Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners is celebrating several legislative victories for Central Oregon following an end-of-session report on the 2025 Oregon Legislature presented during its meeting on Monday.

Here are the details outlined in a news release KTVZ News received on Wednesday:

Throughout the 158-day legislative session, commissioners and county staff actively engaged with state legislators, offering support for bills benefiting Deschutes County and the Central Oregon region. The Board’s legislative priorities included a path forward for wildfire funding, building a mental health facility for youth, securing funding for juniper remediation projects, continuing the development of a CORE3 emergency operations center, and advocating for a transportation funding package.

One of the top successes celebrated by the Board is the legislature’s approval of $3.1 million to establish a mental health facility for youth in Central Oregon. Currently, there are no psychiatric beds available for young people in the region. In addition to the funding approved by state lawmakers, the Oregon Health Authority will provide matching funds, and the Central Oregon Health Council will contribute a $750,000 grant to have the facility built by the fall of 2026.

“When we met with Rep. Emerson Levy and Sen. Anthony Broadman last year to discuss the need for a youth-centered mental health facility, they became dedicated supporters of the initiative,” said Commissioner Phil Chang. “Through this facility, healthcare providers and families will be able to meet both acute and respite care needs for young people across Eastern Oregon.”

Juniper removal and water restoration initiatives received a boost with the allocation of $5.2 million in funding, focusing on areas of more than 100 acres (HB 3135). Juniper removal activities help preserve water and reduce wildfire risk. The funds will be distributed in varying amounts to seven counties in Eastern and Southern Oregon, including Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, and Wheeler.

“I want to give special thanks to Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson and Rep. Emerson Levy for pushing this bill forward,” said Commissioner Patti Adair. “This legislation plays a critical role in reducing the wildfire risks for thousands of high-risk properties in Deschutes County and significantly enhances our community’s safety and resilience.”

Another highlight from the 2025 legislative session is the $10 million allocated for the CORE3 project, an emergency response and training facility to be used by local, state and federal public safety and emergency management personnel.

“The CORE3 facilities are designated for first responder training and for providing a multi-agency emergency operations center in support of large-scale emergencies,” said Commissioner Chair Tony DeBone. “We greatly appreciate legislators including this essential facility in the Capital Construction funding, which will allow us to move the project forward.”

One of the major issues of the legislative session was wildfire funding. While lawmakers did not pass a single comprehensive funding package, the BOCC acknowledges the measures passed by state lawmakers that aim to reduce the risk and cover the cost of wildfires in Central Oregon and across the state.

During the final week of the legislative session, lawmakers established a tax on oral nicotine products, with an estimated biennial revenue of $60 million going toward wildfire mitigation. Legislators also voted to repeal the controversial wildfire hazard map, which classified more than 21,000 properties within Deschutes County’s wildland-urban interface as high hazard (SB 83).   

While state legislators failed to pass a transportation funding package before the session ended, the BOCC is awaiting the outcome of the upcoming special session, starting Friday, Aug. 29. The hope is that legislators will find ways to adequately fund critical operations and maintenance programs, as well as public safety improvements along key targeted areas like U.S. Highway 97.    

These legislative achievements, along with others, reflect the Board of County Commissioners’ commitment to advancing the health, safety, and infrastructure of Deschutes County, while ensuring our growing community is resilient and continues to thrive for years to come.

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Barney Lerten

 On Friday, August 8, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest will open the gate at Todd Lake to Forest Service Road (FSR) 370, which provides driving access to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads.

Forest Service Road 370 is a very rough road, with sections through which low-clearance vehicles cannot travel. The Forest Service does not maintain FSR 370 for passenger cars and recommends high-clearance vehicles. Several washouts occurred on the road during winter and spring making conditions extremely rough.

Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are now available for overnight and day use for Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads. Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are required for overnight and day use entry into the Three Sisters Wilderness from these two trailheads. Visitors can reserve permits through Recreation.gov.

For more information or questions, please contact the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video, interview with Redmond Chief of Police, facility information)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond celebrated a major milestone Tuesday for both law enforcement and the people of Redmond – a state-of-the-art Public Safety Facility is now complete. 

The community’s passion for the project was evident at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where a large crowd endured sweltering heat to show their support. 

The 42,000-square-foot building is set to become the full-time home of the Redmond Police Department. Funded in part by a $40 million voter-approved bond in 2022, the facility reflects the community’s commitment to safety and progress. 

Redmond Police Chief Devin Lewis spoke with KTVZ at the event. 

“Our new police department is going to improve public safety for the citizens of Redmond,” he said. “First and foremost is being a large enough facility to accommodate all of the police officers we have. So we’ll be able to grow as the city grows. We also have a brand new lobby. It’s large enough to meet the public’s needs.”

Regarding the community’s suport, Lewis added, “Everyone at the Redmond Police Department is very grateful and thankful to the citizens of Redmond for their support, obviously helped pass the bond to fund this project. And we recognize that we wouldn’t be here today without them and their support. We just really thank you.”

Designed around functionality and compassion, the new building includes private meeting spaces for crime victims, a high-visibility area for custody exchanges and marketplace transactions, as well as an emergency operations center and versatile training room.

Supporting the mental and physical health of staff members was also a top priority in the design.

“We have plenty of windows. We have all the natural light. We have a lot of natural resources in the building, a lot of wood. Those things are going to be able to just to help maintain our officer wellness and help officer resiliency,” Lewis said. “We have a very large training area, where people can engage in physical fitness and wellness training.”

“We also have a large community room, so we can operate large events out of that room, wherein previously we had to go to a different part of the city to do that,” he added.

Community input and feedback were crucial to those involved. Redmond Police wanted the public to feel welcome and safe at the new facility. 

“Once we passed a bond and we started to do the early vision of the police department, we had several meetings with the community. With the design of the building, we wanted to make sure that it would last, and not only for today but for generations after, because it’s such a significant community investment,” Lewis said.

Not only did the project stay on schedule, but it also came in more than $2 million under budget — a testament to careful planning and collaboration between city leaders, the design team and the contractor.

“Those meetings helped identify problems early on, and then we could rectify those problems before they became wasted time or wasted resources, or wasted money,” Lewis said.

Built with energy sustainability in mind and support for future advancements, the facility includes electric-vehicle charging stations for both staff and visitors, and solar panels on the roof — part of Redmond’s broader push toward sustainability.  

The new Public Safety Facility isn’t just a building — it’s a long-term investment in community trust, officer wellness, and future readiness for Redmond. 

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — August 6 — The City of Redmond invited the community to attend Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting for its new Public Safety Facility, located at 111 NW Teak Avenue.

“The new $49 million, 42,000 square foot, two-story building was designed to provide the department with the ability to better meet current and future public safety needs for Redmond,” the city said in last week’s invitation, which continues below:

The new facility is slated to open and be fully operational by Monday, August 25.

“This project was made possible in 2022 by a $40 million voter-approved bond, stated Redmond Police Chief Devin Lewis. “We now have a facility that matches the quality of our Police Department. We are grateful for the support we received from the community to make this project possible.”

The new building features more privacy for crime victims to meet with officers and a high-visibility location in the parking lot for custody exchanges and marketplace transactions, as well as a facility built to incorporate modern technology to help with police work and investigations. The project also includes an emergency operations center and training room.

“I am happy for the police and appreciative of the community for making this project become a reality. The staff and construction team delivered this new police station on time and more than $2 million under budget,” shared Mayor Ed Fitch. “This is just one more opportunity to demonstrate that our residents can take pride in living in this city.”

Construction of the building is aligned to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications, including electric-vehicle charging stations, both in the visitors and staff parking areas, and solar panels on the roof of the building.

The new Public Safety Facility was designed by FFA Architecture and Interiors, Inc. and constructed by Pence Construction.

“We design each project to reflect the specific needs and values of the communities we serve,” remarks Ian Gelbrich of FFA Architecture & Interiors. “Through many conversations with Redmond PD staff, we heard a clear sense of pride in their work, strength in their team, and deep commitment to their city. These values directly informed the design of the new facility. While the building is highly functional and supports the efficiency of the work they do, we also placed special emphasis on the spaces where people come together.”

Tours of the new facility were conducted following the ceremony. For more information, visit online at www.redmondoregon.gov/PublicSafetyFacility.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tuesday marked the grand opening for Sparrow Mercado at the new Bend westside development, Discovery West. 

It’s joining several other businesses in the hub of the development called Discovery Corner.

It’s meant to be a small market for residents and visitors, with grab-and-go goods or simple meals you can cook yourself. 

The miniature market prides itself on a selection of unique, local and regional goods. 

“A lot of small producers of packaged goods and fresh items,” said Richard Bolt, a barista at Sparrow Mercado. “We really want to showcase the best of local providers as well as regional and some smaller national brands that might not be recognized or even seen in a larger grocery store.” 

Sparrow Bakery’s headquarters is less than a mile away.

Right now, the store is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. By September, it hopes to be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Taylor Brooks announced Wednesday that a new tenant will be waking up its Shevlin Crossing development this fall: WildRoots Coffeehouse.

“The coffee shop will be a great addition to both the neighborhood and the beautiful new complex, which is located at 2230 NW Labiche Lane, along Shevlin Park Road in northwest Bend.,” according to the announcement from Taylor Brooks, which continues in full below.

Kris and Laura Steinke, the coffeehouse owners, said that they chose the Shelvin Crossing location for its central location as well as the beauty of the building itself. They noted that the building features high ceilings, expansive windows and ample light.

Kris Steinke said, “The location and building feels like the perfect fit for our second shop. It’s open and inviting, easy to get to with plenty of parking, and really supports the next chapter of our growth. We’re excited to settle in, meet our new neighbors, and welcome guests when we open in a couple of months.” 

The Shevlin Crossing location will be the second shop the partners will open. The first is in northeast Bend on Lancaster Street, just off of Boyd Acres Road.   

Taylor Brooks General Manager, Jeremy McPherson, said, “We love the idea of having this beloved coffee shop join our tenants and provide them with a lovely spot for casual meetings, quick bites from Sparrow Bakery, and of course that important cup of morning coffee. Having WildRoots right on site will be a big ‘perk,’ not just for the tenants, but for the whole area.” 

The opening date will be announced later this fall, and those interested should follow WildRoots on instagram at @wildroots_coffeehouse, or follow Taylor Brooks on LinkedIn, and by subscribing to the Taylor Brooks newsletter. 

About Taylor Brooks 

Taylor Brooks, based in Bend, Oregon, develops, owns and manages high-quality real estate development projects in Central Oregon. It specializes in commercial development of healthcare, office, and flex industrial space. The company will also offer its tenants full-service commercial property management capabilities, with a focus on maintaining strong relationships. Taylor Brooks is a partnership of Taylor Development LLC and Brooks Resources Corp. www.taylorbrooksdev.com. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An upcoming two-day event in Bend will offer employers and workers a comprehensive set of learning opportunities designed to upgrade their skills in creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces.

The Central Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference – scheduled Sept. 15-16 at the Riverhouse Lodge – will address everything from prevention of heat illness and mitigation of noise and inhalation hazards to best practices for safety committees and effective strategies for building a culture of safety.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) encourages employers and workers to attend the conference, which also provides networking opportunities, exhibits of safety and health products and services, and sessions that will help any organization improve its safety and health performance.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the conference will feature a keynote address by Hoan Do, an international speaker, author, and finalist on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” With his high-energy presentation, “Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities,” Do will deliver practical insights into how attendees can reframe setbacks and move forward with a focus on improving as individuals and as teammates.

The Central Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference is a joint effort of Oregon OSHA and the Central Oregon Safety & Health Association.

The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association’s Safety and Health Section helped create the conference’s emergency services/first responder track. The track’s topics include lithium-ion battery safety considerations, Bend Fire & Rescue’s approach to addressing mental health, and how fire service leaders can help build a strong safety culture.

Other conference topics include:

Hazard Identification

Respiratory Protection Programs

Incident Analysis 101: Turning Data into Prevention

Recordkeeping and Reporting

Fall Protection Training

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Safety

Understanding Hand and Eye Safety Standards and Best Practices for Testing and Implementing Personal Protective Equipment. (PPE)

Practical Strategies for Preventing Same-Level Slips, Trips, and Falls

Welding Fumes: Health Impacts and Prevention Strategies

Registration for the two-day event is $240. The cost to attend only one day is $120. For more information or to register, go to safetyseries.cventevents.com/central25.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

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Barney Lerten

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) —A Lynwood, California man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Monday for trafficking 11 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Oregon, including a Prineville customer.

Luis Banuelos, 34, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on February 28, 2021, as part of a drug trafficking investigation, officers from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team arrested Banuelos after he transported methamphetamine from California to deliver to a customer in Prineville.

Officers searched Banuelos’s vehicle and seized two boxes containing more than 11 pounds of methamphetamine. When questioned by investigators, Banuelos admitted to transporting drugs from California about seven times for distribution in Oregon.

On August 4, 2022, Banuelos was charged by criminal information with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On October 31, 2022, Banuelos pleaded guilty to the charge.

The case was investigated by the CODE team and the Drug Enforcement Agency. It was prosecuted by Adam Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jake Garner, a local mountain biker and member of Boy Scout Troop 21 in Bend, reached out to the Central Oregon Trails Alliance in search of an Eagle Scout project for this summer, and now it’s mission accomplished.

Together, they identified a long-overdue task: replacing the orange safety fencing and adding clear signage to better define the Skills Area at Phil’s Trailhead, COTA said in a news release Tuesday.

Jake teamed up with COTA Trails Program Director Alex Brieger, as well as local business owners and Forest Service officials, to create a detailed project plan and timeline, which was completed at the end of July.

After securing approval from the Forest Service, Jake’s project moved forward, and he installed a new fence surrounding the Skills Area.

Jake also collaborated with Mike Brasfield from the Deschutes National Forest to build an official information kiosk, which features park guidelines and a trail map. The materials for the kiosk were donated by the local Home Depot and Lowe’s. 

And a local business, Miller Lumber, generously milled and donated custom cedar split rail fencing for the project, which complements the natural surroundings and will last for years to come.

“This incredible Eagle Scout project highlights the strong community connections and local teamwork it takes to complete such work,” the trails alliance said. “COTA is incredibly grateful and proud of Jake in the completion of this project!”

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Cougar Fire update, local officials warn of increasing fire danger)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Cougar Fire, the largest of two fires that broke out Tuesday afternoon in southeastern Deschutes County and put up smoke visible over a wide area, grew to about 300 acres by Wednesday as crews reached about 10% containment.

Here’s the Wednesday midday fact sheet on the Cougar Fire:

Start Date: August 5, 2025 3:37 PM

Location: 43°37’58.4″N 120°07’33.5″W Approx. 3.5 miles North of U.S. HWY 20

Jurisdiction:  Bureau of Land Management

Fire Size:  Approx. 293 acres

Containment:  Approx. 10%

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Grass, Juniper, Sagebrush

Structures/Evacuations: 1 structure located 2 miles south of fire start

Fire Crews/Resources: Interagency fire crews, along with the Post Paulina RFP,A are suppressing the new wildfire start with the following resources: 1 jump ship with a load of smoke jumpers, 2 type one helicopters, 3 Engines, 2 dozers, 2 water tenders, 1 Skidgen, and 2 hand crews.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) August 5th – The first fire, the 781 Fire, was reported around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday northeast of Pine Mountain and was estimated at 1.4 acres about an hour later.

The larger fire is the Cougar Fire (Incident 782), was reported shortly before 4 p.m. near Cougar Mountain and the Deschutes-Crook county line. Watch Duty reported three Type 3 air tankers and an air attack plane were en route.

Here’s Central Oregon fire officials’ initial fact sheet on the fire, issued just before 5 p.m. Tuesday:

Start Date: August 5, 2025 3:37 PM

Location: 43°37’58.4″N 120°07’33.5″W Approx. 3.5 miles North of U.S. HWY 20

Jurisdiction:  Bureau of Land Management

Fire Size:  Approx. 30 acres and growing

Cause: Under Investigation

Fuels: Grass, Juniper, Sagebrush

Structures/Evacuations: 1 structure located 2 miles south of the fire start

Containment:  0%

Fire Crews/Resources: Interagency fire crews, along with the Post Paulina RFPA are suppressing the new wildfire start with the following resources: 4 single-engine air tankers, 1 large air tanker, 1 Type 1 helicopter, 1 air attack, 3 Engines, 2 dozers, 2 water tenders, 1 Skidgen, and 1 hand crew.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

Fire officials and lookouts have been watching closely for any new lightning-sparked holdover fires from the storms that moved the region over the weekend.

We’ll have updates as warranted, online, on the air and on KTZV+

Coincidentally, Central Oregon fire officials put out a message late Tuesday quite similar to ones shared earlier by state and federal officials this wek about the rising fire danger this month:

Do Your Part to Prevent a Spark as Conditions Remain Hot and Dry

Central Oregon — As August begins, weather forecasts indicate that high temperatures will continue to dry out vegetation in Central Oregon, increasing the risk for wildfires. Recent thunderstorms and lightning activity in the area have increased the potential for new fire starts to be discovered in the coming weeks. Lightning-caused wildfires can smolder for several days to weeks before smoke may be visible.

To help combat new fire starts, the public is reminded to check and follow current public use fire restrictions when recreating on public lands. Central Oregon public lands are currently in Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions, which prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville BLM except within designated, developed campgrounds.

Under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions, internal combustion engines, including chainsaws, are prohibited between 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more details on public use restrictions and a full list of designated campgrounds where campfires are permitted in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/2025/07/15/deschutes-wilderness-areas-added-to-stage-1-public-use-fire-restrictions-starting-july-18/.   

Following last week’s lightning activity in Central Oregon, firefighters responded to 50 new wildfire starts, resulting in approximately 40 acres burned. Most of these fires were around one-tenth of an acre in size and have been contained or controlled, thanks to the rapid response from initial attack resources both on the ground and from the air, including aircraft, smoke jumpers, and rappelers.

As we enter peak fire season, remember to make safe choices, recreate responsibly, and do your part to prevent new wildfires from starting.

For information on public use restrictions and wildfire updates, visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man who stole a rifle from a pickup at the 2022 Jefferson County Fair and tried to fire it several times at pursuing officers and others before being shot by police has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rafael Gomez, now 33, signed a plea petition late last month, agreeing to plead guilty to three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, court records show. He was due to go on trial on August 11 on 16 felony charges, including five counts of attempted aggravated murder; an earlier trial ended in a mistrial after a juror’s misconduct involving improper investigation of the case.

Gomez, identified in initial court documents as a fugitive from San Diego, was accused of trying to shoot eight people, including Sheriff Jason Pollock.

District Attorney Steve Leriche found Madras police and sheriff’s deputies were justified in using deadly force to stop Gomez, who aimed the stolen AR-15 at citizens and pursuing officers, but was unable to fire because two rounds were jammed in the chamber.

The DA said law enforcement kept ordering Gomez to drop the gun, which he did not, and was trying to keep Gomez from entering the Madras Cinema 5 or Kentucky Fried Chicken or being able to clear a double feed from his rifle.

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