Author: KTVZ

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A unique 9/11 memorial is currently on display for the public in Bend.

The exhibit is located at the intersection of Nashville Avenue and Harmon Boulevard. It consists of regional and local newspaper issues from September 11 and the days immediately following. The preserved clippings capture the intense emotions and uncertainty felt in the aftermath of the attacks. Catherine Cummings, a retired local social studies educator, created the exhibit alongside her students in 2001.

In the first week following the tragedy, students were bringing in newspaper clippings, which eventually came together to become an exhibit. “We got some help from a teacher aide who put it all together and laminated it,” Cummings said. “And while I was teaching every year on 9/11, we would put it out in our commons and students would gather around and talk about it and, share their memories of it.”

The clippings served as an educational tool throughout Cummings 30 year career, coming out every September 11th. Now it’s on display for the public, who are invited to view and react to the display.

Coincidentally, while KTVZ was recording at the site, a former student of Cummings visited the memorial alongside her children. Now a parent herself, the former student and the group used the occasion to allow the children to ask questions about Sept. 11.

Cummings plans to display the newspaper collection once more the following day so additional visitors may view the exhibit.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week’s Pet Pals features not one, but three kittens looking for families of their own.

Lynne from The Humane Society of Central Oregon brought three 9-week-old kittens to the show: Hiram, Ice, and Mira. They are three of five kittens from the same litter.

The kittens are social and friendly and are very accustomed to being around one another. Staff say they could use some extra one-on-one attention and snuggles with people as they get ready for adoption.

At 9 weeks old, the kittens are a little bigger than very young kittens, making them a good fit for a variety of homes, including families with children.

The kittens are expected to be ready for adoption Wednesday, following scheduled surgeries Tuesday. HSCO says adoption holds cannot be placed in advance, so prospective adopters should check the shelter’s website for updates.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon is partnering with Bend Oktoberfest to host the crowd-favorite Bark Bash dog races. The event takes place on Saturday, September 19th from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the lawn of the Deschutes Historical Museum in downtown Bend.

To learn more about Hiram, Ice, Mira and other animals available for adoption, visit the Humane Society of Central Oregon.

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Lance Campbell

Central Oregon — Communities across Central Oregon are marking 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with memorials and displays honoring the lives lost.

In Prineville, a 9/11 memorial display is set up at Town Plaza and on the Crook County Courthouse lawn along Third Street. Organizers say the display will remain open to the public through 3 p.m. Sunday, with flags and other displays illuminated in the evenings.

This is the fifth year the Prineville memorial has been held.

Similar tributes can also be seen in Bend, Redmond and the rest of the High Desert as people across Central Oregon take time to remember those lost in the September 11 attacks and honor the first responders who responded that day.

KTVZ’s Lance Campbell is visiting memorials across Central Oregon today. Watch KTVZ at 6 for more on how local communities are remembering September 11, 25 years later.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Cultural Trust announced Friday it is awarding a record $4.5 million to more than 450 organizations across the state for the 2027 fiscal year. The funding supports arts, culture, heritage and humanities programs in every county and tribe in Oregon.

The distribution of funds is defined under Oregon statute ORS 359, which directs resources to state cultural partners, regional coalitions and nonprofit organizations. The record funding was made possible by donations from more than 10,000 Oregonians during the 2026 fiscal year through the state’s Cultural Tax Credit, a program created by the Oregon Legislature 25 years ago.

The $4.5 million distribution includes $1,125,423 split equally among the trust’s five core cultural partners: the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Historical Society and the State Historic Preservation Office. Another $1,125,423 is allocated to 45 regional County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions through a per capita formula, allowing volunteer-led coalitions to regrant funds within their local communities.

The remaining $2,250,846 is being distributed to 104 cultural nonprofits through the competitive Cultural Development Program. Individual grant awards range from $5,000 to $40,000, with 49% of eligible applications receiving between 75% and 100% of their requested amounts following peer panel reviews.

Amy Lewin, Oregon’s director of arts and culture, noted that community requests have grown alongside donor contributions.

“Oregon’s big idea of funding arts, heritage and humanities, established a generation ago, continues to sustain the core components of community vitality and resilience – and yet as we have received an increase in donations, so have the requests for support increased,” Lewin said. “This unique funding model is becoming a critical resource for supporting learning, historic preservation and valued engagement for communities large and small and in every corner of the state.”

Several major cultural development grants focus on digital archiving and media inclusion. The Albina Music Trust in Portland received $40,000 to support the Albina Community Archive, which preserves photos, audio recordings and oral histories documenting Black Oregonians. Capital Community Media in Salem was awarded $40,000 to create hyper-local Spanish-language TV programming, while the Clatsop County Historical Society in Warrenton received $14,000 to acquire large-format scanning and video preservation equipment.

Other grant recipients are expanding facilities and public programming across Oregon. The Dry Canyon Arts Association in Redmond received $31,000 to renovate 1,500 square feet into additional classroom and workshop space for its community art center. In Portland, the Portland Art Museum was awarded $40,000 to plan and conserve its Native American permanent collections galleries and The Vanport Mosaic received $40,000 to launch a public digital archive documenting the history of Vanport prior to the 1948 flood.

Grants were also awarded for statewide access initiatives and performance projects. The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus received $12,000 for its Rural Harmony Tour in Prineville, Madras, Sisters and Klamath Falls. SMART Reading in Portland received $10,000 to distribute diverse children’s literature in rural communities and enTaiko in Portland was awarded $38,000 for an inclusive performance project incorporating deaf, blind and disabled artists.

For projects with multi-year timelines, the Josephine Community Library Foundation in Grants Pass received $40,000 to complete design construction documents for a new downtown library, where groundbreaking is scheduled for 2028. Additionally, the Eastside Jewish Commons in Portland received $28,000 to support the third annual Portland Jewish Music Festival, scheduled for May 5-16, 2027.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — First Interstate Bank will close all of its branches at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to host its ninth annual Volunteer Day. Nearly 400 community service projects are planned across the company’s 10-state footprint.

The companywide initiative provides thousands of employees paid time off during the afternoon to volunteer for local nonprofits, schools and community programs. Participating projects span communities in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Mo., Mont., Neb., Ore., S.D., Wash. and Wyoming.

Volunteer Day began in 2018 as part of the bank’s 50th anniversary celebration. Headquartered in Billings, Mont., First Interstate operates nearly 300 offices. The company’s corporate philanthropy program includes matching employees’ personal financial contributions and donating $10 per hour for volunteer work conducted at qualifying organizations.

Jim Reuter serves as president and chief executive officer of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. He emphasized the initiative’s focus on direct community involvement.

“Volunteer Day is one of the many ways we invest in the communities that support us every day,” Reuter said. “By stepping outside the workplace and into our neighborhoods, our employees build meaningful connections and help make a difference where it matters most.”

In Bend and Redmond, Ore., 100 local bank employees will participate in 13 service projects for area nonprofits. Volunteers will partner with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council on garbage removal and non-native plant removal. Other activities include completing exterior landscaping at the Heart of Oregon Corps campus, sewing blankets for HeartWarmers, building a display for Healing Reins and making blankets for patients at St. Charles Health System.

Bank branches across the 10 states will close at noon local time on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with employee volunteer projects taking place throughout the afternoon.

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Adrielle Hasara

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in Central Oregon? Adrielle Hasara highlights three local events, from the return of the Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Open House to The Veterans Club 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.

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

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek and state housing leaders presented progress reports on Oregon’s housing and homelessness strategies this week before the Legislature’s House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness. State emergency actions between January 2023 and September 2025 created or maintained 6,286 shelter beds and rehoused 5,539 people from unsheltered homelessness.

According to the Governor’s Office press release, the state’s emergency response also provided short-term eviction prevention assistance to 25,942 households. The overall strategy focuses on four key areas: expanding shelter capacity, providing rehousing services, offering long-term rent assistance and delivering eviction prevention support.

Gov. Kotek highlighted the administration’s focus on expanding housing options across the state. “Whether you’re renting, buying a home for the first time, or needing temporary shelter to get back on your feet, we’re fighting to create more options for you,” Kotek said. “Housing has been a priority since day one of my administration and we’re seeing tangible progress.”

Liz Weber, director of housing stabilization at Oregon Housing and Community Services, emphasized the impact of ongoing state investments on local communities. “Every shelter bed maintained, every household that avoids homelessness and every person who moves into a stable home represents someone with a safer place to sleep and a stronger foundation for what comes next,” Weber said. “We’ve made meaningful progress and continued investment is critical to sustaining that progress and reaching more Oregonians.”

In Southern Oregon, local leaders in Jackson County reduced unsheltered homelessness by 24% and chronic homelessness by 58%. The county also decreased the average wait time to get into housing by nearly three months and moved more than 1,000 families and individuals into permanent housing. Melanie Doshier, chief program officer for ACCESS in Jackson County, attributed the results to ongoing funding. “Sustained investment and support from leaders like Gov. Kotek keeping housing front and center is what keeps these numbers moving in the right direction,” Doshier said.

In Central Oregon, homelessness across three counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs decreased by 19.1% following state investments in a regional care system. State Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Southern Jackson County, who serves as chair of the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness, pointed to the collaborative effort behind the figures. “This is an all-hands-on-deck effort focusing on outcomes and investing in proven solutions,” Marsh said. “Housing is part of every family’s monthly budget and remains a top priority across the state. I’m grateful for the Governor’s partnership to sustain our shelter system and build more housing for more Oregonians.”

In Coos County, streamlined local processes combined with state support led to a 40.9% drop in unsheltered homelessness, an 85.5% reduction in unsheltered veterans and a 22.8% decrease in overall homelessness. Local service provider Alternative Youth Services doubled the number of individuals and households served. Nichole Rutherford, city manager of the City of Coos Bay, noted the effect of state resources on local outcomes. “For years, communities like ours were asked whether these approaches work. Our experience over this biennium gives us an answer: when resources reached the ground at sufficient scale, the outcomes changed,” Rutherford said. “We aren’t finished, but we aren’t starting over, either. The Governor’s advocacy and leadership on this issue and the state’s investment have given us something real to build from.”

Beyond shelter and rehousing initiatives, state data show Oregon housing starts increased 11.3% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, compared to a 1.3% decline nationally. State efforts have placed more than 50,000 future homes in the production pipeline. Maria Elena Guerra of the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation stressed the importance of early-stage funding for development. “Building affordable housing is critical to an Oregon where everyone has stable housing,” Guerra said. “Making sure that we invest on the front end in creative financing tools for developers—especially in land acquisition and predevelopment—will help us reach this shared goal faster. Thank you to Gov. Kotek for being a champion on this issue and doing the work of speaking to both public and private sector partners to move the needle.”

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon organization that has spent years providing essential items and support to families involved in child welfare is joining forces with NeighborImpact.

Every Child Central Oregon, also known as Marked for Love, is now part of NeighborImpact’s supportive services department. The partnership is intended to provide the program with additional resources and infrastructure as demand for its services continues to grow.

Every Child Central Oregon is one of KTVZ’s six incredible 21 Cares for Kids partners.

Melissa Lovemark, the supportive services director for NeighborImpact and founder of Every Child, said conversations between the organizations began in October 2025. At the time, Every Child Central Oregon was already partnering with NeighborImpact through its Diaper Bank program.

“We began conversations with NeighborImpact in October of 2025,” Lovemark said. “We were already partnering with them on Diaper Bank. And we just started talking about what else we could partner on. And it made really good sense.”

The partnership became official in May 2026.

Lovemark said Every Child Central Oregon began as a grassroots effort that operated out of her garage before growing substantially over nearly eight years.

As the organization expanded, more time and resources were being devoted to administrative and structural work needed to keep it running.

Lovemark said joining NeighborImpact will allow the program to focus more resources on serving families.

“This coming together with NeighborImpact really gives us the ability to run and to serve more people, to give infrastructure and staff to things that my tiny team was piecing out and trying to do,” she said.

Every Child Central Oregon will continue operating under its existing name and providing its community tangible support program, My Neighbor, to families involved in child welfare.

“We have more requests than ever. We have more items going out than ever,” Lovemark said.

Lovemark said even with the support of a larger organization, community support is still critical.

“I’d say at this moment, right now on our Every Child Central Oregon website, we have quite a few tangible needs items that kids and families are needing. So please go there,” she said. “Also, our Amazon Wishlist is up to date so you can buy things there. And those go directly to families and items that have been requested and continue to support us financially.”

The organization’s warehouse has also moved to the NeighborImpact campus in Redmond, bringing the operations under one roof.

Lovemark said the new structure will allow the program to grow while reducing some of the barriers the organization faced as a smaller nonprofit.

The partnership will also allow Lovemark to work within NeighborImpact’s supportive services department to explore additional ways to support families involved in child welfare.

Community support remains an important part of the program, Lovemark said. People can help by providing items requested by families through the Every Child Central Oregon website and its Amazon wish list. Financial contributions are also needed as demand for services continues to increase.

“Just because we joined a bigger hood doesn’t mean that the work doesn’t need support still,” Lovemark said. “It is, like I said, growing, and we still need the community in the same way we did before.”

The partnership is also bringing the organization back to its roots.

Lovemark said Every Child Central Oregon originally started under NeighborImpact, which served as its fiscal sponsor before the organization eventually became independent.

“And then we went out on our own and then kind of just came home,” Lovemark said.

Click here to learn more about Every Child Central Oregon.

Click here for the Tangible Needs list.

Click here for the Amazon Wishlist.

Click here to learn more about KTVZ’s 21 Cares for Kids partners.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Bend Fire and Rescue Shift Battalion Chief Bob Madden reflected on his deployment to Ground Zero and the lasting impacts of the terror attacks as the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001.

Madden was among the Central Oregon first responders deployed to New York City following the attack on the World Trade Center.

‘It was our Pearl Harbor’

Madden’s task force was activated in the days following the attacks, sending his team across the country to provide logistical support for crews working at Ground Zero.

The team was stationed at Firehouse 10, known as Ten House, located directly across the street from the World Trade Center site.

Madden recalled waking up on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, to news that American Airlines Flight 11 had struck the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time. He spoke with his two sons before heading into work early alongside fellow firefighters who gathered around television screens.

“It was our Pearl Harbor,” Madden said. “So, you know, people my age will know exactly what they were doing at the moment. They found out just like my parents did Pearl Harbor.”

Watching the towers fall

As Madden arrived at the fire station, the South Tower collapsed 56 minutes after being struck. At 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, after burning for one hour and 42 minutes, the North Tower also collapsed, spreading dust and rubble across Lower Manhattan.

“I remember telling the boys, my two sons, that something bad happened, but you’re going to be okay,” Madden said. “And then shortly after I walked in, the South Tower collapsed. That was the second one hit, but the first one that collapsed.”

Madden added that as the towers fell, crew members realized the catastrophic scale of the loss, thinking of tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of first responders gone in an instant.

Central Oregon team called to help

Community members visited Bend fire stations in solidarity as first responders prepared for potential deployment. Madden admitted he was initially skeptical that federal or local officials in New York would need assistance from an Oregon crew, though his wife insisted their team would be called.

“And sure enough, our team got called,” Madden said.

He recalled his familiarity with Lower Manhattan, where his father had grown up in Brooklyn and where Madden had once posed for a photograph in front of the World Trade Center towers while they were under construction.

Inside Ten House

Upon arriving in New York, Madden’s assignment focused on logistical support to ensure ground crews had necessary supplies. His team set up a command post upstairs at Ten House, the home of Engine 10 and Ladder 10, which was among the first stations to respond when the towers were struck. Five firefighters from Ten House died during rescue operations.

“We walked through the locker room and the lockers of the guys that didn’t come home that day,” Madden said. “Their stuff was still there. Their lockers were open, their shoes were there and nobody had touched them.”

Health impacts continue decades later

More than 300 firefighters, 71 police officers and 60 other first responders died on Sept. 11, 2001. In the decades since, health complications related to Ground Zero exposure have affected thousands more. According to the World Trade Center Health Program, more than 154,000 people have enrolled in the program, including 95,000 first responders and workers who served at Ground Zero.

Several members of Madden’s task force have suffered long-term health consequences, including chronic lung issues and cancer. The team’s incident commander died a year ago after undergoing a lung transplant.

“I am worried. I’m still worried,” Madden said regarding his own health and that of his fellow responders. “Right now knock on wood I’m okay. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be in the future.”

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Kelsey Merison

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 20 and Cloverdale Road yesterday resulted in one person being transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District crews witnessed the collision while conducting training outside Station 602. Firefighters immediately headed to the scene and reached the vehicles in approximately 30 seconds to assess the occupants.

After reaching the vehicles, firefighters identified one person with critical injuries and immediately began extrication and treatment. A Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District ambulance responded to transport the patient. Due to the severity of the person’s condition, a Cloverdale Fire paramedic and EMT joined the Sisters-Camp Sherman paramedic in the ambulance to provide additional care during transport to the hospital.

First responders evaluated a second patient at the scene who was not transported to the hospital. No other occupants involved in the collision required medical transport.

Several agencies assisted at the scene, including the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Oregon State Police, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The crash remains under investigation by law enforcement.

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