Author: KTVZ

Tracee Tuesday

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Residents across Central Oregon will have several shredding events this year, to safely dispose of sensitive documents, unused medications and worn American flags during a series of free community shred events.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Republic Services, announced four events scheduled between March and September at locations throughout the county, including Bend, La Pine, Sisters and Terrebonne.

The first event is set for March 21 at the sheriff’s main office on U.S. Highway 20 west of Bend. Additional events will take place June 13 in La Pine, July 18 in Sisters and Sept. 19 in Terrebonne. Each runs from 10 a.m. to noon, or until the shred truck reaches capacity.

The program is aimed at helping local residents protect personal information while also providing safe disposal options for medications that might otherwise pose a risk if left in homes.

Organizers say the service is limited to residential use and is not intended for businesses. Participants may bring up to four boxes of documents per household. Paper clips and staples are allowed, but plastic bags and three-ring binders will not be accepted.

In addition to shredding, each event will include medication disposal. Accepted items include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and pet medications. Items such as sharps, inhalers and pressurized containers will not be accepted.

Community members can also drop off worn or damaged American flags for proper retirement, and donate nonperishable food items that will go to local food banks.

Those with larger amounts of material are encouraged to contact Republic Services for additional disposal options.

The sheriff’s office says the events are designed to make it easy for residents across Deschutes County to securely clear out unwanted items while supporting the broader community.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Award-winning novelist Carter Sickels will read from his work at Oregon State University-Cascades on May 14. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. as part of the Master of Fine Arts in Writing’s Distinguished Visiting Writer series.

The presentation will take place in the Charles McGrath Family Atrium in Edward J. Ray Hall on the university’s Bend campus. The series brings prominent authors to the school to engage with the public and lead workshops for graduate students.

Sickels authored the novel “The Prettiest Star,” which earned the 2021 Southern Book Prize and the Weatherford Award. The book was also named the Best LGBT Book of 2020 by O Magazine. Their debut novel, “The Evening Hour,” was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award and the Lambda Literary Award. That story follows a young man in Appalachia during the opioid crisis and was adapted into a film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020.

Beyond his novels, Sickels’ fiction and essays have been published in national outlets including The Atlantic, Outside Magazine, BuzzFeed and Poets & Writers. His work has also appeared in The Kenyon Review and various other literary journals. In 2024, he received the Lambda Literary Duggins Prize for Outstanding Mid-Career LGBTQ Novelists and was previously a finalist for the John Dos Passos Prize in Literature.

Sickels currently serves as an assistant professor of English and creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts program at North Carolina State University. He previously earned a master’s degree in folklore from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His career has been supported by fellowships from the MacDowell colony, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

The Distinguished Visiting Writer series brings authors to the Bend campus to lead workshops for graduate students. Previous participants in the program have included novelist Raquel Gutiérrez, autofiction writer Hannah Pittard, short story writer Justin Taylor and poets Rebecca Morgan Frank and André Naffis-Sahely.

The upcoming event will conclude with a book signing. Local bookstore Roundabout Books will be on-site to facilitate book sales for attendees. Admission to the reading is free, though the university requires all guests to register in advance.

Interested attendees can register for the event at beav.es/carter-sickels. Those requiring accommodations for disabilities are asked to contact 541-322-3100 or email events@osucascades.edu.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An ’80s Retro Ski Party will bring music, costumes and fundraising to UPP Liquids on Friday, March 20, to support Oregon Adaptive Sports. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 550 SW Industrial Way in Bend.

Proceeds from the evening will support the mission of Oregon Adaptive Sports to provide outdoor recreation experiences for individuals with disabilities. UPP Liquids will donate a portion of beer sale proceeds to the organization and while there is no cover charge, voluntary donations will be accepted at the door.

DJ The Cosmic, also known as Atom Bram, will perform 80s remixes and vinyl sets throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to wear neon clothing and leg warmers for a costume contest that features various prizes.

Food will be provided by Sharkmouth Fajitas, which will serve guests from its red cart. A portion of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to Oregon Adaptive Sports. Additionally, Sparkle Strands will be on-site to offer sparkle hair extensions.

The event includes a raffle with prizes from several local and regional businesses. Items include a Mt. Bachelor Spring Pass, a ZipTour, and a Big Eddy Thriller whitewater rafting trip for two. Other prizes have been donated by Patagonia, Powderhouse, Bend Kayak School and Rentals, Pete Alport and UPP Liquids.

The venue will maintain a full bar offering beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and event-themed drinks. Representatives from Oregon Adaptive Sports will also staff a booth where guests can learn more about the organization’s programs and outdoor recreation initiatives.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes Public Library announced today that the new Central Library in Bend will open to the public on May 11, 2026. Located at 61956 SE Santorini Street, the nearly 100,000-square-foot facility stands as the largest branch in the library district.

The opening follows nearly two years of construction after a May 2024 groundbreaking. Library officials stated the new building is necessary to accommodate the rapid population growth in Deschutes County.

“Bend’s last library was built more than 20 years ago, so it’s essential that our library system keeps pace with our county’s growth,” said Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg. “The Central Library, along with the new Redmond Library and remodeled neighborhood libraries, allows us to increase our services, resources and public meeting spaces.”

Even before the doors open to the public, drive-thru services for hold pick-ups and returns will begin on March 23, 2026. The drive-thru window will be available Monday through Saturday from noon to 6:00 p.m. Customers may also use a 24-hour book drop for books, DVDs and magazines. Starting March 23, those placing holds can select “Central DRIVE-THRU” as their preferred pick-up location.

The three-story building features a variety of specialized spaces for the community. The first floor includes multiple meeting rooms and a large community room, while the second floor is dedicated to a children’s discovery space designed for interactive play. The third floor contains the adult collection, a co-working area and a MakerSpace for creative projects. The lobby will also feature a Thump Coffee café, a first for the library district.

Library officials emphasized the importance of sustainability in the building’s design. Deschutes Public Library Dunkelberg said the facility was engineered to achieve LEED Platinum certification standards.

“It’s an all-electric building engineered to operate as an energy-independent facility,” Dunkelberg said. “We’ve also incorporated energy-efficient systems that will significantly reduce the building’s environmental footprint while helping ensure reliable library service for the community well into the future.”

With construction complete, the library has entered a preparation phase. Staff will spend the next several weeks undergoing training on the building’s new systems and layout.

“We’ve remodeled three libraries so far and built a new Redmond Library. We’ve learned that providing time to train staff and allowing them to get familiar with the new space is key to having a successful opening,” Dunkelberg said. “For the next six weeks or so we’ll focus on making sure everyone understands all the systems and processes that make this new, three-story building function.”

The Central Library will also showcase a collection of public art from various artists. A wooden sculpture titled “Juniper” by artist John Grade is installed over the main staircase. The building will eventually feature additional works from artists including Jason Graham, Sara Siestreem, Jeremy Okai Davis and Sarah More.

The project is part of a broader district-wide expansion funded by a bond measure supported by Deschutes County voters in November 2020. This initiative has already funded the remodeling of the La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver libraries, as well as the construction of the new Redmond Library.

The Downtown Bend Library will temporarily close to the public on April 11, 2026, as it begins the final renovation project of the 2020 bond measure. That branch is expected to reopen in spring 2027 once the renovation work is complete.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Krista Appleby began her new role as the Deschutes County building official on March 10. She is responsible for ensuring construction projects in the county and the cities of La Pine and Sisters comply with Oregon statewide building codes.

As the building official, Appleby oversees plan reviews, permitting, and inspections for a variety of work. Her oversight includes projects ranging from residential home remodels to new commercial construction.

Appleby has worked within the Deschutes County Community Development Department since April 2017. During her tenure with the county, she served as a fire and life-safety commercial plans examiner and as a lead plans examiner. Most recently, she served as an assistant building official.

Before joining the county staff, Appleby worked for various architectural firms located in Montana, Ore. and Washington. She is a licensed architect in both Oregon and Washington and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.

Community Development Director Peter Gutowsky said Appleby was selected for the role following a recruitment process that included a large number of applicants. Gutowsky noted her existing professional network within the industry as a factor in her selection.

“Krista was selected from a highly competitive field of candidates. She has strong relationships with building officials in the region, Central Oregon Builders Association, and the State’s Building Codes Division, among others,” Gutowsky said.

Beyond her responsibilities with Deschutes County, Appleby maintains a leadership role in professional advocacy. She currently serves as the board president of the Oregon Building Officials Association.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, comments from committee member, Phil Chang)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new state committee aims to increase oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation, as questions about the agency’s financial management take center stage in the broader debate over how to fund roads and infrastructure.

State leaders recently approved the creation of an Audit Accountability Committee, designed to ensure issues identified in audits are addressed — not just documented.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, who will serve on the new committee, said the group will play a hands-on role in tracking whether ODOT follows through on recommended fixes.

“We, as the governing body for ODOT, will be able to press to make sure that things are getting done,” Chang said. “We will be overseeing that process of checking up on the different divisions of ODOT and whether they are acting upon the auditor’s findings or not.”

The move follows several high-profile audit findings, including one that revealed $1.1 billion was mis-timed in agency projections. It also comes as lawmakers and voters consider a controversial transportation funding proposal that could bring new taxes and fees for Oregonians.

“People don’t want to invest in an agency that they don’t think is running well and using their money well,” Chang said. “This highlights our commitment at ODOT to taking auditor findings very seriously and making the fixes that they recommend.”

While the new committee may not lead to immediate, visible changes on Oregon roads, leaders say it plays a key role in rebuilding public trust.

“What I hope this audit committee can do is help build trust that ODOT is catching issues and fixing them so that people feel more comfortable investing in our transportation system,” Chang said.

The committee is expected to begin reviewing audit progress in the coming months, as the statewide transportation funding debate continues.

After strong public pushback, the latest transportation funding proposal is now expected to go before voters in May.

Whether the new oversight effort will boost confidence in how taxpayer dollars are spent remains to be seen, but the future of transportation funding in Oregon may ultimately depend on it.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The owner of a property east of Bend had a valid burn permit, but Monday’s work burning ditches got away from them, sparking a fire that covered almost seven acres before it was stopped.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called around 3:40 p.m. to the escaped burn off the Powell Butte Highway, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

“The owner was out burning his ditches when the wind carried the fire past his containment and started to spread,” Derlacki said.

Crews arrived and worked to stop the spread of the fire before it left the owner’s property.

Bend Fire was assisted by Alfalfa Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry and BLM fire crews, as well as Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies for traffic control.

Smoke from Monday’s escaped field burn could be seen for miles (View from Powell Butte ALERTWest/OHAZ/University of Oregon. courtesy of Watch Duty)

The fire was stopped on the owner’s property, at 6.6 acres, Derlacki said, and no damage to buildings or fences was found.

“The fire burning mostly pasture land, with a few trees, brush piles, and brush surrounding the fields burning as well,” the fire official said.

Derlacki said the land owners had a current burn permit for burning fields. They were out burning ditches this afternoon, but unfortunately didn’t have all the water they should have to be prepared.

“They were following all the other rules of the permit and had called in to ensure burning was open today,” he said. “With light winds predicted today, open burning was open today.”

Just last week, a 2-day-old burn pile that was believed to be out rekindled in strong winds northeast of Sisters and burned nearly two acres before firefighters contained it.

Derlacki noted that burning is typically open through May 31 each year for debris and field burning outside the Bend city limits.

But he added, “That date may be moved up if we continue with the dry spring weather. Burning can be shut down from day to day when winds are predicted above 20 mph. Burn permits are needed for field burning and for large piles. This permit includes a site visit to go over safe burning practices.”

In Monday’s case, Derlacki said, “The owner knows to have more water on hand for next year, if they choose to burn again.”

He told KTVZ News that “dry and windy conditions contribute to most escaped burns, as well as not having enough tools/water on hand in the event of an escape, or not prepping the area enough a head of time.”

The Bend fire official asked that anyone with questions about burning call their office at 541-322-6386 to schedule a site visit. He also stressed that debris burning is not allowed within the Bend city limits year-round, under city ordinance.

More information on burning regulations can be found on the Bend Fire website, www.bendoregon.gov/fire and by clicking on the Outdoor Burning Information tab. You can also always call the burn information line before you burn, at 541-322-6335.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County announced Monday it’s proud to celebrate the completion of its first participants in the County College program, an initiative designed to give residents an inside look at how county government operates.

Through a series of classes, participants heard directly from county department heads about the services they provide, how departments are funded, and the day-to-day work that keeps county government running.

“The County College program was a great experience and gave me a much deeper understanding of how county government actually works,” said Jessica Barnes, one of the program’s graduates. “I’m grateful to Commissioner Seth Crawford and everyone involved for creating such a transparent and informative program.”

Graduate Pam Dykstra said the program was also valuable for local business owners.

“County College helped me better understand how county offices operate and the people behind the scenes who keep them running, ” Dykstra said. “The information has been incredibly valuable in my work as a realtor and will help make our businesses stronger by knowing where to go for resources.”

Graduate Julie Johnson said the program gave participants a new appreciation for county employees and the work they do.

“It was a great opportunity to learn about the inner workings of county departments and the hard-working people behind them,” Johnson said. “I came away impressed by the scope of work the county handles.”

County officials say the program reflects Crook County’s commitment to transparency, public education, and strengthening connections with the community.

Future sessions of County College are expected to be announced later this year, offering additional residents the opportunity to learn more about their local government. Apply now if you are interested in the next county college sessions https://www.crookcountyor.gov/1661/Crook-CountyCollege.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BEAT Children’s Theatre is requesting handmade flower donations from the community for its upcoming production of “The Secret Garden” this May. The artwork will be used to decorate the stage at Open Space Event Studios and will later be featured in a silent auction to benefit the organization.

The play, adapted by Tim Kelly, uses the community-made flowers to represent growth and healing as the garden “blooms” on stage during each performance. The project is open to participants of all ages and skill levels to help create the visual landscape of the show.

Local artists and community members of all ages and experience levels are invited to contribute. The theater is accepting flowers made from any medium, including paper, fabric, ceramic, metal, crochet, painting, photography and illustration.

Each flower must follow specific size and weight guidelines to ensure they can be incorporated into the production. Submissions must be no more than two feet in diameter and weigh less than five pounds. Those wishing to contribute a piece heavier than five pounds are asked to contact theater officials in advance.

Visual guidelines for the project encourage the use of bright colors, though neon colors are not permitted. The theater also specified that no lights or electronic elements should be included in the handmade designs.

The flowers must be designed so they can be hung, mounted or placed directly on the stage. While the focus is on the flowers themselves, the theater will allow the minimal addition of leaves or greenery to the pieces.

The donated artwork will also serve a secondary purpose beyond stage decoration. Audience members will have the opportunity to bid on the flowers during a silent auction held throughout the run of the show. All proceeds from the auction will benefit BEAT Children’s Theatre.

The deadline for flower submissions is Friday, April 24. Donations can be dropped off at the BEAT Studio, located at 1080 SE Ninth Street, Suite 120, in Bend. Community members with questions or ideas that fall outside the provided guidelines can contact Executive Director Bree Beal.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from local lawmaker, AAA)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rising global tensions are continuing to drive up gas prices across the U.S., and Central Oregonians aren’t immune from feeling the impacts at the pump.

Recent conflict in the Middle East has disrupted key oil shipping routes, pushing up the global price of crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline. Even though most of the U.S. oil supply comes from domestic sources and Canada, officials say Americans are still closely tied into the global market.

“There’s a lot of interdependence between India and Iran in their oil supply,” said State Representative Emerson Levy (D-Bend). “Our oil supply mostly is domestic, but we are still always tied to that per-barrel price. So whatever is happening in the world affects us at home, but it’s not necessarily our supply.”

Marie Dodds, director of government and public affairs for AAA Oregon and Idaho, expanded on the topic, noting any issue in a worldwide product supply can quickly translate to higher prices at local levels.

“Any time there’s a disruption in supplies in that global market, prices go up,” Dodds said. “Crude oil is that basic ingredient that goes into a gallon of gas or diesel. So when that cost of the main ingredient goes up, so do gas and oil prices when we go to our local gas station to fill up our tanks.”

The rising cost is being felt statewide, with limited options for immediate relief across both the country, and right here in Oregon.

“The majority of the cost that Oregonians are paying at the pump all goes back to the Iranian government cutting off ships being able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” Levy said. “It’s really difficult to pay higher costs when you’re already feeling the squeeze.”

With no clear end to the conflict, analysts warn drivers should prepare for more volatility in gas prices as ongoing instability could push prices even higher in the weeks ahead.

Earlier Story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices are still climbing quickly across the U.S., and right here in Oregon. Central Oregon drivers are not only feeling it in their wallets, but also talking more about politics at the pump.

According to GasBuddy, the average price for a gallon of gas in Oregon has jumped more than 30 cents in the past week, pushing the statewide average to about $4.41 per gallon. That’s nearly 80 cents higher than just one month ago.

In Central Oregon, prices are slightly lower but still elevated, averaging around $4.38 per gallon among our tri-county area. At the Parkway Chevron in southern Bend, regular gas was priced at $4.29 per gallon on Monday.

GasBuddy analysts point to global tensions and tight oil supplies as key factors behind the recent spike. Analysts warn prices could continue climbing in the weeks ahead if those pressures persist.

In Central Oregon, many say the increase has been sudden and hard to ignore.

“Everybody talks about how much it’s gone up,” said Ron Starkey, a gas attendant at Parkway Chevron. “It’s been, I don’t know, two or three weeks since it went from $3 to over $4. So people have definitely noticed.”

He added that customers are increasingly concerned about how rising fuel costs affect everyday expenses.

“They know that higher gas prices means that that’s higher prices for everything else,” Starkey said. “So they’re not happy – I mean, they’re not happy.”

Starkey said those frustrations are often turning into political discussions.

“There’s a lot there’s a lot of people that voted for Trump thinking that he was going to do the right thing, and they feel very disillusioned from what I’ve heard,” he said. “It’s all the same stuff that they fed to us when Bush went to war with Iraq. I don’t see how that really makes anything better.”

Not everyone sees it the same way. One viewer told KTVZ News via social media the increase was expected and expressed support for the current administration, saying she is “glad to finally have a transparent leader.”

With prices expected to remain high in coming weeks, a few ways to cut costs include signing up for loyalty or reward programs, use credit cards with cash back on gas purchases, and fill up when you notice lower prices, if possible. 

Earlier Story — CNN is reporting, global oil prices are rising again amid escalating tensions with Iran, a shift that is beginning to show up at the pump in Oregon and across Central Oregon.

On Sunday, crude oil prices climbed to their highest level since July 20–22. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose nearly 3% to just over $106 a barrel. U.S. oil also increased, gaining about 2.6% to reach $101 a barrel.

The price jump follows comments from President Donald Trump suggesting the war with Iran could continue for several more weeks. Iran has been blocking oil tankers from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Over the weekend, Trump called on the international community to help reopen the strait.

The global uncertainty is already affecting drivers closer to home. According to AAA, gas prices across Oregon have been climbing, with the statewide average for regular gasoline sitting around $4.46 per gallon.

In Bend, drivers are paying slightly more, with regular unleaded averaging about $4.47 per gallon. Analysts say if oil prices continue rising and shipping disruptions persist, prices at the pump could increase further in the coming weeks.

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