Category: ktvz-local-news

Triton Notary

HINES, Ore. (KTVZ) Patrick Wright, a 44-year-old man from Burns was sentenced today to 45 days in federal prison for repeatedly stealing mail. Wright, a former U.S. Postal Service employee at the Hines, Ore., Post Office, also received two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay over $2,000 in restitution.

The sentencing follows Wright’s guilty plea today to one count of theft of mail by a postal employee. Court documents indicate that from January 2024 through June 2024, Wright stole contents, including money and gift cards, from mail while working at the Hines Post Office. A federal grand jury in Eugene returned a one-count indictment against Wright on April 17, 2025.

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Matthew Draxton

MADRAS, ORE. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Fire & EMS crews responded to a structure fire at a single-family home in the 600 block of NE Chapel Street in Madras, Ore., early on Monday, April 27th.

The fire, caused by a debris pile that had smoldered overnight, was contained to the home’s exterior and no injuries were reported after all occupants safely evacuated.

Firefighters arrived at approximately 7:14 a.m. to find the exterior side of the residence on fire.

Crews quickly deployed a hose line and performed an initial attack, bringing the flames under control and extinguishing the fire before it could spread further inside the home.

The smoldering debris from the previous night ignited the side of the home the following morning.

After extinguishing the fire, crews conducted overhaul operations and checked for any extension into the structure. Madras Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff Office assisted at the scene.

Following the incident, fire personnel spoke with the residents about safe burning practices. Jefferson County Fire & EMS reminds the public to obtain a valid and free burn permit, burn only approved materials and avoid trash, maintain adequate clearance from structures and other combustibles and ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended or at the end of the day.

The fire report was completed by Interim Chief Kasey Skaar.

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Spencer Sacks

(Correction: Party Affiliation Deadline was Tuesday, April 28th)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The final day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the May 19 primary election is Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m.

Deschutes County is preparing for a record number of voters, with more than 168,000 registered.

Key Races and Measures

This election features several important races, including four open seats for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, commissioner races in Crook and Jefferson counties, and a key referendum on the Oregon Department of Transportation funding bill.

This election is also drawing voter interest due to the referendums, county commissioner races and a hotly contested governor’s race.

Voter Growth Since 2016

The number of registered voters in Deschutes County has grown by more than 60% since 2016, increasing from 109,000 to more than 168,000.

This growth was significantly impacted by the “Motor Voter” law, which went into effect in 2016. Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison noted the continued increase in voter registration.

“We’ve seen the incremental growth over the last few years. I would say even since Motor Voter went into effect in 2016, that growth was significant. It’s leveled off a little bit, but we’re still seeing an increase in the number of registered voters here in Deschutes County,” Dennison said.

Voter Eligibility and Registration

To be eligible to register to vote in Oregon, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon and at least 16 years old. However, voters must be 18 years old to cast a ballot.

Prospective voters are required to provide their Oregon driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. They must also affirm, under penalty of law, that they meet all eligibility requirements and that the provided information is accurate.

Oregonians can register or update their voter information online at OregonVotes.gov or by visiting their local county elections office.

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read emphasized the state’s commitment to an accessible and secure election system.

“Oregon has worked hard to make our vote-by-mail election system a national gold standard for access and integrity,” Read said. “Registering to vote takes only minutes and opens the door for eligible citizens to hold politicians accountable and decide the direction of our state.”

Ballot Mailing and Voting Timeline

Local elections officials will begin sending ballots to registered voters in the next few days, and voting can begin on May 1.

Ballot Return Options

Voters have two methods to return their completed ballots: through the U.S. Postal Service using the provided envelope or by dropping them off at official drop boxes located throughout the county.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison provided guidance for voters mailing their ballots closer to Election Day.

“If it’s getting closer to Election Day, toward the end of the week before Election Day, bring it to the post office, bring it to the counter and ask them to hand postmark or hand cancel it,” Dennison said.

If a ballot is sent by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Once postmarked, the ballot has one week to be received by the county clerk’s office to be counted.

Official drop boxes are collected by a team of two people on a regular basis. Ballots must be submitted to a drop box by 8 p.m. on May 19.

Party Affiliation Deadline

The April 28th deadline also applies to registered voters who need to update their information, such as declaring a political party, to be eligible for closed primary election races across the state.

An uptick in registrations has been observed online and in person as people prepare for the primary.

Ballots will be sent to registered voters in the next few days. Voting can begin on May 1. Voters must return their ballots via an official drop box by 8 p.m. on May 19. Alternatively, if mailed, ballots must be postmarked by May 19 and received by the county clerk’s office within one week of Election Day.

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Matthew Draxton

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Following her April 15th resignation as commissioner of the Madras Redevelopment Commission, Janine Metteer is now citing issues that she felt were “above my pay grade” in a Madras Pioneer interview.

Metteer expressed frustration with what she described as a lack of transparency and a disconnect between city priorities and community needs. She also raised concerns about city spending and growing debt.

Metteer, who grew up in Madras, told the paper she felt she could have more impact by leaving her position than by staying. She pointed to a perceived decline in local businesses and neighborhoods in the city.

The news comes as KTVZ has reported on several high-profile departures, including the recent departure of an interim city administrator, the continuing struggle to appoint a new police chief, and the resignation of the city’s finance director.

However, the news is not all bad in the Jefferson County area. The county has seen significant economic improvement, moving from the state’s most economically distressed county in 2023 to the eighth position in a new report.

Metteer is encouraging residents to get involved and speak up at city council meetings.

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Kelsey Merison

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Livestock Auction recently held a feeder sale, drawing a large crowd and featuring nearly one thousand cattle on the auction block. The event highlighted the robust state of the cattle industry, which remains strong while other sectors may be struggling.

Feeder cattle are defined as being under one year old. This particular sale was noted as one of the larger events, as many of the cattle had been weaned and reached sufficient size for sale. The auction attracted a diverse range of bidders, from large meat companies purchasing hundreds of head to individuals acquiring one or two animals for their backyards.

Tim Messner, the sale yard foreman at the Central Oregon Livestock Auction, spoke on the industry’s current health. “Very strong. Yes, yes… Seems like we’re setting set new records every week. We’re all trying to work hard for the industry,” Messner said. “We all have an understanding that if we work together the best we can, then we’re going to create the best price for our customers.”

Bidding at the auction can extend throughout the entire day. While ranchers often compete as rivals during the bidding process on the auction floor, a sense of community prevails outside the arena. A cafe located next to the main arena serves as a gathering place where attendees can share breakfast and lunch.

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Triton Notary

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) 43 Year old Sir Charles Ariesis Williams was taken into custody on April 26th after leading law enforcement on vehicle and foot pursuits in Madras. The incident began at approximately 2:11 p.m. with reports of erratic driving and a possible domestic violence situation. Williams was apprehended by a K-nine unit following a vehicle crash and subsequent foot chase.

Frontier 911 dispatchers received the initial request for officers to respond to the area of SE 7th Street and SE G Street. Reports indicated a male driver was erratically trying to “run down” another vehicle and a female on scene. Law enforcement also received additional reports of a possible domestic violence situation involving Williams and his female passenger.

A deputy from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office located Williams’ vehicle while officers were en route to the scene. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but Williams failed to stop and attempted to elude the deputy, leading to a vehicle pursuit. Williams later crashed into a passerby vehicle in the area of NE 10th Street and NE Oak Street. He then ran from the scene, prompting law enforcement to pursue him on foot and establish a perimeter around the area.

A shelter-in-place request was distributed to citizens in surrounding areas out of an abundance of caution while the situation unfolded. Assistance was requested from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for a K-nine unit to track the suspect. Law enforcement units responded to 410 NE Oak Street, where Williams was believed to be hiding in a large area of shrubbery. After multiple verbal warnings and commands, the K-nine unit deployed the K-nine to search the area. The K-9 located Williams and officers on scene took him into custody. Williams received immediate medical treatment and care from Jefferson County Fire and EMS and was transported to St. Charles Hospital in Madras. He was taken into physical custody on April 27, 2026, at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Ore., with assistance from the Bend Police Department. Williams was booked and lodged at the Jefferson County Jail on multiple charges. These include Robbery III, Coercion, Kidnapping, Assault III, Attempt to Elude by Vehicle, Attempt to Elude by Foot, Escape III, Criminal Mischief I, DUI, Reckless Driving, Harassment, Criminal Mischief III, Reckless Endangering, Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver.

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Triton Notary

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum and Alabama Congressman Shomari C. Figures recently introduced two pieces of legislation in Congress. The Save SNAP Act and the Rural Health Resilience Act aim to bolster federal food assistance and provide financial aid to rural health centers across the United States.

The Save SNAP Act is designed to protect access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by ensuring federal dollars continue to reach states even if new budget proposals prevent them from meeting cost-sharing requirements. Concurrently, the Rural Health Resilience Act focuses on delivering essential financial assistance to rural health facilities.

Congresswoman Bynum, representing Oregon’s 5th congressional district, highlighted the importance of equitable access to basic services for all Americans. “Access to necessities like health care or food shouldn’t be dependent on where you live,” Rep. Bynum said. “I am proud to introduce these two bills to make sure rural health centers get the support they need and Americans across the country have access to the food assistance they rely on.” The Save SNAP Act directly addresses potential disruptions to federal food assistance. It would ensure that states continue to receive federal SNAP dollars even if they cannot or do not meet new cost-sharing requirements outlined in the Republicans’ budget bill. Congressman Figures, who represents Alabama’s 2nd congressional district, co-introduced both bills. The Rural Health Resilience Act specifically seeks to provide financial support to rural health centers, aiming to strengthen their operations.

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Kelsey Merison

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Transform your yard into a fire-resistant haven with these stunning plant options that not only enhance your home’s defensible space but also keep the skies clear of smoke.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook on Monday, “Please don’t plant fire-bombs next to your porch. Swap the dry brush for these fire-resistant beauties and help us keep the smoke out of the sky.”

It says the Ponderosa Pine (Conifer tree), Mock orange (Deciduous shrub), Crabapple (Deciduous tree), Carol Mackie (Evergreen shrub), Salvia (Perennial), and Coneflower (Perennial) are all great options to use in your yard.

The agency said to remember “Zone Zero” (0-5 feet from the house) where nothing flammable should be.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County Search and Rescue was activated Saturday evening for a possible SOS signal on the Lookout Mountain Trail. Teams conducted a search that lasted several hours before being called off around 11 p.m., with no injured or lost person located.

Dispatch received the possible distress signal, though no information was initially available beyond a potential location. Search and Rescue teams responded to the general alert.

Search and Rescue teams proceeded to the Lookout Mountain Trail to conduct their operation. Searchers thoroughly cleared the trail and the surrounding area in their efforts to locate a possible subject. The operation was called off at 11 p.m.

Even without finding an individual in distress, Search and Rescue officials stated their commitment to responding to potential emergencies to ensure no one is in need of assistance.

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Matthew Draxton

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County has demonstrated significant economic improvement, moving from the state’s most economically distressed county in 2023 to the eighth position in a new report. Business Oregon released the latest ranking on Feb. 12, 2026, reflecting substantial gains in the local economy.

This progress signals a stronger economic outlook for the Madras, Ore., area.

The state’s designation is based on a standardized economic index that evaluates counties using key indicators. These indicators include unemployment, income levels, wage growth and employment trends.

The improved ranking reflects measurable gains and sustained efforts by the county to stabilize and grow its local economy.

Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Wunsch attributed the improvement to years of dedicated work and strong partnerships. Wunsch highlighted the impact of community investments.

“This improvement reflects years of disciplined work and strong partnerships across Jefferson County,” Wunsch said. “Moving from the most distressed ranking to eighth shows that community investments in economic development, workforce and infrastructure are making a real difference for our residents and businesses.”

County officials emphasized that the progress stems from collaboration among public agencies, local employers and community partners working together to strengthen economic opportunity.

Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink acknowledged the progress but stressed the ongoing commitment to further development. Simmelink noted the current milestone as an indicator of a successful path.

“We’re encouraged by this progress, but we’re not finished,” Simmelink said. “Our focus remains on building a more resilient local economy that creates strategic opportunities across all parts of the county. This milestone indicates we’re on the right path.”

Fellow Jefferson County Commissioner Seth Taylor noted that the positive change is a result of long-term planning and strategic investments. He recognized the collaborative effort required for sustained success.

“This change didn’t happen overnight,” Taylor said. “It’s the result of collaboration between local government, businesses and community partners who are committed to long-term success. We’re proud of the progress and motivated to keep moving forward.”

Brenna Fulks, the County’s Economic Development Program Manager, stated that the shift in ranking indicates growing momentum for Jefferson County. Fulks confirmed positive trends in key economic indicators and outlined continued efforts.

“This shift in ranking is a strong signal that Jefferson County is gaining momentum,” Fulks said. “We’re seeing positive trends in key indicators and we’ll continue working to attract investment, support local employers and expand economic opportunities throughout the county.”

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