Author: KTVZ

Spencer Sacks

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Prineville police stop early Saturday morning led officers and Crook County Sheriff’s deputies on a brief pursuit.

Around 1:46 a.m., a Prineville officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield, leading to a chase. The driver led police through the parking lot of Crook County High School, down an alley and eventually crashed through a wooden fence in southeast Prineville.

Police terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns and the driver’s recklessness. Officers later found the vehicle abandoned in southeast Prineville, and it has been impounded.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Read the Full Press release below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prineville Police Department

Date: 01/31/26

Incident Type: Felony Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Criminal Mischief II and Failure to Perform Duties/Property Damage.

Date and Time of Incident:

01/31/26 at around 1:46 am.

Location of Incident:

SE Knowledge St. Prineville

Narrative of Incident:

On 01/31/26, at around 1:46 am, a Prineville Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a silver Ford F-350 in the area of SE Knowledge St.  The driver failed to yield leading Prineville Police and Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a pursuit.

The driver led police through the parking lot of Crook County High School, an alley and eventually crashing through a wooden fence in southeast Prineville.  Officers and deputies terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns and the recklessness of the driver.  Officers later located the vehicle abandoned in the southeast area of Prineville.  The vehicle was impounded.

Prineville Police Department is not aware of any injuries as a result.  However, multiple victims had damage to their property.  At this time the investigation is on-going and no additional information will be released.  If anyone has additional information or video of the incident to report please contact the case agent below.  The Prineville Police Department would like to thank the Oregon State Police for their assistance as well.

Prepared and Released by: Detective Sergeant Jordan Zamora

Case agent: Officer Zarom Bruce

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Campbell Porter

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School District is celebrating excellence in education after nominating three of its outstanding staff members for prestigious statewide awards.

Each nominee represents the dedication and heart that define the district’s educators:

Kimberly Bonner – Nominated for Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year

Kim Crofcheck – Nominated for Oregon Teacher of the Year

Kim Griffin – Nominated for Oregon Educator Support Professional of the Year

On a facebook post, the district wrote, “These three amazing educators serve with heart, dedication, and professionalism, making a lasting difference every single day. We are honored to have them as part of the Crook County School District team.”

Community members are encouraged to show their support by submitting their own nominations for these educators, or any other exceptional Crook County School District staff member, through the official Oregon Department of Education nomination forms:

Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year

Oregon Teacher of the Year

Oregon Educator Support Professional of the Year

The district invites everyone to join in recognizing the remarkable educators who make a daily impact in Crook County’s classrooms and beyond.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Our Pay It Forward program recognizes people who make our community a better place to live. Tonight, we introduced you to someone who’s devoted decades to helping others find common ground.

For 28 years, Charlie Young has volunteered as a mediator for the Deschutes County Courts. Mediation offers a legal alternative to trial — instead of taking a dispute before a judge or jury, people can sit down with someone like Young to peacefully work out their differences. The agreements reached in mediation are legally binding, but often the process helps both sides find a middle ground that satisfies everyone involved.

We met Young just after he finished training a new group of volunteer mediators. He explained that one of the most important skills they focus on is building trust and understanding with the people they’re helping.

“Not only do we have to let these people know we’re listening to their perspective,” Young said, “we’re trying to develop a relationship with them so they feel comfortable sharing with us their story.”

Young has even written a book on mediation, which is used as part of the training program in Deschutes County.

As part of our Pay It Forward segment, we surprised him with $500 to give back to the community. He and his wife decided to donate the money to StirrUp Purpose, a local equine therapy organization.

Young said he was more than happy to give the money to a worthy cause — but what he really hopes is that more people will choose to volunteer as mediators.

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Spencer Sacks

(Adding Video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pulitzer Prize–winning author Rick Atkinson, featured in Ken Burns’ PBS documentary The American Revolution, is coming to Bend this spring. He’ll share insights from his work on the film and his acclaimed books about America’s fight for independence during a special event at The Tower Theatre.

Atkinson’s insights in the Ken Burns series stem from his extensive work chronicling America’s past. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight narrative histories covering five American wars, including The Long Gray Line

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There are plenty of events happening this weekend at Mt. Bachelor to keep you busy!

On Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can ski or snowshoe candlelit trails under the stars to music by award-winning pianist, Paula Dreyer.

Enjoy hot drinks and specials at the nordic cafe, explore the trails, and soak in the fresh air in the great outdoors. Costumes, headlamps, and glow-in-the-dark attire are encouraged.

Guests can listen to the concert via wireless headphones on trails within a half mile radius, or acoustically in the lodge by the fire. 

Also happening Saturday–from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Outplay 365 and Full Season Passholders will enjoy exclusive early access to the slopes via Pine Marten chairlift, weather and conditions permitting. Check the Mountain Report for the latest updates on conditions and operations.

Happening Sunday from 10 a.m to 12 p.m, ski or ride down to the bottom of cloud chaser chairlift and enjoy an on-snow pop up event. There will be mimosas, non-alcoholic drinks, and a selection of light, elevated snacks!

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Spencer Sacks

(Adding video and quotes from Republican Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson and Mark Owens as well as Senator Mike McLane)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Beginning Monday, the 35 day legislative short session begins.

Among the many issues being addressed are the ongoing ODOT funding, and the major hole within the state budget.

All throughout this week, legislators in our area, as well as across the state, have been holding town halls to meet with and hear from their constituents.

Republican Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson and Mark Owens as well as Senator Mike McLane spoke to more than two-hundred people, addressing the bills they’re working on, and the issues they’re following closely. 

On ODOT funding Representative Mark Owens said during the Town Hall, “They told us they weren’t going to plow our roads in our white lines. Similar conversation, you’ve heard me say before, are our lives worth less than those living in the metro area? It sure seems like that.”

On state budget cuts Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson said, “I think with with that lens, looking at it, it’s a great place for us to start looking at real reductions and hopefully shrinking government.”

On taxes Senator Mike McLane said, “One is potentially to disconnect from our federal tax code that has the effect of raising taxes pretty significant increase”

With the price of homes continuing to rise, residents all across the state look to their legislators to help address some of these issues.

They range from new legislation on homes, to increasing the exemptions of the estate tax.

The 3 legislators shared their hopes of solving the ongoing housing crisis.

Representatives Vikki Breese-Iverson said, “We have heard for several years now that we need more houses. We need to be able to build in Oregon. Oregon’s land use system isn’t really built for us to be able to easily build homes or for us to be able to expand our communities.”

The 35 day session runs until early march.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rudy’s Markets Inc. is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2026 with a monthly Gold Bar Giveaway and a $100,000 matching donation program to combat hunger in Central Oregon. The initiatives mark five decades since the company was founded in 1976.

The company says it’s currently Central Oregon’s only locally founded, 100% employee-owned grocery business. It operates three stores across the region, including the Newport Avenue Market, Oliver Lemon’s and Ollie’s Kitchen brands. The transition to employee ownership occurred in 2015, when the founding family sold the business to its workers at no cost.

The hunger relief initiative includes a commitment to match customer donations at checkout up to $100,000, the company said in Thursday’s news release. The donations are accepted year-round at all company locations.

The matching funds are designed to help partner non-profits purchase food at wholesale costs, which the company says will stretch the impact of every dollar for families facing food insecurity.

As part of the golden anniversary, the company is hosting a monthly Gold Bar Giveaway. Twelve winners will each receive one real gold bar throughout 2026. Customers are automatically entered into the drawing once a month, when they use their Foode Flash card at checkout. No purchase is necessary to enter the giveaway and official rules are available in-store and online.

Lauren G. D. Redman, “Leader of the Pack”/CEO and president of Rudy’s Markets Inc., described the anniversary as a moment of reflection on the company’s local ties.

“Turning 50 is worth celebrating, but for us, it’s also about gratitude,” Redman said. “Over all these years, our purpose hasn’t changed. We exist because of this community, and we believe our success should benefit everyone who shops, works and lives here.”

The company traces its history to 1976, when founder Rudy Dory opened his first grocery store in La Pine with $914 in his pocket. Rudy and his wife, Debbie, eventually grew the business to include three stores across Central Oregon.

In 2015, the Dory family sold the company to its employees at no cost, establishing it as a 100% employee-owned entity.

Dory said the transition to employee ownership was a way to recognize the staff who contributed to the company’s growth.

“When we started this company in 1976, the goal was simple: serve good food and treat people right,” Dory said. “Choosing to become 100% employee-owned was about honoring the people who built this business day in and day out. Celebrating our 50th anniversary by giving back — through fighting hunger and investing in our community — feels like the most natural way to say thank you.”

Today, Rudy’s Markets Inc. operates three separate brands in the region. These include Newport Avenue Market in Bend, Oliver Lemon’s in Sisters and Terrebonne and Ollie’s Kitchen in Redmond. The stores specialize in high-quality food, hard-to-find items and products from local producers.

The Gold Bar Giveaway and donation matching program will continue through the end of 2026. Official rules for the giveaway and further details on the anniversary initiatives are available at newportavemarket.com.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Prineville pastor accused of shooting a neighborhood cat, leaving it permanently blind, entered a no-contest plea to an animal abuse charge Thursday in a deal with prosecutors that will have the case dismissed if he performs community service and pays restitution to the cat’s owner.

Jason Swick, 48, pastor at the Prineville Church of Christ, had pleaded not guilty last month to first-degree animal abuse, a Class A misdemeanor that under Oregon law carries a potential sentence of 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.

Under a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit to wrongdoing, but acknowledges that a jury or judge could convict them of the charges.

According to the petition that was accepted Thursday by Circuit Judge David Delsman, Swick’s sentencing will be “held in abeyance for six months to allow for completion of 24 hours of community service and $1,000 restitution to the cat owner. If all conditions (are) completed as required, the case will be dismissed without conviction.”

Swick was accused of shooting the neighborhood cat named Pumpkin several times last September, then pleacing it in a dumpster behind the church, sparking community outage and protests. The cat’s owner, Amanda Lougher, found the cat alive and bleeding, taking it for emergency surgery in Bend, and it survived.

Swick said in a Facebook post that later was deleted that he believed the cat was feral and attacking his family’s chickens, also saying he was “so sorry and feel terrible. I was afraid and didn’t know what else to do in the moment.”

Lougher read a statement in court Thursday that she also posted on her Facebook page, where she said she was “thankful to be able to close this chapter of our lives! Thankful for all the love and support for the community!”

In court, Lougher said, “There are far less violent ways to deal with a neighborhood cat,” also saying the family’s 9-month-old cat was shot in the face three times.

“I appreciate you owning the choices that you made that night, and each day since,” Lougher said, addressing Swick in the courtroom. “May both families and the community move forward in peace. Today, in this moment, I choose to forgive you. Please do better!”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two weeks after Ian Cranston posted bail and was released from jail, a Deschutes County judge has set his fall retrial date on manslaughter and other charges in the 2021 shooting death of Barry Washington Jr.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Circuit Judge Beth Bagley scheduled an Oct. 20 start for a 10-day, 12-person jury trial of Cranston, preceded by an August 17 motion hearing and a Sept. 21 trial readiness hearing. Cranston will remain free after posting 10% of his $500,000 bail earlier this month.

If that schedule holds, the new trial will happen nearly a year after the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed and remanded Cranston’s conviction, due to a special instruction related to self-defense that was not given to the jury.

That jury acquitted Cranston, now 31, on a second-degree murder charge but convicted him of first- and second-degree manslaughter charges for shooting Washington outside the Capitol nightclub in downtown Bend. Cranston claimed he acted in self-defense after being punched by Washington, who was 22 at the time of his death.

The appeals court remanded the case to Deschutes County, saying Bagley, the trial judge, erred by not giving the jury instruction sought by the defense that state law does not require a person to retreat before they can use deadly force in self-defense or the defense of others.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School Board is inviting students, families, staff and community members to participate in a series of listening sessions to provide input on the potential appointment of Dr. Joel Hoff, currently serving as interim superintendent, to permanent role.

“These sessions are an important opportunity for stakeholders to share perspectives, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to the Board,” the school district said in Wednesday’s announcement.

The listening sessions, organized by stakeholder group, are set for these dates and times: 

Administrators/Confidential Staff: Wednesday, February 11 at 4:00 PM 

Students: Thursday, February 12 at 11:00 AM 

Certified Staff: Tuesday, February 17 at 4:30 PM 

Parent & Community: Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM 

Classified Staff: Monday, February 23 at 4:30 PM 

Parent & Community: Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 PM 

Spanish-Speaking Families: Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 PM 

How to participate: 

All adult sessions will be held at the CCSD office, and anyone is welcome to attend. These sessions will be public meetings, and Zoom participation will be available. If you would like to RSVP, you can do so at the links listed below, but it is not required. 

English RSVP to attend listening sessions (optional) 

Spanish RSVP to attend listening sessions (optional) 

All input gathered through the survey and listening sessions will be summarized and presented to the school board at its March meeting.

“The Board is committed to a transparent, inclusive process to ensure that community voices inform the decision regarding the permanent Superintendent appointment,” the school district said. “The Crook County School District encourages everyone to participate and make their voices heard.”

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