Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Northwest homebuilder Hayden Homes announced Wednesday a pledge to invest $25 million to charitable causes by 2030, as it launches  its Give As You Go™ Fund, an initiative connecting homebuilding with a commitment to building a strong community across the Northwest.

The fund will focus on philanthropic priorities including housing solutions, youth and education, food security, and Hayden Homes’ non-profit, First Story, the company said in a news release that continues below:

There are two key pillars to the fund. The first, at the heart of the program, directly involves homeowners.  Hayden Homes now fully funds a donation of $300  for each new home sold, which the company calls “Every Home Gives.” 

A portion supports First Story, a nonprofit expanding access to homeownership, while the remainder  supports local nonprofits in the county where the home is sold. Hayden Homes buyers are invited to nominate a nonprofit organization they care about, ensuring that philanthropy stays local, personal, and connected to real community needs.  

 The second pillar of the Hayden Homes $25 million pledge directs company philanthropic dollars to support a broad range of charitable community initiatives.   

To help launch the Give as You Go Fund in Oregon this year, Hayden Homes has committed tens of thousands of dollars to Oregon nonprofit and charitable organizations, including Oregon Habitat for Humanity, PeaceHealth Cottage Grove, RootedHomes, Horner Cycling Foundation, Deschutes Children’s Foundation, NeighborImpact, the COCC Foundation, Ponderosa Players, and more.     

The fund will benefit many communities across the Northwest.  Hayden Homes also on Wednesday presented $100,000 to the Walla Walla Public Library in Washington state to support  the organization’s “The Next Chapter” renovation project, including the new Hayden Homes Creativity Center. 

Architectural rendering of the Hayden Homes Creativity Center at the Walla Walla Public Library, an example of how the Give As You Go™ Fund is being applied in Northwest communities.

“From the beginning, we’ve believed that supporting the communities where we build is not only a privilege, but our responsibility,” said Dennis Murphy, CEO of Hayden Homes. “The Give As You Go™ Fund puts this belief into action. Attainable housing is only part of what it takes to build a strong community, and this is the next iteration of how Hayden Homes will continue showing up in the communities we serve.”  

This $25 million pledge comes as many Northwest communities continue to face rising housing costs alongside eroding affordability of local services and basic needs. Hayden Homes’ core business model focuses on building homes for households earning approximately 100–120% of area median income, while also investing in the communities where those homes are built.  

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College is inviting the public to its official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for its Madras campus expansion, 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at 1170 East Ashwood Road.

The event will feature brief remarks from COCC President Dr. Greg Pereira and community partners, followed by the official ribbon-cutting event and self-guided tours of the facility. Light refreshments will be served.

The new 24,000-square-foot, two-story facility is a LEED-certified structure that combines learning and community care under one roof, college officials said Wednesday in a news release the continues below:

It houses three standalone training programs: nursing, nursing assistant and medical assisting. Additionally, the expanded early childhood education program at the Madras campus is integrating some of its training into the new on-site, 100-capacity child care facility, being managed by The Children’s Learning Center of Madras.

The update to the Madras campus, which originally opened in 2011, is a response to Jefferson County’s needs related to early childhood education and health care workforce gaps, along with a major shortage of child care options in the region. Construction began in June 2024, and the doors officially opened for classes, labs and child care at the start of winter term last January.

The open house will offer the opportunity to purchase an engraved brick, to be installed at the building’s entrance, along with bricks bearing names and messages of other COCC supporters.

The transformative campus project was funded by federal and state support, private philanthropy, grants and general college funds.

In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact student accessibility services at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A disturbing incident involving teenagers is raising concerns in Bend’s Old Mill District.

Police say a group of juveniles in a red pickup truck may have used airsoft or BB-style rifles during a late-night encounter with security guards. Now, there are consequences — and questions about what happened and who was involved.

We’ll hear from a witness who describes a frightening moment, and get Bend Police Department’s response as the investigation moves forward. We’ve also reached out to the Old Mill District for comment.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will be live from the Old Mill District with a full report today at 4 p.m. on our FOX and NBC affiliates.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend will enact “home-hardening” requirements on May 15 for new homes, to improve their resiliency in the face of any future wildfires.

The Bend City Council recently adopted Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, establishing the home‑hardening requirements designed to improve wildfire resilience for new, detached residential construction.

After a work session discussion on Feb. 25, councilors directed staff to move forward with local adoption of R327, a state-adopted section of the residential building code that cities may opt into. The ordinance received its first reading on April 1 and was adopted upon second reading on April 15.

The new requirements will take effect May 15 and apply to new residential building permit applications submitted on or after that date.

R327 establishes wildfire-resilient construction practices for newly constructed dwellings and newly constructed accessory structures. It does not apply to additions or renovations of existing buildings.

The new requirements include the use of non-combustible or ignition-resistant materials for exterior components such as roofing, gutters, windows, vents and siding.

Fire hardening makes a property more resistant to ignition by addressing the most vulnerable part of the home with materials and methods that increase the structure’s resistance to heat, flame and embers.

While R327 does not apply to buildings regulated under the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, such as apartments and commercial buildings, those structures are typically built to a high baseline level of fire resistance, city officials said.

With adoption of the new code, Bend’s residential building standards align more closely with nearby jurisdictions. The code is already in effect for the City of Sisters and in unincorporated areas of Deschutes County, “supporting a consistent regional approach to community wildfire resilience,” the city said in Wednesday’s announcement.

Wildfire-Resistant Homes Costs reportDownload

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Better Together Central Oregon, a nonprofit focused on connecting communities and advancing opportunities for children, youth and families, announced its transition to full operational independence. This milestone, taking effect June 30, 2026, involves concluding a long-standing operational memorandum of understanding with the High Desert Education Service District. The organization will now manage its own operations, staffing and infrastructure across Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Better Together became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2015. For over a decade, the organization has served as a backbone entity, bringing together diverse community members and systems in a region encompassing more than 67,000 children and youth. The High Desert Education Service District had previously served as the employer of record and a professional home for Better Together’s staff.

Since its founding, Better Together has evolved from a vision of collaborative K–12 support into a regional anchor organization. It convenes workgroups, supports youth leadership and connects families with resources and opportunities.

In fiscal year 2024–25, Better Together hosted a 10-Year Celebration and Vision Summit with more than 150 community partners. The organization stewarded nearly $2 million through fiscal sponsorships supporting seven community-rooted organizations. It also engaged more than 500 families and young leaders through eight regional Family and Youth Councils. Programs sponsored by Better Together impacted more than 4,585 youth and 619 adults across the region. Additionally, it facilitated four active convening groups that bring leaders together to drive coordinated, community-led action in priority areas: early learning, housing and education, youth voice and Latinx success.

Gabriela Peden, executive director of Better Together Central Oregon, stated that this moment has been years in the making. “Operational independence gives us the ability to fully align how we work with what we believe, which is that communities are stronger when people come together,” Peden said. “Our mission, our relationships and our commitment to the people of Central Oregon are not changing. What changes is our capacity to sustain and deepen that work for the long term.”

Carlos Salcedo, board chair of Better Together Central Oregon, commented on the organization’s responsiveness to the communities it serves. “Better Together has always been shaped by the communities it serves — and this next step reflects that strength,” Salcedo said. He also expressed gratitude for the partnership with HDESD. “We are deeply grateful for the partnership with HDESD that supported an important chapter of our development. And we move forward with confidence, grounded in relationships built over more than a decade and guided by an unwavering commitment to the people and communities of Central Oregon.”

As part of establishing independent operations, Better Together will begin directly operating Juntos Aprendemos, one of its signature programs. Aprendemos is a Spanish-language family engagement initiative launched in 2018 through the leadership of Better Together’s Latinx Success Workgroup. Since its launch, the program has been operated by HDESD in partnership with Better Together. Beginning July 1, 2026, Better Together will directly operate the program and maintain its core model and commitment to serving Spanish-speaking families across the region.

Better Together extended its gratitude to HDESD for its role as a catalyst and early champion for developing cradle-to-career partnerships in Central Oregon. HDESD also served as a fiscal and operational partner since 2015. The two organizations anticipate continued collaboration in service of shared community priorities.

Better Together will continue to share updates with partners, funders and community members as the transition progresses. To learn more, an impact report for 2024–25, organizational history and supporting materials are available at bettertogethercentraloregon.org/news. Media inquiries can be directed to Peden at gabriela@bettertogetherco.org or (541) 745-4355.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening this weekend, the Bend Police Department will host a DEA Drug Takeback event.

The department says it’s to give citizens a chance to safely dispose of unwanted or unused prescriptions, as flushing old prescriptions can add the drugs to the water table, and throwing them in the garbage could mean they end up in the wrong hands.

The drive-through event will take place in the PD parking lot (555 NE 15th Street) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th.

You’re encouraged to stop by and keep the community safe through this free event.

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit will increase bus service frequency and improve connections across Bend beginning May 4, 2026. The transit agency aims to provide better reliability for commuters throughout the city.

The service improvements will see Routes 1 and 4 along 3rd Street operate every 15 minutes on weekdays between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Additionally, frequency on key corridors serving St. Charles and Neff Road will increase, with buses running every 30 minutes instead of the current 45-minute intervals.

Changes also include an update to Route 6, which will serve the new Deschutes Public Library – Central Library.

The new Deschutes Public Library – Central Library is scheduled to open on May 11, 2026.

Riders can plan their trips by checking updated schedules at local bus stops, Hawthorne Station, or online at CascadesEastTransit.com. For questions regarding the service changes, individuals may call 541-385-8680.

The new services will officially begin on May 4, 2026. The Deschutes Public Library – Central Library will open its doors on May 11, 2026, marking an additional destination for the updated Route 6.

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Matthew Draxton

REDMOND, Ore. – The Oregon Lightning will host the defending Arena Football One champions, the Albany Firebirds, this Saturday, April 25, 2026, for their 2026 home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time at the First Interstate Bank Center.

This matchup marks Oregon’s second game of the 2026 AF1 season and the first opportunity for Central Oregon fans to see the Lightning on their home turf this year. The Lightning opened their season on the road two weeks ago in Everett and now focus on an Albany team known for its physical style of play and explosive scoring ability. Saturday’s contest is the first meeting between the two franchises in AF1 competition.

Fans unable to attend the game can stream the action live on The Home Team Network, through the Oregon Lightning website and with the team’s local streaming partner, KTVZ+. Four partner locations across Central Oregon will also stream the game. These include The Moontower at 329 SW 6th St in Redmond, Bangers & Brews Westside at 1288 SW Simpson Ave in Bend, Upp Liquids at 550 SW Industrial Way #185 in Bend and New Basin Distilling Company at 2063 NW St. Andrews Dr in Madras.

After Saturday’s home opener, the Lightning will play two consecutive road games. They will face the Michigan Arsenal on Saturday, May 2 at 4:00 p.m. and the Nashville Kats on Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be available on KTVZ+ and The Home Team Network. The Lightning will return home on Saturday, May 16 to play the Washington Wolfpack at 6:00 p.m.

Other scheduled games include home matchups against the Michigan Arsenal on Saturday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. and the Washington Wolfpack on Saturday, May 30 at 6:00 p.m. The team will play the Kentucky Barrels at home on Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. and on the road on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. Their final regular season road games are against the Washington Wolfpack on Saturday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m., the Beaumont Renegades on Sunday, July 5 at 3:00 p.m. and the Oceanside Bombers on Friday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m.

The AF1 Quarterfinal Playoffs are scheduled for July 24-26, with the AF1 Semifinal Playoffs on Aug. 1. The AF1 League Crown Championship will take place on Aug. 8. Broadcast partners for playoff games include VICE-TV and KTVZ+.

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Kelsey Merison

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1983 cold case in Oregon.

The state justice departments says 73-year-old Marcus Sanfratello pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree.

The victim is Teresa Peroni, who was Sanfratello’s girlfriend when she went missing.

Investigators say new DNA evidence and modern forensics techniques helped them build the case decades after her disappearance.

Click here to read our Portland affiliate station KGW’s article on the case.

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Kelsey Merison

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, Lake Billy Chinook is about to get very busy.

The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its annual marine law enforcement training on Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County between April 27th and May 8th.

According to the board, this intensive training is designed for new or seasonal marine law enforcement officers to train them in boating laws, boat handling, and water safety fundamentals. 

Throughout this comprehensive, nine-day marine academy, officers get time behind the wheel to develop maneuvering skills for operating jet and propeller boats.

They also learn boating safety rules that they will be enforcing to keep everyone safe on the water.

The training includes accident investigation, boating under the influence detection and apprehension, as well as other types of boater compliance.

The marine academy is hosted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with highly skilled deputies from around the state, taking an active role as instructors.

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