Category: ktvz-local-news

Tracee Tuesday

(Update: Summer lunch program offers La Pine students the option to take their lunch to-go)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — When the school year ends, free summer meals for all children and teens in Bend and La Pine begin. The Bend-La Pine School District’s Summer Meal Program is now open, offering free breakfast and lunch to kids ages 1 through 18, regardless of income. No sign-up, paperwork or income verification is required. Just show up.

The program, which has been running for more than 30 years, will operate from mid-June through late August. Meals must be eaten on-site at participating locations in Bend, though adults can purchase meals for about $5.

This summer, the district is especially excited to expand access for La Pine families. For the first time, La Pine Elementary will offer a non-congregate meal service, allowing people to pick up meals and take them home. The La Pine site will also be open seven days a week for students.

Five locations in Bend will serve meals, including R.E. Jewell Elementary, where Principal Jesse Rasmussen says the program fills an important gap.

“During the school year, we’re able to provide breakfast and lunch, for free to students. During the summer, they aren’t in school, and so they don’t have access to that. But this allows them to come in and get lunch, for free. Which is a nice benefit,” Rasmussen said. “The other kind of side benefit for us is that it can help maintain some of our community feel for the students. Where families can come and see each other, at, you know, here at the site, and hang out with each other and play on the playground for a little bit, get some food, and kind of maintain that community feel, from one school year to the next school year.”

The Bend locations include Boys & Girls Club – Ariel Glen, Boys & Girls Club – Downtown Bend, R.E. Jewell Elementary, Ponderosa Elementary and Westside Village Magnet. Depending on the site, students will receive breakfast, lunch or both.

Garra Schluter, the district’s Director of Nutrition Services, said the menu follows guidelines from the Oregon Department of Education and is designed to mirror what students eat during the regular school year.

“We’ll do we usually always have a fruit and vegetable of some sort or a salad or something. We will do pizzas. We make our pizza from scratch. We will do, pasta dishes. So macaroni and cheese that we make, we also have, like a beef baked ziti that we’ll do, we’ll do sandwiches, of course, once in a while,” Schluter said. “So it’s, it’s, it follows typically what our, our normal meal service during this school year is. It’s just it’s a one choice as opposed to having multiple choices. And that’s kind of our goal is to, introduce foods that maybe they don’t try at home, and maybe they’ll learn to like something, you know, different.”

The program is generally closed on weekends, as well as on June 19 and July 3.

In addition to free on-site meals, Oregon is offering the Summer EBT program for 2026. Qualifying families can receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on an EBT card to help buy groceries during summer break. Families already receiving SNAP, TANF or certain Medicaid levels get these benefits automatically. New families can apply online at the Oregon Summer EBT website. The application deadline is September 1, 2026.

For more information about participating locations and weekly menus, visit the Bend-La Pine School District website.

Reported at 11:47 AM – June 9, 2026

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer break begins, Bend-La Pine Schools is stepping up to make sure kids in Bend and La Pine don’t go hungry.

The district’s free summer meal program will once again offer breakfast and lunch to children and teens — no paperwork or registration needed.

Why district leaders say this program is so important for local families, plus where meals will be served and what students can expect this summer.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will have a full report.

Tune in to KTVZ News at 4 p.m. today, on our FOX affiliate.

Here are links to previous KTVZ stories on the free meals program:

Bend-La Pine Schools’ free summer meal program begins next week – 2025

Bend-La Pine Schools’ free summer meals program begins next week – 2024

Bend-La Pine Schools free summer meal program begins next week – 2023

Bend-La Pine free summer meals start June 18 – 2018

Bend-La Pine summer ‘Lunch and Learn’ set – 2013

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Claire Elmer

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Tumalo resident says his irrigation water has been completely shut off, despite having deeded water rights, as drought conditions continue to strain the area’s water supply.

KTVZ News is speaking with the Tumalo resident along with state water officials about what the shutoff means for residents’ land, how it affects property owners with deeded water rights, and what options — if any — remain when the water runs out.

Stay tuned for the extended report, coming soon only on KTVZ News.

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Kelsey Merison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The American Red Cross is facing an urgent need for blood and platelet donors across the region, calling on people to schedule appointments now to stabilize the blood supply. The organization has seen an alarming drop in scheduled donations in recent weeks, critical for maintaining lifesaving blood products in hospitals into the summer.

As a thank-you, all donors who give between June 1st and June 28th, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card and an automatic entry for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.

The decline in donations comes as summer heat increases and people finalize plans for end-of-school-year activities, travel and school breaks, which can lead to postponed appointments or fewer opportunities to give. The start of Atlantic hurricane season on June 1st and current drought conditions in the region also pose a risk for wildfires. These factors can quickly disrupt the ability to donate in affected areas and potentially delay or cancel blood drives.

Donors of all blood types and those giving platelets are needed to ensure a strong supply of blood products.

To schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, individuals can visit RedCrossBlood.org, call one-800-RED CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. More details on the incentive program are available at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the region include:

In Prineville, Crook County, a blood drive is scheduled for June 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Missionary Baptist Church, 1870 Riverland Loop.

In Bend, Deschutes County, several donation opportunities are available. These include June 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Elks Lodge Bend #1371, 63120 Boyd Acres Road; June 9, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at State & County Offices, 1300 NW Wall Street; June 12, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bend Surgery Center, 1342 NE Medical Center Dr and Team Kia of Bend, 611 NE Purcell Blvd; June 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Road; and June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road. The Bend Blood Donation Center at 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110 also has ongoing availability, with dates and times listed on RedCrossblood.org.

In Redmond, Deschutes County, donation times include June 8, 2026, from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 3100 SW Highland Ave; June 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain View Fellowship Redmond, 1475 SW 35th St; June 15, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama; and June 16, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Desert Song Community Church Redmond, 433 SW 5th St.

In Sisters, Deschutes County, a drive is scheduled for June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sisters Athletic Club, 1001 Desperado Trail.

In Madras, Jefferson County, a blood drive is set for June 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Charles, 470 A Street.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will close the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program to new applications at 8 a.m. on June 15th. The program assists homeowners who have struggled to make mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closure comes as program funds are running low, prompting an urgent call for eligible residents to apply before the deadline.

Applications for the Homeowner Assistance Fund program are processed in the order they are completed, meaning all required information must be received from both the homeowner and the mortgage servicer. Even if eligible, applicants are not guaranteed to be funded due to limited program funds.

OHCS reopened the HAF program in February, aiming to support homeowners who experienced severe financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for assistance, homeowners must have a primary mortgage with a participating servicing company that is 90 days or more past due.

Talia Kahn-Kravis, acting director of Homeownership at OHCS, noted the significant interest in the program. “We’ve received a tremendous response since we reopened the program earlier this year,” Kahn-Kravis said. “We encourage anyone who hasn’t applied to do so as soon as possible before funds run out.”

Eligible homeowners can receive up to $50,000 in grant funds. This assistance is available regardless of whether they have previously received HAF payments. All payments are made directly to their mortgage servicer to reinstate their mortgage.

Homeowners can find more information about the eligibility criteria and detailed application requirements by visiting the program’s website at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook announced the hiring of new principals for W.E. Miller Elementary School and Sky View Middle School. Jessica Scott (pictured on the right) will lead William E. Miller Elementary School and Monica Hanson (pictured on the left) will lead Sky View Middle School. Both new principals are set to begin their roles on July 1st.

Scott will take over from Jennifer Johnson at William E. Miller Elementary School. Hanson will replace Julie Stroinski at Sky View Middle School, with Stroinski moving to a similar role with Bend-La Pine Online.

Scott has been serving as Assistant Principal at Miller since January. Her nearly 20 years in education include experience as a classroom teacher, student services leader and building administrator. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal at Juniper Elementary School and in Student Services at Elk Meadow Elementary School.

Hanson is completing her fourth year as Assistant Principal at Mountain View High School. Before joining Bend-La Pine Schools, Hanson held several leadership roles with Summit Public Schools in the Bay Area, including time as a Principal and Assistant Principal. She began her career as a Spanish teacher and brings experience in restorative practices, instructional leadership, relationship building and whole-child student support.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $62,500 in grants to 14 historic cemetery projects across the state, including Deschutes County. These funds will support preservation efforts, tree care and surveys.

The grants are part of the annual Historic Cemeteries Grant program, aiming to help document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries.

Individual awards for the 14 projects ranged from $603 to $8,000. This grant program is an annual offering by the OCHC, which operates as part of the Oregon Heritage Program at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The program receives support from lottery and other state funds.

To be considered historic and eligible for OCHC documentation, a cemetery must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date.

The funded projects address various needs at cemeteries statewide. This includes fence installation, marker repair, tree work, Ground Penetrating Radar work, and surveys.

Specific projects receiving funding include fence installation at the Blue Mountain Cemetery in Baker County. Marker repair will occur at Eastwood Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Medford, Fairview Cemetery, Riverside Cemetery and Sandridge Cemetery in Linn County, as well as St. Boniface Cemetery and Twin Oaks Cemetery in Marion County. Tree work is planned for Bridal Veil Cemetery in Multnomah County, Burch Pioneer Cemetery in Polk County and Mo. Flat Cemetery in Jackson County. Camp Polk Cemetery in Deschutes County will receive funding for Ground Penetrating Radar work, while a survey will be completed at Allegany Historic Cemetery in Coos County. Security lighting will be installed at Mount Union Cemetery in Benton County and gravel road repair will be completed at Powers Cemetery in Coos County.

The OCHC, a seven-member appointed commission, maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries throughout Oregon. The commission assists individuals and organizations in their efforts to document, preserve and promote these designated historic sites.

For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Average gasoline prices in Oregon decreased by 13.6 cents per gallon over the last week, currently averaging $5.05 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. This decline mirrors a national trend, with the average U.S. gasoline price falling by 17.9 cents per gallon in the same period, now at $4.09 per gallon.

Gasoline prices in Oregon are 24.2 cents per gallon lower than one month ago and stand $1.15 per gallon higher than one year ago. The national average price of gasoline is down 45.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.02 per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel also decreased by 13.8 cents compared to a week ago, settling at $5.299 per gallon.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, stated that average gasoline prices declined in nearly every state over the last week. This trend occurred as oil prices continued to fall, with crude approaching $90 per barrel and refiners increased output following seasonal maintenance. “The combination of lower oil costs and improving refinery runs has kept downward pressure on pump prices, giving motorists a welcome reprieve,” Haan said. “However, the future of prices remains murky.”

Haan added that global oil supplies continue to tighten with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed. He noted that any further deterioration in this situation could send prices sharply higher. Haan concluded, “For now, motorists may enjoy the savings at the pump, but the risk of a significant reversal has not gone away.”

GasBuddy’s survey of 1,307 stations in Oregon indicated a significant price difference within the state. The cheapest station was priced at $4.27 per gallon yesterday, while the most expensive was $6.19 per gallon, a difference of $1.92 per gallon.

Gasoline prices also fell in major Oregon cities. In Eugene, prices are $4.97 per gallon, down 15.5 cents from last week’s $5.12 per gallon. Salem saw prices at $4.98 per gallon, an 11.6 cent decrease from $5.10 per gallon last week. Portland’s average price is $5.19 per gallon, which is 12.1 cents lower than last week’s $5.31 per gallon.

Historical data from GasBuddy shows the average price for June 8 in Oregon was $3.90 per gallon in 2025, $4.14 per gallon in 2024, $4.29 per gallon in 2023, $5.48 per gallon in 2022 and $3.41 per gallon in 2021. For the U.S. average on June 8, prices were $3.07 per gallon in 2025, $3.42 per gallon in 2024, $3.55 per gallon in 2023, $4.98 per gallon in 2022 and $3.07 per gallon in 2021.

GasBuddy, a PDI Technologies company, is a fuel savings platform for North America. It provides real-time prices at more than 150,000 stations. GasBuddy gathers its data from more than 11 million weekly price reports, updating averages 288 times daily through spotter reports, direct station integrations and transactional data.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler announced Monday, June 8th, that she will seek re-election for a second term in November 2026. Kebler says she is campaigning to continue her leadership and advance progress on housing, homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure improvements.

Kebler is completing her first term as mayor, having been first elected to the Bend City Council in 2020 before voters elected her mayor in 2022. She states her re-election will provide tested and trusted leadership, aiming to protect the city’s progress and keep Bend on track for housing affordability and smart planning.

Mayor Kebler emphasized her commitment to Bend’s future in a statement. “I’m honored to have spent the past four years leading the City Council and getting results for Bend,” Kebler said. “I’m running for another term as mayor to provide tested and trusted leadership in this pivotal moment. We must protect the progress we’ve made as a city from federal chaos, and keep Bend on track toward housing affordability and smart planning. I’m excited to lead our continued progress on housing, homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure improvements that are creating a better Bend for everyone.”

During her current term, Kebler’s administration has worked to reverse a decade-long trend of growing homelessness. This includes significantly reducing unsheltered homelessness in 2025 through investments in shelter and safe parking options. The city also created its first Navigation Center and collaborated with service providers to help hundreds of people transition to more secure housing.

In terms of housing affordability, Kebler’s leadership saw rent increases flatten and median home prices turn a corner. The city achieved this by building more homes and investing over $15 million into income-restricted affordable housing. Additionally, permitting processes were streamlined, code changes implemented to allow more housing types, and new complete neighborhoods were planned with required percentages of affordable housing. As a result, Bend leads the state in both market rate and income-restricted homes produced per capita.

Public safety initiatives under Kebler’s term include a significant reduction in police response to mental health calls through collaboration with the Deschutes County crisis response team. Concurrently, police resources were increased to address drunk driving and serious crime. The fire department maintained award-winning response times and cardiac survival rates while taking steps to provide more efficient services and cut overtime costs.

Kebler also secured over $60 million in federal grants and earmarks. These funds are designated to improve Bend’s transportation system, update water infrastructure, enhance permitting processes, and create more affordable housing. Furthermore, local roads were paved, sealed, and swept, and projects from the 2020 GO Bond list, such as intersection improvements, new roundabouts, and safer infrastructure for people who walk and bike, were completed.

The mayor has garnered support from various local leaders. Congresswoman Janelle Bynum praised Kebler’s dedication. “Mayor Kebler understands the needs of her community and has a proven track record fighting for real results for Bend’s working families. She is the collaborative, forward-looking leader Bend needs,” Bynum said.

State Senator Anthony Broadman highlighted Kebler’s effectiveness in securing resources. “I’ve seen first hand how hard Mayor Kebler works for Bend, and how effective she is in Salem at bringing home the resources and policy changes that the city needs to make progress on some of our toughest issues. The people of Bend should be proud to re-elect their very own Bend High grad to another term as Mayor,” Broadman stated. Kebler graduated from Bend High in 2001.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang noted Kebler’s collaborative approach. “Re-electing Mayor Kebler will ensure Bend and Deschutes County continue to make progress on homelessness, housing, wildfire preparedness, and more. She has built important relationships with local leaders across the political spectrum to create positive change for our community,” Chang said.

Former Bend Mayor Sally Russell expressed her full support. “Bend has seen solid leadership under Mayor Kebler. Bend and our region will benefit under her continued leadership the next four years. I fully support her re-election,” Russell said. Another former mayor, Casey Roats, emphasized Kebler’s steadiness. “Under Mayor Kebler’s leadership, our local government has stayed strong and sound through the chaos and divisiveness coming out of DC. We need Mayor Kebler at the helm to navigate our toughest issues, create collaborative solutions, and stand up for our democracy. She has my vote,” Roats stated.

Kebler has secured endorsements from a wide range of officials, including Representative Emerson Levy, Representative Jason Kropf, Deschutes County Commissioners-Elect Jamie Collins and Rick Russell, Bend Mayor Pro Tem Megan Perkins, and Bend City Councilors Steve Platt, Mike Riley, Megan Norris, and Ariel Méndez. Other supporters include Bend School Board Chair Marcus LeGrand, Bend Parks Board Chair Donna Owens, Vice Chair Cary Schneider, COCC Board Chair Erica Skatvold, COCC Board Vice Chair and former Bend Police Chief Jim Porter, former State Representative Judy Stiegler, former District Attorney Mike Dugan, former Bend Mayor Gena Goodman-Campbell, former Bend City Councilor Mark Capell, and former Parks Board Member Zavi Borja. Kebler will be seeking additional endorsements.

Before her mayoral term, Kebler worked as a prosecutor and a crime victims rights attorney. She currently serves as a board member for the League of Oregon Cities and has been an appointed member of Oregon’s Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability since 2019. Kebler lives in southeast Bend with her daughter. She plans to engage with the community during her campaign. “In my time as mayor I’ve learned to listen to all voices, not just those I agree with,” Kebler said. “I look forward to engaging with people all across Bend in this campaign.”

Voters interested in learning more about Mayor Kebler and her priorities can visit melaniekebler.com.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Lightning concluded their 2026 home regular season with a 40–17 loss to the Kentucky Barrels on Sunday, June 8th, in Redmond.

Kentucky’s offense established an early lead, driving to a 19–2 halftime advantage. The Barrels capitalized on short fields and red-zone opportunities, relying on a ground attack that delivered four rushing touchdowns. Kicker Amman Lakip initiated the Lightning’s scoring with a deuce and contributed a rouge on a kickoff.

Kentucky quarterback Darryl Overstreet Jr. scored three rushing touchdowns. Running back Desmon Epps added another rushing touchdown for Kentucky. Wide receiver Shilo Flannigan led Kentucky’s passing game with 7 receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns, converting third-down plays and stretching the field. Oregon’s defense faced repeated short-field possessions but battled throughout the game.

Oregon’s offense saw a second-half surge, led by wide receiver Maurice “Mo” Ashley. Ashley delivered nine receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns, both coming after halftime. Wideout Prince Shinola added 4 catches for 30 yards. The Lightning’s defense limited Kentucky’s star pass-catcher, Darius Prince, to four receptions for 42 yards.

Defensively, Nick Brassel led Oregon with six tackles. Bashu Delco II contributed five tackles and made several key open-field stops. Offensive lineman James Hines was named the Lightning in the Storm Player of the Game on 6-7 Day. Hines anchored the trenches during the game and remained on the field after the final whistle to sign autographs, take photos and engage with supporters, embodying the organization’s “Fans First” mentality.

The Oregon Lightning are currently two games out of playoff position.

The Oregon Lightning will face the Kentucky Barrels again in a rematch on Saturday, June 13, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. This game will take place in the Cincinnati metro area. Tickets for the upcoming game are available at kybarrelsfootball.com.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A once-vacant building on NE Greenwood Avenue is becoming a new creative hub for Bend’s youth and local artists. The Open Arts Center, located at 175 NE Greenwood Ave., celebrated its grand opening Friday night with more than 200 people walking through the 10,000‑square‑foot space.

The nonprofit is the vision of local artists Maija Kellner-Rode and Claire Brislin, who have spent the last two years designing what they describe as an intergenerational creative community. The center will offer free space for teenagers ages 12 to 18 and fee-based studios and workspaces for adult artists.

Organizers say the goal is to give teens a safe, welcoming place to create, connect and develop confidence. Kellner-Rode hopes the studio environment encourages adult artists to become mentors, offering guidance and even apprenticeship opportunities to young people with specific interests.

The center plans to build out 17 artist studios, a gallery, classroom space and a rotating artist-in-residence program. Adults will be able to buy memberships, day passes or storage units, with volunteers expected to complete trauma-informed training and background checks before working with teens.

Teens will have opportunities to serve as ambassadors and help shape the program’s future through a youth board. The center expects to open for teen drop‑ins by mid‑October.

The Open Arts Center also plans to host First Friday events and other community gatherings. An open house is scheduled for July 29, offering the public a chance to tour the space and learn more about future programming. Organizers hope to raise funds for equipment, supplies and potential naming rights for studios and classrooms.

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