Category: ktvz-local-news

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon House Republicans paused floor deliberations Monday to protest the handling of a conduct complaint against Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend), which alleged he pressured a colleague into changing her vote on a firearm bill last week.

Republican leaders claim the incident has not been thoroughly investigated and have called for a transparent review by the Legislative Equity Office. The move comes after House Democrats accepted Kropf’s resignation from the House Committee on Conduct without floor debate on Monday.

The continued conflict stems from a February 16th committee work session for House Bill 4145, which would tighten firearm regulations in Oregon.

During the House Judiciary Committee meeting on February 16th, Representative Thủy Trần (D-Portland) initially voted against the measure. Trần expressed concerns that the bill was contradictory and could negatively impact lawful gun owners.

Following her initial “no” vote, Rep. Kropf called for a recess. Trần followed Kropf into a hallway for a private conversation. When the two returned, Trần changed her vote to “yes.” The bill then advanced with a five-four vote.

A citizen, who did not witness their exchange, filed a formal conduct complaint with the Legislative Equity Office, alleging Trần returned shaken and distraught after meeting with Kropf.

Trần later addressed the encounter and the atmosphere of the meeting, saying Kropf “created a hostile working environment.”

House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer released a statement on Monday, requesting a full investigation into the matter. Elmer claimed that Democratic leadership attempted to “sweep this under the rug,” rather than investigate the complaint.

“The allegation that a lawmaker created a hostile working environment by intimidating another lawmaker into changing their vote is a serious allegation that creates distrust in the democratic process,” Elmer stated. “It must be properly addressed and thoroughly investigated through a transparent process that respects the victim and remedies the wrong committed against them.”

The Republican protest on Monday followed a two-hour delay of the House floor session. During the session, Representative Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) made a motion to accept Kropf’s resignation from the House Committee on Conduct.

Kropf was replaced on the committee by Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland). The motion was ruled undebatable, which prevented further discussion on the floor.

In response, Rep. Kropf released a statement on Monday:

“Earlier today, I submitted my resignation as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Conduct. While I believe deeply in the purpose and work of the committee, it has become obvious in recent days that my presence on that body was serving as a distraction to the important business of the House of Representatives.

I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to lead in this area and have utmost confidence that the current committee will continue its work with competence and integrity.

Regarding Minority Leader Elmer’s call for investigation: I have previously offered to cooperate with the Legislative Equity Office and will be happy to do so in the future should the need arise.”

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend chapter of the Future Farmers of America will hold its Run for the Roses Benefit Dinner and Auction on Saturday, March 7. The fundraiser is the organization’s only major event of the year used to pay for student travel to national competitions.

This year’s event features a Kentucky Derby theme. The gathering serves as a platform for local organizations and businesses to demonstrate their support for the agricultural program and its student members.

The fundraiser features a dinner, a silent auction and various games. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with FFA students, who will be present to share and discuss their current agricultural projects. Tickets for the event are currently available through the Bend FFA chapter website.

Harmony Fidler, the district president for Bend FFA, said the annual benefit highlights the level of community engagement with the organization. She noted that local businesses often provide unexpected support for the chapter’s efforts.

“It’s just really crazy to see how much the community comes in and supports us,” Fidler said. “How many people are bidding interactive and care about this organization. Everywhere you go, you see it in business you didn’t know supported FFA. For example, last year Cuppa Yo came in and stepped in and that was really cool to have them partner with us in want to support our program.”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend says it is offering sponsorship and grant funding to organizations working to build a more connected, inclusive or engaged community.

“From neighborhood gatherings to cultural celebrations and educational programs, these funds promote community outreach and education regarding City priorities and Council Goals,” Monday’s announcement said.

It continues in full below:

The City is now accepting applications from local organizations planning events or programs that are connected to City Council Goals or City priorities taking place this year between June and December. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

This year, the application process is moving from a continuously open application with twice a year review to an application only available during specific application periods aligned with the twice a year review process.

Spring Application Period:

The Sponsorship Application is open from February 1 to March 31. Applications are reviewed in April, and final decisions and payments are made in May.

If your event or program takes place between June and December, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Fall Application Period:

The Sponsorship Application is open from August 1 to September 30. Applications are reviewed in October, and final decisions and payments are made in November.

If your event or program takes place between January and May, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Shifting to twice-a-year application windows simplifies the application and review process. The City is committed to maintaining the twice-a-year review and award cadence to ensure nonprofits and community groups have a predictable timeline and process for seeking City Sponsorship funds.

For full program details or to submit an application, visit bendoregon.gov/get-involved/grants-sponsorship.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Increase your mobility and confidence with Cascades East Transit’s Transit 101 and pass enrollment pop-up events, the agency announced.

The community-focused sessions are designed to boost ridership through education, hands-on support, and easy access to transit resources, according to a CET news relesae.

Staff will assist riders with signing up for passes, navigating the new payment system, planning trips, and learning how to ride the bus with guidance from an on-site CET travel trainer.

Whether you are new to transit or looking to ride more often, CET said these events make it simple to get started and stay informed.

All of the events are open to the public and hosted in partnership with local community organizations.

Confirmed Dates and Locations:

Feb 25: Redmond Library, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Feb 25: Downtown Bend Library, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Feb 26: Warm Springs, Old School Cafeteria, 1150 Warm Springs St – 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Mar 4:  Warm Springs, Family Resource Center, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Mar 10: Larkspur Community Center, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Mar 12: La Pine Library, Community Room, 16425 1st St, 10:00AM – 2:00PM

Mar 18: Warm Springs (Location TBD), 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Mar 20: Redmond Senior Center, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

·      Visit www.cascadeseasttransit.com/fares for the latest updates and additions on scheduled pop-up events.

About Cascades East Transit Cascades East Transit is Central Oregon’s regional public transit provider, offering fixed-route buses, city connector routes, recreational shuttles, and both general public and specialized Dial-a-Ride services throughout Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson Counties and the Warm Springs community. CET’s mission is to exceed rider expectations by delivering courteous, safe, reliable, and high-quality transit that strengthens regional connectivity, reduces congestion, supports environmental sustainability, and enhances quality of life. Learn more at www.CascadesEastTransit.com 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Statement from COCC President Greg Pereira)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College classified workers declared an impasse in their contract talks and mediation efforts on Monday, setting the stage for what could bring the first strike in Oregon community college history, the Oregon Education Association said.

The decision comes after several mediation sessions and more than a year of contract negotiations, the union said, noting that classified workers are COCC’s lowest-paid employees and calling on the college to use what it considers ample reserve funds to improve wages and benefits.

But a walkout can’t happen right away, OEA noted. The impasse declaration starts the clock for a 30-day cool-down period with the college, after which the union said it “could vote to authorize a strike at any time, with 10-day notice.”

KTVZ News reached out to COCC representatives for a reaction or statement on the status of contract talks, and received this statement from President Greg Pereira:

“We value our classified employees and the essential work they do for our students and community,” Pereira said. “The college has bargained in good faith and proposed a significant multi-year compensation increase — an 18.54% total wage and step increase over three years, or about $1.5 million. The union’s proposal represents a 55.42% increase over that same period, totaling approximately $4.8 million — a difference of roughly $2.6 million.”

“As a public institution, we must balance compensation growth with long-term financial stability, in order to protect programs, services and tuition prices,” the COCC president added. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that is financially sustainable and supports the long-term health of the college.”

“There has never been a strike at an Oregon community college in state history,” the union said in Monday’s news release, which continues below:

“While the average administrator’s salary has grown 26% since 2023, the average classified worker’s salary has only increased by 10% in that same period of time, making it even harder for the lowest-paid people at the college to survive in one of the most expensive parts of the state”, said Scott Dove, President of the Classified Association of COCC and an academic technology specialist at the college. 

“Meanwhile, the college board is aggressively trying to grow their reserves instead of helping the people who are the foundation of the institution. By their own admission, COCC can easily afford to allocate the paltry resources necessary to eliminate poverty wages that have left many employees here experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. We demand that COCC management  do the right thing and end poverty pay, instead of choosing to make history as the first management team at COCC to provoke a strike,” Dove added.

“What’s happening at Central Oregon Community College is symptomatic of a larger statewide problem,” said Enrique Farrera, president of the Oregon Education Association. “COCC is one of multiple colleges and school districts in crisis mediation over hoarded reserves that are being stockpiled, instead of spent on essential needs.

“This approach reflects the reasonable concern public colleges and K-12 districts have across the state; while most are drastically unfunded, the ones that can often do hoard resources towards an omnipresent unknown crisis on the horizon, because they don’t trust the legislature to continue consistently funding essential programs.”

“What COCC and other schools need to understand is that the crisis for students and their workers is unfolding now. COCC needs to be a responsible employer and stop paying their employees wages that force them out of their communities and strip them of basic dignity.,” Farrera said.

Classified educators at COCC perform vital work directly supporting students, including college counselors, administrative assistants, custodians, library assistants, and food service workers. Their lowest wage currently is $18.91/hr. A living wage in Bend for a person with no children is $26.81/hour, and $64.55/hour for a person with two children. COCC classified staff are seeking a contract that will raise their lowest wage to $27.89/hour by the end of the contract. 

The parties will have seven days to cost their final offers, after which a cooling-off period will begin and continue for 30 days. After that, the union may authorize a strike at any time, by a vote of its members. Law requires that 10-day notice be provided before any strike begins.

Classified educators at COCC could be on strike for the first-ever Oregon community college strike by early April. 

An OEA representative explained to KTVZ that in this instance, the final costing refers to putting final economic packages on the table – ie, “costing” (calculating) out the full cost for all things in totality within each side’s final offers. 

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The Oregon Education Association (OEA) proudly represents 42,000+ public educators at all grade levels and school settings from pre-kindgarten to K-12 and community college across the state. It is one of the largest National Education Association (NEA) affiliates in the country and is committed to advancing intersectional education justice for students and our school communities.

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Tracee Tuesday

(Update: DCSO says teen arrested in Redmond, clarifies facility he left without authorization)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 15-year-old male juvenile who left a secure J Bar J Youth Services facility without permission late Sunday night, prompting a search and an alert to area residents, was found and arrested Monday afternoon at a Redmond restaurant, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

The Redmond Police Department responded to a call at Applebee’s in Redmond at 12:44 p.m. Monday and took the juvenile into custody without incident, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

The sheriff’s office initially said the teen had escaped from the county’s Juvenile Detention Center, but Carr said later Monday that he actually left the adjacent, secure J Bar J Youth Services facility without authorization around 10:45 p.m. Sunday.

Deschutes Alerts notification sent to more than 12K residents.

The facility is located in the same building as Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice, on Britta Street in north Bend.

The juvenile was housed in a secure Behavior Rehabilitation Services program and was not permitted to leave the facility, Carr said, explaining that he is on parole for aggravated assault with a weapon.

J Bar J Youth Services leases housing units from Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice but provides its own staffing and security, Carr explained.

Participants are not free to leave and must complete a formal release process with their parole officer, including a 72-hour implementation plan.

Carr explained to KTVZ News that J Bar J Youth Services is “is a secure facility, but not at the level of the juvenile or adult jails. The official term is ‘unauthorized leave.’ Basically, juveniles are mandated by the court to be in this treatment program and can’t leave without permission or a request through a parole officer.”

“The juvenile did not initiate a release plan, and his parole officer issued an arrest warrant Sunday night for absconding,” Carr said in a news release.

Sheriff’s deputies immediately began searching the area and issued a neighborhood phone and text alert to more than 12,000 residents in the north Bend area “to increase awareness and request assistance,” Carr said.

In accordance with state law and standard practice, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office does not release the name or photo of individuals involved in juvenile proceedings.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked the Redmond Police Department for its assistance. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police said Monday they have arrested a 15-year-old resident on over two-dozen charges after a series of recent TikTok videos showed a person urinating in public spaces across the city.

The teen was taken into custody at his home over the weekend following an investigation into the social media posts, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

The investigation began on Feb. 4, when officers received multiple reports regarding the videos. The footage showed a person urinating on the floors of high school and restaurant bathrooms, as well as on a diaper changing station and in park bathrooms throughout Bend.

Miller said officers identified the suspect as the 15-year-old and went to the juvenile’s home on Saturday to take him into custody.

The teenager faces a total of 26 charges, including include 24 counts of second-degree criminal mischief and one count of second-degree disorderly conduct. He was also issued a citation for urinating in public.

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Tracee Tuesday

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Prineville Police Department says a domestic dispute Sunday evening led to one person being stabbed and two others detained.

Officers responded around 5:30 p.m. to a report of a disturbance in the area of NE Carson Street. When they arrived, police found an adult victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim received immediate medical aid and was transported for treatment.

In a statement released to the public, police said the situation was quickly contained and there is no ongoing threat to the community. All parties involved have been accounted for.

Authorities are asking people to avoid the area as officers continue their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Prineville Police Department at 541-447-4168.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Bend Police arrested three local men over the past two months in connection with separate investigations into child sexual abuse material. The arrests followed tips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigations were handled by the Bend Police Department detective division and were initiated as CyberTips. Officials noted that these cases are often complex and can take months or years to complete, frequently requiring the execution of multiple search warrants.

William James Kanehl, 42, was arrested on Jan. 28 on suspicion of 12 counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and 13 counts of second-degree encouraging child sex abuse. The investigation into the Bend resident began on Feb. 14, 2025, after a tip indicated a suspect uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Detectives served a search warrant at Kanehl’s home in the 20700 block of Tango Creek Avenue in August 2025. He also faces 11 counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, as well as charges for luring a minor and encouraging the sexual assault of an animal.

Evan Matthew Hiatt, 20, was also arrested on Jan. 28 following a search warrant at his residence in the 1300 block of NE Hidden Valley Drive. Police initially investigated Hiatt in May 2025 for allegedly soliciting a child for sexually explicit images, but that tip did not lead to an arrest at the time because detectives could not verify the victim’s age. On Jan. 21, 2026, the department received a second tip involving the upload of images that led to Hiatt’s identification. He faces 10 counts each of first and second degree encouraging child sex abuse.

In a separate case, Mitchel Joseph Gregg, 23, was arrested on Feb. 10 at his home in the 2000 block of NE Holliday Avenue. The investigation into Gregg started on March 6, 2025, after a tip suggested a suspect was using Snapchat to save, share or upload child sexual abuse material. Gregg was charged with one count each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Registered nurses at St. Charles Bend voted overwhelmingly to ratify a two-and-a-half year contract agreement on Thursday, Feb. 19. The deal provides a 7.5% wage increase for frontline caregivers over the next 30 months.

The agreement with the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) extends through June 30, 2029. It aims to stabilize the health care safety net for a facility that serves as the only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades, covering patients across Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Washington

The new agreement builds on a 2023 contract that focused on rising costs, caregiver recruitment and trust between staff and management. In addition to general wage increases, the contract establishes pay equity for nurse case managers and transfer center staff. These employees will now be placed on the same salary scale as their nursing colleagues.

Rosa Brock is a registered nurse and serves as the ONA executive team chair at St. Charles Bend. She said the agreement resulted from treating nurses as essential collaborators in the hospital’s operations.

“This agreement shows what’s possible when nurses are treated as strategic partners,” Brock said. “Working together we found a way to build on our successes, continue raising health care standards and ensure our community has a stable health care system with nurses they know they can rely on.”

Brock noted that improved staffing levels from previous agreements have allowed caregivers to focus more on individual patient needs.

The facility serves as a regional hub for medical care. As the only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades, St. Charles Bend nurses treat patients from Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon and parts of Washington Union leaders said contract certainty was a priority given recent economic shifts in the area.

David Hilderbrand is a registered nurse and the ONA vice-chair at St. Charles Bend. He highlighted the importance of a stable nursing workforce amid rising local costs.

“A lot of our neighbors are struggling. Housing costs are up, the tourist industry is hurting and people are having trouble getting access to basic health care,” Hilderbrand said. “This contract stabilizes our community’s safety net. Your nurses aren’t going anywhere.”

Nurses and hospital management have also established a labor management committee to address health and safety concerns between formal bargaining sessions. The ONA represents more than 1,200 registered nurses at the Bend hospital. The organization also represents providers at St. Charles locations in Prineville and Redmond, as well as staff in home health and hospice services.

The new contract is scheduled to run through June 30, 2029. Nurses and management plan to use their joint committee to address ongoing health and safety issues as they arise throughout the duration of the agreement.

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