Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 25-year-old Bend man was sentenced Tuesday to more than eight years in prison and permanent loss of his driver’s license after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide, DUII and assault in a 2023 rollover crash that claimed a La Pine man’s life. 

Bryce Tanner Lupton was arrested in February of 2024 on manslaughter, DUII and assault charges in the crash that occurred late on a Saturday night in September of 2023, when police said his 2023 Ford Focus left Southeast 15th Street near Bear Creek Road and overturned. 

Passenger Jacobic Lee Barnhill, 23, of La Pine, was killed in the crash. Lupton and a second passenger, a 22-year-old Redmond woman, were injured and taken to St. Charles Bend for treatment. Police said at the time that speed and alcohol were believed to be factors in the crash. 

After a settlement conference, Lupton signed a guilty plea petition on April 3 to the lesser, but still Class B felony charge of criminally negligent homicide, as well as third-degree assault and DUII. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a 100-month prison term, which Deschutes County Circuit Judge Wells Ashby accepted at Tuesday’s sentencing, along with imposing permanent revocation of his driver’s license.

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Researchers at Oregon State University–Cascades have received a $2 million grant from the National Park Service to monitor and analyze data gathered by the agency, assess the ecological health and resilience of parks and better understand management practices that can help parks adapt to changing conditions.

With the grant, announced Tuesday, scientists at OSU-Cascades will harness data collected by hundreds of NPS scientists across thousands of projects at more than 280 national park sites.

Scientists within each network track a unique set of resources that are considered vital signs for a given region. For example, within the Upper Columbia Basin network, vital signs include water quality, sage grouse health and populations, and the persistence of the Lemhi penstemon, a rare flowering plant at risk of extinction due to habitat loss.  

Led out of the Human Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainability Lab at OSU-Cascades, the new research analysis unit will analyze data from networks that track terrestrial, freshwater and marine specimens and conditions. 

The five-year project is led by Matt Shinderman, a natural resources instructor and co-director of the HERS Lab. 

“The idea is to provide park managers with the best information possible to steward national parks and resources,” he said. “It’s also to build a body of knowledge that can be helpful to land managers, conservation practitioners, and policy makers confronting widespread threats to native biodiversity in our national parks.” 

HERS Lab experts will also assess ecological monitoring studies and determine if improvements can be made to current approaches.

Shinderman anticipates that the project will offer educational opportunities at OSU-Cascades in ecological and data science for post-doctoral researchers, faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students.

The HERS Lab has previously collaborated with NPS on studies throughout the Pacific Northwest on persistence and extinction risks facing park natural resources.

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — New data calculated this week by NeighborImpact reveals a record-breaking rise in demand for food across Central Oregon – at the same time the organization deals with a reduced federal food supply.

In the most recent quarter, the organization’s Food Bank and its partners served an average of 83,000 individuals per month—the highest in its history. That equates to a 13.7 percent increase over the previous quarter’s 73,000 individuals served.

This surge in need comes as the food bank grapples with a 17 percent drop in federal food supply, the result of the U.S. Department of Agriculture cutting commodity distribution.

This freeze has already canceled orders through July, slashing a key supply of dairy, eggs, meat, and produce relied on by food banks, including NeighborImpact, across the country, the organization said in a news release Wednesday that continues below:

In response, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation have called on the USDA to reverse the freeze. A joint letter—signed by Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter, and Andrea Salinas, as well as U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley—urges Secretary Brooke Rollins to immediately restore the flow of federal food assistance.

“We urge you to take immediate action to correct course and ensure that the communities we represent do not face heightened food insecurity because of your official actions,” the lawmakers wrote.

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who represents the Bend and Redmond areas in Congress, visited the regional Food Bank in Redmond last week. During her visit, Bynum met with food bank staff and community partners, including The Father’s Group, Mosaic Community Health, Madras Community Food Pantry, Redmond City Council, and Latino Community Association, and representatives from local food pantries, among others.

“We are grateful for Congresswoman Bynum’s advocacy and her commitment to standing with us in the effort to fight hunger and feed hope in Central Oregon,” said NeighborImpact Executive Director Scott Cooper. “As need continues to rise, so does the importance of this work—and the need for sustained support from federal partners.”

Congressman Cliff Bentz, who represents most of Central Oregon’s geography, did not join in the delegation letter, but his staff met with NeighborImpact representatives in March in Washington, D.C. and expressed concern for having an effective means of addressing hunger in the region.

NeighborImpact operates the regional food bank for Central Oregon, distributing over 6 million pounds of food through 57 partner agencies across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, as well as at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  

The organization urges community members to take action as Central Oregon faces a deepening crisis in meeting food demand. To help meet the record demand, donations can be made at neighborimpact.org/donate. Every contribution helps provide critical food resources to individuals and families across the region.

However, donations alone cannot make up for the gap created by federal funding cuts. To continue meeting the need at scale, NeighborImpact—and food banks across Oregon—require restored support from the federal government. Constituents are encouraged to contact their elected representatives and demand immediate action to reinstate USDA funding for food assistance programs.

Cooper noted that while NeighborImpact is managing the current situation with reduced allocations of food to partners, he worries about just how deep the crisis could go. 

“If unemployment rises or if the cost of food rises more, due to tariffs or other economic policies or if rumored cuts of 30 percent to SNAP benefits are enacted or the enhancements to SNAP benefits implemented in 2021 are reversed, that would drive even more people into food banks,” he said.

“The food supply doesn’t magically expand. What do we do then? Without federal partnership, we simply cannot keep pace with the growing need. We need both the compassion of our neighbors and the commitment of our leaders.”

—

April 7 news release from Rep. Bynum:

Following Visit to Redmond Food Service Facility, Bynum Leads Letter Demanding USDA Reverse Funding Freeze

“We urge you to reverse this funding freeze immediately to ensure that Oregon families—and families across the country—do not face disruption to essential food distribution services.”

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led the bicameral, Democratic Oregon Congressional delegation in sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, strongly condemning the administration’s payment freeze to a set of food assistance programs funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) after her visit to NeighborImpact in Redmond, OR.

During her visit to NeighborImpact’s new food service facility, staff told Rep. Bynum that due to the freeze, they are telling partners to expect a 20% decrease in food aid. Purchases made by the CCC account for around 18% of the food distributed by the Oregon Food Bank, the largest food bank network in the state. If the freeze continues, the equivalent of 30 truckloads of food – including dairy, meat, eggs, and produce – will be impacted as soon as this month.

“This misguided freeze is actively impacting the ability of Oregon food banks to place food orders and worsening food insecurity in our communities,” the Members wrote. “We urge you to reverse this funding freeze immediately to ensure that Oregon families—and families across the country—do not face disruption to essential food distribution services.”

The Local Food Purchasing Assistance program, which supports the sale of fresh, locally grown foods to food banks, also receives funding from the CCC. Without it, local farmers will also face interruptions.

“President Trump and his administration have a stated goal of lowering prices for American families,” the Members continued. “Cuts to food assistance programs like food banks push that goal further out of reach for the families that rely on these essential services.”

The CCC provides payments to food assistance programs including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDIPR), and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). At the date this letter was sent, all CCC TEFAP orders have been cancelled through July. 

Read the full letter here and below: 

Dear Secretary Rollins:

We, the undersigned members of the Oregon congressional delegation, write to condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing payment freeze issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to a set of food assistance programs funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). This misguided freeze is actively impacting the ability of Oregon food banks to place food orders and worsening food insecurity in our communities. We urge you to reverse this funding freeze immediately to ensure that Oregon families—and families across the country—do not face disruption to essential food distribution services.

As you are aware, USDA announced in early February 2025 that it would suspend CCC payments to food assistance programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDIPR), and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). We are gravely concerned about the impact of these funding freezes on the families that we represent. Our state’s largest food bank network, Oregon Food Bank, distributed 73 million meals in 2023 and saw 2.5 million visits to its food assistance sites last year. CCC purchases account for about 18% of the food the Oregon Food Bank distributes to its clients, and as of the date of this letter, all CCC TEFAP orders have been cancelled through July.

If the funding freeze is not lifted, the flow of dairy, eggs, meat, and produce – the equivalent of 30 truckloads of food – to neighbors in need will be disrupted as soon as this month. On top of this, local farmers will lose the funds they would have received from selling fresh, locally grown foods to food banks under the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program, which is funded by CCC.

We ask that you reverse the destructive funding freeze at CCC and immediately restore the flow of federal funding for programs that feed our communities and keep our farmers afloat. President Trump and his administration have a stated goal of lowering prices for American families. Cuts to food assistance programs like food banks push that goal further out of reach for the families that rely on these essential services. We urge you to take immediate action to correct course and ensure that the communities we represent do not face heightened food insecurity because of your official actions.

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend cyclist has a message and a warning after being attacked by dogs on China Hat Road south of Bend.

“To have dogs that attack people there just riding their bikes, that’s to me, that is unacceptable behavior,” Chris Carey said Tuesday. “That’s why I’m making a stand here.”

On Monday afternoon, Carey was wrapping up a bike ride around the Deschutes National Forest. He’s been biking in the area for 30 years without incident, but as he passed a trailer on the Forest Service road, he says two dogs ran out of the woods and attacked him.

“I got off my bike, and one of them came up and immediately bit me in the leg,” he said. “The other one got me in the pants. And then I had to actually fight him off.”

Carey described the attack, saying he swung his bike at the dogs to defend himself. “When I’d go after one dog, the other one would sneak in and bite me, so I mean these animals were vicious animals and were on an attack.”

Carey says a third dog was tied up near the trailer, and the trailer’s occupants came out and tried to call the dogs back, but had no control over them. He claims he fought the dogs for about five minutes before he was able to move away from them and eventually escape.

After calling 911, Carey went to urgent care and had his bites treated.

While Carey wants the owners to take responsibility for their actions, he feels it’s important he uses his story as a warning: “Be careful. I’ve never had a problem, but in this case, had it been, had I been a smaller child or possibly a woman, it could be a much more serious situation.”

Carey does not take a weapon with him when he rides, and he says he doesn’t think people recreating in the forest should have to carry one.

The Forest Service and police are still looking for the dogs, so they can do a rabies test. They have some idea of who owns the dogs but have not located them.

And as our viewers know, we’ve been following the situation on China Hat Road for years, and lately it’s been a fast-moving situation.

Here are three facts you need to know: First, in just a few weeks, the hundreds of homeless campers will need to move. Second, the reason why is because the Forest Service is closing nearly 35,000 acres for wildfire fuel projects.

And third, service providers and the homeless themselves told KTVZ News they don’t know where they’ll go. Many have trailers and mobile homes that cannot be moved. The Forest Service says it’s working with local governments, nonprofits and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to help remove the camps.

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new report shows that during open enrollment for the 2025 plan year, 139,688 Oregonians enrolled in private health insurance through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace reduces the out-of-pocket costs associated with enrolling in private health coverage.  

According to the report, 80 percent of enrollees applied for and received financial assistance, helping to make health coverage more affordable for Oregonians:

Individuals receiving financial help are getting an average of $531 per month in premium tax credits to lower the cost of coverage.

The average bottom-line monthly premium for Oregonians after premium tax credits is $272.

More than 11% of Marketplace enrollees have a monthly premium of less than $10 after applying premium tax credits.

“The Marketplace remains committed to ensuring that Oregonians can access high-quality, affordable private health coverage,” said Chiqui Flowers, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace director. “We continue to support individuals and families in finding coverage that meets their needs as health insurance enrollment evolves over time.”

The Marketplace today released its annual report (https://orhim.info/2024Report), detailing the state of Marketplace health coverage in Oregon. The report describes key trends in enrollment and financial assistance and highlights policy changes that improved access to health coverage.

During the Medicaid redetermination process after the pandemic, many Oregonians who were no longer eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) found private health plans through the Marketplace. OHP Bridge, Oregon’s new basic health program that provides a coverage option between Medicaid and private insurance, has also played a role in shaping enrollment trends this year.

“OHA’s goal is to ensure that no Oregonian is left without coverage,” said Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Interim Director Kristine Kautz. “The introduction of OHP Bridge and the Marketplace’s support for enrollees demonstrate our ongoing commitment to accessible health care for all.”

People leaving OHP or experiencing major life changes—such as a job change, relocation or family changes—may qualify for a special enrollment period to find private coverage. Oregonians who need to transition to a Marketplace plan from OHP or an employer plan should act before their benefits end to avoid a gap in coverage.

To explore coverage options, visit OregonHealthCare.gov, answer a few Oregon-specific questions and find the right application. Free, one-on-one assistance is available from insurance agents and community partners to help individuals navigate their options and enroll in the best plan for their needs. This assistance is available online, in person and in various languages.

###

Year-over-year enrollment by program

Plan year
Marketplace
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
OHP Bridge (launched July 1, 2024)
Total

2025
139,688
1,407,452
32,239
1,579,379

2024
145,509
1,461,531
—
1,607,040

2023
141,963
1,472,420
—
1,614,383

2022
146,602
1,373,960
—
1,520,562

2021
141,089
1,162,070
—
1,303,159

2020
145,264
1,004,400
—
1,149,664

The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.

Barney Lerten

(Update: New video and reactions)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hundreds of Rite Aid pharmacy customers on the south end of Bend got the upsetting news in person or by mail this week: The store at 700 SE Third Street will be closing later this month. 

“We appreciate your loyalty,” the letters begin. “We’re sorry to tell you we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close your Rite Aid at 700 SE Third Street in Bend on 4/29/25.” 

“What an honor it has been to care for you and your health and well-being,” the message continues. “Please accept our heartfelt thanks.” 

Starting on April 30, former Rite Aid customers will have their prescriptions available at the Fred Meyer Pharmacy on South Highway 97. 

Until the store closes, customers can speak with their Rite Aid pharmacist with any questions, or tell them if they’d prefer their prescriptions be sent to a different store. 

The closure will leave Bend with one Rite Aid, on Northeast Third Street. 

“We know you have choices when it comes to pharmacies, and we appreciate that you entrusted us with your health,” the letter concludes, closing: “Take Care, Your Pharmacy Team.” 

KTVZ News has reached out to Rite Aid officials for more information and will update as we learn more.

CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have all been closing stores in recent years due to several factors, including rising competition, lower reimbursement rates for prescriptions and shifting consumer habits. 

Last summer, Rite Aid, which declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023, announced 11 Oregon store closures, from Portland and Salem to Florence and Milton-Freewater. By last fall, it had closed 800 stores for a total of about 1,300. 

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Attorney General Dan Rayfield continues to hold federal oversight forums, with the next stop planned for Bend on Saturday, May 3rd. Joining AG Rayfield will be state Senator Anthony Broadman, Representatives Jason Kropf and Emerson Levy.

Here’s the rest of Tuesday’s announcement:

This is an opportunity to hear from organizations and people facing big impacts because of federal cuts, as well a chance to hear from the public about what they’re experiencing and time for Q&A.

“Last week, we heard from Oregonians who are scared, confused and angry,” Rayfield said. “They’re worried about not getting their social security payments. Organizations that help with food assistance and healthcare are scrambling after learning about major funding cuts. We want to travel the state to hear directly from those impacted and send a message: Oregon won’t be silent while the Trump administration plays political games with people’s lives.”

Rayfield held town halls in both Eugene in Portland last week. It’s part of a series of community impact hearings organized by state attorneys general to address the effects of federal actions and executive orders issued by President Trump.

The town hall will feature a panel of speakers from different areas impacted by the cuts, including food assistance programs, public health and safety, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, fired federal workers and more. There will be an open forum for attendees to share their stories and ask questions.

Event Details:Date: May 3rd, 2025Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AMLocation: OSU Cascades Campus, Edward J. Ray Hall – Atrium

For public who wish to attend, please click here to RSVP.

Barney Lerten

Third local cultural event called off in recent days

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Another local cultural event has been canceled due to safety concerns, the third in recent days: Central Oregon Community College’s Latinx Fiesta Celebración, which was scheduled for this coming Saturday.

On Monday, April 7, the Latino Community Association canceled this fall’s Central Oregon Latino Fest in Madras and the Father’s Group called off its Juneteenth Celebration at Bend’s Drake Park, both over safety concerns and a “volatile political climate.”

Here’s COCC’s full announcement, received by KTVZ News Tuesday afternoon:

Central Oregon Community College regrets to share that the 2025 Latinx Fiesta Celebración, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 19, has been canceled. While we were looking forward to gathering in celebration of Latin American cultures, this difficult decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with similar decisions by community partners, as well as COCC’s core values of safety, inclusion and community well-being.

We recognize the importance of cultural celebration and the opportunity this event offered to uplift and share Latinx voices, stories and traditions. To those who were planning to attend — we see your excitement and we share your disappointment. Rest assured, COCC remains committed to celebrating Latinx cultures in meaningful ways and looks forward to bringing this and other community events to life in the future, when the environment allows us to do so with the safety and support all attendees deserve.

Text from original press release (April 2):

With dancing, crafts, piñata-breaking and a banquet-style meal that showcases the flavors of Brazil, Cuba, Perú, Colombia and other Latin American countries, Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Latinx Fiesta Celebración will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the Coats Campus Center on the college’s Bend campus.

This is a family-friendly event, free and open to the public, organized by the COCC Latinx Student program and Latinx Club, and with partnership from the High Desert Museum and the Deschutes Public Library. Attendees are encouraged to park in COCC’s Barber Library parking lot.

Beginning with story time — read in both English and Spanish — along with ceramic drink coaster painting, the Mexican board game loteria, piñata-breaking and other activities from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the event features a complete lunch of Latin American flavors from 12:30-2 p.m., with dessert provided by students of COCC’s Cascade Culinary Institute, and then music and dancing from 2-4 p.m.

Lewis & Clark College’s Freddy Vilches, Ph.D., an associate professor of Hispanic studies and a talented multi-instrumentalist musician, will provide live Latin American music, accompanied by student musicians, to offer an opportunity for dancing.