Category: ktvz-local-news

Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, a Redmond teen is being recognized for his heroic actions that helped save two people.

16-year-old Elijah Buckwald was recently awarded Scouting America’s prestigious Honor Medal for life-saving heroism.

Back in August of 2024, when Elijah was just 14, he was traveling with his grandparents near Santiam Pass.

They came across an overturned pickup truck and camper trailer blocking the highway, with an elderly couple trapped inside.

Elijah climbed onto the overturned truck and held the passenger-side door open while other adults worked to free the couple.

Elijah helping out during the rescue, photo taken by his grandmother

The Redmond City Council is now honoring Elijah for his courage and quick thinking.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, the Deshutes Public Library is hosting it’s fourth annual Ghost Walk this October at the Central Library in Bend.

Celebrate spooky season on Wednesday, October 28th from 6 to 7 p.m.!

The library will feature volunteers and actors portraying deceased authors all around the Central Library to share information about their books. 

The event is free and costumes are encouraged. 

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ballots are being mailed to voters starting today, about two weeks before election day.

Yesterday, October 13th, was the last day to register to vote.

November 3rd is election day and the last day to return a ballot. 

Drop boxes all open tomorrow, October 16th, and will remain open until 8 p.m. on election night. Voters can find the drop box closest to them by visiting deschutescounty.gov/dropbox.

Ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by November 3rd.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County residents can get rid of old documents and unused medications during a free shred day in Prineville.

The event is Saturday, November 14th, from 9 a.m. to Noon in the parking lot behind the old courthouse on NE Third Street.

Residents can bring up to three boxes or bags of personal documents.

Cash donations and canned soup will also be collected for the Crook County Holiday Partnership.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening next, Bend police are giving people a chance to safely get rid of unused or expired medications.

A drive-through drug takeback event is happening Saturday, October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bend Police Department on NE 15th Street.

People can drop off unwanted prescription drugs, along with used sharps — as long as they’re secured in a sharps container.

The event aims to keep unused medications out of the wrong hands and help protect the community.

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Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, residents in Redmond may hear loud explosions as law enforcement conducts specialized training.

The Central Oregon Emergency Response Team — also known as CERT — has been conducting live explosive breaching training, beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m.

The training is taking place near the 2600 block of SW Yew Avenue.

CERT is the regional SWAT team serving Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.

The training is not open to the public. Residents are asked to avoid the area if possible while the training is underway.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation announced Wednesday it will host a series of open houses across wildfire-impacted regions of the state.

The events are designed to assist homeowners facing challenges with securing or keeping homeowners insurance following recent wildfire seasons.

Wildfires have affected Oregon communities with increasing frequency, leaving many residents facing nonrenewals and limited market choices in high-risk areas. The open houses will provide resources on how to find coverage, respond to nonrenewals and work effectively with insurance agents and companies, along with one-on-one guidance from state regulators.

The open house series begins in Medford on Oct. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Medford Armory, located at 1701 S. Pacific Highway. The state will hold an event in Klamath Falls on Oct. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oregon Institute of Technology Student Union Auditorium at 3201 Campus Drive, followed by a session in Redmond on Oct. 30 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Redmond Library Community Room 2 at 827 SW Deschutes Ave.

In November, the division will host three additional open houses. The Dalles Armory at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E. Scenic Drive, will host a session on Nov. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. State regulators will then visit the La Pine Library Community Room at 16425 First St. on Nov. 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and the Sisters Public Library Community Room at 110 N. Cedar St. on Nov. 19 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Homeowners seeking assistance can also contact consumer advocates by calling toll-free at 888-877-4894 or by emailing dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. Insurance complaints and additional resources are available online at dfr.oregon.gov.

The open houses are scheduled to take place between Oct. 28 and Nov. 19 across the six host communities.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Team was recognized recently at the annual Oregon Emergency Management Association conference for developing a collaborative program to support residents with access and functional needs during disasters.

The unit received the Oregon Emergency Management Association Innovation, Collaboration and Service Award, which honors contributions to emergency preparedness for underrepresented and underserved communities.

Emergency Management staff members Ben Duda and Ashley Volz accepted the award on behalf of the department’s Emergency Management Unit. The team developed the program in partnership with County Health Services, county 911, Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Special Services Lt. Nathan Garibay praised the emergency management staff, which also includes team member Rachelle Brookins, for maintaining year-round operations. “Our Emergency Management team of Duda, Volz and Brookins works tirelessly whenever an emergency requires public notification and support,” Garibay said. “Their efforts are often unseen, but they are committed year-round to ensuring timely information and assistance during challenging situations. I am very proud of their professionalism and dedication.”

The emergency support framework combines public outreach, voluntary alert system registration and annual data verification. The system uses real-time mapping, a virtual call center and coordinated welfare checks to contact residents needing extra help. Officials used the system during recent wildfire evacuations and the framework can be adapted for severe weather and other disaster events.

Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasized the interagency coordination involved in building the program. “This initiative is truly an all-hands effort,” Rupert said. “By working closely with our partners, we are helping ensure that every community member, especially those who may face additional barriers during disasters, receives timely information and support. We are also committed to sharing this model with other jurisdictions to improve inclusive emergency preparedness throughout Oregon.”

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s unemployment rate held mostly steady at 5.0% in September, down slightly from 5.1% in August, according to data released by the Oregon Employment Department. Nonfarm payroll employment in the state grew by 5,800 jobs during the month.

Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in September, up from 4.1% in August.

The state’s jobless rate has remained within a narrow band between 5.0% and 5.3% for 19 consecutive months, dating back to March 2025. September’s job increase followed a revised gain of 2,600 nonfarm payroll jobs in August.

Over the past 12 months, total nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon rose by 2,600 jobs, representing a 0.1% increase.

Sector gains in September were led by construction, which added 2,000 jobs. Health care and social assistance gained 1,700 jobs, while leisure and hospitality expanded by 1,300 jobs. Retail trade experienced the largest drop during the month, cutting 1,500 jobs.

Over the past 12 months, health care and social assistance recorded the largest growth, adding 12,100 jobs, a 3.8% increase. Other services gained 1,600 jobs, or 2.4%, and private education expanded by 1,300 jobs, or 3.6%. Conversely, manufacturing reduced its workforce by 4,300 jobs, a 2.4% decline, while government employment dropped by 4,000 jobs, or 1.3%.

Construction employment drifted upward from April through August before increasing by 2,000 jobs in September. Over the past year, all three component industries in construction posted gains, with building construction adding 900 jobs, specialty trade contractors adding 500 jobs and heavy and civil engineering construction adding 100 jobs.

Several industries experienced recent rebounds over the past two months. Government employment added 1,300 jobs since July following earlier losses. Manufacturing added 1,700 jobs since July, partially offsetting steady losses over the past three years. September job gains in leisure and hospitality reversed losses recorded in June and July.

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release September unemployment and job data for counties and metropolitan areas on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Statewide unemployment and employment survey data for October is scheduled for release on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

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Campbell Porter

(KTVZ) — National Teen Driver Safety Week, observed Oct. 18 to 24, aims to address traffic crashes, which remain a leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crashes involving a teen driver killed 2,611 people and injured more than 170,000 others in 2023.

Inexperience is a primary factor in crashes involving young drivers. Federal safety reports show teenagers are more likely than older drivers to misjudge dangerous road conditions and make critical errors behind the wheel.

Michelle Anderson, director of operations at the National Road Safety Foundation, emphasized that parents must take an active role in teaching safety habits.

“Parents need to be proactive and begin a conversation about safe driving,” Anderson said.

Impaired driving remains a significant hazard among young drivers. Federal data shows that 19% of teen drivers involved in fatal passenger vehicle crashes in 2021 had alcohol in their system. Foundation officials also warned that marijuana, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can severely alter reaction times behind the wheel.

Seat belt usage remains another key concern for traffic safety advocates. More than half, or 51%, of teen drivers killed in crashes in 2021 were not wearing seat belts. Foundation officials advise parents to remind teenagers to verify everyone in the vehicle is buckled before driving.

Distracted driving significantly elevates crash risks among adolescents. Research shows that one in three teenagers who text admit to doing so while driving. Dialing a phone while driving increases a teen driver’s crash risk by six times, while texting increases the risk by 23 times. Other common distractions include additional passengers, adjusting audio or climate controls and eating or drinking.

Speeding contributed to nearly one-third, or 32%, of fatal crashes involving teen passenger vehicle drivers in 2021. Data indicates male drivers were more likely to be involved in fatal speed-related crashes than female drivers.

Carrying passengers also increases danger for young motorists. Studies indicate that a teenager’s likelihood of engaging in risky driving behavior triples when multiple passengers are in the vehicle, with fatal crash risks rising in direct relation to the number of passengers.

Safety advocates encourage passenger intervention when a driver behaves recklessly. Anderson advised family members and peers not to hesitate when safety is compromised.

“We shouldn’t worry about being considered a ‘back-seat driver,’” Anderson said. “Speaking up can save lives.”

Surveys show that teenagers whose parents establish clear driving rules and regularly discuss safety participate in fewer risky behaviors and experience fewer crashes. Anderson noted that adult behavior behind the wheel strongly influences teen habits long before formal instruction begins.

“Parents often complain that their teens don’t listen to them, but studies show they watch what we do,” Anderson said. “It’s up to us as parents to be good role models by demonstrating safe driving behavior all the time, long before teens even think about getting their learner’s permit.”

The National Road Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(three) non-profit organization that has worked for more than 60 years to reduce highway crashes, injuries and fatalities through public education. The group offers free educational resources, including its Passport to Safe Driving guide, on its website.

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