Triton Notary
UPDATE: The Teaters Fire is now 9.3 acres, burning near Paulina.
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Watch Duty confirmed a new wildfire in Crook County totaling 15 acres, labeled as the 0068 Fire.
There are no evacuation orders throughout the area. It is south east of Prineville in the North Fork Wilderness Study Area, just north east of the Juniper Hills Preserve.
Campbell Porter
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Shepherd’s House Ministries was awarded a $3 million grant today, to expand housing for women and children in Central Oregon. The funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank will support the expansion of Abi’s House in Bend, allowing the organization to triple its current capacity.
The expansion aims to address the urgent needs of women and children experiencing homelessness. Abi’s House currently accommodates up to 10 people but frequently reaches its limit, resulting in families being turned away due to a lack of space.
The $3 million award will fund the purchase of additional residences located near the existing Abi’s House facility. This expansion will establish a network of trauma-informed housing for women and children overcoming challenges such as addiction, abuse and chronic instability. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, women make up more than one-third of the homeless population in Oregon.
Gina Stout serves as the CEO of Shepherd’s House Ministries. She noted that the additional space will change how the organization interacts with those seeking help.
“This project represents what’s possible when community partners come together to address homelessness and promote long-term stability for people with compassion and intention,” Stout said. “It will allow us to say “yes’ to women and children who too often hear “there’s no room.” By expanding Abi’s House, we’re creating more than just shelter. We are creating safe, healing spaces where women can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
Summit Bank acted as a partner in the project and facilitated the grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank. Gary O’Connell, Central Oregon market president for Summit Bank, expressed the bank’s commitment to community investment.
“Supporting efforts like this are one of the most meaningful parts of what we do at Summit Bank,” O’Connell said. “We are proud to partner in bringing Federal Home Loan Bank grant funding into our communities and to support organizations that are making a real difference in people’s lives every day. This kind of investment helps strengthen the places we call home and we are honored to be a part of it.”
Beyond its residential programs, Shepherd’s House Ministries provides assistance to hundreds of people each year. The organization operates mobile outreach, serves meals and provides shelter and case management services for vulnerable populations throughout the region.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to what it calls “unfavorable conditions, the Deschutes National Forest canceled Thursday’s planned prescribed burning operations on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts
“Firefighters cancelled prescribed burning today upon receiving updated weather forecasts showing low relative humidity and elevated winds,” Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Jaimie Olle told KTVZ News.
The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for much of the region, warning of elevated fire weather risk due to much warmer than normal temperatures and dry conditions with low humidity. Winds also could gust to 20-30 mph.
Firefighters on the Sisters Ranger District had planned to conduct up to 42 acres of ignitions on the SAFR 9 and 78 Prescribed Burn units, located 1 1/2 miles south of Sisters, on the east side of Forest Service Road 16 (Three Creek Lake Road) and the south side of FSR 4606 near the junction of the two roads.
The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District had planned to continue prescribed burning operations on the Flank 5 Prescribed Burn 15 miles southeast of Bend, on the west side of Forest Service Road 18, just north of FSR 18 and FSR 25 junction and Camp II OHV Staging Area.
Trail closures remain in place for the Opine OHV Trails System for Trail #020, #021, #025 and #028 following Wednesday’s ignitions, officials said. The closures will remain in place for several days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Firefighters will reopen trails once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.
More information from the Forest Service:
Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires. Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.
What does this mean for you?During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.
All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit centraloregonfire.org/protect-your-health for more smoke preparedness resources.
For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on X @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.
Matthew Draxton
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman is taking legal action against the operators of Desert Sage Memory Care after her 90-year-old mother, Doris, suffered second-degree burns and a high fever when she was allegedly left unattended in a courtyard during a high temperatures.
Nancy Kerrigan claims the facility was negligent in its care of her mother, who was hospitalized with a temperature of 101 degrees following the incident. The $3 million lawsuit names the facility’s operators and owners, including Avamere and Areté Living.
The facility previously operated under the name Aspen Ridge Memory Care. In 2024, resident Celia Hess died after suffering a heat stroke when she was left outside in temperatures nearing 100 degrees. KTVZ News started a 3-part investigation when Celia Hess died, speaking to former employees of the facility, as well as family members of former patients, and the long term care ombudsman. Attorney Jason Kafoury is representing the families in both cases. The family of Hess is suing for $17 million.
“The precursor to her being in the hospital and dying was their negligence,” Kerrigan said, referring to the similarities between her mother’s experience and the death of Hess.
The legal action comes amid broader allegations of understaffing and a focus on corporate profits over resident safety at the facility. Families and their legal representation claim, among others, that the facility lacks proper high-temperature weather policies and failed to provide adequate supervision for vulnerable residents.
Kerrigan said the incident occurred on a day when temperatures in central Oregon reached more than 90 degrees. While residents were expected to be kept cool indoors, Kerrigan said her mother was left unattended in an outdoor courtyard. According to Kerrigan, the heat was so intense that her mother’s nylon pants burned a waffle pattern into her legs.
Kerrigan, the daughter of the affected resident, recalled finding her mother in distress. “My mom was found out in the courtyard… she had fallen,” Kerrigan said. “She was unattended, she had second degree burns, she had a temperature of 101 when they got her in the hospital… she was just laying there screaming in pain.”
Kerrigan said the facility’s management initially attempted to downplay the role of the heat, focusing instead on the fall. She said a staff member described Hess’s previous heat-related issues as “fake news” and suggested the facility would sue the state.
“I was appalled that they couldn’t even bring themselves to say, ‘We’re sorry this happened to Doris,’ and here’s what we’re changing so it never happens again,” Kerrigan said.
Kafoury, an attorney representing Kerrigan, said internal whistleblowers have described a pattern where staffing levels at the facility only increased when state regulators were present. He attributed the safety issues to the business model of large health care corporations.
“This is another tragic example of a memory care facility owned by a big, huge national corporation that put profits in front of patient safety,” Kafoury said. He added the consolidation of these companies is a big problem right now saying it “leads to cost-cutting and the sad result is people are suffering.”
The lawsuit claims Desert Sage was negligent for allowing courtyard use during extremely high temperatures and failing to monitor the area. Other allegations include insufficient staffing, a lack of shade or seating and the absence of a high-temperature weather policy.
Kerrigan also raised concerns about the facility’s “hospice first” mentality. She said staff asked her four times to have her mother evaluated for hospice care and told her that physical therapy for residents was a “waste of time and money.”
She also alleged the facility used medication to manage behaviors related to Alzheimer’s disease without informing her. Kerrigan said, “I the found out that they had went though her primary care doctor and basically reported to him that she was having a lot of agitation…the symptoms — exit seeking and trying to find a relative — those are normal Alzheimers behaviors.” She added that rather than redirecting her by using techniques that memory care facility should have, they instead would choose to medicate.
“This isn’t traditional health care, it’s a business, with owners and shareholders who need to produce profits,” Kerrigan said.
Following the incident, Kerrigan moved her mother to a different memory care home. She said the new facility provides more staff and activities, resulting in a significant improvement in her mother’s health and disposition.
“She’s gained weight, she’s eating, she’s where the action is,” Kerrigan said. “The care providers are fantastic. She’s engaged physically and mentally and her full personality is back.”
Kerrigan said she previously did not believe in lawsuits but now feels litigation is the only way to protect her mother and advocate for others. “I would like to get justice for my mother. She suffered a lot of things during the time that the new management came in,” Kerrigan said.
Attorney Kafoury emphasized that the legal action is intended to send a message to the industry. “The big takeaway from these cases is that if you’re going to take someone’s money and promise to take care of their elderly family member and you don’t do that, you’re going to be held accountable — in a public way,” Kafoury said.
Kerrigan hopes for accountability, not just for her mother but for all those who don’t have advocates or who cannot advocate for themselves. “We need to give them the best quality of life…if you think there is abuse or neglect, contact Adult Protective Services,” said Kerrigan. She added, “if it doesn’t seem right and you don’t get an answer, don’t be afraid to call. I was afraid to call…I didn’t want to be that relative.”
Kerrigan repeatedly expressed gratitude for the hardworking caretakers at Desert Sage Memory Care and the current facility her mother is housed at. However, she does emphasize the need for higher standards of care and better managerial support for the caretakers.
Owners and operators Avamere and Arete Living did not respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. Kerrigan encouraged other families to contact Adult Protective Services if they suspect neglect in long-term care facilities.
Claire Elmer
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum announced Thursday it’s starting construction on a $40 million expansion project that will add a 24,000-square-foot wing to the facility, featuring new classrooms, expanded gallery space, and event and gathering spaces for the community.
The new wing will increase the museum’s capacity for exhibitions, education, and engagement. In addition, plans have the addition as fully electric with solar-ready infrastructure and designed for potential net-zero energy and water expenditure.
The project is set to open in the winter of 2027.
The project will add a new 24,000‑square‑foot wing connected to the main building, with new classroom space, an expanded art gallery, and flexible event and gathering areas designed for both locals and visitors. Museum staff say the additional space will allow them to host larger exhibitions, expand school programs and field trips, and offer more community events and public conversations.
A centerpiece of the project is a complete renovation and reinstallation of the museum’s permanent exhibition featuring the Doris Swayze Bounds collection, a nationally significant collection of Plateau Indigenous objects that has been at the museum for about 30 years. Executive Director Dana Whitelaw said the museum is working closely with Native and non‑Native advisors to rethink how those stories are told.
“We’re working with a team of advisors, Native and non‑Native advisors, who are helping us bring the stories of today into that renovation,” Whitelaw said. “With this deep partnership, we’re really excited to be able to bring our visitors in [to] a 4,500‑square‑foot gallery with objects from the Doris Swayze Bounds Collection that’s been at the museum for about 30 years. It’s a really incredible and powerful way to bring Indigenous stories to our visitors.”
The new art gallery will be the only space of its kind east of the Cascades, with high ceilings and flexible exhibition design that will support modern and contemporary art, traveling shows and larger, more immersive installations. Museum leaders say they will continue to highlight artists whose work broadens understanding of the American West and elevates underrepresented voices.
Beyond galleries, the expansion will add:
“The Gathering,” a central commons area described as the museum’s “living room,” with a fireplace and space for informal meetups, workshops and facilitated dialogue.
A new Learning Center with four classrooms and an outdoor “learning porch” and amphitheater, more than doubling the museum’s current education space and giving students and teachers more room for hands‑on programs.
High Desert Hall, a 5,000‑square‑foot event center with room for about 300 people, plus an outdoor terrace that opens into the surrounding ponderosa forest and trail network. It’s designed to host lectures, performances, film screenings, conferences and community conversations.
Portland‑based architecture firm Hacker is designing the addition. The building will mirror the surrounding High Desert landscape, using materials like weathered steel, stone and glass, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a nature‑inspired color palette that blur the line between indoor spaces and the sagebrush and pines outside.
The museum says the new wing will be fully electric, with solar‑ready infrastructure and a design that aims for potential net‑zero energy and water use.
Since opening in 1982, the High Desert Museum has grown into the largest cultural institution east of the Cascades, welcoming nearly 225,000 visitors a year and housing more than 28,000 objects and 170 animals. Attendance has climbed about 40% over the last 15 years, and programming has doubled, putting pressure on the museum’s existing footprint.
“The transformed campus will deepen our ability to evolve alongside the diverse audiences we serve and to reinforce the museum’s integral role in our community as a leading cultural, educational, and civic institution,” Whitelaw said in a prepared statement.
So far, the museum has raised about 87% of its $40 million goal through government grants, private foundations and individual donors, including a $6 million grant from the Roundhouse Foundation. The expansion and reimagined Indigenous galleries are expected to open to the public in winter 2027.
Tracee Tuesday
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The La Pine Fire District has shut down all debris burning in its service area after a wildfire yesterday and amid an unseasonably warm weather pattern.
Officials issued the closure just hours ago, warning residents that any outdoor burning of yard waste or other debris is no longer allowed. The move is aimed at reducing the chance of new fires igniting as temperatures remain above normal for this time of year.
The district said the restriction will remain in effect until further notice and urged residents to keep an eye on official channels for updates. Fire crews are also asking the public to report any illegal burning or suspicious activity near wildland areas.
Debris burning in Central Oregon is already tightly regulated during dry periods, and local fire agencies often lean on these temporary closures to manage risk when conditions turn favorable for fast‑moving flames.
Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend is finalizing plans to expand Franklin Avenue, a project scheduled to begin this May. The construction will add new vehicle lanes, bike lanes and expanded sidewalks to the thoroughfare.
The expansion is part of the city’s five-year capital projects plan. Franklin serves as a busy corridor for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and the project aims to improve safety and infrastructure along the route.
To accommodate the expansion, the city is using eminent domain to acquire necessary land. This legal process allows the government to seize private property for public use in exchange for market value. One specific location included in this acquisition is the Les Schwab Tire site on Franklin.
The first phase of the construction will focus on replacing a water pipe that dates back to the 1930s. City officials stated the land acquisition is necessary to provide enough space for the additional vehicle lanes, bike lanes and expanded sidewalks planned for the corridor.
Garrett Sabourin, primary engineer for the City of Bend, said the project will be divided into stages to manage the flow of traffic on the busy thruway.
“So looking at some stage closures along the portion of the road and then the main foreclosures at the crossing, spreading those out into two separate phases to try to limit some of the impacts to the downtown area,” Sabourin said.
While the project aims to improve multi-modal transportation, some local residents have expressed concern regarding the impact on daily travel. One resident noted that Franklin serves as a primary route for many people in the city and raised questions about how the work will affect east-west crossings during the construction period.
A town hall meeting regarding the project is scheduled for April 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Newberry Hotel.
Sabourin said the city is currently working with contractors to finalize the construction schedule.
“Our next steps now are to, to start kind of putting a little bit more detail to that schedule with our contractor and come to an agreement with them for an amendment that will come back to council in June,” Sabourin said.
The amendment will include a set schedule and completion date for the project.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County announced Wednesday it has chosen Jeff Merwin to serve as its new solid waste director, following a nationwide recruitment.
Merwin succeeds current director Tim Brownell, who will retire March 21.
“We’re so pleased Jeff will step up to serve as our next solid waste director, especially at such an important time,” said county Administrator Nick Lelack.
“With more than 30 years of experience in the solid waste industry, including here in Deschutes County, Jeff is the right person at the right time to guide the department as we complete the process of siting a new landfill, continue meeting the requirements of Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act, and much more,” Lelack added.
Merwin has served as compliance and infrastructure manager at Deschutes County Solid Waste since April 2023. During that time, he played a key role in the construction of the new Negus Transfer Station in Redmond. He also helped lead work on the Knott Landfill renewable natural gas project and the county’s landfill siting project.
Before joining Deschutes County, Merwin served as the Crook County landfill manager for five years.
Merwin earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from Oregon State University. He also completed additional graduate work in environmental health and occupational safety.
As solid waste director, Merwin will oversee waste disposal and recycling operations at Knott Landfill and the rural transfer stations in Deschutes County, including the Negus Transfer Station in Redmond, the Northwest Transfer Station near Sisters, the Southwest Transfer Station between Sunriver and La Pine, and the Alfalfa Transfer Station near Alfalfa
Barney Lerten
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Wednesday that he will hold 10 open-to-all town halls starting March 28 in Eastern, Central and Southern Oregon, as well as in the Columbia Gorge. His local town hall will be in Prineville on Wednesday, April 1.
Heading into these 10 town halls from March 28-April 2, Wyden has held 1,152 open-to-all town halls statewide in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.
“I made my town hall pledge because all Oregonians’ voices matter,” Wyden said. “I very much look forward to these upcoming town halls to hear questions, concerns and ideas from rural Oregonians to make their hometowns and neighborhoods even better places to live, work and raise a family.”
The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:
Saturday, March 28
Sherman County, 1:30 pm, Wasco School Events Center, 903 Barnett St., Wasco
Wheeler County, 5 pm, Fossil High School, 600 E B St, Fossil
Sunday, March 29,
Gilliam County, Noon, Veterans Memorial Hall, 120 Main St., Condon
Morrow County, 4 pm, SAGE Events Center, 101 Olson Road NE, Boardman
Monday, March 30
Umatilla County, 5 pm, Pendleton High School Auditorium, 1800 NW Carden Ave., Pendleton
Tuesday, March 31
Wasco County, Noon, Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles
Hood River County, 4 pm, Hood River Valley High School, 1220 Indian Creek Rd, Hood River
Wednesday, April 1
Crook County, 10 am, Crook County Fairgrounds, Grizzly Mountain Pavilion, 1280 S Main St., Prineville
Thursday, April 2
Lake County, 12:30 pm, Lakeview Elks Lodge, 323 N F St., Lakeview
Klamath County, 5 pm, Oregon Institute of Technology, College Union Building, Auditorium, 3201 Campus Dr., Klamath Falls
For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls. Similar to major sporting events, there is a clear bag policy for town halls, allowing only clear bags (max 12″x 6″x12″), one-gallon clear plastic bags, or small clutches (max 4.5″x 6.5″), plus essential items like medical bags or infant necessities, with no storage for disallowed bags. Backpacks and non-clear bags are prohibited, though medical/infant needs have exceptions. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start time for attendees, except in Hood River where doors will open at 3:30 pm.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A well-known name in downtown Bend’s retail scene is expanding to the Old Mill District.
REVOLVR, the boutique men’s clothing retailer that has operated a successful store in downtown Bend since 2015, will open a second Bend location in the Old Mill District this spring, the Old Mill District announced.
The new shop will operate from the space formerly occupied by Francesca’s and is expected to open in early May. Here’s the rest of Wednesday’s announcement.
Founded by Bend residents Christine and Jon Davis, REVOLVR specializes in contemporary men’s apparel and accessories, curating a mix of casual, everyday styles and elevated wardrobe staples. The Old Mill District store will offer a similar experience to its downtown location, though inside a more compact footprint.
At roughly 1,500 square feet, the new space will feature a carefully edited selection of the store’s best-selling labels.
“We didn’t necessarily have plans to open another location in Bend,” Jon Davis said. “Our downtown store has been great for us for more than a decade. But it’s hard not to love what’s happening at the Old Mill. Being right on the river, seeing people out walking, the concerts and events — it’s just an amazing area.”
After being approached by Old Mill District leadership about this expansion opportunity, Davis and his team visited the space and began exploring how REVOLVR might fit into the district’s retail mix.
“The location itself made sense,” Davis said. “It’s a smaller space, which means we can focus on our best-selling brands and make it feel like a natural extension of what we’re doing downtown.”
The new shop at 520 Southwest Powerhouse Drive, Suite 601 will retain REVOLVR’s signature aesthetic while incorporating elements of the building’s industrial character. Renovations will include exposing ceiling beams and updating interior finishes to create a clean, modern retail environment.
For the Old Mill District, the addition fills a long-standing gap in its retail offerings.
“We’re thrilled to have REVOLVR join the district,” said Beau Eastes, marketing director for the Old Mill District. “They’ve been on our wish list for a while. We don’t currently have a dedicated men’s clothing store here, and I don’t think anyone in town does menswear quite like they do.”
The opportunity came together quickly after Francesca’s announced it would vacate the space.
“As soon as we heard the news, REVOLVR was one of the first retailers we reached out to,” Eastes said. “We had a couple of sit-downs with Jon and his team, and the timing just lined up.”
In addition to downtown, REVOLVR also operates stores in Bozeman and Missoula, Montana, and in Portland’s Pearl District.
If construction stays on schedule, the Old Mill District store will open on or around May 1, just in time for the start of the district’s busy summer concert season.
