Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Now that school is back in session, the Bend Police Department has an important reminder for motorists: school buses are on the road and you must obey traffic laws to keep everyone safe.

The department says school buses are equipped with flashing red or amber lights and those lights let drivers know that the bus is about to stop to pick up or drop off students.

Most school buses also have a stop sign arm that pops out from the driver’s side window.

In Oregon, you must stop for a school bus across all lanes, unless you’re on a divided highway with an unpaved median strip or barrier.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Central Oregon? Matthew Draxton highlights three local events you won’t want to miss!

For many more, and to submit your own events, visit https://events.ktvz.com.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday, September 8th, the Widgi Creek Hackers, a local golf group, will be holding their annual Folds of Honor Golf Tournament at Widgi Creek Golf Club.

The group told us the Hackers have been contributors to Folds of Honor since 2007, which is a nonprofit designed to provide educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

The Hackers say they have raised over $206,000 accumulatively and expect to have a banner year this year.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Municipal Airport’s new air traffic control tower is close to being finished.

On it’s Facebook page, Deschutes County said when finished, the tower will rise approximately 100 feet, making it the tallest building in Central Oregon. It will also improve safety and efficiency at the airport.

With more than 140,000 takeoffs and landings each year, it’s the third-busiest public use airport in Oregon.

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KTVZ – News Team

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT) will be holding a meeting next Thursday, September 11th, at Redmond City Hall and on Zoom.

That’s from 3-5 p.m. and the public is invited to make comments.

Again, it will take place at Redmond City Hall in civic room 207 and 208 and on zoom.

Click here for the Zoom link.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon’s youth through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships. We have six incredible community partnerships that we’re highlighting through a monthly segment called ‘Making a Difference’. 

This month, we’re spotlighting Every Child Central Oregon, which works to support the child welfare system in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties, as well as Warm Springs. 

“Our heart and mission has always been to go above and beyond,” said Melissa Lovemark, the executive director of the nonprofit. 

At Every Child Central Oregon, children and families impacted by foster care are uplifted through community donations. 

“We’re not just trying to give the bare minimum to kids. We want to give them more and be extremely generous,” Lovemark said. 

The nonprofit offers tangible items that kids need. 

“Everything from diapers, car seats, clothes, shoes, specialty items like toys. And then we’ll do one-off special request as well,” said Lovemark. 

Lovemark was a foster parent herself. 

“It changed my life…It changed my kids’ lives…It’s not easy. I would love to say it is, but it’s not. But it is the most rewarding thing you can do,” she said. 

Jazlyn Lepez, the warehouse coordinator and soon-to-be volunteer coordinator, has also been a foster parent—and knows firsthand the difference that a service like this can make. 

“I’m like, ‘Where do I go? Where am I going to get the help that I need?’ Knowing that we have Every Child here is really important,” said Lepez. “It’s been very impactful for me just to see how much of a difference a pack of diapers makes. I’ve had people literally tearing up at just the generosity of the community and just how important it is to them.” 

And it’s all thanks to those that step up to support the foster children in our community—but the need is ever-growing. 

“In 2024, we had a 300% increase in tangible need requests just out of this warehouse. And this year, 2025 already, we’re up another 20% requests for needs. We are meeting needs currently at about 95-98% that are sent in,” said Lovemark. “We are able to meet because of community support and the items that are coming in, but we don’t see the needs slowing down anytime soon. So any way that people can partner, sign up, get on our newsletter, just learn more about us (is helpful).” 

Every Child Central Oregon is always accepting donations and volunteer support. To view the current needs and volunteer information, click here. To view special request needs, click here.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)–The Deschutes Historical Society is celebrating Bend businesses with a ‘Legacy Business Reception’. Read the full press release below.

Legacy Business Reception at theDeschutes Historical Museum

Celebrates Local Businesses

(Bend) – Join the Deschutes County Historical Society on Saturday, September 6 from 2 to 4 pm for a Legacy Business Reception to celebrate Deschutes County businesses that have reached the 50, 75, or even 100+ year milestones.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Deschutes County Historical Society, which operates the Deschutes Historical Museum. To share in our celebration, the museum is hosting a Legacy Business Reception to not only celebrate the longevity of these businesses but also offer a chance to share the history of their business with the historical society and museum visitors and document the changes their businesses have seen and lived through. Many of them are still owned and operated by the same family.

Root beer floats and strawberry shortcake served while they last.

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Triton Notary

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team served a search warrant early Thursday morning at a Bend residence on the 60000 block of Alpine Drive.

Here is the press release from the CODE team:

Date of incident: Sept. 4, 2025

Case #: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office – 2025-48997

Arrested & Offenses:

Claxton, Shawn Allen, 55-year-old Bend resident: Felony arrest warrant

Roberts, Brach Addison, 32-year-old Bend resident: Felony arrest warrant

Anderson, Alli Elizabeth, 33-year-old Bend resident: Misdemeanor arrest warrant

Flood, Jennifer Renee, 52-year-old Bend resident: Frequenting a place where controlled substances are used

Nelson, Kathryn Michele, 60-year-old Bend resident: Frequenting a place where controlled substances are used, Possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine

Press Release Information:

At approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, detectives with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team executed a search warrant in the 60000 block of Alpine Drive in Bend. Members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) assisted CODE in serving the search warrant. Police vehicles parked in front of the residence with police lights flashing, several announcements were made directing occupants to exit the residence and that a search warrant was being served at the location. Multiple people exited the residence at that time.

After several minutes, Bend Police K9 Buck was deployed to search the residence and Brach Addison Roberts was found hiding in the residence. K9 Buck bit Roberts in his leg and arm area. Our investigation revealed Roberts had a felony warrant for his arrest and he fled into the residence when police arrived at the property. Roberts was treated at the scene for injuries and then taken to St. Charles Bend per policy. He was then lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.

During the search warrant service, police found 10 people on the property or in the residence. In addition to Roberts, two other people located at the scene had warrants for their arrest.  Shawn Allen Claxton had a felony warrant for his arrest and Alli Elizabeth Anderson had a misdemeanor warrant for her arrest. They were both lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on the above-mentioned warrants. Jennifer Renee Flood and Kathryn Michele Nelson were issued citations with a court date to appear on the above-mentioned offenses.

A search of the location revealed a small quantity of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and other drug-related items.

This was a long-term investigation with multiple reports of people coming and going from this location after short visits, consistent with drug activity. CODE detectives continued this investigation, and were able to verify that drug activity was taking place. No additional details will be released.

CODE was assisted by several local law enforcement partners, and we want to thank them all for the assistance. The CODE team will continue to investigate and take action at locations where drug activity is occurring.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies:  Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department,  Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.

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Jillian Fortner

(update: adding comments from business owners, program coordinator)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Central Oregon entrepreneurs have just days left to apply for COCC’s Small Business Management Program.

Applications are due September 8, with acceptance decisions announced September 15.

This nine-month program is designed to help business owners strengthen and grow their companies. Those who participate will get hands-on business coaching, strategic peer learning and real-world case studies. 

“The Small Business Management program is the longest running program at the Small Business Development Center. It’s been around for a few decades now. It’s a flagship program across the state as well,” Program Coordinator, Keith Sherrill explained.

Sherrill adds that the program also brings in guest experts from fields like banking and business practices, depending on the needs of each year’s cohort.

Each business owner will design and complete an individual capstone project during the course, tailored to their own business.

Annie Little, owner of Washable Laundry, recently completed the program and recommends it to other entrepreneurs. She operates laundromat locations in both Bend and Sisters.

“If you are wanting to take your business to the next level, go ahead and get into this group,” said Little.

Little says one of the biggest benefits was connecting with other local entrepreneurs to discuss the specific challenges of running a business in Central Oregon.

“I have a great network of laundromat owners across the country, none of it was specific to doing business here in Central Oregon,” Little said. “Bend really is an island and that, things that apply in major metros are really not applicable here.”

Doug Stevens, owner of Spoons of Sisters, also took part in the business program. He and his wife have run the breakfast and lunch restaurant for the past eight years.

“The networking with other small businesses was excellent. Just sharing similar issues regardless of the industry was informative and helpful,” said Doug Stevens. “Sherill is an engrossing instructor.”

The program wraps up with a live pitch event, giving participants the chance to compete for a share of $10,000 in prize money.

To qualify, applicants must already be in business for at least one year, employ at least one person, provide monthly financials, and commit to the program.

For more information or to apply, contact the COCC Small Business Development Center at sbdc@cocc.edu or 541-383-7290.

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