Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend said Monday it is requesting proposals from qualified parties to analyze permitting processes and recommend best practices. This work is intended to improve housing permit review times in Bend.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) opened Monday and closes on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., according to the city.

The city’s announcement continues in full below:

This analysis intends to fulfill a purpose outlined by the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant that was awarded to the City of Bend by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

That purpose is to support the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation, including ways to streamline and modernize local permit processing and eliminate requirements that unduly delay the permitting process or establish unreasonable thresholds for approvals.

Specific requirements are outlined within the Request for Proposals document, which can be found at bendoregon.gov/housing.

The City will select one respondent, and cost proposals shall not exceed $175,000. The respondent could be a single person or one agency with multiple designated staff, and the work deliverables should be completed within six months of entering an Agreement for Award.

Interested parties should direct questions to the Issuing Officer, Mellissa Kamanya, either via email or by attending virtual office hours (registration is required, and the process is indicated in the Request for Proposals document).

For additional information on the PRO Housing grant and its planned outcomes, the PRO Housing grant application and its approved Action Plan can be found by visiting bendoregon.gov/housing.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With a mission of encouraging carpooling, bus rides and bike trips in the name of recognizing that some one-third of Americans aren’t able to drive, Central Oregon Community College is participating for the first time in the national Week Without Driving initiative, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.

As fall term gets underway, faculty, staff and students are being encouraged to try different modes of getting to campus, in partnership with Commute Options, the city of Bend, Cascades East Transit and other regional groups and agencies.

Here’s the rest of Monday’s COCC announcement:

“Not everyone drives, and Week Without Driving helps us understand what it’s like for those who can’t, such as those with vision impairment or a low-income level or people facing mobility barriers,” said Hal DeShow, assistant professor of geology at COCC, who presented the idea of participation to the college’s board of directors earlier this year.

“Plus, it’s a chance to connect — ride the bus with a colleague or classmate, share a laugh while trying the new Veo bikeshare program, or walk and talk your way to campus.”

Started in Washington state in 2021 by an advocate for those living with disabilities, Week Without Driving is a challenge to experience a week’s worth of commutes or trips, barring single-occupancy car travel. Staged from California to Maine, the educational campaign is a way to highlight the needs of non-drivers to elected leaders, policymakers, transportation departments and entire communities.

COCC’s president, Dr. Greg Pereira, and other college leaders will be hosting a series of morning meetups throughout the week at Bend-area coffee shops and other locations to treat participating COCC staff and students to coffee and pastries, and to complete the commute together.

Each day of the week will spotlight a different mode of travel: carpooling on Monday, walking or rolling on Tuesday, bus riding on Wednesday, ridesharing on Thursday and “anything goes” on Friday.

Last year, across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., 523 local organizations and 10 national organizations promoted Week Without Driving events and advocacy.

For more information on COCC’s Week Without Driving, contact Lucas Alberg, director of marketing and public relations, at 541-383-7599 or lalberg@cocc.edu.

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KTVZ – News Team

With a mission of encouraging carpooling, bus rides and bike trips in the name of recognizing that some one-third of Americans aren’t able to drive, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is participating for the first time in the national Week Without Driving initiative, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.

As fall term gets underway, faculty, staff and students are being encouraged to try different modes of getting to campus, in partnership with Commute Options, the city of Bend, Cascades East Transit and other regional groups and agencies.

“Not everyone drives, and Week Without Driving helps us understand what it’s like for those who can’t, such as those with vision impairment or a low-income level or people facing mobility barriers,” said Hal DeShow, assistant professor of geology at COCC, who presented the idea of participation to the college’s board of directors earlier this year. “Plus, it’s a chance to connect — ride the bus with a colleague or classmate, share a laugh while trying the new Veo bikeshare program, or walk and talk your way to campus.”

Started in Washington state in 2021 by an advocate for those living with disabilities, Week Without Driving is a challenge to experience a week’s worth of commutes or trips barring single-occupancy car travel. Staged from California to Maine, the educational campaign is a way to highlight the needs of nondrivers to elected leaders, policy makers, transportation departments and entire communities.

COCC’s president, Dr. Greg Pereira, and other college leaders will be hosting a series of morning meetups throughout the week at Bend-area coffee shops and other locations to treat participating COCC staff and students to coffee and pastries, and to complete the commute together. Each day of the week will spotlight a different mode of travel: carpooling on Monday, walking or rolling on Tuesday, bus riding on Wednesday, ridesharing on Thursday and “anything goes” on Friday.

Last year, across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., 523 local organizations and 10 national organizations promoted Week Without Driving events and advocacy.

For more information on COCC’s Week Without Driving, contact Lucas Alberg, director of marketing and public relations, at 541-383-7599 or lalberg@cocc.edu.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Police detail sequence of events)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police say a man stabbed his father at their home Monday afternoon, then fled the scene by car, but was caught after a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph.

Here’s the full news release from Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller:

Date: Sept. 15, 2025  

Case #: 2025-00055284 

Incident: Bend man arrested after stabbing his father, eluding traffic stop 

Date / Time of Incident: Sept. 15, 2025 / 3:57 p.m. 

Location: 61400 block of Little John Lane, Bend  

Arrested: Thomas William Wooley, 35-year-old Bend resident 

Offenses: Assault I, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer  

At approximately 3:57 p.m. on Monday, Bend Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 61400 block of Little John Lane. The caller reported that a man, 35-year-old Thomas William Wooley, had stabbed his father at their residence, then fled the area in a white two-door Honda Accord.  

(Miller later told KTVZ News that the caller was in the home, but was not the suspect or victim.)

Officers responded to the home within five minutes, where they found a man with a serious stab wound to the chest. Officers cleared the home, rendered treatment to the victim, and began searching the area for Wooley. The victim was transported to St. Charles Bend by Bend Fire & Rescue.  

At approximately 4:17 p.m., an officer in a marked patrol vehicle located Wooley driving in Deschutes River Woods in the suspect vehicle. The officer attempted to stop Wooley, but he accelerated away from the officer and took off southbound on U.S. Highway 97.  

Officers pursued the suspect and were joined in their pursuit by members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.  

Wooley continued to speed away from officers at speeds up to 100 MPH. Wooley pulled onto the shoulder at approximately 4:21 p.m. near Lava Butte. Officers took Wooley into custody without incident and transported him to the Bend Police Department to continue the investigation.  

The Bend Police Department wishes to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire & Rescue and the Oregon State Police for their assistance on this incident.  

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Barney Lerten

IDANHA, Ore. (KTVZ) — A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a collision with a pickup Saturday night that closed state Highway 22E at Idanha for several hours, Oregon State Police said Monday.

OSP troopers responded shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday to the reported crash near milepost 54 on the highway, a key route between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley.

Troopers said witnesses reported the motorcyclist was traveling west at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a Chevy pickup whose driver was pulling into their home’s driveway.

The motorcyclist, identified as Peter Joseph Okrasinski, 52, of Sheridan, Oregon, was flown to Salem hospital with serious injuries, OSP reported.

There were no reported injuries to the pickup driver, a 35-year-old Idanha resident, or his 63-year-old passenger, troopers said. The pickup driver was tested, and troopers found no signs of impairment.

The crash closed Highway 22 for several hours for crash reconstruction work, the agency said.

KTVZ News also heard from a motorist who said many travelers headed home to Central Oregon had to turn around and return to Salem for the time being, or find another route.

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Harley Coldiron

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond 7-Eleven has installed a temporary door as it begins rebuilding its storefront, after a Bend driver suspected of DUII crashed into the building just before midnight Sunday. The store remains closed while crews construct a safe entrance for customers.

Redmond Police Lt. April Huey said the 42-year-old Bend man was cited and released on a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. In most DUII cases, suspects are released to a sober adult; if no one is available, they are lodged in jail.

She added that the extent of damage caused in a DUII typically does not determine whether a suspect is released or booked into jail.

No injuries were reported; however, the store was closed when KTVZ News visited the scene on Monday afternoon. Construction workers said they are working to build a temporary entrance for customers, but currently, there is no estimated time of completion. The store and the entire parking lot are closed to the public.

The 7-Eleven is the only one in Redmond and is heavily frequented by residents.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: adding video, adding information on project, statements from Hayden Homes representative)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — In southeast Bend, a major development is moving forward on what’s known as the Stevens Road Tract. It’s more than 260 acres of land near 27th Street and Reed Market Road, and it won’t be vacant much longer.

The property was offered for sale more than a year ago. Now, it’s set to become a new neighborhood — Hayden Homes has been selected to purchase the land and lead its development.

KTVZ News received a written statement from Deb Flagan, Vice President of Community Engagement for Hayden Homes, about what the project and opportunity means to their company. 

“As a private homebuilder founded and based in Central Oregon, we are grateful for the opportunity to produce much-needed housing in our region. When we provide more Central Oregonians with the opportunity to own their own home, we are contributing to local economic development and helping to build a strong community,” said Flagan.

Plans call for roughly 2,500 homes, including market-rate units and 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable and workforce housing. Many of those homes will prioritize local educators and school staff. 

Hayden Homes’ nonprofit, First Story, offers zero-down, zero-interest mortgages for eligible households. Educators already make up about 15% of First Story families. 

The neighborhood will feature parks, walking and biking paths, and transit connections. 

This project sits adjacent to the Stevens Ranch development, which sold in 2020. Together, the two properties total more than 600 acres of new housing and infrastructure in southeast Bend. 

Beyond local impact, Flagan notes, “The Stevens Road Tract sale is a landmark example of the transformative potential of land use and public-private partnerships. The proceeds of the sale will go to the Common Schools Fund, which in turn helps to fund public schools across our state.”

With Bend projected to need more than 33,000 new homes over the next 20 years, the Stevens Road Tract represents a significant step toward meeting the city’s housing needs — for educators, families, and working Oregonians alike.

Earlier story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — September 11th — The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has selected Hayden Homes, a homebuilder based in Redmond, Oregon, to purchase and develop the Stevens Road Tract, a 260-acre property located in southeast Bend. The project, guided by the requirements of House Bill 3318 (2021), will bring a new neighborhood to the area and help meet the increasing demand for housing in Bend.

Located near 27th Street and Reed Market Road, the Stevens Road Tract will be transformed into a community featuring approximately 2,500 residential units. The development will prioritize long-term housing affordability with 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable and workforce units for both rent and homeownership. A significant portion of these homes will be reserved for local educators and other school district employees. Additionally, the development will include market-rate housing, parks, and transportation options that support walking, biking, and public transit.

Once the sale is finalized, the proceeds will be deposited into Oregon’s Common School Fund, which distributes earnings to public school districts across the state each year.

“The Stevens Road Tract reflects what is possible when state lands are managed with both purpose and vision,” said Kaitlin Lovell, director of the Oregon Department of State Lands. “This sale will support Oregon’s public schools through the Common School Fund and help address a critical need for affordable housing in one of our state’s fastest-growing communities. It is especially meaningful that educators, those who dedicate their lives to our children’s futures, will be among those who benefit most.”

Hayden Homes is recognized for its commitment to providing affordable housing for working families. The company’s nonprofit arm, First Story, offers zero-down, zero-interest home loans to qualifying buyers, including educators and first-time homeowners.

“Hayden Homes is honored to be selected for this innovative housing project,” said Steve Klingman, president of Hayden Homes. “Stevens Road Tract will impact generations of Oregonians not only by providing attainable homeownership and long-term housing affordability in Bend, but also through an investment in public schools statewide. Our local educators are hometown heroes who are instrumental in building a strong community. Hayden Homes is proud of our longstanding commitment to building homes priced for educators and other hardworking Oregonians.” 

The sale of the property is being managed by Cushman & Wakefield, which also represented the state in the successful sale of the adjacent Stevens Ranch property in 2020. Together, the two developments will add more than 600 acres of planned housing and community infrastructure to southeast Bend.

Note: The information in this article was provided by the Oregon Department of State Lands

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Downtown Bend Business Association is looking for volunteers to keep Bend thriving.

Whether you can give a few hours or want to get more involved long-term, there are opportunities for everyone.

You can join one of their four volunteer committees for design, promotion, organization and economic vitality.

One-time volunteers can pitch in on special projects like events, beautification, or community activations. 

Those interested in volunteering can click here to fill out a form.  

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Honor Flight of Central Oregon (HFCO) invites community members to help honor and support local veterans as they prepare for a deeply meaningful journey to Washington, D.C.

This all-expenses-paid trip gives veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.

The 2025 trip will take place September 17–20, and the media are encouraged to attend and cover three key events:

Redmond Airport Departure

When: September 17, 2025 – 4:00 a.m.

Where: Redmond Airport

Veterans will gather for departure, with support from Alaska Airlines and refreshments provided by Central Oregon Dutch Bros. A great opportunity for visuals and interviews as the journey begins.

Welcome Home Celebration

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Where: Arrival at 12:45 p.m. at Redmond Airport – Community members are encouraged to gather and give a warm, heartfelt welcome as veterans arrive and make their way through the baggage claim area.

Procession & Ceremony: Veterans and guardians will be escorted from the airport to Ridgeview High School, 4555 SW Elkhorn Ave, Redmond, with the celebration beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.

The public is invited to join this emotional and long-overdue welcome home.

Community members will gather to cheer the Veterans, many of whom never received a proper welcome when they returned from service.

These events are part of HFCO’s ongoing mission to honor veterans with the recognition and gratitude they so greatly deserve.

Community attendance help make the experience even more meaningful for our local heroes.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – This week, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico, will unite in Washington, D.C., as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.

In addition to meeting directly with lawmakers, advocates will also gather outside the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to protect critical funding for cancer research and prevention.

Bend survivors and advocates will meet with Oregon’s Congressional delegation, including Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, to discuss the need to support federal funding for cancer research and prevention ahead of the September 30 deadline to pass a new federal budget.

In the last 30 years, substantial and steady increases in federal cancer research funding have fueled discovery and innovation that has led to a 34% decline in cancer mortality rates. However, future cancer cures are in jeopardy due to dramatic and unprecedented proposed reductions in research funding, staff eliminations, and policy shifts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The administration has recommended an $18 billion cut to the NIH, taking funding back to levels last seen in 2003, or back as far as the mid-1980s when considering biomedical inflation. 

Thankfully, congressional committees have rejected these proposed cuts to NIH and NCI, but the fight is far from over. Lawmakers must continue to push for a spending bill for FY2026 that includes the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention.

The advocates will also ask Congress to support the bipartisan Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. This legislation would create a pathway for Medicare to cover new multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and clinical benefit is shown. MCEDs have the potential to test for multiple cancers at once with a single blood test.

Additionally, they will ask Oregon’s delegation to extend health care tax credits that help make health insurance more affordable for the nearly 112,000 Oregonians enrolled in exchange plans. If these tax credits are left to expire at the end of the year, affordable health insurance will be out of reach for many more Oregon residents next year.

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