Author: KTVZ

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding interview with attendees, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Downtown Bend kicked off the holiday season this weekend with one of the community’s favorite traditions: the annual Christmas tree lighting in the heart of downtown.

Families packed the streets Sunday night, filling the sidewalks around the big tree as music, laughter and the smell of hot cocoa set a festive scene. The event featured live performances by local choirs singing holiday favorites, visits with Santa and plenty of holiday lights brightening up downtown.

Kids lined up to “sit with Santa,” share what they’re hoping to find under the tree this year and snap photos on their families’ phones and cameras. Volunteers handed out candy canes, adding to the classic small-town holiday feel.

The lighting of the tree happened mid-event, with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler helping lead the countdown and flip the switch that officially signaled the start of the season. As the tree lights came on and downtown’s twinkle lights glowed overhead, the crowd cheered and many families stayed to stroll through the decorated streets and take in the magic.

KTVZ’s Claire Elmer live-streamed the celebration and spoke with attendees about what makes the night special.

“I think just the atmosphere, right? It’s the holiday season — getting festive, getting to enjoy it with the family. It doesn’t get better than that,” one dad, Bobby, said.

Young attendees were especially taken with the towering downtown tree.

“It’s a pretty tree,” a group of girls told Elmer, quickly agreeing that their favorite part was “the star on the top” and “the colorful lighting,” while sipping hot cocoa and trying to stay warm in the chilly evening air.

The Downtown Bend Business Association, which hosts the celebration, said the Christmas tree and downtown holiday lights will remain up through the New Year, giving residents and visitors more time to enjoy that holiday glow on evening walks and shopping trips.

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KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A family in Madras safely escaped a house fire Saturday morning thanks to the quick response of Jefferson County Fire & EMS crews.

Firefighters were called to SW Second Street just after 10:40 a.m. after reports of smoke coming from the home. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the eaves and vents. They helped the family safely evacuate an elderly occupant and several pets before attacking the flames from both inside the home and the roof.

One resident was taken to St. Charles Madras for smoke exposure. No other injuries were reported.

Investigators determined the fire started from a debris burn too close to the home, which spread to the siding and into the attic. Fire officials are reminding community members to keep debris burns a safe distance from structures and never leave them unattended.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS received support from volunteer firefighters, interns, and officers with the Madras Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The holiday season is in full swing, and Saturday’s Holiday Parade drew crowds from across Bend to celebrate together.

Hundreds of people lined the streets as over 90 different groups celebrated their organization and the holidays.

Groups ranged from news stations like KTVZ to Schools and even the Raiders fan group.

We caught up with people along the parade route to hear their reactions.

Betty and Harlen, long time residents of Bend, were incredibly enthusiastic.

“Amazing! Seriously, it was an awesome parade,” Betty and Harlen told KTVZ News. “Santa for sure. It was a great parade. We both seen this for the last 40 years. 50 years. it was a great parade.”

Taylor Schreiber, another resident of Bend was with his son who enjoyed the Tractors.

“The parade was awesome. I think people have been craving connection and crowds like this for a long time. People just had a blast partying and having great music,” Schreiber told KTVZ News. “My son loved the tractors. Those old school tractors rolling by the back. Love to see those things still pumping.”

Everybody loves a good holiday parade and this year was no different. If you missed the parade you can catch it on KTVZ+.

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Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend Christmas tree lot raising money for a local rehab charity started its morning with an unwelcome surprise. Employees at the Super Thrift Tree Lot say, Friday morning, they discovered that someone had forced their way into a storage shed on the property. Fortunately, the shed didn’t hold anything valuable; the money box, tools, and generator are all kept off-site after hours.

The theft hit especially hard because proceeds from the lot benefit the Adult and Teen Challenge Program, a faith-based organization that supports people working to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

Program coordinator Gregg Huisingh told KTVZ News, if someone needed something, they could’ve just asked. He added, “That’s what we’re here for, to try to help people as much as possible. And that’s what this is for, to provide what we need to help people. That’s exactly what we do.”

Despite the setback, staff members say they’re in good spirits. They’re still filing a police report, but their focus remains on the good that’s come from community generosity this season. Every tree set aside for charity this year has already been paid for and given away — a reminder, they say, that the true meaning of Christmas can’t be stolen.

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: adding video and quotes from Sarah Swartz, Suzy Reininger, and Sarah Roberts)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The holiday season is in full effect as a packed downtown bend celebrates First Friday.

As the calendar turns from November to December, businesses and residents are gathering their holiday gifts and getting ready for the holidays.

On the first Friday in Bend, businesses stay open later to bring in the month.

Sarah Swartz, the owner of Wildflower, told KTVZ, “we’re seeing a lot of people out for first Friday, so, it’s fun to have the energy and despite the fact that we don’t have snow, it seems to be going pretty well so far.”

Snow plays a big factor on tourism in Central Oregon. Thousands of people flock to the mountains nearby. But with the limited snowfall, we haven’t had that tourism bump that helps small local business.

So how are local business fairing?

“Actually, it’s been amazing. Lots of super, happy, people visiting from out of town,” Suzy Reininger, the owner of Leaping Lizards Toy Company told KTVZ. “Then, our locals are saying we are shopping local this year, so thank you.”

Sarah Roberts, the owner of Oregon Body and Bath told KTVZ, “you know, I don’t think it’s impacted us much at all. It’s been busy. We’ve got a lot of customers coming in every day, so I don’t know that it’s impacted us very much.”

We are now just a few short weeks from the holidays but Swartz, Roberts, and Reininger told KTVZ that gifts and flowers have been flying off the shelves.

Reininger told KTVZ they have already had to reorder more toys to fill the demand.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thursday marked the final day of Shop with a Cop with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Ty Rupert and other DCSO team members were seen spending time with all the kids, uplifting their Christmas spirit with necessities like blankets and jackets—and of course a few Christmas toys to spark some holiday joy. 

Shop with a Cop is a long-standing national tradition that pairs local law enforcement officers with children in need of a special holiday shopping experience.

Kids are nominated through local schools and community organizations. 

Together with law enforcement, they spend the day together–having fun shopping for necessities and a few holiday gifts.

The program is entirely funded by donations. Donations are accepted year-round. Click here to learn more.

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KTVZ

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Some community members still feel the effects of the covid pandemic – including the Taizé community. Now they say they are ready to rebuild.

Taizé is a style of worship dating back to France at the end of World War Two.

The community in Bend has been around for several decades.

Members of the community told KTVZ News, Taizé brings a sense of calming to their lives.

Deby Welch, a member of the Taizé community told KTVZ, “The focus we try and make is on healing. So we have different things. Healing for people, healing for the world. This month, healing for faith communities.”

“I was amazed how comforting. Just coming, listening to the music, participating and the feeling of it’s not something that asks much of you, but it gives you so much to just sit in,” Michaele Grabenhorst said to KTVZ News.

Community members come together for songs, prayer, and comfort in the chaotic world.

They say that anyone from any religion is welcome to join.

They meet on the first Thursday of the month, at Trinity Episcopal Church.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fast firefighter response kept a garden shed fire – sparked by disposed-of hot ashes – from reaching nearby homes in a southwest Bend neighborhood Thursday morning.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called out around 11 a.m. to the structure fire near homes in the 61000 block of Chuckanut Drive, in the Romaine Village subdivision, Fire Investigator Jason Kamperman said.

A neighbor alerted the property owner of the shed fire and also called 911, he said.

Crews quickly put out the blaze, but not before it destroyed the shed, damaged a property-line fence and burned parts of several large Ponderosa pines, Kamperman said.

The investigator said they found that hot ashes had been placed on dry compost material near the shed. The ashes, from a fire in a wood-burning appliance the previous night, ignited combustibles and quickly spread to the nearby shed.

Fortunately, Kamperman said, nearby homes were spared danage due to the quick response from fire crews after the neighbor called 911.

Losses were estimated at about $20,000.

Kamperman said, “It is important to dispose of hot ashes from wood burning appliances correctly.  Best practice is to first let ashes cool in the burning appliance for 2-3 days before taking them out.  Then, when they have cooled significantly, place them in a non-combustible container, such as a sturdy metal container with metal lid and leaving in the container, 10 feet away from any combustibles, until completely cool and extinguished. This can take multiple days, or even weeks.”

“Ashes taken out of a wood-burning appliance can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles for 4 – 7 days, in some cases even longer, after they have been removed from the source,” the fire investigator added in his news release. 

“Even though they may not be smoking or feel hot to the touch, hot embers may be deep inside of ash and remain hot enough to support combustion,” Kamperman said, adding: “Never place hot ashes in a plastic or combustible container or near combustible materials prior to ensuring complete extinguishment.”

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Mastersingers put on a free performance at the downtown Bend library Thursday afternoon.

This is a group of highly skilled singers from various ensembles from across Oregon. And while they’ve sung in many prestigious venues, including the Vatican, they were more than happy to sign some holiday songs for the gathered crowd. 

Numbers included a cappella versions of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas,’ ‘Joy to the World’ and ‘Deck the Halls.’ The crowd was especially impressed with a performance of the ‘Carol of the Bells.’

While the group strives to be a source of high quality choral music, being a source of joy is more important to them.

Christian Clark, the Mastersingers’ artistic director, told KTVZ News, “We believe in the power of music to change lives. And when we get to perform for people, whether it’s on the stage of the Tower Theatre or in a room at the library, we love connecting with people.”

Carols are a favorite of the Mastersingers. Clark said, “It’s especially important this time of year that we can provide some hope and some joy for folks. And we’re happy to be here at the library today to do that.“

If you missed the Mastersingers’ Thursday performance, they have several more coming up. They have an upcoming  “What Sweeter Music!” performance at the Tower Theatre on the 14th. Tickets can be found on the Tower website. There’s also free sing-along of “Handel’s Messiah” on the 20th at Nativity Lutheran Church.

And you might even catch them out on the streets of Bend. The Mastersingers will be caroling in the Old Mill on the 9th, and you’ll also see and hear them in Saturday’s Christmas Parade.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Taylor Brooks has just announced that Perk Imaging has signed a lease for Shevlin Crossing Building B, introducing an advanced new option in breast screening to Central Oregon.

Perk Imaging will offer the QT Scan, a state-of-the-art, non-invasive breast imaging technology that is radiation-free, contrast-free, compression-free, and completely painless, according to a news release received by KTVZ News that continues below.

The Bend location will house one of only 10 QT Scanners in the United States—and the first in Oregon—providing unprecedented clarity down to the cellular level.

Amanda Johnson, FNP

Perk Imaging was founded by Amanda Johnson, FNP, who also owns and operates Mae Medical, an integrative medicine clinic in Lakeview, Oregon. Johnson brings more than 26 years of experience across women’s health, diagnostics, and integrative medicine.

“We’re proud to be the first in Oregon to introduce QT Scan technology,” said Johnson. “This is an exciting step forward for women’s health—offering a safe, radiation-free, pain-free option for women of all ages. With nearly half of all women having dense breast tissue, traditional imaging can be limited. The QT Scan provides earlier, clearer insight and empowers women to take control of their breast health with confidence.”

Romy Mortensen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Brooks Resources Corporation, the Managing Member of Taylor Brooks, added, “I’m thrilled and proud that Perk Imaging will be the first to bring the QT Scan to Oregon. Patients deserve access to innovative imaging alternatives and a holistic approach to wellness. Located in the heart of Bend’s growing health and wellness district, Perk is the ideal addition to Shevlin Crossing.”

About QT Scan Technology

The QT Scan uses Breast Acoustic CT™, a non-ionizing tomographic imaging technology based on low-frequency sound waves. Key benefits include:

Radiation-free and contrast-free imaging, offering a safe, repeatable option for all ages

Completely painless scanning with no breast compression; the breast rests comfortably in a room-temperature water bath

True 3D, high-resolution visualization of breast tissue, with clarity extending to the cellular level

Exceptional performance for dense breast tissue or implants, since acoustic imaging is not limited by tissue density

Reduction in unnecessary biopsies and callbacks by more accurately differentiating benign from suspicious findings

Perk Imaging will pair this technology with a spa-inspired clinic environment, creating a calm, comfortable screening experience focused on patient wellbeing.

Beyond imaging, Johnson plans to expand into wellness services that offer a broader, more integrated view of breast health. “As we developed Perk Imaging, it became clear that breast health cannot be separated from overall metabolic health,” says Johnson.

“Women’s hormones, inflammation, detoxification pathways, and metabolic function all influence breast tissue over time. That understanding inspired the creation of Perk Wellness—to give patients access to the tools, education, and comprehensive support needed to optimize whole-body health alongside advanced breast imaging.”

Perk Wellness will be a membership-based wellness program offering advanced, results-driven services. Perk Wellness will feature the HOCATT™ sauna, available to both women and men through a dedicated membership.

Additional memberships are designed specifically for women and include Detox & Reset, Women’s Hormone Optimization, Longevity & Anti-Aging, and an exclusive All-Inclusive Membership. Each program integrates restorative therapies with evidence-based functional medicine to deliver personalized, elevated wellness support.

Together, Perk Imaging and Perk Wellness offer a complementary model in which onsite QT Scan imaging and the HOCATT™ sauna are paired with virtual, integrative wellness memberships—providing patients with seamless access to both advanced diagnostics and modern wellness support.

Perk Wellness is an additional, entirely optional membership and is not required for QT Scan imaging. All imaging services are offered independently, with wellness memberships available solely as a complementary option for those seeking broader metabolic, hormonal, or preventive support.

About Perk Imaging

Perk Imaging is an innovative breast imaging clinic opening in 2026 in Bend, Oregon. It will feature the QT Scan, one of only ten in the U.S. and the first in Oregon, offering non-invasive, ultra-high-resolution breast imaging for earlier and more accurate detection. The clinic was founded by experienced nurse practitioner Amanda Johnson, FNP, and is committed to advancing women’s health through safe, modern, patient-centered imaging. www.perkimaging.com.

About Taylor Brooks

Taylor Brooks is a Bend-based real estate development firm specializing in land acquisition, site planning, and build-to-suit projects that support long-term community and economic vitality. The company develops medical, office, and flex industrial properties and provides full-service commercial property management with an emphasis on strong tenant relationships. Taylor Brooks is a partnership between Taylor Development LLC and Brooks Resources Corporation. www.taylorbrooksdev.com.

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