Category: ktvz-local-news

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation will host its annual Skyliners Ski Swap on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Pavilion Ice Rink in Bend, Ore. Presented by Latitude 44 Sports, the event brings together the regional winter sports community for gear sales and activities.

The annual event serves as a primary fundraiser for the foundation, supporting local youth athletes participating in alpine, nordic, freeride and cycling programs. The foundation previously received national recognition as the 2024 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Development Club of the Year.

The Ski Swap offers new and used equipment, including skis, snowboards, boots, apparel and winter accessories. Members of the general public looking to consign items must register their gear online at mbsefskiswap.com before the consignment deadline. Consignors can drop off items on the Thursday and Friday preceding the event with assistance from organization volunteers.

An exclusive Pre-sale & Party is scheduled for Friday evening prior to the main swap, allowing ticket holders early access to purchase gear. The Friday evening event includes food vendors, firepits, an outdoor ski film screening and a Winter Expo featuring local organizations and businesses such as Mt. Bachelor, Crux Fermentation Project, Sharkmouth Fajitas and Corndog Company. Tickets for the pre-sale event are sold online, while event volunteers receive complimentary admission.

Marieka Greene serves as the community engagement and development director for the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation. “For decades, the Skyliners Ski Swap has been Central Oregon’s go-to destination for winter gear,” Greene said. “More importantly, it’s a community event where every sale, consignment, volunteer hour and ticket sold helps create opportunities for young athletes.”

The Winter Expo will continue at the Pavilion alongside the main gear swap on Saturday. Supporting sponsors for the fundraiser include The Source Weekly, 101.7, First Interstate Bank and JB Technologies. Originally founded as the Skyliners Ski Club, the organization eventually expanded into the year-round nonprofit foundation that operates today.

The Skyliners Ski Swap will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Consignment drop-off schedules, volunteer registration and pre-sale tickets remain accessible on the event website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes River High School in Bend is expanding education beyond traditional classrooms by offering four vocational tracks that link academic instruction directly with professional environments. The school’s career technical education curriculum covers business, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), construction and medicine.

The career-focused tracks provide students with practical training and specialized instruction throughout their high school studies. As the school builds its inaugural graduating class, both faculty and students are working to establish the educational culture and career pathways offered at the institution.

Lakisha Clark, principal of Deschutes River High School, detailed the school’s career technical education options. “We have four CTE programs here, Career Technical Education. One is our business program… We also have a STEM engineering program…” Clark said.

Students participating in the medical track receive practical exposure to the health care field. Michaela, a student at Deschutes River High School, is enrolled in the medical academy and plans to shadow working professionals. “I’m part of a medical academy, which means I’ll be able to actually do rotations next trimester. So that’s where we go in job shadow, like actual doctors, vets and people like that,” Michaela said. She noted that experiencing specific career branches helped her focus on hospice nursing rather than registered nursing, adding, “I think it’s a lot more helpful because you get to see through these pathways… There’s so many wider branches between those. And so I was able to like look more into like hospice nursing instead of like registered nursing.”

Other students cited both the specialized career focus and school culture as key factors in their education. Ashlyn, another student at Deschutes River High School, chose to remain at the school due to its supportive environment and academic tracks. “I decided to stay at our school because we have a really good community here… And then I also know that we were continuing to do academies, which are like specific career paths and I’m really interested in going into medicine,” Ashlyn said.

Clark emphasized that the school’s culture aims to empower students across all programs. “It’s building leaders, building the idea that every single one of us can lead. That’s the idea of crew. Like the L motto is we are crew, not passengers. And that is about taking ownership of our path, our education, our future,” Clark said.

School administrators indicate that families interested in attending Deschutes River High School can participate in winter information sessions prior to the enrollment lottery for the 2027-28 academic year.

Click here to follow the original article.

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s congressional delegation today demanded that the Trump administration end expedited “mega master” immigration hearings, warning that fast-tracked court proceedings in Oregon and Washington are depriving immigrants of constitutional due process.

The letter was signed by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum.

The Oregon lawmakers sent the letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, executive Office for Immigration Review Acting Director Sirce E. Owen and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director David Venturella. They called for an end to mass hearings that review hundreds of immigration cases in a single day, arguing the policy prevents individuals from securing legal representation and receiving fair judicial review.

In Oregon, the Portland Immigration Court is holding approximately two “mega master” hearings each week while maintaining its pre-scheduled docket and individual merit hearings. Lawmakers said immigrants expecting court dates in 2027 or 2028 are suddenly required to appear on short notice, forcing them to arrange immediate transportation and secure legal representation. In their letter, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter and Bynum wrote, “Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called ‘mega master’ hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump’s handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews.”

The Oregon lawmakers emphasized the local impact of the expedited proceedings, writing, “These policy changes confuse and terrify law-abiding immigrants in our communities and prevent them from having a fair day in court.” The delegation added, “This unwarranted blitzkrieg of assaults on justice and fair treatment raises serious constitutional concerns and is unworthy of the oaths you swore to uphold.”

The letter also outlined recent policy changes at the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court in Washington. Starting in mid-August, judges at the facility stopped allowing attorneys across Oregon, Idaho and Alaska to appear remotely via video conferencing on behalf of clients held at the regional detention facility. The lawmakers wrote, “As if the changes at the Portland Immigration Court weren’t bad enough, the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court has now had judges deciding in mid-August to stop allowing immigration attorneys across Oregon, Idaho and Alaska from appearing remotely on behalf of their clients detained at the regional detention center.”

Under the new rules in Tacoma, defense attorneys and expert witnesses must attend hearings in person, while Department of Homeland Security government lawyers are permitted to participate remotely. Presiding judges also appear remotely in roughly half of the cases requiring in-person attendance by defense counsel, according to attorneys. Furthermore, courts have issued “notices to appear” on the morning of scheduled hearings, leaving attorneys minimal time to prepare or arrange travel. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also routinely restricted attorney access to clients and transferred detainees to distant facilities across the country.

Calling for structural reform, the lawmakers urged federal agencies to end political influence in court proceedings. “Immigration court proceedings must uphold fairness and rule of law and not be politicized to satisfy Donald Trump’s arbitrary detention quotas,” the delegation wrote. “We call on the Trump administration to discontinue policies and tactics that undermine constitutional due process. Our legal system relies on accountability; therefore, we demand that you establish fair and meaningful hearings that provide a genuine day in court and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system.”

The lawmakers requested a written response from the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security by Oct. 15, 2026. The requested response must outline steps to terminate “mega master” hearings, provide immigrants with sufficient advance notice, reduce travel hardships for attorneys and ensure immigration judges hear cases individually without political influence.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tyson Beauchemin

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine man is warning his neighbors about mail theft in their area. Carl Loomis reported says his mailbox has been hit several times this month. Thieves have broken into local mailboxes, opening packages and taking what they want.

The thefts have affected several neighborhood roads, including Sparks Drive, 5th Street and Day Road. A local mail carrier confirmed the widespread issue after observing entire rows of mailboxes left open and empty along her route.

Loomis contacted KTVZ after experiencing multiple break-ins to his mailbox throughout the month. He reported opened packages, as well as missing credit card statements and offers. The thieves often left behind opened envelopes.

Earlier this week, Loomis discovered his own mailbox stuffed with opened letters and packaging belonging to other area residents, which he personally returned.

The neighborhoods off of Day road are close and most neighbors know each other. Loomis commented on the tight-knit and supportive community community. “They go to work and they they bust their backs and they they make their money and they earn their living and they just want to come home and they want to feel like the Postal Service has done their part in delivering their mail. they don’t deserve any of it, really, they don’t.” Loomis said.

Despite multiple reports among neighbors, the local sheriff’s department confirmed it has received only one formal report of mail theft in the area for September. Law enforcement officials are encouraging any residents affected by mail theft to file an official report.

Click here to follow the original article.

Felicity Desuasido

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond and Bend Police have shared the official data from their traffic enforcement cameras, revealing thousands of citations issued across the last few months. Redmond has issued a total of 2,667 photo enforcement citations, while Bend has issued 3,050 as of Sept. 23.

Redmond issued 733 citations between June 15 to July 15, 950 between July 16 to Aug. 15 and 855 between Aug. 16 to Sept. 15.

According to Redmond Police Lt. April Huey, Redmond Police moved its transportable unit to SW Blackbutte Boulevard near 10th Street. Huey said citations have not started at the new location yet, but will be enforced starting Oct. 15.

“This new location was selected because of high traffic volume, near a school to increase safety for children, there was a fatal crash near the location approximately four years ago, and ongoing speeding complaints,” Huey said.

Sheila Miller, Communications Manager for the Bend Police Department, shared that the locations with the most frequent citations in Bend are the SB NE 27th/Neff camera, followed by Business 97 at Powers Road, Reed Market/3rd and the westbound lanes of 27th / Neff.

Click here to follow the original article.

Claire Elmer

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has extended its wildfire emergency order and bulletin for a second 30-day period, maintaining insurance protections for affected residents through October 29th.

The extension mandates that property and casualty insurance companies take proactive steps to safeguard policyholders in designated wildfire regions across the state.

Regulators initially issued the emergency protections in late July in response to statewide wildfire activity and extended them for 30 days in late August.

The order was set to expire Tuesday before the latest 30-day extension was granted. All ZIP codes listed in the division’s original bulletin remain covered under the directive.

Under the emergency order, all property and casualty insurance companies operating in designated areas are prohibited from issuing policy cancellations or nonrenewals.

Insurers must also establish a grace period for premium payments on policies issued, delivered or covering risks within the covered ZIP codes.

The measure extends deadlines for policyholders to report damage claims or submit required claims documentation. Insurance providers are also required to take all practicable steps to ensure policyholders have adequate opportunities to submit claims.

Regulators urge property owners with wildfire damage to contact their insurance carriers as soon as possible to discuss their claims and next steps.

For residents with ongoing concerns, consumer advocates with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation can be reached toll-free at 888-877-4894 or by email at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

The emergency order remains in effect through October 29th. Policyholders can review the complete order, bulletin, and related insurance information on the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation wildfire resource page.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A group of Oregon businesses are competing for the Coolest Thing Made in Oregon award, and you get to decide who the winner is!

One local finalist includes the Hazelnut Espresso Vodka by Crater Lake Spirits in Bend.

The first round of voting has concluded, and there are only eight finalists left. The contest focuses on products and innovations made right here in Oregon.

Click here to vote!

Click here to follow the original article.

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon families who received Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer funds have 122 days from issuance to spend their benefits before they expire. For families who automatically received benefits on June 5th, 2026, those funds will expire on October 4th, 2026.

The Summer EBT program is jointly administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education.

Eligible families receive $120 in benefits per child for food purchases.

In 2026, the program provided meals to approximately 350,000 children across Oregon.

For families who received benefits after June 5th, 2026, the funds will expire exactly 122 days from their individual issuance dates.

State officials encourage families to check their balances and spend remaining benefits before they expire. Summer EBT funds can be used to buy food at participating grocery stores, farmers markets, community supported agriculture farms, and farm stands.

Families can stretch their food budget through the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches Summer EBT spending on fresh produce at a one-to-1 ratio.

For every $2 of Summer EBT benefits spent on fresh fruits and vegetables, families receive $2 in Double Up Food Bucks coupons. For example, spending $20 in Summer EBT benefits at a participating farmers market yields $20 in coupons to purchase additional eligible produce.

State officials advise families to keep their Oregon EBT cards, as the Summer EBT program will return in 2027 and retaining the card will help benefits process faster next year.

Paper applications for the 2027 program are available in 10 languages and can be submitted at any time by emailing summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov.

The Summer EBT call center closed for the year at 5:00 p.m. on September 25th, 2026.

Families with questions can still receive assistance by emailing summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov or visiting sebt.oregon.gov.

The Summer EBT program will return in 2027 and Oregon families can submit paper applications for next year’s benefits at any time.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three Oregon men are facing federal charges after a grand jury in Portland returned an indictment alleging conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Cody James VanWinkle, also known as “COUNTUPCODY,” 30, of Gresham, and Kei-Jian Buckley, 32, of Beaverton, made their initial appearances and were arraigned Tuesday. Bruce Edward Jones Jr., also known as “Juice,” 30, of Eugene, had his initial appearance and arraignment September 24.

According to court documents, VanWinkle, Buckley and Jones allegedly stole or obtained stolen checks and altered the payee lines and dollar amounts so the checks could be deposited by them instead of the intended recipients.

Prosecutors allege VanWinkle and Buckley formed an LLC called Pacific Swift Logistics, which they say was a sham business used to assist with the alleged fraud.

Court documents allege the three men, along with others they recruited, deposited or transferred the fraudulent and forged checks into bank accounts controlled by VanWinkle, Buckley or Jones.

Prosecutors say the defendants and their recruits then withdrew, attempted to withdraw or transferred the money before financial institutions could identify the deposits as fraudulent and stop the transactions.

According to the indictment, recruits who received money allegedly provided a portion of the stolen funds to VanWinkle, Buckley and Jones.

VanWinkle and Buckley pleaded not guilty during their arraignments. Jones previously pleaded not guilty.

All three defendants are scheduled to go to trial November 24, 2026.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the indictment. IRS Criminal Investigations is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Sax is prosecuting it.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Students at Crook County Middle School are getting an early look at potential career paths through hands-on learning opportunities.

The program gives students the chance to build real-world skills while exploring different interests and areas of study. By learning through hands-on experiences, students can discover their strengths and get a better sense of the careers they may want to pursue in the future.

The experiences are designed to help students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world opportunities and encourage them to explore where their interests and skills could take them.

Click here to follow the original article.