Author: KTVZ

Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Van Perry has joined the Family Access Network Board of Directors, bringing more than 30 years of global leadership experience to the Central Oregon nonprofit. Perry has a background in scaling organizations across multiple industries, including technology, real estate and the public sector.

The Family Access Network, which began in 1993, employs 28 advocates at 66 sites across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. These advocates work within schools to connect families in need with essential resources to help break the cycle of poverty.

The Family Access Network Foundation was established in 2006 to raise funds and increase community awareness for the organization’s work. Board members serve as a core part of the foundation’s fundraising strategy to support advocates working in Central Oregon schools.

Perry’s professional background includes leading international rebranding initiatives for Fortune 50 companies and directing Olympic marketing programs for global sponsors. He previously served as the president of two adventure travel companies that managed expeditions to locations ranging from Antarctica to the Sahara.

Earlier in his career, Perry held leadership roles in city government and real estate development. He has worked across diverse industries including financial services, technology, hospitality and the outdoor sector.

Julie Lyche serves as the executive director of the Family Access Network. Lyche noted that Perry’s background in building high-performing teams and his commitment to service would benefit the organization’s leadership. “Van’s breadth of experience and strong commitment to community service make him a valuable addition to our Board of Directors,” Lyche said.

Perry lives in Bend with his wife and two daughters. He earned a Bachelor of Science with distinction from the University of Virginia, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rimrock Trails launched a new program in Prineville to provide immediate behavioral health support for youth in Crook County. The Assessment and Resource Center (ARC) offers same-day assessments for young people and their families without the need for an appointment or referral.

The program is located at the Prineville Outpatient Clinic on Combs Flat Road and serves individuals ages 18 and under. It provides a low-barrier entry point for those facing emotional, behavioral health, or substance use challenges.

The center provides support for various needs, including behavioral health issues and situational challenges. In addition to assessments, the program offers skills groups. These groups focus on building coping strategies, communication and resilience.

Staffing for the center includes a dedicated care coordinator and a peer support worker. The peer support worker brings lived experience to the role to emphasize trust and understanding for families taking the first step toward care.

The program functions as a gateway to ongoing care and essential community resources. By providing immediate access, the center connects individuals to additional services based on their specific needs following the initial assessment.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought emergency in Deschutes, Baker, and Umatilla counties through Executive Order 26-05. The declaration comes as forecasts suggest below-normal precipitation and streamflow conditions will likely continue through the summer.

This is the first drought declaration issued by Governor Kotek during the 2026 calendar year. The order directs state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region to mitigate impacts on local growers, livestock, and water supplies.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Baker County has experienced persistent moderate drought conditions since June 2025. Deschutes County has seen abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions since that same month. In Umatilla County, moderate and severe drought conditions have been persistent since May 2025. All three counties currently report well below-normal snowpack and drier-than-normal soil moisture.

Forecasts suggest that below-normal precipitation and streamflow conditions are likely to continue through the summer months. These projections follow an extended period of weather conditions that contributed to low snowpack and above-normal temperatures. Well below-normal streamflow forecasts are currently in place for all affected counties.

The drought is expected to have a significant economic impact on the farm, ranch, recreation, and tourism sectors. Natural resources, including drinking water and minimum flows for fish and wildlife, are also at risk. State officials expect the extreme conditions to shorten the growing season for local growers and increase the potential for wildfire.

The declaration unlocks several emergency tools, including assistance for local water users. It allows the Oregon Water Resources Department to expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules for those in the region. The move follows a recommendation from the state’s Water Supply Availability Committee pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 536.740.

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Kelsey Merison

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) is offering a training class on Saturday, April 11th, for residents interested in mentoring children with an incarcerated parent.

The orientation and training session is required for all volunteers before they are matched with a child. Participants must also pass background checks as part of the initial training process. The class is offered at no cost to the public, though advanced registration is required to attend.

Volunteers who complete the training must commit to a minimum of one year and spend a few hours each week with their matched child. The program pairs mentors with children who share similar interests. This time is used for various activities including community exploration, art or craft projects, or simply hanging out and talking.

The orientation and training session lasts 3.5 hours. The curriculum is designed to cover program policies, communication skills, and how to establish a successful mentor relationship. The class also provides information on the specific impact incarceration has on families.

Additional information regarding the COPY program is available on the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office website. Individuals interested in the program can also obtain details by calling 541-388-6651 or emailing COPY@deschutes.org.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The fifth annual Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash will return to Central Oregon on April 10th and April 11th, 2026. The two-day event, held at Wild Ride Brewing locations in Prineville and Redmond, brings the community together for mental health awareness and connection.

The celebration honors the life and legacy of Kiefer Leutschaft, a former Wild Ride Brewing employee who passed away in 2021 after battling mental illness. Proceeds from the gathering benefit the Kiefer Magical Legacy Fund, a partnership with Rimrock Trails designed to reduce stigma, encourage conversations about addiction, and expand access to care.

The Leutschaft family of Redmond established the legacy fund following Kiefer’s death. Since its inception, the event has grown from a local remembrance into an annual gathering that encourages open conversations about recovery and well-being. The gathering also serves to empower individuals to seek mental health and addiction services.

Festivities begin Friday, April 10th, at the Prineville brewery with performances by the Scotty Wilson Band and Music Medicine. On Saturday, April 11th, the event moves to the Redmond location and features music from Countryfied. These musical performances are part of the free and family-friendly portion of the weekend.

Event organizers emphasized the importance of community collaboration in addressing mental health needs. “This event exemplifies just how much can be accomplished when people and organizations come together with a shared commitment to the mental health of our community,” organizers said. “Working together, the magic is kept alive.”

A ticketed VIP pre-party is also scheduled for April 11th in the Barrel Room at Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond. Running from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the party includes food, entertainment by DJ Chris, a silent auction and Kiefer-themed merchandise.

Money raised during the weekend supports the Rimrock Trails Client Financial Support Fund. Additionally, the event funds the Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships. The overall goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges while honoring Kiefer’s spirit through community engagement.

Tickets for the VIP pre-party are currently available online. Community members are encouraged to save the date and attend the festivities in Prineville and Redmond. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Tea and Art Lounge has opened in downtown Bend, offering a combination of local beverages and accessible art projects. The new business is located on Bond Street next to Deschutes Brewery.

The lounge specializes in “bite-sized” art projects designed to be completed in a short amount of time, such as a lunch break. The concept focuses on providing a calm environment where customers can enjoy tea while engaging in creative activities.

Sarah Swoffer, an art teacher and the owner of the Tea and Art Lounge, established the business to encourage relaxation through making art. “The tea and Art lounge is the comfy, cozy living room of Bend,” Swoffer said. “We want to create a place where people can come relax and enjoy the tea. And that is when we are our best and most creative selves.”

The facility includes an art studio located in the back of the building where staff provide art lessons. The space is also available for social gatherings, such as book clubs or group get-togethers.

In addition to daily projects and tea, the lounge offers high-tea services that can be booked in advance. The menu features local brews and a variety of baked goods.

The Tea and Art Lounge will participate in the city’s next First Friday event. The lounge will feature artwork created by local students during the celebration.

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Campbell Porter

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters will conduct a prescribed jackpot burn on the Crooked River National Grassland beginning Tuesday, March 31. The project will treat approximately 311 acres of land located four miles southeast of Madras.

The burn is situated within Pace Jackpot Burning Unit 3, near Buck Butte and east of Highway 26. Operations are scheduled to continue through Wednesday, April 1, provided that weather and ground conditions remain favorable for the project.

Smoke from the jackpot burning may be visible from Madras, Prineville and the Highway 26 corridor. Light smoke impacts are expected to affect Southeast Grizzly Road, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours when air typically settles into low-lying areas.

Prescribed burn warning signs will be placed in both directions along Grizzly Road and on Highway 26 near the project area. Motorists traveling through the vicinity are advised to reduce their speed, use their headlights and be prepared for changes in visibility.

Following the initial ignition, piles of debris may continue to smolder and produce smoke for several days. Firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor the piles until they are officially declared out. Officials have requested that the public does not report these ignitions.

The project is scheduled to finish on Wednesday, April 1. Fire crews will continue to monitor the 311-acre site until all burning piles are fully extinguished.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue is inviting Central Oregon high school students to apply for Camp Fire Axe, a four-day summer fire academy scheduled for June 2026. The program is designed for students ages 16 to 19 who are considering a career in the fire service.

Led by professional firefighters and paramedics, the academy allows participants to learn about fire response, CPR, trauma and first aid in a real academy setting. The annual program provides hands-on experience for students interested in emergency services careers.

The 2026 academy will run from June 18 through June 21. Daily sessions are scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire & Rescue Training Centre, located at 63377 NE Jamison St. in Bend.

Applications open Wednesday, April 1, at 7 a.m. and will remain open through May 1. Bend Fire & Rescue will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all spots are filled.

Attendance is limited to 12 students to ensure personalised instruction throughout the four-day program. The fee for the academy is $250 per person, though scholarships are available through the application process.

Applications can be accessed at bendoregon.gov/camp-fire-axe starting at 7 a.m. on April 1.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council approved a $394,000 contract today to remodel the kitchens at three Bend Fire & Rescue stations. The project will address significant wear and tear at Stations 301, 303 and 304.

Mission Building & Remodel was selected for the construction work after submitting the lowest responsible bid. The project will be completed in three phases over the next three fiscal years to ensure emergency operations remain uninterrupted.

The fire stations are owned by the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2, which is responsible for major maintenance and repair costs. Under a partnership agreement, the City of Bend will manage the construction contract and receive full reimbursement for the project costs from the district at the end of each fiscal year. The kitchens being replaced are more than 25 years old and have deteriorated from constant use by multiple crews.

Construction is structured as a three-phase approach to minimize operational disruption and align with budget planning. Station 301 is scheduled for remodeling during the 2026 fiscal year. Remodeling for Station 303 will follow in 2027, while Station 304 is planned for 2028. This follows the successful completion of a kitchen remodel at Station 305 in fiscal year 2025.

Trisha, a Bend Fire & Rescue official, said the kitchens have reached the end of their functional lifespan. “These kitchens, by the time they get remodeled, are more than 25 years old,” Trisha said. “So they’ve had a lot of pressure with the crews. We’ve hired more people. We have more crews working out of the station. You can see, that this kitchen has lots of wear and tear. The cabinets can’t hold the doors anymore. They’re particleboard and we just cannot reattach those cabinet faces anymore.”

The scope of work includes replacing aging casework, appliances and sink fixtures. While most features will be replaced, some elements will be preserved or upgraded for commercial use. “Everything will look exactly the same,” Trisha said. “The cabinets will get replaced. We’re also going to be putting in double ovens and all of our kitchens. We’re cooking for multiple crews, so it’s really important that they’re able to make a lot of food and do that quickly. This countertop will stay the same. This, butcher block. We’re just going to refinish it. We’re also doing steel countertops. We’re going to make sure all of the older stations have commercial dishwashers.”

Firefighters occupy the stations 24 hours a day and are responsible for their own meal preparation. Crews typically rotate the cooking duties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trisha noted that although the city provides the facilities, the firefighters purchase all the food they consume. “The kitchen is I feel like the most important part, the fire stations, it’s important that our crews stay fed,” Trisha said. “It’s also important is that we’re getting busier, that the crews can make their food quickly, they can get fed so they’re satiated so they can go on response calls to our public.”

The project is part of a larger five-year capital improvement plan for the department. Other planned projects include flooring replacement, interior painting, window replacement and bathroom remodels. Official said fire stations are considered a public asset that must be maintained to last 50 years or more. “As they start to degrade like this one is, it’s important that we improve the station, we improve this kitchen,” Trisha said. “Right now, these stations are starting to degrade. And instead of letting them degrade more, which is going to cost us more money in the long run, we need to get on top of this and upgrade the kitchen now.”

Work on Station 301 is expected to begin this year. Projected expenditures for the future phases at Stations 303 and 304 will be incorporated into the 2027-2029 biennial budget process.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding information and quotes from the business owner, Findley’s extensive criminal record).

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 43-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after police say he broke into a Bend business and smeared feces inside the building, in what the owner describes as a deeply unsettling encounter that has prompted new safety concerns.

Break-in reported, suspect found inside

Police identified the suspect as Jajay Allen Findley. Officers responded around 9:27 p.m. after a caller reported a naked man had forced his way into the building.

When officers arrived, they found Findley inside; although the initial report described him as naked, police said he was clothed when taken into custody. Officers cleared the facility to ensure no one else was inside.

Investigators later discovered feces smeared in two separate areas of the business, leading to an additional third-degree criminal mischief charge for the damage.

Business owner recounts alarming encounter

The incident happened at Denture In, in the heart of Bend, after an employee had locked up for the night.

Owner Tad Burzynski said he returned to the office around 9:30 p.m. and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Tad Burzynski, owner of Denture In, said he returned to the office around 9:30 p.m. and immediately sensed something was wrong. Inside, Burzynski said he found the suspect naked after he had defecated and smeared feces throughout the office. He described the moment to KTVZ News.

“Is this somebody I know? This is not somebody I know, and nobody’s supposed to be here,” Burzynski said, recalling the confrontation.

Burzynski called police and kept track of the suspect until officers arrived and made the arrest.

Charges include burglary, drug possession

Findley was transported to the Deschutes County Jail and now faces five charges: second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree escape, and possession of a controlled substance. Police said the controlled substance was methamphetamine.

Extensive criminal history, including sex crime convictions

Findley’s criminal history spans more than two decades and includes a mix of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including assault, harassment, theft, and repeated driving-related violations.

The most serious charges came in 2019 in Deschutes County, when he was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine along with 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first and second degrees, which are felony-level offenses involving explicit material tied to minors.

Those convictions required Findley to register as a sex offender in Oregon. However, records show he has repeatedly failed to comply. Since 2023, he has faced multiple charges in Deschutes and Marion counties for failing to report as a sex offender, including both misdemeanor and felony cases.

Court records show Findley was previously sentenced to 35 months in state prison and 36 months of post-prison supervision for those crimes.

Safety concerns grow for business owners

While the mess inside the office can be cleaned, the Burzynskis say the suspect’s background is what’s most concerning.

The business sits near Hawthorne Station, an area they say has seen increasing issues over time, with families, students, and staff frequently passing through.

Deedee Burzynski, office manager, said the business has experienced vandalism in the past, but never an interior break-in. She said the incident has made her reconsider safety measures, especially with family visiting the office.

“We haven’t had anybody physically break into the building… we’ve had a lot of vandalism on the exterior, but nothing ever on the interior. We do have our grandkids who come to visit here at the office. So that brings in that piece of safety that I really need to change, because I don’t know who’s around the building anymore,” Burzynski said.

Now, they say they are reevaluating safety protocols, especially after hours.

Findley remains in custody, facing multiple charges in connection with the break-in.

2019 Child Sex Abuse Conviction, Jajay Findley.Download

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