Author: KTVZ

Barney Lerten

 PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover following a severe shortage in February and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood or platelets. 

Donors of all blood types remain critical to keeping momentum up and the blood supply steady headed into spring, the organization said in a news release on Monday:

Some parts of the nation are still clearing snow, but the threat of severe spring weather is already growing. Now is the time to book a blood or platelet donation appointment, to help prevent any future disruption to patient care.

Help is needed right now ─ and a simple act of donating blood or platelets can be the lifesaving gift people are counting on. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

The Red Cross will perform A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made March 1-31, 2026 (one result in 2026). Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2026, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. Details on both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/March. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 9-31:

OR 

Crook 

Powell Butte 

3/18/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brasada Ranch, 16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd 

Prineville 

3/11/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 Main St 

3/19/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Missionary Baptist Church, 1870 Riverland Loop 

3/23/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Crook County Library, 175 NW Meadow Lakes Dr 

_______________ 

Deschutes 

Bend 

Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110 – Visit RedCrossBlood.Org

to see times. 

3/16/2026: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Elks Lodge Bend #1371, 63120 Boyd Acres Road 

3/17/2026: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., St Charles Medical Center Bend, 2500 NE Neff Road 

3/23/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2450 NE 27th St. 

3/25/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., US Bank Downtown Bend Branch, 1025 NW Bond St 

3/26/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Widgi Creek Clubhouse, 18707 SW Century Dr 

3/31/2026: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., State & County Offices, 1300 NW Wall Street 

La Pine 

3/30/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Cascade Bible Church, 52410 Pine Dr 

Redmond 

3/10/2026: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., LDS – Redmond OR Stake, 450 SW Rimrock 

3/16/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama 

3/24/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., St Thomas Catholic Church, 1720 NW 19th St 

3/31/2026: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., LDS – Redmond OR Stake, 450 SW Rimrock 

Sunriver 

3/17/2026: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sunriver Christian Fellowship, 18139 Cottonwood Rd 

3/30/2026: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Community Bible Church, 1 Theater Drive 

_______________ 

Jefferson 

Madras 

3/9/2026: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Juniper Community Church, 976 S Adams Dr 

Terrebonne 

3/25/2026: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Fire & Rescue, 6971 Shad Rd 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer! 

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience. 

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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Spencer Sacks

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley held a campaign stop in Sisters on Monday to present his platform to local voters. The event focused on three primary pillars of his campaign: education, the economy and livability.

The campaign stop attracted community members of all ages who gathered to hear the candidate’s message ahead of the primary election, which is scheduled for two months from now. Dudley is seeking the Republican nomination after previously running for governor in 2010, a race he lost by 20,000 votes.

Dudley focused his address on his vision for the future of Oregon. He expressed a personal commitment to improving the state during his speech in Sisters.

“I’m passionate about our state,” Dudley said to KTVZ News. “Passionate that we could do better as our state deserves better.”

Several residents who attended the event expressed interest in the candidate’s platform. Ethan, a resident of Sisters, said he came to the event because he believes the campaign offers a new direction for the party.

“I’m here because I think Mr. Dudley provides a more youthful and rejuvenated message for Republicans in Oregon,” Ethan said.

Other community members highlighted the candidate’s professional experience outside of elective office. Steve Hewlett, a resident of Sisters, said the state would benefit from a leader with a corporate background.

“Chris Dudley I think is the answer for Oregon,” Hewlett said. “He’s not a politician, and that’s what we need. Somebody with a business sense.”

The theme of political transition was a recurring sentiment among those in the audience. Rick Lieberson, a resident of Sisters, said he believes the candidate is the right person to facilitate a shift in leadership.

“I think we need a change,” Lieberson said. “And I think he could facilitate that change.”

Dudley told supporters that he believes the outcome of this campaign will be different, noting that he is encouraged by the turn out in his home community. When asked about campaigning in Sisters, Dudley said it was “incredible” to see many friends turn out for the event.

The primary election is on May 19th. The Dudley campaign stated that it feels it has momentum heading into the upcoming vote.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes recently announced that it has opened applications for Rooted at Antler, a permanently affordable, net-zero homeownership community at 1699 West Antler Avenue in Redmond. 

The Antler Campus is the second RootedHomes community in Redmond. Recognizing the need for both affordable and mid-market housing in Central Oregon, RootedHomes said it has developed this community for families earning under 120% of the Deschutes County Area Median Income (AMI), the organization said in a news release that continues below:  

Antler features on-site playgrounds, community gardens, and convenient access to social service facilities on Antler Avenue and the Dry Canyon. All 18 homes are Energy Star-certified and built to net-zero standards, delivering long-term energy savings while supporting environmental responsibility. 

“With the launch of Rooted at Antler, we are continuing our mission to ensure that the people who make Redmond thrive, our teachers, healthcare workers, and service providers, can afford to live here,” said Eliza Wilson, executive director of RootedHomes.

“By offering homes at multiple income tiers, from 80% to 120% AMI, and prioritizing resident-driven design in partnership with our homeowners to ensure feedback around parking and community design is implemented, we are filling a critical gap in the housing market while building a stronger, more inclusive community,” Wilson added. 

Available Homeownership Opportunities 

The 18 homes are divided into two qualification tiers based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Deschutes County: 

For Homebuyers Under 80% AMI: 

4 Fully Accessible Duplexes ($256,000): Ground-floor, 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath homes (1,014 sq. ft.). 

4 Upstairs Duplexes ($312,000): 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes (1,014 sq. ft.) with modern layouts. 

3 Single-Family Cottages ($340,000): Two-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes (1,343 sq. ft.). 

For Homebuyers 80%–120% AMI: 

7 Single-Family Cottages ($432,000): 3-bedroom, 2-bath cottages (1,343 sq. ft.) for moderate-income buyers. 

Up to $25,000 in down payment assistance is available for qualified households. In recognition of local veterans’ service, RootedHomes also offers up to $60,000 in down payment assistance for qualifying veterans. 

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said, “Rooted at Antler represents exactly the kind of innovative housing solution Redmond needs.”

“By delivering permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes for working families, RootedHomes is helping ensure that the people who serve our community every day can also call Redmond home,” Fitch said. “We’re proud to support partnerships that expand homeownership opportunities while strengthening the long-term sustainability of our city.” 

Income-qualified applicants who have completed a mandatory information session and obtained mortgage preapproval can apply through the RootedHomes website. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend recently honored longtime Bend resident Jim Crowell for his decades of service and support with the organizaton’s inaugural Service to Youth Award.

The award was presented at the clubs’ annual meeting on February 24th. Future recipients will be awarded the Jim Crowell Service to Youth Award.  

Crowell, a resident of Bend for more than 80 years, was integral to the Boys & Girls Clubs moving into the space they have occupied since 1999.

Crowell saw a need and advocated on behalf of the Clubs to secure the historic building on Wall Street for their after and out of school programming services. Since then, Crowell has acted as a board member and now lifetime honorary trustee. 

CEO Michael Baker said, “It is safe to say that if it wasn’t for Jim and his efforts to raise the necessary dollars to renovate the facility we are in right now, the Boys & Girls Clubs wouldn’t have had this be our home for the last 30 years. He is as genuine as they come, and I am so grateful for all he does and continues to do for our organization.” 

Members of the Crowell family were in attendance as he was honored for his decades of support. 

Crowell’s son, Clark Crowell, said, “Central Oregon and its residents have played a pivotal role in my father’s life. He takes great pride in how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon serves the community, particularly because it occupies a space so vital to his own youth.

“The old Bend High gym was the town’s gathering spot; knowing that children today are building their own futures where he once played basketball and attended dances makes the club’s mission deeply personal for him.” 

Crowell has made an incredible mark on the Bend community and certainly the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend.  

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend provides youth opportunities for growth that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential in the classroom, at home, and in our community. Our after-school programs are designed to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and citizenship.

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Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore.. (KTVZ) — Sisters Habitat for Humanity announced Monday the completion of the Village Meadows development, a 21-home affordable housing neighborhood.

The final two homes will be dedicated on Friday, March 20, “marking a milestone for the community and the households who now have access to safe, stable, and affordable homeownership,” the organization said in a news release that continues below.

“Village Meadows represents more than just homes—it’s stability, opportunity, and hope for local individuals and families,” said Peter Hoover, executive director of Sisters Habitat for Humanity. 

Construction began in 2015, and over the last decade, the project has brought together volunteers, donors, and future homeowners to create a lasting impact in Sisters. With hands-on support from volunteers, individuals helped build and move into their new homes.  

With Village Meadows complete, Sisters Habitat is turning its attention to Larch Commons, a new development of 25 homes offering a mix of affordable and workforce housing to meet the growing needs of the community. 

For more information about Village Meadows or upcoming projects, visit sistershabitat.org.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police investigated several reports of a loud explosion and a flash of light on the south end of town Sunday evening. They tell KTVZ News that officers searched the area but found no evidence of property damage, injuries or criminal activity.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received several calls around 8:30 p.m. regarding a loud bang and a visible flash. Sheila Miller, Bend police communications manager, said that while multiple people reported the event, officers were unable to find the source of the noise or flash.

KTVZ News inquired after a viewer who lives in the Romaine Village area off Brookswood Boulevard told us, “We heard a big boom last night around 8:40 p.m. … It shook people’s homes and freaked a lot of people (us included) out!”

One area resident told officers that they believed a “flash bomb” had been thrown after noticing a dog barking during the incident.

Despite the reports, a search of the area by responding officers yielded no physical evidence of a blast, Miller said.

“At this time, we have received no further information and have no evidence of a crime,” Miller said.

Miller said police also asked St. Charles Bend to notify them if any patients arrived at the facility with burns or injuries consistent with an explosion, but there had been none reported so far.

Police advised residents to contact them if they find any property damage or hear more loud noises.

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Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BendFilm will host its annual fundraising Gala on Sunday, March 15th at The Pavilion at Tetherow to support student summer camps and the annual Bend Film Festival. The event features a live screening of the Academy Awards, a red carpet entrance, dinner and auctions.

The Gala raises money for year-round initiatives including free movies in the park, as well as the organization’s Basecamp program. The evening runs from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion and includes a best-dressed prize for guests in formal attire.

Individual tickets for the fundraising event are available for $160, while a table of 10 is priced at $1,500. All entry options include dinner, two drinks and a welcome glass of champagne. BendFilm has requested that those purchasing full tables submit guest names and email addresses to the organization prior to the event date.

The event schedule begins with check-in and a silent auction at 2:30 p.m. at the venue located at 61240 Skyline Ranch Road. Welcome remarks are scheduled for 3:30 p.m., followed by the start of the Academy Awards broadcast at 4 p.m. Due to limited parking at Tetherow, attendees are encouraged to use ride-share services or carpool to the Gala.

Supporters can also participate in a digital Oscar Ballot Prediction Contest for an additional fee. Digital ballots are distributed via email starting March 8 and participants must complete their entries by 4 p.m. on the day of the gala. The contest offers prizes to those who achieve the highest prediction scores.

Participants interested in bidding on live or silent auction items are required to have a credit card on file. This information can be saved during the initial ticket checkout process or provided in person at the event. Additionally, attendees have the option to purchase scholarship spots for the 2026 filmmaking summer camps.

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Kelsey Merison

(Update: adding video, comments from students, dean of OSU-Cascades, and local lawmakers)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Years of growth are continuing here in Central Oregon, as OSU-Cascades is taking another major step to support student wellness and campus life.

The Oregon Legislature has approved $42 million for a new Student Health and Recreation Center, giving students access to on-campus fitness and health services.

The 40,000-square-foot facility is designed to fill a long-missing gap in the student experience.

“We have residence halls, dining halls, classrooms, and laboratories, but we don’t have a space for students to access recreational opportunities,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades.

“This will be a huge step forward that will help students succeed, stay in school, and graduate,” Bloomer added.

The new building will house a variety of recreational and clinical services — including exercise space, medical care, and mental health counseling — allowing students to stay healthy without leaving campus. 

For many students, it also represents a space for connection and community.

“It’s going to give students more of an opportunity to connect with one another at a place that’s not the dorms or the dining hall,” said student Damon Iraggi.

Fellow student Kait Rodriguez added, “I also think it’ll bring departments closer together and more engaged with students. I’m really excited for it.”

Central Oregon lawmakers also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the investment, pointing to the university’s role in developing and retaining local talent.

“This is a large part in making sure we have a complete campus here,” said Rep. Jason Kropf (D-Bend). “We’re building the workforce of the future so people can be educated here, live here, work here, make a career here.”

State Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) added, “It’s incredible to have brilliant people from Bend, Redmond and Sisters be able to stay in this community, go to school for four years, and become the next business owners.”

State funding will cover about half of the project’s cost. OSU-Cascades students themselves contributed $20 million through a fee they approved in 2017. 

The project will also fund remediation of the former landfill and pumice mine adjacent to campus, paving the way for future expansion as the university continues to grow.

Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in 2028. Once complete, leaders and locals alike say the new Health and Recreation Center will play a central role in supporting students — in turn, strengthening the future workforce that will stay and serve Central Oregon.

Earlier Story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Legislature has approved $42 million in state-backed bonds to fund the construction of a new student health and recreation center at Oregon State University-Cascades. The 40,000-square-foot facility will be the first comprehensive on-campus center for wellness and clinical services at OSU-Cascades.

The project aims to provide expanded physical activity areas, preventive care, and mental health counseling for students on the Bend campus. This investment follows years of advocacy from student leaders. In 2017, students voted to increase student fees in response to the need for on-campus recreation and health services and committed $20 million for the project.

The center will include flexible indoor spaces for fitness and recreation alongside dedicated areas for clinical health services and mental health counseling. Outside the building, the project includes the construction of two all-purpose recreation fields. Currently, student fitness options on the Bend campus are limited to a single small room in the residential hall.

“The student health and recreation center will deliver essential services that directly support student life, learning and retention, and reap rewards for student success and the local, regional and state economies,” said Sherm Bloomer, the chancellor and dean of OSU‑Cascades.

Bloomer noted that the center is particularly important for first-generation, rural, and low-income students. These populations often have less access to wellness and health services. The new facility will provide these resources directly on campus to support academic performance.

“Students have said for years that access to health and wellness resources is essential to our success. This investment shows student voices matter, and we’re proud to have helped make this project a reality,” said Whitney McFarlane, the president of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus.

The legislative funding will also pay for the remediation of 24 acres of land. This effort will create buildable sites for the recreation center as well as future student housing and academic buildings. The university anticipates needing more space as enrollment numbers continue to grow.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 following the completion of land remediation efforts. The new building will be connected to the campus geo-exchange system for heating and cooling to help meet net-zero energy goals.

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Kelsey Merison

(Adding suspect’s name and formal charges filed after arraignment)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police arrested 32-year-old Bend resident Zachary Lee Coelho on March 6th after he allegedly threatened a security guard outside of a local bar with a gun. The arrest follows an investigation into a confrontation that occurred on March 1st at Cascade West on SW Century Drive.

Coelho was formally charged and arraigned on March 9th and faces the following formal charges:

Delivery of Cocaine

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Unlawful Possession of Cocaine

Menaicng

Harrasment

The incident began around 12:09 a.m. when a security guard denied the man entry to the establishment. According to police, the suspect became upset and engaged in a physical altercation with the guard before threatening to shoot him, cocking a firearm, and pointing it into the air before fleeing the scene.

Officers identified the man as the suspect during their investigation and located him five days after the initial report. At approximately 7:55 p.m. on March 6th, police conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s silver Subaru WRX near NE 15th Street and U.S. Highway 20, where he was taken into custody.

Following the arrest, investigators obtained search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle and his home in the 1700 block of SE Tempest Drive. Inside the residence, officers reported finding two firearms and ammunition.

Police also seized a significant amount of cocaine and smaller bags of the drug. Investigators located materials commonly used for measuring and packaging controlled substances during the search. These findings led to additional charges related to the manufacture and delivery of cocaine

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Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Scalehouse Gallery in Bend is currently hosting “Seeds of Abundance: Limits, Loss & Regeneration,” a solo exhibition by artist Michele Guieu. The exhibition, which is sponsored by the City of Bend, opened March 6th and will run through April 24th.

The show invites visitors to reflect on ecological limits, loss and the potential for regeneration. Guieu uses immersive installation work to examine the intersection of the natural world and modern societal crises. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

The installation features a variety of immersive works created from natural and reclaimed materials. Guieu designed the space to encourage visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature and one another.

The artist focuses on the systems that shape modern lives while acknowledging the beauty of the natural world. The work specifically addresses current global crises. These include biodiversity loss, ecological overshoot and the increasing complexity of thermo-industrial society.

The exhibition suggests that these challenges require resilient and thoughtful responses rather than immediate solutions. Guieu drew inspiration for the exhibition in part from “The Great Simplification,” a podcast by Nate Hagens.

These acts are intended to nurture responsibility while acknowledging ecological limits. The gallery has scheduled multiple events to accompany the show. An Artist Talk is set for March 19th at 5:30 p.m. A Small Mobile Workshop will follow on April 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opening reception for the exhibition was held Friday, March 6th.

The exhibition will remain on view at the Scalehouse Gallery through April 24th. Gallery officials stated that further programming will be announced at a later date.

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