Category: ktvz-local-news

Spencer Sacks

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Brenda Fahey has been named the new city administrator for Madras, following a months-long search. The Madras City Council reached an employment agreement tonight for her appointment and she is expected to begin her new role next month.

Fahey brings more than 25 years of public sector experience to her new position. She currently serves as the assistant city manager and human resources director for The Dalles.

Fahey is scheduled to begin her new role as the Madras city administrator next month.

06-23-26 CC Packet (1)Download

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BEND, Ore. — Bend’s long-running goose management program is drawing renewed attention as the Bend Park and Recreation District continues oiling Canada goose eggs to keep them from hatching.

The district says the nonlethal method helps control a resident goose population that can damage turf, erode riverbanks and leave behind waste in parks across the city, including Drake Park and Discovery Park.

BPRD says the birds can also pose public health concerns, pointing to risks including E. coli, salmonella and swimmer’s itch.

“There’s some disease risks that are happening in addition to any esthetics and just nests that people may be seeing,” Julie Brown, with the district’s community engagement team, said. “E. coli is a concern. Salmonella is a concern. Swimmer’s itch that sometimes can develop in bodies of water has a direct correlation to geese population.”

The district says goose egg oiling is only one part of its Canada Goose Management Plan. Other efforts include:

Public education, including asking residents not to feed geese and ducks.

Habitat modification, such as creating buffer zones with vegetation to discourage nesting.

Egg oiling during nesting season to prevent eggs from hatching.

Hazing, including trained dogs used to move geese out of park areas.

Relocating independent juvenile geese during a short summer capture period.

Encouraging residents to report nest locations so staff can respond before eggs hatch.

BPRD says the program is designed to reduce the number of geese in Bend while balancing wildlife management with park use.

But the practice is not without controversy.

Bend resident Justin Gottlieb says concerns over goose management go back years, including a 2010 culling that drew backlash from animal rights activists and helped push the district toward nonlethal methods.

“About 15 years ago, the solution to this problem was to gas 109 geese, which was permitted by the Oregon Wildlife Department and feed their remains to the homeless,” Gottlieb said.

He said he believes earlier relocation efforts also helped reduce the goose population in parts of Bend.

“Many of these geese that would have been born in Bend have been those eggs and those geese have been relocated out to other areas,” Gottlieb said. “We didn’t kill them. We just moved them out of the center of town.”

The district says it continues to use the program to balance community concerns, park conditions and wildlife management.

We want to hear from you. Take our POLL:“Bend uses egg oiling to control Canada goose populations. Do you support or oppose this method?”

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, comments from Bend Airport manager)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Municipal Airport is nearing a major safety milestone as its first air traffic control tower prepares to begin operations in the coming weeks.

The 115-foot tower is almost ready to guide aircraft and pilots between the ground and sky at one of Oregon’s busiest airports.

“This will be the very first brand new air traffic control tower to open in the United States in the year 2026,” Bend Airport Manager Tracy Williams said. “The BDN, that’s our three-letter identifier — Bravo, Delta, November for Bend.”

Bend Municipal Airport is the third-busiest airport in Oregon, with more than 141,000 takeoffs and landings each year. Airport leaders say that averages roughly 360 operations per day.

Until now, pilots using the Bend Airport have relied on radio communication with one another on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency to coordinate takeoffs, landings, and movement around the airport.

“The purpose of the air traffic control tower is to provide for safe separation of aircraft,” Williams said. “We’re pretty safe already, but this will just add an extra margin of safety, an extra layer.”

The tower has been a priority for airport users since around 2008. The project moved forward after Bend Municipal Airport was accepted into the FAA’s Federal Contract Tower Program in 2020.

The tower includes four controller workstations, a break room, backup generator, weather equipment, antennas, lightning protection, and a rotating beacon. The project also includes an access road, parking area, utility connections, security fencing, and supplemental weather sensors.

The City of Bend says the design cost about $1.6 million, with construction costing about $9.1 million. The project is funded primarily through federal and state grants.

Airport leaders say the tower is expected to improve safety and efficiency while supporting the region’s aviation economy. Bend Municipal Airport is home to nearly 300 aircraft, two flight training schools, and numerous airport-related businesses.

Williams said the tower will also bring new aviation jobs to Central Oregon.

“We will employ at least five to seven air traffic controllers, including a manager. We’ll initially start with a couple, and then grow and provide more jobs as the demand occurs,” Williams said.

Airport leaders hope air traffic services can begin within the next couple of months.

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Harley Coldiron

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor will begin summer operations on Thursday, June 25. The opening will feature the most expansive opening weekend terrain offering to date, including 13 Bike Park trails and top-to-bottom hiking access.

Guests visiting Mt. Bachelor can also participate in various activities such as sunset dinners, zipline ziptours, scenic chairlift rides, overnight camping and child care. The resort has also added two new disc golf courses for guests to enjoy.

Opening Day on June 25 will include live music from Blackstrap Bluegrass. Daily dining options will be available at Rock Bar in the West Village base area and Scapolos at Pine Marten Lodge, which is accessible via hiking trail or chairlift. Mt. Bachelor’s retail shop will operate daily, offering bike gear, apparel, logo wear and souvenirs.

Kids Bike Camps will begin on July 6, with options for three-day and five-day programs. These camps are designed for youth ages 8 to 15. Discounted Bike Park passes and rentals are available for those who purchase a camp and transportation from the Bend Park N Ride to Mt. Bachelor is included with enrollment.

Kids Bike Camps are scheduled to kick off on July 6.

Guests can look forward to the following events and more at www.mtbachelor.com/events 

Friday Night Race Series – select Fridays throughout the summer 

Little Rollers – select Sundays throughout the summer 

Northwest Cup Downhill Race – August 7-9 

Red Line Rally – August 29 

Mountain Clean Up presented by Pepsi – July 19 

Yoga in the Wild – select Thursdays throughout the summer 

Bachelor Ascent – September 12 

Movies in the Mountains – every Friday in October 

Bachelor Summer Trailfest – October 3-4 

Ask a Ranger – Friday through Wednesday every week starting July 10  

Visit Mt. Bachelor’s Mountain Report for the latest operations updates and trail statuses.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to gather public feedback for the 2026 update of the Deschutes County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP). Community members are invited to provide input by completing a confidential public survey.

This survey is designed to collect information from the community and is available now through July 13.

The survey aims to better understand individuals’ preparedness, risk and vulnerability to natural hazards. The information collected will help support the county’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan and improve coordination of hazard mitigation and risk-reduction efforts.

The public survey is available to community members in both English and Spanish.

All individual survey responses provided are strictly confidential and are solely for research purposes.

The public survey is open now through July 13.

Deschutes County Natural Hazards Survey (English)

Deschutes County Natural Hazards Survey (Spanish)

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Mitigation Information

If the public has questions about the plan update, they can call the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-388-6501 or send an email to emergency.management@deschutes.org

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Tracee Tuesday

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Harney County paramedic is grieving the loss of her infant son while raising concerns about a decision by her employer that has left coworkers upset and searching for answers.

On June 2, just after 4:30 a.m., Stephanie Sell, a paramedic, with Harney District Hospital, received a frantic call from her significant other about their son, Weston.

“He broke the news to me… our son is gone. Our son is dead,” she said.

Stephanie told her significant other to call 911. The responding crew would include her own coworkers, including paramedic Darren Binder.

“By the time my significant other had woken… it was already too late,” Stephanie said. “There was nothing for us as an ambulance that we could do.”

Weston was just shy of four months old.

Stephanie’s coworker and field training officer (FTO) Necole Ontko, said there were clear medical signs the infant had died hours earlier.

“One of the things that Weston had was what we call lividity… it leaves like a purplish line on the outside of the body,” Ontko said. “He was also very, very cold… he did also have rigor mortis… which means that they have been dead far too long to be able to attempt any kind of resuscitative efforts.”

In the days following Weston’s death, Ontko and other EMS staff worked to support Stephanie and her family. Ontko coordinated with neighboring agencies in Lakeview and John Day to cover Harney District Hospital’s EMS services for several hours so staff could attend the funeral.

Multiple agencies, including Burns Police and Fire, Hines first responders, Oregon State Police, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, participated in the funeral procession.

But one request stood out.

Stephanie’s coworkers asked hospital leadership to allow an ambulance to be included in the procession — something paramedic Darren Binder described as a longstanding tradition within the first responder community.

“It’s a really serious thing… and it is a universal thing to have a procession for a first responder or first responder-adjacent deaths,” Binder said.

The hospital denied that request.

“The information that made it back to me was that they were concerned that by allowing the use of ambulance for the procession would open the door for other members in the community to request ambulance procession for their loved ones,” Binder said.

Ontko said the decision left staff confused and upset. She said she approached hospital CEO Bob Gomes directly to ask for reconsideration.

“I gave him my spiel and he said: ‘the answer’s no,’ very sternly,” Ontko said. “I asked him why… he said, ‘I don’t have to tell you why.’ He came around his desk… and put his finger in my face.”

Ontko said Gomes later apologized for taking credit for getting Lakeview and John Day crews to cover the Harney District Hospital EMS staff, but did not reverse the decision.

Stephanie believes ongoing tension between hospital leadership and employees — who unionized earlier this year — may have contributed to the outcome.

Weeks after Weston’s death, the hospital issued a statement to staff and to KTVZ News, expressing sympathy while acknowledging concerns about the decision.

“Harney District Hospital extends its deepest condolences to our EMS colleague and family following the heartbreaking loss of their child,” the statement read in part. “We are aware of concerns raised regarding the decision not to utilize a district ambulance as part of the funeral procession. We are sorry that this decision has been painful for many and has contributed to feelings of disappointment during an already difficult time.”

For Stephanie, the loss remains overwhelming.

“Losing a child is a different experience… they aren’t supposed to go before we are,” she said. “Some days are easier than others. It just kind of comes in waves.”

Marissa Binder, the wife of Stephanie’s co-worker, Darren Binder, has set up a gofundme for Stephanie and her family.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from contractors)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After KTVZ’s Problem Solvers reported on a Central Oregon homeowner who said he paid a deposit to 541 Roofing before communication stopped, two local contractors are stepping up to help.

KTVZ News first reported on Martin Stadtmueller, who said he hired 541 Roofing to replace his roof and paid a deposit; but instead of getting a new roof, he was left with stress, uncertainty, and no answers.

“Ultimately went with 541 Roofing. Hired them, paid a deposit, and then things got really quiet,” Stadtmueller told the Problem Solvers. “I tried everything imaginable and I did not succeed in getting through to them.”

Stadtmueller said he still does not know exactly what happened, but said another roofer he has since hired told him the company went out of business.

“It’s something I’d rather not spend all my time thinking about,” Stadtmueller said. “I just wanted a roof.”

After seeing KTVZ’s Problem Solvers report, All Concepts Exteriors and Greenlee Roofing both reached out, saying they wanted to find ways to help homeowners who may have been impacted.

Tucker Pies, owner of All Concepts Exteriors, said when he heard about the situation, he began contacting material suppliers and manufacturer partners.

“As soon as I heard what had happened on the news, I reached out to my material manufacturers and my material suppliers and kind of started having the conversation about what can we do,” Pies said.

Pies, a Bend native, said his company is exploring options with its suppliers and partners to help affected homeowners complete roofing projects without creating an additional financial burden.

“What we’re working together with our suppliers and manufacturers to do is kind of help cover those costs of material up front,” Pies said. “That way, if they’ve already paid a deposit, they don’t have to pay a second deposit to get that done.”

In a written statement, Pies said many families trusted a contractor with their hard-earned money and are now facing uncertainty, financial stress, and concerns about protecting their homes.

“While every situation will be different, our goal is simple: to help our neighbors find solutions and restore some trust during a difficult time,” Pies wrote. “We believe the community should come together when local families are hurting, and we want to be part of that effort.”

Greenlee Roofing is also offering assistance to qualified homeowners who experienced financial loss related to an incomplete roofing project associated with 541 Roofing.

Greenlee Roofing said it is offering no-profit roof replacement proposals for qualifying homeowners. Those homeowners would still be responsible for the direct costs of completing the project, including labor, materials, permits and company overhead, but Greenlee Roofing would waive all profit on the project.

“Our focus is on homeowners who may have suffered financial loss and still need a roof over their heads,” Hobie Smith, director of sales for Greenlee Roofing, said in a statement. “As a local company, we believe it’s important to step up and help our neighbors when we’re able, and this is one way we can do that.”

Nicholas Greenlee, owner of Greenlee Roofing, said the company wanted to help mitigate some of the hardship homeowners may be facing.

“I’ve been through a hardship in my life, whether it’s financial, medical. I’ve always had people around me in my community step in and help me in some way,” Greenlee said.

Greenlee said the company’s purpose has always been rooted in helping people.

“Our purpose was to help people, and that’s still who we are today,” Greenlee said.

Both companies said each homeowner’s situation will be reviewed individually. Homeowners may need to provide documentation showing they were affected and then work directly with the contractor to determine possible next steps.

Pies said for him, the issue feels personal.

“I’m a Bend native. I was born and raised here, so this is my town,” Pies said. “And when you screw with homeowners in my town, you screw with me too.”

Affected homeowners who want to contact All Concepts Exteriors may reach Tucker Pies at (541) 639-7911 or Tucker@allconceptsroofing.com.

Homeowners interested in contacting Greenlee Roofing may reach Hobie Smith, director of sales, at (541) 316-9567 or hsmith@greenleeroofing.com.

Both companies told the Problem Solvers they hope their efforts are a first step toward helping impacted homeowners gain peace of mind and complete needed roofing work.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) —  Oregon drivers are getting some relief at the pump this week. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gasoline in Oregon dropped 15.5 cents over the past week, bringing the statewide average to $4.80 per gallon. That’s more than 50 cents lower than a month ago.

Gas prices still remain nearly 79 cents higher than this time last year, but the recent decline mirrors a national trend. Across the country, the average price of gasoline fell 14 cents this week to $3.85 per gallon.

GasBuddy reports the cheapest station in Oregon was selling gas for $3.93 a gallon, while the most expensive was $5.99 — a difference of more than two dollars per gallon.

Meanwhile, the national average price of diesel fuel also declined, dropping 19 cents this week to $4.99 per gallon.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —   Bend-La Pine Schools school-based health centers are offering access all summer long for students.

Bend Senior High School students can visit 606 SE Glenwood Drive on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm and Tuesdays from 9 am to 6 pm. This center is closed daily from 1 to 2 pm.

Mountain View High School students can visit 2755 NE 27th Street in Bend on Tuesday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. This center is closed daily from 1 to 2 pm.

Finally, La Pine High School students can visit 51627 Coach Road in La Pine on Wednesdays from 8 am to 5 pm to receive care. The center is closed for lunch from 12:40 pm to 1:40 pm.

You can learn more by clicking here.

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Claire Elmer

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville police say a man found dead in Ochoco Creek on Saturday morning likely died after a medical emergency.

According to the Prineville Police Department, officers responded around 9:56 a.m. Saturday to a report of a man in the creek near NW Deer Street.

When officers arrived, they said they found the man in the water and confirmed he was deceased.

Police said investigators found no evidence of foul play and believe the death was the result of a medical emergency.

The man’s identity is being withheld out of respect for his family.

The bike path along Ochoco Creek between NW Deer Street and North Main Street, which was closed during the police activity, has since reopened to the public.

The Prineville Police Department thanked the Crook County Sheriff’s Office and the Crook County District Attorney’s Office for assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information relevant to the incident is asked to contact Prineville police at 541-447-4168.

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