Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente on Monday following a year-long bargaining campaign. The deal covers nearly 5,000 healthcare workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington and includes a 21.5% wage increase over the life of the contract.

The agreement secures benefit protections and aligns contract expiration dates across six different bargaining units. The settlement follows significant labor activity in 2025, including a massive five-day strike involving tens of thousands of healthcare workers.

Under the terms of the three-year and eight-month contract, healthcare workers will receive a 21.5% across-the-board wage increase. Some job classifications will see total increases exceeding 30% in the first year once market adjustments are applied.

The agreement maintains existing healthcare and pension benefits for the nearly 5,000 members. A primary focus of the negotiations was ensuring that all six OFNHP bargaining units at Kaiser share a common contract expiration date to increase future bargaining unity.

The settlement follows a period of significant labor tension, including a five-day strike in October. During that time, more than 3,000 OFNHP members joined 40,000 other Kaiser employees in what was the largest healthcare strike in the United States in 2025. Workers at the time demanded safer staffing levels and higher wages.

The OFNHP members are part of a broader coalition of more than 62,000 healthcare professionals bargaining through the Alliance of Healthcare Unions. Other unions within that alliance are also currently in the process of securing their own specific agreements.

Negotiators addressed outstanding national issues by incorporating specific provisions into local agreements. They also created a new Partnership Agreement to manage joint labor-management initiatives that were previously governed by a broader national contract.

Sarina Roher, president of the OFNHP, said the contract reflects the essential nature of healthcare work. “After an incredibly long and difficult campaign, our members have secured a contract that reflects the strength of our solidarity and the essential work we do every day,” Roher said. “This agreement protects the benefits we fought for over decades, delivers major wage increases that begin to recognize the value of healthcare workers and aligns our contracts across six units so that we can continue building worker power with greater unity and strength.”

Roher also noted that the union remained united despite challenges during the year-long process. “Kaiser tried to break our solidarity, but instead our members stood strong alongside more than 62,000 Alliance union siblings across the country,” Roher said.

Throughout the bargaining process, union members emphasized that improving wages and working conditions is necessary to address the ongoing staffing crisis in the healthcare industry. Union leaders stated that the new terms will help make Kaiser a more competitive employer and improve the retention of experienced professionals.

OFNHP members will participate in a ratification vote on the agreement this week.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Lightning arena football team will host a community event this Friday at the Les Schwab Tire Center in Prineville. The gathering, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., serves as a promotional event for the team’s 2026 season.

The event at 1250 NE Third Street will offer fans the opportunity to meet players and the team’s Hype Squad. The festivities are designed to prepare the Central Oregon community for the upcoming Arena Football One season.

A “Lightning Caravan” will serve as one of the highlights of the afternoon. Players and the Hype Squad will travel in vehicles decorated with banners and team colors, starting at Pioneer Park and moving east on Third Street toward the tire center to begin the festivities.

The event will feature four interactive fan stations for attendees of all ages. A Lightning Swag Table will provide stickers, posters and team merchandise, while an autograph station will offer meet-and-greet opportunities with the players.

The Oregon Lightning Youth Initiative, also known as OLYI, will host a table providing information regarding youth programs, camps, and community outreach. Additionally, a ticket sales station will be available for fans to purchase season or single-game tickets for the 2026 season.

A themed photo booth experience will be available for fans, featuring a branded backdrop and balloons. Attendees can use team-related props, including helmets, footballs, and jerseys, for photos.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, announced a proposal Monday to establish a 6-mile “no camping” zone around every Urban Growth Boundary community in the county. The initiative targets unauthorized camping and vehicle habitation in rural lands surrounding cities such as Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.

The policy aims to address public safety concerns and wildfire risks by prohibiting long-term parking of derelict RVs and trailers in the county’s juniper forests. Imhoff stated that the buffer is designed to direct individuals experiencing homelessness toward established services and treatment programs located within city centers rather than allowing dispersed camping in remote areas.

The proposed ordinance would ban unauthorized camping, vehicle habitation, and the long-term parking of derelict RVs or trailers within the 6-mile radius. Imhoff, a community leader and small-business owner in housing and construction, has lived in Deschutes County for more than 20 years. “Our rural lands and forests are not free-for-all campgrounds or places to abandon broken-down vehicles,” Imhoff said during the announcement.

The plan cites Oregon Administrative Rule 660-033-0130, which currently restricts the creation of new private campgrounds and RV parks within three miles of any UGB. Imhoff proposed doubling that distance to enhance wildfire prevention and public safety efforts. “We already have state rules under ORS (OAR 660-033-0130) that prohibit new private campgrounds and RV parks within three miles of any UGB without a special exception,” Imhoff said. “We will build on that proven authority to enact a 6-mile no-camping buffer that keeps families safe, prevents wildfires and stops the cycle of enabling street homelessness in remote areas.”

Enforcement of the zone would focus on nuisance abatement through a process involving clear notice and outreach to service providers. Imhoff stated that the policy is intended to move individuals away from isolated forest lands and toward available shelter, mental health support, and addiction treatment. “Deschutes County deserves solutions that actually work,” Imhoff said. “A 6-mile no-camping zone around our UGBs will make our communities safer, cleaner and more compassionate. It’s time to stop treating rural lands as dumping grounds and start directing people toward real help.”

The initiative is part of Imhoff’s broader campaign platform, which includes a 50-year infrastructure plan and a proposed reroute for Highway 97. According to the proposal, the 6-mile zone does not require the implementation of new taxes and would instead rely on smarter enforcement of existing county authorities. The plan also includes partnerships with local law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and city governments to establish coordinated service hubs.

Imhoff is currently seeking community input on the proposal at upcoming campaign events. Residents can also submit questions or view the full infrastructure and housing platform through his campaign website.

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Tracee Tuesday

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The colorful world of Dr. Seuss is coming to life in Sisters this weekend as Ovation Performing Arts debuts its youth production of “Seussical Jr.” at Sisters High School.

The family-friendly musical runs March 27-29 at 1700 W. McKinney Butte Road, featuring a cast of nearly 40 Central Oregon children ages 6 to 13. Tickets are $15.

Based on the stories of Dr. Seuss and adapted by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the production follows Horton the Elephant and the tiny residents of Whoville, delivering the message that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Director Jonathan Shepherd said the show blends the author’s signature whimsy with a deeper emotional arc.

“I’ll admit that I went in expecting a hodgepodge of mismatching props, musical styles and main character species, but ‘Seussical’ quickly stole my heart,” Shepherd said. “It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s unexpectedly hard by the end. ‘Seussical Jr.’ is the perfect 60-minute family musical package.”

The production leans into the imaginative nature of Seuss’ stories, incorporating vibrant costumes, energetic choreography and a wide range of playful elements — from bubble props to musical surprises — to create what Shepherd describes as a “dream-show playground.”

The show is also a community-driven effort. Parents contribute behind the scenes with set construction, costumes and coordination, while young performers help support the production offstage.

Although Ovation Performing Arts has roots as a homeschool theater group, the cast now includes students from public and private schools across Central Oregon. Shepherd said the program continues to grow as more families seek opportunities in youth theater.

“We’re determined to grow to meet the growing demand,” he said.

Audience members can also purchase souvenirs, raffle tickets and candy grams for performers during the show.

Looking ahead, the group is preparing for a busy season, including a full-length production of “Frozen” planned for June, along with summer classes and a student-directed “Alice in Wonderland” as part of a new “OPA Passion Project” initiative.

More information and tickets are available at ovationpa.com.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire crews with the Deschutes National Forest are set to begin a series of prescribed burns Monday about 15 miles southeast of Bend, with smoke expected to be visible from parts of the city and along Highway 20.

Ignitions are scheduled to start around 9 a.m. on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District and could continue through Friday if weather conditions remain favorable.

The work will focus on two units known as Flank 5 and Flank 4, located west of Forest Service Road 18 near its junction with Forest Service Road 25 and the Camp II OHV staging area. Firefighters plan to burn up to 550 acres on Monday in the Flank 5 unit, followed by as many as 1,270 additional acres later in the week in the Flank 4 area.

Officials say the burns are part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and help protect nearby communities, including Bend, by removing excess vegetation under controlled conditions.

Smoke from the burns will likely be visible across the region and could settle in low-lying areas overnight and during early morning hours. Fire managers coordinate with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to time burns when conditions are most likely to move smoke away from populated areas, but some impacts are still expected.

Temporary closures are in place within the Opine OHV trail system, including trails 020, 021, 025 and 028. The closures are expected to remain for several days during and after operations as crews monitor conditions. Trails will reopen once they are deemed safe.

Health officials recommend residents take precautions during smoky conditions, including closing windows at night, using air purifiers if available and limiting exposure, especially for those with heart or lung conditions. Drivers traveling through smoky areas are urged to slow down, use headlights and set vehicle ventilation systems to recirculate air.

More information about prescribed burning and smoke safety is available at centraloregonfire.org. Residents can also sign up for alerts by texting “COFIRE” to 888-777.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new locally driven bagel shop is preparing to open its doors in Bend, bringing fresh bagels, espresso and family-inspired recipes to the community.

Mimi’s Bagel Deli announced the upcoming opening on social media, thanking customers for their support during the early stages of the business. Owners said community turnout at events, including “wake n bake” gatherings, helped keep their vision moving forward.

The deli plans to offer fresh boiled and baked bagels daily, along with espresso, breakfast and lunch options. The menu will also feature Italian pastries based on family recipes, adding a personal touch to the shop’s offerings.

Owners say the support from Bend residents has played a key role in turning their idea into reality and say they are eager to welcome customers inside soon.

An official opening date has not yet been announced, but the business says more updates are expected in the coming weeks.

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Spencer Sacks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Approximately 4,000 high school students from across the state gathered at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond this weekend for the Oregon Future Farmers of America State Convention.

The annual event provides resources and training for the next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry.

The convention arrives as the number of farms in the United States has reached a near all time low. According to industry data, the number of U.S. farms decreased from 6.8 million in 1935 to 1.88 million currently, prompting the organization to focus on educating youth about food and fiber production.

Reynold Garner, an agriculture content specialist for the state of Oregon, emphasized the global need for new agricultural leadership during the event.

“The world right now needs trained, qualified individuals, to emerge into the leadership space both in food and fiber production, for for our planet,” Garner said.

Participants came from almost every county in the state to participate in the learning sessions. Dan McNary, an adviser for Crook County High School and the Central Oregon District, noted that only a small portion of the population currently produces food.

McNary stated that educating students at a young age is vital so they are “at least informed about agricultural issues,” regardless of whether they enter the production field. He explained that this knowledge is critical as the trade is passed to a new generation.

The convention features a variety of competitive events designed to build foundational knowledge of the industry. Oregon FFA CEO Kjer Kaiser described the importance of understanding the origins of resources.

“You’re going to learn about where food and fiber comes from,” Kaiser said. “And that’s foundational for, for our society.”

Beyond agricultural skills, the program includes training in professional development and real-world applications. Sessions held throughout the weekend include public speaking competitions, job interview training and a career fair. These activities are designed to provide resources for students to become leaders in the agricultural space.

Aubrey Leao, the 2025-26 Capital District secretary, highlighted the networking opportunities provided by the gathering of students.

“This convention is just such a good leadership opportunity,” Leao said. “There’s not a lot of opportunities in agriculture to kind of get out and meet a lot of people that, you relate to so closely. So it’s super cool to see everybody from across the state of Oregon.”

Other students focused on the social connections and peer interactions made during the four-day event. Silverton FFA Secretary Elise Gardner noted the high energy among the thousands of attendees.

“Everyone’s just so excited to be here and everyone’s so happy,” Gardner said. “And you get to see all your friends that you haven’t gotten to see yet, so it’s just really fun.”

National representation was also present through Jael Cruikshank, the Western Region vice president for the National FFA Organization. Cruikshank, who is a Bend native, previously spent nearly a decade participating in agricultural events at the fairgrounds.

“It’s super cool to be back here since this is actually where I showed all my pigs growing up,” Cruikshank said. “And so I have about 8 or 9 years of experience showing pigs on these grounds and just proud to be a Bendite.”

Redmond has become the yearly home for the convention.

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Spencer Sacks

UPDATE: TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — An accidental fire caused by a vehicle backfire destroyed a 1,600-square-foot shop and several vehicles in Tumalo Friday evening, resulting in $220,000 in estimated damages. The blaze occurred at 65425 76th Street and was sparked by a fuel leak.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature, originating from a vehicle parked inside the structure. While the flames began to spread toward nearby homes, fire crews were able to contain the blaze quickly.

The total financial impact of the fire is estimated at $220,000. This figure includes $100,000 for the loss of the 1,600-square-foot shop structure and $120,000 for the contents and a heavily damaged travel trailer located nearby. The contents of the shop were considered a total loss.

Among the destroyed property were two classic vehicles and a motorized scooter. Fire officials noted that trees and other vegetation located close to the shop allowed the flames to spread toward other homes in the area. Fire crews were able to stop the fire’s progress before it reached neighboring residences.

In response to the incident, officials are reminding property owners to maintain defensible space around all structures. Recommended safety measures include removing bark mulch and vegetation within five feet of a foundation to reduce the risk of fire spread.

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — A structure fire destroyed a detached shop building in the Tumalo area Friday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency response as flames spread to nearby vegetation. Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived at 65425 76th St. around 5:11 p.m. on March 20 to find the building fully engulfed.

While the shop was fully involved, firefighters prevented the blaze from reaching the main residence or other detached structures on the property. The fire was highly visible to motorists traveling along Highway 97 and Tumalo Road.

Bend Fire & Rescue received mutual aid assistance from both the Cloverdale Fire District and Redmond Fire to bring the flames under control quickly. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office also provided support during the emergency response. Crews continued working at the site throughout the evening.

As of 8:00 p.m. on Friday, firefighters were still on the scene performing mop-up duties and monitoring for remaining hot spots. Numerous emergency units remained on the road and authorities asked members of the public to avoid the area while operations continued.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University-Cascades will host the inaugural “La Copa del High Desert” soccer match and Latinx cultural celebration on Sunday, April 12. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the COCC Bend campus.

Organized by the COCC Latinx program, the event is designed to celebrate High Desert Latinx culture through sports, food and traditional activities. The celebration is sponsored by the High Desert Museum and St. Charles Health System. Approximately 15% of the student population at COCC is Latinx and a suggested $10 donation from attendees will benefit a Latinx student scholarship fund at the college.

The competitive soccer match begins at 10:30 a.m. at Mazama Field. Both institutions are recruiting players for the match from their respective student bodies and staff members. Claudia Bisso-Fetzer, the Latinx student program coordinator at COCC, said the event’s purpose extends beyond the athletic competition.

“While the teams are competing on the soccer field, the goal is to celebrate and foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect,” Bisso-Fetzer said. “Come to play or cheer your team and enjoy Latin American cuisine — the event extends far beyond the final score.”

Following the match, the celebration moves to the Coats Campus Center. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees can participate in cultural activities including the Mexican board game loteria and ceramic drink coaster painting. Lunch featuring authentic cuisine from various Latin American countries will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

College officials have established points of contact for individuals requiring accessibility assistance. Those needing accommodation or transportation due to physical or mobility disabilities should contact campus services at 541-383-7775. For other accommodations, such as those related to hearing impairments, student accessibility services is available at sas@cocc.edu or 541-383-7583.

COCC students and staff interested in playing must contact latinx@cocc.edu to receive a sign-up link. The deadline to register for the soccer match is April 3.

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Campbell Porter

This week for Pet Pals, the Humane Society of Central Oregon is spotlighting Domino, a one-year-old herding mix with plenty of puppy energy and a whole lot of heart.

Domino is spunky, loving, and highly treat-motivated, making him eager to learn and easy to train with consistent positive reinforcement. While he can be a little shy when meeting new people, he quickly bonds with those he knows and would make a fantastic adventure buddy for the right family.

According to HSCO, he’s already proven himself on the trail, recently conquering the hike up Misery Ridge at Smith Rock, and loves exploring Central Oregon’s great outdoors. When playtime is over, Domino is all about cuddles, naps, and squeaky toys.

If you’re looking for a loyal, medium-sized companion to join your adventures, stop by the Humane Society of Central Oregon and meet Domino today. Here’s his page on their website.

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