Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

ASHWOOD, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Friday removed the last Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 GET SET evacuation zones on the nearly 2-week-old Cram Fire that blew up to cover nearly 96,000 acres. A small area along the fire’s perimeter is stil at Level 1 GET READY.

Here’s what the sheriff’s office posted on their Facebook page:

“The area to the SE of the perimeter is currently in a Level 1. It’s the western side of NE 15, the northern half of SE 17 and the top NW corner of SE 18.

Road closures are still in effect and are only open to the residents and fire personnel.

Mop up will continue through the weekend, so please be cautious of the fire personnel and apparatus that you will see on the roads.

Thank you so much to the community for your patience during this fire and thank you SOOOOO much to all the men and women fire personnel who have come to our county to help with the #CramFire,” the post concluded.

Friday’s evacuation levels map (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Here’s Thursday’s final daily update on the Cram Fire:

ire Information Line: (541) 216-7206Email 2025.cram@firenet.govInformation Resources: https://linktr.ee/cramfire2025

Size: 95,736 acres | Cause: Under Investigation | Total Personnel: 533| Containment: 77%

This will be the final daily update for the Cram Fire unless fire activity changes. As containment and suppression repair objectives are met, firefighting resources and excess equipment will be released from the incident and made available to fill other needs.

There were some areas of heat detected yesterday on the southeast portion of the fire, well within the fire perimeter. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up to further secure containment lines. This includes assessing threats and extinguishing areas of interior heat that may pose a threat to containment lines.

Work is ongoing to restore soil stability and vegetative cover in areas impacted by suppression-related activities.

Weather: Today will be hot and dry again, with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and humidity around 25%. Northwest winds will be gusty in the afternoon, potentially 25 miles per hour along ridgetops. Unburned green islands within the fire perimeter may produce smoke and isolated tree torching may occur.

Evacuations: Evacuations remain in effect for some zones around the fire. Please refer to official evacuation maps for the most up-to-date info: Jefferson County: tinyurl.com/JCSOEvacMap, Wasco County: tinyurl.com/WascoCountyEvacMap, Crook County:tinyurl.com/CrookCountyEvacMap

Smoke Outlook: An interactive smoke map for your area is available at https://fire.airnow.gov.

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; use caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit, https://keeporegongreen.org.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A police call lto a Prineville residence Thursday evening led to a standoff with a barricaded man armed with a knife that lasted several hours before the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team was able to convince him to surrender.

Officers responded shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday to a call of a disturbance involving a weapon in the 800 block of NE Belknap Street, Police Chief Jeff Profio said in a news release Friday.

Prineville officers and Crook County sheriff’s deputies tried to contact the man, but he refused to come out of the residence, Profio said.

The CERT team responded to assist after the suspect, later identified as Jacob Todd Boyum, 46, of Prineville, barricaded himself inside the home and was believed to be armed.

The Prineville Review reported that the man refused to come out of a camper trailer, and the heavy law enforcement response drew a crowd of more than 100 onlookers. It said a family member who asked to remain anonymous told the Review police alleged Boyum threatened others with a knife and was likely dealing with a “mental episode.”

For several hours, law enforcement made repeated “loud hail” announcements, trying to encourage the suspect to surrender.

When these efforts were unsuccessful, Profio said CERT utilized unspecified “additional methods to attempt to gain the suspect’s compliance and continued to encourage the suspect to surrender peacefully.”

Eventually, Boyum surrendered peacefully, the police chief said, adding that “no force was used during the arrest.”

The Review reported that CERT used one of its armored vehicles to breach the camper’s back window and place a cellphone inside in an effort to speak with him. He surrendered without further incident a short time later.

Boyum was lodged in the Crook County Jail on charges of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as a felony warrant for parole violation.

“There were no injuries to the suspect or law enforcement personnel during this incident,” Profio said. 

The initial charging document indicated Boyum was armed with a knife. Court records show he was due for arraignment Friday afternoon on the charges.

Profio said Prineville Police “would like to thank the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the CERT team for their assistance and professionalism during this incident.”

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Forward progress stopped on 3-acre fire)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fast-moving brush fire broke out early Thursday evening east of East Antler Avenue in Redmond, prompting the evacuation of threatened homeless camps.

Incident 598, later called the Greenwood Fire for nearby NE Greenwood Avenue, was reported shortly after 5 p.m. and brought a quick response by Redmond Fire & Rescue. First crews on scene reported a moderate to rapid rate of spread as it burned brush and grass and also involved some juniper trees.

The fire initially was reported at about three acres. Crews stopped forward progress of the fire by about 6 p.m.

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch sent three engines, a hand crew and a bulldozer to help stop the fire’s wind-fanned spread to the northeast. Air attack also was on the scene, according to Watch Duty.

No structures were threatened, but Redmond Police were helping clear camps in the area, Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney told KTVZ News.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Hot air balloons will fill the skies once again as Balloons Over Bend returns for a three day celebration starting Friday.

The event kicks off with a sunrise balloon launch at Jewell Elementary School. Organizers recommend arriving around 6:15 a.m. to grab a good viewing spot.

The sunrise launches continue Saturday and Sunday. They’re free and open to the public.

For those who prefer evening events, the Night Glow festivals in Bend and Redmond offer a chance to see the balloons illuminated against the night sky.

For the full schedule and details, visit balloonsoverbend.org.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Vehicle fires appear to ramp up in the summertime, and another one on the Bend Parkway led to a southbound traffic jam into town as the Thursday evening commute began.

Bend Fire Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said crews called to the scene around 4:15 p.m. found an older sedan burning along the southbound parkway shoulder, just before the Revere Avenue exit.

“Our crews were there and cleared within 20 minutes,” Derlacki told KTVZ News. All emergency vehicles were released before 5 p.m., but it can take a while for those backups to clear.

ODOT was advising on its TripCheck map of the vehicle fire affecting one southbound lane and the shoulder. They advised motorists to “slow or move over for worker safety.”

About 24 hours earlier, a pickup fire put up black smoke on Highway 97 south of Deschutes Junction.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —  With Central Oregon in the thick of summer and daytime temperatures consistently in the 90s, individuals experiencing homelessness are at heightened risk of dehydration and heat-related illness. To address this challenge, Shepherd’s House Ministries is calling on the community to donate bottled water and support its effort to combat hunger and homelessness.

A Place at the Table is a summer initiative focused on raising critical funds for food, hydration and support services for those living on the streets.

As part of this effort, Shepherd’s House Ministries is urgently seeking donations of bottled water. Cases or pallets of individual-sized bottles are especially needed to help relieve the current shortage and ensure immediate hydration needs are met.

“In this heat, a cold bottle of water can be life-saving,” said Curt Floski, executive director at Shepherd’s House Ministries. “But water is just the beginning. People also need food, rest, and connection. That’s what A Place at the Table is all about.”

In addition to water donations, monetary contributions are deeply appreciated. Every dollar raised through A Place at the Table supports meals, outreach services, shelter, and compassionate care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness throughout Central Oregon.

How You Can Help:

Donate bottled water (cases or pallets) at:

Bend -1854 NE Division St

Redmond – 1350 S Hwy 97

Make a financial gift to support the full scope of the A Place at the Table campaign at shministries.org

Together, we can offer more than just relief; we can offer dignity, hope, and a place at the table for everyone.

About Shepherd’s House MinistriesShepherd’s House Ministries serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness, trauma, addiction, and crisis in Central Oregon. Through emergency services, case management, long-term recovery programs, and strategic partnerships, we help rebuild lives and restore hope.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday appointed seven community members to serve on the county’s District Mapping Advisory Committee. The committee will draft a commissioner district map, which will first be considered by the Board before being put to Deschutes County voters as a ballot measure in 2026.

Commissioner Chair Tony DeBone appointed two committee members: Bernie Brader and Ned Dempsey. Brader, an Air Force veteran, has lived in La Pine for more than 20 years. In his career, he has worked in industrial water treatment and, outside of work, he serves on the La Pine Frontier Days board, participates in the Ponderosa Mountain Men and is president of the La Pine RC Fliers. Dempsey, a resident of Bend since 1973 and a licensed professional engineer, founded Century West Engineering Corporation, which is based in Deschutes County. He serves on several boards and committees, including the Deschutes County Solid Waste Committee, the Oregon Sustainability Board, and the High Desert Museum Board of Directors.

Commissioner Patti Adair appointed two committee members: Matt Cyrus and Phil Henderson. Cyrus, a sixth-generation Oregon farmer, resides in the community of Cloverdale. He is president of the Deschutes County Farm Bureau and chairman of the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Henderson grew up in Hood River working in his family’s fruit orchards. He has lived in Bend since 1989, where he has worked as a private attorney, general contractor, and served as a Deschutes County Commissioner from 2017 to 2020.

Commissioner Phil Chang appointed three committee members: Andrew Kaza, Carol Loesche, and Melanie Kebler. Kaza, a resident of Redmond, has owned and operated the Sisters Movie House and Cafe since 2016. He serves as co-chair of the Independent Party of Oregon. Loesche has lived in Bend for eight years, works part-time, and enjoys volunteering in the community. She is a longtime member of the League of Women Voters and previously served as president of the Deschutes County League. Kebler, who grew up in Bend, has spent her career working as an attorney working for the public. She currently serves as the mayor of Bend, with her term ending in 2026.

Last November, voters approved Ballot Measure 9-173, which expands the Board of County Commissioners from three to five members, with two new commissioners to be elected at-large in 2026. In response, the BOCC agreed to appoint a citizen advisory committee to draft a district map representing each commissioner position, moving away from five at-large positions. If the BOCC—and ultimately the voters—approve the DMAC’s recommended map, the new districts would be in place for each election of commissioners, beginning in 2028.

Following their confirmation of the DMAC appointees on Wednesday, the BOCC reviewed and provided recommendations to the committee’s guidelines. The DMAC will hold an orientation meeting in August and will meet weekly from early September to mid-November as necessary. Facilitated by Neil Bryant and supported by a county project management team, the committee will draft district map following specific criteria.  

DMAC meetings will be open to the public, and community members are encouraged to participate in person or virtually, providing input during designated public comment periods. The meeting locations, agendas and virtual login information will be available online at deschutes.org/meetings.  

A District Mapping Advisory Committee website is currently being developed and will be available soon at deschutes.org.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gunshots fired Tuesday night in an area of homeless camps in east Redmond led to a man’s arrest on several charges, police confirmed Thursday.

KTVZ News asked city and Deschutes County law enforcement for information based on a viewer’s tip about a large police presence and shots fired in the area shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Redmond Police Captain Jesse Petersen provided this information to us:

On July 22, Redmond Police officers responded to vacant land north of SE Ochoco Way & Highway 126 for a civil dispute over property. 

“During the investigation, officers heard gunshots in the area and bullets were ricocheting in their vicinity,” Petersen said.

“RPD officers, along with assistance from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, contacted two males near a trailer,” he said. “A 39-year-old male was arrested for shooting a handgun in the direction of a motorcycle that had driven by the trailer.” 

Petersen said the man was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on charges of menacing, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of reckless endangering.

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video)

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – La Pine resident Katherine Rozelle just wants to bring her daughter’s pony home.

The pony, Sam, is a Welsh-Arabian mare with black-and-pink mottled skin that’s especially visible during the summer.

Rozelle told the Problem Solvers she leased out the pony, Sam, several times after her daughter outgrew riding her. Leasing seemed like a way to keep Sam active and cared for. She never imagined it would lead to the pony disappearing.

“This is why people don’t lease out their horses. It’s because of horror stories like this,” Rozelle said.

Here’s the details – and you can watch our Problem Solvers report Thursday night on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.

In November 2022, Rozelle made a verbal agreement to lease Sam to a man named Phillip Metcalf, who was living on his aunt’s property in Redmond at the time.

“I reached out to the phone number I had for him,” Rozelle recalled. “Someone answered and said, ‘This isn’t his number any more, but I get a lot of messages looking for him.’”

Rozelle filed a report with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and hired a private investigator to help with the search.

“The second I typed Phillip Metcalf’s name into Google, all these articles started coming up,” said investigator Kurt Van Meter.

Van Meter believes this may be part of a larger pattern.

One Facebook post from 2020 warns a horse group not to buy or sell to Metcalf.

A user writes, “This man buys horses under one name and sells them under another. He is basically a well-known criminal in Central Oregon.”

Private investigator Kurt Van Meter says Metcalf’s pattern is to lease horses from owners, host an auction, and then sell those horses without returning them.

Equine attorney Catherine Hall says verbal agreements are common, but risky.

“A lot of horse people tend to be very trusting of their fellow horse person,” said Hall. “The perception tends to be that by making somebody write it down, that somehow that automatically means that they don’t trust them.”

She says these types of cases are treated as civil disputes, not criminal theft, unless there’s proof the horse was taken intentionally.

Hall encourages horse owners to document every agreement, and to use services like NetPosse to track missing animals.

“Once it leaves your property, there’s no guarantee you’ll see it again,” Hall said.

Both Van Meter and the Problem Solvers have attempted to contact Metcalf, but haven’t heard back.

“It’s important to note that whoever has the horse isn’t in trouble,” Van Meter added.

Rozelle continues to hold out hope for Sam’s return.

If you have any information about Sam’s whereabouts, please contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. You can also reach out to the family’s private investigator at KurtVanMeter@yahoo.com.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — For the second time in recent weeks, a brush fire broke out near a transient camp on BLM land off Darlene Way and Rosland Road in La Pine, and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies are looking for a person of interest.

The Jolene Fire started around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday and was quickly contained, thanks to the rapid response of Lt. Josh Spano, DCSO deputies, the La Pine Rural Fire District, and fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service, sheriff’s office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said Thursday.

No structures or vehicles were damaged.

Carr said investigators believe the fire was human-caused, and the sheriff’s office is seeking a person of interest.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area is asked to call the non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911.

News release:

City of La Pine Recognizes Agency Partners in Response to Wildfire

La Pine, OR, July 24, 2025: At approximately 2:30 p.m. July, 23rrd, 2025, the Jolene Fire broke out on BLM land adjacent to the City of La Pine. Due to the quick response of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the blaze was contained and then mitigated by assistance from La Pine Rural Fire Protection District, and wildland firefighting dispatch from the United States Forest Service.

Led by Lieutenant Joshua Spano, DCSO deputies Jon Ebner, Evan Kennedy, and Trey Plamondon were able to use fire extinguishers and shovels to cut lines and establish suppression until firefighting units were on scene. This one-acre incident was reduced from growing into a larger event due to the immediate actions of Lieutenant Spano and his team.

This is the fourth such incident to take place on BLM land during the 2025 summer season adjacent to the City of La Pine, and the City Council of La Pine has requested as of May 28, 2025, increased resources and advocacy from the Prineville District BLM office in matters pertaining to wildfires on BLM property.

The City of La Pine would like to commend the DCSO and responding agency partners for their commitment to public safety and the citizens of the La Pine area.

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