Category: ktvz-local-news

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Heritage Apple Corps and the U.S. Forest Service will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 2 at 12:00 noon to unveil new interpretive signs at Cyrus Historic Orchard on the Crooked River National Grassland. The signs detail the history of Central Oregon’s pioneer fruit trees and ongoing efforts to protect the historic sites.

More than a century ago, homesteading families planted fruit trees across the land that now makes up the grassland. The new interpretive displays at both McCoin and Cyrus Historic Orchards share the stories of the McCoin and Cyrus families who cultivated the land, as well as the heritage apple varieties that remain standing today.

Content for the interpretive signs was developed through a collaboration between Heritage Apple Corps, the U.S. Forest Service and historian Steve Lent of the Bowman Museum. The signage project was supported by funding and contributions from the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association and Nora Scott.

Peter Loverso of Heritage Apple Corps emphasized the importance of preserving the historic fruit trees for the community. “These pioneer fruit trees are living pieces of Central Oregon history,” Loverso said. “The signs help visitors understand why these orchards matter and how we are protecting them for future generations.”

Each year, Heritage Apple Corps and the U.S. Forest Service host fruit tree restoration workshops and field days at the historic orchards. The events bring together volunteers, arborists, orchardists and community members to practice hands-on techniques for caring for veteran trees. The joint partnership also supports genetic preservation, DNA identification and wildfire risk-reduction efforts.

Cyrus Historic Orchard is located approximately one-half mile west of Cyrus Horse Camp. Visitors reaching the site must travel on unpaved roads, which can become rutted and muddy after rainfall. Access to the orchard may require a high-clearance vehicle.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 2, participants will conduct several hours of volunteer deadwood removal at nearby heritage trees.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon residents interested in affordable homeownership can attend a free housing fair this Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Bend. The event will run at 5:30 p.m. at the Larkspur Community Center, located at 1600 SE Reed Market Road.

The fair will connect prospective home buyers with local housing developers to explain qualification requirements, outline upcoming project opportunities and detail the steps needed to purchase a home.

The event is presented through a partnership among NeighborImpact HomeSource, Thistle & Nest, RootedHomes, First Story, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver and Sisters Habitat for Humanity.

To ensure broad community access, the event will feature simultaneous Spanish interpretation as well as an American Sign Language interpreter. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from each participating organization.

Last year’s housing fairs drew 106 attendees across Central Oregon. One attendee from last year’s event highlighted the value of bringing local resources together. “Being able to access the information all in one place,” the fair attendee said.

NeighborImpact HomeSource offers housing counseling, workshops and financial tools to help prospective buyers complete homebuyer education and prepare for homeownership. Its parent organization, NeighborImpact, is a private nonprofit Community Action Agency founded in 1985 that serves Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties along with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Participating housing developer Thistle & Nest uses a land trust model to provide permanent owner-occupied affordable housing opportunities. RootedHomes also focuses on permanent affordability for local workforce members and residents in Central Oregon.

First Story collaborates with builder Hayden Homes to offer move-in-ready homes to households earning 80% or below of the area median income through 30-year loans that require no down payment and no interest. Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates from Bend-Redmond, La Pine-Sunriver and Sisters also build and renovate homes in partnership with low-income families.

The fair is sponsored by Hayden Homes and Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Larkspur Community Center in Bend. Community members seeking further information can email homesource@neighborimpact.org or call 541-323-6567.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The short documentary “Cosmic Heirloom: Buried 400 Years” won Best Short Documentary at the Oregon Short Film Festival in Portland. Following its festival award, the film will be screened at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend, Ore., on Oct. 24, 2026.

Directed by Brian Craig Hinderberger, the documentary examines the historical suppression and modern rediscovery of psilocybin while challenging stigmas associated with psychedelic mushrooms. The Bend screening will feature a live panel discussion presented by Oregon Film, featuring the film’s central subject, David Moss and Kris Solis of Bend-based Drop Thesis.

The documentary made its theatrical debut at the Clinton Street Theater in Portland during the Oregon Short Film Festival, an independent film event series organized by Film Festival Circuit. Filmed by director of photography Jordan Chamberlain, the short film uses Moss’s perspective to connect centuries of obscured history with contemporary scientific and cultural interest in psilocybin.

Brian Craig Hinderberger, who directed the film and founded the event organization Song of Sunset, reflected on the initial response to the documentary. “Attending the festival in Portland was an incredible experience,” Hinderberger said. “To sit in a theater with independent filmmakers from across the country and around the world and experience our film with an audience for the first time, was deeply rewarding. Winning Best Short Documentary made the evening unforgettable.”

The filmmakers designed the production to address historical misconceptions surrounding psychedelics and foster public dialogue. “This film uncovers an intentionally hidden history of psilocybin and challenges the stigma that continues to surround the psychedelic mushroom,” Hinderberger said. “We created the film to start a conversation, which is why presenting it alongside a live discussion with Moss and Solis is such an important part of the Bend experience.”

Prior to its Bend presentation, the film will screen for Eastern Oregon audiences at the historic Granada Theatre in La Grande during the Eastern Oregon Film Festival on Oct. 16. “Traveling to our festival selections and meeting the filmmakers and audiences experiencing this work is one of the most rewarding parts of the process,” Hinderberger said. “I’m especially looking forward to bringing the film to Eastern Oregon before returning home for its Bend screening at Song of Sunset.”

The Oct. 24 screening is part of Song of Sunset: UNDERGROUND, a live-cinema production taking place at Silver Moon Brewing, located at 24 NW Greenwood Ave. Supported in part by a grant from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund, the evening will feature two short films, two live panels and performances by regional musicians. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show running from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The tour begins with the La Grande screening on Oct. 16, followed by the Bend event at Silver Moon Brewing on Oct. 24, 2026. Tickets and additional event information are available through Song of Sunset.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority is holding a virtual media briefing Monday to outline upcoming federal changes to the Oregon Health Plan that will impact approximately 600,000 members.

The updates are required under new federal mandates in House Resolution 1, which states must implement to maintain federal funding.

Notices will begin going out to about 600,000 Oregon Health Plan members this month to inform them of upcoming policy changes. One of the first changes takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, introducing new work or activity rules for certain plan members ages 19 to 64.

While most adults covered by the Oregon Health Plan who can work are already employed, some individuals will need to submit documentation when applying for or renewing coverage after the requirements take effect. State health officials noted that the notices sent this month are informational only and require no immediate action from recipients.

Officials are encouraging members to verify and update their contact details to ensure they receive future correspondence. Members can update their records online at benefits.oregon.gov, by phone at 1-800-699-9075, through the ONE mobile app or by visiting a local Oregon Department of Human Services office.

Community partner organizations can access informational flyers and social media content through an online toolkit at ohp.oregon.gov/toolkit. The state agency is hosting a 30-minute media briefing via Zoom, with a stream available for community partners on YouTube.

The new work or activity rules for Oregon Health Plan members ages 19 to 64 will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — About 600,000 Oregon Health Plan members are beginning to receive notices about federally required changes to Medicaid coverage, including new work or activity rules that will affect some adults beginning January 1st, 2027.

The Oregon Health Authority said the notices being sent this month are informational only, and members do not need to take action yet. The agency said members will receive more specific instructions before their next coverage renewal if information is needed.

Who may be affected

Starting January 1st, some Oregon Health Plan members ages 19 through 64 will need to meet work or activity requirements when applying for or renewing coverage.

Those requirements can be met through work, school, volunteer service, caregiving, job training or other qualifying activities. State information says people may meet the standard through at least 80 hours a month of qualifying activity, enrollment in school at least half-time or household income above $580 a month before taxes and deductions.

However, many members will not be subject to the new rules or may qualify for an exemption. The rules do not apply to several groups, including children and teens, people who are pregnant, people with Medicare or Supplemental Security Income, and people who qualify for Oregon Health Plan coverage based on disability or other factors.

Oregon also must send the initial notice to people who may ultimately qualify for exemptions, such as parents or caregivers of children younger than 14.

What members should do

OHA is encouraging Oregon Health Plan members to make sure their mailing address, phone number, and other contact information are current so they do not miss future notices.

Members can update their information through Benefits.Oregon.gov, by calling 800-699-9075, through the ONE Mobile app or by visiting a local Oregon Department of Human Services office.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Motorcyclists of Central Oregon will hold its 28th annual Teddy Bear Run on Saturday, September 26th, collecting and delivering hundreds of new stuffed animals for pediatric patients at St. Charles hospitals across Central Oregon.

The event begins with registration at 9:00 a.m. at Cascade Motor Sports, 63028 Sherman Road in Bend.

Riders are scheduled to leave at 10:00 a.m. and travel as a group to all four St. Charles hospitals, making their first teddy bear drop-off at St. Charles Bend.

Organizers are asking participants to bring a new teddy bear or stuffed animal to donate. Motorcyclists of Central Oregon, also known as MOCO, has purchased more than 500 additional teddy bears for this year’s event.

Money raised during the ride will also benefit the St. Charles Child Life Specialist program, which supports children and families during hospital care.

The ride will wrap up at General Duffy’s Waterhole in Redmond, where organizers plan live music from Sagebrush Rock and other festivities.

Newport Avenue Landscaping is the title sponsor for this year’s Teddy Bear Run.

For more information, email MOCORiders2026@gmail.com or call 541-280-0478.

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Claire Elmer

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A neighborhood near Sunriver received a late-night visit from a black bear Saturday.

A viewer shared Ring camera video with KTVZ News showing the bear outside a home on Lazy River Drive, about a mile south of Thousand Trails and roughly five minutes from Sunriver.

The video shows the bear walking across the property, hopping over a fence, and running away.

The sighting comes amid several recent reports of bears near residential areas across Central Oregon. Residents are encouraged to stay alert, secure garbage and other potential food sources, and give bears plenty of space if they encounter one.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pacific Power is reminding eligible Oregon customers about available rebates for backup power equipment as the state transitions from wildfire season to winter storm season.

The program provides up to $1,000 for income-qualified residential customers who rely on medical equipment and up to $4,000 for licensed care facilities.

The Oregon Backup Electric Power Rebate Program covers qualified portable power stations, batteries and permanent backup generators.

To qualify for the residential rebate, applicants must hold an active Pacific Power account and be enrolled in both the utility’s Medical Certificate program and the Oregon Low Income Discount program.

Licensed residential care homes, care facilities, adult foster homes and hospices can qualify for the facility rebates of up to $4,000. To be eligible, facilities must have an active Pacific Power account number either directly or through a customer whose property they occupy.

Jurisdictions submitting applications for multiple facilities can use a batch application process. In 2025, Linn County utilized this option to assist 27 care facilities in securing $4,000 each, totaling $108,000 in rebates.

Carrie Laird serves as the vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations for Pacific Power.

“We prioritize emergency preparedness education and communication in our communities so our customers are prepared in the event an outage whether related to wildfire safety or seasonal storms,” Laird said. “We want eligible customers and care facilities to know this assistance is available and encourage them to apply before the upcoming deadlines so that they can take advantage of these helpful programs, which can offer peace of mind.”

Pacific Power launched the Oregon Backup Electric Power Rebate Program in 2023. Since the program began, the utility company has issued 421 rebates totaling more than $1.2 million across Oregon.

Eligible backup power equipment must be purchased by December 31st, 2026. Pacific Power must receive completed applications and purchase receipts by January 31st, 2027. Rebates are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until annual program funding is exhausted.

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Claire Elmer

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Human remains were found Saturday near an Indian Health Services facility in Warm Springs, prompting an investigation by tribal police and the FBI.

The Warm Springs Police Department said it received a report of possible human remains around 10:53 a.m. in the area of the facility at 1270 Kot-Num Road.

Warm Springs police officers and FBI personnel responded and searched the surrounding area. During that search, investigators located human remains, according to a police department news release.

The FBI is processing the scene with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department. Authorities have not released the person’s identity, cause or manner of death, or information about how long the remains may have been in the area.

Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the discovery is connected to any missing-person case.

The public is being asked to stay away from the area while investigators continue processing the scene. Police said additional information will be released when it is appropriate and confirmed.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hundreds of people attended the 2026 Great Bark Bash in downtown Bend. The event took place as part of the local Oktoberfest festivities.

The event was organized by the Central Oregon Humane Society. According to the organization, the gathering served to raise awareness for its mission to advocate for animals, provide compassionate care, strengthen the human-animal bond and place pets into loving homes.

The dog racing schedule featured several breed-specific competitions, including a wiener dog sprint that ended in a photo finish. Woody won the wiener dog race, earning the championship title for three consecutive years.

The event also featured the bulldog race, which was won by Ollie. Participants in the bulldog race demonstrated varying paces, ranging from fast sprints to a meandering pace. Additionally, the event included a Corgi Crush race that showcased the speed and intensity of the breed.

Beyond the racing events, the schedule featured costume contests and competitions for best tricks.

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