Category: ktvz-local-news

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Oregon reached $4.80 on Thursday morning. Prices across the state have risen 95 cents over the past month, putting increased pressure on drivers as the spring travel season begins.

In Central Oregon, prices are currently tracking closely with the statewide average. At the Parkway Chevron in Bend, regular gas was priced at $4.79 per gallon on Thursday, which is one cent below the Oregon average reported by GasBuddy.

Several factors are contributing to the recent price hike at the pump. Fuel costs typically increase as providers switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce but required to reduce emissions. This transition is occurring alongside higher seasonal demand as warmer weather encourages more people to travel.

Rising costs are forcing many families to adjust their budgets and look for ways to offset the expense. Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon-Idaho, said that while travelers rarely cancel plans entirely due to high fuel costs, they often reduce spending in other areas.

“What we have found in the past when we have skyrocketing gas prices, as people usually don’t go and outright cancel their trips,” Dodds said. “But they may look for ways to save because obviously they’re shelling out more for gasoline, which means that they have less money to spend on other things. Maybe we’re not going to do spendy things while we’re on vacation or not go out to eat as much.”

Beyond personal travel, rising fuel costs are expected to have broader consequences for the economy. Experts specifically pointed to the rising cost of diesel, which powers the trucks, boats and airplanes responsible for transporting consumer goods. California Forward CEO Kate Gordon and a former senior adviser for the U.S. Department of Energy, noted that these increases will likely be reflected in the price of food and other deliveries.

“People sometimes forget about the impact diesel prices have on our economy,” Gordon said. “Diesel is what’s in trucks and it’s what sent and boats and, airplanes. It’s what sends goods all over the place. So your food is likely coming to you by truck. Your anything you’re ordering off of Amazon is coming to you by truck. Those prices are definitely going up because diesel prices are going up by a lot.”

Experts recommend that drivers plan ahead and compare prices at different stations to find small ways to save. Consumers should expect to feel the impact of these rising costs at grocery stores and other retail outlets throughout the upcoming season.

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Barney Lerten

 REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond’s Commission for Art in Public Places announced Thursday a call for Oregon artists to submit digital images of original two-dimensional paintings for an art display at Centennial Park that will honor America’s 250th birthday.

The selected artworks will be enlarged into 5-by-5-foot Aluminum Composite Material panels and displayed outdoors for about two years.

Two artists will be chosen — one for each side of a two-sided display structure — offering a prominent large-scale showcase of their work in the heart of downtown Redmond. 

Interested artists and artists teams will want to review the request for proposals available online at redmondoregon.gov/CalltoArtists and submit their proposal(s) before 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 30. 

America 250 Theme 

This year’s display honors America 250, the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Officials say the artwork should reflect themes connected to the American experience — its diverse histories, landscapes, cultures, shared values, or community spirit. Artists are invited to interpret the theme broadly and creatively, expressing what “American” means through their own artistic perspective. 

The project strengthens Redmond’s growing public art collection and offers residents and visitors an engaging way to experience local creativity in the heart of downtown. The 2-D display is located at Centennial Park, located on the north side of Evergreen Avenue between 7th and 9th streets, directly across from Redmond City Hall. 

For more information about the RFP or RCAPP, please visit www.redmondoregon.gov/RCAPP or contact RCAPP Liaison Cory Murray and 541-504-3062 or cory.murray@redmondoregon.gov. 

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-La Pine School’s Healthy Schools program has resulted in a 21% reduction in behavioral health-related emergency department visits since its inception. The initiative, which targets student mental health and suicide prevention, has saved between $812,000 and $1.5 million in associated health care costs.

Partnership Formed to Address Adolescent Health

The program was created in 2021 in partnership with Deschutes County to address worsening adolescent health issues, including alcohol and drug use and disruptive behavior. Recent data from a 2024 student health survey revealed that nearly 11% of 11th graders in the district had considered attempting suicide (see full study below), while national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed approximately 37% of students reported regular mental health struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students Lead Suicide Prevention Efforts

One of the primary initiatives within the district is Sources of Strength, a student-led suicide prevention program that focuses on stories of hope rather than trauma. Kayla Brandon, a senior at Caldera High School and a nationally recognized peer leader, helps facilitate these efforts.

“The Sources of Strength program is an up strength suicide prevention program,” Brandon said. “So we focus on stories of hope instead of stories of trauma.”

Changing Perspectives on Mental Health

Daisy Chavez, a junior at Caldera High School and also a nationally recognized peer leader, said the program changed her perspective on the importance of the topic.

“I really got drawn into the idea of really realizing how mental health is a bigger topic,” Chavez said. “I think at first I was like, it’s not that big of a deal. And then once I got into it, you really do learn so much about what mental health is, how it impacts others and how you can also help others who are in that situation as well.”

Curriculum Builds Skills and Trust

Chavez noted that students have seen a visible increase in suicide and depression rates among their peers. The curriculum focuses on eight essential health skills, including advocacy, decision-making and accessing reliable resources.

Neil Seibert, a health and PE teacher at Caldera High School, said these skills provide a foundation for healthy habits and trust-building between students and mentors.

“We have eight essential health skills that we focus on, accessing valid and reliable resources, advocacy, decision making,” Seibert said. “Practicing health enhancing behaviors. And so those skills set the foundation for everything that we cover in our health curriculum.”

Peer Events and Family Engagement

During March, peer leaders organized a Mentor Madness event where students and mentors competed in games in the gymnasium and classrooms. Beyond the classroom, the district emphasizes parental engagement through family nights.

Hailey Barth, a public health specialist, explained that these events allow students to teach their families the resiliency skills they have learned.

“We have hosted multiple family nights throughout the district where this is a peer led program,” Barth said. “So students are planning this. They’re inviting their families to these events and they’re also teaching, their parents and families the resiliency skills they’re learning in the program.”

Family Connection Strengthens Mental Health

Federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports this focus on family connection. Regular family rituals such as shared dinners, walks or movies are associated with 40% fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety in teenagers.

Expansion Ahead for Healthy Schools Program

The district currently offers the Healthy Schools program in every high school.Bend-La Pine Schools officials are now working to implement the program in middle schools across the district.

Bend-LaPine Administrative School District 1 2024 (1)Download

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Arrest in case, thanks to neighbors’ videos, tips; suspect’s criminal history)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The videos from several doorbell and driveway security cameras helped Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies identify and arrest a La Pine man responsible for this week’s late-night series of vehicle break‑ins in two La Pine neighborhoods.

In addition, “dozens of tips” from the community helped the sheriff’s office identify the suspect as 27‑year‑old Noah Gabriel Kirshner of La Pine, Public Information Officer Jason Carr aid Friday afternoon..

Deputies reviewed several hours of video from homeowners’ cameras that Carr said captured Kirshner stealing items from cars in the Reserve in the Pines and Crescent Creek neighborhoods.

The stolen items included purses, wallets, medications, and an iPad. Deputies say that most of the items have been recovered, and the property returned to the owners.

Kirshner was arrested and lodged in the county jail on these initial charges:

Attempted Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle (7 counts)

Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle (5 counts)

Theft in the Second Degree (2 counts)

Theft in the First Degree (1 count)

As deputies continue to sort through the large volume of video evidence and identify other victims, Kirshner could face more charges, Carr said.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released two new security images of vehicle theft suspect

“The Sheriff’s Office wants to thank all the neighbors who took the time to review their camera footage and share what they found with us,” Carr said in a news release.

“This case is a good reminder that when nearly every driveway has a camera pointed somewhere, it becomes very difficult for criminal activity to go unnoticed.,” he added.

Court records show Kirshner was arraigned Friday afternoon on four Class A misdemeanor charges – two counts each of second-degree theft and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle. He is due back in court April 17 to enter a plea on an expected formal indictment. 

The court records reviewed by KTVZ also showed Kirshner has a lengthy criminal record, with at least 27 arrests dating back to 2017 on charges ranging from DUII to vehicle break-ins, assault and menacing. 

In 2022, Kirshner pleaded guilty to nine of 17 charges, including two counts of felony first-degree theft, and received a 13-month prison sentence. 

KTVZ News reported in September 2018 that Kirshner, then 19 and a Sisters resident, was arrested for extensively damaging a home, throwing rocks at parked cars and taking items from several cars. 

In October 2019, we reported that Kirshner was charged with cutting down and stealing a substantial amount of industrial hemp from a farm. 

Earlier story:

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released neighborhood security camera images Thursday as it investigates a series of vehicle entries and thefts that occurred overnight in the Reserve in the Pines subdivision in La Pine.

Between  9 p.m. Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday, an unknown male suspect entered numerous unlocked vehicles throughout the neighborhood, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released several security photos of a vehicle break-in and theft suspect

Deputies have identified about 30 attempted entries and at least five confirmed theft victims. No damage to vehicles has been reported. Carr said the stolen items vary, and the investigation is ongoing as more calls continue to come in.

“Based on neighborhood cameras, the suspect appears to be wearing a light-colored or patterned jacket, a light-colored hoodie with the hood up, blue jeans, and a bright green face covering or mask,” Carr said in a news release.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released several security photos of vehicle break-in, theft suspect

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released several security photos of La Pine vehicle break-in, theft suspect

Residents in the area are asked to check their home surveillance systems, like Ring Doorbell, and report any suspicious activity, video footage, or information from the time frame listed above. Anyone with information that could help deputies is being urged to call the sheriff’s office non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911.

Carr added: “The sheriff’s Office would also like to remind community members to remove valuables from vehicles and ensure vehicles are locked, even when parked at home.”

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Kelsey Merison

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Spring break is breathing new life into the local economy in Sisters, as families and travelers flock to Central Oregon following a slower-than-usual winter season. 

Across the state, many schools are out for Spring Break, and the influx of visitors is already making an impact—especially for small businesses that rely on seasonal tourism. 

“We’ve definitely seen a big uptick in business,” said General Manager Macon Luhning. “A lot of people are in town traveling. The weather’s been great, so it’s been really great for business.” 

The popular bakery, known for drawing long lines year-round, is now serving a steady stream of Spring Break visitors alongside its loyal local customers. Luhning says the seasonal boost comes at the perfect time, as businesses typically experience a dip after the holidays. 

“We stay pretty busy,” Luhning explained. “After the holidays, we have a little bit of a dip. But, you know, we still have people come in. This community is great. We have a lot of locals that frequent the bakery.”

While businesses in town are seeing a surge, the broader winter season told a different story—particularly for Central Oregon’s ski and snowboard industry. 

At Hoodoo Ski Area, a lack of snow made for a difficult and unpredictable season. 

“The season was terrible. It was like a rollercoaster. We were open, we were closed. We were open, we were closed,” said General Manager Matthew McFarland. “We only managed to be open for 34 days, and not in a row. Normally we operate for 100 days.” 

Despite the challenges, McFarland noted that when the resort was open, conditions were lively and guests made the most of it.

“The days we were open, it was fantastic. Everybody was there, having a great time,” he said. 

Still, the inconsistent snowfall reflects a larger regional issue. Oregon is experiencing near-record low snowpack levels, part of a broader trend affecting ski resorts across the Pacific Northwest. 

“This isn’t just Central Oregon,” McFarland said. “The whole Pacific Northwest has been having this, you know, same problem. Lack of snow, ski areas everywhere, suffering and closing. And, you know, it’s a bummer, but, hey, we’re all in it with you. And, like I said, we did what we could this year.”

The disappointing season has also raised concerns beyond tourism, including the potential for a more severe wildfire season due to reduced snowmelt.

Even so, optimism remains for the future. 

“Hopefully it’ll snow early,” McFarland said. “If it’s anything like they’ve been forecasting, you know, the very long-range forecast for the Pacific Northwest, are for the ‘Super El Nino’, they’re calling it. So we should have lots and lots of snow. Next year, hopefully we’ll be open 120 days. We’re just looking for another great ski season. And we’re thankful for everybody that showed up.”

Back in town, businesses are focused on the present—and the opportunity Spring Break brings to recover and prepare for the busy summer months ahead. 

“People still travel into Sisters during the winter because this is such a great community. Everybody welcomes everybody,” Macon Luhning said. “We’re really happy about it. And we’re staying busy. Keep coming to Sisters Bakery. Come check out our ‘Spring in Europe’ menu. We have a lot of new, fun things to try.”

As spring visitors continue to arrive, local business owners say community support—both from tourists and residents—remains key to keeping Sisters thriving year-round.

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Silas Moreau

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 23-year-old Redmond man was indicted by a Deschutes County grand jury this week6 on 20 felony counts related to the sharing of illegal child sexual abuse material.

Gelsyn Yahir Hernandez also faces a misdemeanor charge involving the sexual assault of an animal.

The investigation began in December 2025 when the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received multiple reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These reports involved two accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter and a related tip from Snapchat tied to the same individual.

Detectives identified Hernandez as the suspect following a series of subpoenas and search warrants. On March 4, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at his residence and vehicle. The operation involved assistance from the Redmond Police Department, the FBI and digital forensics teams from both agencies. Investigators seized multiple digital devices during the search.

Forensic analysis of the seized devices continued for several weeks. Authorities stated that the analysis confirmed the presence of media consistent with the initial reports and revealed additional evidence involving the abuse of animals. Hernandez was arrested on March 20, 2026.

Hernandez was previously employed by the High Desert Education Service District. Officials from the district have cooperated fully with the investigation. Authorities confirmed that Hernandez did not work directly with children and is no longer employed by the district. The sheriff’s office stated there is no information indicating that any children in Central Oregon or at the district were victimized.

The grand jury indictment filed on Tuesday includes 10 counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the first degree and 10 counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the second degree, both of which are felonies. Hernandez also faces one misdemeanor count of encouraging sexual assault of an animal.

Court records reviewed by KTVZ News show Hernandez was arraigned Monday on initial charges and released from the county jail on Tuesday after posting 10% of his $100,000 bail. He’s due back in court April 7 for arraignment on the indictment.

Conditions of his release include no possession of devices with access to the internet, or contact with any minors or places where they gather. He’s also not to own or possess animals.

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Silas Moreau

(UPDATE: Adding information from the event, quotes from Sen. Jeff Merkley, and attendees)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — At a town hall held at Sisters High School on Saturday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley spent more than an hour engaging directly with constituents, answering questions and discussing a wide range of pressing issues.

The Oregon Democrat’s stop in Sisters was part of a broader Central Oregon tour, during which he met with residents across the region to hear their concerns firsthand.

Key Issues: War, Gas Prices, and Mental Health

During the event, Merkley fielded questions on topics including the ongoing war in Iran, national politics, and the growing youth mental health crisis. One issue that resonated strongly with attendees was the economic impact of rising gas prices, which many linked to instability in the Middle East.

Merkley emphasized that resolving the conflict could play a key role in stabilizing energy costs.

“In ending this war, the main thing that will bring down oil prices is ensuring ships can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Community Voices

Several hundred people attended the town hall, each bringing their own concerns and priorities.

Ronald Carver, a Bend resident, said his primary focus was the war.“I’m certainly concerned about the war. I’d like to know how we can stop this war in Iran. That’s one of the main things,” Carver said.

Jim Henson, also from Bend, expressed alignment with Merkley’s positions on environmental and foreign policy issues.“I’m looking for a boost to my spirit because he’s concerned about the environment, and I’m concerned about the environment. He’s concerned about illegal wars—I’m concerned about illegal wars,” Henson said.

Others raised concerns closer to home. Tom Dolberg of Sisters pointed to the rising cost of living, particularly for retirees.“Retirees’ experiences, you know, cost of living,” Dolberg said.

Younger voters also made their voices heard. Clark Vowels, a college student from Bend, highlighted the importance of political unity.“I want to know how we can build a coalition of both young voters and one that’s inclusive of different political beliefs,” Vowels said.

Looking Ahead to the Primary

With Oregon’s May primary election just six weeks away, the town hall reflected a politically engaged electorate eager for answers and action. Merkley, who is up for reelection this year, is facing a primary challenge as he continues his outreach across the state.

Following the Sisters event, the senator continued his tour with stops in Crook and Jefferson counties, aiming to connect with voters throughout Central Oregon.

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Triton Notary

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) Redmond City Council is seeking resident input on the future of non-pedal assist e-bikes in local parks, including the scenic Dry Canyon. Through a new online poll, the council aims to gather community feedback on this evolving issue. Residents have until April 1, 2026, to share their views. Click here to weigh in.

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Triton Notary

SEATTLE, Wa. (KTVZ) There is renewed attention around the long-discussed return of the NBA to Seattle but despite growing optimism, no official decision has been made.

Seattle has been without a professional men’s basketball team since the 2008 relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics, which ended the franchise’s 41-year run in the city before becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the years since, efforts to bring the league back to the Pacific Northwest have remained steady. Seattle is widely considered one of the most viable markets for expansion, thanks to its strong fan base, corporate support, and a modern, NBA-ready venue in Climate Pledge Arena.

League leadership has acknowledged expansion as a possibility, but has not committed to a timeline. Recent reporting indicates the NBA is focused first on finalizing major financial benchmarks, including a new, long-term media rights deal, before seriously advancing expansion plans.

If and when the league does move forward, Seattle is expected to be at the top of the list. Las Vegas is also frequently mentioned as another leading candidate, suggesting any expansion could include multiple new franchises.

Local investors and stakeholders have continued to express interest in securing a team, though details of those efforts remain largely private.

While speculation continues, officials emphasize that no formal announcement is imminent. For now, Seattle remains in a holding pattern—well-positioned, but waiting on the league to make its next move.

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