Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

(Update: adding video of bald eagle)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The folks at Think Wild Central Oregon wildlife hospital are thrilled to care for rescued animals of every persuasion, with a typical goal of returning them to the wild. So this was a sad week, as they were unable to save two adult bald eagles – America’s official symbol – for very different reasons. 

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office animal control officers tried on Wednesday to save a bald eagle found lying near the fog line, having been struck by a vehicle on Eagle Crest Boulevard at West Highway 126, the agency said in a Facebook post. 

They safely captured and brought the bird to Think Wild, but DCSO said that “despite every effort to manage pain and provide oxygen, the injuries were too severe, and the majestic eagle crossed the rainbow bridge,.” Still, they thanked “everyone who worked tirelessly to give this eagle a fighting chance.” 

Last Sunday, another bald eagle was rescued at Brasada Ranch Resort that was “suffering from severe lead toxicity,” according to Molly Honea, Think Wild’s development and communications manager. 

It’s not really a coincidence for the two unfortunate incidents in recent days.

“As breeding season begins, eagles and other wildlife are becoming more active and seeking nesting habitat and increasing food intake, so they can support their young when the time comes,” Honea explained to KTVZ News. 

“With the foggy weather and limited winter daylight, roadkill becomes more prevalent,” she said. “And opportunistic eaters like eagles often take advantage of these easy meals, putting themselves at risk along roadways.” 

“Eagles will also eat gut piles left behind by hunters, as well as marmots and ground squirrels that people shoot for population control,” Honea added. “If any of these food sources have been shot with lead ammunition, which fragments upon impact, the eagles can easily become sick from lead poisoning.” 

Honea said blood tests found the bald eagle rescued at Brasada Ranch “had lead levels higher than our machine can even test.” The reading was at least 62 ug/dL (micrograms per decileter) — which Honea said is six times the level considered clinical lead poisoning. 

Physical symptoms in raptors include weakness, drooped wings, inability to stand, green diarrhea and neurological damage, often appearing “drunk.”  

The American Eagle Foundation cited an eight-year study of samples across 38 states that found 47% of bald eagles and 46% of golden eagles had signs of chronic lead poisoning, which is the result of repeated lead exposure. As many as 33-35% of eagles had acute lead poisoning from exposure to high lead levels.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says bald eagles breed in 32 of Oregon’s 36 counties and are found throughout the state during non-breeding season, with an estimated 570 breeding pairs.

America’s bald eagle was brought back from the brink of extinction after the federal government banned the use of the pesticide DDT in 1972. It was listed as an endangered species six years later, but after a recovery that took decades, the bird was removed from the federal listing in 2007 and from the Oregon threatened species list in 2012.

The bald eagle was adopted as an emblem of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1782, appearing on the Great Seal to represent strength and freedom. It was formally designated the country’s official national bird by President Biden on Dec. 24, 2024.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, Central Oregon judges offered their “Cupid’s Docket” matrimonial ceremonies a day early – on Friday.

As in Friday the 13th.

But true love won’t bend to a bit of superstition, at least not for these happy couples in a nicely decorated courtroom, as Deschutes County Circuit Judge Raymond Crutchley performed the ceremonial honors.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ — Oregon taxpayers can get free help filing their federal and state personal income tax returns electronically at six different WorkSource Oregon locations across the state in February and March, including a Bend event on Wednesday, March 21. 

WorkSource Oregon and the Oregon Department of Revenue are teaming up to provide the assistance. Volunteers from Revenue will be stationed at local WorkSource Oregon centers to help guide taxpayers through the filing process using the free public-access computers and Wi-Fi internet service, according to a news release Friday that continues in full below: 

“WorkSource Oregon centers are trusted community spaces where Oregonians come to find jobs, build skills, and get connected to services,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, director of the Oregon Employment Department, which is a partner of WorkSource Oregon. 

“Partnering with the Department of Revenue to offer free tax filing assistance is a natural extension of our customer-service mission. We are thrilled to help Oregonians get support in filing their taxes, claiming the credits they’ve earned, and keeping more money in their pockets.” 

David Gerstenfeld, Department of Revenue director, said, “We know that filing your taxes can be a scary and confusing process. We are excited to partner with WorkSource Oregon to provide in person help to make it easier for Oregonians to file their taxes for free, check if they are eligible for refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Oregon Kids Credit, and claim their share of the kicker.” 

WorkSource Oregon is a statewide partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and state, local and non-profit agencies. WorkSource provides a variety of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Oregon, helping people find jobs and businesses find talent.  

Taxpayers are encouraged to set up a Revenue Online account through the Department of Revenue’s website before coming to an event if they plan to use Direct File Oregon. They should bring tax information with them, including:  

Social security number or ITIN for everyone on their tax return  

Forms W-2 (wages from a job)  

Forms 1099-G, 1099-R, 1099-INT (other income) if applicable  

Form SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits)  

Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (can be found on their checks) 

Last year’s tax return 

The full schedule includes events at the following locations. 

February 18 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon 120 E Lincoln St #115B Woodburn, OR 97071  
February 25 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon 241 SE Edgeway Dr Beaverton, OR 97006 

March 4 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon – Lane 2510 Oakmont Way Eugene, OR 97401 
March 11 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon 6401 SE Foster Rd Portland, OR 97206 

 March 18 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon 44 Industrial Way B Lebanon, OR 97355 
 March 25 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WorkSource Oregon – Bend 11007 SW Emkay Dr Bend, OR 97702 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The family that owns Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. has purchased the Crux Fermentation Project, part of a newly announced coalition of five Central Oregon craft breweries, to be called the Oregon Beverage Collective aimed at helping all of the familiar brands thrive.

Andy Rhine, general manager and co-owner of Cascade Lakes, founded in 1994, confirmed to KTVZ News on Friday that the Rhine family had purchased Crux Fermentation from co-owners Paul Evers and Larry Sidor for an undisclosed sum.

The partnership, known as OBC, says it will focus on shared resources and community investment to address rising industry costs. Steve Augustyn, the owner of Silver Moon Brewing, will serve as the chief executive officer of the collective, which unites brands ranging from not-for-profit models to long-standing regional labels.

According to a report from the New School Beer website, Rhine will serve as the president of OBC, while Augustyn will serve as the CEO.

Their report says GoodLife, Silver Moon and Tumalo Cider remain privately owned and controlled, while Cascade Lakes and Crux are merging to expand production capabilities.

Rhine also clarified that the Rhine family has purchased Crux as an independent acquisition. In other words, Cascade Lakes doesn’t own Crux, but the same family owns both brands.

Here’s a detailed Q&A that Andy Rhine provided to KTVZ News about the reasons behind the new collective and what it will mean for the five breweries, which also include Silver Moon Brewing, GoodLife Brewing and Tumalo Cider Co.

When did OBC first germinate? Who approached whom about it?

The collective has been almost a year in the making. It really began with early conversations between Steve and Andy, and from there it naturally grew as different breweries and organizations started connecting with one another. It’s less about any one person approaching another and more about a group of like‑minded, beer‑loving folks recognizing the value of working together to keep craft beer strong in our region.

It’s no secret that the craft beer industry is struggling. But from the outside, Central Oregon has seemed fairly immune inasmuch as no breweries have closed due to insolvency. What’s your most honest take on how Central Oregon brewers, on the whole, are doing?

It’s no secret that the craft beer industry is challenging, but we’re fortunate to be in a region that genuinely loves and supports craft beer. Central Oregon breweries have always been quick on their feet — reinventing, adapting, and finding new ways to connect with their communities. And despite any headwinds, there’s a real sense of optimism here. Our brewers are resilient, creative, and committed to keeping this scene vibrant for years to come.

There are 27 brewing companies and 3 cider companies between Bend, Redmond and Sisters. How did the OBC come to include these 5 brands, was any other nearly involved (that you’re at liberty to mention) and is the door open for others to join the fold?

Because of the nature of forming the Collective, we needed to keep the process confidential while agreements were finalized. These are the only brands involved at this time, and we’re genuinely excited about what this group can create together. 

Please explain the brass tacks. I know GoodLife is decommissioning its brewing facility and production was already going to you. But will CL, Crux, SM and Tumalo continue to brew their respective fermentations in-house (and only their own)? Who’s actively canning and who will package all 5 respective brands?

Almost all brewing will be transitioning to Crux Fermentation Project’s facility. Larry and the Crux team have built an exceptional, high‑quality space capable of producing an incredibly wide range of beverages. What’s important to emphasize is that each brand will continue to create its own distinct beers — the recipes, styles, and personalities aren’t changing. We’re simply bringing production into a shared, state‑of‑the‑art space that allows every brand in the Collective to grow, innovate, and operate more efficiently.

What are the tangible benefits? Will the four beer brands buy raw materials (ingredients, aluminum, labels, kegs) on their own or is that all folding into singular purchase orders?

Economies of scale on raw materials are a major benefit for every brand in the Collective. We’ll be collaborating across several areas of our businesses, and this approach also helps our distribution partners operate more efficiently with shipping costs.

Will anything change, from the customer perspective, at any of the 5 brands? If so, what and when? Will labels have the OBC logo added?

Each of the five breweries will retain its own identity. Every brand has its own personality, history, and place in the community, and that’s not changing — from the look and feel of the pubs to the beer styles people know and love. What is exciting is the opportunity this collective creates for future collaborations, shared projects, and creative cross‑branding. Think of it as five strong, independent voices that now have the unique opportunity to share wisdom, without losing what makes each one special.

Are any employees being made redundant (being let go)?

Our priority is to maintain as much of our teams as possible. This collective isn’t about reducing staff — it’s about creating a larger, stronger group with more room to grow. By bringing these breweries together, we’re opening the door to new opportunities, not closing them.

The release says “Crux leads the way” for OBC. Are Larry and Paul really still involved? Moving the pub system and selling the pub building, plus closing the new PDX pub, doesn’t look great. Would Crux, or any of the 5 brands, likely have disappeared without this development?

When we say this brand is ‘leading the way,’ we’re really talking about scale. They’ve built a presence that reaches beyond the Pacific Northwest, and that footprint is a testament to the work Larry and Paul have put in over the years. While they’re officially passing the torch, they’re still very much advocates and advisors for Crux.

None of the brands in this collective were struggling or in need of saving — each one stands strong on its own. But now that this collaboration is real, the possibilities expand. Working together makes every brand more resilient, more creative, and more viable for the long term. That’s the exciting part.

Here’s the full news release: 

FIVE CENTRAL OREGON CRAFT BEVERAGE BRANDS PARTNER TO CREATE THE ‘OREGON BEVERAGE COLLECTIVE’  

The new production partnership includes five of the region’s most recognizable brands, including Crux, Silver Moon, Cascade Lakes Brewing, GoodLife, and Tumalo Cider 

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In a move that underscores the power of collaboration and the enduring spirit of Central Oregon’s craft beverage community, five iconic brands — Crux Fermentation Project, Silver Moon Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing Co., GoodLife Brewing, and Tumalo Cider Co. — are joining forces under a newly formed coalition named Oregon Beverage Collective.

This strategic partnership is more than a business decision; it’s a shared commitment to preserving local legacy brands, investing in community, and building a sustainable future for regional beverages. 

Crux Fermentation Project leads the way in this alliance. Crux has been a local Central Oregon brand since 2012, and over the years, it has built its name across the Pacific Northwest. Crux is constantly pushing boundaries with inventive beverages, such as NØMØ non-alcoholic brews, and a commitment to traditional techniques, such as barrel aging and brewing with whole-cone hops. Crux’s blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and community presence has made it a standout force in the vibrant craft beer scene for over 14 years. 

“We’re incredibly proud to have the Crux legacy join those who call Central Oregon home, but who also share our passion for pushing forward,” said Larry Sidor, Crux co-founder and former brewmaster. “This alliance will ensure Crux will grow in the collaborative hands of folks who truly get what makes it special.”  

Added Paul Evers, who also co-founded Crux: “Crux has always been anchored in community and collaboration from the beginning — in many ways, it’s always belonged to the people who gathered on the lawn and filled the tasting room. This Collective is a natural extension of that ethos — a community of breweries marching together into the next era of craft beverages. We’ve known the team behind the other brands in this Collective for years, and they’re a natural fit to join forces in this next chapter.”  

At the heart of this alliance is Steve Augustyn of Silver Moon Brewing, known for creating the pub’s vibrant culture while maintaining its bold beers and deep community roots. Silver Moon has a history that spans facility ownership, contract brewing, and serving as a contract partner, which brings a 360-degree perspective to the coalition. Silver Moon’s collaborative partnership with Tumalo Cider, which began in early 2025, reinforces the commitment to keeping the community strong.  

“Silver Moon has always thrived on energy, creativity, and connection,” said Steve Augustyn, owner of Silver Moon Brewing. “After 25 years, it seems as if we’ve lived every role in the brewing world, and that gives us a unique lens on what works—and what doesn’t. This coalition is a chance to share those lessons, amplify our strengths, and keep pushing the boundaries of what Oregon beer can be.” 

Cascade Lakes Brewing, Oregon’s first and only not-for-profit brewery, has a strong production backbone, operational stability, and a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead. 

“With our production facility in Redmond, we’ve felt the pressure of rising costs firsthand,” said Andy Rhine, owner of Cascade Lakes. “This partnership allows us to continue operations while staying true to our mission. Beer and alternative beverages are key to growth and sustainability, and we’re excited to explore new possibilities together.” 

GoodLife Brewing is another beloved brand in this community and is eager to join forces.  

“GoodLife was built on community, creativity, and innovation,” said Garett Oliphant, co-owner and visionary of GoodLife Brewing. “With rising costs from real estate and suppliers, collaboration just makes sense. It allows us to protect what matters most: keeping beer accessible for our customers, and ensuring GoodLife thrives long into the future.”  

Billy Muzio, co-owner and business strategist, added: “By sharing resources, we gain purchasing power, efficiency, and scalability that make growth possible.”  

Together, Oliphant and Muzio see this partnership as a natural evolution of Bend’s brewing culture. 

OBC is led by a team with deep industry experience and a passion for regional pride. Together, these brands are proving that in Central Oregon, collaboration isn’t just a strategy — it’s a way of life. 

“This coalition is about more than beer—it’s about legacy, leadership, and lasting local impact,” said Steve Augustyn, who will serve as CEO of OBC. “We’re coming together to ensure beloved brands not only survive, but thrive. Our strategic partners reflect the spirit of Central Oregon: from Crux Fermentation’s innovation and creativity, to Cascade Lakes’ not-for-profit driven model, to Silver Moon’s community-forward events like F Cancer, to GoodLife’s investment in family-friendly spaces, to Tumalo’s strong branding and community presence.  

“This isn’t just business—it’s a shared commitment to the people and places that make this region special,” Augustyn added. “And with new products on the horizon, we’re just getting started.” 

About Oregon Beverage Collective 

Oregon Beverage Collective (OBC) is a collaborative production partnership uniting some of Central Oregon’s most recognized craft beverage brands, including Crux Fermentation Project, Silver Moon Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, GoodLife Brewing, and Tumalo Cider Co. Formed to strengthen operational sustainability while preserving the individuality and legacy of each brand, the Collective focuses on shared resources, innovation, and community investment to create world-class craft beverages that make Central Oregon proud. For more information, visit oregonbeveragecollective.com

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregonians wagered $8.4 million on this year’s Super Bowl, making it the state’s largest single sports betting event of the year. The wagers, placed through the Oregon Lottery’s DraftKings Sportsbook, generated more than $1.3 million in revenue for the state, according to the Oregon Lottery.

The total amount wagered increased from the $8.2 million recorded during last year’s Super Bowl. Despite the increase in the total amount bet, officials noted that state revenue trended lower than the previous year due to high volumes of winning bets placed on the Seattle Seahawks.

This year, the average wager for the event was $18.30. While the total amount wagered grew, the total number of bets placed was slightly more than 450,000, compared to 456,000 bets recorded last year.

Kerry Hemphill, the Oregon Lottery sports betting products manager, explained that revenue was influenced by local betting preferences. “The Super Bowl is a significant revenue-driving event for Oregon,” Hemphill said. “This year, revenue trended down from last year because of the strong in-state support for the Seahawks, who were favored and won.”

Players had access to more than 1,000 prop bets, which are wagers on specific events within the game such as which team would score first or who would be named MVP. The coin toss drew 9,159 bets, resulting in 3,932 winners who correctly picked the Patriots to win the toss. Additionally, 1,488 players correctly guessed that the color of the Gatorade used in the celebration would be yellow.

The largest individual win of the day belonged to a Portland resident. The player placed a $1,000 bet in August 2025 on the Seahawks to win the game, which resulted in a $60,000 payout.

The Oregon Lottery first launched its online sports betting platform in October 2019. Since the lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $17.8 billion for various state programs. These funds support economic development, public education, state parks, veteran services and watershed enhancements.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, has proposed that the county purchase Mount Bachelor to ensure the ski resort remains a community asset. Imhoff suggested the acquisition would help maintain affordability for residents instead of catering primarily to tourists and shareholders.

The proposal follows a brief period last year when the resort’s owner, Powdr, put the mountain up for sale before taking it off the market. While the plan aims for local control, current county officials and other candidates have raised concerns about the multi-million dollar price tag and the county’s existing debt obligations for projects like the jail and courthouse.

Imhoff, who is running for the new fifth seat on the Deschutes County Commission, explained that his proposal aims to shift the mountain’s priority away from corporate profits. Imhoff described the plan as a way to prioritize local residents over the tourism industry.

“I don’t think the county should act as a manager of the mountain,” Imhoff said. “The idea was that the county is going to try to purchase it so that it remains an asset for Deschutes County and it doesn’t pay off business shareholders that really don’t have any vested interest in anything more than just making more money with the mountain.”

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang described the proposal as a risky business venture, citing the region’s inconsistent year-to-year weather patterns. Chang noted that the county is currently managing several significant financial commitments, including a $20 million bond for the county courthouse, a new jail and a planned sports complex.

“We would have to be prepared to issue a couple hundred million dollars worth of bonds,” Chang said. “Deschutes County’s debt financing capacity is already spoken for for years to come. I can’t see us going to the voters and borrowing a couple of $100 million more, to purchase Mount Bachelor when it’s not core county business.”

While Chang expressed support for the idea of local ownership, he said the resort should be purchased by a private business rather than the county government.

Morgan Schmidt, who is also running for the commission’s fifth seat, expressed concern about the county’s financial health. “Two things can be true: local, co-op ownership of Mt. Bachelor would be a win for our families, economy and community – and – our county is facing hard financial decisions,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt noted that the county is currently dealing with an affordable housing crisis, wildfire risks, water scarcity and cuts to mental health funding. “We need to focus on keeping essential services open, not buying a ski resort,” Schmidt said.

Rondo Boozell, another candidate for the seat, declined to comment on the proposal.

Imhoff added that the purchase is not currently a top priority for his campaign, but said he hopes the proposal will start a conversation about the future of the mountain.

The feasibility of such a purchase faces several logistical hurdles. Mount Bachelor is situated on U.S. Forest Service land, which would require the county to reach an agreement with the federal government. Additionally, a sale would require the current owner, Powdr, to be willing to sell the property. Running the resort would also involve significant annual operational costs.

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Campbell Porter

Brian Faddis kicks things off with an impressive 8-pound rainbow trout from Tumalo Reservoir, followed by Jacob Rudback’s massive rainbow out of Haystack Reservoir. Cassie Conte reels in a jaw-dropping 5-foot wahoo from somewhere outside Central Oregon, and Rusty Buckwheat rounds it out with a big steelhead from the No-See-Um River. Got a catch worth bragging about? Send us your Big Ol’ Fish photos on the contest tab at KTVZ.com. Include the size, location, and who’s in the picture!

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —   With the weather recently, folks in Downtown Bend were seen swapping their heavy coats for light jackets. The unusually warm weather this February has lead to a lack of snow that has disrupted local winter sports and slowed downtown business activity.

While locals typically expect snow on the ground this time of year, some have been seen wearing shorts or paddle boarding on the river Thursday. The unseasonable temperatures resulted in the temporary closure of the Hoodoo ski area last week.

Jill Neal, a resident of Sisters who frequently visits Hoodoo, said the current lack of snow is disappointing but not unprecedented for the region. She recalled previous years where winter recreation was limited. “This isn’t the first time, I’ve seen Bachelor not open,” Neal said. “I’ve seen it where they’re golfing Black Butte in February.”

The lack of snow has also impacted the local economy in Downtown Bend. Sage Goldstein, an employee at Bellataza, said the unpredictability of the weather has kept some visitors away. “There’s a lot of people who come to Bend for Mt. Bachelor for snow skiing and snowboarding. They haven’t been here as much this winter because of that.”

Bend resident Kellen Elliot, whose father works at Mt. Bachelor, said, “it’s tough to see them not being able to get the business that we usually do here.”

The manager of Clementines Boutique, who declined to be on camera, also reported that foot traffic has been slower than normal this winter.

John Fisher, a local resident, said the community feels the ripple effects when the mountain resorts are not fully operational. “People are feeling that down here, they’re fewer tourists and, especially if you’re working,” John said. “Our economy feels it when the mountain’s not doing well.”

Beyond the immediate impact on tourism, some residents are raising concerns about the long-term environmental and agricultural effects of a dry winter. Marty Nelson, a local resident, said his friends in the agriculture community are worried about future water supplies. “They’re all concerned about the water and the irrigation system,” Nelson said.

Goldstein added that the winter snowpack is a critical resource for the upcoming summer months. “One of the big reasons that we we pray and we hope for snow is because when it melts off, that helps us with fire season,” Goldstein said. She noted that a lack of melting snow could negatively impact the severity of the fire season.

Despite this, residents remain optimistic and hopeful. Neal predicts, “we’ll get a big dump in March,” while Nelson chanted, “Come on snow!”

Matthew Draxton spoke with some tourists visiting the region, who declined to be on camera, and who opted for shopping instead of snowshoeing during their trip.

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Barney Lerten

WEST LINN, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Crooked River Ranch man who pleaded guilty to the Halloween night masked holdup of a downtown Redmond cafe failed to appear for sentencing Wednesday and was killed in a crash hours later while being pursued for speeding on a Portland-area freeway, Oregon State Police said.

Douglas Richard York, 54, died in the crash on Interstate 205 near West Linn about four hours after he failed to show up for sentencing at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court. He had agreed to a plea deal on Feb. 2 and faced a sentence of at least 11 years in prison, court records show.

OSP said troopers responded at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday to the three-vehicle crash on I-205 near milepost 6.

According to a preliminary investigation, Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies had been pursuing a speeding white 2002 Lexus driven by York, who was heading south on I-205 near West Linn.

York’s car rear-ended a VW Golf driven by a 34-year-old Oregon City man. He then apparently lost control and the Lexus rolled, throwing him from the car, troopers said.

York then was struck by a gray Toyota Corolla driven by a 31-year-old Sherwood woman and died at the scene.

OSP said York later was identified as the subject of a statewide felony warrant and BOLO (be on the lookout) alert from earlier in the day.

York, who had a criminal record dating back to 1991, was arrested on eight felony charges in early December at his home by members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team in the Oct. 31 robbery of Sassy’s Cafe.

His initial bail of over $500,000 was reduced to $100,000 after a defense lawyer said York lived with his 82-year-old father, who neeed his assistance and care.

Two days after his recent guilty plea, York signed a conditional release agreement, promising to appear in court on Wednesday.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: correction to time truck driver called to report)

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The FBI is asking for the public’s help after a fatal hit-and-run on Highway 26 that killed a Warm Springs tribal elder earlier this month.

Mary Smith, who lived on the Warm Springs reservation, was struck and left in the roadway during the early morning hours of February 10th. Her body was found near milepost 88, about a mile from her home.

Mary, who had dementia, was known to occasionally wander from home and walk along the highway. Family members or neighbors usually found her and brought her back safely. But on this night, she never made it home.

Maria Gutierrez, Mary’s granddaughter, described her grandmother as a kind, gentle spirit and said their family is struggling to imagine life without her. “Her spirit, her kindness — that woman had no mean bone in her body,” she said. “February 10th, 2:50 a.m. is where my world stopped. All I kept saying this whole week is, I want to wake up now. I’m ready to wake up.”

Family members say losing Mary has left a deep void, both within their family and the greater Warm Springs community. Elders hold a sacred role in tribal life — they are seen as teachers, tradition keepers, and the community’s heart.

Traditionally, the family has begun mourning rituals that include burning belongings and covering hair so that spirits are not held back. Gutierrez says justice is now part of that process. “I don’t want her to be remembered as just someone lying in the middle of a highway,” she said. “She was so much more than that. And she deserves a voice. We are her voice.”

A truck driver, Will Tate, told KTVZ News in a phone call that he was the person who first reported what he believed was an animal blocking the roadway around midnight. “Had he known it was a person, he would have stopped,” his wife, Melyssa Tate, wrote in a social media post. The FBI later interviewed Tate, his employer, and inspected his truck, determining he had no involvement or fault in the crash — only that he did the right thing by calling it in.

Federal investigators say the incident occurred between midnight and 12:25 a.m. and are urging anyone who may have seen vehicles or people in the area to contact them.

For Mary’s loved ones, her legacy is centered on love. “Live life the way she did — with that kindness,” Gutierrez said. “There’s no reason to hate people. Love everybody. Because at the end of the day, that’s all you have — each other. So hold on to that.”

The FBI asks anyone with possible information related to the crash to submit tips at tips.fbi.gov. Officials say no detail is too small in helping bring justice for a grandmother, an elder, and a life that mattered.

Earlier Story — WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The FBI asked the public for tips Thursday after a fatal hit-and-run crash on Highway 26 that killed a Warm Springs tribal elder.

The agency told KTVZ News that the crash occurred near milepost 88 north of Warm Springs on the tribal reservation between midnight and 12:25 a.m. on Tuesday.

Anyone with information regarding vehicles or people in the area is asked to contact the FBI at http://tips.fbi.gov.

“We have nothing more to add at the moment,” the FBI said, “but we are actively seeking information.”

KTVZ News has been in contact with the woman’s family. They confirmed to us that she was a tribal elder suffering from dementia.

We’ll have more information and updates as this story develops in the coming days.

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