Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Civic Action Project will host the region’s first Civic Action Summit from April 7 to April 9, 2026, at Central Oregon Community College campuses in Redmond and Bend. The 2.5-day workshop is designed to build local expertise in civic assemblies and deliberative democracy.

The event is hosted by the Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) in partnership with several regional and national organizations. The summit reflects a growing regional commitment to building civic infrastructure intended to empower community members and strengthen trust in government.

The summit begins April 7 at the COCC Redmond campus with a free public presentation explaining how civic assemblies work and their potential application in the region. The session is open to elected officials, civic leaders, youth and the general public. An institutional session on assembly design will follow that afternoon.

Josh Burgess, executive director of COCAP, said the summit is a foundational step toward creating a permanent resource for the community. “This is an important event as we launch a new regional Civic Action Network that will provide resources and expertise for institutions in Central Oregon to build more trust and civic muscle through deliberative problem solving,” Burgess said. “We are excited to bring together community members, institutional leaders and national experts to lay the groundwork for a permanent civic assembly hub in our region.”

The second day of the event on April 8 features a full-day institutional design workshop at the COCC Bend campus. This session is tailored for government, education and civic representatives, covering topics such as governance models, deliberative facilitation and the practical steps of building a civic assembly.

The summit concludes April 9 with moderator training led by the organization Healthy Democracy. This half-day session is designed to equip 25 to 30 Central Oregon residents with the skills to facilitate constructive dialogue on complex community issues. Registration is required for both the institutional workshop and the moderator training.

Organizers will also use the summit to launch the Deliberative Solutions Initiative on the Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on our Communities. This project represents the next stage of COCAP’s engagement efforts in the region.

The Federation for Innovation in Democracy – North America, the Bloom Project and Healthy Democracy are facilitating the event alongside COCAP. The summit is co-organized with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council.

COCAP is a civic action network dedicated to deliberative democracy that previously hosted the 2024 Deschutes County Civic Assembly on Youth Homelessness. The organization’s mission focuses on improving governance outcomes and creating trust between community members and public institutions.

Registration and further information for the summit are available at cocap.us/registration.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Visit Bend said Wednesday it has partnered with KultureCity, a national nonprofit advancing sensory accessibility and inclusion, to become a certified “Sensory Inclusive” organization at its downtown visitor center.

The organization said that means the Bend Visitor Center is better prepared to serve people with sensory sensitivities and invisible disabilities, including autism, dementia, PTSD, ADHD, and other cognitive or neurological conditions.

Guests who may feel overwhelmed, for example, during busy downtown events can step inside the visitor center at 750 NW Lava Road to find a calm, supportive space, with free equipment to help them reset.

Visit Bend noted that April is Autism Acceptance Month.

It’s Bend’s third organization to become KultureCity-certified, joining the High Desert Museum and the Tower Theatre.

To receive certification, Visit Bend staff completed specialized training to recognize and support guests with sensory needs. The welcome center now offers free-to-use sensory bags that include noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, cue cards, and weighted lap pads, along with a relaxing space for visitors who may need a break from overstimulation.

The Bend Visitor Center is also listed on the KultureCity app, allowing travelers to review available accessibility features in advance.

 “This partnership reflects our commitment to making sure Bend is welcoming and accessible to all,” said Daniel Elder, Visit Bend’s operations director, who led the certification effort.

“Destination management is about so much more than promoting visitation. It also means making sure the experience works for families, veterans, older adults, and neurodivergent travelers who want to enjoy everything our community has to offer,” Elder added.

Visit Bend said the initiative is part of its broader effort to leverage tourism in ways that strengthen residents’ quality of life while enhancing the visitor experience.

By expanding accessibility, Visit Bend supports inclusive travel, multigenerational trips, and year-round visitation aligned with Bend’s values and long-term sustainability goals.

In March, Visit Bend reinvested nearly $250,000 generated by visitor-paid taxes to help local organizations like Oregon Adaptive Sports, Central Oregon Trail Alliance, Deschutes Trails Coalition, and The Onward Project expand accessibility. That builds on past investments that helped create accessible kayak launches at Miller’s Landing Park and expanded mountain bike access for adaptive riders. 

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About Visit Bend

Visit Bend is a nonprofit, non-membership destination-management organization dedicated to stewarding and promoting Bend, Oregon, as a premier year-round destination. Through balanced, sustainable tourism practices, community partnerships, and strategic reinvestment of lodging-tax revenue, Visit Bend works to enhance quality of life, protect our natural assets, and sustain long-term economic vitality.

About KultureCity

KultureCity is a national nonprofit organization recognized for creating sensory-inclusive environments across public venues and destinations. The organization has certified more than 1,000 sensory-inclusive locations in six countries.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Union updates vote, new details of contract)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 100 Central Oregon Community College classified workers “resoundingly” approved a new three-year contact Wednesday that includes raises of up to 28%, averting a first-ever strike that would have begun early Thursday, union leaders said.

The deal was reached in last-minute, mediated talks on a new contract, just hours before a possible first-ever walkout at COCC was to begin at 5 a.m. Thursday.

“COCC administrators have listened to reason and made the laudable choice to listen to the voices of their classified staff instead of fighting against living wages for college employees,” the union announced Wednesday afternoon.

Union representative Rachel Gompert told TVZ News on Thursday that “98% voted yes, with 91% of the entire membership activated and having participated within just several hours of calling it.”

COCC officials said the deal includes overall 15% in raises over the three-year agreement, costing the college $1.9 million.

If not averted, this would have been the second strike ever at an Oregon community college. At Portland Community College, a tentative agreement was reached Monday to end a nearly three-week strike by its faculty union, KGW reported.

Here is COCC’s news release on the agreement:

COCC and Classified Association Reach Tentative Agreement

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining contract for 2025-2028, following ongoing negotiations. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by union membership and approval by the COCC Board of Directors. 

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement through continued dialogue and good-faith negotiations,” said Greg Pereira, COCC president. “This agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting our employees while maintaining the College’s responsibility to students and the long-term health of the institution.” 

The agreement outlines a 3-year contract and includes a wage and step increase totaling approximately $1.9 million over a 3-year contract period, including additional benefits to Classified employees. The tentative agreement includes: 

Compensation: A 6% wage increase in the first year, 4.5% increase in the second and 4.5% increase in the third year of the contract 

Benefits: The agreement also includes a change to tiered insurance rates for the classified bargaining members. This allows savings to these employees and the College. 

Negotiations between the College and the union have been ongoing for more than a year under Oregon’s public collective bargaining framework, with recent mediation sessions helping both parties move toward resolution.   

“We appreciate the time, effort and collaboration from all involved in reaching this tentative agreement,” said Erica Skatvold, chair of the COCC Board of Directors. “Our focus throughout this process has been to support our employees while ensuring we remain financially sustainable and able to serve our students and community. We are grateful to have the opportunity to bring this to closure.” 

CACOCC members are reviewing the tentative agreement the afternoon of April 1 and will be voting this evening. If ratified by CACOCC, and approved by the COCC Board of Directors, the agreement will take effect as of July 1, 2025 and continue through June 30, 2028. 

COCC will continue to share updates as the ratification process moves forward at: https://cocc.edu/negotiations. 

Here is the updated news release from the union, issued late Wednesday night:

BREAKING: TENTATIVE AGREEMENT APPROVED BY CLASSIFIED ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEMBERS

New Agreement Raises Wages for COCC’s Lowest Paid Staff up to 28%

Bend, OR – The second-ever community college strike in Oregon was averted with only hours to spare this evening, when classified staff at Central Oregon Community College resoundingly ratified a transformative agreement that will transform lives by raising wages for the lowest paid employees at COCC by as much as 28% over the life of a three year contract. 

Strike seemed inevitable early this morning, the final day before tomorrow morning’s 5am strike deadline. After fourteen months of prolonged negotiations, COCC board and president appeared unmoved.

After community members began actively calling on Board members to intervene in recent days to avert a strike, and extensive public communication about the union’s willingness and intent to remain out 2-3 months if necessary to secure an agreement, COCC accepted the union’s most recent proposal from this morning, reaching TA that with ratification will now avert strike.

Emergency voting was opened immediately following membership meetings taking questions and sharing full contents of the TA, and with 91% of the entire membership participating in the snap vote over just several hours, the agreement was ratified nearly unanimously. 

CACOCC members are applauding the new agreement, the solidarity of their community, and the support of their colleagues and union siblings in achieving the victory.  

These pay increases include a Cost of Living Adjustment of 6% year one, 4.5% year two, and 4.5% in year three, and three bottom step deletions over three years. With step advancement and compounding, this means an average raise of 22.8% for workers over the life of this contract and raises up to 28% for the lowest paid ones.

The agreement also includes 95% employer-paid insurance (up from 90%) while nonetheless saving the employer money. Union negotiators found these extraordinary win-win savings through careful attention to OEBB payment options given to employers. The savings keep all plan options unchanged and yet will reduce premiums for members by hundreds of dollars a month. For the lowest paid employees, these insurance savings act as a 5% additional increase to their effective wages each year.

CACOCC members were set to walk out on strike tomorrow, April 2, at 5 am. Instead, they will return to work in jubilation, for the change they, with the support of their colleagues and students, were able to win. 

“Thank you to every student, faculty member, and community member who has rallied with us, spoke up on our behalf at Board meetings, and refused to back down even when we were just hours from our strike deadline,” said Scott Dove, an academic technology specialist at COCC and President of the Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College. 

“When this college told us we didn’t deserve better, you told us we did, and to not stop standing up for it. The past six months we have all done things we never did together, including the first-ever joint rally between faculty and classified staff at COCC, as COCC faculty enter their own negotiations.

“As we celebrate the transformative changes to day-to-day life this contract will give, we prepare next to rally as our union siblings in the Central Oregon Community College Faculty Forum continue their own negotiations. We will not forget the outpouring of solidarity we received, and will be there to repay it in full to our friends in COCCFF going forward.”

“It still hasn’t set in for me yet that after fourteen months of fighting so hard, we finally did it,” said Liz Patterson, data specialist at COCC and Lead Negotiator for CACOCC. “For months we’ve been building our union community while bargaining our expired contract. Our members have pulled together, shared stories, found solidarity and pride.

“Thank you to every classified member at COCC who trusted the team to bring home something we can all be proud of. To the half a dozen community college unions now entering their own contract negotiations across Oregon, as well as to classified staff in Klamath Falls City Schools who are in the fight of their lives against poverty pay, we say this: PCC did it, we did it, so will you. Our communities will stand with us when our fights are just, and every classified staff person who works in higher education in Oregon deserves a dignified living wage.”

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CACOCC represents dedicated college employees who touch the lives of thousands of COCC students every year. CACOCC members perform essential work at COCC as student aid specialists, student veteran’s services specialists, student enrollment specialists, administrative assistants, laboratory specialists, IT professionals, custodial staff, grounds crews and more. They are united in their refusal to accept any agreement that keeps CACOCC members regularly experiencing hunger, food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. Learn more and stay up to date in real time at: www.Instagram.com/CACOCCunited. 

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Partners for Affordable Housing and Bend YIMBY will host an all-coalition meeting on April 2 in Bend to discuss housing development strategies and prepare for an upcoming candidate forum. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at The Barrel Room at UPP Liquids, located at 550 SW Industrial Way.

The event features a presentation by Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff on local efforts to enable housing development. The coalition, which includes the local chapter of the nonprofit YIMBY Action, aims to address the regional housing crisis by advocating for increased housing supply across Central Oregon.

The meeting agenda begins at 4 p.m. with updates and the development of questions for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum. Following the planning session, Mayor Kebler and City of Bend housing staff will give a presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. regarding city approaches to housing development. The session will include a question-and-answer period for attendees.

A social hour will conclude the event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barrel Room. Organizers noted that while appetizers will be provided, drinks will be available for purchase.

Partners for Affordable Housing was founded in 2010 as a nonprofit originally called Building Partners for Affordable Housing. It was established by members of the Central Oregon Builders Association, who worked to fund projects by securing land parcels at discounted prices for affordable housing builders.

The coalition has since expanded its membership to include large employers, unions, economic development organizations and civic groups. These organizations work together to support elected leaders in efforts to increase housing supply and reduce costs.

Central Oregon YIMBY, which stands for “Yes In My Back Yard,” is a chapter of the national 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization YIMBY Action. The group advocates for a variety of housing options beyond single-family homes, including condos, cottage clusters, apartments, micro-units and multi-unit plexes.

The questions developed during the meeting will be used for the Deschutes County Commission Candidate Forum scheduled for April 30.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon announced Wednesday it has been named a 2025 Pinnacle Award winner for program excellence by the organization’s national leadership.

The local agency is one of only five organizations chosen for the honor out of more than 230 agencies across the United States.

The Pinnacle Award is the highest honor given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. It recognizes agencies that have met “Platinum Award” requirements for two or more consecutive years, demonstrating high rates of retention for both mentors and youth while maintaining consistent program growth.

The national leadership council, comprised of local agency leaders and board members, selects the winners annually.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a 21 Cares for Kids partner, operates as a program of J Bar J Youth Services.

In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon provided services to 223 youth. The program focuses on creating one-to-one relationships to improve self-confidence and emotional well-being among participants.

Jenn Davis serves as the program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. She emphasized that the award represents the work of multiple groups within the region.

“This award is a testament to the long-term commitment and collective effort of our entire community,” Davis said. “Sustaining excellence in mentorship year after year is no small feat and it reflects the dedication of our staff, Advisory Council and volunteers. Our focus remains on expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring mentorship continues to transform lives. We are honored to be recognized for our impact and remain committed to building a stronger future for the youth we serve.”

The national organization includes more than 230 local agencies serving 5,000 communities.

Artis Stevens, the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, said,. “Achieving lasting excellence in mentorship requires foresight, commitment and a steadfast dedication to the young people we serve.”

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon hasn’t just raised the bar for impact and growth — they’ve maintained that standard consistently, year after year. Their continued achievements speak to the power of mentorship’s ability to transform lives and a tireless pursuit of better futures for the young people in their care.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon was founded in 1994. As a program of J Bar J Youth Services, it specifically targets at-risk youth and those facing adversity in the local community.

The national organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, was established in 1904. It is currently the largest youth mentoring organization in the country and utilizes an evidence-based approach to improve educational success and help youth avoid risky behaviors.

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Harley Coldiron

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor received 6 inches of snow over the past week, with forecasts calling for up to 7-10 inches of additional accumulation by Thursday afternoon. Our Chief Meteorologist John Carroll is tracking a Winter Weather Warning and has enacted two Local Alert Weather Days for the impactful snowfall ahead. He warns that travel trouble and mountain passes could be an issue.

The resort is hosting a series of events from April 2 through April 5, including a professional snowboarding competition, a passholder party and an Easter egg hunt.

Heavy snowfall is expected to continue through Thursday evening before clear skies and warmer temperatures return for the weekend. The scheduled activities include an appearance by professional snowboarder Danny Davis and a five-course Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge.

Mountain reports from Thursday morning indicated the resort received two inches of fresh snow overnight, with light snowfall continuing during early operations. Resort officials forecast heavy snowfall to bring an additional five to 10 inches throughout the day on Thursday. Base area temperatures at West Village were recorded at 30 degrees, with on-hill temperatures expected to remain in the upper 20s.

A second wave of heavy snow is forecast for Thursday evening, which is expected to bring seven to 10 inches of accumulation by Friday morning. Moderate to strong winds and hazy conditions are expected to persist through the end of the day Thursday. Mountain staff advised visitors to use low-light lenses and equipment for clearing goggles during these conditions.

The week’s scheduled festivities begin with the April Passholder Party on Thursday at On Tap Bend from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Resort leadership will be in attendance to meet with the community and distribute prizes. The first 200 passholders who present a 25/26 Outplay 365, Alpine Full Season or Midweek pass will receive a free drink.

Professional snowboarder Davis is scheduled to return to the mountain on Friday for the Party in the Peace Park. The event, presented by Mountain Dew, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers up to $3,000 in cash prizes and merchandise from Skullcandy and Woodward Peace Park. An after-party featuring live music and food will follow on the West Village Deck from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday evening features a Moonlight Dinner at Pine Marten Lodge for $149 per guest. The experience includes a twilight chairlift ride and a five-course prix fixe dinner with wine pairings from Bledsoe Wine Estate. The evening concludes with a guided moonlight ski or snowboard descent down the freshly groomed Olympian run.

The Snake-Run Rally, a grassroots banked slalom snowboard competition, will take place Saturday in the Skyliner area. Although registration for the event is currently closed, the resort is offering “Early Ups” at 8 a.m. for Outplay 365 and Full Season passholders, provided weather and conditions allow for early operations.

The week of events concludes Sunday with the Nordic Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nordic Center. Participants must be on skis or in a pulled chariot to search for hidden treats and 50 YETI mugs along the beginner trails. All participants are required to have a valid trail or season pass.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures are forecast to return to the area on Friday and continue through the weekend. Mountain operations will update the weather and conditions report as the storm system moves through the region.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January and 5.3%, as revised, in December, the Oregon Employment Department reported Wednsday.

That’s higher than the U.S. unemployment rate, which was 4.3% in January and 4.4% in December.

Here’s the full report from the agency on where jobs were gained or lost as 2026 began:

In January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted non-farm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs, following a gain of 100 jobs, as revised, in December.

January’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,800 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,500); and construction (+1,000). Losses were largest in manufacturing (-1,500 jobs) and professional and business services (-1,300).

Leisure and hospitality performed better than the normal seasonal pattern in January and employed 209,800, which was 1,800 jobs, or 0.9%, above its January 2025 total. Despite these recent gains, it employed only slightly more workers than during most of the past few years.

Health care and social assistance rose by 4,100 jobs during the three months ending in January. During the 12 months ending in January, it added 9,800 jobs, or 3.2%, which was by far the fastest growth rate of Oregon’s major industries during that time.

Construction’s 1,000-job gain in January was a partial rebound from its 2,400-job loss the prior month. Over the past two years, construction generally declined from a high of about 118,000 jobs throughout much of 2023, to its January 2026 level of 111,600 jobs.

Manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs in January, following a gain of 1,300 in December. Since August, manufacturing has fluctuated around 178,000 jobs. Prior to this period of relative stability, manufacturing shrank rapidly from a recent high of 195,000 jobs in November 2022.

The 1,300-job decline in professional and business services in January left the industry 7,600 jobs, or 2.9%, below its year-ago total, and 17,000 jobs below its peak of 268,100 jobs in 2023.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the January county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, April 7, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for February on Wednesday, April 15. 

About Workforce and Economic Research

The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Madras city councilors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to appoint David Clyne as new interim city administrator, expressing confidence in his abilities to help solve the city’s recent leadership struggles.

The city’s employment agreement with Clyne, who most recently served as city administrator in Independence, Oregon, will be effective next Monday, April 6, but he told councilors Tuesday night he will get to work right away.

The city said in a news release Wednesday, “The appointment follows a period of leadership transition beginning in January, during which the city operated under interim and council-managed structure while continuing core services and operations.”

Clyne also has served as an interim administrator for several other cities throughout Oregon and Colorado.

Before the vote, Councilor Gabriel Soliz said Klein is what the city needs.

“I know that he will do good work,” he said. “He will do some cleanup work that the city desperately needs. He will help staff with just getting their heads around everything and being sure that things are on track and on task.”

Soliz warned fellow councilors they should be aware of the steep costs of such appointments, but added strong leadership was worth it. Clyne, who attended the meeting by Zoom, said he was excited to start working.

Councilors at a March 4 meeting directed staff to identify qualified candidates to serve in an interim capacity. Three candidates were presented and interviewed by a council subcommittee on March 10. Following that process, the council selected Clyne and finalized terms of the employment agreement.

The city says Clyne brings more than 40 years of local government experience, including service as a city administrator or manager in communities of varying sizes, as well as several interim leadership roles in other Oregon cities. His background includes municipal operations, budgeting, organizational leadership, and guiding cities through complex transitions.

In the city’s announcement, Soliz said, “Mr. Clyne brings a strong background in local government and a proven track record of stepping into complex situations and providing steady leadership. We are confident in his ability to support the Council and staff and help guide the organization through this transition.”

Clyne said, “I am excited to come to Madras and provide support to the community, council, and staff during my time here, The city is going through challenging times, and I look forward to helping address those challenges and ensuring stability moving forward.”

Under the agreement, Clyne will serve as the city’s chief administrative officer, responsible for day-to-day operations, oversight of city departments, implementation of Council direction, and support of ongoing organizational priorities.

The interim appointment is expected to extend through August 1, unless modified by mutual agreement. 

Recruitment for a permanent city administrator is underway, in partnership with Prothman, a recruiting service. More information about the position and application process is available athttps://www.madras.gov/hr/job-opening/city-administrator.

“The City of Madras remains committed to maintaining continuity of services, supporting staff, and ensuring stable leadership during this transition,” the news release concluded.

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Claire Elmer

Update: KTVZ’s Claire Elmer spoke with some of the people who help make the High Desert Stampede possible. Tune in for more Thursday on KTVZ News at 4:00 p.m.

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Stampede has returned for its ninth year at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Ore. The event features world-champion competitors and a lineup of traditional rodeo events designed for a modern audience.

Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in late 2017, the High Desert Stampede is currently recognized as the fastest-growing rodeo in the United States. The production focuses on a fast-paced format that has helped it become one of the top-rated rodeos in the country.

The First Interstate Bank Center arena, where the rodeo is held, has a capacity of up to 4,000 people. Organizers noted that the event serves as an economic driver for Central Oregon, drawing fans from across the region who travel to Redmond for the performances. This high demand often leads to sold-out shows, with the 2022 event reaching standing-room-only capacity.

Jessi Jackson serves as the director of the High Desert Stampede and oversees the production’s modern approach to the sport. Jackson noted that the program is designed to be fast-paced while incorporating high-production elements:

“We pack our performance full of really fantastic contestants, and we keep it moving really fast,” Jackson said. “It’s a very fast-paced rodeo. We have our visiting royalty and our rodeo queens coming. So you’re going to get to see them ride really fast in the arena. And you’re going to see lights and lasers and fire. And we try to highlight a different part of either rodeo or our community and give thanks to, like, our first responders or military. So you’re going to see a little bit of everything during our rodeo.”

The High Desert Stampede has earned national recognition despite being one of the younger rodeos in the country. It was awarded the 2019 Medium Rodeo of the Year for the Columbia River Circuit. The event’s directors initially set a goal of establishing the production as one of the top 60 rodeos nationwide within its first few years of operation.

The organization navigated several challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of the 2020 rodeo due to statewide lockdowns. In September 2020, the High Desert Stampede partnered with Bridwell Pro Rodeos, Sisters Rodeo and Crooked River Roundup to produce the Cascade Chute Out.

This outdoor event was held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Juniper Arena to provide athletes with opportunities to qualify for circuit finals. In March 2021, the rodeo returned to its indoor venue at the First Interstate Bank Center using a specialized safety plan. This arrangement involved creating eight separate and physically partitioned venues within the arena to comply with health orders.

By 2022, the program expanded to include three full performances and a rough stock special section. The event has also established new community traditions, such as the crowning of its first rodeo queen. Linnae Roeder was named the inaugural Miss High Desert Stampede in 2023.

Organizers emphasized that tickets for the performances tend to sell out quickly and encouraged fans to purchase them in advance.

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Tracee Tuesday

Senator Ron Wyden joined KTVZ’s 5 PM broadcast for a LIVE in-studio interview. You’ll see it in the next slide above, or embedded in the article below.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Local and state leaders gathered at Bend City Hall Wednesday afternoon alongside U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden to push back against federal efforts they say could restrict mail-in voting, a system long used across Oregon.

The press conference comes as former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans promote the SAVE Act and other measures that critics argue could limit vote-by-mail access nationwide. One major point of concern raised Wednesday was a recent executive order aimed at tightening restrictions on mail-in voting.

Wyden, joined by Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, State Rep. Emerson Levy and Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang emphasized Oregon’s decades-long track record of conducting elections primarily by mail.

Redmond City Councilor Kathryn Osborne pointed to research supporting the system.

“There’s been a lot of research done on mail-in voting,” Osborne said. “Those data points have come back that mail-in voting is free, secure and fair, and that has been validated numerous times by many organizations.”

Rep.Emerson Levy (D) sought to reassure voters that no immediate changes are in place.

“Right now, mail-in voting remains exactly the same,” she said. “I want voters to know that their ballot is going to arrive and they should send it as usual. And we hope that we will continue to have a good, strong turnout.”

Wyden criticized the push for new restrictions, calling it a political distraction and defending Oregon’s system as a model for increasing voter participation.

He also claimed Oregonians remain focused on broader issues, including health care and government transparency, while continuing to support vote-by-mail.

Oregon has conducted elections entirely by mail for more than two decades, using secure drop boxes, postal delivery and ballot tracking systems designed to ensure access and integrity.

Local officials said they plan to continue defending the system, which they argue expands participation, especially in rural communities like Central Oregon.

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