Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend is warning about a recent “phishing” scam involving emails sent to people regarding city permit payments.

Here’s the details, as the city posted to social media late last week:

What You Need to Know

• Phishing messages may reference real permit numbers or application details.

• Messages may request payment for invoices, fees, or unexpected charges.

• Some messages direct recipients to fake websites or request sensitive information.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify the sender’s email address. Official City communications will only come from addresses ending in @bendoregon.gov.

• Do not click links or open attachments from suspicious or unexpected messages.

• Be suspicious of any request funds. City of Bend will never request payment by wire transfer or urgent, unconventional means. The City of Bend will only ever request payments either in person at City Hall or through the Permit Center Portal.

• Log in to the official City permitting system directly instead of using email links.

• Contact Customer Service if you are unsure whether a request is legitimate.

If You Have Already Responded or Made a Payment

• Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the transaction as fraudulent.

• Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov.

• Save all related emails, messages, and payment confirmations.

• Monitor your accounts and consider fraud alerts or credit freezes if information was shared.

The city urged anyone with questions or concerns to contact their Customer Service team at (541) 388-5580, extension 1, or email permitcenter@bendoregon.gov

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

UPDATE: As a result of the Riverview fire which burnt 12 acres, the La Pine Rural Fire District has decided to close debris burning. The fire district also cited ‘unseasonably warm’ weather as a factor in the increased wildfire risk.

UPDATE: Fire crews contained a 12-acre wildfire in La Pine on Tuesday afternoon after the blaze threatened hundreds of homes and jumped the Little Deschutes River.

The Riverview Fire was first reported at 2:15 p.m., and its spread was mostly halted by 5 p.m.

Approximately 362 structures were threatened by the fire, which prompted local evacuations.

About 40 firefighters from seven different agencies responded to the scene to protect property and establish containment lines.

The fire crossed the Little Deschutes River and moved toward the east. While rivers and waterways often act as natural barriers against wildfires, the flames moved across the water and into the surrounding bitterbrush.

Before the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders, some residents used garden hoses to wet down the hillsides and vegetation near their homes. The sheriff began evacuations once the fire reached the edge of the river.

The Riverview Fire occurred amid regional concerns regarding a lack of significant snowfall. A small snowpack this winter has led to fears that the area will experience larger fires during the upcoming season.

Most of the personnel were released from the scene by 6 p.m.

Crews will monitor the burn area through the late hours of Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. Personnel will continue to patrol the perimeter to ensure no new spots ignite.

UPDATE: Watch Duty: All evacuation orders throughout the area have been lifted.

UPDATE: According to the La Pine Rural Fire District, the riverview fire is now in mop-up. 232 structures were at level 1 evacuation orders and 131 were in level 3 evacuations. The cause is still under investigation. An estimated 40-50 firefighters from 10 agencies responded along with law enforcement and emergency management.

UPDATE: Watch Duty: The Temporary Evacuation Point has been changed from the La Pine Senior Activity Center to La Pine High School. Residents who have evacuated their homes and need a temporary place to stay are encouraged to visit La Pine High School at 51633 Coach Road.

Fire behavior has moderated on the Riverview Fire near La Pine, and the fire’s spread has slowed. There is a large number of resources on the scene. The Level 3 and Level 1 Evacuation Orders will remain in place until the winds die down and concerns about further spread of the fire subside.

Per the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Oregon Facebook page.

UPDATE: Watch Duty: The fire has now been estimated at 20 acres, per the National Interagency Fire Center. Continue following this web article for the very latest information.

The La Pine Activity Center has been established as a temporary evacuation point for people needing to evacuate. It’s located at 16450 Victory Way in La Pine.

A Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation notice has been issued for Timber Lane Loop, Riverview Drive, Bridge Drive, and homes along the Little Deschutes River. This area is located north of Burgess Road and west of Huntington Road, east of Forest Road, and south of Elk Court and Deer Run Lane.A Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation notice has been issued for the neighborhood north of Burgess, east of Huntington Road, and west of Hwy 97. This includes Cagle Road, Railroad Street, Skidgel Road, Antler Lane, Doe Lane, Pine Drive, Pine Place, Ash Drive, Oak Drive, Elm Drive, Santa Barbara Drive, and Murray Drive.

UPDATE: Watch Duty: The La Pine Activity Center has been established as a temporary evacuation point for people needing to evacuate. It’s located at 16450 Victory Way in La Pine. Per Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

UPDATE: Watch Duty: A Level 3 Go Now Evacuation Notice has been issued for Timber Lane Loop, Riverview Dr, Bridge Dr, homes along the Little Deschutes River. The area is depicted above, per Deschutes Alerts via Everbridge. See an interactive version of this evacuation map at this link.

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 3 evacuation alert due to a grass fire burning north of downtown La Pine.

The fire is approximately 10-15 acres, per radio traffic, per Watch Duty.

Watch Duty: A Level 1 Be Ready evacuation notice has been issued for the neighborhood North of Burgess, East of Huntington Rd and West of Hwy 97, per Deschutes Alerts via Everbridge.

A Level 3 Go Now Evacuation Notice has been issued for Timber Lane Loop and the area depicted above, per Deschutes Alerts via Everbridge. See an interactive version of this evacuation map at this link.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Under bright lights and national attention, 22-year-old Bella Emry is quickly becoming a name to watch. But behind her recent appearance on American Idol lies a story rooted in small-town Oregon, family influence, and a deep connection to the Central Oregon community.

From Yamhill to Bend

Bella Emry’s journey began in the small town of Yamhill, Oregon.

“I am originally from Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon. So I am Oregon born and raised,” she said. “But I moved to Bend about seven or eight years ago, my freshman year of high school.”

Bella and her family // Credit: Bella Emry

The move, prompted by family, marked a major shift from a tight-knit town of roughly 1,000 people to a growing Central Oregon hub.

“You literally know everybody,” she said of her hometown. “You walk down the street and there’s Bob and Janet. You know everybody.”

Despite the change, Bend quickly became home.

“Bend was our favorite vacation spot (growing up) and Yamhill is very small. My parents came to me and my brother and were like, ‘Wanna do something different?’ And we were like, ‘Sure.’ And so then we moved,” Bella said. “That’s how I ended up here.”

A Lifelong Connection to Music

Music wasn’t a sudden discovery for Bella. It always had a presence in her life.

“I’d say music was just… always there,” she said. “My dad was the lead pastor and worship leader of our church growing up in Yamhill. My sister, she’s six years older than me, and she always did music. So I was just her little shadow and wanted to do everything she did.”

Young Bella // Credit: Bella Emry

She quickly found herself in piano lessons and also learned how to play the guitar.

“My repertoire is just singing piano and guitar at this moment. But, you know, I haven’t really crazy obsession with the cello,” she said with a laugh.

The ‘American Idol’ Break

Unlike the long audition lines many associate with the show, Bella’s path to American Idol started online.

“I sent in a video to American Idol… I saw an ad online. And then they emailed me,” Bella said. “I thought it was a scam, but tried it anyway. I was like, ‘I’m not going to get scammed.’ It was real!”

After several virtual auditions, she was flown to Nashville to perform in front of celebrity judges including Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

“That was just scary,” she admitted. “But honestly, the exact moments of going in there, I completely blacked them out.”

The audition process // Credit: Bella Emry

Watching her audition later was almost like seeing it for the first time.

“There were things I didn’t even remember happening,” she said, laughing. “Like Luke Bryan saying ‘Hella Yella Bella’, I had no memory of that.”

Bella was relieved to find that some of the moments had been edited out.

“There’s also things that happened that got cut. For example, when Lionel Richie said I had a ‘cool vibe’, I responded with, ‘Period, thank you very much.’ Regretted it so badly walking out of that room,” Bella said. “And they did cut it out. So, thank you.”

She even had a camera crew follow her home to Central Oregon.

“I ended up getting a full story, a full home story. So they came to Bend,” she reflected. “They came to my house, they met my family. They came to my my work. It was super cool.”

A Community Behind Her

Bella made it to the Top 30 before she was ultimately eliminated–but she said she’s forever grateful for the opportunity and support.

Local businesses, like General Duffy’s in Redmond, hosted watch parties, and social media lit up with encouragement.

Bella with some young fans // Credit: Bella Emry

“It’s a different form of validation that I’ve never received for my music,” she said. “It’s been nothing but positivity.”

That support has shaped her future goals—not just as a performer, but as a local artist.

“I think right now I’m trying to build this kind of goal aspect of looking at what comes next, so I’m still learning that as well… A big part of it is going to be putting my own songs out there, putting my own music out there,” Bella said. “I sing music that I love and that I resonate with lyrically now of other people’s. But I want to be the one to create that.”

Looking Ahead

While her journey on American Idol helped build confidence, Bella says it also clarified her direction.

“My mindset going into this whole process wasn’t necessarily, I’m going to be the next American Idol. It was just… I haven’t really done anything to actually pursue music. It’s just been my hobby,” she said. “But this, it was kind of that moment where I was like, I can prove to myself that I can, I could do something like this. Or that I can sing in front of people, specifically very famous people that have a lot of history and experience.” 

And she couldn’t have done it without Central Oregon’s support.

“I just want to say a big thank you to Bend, to Central Oregon. I have received nothing but positivity and it really means the world to me,” Bella said.

As she continues to grow as an artist, Bella remains grounded in the place that helped shape her.

“I want to be in Bend, I want to stay in Bend. I love Bend. And now I’ve got a big backing of people that I don’t really even know, but that are here for me. And that just feels amazing,” she said. “My goal is to play music here and locally. I’ll go around Oregon because I love Oregon, but I want to live in Bend, Bend’s my home base. So, I think that’s really special.”

Bella playing guitar by the river // Credit: Bella Emry

If you want to see Bella perform live, she’ll be opening for Jacquie Roar on May 22nd at General Duffy’s in Redmond. You can also follow along on her journey and get performance announcements on Instagram, @bellaemryofficial.

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Triton Notary

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ)– Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards will host the annual Crush Cancer 5K, 10K and Half Marathon Trail Run on May 16, 2026. The event serves as the primary fundraiser for the FHC Crush Cancer nonprofit, which provides financial relief to local cancer patients and their families.

Organizers expect more than 1,200 participants and spectators to attend the race. All proceeds from sponsorships and registration fees are used to cover basic necessities for those undergoing cancer treatment in the community.

The organization focuses on providing immediate support to ensure Central Oregon residents do not have to choose between life-saving medical treatment and essential costs. Since December 2025, funds raised through the initiative have provided critical assistance to 12 families in the region.

Assistance from the nonprofit covers a range of essential living expenses, including mortgage and rent payments to maintain housing security. The organization also pays for basic utilities such as power and heating bills, as well as child care to support parents during their treatment periods.

Support also extends to treatment logistics that are often not covered by insurance. These costs include food, pharmaceutical expenses and travel-related needs such as gas and lodging for families traveling to receive care.

The organization maintains a commitment to transparency regarding its fundraising. According to event organizers, 100% of all money raised through sponsorships and race participation fees goes directly to support local families in the region. every mile completed on the trail is intended to contribute to a neighbor’s rent, grocery bill or medication costs.

Cindy Grossmann serves as the leader of the FHC Crush Cancer organization. She said the group aims to remove the financial weight of the disease so families can prioritize their health.

“Our vision is to create a community where every cancer patient feels supported and empowered,” Grossmann said. “By removing the weight of financial hardship, we allow these families to focus entirely on what matters most: healing and hope.”

The event takes place at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, featuring a trail-running course through the Central Oregon high desert. Participants can choose between three different race distances depending on their preference.

Registration is currently open for the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon distances. Community members and local businesses are also invited to support the movement by cheering for runners from the sidelines on May 16, 2026.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Visit Bend awarded $500,000 to 11 community projects through the Bend Sustainability Fund on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The grants, funded by visitor lodging taxes, support local initiatives focused on environmental stewardship, recreation access, and infrastructure improvements.

Established in 2021, the fund has now reinvested more than $3.8 million into 42 projects throughout Bend. The program is financed by a 10.4% lodging tax paid by visitors staying at hotels and vacation rentals. This year’s recipients were selected by an advisory council from a pool of applicants requesting more than $1 million in total funding.

Nearly half of the 2026 funding was dedicated to projects expanding outdoor access for people of all mobilities. Oregon Adaptive Sports received $63,747 to create an Adaptive Cycling Center at Pine Nursery Park, which will be the third of its kind on the West Coast. The center will offer state-of-the-art adaptive cycles for public use. Additionally, The Onward Project was awarded $61,850 to double its fleet of all-terrain “AdvenChair” wheelchairs, designed to help families hike together.

Other accessibility improvements include a $51,000 grant for Mt. Bachelor to upgrade Sunrise Lodge with new accessible ramps and door buttons. The Central Oregon Trail Alliance received $11,400 to install six ride-over cattle guards at the Cline Butte and Cascade View trail systems, removing barriers for adaptive cyclists.

The largest single grant of $100,000 went to The Environmental Center to launch a reusable tableware “Wash Hub.” This centralized commercial dishwashing and collection system is designed to replace more than 250,000 single-use items at food cart pods and local events. The project is part of a broader effort to use the visitor economy to support environmental stewardship.

Trail maintenance and invasive species prevention received significant support through two specific projects. The Deschutes Trails Coalition was awarded $56,396 to repair aging stairs and improve drainage on the Pilot Butte Base Trail. Meanwhile, Glick Forestry received $16,989 to install 14 boot-brush stations at high-traffic trailheads, including Tumalo Falls and Green Lakes, to help prevent the spread of invasive plants by hikers.

Four grants focused on cultural facilities and historical preservation within the Bend community. The Tower Theatre received $80,000 for a new lighting console, while the Volcanic Theatre was awarded $38,470 for acoustic and lighting upgrades. The Petersen Rock Garden, a 91-year-old folk art landmark, received $5,148 for new information signage and the Central Oregon Disc Golf Club was granted $15,000 for improvements at the Skyline Disc Golf Course.

The Bend Sustainability Fund requires that all funded projects have a life of at least 10 years and demonstrate meaningful visitor use while providing community benefits. An independent advisory council of local residents reviewed the 2026 applications before making recommendations to the Visit Bend board of directors. Of the 11 projects selected, eight are first-time recipients of the grant.

Residents can participate in a two-week online community ballot to rank the 11 funded projects. The top two vote-getters will each receive an additional $1,000 in support. The ballot is open now through April 1, 2026, on the Visit Bend website and social media channels.

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Tracee Tuesday

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County Democrats will host a forum next month featuring candidates running in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, offering Central Oregon voters a chance to hear directly from those seeking to challenge Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz.

The event is scheduled for April 11 at 2 p.m. at the Pine Theater in downtown Prineville. Organizers say the forum is aimed at giving residents in Crook County and surrounding communities an opportunity to ask questions and learn where candidates stand on issues affecting rural Oregon.

The 2nd Congressional District spans much of Southern and Eastern Oregon, including Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties, making it one of the largest congressional districts in the country.

Candidates expected to participate include Mary Doyle, Rebecca Mueller, Peter Quince, Dawn Rasmussen and Patty Snow. The winner of the May 19 Democratic primary will face Bentz in the November general election.

Laura Craska Cooper will moderate the forum.

In a statement announcing the event, Crook County Democrats said the race carries significant implications for rural communities, including economic development, health care access and public lands policy. The group also criticized Bentz’s record, arguing his positions have negatively affected democratic institutions, environmental protections and social programs. Bentz, a Republican from Ontario, has represented the district since 2021.

Organizers say the forum is open to the public and encourage residents from across Central Oregon to attend.

Crook County Democrats said their organization focuses on supporting Democratic candidates and engaging voters at the local, state and national levels.

For more information, organizers encourage the public to contact the group through its communications director.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic is set to return to Central Oregon for a two-night run at Hayden Homes Amphitheater this summer, bringing one of the genre’s most dedicated touring acts back to a venue that regularly draws national headliners to Bend.

The shows are scheduled for Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11. Tickets for both nights, along with two-day passes, go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster.

The announcement adds to an already busy summer concert lineup along the Deschutes River, where Hayden Homes Amphitheater has become a key stop for major touring acts and a significant driver of Bend’s seasonal tourism economy. Local businesses, including restaurants, hotels and outdoor recreation outfitters, often see increased traffic tied to large concert weekends.

Widespread Panic, formed in the mid-1980s in Athens, Georgia, has built a reputation as a “road warrior” band with a devoted fan base that frequently travels city to city. The group was founded by vocalist and guitarist John Bell, bassist Dave Schools and late guitarist Michael Houser, later expanding to include drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo Ortiz and keyboardist John Hermann. The current lineup features guitarist Jimmy Herring and drummer Duane Trucks.

Over more than three decades, the band has become known for marathon live shows and repeat sellouts at major venues, including 60 consecutive performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. They have also headlined major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

Widespread Panic has sold more than 3 million albums and 4 million downloads and continues to release live recordings through its ongoing archive series. The band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

With Bend’s growing reputation as a premier outdoor concert destination, the July shows are expected to draw both local fans and traveling audiences, continuing the city’s trend of hosting nationally recognized touring acts during the peak summer season.

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Tracee Tuesday

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Residents across Central Oregon will have several shredding events this year, to safely dispose of sensitive documents, unused medications and worn American flags during a series of free community shred events.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Republic Services, announced four events scheduled between March and September at locations throughout the county, including Bend, La Pine, Sisters and Terrebonne.

The first event is set for March 21 at the sheriff’s main office on U.S. Highway 20 west of Bend. Additional events will take place June 13 in La Pine, July 18 in Sisters and Sept. 19 in Terrebonne. Each runs from 10 a.m. to noon, or until the shred truck reaches capacity.

The program is aimed at helping local residents protect personal information while also providing safe disposal options for medications that might otherwise pose a risk if left in homes.

Organizers say the service is limited to residential use and is not intended for businesses. Participants may bring up to four boxes of documents per household. Paper clips and staples are allowed, but plastic bags and three-ring binders will not be accepted.

In addition to shredding, each event will include medication disposal. Accepted items include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and pet medications. Items such as sharps, inhalers and pressurized containers will not be accepted.

Community members can also drop off worn or damaged American flags for proper retirement, and donate nonperishable food items that will go to local food banks.

Those with larger amounts of material are encouraged to contact Republic Services for additional disposal options.

The sheriff’s office says the events are designed to make it easy for residents across Deschutes County to securely clear out unwanted items while supporting the broader community.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Award-winning novelist Carter Sickels will read from his work at Oregon State University-Cascades on May 14. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. as part of the Master of Fine Arts in Writing’s Distinguished Visiting Writer series.

The presentation will take place in the Charles McGrath Family Atrium in Edward J. Ray Hall on the university’s Bend campus. The series brings prominent authors to the school to engage with the public and lead workshops for graduate students.

Sickels authored the novel “The Prettiest Star,” which earned the 2021 Southern Book Prize and the Weatherford Award. The book was also named the Best LGBT Book of 2020 by O Magazine. Their debut novel, “The Evening Hour,” was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award and the Lambda Literary Award. That story follows a young man in Appalachia during the opioid crisis and was adapted into a film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020.

Beyond his novels, Sickels’ fiction and essays have been published in national outlets including The Atlantic, Outside Magazine, BuzzFeed and Poets & Writers. His work has also appeared in The Kenyon Review and various other literary journals. In 2024, he received the Lambda Literary Duggins Prize for Outstanding Mid-Career LGBTQ Novelists and was previously a finalist for the John Dos Passos Prize in Literature.

Sickels currently serves as an assistant professor of English and creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts program at North Carolina State University. He previously earned a master’s degree in folklore from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His career has been supported by fellowships from the MacDowell colony, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

The Distinguished Visiting Writer series brings authors to the Bend campus to lead workshops for graduate students. Previous participants in the program have included novelist Raquel Gutiérrez, autofiction writer Hannah Pittard, short story writer Justin Taylor and poets Rebecca Morgan Frank and André Naffis-Sahely.

The upcoming event will conclude with a book signing. Local bookstore Roundabout Books will be on-site to facilitate book sales for attendees. Admission to the reading is free, though the university requires all guests to register in advance.

Interested attendees can register for the event at beav.es/carter-sickels. Those requiring accommodations for disabilities are asked to contact 541-322-3100 or email events@osucascades.edu.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An ’80s Retro Ski Party will bring music, costumes and fundraising to UPP Liquids on Friday, March 20, to support Oregon Adaptive Sports. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 550 SW Industrial Way in Bend.

Proceeds from the evening will support the mission of Oregon Adaptive Sports to provide outdoor recreation experiences for individuals with disabilities. UPP Liquids will donate a portion of beer sale proceeds to the organization and while there is no cover charge, voluntary donations will be accepted at the door.

DJ The Cosmic, also known as Atom Bram, will perform 80s remixes and vinyl sets throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to wear neon clothing and leg warmers for a costume contest that features various prizes.

Food will be provided by Sharkmouth Fajitas, which will serve guests from its red cart. A portion of the proceeds from food sales will be donated to Oregon Adaptive Sports. Additionally, Sparkle Strands will be on-site to offer sparkle hair extensions.

The event includes a raffle with prizes from several local and regional businesses. Items include a Mt. Bachelor Spring Pass, a ZipTour, and a Big Eddy Thriller whitewater rafting trip for two. Other prizes have been donated by Patagonia, Powderhouse, Bend Kayak School and Rentals, Pete Alport and UPP Liquids.

The venue will maintain a full bar offering beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and event-themed drinks. Representatives from Oregon Adaptive Sports will also staff a booth where guests can learn more about the organization’s programs and outdoor recreation initiatives.

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