Category: ktvz-local-news

John Carroll

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) – KTVZ Chief Meteorologist John Carroll was in the Sunriver area on Tuesday, visiting with the fifth-grade class at Three Rivers Elementary.

The students asked a number of great questions about global warming and how clouds impact the forecast. They also discussed the water cycle and recycling and became “weather detectives” while solving the mystery of the weather.

It was a great group of students, and we thank Mr. White for reaching out to our team and setting up the visit!

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Harley Coldiron

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Students at Sisters Elementary busted out the gloves last week and dissected owl pellets to learn more about the owl’s digestive system, and its bones. The hands-on learning experience was put on by Think Wild and the Sisters School Foundation.

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Harley Coldiron

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras High Senior known for her leadership and tenacity, has won the 2025 Amazing Kid for Jefferson County. Her photo and writeup is featured in the local paper, The Madras Pioneer.

Congratulations to Yashira for making Jefferson County proud!

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Six vocalists from Bend will participate in several D-Day commemoration events June 3–9 in Normandy, France, with a final stop to perform in Paris.  

The singers will perform with the All-American Choir and a mass band at Utah Beach as part of a D-Day event, as well as participate in Le Concert de Liberation and a D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mere-Eglise.  In addition, they will sing at the chapel in Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church.  

The All-American Choir features singers from across America who perform “musical salutes to the fallen in Normandy, France.” After singing in Normandy, they travel to Paris for a final performance at La Madeleine Cathedral. 

Participating singers from Bend include Cathy Hendricks, Laurie Henning, former Marine Brian Senner, retired Army/Navy veteran Hank Zielinski, Kelly Pence and Dawn Cheney.  The six singers regularly perform with area choirs, including the Central Oregon Mastersingers, Opera Bend and their church choirs. 

Senner, a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps who was honorably discharged, says he is touched to sing in the commemorative events.

“Every time I hear the Star-Spangled Banner, I get a little teary-eyed,” he shared. “When I think about all the men who stormed those beaches in Normandy, sacrificing their lives for my freedom, I feel a sense of gratefulness.” 

Thinking about those who lost their sons in battle, Senner said he can imagine the “loss” and “pride” of family members. 

“When we sing at Utah Beach on June 6th, I am not sure exactly how I will feel, but I do know it will be powerful,” he concluded.  

Hendricks, whose father served in WWII and spent 20 years in the Air Force, is organizing details for the Bend contingent, in memory of her Dad. 

“Although he was in the Pacific theatre of operations (battlefields) during WWII, I have a strong sense of pride and admiration for our military, and humble gratitude for the sacrifices they selfishly make to protect and serve this great nation,” she said. “It is such an honor to participate in a tribute to the fallen heroes at Normandy.”  

The singers leave for France on Saturday. More information is available on the D-Day Events website at https://www.ddayparade.org/. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As spring ushers in the warmer weather, now is an ideal time to clean out the garage and safely dispose of items that are considered household hazardous waste.

This June, Deschutes County Solid Waste will be hosting HHW collection events for the communities of Redmond, Sisters and La Pine, giving community members an opportunity to drop off their hazardous items free of charge.  

“For the health and safety of our community, it’s important to keep household hazardous waste out of the county landfill,” said Greg Brady, Deschutes County Hazardous Waste Supervisor. “Because rural transfer stations aren’t currently equipped to accept household hazardous waste, the county holds free, one-day collection events so residents can discard old paint, cleaning chemicals and other household hazardous waste safely and responsibly.”

Items that will be accepted at the collection events include:

Oil and latex paints and stains

Thinners, solvents, fuels

Oil soaked rags and absorbents

Pool and spa chemicals

Garden products (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.)

Vehicle fluids (coolants, lubricants, fuels, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.)

Propane tanks and camp stove cylinders

Aerosols (paints, garden sprays, cleaners, etc.)

Mercury and Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats, etc.)

Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs

Rechargeable batteries

Household cleaners

Items that will not be accepted include:

Business-generated hazardous waste

Medical waste

Explosives, fireworks, ammunition

Compressed gas cylinders (propane tanks and cylinders are accepted)

Barrel

Collection event location, date and hours of operation for each community are listed below.

Redmond – Negus Transfer Station 

2400 NE Maple Ave, Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

La Pine – South County Services Center (*New location*)

51340 U.S. 97, in the front parking lot, Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Sisters – Sisters Recycling Center  

328 W. Sisters Park Drive, Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Household hazardous waste is also accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill HHW Facility every Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The facility is located at 61050 SE 27th St. in southeast Bend. To learn more about common hazardous waste materials, visit the Solid Waste Department website.

For questions about the HHW collection events, please call the Department of Solid Waste at (541) 317-3163.

You can learn more about the HHW collection program by listening to episode 51 of the Inside Deschutes County Podcast on the podcast platform of your choice, or at deschutes.org/podcast.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department is actively seeking community input to enhance transportation safety on rural county roadways. As the department works to update its 2019 Transportation Safety Action Plan (TSAP), it is hosting a virtual open house where community members can provide their feedback and insights.  

Deschutes County has a goal of zero fatal or serious injury crashes on county roadways. The TSAP is a planning document that helps the Road Department achieve this goal by identifying safety issues and opportunities for location-specific and systemic safety improvements to the county road system. The TSAP update focuses on county roads located in the unincorporated, rural areas outside of the cities of Bend, LaPine, Redmond, and Sisters.

Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers are all encouraged to participate in the virtual open house and provide their feedback. To participate in the virtual open house and share your feedback, please visit the TSAP website from Tuesday, May 27 through Wednesday, June 9.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State University – Cascades’ community tour program will continue throughout 2025, in response to community interest in developments underway at the growing campus.

The free tours are for groups of 12 to 24 participants and will be offered monthly, generally on fourth Fridays, and take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Registration is required.

The remaining 2025 tour dates are Jun. 27, Jul. 25, Aug. 22, Sep. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21. 

Guided by staff members, tours include a classroom session on the history of OSU-Cascades and the important role played by community supporters. Participants will also learn about current academic program offerings and the future vision of the campus.  

Tours also include a brief walk through Tykeson and Edward J. Ray halls, where participants will learn about net zero energy, waste and water goals for the campus and view some of the campus’s nearly 40 pieces of public art. 

Participants will also view the campus development underway, including the results of land remediation efforts that are transforming a former pumice mine and demolition landfill into buildable land for future academic, student housing and other buildings, and an innovation district.

To arrange for a group tour, visit osucascades.edu/community-connect or contact community.connect@osucascades.edu.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Wildfire Awareness Month comes to a close, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management is urging residents to take action now to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season by being ready to evacuate.  

Last year’s wildfire season was the most destructive in Oregon’s recorded history. The 2025 season is shaping up to be just as formidable. Wildfires can spread rapidly, threatening lives, homes and communities, so it’s vital that Oregonians be prepared ahead of time to receive timely notices and to evacuate if asked.  

OEM has provided resources to help Oregonians take small preparedness steps today that can make a life-saving difference tomorrow. For more information about preparing your household and community, visit the OEM Be2WeeksReady Community Preparedness webpages. In the meantime, here are some key tips to help you be ready should evacuation be necessary. 

Stay Informed 

Sign up for emergency alerts to receive evacuation notifications. Visit ORAlert.gov to find the local alert system for your city, county, or zip code. If you’re already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled. 

Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies, and city or county pages.  

Also, make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone. 

Create a Wildfire Evacuation Plan 

Being prepared starts with a plan. Visit Ready.gov/plan to create a family emergency plan. OEM offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare that can serve as a guide. 

Your plan should include: 

A list of emergency contacts. 

A safe meeting place in case family members get separated. 

Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school. TripCheck.com can help with this. 

Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock. 

A discussion with loved ones, friends, and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan. 

Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment, and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements some place that can accommodate your needs, as not all standard shelters can.  

For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification, and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

Assemble a Wildfire Go-Kit 

A go-kit contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag with: 

Food and water. 

Medications and medical supplies. 

Flashlights and phone chargers. 

Extra clothing and personal items. 

Copies of vital documents and prescriptions. 

For a comprehensive emergency kit checklist, visit Ready.gov/kit or refer to the American Red Cross recommendations. 

Know Evacuation Levels 

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” notifications: 

Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed. 

Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely. 

Level Three – GO (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes. 

After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources 

OEM’s Wildfire Alert Graphics 

OEM’s Evacuation Level Graphics 

2025 Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Wildfire Awareness Month Messaging Toolkit 

Stay Safe While Driving During Smoky Conditions 

Vehicles can cause wildfires so make sure yours doesn’t 

Getting an insurance check-up. Your insurance policy may not cover floods or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance.  

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety – Wildfire Ready 

Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Insurance Resources 

Filing a homeowners claim after a fire (English) 

Filing a homeowners claim after a fire (Spanish) 

Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Messaging Toolkit 

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Triton Notary

PRINEVILLE, Ore. –(KTVZ)– A huge congratulations to the Crook County Boys volleyball team. This photo was taken after they finished 2nd in the whole state at a tournament this weekend, and you can see some of the team members holding up the trophy. That’s certainly something to be proud of. Congratulations to the Cowboys and all of Crook County from everyone here at KTVZ news.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Details on court appearance)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Redmond woman was arrested on Sunday on manslaughter, DUII and other charges, accused of a fatal crash into a business that killed a Prineville man.

Court records show Ladonna Marie Erickson, 41, was charged Monday by Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn with first- and second-degree manslaughter, DUII, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person. Bail was set at $100,000 when she was arraigned on the charges Tuesday afternoon. Erickson is due for arraignment Friday afternoon on an expected grand jury indictment.

Here’s the news release from Crook County Sheriff’s Lt. Mitch Madden:

On May 25, 2025, at approximately 2:49 p.m., deputies from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office and EMS from Crook County Fire & Rescue were dispatched to multiple reports of an injury motor vehicle crash on NW Lamonta Road near NW Grass Lane in Prineville. Initial reports to 9-1-1 indicated that one vehicle had crashed into a building at this location and that the passenger had been ejected from the vehicle. 

Deputies arrived on the scene and located the vehicle and the occupants involved.  Deputies immediately began life-saving measures on the male passenger, later identified as Rodney Stephens, 49, of Prineville, and the female driver, later identified as Ladonna Erickson, 41, of Redmond. 

Medics arrived on the scene and declared Stephens deceased (next of kin was notified) and transported Erickson to St. Charles Medical Center – Prineville with minor injuries. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that Erickson was operating a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, northbound on NW Lamonta Road just after the corner, and left the northbound lane of travel for unknown reasons, colliding head-on with a building belonging to Fontana Wood Products, causing major damage  It appears that Stephens was ejected from the vehicle.  The Chevy Trailblazer continued for a short distance after colliding with the building. 

Erickson was later contacted and interviewed at St. Charles-Prineville, where she was taken into custody and lodged at the Crook County Jail on the charges of DUII, Reckless Endangering, Reckless Driving, and Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree.  The investigation is ongoing. 

NW Lamonta Road between NW Gumpert Road and NW Sunset Lane was closed for several hours due to the investigation.  It was eventually opened to one lane while waiting for the vehicle to be removed from the scene. 

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Prineville Police Department, Crook County Road Department, Crook County Fire & Rescue, Whispering Pines Funeral Home, and STAR Towing. 

Madden said he had no further information at this time. 

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