Category: ktvz-local-news

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Park and Recreation District staff presented information on recently completed and future forest health and fuels reduction projects at a board of directors meeting on May 5, 2026. The presentation addressed growing community interest in wildfire risk and protecting natural and residential areas.

BPRD manages more than 3,000 acres and is committed to promoting forest health and resilience while reducing wildfire risk within its properties.

The district employs a two-part strategy for its forest health and fuels reduction program. This approach includes enhancing Bend Fire & Rescue priorities into new project prescriptions, incorporating Extended Zone space efforts where neighborhoods meet natural areas.

Zara Hickman, BPRD’s Natural Resources and Trails Manager, explained the historical context of Central Oregon’s forests. “Historically, Central Oregon’s dry forests adapted to frequent, low intensity fires that maintained open forest structure and reduced fuel accumulation,” Hickman said. “Decades of fire suppression, logging operations and current environmental factors have increased forest density and surface fuels, elevating the risk of severe wildfire in and around Bend.”

BPRD’s responsibilities as a land manager differ from those of individual homeowners, prioritizing broader forest health strategies. For new fuels projects within city limits, the district focuses on the 20-foot boundary where its property meets private property.

This focus enhances mitigations in the Extended Zone, also known as Zone 3, which extends 30 to 100 feet from residential structures. The goal is to reduce ladder fuel to slow the spread or risk of embers. Hickman clarified the distinction between district and homeowner responsibilities. “It is encouraging to see homeowners aware of Firewise requirements and doing their part to increase wildfire resistance,” Hickman said. “It is important for community members to know that our natural areas are managed for resilience and are not subject to Firewise, which focuses on structural hardening defense. These two treatments complement one another at a high level for the community, supporting stronger neighborhoods.”

During the current budget year, Natural Resources staff completed nine projects, improving 39 acres through fuels reduction. Additionally, three contracted fuels reduction projects totaling an additional 90 acres are currently in process.

These current projects include pile burning at North Shevlin and mowing at Alpine Park and Shevlin Park adjacent to Tree Farm.

BPRD is increasing its investment in forest health management. The Natural Resources vegetation management budget has steadily increased over the past five years. The proposed fiscal year 2026–2027 budget represents a 60% increase from the current year. This higher budget is attributed to an increase in contracted fuels reduction acreage and the rising cost of this work.

For the next budget year, from July 2026 to June 2027, the district has three contracted projects planned, totaling 140 acres. These projects include Archie Briggs Canyon Natural Area phase 1, Eastgate and Rose Property. Treatments will involve cutting and piling trees to remove understory and brush.

BPRD is a co-sponsor of the Wildfire Preparedness Fair, a free community event to share information and answer questions. The fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Central Oregon Community College. Bend Fire, Deschutes County and other partners are also sponsoring the event.

Piles from the planned projects at Archie Briggs Canyon Natural Area phase 1, Eastgate and Rose Property will be left to cure and burned in one to two years. The Archie Briggs Canyon Natural Area phase two project is scheduled for burning in fall/winter 2027.

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Kelsey Merison

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Voters in Central Oregon will soon decide on a proposed fire levy that leaders say is critical to maintaining emergency response–especially in the wake of last year’s Flat Fire.

The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District is asking voters to approve a higher levy, but officials say the need has been building for years. 

The measure would replace an existing levy, with a net increase of about $0.46 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

“We’ve had a 44% increase in calls in the last four years,” said Chief Thad Olsen with the Cloverdale RFPD. “In ten years, it’s a 119% increase.”

Chief Thad Olsen

Chief Olsen says rapid population growth and a nationwide decline in volunteer firefighters are stretching resources thin. 

“They’re struggling, having volunteer firefighters because people…have to work. People are having two jobs. And it takes a lot of time and effort to be a volunteer.”

Right now, the district relies heavily on student firefighters for around the clock coverage, but they aren’t always available. 

“The student firefighters are 66% of our 24-hour staffing,” Chief Olsen said. “Problem is, they aren’t here all the time. They go to COCC to get their paramedics or they’re working on their firefighter.” 

If the levy fails, Chief Olsen says staffing would be cut significantly, impacting response times. 

“We would lose two of the paid captains, which would take away the vast majority of our staffing for shift. And we would also lose the three student positions because we just don’t have the money to fund that,” Chief Olsen said. “Majority would have to be based on a volunteer response. But that’s about a 10 to 12 minute from the time that we get dispatched till they get here, get on the truck and get responding. So, unfortunately, we would probably see a very increased response time.” 

That delay could be critical, especially with wildfire risk on the rise.  

“If there’s a big fire in Oregon, it’s usually in our backyard,” Chief Olsen said. “Unfortunately, that’s laid true for the last several years, and our risk is just growing evermore.” 

The proposed levy would fund additional staffing, and a new wildfire risk reduction specialist—to help homeowners better protect their properties.

“We’re really trying to put our best foot forward with this. We don’t have any fluff in our budget. And we do the best we can with the taxpayer dollars that we’re provided,” Chief Olsen said.

Fire officials say faster response times and stronger staffing could make a major difference in stopping fires before they spread. The district is encouraging voters to learn more and weigh the costs against the potential impact on emergency services.

Click here to learn more about the levy.

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon advocates are raising concerns about what they say are widespread issues with the Social Security Administration, calling the problem a nationwide challenge impacting people with disabilities and their support networks.

Sam Robinson, Board President and Founder of Unity4Inclusion, says the organization has been hearing from families, caregivers, and service providers struggling to access clear information and resources. In response, Unity4Inclusion is organizing a community meeting aimed at improving transparency and connecting people with support.

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are expected to attend, offering constituents a chance to share concerns directly and learn more about available assistance.

The meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Full Access High Desert Meeting Room. Organizers say the event is open to parents, caregivers, support coordinators, personal agents, and others seeking guidance or resources.

Robinson says the goal is to build stronger communication between the Social Security Administration and the communities it serves, while helping people better navigate available services.

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Matthew Draxton

Prescribed burns are set to commence today across multiple locations in Central Oregon, including significant operations near Sisters, Bend and Crescent. These controlled burns, managed by local fire officials, aim to mitigate wildfire risks and enhance forest health. Residents in the affected areas should prepare for potential smoke and fire activity as these strategic burns get underway.

Prescribed burns are expected on 244 acres 3 miles west of Sisters, 659 acres on Pine Mountain 14 miles SE of Bend, and 238 acres five miles SE of Crescent.

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Matthew Draxton

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson will speak at The Tower Theatre in Bend on May 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. The Deschutes Historical Museum is presenting the event, which is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Atkinson’s presentation, titled “Fate of the Day: The War for America, 1777-1780,” is part of a partnership with the Oregon Historical Society’s Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series and the official America 250 Oregon statewide commemoration. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for his narrative histories of American wars.

Atkinson has written eight narrative histories covering five American wars. His works include “The Long Gray Line”, the Liberation Trilogy — “An Army at Dawn”, “The Day of Battle” and “The Guns at Last Light” — and “The British Are Coming”, which is the first volume of his Revolution Trilogy. He also recently appeared in Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” on PBS. His detailed account of the conflict between Americans and the British offers both deeply researched history and a fresh perspective on the demands a democracy makes on its citizens.

Before his career as an author, Atkinson worked for two decades as a reporter, foreign correspondent and senior editor at The Washington Post. His final assignments included covering the 101st Airborne during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and reporting on roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007.

Born in Munich, Germany, Atkinson grew up on military posts as the son of a U.S. Army officer. He earned a B.A. from East Carolina University and an M.A. in English literature from the University of Chicago.

Tickets for the event became available on Feb. 3 through The Tower Theatre website. General admission tickets are $30, while members of the Deschutes County Historical Society or Oregon Historical Society can purchase tickets for $25. A general admission ticket bundled with a Deschutes County Historical Society membership is available for $45. All ticket purchases incur an $8.00 Tower Preservation Fee at checkout. For more information, individuals can contact info@deschuteshistory.org or call 541-389-1813.

Thanks to VeroFiber, the Deschutes Historical Museum is offering a limited number of free tickets to teachers on a first-come, first-served basis. Teachers interested in obtaining a free ticket should email Kelly Cannon-Miller, executive director of the Deschutes Historical Museum, at kelly@deschuteshistory.org with their school affiliation.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A solemn ceremony in Oregon honored fallen law enforcement officers on Tuesday.

The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony was held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy where the state’s memorial stands.

The event brought together families, colleagues, and public safety leaders from across Oregon to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The memorial now bears the names of 199 officers dating back to the 1860s, including law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from agencies at every level.

The Oregon ceremony is held each year ahead of National Police Week in Washington, D.C., where more than 23,000 fallen officers are remembered nationwide.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild Central Oregon says that one of it’s own, Kylie Lanuza, has been awarded the 2026 Bob Sallinger Memorial Summer Fellowship from Bird Conservation Oregon!

This fellowship honors the legacy of Bob Sallinger, a longtime Oregon conservation leader whose work combined science, collaboration, and a deep commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places.

Think Wild says Kylie’s work embodies that same spirit. She leads the nonprofit’s community science efforts, engaging volunteers in hands-on wildlife research that directly supports conservation across Oregon.

Congratulations, Kylie!

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Triton Notary

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) Lieutenant April Huey of the Redmond Police Department has been elected as the first President of the Oregon Association for Women in Criminal Justice, an organization formed in March 2026. This new association is dedicated to supporting women working within Oregon’s criminal justice system.

The Oregon Association for Women in Criminal Justice (OAWCJ) was established as a Special Chapter of the Oregon Peace Officers Association. Its mission is to support, empower and connect women in the state’s criminal justice system through mentorship, professional development, networking, recruitment and training opportunities. The OAWCJ aims to foster leadership, collaboration and resilience while promoting excellence within the profession.

Lieutenant Huey has served with the Redmond Police Department since 2003. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2022, becoming the first female Lieutenant in the department’s history. The values of the OAWCJ align directly with Lt. Huey’s leadership style.

In 2022, Lt. Huey started Central Oregon Women in Law Enforcement (COWIL), a non-profit organization. COWIL focuses on mentoring, supporting and inspiring current and future women in law enforcement across Central Oregon. She currently also serves as President of COWIL.

Police Chief Devin Lewis for the Redmond Police Department, expressed support for Lt. Huey’s new role. “RPD is proud to have Lt. Huey serving as President of OAWCJ and looks forward to supporting her and the association as they inspire women in law enforcement,” Lewis said.

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Harley Coldiron

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Fire crews kicked off a prescribed burn Tuesday near Pine Mountain, just southeast of Bend, sending visible smoke across parts of Central Oregon. The operation is expected to continue through Friday, depending on weather conditions, and can be seen from Highway 20, Bend, and surrounding communities.

What’s Burning

The Pine Mountain burn is targeting about 330 acres as part of ongoing forest management efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risk.

At the same time, additional prescribed burns are happening in western Oregon’s Middle Fork Ranger District, meaning smoke could stretch beyond Central Oregon into areas like La Pine, Crescent, and even parts of the Willamette Valley.

Officials say these burns are intentional and carefully managed, but they still come with real impacts.

Closures Around Pine Mountain

Because of the active burn, the Pine Mountain area is currently closed to the public.

That includes:

Forest Service Road 2017

Pine Mountain Campground

All nearby dispersed recreation areas

Popular activities like off-highway vehicle use and paragliding are also temporarily off-limits.

Crews say those closures will stay in place for several days, even after the burning stops, while firefighters complete mop-up and patrol operations to make sure everything is safe.

When You’ll Notice Smoke the Most

For many in Central Oregon, the biggest impact won’t be closures; it’ll be the smoke.

Residents in La Pine and Crescent, in particular, could see smoke settling in overnight and during the early morning hours when winds are lighter. That’s when air quality tends to dip the most.

If you’re sensitive to smoke, it’s a good idea to:

Keep windows and doors closed overnight

Limit outdoor activity during smoky periods

The Weather Factor

This burn is happening during a stretch of warm, dry weather across Central Oregon, conditions that are ideal for controlled burns, but also a reminder of how quickly the landscape is drying out.

Crews will continue to monitor weather conditions closely, and any changes, like stronger winds, could impact how the burn progresses.

What Happens Next

Ignitions are expected to continue through the end of the week, with smoke remaining visible across the region.

Once the burn is complete, firefighters will stay on scene for several days before reopening roads and recreation areas, only after they’re confident everything is secure.

Expect visible smoke, temporary closures, and some early-morning air quality impacts as crews work to reduce wildfire risk heading into the warmer months.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from COCC President)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College President Dr. Greg Pereira delivered a “State of the College” address Tuesday morning on the Bend campus — highlighting growth, challenges, and the institution’s impact across the region.

Pereira emphasized a central message: despite ongoing challenges, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) continues to move forward and play a vital role in Central Oregon.

“The key takeaway from today’s state of the college is that COCC is an absolutely incredible institution –that, despite challenges that come up, we always find a way forward, and we’re doing incredible work in this community,” Pereira said.

The college serves a 10,000-square-mile area and plays a major role in workforce training and regional development. One out of every 41 jobs in Central Oregon is tied to COCC, which contributes an estimated $349 million annually to the local economy.

With growing demand for career and technical education, COCC is expanding its footprint. Pereira highlighted the recent completion of a 22,000-square-foot expansion at the Madras campus, which will support programs including nursing, medical assisting and early childhood education.

“We’re also doing an incredible expansion of our Redmond campus to really expand our opportunity to provide career and technical education in that region,” he said.

Like many community colleges nationwide, COCC is facing funding challenges. Pereira said the college is working to stay creative and adapt in order to continue delivering quality education.

“Some of the biggest challenges we’re facing are related to funding. So we have to be innovative and we have to think a little bit differently about how to ensure that we continue to provide the best education as possible for our students,” he said.

Affordability remains a key focus. More than half of COCC students receive financial aid, and the COCC Foundation awards about $2.2 million in scholarships each year.

While Tuesday’s address took place in Bend, “State of the College” events are also planned for Redmond and Prineville. Those meetings will focus more specifically on how the college is serving each local community.

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