Category: ktvz-local-news

KTVZ

(Adding video and quotes from Sheriff Ty Rupert and La Pine Resident Jamie Donahue)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s office held its first of a multi-city town hall tour.

The town hall on Thursday was about re-establishing trust between the sheriff’s office and residents of Deschutes County.

Trust which was broken after years of turmoil.

This town hall was a step in the right direction.

Sheriff Ty Rupert spoke about earning the publics trust during the town hall.

Sheriff Rupert said, “so I ask you not to trust me right now because I’m a person I trust, I’m a person of my word. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, but you give me time, and I can assure you that I will show you that you can trust me and that you can trust our office.”

Throughout the evening, Sheriff Rupert spoke about his history with the department, his goals for the future, and overhauling the culture of the department.

During the question and answer portion of the event, residents shared their frustrations about the department, and specifically how they feel like they’re left behind.

“There’s a lot of changes last year. It feels like we got stripped of everybody that we cared for. wholehearted call them family. They all knew who we were. Our seniors felt comfortable with their people. They knew they felt comfortable there,” Jamie Donahue, La Pine Seniors and Activity Center Executive Director said at the Townhall “I just feel that our community has lost a lot.”

While there was some tension on Thursday, the evening ended with a moment that was as heartwarming as it was meaningful; a hug between a frustrated resident of La Pine and the sheriff.

A hug to rebuild that trust that’s been lost.

Thursdays town hall was just stop one on the multi-city tour of deschutes county.

But Sheriff Rupert told KTVZ his goal for this tour is to rebuild trust with the community

At the end of the event, the sheriff announced that he’d be seeking a full “elected” term as Sheriff of Deschutes County, 

But he was quick to mention, the election is not his first priority. Rather his priority is the stability of the department.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is launching a series of community town hall meetings, beginning with the first event in La Pine on Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the La Pine Senior & Activity Center.

Hosted by Sheriff Ty Rupert, these town halls provide an opportunity for residents to engage directly with the Sheriff’s Office, ask questions, share concerns, and offer ideas to help shape the future of public safety in their communities, the agency said Wednesday.

“I believe in being open, honest, and real with the people we serve,” Rupert said. “We work for the taxpayers, and they deserve to have direct access to their Sheriff. These town halls are about rebuilding trust, hearing what’s on people’s minds, and understanding directly from citizens on how we can better serve them.”

Following the La Pine event, additional town halls are planned in Sunriver, Sisters, Terrebonne, and Bend. Dates and times for those meetings will be announced soon.

For updates on future town hall dates and locations, visit sheriff.deschutes.org or follow the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on social media.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum announced Wednesday a new honor, the first of its kind in the region, called the Schnitzer Prize of the West, that will award $50,000 annually to an individual or small group whose work addresses environmental and conservation challenges of the American West.

The initiative will have a particular focus on honoring innovation, social impact, and uncommon collaboration, the museum said. The open call for self- and third-party nominations runs on the High Desert Museum’s website began Wednesday and runs through January 1, 2026.

Here’s the rest of the prize announcement:

In a moment when the American West—and the world-at-large—is confronting unprecedented ecological challenges, the Prize seeks to highlight innovative responses to urgent issues such as water scarcity, tribal rights and sovereignty, land-stewardship, changing climate, and more—offering models that can be replicated in other areas of the country facing similar pressures.

Since its founding in 1982, the High Desert Museum has been dedicated to sharing the stories of the High Desert through wildlife, art, cultures, history, and interdisciplinary experiences, creating a shared connection and dialogue among its community.

The Prize builds on this commitment to conservation and on past initiatives such as the Earle A. Chiles Award—which recognized significant “Win-Win” contributions to managing the High Desert region’s natural resources—as well as the Museum’s partnership with lifelong Portland resident and West Coast businessman Jordan D. Schnitzer, a dedicated steward of the local community and the region’s advancement.

“The Schnitzer Prize of the West is an exceedingly timely and relevant effort to shine a light on the innovators, collaborators and visionaries among us,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D, Executive Director of High Desert Museum. “Their work demonstrates that we can look toward our future together even as we consider the economic and ecological challenges before us.” 

“The Schnitzer Prize celebrates remarkable individuals and teams, who through their uncommon collaborations, are producing actionable solutions to the legacy challenges we face in the West,” said Jordan D. Schnitzer, President of Schnitzer Properties and The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Administered through the High Desert Museum, Prize nominations and applications will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of advisors comprised of former tribal leaders, ranchers and farmers, water policy and river restoration practitioners, a poet laureate and renowned historian, directors of prominent academic centers that focus on the study of the American West and more. To learn more about this dynamic group, visit the High Desert Museum website.

The Prize is now accepting nominations, and selected nominees will be invited to submit a formal application in early 2026. Nominations not selected in this inaugural cycle will automatically carry over for two forthcoming cycles. The Prize Winner will be announced in the spring of 2026. In addition to the $50,000 cash prize, the Winner will also receive a unique piece of art during an award ceremony in Portland, Oregon.

For more information on the Schnitzer Prize of the West, nomination eligibility, and selection process, please visit highdesertmuseum.org/schnitzer-prize.

About Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

Jordan Schnitzer has a vibrant legacy supporting the High Desert Museum. He is the visionary and sponsor of the Schnitzer Prize of the West.

Through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Jordan carries on the legacy of his late parents and their belief that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the CARE Foundation and its leaders have given over $300 million to fund hundreds of nonprofit projects that touch lives and enrich communities.

Schnitzer is also a prominent West Coast businessman. He is President and CEO of Schnitzer Properties, one of the West Coast’s Top 10 private real estate owners with offices in six Western states. Schnitzer is also an ARTnews Top 200 Art Collector globally and shares his vast contemporary art collections at no charge to museums and institutions and supports accompanying programming, educational opportunities and publications.

About the High Desert Museum

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes National Forest firefighters are continuing pile burning operations Wednesday across the forest, officials said.

Here’s the Forest Service roundup of current pile burning locations:

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District will conduct pile burning operations 10 miles northwest of Bend and about five miles north of Tumalo Falls. Ignitions are planned on up to 246 acres. Ignitions may continue in this area throughout the week, if conditions are favorable.

Residents along Skyliners Road and in Bend are encouraged to keep doors & windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning.

The Crescent Ranger District is planning to conduct up to 229 acres of pile burning including 8 miles southeast of La Pine, with 29 acres directly adjacent to the Wickiup Estates subdivision and other units within a quarter mile to the northwest, east and south.

Burning operations on 17 acres are planned 12 miles south of Crescent and just south of the Highway 97 and 58 junction. One acre is planned on the north side of Highway 58 in the Odell Lake area. Smoke may be visible from Highways 58 and 97 and Wickiup Reservoir.

Residents in Wickiup Estates and La Pine are being encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts, which are most likely overnight and in the early morning.

Firefighters implement pile burning to reduce vegetation generated from active forest management such as timber sales and pre-commercial thinning treatments. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with vegetation management activities being done to help maintain and restore forest and ecosystem health while reducing hazardous fuels loading.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, firefighters monitor piles until they declare the piles out. Please do not report ignitions. While smoke may linger in the area, removing these large accumulations of woody debris during the winter months minimizes fire danger.

Pile burning operations are carefully planned and implemented under specific conditions. Firefighters work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Forestry smoke forecasters to identify conditions that will minimize smoke impacts on people and communities. While prescribed burn officials take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after ignitions. Most smoke impacts occur during the night and early morning hours.

For more information on pile burning and smoke preparedness in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive prescribed burn text alerts. Follow along on X @CentralORFire.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Motorcyclists of Central Oregon will be putting on a motorcycle toy run this Saturday, November 8th, to gather toys and gifts as well as fundraise to support families in need in our community.

All proceeds will support the Marine Corp League Detachment 1308.

They are partnering with Summit Health and Veterans of Central Oregon and taking over what Toys for Tots has done in the past, as Toys for Tots will not be in operation in Central Oregon this year.

Last year, Toys for Tots distributed to over 8,000 children throughout Central Oregon.

Motorcyclists of Central Oregon was established in 1996 with the mission to bring motorcyclists from all local groups, clubs and independents together to support our communities, primarily around Christmas time with toy drives.

Saturday’s toy run will be at General Duffy’s in Redmond from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be arm wrestling, axe throwing, and corn hole competitions, a strolling poker run, kid’s games, live music and other fun activities.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — November 6th marks a special milestone for Central Oregon’s News Leader.

KTVZ is celebrating 48 years of serving Central Oregon.

Since first signing on the air in 1977, KTVZ has grown right alongside our region – evolving with the communities we’re proud to serve.

While some faces have changed over the years, our commitment to Central Oregon has never wavered.

Our mission continues: telling your stories with integrity, innovation, and a deep connection to the place we call home.

As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary, we want to say thank you for welcoming us into your homes, your businesses, and your lives for 48 incredible years.

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Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Design conference is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year—and for the first time, the event will be held at the OSU-Cascades campus, marking a new chapter for this popular gathering.

The conference, which unites artists, designers, and makers from diverse backgrounds, is known as a unique place to explore ideas around branding, advertising, and sparking new creativity.​

It’s a gathering of artists, designers, and makers from all sorts of backgrounds. The event offers attendees a chance to reexamine their businesses’ branding, discover new advertising strategies, and most importantly, gain fresh inspiration.

Shannon Lipscomb, associate dean at OSU-Cascades, emphasized the campus’s role as a community hub: “One of our goals at OSU-Cascades is to really be a place of gathering and of learning for people of all ages and in all areas of life. And so the Bend Design conference, being here on campus, we’re excited for community members to come learn about campus, to come learn together.”

The conference runs Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring speakers and engaging sessions throughout the day. Artists participating in the conference will also open new exhibits at the Scalehouse Gallery in downtown Bend. Then, Saturday will feature a series of hands-on workshops, offering even more ways to connect and learn.​

Workshop ticket prices vary depending on how many you’d like to attend, but for students at OSU-Cascades, the conference is free with a valid student ID. Tickets and full conference details can be found here.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} — The Bend Park and Recreation Board is taking a closer look at how city tax breaks and development incentives could affect the long-term funding of parks and community spaces.

During this week’s meeting, Park District officials discussed how tax exemptions and financing tools—such as tax increment financing (TIFs)—are being used to promote affordable housing and spur redevelopment across Bend. While those programs are designed to support city growth, board members said they may also reduce the revenue that funds essential services.

Board Director Jodie Schiffman voiced frustration over the growing disconnect between the district and the City of Bend. She emphasized that the two agencies are not operating in alignment, and that existing tax exemption programs are limiting the amount of property tax money directed to local services, including parks.

Park Planner Rachel Colton explained that while the city’s focus on growth brings opportunity, it also comes with trade-offs. “Unfortunately, we don’t have many mechanisms to offset lost revenue,” she said. “Our primary funding comes from property taxes, system development charges, and user fees. Beyond potential bonds or levies, there aren’t many ways for us to recoup those funds.”

According to city estimates, current and proposed tax exemptions could total around $40 million in foregone revenue for local districts over the next 30 years. That figure has prompted park leaders to ask difficult questions—chief among them, how to replace the lost funding and how much influence the Park District has in the city’s tax decisions.

“For the TIF districts, those are specified by Oregon law,” Colton noted. “But we have no approval authority over them.”

Colton added that property taxes are what sustain the district’s daily operations. Reductions through exemptions and TIFs, she warned, directly impact park programs. “For example, a projected $800,000 loss in property taxes equals the amount we provided in scholarship programs last year,” she said.

These discussions are expected to continue through the fall as Bend evaluates its housing and redevelopment strategies.

City and park officials alike acknowledge that finding a balance between growth and sustainability will be one of the community’s biggest fiscal challenges in the years ahead.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Next year, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

To commemorate this milestone, the Deschutes County Elections Office is hosting an “I Voted” sticker contest for the 2026 elections.

:Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to design a sticker that celebrates our right to vote,” the county said in Tuesday’s announcement.

Winning designs will be printed on stickers for 2026 voters and be featured on the Deschutes County Voter Pamphlet cover.

Contest winners will be divided into two categories:

Elementary school (K-5): Winner’s sticker will be featured for the 2026 Primary Election in May.

Middle-high school (6-12): Winner’s sticker will be featured for the General Election in November.

Sticker design submissions will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in February.

Here are the contest rules:

Design must fit within the circular template. It will be resized to fit a two-inch diameter “I Voted” sticker.

Design must be hand rendered. No digital, AI generated, or altered images will be accepted.

Design should be nonpartisan and not reference any political party.

Design should include the colors red, white and blue.

Design must be original. No clip art, reused imagery, or copyrighted images should be used.

The contest entry form and submission instructions can be found on the Deschutes County Clerk’s website.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With winter approaching, the Oregon Department of Transportation says its crews will close the east side of McKenzie Pass, Oregon Highway 242, on Thursday, marking the start of the full seasonal closure.

The west side of the pass closed three weeks ago, on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

New this year: The east-side gate has been moved a mile closer to Sisters, to provide a safer turnaround area for drivers.

Here’s the rest of Tuesday’s ODOT announcement:

McKenzie Pass is a scenic, secondary highway that closes each year as winter weather approaches. Due to weather, cost, and logistics, ODOT does not maintain the route through the winter, focusing instead on keeping main highways plowed, open, and safe. During the closure, vehicles are prohibited beyond the gates.  

The annual seasonal closure is a highway closure, not a closure of public lands. Non-vehicle recreational users, such as skiers, snowshoers, and pedestrians going beyond the closed gates do so at their own risk.

The U.S. Forest Service has published guidelines for recreating in a National Forest. Recreationalists choosing to visit the area should follow the USFS guidelines and consider the potential risks.

Because the road is not maintained in winter, conditions can be hazardous. There are no services or cell coverage, and weather can change rapidly. As snow melts in spring, recreational users may encounter fallen trees, rockslides and damaged pavement.

McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of Oregon Highway 126.

Even during its time as the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months.

To see what routes are open over the mountains and to view current road and weather conditions, visit TripCheck.com or call 511.

More information on McKenzie Pass, OR 242, can be found on ODOT’s website. 

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Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Book lovers across Central Oregon are invited to celebrate the big reveal of the 2026 A Novel Idea community read selections next month. The after-hours event takes place Saturday, December 6, at the Downtown Bend Library, where the next titles—one for adults and teens, and one for young readers—will be unveiled.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the official reveal upstairs at 6:30 p.m. Guests can stick around for trivia, snacks, and a shared love of reading.

“We started with a list of about 30 titles, and narrowing it down to the top five was no easy task,” said Liz Goodrich, Programs Supervisor at Deschutes Public Library. “The chosen book really stood out to our group and it provides ample entry points for meaningful conversations between readers.”

Now in its 22nd year, A Novel Idea began in 2004 with one simple question: What would happen if everyone in Deschutes County read the same book? The answer—according to two decades of participation—is a stronger, more connected community.

The annual program includes both an adult and youth selection, with both authors visiting Central Oregon in the spring. Each year, the event is followed by a month of themed discussions and activities, culminating in free, in-person author visits.

“You might spot your neighbor or the person ahead of you at the post office with this year’s A Novel Idea book in their hand,” Goodrich added. “It’s all about engagement and the desire to connect with one another through a good story—and this year’s selection is a big one.”

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