Author: KTVZ

KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Comments from restaurant owner, more on features)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The new McDonald’s in Redmond, located at 625 NW Oak Tree Lane, held a grand opening celebration on Veterans Day with free meals for all veterans, active-duty service members and first responders.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., everyone was able to enjoy raffles and giveaways, $1 ice cream cones and $3 Happy Meals.

As part of the opening, the restaurant donated two checks totaling $2,500 to the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and the Family Access Network.

Plenty of customers filled the restaurant for its grand opening. Mason Rodby, owner of the McDonald’s restaurants in Redmond, Madras and Prineville showed KTVZ News around the new building.

“It’s been an awesome day – really busy day,” Rodby said. “And no school today, so it brings it in. A lot of customers are coming in and enjoying our new lobby and enjoying our new drive-thru. It’s been great! We have a great, great team in there that’s serving our customers and making sure that they get what they ordered.”

This new McDonald’s takes a more modern approach. The restaurant is geared toward drive-thru, take-out and orders through the app.

The lobby has one person who can assist customers, but mainly relies on self-serve kiosks. There’s a new cash machine connected to the kiosks, as well.

The building includes three drive-thru windows, separate pick-up shelves for DoorDash and the McDonalds app, as well as a special late-light window just for Dashers.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} — Bend area residents have a new place to get a great haircut at an affordable price. A second Great Clips salon has opened in Bend, located near Costco, at 20789 NW Henry Avenue, Suite 150. To celebrate the grand opening, Great Clips is offering $4.99 haircuts for a limited time.

The new location opens just in time for the company’s annual Thank a Veteran program, held each year around Veterans Day. On Monday, November 11, veterans and active military service members can get a free haircut at any Great Clips salon or receive a card to use for a future visit. Non-military customers can also take part by visiting a salon that day to receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran or active service member. Cards are redeemable through December 5, 2025.

Franchise owners Tamara and Bryan Bitticks, who operate 14 salons across Oregon, say they’re excited to expand in Bend while supporting the local community and its veterans. The new salon is now open daily, staffed with experienced stylists ready to provide convenient, quality haircuts using Great Clips’ Online Check-In and ReadyNext text features.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Oregon woman’s dream vacation nearly turned into a logistical nightmare, as the ongoing federal government shutdown continues to cause major disruptions at airports across the country.

Katherine Weaver had long planned a cruise down the coast of South America — but with flight cancellations mounting, she made a drastic last-minute change: skipping the skies and taking a train instead.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a year,” Weaver said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and I just cannot risk missing that ship. I traded a two-hour flight for 30-plus hours on a train. But I think the peace of mind has really been worth it.”

Her decision reflects a growing anxiety among travelers nationwide as delays and cancellations ripple through the air travel system. Over the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration began cutting flight schedules at 40 major airports. Airlines have been forced to cancel as many as 1,800 flights a day.

“We’ve always depended on our airlines to get us where we need to go,” Weaver said. “Then all the news started reporting flights were going to be cut, and everything just started stacking. It just eroded our trust in the whole airline industry.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the economic toll of the shutdown is pushing many air traffic controllers to leave for other jobs, deepening the gridlock.

“We had eighty-one staffing triggers throughout the national airspace yesterday,” Duffy said. “That means controllers weren’t coming to work. It’s only going to get worse. I look to the two weeks before Thanksgiving — you’re going to see air travel reduced to a trickle.”

Federal workers missing a second paycheck are making tough choices — many opting for early retirement or leaving positions that no longer pay.

“I used to have about four controllers retire a day before the shutdown,” Duffy added. “I’m now up to 15 to 20 a day. So it’s going to be harder for me to come back after the shutdown and have more controllers controlling the airspace.”

If the political impasse continues, airports could see up to a 10% reduction in flight schedules this week. In Central Oregon and across the country, travelers like Weaver are adapting their plans — even if it means a much longer journey to reach their destination.

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Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This past Thursday, Central Oregon made history as Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members hosted the region’s first-ever political forum led entirely by Black organizers.

The BIPOC Business and Community Candidate Forum brought together candidates running for Deschutes County Commissioner in 2026 to discuss key issues such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and economic opportunity for small business owners.

Speakers, including Redmond City Councilman Clifford Evelyn and Prineville business owner John Charles, underscored the importance of BIPOC voices in shaping local leadership and policy. Evelyn called it a powerful moment for representation, while Charles emphasized the strength and creativity that BIPOC communities bring to Central Oregon.

Moderator Riccardo Waites, founder of We Black Radio, said the forum allowed both candidates and residents to connect in meaningful ways and see firsthand who supports the advancement of BIPOC communities.

Organizers say Thursday’s event is just the beginning, with more BIPOC-led political forums planned in the coming months.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Extreme dirt bike racing returned to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds on Saturday night for the fourth round of the AMA EnduroCross Championships.

It features some of the fastest dirt bikes and riders from around the world.

The sport combines challenging obstacles with riders racing over rock beds, huge logs, tractor tires, and other obstacles.

The series stops in Redmond for one night only, with the action kicking off at 7pm at the First Interstate Bank Center.

After Redmond, the championship continues to its next stop in Reno, Nevada, at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center on Saturday, November 15th.

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KTVZ News Partners

ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Alfalfa Fire District is again facing questions about its future after years of missing financial reports. 

According to media partner The Prineville Review, state and county officials warn the district could be dissolved if it doesn’t get its finances in order. The Oregon Secretary of State says the district failed to file reports for 2020–22 through 2020–24, continuing a long pattern of noncompliance under Chief Chad LaVallee. 

County Counsel told LaVallee that dissolution could follow without immediate action.  

LaVallee told The Prineville Review wildfire demands caused delays but said an accounting firm is now catching up.  

Critics argue those same issues raise doubts as the district seeks to expand into Crook County’s Juniper Acres. 

Chief LaVallee has been under scrutiny before. Back in January 2024, three volunteers for the fire district reached out to KTVZ after they said their concerns over training and other issues weren’t taken seriously enough by LaVallee and the Alfalfa Fire District’s Board. 

They point to an incident that occurred in June 2023. They say Chief LaVallee used a 16-year-old as a victim in a live fire training, which is against regulations by the National Fire Protection Agency and violates OSHA guidelines. 

Former volunteer Ellis Kurzman said: “After the horn was blown, I noticed that Carl, the cadet we had who was under 18 that was in the building, wasn’t there.” 

According to The Prineville Review, they could not immediately confirm if LaVallee has kept the Board of Directors advised of these current issues relating to noncompliance. 

This is a developing story. KTVZ will continue to follow leads and will report back with any updated information. 

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Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Design Conference kicked off today at Oregon State University – Cascades, marking its 10th anniversary and a new chapter for this popular creative gathering. Running through tomorrow, the event brings together artists, designers, and makers from diverse backgrounds to explore creativity, inspiration, and new approaches to work and community.​

For a decade, Bend Design has provided a unique platform for participants to reexamine branding, advertising, and business strategies, while sparking fresh ideas and connections. The conference has broadened its focus over the years to include food, community, and sustainability, reflecting Central Oregon’s innovative spirit.​

Today, attendees met at OSU-Cascades to listen to speakers from a range of design disciplines discuss how they find motivation and make a living through their craft.

“So far? Just a lot of inspiration. It’s been really cool to hear people talk about subjects I don’t know a ton about, but they always seem to inform whatever I’m thinking about or working on at the time, so—it’s been great,” shared local artist Jake Kenobi.

OSU-Cascades is known for fostering creativity and bold ideas and was selected as the new venue due to its commitment to interdisciplinary thinking and sustainability. “One of our goals at OSU-Cascades is to really be a place of gathering and of learning for people of all ages and in all areas of life. And so the Bend Design conference, being here on campus, we’re excited for community members to come learn about campus, to come learn together,” said Shannon Lipscomb, associate dean at OSU-Cascades​.

Artists from the conference are also opening special exhibits at Scalehouse Gallery in downtown Bend, offering further opportunities for attendees to engage with new works and the local creative community. The conference continues through November 8th, with more workshops and the unveiling of two new gallery exhibitions — AnnexPublic (Art)Works and Disparate, Desperate & Determined.​

For tickets, schedules, and a complete list of speakers, visit the Bend Design website.

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Cami Porter

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — There’s a different way to take advantage of the nice weather this weekend: by going to the observatory.

The Sunriver Observatory is not just open at night. During the day, it offers solar observations where employees outfit telescopes with different filters, making it safe to look directly at the sun.

Today, the observatory debuted a new telescope equipped with a calcium filter, allowing visitors to see different layers of the sun.

Alex Yager, a science interpreter at the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, explained the new feature.

“It’s one that can be a little bit challenging,” Yager said. “So some people have a harder time seeing it. It’s right on the border of visible light, right before it gets to UV light. So that shows the upper layer of what’s called the chromosphere. It’s above the surface of the sun. The coolest thing we can see is probably hydrogen clouds that are suspended above the sun.”

The observatory has also started selling tickets for a special event happening on November 20th, from 5:30PM to 7PM. It will host a seminar called “Twilight Talk: How Far Is That, and How Do You Know?” on the “Cosmic Distance Ladder,” which explains how distances are measured in space. You can find more information on their website.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The team at The Peaks 360 rural residential community, announced Friday an immediate $25,000 donation to NeighborImpact, a Central Oregon-based nonprofit organization serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and Warm Springs.

This donation is in direct response to the food insecurity emergency faced by many Central Oregon residents due to the ongoing government shutdown, as well as a delay in state funding, The Peaks 360 said in a news release that continues in full below:

“The current government shutdown is creating significant hardship for families throughout Central Oregon, and we feel compelled to step up and provide additional immediate support,” said Mark Stockamp, The Peaks 360 Research & Development Manager. “NeighborImpact is on the front lines, providing vital resources to those in need, and we are proud to partner with them to help alleviate the burden during this challenging time.”

NeighborImpact provides a network of support to meet basic needs, alleviate poverty, and build stability for Central Oregon residents through a large variety of programs, including food assistance, housing support, energy assistance, and early childhood education, among others. The $25,000 donation from The Peaks 360 will directly support NeighborImpact’s food assistance programs, helping to ensure that individuals and families have access to nutritious meals during the shutdown.

“We’re deeply grateful to The Peaks 360 for their continued commitment to our community,” said Scott Cooper, Executive Director of NeighborImpact. “This funding comes at a critical moment. Although SNAP benefits have been restored, uncertainty remains. Until the federal government reopens, there is no guarantee that December SNAP benefits—or other federal safety-net programs—will be funded. Meanwhile, the need for food assistance remains at record levels.”

He added that NeighborImpact’s food network continues to work diligently to keep food moving to families across Central Oregon.

“The food network will need to work hard in the coming months to keep shelves stocked and food flowing during the busiest time of the year,” Cooper said. “Community support like this helps make that possible.”

This commitment reflects the team at The Peaks 360’s existing pledge to donate the majority of profits from The Peaks 360 rural residential community to the great work that nonprofits here in Central Oregon and beyond are doing. Despite The Peaks 360 not yet generating profits, the project has already donated over $300,000 to Central Oregon nonprofits that support the local community.

The Peaks 360 invites others to donate to NeighborImpact to support the immediate food insecurity needs of Central Oregon residents. Donate at: www.neighborimpact.org/#donate and select “The Peaks 360 Matching Gift” from the drop-down menu.

About NeighborImpact:

NeighborImpact (https://www.neighborimpact.org/) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families access skills for success, family services, financial security, housing, healthy homes, and food. NeighborImpact serves Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties.

About The Peaks 360

The Peaks 360 is a 710-acre rural residential community located northwest of Redmond, Oregon. Designed to meet the changing needs of homebuyers while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability, it stands apart by dedicating the majority of its proceeds, including the majority owner’s commitment to give all their profits to nonprofits, including many local nonprofit organizations that strengthen the Central Oregon community.

For more information about The Peaks 360 and its community-driven initiatives, visit www.thepeaks360.com.

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KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Rimrock Trails Treatment Services said Friday it is proud to announce that its fourth annual A Night to Remember: Bowties & Boots fundraiser, presented by Jeff Larkin Realty, raised more than $110,000 to support essential behavioral health services for individuals and families across Central Oregon. 

Here’s the full announcement from Rimrock Trails:

Held on a lovely October evening at the Brasada Ranch Event Barn, the sold-out gala brought together community members, sponsors, and supporters for a festive celebration of generosity and hope. The venue was transformed into a fall-inspired setting, complete with live music by Grits ‘n Gravy, lively auctioneering by Graham Crow, photo fun from The Photo Lounge, glowing candles, and a roaring fire. Guests enjoyed delicious cuisine, prize drawings, and both live and silent auction opportunities. 

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, this year’s A Night to Remember truly lived up to its name,” said Erica Fuller, CEO of Rimrock Trails. “We are in unprecedented times, and just as Rimrock Trails has always been there for our community, our supporters once again stepped forward to ensure continued access to vital mental health services in Central Oregon.” 

Founded 35 years ago, Rimrock Trails is one of Central Oregon’s longest-standing behavioral healthcare providers, offering a continuum of services for children, teens, adults, and families affected by mental health and substance use challenges. 

The success of this year’s event was made possible through the dedication and generosity of sponsors, donors, attendees, and volunteers. Rimrock Trails extends heartfelt gratitude to its presenting sponsor, Jeff Larkin Realty, and to Hero of Hope event sponsors – BASX, Coldwell Banker Sun Country, Hayden Homes, Les Schwab Tire Centers, and St. Charles Health System.  

Sincere thanks also go to all our other many giving sponsors and event contributors. – OnPoint Community Credit Union, Amber Wilson of Boss Mortgage, Summit Bank, Brenda Turner Consulting, Central Oregon Garden Supply, Deschutes County Title, McDonald’s Central Oregon, Mazatlán’s Authentic Cuisine, Taylor Northwest, Wittmer Construction, Addie Fagen, Alliance Professionals, LLP, AmeriTitle, Friends of Rob Imhoff, High Desert Florals, MidOregon Personnel, Prineville Insurance, and The Leutschaft Family Trust. 

Rimrock Trails also recognizes the numerous businesses and individuals who donated goods and services to the auctions and raffles, as well as the amazing volunteers from Prineville, Redmond, and Bend who devoted months to planning and executing the event. 

A special acknowledgment goes to Catherine Kuehn for her generous matching gift in support of the adolescent residential treatment program. Those wishing to contribute to this ongoing matching opportunity may visit www.rimrocktrails.org/donate. 

“The generosity and giving spirits of our supporters continue to inspire us,” Fuller said. “As we celebrate 35 years of serving Central Oregon, we look forward to many more years of providing hope and healing for those who need it most.” 

About Rimrock Trails Treatment Services:

Rimrock Trails operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, specializing in behavioral health services. 

To learn more, or to make a secure tax-deductible donation – visit www.Rimrocktrails.org. 

Founded in 1990, Rimrock Trails is dedicated to improving the lives of those struggling with mental health and substance use by providing timely access to compassionate and effective behavioral healthcare. 

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Rimrock Trails thanks our Heroes of Hope Community Partners – Business donors of $5,000 and above – BASX, Boss Mortgage, Coldwell Banker Sun Country Realty, Inc. and Traci Utterback, Hayden Homes, The Hunter Homes Memorial Fund, Jeff Larkin Realty, Les Schwab Tires, Oregon Community Foundation, Pacific Source Health Plans, Pape Machinery, St. Charles Health System, Stryker, and Wild Ride Brewing Co. 

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