Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The small but mighty team of volunteers at Furry Freight Shelter Transport are holding a fundraiser garage sale all weekend in Bend, to support their efforts to transport pets to areas where they will not be euthanized. To date the nonprofit has saved over 2,000 dogs from being put down, and also runs a program to get dogs neutered.

WHAT: Furry Freight Shelter Transport’s 8th Annual Benefit Yard Sale

WHEN: 7AM-2PM; Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

WHERE: 241 SE Airpark Drive, Bend, Oregon.

Background: Furry Freight partners with shelters in overpopulated areas where pets are at risk of euthanasia. We transport the pets to our partner shelters in the Pacific Northwest where they are quickly adopted into loving homes. Just by changing their location, pets go from unwanted and discarded to loved members of the family.

Programs:

Transport:

Our Transport program saves lives by transporting dogs and cats from overpopulated areas to areas of high demand to reduce the euthanasia rate of adoptable pets.

Studies show that transport provides a means of addressing population imbalance issues in communities. It supports the movement of animals from shelters overburdened with more animals than they have the capacity to care for and a limited market demand to shelters with fewer animals and higher market demand thus reducing euthanasia and saving animal lives.

Spay it Forward:

Our Spay it Forward program was created to help decrease pet overpopulation at the source, by helping pets whose owners can’t afford to fix them. In December of 2021 our first dog was fixed in Tulsa at no cost to the owner, and the Spay it Forward program began. We now have regular appointments set up through our rescue partners.

We are currently in talks with other low cost spay and neuter clinics to increase this program to combat the massive number of dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies surrendered to local shelters that already are forced to euthanize for space. We are focusing on large breed dogs and cats, as those are the hardest to adopt out and are most at risk in shelters.

If you would like to help in the efforts to reduce euthanasia of adoptable pets in overpopulated areas please consider a donation of any size to our Spay it Forward program by indicating “Spay it Forward” in the comments. If you would like to sponsor a surgery for a pet in need each surgery costs on average $70.

Furry Freight Shelter Transport is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Over 100 hundred people lined up outside of Burgerville’s newest location on 3rd Street in Bend, for the grand opening of its newest location. The first 100 customers of the fast food chain received a promotional gift card for the equivalent of 52 Burgerville burgers.

After the early-morning crowd cleared out, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, with Burgerville CEO Ed Casey speaking on the importance of local partnerships.

“Fresh food just tastes better. And so if you’re getting it local and you’re getting it quickly and it’s not frozen, it’s a fresh product, it’s just a higher quality meal to start with. So there’s that. But it’s also about participating in the community,” Casey told KTVZ News. “When you’re buying local, you’re trading with economies in the market and it helps everybody. So those are the most important pieces of it. And I think it speaks to most of our guests.”

The new location has already employed 60 locals.

“60 (employees) is probably about right to start, but if it gets busier than we can handle with that, then we would hire a few more,” Casey said. “We hope to grow in this market and put another store in down the road.”

For the first 30 days, there’s a Bend-exclusive item on the menu: the Pub Beer Cheese Slider.

It features Bend’s own 10 Barrel Beer Cheese, pasture-raised beef patty from Country Natural Beef, and is served on a pretzel bun. Burgerville will donate 20% of all slider proceeds to The Giving Plate, a Bend nonprofit food relief organization.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Sunday in downtown Bend, Central Oregon 50501 organized a protest to voice their opposition to the recent U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites. 

The event took place at Bend’s Peace Corner and started at 2:00p.m., just hours after the group announced its plans to the public at 9:00a.m. 

“We want to show an immediate reaction,” said Freddy Finney-Jordet, co-organizer of the protest. “We’re saying ‘here’s the 84% or so that opposes this move. Here is how passionately we oppose the move’,” said Finney-Jordet.

The statistic Finney-Jordet referenced comes in part from poll results released by YouGov and The Economist, which stated that only 16% of Americans supported U.S. Military involvement in the Iran and Israel conflict; that left the remaining 84% of Americans in the ‘should not’ or ’unsure’ categories. The poll was conducted between June 13th and June 16th of this year, less than 10 days before the bombing. 

Included in these results was the statistic that 85% of Americans did not want Iran to get or develop nuclear weapons. 

While many in opposition of the Trump administration’s bombing say it was unconstitutional, others pushed back, citing President Trump did not violate the constitution in this instance — Congress was notified of the action within the 48 hour requirement period. 

For protesters, there is concern that the bombing escalated already high tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which could lead to further military action. They fear those potential actions won’t go through the Congressional process of formal approval, the War Powers Act may be ignored, and the U.S. could end up in another war. 

“This isn’t just Trump, but presidents have a tendency to skirt the lines a little bit and expand their executive power. Not outside the bounds of legality necessarily, but it’s unprecedented,” said Finney-Jordet. 

The group hopes the protest on Sunday will make elected officials take notice of their stance against the bombing and call for Congress to reinforce or reform the War Powers Act. “We would like to make sure that Congress is consulted in the future to make sure that not just Trump, but any president doesn’t do this kind of thing again. The authority to launch attacks like this is in the hands of Congress and not the president,” said Finney-Jadet. 

They encourage people to contact their elected officials to let them know where you stand on the issue. 

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, interview with advocate, full report)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Saturday morning in downtown Bend, protesters gathered to push back against the proposed sale of public lands in Oregon. The group convened in Drake Park before making their way to Peace Corner.

The proposal being protested was introduced by Utah Republican Senator, Mike Lee, as a provision to the Trump administration’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”. It would open the door to selling off more than three million acres of public lands across 11 western states, including Oregon.

The way it is written, the bill would allow nearly any type of Nation Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land to be sold, even if it’s currently used for public outdoor recreation. For Oregonians, this includes popular trails and recreational sites — including Sparks Lake, Mt. Hood, and more. 

National Parks, Wilderness, and other protective designations are excluded from potential sales. Aside from exclusion of those lands, there are practically no other restrictions that would prohibit what non-excluded lands could be sold, or for what purpose. 

After reading the proposal in its entirety, outdoor advocate Grace Schuessler felt she had to do something. “As an outdoor recreation community, particularly in Bend, Oregon, we want to say that our land is not for sale. It is for us and for outdoor recreation, whether it’s motorized or non-motorized,” Schuessler told KTVZ News. 

Protesters argue the bill prioritizes drilling and logging, slashes environmental safeguards, and bypasses public input. They hope to spread the word about what’s at stake and let elected officials know where they stand. 

“I think it’s a great way for us to inspire other states to get out there to protest and to let their elected official officials know that we’re not going to stand down. We’re going to stand up. We’re using our voice,” said Schuessler. 

Saturday’s protest in Bend remained peaceful and drew honks of support from passing drivers. Schuessler felt that seeing a unified community show up for the cause made the day a success. 

“The main message I want to get out there is just to have people stand up for their land and fight for their land. Please reach out to your Senators, please reach out to your elected officials, and let them know that we don’t stand for this. That is going to be the way we get our voice heard,” said Schuessler.

Schuessler hopes to organize more protests against the provision throughout the summer. Though she organized Saturday’s protest as an individual, she told KTVZ News that the Outdoor Alliance has been a major help in providing information and support. 

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Jillian Fortner

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A long-standing Crook County tradition is back in full swing.

The Rockhound Pow Wow kicked off in Prineville on Thursday, marking its 79th year.

The event draws vendors from across the country, offering everything from unique rocks and rare fossils to handcrafted jewelry.

David Alexander, owner of Rockwater Stone, has been part of the event for five years. He says what keeps him coming back is the strong sense of community the event has created.

“I’ve been digging rocks for 20 plus years and I’ve involved with different vendors and people around the West that have been involved in this. I’ve also become friends with a lot of these vendors. So it carries on, you know, the culture of rockhounding,” said David Alexander.

The gem and mineral show runs through Sunday at the Crook County Fairgrounds and is free for the public to attend.

If you can’t make it to Prineville, there’s another rock show happening in Madras next weekend.

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KTVZ News Partners

The City of Sisters is seeking to award Community Grants to non-profit community groups and otherentities that meet the grant criteria for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The City will award up to $30,000 in grants this year for Sisters community projects. The average grant award is approximately $1,500, and the City has awarded over $350,000 in grants to over 70 local groups over more than 20 years.

Organizations that serve the Sisters community, but are not designated non-profits will need to meet atleast one of the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:

Provides assistance for essential utilities, food, medical needs, clothing, or shelter.

Provides educational or recreational opportunities for children or seniors.

Generates/supports economic activity in Sisters.In evaluating requests from non-profits and for-profit organizations, the City will consider the following:

The requesting organization’s history of success.

The organizational and financial stability of the requesting organization.

The number and types of community members served by the request.

The ability to measure and track the effectiveness of the project or service.

Community grant funds will not be used for travel, budget deficits, or routine operating expenses.Interested organizations should submit a Community Grant application by Thursday, July 31, 2025,attention Rebecca Green, City Recorder at recorder@ci.sisters.or.us. Grants are awarded at the discretionof the Sisters City Council in late August.Applications are available on our website: www.ci.sisters.or.us/administration/page/community-grantsFor more information, contact Rebecca Green at 541-323-5206 or recorder@ci.sisters.or.us.

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new bench in Prineville now stands as a tribute to Jake and Josh Eckstein, two brothers whose lives were cut short in a tragic crash on Powell Butte Highway.

“As a parent, you can never imagine that you would be having a memorial bench, but we do,” said Phyllis Eckstein, mother of Jake and Josh.

In March 2019, the brothers were on their way to construction jobs in Prineville when their car hit black ice and slid into a tree.

They both worked in the trades together at Taylor Northwest.

Their parents, Scott and Phyllis Eckstein, installed a memorial bench to honor their sons, choosing a location that holds special meaning for their family.

“I can see Scott and I driving out here, maybe bringing in a picnic or something and just hanging out and kind of experiencing, you know, our boys out here,” said Phyllis Eckstein.

Behind the bench is where the boys were working at the time of their passing. The front overlooks the Ochoco Mountains where the family shared many memories.

“That’s where we spent many weekends camping with our boys, fishing, swimming in the lakes, hunting and riding motorcycles and just, you know, living life,” said Scott Eckstein, father of Jake and Josh.

Community members gathered to show their support for the bench installation, including recipients of the Jake and Josh Eckstein Memorial Trade Scholarship.

It was created to honor the brothers’ legacy by supporting young people pursuing careers in the trades.

Two-time scholarship recipient Owen Clark is thankful for the Ecksteins’ support over the years. He’s finishing welding school and preparing to enter the workforce.

“They’re great people full of love. I never knew their sons but I wish I did,” Owen Clark said.

Though the loss is still painful, the Ecksteins say it’s comforting to see Jake and Josh honored in a way that truly reflects who they were and how they lived their lives.

They’re thankful for the continued support from the community as they’ve navigated this tragedy over the years.

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KTVZ News Partners

Underground utility work is scheduled through the end of August. Please be sure to use the marked detour to navigate around the closure at Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard.

This is a two-season construction project – the intersection of Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard will reopen to traffic at the end of summer and an additional closure will occur from March 2026 through June 2026 to complete the roundabout.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Weeks of June 23-27 and June 30–July 4

Franchise utility contractors are continuing upgrades and relocations in and near the intersection of Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard

Water infrastructure improvements to create a more resilient network in the project’s vicinity

Concrete forming and pouring for shared use path along the north side of Bear Creek will continue Purcell Boulevard and 27th Street

Demolition, clearing, grubbing, and grading will begin for the shared use path along the west side of 27th Street, south of Bear Creek

Excavation for sanitary sewer main in Pettigrew Road and Bear Creek Road

GENERAL PROJECT NOTES

Access to all area businesses along the construction area will be maintained.

Please do not enter the construction zone before, during, or after hours.

Daytime work hours are in effect from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

There are many construction projects in the area and throughout the City of Bend. Travel safely.

No work will occur on July 4th. 

PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS

EMS, buses, and other delivery/service providers have been included on this distribution list.

Feel free to share the website information where others can also sign up for updates. bendoregon.gov/bearcreek27th

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Construction Phone Line: (541) 330-4018

Project website: bendoregon.gov/bearcreek27th

Project Contacts:

Sinclair Burr – PE, Project Manager

Mary Packebush – Public Education Coordinator

Thank you for your interest in this project. The Bear Creek Road and 27th Street improvements are part of the Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond project approved by voters in 2020.

To learn about more projects around Bend included in the GO Bond, visit the Go Bond Dashboard or bendoregon.gov/gobond

Click here for more information

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KTVZ News Partners

BEND, OR — Tickets are now available for the High Desert Museum’s signature fundraiser, High Desert Rendezvous — one of the longest-running galas in Central Oregon. Rendezvous returns for its 36th year on Saturday, August 23 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

“We are excited to celebrate with our friends and supporters during what is always an engaging and inspiring evening,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “We will celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and share our gratitude for a generous community.”

In 2024, the Rendezvous set a new fundraising record, grossing over $620,000 for the Museum’s exhibitions and programs. The Museum features up to nine temporary, rotating exhibitions annually, cares for more than 100 animals and welcomes more than 10,000 school-age children per year for educational field trips and programs. Rendezvous provides vital support for these efforts.

The Rendezvous experience starts as guests stroll up the Museum’s entryway and are greeted by animal ambassadors such as hawks, beavers and desert tortoises. Inside, a hosted bar and passed appetizers await, as well as games and greetings from living history interpreters.

Dinner takes place outside beneath a tent. In addition to a live auction and entertainment, Rendezvous is also a chance to bid on art in the juried exhibition and silent auction Art in the West, which opens at the Museum on Saturday, July 5. A gallery guide of the artwork in the exhibition will be available on the Museum’s website on June 27 at highdesertmuseum.org/aiw.

An individual ticket for Rendezvous is $200 for members and $250 for nonmembers. Sponsorship tables are available for parties of eight or 10. Tickets are available at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr.

The 2025 Rendezvous Honoree is the Tykeson Family Foundation, recognizing their profound impact on Central Oregon through their steadfast dedication to education, health care and the arts. A cornerstone in the community, the foundation continues to contribute to a range of initiatives including improving health care facilities and expanding educational opportunities. Led by Amy Tykeson, the former CEO of BendBroadband, the Tykeson Family Foundation supports the Museum’s many programs and initiatives.

“The Tykeson Family Foundation embodies the true spirit of philanthropy,” said the Museum’s Chief Philanthropy Officer Kia Sullivan. “Their impact is felt not just in what they give but in how they give, with thoughtfulness and a deep commitment to our community. We’re honored by their partnership and the meaningful role they play in advancing the Museum’s mission.”

The 36th annual High Desert Rendezvous is presented by Bonta Gelato and Ferguson Wellman Wealth Management, with support from Vista Capital Partners. Learn more about and register for the High Desert Rendezvous at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After 16 years at the helm of the Tower Theatre, Executive Director Ray Solley is taking his final bow. He leaves behind not just a legacy, but an iconic institution with community spirit, creativity, and resilience.

“When I took the job, I had no idea I would be sitting here today, talking about retirement,” Solley said. “I had no idea someone would be asking me, ‘What’s your legacy?’”

Under Solley’s leadership since 2009, the Tower has grown into more than a historic downtown venue — it’s become a place for educational growth, artistic experimentation, and unforgettable moments.

“You don’t put things on the Tower stage that only you like,” Solley said. “That’s not what this is about. So you take some chances.” 

That mindset shaped a wide-ranging and inclusive programming that welcomed performances across genres, cultures, and experiences. It has connected audiences to something greater than themselves.

“People come here for a social evening. They come here for entertainment, for education, for a celebration… and to experience something they could never otherwise experience,” Solley said. 

When asked to describe what the Tower means to him in one word, Solley didn’t hesitate: “Responsibility.”

From navigating the recession to reinventing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Solley took that responsibility seriously. “It would’ve been very easy to retire during the pandemic, but that didn’t seem right or fair. I felt like I had a responsibility—to my staff, to our sponsors, our patrons, and to myself,” said Solley.

That sense of duty helped guide the Tower through turbulent times. Whether it was finding innovative ways to engage the public — like staging performances on flatbed trucks — or keeping the doors open against the odds, Solley and his team found a way forward.

“If we can’t be creative as the creative community, then maybe we’re in the wrong business,” he said.

Over Solley’s tenure, the Tower Theatre served more than 60,000 students through the “LessonPLAN” educational program, which continues to grow. “That happened under my watch, but it was the staff that made it soar,” he said. “They took it to the next level and cemented that legacy.”

Not to mention all of other accomplishments the Tower Theatre reached under Solley’s leadership…attendance grew by 50%, full-time staff tripled, and memberships quadrupled. 

He speaks humbly of the word ‘legacy’. If it means anything to him, it’s the moments that made the building come alive for others. “There have been families who’ve celebrated marriages, deaths, reunions, and retirements here. Kids who started dancing here, came back to act in plays. If that’s a legacy—then so be it,” said Solley.

As he enters retirement, Solley acknowledges the uncertainty. “What I’ve learned is that retirement is intensely personal. You don’t know what’s ahead. You just have to embrace the not knowing,” said Solley.

Still, there’s comfort in what he leaves behind. “Leave it better than you found it,” Solley said.

KTVZ News congratulates Ray Solley on his retirement, and thank him for his years of incredible service to our community.

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