertussis. That’s because babies’ immune systems are too week to protect against infection until they get vaccinated at 2 months old.

Spouses, partners, grandparents and any adult routinely in the baby’s life should also consider receiving a Tdap dose at least two weeks before the baby is born.

However, vaccination is important for people of all ages, and it’s the best way to prevent severe disease and hospitalization. In addition to pregnant people, pertussis vaccination is recommended for infants and children starting at 2 months through 4 to 6 years old, adolescents at age 11 or 12, and any adult who has not previously been vaccinated.

“I worry people may not fully appreciate the risk pertussis poses as case counts are rising, especially for babies and older adults,” said Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. “One of the most important things someone can do to protect their newborn is to get the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a statewide decline in maternal Tdap vaccination rates in Oregon, which is a dangerous trend.”

VIDEO: Videos of Dr. Chiou discussing Oregon’s historic pertussis spread and its impact are available at the top of OHA’s Media Resources page.

The numbers

In 2025, 87 cases of infant pertussis (children younger than 12 months)–22 of whom were hospitalized—have been reported in Oregon so far. One infant died in Oregon earlier this year. It is the only death from pertussis reported in Oregon during 2025.

OHA’s new Pregnancy Immunization Data dashboard shows only 69% of pregnant people received Tdap vaccination in 2024, down from 72% in 2020.

Maternal Tdap vaccination rates also vary widely from county to county, with rates as low as 17% and as high as 82%. The lowest rates are largely in rural counties, where it’s often harder to find vaccinations, and where vaccine hesitancy rates are also higher.

Pertussis outbreaks occur regionally about every three to five years and do not necessarily follow seasonal patterns. Because of widespread masking and social distancing during the pandemic, Oregon saw only three reported cases of pertussis in 2021, followed by 17 in 2022 and 40 in 2023.

Health officials attribute the skyrocketing cases since then to a return to pre-pandemic norms that coincides with waning immunity and decreased vaccination rates. 

Why the vaccine matters

Studies show Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is highly effective in preventing pertussis infection and hospitalization. Long-term protection from the pertussis vaccine wanes over time, however, which can create confusion about the vaccine.

“I hear the confusion in my community about pertussis vaccination,” said Benton County Health Officer Carolina Amador, M.D., MPH. “When we use the word ‘booster,’ people may think the vaccine isn’t very effective because protection fades, so they may not want to bother. At the same time, we strongly recommend it for certain people, such as children and pregnant people, because in the short term it does a great job protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

The disease

The only way a baby will become infected with pertussis is if they are exposed to someone with pertussis, a bacterial infection that spreads easily through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes.

But pertussis often goes undiagnosed. The illness is tricky to diagnose because not everyone with pertussis will have the trademark “whooping” sound when coughing. For some, pertussis can be severe and result in a trip to the hospital, while others may experience mild symptoms and may not necessarily seek medical care while they still spread disease.

Jennifer Gibbons, N.D., is a naturopathic pediatrician in Portland whose practice attracts many parents who are vaccine hesitant.

“When parents of my little patients also happen to be pregnant, they often tell me their own OBGYN has recommended the Tdap vaccine, and they will ask me, ‘But do you think it’s right for me?’ The answer is always yes,” she said. 

“I can say, ‘I’ve seen whooping cough, and its truly awful for infants,'” Gibbons added. “Then I’ll explain how the vaccine merely adds to the suite of protective antibodies that the mother is already providing the baby through the placenta. I’m always exploring ways to change my language with patients to see if I can get them to look at it differently.”

Click here to learn more about pertussis in Oregon.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is encouraging community members to review a draft of the Greater Sisters Community Wildfire Protection Plan and provide their feedback by Saturday, January 10.

“A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a valuable tool for areas at risk from wildfires,” said Deschutes County Forester Kevin Moriarty. “Communities across Central Oregon work together with forest and fire management agencies to identify and address wildfire risks, creating plans to strengthen their resilience.”

The Greater Sisters CWPP includes private properties and public lands served by the Sisters-Camp Sherman, Black Butte Ranch and Cloverdale rural fire protection districts, as well as the city and surrounding area.

Goals of the Greater Sisters CWPP include

Protecting lives and property from wildfires.

Raising public awareness of the risks of living in a fire-prone ecosystem.

Instilling personal responsibility for taking preventative actions to reduce wildfire risks.

Creating and maintaining fire-adapted communities.

Enhancing community preparedness, response, and recovery from wildfires.

To provide feedback on the Greater Sisters Community Wildfire Protection Plan, please send an email by January 10 to corinne.heiner@deschutes.org.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, interview with researcher)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new “megaquake advisory” in Japan is raising questions about what it could mean for Pacific coastal communities — including here in Oregon.

The advisory was issued after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Japan just days ago on December 8th. Officials say a worst‑case “megaquake” in the Hokkaido–Sanriku region could produce waves approaching 100 feet in parts of Japan, cause nearly 200,000 deaths, and inflict massive damage on coastal communities.

Even though scientists estimate the chances of such an event are only about 1%, Japan’s new advisory system is meant as a wake‑up call — not a precise prediction. It was created after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people. Under the system, when a quake stronger than magnitude 7.0 hits certain areas, authorities issue an alert that a much larger quake could follow in the coming days.

“This is not a prediction. This is a probabilistic warning,” Erick Velasco, a seismic expert and postdoctoral researcher with Oregon State University, told KTVZ News on Wednesday. “This is to practice our confidence on how to respond to an earthquake. And that’s also happening in Japan. This is not to scare people — this is rather to be prepared.”

For many Oregonians, the warning carries an eerie echo from the past. In March 2011, a magnitude‑9.0 earthquake off Japan unleashed a tsunami that crossed the Pacific, sending waves into harbors along the West Coast. While the waves were far smaller here than in Japan, they still damaged docks and boats and generated hazardous currents that caught some mariners off guard.

KTVZ’s Seismic Shift series recently explored how a major Cascadia Subduction Zone quake could similarly send evacuees pouring over the mountains into Central Oregon, straining housing and emergency services. A large Japan‑generated tsunami wouldn’t trigger the same mass displacement, but it would still test coastal evacuation systems, communication with tourists, and the ability of ports to secure vessels and infrastructure ahead of time.

If a tsunami were generated by Japan’s latest quake, Jonathan Allan with the Oregon Department of Geology and Minerals told KTVZ in an email it would take roughly nine to 10 hours to reach Oregon’s coast — time that could mean the difference between safety and disaster.

Velasco, who studied for his doctorate in Japan, reiterated, “If this kind of earthquake and tsunami happens in Japan, we will have some hours to respond in the U.S. So we have to be ready, and we need to be prepared. That’s the invitation here.”

As Japan braces for the possibility of another powerful offshore quake, Oregon scientists and emergency managers are watching closely — preparing for a real‑time lesson in how tsunamis move across the Pacific.

Velasco added that Japan’s experience shows the power of public education and collective action. During the 2011 disaster, more than a million people safely evacuated — a success he credits to consistent drills and community-wide awareness.

“If we work as a community and collaborate with each other,” he said, “we will be able to prepare for these types of events.”

The key message, experts stress, isn’t fear — it’s readiness.

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KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bright Wood Corp., a 60-plus-year fixture of Central Oregon’s timber roots and the region’s second-largest private employer, is being acquired by Andersen Corporation, the nationwide window and door maker, in a deal announced Wednesday.

Bright Wood, the largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimension lumber in the U.S., was founded in Madras in 1960.

Terms of the acquisition, including purchase price, have not been publicly disclosed.

According to an annual ranking by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), Bright Wood has 1,150 employees, which puts it ahead of Mt. Bachelor as the No. 2 private employer in the region, behind St. Charles Health System, with 5,188 employees.

With 885 Jefferson County employees, Bright Wood also is that county’s largest employer.

EDCO also said the company tops this year’s list of the region’s top five private traded-sector businesses, those that primarily sell their goods or services outside the local market and bring revenue into the region from national or regional markets.

Here is the full news release announcing the deal:

Andersen Corporation Announces Acquisition of Bright Wood

BAYPORT, Minn., Dec. 10, 2025 — Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of America’s most trusted brand of window and doors*, has announced it will acquire Bright Wood Corporation, the largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimensional lumber in the U.S. The Bright Wood business will continue to operate under local leadership.

For more than 60 years, the family-owned company has been a critical supplier to the window and door industry, enabling growth and innovation. Under its new management, Bright Wood will continue to deliver the same industry-leading products and innovative solutions to its valued customers and the company looks forward to unlocking new opportunities to strengthen its longstanding customer relationships and growing together.

“Andersen is grateful to the founding Stovall family for their generations of leadership and transformative contributions to the industry,” said Chris Galvin, chairman and chief executive officer, Andersen Corporation. “Our investment in Bright Wood aims to ensure the company remains a valued supply partner to the fenestration industry for years to come.”

With headquarters in Madras, Oregon, Bright Wood has more than 1,000 employees across 28 processing plants and five locations in the U.S.

Under this new ownership, Bright Wood will be led by well-known window and door industry leader, Pat Meyer, who will serve as Bright Wood’s acting CEO, supported by several tenured members of the Bright Wood leadership team.

Andersen will participate in board-level and executive-level governance but will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. This management structure is designed to sustain Bright Wood’s position as a trusted source of wood and wood components to all current and future customers.

“It has been our honor and privilege to own and operate Bright Wood Corporation for the past 65 years. We are grateful to the dedicated members of our team and business partners who enabled our success and the trust of our valued customers who inspired our innovation and made us the industry leader,” said Kevin and Dallas Stovall, owners, Bright Wood Corporation. “Andersen shares our values of integrity, quality and shared success and we look forward to watching Bright Wood continue to thrive under its new leadership.”

*2024 Andersen brand surveys of U.S. contractors, builders, architects & homeowners 

ABOUT ANDERSEN   Founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working “all together” to deliver on its promise to its customers, Andersen Corporation has built a century-long legacy of trust by delivering high-performance, reliable, and design-forward windows and doors. Empowering more than 13,000 employees every day to imagine what’s possible and do what’s right, Andersen is the largest window and door manufacturer in North America and America’s #1 trusted window and door brand among builders, contractors, architects, and homeowners. * 

Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., privately held Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen®, Renewal by Andersen®, EMCO®, and MQ® brands. Andersen operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Committed to sustainability, Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. For more information about the company, its initiatives, and products, visit us at andersenwindows.com. 

Follow Andersen Corporation on LinkedIn for more company news. 

SOURCE Andersen Corporation

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening tonight, December 10th at Hawkeye and Huckleberry Lounge in Bend, it’s the first Mt. Bachelor Passholder Party for the 2025-26 winter season!

While the opening date for the resort is still up in the air, the team at Bachelor is ready to kick off the season in style.

Outplay 365, Full Season, and Midweek passholders can enjoy music by DJ Riley, swag giveaways, a special après-ski food and drink menu, and complimentary quick wax services by Mt. Bachelor’s expert tune shop staff.

A prize will be awarded to the passholder wearing the best après-ski attire and the first 200 passholders to arrive will receive a token for a free beer.

That’s happening from 4-6 p.m. at Hawkeye and Huckleberry on SW Century Drive.

For more information, visit the events page on mtbachelor.com, or click here.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is awarding $800,000 in grants to strengthen campus Veteran Resource Centers across the state.

Among the recipients are Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University–Cascades. The funding will support new mentoring programs, upgraded technology, and expanded support services designed to help student veterans transition from military to college life.

ODVA officials say the grant program underscores Oregon’s ongoing commitment to helping veterans succeed—both in higher education and beyond the classroom.

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Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —  Real estate developer Taylor Brooks announced Tuesday that a wholly owned subsidiary recently bought about 75 acres at the city of Bend’s Juniper Ridge industrial property and has landed its first customer: Mike’s Fence Center.

TB Bend Land Company LLC purchased Juniper Ridge Large Lot 5, a 74.5-acre industrially zoned parcel, from the city in September for $4.5 million, a company representative told KTVZ News.

Taylor Brooks also announced Tuesday the first pending sale in Phase 1 of the project to Mike’s Fence Center, Inc. and Mike’s Mobile Mix Concrete, marking an early milestone in the multi-phase development. The company representative told us she could not provide that purchase price, as the sale has not yet closed.

Taylor Brooks was awarded the right to purchase the Juniper Ridge property through the city’s request for proposals process in the spring of 2024, the company said in a news release.

Since acquiring the land, the company said it has received land use approval to subdivide the parcel into over 30 industrial lots, which will be developed and sold across five phases.

As part of Phase 1, Mike’s Fence will purchase two lots totaling nearly eight acres, which the company said will support its long-term growth strategy, including significant expansion across Central Oregon and the surrounding region. 

“This land purchase represents an exciting new chapter for our team. As our communities continue to grow, this investment gives us the space and infrastructure to scale with them,” said Ryan Eckman, president of Mike’s Fence.

He continued, “Working with Taylor Brooks has been a tremendous advantage. The team understands our vision and brings the kind of experience that ensures this facility will not only meet our operational needs but also contribute positively to the broader development of the area. It’s a partnership that strengthens our foundation for growth.” 

“We’re thrilled to see our vision for Juniper Ridge beginning to take shape,” said Kirk Schueler, President of Brooks Resources Corporation, the Managing Member of Taylor Brooks. “Partnering with respected, long-standing local businesses like Mike’s Fence is exactly what we envisioned for this project—creating space for Central Oregon companies to grow and thrive.”

The Juniper Ridge property represents a major opportunity for new commercial and light industrial development in Bend’s north end. Planning and engineering for Phase 1 infrastructure improvements are expected to begin in 2026, with finished lots expected to be available in 2027.

About Mike’s Fence Center and Mike’s Mobile Mix Concrete

One of the strongest brand names in Central Oregon, Mike’s Fence Center has been building fences in Central Oregon for over 40 years. Mike started the company with his wife Cathie, his brother Jeff, and his dad Jack back in 1980 in Prineville, working out of his garage. Eventually moving the company to Bend, the team has expanded its services throughout the years from simple fencing to automated gate entry systems, mobile mix concrete delivery, and every imaginable type of fencing, including custom fabrication and powder coating. www.mikesfence.com

About Taylor Brooks

Taylor Brooks is a Bend-based real estate development company specializing in land acquisition, site planning, and build-to-suit projects that support long-term community growth and economic vitality. It specializes in development of healthcare, office, and flex industrial spaces. The company also offers its tenants full-service commercial property management capabilities, with a focus on maintaining strong relationships. Taylor Brooks is a partnership of Taylor Development LLC and Brooks Resources Corporation. www.taylorbrooksdev.com

251110_Updated_ Juniper Ridge Posterboard-FlatDownload

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Spencer Sacks

(Adding video and quotes from Eagle Scout Chris Piper)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has drafted a memo to Congress with a plan to cut funding from Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting America has been around for more than 115 years.

According to NPR, Secretary Hegseth writes the organization has lost meritocracy and has become an organization designed to attacking “boy-friendly spaces.”

Secretary Hegseth also claimed the organization has become genderless, and engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

KTVZ News asked Chris Piper, a local eagle scout, his thoughts. 

“I was actually disappointed when i heard that,” Piper told KTVZ News. “I learned that, he was never in Scouts. He’s never experienced scouting. he never has experienced what it means for a youth to be part of a group, and to build friendships, and to identify ways that you can improve as a person.”

Members of the famed organization have included Presidents Ford, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama. As well as, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, just to name a few.

While the decision is not final, Piper told KTVZ, Central Oregon Scouts will see even greater financial problems. As 2 local chapters have already merged their councils due to a lack of funding. 

This has gotten significant push back from members on both sides of the aisle, with Pennsylvanian Republican Glenn Thompson calling it nearsighted.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners announced Tuesday it will host two public hearings in January to gather feedback on the five-commissioner district map recommended by the Deschutes Map Advisory Committee (DMAC).

Evening Hearing: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Daytime Hearing: Wednesday, Jan. 21, during the BOCC’s weekly meeting, starting at 9 a.m.

Both sessions will take place in the Barnes Sawyer Room of the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St, Bend. The public is invited to attend in person or online through the County’s website.

Background

In November 2024, voters approved Measure 9-173 to expand the BOCC from three to five members. In response, the Board met several times to consider moving from five at-large positions to five district-based positions. A majority of the Board voted to appoint a committee of seven community volunteers to draft a district map. Commissioners DeBone and Adair appointed two committee members each, while Commissioner Chang appointed three.

The DMAC held 11 work sessions starting in early September to draft a map with approximately equal populations in each district. Following Board-approved guidelines, the committee reviewed several draft maps using Deschutes County voter registration data, 2020 census data, race and ethnicity population data and building permit trends since 2022.

On Nov. 12, the DMAC voted 4-3 to recommend Map C to the BOCC. Following the public hearings, the Board will decide whether to send the map to voters during 2026.

For more information about the DMAC and the proposed map, visit dechutes.org/DMAC.

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KTVZ

(Update: Crook County official comments on bill’s passage)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Crook County official on Friday thanked Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., and his congressional colleagues for passing a key bill to restore stable federal funding for rural timber-dependent counties.

 “We want to thank Congressman Cliff Bentz for constantly fighting for rural Oregon,” Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford said. “These Secure Rural School dollars that he worked so hard to reinstate are so important to our roads, schools, and public lands.”

The county official emphasized that the reauthorization will help sustain essential services, including education, transportation, and public safety — services heavily impacted by fluctuations in federal timber revenue. Crawford also said the renewed funding stream allows Crook County to plan more effectively for long-term community needs and infrastructure maintenance.

The bill, approved by the House on Tuesday by a 399-5 vote, provides back pay for the 2024 and 2025 federal fiscal years and reauthorizes Secure Rural School funding through FY 2026, Crawford said, ensuring critical funding stability as rural communities continue to navigate economic transition and infrastructure demands.

The legislation’s passage follows extensive national advocacy led by the National Association of Counties, county representatives from across the country, and bipartisan congressional supporters who underscored the importance of SRS to rural communities.

Crawford said the county “will continue working with federal partners and Oregon’s congressional delegation to ensure stable, predictable funding for rural counties and to support long-term economic resiliency throughout the region.”

Earlier story:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ-Dec. 9) — The U.S. House on Tuesday approved on a 399-5 vote reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, has which sent millions of dollars to rural areas with large amounts of tax-exempt federal forests but had lapsed over a year ago. Oregon’s only Republican in Congress, Rep. Cliff Bentz, voted in favor of the bill, which passed the Senate several months ago.

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement applauding House passage of his bipartisan legislation introduced with Senators Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and James Risch, R-Idaho, to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program and ensure rural, forested communities across Oregon and the country receive funding for roads, schools, law enforcement and other critical services.

Here’s the rest of that statement:

“The Secure Rural Schools program has been a lifeline for rural communities across Oregon since I originally authored the program back in 2000,” Wyden said.

“I’m relieved the House has finally done its job with the long-overdue passage of my bill to return the safety net for critical services to communities that need it the most. This is exactly why we need a permanent solution to get rural communities off the financial roller-coaster and ensure they have the resources they need to not only survive, but grow and thrive.”

“By passing our bipartisan bill, Congress has finally taken critical action to restore funding that is crucial to keeping schools and libraries open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and ensuring there are police officers and firefighters to keep rural communities safe,” said Merkley.

“Extending the SRS program ensures Oregon communities and local governments can maintain access to these important lifelines and resources, and I look forward to President Trump swiftly signing our bill into law.”

Wyden first authored the SRS program in 2000. Funding for the program lapsed in September 2023, and counties have not received payments since early 2024. Wyden’s bill to reauthorize the program had previously passed the Senate in June, but stalled in the House, delaying crucial funding for rural schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure projects.

Last week, 83 bipartisan, bicameral members, led by Wyden and Crapo, called on House leadership to take up the reauthorization bill for final passage.

Congressman Bentz Supports House Passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) voted YES on Senate Bill 356, the “Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act,” which will bring some $50 million, for each of three years, to Oregon’s timber-dependent counties.  

Said Congressman Bentz: “In 1990, the Spotted Owl was listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Almost immediately timber production from federal forests in the Western United States plummeted by 80%. The economic and societal cost to timber dependent states and their timber reliant counties was appalling. Demand for SNAP and Medicaid shot up, alcoholism and meth addiction became routine. County tax revenues were decimated.

“A belated but needed response was the Secure Rural Schools Act first passed in 2000, 10 years after the listing of the Owl. This law, and the funding it provides, was designed to partially offset the massive decline in federal timber revenue. It provides a modest amount of funding for critical services including infrastructure maintenance (roads), wildfire mitigation, conservation projects, search and rescue operations, fire prevention initiatives, and most importantly, money for children’s education.”

“When society enacts socially attractive laws that seemingly benefit the broader public but end up harming small communities, society must mitigate that harm. This is what the SRS bill does. It mitigates at least a part of the billions in damage done to small communities by the implementation of social goals such as, in this case, the Endangered Species Act. I thank my colleagues and Speaker Johnson for supporting this essential bill and the funding that my counties so desperately need,” Bentz concluded.

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