Author: KTVZ

Gregory Deffenbaugh

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon School Activities Association Delegate Assembly voted today to approve girls flag football as an officially sanctioned activity.

The decision makes Oregon the 25th state in the nation to sanction girls flag football.

The sport will begin its inaugural season as a sanctioned activity in Spring 2027 following two years as an emerging activity. Flag football is the second sport added through the OSAA emerging activity process, following boys volleyball in the 2025-26 school year. The addition comes after girls wrestling was sanctioned ahead of the 2023-24 association year.

Oregon joins western states Arizona, Calif., Nev. and Washington in sanctioning the sport. Girls flag football will also feature as an event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Participation in Oregon reached more than 1,400 players across 57 varsity teams last spring. Tualatin High School claimed the culminating event title by defeating South Salem 32-26 at Liberty High School. David Douglas, Central Christian, Amity and Gresham also earned trophies in the event. Tualatin later won the 2026 Best of the PNW Tournament in June.

The Seattle Seahawks have supported the sport’s expansion in Oregon by donating $30,000, providing equipment to schools and supporting the culminating event for the past three seasons. Mario Bailey, vice president of community engagement and legends for the Seattle Seahawks, highlighted the organization’s involvement.

“The Seahawks are proud to support the growth of girls flag football across our region and help create more opportunities for young women to compete and experience the game,” Bailey said. “We are thrilled to celebrate Oregon as the latest state to sanction the sport, an important milestone that will build a stronger future for girls flag football throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

Nike has pledged to provide home and away jerseys to all Oregon varsity teams competing in the inaugural season, as well as to any school that adds girls flag football during its first three seasons as a sanctioned activity. National growth efforts for the sport have also received support from the National Football League and USA Football.

The Oregon School Activities Association will release a plan book and official dates for the 2027 season at a later date.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 32-year-old Warm Springs man was arrested Saturday night after a 44-year-old Redmond man was punched unconscious outside a concert in Bend.

Bend Police arrested Hamley Wilson Sam Smith near the Midtown Ballroom on NW Greenwood Avenue on suspicion of third-degree assault, first-degree disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Bend Fire medics transported the victim to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries following the 11:49 p.m. incident near NW Greenwood Avenue and NW Hill Street.

Responding officers encountered a chaotic scene involving a large crowd of intoxicated people and multiple disputes. The situation prompted Bend officers to request assistance from Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

A security guard who witnessed the assault helped officers identify Smith as the suspect.

Officers located Smith nearby in a parking lot in the 100 block of NW Irving Avenue. Police said Smith was uncooperative during his arrest before being transported to the Deschutes County Jail.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Today is National Farmer Day, a time to recognize the farmers and agricultural families who help keep Central Oregon running.

Crook County is celebrating the hard work of local farmers who help feed our communities, support local businesses, and strengthen the local economy.

The county is also thanking agricultural families who work year-round to keep the region’s agricultural traditions alive.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing the cultures, histories and contributions of Native American and tribal communities.

Here in Central Oregon, it’s a chance to honor Indigenous students, families and community members, along with generations of people who have cared for the land we call home.

The day also encourages people to learn about and celebrate Indigenous traditions, cultures and contributions — not just today, but year-round.

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Kelsey Merison

SOUTHERN OREGON (KTVZ) — Cooler fall weather is here, but fire season isn’t over yet.

The Oregon Department of Forestry says open burning, including yard debris, is still prohibited on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.

The current fire danger level is moderate, with an industrial fire precaution level of one.

Residents are encouraged to check the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Facebook page for current fire restrictions before burning.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, Oregon emergency officials are testing the state’s ability to recover from a major volcanic eruption.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is holding a statewide exercise this week. running through Friday.

The exercise, called “Getting Through Larhar’d Times,” brings together state agencies, counties, tribes, and community partners.

Participants are practicing damage assessments, coordinating resources, and developing a state recovery action plan.

Unlike previous exercises that focused on immediate responde to a disaster, this one focuses on long-term recovery.

It also marks the first time Oregon has included community members as special observers and evaluators to help ensure recovery plans address the needs of all communities.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fox & Fern Coffee, located on SW Century Drive on the west side of Bend, permanently closed Sunday, October 11th, 2026.

The cafe had operated at the location since May 2025. It originally opened in the space previously occupied by Kevista Coffee, which closed after accumulating more than $27,000 in state fines for breaches of COVID-19 rules. The two businesses were operated by separate owners.

Notices posted on the shop’s doors announced the sudden shutdown.

“Thank you to our customers and the Bend community for your support,” the sign states. “We appreciate everyone who visited and supported our shop.”

As of Monday, the cafe’s social media accounts and website were inaccessible.

A person claiming to be a former employee of Fox & Fern posted news of the closure online, stating that workers were not notified in advance.

“Hello all, I have some sad news. I am a former employee of Fox and Fern and as of today (10/11/2026) they are permanently closed,” the former employee wrote on Reddit. “We were not aware this would be happenening until after it already did. We really are sorry for those who are regulars, we hope you find another cozy cafe to make your own!”

The alleged former worker also addressed the history of the location and its relationship to the previous business.

“The previous owner, who had Kevista, moved away and is not associated with F&F in any way. Kevista and F&F are completely different businesses, only sharing the same address. F&F was under new ownership as of May 2025,” the former employee stated.

According to Oregon Secretary of State records, the company is registered under the name of Kevin D. Cox.

In 2021, Cox agreed to a $2.9 million settlement with the federal government and the state of Oregon to resolve allegations of filing fraudulent reimbursement requests to Oregon Medicaid through his business, At Home Care LLC.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Are you looking for a creative way to spend time with family and friends Happening next, a new paint-your-own pottery business is coming to Bend!

CeramiCafe, which started in Clackamas back in 2002, is expanding to Central Oregon.

The business made the announcement on social media, saying plans are in the works, and to stay tuned for updates.

The art lounge offers a chance to unwind and create your own pottery. Customers can choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces, including mugs, plates and decorative items, then personalize them with paint, stencils and their own designs.

Once you’re finished, staff glaze and fire the pottery, making it food-safe and ready to use.

The studio also hosts birthday parties, corporate events, bridal showers and other group gatherings.

CeramiCafe has four other locations in Oregon — Beaverton, Clackamas, Corvallis and Lake Oswego.

Click here to learn more about the business.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County Middle School has completed construction on a new 4,000-square-foot wrestling room built through community fundraising and volunteer efforts.

The facility will provide a dedicated practice space for middle school wrestlers in the district. The project was funded and built through contributions from the Crook County Mat Club, local businesses, wrestling families and community volunteers.

Jim Fewell, a representative for the Crook County Mat Club, helped lead the project’s development and fundraising efforts. Kevin Spencer of Empire Construction & Development also contributed significantly to the construction of the facility.

The Crook County School District and Crook County Mat Club will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility at 5 p.m. this Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Crook County Middle School. Local media, wrestling families and community members are invited to attend.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue will host an open house this Saturday, Oct. 17, in celebration of Fire Prevention Month. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Fire Station, located at 63377 NE Jamison St. in Bend.

The event supports this year’s Fire Prevention Month campaign theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety,” which focuses on the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Devices such as e-bikes, power tools, cell phones and tablets rely on lithium-ion power and improper charging, use or disposal of these batteries can increase the risk of fire.

Attendees at the open house can take part in hands-on activities, safety demonstrations and interactions with local first responders. Planned activities include touring fire engines and ambulances, spraying a fire hose, viewing live fire demonstrations, painting a City of Bend snowplow and making family crafts. Airlink and Life Flight helicopters are scheduled to land at the station for public exploration and the event will feature free ice cream and giveaways.

To reduce safety risks associated with lithium-ion devices, fire safety guidance recommends that residents purchase listed products and follow manufacturer charging instructions. Proper recycling and disposal of lithium-ion batteries are also emphasized to prevent fire hazards.

Community members can learn more about lithium-ion battery safety during the event or by visiting the National Fire Protection Association website. Schedule details and additional event information are listed on the Bend Fire & Rescue calendar online.

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