Cami Porter
This week on Big Ol’ Fish, we’re kicking things up a notch with Leif and his massive Tillamook Bay Chinook – an absolute unit of a catch. We also featured a few other anglers showing off their haul. When you send in your BOF photos, be sure to include your name, the fish, and where you landed it. And if you’re not sure where to submit, just go to the Share tab!
KTVZ
Update: Adding video
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The City of Redmond will implement a full closure of Northwest Way at NW Euston Lane beginning Sunday, November 23, through Saturday, November 29.
The closure is necessary to install a 48-inch interceptor line linking the Redmond Wetlands Complex to the existing Water Pollution Control Facility in the Dry Canyon, the city said in Thursday’s announcement.
A signed detour route will guide motorists around the closure. Traffic will be redirected to Highway 97, with detours connecting back to Northwest Way via NW Maple and NW Odem avenues.
Local access will be maintained for residents and businesses within the closure area, but the city said drivers should plan for additional travel time and use alternate routes whenever possible.
The Redmond Wetlands Complex is a multi-year investment to expand Redmond’s wastewater treatment capacity while creating engineered wetlands that improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and offer community recreation opportunities. Construction is expected to continue through the fall of 2027.
For more information and to sign up for project updates, visit www.redmondwetlandscomplex.com.
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend was a far smaller town 35 years ago, when the current City Hall was built. While the growth is self-evident, and the accompanying need for more space for city staff, there’s still a web of options and issues to address, when it comes to the idea of a bigger City Hall for the future,
At Wednesday’s City Council work session, councilors began a discussion about strategically activating city-owned properties in downtown and the Bend Central District while addressing future long-term planning for Bend City Hall and administrative space needs, the city said in a news release Thursday:
Part of this planning effort is for the development of a future City Hall and administrative facility that can keep up with projected growth and space requirements through the year 2060 and beyond.
By developing a new City Hall, the City of Bend is aiming to create more administrative efficiencies and consolidate operations to improve service delivery, reduce long-term costs and plan for anticipated growth.
Councilors will evaluate options that emphasize the city’s vision to be forward thinking about transforming underutilized land in the city to foster economic development and enhance quality of life. The City is also exploring a potential collaborative delivery method in a Public-Private Partnerships (P3) to leverage private sector expertise and investment while maintaining public ownership and oversight.
“We promised to invest in the Bend Central District because we believe in its potential to bring people together and to be an economic driver for our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins. “Our commitment is to activate that area while also finding a way to create a City Hall that is a welcoming, safe and functional environment for both city staff and our community.”
“We are taking a look at how we can use all of our existing assets to meet multiple community needs, including enhancing downtown with a community gathering space and other investments,” said Councilor Mike Riley. “By looking at this in a more holistic view, we hope to efficiently use our resources to drive arts and cultural, economic and social benefits for the community.”
The city said its staff will continue to evaluate options, including assessing short-term space needs and conducting additional analysis with the consultant team to determine the highest and best use of City owned property.
City staff aim to return to the council within six months with more information and further recommendations. Meanwhile, councilors are encouraging community members to give input throughout the process.
Here’s the presentation that guided the council’s discussion on Wednesday:
KTVZ
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Madras announced Thursday that city councilors have approved a construction services agreement with Rickabaugh Construction, LLC for the first phase of the Hoffman Park development, moving this long-planned community project into construction.
Phase One includes the development of two adjacent 3-acre parcels along 10th Street south of J Street, bringing major park amenities to southeast Madras, the city said in a news release announcing the start of the project that continues in full below:
Planned improvements include:
Site grading and paving
Concrete sidewalks and curbs
New landscaping and site lighting
Restrooms
Picnic shelter
Dedicated dog park area
Nature walking path and open-space features
Advancing Community Priorities
Hoffman Park supports the City Council’s adopted 2025–26 Strategic Goals by expanding recreation opportunities, enhancing livability, and strengthening park infrastructure across Madras. The project reflects community priorities identified in recent planning efforts, including the desire for improved trail connectivity, family-friendly facilities, safe outdoor spaces, and new amenities in growing neighborhoods.
By developing this new park space, the city is taking an important step toward creating a more connected, vibrant, and active community – providing places for families to gather, children to play, and residents to enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.
Competitive Bidding & Funding
The project was publicly advertised, and the City received seven competitive bids. Rickabaugh Construction submitted the lowest responsive bid at $1,742,937.15. Total funding allocated for Phase One is $2,095,000.
Funding Sources:
$200,000 – ARPA funds
$750,000 – Oregon Parks & Recreation Department Grant
$131,055 – Transportation Operations Fund
$1,015,945 – System Development Charges (Parks, Transportation, Wastewater, Stormwater combined)
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with updates provided as work progresses.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding video)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two people were injured in a rollover crash Wednesday night on Juniper Canyon Road southeast of Prineville, authorities said.
Crook County sheriff’s deputies responded around 7:40 p.m. to the reported single-vehicle crash on SE Juniper Canyon Road near milepost 7, sheriff’s Sergeant Justin Silence said Thursday.
An investigation determined a male driver was heading south at the wheel of a white Oldsmobile when he crossed the northbound lane, then skidded back into his own lane, Silence said.
The car then left the road, went down an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on its roof.
The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the crash scene by Crook County Fire & Rescue medics, Silence said. The female passenger was taken to St. Charles Prineville with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Based on the investigation, speed and inattentiveness are believed to be contributing factors to the crash,” the sergeant wrote.
The sheriff’s office thanked Crook County Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police and STAR Towing for their assistance.
KTVZ
(Update: Commissioners to take up district mapping on Wednesday)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County commissioners next Wednesday will take up a contentious five-district map for future commissioner elections, recommended on a recent 4-3 vote by an advisory committee.
The proposal is the last item on next Wednesday’s county commission meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. The agenda indicates a likely time of 11 a.m. for that discussion, although changes can occur during board meetings.
Here’s the issue summary from county staff on the map, other recommendations and the process to this point:
District mapping issue summaryDownload
Earlier story:
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-November 13) — On Wednesday, the Deschutes County District Mapping Advisory Committee voted to send a proposed county five-commissioner district map to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
The committee selected Map C as its final proposed map and recommended the Board assign district numbers by random drawing. The vote was 4-3: Bernie Brader, Matt Cyrus, Ned Dempsey, and Phil Henderson in favor and Andrew Kaza, Carol Loesche, and Melanie Kebler opposed.
Staff will present the DMAC’s findings and the recommended map at a Board of County Commissioners meeting in the coming weeks. If the Board approves the proposal, voters will vote on it in the May 2026 primary. If voters approve the map, it will take effect during the 2028 election.
Background
In November 2024, voters approved Measure 9-173 to expand the BOCC from three to five members. In response, the Board met several times to consider moving from five at-large positions to district-based positions. A majority of the Board voted to appoint a committee of seven community volunteers to draft a district map. Commissioners DeBone and Adair appointed two committee members each and Commissioner Chang appointed three.
The DMAC held weekly work sessions starting in early September to draft a map with approximately equal populations in each commissioner district. Over the course of 11 weeks, committee members reviewed several draft maps using Board-approved guidelines, Deschutes County voter registration data, 2020 census data, race and ethnicity population data and building permit trends since 2022.
For more information about the DMAC, including meeting minutes, draft maps and community feedback, please visit deschutes.org/dmac.
KTVZ
(Update: Adding Video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg has announced his plans to retire from his position, effective September 2026, concluding a 16-year tenure as director and 26 years with the library system.
Dunkelberg made the announcement to the library board during their Wednesday, and followed up with a message to library staff Thursday morning, the organization said in a news release
“Serving the residents of Deschutes County, and working alongside dynamic staff members dedicated to the same service, has been an honor,” Dunkelberg said. “I am proud of the work we’ve done together, and look forward to watching this vibrant library system continue to grow and serve the community at the highest level.”
“From the Great Recession to COVID, and most recently shepherding the district through a series of bond projects, Todd has tirelessly served both staff and community,” said Ann Malkin, who has been on the Library Board since 2007. “He’s faced a series of challenges, and each time he prioritized keeping the library accessible to the public, and keeping staff employed. The Board is grateful for his service.”
Malkin says the board will appoint a recruiting team to begin the search for a new library director. The position is expected to post in January, kicking off a national search. The new director will overlap with Dunkelberg during a four-to-six-week transition period.
Dunkelberg began his library career as a children’s librarian after graduating from the University of Texas library school. In 1999 he moved to Central Oregon to manage the Redmond Library. He was promoted to Assistant Director in 2002, and was hired as Library Director in 2009.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding PacificSource statement)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles Health System announced Thursday an agreement with PacificSource, allowing thousands of patients on both the commercial and Medicare Advantage plans to remain in-network for St. Charles hospitals and clinics.
PacificSource had informed its local customers in late September that they could go out of network with St. Charles on Jan. 1, but that talks were continuing. Days later, the other remaining Medicare Advantage insurance plan available locally, Providence Health Plan, announced it will be leaving the Deschutes County market on Jan. 1, leaving only PacificSource as potentially available.
“We are grateful we were able to come to an agreement with PacificSource to maintain in-network coverage for thousands of local residents, who we hope will welcome this news,” said Matt Swafford, Chief Financial Officer for St. Charles. “We appreciate PacificSource coming to the table and working with us on a solution that meets all of our needs.”
The agreements reached are for one year for the Medicare Advantage contract and two years for the commercial contract, the health system said in a news release.
“We recognize that uncertainty about insurance coverage can cause stress for our patients, especially given state and national trends in declining Medicare Advantage options,” Swafford said. “Negotiations like these are an important part of the overall process that ensures St. Charles can continue to provide access to health care services locally for the communities we serve.”
St. Charles said it continues to work closely with insurance providers on coverage options for local residents and also recently reached an agreement on commercial insurance with Providence Health Plans, along with Aetna and Cigna.
PacificSource provided KTVZ News with this statement:
“PacificSource is pleased to have reached an agreement with St. Charles Health System, ensuring our members can continue accessing the care they rely on. Our priority throughout this process has been providing clarity and continuity for the Central Oregon communities we serve. We value the collaboration that led to this outcome and remain committed to keeping health care affordable and accessible for our members.”
For the latest information on which plans are currently in-network for St. Charles providers and facilities, visit their website.
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Santa is once again trading his sleigh for a fire engine to ride through the city of Bend, collecting donations for The Salvation Army.
On Saturday, December 6th at 6 p.m., the Bend Fire Santa Express is gearing up for another fun year visiting local neighborhoods to collect food, clothing, and toy donations.
Here’s more from the City of Bend’s press release on the event:
“On Saturday. Dec. 6 Santa will be coming through the Three Pines, Westside Meadows and Shevlin Ridge neighborhoods in northwest Bend.
The Santa Express will begin at the corner of NW Mt. Shasta Drive and NW Jesse Place at 6 p.m. and slowly walk the route shown in the attached map. Meet Santa and the crews along the route to provide a donation!”
If you need help this holiday season with food or presents, please call The Salvation Army at (541) 389-8888.
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the impact of studded tires on city roads to Bend’s unhoused population, KTVZ News asked Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler your pressing questions Thursday morning.
Make sure to submit your questions for the mayor here. You can remain anonymous if you wish.
