Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

(Update: Investigators find cause of house fire)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Authorities have found the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a southwest Redmond home Wednesday night. Residents got out unhurt and firefighters stopped its spread to nearby trees and grass.

Redmond Fire & Rescue crews were sent around 9:20 p.m. to the reported fire in the 300 block of Southwest 35th Street, Fire Marshal/Public Information Officer Tom Mooney said.

Crews arrived to find flames erupting from the single-story home and spreading to the trees and grass, he said. They quickly deployed hand lines to put out the house fire and stop its spread into the wildland-urban interface.

As the fire was quickly brought under control, crews learned all occupants escaped without injuries. Mooney said a resident was displaced and is being assisted by family members.

Mooney said Thursday that the “cause of the fire was determined to be the improper disposal of smoking material, igniting nearby vegetation. The fire then spread to the wooden deck that was attached to the residence and then damaged the residence.” 

“Redmond Fire & Rescue would like to thank Cloverdale RFPD, Redmond Police and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance,” Mooney said in a news release.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — What a trio of gardens this week!

Deanna sent in a lovely picture of her paradise complete with mountain views and birds overhead.

Suzie sent in her pergola picture that she simply calls “Our Garden.”

Finally, we have a lovely garden sent in by Audrey. This garden delight has a “real-life Gnome” hidden in the foliage. See if you can spot the Gnome.

Thanks for sending in the great pictures this week! See many more and share yours for a chance of a prize, under the Contests tab here.

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Harley Coldiron

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hundreds of inmates at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution gathered this week to watch a basketball game between prisoners, correctional officers, and the Side Door Foundation—a nonprofit that travels the country using sports to build community and promote rehabilitation inside prisons.

“It’s pretty cool, something special,” said Marcus, one of the incarcerated men at Deer Ridge. “Doing more things like this definitely helps out our community here. It brings us together as one.”

The Side Door Foundation, which has introduced similar programs to 11 prisons in six states, utilizes sports as a means to foster connections, highlight potential, and instill hope in inmates.

For Frank, who has been behind bars for seven years, the experience was a first. “I’ve never really seen people come together like this,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”

The man behind the program, Brett Hollins, understands the challenges of incarceration firsthand. Once a Marine and a star basketball player at Southern Oregon University, Hollins spent four years in prison himself. It was there that he decided his path forward would lead him back inside prisons, this time to inspire others.

“All it takes is one decision,” Hollins said. “Seeing the amount of people here that need help, I can’t put this behind me. Just showing up gives them a sense of hope that they can go out and live a productive life after this.”

On the court, Hollins still has skills, and the prisoners know it. They erupted in cheers when he blocked an inmate’s shot, and gave him some friendly trash talk after a few baskets they called “lucky.”

Yet, even with his experience playing college basketball, it wasn’t enough to stop the Deer Ridge team. They controlled the game the entire time and went on to win 71-54.

Between coaching and organizing the events, he joined in the action, battling both inmates and community members like Summit High School basketball coach Joe Wells.

“For us to be able to do that through sport, it’s magical,” Wells said. “The opportunities I get to help these young men on their path—wherever they’re going—are powerful.”

Hollins stresses the importance of accountability, but also of second chances. “Ninety percent of inmates are coming home,” he said. “If we’re not willing to give them opportunities, how are they supposed to live a productive life?”

For many inmates, the games offer not just entertainment, but a reminder of what life could look like beyond prison walls. “Just promoting positivity,” Marcus said.

Frank added, “I want to get out, be with my family, and try to get a good job. Change the things I used to do.”

For Hollins, that message is the ultimate goal: showing that redemption is possible, one game at a time.

Side Door Foundation is funded entirely through Hollins students’ loans as he pursues his master’s degree. If you want to donate to his cause, click the link here.

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Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (KTVZ) — A Bend man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and a year of supervised release for hitting a Yellowstone National Park employee with his car a year ago.

David Tyler Regnier, 67, was sentenced Monday after being convicted by a federal jury in May on a felony charge of assaulting a federal employee with a dangerous weapon. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin also ordered the defendant to pay a $10,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Wednesday to KTVZ News.

According to court documents and evidence presented at Regnier’s three-day trial, on September 18, 2024, two Yellowstone National Park employees were directing traffic near Canyon Junction, where road construction was underway. They noticed a Jeep approaching the intersection and driving the wrong way down the road to bypass waiting traffic.

Prosecutors said Regnier expressed his displeasure at how traffic was being directed through the construction zone.

One employee told Regnier that he could not proceed and needed to back up. The other employee stood in the way of the Jeep with a stop sign. Regnier accelerated, driving into the employee and physically pushing him backwards. The employee jumped out of the Jeep’s path after it struck him.

Regnier was later stopped by Yellowstone National Park Service law enforcement officers and arrested.

Regnier faced a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with three years of supervised release, along with a fine up to $250,000.

National Park Service law enforcement officers investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

The Cowboy State Daily reported the sentencing judge rejected a defense objection claiming that Regnier’s conduct did not constitute aggravated assault. Rankin said his use of the Jeep made the vehicle a “deadly weapon,” intending to do more than just frighten the employee.

Though the employee was able to jump out of the way, prosecutor Cook argued that conditions that rainy day could have caused the worker to slip under the car’s tires and be seriously injured.

Regnier gave an emotional statement to the court, apologizing to the federal employee he had hit. His defense claimed his conduct that day was tied to medical problems that led him to panic. Defense attorney Ryan Wright said Regnier was desperately seeking a bathroom.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — First responders for the recent, devastating Flat Fire received a large donation Wednesday morning in Sisters. A total of $25,000 was donated by AT&T and First Net. 

Of the total, $15,000 was given to the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and $10,000 went to the Red Cross of Central and Eastern Oregon. 

Firefighters from across the state came to Central Oregon to fight the over-23,000-acre fire, saving hundreds of homes. The Red Cross also responded right away, providing resources to evacuees. 

The donations are meant to recognize those heroic efforts, and help with both recovery and future preparedness.

Steven Lord, community risk manager for Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire, spoke with KTVZ about what they plan to do with the donated money. 

“All the money that we get are going to go towards us developing a program that we can actually do some fuels mitigation to help out of our all of our constituents,” Lord said. 

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Tony Prior echoed Lord’s sentiment, saying, “Funding in the plans that we have is is tough to do on a normal budget. It’s nice to see other agencies invest in that, because we believe it’s important, but they also do too, so we’re sharing that value together.”

Morgan Schmidt, executive director of the Red Cross of Central and Eastern Oregon, was also present to accept the donation on behalf of the organization. 

Schmidt said, “We’re really grateful, and it helps us do what we do, not only during fire season, but also year round — which is show up on somebody’s hardest day and be a comforting presence, a safe place to rest, a place to get a hot meal.”

Both the fire department and Red Cross say preparation is key. As a reminder, you can book a free fire risk evaluation with the fire district for recommendations on preparing your property for fire season. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding latest details, man’s surrender)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Numerous police, including a SWAT team and armored vehicles, converged on a southwest Redmond home and street during a standoff late Wednesday afternoon that eventually ended in a man coming out of the home and surrendering peacefully.

A KTVZ News crew traveled to the area before 5 p.m. and found police on Southwest Indiana Avenue between 13th and 14th streets.

Armored vehicles were in the area and drones flying above, with K-9 units also visible on scene. Police could be heard calling to someone repeatedly on a loudspeaker, saying to come out with their hands up and empty and that they are under arrest.

Officers told the person inside they had secured a warrant to enter the home and could use a K-9 or chemicals to resolve the situation, but would prefer not to. A loud sound possibly involving a “flash-bang” device was heard about 5:25 p.m.

Shortly before 6 p.m., a loudspeaker hail: “Jose, this is — with the sheriff’s office,” a deputy said. “We’re deploying chemical munitions. It’s going to become very uncomfortable. Please comply and come walking out with your hands up. Nothing in your hands.”

A short time later, the man referred to as “Jose” slowly came out the front door, shirtless and draped in a flag while carrying a drink in a can, arms up at first, and speaking with police as he slowly walked forward, as directed.

Some officers left after the situation was resolved, while others donned gas masks to go in and search the home after a chemical irritant apparently was used inside.

Police earlier had asked people to stay clear of the 800 block of SW 14th Street, around a home and backyard.

Redmond Police Lt. April Huey told NewsChannel 21 that the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team was on the scene to assist on the call.

However, she told us, “There is not a current threat to the community,” and no evacuations were occurring in the area.

KTVZ News will have more information as it’s released.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Deflection Program and will recognize nine graduates on Thursday at The Taylor Center in Bend.   

The Deflection Program is a community-based, voluntary, and patient-centered initiative. It provides rapid access to drug treatment and supportive services for people struggling with addiction.

They don’t need to be in legal trouble to seek help. In many cases, law enforcement officers can take people directly to treatment instead of jail, offering a pathway to recovery, DCSO said in a news release Wednesday that continues in full below:  

The program also works closely with the courts, Parole and Probation, the District Attorney’s Office, and defense lawyers to help individuals who need treatment find it quickly.

Once enrolled, clients are assigned to a Peer Navigator and offered services, including assistance with birth certificates, IDs, and resumes, job search support, housing resources and transportation assistance, health insurance sign-up help, medication-assisted treatment and detox services, DHS coordination, and referrals to other community programs as appropriate.  

The goal is simple, but powerful: stop the cycle of addiction, reduce crime, and prevent time in jail by addressing root causes and supporting recovery. The Sheriff’s Office partners with BestCare Treatment Services and Ideal Option to help individuals facing addiction. 

Over the last year, the Deflection Program has: 

Helped 28 individuals successfully complete the program, covering 33 criminal cases 

Supported 21 clients currently enrolled and making progress 

Expanded community partnerships and referral networks 

Connected people to treatment, housing, jobs, and family reunification 

Reduced repeat justice system involvement 

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Several pets perished and six people were displaced by a two-alarm fire at a southwest Redmond apartment complex early Wednesday morning.

Redmond Fire & Rescue crews were sent around 6:40 a.m. to a fire reported in the Greystone Apartments in the 900 block of Southwest 11th Street, Fire Marshal and Public Information Officer Tom Mooney said.

 Redmond Police officers were the first to arrive and found heavy flames showing from the windows of one unit, Mooney said. They quickly began evacuations of the surrounding buildings and other apartment units. 

“As fire crews arrived on scene, they were met with heavy fire conditions and quickly deployed hose lines to contain the fire to the one unit,” Mooney said in a news release.

Due to the heavy flames and involvement of the building, the incident commander requested more units, bringing the assignment to a second alarm. It was determined that all residents had safely escaped the uni, but it was determined that some pets were still inside.

Mooney said, “Fire crews made an aggressive interior attack to control the fire’s spread to other parts of the building and to search for anyone one still inside the unit.”

“Even though fire crews were able to knock the fire down quickly, unfortunately two dogs and multiple reptiles, along with pet rats perished in the fire,” the fire marshal added.

Fire investigators determined the cause to be combustible material left on top of the range top, Mooney said. 

A total of six people from three units were displaced due to the fire and have located other places to stay in the meantime, the fire official said.

“Redmond Fire & Rescue would like to remind you to never store combustible material on top of any type of stove, electric or gas, or use your oven as a place for storage,” Mooney said.

The fire marshal also said that “Redmond Fire & Rescue would like to thank Bend Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale RFPD, Redmond Police and Redmond Public Works for their assistance.”

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Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration is investing more than $18.3 million into five airports throughout Oregon through the Airport Improvement Program, including $3.93 million for Bend Municipal Airport projects.

“Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said in a news release. “Investing in critical airport improvements like taxiways and lighting strengthens our infrastructure. I’ll continue to fight for federal investments to improve the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

“Oregonians depend on reliable infrastructure projects like these to support small businesses, emergency responses, and safe travel,” Wyden said. “I’ll continue to fight for important and sensible laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that maintain critical infrastructure and provide necessary enhancements to local airports throughout the state to keep Oregon products and Oregonians moving safely.”

The AIP grant program funds airport infrastructure projects, such as improvements to runways, taxiways, passenger boarding bridges, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings to strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure.

The latest awards from the Federal Aviation Administration to Oregon airports are:

Portland-Hillsboro Airport: $7,095,483 for taxiway reconstruction.

Bend Municipal Airport: $3,930,621 for taxiway reconstruction and taxiway lighting.

Scappoose Airport: $3,841,517 for runway reconstruction and taxiway lighting.

Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport: $3,134,969 for taxiway reconstruction.

Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River: $350,000 for taxiway construction.

Bend Airport Manager Tracy Williams said, “The Taxiway A and B Rehabilitation Project provides new taxiway edge lighting along both parallel taxiways to visibly enhance operational safety for aircraft on the ground. Additionally, the project will complete the preventative maintenance needed to prolong the life of Bend Airport’s two parallel taxiways.

“These improvements are part of the City of Bend’s continued commitment to the safe and efficient operation of the third most active of 97 public use airports in the state of Oregon,” she said.

Williams told KTVZ News Wednesday the city applied for the grant months ago, but federal executive orders slowed the FAA’s funding distribution.

Currently, Williams said, pilots travel between the hangars and runway on taxiways that have no lighting, relying only on reflective “light cans,” so the project will boost safety for everyone at the airport.

The city received the grant award last week, she said, but to avoid winter-weather issues, they will wait until spring to begin the paving work, which is expected to take about a year to complete.

In terms of specifics, Williams told us the grant funds Phase 2 of a construction project that includes asphalt crack repair and patching where needed of the pavement on taxiways A and B, with a seal coat totaling about 75,000 square yards.

The runway numerals also will be updated from 16-34 to 17-35, to account for the Earth’s normal change in magnetic variation.

Here are comments from the other FAA grant recipients:

“This federal investment to help maintain and improve taxiways at Hillsboro Airport is essential to our ability to meet the dynamic transportation needs of our region, ensure smooth aircraft operations, and reduce delays,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “We are grateful for the Oregon delegation’s continued support for projects like these, which are core to maintaining safe and efficient airport operations.”

“This $3.8 million FAA grant is a major investment in the future of Scappoose Airport. Rehabilitating the runway ensures our infrastructure remains safe, reliable, and positioned to meet the growing needs of general aviation in Columbia County. This project supports the Port of Columbia County’s work to strengthen local transportation assets, attract business investment, and create long-term opportunities for our community,” said Lacey Tolles, Port of Columbia County Airport Manager.

“The City of Klamath Falls is pleased to receive news that the Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport will be receiving an Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA for their Taxiway F Reconstruction Project.  This project will not only reconstruct a piece of critical airfield infrastructure but also serve as a welcome boost to our local economy.  The general contractor Rocky Mountain Construction and a majority of the subcontractors are local companies so this project is a direct benefit to our community that will return dividends many times over,” said Jonathan Teichert, Klamath Falls City Manager.

A full list of awards is available HERE.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon DMV said Wednesday it will be making several changes at their field offices next month, saying the moves will “offer customers more consistent, predictable service.” One will have the Bend DMV office open for appointments only every Thursday.

DMV said the change is part of a pilot program in which five offices, including Bend, will require an appointment, some every day and others just one day a week.

In addition, starting Oct. 1, you can take only two Class C knowledge tests or motorcycle endorsement knowledge tests a day in a DMV office. Also, DMV’s Lebanon and Stayton offices are expanding from three to five days a week.

Appointment-only offices

Starting Thursday, Oct. 2, the Bend office will be appointment only on Thursdays. The office will continue to serve both drop-ins and appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Corvallis office and South Salem office will be appointment only on Wednesdays. The offices will continue to serve drop-ins and appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Starting Monday, Oct. 13, the Junction City office will require appointments.

Starting Monday, Oct. 13, the Springfield office will require appointments.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve our services,” said DMV Administrator Amy Joyce. “By offering appointment-only days in these offices, you can book an appointment online on DMV2U, show up at your designated time and be confident you’ll be served.”

New appointments are continually updated on DMV2U, so the agency urges that you check back frequently. Offices differ in the number and types of appointments available. Customers who don’t have online access or have difficulty with DMV2U scheduling can call DMV Customer Assistance agents at 503-945-5000 for assistance during business hours. 

If the appointments-only pilot program is successful, DMV said it will offer it at more offices in the future.

Here’s the rest of the DMV announcement, in full:

We will continue to serve drop-in customers on non-appointment-only days, but we always recommend people make an appointment to be confident they’ll be served or see if they can complete their transaction on DMV2U. We offer more than 20 services online, including license renewals, vehicle registration and address changes. Each person who goes online frees up a space in line at an office.

Limited daily knowledge tests

Starting Oct. 1, you are limited to two Class C knowledge tests or motorcycle endorsement knowledge tests in a 24-hour period in a DMV office. Until this change, you’ve been able to take as many knowledge tests as you like in a day, depending on the DMV office’s availability. We’ve had customers take the test 10 or more times per day, indicating they are not learning the information but hoping to pass by chance.

This change will free up counter staff to serve more people, reduce lines and encourage people to take safety seriously. The two-per day limit matches that of the online knowledge test available in eight languages on DMV2U. The knowledge test fee is $7 each time you take the test, whether at a DMV office or online.

People are encouraged to review the Oregon Driver Manual for new laws and safe driving practices.

Lebanon and Stayton expansion

Our Lebanon and Stayton offices are expanding service from three to five days a week. Starting Oct. 6, both offices will be open Monday through Friday.

“Staffing in these two offices has stabilized, and we’ve made changes to operations to confidently open both offices up to the community five days a week,” said Joyce.

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