Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

(Update: adding comments from Prineville City Manager)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe has announced his immediate resignation, citing personal reasons, bringing an end to his tenure leading the city.

Beebe first joined Prineville city government in 2011 and was elected mayor in 2021. His current term was scheduled to run through the end of 2026.

City Manager Steve Forrester says Beebe’s leadership came during a critical period of growth, as the city worked to expand while maintaining its identity.

“He kept us on track, he kept us focused,” Forrester said. “One of those focuses was keeping our culture.”

City officials say that balance between growth and community identity has shaped much of Prineville’s progress in recent years. During that time, the city moved from near the bottom of Oregon’s median wage rankings to near the top.

Forrester credits long-term planning and infrastructure improvements as key factors in attracting new investment and job creation.

“We have the ability to have solid infrastructure — water, streets, public safety — all those things were completed and moving in the right direction,” Forrester said. “That’s what helped us attract job creation.”

Still, city leaders acknowledge that growth brings ongoing challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining quality of life.

Forrester says collaboration between local agencies has been essential to meeting those challenges.

“The attitude that Jason helped bring to the forefront, along with the rest of the council, is reaching out and working with the county, working with districts and the school district, and pulling our resources together so that we could accomplish these big things that otherwise we couldn’t accomplish independently,” he said.

As Prineville transitions following Beebe’s resignation, Forrester says the city remains on stable footing.

“Prineville is moving forward in a very strong and stable way,” he said.

City officials say day-to-day operations will continue as normal, with a continued focus on serving the community.

Earlier Story — PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to the City of Prineville, Mayor Jason Beebe has resigned from the Prineville City Council and his position as Mayor effective June 15th, citing personal reasons.

The city says Beebe has served on the City Council since 2011 and as Mayor since 2021. His current term was scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2026.

Read more from the city’s press release below:

City Manager Steve Forrester thanked Beebe for his 15 years of service and leadership on behalf of the City Council, City staff, and the community.

“Mayor Beebe has been a committed leader who helped position the City on a strong financial foundation while supporting important investments in our water, street, and wastewater infrastructure,” said Forrester. “His focus on long-term planning has helped ensure Prineville remains a strong and stable community for generations to come.”

In accordance with the City Charter, Council President Steve Uffelman will assume the duties of Mayor. The City Council will determine the process for filling the vacant council seat.

The City of Prineville extends its sincere appreciation to Beebe for his years of public service.

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Kelsey Merison

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Burns Fire Department has been awarded funding from the Oregon State Fire Marshal Staffing Grant for 2026.

The agency says this funding allows the station to have more employees on throughout the summer, allowing them to better serve their communities with quicker response times and manage wildfire threats faster.

Crews will be seen throughout the community this summer inspecting and flushing fire hydrants.

Burns Fire says residents should be aware that they may experience low water pressure and/or discolored water for a brief time.

If you experience either of these conditions, run your cold water for several minutes to flush your plumbing. The water will remain safe to drink at all times throughout this annual maintenance program.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dogs and their owners gathered on the outskirts of Bend this week for an annual training aimed at helping dogs avoid rattlesnakes before they encounter one in real life.

For 15 years, Bend Veterinary Clinic has helped bring Natural Solutions Wildlife Enterprises to Central Oregon for rattlesnake aversion training, giving dogs a controlled introduction to live rattlesnakes in a safe environment.

Dr. Byron Maas, a veterinarian with Bend Veterinary Clinic, said the training is especially important as more people and dogs spend time outdoors in areas where rattlesnakes are present.

“We’re seeing people go to the Ochocos, where we’re definitely seeing a lot more rattlesnakes, down in Smith Rock and the Deschutes River Basin,” Dr. Maas said. “And now we’re starting to see, because of the weather, the snakes are actually moving up the river beds, up the Deschutes River, and actually getting into places like Tumalo and higher elevations.”

The goal of the training is to teach dogs to recognize the sight, smell, and sound of a rattlesnake — and stay away.

During the training, dogs are taken with their owners and a trainer into a field where there are live, muzzled rattlesnakes.

Erick Briggs, owner of Natural Solutions Wildlife Enterprises, said the training gives dogs the chance to learn about rattlesnakes in a controlled setting.

“What we’re doing today is giving dogs opportunities in a safe environment to learn what rattlesnakes are, the different sensory aspects of smell, the sound, visual — obviously both big and small, pairing that with a slightly uncomfortable feeling so that they believe that the snakes were mean to them, bit them,” Briggs said.

Briggs said the snakes are humanely muzzled so they cannot bite the dogs, and the process does not harm the snakes. Trainers use a remote collar at a low level to create an association for the dog: snake equals danger.

The dogs are then exposed to different aspects of a rattlesnake encounter, including odor, the sound of a rattle, and different-sized snakes. Briggs said that helps prepare dogs to recognize a rattlesnake even if it is hidden in a rock pile, tall grass, or other brush.

“We want them to understand that that noise will always be dangerous,” Briggs said. “It basically creates that reflex that we all developed over our childhood — not to touch those hot items or not to grab that cactus.”

Briggs said most dogs catch on quickly, and by the end of the training, many choose to avoid the snake and return to their owners rather than investigate.

The training is not only for working dogs. Briggs said most of the dogs that go through the program are family pets that hike, camp, or live in areas where rattlesnakes may be present. The company also trains search-and-rescue dogs and other working animals.

Hank Minor and his wife traveled hours from Princeton, Oregon, with their two dogs: Rory, a 4-year-old German Shorthair Pointer, and Lulu, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever.

“This is actually my second time with one of our dogs, and the first time with the other dog,” Minor said.

Minor said Rory, who works with him in the field, was back for a refresher. Lulu, he said, was a little more eager to make a new friend.

“Rory was a repeat and needed a refresher. Caught on pretty quickly, but needed a refresher,” Minor said. “And the first-time golden retriever wanted to make friends with a snake and learned a valuable lesson — that’s not a good thing to do.”

The Minors live in Eastern Oregon, where rattlesnakes, like on the High Desert, are a reality. He is also a master falconer, and Rory goes into the field with him.

“These dogs, Rory the German Pointer, goes out in the field with me and needs to understand the difference between a rabbit and a snake,” Minor said. “It’s a functional thing for her.”

For dog owners in snake country, Minor said the training is part of being responsible.

“If you’re going to have a dog and if you’re going to be out in the field, it’s good to know what you’re getting into,” Minor said. “There are professional services like this one that are incredibly valuable to dog owners.”

Dr. Maas said Bend Veterinary Clinic has treated dogs bitten by rattlesnakes. He said bites commonly happen when dogs sniff too close and are bitten on the neck, or when they step too close and are bitten on the foot or leg.

Bites to the neck can be more serious because of the location, Dr. Maas said. Regardless of where a dog is bitten, he said owners should seek veterinary care right away.

“If you’re down in the Deschutes River Canyon, you’ve got two or three hours sometimes to be able to get to a veterinarian,” Dr. Maas said. “So avoiding the snakes is really important.”

Dr. Maas said some dogs that have gone through the aversion training have later encountered snakes and backed away, alerting their owners in the process.

“We’ve had several clients that have actually gone through the rattlesnake aversion training, and they’ve seen snakes and the dogs are aware of them,” Dr. Maas said. “They let the owners know and they back up. So the owners are protected, the dogs are protected.”

The training is offered locally once a year in partnership with Bend Veterinary Clinic. Dogs do not have to be patients at the clinic to sign up.

“We’ve actually had people come over from Portland, Tigard, Hillsboro,” Dr. Maas said. “They don’t have to be a patient at our clinic at all.”

Because the training is only offered once a year in Central Oregon — and is the only training of its kind throughout the state — Dr. Maas said the clinic keeps a waiting list and begins contacting interested dog owners when the next date is scheduled.

Briggs said annual training is not required, but refreshers can help dogs retain the information.

“For best results to maintain that information in the dog’s mind, to maintain that memory, two to three years in a row really does help,” Briggs said.

More information about Natural Solutions Wildlife Enterprises and future rattlesnake aversion training locations can be found here on the organization’s website.

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Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Drivers in Redmond are now being ticketed by traffic cameras, as the city’s automated photo enforcement program moves into its next phase.

The Redmond Police Department launched Phase One of the program on May 15, 2026, followed by a 30-day warning period intended to help drivers adjust and encourage safer habits behind the wheel. That grace period ended Sunday, June 14, and as of June 15, citations are now being issued.

Since the program began, cameras have captured 2,259 violations.

Under the new enforcement, a red light violation carries a $265 fine. Speeding fines range from $165 to $440, depending on how fast a driver is going over the limit. Fines in school zones are doubled.

Redmond police say the goal is to improve safety by changing driver behavior and reducing crashes. Officials also say photo enforcement allows officers to monitor more areas at once, with each violation reviewed by a law enforcement officer before a citation is issued to the registered vehicle owner.

Cameras are currently active at several locations across the city, including the intersection of Northwest 6th Street and Maple Avenue. Additional enforcement includes a speed camera along the 2900 block of Northwest 10th Street and a transportable unit on Southwest Quartz Avenue.

While some support the added enforcement, others have concerns.

“I do feel like maybe the police have bigger fish to fry,” said Redmond resident Myles Guglielmelli. “Just catching someone maybe running late, going through a yellow light—that’s not necessary.”

On social media, reactions have also been mixed.

“I don’t believe the cams have helped… it’s causing more dangerous maneuvers,” said Redmond resident Chaz Duvall.

Another resident, Mikayla, who lives near the Southwest Quartz Avenue camera, said she supports enforcement but raised concerns about impacts to her neighborhood.

“I support the speed enforcing, but the taking of public street parking doesn’t seem right,” she said.

Police say the camera program is one of several tools used to address ongoing traffic safety concerns in Redmond, alongside patrol enforcement, radar trailers and regional traffic teams.

For more information about the program and a map of camera locations, visit the Redmond Police Department’s photo enforcement page on the city’s website.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — As of June 15th, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts have entered fire season, implementing fire restrictions across the state to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, which protects more than 16 million acres of private, county, state, and federal land in Oregon, is preparing for what officials anticipate will be another busy fire season.

Fire Protection Division Chief Michael Curran for the Oregon Department of Forestry, stated the agency is prepared for upcoming conditions. “Looking at the current conditions and projections for the summer, ODF is prepared to have another busy fire season,” Curran said. “Oregonians need to be practicing wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness NOW.”

The declaration of fire season occurs at the local level when conditions indicate a clear risk of fire ignition and spread. This year, the Central Oregon district was the first to declare fire season on May 8th. The Northwest Oregon Area was the last district to declare on June 15th.

Residents and visitors are advised to review wildfire prevention knowledge. Tips include being aware of campfire regulations, as they may be banned or restricted to approved campgrounds. Campfires should be cool to the touch before being left unattended, following the “Drown, Stir, Repeat” method. Private use of fireworks is prohibited on forest land, including all private lands protected by ODF and other state and federal forest lands in Oregon. City and county firework restrictions should also be checked.

Further prevention measures include obtaining burn permits for backyard debris burning during fire season or avoiding it altogether. Previously burned debris sites should be checked for potential reignition. Other tips involve not flicking cigarettes onto the ground, avoiding parking or idling over dried grass and ensuring tow chains do not drag. Checking local restrictions and fire danger levels is also important.

Curran emphasized the critical role of prevention in mitigating fire incidents. “Prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss, firefighting costs and risk to the lives of our firefighters. We can’t prevent lightning fires, but we can prevent human-caused fires,” Curran said.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit (CET) has reinstated its summer recreation shuttle services, offering convenient access to Central Oregon’s outdoor destinations while aiming to alleviate parking challenges, traffic congestion and the need for car shuttling. These services include the Lava Butte Shuttle, Transit to Trails, and Ride the River, which collectively serve key recreational areas in the region.

The return of these shuttle services is designed to improve public access to Central Oregon’s outdoor amenities, an area known for its adventure opportunities. By providing transportation, CET intends to reduce parking demand and environmental impacts at popular recreation sites. The Lava Butte Shuttle launched this past weekend in collaboration with the Deschutes National Forest, providing access to a volcanic viewpoint. The Transit to Trails and Ride the River services are scheduled to begin on June 17.

Andrea Wasilew, CET outreach and engagement administrator, emphasized the benefit of these services. “Central Oregon is built around outdoor adventure and these services make it easier for everyone to enjoy it,” Wasilew said. “Whether you’re heading to the trails, floating the river, or taking in the views at Lava Butte, CET helps people spend less time dealing with parking and more time enjoying the experience.”

The Lava Butte Shuttle operates daily through Sept. 7, running from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Departures occur every 20 minutes between the Lava Lands Visitor Center and the summit of Lava Butte. This service provides a scenic journey to panoramic volcanic views, interpretive exhibits and the historic fire lookout area. Round-trip fares for the Lava Butte Shuttle are $5, with children under five riding free. The shuttles are wheelchair accessible and can transport bicycles. Tickets are available at the Lava Lands Visitor Center bookstore or through the CET Go app.

Beginning June 17, the Transit to Trails service will transport riders directly to the Deschutes National Forest trail system, which includes one of Oregon’s largest singletrack mountain biking networks. This service caters to mountain bikers, outdoor enthusiasts, families and visitors seeking to avoid parking difficulties and go straight to trailheads and the Mount Bachelor recreation area. The Transit to Trails service operates through Sept. 7, departing the Park & Ride, located at 90 SW Columbia Street in Bend, at 8:00 a.m. The final return trip arrives at 5:50 p.m. Buses are ADA accessible and offer free WiFi. A dedicated bike trailer can accommodate up to 20 bikes per trip and round-trip fares are $10 through the CET Go app.

Also starting June 17, the Ride the River floating shuttle will assist floaters on the Deschutes River by eliminating the need for a multi-car shuffle. This service provides transportation between Riverbend Park and Drake Park, allowing passengers to park once and enjoy floating the river throughout the day. All-day passes for the Ride the River shuttle service cost $5.

Residents and visitors planning to use these recreation shuttles are advised to plan ahead and purchase passes in advance through the CET Go app. For further updates, route details and schedules, individuals can follow CET on social media throughout the summer or visit www.cascadeseasttransit.com.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Good news for Oregon drivers—gas prices are continuing to fall.

According to GasBuddy, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Oregon dropped nearly 10 cents over the past week to $4.96.

That’s down 34 cents from a month ago, though prices remain more than a dollar higher than this time last year.

Across the state, prices ranged from a low of $4.13 a gallon to a high of $6.89.

Nationally, the average price of gas fell more than 9 cents this week to $3.99 a gallon.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond announced that the position of Mayor and three City Council seats will be on the November 2026 general election ballot. Terms for the elected officials are set to begin in January 2027, offering community members an opportunity to help guide the city’s future.

Serving on the Redmond City Council or as Mayor allows individuals to contribute to the city’s long-term vision, shape local policy and represent resident interests. The city encourages individuals committed to public service, collaborative problem-solving and thoughtful leadership to consider running for these open positions.

Prospective candidates interested in serving must meet specific eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years of age, being a registered voter and having resided within Redmond city limits for at least one year prior to the election date.

Candidates have two options for filing: by fee or by nominating petition. The filing fee is $100 for the mayoral position and $50 for a City Council seat. Alternatively, candidates may submit a nominating petition with 100 verified signatures required for mayor or 50 verified signatures for City Council. Petition candidates must receive written approval from the city recorder before collecting signatures, as signatures gathered prior to approval will not be accepted.

The current mayoral seat is held by mayor Ed Fitch. The three City Council seats up for election are currently held by John Nielsen, Kathryn Osborne and Cat Zwicker.

To assist potential candidates, the city will host informational sessions at City Hall regarding the election process and required filing documents. These sessions are scheduled for June 18 from 9:00–10:00 a.m. in Conference Room 105, July 22 from 5:00–6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and Aug. 7 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. in Conference Room 105.

The city of Redmond operates under a council/manager form of government. Under this structure, the mayor and six council members serve four-year terms as the community’s policy-making body. A city manager, appointed by the council, is responsible for implementing council directives and managing daily operations.

For additional information or to obtain a candidate election packet, individuals may contact Redmond City Recorder Kelly Morse at 541-923-7751 or by email at Kelly.Morse@RedmondOregon.gov. The City Recorder’s Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The filing deadline for all candidates is Aug. 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Prineville Police Department is urging residents to exercise extra caution on the roads as local deer once again challenge traffic laws and crosswalks, particularly during early morning and evening hours.

The community is reminded to stay alert and drive carefully to avoid unexpected encounters with these often unpredictable animals.

The department says, “Our local deer are once again reminding everyone that crosswalks, traffic laws, and basic survival instincts are more of a suggestion to them. 

Please slow down and stay alert, especially during early morning and evening hours. Deer can appear quickly and usually bring friends with them.

Remember:

-If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby

-Slow down in areas with heavy deer activity

-Stay off your phone while driving

Drive carefully, Prineville. The deer are doing their best… probably.”

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Kelsey Merison

CHILOQUIN, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 5th Annual Chi-Town Family Festival will offer two days of free music and family fun in Chiloquin on June 19th and 20th, 2026. The event, featuring live music and various activities, will be held at the Chiloquin Rodeo & Event Grounds, with no admission or parking fees.

Festival organizers are set to present a diverse lineup of local and regional musicians throughout the two-day event. Beyond the music stage, visitors can also enjoy a farmers market, a craft fair, food vendors, kids activities, water slides and bounce houses, and the 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off.

The music schedule for Friday, June 19th begins at 2:00 p.m. with the Sonshine Mountain Duo, composed of Ron and Gale Willis of Sprague River, known for their gospel, bluegrass and folk ballads. The day’s entertainment continues at 4:00 p.m. with the Tommy-Jimi Blues Duo, performing blues and classic rock.

Saturday, June 20th features a full day of live performances starting at 10:00 a.m. with Tom Franks. Following performances include Jeff Hahne at 11:10 a.m., Chris Garrett at 12:20 p.m., Dan Hill at 1:30 p.m., Robert Kerns at 2:40 p.m. and Spinning Gold at 3:50 p.m. These artists will present a mix of acoustic music, classic hits, folk, country and blues.

In addition to the musical acts, the festival includes a silent auction benefitting Chiloquin Visions in Progress. The auction supports the organization and its community programs.

For a complete music schedule and additional event information, individuals can visit www.chi-townfamilyfestival.com/music-schedule.

Further inquiries can be directed to familyfestival@cityofchiloquin.org or by calling (541) 783-2717.

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