Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A California truck driver was arrested by Oregon State Police on two counts of criminally negligent homicide after an SUV struck his jackknifed semi on Highway 20 east of Bend, killing both the driver and passenger.

Oregon State Police and other first responders were called to the crash around 9:30 p.m. Monday near milepost 51, about 50 miles east of Bend, troopers said Wednesday.

A preliminary investigation found that truck driver Rajinder Kumar, 32, of Fresno, Calif., had jackknifed his Freightliner rig, blocking both lanes of the two-lane highway, troopers said. The tractor was facing eastbound in the eastbound lane.

A Subaru Outback driven by William Micah Carter, 25 of Springfield, struck the trailer at highway speeds.

Carter and passenger Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, of John Day, died at the crash scene, OSP said. Kumar reportedly was unhurt.

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Kumar was arrested on charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangering. He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail and held without bail pending arraignment.

“Dark conditions and a lack of active emergency warning equipment is being considered a primary contributor of the crash,” OSP said in a news release.

The crash and investigation closed the highway for about seven hours.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels confirmed Wednesday to KTVZ News that Kumar will face two counts of criminally negligent homicide.

Oregon court records did not show a filing by Wednesday afternoon. They did show that Kumar, listed as a New York resident, was ticketed and fined $440 in January of 2024 for violating ODOT safe operations and equipment rules by failing to carry chains in a snow zone on Interstate 84 in the La Grande area. He also was ticketed and fined $440 at that time for lacking an Oregon wight-mile tax permit.

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KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Oregon business organization is calling on state lawmakers to restore local control over “unsanctioned public camping” – and advancing a possible ballot measure if they fail to act during the 2026 legislative session.

On Wednesday, chief petitioners for the Local Control & Safety Act submitted 1,770 sponsorship signatures, advancing the 2026 ballot measure to the next phase of the qualification process, according to a news release from the group, Oregon Business & Industry.

In submitting the signatures, petitioners reiterated their request for Oregon lawmakers to address challenges related to unsanctioned public camping in the 2026 legislative session, Lukens said in a news release.

“Local control over unsanctioned public camping is essential to addressing the ongoing crisis in our streets,” said Preston Mann, chief petitioner for the Local Control & Safety Act and director of external affairs for Oregon Business & Industry.

“It’s clear from our conversations with signers that this is an issue that demands urgent attention from our state lawmakers. We renew our call for the Legislature to restore local control and safety through legislative action next year. If the Legislature fails to act, we will have an opportunity to put the question before voters next November.”

Following Wednesday’s sponsorship signature submission, the Oregon secretary of state will conduct a verification of the signatures to ensure the minimum 1,000 valid signatures threshold has been met, the group said. When verification is complete, the initiative will be sent to the Oregon attorney general for the drafting of a ballot title.

The Local Control & Safety Act seeks a repeal of HB 3115 (2021) / ORS 195.530.

“Repealing this law will allow local governments to respond more acutely to the crisis in our streets and improve community safety,” the business group said. “The law as it stands has effectively tied local governments’ hands when it comes to responding to unsanctioned public camping by establishing ambiguous ‘objectively reasonable’ ‘time, place and manner’ considerations.”

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Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments from Alex Bradley)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An Austin man walking more than 2,500 miles to honor his best friend and support others facing mental health struggles is nearing the end of his journey in Oregon. 

Jillian Fortner sat down with Bradley to talk about his journey and the inspiration behind it.

Bradley said he felt compelled to act after the 2021 suicide of his best friend, AJ, a loss he describes as the driving force behind his mission.

“I always told myself I was going to see those last steps,” Bradley said. “I was going to find a way – come hell or high water – to get there, whether it was flying, driving, or, walking.”

He began his journey in Austin, documenting each step as he walked through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California before reaching Oregon.

He is set to arrive in Bend on Sunday.

“There’s going to be a big green van in the town,” Bradley said. “We’re really quick to respond if you guys, if anybody wants to go on a walk.”

He now finds himself in the final leg of his trip, with plans to finish in early December in Oregon City, the same place AJ took his last steps.

​The walk has tested Bradley’s limits, both physically and emotionally. 

“I didn’t even know I could walk 88 days, 89 days. But we’re here doing it,” he said. 

He averages about 50,000 to 60,000 steps a day, traveling with a van, a small crew and support from people he meets along the way.

Along his route, many people stop to share their own stories with him.

“You carry those people’s names with people’s family members, those people’s stories,” Bradley said. “So many people are fighting much harder battles, and I get to see and witness it from just driving this big thing across the country and walking beside it.”

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those struggling with mental health. Bradley hopes his journey encourages people to reach out, talk about their pain and seek support when they need it.

He says simple moments can make the biggest difference.

“Everybody just needs a walk, somebody to talk to and a chance to look at a beautiful landscape for just a little bit,” Bradley said.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. [KTVZ] — For many Central Oregonians, the cost of Thanksgiving this year feels tougher despite some good news on food prices. Rising living expenses alongside reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are making it increasingly difficult for families to put a complete holiday meal on the table. More than 23,000 households in Central Oregon rely on SNAP for food assistance, and many face hard choices as benefits have been cut or delayed due to federal funding issues.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is about $55.18 in 2025, which is approximately $5.52 per person. This marks the third consecutive year of price declines, representing a 5% drop from last year’s cost. The centerpiece turkey has seen a significant price decrease, with a 16-pound frozen turkey averaging around $21.50 — down more than 16% from 2024. However, fresh turkey prices have risen slightly. Despite these declines, the current cost still does not erase the record-high increases seen in 2022 when the average meal cost $64.05.​

Thanksgiving expenses extend beyond the dinner plate. Survey data from LendingTree shows that hosts in 2025 expect to spend an average of $487 on food, drinks, and decorations, which is up 13% compared to last year.

For those looking to save time and money, grocery stores such as Safeway/Albertsons and Fred Meyer are offering various options ranging from pre-cooked meals starting around $60 to do-it-yourself packages priced between $57 and $80. These convenient bundles include staples like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies, and even wine at Fred Meyer.​

Kristen Gillis from OnPoint Community Credit Union offers practical financial tips for families striving to manage Thanksgiving costs without relying on SNAP, “Shopping early and spreading out your purchases so you don’t just do it on one paycheck right away or last minute. Compare prices and use your loyalty programs. A lot of grocery stores have some kind of loyalty programs.” Gillis also said, “Bonus points – look at those. Reuse, repurpose, recycle, use old Thanksgiving decor; creating and tracking a budget, making sure that you are staying on track.”

Gillis also encourages families to reach out for local support resources early to alleviate financial pressure around the holidays.

Several Central Oregon organizations provide Thanksgiving meals and assistance for those in need, including: Shepherd’s House Ministries, NeighborImpact, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Nativity Lutheran Church, and PeaceHealth.

For general assistance, dialing 211 or texting a zip code to 898211 connects individuals to local resources and support networks. These options are crucial for many as SNAP benefits decrease and food affordability challenges persist with the holiday season near.​

This combination of slowly declining food prices but rising overall holiday spending and SNAP reductions underscores the ongoing financial balancing act faced by Central Oregon families trying to celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity and gratitude. Local organizations and practical budgeting advice play a key role in helping ease the burden this year.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If you have not made your Thanksgiving plans, it’s not too late. There’s going to be a massive banquet in Bend, with some of the best food imaginable.

The Riverhouse Convention Center is holding a Thanksgiving grand buffet from 1-4 p.m. It’s a buffet-style meal with all the Thanksgiving staples, like turkey and stuffing. But it goes beyond that, with whole hams encrusted with brown sugar and maple, smoked prime rib, shrimp, and charcuterie platters.

Executive Chef Frederick Schumann invites everyone to join.

“We want you to come here and have dinner with us, because we just want you to skip the cooking and clean up at your house, right?” Schummann said. “We’re going to prepare amazing food for you – just as good as Grandma, if not better. And we don’t want you to have to go home and worry about the hassle of doing it all. We want to do that for you.”

Schumann showed KTVZ News around the kitchen, proudly displaying the large amount of preparation they aere doing for the event.

. “We cook amazing food here, and we want you to enjoy it and we take great pride in that,” Schumann said.

Alongside all the food, there’s going to be live music and activities for kids. There’s also going to be an art station for them to write letters to Santa. For adults, there’s a bar, and the games will be on.

Now here’s the best part: zero cleanup after Thanksgiving.

Tickets are online or on sale at the door. The cost is about $97 per person, with discounts for seniors, veterans and groups. More information is available on the event website.

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KTVZ

(Update: Video Added)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sentences are being recalculated for hundreds of current or former Oregon prison inmates after a state Supreme Court clarification prompted a Department of Justice review – and that includes over a dozen released inmates who have been returned to custody.

The court’s clarification to its July 10 decision in the case of Torres-Lopez v. Fahrion has prompted a review of DOJ guidance to the Oregon Department of Corrections on the topic of sentence recalculation, impacting hundreds of adults in custody and many who have already been released, DOC officials said late Tuesday.

“We recognize that the Oregon Supreme Court’s decision to change sentence calculations has significant and immediate impacts on victims, survivors, the formerly incarcerated, and their families,” DOC spokesperson Amber Campbell said.

“As we implement these changes, the Department of Corrections remains firmly committed to public safety, accountability, and full transparency throughout every step of this process,” she added in a news release that continues in full below:

In close consultation with the Governor’s Office, DOJ, and out partners in public safety, DOC has brought back some formerly incarcerated individuals into custody because of a recalculation of their release date per this recent Supreme Court ruling and DOJ guidance. DOC is also actively recalculating the sentences of several hundred adults who are currently in custody.

The role of DOC in the criminal justice system is to obtain sentencing judgments from the courts, accurately provide all affected parties with a release date, incarcerate those individuals for their full sentence, and partner with counties to oversee those who are released on parole and probation.

The Oregon Supreme Court’s Torres-Lopez v. Fahrion decision significantly constrained DOC’s discretionary authority in the sentence calculation process. DOC’s legal counsel, the DOJ, gave advice that a literal interpretation of court judgments was the correct course of action. This resulted in a hand review of almost 11,000 sentences whose judgments could be affected by Torres-Lopez v. Fahrion.

Many judgments were unclear. For instance, Case No. 20CR08127 in Jackson County had several counts in one sentencing document. Each count specified, “Defendant shall receive presentence incarceration credits pursuant to ORS 137.370(4) f­­rom 6-10-21.”

Before the Oregon Supreme Court’s Torres-Lopez v. Fahrion decision, DOC would have only applied credit for time served to one count, despite what the documentation indicates. However, in this case, the formerly incarcerated person’s release date was reduced by several years due to duplicate applications of “Time Served Credit” in the judgment. Other examples of unclear sentencing documentation may be seen at: Judgment Examples.

After the Oregon Supreme Court’s clarification on Nov. 14, the DOJ supplied new advice to DOC, prompting another recalculation for a subset of these affected cases.

For those judgments containing consecutive sentences within a single case, DOC is now applying Time Served Credit to the sum of the consecutive sentences. These recalculations found that 20 formerly incarcerated individuals owe additional time, of which 17 have been returned to custody.

DOC said it wishes to thank Oregon State Police, county parole and probation officers, county sheriffs, and local law enforcement for their assistance in bringing these individuals back into custody safely.

Crime victims who want to receive updates about an offender’s recalculated release date should subscribe to VISOR (Victim Information System in Oregon), if they haven’t already. You can also visit the Victim Information System in Oregon to receive alerts about changes to an offender’s current location, custody status, and release date.

DOC has recommended that district attorneys and defense attorneys review judgments with their courts, to ensure the sentencing documentation matches the agreements made between the parties.

To ensure clarity and support for everyone impacted, DOC has established several ways for affected parties to ask questions about changes to sentences. For updated information, you can subscribe to DOC Sentence Recalculation.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At the Deschutes County Courthouse former La Pine Middle School volleyball coach Sierra Stigall appeared for a scheduled plea hearing.

Stigall faces dozens of serious counts, including rape, sexual abuse, and luring a minor, involving two boys under 14.

Stigall is accused of abusing at least one boy she coached outside her brief 2024 volleyball season with the Bend-La Pine School District, as investigators say she later coached a youth baseball team outside the district as well.

Stigall’s bail was previously reduced from $500,000 to $100,000, and she has since posted that bail.

Stigall left the Deschutes County Jail under strict release conditions, including electronic monitoring, surrendering her passport, and having no contact with minors.

Before Monday’s hearing began, the prosecutor and Stigall’s defense attorney briefly spoke and agreed to push back the hearing.

In court, the judge approved their joint request, pushing Stigall’s plea entry to February 17th.

The investigation is still active, and more information could emerge as the case moves toward that February court date.

If convicted on the most serious felony counts, Stigall could face years in prison under Oregon’s sentencing guidelines.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as the case develops.

Below are some of our previous articles about her case.

Former La Pine volleyball coach Sierra Stigall faces dozens of sex crime charges involving two alleged underage victims, and new questions have emerged over how a letter from a former employer was described in open court during a recent hearing on Monday.

Stigall is charged with a growing list of felony counts, including rape, sexual abuse, sodomy, and luring a minor. After Monday’s hearing, the case now includes a second alleged minor victim with accusations that encounters with one or both alleged victims potentially occurred through November of this year. 

Stigall previously served as a seventh-grade volleyball coach at La Pine Middle School for a short season in the fall of 2024. Authorities say at least one alleged victim was someone she coached outside of her brief employment with the Bend-La Pine Schools. Court documents also indicate she later coached a youth baseball team in the La Pine area.

At the Monday hearing in Deschutes County Court, Stigall’s defense attorney told Judge Raymond Crutchley he had a letter from Stigall’s family that they said came from her former employer, a feed store in La Pine.

In court, the defense characterized the letter as describing Stigall as a good employee and indicating she would be able to return to work at the feed store if she were released from jail.

Judge Crutchley noted that Stigall had been employed and could likely be employed again, citing that among the factors he considered before ultimately reducing her bail from $500,000 to $100,000. The judge also imposed conditions including monitoring, surrender of her passport, and no contact with minors if Stigall were to post bail and be released.

Monday’s courtroom exchange was included in KTVZ’s earlier reporting on the case.

After that story aired, Kimball Pet and Farm Supply contacted KTVZ and posted on Facebook, saying the business had never stated that Stigall could return to work there. In response, KTVZ released the court video showing the statements made by the defense and the judge during the public hearing.

KTVZ’s Claire Elmer spoke with the feed store’s owner by phone on Tuesday morning to clarify details. The owner then provided KTVZ with a copy of the letter she says she gave for use in court, and its wording appears to differ from how it was described during the hearing. 

Both the letter and the court recording have been shared with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, which has confirmed receiving the materials but has not provided further public comment.

The owner of Kimball Pet and Farm Supply has been encouraged to contact prosecutors directly if she believes the letter was mischaracterized in court. 

Even with the reduced bail amount, Stigall remains in custody as the case moves forward. KTVZ will continue to follow developments in both the criminal proceedings and the questions surrounding the feed store letter.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Diabetes is one of the most common health challenges in Central Oregon. To coincide with Diabetes Awareness Month, the Central Oregon Health Council has released Diabetes in Central Oregon: A Community Snapshot, a report on diabetes prevalence and control based on actual, up-to-date regional data. 

According to the Oregon Health Authority, more than 9% of Oregonians have been diagnosed with diabetes. The CDC estimates that another 38% of adults in Oregon have prediabetes — and most don’t know it.

COHC said it is committed to improving health care across the region and has made diabetes a major focus of the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan (RHIP). Staff at the Health Council analyzed recent data to understand where communities are finding solutions to help manage their diabetes and where challenges exist that could benefit from added support. 

“Looking closely at how diabetes affects different communities gives us more than data; it gives us direction. These insights can help us form stronger partnerships and explore new ways to support the health of every person in Central Oregon. We’ve uncovered some interesting findings and want to thank all the partners whose collaboration made this work possible,” said Program Manager Mary Burns, who took lead on creating the report. 

The report can be found below and also is available for download on the Central Oregon Health Data website at www.centraloregonhealthdata.org. 

About the Central Oregon Health Council 

The Central Oregon Health Council (COHC) is a nonprofit organization working to improve health outcomes and health equity across Central Oregon. Through collaboration with healthcare and community partners, we identify needs, coordinate solutions, and develop projects and programs that advance the goals of the Regional Health Improvement Plan. 

Diabetes-in-Central-Oregon-11.24-1Download

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KTVZ

(Update: Signatures received; timeline)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The chief petitioners on a referendum to have voters decide the fate of gas tax and vehicle fee increases aimed at funding ODOT delivered to the state Elections Division nearly 200,000 signatures on Friday, more than twice as many as required to make the fall 2026 ballot.

They hand-delivery of the signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office was done in unusual, visual fashion: by horse-drawn carriage. They were accompanied by others affiliated with the Right to Vote on the Gas Tax PAC and its project No Tax Oregon.

A spokeswoman for the office confirmed to KTVZ News that the Elections Division had received the signatures.

According to statute, the office has until Jan. 29, 2026 to verify the voter signatures, 30 days after the Dec. 30 signature submission deadline.

Earlier story:

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ-Nov. 25) — The organizers of an Oregon initiative campaign to refer to voters the recent package of gas tax and vehicle fee increases to fill ODOT’s funding gap said Tuesday they already have gathered nearly twice the number of required signatures, but aren’t pausing their campaign.

According to the group No Tax Oregon, as of midday Tuesday, the estimated number of signatures collected was well above 150,000, a little over a week since the effort began. They have until Dec. 30 to gather 78,116 verified voter signatures for verification by the secretary of state and meet the referendum requirements for the November 2026 election.

On Saturday alone, the group said volunteers collected more than 25,000 signatures during the Sign Across Oregon event. Combining Sunday’s total, this marks the second weekend in a row that more than 40,000 signatures were gathered.

KTVZ spoke to Ceta Kelly, a volunteer at one of the petition sites, who’s outspoken about the bill.

“I don’t want to pay double registration. I’m on a fixed income like most people here. It’s a retirement community” Kelly told KTVZ. “it’s a bipartisan issue. Everybody. Everybody in Oregon should be signing this thing and let it go to to a vote. So we can let them know, get your money somewhere else.”

Shelly, another volunteer, told KTVZ News, “”I think as people of Oregon, we want our voices heard and we feel like they completely ignored their voice. So that’s why we’re out here”

State Representative Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, one of the three chief petitioners on the referendum, emphasized in Tuesday’s news release the unprecedented nature of the effort:

“We are making Oregon history. This is the largest volunteer signature effort the state has seen in years—possibly ever. People aren’t just willing to sign; they’re seeking us out. Oregonians want the right to vote on these taxes and fees, and they know Salem is not representing their interests.

“They voiced their opposition repeatedly through the regular session and again during the emergency session, but the Governor and the Democrat majority ignored them and rammed this bill through anyway. At some point, the people have to rise up and say ‘no more,’ and that’s exactly what we’re seeing with this movement,” Diehl said.

In talking about the policy implications, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, also a chief petitioner, commented on the negotiation process and the need to come back to the table:

“Republicans offered real alternatives that maintained our roads and bridges without massive new taxes. We stand with Oregonians who want the opportunity to vote on the governor’s gas tax increase. Oregonians want state government to prioritize tax dollars, not just always ask for more.”

On the impact of the gas tax on ordinary Oregonians, Co-Chief Petitioner Jason Williams of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon said:

“The overwhelming response to this petition is a result of the fact that Oregonians know that the cost of this tax is too much.  Many families will be paying $300 to $600 more in higher costs because of this enormous tax increase. Seniors on a limited income and the unemployed will be hit with a cost that they cannot afford.”

No Tax Oregon said it “will continue to gather signatures for the foreseeable future and expects to at least double its initial goal of 100,000 signatures.”

The legislation that goes into effect Dec. 31 includes a 6 cent hike in the 40-cent a gallon state gas tax, as well as higher payroll tax, vehicle registration and title fees, and a new charge for electric vehicles. It is expected to bring in $4.3 billion over the next decade. Supporters said the funds are needed to avert major layoffs at ODOT and sharp cuts in services such as winter road plowing.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —Whatever you do, don’t put Jennifer McCaffrey in a box.  

Known for her expressive oil paintings, McCaffrey, the artist commissioned by the Old Mill District to create their 2025 Winter Art Series piece, stepped outside her comfort zone to craft a stunning linocut block print that pays homage to the Old Mill District’s industrial roots and blue-collar beginnings. 

The final piece features a powerful elk standing sentinel in a riverside snowbank before the Old Mill District’s historic smokestacks. A snowcapped Broken Top rises in the background with a hint of the Northern Lights in the sky, creating a feeling that’s both nostalgic and bold. 

Printed in a duotone palette inspired by vintage black-and-white photographs, McCaffrey said she hoped to capture the timeless relationship between Bend’s natural beauty and its working heritage. 

“I really wanted to tie it back to the Old Mill District’s history,” she said. “The process of carving the block felt connected to that timber and tactile side of the district’s past. It was the perfect way to marry my own creative instincts with the spirit of this place.” 

This is the ninth straight year the Old Mill District has commissioned an original art piece as part of its Winter Art Series. Each year, the artwork is featured as the backbone of the district’s winter marketing campaign. McCaffrey’s art piece can be seen throughout Central Oregon on banners, posters, and the cover of the Old Mill District’s annual winter guide. 

“We treasure this annual tradition, and this year Jen’s piece is completely unique,” said Beau Eastes, marketing director at the Old Mill District. “I love how the piece being a linocut pays homage to the craftsmanship of the former mill workers and how she’s able to add that drop of winter magic with the night sky. It’s totally different than anything we’ve had before and brilliantly captures everything we love about Bend.” 

To bring the scene to life, McCaffrey became part artist, part historian. She scoured archives and old photographs of the original Brooks-Scanlon mill, studying the silhouettes of its smokestacks and the quiet grain of its past. 

The black-and-white images informed her palette and composition, she said, grounding the piece in authenticity. 

“This just feels like winter in Oregon to me,” she said. 

Having spent most of her career as a surgical assistant while painting on the side, this year’s Winter Art Series commission represents a turning point for McCaffrey. 

“I’ve been painting my whole life, but I’ve always hesitated to call myself a professional artist,” she said. “Being chosen for this series feels like permission to fully claim that title. That 7-year-old, 12-year-old, and 16-year-old versions of me who dreamed about being an artist are all thrilled right now.” 

Prints and other versions of McCaffrey’s art can be viewed and purchased at The Stacks Art Studios & Gallery in the Old Mill District, a space she shares with four other local artists. More about McCaffrey and her work can also be found online at www.jennifermccaffrey.com.  

About the Old Mill District  Celebrating 20 years as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive and dynamic mixed-use developments, the Old Mill District is located on 270 acres that formerly housed one of the largest sawmill operations in the world. The rich history of the land is coupled with spectacular mountain views, scenic river vistas and an extensive trail system to enjoy the outdoors. More than 55 local, regional and national retailers and businesses call the Old Mill District home. Bend’s Old Mill District – the most unique shopping, dining, living and entertainment experience in the region. www.oldmilldistrict.com. 

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