Kelsey Merison
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From adding traffic cameras to curb speeding drivers to the number of dispensaries allowed in town, Mayor Ed Fitch answers viewer-submitted questions for this month’s Ask the Mayor.
Viewers can submit questions for Mayor Fitch at any time as part of our monthly segment – just click here.
Claire Elmer
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Subaru of Bend is helping support a local nonprofit this holiday season in a way that could save lives.
As part of Subaru’s national Share the Love event, Bend’s family-owned dealership selected Stroke Awareness Oregon (SAO) as one of this year’s local beneficiaries. The annual campaign runs from November through the new year, with Subaru donating money for every new vehicle sold.
Each participating dealership across the country chooses local nonprofits making an impact in their communities. For Subaru of Bend, that means supporting stroke education and awareness programs across Central Oregon.
“We can actually choose who in our community is making the most impact,” said Jake Thomas, general manager at Subaru of Bend. “This Share the Love event, we are doing Stroke Awareness Oregon – SAO. This organization helps educate people on what the signs are and try to help people not have life-changing events.”
Stroke Awareness Oregon teaches people to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke, while also supporting survivors and caregivers through recovery. Funds raised through the Share the Love event will help expand education, support groups, and outreach programs throughout the region.
“Our mission is so important because if we’re able to get that word out and help others with the knowledge, it can really mitigate a lot of things,” said Taylor Laidlaw, education coordinator for Stroke Awareness Oregon. “The money we’re receiving from this event will go toward the programs we work on — including support groups for stroke warriors and caregivers — and will help us continue that education in the community.”
Organizers say partnerships like this not only provide crucial funding but help spread life-saving awareness across Central Oregon.
Subaru’s Share the Love event runs through January 2nd at the Bend location, with most of the money raised going directly back into local programs.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Video Added)
Major fundraising for Central Oregon Community College’s Madras campus expansion, set to open for winter term’s first day on Jan. 5, has culminated with a generous capping grant of $100,000 from the Tykeson Family Foundation.
The investment in the “Growing Together” campaign is supporting two central elements of the transformative project: the college’s health care training programs and the community child care center, the school said in Wednesday’s announcement.
“This COCC expansion grows opportunities in the care sectors to build community well-being,” said Amy Tykeson, managing trustee of the Tykeson Family Foundation. “Starting in January, more people in Jefferson County can gain critical skills and credentials close to home.”
In all, the new 24,000-square-foot facility will house three standalone training programs: nursing, nursing assistant and medical assisting. Additionally, the expanded early childhood education program at the Madras campus is integrating some of its training into the new on-site, 100-capacity child care facility, being managed by The Children’s Learning Center of Madras.
The update to the Madras campus, which originally opened in 2011, is a response to Jefferson County’s needs related to early childhood education and health care workforce gaps, along with a major shortage of child care options in the region. Construction began in June of 2024.
COCC plans to hold a community ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, April 30, at 4 p.m.
“The Tykeson Family Foundation is bringing incredible impact to this campus and community, and we’re extremely grateful,” said Zak Boone, COCC’s chief advancement officer and executive director of the COCC Foundation.
“It’s a monumental day for our ‘Growing Together’ campaign to receive this generous grant near the end of our public fundraising efforts. And it’s a soon-to-be monumental day to be opening these new doors to residents of Jefferson County!”
The Madras campus expansion is being funded through a combination of federal and state support, private philanthropy, grants and general college funds.
For more information, contact Zak Boone, COCC’s chief advancement officer and executive director of the COCC Foundation, at zboone@cocc.edu or 541-383-7212.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Park and Recreation District opened The Pavilion as Central Oregon’s first and only NHL-size ice sheet nearly a decade ago, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary along with the annual winter solstice event on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Winter solstice event
The Winter Solstice & 10th Anniversary Celebration encourages attendees to bring a non-perishable food donation for NeighborImpact to receive the discounted fee of $8 per person including skate rental.
The event will include music by DJ Teafly, a performance by the Bend Ice Figure Skating Club at 7 p.m., anniversary cake, treats and hot cocoa. There will also be raffle prizes for attendees.
NeighborImpact’s Food Bank welcomes non-perishable food donations, including pasta, canned vegetables, canned tuna, canned fruit, soups, peanut butter and ready-to-eat meals.
“Winter solstice is a time to celebrate the shortest day and the return of more minutes of daylight to follow,” said Clare Gordon, The Pavilion manager. “This year is extra special because we will also celebrate 10 years of operations and enjoyment of year-round activities at this special facility.”
By the numbers: 10 years at The Pavilion
Since opening in late December 2015, nearly 441,000 individuals have visited The Pavilion, including residents and visitors, for drop-in use. The most visited year was 2023 with more than 75,000 drop-in skate visits in the year.
Hockey participation has been strong since the very first season when 300 adults joined the inaugural league and specialized ice session offerings. In subsequent years, BPRD added youth hockey programs and roller offerings, and more than 7,300 program registrations were logged for youth and adult hockey participants, including leagues, specialized stick time and other programs in 2024. A total of nearly 40,000 hockey registrations have occurred since 2016.
Learn-to-skate ice skating lessons occur for all ages and skill levels annually. Enrollment grew to an all-time high of 1,428 in 2022 and continues to be enjoyed by more than 1,000 skaters annually.
Curling is a popular Olympic sport and has an enthusiastic local following with strong league participation. Each year, it is also one of the district’s fastest programs to fill to capacity when fall and winter registration opens. To date, there have been 2,300 enrollments for curling opportunities, including single session learn-to-curl programs.
Hockey, learn to skate and curling programs are offered by BPRD, as well as long-time partners Bend Ice, Bend Rapids and the Bend Curling Club.
“The community’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of ice and roller sports have been great to experience,” added Gordon. “The district couldn’t do this alone, and we extend thanks to our partners who have joined us in fostering introduction, development and competitive spirit to The Pavilion activities.”
To support ice sports, The Pavilion has a refrigeration system consisting of over 13 miles of in-floor tubing to maintain quality ice conditions. In addition to the 30,000 square foot roof, the rink is protected on the south and west sides by clear panels designed to reduce wind and sun exposure on the ice while maintaining the open-air experience.
In non-ice season, multi-sport court flooring is placed for warmer weather activities, such as roller skating and roller hockey.
Each summer, The Pavilion hosts a popular childcare program called “the PAC.” Since 2016, there have been more than 17,000 enrollments at the high-demand summer camp program that operates 10 weeks each summer.
When it initially opened to the public, ice season was expected to be from November to March. In practice, it opens in October and ice season concludes in early April, which extends several weeks to the season each year before transitioning to a roller surface for warmer seasons.
“As we move into The Pavilion’s second decade, the district will continue to focus programs and operations around community need, and staff are thankful for the wide variety of activities The Pavilion has to offer!” said Gordon.
Barney Lerten
CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, working with Jefferson County Fire and EMS, rescued a missing kayaker from Bend late Tuesday night from the Deschutes Arm of Lake Billy Chinook.
Around 10:40 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a missing kayaker near the Lower Deschutes Boat Ramp, Sheriff Jason Pollock said.
While deputies prepared to deploy a Sheriff’s Office patrol boat to search the water, another deputy used a thermal imaging drone in an effort to locate the subject.
The kayaker, Neil Wesner, 74, of Bend, was found in the water, clinging to his kayak and exhibiting signs of hypothermia and disorientation, the sheriff said.
Deputies pulled Wesner onto the patrol boat, where Jefferson County Fire and EMS personnel immediately began treating him. He was brought to the Lower Deschutes Boat Ramp and moved to a waiting ambulance, which took him to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
The sheriff told KTVZ News that Wesner was wearing a life jacket when things went awry.
“He had his phone in his hand and was able to call 911 for help before he lost connection,” Pollock told us.
“This incident highlights the importance of rapid response, advanced technology, and strong teamwork between Jefferson County deputies and fire personnel,” Pollock said in a news release.
“We are grateful for the successful outcome and remind all boaters to exercise caution, particularly in cold water conditions, where hypothermia can occur quickly,” the sheriff added.
Barney Lerten
(Update: State Police information)
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A driver received minor injuries and was cited after a single-vehicle crash that closed U.S. Highway 20 near Suttle Lake late Tuesday night, Oregon State Police said.
ODOT advised motorists on TripCheck just after 11 p.m. that the highway was closed by the crash near milepost 90, west of Sisters and three miles east of the intersection with Suttle Lake Loop.
In the video above captured by KTVZ, you can see traffic backed up to a stop, as well as first responders searching in the brush alongside the highway.
OSP said the crash occurred when the driver of an eastbound pickup lost control and it overturned, landing on the westbound shoulder of the highway. He was taken to St. Charles Bend with minor injuries and cited for driving with a suspended license.
“Heavy rains were a factor, and speed appears to have been a factor,” troopers said.
The vehicle was reported to have caught on fire, but OSP had no further information. The involved truck was towed from the scene by Davis Towing.
Barney Lerten
CHILQQUIN, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 26-year-old Chiloquin man was killed in the head-on collision of two pickup trucks Tuesday evening on Highway 97 south of Chiloquin in Klamath County, Oregon State Police said Wednesday.
The crash occurred around 6:40 p.m. near milepost 255.
OSP’s preliminary investigation found that Gordon Travis Gilmer, 37, of Sacramento, was driving a Chevy Silverado 2500 heading south when he lost control, traveled into the oncoming lane and struck a Toyota Hilux driven by Triston Charles Morrow, 26, of Chiloquin.
Morrow died at the crash scene. The Chevy driver and one passenger suffered reported minor, while a second passenger was reported uninjured.
The highway was affected for about an hour during the on-scene investigation.
OSP said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by Chiloquin Fire and ODOT.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding Democrats’ reaction, GOP call to fund health care)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three Central and Eastern Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday urged the Oregon Department of Transportation to seek emergency funding from lawmakers to keep roads safe this winter, in the wake of a delay in a funding package that a petition effort apparently will send to voters next year.
In a joint statement, state Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane), Sen. Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) said that across Oregon, rainstorms and years of deferred maintenance have led to worsening road conditions, including potholes, failing shoulders, damaged guardrails, and drainage problems.
With winter approaching, the lawmakers warned that conditions will quickly become more dangerous without immediate action. They said a request for emergency funding “aligns directly with ODOT’s core mission,” which prioritizes safety as one of the primary values of the agency.”
Owens said safe roads are basic infrastructure people rely on every day, especially in rural Oregon, where state highways are lifelines. Without adequate funding, the state risks more accidents, vehicle damage, and higher long-term costs.
Breese-Iverson pointed to the everyday safety impacts for Oregon families and communities, noting that winter driving is already challenging in many parts of the state. She said poorly maintained roads increase risks for families, school buses, and emergency responders and require ODOT to be ready to act quickly if funding falls short.
McLane said the issue affects every corner of Oregon and that winter weather will quickly worsen existing problems, making it responsible to be prepared to seek Emergency Board funding to protect public safety and avoid higher repair costs later.
The legislators said they appreciate the work ODOT crews do every day, often in difficult and dangerous conditions, and emphasized that crews need adequate resources to do that work safely and effectively this winter.
They said they stand ready to support an Emergency Board request and will work with ODOT to ensure roads remain safe and passable throughout the winter.
House Democrats were quick to respond, saying the Republicans’ statement comes “less than a week after their colleagues turned in signatures to strip funding for ODOT and after all three members of the legislature voted against a comprehensive transportation package back in September.”
Here’s statements from several House Democrats:
Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro)
“My Republican colleagues’ request is as impractical as it is unsustainable. Are they going to ask for emergency funds for the rest of 2026 as well when they strip funding as part of their ballot measure to defund ODOT? It is simply not realistic.”
Rep. Dacia Grayber (D-SW Portland & E Beaverton)
“In the last week, we’ve seen historic flooding and unpredictable weather in both Oregon and Washington. Every day it becomes clearer that the decision to fund ODOT is literally one of life or death. This is about the survival of whole communities, let alone individuals. Oregonians love our wild weather and gorgeous geography, but to live here means we need reliable transportation infrastructure and service, and I’m heartened that my fellow Republicans agree. Funding emergencies one at a time is not smart or sustainable. Unfortunately, because of funds stripped away by the Trump administration, we can’t just pull down dollars— which is why House Democrats passed legislation to avoid this problem back in September.”
Rep. Travis Nelson (N & NE Portland)
“It’s rich to see Republicans suddenly discover that safe roads require money. The very lawmakers now urging ODOT to seek emergency funding were happy to support referring stable transportation funding to the ballot, putting road maintenance on ice for years. Praising ODOT crews while starving the agency of resources doesn’t fix potholes, guardrails, or landslides created by the recent storms. We will need money to repair roads. That’s just how it works.”
Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis)
“The landslide that cut off the Siletz community is exactly the kind of emergency ODOT is supposed to be funded to respond to. While I’m relieved no one was hurt and grateful to ODOT crews for acting quickly, the reality is that putting ODOT funding on hold leaves the agency without the resources to deal with disasters of this scale—forcing communities to wait and lawmakers to scramble for one-off fixes instead of investing in a stable, bipartisan solution.”
The three GOP lawmakers on Wednesday also urged the Oregon Health Authority to submit an Emergency Board funding request to stabilize rural health care providers and prevent further closures across Oregon.
Here’s the Republicans’ statement on that issue:
Rural communities are already losing access to essential health services. Assisted living and long-term care facilities in Lakeview have closed. Labor and delivery services in Baker County are no longer available. Mental and behavioral health providers in Eastern Oregon are warning that funding instability could force additional closures.
Many rural providers operate on thin margins while serving high numbers of Oregon Health Plan, Medicaid, Medicare, and senior patients. When reimbursements don’t cover costs, losses can’t be absorbed. Services are cut or eliminated, and sometimes facilities close entirely. These closures are not isolated and reflect a systemic breakdown in rural health funding. Once lost, local care is hard to replace, forcing patients to travel long distances or delay treatment.
Owens, Breese-Iverson, and McLane are asking OHA to bring forward an Emergency Board request focused on keeping existing providers open while longer-term solutions are developed. They said the request should prioritize:
Stabilizing rural hospitals and clinics at risk of closure
Preserving maternity and labor and delivery services
Supporting hospice, long-term care, and primary care providers
Maintaining access to mental and behavioral health services in rural Oregon
“Access to health care should not depend on geography,” the legislators said. “Rural families, seniors, and OHP members rely on local providers for timely, safe care. Without immediate action, more communities risk losing services they cannot easily replace.”
Barney Lerten
MT. BACHELOR, Ore. (KTVZ) — The storm that blew into Oregon overnight, toppling trees and power lines, also brought the first measurable snow to Mt. Bachelor in nearly three weeks, raising hopes the delayed ski and snowboard season can begin in coming days,
Mt. Bachelor reported getting two inches of snow – and while that’s not much, it’s the first measurable snow on the previously bare slopes since Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day, resort Communications and Community Relations Manager Presley Quon told KTVZ News.
Quon called it “a welcome change in the weather pattern signaling a return to winter,” after weeks of mild weather, including days of record warm temperatures around the region.
Quon pointed out that the forecast shows continued snowfall through Sunday and into next week, with potential for feet of snow at the base area — up to 30 inches by Sunday.
“While significant coverage is still needed to set a new timeline for opening, teams are preparing the slopes,” Quon said, “and snowmaking is once again underway near Pine Marten lift.”
All uphill access is closed starting Wednesday, she added. Mt. Bachelor’s uphill policy takes effect when Mt. Bachelor opens for the 25/26 winter season, at which time a free Uphill Pass & armband are required.
The Mountain Report will be updated daily through this storm cycle, the resort spokeswoman said.
Harley Coldiron
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —A powerful windstorm swept through Central Oregon Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with winds whipping up to 60 miles per hour. The combination of strong gusts and loose soil caused by recent rain left trees toppled around the region.
Chief Meteorologist John Carroll explained, “It was kind of a perfect scenario, with the rain coming in and saturating the soil and compromising the root systems, followed by the extremely gusty winds.”
Viewer Rusty Walther reported a giant juniper branch broke off at his ranch in Tumalo. Just west of the Sisters, the winds caused a 20-mile stretch of Highway 20 to close, with over a dozen trees collapsed and fallen onto the highway. Crews and bulldozers worked around the clock to get the debris cleared.
Images from Highway 26 east of Welches showed not just trees toppled, but power lines also fell, causing the highway to close overnight; crews worked to get it open by Wednesday morning. A high wind warning was in place for much of the region until 4 p.m. Wednesday, with 30-40 mph winds and gusts to 65 mph possible. A winter weather advisory was also in place for the east slopes of the Cascades, with 2-4 more inches of snow and winds gusting to 55 mph.
ODOT’s TripCheck map showed a 16-mile stretch of Highway 22 in the Gates area closed by downed trees but reopened by late morning; an 18-mile segment of Highway 126 closed just east of Vida; and a 20-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 20 closed 10 miles east of Cascadia State Park. U.S. Highway 26 closed a mile east of Welches by downed power lines but was cleared and reopened by late morning.
ODOT Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey said, “Now that crews have daylight, they are continuing to assess conditions and work to safely clear trees and coordinate with utility partners to address downed power lines before the highways can reopen.” For several hours, the only travel options over the mountains to the Willamette Valley were Highway 58 at Willamette Pass or north to Interstate 84.
At one point, more than 200,000 people were without power in Oregon and Washington, including hundreds in Crook County and thousands in Madras. Some power outages were reported in the High Desert region, though not to the extent of Western Oregon and southwest Washington.
Pacific Power crews responded to widespread outages affecting about 50,000 customers, with the most significant impacts in Clatsop County and the mid-Willamette Valley; some customers there may be without power overnight. ODOT pointed to widespread impacts statewide, including downed trees, fallen limbs, and downed power lines, with conditions expected to continue and possibly worsen as high winds persist.
ODOT crews worked through the night clearing debris where conditions allowed and coordinating with utility companies. Power outages affected traffic signals, highway message signs, and TripCheck cameras, with delays expected throughout the day.
Mt. Bachelor Update Amid Storm
Presley Quon, marketing at Mt. Bachelor, said, “We got about two inches of snow in the base area overnight, and it was dumping snow on my drive up to the mountain this morning. So that was really exciting.” Presley Quon with Mount Bachelor says the change in the weather was welcomed for those looking to hit the slopes.
Two inches of fresh snow fell at Mount Bachelor overnight, but it’s far from the two feet they need to open. Quon added, “We still don’t have a new timeline for opening. We need a lot more snow on the ground to start grooming, to start getting ski patrol out on hill to mark our ski area boundaries.” Teams are preparing the slopes and making snow once again near the Pine Marten lift. Quon noted, “It can change daily. So right now we’re cautiously optimistic.”
Forecast and Safety Warnings
KTVZ’s team of meteorologists is tracking the forecast ahead and has enacted a Local Alert Weather Day for Thursday and Friday morning. Chief Meteorologist John Carroll said, “We’ll have some gusty winds, but it’s really about the rain that’s coming in. We’re setting up with a new atmospheric river that’s coming right into our area. But when it gets to us, we still have plenty left. So we could see up to two inches of rain.”
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch through Thursday night for multiple counties including Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill, with heaviest rainfall Thursday and Friday.
ODOT safety tips include:
Stay away from downed power lines and assume all lines are live.
Treat intersections with dark traffic signals as four-way stops
Use extra caution while traveling as trees and limbs may still be falling
Slow down and watch for crews and equipment; do not drive around closure points as roads are unsafe
Do not rely on GPS, which may direct onto closed roads; be prepared for delays or detours.
ODOT urged delaying non-essential trips. Drivers should check TripCheck.com for real-time updates.
