Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Supervisory Deputy District Attorney Stacy Neil received the Oregon Sex Crimes Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Oregon District Attorneys Association at a ceremony Thursday at the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend.

The award was created to recognize an Oregon prosecutor for outstanding accomplishments in seeking justice for the victims of sexual abuse. 

Neil has been a prosecutor in Deschutes County for 19 years, focusing on child abuse cases including sexual abuse, assault and murder. She also worked as a child abuse forensic interviewer for four years.

Throughout her career, she has been a leader in the field, developing protocols to improve child abuse investigations in Oregon. She helped rewrite the Oregon Interviewing Guidelines for child sexual abuse cases and serves on the KIDS Center Board of Directors. 

District Attorney Steve Gunnels praised Neil, saying: “Stacy is a smart, dedicated and tenacious prosecutor who is extremely effective in her role. She takes sexual abuse cases to heart and always fights hard to get justice for victims. She is an outstanding prosecutor and an asset to our community.” 

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NPG Content Share

(Update: Adding video)

News Team

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal wrong-way crash that happened Wednesday night on Interstate 86 near American Falls and killed a Bend, Oregon man.

Around 8:55 PM, an 81-year-old man from Bend was reportedly driving a Honda Civic westbound in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 40. The Honda crashed head-on into a Volkswagen SUV.

The man died at the scene, ISP reported. His name has not been released, pending notification of family members.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 35-year-old woman from California, was transported to a local hospital. Her current condition is unknown.

The westbound lanes of I-86 were closed for about four hours as crews investigated the scene and cleared the wreckage.

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Kade Linville

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Thursday night, the nonprofit Citizens4Community and Kendall Auto Group are starting their summer series in Sisters, showing free movies in the outdoors.

The Details:

What: Cars outdoor movie screening, powered by Kendall Auto Group of Central Oregon

🪑 What to Bring: Low-back chairs or a blanket—whatever keeps you cozy!

🚫 Please Note: No alcohol or dogs allowed.

When: Thursday, August 7 | Doors @ 7:15 PM, movie at sundown (approx. 8:15 PM).

Where: Village Green Park | 302 S Elm St., Sisters, OR 97759

Who: Open to the public, all ages

How much: Free admission! Donations benefit C4C.

🍿 Snacks for a Cause | Concessions will be available for purchase from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District’s volunteer Fire Corps, with all proceeds supporting their local work.

More Free Summer Movie Fun:

August 22 – Encanto at Sisters Art Works, co-hosted by SFF Presents

September 12 – The Sandlot at Sisters Community Church baseball fields

September 20 – Top Gun at Sisters Eagle Airport

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding update from Governor Kotek, Adding House Republican leader’s reaction to proposal)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Governor Tina Kotek unveiled more details Thursday of her proposed funding solution of tax and fee increases lawmakers will take up at an August 29 special session. She said the proposal, if approved, will “preserve critical transportation and maintenance services for Oregonians, protect the jobs of hundreds of essential workers across the state, and preserve transit services.”

A top Republican lawmaker again blasted the proposal, calling it a “tone-deaf” package that would “hurt struggling families.”

The proposal follows up on the initial details she outlined to reporters last month, including a six-cent-a-gallon gas tax hike and increases in the state’s payroll tax and vehicle registration and title fees.

Here’s the rest of her news release, followed by one from Oregon House Republican Leader Christine Drazan:

The proposal would deliver adequate funding for the State Highway Trust Fund in the 2025-27 biennium, while maintaining Oregon’s emergency funds for urgent needs, such as wildfire suppression.

“In the weeks since the adjournment of the legislative session, my team and I have worked every day with legislators, local partners, and key stakeholders to zero in on a focused solution for the immediate crisis in our transportation system,” Governor Kotek said. “I am confident that lawmakers will step up this month to avert these layoffs, and I appreciate their partnership in getting to the other side of this crisis.”

Table of proposed gas tax and fee hikes to cover ODOT funding shortfall

“The Governor’s proposal is a targeted, near-term, and necessary fix to a statewide crisis. We must protect the jobs of ODOT employees whom we rely on to keep our roads and bridges safe,” Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said. “For decades, Oregon has underinvested in the safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transit options. This proposal doesn’t solve all the funding challenges facing our statewide transportation system, but we have an opportunity with this legislation to keep Oregon on a path toward a fair and stable funding system that puts safety first.”

“This proposal is about keeping Oregonians safe; making sure that every community – urban and rural – has functioning roads and transit; and holding ODOT accountable to Oregon taxpayers,” House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) said. “We’ve heard from mayors, county commissioners, and transit leaders across the state who have been clear that the stakes are real and the timeline is urgent. We need to take action before harmful cuts to transportation services take effect.”

If additional revenues for the State Highway Fund are not secured during a special session, a first wave of layoffs will go into effect on September 15, and a second wave is slated for January 2026. 

Here is the governor’s transportation funding proposal released Thursday:

Transportation Funding Proposal One PagerDownload

News release:

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION TAX PACKAGE THAT RAISES TAXES, HARMS STRUGGLING OREGONIANS

SALEM, ORE. — House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) released the following statement in response to the governor’s tone-deaf transportation tax package that takes from family savings accounts instead of using available funding:

“The governor’s tax package is going to hurt struggling families. Oregonians will be paying more but getting less—no new lanes, no improved bridges, just higher taxes. House Republicans proposed using money from the state’s Legislative Emergency Board to protect maintenance and preserve essential jobs that keep our roads safe, but the governor rejected any plan that didn’t raise taxes. Her plan to cut maintenance workers was dangerous and wrong, and her push to raise costs at the pump is extreme and out of touch. She should listen to Oregonians, work across the aisle and pursue a measured approach to the transportation needs of the state without forcing the largest transportation tax increase in Oregon’s history.”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department alerted community members Thursday of a recent uptick in scams they are seeing frequently offering tips,in an effort to help you avoid becoming a victim.  

“So far in 2025, we have received at least 243 calls reporting scams and fraud attempts,” Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said in a news release. “In July alone, 20 people reported to the Bend Police Department that they had lost a combined $107,905 in scams, in amounts ranging from $25 to $26,000.”

The types of scams can vary, but over the past couple of months, we’ve seen multiple incidents in which the victim lost tens of thousands of dollars through similar methods.

Here are just a few examples:  

The victim received a call purporting to be from Wells Fargo. The caller told the victim there was an issue with her account, then sent an Uber to the victim’s home to provide transportation to the bank. The victim was directed to withdraw $12,000 and then took a second Uber to a Chase Bank to deposit the money in separate ATM deposits to unknown accounts. The caller then provided the victim with a third Uber to transport the victim back home.  

The victim received a call purporting to be from U.S. Bank. The caller told the victim that someone had attempted to open a Zelle account with the victim’s phone number. The victim was directed to withdraw $2,000 in cash and use that money to buy MoneyPak Green Dot cards, then repeat the transaction at a different grocery store with $1,500 in cash. The victim then provided the numbers on the back of the cards to the caller.  

The victim received an email from a scammer regarding a fake purchase on eBay. The victim called a number listed in the email and spoke with a person who directed the victim to go to a Bitcoin ATM and make multiple deposits totaling $32,000. The scammer was able to gain access to the victim’s computer through a screen-sharing program, and the scammer may also have shut down the victim’s bank account and attempted to make purchases on multiple credit cards. 

Many of our most recently reported scams have featured a victim receiving either an email or a phone call about a problem – an issue with a bank account, a fraudulent charge, a warrant or a missed jury duty call.

The scammer then rushes the victim – they need to act quickly to solve the issue by transferring money, giving the scammer gift cards, or taking money out of their bank account and putting it elsewhere.

Often, the scammer stays on the phone with the victim the entire time the scam is taking place. By the time the victim figures out it’s a scam, they’re often too late and lose a lot of money.  

Here are a few reminders to help prevent these scammers from getting hold of your hard-earned money:  

Law enforcement and other federal agencies will never call or email you demanding money. Banks will not ask you to wire money as part of a fraud investigation. Banks will not tell you to remove money from their accounts and place it in another bank.  

Do not transfer money into Bitcoin ATMs or online apps at the behest of any agency or business.  

Legitimate groups do not request payment in the form of gift cards.  

Not sure if it’s a scam? Trust your gut. Hang up, don’t reply to the email. Call your banking institution and check that the call or email is legitimate. Don’t trust caller ID – a scammer can fake a number they’re calling from. You can also Google the number you’re receiving a call from. Often, other people who have been scammed will post to the internet identifying the phone number as a scammer.  

Have you been the victim of a scam? Call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 to report it and file a complaint with the FBI at www.IC3.gov. 

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Thursday that he will hold open-to-all town halls this month in Polk, Jefferson, Josephine, Benton and Clatsop counties.

Heading into these five town halls from August 14-23, Wyden has held 1,129 open-to-all town halls in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.

“I’m looking forward to these town halls in communities large and small because hearing my fellow Oregonians’ opinions and answering their questions are a must to do my job in the Senate representing all parts of the state,” Wyden said. “Our country faces unprecedented challenges, and these open-to-all meetings help shape the solutions that Oregonians want for our state and country.”

The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 14

Polk County, 5 pm, Western Oregon University’s Werner University Center, 400 Monmouth Ave N., Monmouth

Saturday, Aug. 16

Jefferson County, 10 am, Madras Performing Arts Center, 412 SE Buff St., Madras

Monday, Aug. 18

Josephine County, 4 pm, Rogue Community College gym, 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Benton County, 4 pm, Philomath High School auditorium, 2054 Applegate St., Philomath

Saturday, Aug. 23

Clatsop County, 4 pm, Astoria High School auditorium, 1001 W Marine Dr., Astoria

For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town hall.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week on Show Us Your Garden, we have another great variety of gardens to show off. A garden that is made from a circle of friends who all share different parts of their gardens with each other. Another is a lovely fountain hidden in some beautiful flowers on the front deck. The third garden is one that gets a lot of attention each morning.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Bend has installed a camera on the Portland Avenue Bridge, but it’s not for surveillance. The camera sits atop a light pole on the bridge and is designed to record traffic data.

It’s not just cars – it’s recording the number of people walking and cycling over the bridge. It can also tell the difference between cars, trucks and motorcycles.

The camera replaces several different devices that were built into the bridge.

The project lead, Colleen Miller, is the city of Bend’s Geographic Informations Systems (GIS) manager. She explained on Wednesday why the city went with a camera: “Any time we would do surface treatment of the bridge, those (traffic-counting road) loops would need to be replaced. For bike and pedestrian counting, we use infrared sensors and pressure plates. And those also needed some maintenance and required battery changes regularly. This new equipment will require less maintenance, because it has a constant power connection.”

The camera uses artificial intelligence to tell the difference between the types of vehicles and pedestrians in the area.

The city of Bend stresses that the video taken by the camera is not stored. Every 15 minutes, it’s converted into traffic data and then discarded.

This camera also does not detect faces, nor license plates.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Keeping the fridge full is becoming costly. According to Nielsen IQ, food costs are rising across the board.

When comparing the price of eggs, between this July and last July, the price has risen 60 percent. The price of eggs hit a record high in 2025, due to the bird flu outbreak. Some places reported prices as high as $6 a dozen in March of this year.

Chicken is also up 80 cents, peaking at over $6 a pound. Ground beef is nearly 70 cents per pound. Orange juice is up 40 cents, and bacon is up to 17 cents a pound.

The smallest increase has been for a loaf of bread. Now that’s up 5 cents, at just over $3 a loaf.

KTVZ News went out to local markets on Wednesday and asked grocery shoppers for their thoughts.

“I think prices in general keep rising almost every time I come, I would say,” Michael Paulson said as he left a grocery store. Paulson mentioned the price of beef, and wondered why we are importing meat when we could be raising it here in the U.S.

In the parking lot of another store, Michael Coe was picking up some food on his lunch break. When asked about how prices had impacted him, he said: “It takes probably a little bit more thinking now than it used to. I find that my wife and I have to spend more time navigating kind of what possible options are, instead of just showing up at a store and buying something. “

Conversely, Linda Brant seemed less burdened by prices as she headed into a market: “You just have to be a really smart shopper and know how to get good quality protein and good fats and things like that, nutritionally. “ Brant praised Grocery Outlet’s prices, but said she did spend more time seeking out less-expensive products.

Many of the people we spoke to also said housing prices and rent were a major concern for them.

Lastly, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, food prices have climbed 3% over the past year.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Housing Works, the regional housing authority for Central Oregon, held a grand opening event on Wednesday to celebrate the completion of a 59-unit rental community in southwest Bend.

Housing Works said it was thrilled to celebrate the opening of the College View Apartments at 198 SW 18th Street with a myriad of partners who have helped make the community possible.

The site was declared a public surplus by Deschutes County and purchased by Housing Works in 2022, as part of a joint development application with RootedHomes. On site is the Housing Works rental community, adjacent to 40 future homes for affordable ownership to be managed by RootedHomes.

The development was further supported by the City of Bend, Oregon Housing and Community Services, and Bend Park and Recreation District, as well as PNC Bank and WaFed Bank. This property is the first rental LIFT (Local Innovation and Fast Track) community funded by the state in Bend.

The building is designed to meet the Earth Advantage Platinum standard (the highest standard available) and includes large, high-efficiency windows to support natural daylighting, LED lighting with occupancy sensors,a 34 KW solar system, a whole-house fan system that provides filtered air into the building, and mini split heat pumps.

Building to the Earth Advantage Platinum standard will reduce operating costs and increase comfort for residents.

The development was designed by the Pinnacle Architecture/Ashley Vance engineering team, and has been constructed by local general contractor CS Construction Co.

Houesing Works is the largest affordable housing provider in Central Oregon. It provides people with quality, safe and affordable homes; and through a number of collaborations, it provides the resources to help people stabilize their lives. Housing Works developments in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Sisters have won awards for innovation, economic impact, design, and beautification. For more information, visit www.housing-works.org.

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