Category: ktvz-local-news

Triton Notary

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) The FBI is seeking public assistance to identify additional victims of sexual violence involving Robert Ray Warner. Warner was federally indicted following an alleged sexual assault on or about Nov. 25, 2025, on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation and remains in custody.

The federal indictment accuses Warner of sexually assaulting a woman on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The FBI and the Warm Springs Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into the matter.

The FBI encourages victims of sexual violence to report crimes and supports them through the investigative and legal process. Individuals who believe they were subjected to sexual violence caused by Warner are encouraged to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the FBI by email at WarnerTips@FBI.gov, by phone at 503-224-4181, or online at http://tips.fbi.gov.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As concert season ramps up across Central Oregon, venues in Bend, Redmond and beyond are doing more than drawing crowds—they’re helping drive the region’s summer economy.

From large-scale performances at Hayden Homes Amphitheater to local shows at General Duffy’s Watering Hole, live music is bringing in both visitors and locals who spend money on hotels, restaurants, retail and more.

Beau Eastes, marketing director for the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater, says a single sold-out show can have a significant financial impact.

When accounting for spending tied to concerts—from lodging and dining to merchandise and drinks—Eastes estimates each sold-out event can generate around $2.3 million for the local economy.

He says the amphitheater also plays a key role in seasonal employment.

“We hire about 800 people seasonally… it’s a great way to get more money in people’s pockets,” Eastes said, noting the venue draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest who often explore other parts of Central Oregon during their stay.

That economic ripple extends to smaller venues as well.

At General Duffy’s Watering Hole in Redmond, part owner and operator Tanner Robertson says hosting concerts comes with a high price tag—but also wide-reaching benefits.

Robertson says booking an artist can cost between $50,000 and $100,000, with an additional $30,000 to $40,000 needed to produce a high-quality show.

“…we bring to bear half a million dollars’ worth of staging, lighting, sound system, tech, security,” Robertson said. “For a really big show, we’ll have around 100 staff… we partner with local high school athletics programs… we write them a check for their hard work.”

Those partnerships, along with staffing needs for food vendors, bars and event operations, help circulate money back into the local community.

Large-scale events at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center also contribute to that momentum.

County officials say the 2025 Deschutes County Fair drew about 170,000 people over five days, making it one of the largest fairs in Oregon. Year-round, the fairgrounds host roughly 250 events that attract nearly one million attendees, many of whom contribute to the local economy through lodging, dining and other activities.

From amphitheaters to fairgrounds and neighborhood venues, concert season is proving to be more than entertainment—it’s a key economic driver across Central Oregon.

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Triton Notary

PRINEVILLE, ORE. (KTVZ) The Fourth Annual Wheels and Wings event will return to Prineville Airport on Saturday, June 20th. The event, hosted by Central Oregon Car Shows, will bring together aviation and automobiles to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & Southwest Washington

This highly anticipated summer event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offers free public admission, making it a Father’s Day weekend outing for families. Shane Mayfield, director of Central Oregon Car Shows, highlighted the event’s growth, stating, “Last year we had more than 211 cars and more than 30 airplanes to view. We hope this year is even bigger and better and we can continue to build this community event for years to come.”

The event showcases a mix of aircraft, classic cars, custom builds, trucks, motorcycles and specialty vehicles. It also highlights businesses, pilots, sponsors, veterans and volunteers.

Community support will be visible through participation from local businesses, aviation companies, automotive partners, veterans organizations, ROTC programs and nonprofit groups.

Attendees can enjoy an airplane and vehicle show competition with more than 30 awards and trophies, including a People’s Choice Award and a Kids’ Choice Award.

There will be various kids’ activities, community vendors and exhibitors, a live DJ and entertainment. Food trucks, a beer cart and Kona Ice will be available.

Raffles and giveaways, including a motorcycle raffle and a 50/50 cash raffle, are planned. Veterans and community organizations will have displays and ROTC programs will participate.

Aircraft displays and pilot meet-and-greets will also be part of the day’s events. Vehicle registration for participants is $30.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new campaign is underway by several nonprofits in Deschutes County that its supporters say could reshape how local leaders are elected and give more voters a voice in the process.

A coalition of community members and good-government groups has launched a signature drive for a proposed measure called Voices for All of Deschutes, which would bring proportional ranked choice voting to county commission races.

Ranked choice voting is a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one, and if no candidate wins a majority, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated and those ballots move to the voter’s next choice. It is used in places like Portland, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and many other cities across the country.

What supporters want

Backers of the measure say Deschutes County needs a system that better reflects the full range of voters in the county. They argue the current or proposed options for county commission elections could leave too many residents without real representation.

Freddy Finney-Jordet, campaign manager for Deschutes Defend Our Democracy Coalition, said the proposal is meant to avoid shutting out entire groups of people. He said proportional ranked choice voting is a “gold standard” system for legislative bodies and pointed to its use by more than 280,000 Oregonians in other counties.

Brian Smith of the Tribal Democracy Project said proportional representation would help eliminate gerrymanders, reduce the influence of money and corporate interests, and allow all voters to have a say in who is elected.

What the debate is about

The push comes after voters approved expanding the Deschutes County Commission from three members to five in 2024. The initiative was put on the ballot after John Heylin collected enough signatures for it to qualify. Voters then passed the initiative by a large margin.

Since then, county election rules have become a major topic of discussion, with several approaches under consideration.

One option would keep the current system, where commissioners are elected at-large. Another would divide the county into five districts, with one commissioner elected from each district. Supporters of the district map say it would create geographic representation, while critics argue it could be drawn to give one political party an advantage.

Opponents of the at-large system say it lets a majority faction control the whole board and can leave rural, progressive, and conservative voters without a meaningful voice. Critics of the district plan say it could amount to gerrymandering and prevent voters from weighing in on every commission seat.

Debate over Districting

The districting fight has drawn clear lines in Deschutes County. Supporters of the map, including Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone, say moving to five commissioner districts would give voters better geographic representation and finally put a plan in place for the expanded board approved by voters in 2024. County staff and the District Mapping Advisory Committee spent months drawing the proposal, using population data and voter registration trends to build what they describe as a balanced map.

Opponents, including Commissioner Phil Chang and many residents who packed public hearings, say the map is unfair and could tilt the county’s political balance. Critics argue the proposed lines split Bend in a way that weakens the city’s influence and could favor conservative voters, while supporters say the district plan is the fairest way to ensure all parts of the county have a voice.

Why this matters

Supporters of the new petition say proportional representation could be a middle ground that captures the strengths of both systems while avoiding their biggest flaws. They say it would give more voters a seat at the table and help elect commissioners who better reflect the county’s political and geographic diversity.

Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, said the state has a history of leading on election reform, pointing to vote-by-mail and automatic voter registration. She said Oregon can again help lead the way as other states look for new ways to strengthen democracy.

Next steps

The petition, Initiative Petition 9-2026-I-01, was cleared for signature gathering in May by elections officials. Supporters of the “Voices for All of Deschutes” campaign plan to host a kickoff event on June 27 for residents who want to learn more and get involved.

The campaign now faces the harder part: gathering enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Find more local Decision 2026 coverage here.

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Harley Coldiron

CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A group of Culver High School students spent the final month of the school year bringing new life to one of the community’s most familiar landmarks: the giant “C” on Juniper Butte.

What started as a class project turned into a monthlong restoration effort, with students hiking up the steep hillside after school to clear brush, cut back overgrowth, and repaint the landmark that overlooks the town of Culver.

Principal Scott Novelli said restoring the “C” had been a goal of his since he arrived at the school in 2022. He said the hillside letter has long been a symbol of school and community pride, and seeing it visible again means a lot to people in town.

A tradition returns

For years, Culver High students regularly maintained the “C,” but that tradition slowly faded. Over time, brush and small trees crept in and the landmark became harder to see.

That changed this spring, when students in Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Forensic Science classes began meeting at the base of Juniper Butte during seventh period. From there, they hiked roughly 200 yards up the steep hill and spent 30 minutes to an hour each day working on the project.

Katy Schonneker, secretary at Culver High School, said the last time she remembers students restoring the “C” was in 2016, when her daughter graduated. School officials later found that the landmark had last been fully restored nearly a decade ago by Betty Nitchelm and a group of Culver students.

Student-led effort

The restoration took teamwork and a fair amount of sweat. Students brought weed-eaters, garden tools, chainsaws and other equipment to cut through the overgrowth and prepare the site for a fresh coat of paint.

Junior Thayne Dickson said the group quickly had to figure out what the project would take. Eli Nielson said the first day was spent assessing the hill and making a plan before the real work began.

The effort was led by several juniors, including Dickson and Nielson, and supported by Culver High staff and administration. In just over a month, the work was done.

Community support

The project also got help from local businesses and community members.

GreyFab, a fabrication business in Madras, donated two backpack sprayers. Madras Paint and Glass donated five of the 20 gallons of paint needed. The remaining 15 gallons were funded through a GoFundMe campaign organized by the newly formed Culver Alumni Association, led by Chuck Gates.

More than paint

For the students involved, the project was about more than just repainting a hillside letter. Many balanced the work with baseball, track and field and other spring activities, yet still found time to keep showing up.

Now, the freshly painted “C” is once again visible from much of Culver, including the sports complex, and students hope the project helps restart a tradition for future classes.

Their goal is to make maintenance of the “C” an annual responsibility again, with each graduating senior class returning in the fall to clear brush and touch up the paint. For the students behind the project, the hope is simple: keep the landmark visible, and keep the pride alive.

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Triton Notary

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) Registration is now open for the 2026 Summer Driver Education Program offered through High Desert Driver Education in Redmond. The program aims to equip high school students with the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary for safe and responsible driving.

The driver education program provides young drivers with practical skills through both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel experience. These components support the development of safe driving habits and informed decision-making on the road.

The program is open to high school students who are at least 15 years old. Eligible participants must also possess a valid driving permit.

Tuition for the program is $799. Scholarships of up to $200 are available for eligible students to help increase access for families.

Families can find class schedules, registration information and additional program details at hddrivered.org. Questions regarding scholarship opportunities can be directed to Rachel White at rachel.white@hdesd.org.

Classes for the program are scheduled to begin on July 6.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Fourth Annual Wheels and Wings event is scheduled to return to the Prineville Airport on Saturday, June 20th.

The event, hosted by Central Oregon Car Shows, will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will feature aviation, automobiles, community organizations, and family fun, with proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & Southwest Washington.

Admission to the Wheels and Wings event is free to the public, making it a Father’s Day weekend outing for families across the region.

The event showcases a mix of aircraft, classic cars, custom builds, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles, while highlighting businesses, pilots, sponsors, veterans, and volunteers. Community support will be on display through participation from local businesses, aviation companies, automotive partners, veterans organizations, ROTC programs, and nonprofit groups.

Central Oregon Car Shows Director Shane Mayfield noted the growth of the event. “Last year we had more than 211 cars and more than 30 airplanes to view. We hope this year is even bigger and better and we can continue to build this community event for years to come,” Mayfield said.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of attractions including an airplane and vehicle show competition, with more than 30 awards and trophies, along with a People’s Choice Award and a Kids’ Choice Award. Kids activities will also be available.

The event will feature community vendors and exhibitors, a live DJ and entertainment, and food trucks. A beer cart and Kona Ice will also be available. Raffles and giveaways, including a motorcycle raffle and a 50/50 cash raffle, are planned.

Vehicle registration for the show costs $30.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency across Oregon due to the imminent threat of wildfire, a move that officials say will help mobilize critical resources as dry conditions and low snowpack create dangerous fire weather across the state — including Central Oregon.

The emergency order, which will remain in effect until December 31, 2026 or until fire conditions improve significantly, gives state fire agencies access to firefighting crews, aerial support and emergency personnel needed to protect people, property and natural landscapes.

Too early, too dry

Local fire officials say the conditions are already concerning this early in the year.

“I think with the current conditions, obviously it is extremely dry. We don’t have any snowpack. And the fuels are already critically low,” said Thad Olsen, Fire Chief with the Cloverdale Fire District in Central Oregon.

Olsen said people haven’t been watering their lawns because they’re worried about their drinking water or simply don’t have access to any water. The combination of extremely dry conditions and critically low fuels means the region is more vulnerable to wildfires than usual.

Staffing shortages raise concerns

Another major concern for local fire districts is limited staffing. Olsen said none of the fire departments in Deschutes County have enough staff to handle multiple fires starting at once.

“None of us have enough staffing to fight all the fires. We rely on mutual aid and automatic aid,” Olsen said.

He noted that Central Oregon fire crews are experienced and well-trained, with agencies including Bend Sisters, Cloverdale, Crooked River and Redmond all having talented resources. But if multiple incidents occur, departments will need to call in extra resources — and that can create delays.

Olsen said the area has “excellent firefighting crews” but that the number of people and their availability is the limiting factor.

What residents should do now

Olsen urged residents to take action immediately to reduce fire risk and create defensible space around their homes.

“We need the participation and that being defensible space. Give us a fighting chance to clear the brush back from your building,” Olsen said.

He said homeowners should clear brush at least 30 feet from their buildings, remove combustibles like planters next to houses, clean leaves and pine needles out of gutters and make sure driveways are accessible for fire trucks.

“If your driveway is overgrown and you couldn’t drive a U-Haul truck down it, then we wouldn’t be able to get a fire truck down it,” Olsen said.

He also recommended residents download apps on their phones that notify them when a wildland fire is in their area so they can be prepared for evacuation.

Governor’s warning

Governor Kotek said increasing heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action.

“Oregon has record-setting low snowpack and nearly half of our counties are facing persistent drought conditions,” Kotek said in her statement. “On average, 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused. Prevention starts with every Oregonian — at home, at work, and out and about enjoying our great state.”

To date in 2026, the state has experienced 414 fires that have burned approximately 8,077 acres, with multiple fires causing localized evacuations.

Pacific Power prepares

Pacific Power is also preparing its system to reduce wildfire risk across the Pacific Northwest. The company said a large portion of Oregon has seen a drier than normal rainy season, and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and the National Interagency Fire Center indicate a warmer and drier than normal summer.

As part of ongoing wildfire prevention efforts, Pacific Power is taking steps including enhanced safety settings and protective equipment designed to automatically shut off power when lines come into contact with debris, wildlife or strong winds.

During periods of extreme risk, the company may temporarily de-energize power lines to reduce the likelihood of ignition or help limit the spread of active fires. These measures may lead to longer or more frequent outages for customers in some high-risk areas.

“We are preparing for an active wildfire season across our service area and taking proactive steps to reduce risk,” said Carrie Laird, Pacific Power’s vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations.

Customers can prepare for potential outages by ensuring their contact information is up to date to receive outage notifications, review backup power options and assemble an emergency kit.

Resources available

The declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and coordinate access to personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to respond to and recover from conditions caused by this emergency.

The Oregon National Guard may deploy firefighting resources as requested by the Oregon Department of Forestry through Operations Plan Smokey 2026 for the remainder of the fire season.

Governor Kotek urged all Oregonians to be alert and follow instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit and stay aware of changing conditions.

Locals in Central Oregon now face what fire officials call an early and dangerous wildfire season, with dry conditions, limited staffing and the need for resident participation all playing critical roles in how well the region can respond if fires start.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond will begin accepting applications for its final retail marijuana dispensary on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Redmond could soon be home to its third dispensary. Voters approved marijuana dispensaries in 2020, but the city and OLCC limits cap Redmond at one dispensary per 10,000 residents, allowing for three total dispensaries in the city.

The first two spots were awarded to Oregrown and The Flower Room. City officials say there was no shortage of strong candidates during the last round of applications.

“It’s a difficult situation to be in. It’s a good and bad. We know we had high-quality applications. To find two of those applications, it was hard. I would say it’s not really a big reflection on the group. It just really was that there were a couple that really stood out,” said Deputy City Manager Steve Ashworth.

Interested applicants must submit initial applications by noon Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to secure one of the three available licenses based on the city’s population.

The application process has three parts, starting with a Land Use Verification application. That first step includes a zoning analysis by city staff to make sure the proposed location complies with city regulations.

If the site meets zoning requirements, applicants will move to the next phase and formally apply for the license. City leaders say someone could be approved as soon as September.

Mayor Ed Fitch said the city is committed to responsible operations.

“Following voter approval of dispensaries, the City successfully partnered in the initial round with operators who demonstrated responsible and safe business practices, as well as a clear commitment to serving the community,” Fitch said. “It is the Council’s intent to uphold that same standard of success moving forward.”

For more information, interested applicants can visit the city’s website at www.redmondoregon.gov/retailmarijuana. Deputy City Manager Steve Ashworth can also be reached at 541-923-7750 or via email at steve.ashworth@redmondoregon.gov.

Applicants will receive notification of their zoning verification status no later than Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for Oregon today, citing an imminent threat of wildfire.

This executive order grants state responders access to all necessary resources and will remain in effect until the threat subsides, the fire season concludes, or December 31st, 2026.

The declaration, Executive Order 26-10, was issued after Gov. Kotek determined that Oregon faces a critical fire danger situation, endangering lives, safety, and property due to continued warm and dry conditions.

So far in 2026, Oregon has experienced 414 fires, which have burned approximately 8,077 acres and caused several localized evacuations.

Gov. Kotek emphasized the urgency of the situation and the necessity of the declaration. “Increasing heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action,” Gov. Kotek said. She also noted that Oregon has record-setting low snowpack and that nearly half of the state’s counties are experiencing persistent drought conditions.

Gov. Kotek stated that the emergency declaration ensures that “all available resources – firefighting crews, aerial support, ground resources and emergency personnel are prepared for deployments – to protect people, property and our natural landscapes.” She urged Oregonians to be alert, follow emergency officials’ instructions, subscribe to alerts on ORAlert.gov, prepare an evacuation plan and go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions. Approximately 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused, prompting Gov. Kotek to stress that “Prevention starts with every Oregonian – at home, at work and out and about enjoying our great state.”

The declaration authorizes primary state fire agencies, including the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), to access state resources for wildfire suppression missions. This ensures the protection of lives, property and the environment.

The Executive Order also directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate the State’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. OEM is responsible for coordinating the use of personnel and equipment from all state agencies to assess, alleviate, respond to, mitigate and recover from emergency conditions.

The Oregon National Guard may be deployed and re-deployed for firefighting efforts, as requested by ODF through Operations Plan Smokey 2026, for the remainder of the fire season based on threat and resource shortfalls. Local or tribal government requests for state resources must be submitted to OEM through their respective county or tribal governing bodies.

The state of emergency will remain active until the wildfire threat is significantly reduced, the fire season concludes, or Dec. 31, 2026.

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