Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The murder trial of a Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother just over a year ago has been delayed for three months, until July, at his attorney’s request.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott on Wednesday set a July 22 trial date for Joshua Lawrence Smith, 41, on a second-degree murder charge in the March 20, 2024 killing of Janice Marie Smith, 59, at the Legacy Landing Apartments in northeast Bend.

A scheduled April 22 jury trial was canceled after defense attorney Raun Atkinson filed a motion saying they needed more time to prepare for trial and review recently provided evidence in the case.

That includes nearly a year’s worth of jail correspondence by Smith, who appeared by video at Wednesday’s hearing and remains held without bail. Atkinson also noted his own health issues and co-counsel’s recent family leave.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels told KTVZ News last year that Smith’s mother died of blunt force trauma after a “violent physical interaction” between the mother and son.  Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge last August.

Herriott also set a one-day hearing on pre-trial motions for May 23 and a trial readiness hearing for July 15.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity invites the public to tour a one-of-a-kind home at 1475 SE Wilson Avenue, designed specifically for middle-income buyers who have scarce options in Bend’s housing market.

The first open house took place Wednesday and another is set for Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

The home, built in partnership with Hiatus Homes, is the first in Bend to blend Net Zero energy efficiency, Universal Design, and middle-income affordability, serving families earning 80–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), roughly $82,000–$135,000 for a household of four.

“This is more than a home—it’s a model for the future,” said Carly Colgan, CEO of Bend-Redmond Habitat. “It proves we can create housing that’s attainable, sustainable, and inclusive without compromise.”

About the Home:

2 bed / 2 bath, 1346 sq. ft.

Attached garage

No down payment required

Built to Net Zero standards — dramatically reducing utility bills

Universal Design ensures lifelong accessibility, regardless of age or ability

Loan prequalification needed: $315,000+

Anticipated home sale by June 2025

The project is made possible through funding from the City of Bend’s Middle Income Pilot Program, Deschutes County HOME Funds, and the Bend Chamber’s Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.

Why It Matters: In a city where the median home price hovers around $750,000, the local workforce struggles to remain in the community they serve. With 95% of Central Oregon employers citing housing as a barrier to hiring, this home is part of a vital shift toward practical, long-term solutions.

“We’re setting a precedent,” said Colgan. “This home is just the beginning — it’s a catalyst for more affordable, accessible homes across Central Oregon .”

How to Apply:

Prospective buyers can apply through Habitat’s website at bendredmondhabitat.org/Wilson-Ave. The application deadline is Monday, April 21.

For more information, visit bendredmondhabitat.org or call (541) 385-5387.

Barney Lerten

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A known, high-volume Central Oregon drug trafficker was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison Wednesday following a multi-agency investigation led by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, federal prosecutors said.

Ricky Fontaine, 32, of Bend, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.

“This case is the result of excellent collaboration among the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit, the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We thank the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for partnering with us to prosecute this case in federal court.”

According to court documents, on April 1, 2023, after obtaining information that Fontaine was actively selling drugs—including fentanyl—in Deschutes County, detectives from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Fontaine.

Fontaine, who at the time of the stop had an unrelated active felony arrest warrant, attempted to walk away from the traffic stop on foot but was quickly apprehended by the detectives.

The detectives searched Fontaine’s vehicle and found more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl, a .22 caliber handgun, scales and drug packaging materials. The detectives also found several photographs of Fontaine posing with large quantities of packaged fentanyl pills.

A few hours later, the detectives executed a second search warrant on Fontaine’s residence and found additional fentanyl pills, scales and packaging materials.

KTVZ News reported at the time that three people were arrested and about 13,000 counterfeit Oxycodone fentanyl pills were seized in a series of 2023 raids around the county, concluding a lengthy investigation by the sheriff’s office Street Crimes Unit into drug trafficking from a supplier in Mexico.

Court documents show four local charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, were dismissed later that year after Fontaine was indicted by a federal grand jury

On January 18, 2024, Fontaine was charged by superseding indictment with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On December 4, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The case was investigated by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit with assistance from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE) and the Redmond Police Department. It was prosecuted by Andrew R. Doyle, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Live phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest announced Wednesday that firefighters plan to start spring prescribed burning season as early as mid-April, if conditions become favorable.

The forest may conduct up to an estimated 8,860 acres of prescribed burning, including about 7,000 acres on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, 360 acres on the Crescent Ranger District and 1,500 acres on the Sisters Ranger District.

Prescribed burns are slated for the following areas:

Bend – west of Bend adjacent to Cascade Lakes Highway, Forest Service Road (FSR) 41, Skyliners Road, Phils Trailhead area, and the Deschutes River, and southeast of Bend near the junction of FSR 18 and FSR 25.

Camp Sherman – along FSR 14 south of Camp Sherman, along FSR 800 south of the Camp Sherman Store, and west of Camp Sherman along FSR 1216.

Crescent –southeast of Crescent and east of Highway 97 off FSR 9760 near Boundary Springs Campground, south of Crescent and one mile north of the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 58, and south of the Two Rivers subdivision and west of Highway 97 off FSR 5835.

La Pine – northeast of La Pine on the north and south sides of Paulina Lake Road (FSR 21), and southeast of La Pine near Finley Butte.

Sisters – south and west of Sisters and both sides of Highway 20 near the Indian Ford Campground area.

Sunriver – east of Sunriver and Lava Butte on the east side of Highway 97.

Please see maps for more information on specific locations.

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. Once firefighters ignite prescribed burns, they monitor and patrol the units until they declare the burn out.

Prescribed burns, which are primarily conducted in spring and fall, are carefully planned and implemented under specific conditions of temperature, wind, humidity, and vegetation moisture. Firefighters work with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Forestry smoke forecasters to identify conditions that will minimize smoke impacts on people and communities.

While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn. Most smoke impacts occur during the night and early morning hours.

Public Health officials from Deschutes, Jefferson, and Klamath counties encourage community members to prepare for smoke ahead of the Spring Prescribed Burn Season. For tips on how to get “Smoke Ready,” visit the Deschutes County website.

For more information on prescribed burning and smoke preparedness in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Visit centraloregonfire.org/prescribed-fire-smoke-plans/ to view an interactive map with planned burn locations. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive prescribed burn and wildfire text alerts. Follow along on X/Twitter @CentralORFire.

Barney Lerten

Bend, Ore. – April 9, 2025 – Economic Development for Central Oregon announced Wednesday the 2025 Central Oregon Largest Employers List, including breakouts of the top employers in each Central Oregon community.

The data, collected by EDCO annually for the past 24 years, is the most comprehensive major employer list in Central Oregon. EDCO’s regional list features the largest private employers, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, while community-level lists include public employers.

This year, the top 50 private companies collectively employ 23,764 Central Oregonians, or roughly 21.4% of the region’s February 2025 annual average total non-farm employment of 111,110. St. Charles Health System tops the list again, employing 5,188 people regionwide, an 8.29% increase since last year at the same time.

The top five private traded-sector businesses, those that primarily sell their goods or services outside the local market and bring revenue into the region from national or international markets, include:

Bright Wood Corporation (Regional, OR) – The largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimension lumber in the U.S. The company was founded in Madras, Oregon, in 1960.

BASX Solutions (Redmond, OR) – An industry leader in manufacturing high-efficiency data center cooling solutions, cleanroom systems, custom HVAC systems, and modular solutions. The company recently completed a 36,000-square-foot weld shop in Redmond, Oregon.

Les Schwab Headquarters & Tire Centers (Regional, OR) – Founded in 1952 with a single store in Prineville, Les Schwab Tire Centers now employs over 7,000 people across the nation.

Epic Aircraft, LLC (Bend, OR) – Founded in 2004, Epic Aircraft is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, all-composite, six-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft. Their flagship model, the Epic E1000, is known for its speed, range, payload, and luxurious features, catering primarily to business and private aviation markets.

Lonza (Bend, OR) – A leading global provider of integrated healthcare solutions ranging from early-phase development to custom development and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Founded as Bend Research in 1975, they have evaluated or developed thousands of compounds.

BASX Solutions experienced the most significant increase in new jobs among the top traded-sector businesses, adding 399 positions, a 60.36% rise compared to last year.

“Traded-sector businesses are the backbone of Central Oregon’s economy, driving resilience and enriching our communities. At EDCO, we are proud to support these companies as they navigate challenges in workforce development, market research and access to resources. Working closely with over 400 businesses annually, we take great pride in seeing them thrive, create valuable job opportunities and increase the quality of life for Central Oregonians,” said Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO.

When companies consider moving to or expanding within Central Oregon, they often seek insights from EDCO regarding the local business landscape.

One resource provided is valuable information about employers across various sectors, including high technology, advanced manufacturing, and scientific industries, as well as non-traded sector industries, which include retail, education, healthcare, hospitality, and construction.

EDCO offers a range of services to support business growth, including assistance with relocation, access to incentives and financing options, entrepreneurial support, and connections to essential resources and mentorship opportunities.

To view the lists in their entirety, click on the link below:

https://www.edcoinfo.com/about-the-area/major-employers

Data for the lists is self-reported and not audited and should only be used as an informational guideline. Businesses are asked to provide the total number of employees, not full-time equivalency, during their most recent pay period or, for companies with seasonal patterns of employment, their seasonal high. Numbers only include employees working in Central Oregon and contain contractors or interns if they are full-time and long-term. Some businesses chose not to participate in these lists and are therefore excluded.  

About Economic Development for Central Oregon

EDCO is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders, whose mission is to create middle-class jobs in Central Oregon by: recruiting new employers to move to the region; helping entrepreneurs start new, scalable businesses; and working with businesses that are already here to grow their operations. For more information, visit www.edcoinfo.com.