Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

(Update: Police release name, details of encounter)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police on Monday released the name of last week’s home invasion suspect and said he died after falling from the home’s second-story balcony during a struggle with the homeowner.

The suspect in has been identified as Zachary Dale Zamzow Douglas, 36, of Bend, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

She said Douglas fell from the home’s second-floor balcony – at least 10 feet – during a struggle with the homeowner late Thursday night, then ran from the scene and died nearby. 

“Detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy,” Miller said in a news release, adding that “no firearms were involved in this incident.”  

The homeowner victim was treated and released from St. Charles Bend.  

“The investigation indicates that this was a targeted incident, and any relationship between the suspect and victim remains part of that investigation,” Miller added.   

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-March 13 — A man died following a late Thursday night attempted home invasion at a residence on NW Braid Drive in Bend according to the Bend Police Department. Officers found the intruder with life-threatening injuries on a nearby golf course shortly after the suspect struggled with a resident.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m. on March 12th, 2026. The resident sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the confrontation and was transported from the scene by Bend Fire and Rescue for medical treatment.

The resident was inside the home when they reported that an unknown person attempted to force entry. A physical struggle ensued between the resident and the intruder before the suspect fled the scene on foot.

Officers arriving at the residence conducted a search of the surrounding area and located the intruder lying on a nearby golf course. Emergency medical personnel provided care at the scene, but the intruder did not survive.

Bend Police Detectives are currently leading the investigation. The identity of the intruder has not yet been determined and the specific cause of the fatal injuries has not been released.

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Kelsey Merison

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 49th season of the landmark Sunriver Music Festival will take place this year and at least one work by an American composer will commence every program this season.

The nonprofit festival presents orchestral performances and supports music education throughout Central Oregon. The upcoming spring and summer schedules highlight a commitment to American composers while maintaining traditional European classical repertoire.

Before the summer season begins, Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell will perform a solo piano recital titled “The Maestro at the Piano” on April 11th. Mitchell is formally designated on the Steinway Artist roster, a list of the world’s most accomplished and discriminating artists. The event includes a complimentary wine tasting from Willamette Valley Vineyards for all ticketholders, while VIP ticketholders are invited to a post-concert reception with the maestro. Tickets range from $50 to $90, with a discounted rate of $25 for those under age 25.

The festival also continues its 30-year tradition of supporting local students through the Young Artists Scholarship program. To date, the program has awarded nearly $750,000 to exceptional classical music students from throughout Central Oregon. Applications for advanced students ages 11 to 24 are due by May 1st. Community members can attend a free scholarship recital on June 5th in Sunriver to see the scholarship recipients perform.

Fundraising efforts for these scholarships and world-class concerts include the “Raise the Baton” party on July 18th. Hosted by Mitchell at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend, the event serves as the festival’s premier annual fundraiser. Tickets for the party go on sale April 1st.

The “America@250” summer lineup features several acclaimed soloists, including pianist Michelle Cann and bass-baritone Timothy Jones. They will be joined by violinists William Hagen and Tessa Lark for performances at the Sunriver Resort Great Hall and the Tower Theatre. The season marks the 49th year of the festival.

Mitchell explained the thematic focus of the upcoming season and its blend of contemporary and traditional works. “This summer, America celebrates a 250th anniversary and we’re so pleased to mark the occasion with at least one work by an American composer on every program this season,” Mitchell said. He noted the programs will include classics by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber alongside works by Pulitzer Prize-winner Kevin Puts and Grammy-winners Edgar Meyer and Joan Tower. “We’ll also of course bring to life so many of the great European classics we all know and love, including works by Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Bach, Mozart and Schumann,” Mitchell said.

Ticket sales for the summer festival open to the general public on June 1st. Members of the Friends of the Festival at the Conductor’s Guild tier may purchase tickets as early as April 1st. Full details and application information are available at sunrivermusic.org.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Breeze Airways launched new nonstop service from Redmond Municipal Airport to Las Vegas on March 13th, 2026. The airline is offering one-way fares for the new route starting at $69.

The service includes twice-weekly flights operating on Mondays and Fridays. In addition to the Las Vegas route, the carrier introduced “BreezeThru” service to Provo, Utah, which allows passengers to reach the destination with one stop and no change of aircraft.

The new flights to Las Vegas and Provo are scheduled to operate every Monday and Friday. The expansion is part of the airline’s model of connecting travelers in underserved markets to destinations nationwide through direct or streamlined flight paths.

Jeff Weber, chief people officer at Breeze Airways, highlighted the new travel options available to Central Oregon residents. “We are so excited to start our service from Redmond,” Weber said. “Guests can now enjoy the entertainment of Las Vegas or continue on to experience the beautiful mountains of Utah.”

Aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman founded Breeze Airways, which first began flying in May 2021. The carrier now operates more than 300 year-round and seasonal routes across 86 cities in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The airline uses a flagship fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Onboard amenities include high-speed WiFi, preferred seating options, and free family seating. The company also maintains policies that include no fees for flight changes or cancellations.

Travelers can book flights or find more information by visiting the Breeze Airways website or downloading the company’s mobile app.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — I scream, you scream, we all scream for FREE ice cream! Ben & Jerry’s will be giving away free scoops of ice cream at its retail locations again this year.

Free Cone Day is a time-honored tradition the founders started in 1979, the year after they established the company.

And you don’t have to worry about them running out of ice cream–Ben & Jerry’s says it wants to break a record of one million free cones.

The only bad news is you’re going to have to wait. Free Cone Day is slated for April 14th.

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Claire Elmer

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Back in 2024, KTVZ News introduced viewers to a Central Oregon baby facing extraordinary challenges. Now, as he celebrates his recent 2nd birthday, he’s exceeding all expectations.

Jackson was born with a rare brain disorder called hemimegalencephaly, a condition that affects only a handful of children worldwide each year. The disorder caused severe epilepsy for Jackson, triggering more than 200 seizures a day.

When medications failed to control the seizures, doctors determined there was only one option. At just three-and-a-half months old, Jackson underwent a complex operation in which surgeons removed half of his brain.

“We tried I believe it was seven or eight different medications, and none of those really seemed to mitigate the seizures,” said his mother, Kaitlyn Williamson. “So they met with the surgical team and decided disconnecting and removing the left hemisphere was really our only option for relief.”

Before the surgery, Jackson’s family was warned he might never walk, talk, or eat on his own. But today, he’s proving he can, and will, defy the odds.

“A day with Jackson is amazing,” said Brandy Ridgway, a direct support professional who works closely with him. “He can give you a high five, he’ll give you knuckles. He’s just an amazing little boy. The health care system doubted him on a lot of things, and he has just blown them all out of the water.”

Jackson now spends his days in therapy, playing, and spending time with his best friend.

“I was like, I don’t know if I like babies that much,” said Baylee Ridgway, Jackson’s best friend and Brandy’s daughter. “But then he gave me a hug and I was like, ‘Oh, I love this kid so much.’ And I’ve been going to work with her ever since.”

While Jackson has made remarkable progress, his journey isn’t over. He is now facing a new challenge: a gastrointestinal condition. His family is preparing for the possibility of a feeding tube as they search for specialists outside of Oregon.

Through it all, his mother says support from their medical team and community has helped them stay strong.

“Modern medicine has quite literally saved his life and given us the opportunities that we have today,” Williamson said. “We have a lot of really incredible people on our side, and they celebrate every—what they call inch-stones rather than milestones—every little thing he’s doing that we never thought was possible.”

As Jackson continues to grow, his family and care team say each new step forward is another reminder of how far he’s come, and how much hope his journey brings to others.

“Disability is nothing easy to go through, but you should still persevere through it, try your hardest, and look on the bright side of the world,” added Baylee.

To help with out-of-pocket medical costs and speciality care not available in Oregon, a fundraiser has been started to support Jackson and his family. You can visit the GoFundMe page for Jackson’s journey to learn more.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ember’s Wildflower Bunny Rescue is hosting an Easter event in April. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on on April 4th at its facility in Redmond.

The event features opportunities to meet adoptable rabbits, and the other friends they have on the farm, like pigs and goats. There will be photo ops, coffee, and face painting. They also offer private egg hunts by reservation.

The rescue was originally inspired by a single rabbit named Ember and has since grown to save approximately 400 rabbits during its se seven years of operation.

Founder Lindsey Provost said the rescue is committed to finding homes for the animals the right way.

“We really encourage doing research before adopting,” Provost said. “And one thing to consider is not all bunnies are a good fit for children. And we like to guarantee that the set ups are appropriate for bunnies before we adopt them out.”

The rescue is also organizing an upcoming Easter auction. The event will raffle off various items that have been donated by local businesses to support the facility’s mission.

If you are interested in their upcoming events, volunteering or donations, check out the website for Ember’s Wildflower Bunny Rescue.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Meadow Sky Productions is opening its production of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” March 13th at the High Desert Music Hall in Redmond. The play is scheduled to run for two weekends, concluding on March 22.

The show follows two pairs of lovers through a whirlwind week featuring confusion and the good-hearted naivete of youth. This production is an adaptation script adapted from William Shakespeare’s classic by David and Anna Purkey. This version is designed to be clear and concise for families.

The production highlights some of the most well-known characters from the play, including Beatrice and Benedick.

Performances are scheduled for March 13-15 and March 20-22. Doors at the High Desert Music Hall will open 30 minutes before the scheduled show time.

Tickets are $30 and are available for purchase online or at the door. Meadow Sky Productions offers group pricing for parties of 10 or more people upon request.

The show runs for approximately 2 hours, which includes a 15-minute intermission. Concessions will be available for purchase at the venue during the performance.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park & Recreation District is launching a new study to evaluate options for connecting the Deschutes River Trail in southwest Bend and it wants your input. The project aims to link the trail to the Deschutes National Forest and recreation sites along the Cascade Lakes Highway.

The Deschutes River Trail South project seeks to complete one of the final remaining gaps in a trail system that extends from Sunriver to Tumalo State Park. The study, led by the consulting firm Kittelson & Associates, will evaluate trail alignments, environmental factors, and engineering feasibility to inform future design and construction decisions.

The study will analyze various factors including possible trail alignments, river width, engineering feasibility, and environmental conditions. Researchers will also consider federal and state designations and requirements for the area. Options under review include the potential construction of a new trail bridge over the Deschutes River and at least one “no-build” alternative that would utilize existing or pending trails and roadways.

The project is intended to update data from previous planning efforts conducted by the district between 2015 and 2019. Henry Stroud, Bend Park & Recreation District principal planner and project leader, said the initiative will help prepare for future phases of the trail’s development.

“The intent of this study is to provide the district, the public and other stakeholders with more detailed and accurate information to inform future community conversations and possible project design engineering,” Stroud said.

Kittelson & Associates, a transportation engineering and planning firm, is serving as the third-party consultant for the project. Stroud said the firm was brought in to expand on prior information and account for growth in the area.

“The goal is to reflect changes in the community over the past 10+ years since alignment options were last explored,” Stroud said.

A dedicated stakeholder group is scheduled to meet multiple times throughout the duration of the study. Project details and updates are being maintained on the district’s project website.

A public open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Elk Meadows Elementary School. An online open house will also be hosted on the project website from April 2nd through April 23rd, 2026.

Click here for more information.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County High School celebrated the opening of a new student-run apparel shop Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The shop, named the Cowboy Corral, was designed and built by students over the last six months and will be fully managed by the school’s business programs.

The project was funded through a grant from Meta. The initiative combined the efforts of the school’s construction and business programs to create a functional retail space that generated more than $1,500 in sales during its first 24 hours of operation.

Construction students spent six months renovating an existing space within the high school to create the retail storefront. Under the guidance of instructor Ron Berg, the students handled all aspects of the build, including framing, finishing, design details, and the store layout. School officials said the process allowed the construction program to apply classroom skills to a real-world project.

With the build complete, the shop is now transitioning to the school’s Business and Marketing program. Students in that program will manage the Cowboy Corral alongside the high school’s existing coffee shop. The student-run business model is intended to provide experience in retail management, customer service, financial tracking, and marketing strategy.

“Our students are incredibly excited,” said Kim Crofcheck, the Business and Marketing teacher. “They’re seeing firsthand how the concepts they learn in class translate into a real business. The response from the school community has been amazing, people are always asking where they can buy CC gear and now we can say right here at CCHS.”

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator Ryan Cochran said the collaboration between the different programs is a hallmark of the school’s vocational goals. He noted that the project helps prepare students for high-demand careers.

“This project is a great example of what Career and Technical Education can look like,” Cochran said. “Students in multiple programs worked together to create something really meaningful — construction students built it and business students will operate it. These kinds of experiences prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers while they’re still in high school.”

School leaders said the curriculum focuses on developing practical skills including leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving through the management of the store.

As the Cowboy Corral begins regular operating hours, students will continue to manage the daily business operations and inventory. School officials said students are looking to grow the business and expand the learning opportunities associated with the retail space.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ). — From concerns for the upcoming fire season following a dry winter to questions about if Bend would entertain a data center proposal, KTVZ asked Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler your pressing questions.

Viewers can submit questions for Mayor Kebler at any time as part of our exclusive monthly segment and have your question featured on next months live visit to the studio. Just click here.

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