Author: KTVZ

KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend has completed its 2025 Street Preservation Program after improving 67 lane miles of the city’s roughly 930 lane miles of roadway. The projects, costing about $4.85 million, focused on using the right treatment at the right time to maximize cost-effective maintenance.

This year’s street preservation work included several key treatments:

Paving: Crews ground out old asphalt and replaced it on existing roadways.

Slurry seal: Applied as a treatment for low-volume residential streets.

Chip seal: Used an asphalt emulsion and rock coating to extend pavement life.

“This work helps extend the life of our roads that are vital to our community,” said Streets & Operations Project Manager Paul Neiswonger.

As the seasons change, the City’s Transportation & Mobility Department is preparing for winter operations and asking residents to do their part to get ready as well. Information about how to prepare for winter driving and what to expect during storms is available at bendoregon.gov/winter.

The City’s winter resources are set for average conditions, but extreme storms can still pose challenges. Each shift includes 18 snowplow operators and 32 pieces of equipment—ranging from light-duty pickups to medium-duty dump trucks and heavy-duty motor graders equipped with plows.

When snow and ice occur, city crews prioritize plowing and sanding the highest-use streets that serve the most drivers, employment areas, schools, and transit routes. Details can be found on the City’s winter street priority map at bendoregon.gov/snow.

“Priority One” routes include main arterials vital for emergency access, Columbia Basin Hospital, bus routes, employment centers, schools, and government facilities. “Priority Two” routes are main collector streets that connect to arterials and include business centers, medical facilities, safe routes to school, and neighborhood connections.

Residential streets are cleared last and may involve contracted crews for support. With Bend’s total of 165 lane miles of arterials, 82 of collectors, and 687 of residential streets, plows and sanding crews must follow this tiered system to maintain efficiency and safety across the city’s network.

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A group of local women has made a major contribution to help children in foster care. 100+ Women Who Care of Central Oregon recently donated $16,550 to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Oregon.

The donation will support CASA’s work recruiting, training, and empowering volunteers who advocate for children in the foster care and court system.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from 100+ Women Who Care,” said Heather Dion, executive director of CASA of Central Oregon. “These funds will go directly toward training a new class of CASAs to advocate for children in foster care. This generous gift truly makes a huge impact.”

CASA of Central Oregon, founded in 1992, serves Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. The nonprofit trains and supports volunteers appointed by judges to represent children navigating the foster system, ensuring they receive attention, advocacy, and ultimately placement in safe, permanent homes.

“Celebrating the power of giving together and the difference we’re making in our community with this third-quarter donation is exciting,” said Chrisi Haynes, leader of 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon.

The women’s giving group, founded in 2014, meets quarterly to select a local nonprofit for collective support. Each member contributes $100 directly to the chosen organization. Since its inception, the group has raised more than $840,000 for Central Oregon nonprofits.

The next meeting is set for Monday, December 1, at the Council on Aging, 1036 NW 5th Street in Bend.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: Police identify fall victim)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Policehad some new information to share Tuesday about a man who was seriously injured Monday in a 30-foot fall from from a cliff at Sawyer Park.

Bend PD Communications Manager Sheila Miller told KTVZ News that officers have positively identified the victim as a 53-year-old Bend man. She said she did not yet have a condition yet on the man, who sustained life-threatening injuries in Monday’s fall.

Shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, Bend Police responded to a report of a man who had fallen from an approximately 30-foot cliff in Sawyer Park.  

The 911 caller reported he could see the man at the bottom of a cliff at the edge of the Deschutes River, and the victim appeared to have serious injuries.

Bend Police requested assistance from Deschutes County Search & Rescue, and two officers were able to reach the man and provide care until Bend Fire & Rescue medics and SAR arrived on scene.

Medics and SAR personnel lifted the victim out of the canyon shortly after noon, and he was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Bend.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.  

Bend Police said they wish to thank Bend Fire & Rescue and Deschutes County Search & Rescue personnel for their assistance. 

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KTVZ

La PINE, Ore, (KTVZ) — Developers of an advanced geothermal energy system on the flanks of Newberry Volcano east of La Pine reported a major breakthrough Tuesday: the hottest temperature any such system has reported, at 629 °F.

KTVZ Chief Meteorologist John Carroll profiled the Mazama Energy demonstration project and its goals in an August Shifting Seasons special report.

Here is Tuesday’s news release from the firm, announcing the latest development:

Mazama Energy Unveils the World’s Hottest Enhanced Geothermal System, Paving the Way for Affordable Clean Power on a Global Scale

DALLAS, October 28, 2025 – Mazama Energy, Inc., a company incubated by Khosla Ventures and backed by Khosla Ventures and Gates Frontier, today announced a technologically significant leap for clean energy: the creation of the world’s hottest Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) at its pilot site in Newberry, Oregon – at an unprecedented 629 °F (331 °C) bottomhole temperature.  This breakthrough sets a new global benchmark for geothermal technology and marks a critical step towards delivering low-cost, carbon-free baseload power at terawatt-scale, targeting less than 5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 

A New Era for Data Center Energy: Always-On, Anywhere, Carbon-Free

As data centers and AI workloads surge, the world faces an unprecedented demand for continuous, high-density power. Traditional renewables such as solar and wind are intermittent, while natural gas and coal are carbon intensive. By developing geothermal resources at temperatures above 300 °C, Mazama can deliver power 24/7 from virtually anywhere in the world, regardless of weather or time of day. This makes Mazama’s geothermal platform the ideal solution for hyperscale data centers and industrial electrification.

“With geothermal, you get global, round-the-clock energy that is carbon-free, cost-stable, and grid-independent,” said Sriram Vasantharajan, CEO of Mazama Energy. “Our team’s accomplishments expand the frontiers of geothermal power into significantly hotter and more heterogeneous rock regimes than ever before. The Newberry pilot provides a blueprint for unlocking baseload, utility-scale, carbon-free energy from the Earth’s crust worldwide, which is what the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure requires.”

Dr. John McLennan, Reservoir Management Lead at Utah FORGE, said, “This is a validation of an integrated development program that has successfully interconnected two slightly deviated wells and circulated a representative working fluid – a fulfillment of a vision from nearly fifty years ago to create a full scale EGS reservoir which was initiated by Los Alamos National Laboratory at Fenton Hill, New Mexico. This proof of concept opens the door to deeper and hotter opportunities at Newberry and beyond.” 

Unlocking SuperHot Geothermal: Toward Terawatt-Scale Clean Energy

Mazama will next advance to commercial projects with horizontal wells, beginning with a 15 MW pilot in 2026 and then scaling to a 200 MW development project at Newberry. The company will also extend its drilling into the SuperHot Rock regime (>400 °C range), leveraging proprietary high-temperature materials, cooling solutions and stimulation technologies. Harnessing SuperHot Rock resources will allow Mazama to extract up to 10x more power density, use 75% less water and drill 80% fewer wells than current approaches. Mazama aims to deliver terawatts of competitive and dispatchable power globally.

Located within the Cascade Range, Newberry is one of the largest geothermal reservoirs in the U.S. At the demonstration site, Mazama’s engineers first completed and stimulated a legacy well to serve as the water injector.  Mazama then successfully drilled a new, 10,200-foot deviated producer well within six feet of its planned trajectory achieving optimal alignment with the injector. Initial circulation tests and diagnostics confirm comprehensive connectivity between the two wells and the creation of the hottest-ever EGS.  

Mazama’s team successfully deployed a spectrum of innovative technologies – including directional drilling, high-temperature well construction, and proprietary stimulation — to deliver performance under conditions far beyond traditional oil and gas industry limits. The team operated year-round at a remote, high-altitude site, with zero lost-time incidents.

During the technical demonstration, Mazama achieved:

Peak drill penetration rates of 100 feet/hour

Average 76 feet/hour across diverse rock types: granite, basalt, and granodiorite

Record-breaking bit runs up to 2,760 feet through volcanic formations

Zero downhole failures of motors or measurement tools

Well integrity and cement stability at ultra-high temperatures

At the heart of this success is Mazama’s proprietary Thermal Lattice™ stimulation, which is a patented process, purpose-built for enhanced geothermal environments.  Building on conventional hydraulic fracturing, Thermal Lattice™ enables complex fracture creation and improved connectivity. The Newberry project also demonstrated the successful use of crosslinked fracturing fluid systems, sliding sleeves, chemical and nano tracers, and fiber-optic diagnostics for real-time fracture mapping and temperature monitoring. 

About Mazama Energy

Mazama Energy is pioneering Enhanced Geothermal Systems and SuperHot Rock technologies to deliver low-cost, dispatchable, and carbon-free power at a global scale. Through its proprietary MUSE™ technology platform, Mazama is redefining geothermal performance and unlocking the world’s largest untapped renewable resource deep heat from the Earth’s crust.

For more information about Mazama, visit www.mazamaenergy.com.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend has completed its 2025 Street Preservation Program after improving 67 lane miles of the city’s roughly 930 lane miles of roadway. The projects, costing about $4.85 million, focused on using the right treatment at the right time to maximize cost-effective maintenance.

This year’s street preservation work included several key treatments:

Paving: Crews ground out old asphalt and replaced it on existing roadways.

Slurry seal: Applied as a treatment for low-volume residential streets.

Chip seal: Used an asphalt emulsion and rock coating to extend pavement life.

“This work helps extend the life of our roads that are vital to our community,” said Streets & Operations Project Manager Paul Neiswonger.

As the seasons change, the City’s Transportation & Mobility Department is preparing for winter operations and asking residents to do their part to get ready as well. Information about how to prepare for winter driving and what to expect during storms is available at bendoregon.gov/winter.

The City’s winter resources are set for average conditions, but extreme storms can still pose challenges. Each shift includes 18 snowplow operators and 32 pieces of equipment—ranging from light-duty pickups to medium-duty dump trucks and heavy-duty motor graders equipped with plows.

When snow and ice occur, city crews prioritize plowing and sanding the highest-use streets that serve the most drivers, employment areas, schools, and transit routes. Details can be found on the City’s winter street priority map at bendoregon.gov/snow.

“Priority One” routes include main arterials vital for emergency access, Columbia Basin Hospital, bus routes, employment centers, schools, and government facilities. “Priority Two” routes are main collector streets that connect to arterials and include business centers, medical facilities, safe routes to school, and neighborhood connections.

Residential streets are cleared last and may involve contracted crews for support. With Bend’s total of 165 lane miles of arterials, 82 of collectors, and 687 of residential streets, plows and sanding crews must follow this tiered system to maintain efficiency and safety across the city’s network.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sunriver Brewing Co. has announced the final day for its Galveston Avenue pub in Bend.

On November 1st, the last customers will be served as major changes to the block the brewery sits on are about to take place.

You might remember our previous reporting on the planned transformation after a local family company bought the Bakery Building and the building that once housed Boss Rambler, which they plan to turn into a two-story building with three restaurants and office space on top.

Sunriver Brewing said in a Facebook post Monday that extensive demolition and construction will take place over the next year and it would be unable to operate successfully during that time.

It’s now looking for the right opportunity to return to Bend’s Westside.

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Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. {KTVZ} — A plan to open a managed camp in Redmond by winter faced uncertainty after the Redmond City Council deadlocked in a split vote on October 14. The camp, a joint effort between Deschutes County and the City of Redmond, has seen its construction costs rise significantly over the original estimate. 

In August 2025, the city and county entered into an intergovernmental agreement to establish the East Redmond Managed Camp at 1002 NE 17th Street. The project will cover about six acres, providing 72 campsites with temporary shelter, basic services, and case management for people experiencing homelessness. 

Under the agreement, Deschutes County would pay $281,000, and the City of Redmond would contribute $250,000. However, the construction bid came in roughly $145,000 higher than anticipated, something that is extremely common in the industry.

The new projections and data raised the total project cost to $676,118.75. This bid was the lowest of six bids that the County received.

If approved, the amendment to the agreement would require the City and County to split the added cost, bringing Redmond’s share to about $322,559 and the County’s to about $353,559. 

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone told KTVZ that the county remains committed to the partnership, despite the unexpected increase. 

“I think it’s just a partnership with the City of Redmond. We’re willing to contribute the extra money, but now it’s up to the city to decide if they’ll do the same.” 

During the October 14 council meeting, members voted 3–3 on approving the additional funds. Mayor Ed Fitch was absent, recovering from heart surgery, leaving the council without a tie-breaking vote. 

Councilor Cat Zwicker said councilors wanted more clarity about the reason for the cost increase before proceeding. 

“I think several councilors just wanted to know why we had that increase and what specifically those costs were related to. Having that information would make the decision easier for some.” 

Zwicker also emphasized that while the camp will be located within city limits, it is not exclusively owned by the City of Redmond. 

“This is a joint venture between Redmond and Deschutes County. The county will manage operations for the next couple of years as outlined in the agreement.” 

DeBone, who initially opposed the creation of the camp, now says it offers an important opportunity to provide stable shelter for individuals seeking a path out of homelessness. 

“It’ll be a good opportunity for people who need a place to stay — more stable, more secure. There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s a step in the right direction.” 

The county commissioners delayed their own vote during their October 15 meeting to gather more information on the cost increase.  

The Redmond City Council is expected to revisit the funding question in its next meeting on October 28th, Tuesday night. 

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: video added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Club of Bend announced Monday it has a new CEO, Michael Baker, who will be stepping into the role beginning November 3rd.

Baker has worked with the program since 1988.

Read the full press release below:

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend is excited to share a new season of leadership. Michael Baker will step in as Chief Executive Officer on Monday, November 3, 2025.

Baker began his career with Boys & Girls Clubs in 1988, working in the housing projects of New York. For the past two decades, he has served as CEO at Clubs in Anaheim, California and Santa Barbara, California. His leadership has been marked by significant growth in membership, annual revenue and donations, organizational impact, and community visibility, all achieved with a strong commitment to financial and social responsibility.

For more than 30 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend has been a cornerstone for youth and families in Central Oregon, providing safe spaces, caring mentors, and opportunities for growth. Baker’s broad experience will strengthen and guide the Club as it continues to expand its impact in the community, “I am so excited to be the new CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend. There is a great team in place, and the Board is as dedicated as any board I have ever seen in my career. I can’t wait to get started and meet as many of you incredible supporters as possible,” Baker commented.   

Board Chair Danielle Rosenfield shared, “Michael’s arrival marks an exciting moment for our Club and our community. His deep experience and commitment to youth development will help us serve more children and families across Central Oregon. We also know that leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend is about more than credentials—it’s about connection, humility, and a shared commitment to our youth-centered culture. We are eager to move forward in partnership with our staff, families, and community toward an even stronger future. We’re especially grateful to Bri Slusser for her steady leadership during this interim period, her care and clarity over the past six months have made us stronger and better prepared for what’s ahead.”

Baker will be in Bend just in time for the organization’s annual Flannel & Frost fundraiser on November 15, which will also mark one of his first opportunities to connect with the Club’s supporters and community champions. There will be additional opportunities to connect with him in the months ahead, and he looks forward to getting to know the community.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend has served Central Oregon youth for more than 30 years. The Club provides safe, supportive spaces, positive relationships, and enriching programs that help kids learn, lead, and thrive. Mission: We provide youth opportunities for growth that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential in the classroom, at home, and in our community.”

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Halloween quickly approaches, the American Red Cross is offering five tips to keep you safe while enjoying the holiday.

Below are the tips from the agency:

Trick-or-treaters need to see and be seen.

Try using face makeup instead of a mask. Masks can block little one’s view and make it difficult to see.

Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way.

Use flame-resistant costumes.

Trick-or-treat routes and Halloween parties often include candles, fire pits, and decorative lighting, which can easily ignite long or flowing costumes. Kids’ costumes often have loose sleeves, capes, or tulle skirts, which are more likely to catch fire — so flame resistance adds vital protection.

Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street.

If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.

Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.

Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.

Don’t cross between parked cars.

Drivers – use extra caution. The youngsters may forget to look both ways before crossing.

If you’re handing out treats, turn your porch light on and make sure there’s a clear path to your porch.

Turn on outdoor lights so trick-or-treaters can avoid any obstacles

A grown-up should check the goodies before eating.

Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards.

Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.

Before anyone enjoys their candy haul, adults should inspect all treats and remove any loose candy, open packages, or potential choking hazards. Discard any unfamiliar or unbranded items.

The American Red Cross also urges you to download the free Red Cross First Aid App for instant access to expert first aid advice on your mobile phone.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Snow began falling at mid-mountain Friday night at Mt. Bachelor and turned to snow at the base Saturday morning according to the resort.

Mt. Bachelor said it received a foot of snow Saturday night into Sunday morning.

There’s still a lot of prep to do before the moutain can open.

Right now they’re working of lifts, re-painting the lodge and doing parking lot matinaince.

We talked to Lauren burke , director of marketing and commuincation at Mount Bachelor who said “Snow is just the perfect way to get people excited. You see people buying lift tickets, you see them up here shopping in our retail shop, picking up new skis, snowboards, new winter gear. And people are just planning their trip for, later in the season to ”

We caught some people getting in some early ski’ing. Katie Lawrence, told us it was her “First time skinning or touring or whatever you want to call it.”

Local Murray Einerson was keen to get out on the slopes, saying “First day of the year and, we put skins on the bottoms of our skis and then get up to maybe the summit or halfway up and then sit down once, twice, three times. We’ll see”

Take a look at the below images from Mt. Bachelor’s live webcams Monday morning of the Rock Bar patio and West Village parking lot where snow is stacking up!

Rock Bar patio

West Village parking lot

With opening day slated for November 28th, which is less than 5 weeks away, conditions are shaping up for a great season. 

Mt. Bachelor wants to remind you that season passes and daily lift tickets are available to purchase online at mtbachelor.com. It also asks you to be mindful of its operations team as they get ready for the upcoming season.

Stay out of construction zones and out of the way of staff completing ongoing mountain projects across the resort.

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