Category: ktvz-local-news

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Warm Springs man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury and prohibited possession of a firearm.

Antoine Scott, 28, was sentenced Monday to 28 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

Here’s the rest of the U.S. Attorney’s Office news release announcing the sentence:

According to court documents, in June of 2023, Scott approached a truck on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and began punching the passenger through the window. The passenger suffered a head injury, as well as a hand injury requiring stitches.

After being released from custody, Scott absconded from pre-trial supervision. When arrested in June of 2024, police recovered two guns from Scott’s home. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies also recovered methamphetamine from Scott’s sock.

On May 21 of this year, Scott pleaded guilty in federal court to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and prohibited possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Paaso.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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Barney Lerten

McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Foley Ridge Fire that broke out 10 days ago on the Willamette National Forest east of McKenzie Bridge has burned nearly 450 acres and prompted the closure Tuesday of a 21-mile stretch of state Highway 242, at fire officials’ request.

The Oregon Department of Transportation said the highway was closed Tuesday morning between mileposts 55 (the Highway 126 intersection) and 76 due to the lightning-sparked fire. ODOT urged travelers to use alternate routes and avoid the area. There is no estimated time for reopening.

This is the first full closure of the highway since the fire began, ODOT Public Information Officer Mindy McCartt confirmed to KTVZ News. Previously, there had been one-lane reductions with pilot cars for daytime hours since Saturday.

“The request to close the highway came directly from Incident Command this morning, in consultation with fire officials about the impacts to safety,” McCart told us.

Foley Ridge Fire officials said in a post to the fire’s Facebook page: “HWY 242 is now closed at the intersection of HWY 126 to MP 76 until further notice due to firefighter and public safety. Please use an alternate route and expect delays.”

Here is the Foley Ridge Fire Tuesday morning update from fire officials:

Start Date: 09/06/2025

Percent Containment: 0%

Size: 437 Acres

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 319

Helicopters: 1

Heavy Equipment: 25

Engines: 9

Crews: 8

Cost to date: $3.3 million (from NIFC Daily Situation Report-PDF)

The Foley Ridge Fire has been mapped at approximately 437 acres, with most of the fire activity along the western edge of Foley Ridge. With continued warm and dry conditions, increased fire activity is expected. The fire is anticipated to stay active overnight, with roll out and isolated single tree torching likely.   

Full suppression efforts are progressing, with firefighters on the southern and eastern flanks, patrolling and securing hot spots where direct handline and dozer line have been constructed. To date, crews have constructed over three miles of dozer line and 1.25 miles of handline and deployed more than 30 miles of hose. 

Fire operations are scouting for opportunities to construct contingency handline and conduct burnouts with strategic firing operations. Carried along established containment lines, firing operations aim to eliminate ground fuels and create a buffer zone. This strategy employs a lower-intensity fire that can help secure the perimeter in terrain too hazardous for direct engagement.   

Structure protection activities continue around Yale Camp, the Foley Seed Orchard, and White Branch Youth Camp. The shaded fuel break along Highway 242 is well-established, and fire operations are actively scouting opportunities to add depth to these indirect containment lines.  

Closures- Road closures include Foley Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 2643), White Branch Youth Camp will remain open. Closed recreation sites include Rainbow Falls Trailhead and Separation Lake Trailhead. Foley Ridge Trailhead will be inaccessible due to the closure. For the complete Foley Ridge Fire closure order, including a map, visit our website at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/alerts/foley-ridge-fire-closure-order. 

 Weather- Mostly sunny skies are forecast early this week. Temperatures are expected to rise with low, “near critical” relative humidity for Tuesday and moderate, gusty southeast winds.  

 McKenzie River Highway (HWY 242) (Earlier info, highway now closed) – Please be advised the highway will be reduced to one lane with a pilot car between the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM due to suppression activities along the corridor. Visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s webpage for the latest information https://tripcheck.com. 

For more information, visit the incident website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-foley-ridge-fire.

Foley Ridge Fire map 9-16Download

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video, adding interview with cancer survivor, Duke University professor)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every five minutes in the U.S., there’s a new diagnosis of gynecologic cancer. September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on a disease which affects nearly 115,000 women in America each year. 

There are five types of gynecologic cancer — ovarian, vaginal, cervical, vulvar, and endometrial — each with varying warning signs. With many symptoms presenting as common issues women frequently face, awareness and education are crucial. 

A Bend woman, Cheryl Steppe, says she believed her first symptom — gradual loss of bladder control — was a normal part of aging. 

“I was feeling well. I never had any pain. I was walking my dog. I was golfing, doing everything I like to do. So I think that’s why I dismissed the bladder control as part of aging, until there was discharge,” said Steppe.

After a series of tests, Steppe was diagnosed with a rare form of stage four endometrial cancer. For Steppe, though she had heard of ovarian and cervical cancers, she was unaware of endometrial cancer. 

Duke University professor of gynecologic oncology Dr. Angeles Alvarez Secord says that’s a common challenge in diagnosis. Many don’t know much about the diseases or how they can present.

“These symptoms are there — they’re just quiet. And we need to do more to spread the word, regarding awareness and educating people about these symptoms to watch for,” said Dr. Secord. 

Both women agree: The most important thing you can do is listen to your body. And by educating and advocating for yourself, you can help set yourself up for the most advantageous outcome. 

“If you’re concerned about something with your body, seek medical care,” stressed Dr. Secord. 

Steppe is hopeful that by sharing her experience, she can bring about much needed awareness. 

“If I can help someone, and maybe save someone’s life, it’s well worth it,” Steppe said. 

Our Way Forward — a national initiative with resources for patients and families — is helping to spread the message and educate the public.

Steppe shared Tuesday that she’s entering her fourth year of being cancer-free. She credits her positivity, loved ones, and support from both her medical team and Our Way Forward with her journey to remission. 

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KTVZ – News Team

OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregon Representative Cliff Bentz is holding a tele-town hall tomorrow, September 17th.

It’s for Umatilla, Union, Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Grant, Harney, Lake, Wallowa, Morrow, and Wheeler counties.

It begins at 5:30 p.m.

You can tune in at bentz.house.gov/live

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-La Pine Education Foundation is receiving a major monetary boost following the 2025 Central Oregon Charity Championship.

Four golfers recently emerged as champions raising $32,000 for the Bend-La Pine Education Foundation.

The Mayantigo Foundation matched the team’s $32,000 winnings and contributed an additional $10,000. In total, the education foundation is now receiving more than $74,000 from the event.

The Hayden Homes Central Oregon Charity Championship was held at Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve. The event enabled 34 Central Oregon charities to compete for $80,000 in charitable funding.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Right now, one active large fire is burning on ODF-protected land, and seven others are burning statewide, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

So far this year, 1,026 fires have burned on ODF-protected land and another 3,466 statewide.

In total this fire season, over 320,000 acres have burned. That’s compared to nearly 2-million acres that burned in the 2024 season.

The department is reminding Oregonians that fire season is still in effect. It says it’s still experiencing new lightning and human-caused fire starts across the state and prevention needs to remain at top of mind.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Get ready Central Oregon, Bend’s first pickleball-taphouse is set to open its doors this Sunday, September 21st!

Ballers & Brews is welcoming patrons to its taphouse from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Sunday and the courts will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

It says it’s mission is to bring together food, fun, and fitness in a vibrant, welcoming space.

Courts are available for booking two weeks in advance on its website.

Read more from the press release about the grand opening date below:

“Ballers & Brews, Bend’s first pickleball taphouse, is set to open its doors to the public on Sunday, September 21st, offering a one-of-a-kind destination that brings together food, fun, and fitness in a vibrant, welcoming space. Courts are available for booking two weeks in advance on our website via Court Reserve!

Located just a stone’s throw away from 10 Barrel East, this venue promises to be the ultimate hangout for locals and visitors alike.

Owned by Bend resident Leslie Koegler, Ballers & Brews is the culmination of a decade of enjoying the best of Bend’s food truck scene and a love of pickleball. With a commitment to creating a truly special space, this family-friendly destination has been designed with careful thought and attention to detail, ensuring everyone has a good time, year-round.

A New Take on Pickleball and Dining

Ballers & Brews isn’t just another food truck lot; it’s a destination where good times meet great food, cold drinks, and exciting pickleball action. Here’s what you can expect:

A 2,500 Square-Foot Taphouse: Stay cozy and warm through the seasons in theexpansive indoor seating area, complete with TVs and two outdoor fire pits.

750 Square-Foot Covered and Heated Rooftop Deck: Perfect for private events,sunset views, and gathering with friends.

Covered and Heated Pickleball Courts: Open at 7:00 am daily, these courts willfeature a breakfast food cart to get your day started right. Courts can be reservedtwo weeks in advance on Court Reserve.

Beverages: Premium wines via our “Big Baller’s Wine List”, spirits and craftcocktails, 20 beers on tap as well as mocktails/NA options.

The Best Grub: A curated selection of six food trucks serving up the finest bites fromaround the Pacific Northwest including: Manzanita Grill, Chonie’s Pizza, Bread &Bunny, 5th Street Bagels, IndoDaddy, and The Mighty Greek.

Barking Bar: Furry friends are welcome! The Barking Bar will offer fire hydrant fedwater taps for your four-legged companions, ensuring they’re taken care of whileyou enjoy the day.”

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening Wednesday, September 17th, the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch will host a ribbon cutting and open house in collaboration with the Bend Chamber.

Featuring bites from Executive Chef Bryant Kryck of ROAM at the Oxford Hotel and drinks from Oregon Spirit Distillers. Kryck began his career ten years ago and is a US Army military police veteran.

The event will take place at the ranch, located at 65920 SW 61st Street in Bend, from 3-6 p.m.

Local businesses, individual supporters and veterans are welcome to come out and see what the ranch is up to and hear its plans for serving the Central Oregon veteran community going forward.

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Tracee Tuesday

PRINEVILLE, Ore. {KTVZ} — The Crook County Fair Board held its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night in Prineville. 

One of the big topics on the agenda was the fair’s contract with the Crooked River Roundup (CRR).  The CRR Board says they’re not happy with their current short-term contract. Their deal with the fair for the 2025 rodeo and race season was set at $25,000.  Doug Smith, CRR’s Race Chair, argued that they bring in major revenue to the fairgrounds — pointing to investments like $500,000 spent on a jockey room — and say the contract doesn’t reflect their role.  Here’s what CRR’s Board of Directors want:  

a 20-year contract that addresses key concerns, that includes flexibility to renegotiate project costs 

Rent tied to profits rather than automatic increases 

Help from Crook County with possible grandstand upgrades.  

They’d also like the fairgrounds to share some of the grant funding it receives for facility improvements. 

The Fair Board, however, says it needs profits to maintain the fairgrounds itself — things like upgraded bathrooms — and insists that changes should be made only within the current contract. Smith says that’s exactly the problem, calling the deal too strict and inflexible.  While the Fair Board acknowledged the CRR is a significant revenue source, however, at this time, they are only prepared to review the current contract and go from there. 

The Fair Board also decided to continue the discussion during a special public meeting scheduled for October 1st at 5:30 PM.   KTVZ News will be there to bring you the outcome.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A Bend man successfully avoided getting scammed last week by recognizing some key signs. Kevin Davie reached out to KTVZ News after being contacted by someone claiming to be Publisher’s Clearing House. They told Davie he’d won their $850,000 and even a car. However, Davie remembered reading an article about Publishers Clearing House declaring bankruptcy this April and got suspicious. The scammers tried their best to sound official, but he wasn’t convinced.

Kevin Davie told KTVZ News “They were very thorough. I mean I’ve got this here, but they, they gave me confirmation numbers, claim numbers, and everything, so you know it was, it was quite elaborate.”

The scammers asked Davie to go buy a gift card for about $400. No matter what someone says on the other end of the line, once someone’s asking you to send cryptocurrency or gift cards, it’s most likely a scam. Davie wanted to share his story with all of you in hopes other people avoid it.

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