Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here’s something you don’t hear about often in Oregon: a young black bear made an unexpected visit to Wilsonville on the night of June 29th, drawing several calls to local authorities.

Officers with the Wilsonville Police Department responded to the sighting around 10:45 p.m. Using their patrol vehicles, they safely directed the bear toward the nearby river, where it left the neighborhood without any problems.

Wildlife officials believe the bear was likely searching for an easy meal, such as unsecured garbage or pet food.

Police remind anyone who encounters a bear to stay a safe distance away, never approach or feed it, bring pets inside or keep dogs on a leash, and secure garbage and other items that could attract wildlife.

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Lance Campbell

LA PINE, Ore. — Final preparations are underway at the La Pine Rodeo Grounds as crews set up for one of Central Oregon’s longest-running Fourth of July traditions, kicking off Thursday night.

Proudly dubbed “The Greatest Little Rodeo in Oregon,” the three-day, NPRA-sanctioned event brings thousands of visitors to Southern Deschutes County annually, serving as one of the single largest economic holiday drivers for local businesses.

Beyond the immediate boost to area retail, restaurants, and lodging, the event acts as a direct investment back into the local community. Because the La Pine Rodeo Association operates as a non-profit organization, ticket proceeds from the weekend are funneled directly back into local youth programs, 4-H chapters, civic groups, and regional schools.

For those representing the community inside the arena, the weekend represents a profound sense of regional pride. For 2026 La Pine Rodeo Princess Natalee Küper, who hails from just down the road in Silver Lake, taking on her first rodeo court role has been an incredibly meaningful experience.

“I feel very, very honored, especially for this to be the first rodeo court that I’m doing and for it to be La Pine,” Küper said. “I just feel very honored to represent this community because I just love the people here. I love everybody that I’ve met so far.”

Küper added that the community’s welcoming nature highlights the inclusive spirit of the event.

“You don’t have to necessarily live here or be from here to be a part of the community, and that’s a great representation of that,” she said.

La Pine Rodeo Princess Natalee Küper and her horse, Lolo, prepare for the 2026 holiday weekend events at the La Pine Rodeo Grounds. (KTVZ)

La Pine Rodeo Days runs from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4. Festivities throughout the holiday weekend include nightly pro rodeo performances, a local vendor market, and a community parade.

Gates open each evening starting Thursday at 5:45 PM, with the main rodeo events kicking off at 7:00 PM.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — July is one of the busiest months for tourism in Bend, with the Fourth of July weekend drawing a significant number of visitors.

Last year, approximately 9,500 visitors came to Bend for the Fourth of July weekend. Tourism room taxes from visitors staying in hotels brought $2.2 million to the city last year.

The Fourth of July weekend stands as a peak time for tourism in Bend, matched only by Memorial Day for its visitor volume during the summer season.

The popularity of Bend during the summer is driven by its natural attractions and amenities. Tim Neville, communications manager for Visit Bend, highlighted the area’s appeal. “Summertime here is just a is obviously a popular time to, to be here for everyone. We have such beautiful landscapes and great river just flow and lakes and hiking and biking. It’s all the things we have wonderful food, cultural events, concerts. I mean, who doesn’t want to be here?” Neville said.

Hotel rates in Bend reflect this demand. During busy weekends like this, hotels in Bend frequently achieve high occupancy rates, booking 80 to 90% of their available rooms. The rooms cost more too, at up to $220 a night. This contrasts sharply with December, when the rates are slightly more than $100 a night.

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Tyson Beauchemin

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A special election will be held to decide if four members of the Madras Aquatic Center board, including the executive director, will be recalled. This special election was triggered after petitioners successfully gathered enough signatures to force the public vote.

Jefferson County officials confirmed that the petition collected the necessary signatures, and that the special election would be held on August 4th. The recall effort follows the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against the district by some individuals involved in the petition.

Nikki Carson, a petition organizer, says she, and other members of the public are dissatisfacted with the aquatic center’s management.

“Our pool is barely open. It was closed last summer. The executive director is making a lot of money. It’s a six figure salary that that she is making,” Carson said in an interview with KTVZ.

Potential voters must register by July 14 to participate in the special election. Ballots for the Aug. 4 election will be mailed out on July 15.

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Claire Elmer

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division, is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old, Jaylynn Rose O’Hara, who is believed to be in danger.

Jaylynn Rose O’Hara went missing from Eugene near Alton Baker Park on June 29th. She is suspected to be in the areas of Eugene, Corvallis, or Springfield. If you have any information, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement immediately.

O’Hara is reportedly 5’7″ tall, weighs 220 pounds, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

The full press release with additional details is below:

“The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Jaylynn O’Hara, age 16, who went missing from Eugene near Alton Baker Park on June 29. They are believed to be in danger. 

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Jaylynn O’Hara and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see Jaylynn. 

Jaylynn O’Hara is suspected to be in the Eugene area but may also be in Springfield or Corvallis. 

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report suspected child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

Child Legal Name: Jaylynn O’Hara

Child Preferred Name: Jaylynn

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 16

Height: 5-foot-7

Weight: 220 pounds

Hair color: Dark brown

Eye color: Blue 

Specific Identifying Characteristics: piercings: Industrial left ear, septum, nose both nostrils, upper lip snake bite

Eugene Police Dept. Report #26-09846

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #:  2093355

Date Missing: 6/29/26

Suspected and/or frequented location(s):  Eugene-Station 7, New Roads, Hosea Youth Shelter, 7-11 on 8th and HWY 99, Skinner’s Butte”

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: adding comment from Oregon Senator Ron Wyden)

TACOMA, Was. (KTVZ) — The truck driver involved in a deadly crash near Brothers that killed a newlywed couple will be deported to India, avoiding trial.

Rajinder Kumar, an undocumented immigrant from India, was involved in the fatal car crash in November of 2025. William Carter and Jennifer Lower were killed in the crash.

This week, Kumar’s detention hearing was held, prior to answering to felony charges in Deschutes County. His case was scheduled to go trial is January 2027.

Investigators say Kumar’s semi-truck jackknifed across Highway 20, blocking the roadway outside Brothers. According to the family, the truck was stretched across the highway with no warning lights, flares, cones or emergency signals to alert approaching drivers.

The family tells KTVZ News they are devastated by today’s news.

Senator Merkley’s office was able to help them provide victim impact statements for the judge to consider. The family was not allowed to attend the hearing through digital means. In addition, the family was told to call the courthouse every 30 minutes and they were told to keep waiting. Following the hearing, the website was updated with the order for removal.

Senator Wyden’s office provided KTVZ News with a statement:

“I consider the following principle to be fair, simple and proven: People charged with a crime in a U.S. court should stand trial in a U.S. court where our justice system is designed to determine guilt or innocence. If Donald Trump believed in actual justice, he’d let the U.S. courts do their work,” Wyden said. 

You can watch the victims’ family’s story with KTVZ News here.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Kefi Fast Fresh Mediterranean, a family-owned Bend restaurant known for its Greek and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, has been listed for sale, according to a public comment from owner Nick on a Facebook post and a commercial real estate listing for the restaurant space.

“Yes it’s true we have put Kefi for sale,” Nick wrote in the comment. “It was my dream to start a restaurant, and it’s been a tumultuous ride to say the least.”

Kefi is located in Northeast Bend near the Cascade Village. The LoopNet listing describes the space as a 2,005-square-foot, fully built-out restaurant or café space, available now. The listing says the restaurant is in the beginning of the sixth year of a 10-year lease. 

The listing says a new tenant may purchase the Kefi concept or bring in their own, and that all furniture, fixtures, and equipment may be purchased. It describes the business as an “excellent casual restaurant” in “immaculate condition.” 

Kefi’s website describes it as a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant focused on traditional Mediterranean flavors with fresh local ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant says “kefi” means joy, high spirits and a passion for food, dance, and life in Greek culture.

In his comment, Nick said the Bend community, including the Bend Foodies Facebook group, has been supportive of the business through its ups and downs.

“We couldn’t have made it as far as we did without all of you,” he wrote.

Nick said his parents are getting older and want to fully retire, leaving him essentially running the business on his own for the past year and a half, with help from his team.

“It’s no easy feat, and one that takes a toll on me not only physically, but mentally and in my marriage,” he wrote.

Nick said the decision to sell comes as he looks for a future that would allow him more time to start a family and be a present father.

“We don’t have any interest in it yet, but it’s a solid business and a good concept so I’m hoping someone will take it over and keep it going,” he wrote.

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Tracee Tuesday

MADRAS/PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon communities are marking the Fourth of July with a full slate of events in Madras and Prineville, celebrating Independence Day as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. From early-morning breakfasts and parades to fireworks and stargazing, the holiday stretches from sunrise to well after dark.

In Madras, the celebration centers around Sahalee Park, where organizers say the day is about family, tradition and community. Debbie Taylor, executive director of the Madras/Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s theme — “Red, White and Blue 250 Years With You” — reflects the spirit of the holiday and the country’s milestone anniversary.

“I think for us, it’s really just about being together with family and friends,” Taylor said. “When we looked at what our theme would be for this year, we decided it was going to be red, white and blue 250 years with you. And that’s really what it is, just to have that time for people to come together, enjoy those traditional events that they have … It’s for everyone just to be together and to celebrate.”

Taylor pointed to a full day of familiar Fourth of July traditions, including the parade, Todd Beamer Memorial Run and fireworks show at night. Tracee Tuesday also noted that if you’re spending the Fourth in Madras, one stop not to miss is the splash park at Sahalee Park.

Prineville offers its own packed holiday schedule, with morning events leading into an evening fireworks show. The day includes a pancake breakfast, parade, Pioneer Park Celebration and the Splash-n-Dash before the Flashback Cruz Car Show wraps up the holiday weekend at Ochoco Creek Park.

Later in the evening, Prineville Reservoir State Park shifts the celebration to the stars. Park manager Chris Gerdes said clear skies can make for a memorable experience.

“If the stars align, ideally, we’ll have a beautiful, really clear sky,” Gerdes said. “And if that’s the case, you’ll be able to see the Milky Way. We’ll have some individual planets or stars that we really want to kind of showcase, whether it’s just a constellation or something. We also have at least one of them we use to kind of help people visualize what that looks like.”

Tracee Tuesday said the night-time event stands out because Prineville Reservoir is an official International Dark Sky Park.

“There will be a number of 4th of July events happening in the city of Prineville during the day, on the 4th of July,” Tuesday said. “But at night, the party doesn’t stop. In fact, right here at the Prineville Reservoir, it is officially the International Dark Sky Park. Beginning at 10 p.m., you’ll be able to take in the stars, the planets, the moon crystal clear, which makes it such a unique place for stargazing.”

Madras events

Breakfast by Madras Elks BPOE: 7 a.m.

Todd Beamer Memorial Run: 7 a.m.

Food and entertainment: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

National anthem and American flag raising: 9:45 a.m.

Parade: 10 a.m. at 10th & B streets and 7th Street

Fireworks: 10 p.m. at Madras High School

Prineville events

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast: 7 to 10 a.m.

Splash-n-Dash: 9:30 a.m. at Ochoco Creek Park

Independence Day Parade: 10 a.m.

Pioneer Park Celebration: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Flashback Cruz Car Show: July 3-4 at Ochoco Creek Park

Evening fireworks: 9:30 p.m. at Ochoco Wayside State Park

Dark sky highlight

The Prineville Reservoir event adds a different kind of Fourth of July experience, offering stargazing under some of the clearest skies in Central Oregon. The park’s dark sky designation has made it a draw for visitors looking to see the Milky Way, planets and constellations after sunset.

This year’s holiday celebrations reflect both the long tradition of the Fourth of July and the country’s 250-year milestone, with communities across Central Oregon choosing to mark the occasion in their own hometown ways.

Reported on July 1, 2026 – 11:09 am

From parades to fireworks, Central Oregon is gearing up for a festive Fourth of July, with Prineville and Madras both preparing full days of community celebrations.

Each town is putting its own spin on the holiday, with hometown traditions, family-friendly activities, and evening fireworks expected to draw crowds across the region. From early morning breakfasts and races to parades, live music, and community gatherings, there’s something planned for all ages throughout the day.

Organizers say these annual celebrations continue to bring communities together, with both cities expecting strong turnout as residents and visitors mark the holiday.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday takes a closer look at what’s planned, what’s new this year, and what you need to know before you go—including key event highlights and tips for navigating the busy holiday.

Watch the full report tonight on KTVZ News at 6 on our NBC affiliate.

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Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management has implemented strict fire restrictions across all of its public lands in Oregon and Washington This comes as the Independence Day holiday weekend approaches, with national firefighting resources already stretched.

Individuals responsible for starting wildfires face severe penalties, including fines up to $100,000, up to 12 months in prison and liability for all firefighting suppression costs.

These statewide fire restrictions remain in effect due to already strained national firefighting resources. Local regions have also put additional emergency closures in place, underscoring the critical need for fire prevention during this period.

Visitors to BLM lands should research their destinations in advance. Local restrictions dictate when power tools can be used, what types of stoves or campfires are allowed and what kind of safety equipment visitors need to have on hand.

Several items are strictly prohibited on all BLM lands in Oregon and Washington, including fireworks, sky lanterns, exploding or metallic targets, tracer or incendiary devices and steel component ammunition.

Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, highlighted the dangers and legal ramifications. “There are serious consequences for starting a wildfire, including fines and possibly imprisonment, which we hope everyone can avoid through careful choices,” O’Connor said. “We have already experienced excruciating loss this season. I cannot stress the gravity of the situation enough. Please help protect our firefighters and communities.”

Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director, echoed the call for vigilance. “Lighting a firework or leaving a smoldering campfire creates significant wildland fire risk. Under the right conditions, they easily start wildfires,” Prill said. “Don’t risk it. Let’s work together to prevent every wildfire possible.”

The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land, primarily across 12 western states, on behalf of the American people. The agency also oversees 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate nationwide. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands for both current and future generations.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service works in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery efforts. Their shared mission is to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Patrol Sergeant Tyler Takagi has returned to the Prineville Police Department after a year-long military deployment, bringing with him the same dedication and professionalism he has always shown. The department says his service as a Staff Sergeant reflects his commitment to both our nation and the Prineville community.

From all of us here at KTVZ News, welcome home Sergeant Takagi, and thank you for your service.

Here’s what the Prineville Police Department posted to social media about Sergeant Takagi’s return:

“Today, we are proud to welcome Patrol Sergeant Tyler Takagi back to the Prineville Police Department after a year-long military deployment.

Over the past year, Sergeant Takagi served our country as a Staff Sergeant, demonstrating the same dedication, professionalism, and commitment that he brings to our department every day. We are incredibly grateful for his service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation.

Please join us in welcoming Sergeant Takagi home and thanking him for his continued service to both our country and the Prineville community. Welcome back, we’re proud to have you on the team!”

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