Author: KTVZ

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tickets will go on sale Friday for the latest artists to announce a concert next summer at Bend’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Mt. Joy, which will be paying a visit to perform in late August.

Here’s the details released Monday by their publicists:

MT. JOY ADDS NEW DATES TO NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR

HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER – BEND, OR

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026

TOUR EMPHASIZES FAIR AND ACCESSIBLE PRICING

MT. JOY DONATING $1 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD

Following the breakout success of their 2025 album Hope We Have Fun, Mt. Joy has announced additional dates on their North American tour for 2026, anchored by some of the biggest headline moments of their career.

The run includes a massive return to Madison Square Garden, two nights at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, another milestone date at Boston’s TD Garden, and a celebratory Colorado stop at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, where the band previously sold nearly 14,000 tickets.

These marquee plays build on a banner 2025 that saw Mt. Joy sell nearly 200,000 tickets across the U.S., sell out The Greek Theatre in Berkeley and The United Center in Chicago, and headline festivals including Newport Folk Festival, all while delivering some of the most emotional and communal performances of their career.

The tour will make a Bend stop at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on August 29, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. local time at ticketmaster.com.

The Philadelphia group has emerged as one of America’s most beloved live acts, known for blending euphoric, anthemic folk-rock with deeply human storytelling. Their album Hope We Have Fun captured this balance seamlessly, debuting in the Top 10 on Spotify’s U.S. Album Chart and landing multiple songs across AAA Radio’s Top 10, including “Highway Queen (feat. Maren Morris)” and “She Wants to Go Dancing.”

The new 2026 tour, which honors their 10-year anniversary as a band, kicks off this spring following the band’s debut Australia/New Zealand run, bringing Mt. Joy back to fan-favorite cities and venues while opening the door to new markets still to be announced. Artist presale begins Tuesday at 10 am local time, Spotify Fans First presale begins Wednesday at noon local, and general on-sale starts Friday at 10am local.

The newly announced summer run, billed as Mt. Joy: Celebrating 10 Years of Mt. Joy, is being approached with an emphasis on accessibility, and $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to charity, with the 2026 beneficiary to be announced soon. For more information and tickets, visit www.mtjoyband.com/#tour.

Mt. Joy’s touring continues to be a driver of meaningful impact nationwide. The band has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations including the ACLU and Family Reach, hosted non-perishable food drives at shows, and made visits to children’s hospitals while on the road. Through direct ticket donations, benefit concerts, exclusive merch collaborations, and creative nonprofit partnerships, Mt. Joy has raised over $700,000 for charity since 2022, using their platform to inspire empathy, awareness, and action.

Their philanthropic ethos continues into this next chapter: The band recently released a new stripped back version of “Lucy,” the original raising $23,437 for the American Brain Tumor Association, contributing to the nearly $500,000 raised for charity on this album cycle alone. The heartfelt track, and its new stripped version, has become a symbol of the band’s commitment to pairing purpose with music in ways that resonate far beyond the stage.

With a new tour ahead, landmark venues on the horizon, and their philanthropic impact continuing to grow, Mt. Joy reaffirms that empathy, artistry, and purpose can thrive hand in hand, turning every show into far more than a concert, but a community.

About Mt. Joy:

The Philadelphia and Los Angeles based band—Matt Quinn [vocals, guitar], Sam Cooper [guitar], Sotiris Eliopoulos [drums], Jackie Miclau [keys, piano], and Michael Byrnes [bass]— take their name from the quiet and rural National Park in Southwest Pennsylvania, about four hours from their Philadelphia base.

Forming in 2016, they made their mark two years later when their self-titled Mt. Joy (2018) debut album spun off platinum single “Silver Lining,” an uplifting power ballad that went to #1 at AAA radio (Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay) and has eclipsed over 240 million streams across platforms.

Their second album, Rearrange Us (2020) drew widespread critical raves, with title track gaining 92 million Spotify streams since the release. Their third LP, Orange Blood (2022), came out of the pandemic and further cemented them with another #1, Lemon Tree, at AAA and a 70 date headline tour that sold over 180K tickets.

Over the past five years, Mt. Joy has amassed over half a billion streams and earned acclaim from NPR, Billboard, Rolling Stone, The Line of Best Fit, and more. Throughout their career, the band has performed at a variety of festivals such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo. Additionally, the band has performed on Stephen Colbert, CBS Morning, Samantha Bee, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Conan. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative (Co-Op) recently held the 39th Annual Firebusters Fire & Life Safety program in partnership with KTVZ. The program traditionally includes five 30-second fire and life safety videos targeted for students from kindergarten to fifth grade throughout Central Oregon.

Videos are available by watching the morning or evening news on KTVZ, on YouTube, or on the KTVZ or Co-Op websites & social media pages. Students receive a worksheet to reinforce the lessons learned and turn it in when completed for a prize such as a free ice cream from McDonalds.

At the conclusion of the program, all schools with over 50% participation are entered into a drawing to receive a Grand Prize Assembly.

This year, the program ran October 6-10. Almost 12,000 worksheets were distributed to 45 elementaryschools throughout Central Oregon.

Safety topics for the program included: Rechargeable Battery Safety; Home Fire Escape Planning; Being Visible When Walking or Rolling; Calling 911; and What to Pack In a Go Bag. Twelve schools had 50% or more students participate in the program and 8 were eligible in the grand prize drawing.

Powell Butte Community Charter School in Crook County was drawn as the winner of the Grand PrizeAssembly! The Co-Op has scheduled the assembly at the school for Tuesday, December 2 from 1 to 2:30PM.

The event will include a visit from Buster the Fire Dog, Smokey Bear, the AirLink helicopter and localemergency responder vehicles. Students will also receive a prize bag full of goodies, including a freeburger from McDonald’s.

The Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative would like to thank the following sponsors for helpingto make the Firebusters program possible: Central Oregon Fire Chief’s Association, Press Pros, KTVZ, AirLink Critical Care Transport, McDonalds, Greenlee Roofing, and the Oregon Department ofTransportation.

The Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative is a group of fire and life safety educators from local fireagencies whose mission is to promote an interagency exchange of ideas and resources by activelyparticipating through coordinated fire and life safety education programs, projects and presentations

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes have announced a $10,000 match for donations to Mountain View Community Development, a nonprofit that operates Central Oregon’s largest Safe Parking and Microshelters Program for unhoused people. 

Mountain View Community Development has sites in Redmond and Bend where people can either legally stay in their RVs or a small garden shed-sized structure with heating and cooling. Participants work with case managers to create a path back to permanent housing. And the safe parking program is working. MVCD is close to rehousing its 100th person, Hayden Homes said in a news release Monday that continues in full below: 

The matching gift from Hayden Homes comes at an opportune time, said Rick Russell, the nonprofit’s executive director. Mountain View Community Development is facing a $237,500 loss of funding from the state of Oregon. The nonprofit is currently running a year-end fundraising campaign with a goal of $25,000. Having a match will make every donor’s contribution go further, he said. 

“We appreciate Hayden Homes’ generosity and ongoing support,” Russell added. “Simplicity by Hayden Homes continues to be an incredible partner in the development of our permanent supportive housing village, and this gift from Simplicity and Hayden Homes goes above and beyond. 

“Both of our organizations are committed to housing solutions, at different points along the spectrum of need, and it is encouraging to see a local company that genuinely cares about our neighbors and wants to build a strong community, just like we do.” 

Just in time for Giving Tuesday (December 2), individual and corporate donors can make their dollars go further thanks to the matching Hayden Homes gift by donating at http://safeparkingworks.org. 

“Most of us will never experience homelessness and living outside without heat during the holiday season,” said Deborah Flagan, VP of Community Engagement for Hayden Homes.

“By supporting Mountain View Community Development there is a legal option for our unhoused neighbors to safely park and live in their vehicles and RVs with staff support to help connect to essential services.  Hayden Homes and Simplicity’s $10,000 match is meant to inspire our community to support this safe and reliable option while they search for permanent housing.” 

Safe parking and microshelters are an essential and extremely cost-effective alternative to traditional dorm-style shelters. For domestic violence and assault survivors, as well as individuals with children or pets, MVCD offers much-needed safety, privacy, and autonomy.   

“The assistance I’ve gained from Safe Parking has been emotional and spiritual, right along with a safe place to put my trailer,” said Jon Stoneman, a former Safe Parking participant now in his own apartment.  

“It’s allowed us to have security,” added Dino Antonucci, a current Safe Parking participant. “Because of what Safe Parking is doing for us, we can still live our lives.”  

Hayden Homes was founded in 1989 in Redmond, where the company remains headquartered today. The largest privately owned home builder in the Northwest, Hayden Homes has contributed more than $80 million in charitable donations, including through its flagship nonprofit, First Story.  

Mountain View Community Development is a nonprofit organization that empowers people to leave homelessness by providing safe community, personalized case management, and pathways to permanent housing. 

For more information and to donate, go to http://safeparkingworks.org. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Natural Resources will conduct winter pile burning near the Seventh Mountain Resort and Points West communities, about six miles southwest of Bend. Burning will occur for a few days between December and February.  

The county plans to burn piles on up to 24 acres. Ignitions will occur on weekdays when weather, fuel moisture and air quality meet the criteria for safe and effective operations. Crews will avoid burning on weekends and holidays when possible, the county said in Monday’s announcement, which continues below: 

Crews will be burning leftover limbs and brush from fuel-reduction work, which helps restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk. The debris cannot be turned into usable products like mulch. Burning it in the winter helps decrease fuel buildup and protects nearby communities from wildfire.  

What residents can expect 

Smoke is likely to impact air quality overnight and in the early morning. Residents are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed during those times.  

Smoke may be visible from Century Drive, Bend and the surrounding area. 

Piles may smolder for several days. Crews will monitor them until they are fully out. Please do not call 911 to report these ignitions.  

For more information, please contact Deschutes County Natural Resources at 541-322-7117 or forester@deschutes.org. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning on Friday, Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express will visit neighborhoods around Bend to collect donations of food, clothing and toys to support The Salvation Army this holiday season.  

This year’s Santa Express will visit three parts of town and roll through the neighborhoods:

Friday, Dec. 5: Southeast Bend – Foxborough, Larkspur and Sun Meadow neighborhoods

Saturday, Dec. 6: Northwest Bend – Three Pines, Westside Meadows and Shevlin Ridge neighborhoods

Monday, Dec. 8: Southwest Bend – Pine Ridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods

Route details are available at bendoregon.gov/santa-express.

Santa and Bend Fire crews will begin at 6 p.m. each night, slowly walking the neighborhood routes and gathering donations. Community members are encouraged to meet Santa along the way with donations of non-perishable foods, new toys or gently used clothing. The Salvation Army has expressed an increased need for gifts for teenagers this year. 

Those needing assistance with food or presents can call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.

Can’t catch Santa Express this year?

Bend Fire is also hosting a season-long food drive for NeighborImpact. Donations of non-perishable food – such as canned fruits, vegetables, soups and peanut butter – can be dropped off at any Bend Fire station through Friday, Dec. 12. Items will be distributed to local pantries, meal sites and shelters.

Fire station locations:

West – 1212 SW Simpson Ave., Bend

East – 62420 Hamby Road, Bend

North – 63377 Jamison St., Bend

South – 61080 Country Club Drive, Bend

Tumalo – 64725 Cook Ave., Tumalo

Pilot Butte – 425 NE 15th St., Bend 

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Tuesday classes also canceled, letter from principal)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire at Miller Elementary School in Bend on Sunday night caused significant damage to a custodial workshop but was contained by the school’s sprinkler system. Monday’s classes were canceled for a cleanup, and word came later that Tuesday classes also are canceled for that work.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to the school around 9 p.m. after reports of a fire near the gymnasium. Firefighters found the sprinkler system already activated in the custodian’s workshop area, which helped stop the flames from spreading beyond the room, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

Investigators determined the fire started in a cabinet where a lithium battery had been stored. The blaze caused severe damage to the workshop.

Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour to clear smoke and water from the area. The principal of Miller Elementary and Bend-La Pine Schools staff assisted crews in damage control efforts.

Principal Jennifer Johnson said in an email to families Monday morning that “water on the gym floor and the custodial office is being cleaned up, and the custodial office sustained damage that will make it inoperable today.”

As a result, she said, school was canceled Monday “to continue clean-up and assess any further damage. Crews are working to ventilate the building using fans and blowers to reduce the odor.”

Johnson added, “Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

Later Monday, Bend-La Pine Schools spokesman Scott Maben told KTVZ News that families had just been informed the closure would last a second day, “as we complete the cleanup and air quality testing.”

The National Fire Protection Association reminds the public to store lithium batteries at room temperature and away from flammable materials, use only batteries and chargers designed for each specific device, and they warn the public not to keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) recently announced proposed changes to reservations, fees, and more in order to improve the long-term financial stability of the state park system. Now, the department wants the public to chime in.

The proposal includes a new cancellation policy, changes to special access passes, and rate increases.

You can share your feedback now through January 15th, 2026, online, by mail, or by email.

Read the entire press release from OPRD below:

“Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is gathering public comments on proposed changes announced last month to the rules guiding reservations, special access passes, rate ranges and fee waivers. 

The proposed changes were announced last month in a press release. Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2026, and can be submitted: 

Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/prp/pages/prp-division%2015.aspx 

Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301 

Email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov 

A public hearing will be held for the public to provide comments. 

Virtual Hearing: 5:30 p.m. December 15, 2025. Register to attend the hearing at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_civm2LvcQx-R0ZKCwHCwww  

Most of the proposed changes are designed to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the state park system. The proposed changes to reservations are meant to maximize the availability of campsites for visitors.   

OPRD faces a projected operational budget shortfall of $8 million for this biennium based on forecasts through November. The projected shortfall is down from the $14 million estimate due to a combination of revenue-generating strategies, including an increase in parking fee parks and overnight camping fee adjustments.

The shortfall is due to increasing costs, the impact of higher visitation and a decrease in projected Oregon Lottery funds for operations. Visitor fees do not cover the cost of operations, and Oregon State Parks does not receive general fund tax revenue for operations.   

Proposed Cancellation Policy 

The proposed changes to the reservation policy discourage late cancellations and no-shows by incentivizing early cancellations. Refunds will no longer be provided for those who fail to cancel, which will help reduce unused reservations and open more opportunities for visitors to enjoy parks. The changes include: 

No refunds on the day of arrival.  

No-show reservations will not be refunded  

Refunds vary based on how long reservation is held, how close to arrival it is canceled.  

Proposed Changes to Special Access Pass 

Future Special Access Passes (SAP) for Veterans and foster families will be exclusively for those who live in Oregon, according to proposed changes. This will help ensure that limited resources are directed toward Oregonians. That update along with limiting the number of free days to 10 per year will reduce the fees waived by $2.2 million per biennium or 46% decrease in costs. Proposed changes include: 

Must be Oregon residents to participate. 

Waived overnight rental fees (up to 10 nights/year).  

Day-use parking permit fee waived.  

SAP Cancellations: Must cancel reservations to avoid losing benefit nights. Refunded nights will be based on length of time reservation is held.  

Proposed Rate Ranges: 

Day Use Parking Permit fees: $7–$25 daily; $30–$100 (12-month); $50–$200 (24-month*).  

Dynamic Pricing: Rates may vary by day of week, season, holidays, amenities, and demand. 

Proposed Rate Ranges   

The updated fee ranges for campsites, cabins, yurts and group facilities based on market conditions and anticipated inflation. The new rate ranges will allow for greater use of demand pricing. This proposed change is part of a broader strategy to stabilize revenue and maintain high-quality park services.  

Ultimately, these proposed changes are intended to keep Oregon’s parks open, well-maintained and welcoming for generations to come.   

Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in February 2026 for possible adoption. If adopted, new rules would be effective beginning March 1, 2026.”

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Adding new details of incident, police concerns new scanner transcription app)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Saturday, Bend Police officers were called to Taco Salsa on Galveston Avenue following a reported dispute according to Communications Manager Sheila Miller.

Miller said a truck exiting the drive-through nearly collided with a cyclist, and the two got into a fight. Police say the cyclist punched the driver in his truck, and the driver struck back.

After that, she said, the driver of the vehicle drove onto the landscape and hit a stone or cement bench and table.

Workers at Taco Salsa told KTVZ News on Monday the driver was chasing the bicyclist, and shared with us a photo of a red bike trapped under a purple truck. Bend Police have not confirmed this detail.

The altercation continued until police arrived. Both men were arrested for disorderly conduct and fourth-degree assault, and the driver was also arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, reckless endangering, and first- and second-degree criminal mischief, according to Miller.

“We see road rage calls.” Miller told us. “We all drive. We understand it can be frustrating sometimes. Violence is not the answer, and I would encourage people to find other outlets for their aggression.”  

This event caused a stir on social media with post of a screenshot from a dispatch app which claimed a car had crashed into Taco Salsa. This turned out to be incorrect. The new app listens to dispatch calls and then uses AI to write short articles based on what it hears.

The problem with this is that initial calls into 911 can contain incomplete or incorrect information. Bend police say the app may be incorrectly transcribing the calls, as well as adding details to make the articles more exciting.

“It seems to add words like ‘chaotic’ or, ‘urgent’, and it just creates sort of a sense of, I think, fear and sensationalizes information on what can typically be pretty run-of-the-mill calls for service for us,” Miller said.

Miller referenced her experience as a former journalist and encouraged people to vet their sources carefully: “I’m a big believer in taking into consideration where you get your information from and how accurate that is. And I worry that apps like this that are using AI instead of real people with real brains, can get in the way of you getting accurate information. ”

In the past, the service as reported mundane calls such as shoplifting as ‘theft with a police pursuit’ and recently exaggerated a medical call, latching into details such as a bloody car, with a gun in it near a local hospital.

Miller said police want people to be informed about our community, but they recommend looking at vetted sources, like official law enforcement social media pages.

Anyone can listen to public police dispatch calls, but it’s helpful to keep in mind these calls and police radio provide limited details.

Bend police also listed Pluse Point and Flash Alert as good alternatives, for those who want to stay informed from reputable sources.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting an open house for the community on Tuesday, December 2nd to educate residents about the Hawthorne Crossing Project. 

Attendees can see the new design, meet the project team, ask questions, and provide comments.

It will take place from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Dogwood at the Pine Shed, off of 2nd Street in Bend. 

For individuals unable to attend in person who would like to review the bridge design and/or provide comment, an online open house will be open now through December 9th. Click here to view the online open house.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Are you in need of some extra help this holiday season?

Between decorating the house, buying gifts, and planning your holiday meal, this time of year can spread some people thin. 

Here’s something that might help: located at the Bend River Promenade off of 3rd Street, there’s a free gift wrapping service, aimed at taking some of the to do’s off your plate.

The free gift wrapping service happens every year and is put on by the nonprofit Oregon Equestrian Trails. The nonprofit accepts donations in exchange for wrapping.

You can drop gifts off between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, December 1st through December 13th. Starting December 14th, you can drop off gifts from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through December 23rd. 

Volunteers from Oregon Equestrian Trails will wrap your gifts (purchased from any store) and call you when they are ready for pick up.

Click here to learn more.

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