Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue crews responded to a reported lightning strike during Thursday night’s thunderstorms (July 22nd).

The agency reminds you that lightning can ignite vegetation and create fire hazards.

If you see smoke or fire following a storm, call 911 immediately.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer flies by, the school year quickly approaches. For Bend-La Pine Schools, new bus riders, kindergarten students, and their families are invited to learn about bus safety and take a spin on a school bus during the Ready, Set, Ride! bus safety programs.

During the events, families will watch a short video, learn about the rules of bus riding, and ride a bus together. The sessions last approximately one hour.

The sessions will take place at Bend-La Pine Transportation Department, 501 SE Second St. (and Wilson), in Bend on the following days:

• Tuesday, August 11, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, August 12, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

La Pine Elementary, 51615 Coach Rd., La Pine

• Thursday, August 13, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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Kelsey Merison

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) Happening next weekend, head on out to Tumalo Lavender for the first annual Tumalo Lavender Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!

On Saturday, August 1st, the fields will be in peak bloom and it promises to be a colorful community celebration, including u-cut lavender bouquets, local artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun.

It’s free for all and everyone is welcome!

Click here to learn more.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire and Rescue is currently receiving numerous public inquiries concerning wildfire safety, emergency alerts and evacuation plans amid local smoke and fire conditions. Officials are advising residents to sign up for Deschutes County Alerts and to practice potential evacuation routes.

Many residents are worried about knowing when to evacuate during a wildfire emergency. The Deschutes County alert system provides direct notifications for emergencies or evacuations through email or phone number registration, including landlines.

Bend Fire also recommends that residents practice their evacuation routes to prepare for low-visibility conditions. Melissa Steele, Deputy Fire Marshal of Wildfire Preparedness for Bend Fire and Rescue, emphasized the importance of knowing multiple ways out of a community.

“We always encourage people, not during fire season, to go get lost,” Steele said. “Go find some different routes on how to get out of your community. It’s good to know those routes because in an evacuation, it’s not always a blue sky day. You’re going to have lots of smoke that you’re going to be breathing in, you’re going to have embers raining down on you. And it could be pitch black, dark. So this isn’t an easy evacuation. You want to know those routes.”

For additional questions, residents can contact Bend Fire through its non-emergency number, 541-693-6911. Bend Fire and Rescue also assists with making arrangements for individuals with mobility issues or with medical equipment who may require help during an evacuation.

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Tracee Tuesday

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Highway 26 is closed over the Ochoco Mountains between Prineville and Mitchell due to active wildfire and related response efforts in the area.

The closure spans milepost 46 to 65, according to authorities. All lanes, shoulders and the median are affected in both directions.

Drivers are urged to use an alternate route and avoid the area as conditions remain active and potentially hazardous. Officials warn that roads near wildfires can open or close with little notice depending on fire behavior, weather conditions and firefighting operations.

KTVZ News is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. Check back for the latest details.

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Lance Campbell

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Wildfire smoke has been hanging over much of Central Oregon this week, but in Jefferson County on Wednesday, the focus shifted to something far more festive: opening day at the Jefferson County Fair.

Families filled the fairgrounds in Madras as exhibitors proudly showed the animals they’ve spent months raising and caring for. For many, it’s not just a competition — it’s a chance to share their work with the community and celebrate local agriculture.

Gracie Blueback was among those taking in the first day of fair events.

“Just hanging out until the rodeo starts, so I can go cheer on one of my sisters,” Blueback said.

For exhibitors, the fair offers a rare opportunity to put months of early mornings, daily care and preparation on display for visitors. It also gives fairgoers a front-row seat to the region’s agricultural roots and the young people who keep those traditions going.

Rainee Jacobs said her time in the show ring didn’t go exactly as expected, but she was happy with how things turned out.

Rainee Jacobs pictured with her steer.

“I did good, my steer was a little rowdy, but he did good,” Jacobs said.

She added that there’s plenty more to enjoy beyond the judging.

“Fair’s fun. It’s really good food, funny animals and, you can pet goats.” Jacobs said.

Behind every animal in the ring are months of work that most visitors never see — feeding, grooming, training and preparing for moments like opening day, as livestock judging gets underway.

For many exhibitors, Wednesday marked the payoff after months of effort. And for the rest of the community, it was a reminder that even with wildfire smoke lingering in the air, traditions like the Jefferson County Fair continue to bring people together.

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Tracee Tuesday

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A sudden and powerful storm swept through parts of Sunriver Wednesday afternoon, toppling trees, blocking roads and briefly trapping vehicles near the Sunriver Airport.

According to Chuck Rosenfeld, who identified himself as part of the Sunriver Citizen Patrol, the storm hit around 3 p.m. following a thunderstorm that brought heavy rain and hail to the Sunriver Village and Business Park.

Rosenfeld said hangar doors at the airport began rattling before multiple trees came crashing down across River Road and into the airport parking area.

In this case, several large Jeffrey pines near the airport terminal were either uprooted or snapped. Some vehicles in the parking lot were trapped and sustained minor damage. Despite the intensity of the winds, no damage to aircraft tied down on the ramp was reported.

The storm also brought down additional trees along River Road just south of the Sunriver Stables, blocking both the roadway and nearby bike path.

Sunriver Owners Association Public Works crews responded quickly, using chainsaws and a front-end loader to clear debris. Crews cut and removed fallen trees, trimmed obstructing limbs and pushed debris off the roadway.

River Road was reopened within about an hour.

While storm response is not part of their routine duties, Public Works crews are trained to handle emergency situations. Their rapid response helped restore access and maintain safety in the area following the storm.

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Claire Elmer

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County commissioners declared a state of emergency Wednesday as multiple wildfires continue burning across the county and surrounding region, citing exhausted local resources and ongoing threats to public safety.

The emergency declaration, approved during a special meeting of the Crook County Board of Commissioners on July 22nd, comes as firefighters battle several major blazes, including the Brewer, Coyote, and Henry fires, along with other smaller fires within the county.

Officials also noted that neighboring fires, including the Box Springs Fire, have threatened or already crossed into Crook County.

County leaders said the fires were sparked following widespread lightning during the week of July 13 and continue to be fueled by drought conditions, challenging weather, and limited firefighting resources due to the large number of wildfires burning throughout the region.

According to the resolution, the fires pose an ongoing threat to human health and safety, homes and other property, as well as the livelihoods of Crook County residents.

The county’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated, with emergency responders continuing to monitor fire activity, issue evacuation updates and take other measures intended to protect the public.

Under Oregon law, the emergency declaration recognizes that local resources have been exhausted and authorizes Crook County Emergency Services to take all necessary steps permitted by law to protect people and property throughout the county.

You can view the declaration in its entirety below:

Crook County State of Emergency 72226Download

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Redmond woman charged with killing her mother last summer appeared in court Tuesday for a status hearing, where a trial date was set in a case that has seen multiple delays.

Jessica Andersch appeared remotely in Deschutes County Circuit Court before Judge Wells Ashby on Tuesday afternoon.

Court records show the case has been setback several times, as Andersch has been found both mentally unfit and mentally fit to proceed at different points over the past year.

Following a brief discussion between the judge, prosecution, and defense, an eight-day jury trial was scheduled to begin February 23, 2027.

When asked by Judge Ashby if she had any questions, Andersch responded, “A lot, but not at this time.”

Andersch has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Junior League Baseball West Region Tournament is underway in Bend, with Bend South Little League serving as the host for the multi-day event.

State champion teams from across the western United States are competing at Caldera High School through July 30, with a trip to the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan, on the line.

The tournament features teams from Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Southern California, Utah and Oregon.

Bend South is representing the host league in the double-elimination bracket and is trying to stay alive against some of the top junior league teams in the West.

In Tuesday’s game, Bend South was trailing Northern Lights of Colorado, 10-2, when a strong storm moved through the area in the fourth inning.

Play was halted because of thunder and lightning, adding another challenge in a tournament already carrying plenty of pressure.

The winner of the regional tournament will advance to the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan.

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