Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening this weekend, the Bend Police Department will host a DEA Drug Takeback event.

The department says it’s to give citizens a chance to safely dispose of unwanted or unused prescriptions, as flushing old prescriptions can add the drugs to the water table, and throwing them in the garbage could mean they end up in the wrong hands.

The drive-through event will take place in the PD parking lot (555 NE 15th Street) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th.

You’re encouraged to stop by and keep the community safe through this free event.

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit will increase bus service frequency and improve connections across Bend beginning May 4, 2026. The transit agency aims to provide better reliability for commuters throughout the city.

The service improvements will see Routes 1 and 4 along 3rd Street operate every 15 minutes on weekdays between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Additionally, frequency on key corridors serving St. Charles and Neff Road will increase, with buses running every 30 minutes instead of the current 45-minute intervals.

Changes also include an update to Route 6, which will serve the new Deschutes Public Library – Central Library.

The new Deschutes Public Library – Central Library is scheduled to open on May 11, 2026.

Riders can plan their trips by checking updated schedules at local bus stops, Hawthorne Station, or online at CascadesEastTransit.com. For questions regarding the service changes, individuals may call 541-385-8680.

The new services will officially begin on May 4, 2026. The Deschutes Public Library – Central Library will open its doors on May 11, 2026, marking an additional destination for the updated Route 6.

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Matthew Draxton

REDMOND, Ore. – The Oregon Lightning will host the defending Arena Football One champions, the Albany Firebirds, this Saturday, April 25, 2026, for their 2026 home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time at the First Interstate Bank Center.

This matchup marks Oregon’s second game of the 2026 AF1 season and the first opportunity for Central Oregon fans to see the Lightning on their home turf this year. The Lightning opened their season on the road two weeks ago in Everett and now focus on an Albany team known for its physical style of play and explosive scoring ability. Saturday’s contest is the first meeting between the two franchises in AF1 competition.

Fans unable to attend the game can stream the action live on The Home Team Network, through the Oregon Lightning website and with the team’s local streaming partner, KTVZ+. Four partner locations across Central Oregon will also stream the game. These include The Moontower at 329 SW 6th St in Redmond, Bangers & Brews Westside at 1288 SW Simpson Ave in Bend, Upp Liquids at 550 SW Industrial Way #185 in Bend and New Basin Distilling Company at 2063 NW St. Andrews Dr in Madras.

After Saturday’s home opener, the Lightning will play two consecutive road games. They will face the Michigan Arsenal on Saturday, May 2 at 4:00 p.m. and the Nashville Kats on Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be available on KTVZ+ and The Home Team Network. The Lightning will return home on Saturday, May 16 to play the Washington Wolfpack at 6:00 p.m.

Other scheduled games include home matchups against the Michigan Arsenal on Saturday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. and the Washington Wolfpack on Saturday, May 30 at 6:00 p.m. The team will play the Kentucky Barrels at home on Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. and on the road on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. Their final regular season road games are against the Washington Wolfpack on Saturday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m., the Beaumont Renegades on Sunday, July 5 at 3:00 p.m. and the Oceanside Bombers on Friday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m.

The AF1 Quarterfinal Playoffs are scheduled for July 24-26, with the AF1 Semifinal Playoffs on Aug. 1. The AF1 League Crown Championship will take place on Aug. 8. Broadcast partners for playoff games include VICE-TV and KTVZ+.

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Kelsey Merison

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1983 cold case in Oregon.

The state justice departments says 73-year-old Marcus Sanfratello pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree.

The victim is Teresa Peroni, who was Sanfratello’s girlfriend when she went missing.

Investigators say new DNA evidence and modern forensics techniques helped them build the case decades after her disappearance.

Click here to read our Portland affiliate station KGW’s article on the case.

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Kelsey Merison

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, Lake Billy Chinook is about to get very busy.

The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its annual marine law enforcement training on Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County between April 27th and May 8th.

According to the board, this intensive training is designed for new or seasonal marine law enforcement officers to train them in boating laws, boat handling, and water safety fundamentals. 

Throughout this comprehensive, nine-day marine academy, officers get time behind the wheel to develop maneuvering skills for operating jet and propeller boats.

They also learn boating safety rules that they will be enforcing to keep everyone safe on the water.

The training includes accident investigation, boating under the influence detection and apprehension, as well as other types of boater compliance.

The marine academy is hosted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with highly skilled deputies from around the state, taking an active role as instructors.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville readers, are you missing a pig?

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office posted this to their facebook page on Tuesday:

They say this little piggy was found near Bear Creek Road.

If this is your pig, or you know who it belongs to, you’re asked to contact the Crook County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (541) 447-6398, #1.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police say several teenagers are facing consequences after an alleged incident involving airsoft-style weapons in one of the city’s busiest shopping and entertainment areas.

Officers say the incident happened late April 18 at the Old Mill District. According to police, a group of juveniles in a red lifted pickup truck allegedly shot airsoft or BB-style pellets at people in the area and sprayed a fire extinguisher.

The incident was reported the next morning, April 19, around 9:30 a.m., by Old Mill employees.

Police said in a statement to KTVZ News that officers have identified those involved.

“Officers have identified suspects involved. At least one of them has been trespassed for life from the Old Mill. Additional charges will be referred to juvenile justice,” the department said.

Yigitalp Uçan, a Bend chef, told KTVZ he and a friend were among those targeted.

He said the group drove by twice—first firing what he described as plastic pellets, then returning and spraying a white powdery substance.

“As they roll in, they started pulling a gun out of there… and then we just heard fully automatic… like shooting,” Uçan said. “It was all plastic or BB gun… it just hurt us for a second.”

Uçan also shared video with KTVZ News that he said shows the truck driving through the Old Mill District that night.

The Old Mill District told KTVZ it is reviewing security footage of the incident and will provide additional information when it becomes available.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be referred to the juvenile justice system.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Central Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet on Monday following investigations into alleged misconduct involving her and her husband.

Chavez-DeRemer served as U.S. secretary of labor for 14 months. She is the third Cabinet member to leave the administration in recent months, following the departures of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Allegations and response

Chavez-DeRemer’s husband had previously been banned from Labor Department offices in Washington, D.C.

In a statement posted to social media, Chavez-DeRemer thanked the president and addressed the allegations.

“Thank you, President Trump. While my time serving in the administration comes to a conclusion, it doesn’t mean I will stop fighting for American workers,” she wrote.

In a separate post, she pushed back on the accusations.

“The allegations against me, my family, and my team have been peddled by high-ranked deep state actors,” she said.

Reaction from Oregon leaders

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., criticized Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure in a statement to KTVZ.

“The only thing steady about this administration is its continued and blatant abuse of the law,” Wyden said.

“Chavez-DeRemer, whose term was plagued with widespread misconduct, was no exception. Oregonians deserve a labor secretary that cares more about protecting workers than executing Trump’s agenda and getting wine delivered to their hotel room.”

Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., declined to comment.

Portland policy controversy

During her time in the Cabinet, Chavez-DeRemer drew attention for comments supporting federal intervention in Portland.

“Thank you for what you were doing with your agents on ICE,” she said during a Cabinet meeting. “And thank you for the prosecution that I hope you will come to Portland, Oregon, and crack down.”

The remarks came amid protests in Portland related to federal immigration enforcement actions.

Political background and next steps

Before joining the Cabinet, Chavez-DeRemer lost her reelection bid to U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, who now represents Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Chavez-DeRemer has said she plans to pursue a role in the private sector following her resignation.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If you see a man riding around Central Oregon on a classic motorcycle with a big poodle in the sidecar, stop: He wants to talk to you about something very important.

Max Orsini and his service dog Gnocchi are spreading the message of Orsini’s charity, Ride4LifeNW, by traveling around the state to raise awareness of the need for organ donations.

Orsini, a two-time organ recipient himself, knows it’s difficult to talk about death. But he says it’s important to have discussions with your family.

Many people don’t realize most organ donations do not happen because the family interferes, Orsini said.

“When there is that moment of grief, the family hesitate or the family could say, ‘Please don’t talk to us about this issue right now. I don’t want to know.’ And that’s where most of the time, the process stops,” he said.

Orsini will be gearing up for his next ride around the state next month. There’s a send-off party at the Audi showroom on Friday May 22nd from 4-6:30 p.m. After that, Max will do a circuit around the state, visiting hospitals.

KTVZ News will be keeping an eye on Max, as he’s working on another record-breaking trip.

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