Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The fifth annual Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash will return to Central Oregon on April 10th and April 11th, 2026. The two-day event, held at Wild Ride Brewing locations in Prineville and Redmond, brings the community together for mental health awareness and connection.

The celebration honors the life and legacy of Kiefer Leutschaft, a former Wild Ride Brewing employee who passed away in 2021 after battling mental illness. Proceeds from the gathering benefit the Kiefer Magical Legacy Fund, a partnership with Rimrock Trails designed to reduce stigma, encourage conversations about addiction, and expand access to care.

The Leutschaft family of Redmond established the legacy fund following Kiefer’s death. Since its inception, the event has grown from a local remembrance into an annual gathering that encourages open conversations about recovery and well-being. The gathering also serves to empower individuals to seek mental health and addiction services.

Festivities begin Friday, April 10th, at the Prineville brewery with performances by the Scotty Wilson Band and Music Medicine. On Saturday, April 11th, the event moves to the Redmond location and features music from Countryfied. These musical performances are part of the free and family-friendly portion of the weekend.

Event organizers emphasized the importance of community collaboration in addressing mental health needs. “This event exemplifies just how much can be accomplished when people and organizations come together with a shared commitment to the mental health of our community,” organizers said. “Working together, the magic is kept alive.”

A ticketed VIP pre-party is also scheduled for April 11th in the Barrel Room at Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond. Running from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the party includes food, entertainment by DJ Chris, a silent auction and Kiefer-themed merchandise.

Money raised during the weekend supports the Rimrock Trails Client Financial Support Fund. Additionally, the event funds the Leutschaft Memorial Scholarships. The overall goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges while honoring Kiefer’s spirit through community engagement.

Tickets for the VIP pre-party are currently available online. Community members are encouraged to save the date and attend the festivities in Prineville and Redmond. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Tea and Art Lounge has opened in downtown Bend, offering a combination of local beverages and accessible art projects. The new business is located on Bond Street next to Deschutes Brewery.

The lounge specializes in “bite-sized” art projects designed to be completed in a short amount of time, such as a lunch break. The concept focuses on providing a calm environment where customers can enjoy tea while engaging in creative activities.

Sarah Swoffer, an art teacher and the owner of the Tea and Art Lounge, established the business to encourage relaxation through making art. “The tea and Art lounge is the comfy, cozy living room of Bend,” Swoffer said. “We want to create a place where people can come relax and enjoy the tea. And that is when we are our best and most creative selves.”

The facility includes an art studio located in the back of the building where staff provide art lessons. The space is also available for social gatherings, such as book clubs or group get-togethers.

In addition to daily projects and tea, the lounge offers high-tea services that can be booked in advance. The menu features local brews and a variety of baked goods.

The Tea and Art Lounge will participate in the city’s next First Friday event. The lounge will feature artwork created by local students during the celebration.

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Campbell Porter

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters will conduct a prescribed jackpot burn on the Crooked River National Grassland beginning Tuesday, March 31. The project will treat approximately 311 acres of land located four miles southeast of Madras.

The burn is situated within Pace Jackpot Burning Unit 3, near Buck Butte and east of Highway 26. Operations are scheduled to continue through Wednesday, April 1, provided that weather and ground conditions remain favorable for the project.

Smoke from the jackpot burning may be visible from Madras, Prineville and the Highway 26 corridor. Light smoke impacts are expected to affect Southeast Grizzly Road, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours when air typically settles into low-lying areas.

Prescribed burn warning signs will be placed in both directions along Grizzly Road and on Highway 26 near the project area. Motorists traveling through the vicinity are advised to reduce their speed, use their headlights and be prepared for changes in visibility.

Following the initial ignition, piles of debris may continue to smolder and produce smoke for several days. Firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor the piles until they are officially declared out. Officials have requested that the public does not report these ignitions.

The project is scheduled to finish on Wednesday, April 1. Fire crews will continue to monitor the 311-acre site until all burning piles are fully extinguished.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue is inviting Central Oregon high school students to apply for Camp Fire Axe, a four-day summer fire academy scheduled for June 2026. The program is designed for students ages 16 to 19 who are considering a career in the fire service.

Led by professional firefighters and paramedics, the academy allows participants to learn about fire response, CPR, trauma and first aid in a real academy setting. The annual program provides hands-on experience for students interested in emergency services careers.

The 2026 academy will run from June 18 through June 21. Daily sessions are scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Bend Fire & Rescue Training Centre, located at 63377 NE Jamison St. in Bend.

Applications open Wednesday, April 1, at 7 a.m. and will remain open through May 1. Bend Fire & Rescue will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all spots are filled.

Attendance is limited to 12 students to ensure personalised instruction throughout the four-day program. The fee for the academy is $250 per person, though scholarships are available through the application process.

Applications can be accessed at bendoregon.gov/camp-fire-axe starting at 7 a.m. on April 1.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council approved a $394,000 contract today to remodel the kitchens at three Bend Fire & Rescue stations. The project will address significant wear and tear at Stations 301, 303 and 304.

Mission Building & Remodel was selected for the construction work after submitting the lowest responsible bid. The project will be completed in three phases over the next three fiscal years to ensure emergency operations remain uninterrupted.

The fire stations are owned by the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2, which is responsible for major maintenance and repair costs. Under a partnership agreement, the City of Bend will manage the construction contract and receive full reimbursement for the project costs from the district at the end of each fiscal year. The kitchens being replaced are more than 25 years old and have deteriorated from constant use by multiple crews.

Construction is structured as a three-phase approach to minimize operational disruption and align with budget planning. Station 301 is scheduled for remodeling during the 2026 fiscal year. Remodeling for Station 303 will follow in 2027, while Station 304 is planned for 2028. This follows the successful completion of a kitchen remodel at Station 305 in fiscal year 2025.

Trisha, a Bend Fire & Rescue official, said the kitchens have reached the end of their functional lifespan. “These kitchens, by the time they get remodeled, are more than 25 years old,” Trisha said. “So they’ve had a lot of pressure with the crews. We’ve hired more people. We have more crews working out of the station. You can see, that this kitchen has lots of wear and tear. The cabinets can’t hold the doors anymore. They’re particleboard and we just cannot reattach those cabinet faces anymore.”

The scope of work includes replacing aging casework, appliances and sink fixtures. While most features will be replaced, some elements will be preserved or upgraded for commercial use. “Everything will look exactly the same,” Trisha said. “The cabinets will get replaced. We’re also going to be putting in double ovens and all of our kitchens. We’re cooking for multiple crews, so it’s really important that they’re able to make a lot of food and do that quickly. This countertop will stay the same. This, butcher block. We’re just going to refinish it. We’re also doing steel countertops. We’re going to make sure all of the older stations have commercial dishwashers.”

Firefighters occupy the stations 24 hours a day and are responsible for their own meal preparation. Crews typically rotate the cooking duties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trisha noted that although the city provides the facilities, the firefighters purchase all the food they consume. “The kitchen is I feel like the most important part, the fire stations, it’s important that our crews stay fed,” Trisha said. “It’s also important is that we’re getting busier, that the crews can make their food quickly, they can get fed so they’re satiated so they can go on response calls to our public.”

The project is part of a larger five-year capital improvement plan for the department. Other planned projects include flooring replacement, interior painting, window replacement and bathroom remodels. Official said fire stations are considered a public asset that must be maintained to last 50 years or more. “As they start to degrade like this one is, it’s important that we improve the station, we improve this kitchen,” Trisha said. “Right now, these stations are starting to degrade. And instead of letting them degrade more, which is going to cost us more money in the long run, we need to get on top of this and upgrade the kitchen now.”

Work on Station 301 is expected to begin this year. Projected expenditures for the future phases at Stations 303 and 304 will be incorporated into the 2027-2029 biennial budget process.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding information and quotes from the business owner, Findley’s extensive criminal record).

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 43-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after police say he broke into a Bend business and smeared feces inside the building, in what the owner describes as a deeply unsettling encounter that has prompted new safety concerns.

Break-in reported, suspect found inside

Police identified the suspect as Jajay Allen Findley. Officers responded around 9:27 p.m. after a caller reported a naked man had forced his way into the building.

When officers arrived, they found Findley inside; although the initial report described him as naked, police said he was clothed when taken into custody. Officers cleared the facility to ensure no one else was inside.

Investigators later discovered feces smeared in two separate areas of the business, leading to an additional third-degree criminal mischief charge for the damage.

Business owner recounts alarming encounter

The incident happened at Denture In, in the heart of Bend, after an employee had locked up for the night.

Owner Tad Burzynski said he returned to the office around 9:30 p.m. and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Tad Burzynski, owner of Denture In, said he returned to the office around 9:30 p.m. and immediately sensed something was wrong. Inside, Burzynski said he found the suspect naked after he had defecated and smeared feces throughout the office. He described the moment to KTVZ News.

“Is this somebody I know? This is not somebody I know, and nobody’s supposed to be here,” Burzynski said, recalling the confrontation.

Burzynski called police and kept track of the suspect until officers arrived and made the arrest.

Charges include burglary, drug possession

Findley was transported to the Deschutes County Jail and now faces five charges: second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree escape, and possession of a controlled substance. Police said the controlled substance was methamphetamine.

Extensive criminal history, including sex crime convictions

Findley’s criminal history spans more than two decades and includes a mix of misdemeanor and felony offenses, including assault, harassment, theft, and repeated driving-related violations.

The most serious charges came in 2019 in Deschutes County, when he was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine along with 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first and second degrees, which are felony-level offenses involving explicit material tied to minors.

Those convictions required Findley to register as a sex offender in Oregon. However, records show he has repeatedly failed to comply. Since 2023, he has faced multiple charges in Deschutes and Marion counties for failing to report as a sex offender, including both misdemeanor and felony cases.

Court records show Findley was previously sentenced to 35 months in state prison and 36 months of post-prison supervision for those crimes.

Safety concerns grow for business owners

While the mess inside the office can be cleaned, the Burzynskis say the suspect’s background is what’s most concerning.

The business sits near Hawthorne Station, an area they say has seen increasing issues over time, with families, students, and staff frequently passing through.

Deedee Burzynski, office manager, said the business has experienced vandalism in the past, but never an interior break-in. She said the incident has made her reconsider safety measures, especially with family visiting the office.

“We haven’t had anybody physically break into the building… we’ve had a lot of vandalism on the exterior, but nothing ever on the interior. We do have our grandkids who come to visit here at the office. So that brings in that piece of safety that I really need to change, because I don’t know who’s around the building anymore,” Burzynski said.

Now, they say they are reevaluating safety protocols, especially after hours.

Findley remains in custody, facing multiple charges in connection with the break-in.

2019 Child Sex Abuse Conviction, Jajay Findley.Download

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet Monday, April 13th, to review proposed updates to the County Opportunity Grant Program.

The County Opportunity Grant Program provides financial assistance to counties for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and planning of park areas that include camping facilities. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is proposing these updates to improve administrative clarity and ensure the program remains consistent with related state and federal grant initiatives.

The RAC includes representatives from local governments and recreation providers. These members possess professional experience in park and recreation planning, development, and management. During the meeting, committee members will provide feedback on draft rule changes before the department moves forward with the rule-making process.

The proposed updates involve formalizing administrative processes and updating program definitions. The changes also aim to clarify grant application requirements and scoring criteria while increasing administrative flexibility for the program. These adjustments are intended to reflect modern practices without altering the core purpose or structure of the grant program.

The proposal also introduces an emergency procedure rule and a conversion rule. These additions seek to establish long-term stewardship requirements. According to the department, these new rules will align the County Opportunity Grant Program with other state and federal grant programs managed by the agency.

Following the committee meeting, staff will incorporate the feedback into draft rules and open them for a public comment period. After the public comment phase and a hearing, staff will present the proposed rules to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration of adoption.

The meeting will take place from 2-4 p.m. and the public can watch the livestream on the OPRD Director’s Office channel on YouTube. A recording will be available after the meeting.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Average gasoline prices in Oregon rose 4.9 cents per gallon over the last week, reaching an average of $4.83 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy.

The price hike comes as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global crude oil supplies.

According to a GasBuddy survey of 1,307 stations, Oregon prices are now 96.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $1.10 higher than one year ago. The state’s increase reflects a broader national trend where both gasoline and diesel costs are climbing toward multi-year highs.

The current range of prices across the state showed significant variation. On Sunday, the cheapest station in Oregon was priced at $4.29 per gallon, while the most expensive reached $7.20 per gallon. This represents a difference of $2.91 per gallon between the lowest and highest priced stations in the state.

On a national level, gasoline prices rose 2.4 cents per gallon over the last week to an average of $3.95 per gallon. This figure is 97.9 cents higher than a month ago and 83.8 cents higher than one year ago. GasBuddy compiled this data from more than 11 million weekly price reports at more than 150,000 stations nationwide.

Diesel fuel has seen a more substantial increase, with the national average rising 14.3 cents in the last week to $5.369 per gallon. This marks the highest price for diesel since July 27, 2022. Prices vary across Oregon’s major metropolitan areas, with Portland averaging $4.91 per gallon after a 3.4-cent increase. Eugene saw a 9.9-cent jump to $4.80 per gallon, while Salem prices rose 1.3 cents to an average of $4.73 per gallon.

Current prices are significantly higher than historical averages from the past five years. On March 30, 2021, the Oregon average was $3.16 per gallon, nearly $1.67 less than current levels. Prices in the state were $4.70 in 2022, $3.88 in 2023, $4.23 in 2024, and $3.73 in 2025.

According to GasBuddy, the disruption of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz is the primary driver of the current market volatility.

The rising costs have already had a measurable impact on consumer spending across the United States. Americans spent nearly $8 billion more on gasoline over the past month.

GasBuddy analysts expect the national average for gasoline to push beyond $4 per gallon in the near future. Diesel prices could approach $6 per gallon and potentially set new records if global supply conditions do not improve.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Lightning Football will begin its second week of training camp Monday with a series of open practices scheduled through April 4th. The sessions will be held at the Redmond School District Jaqua Sports Fields as the team prepares for its second Arena Football One season.

The open practices follow the team’s first round of roster cuts completed Sunday. Fans are invited to attend the sessions to meet players and observe the team’s preparations before the final roster is established.

The training site is located at 2600 NW College Way in Bend. While the fields are operated by the Redmond School District, the physical address is situated in Bend.

Chuck Jones serves as the general manager and head coach of the Oregon Lightning. Jones is currently evaluating the roster and integrating a new group of athletes brought in to address specific team needs following the recent cuts.

“Camp is going well,” Jones said. “We have a new set of players coming in this week to fill some gaps. I’m excited to put this product on the field.”

The final roster for the Oregon Lightning is scheduled to be set on Easter Sunday, April 5th.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from Bev Clarno, former Oregon Governor, Director of Oregon Historical Society, and Clarno’s son)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno celebrated a milestone birthday Sunday in Redmond, surrounded by a rare sight in today’s political climate: a room full of Democrats and Republicans sharing laughs, memories, and appreciation.

Friends, family, and political leaders from across the aisle gathered to surprise Clarno for her 90th birthday, honoring a decades-long career that helped shape Oregon politics.

Clarno, who served as a state representative, state senator, Oregon House Speaker, and Secretary of State, is widely recognized for both breaking barriers and building bipartisan relationships.

“She is a true history-making Oregonian,” said Kerry Tymchuk of the Oregon Historical Society. “Throughout a 30-plus year political career, she has made history at each and every stop — and perhaps more importantly, she’s also been one of the best in all of the jobs she’s done.”

Clarno became the first Republican woman to serve as Speaker of the Oregon House and later held leadership roles in the Senate before serving as Secretary of State. Those who worked alongside her say her leadership style stood out just as much as her accomplishments.

Former Governor Ted Kulongoski credited Clarno’s ability to bring people together.

“She is the person that actually is the calming influence and basically getting people together,” Kulongoski said. “She had a skill set that I think is sorely missed today. Because of her time in public life, she made life better. She made Oregon a better place to live.”

That emphasis on unity, those closest to her say, started long before her time in office.

Her son, Randy Hilderbrand, said her values were shaped by her Central Oregon upbringing and farming roots.

“I was always very proud of her bipartisanship,” he said. “She was down to earth from the farming background, growing up here in Central Oregon. She was one of those mothers that kind of took the community under her wings.”

Clarno said that same spirit of cooperation is something she hopes to see more of in today’s political landscape.

“It’s important that both parties work together,” Clarno said. “I’d like to see the harmony that we used to have when I served, because it serves the public better than to have this divisiveness.”

Clarno said she is grateful for her time in public service and hopes future leaders stay focused on the people they represent.

Sunday’s celebration served as both a birthday tribute and a reminder of a political legacy many say put people first.

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