Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond today celebrated a major milestone for the Eastside Arterial Project with a ribbon-cutting for the new roundabout at Veterans Way and Airport Way.

The new roundabout is a significant component of Phase Three of the Eastside Arterial project.

Additionally, Phase One’s southern connection at 9th Street is scheduled to open on June 8, creating a direct link from Airport Way to OR126. These developments are expected to significantly enhance mobility and reduce congestion throughout the eastside network.

The Eastside Arterial project utilizes the Progressive Design Build method. This approach involves the contractor early for close collaboration and increased flexibility, allowing for real-time design and construction adjustments. The addition of a temporary detour road is an example of such an adjustment, implemented to minimize disruption to nearby businesses and travelers.

The City of Redmond extended its appreciation to local businesses, travelers and the broader community for their patience and cooperation. This gratitude is for their understanding during recent detours and construction-related closures.

For more information about the Eastside Arterial Project, the public can visit www.redmondoregon.gov/eastsidearterial. Jake Sherman, Principal Engineer for the City of Redmond, is also available for contact at (541) 504-2019 or jake.sherman@redmondoregon.gov.

The southern connection at 9th Street is set to open on June 8. Further information about the Eastside Arterial Project is available on the City of Redmond’s website.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The family of the 6 year old who was killed in a trailer accident at Suttle Lake is looking to honor and remember their loved one, Ember. Parents Taryn & Andrew would like the community to share their message on social media and by visiting Whiskey Girls Coffee Co. where a dollar from every sale on Friday, June 5th will be going directly to the family. You can show your support by either getting a ‘Drink for Ember’ or by sharing a photo of you wearing red & orange on June 5th with the hashtag ’embersglow’.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pet owners are advised to start planning now for potential pet anxiety related to July 4th fireworks. It can take a while to get an appointment with a vet, or fill a specialized prescription.

If you are a new pet owners and your pet reacted poorly to recent the recent thunderstorms in Central Oregon, your pet might be bothered by fireworks. While medication might seem like an obvious answer to your pets’ anxiety, many veterinarians explore simpler solutions first.

Dr. Byron Maas, a veterinarian at the Bend Veterinary Clinic, emphasizes the importance of exploring options for his patients. “I mean, the ideal thing is to actually work through things that don’t require medication,” Dr. Maas said. “And so a lot of that is with consultation, just, you know, doing some experimentation, looking at some things that actually can be done. Now try them out. And then if they’re not working, then we can actually ramp up to the next thing.”

Dr. Maas also suggests providing dogs and cats with a dark, safe place to retreat when they are afraid. Ideally, this designated spot should be quiet for them. But fireworks can be loud, so pet owners may also consider using calming music or white noise to help mask the noise.

Additional calming options available include new treats designed for anxiety relief. There is also specialized milk that simulates a mother’s hormones, which can provide a calming effect for pets. Calming wraps or Anxiety jackets are effective as well.

In extreme cases, owners can choose to go on a trip with their pet, taking them far away from the fireworks, and enjoying some peace and quiet with them.

Finding what works right for you pet is a process, so it’s best if you start early.

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Kelsey Merison

(UPDATE – 6/3/26: vegetation mitigation helped stop the spread of the fire)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A locomotive fire Tuesday afternoon near Deschutes River Woods could have sparked a much larger wildfire, but officials say years of vegetation mitigation work in the neighborhood helped keep the incident contained.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday to reports of flames coming from the lead locomotive of a BNSF train just south of Baker Road, near the eastern edge of the Deschutes River Woods subdivision. Nine-one-one callers from Morningstar School and BNSF reported fire coming from the braking system housed on top of the locomotive.

Fire crews arrived to find smoke and flames on the locomotive. Fire extinguishers and water were used to extinguish the fire quickly. No injuries were reported, and no cargo or other locomotives were threatened.

The engineers on board were heading north on BNSF’s line from Klamath Falls when they felt a jolt before seeing smoke. They stopped the train before entering town to prevent blocking traffic lanes and to avoid a brush fire taking off. The train came to rest in an area where a fire break had been created by previous wildfire mitigation efforts.

Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said a 2024 grant allowed Deschutes River Woods and Bend Fire Department to mechanically mow vegetation in the area between Cheyenne Road and China Hat Road, near the railroad tracks.

“Keeps the vegetation low. So if it had spread, it would have been easy to put out. It also gave our firefighters a nice, safe spot to operate from in this locomotive fire,” Derlacki said.

The cleared area provided a safe working zone for firefighters and reduced the risk that the train fire could spread to the neighborhood.

Derlacki emphasized that mitigation efforts are especially critical in Deschutes River Woods due to limited access. The large neighborhood has two main entry points on the north end and only one emergency exit over the railroad tracks near the High Desert Museum.

“Being able to mitigate the fire, be able to keep it small and maintain the safety of the neighborhood is crucial down here,” he said.

BNSF stopped all north-south traffic in the area until the damaged locomotive could be removed and the train moved to a central Bend staging yard. Cheyenne Road was closed temporarily during the incident to allow firefighting hoses to be deployed to the locomotive.

The incident highlights a community effort led by the Deschutes River Woods neighborhood association, Bend Fire & Rescue, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office and BNSF. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office awarded a grant in 2024 to help reduce vegetation in and around the subdivision. Large areas of open land on both sides of the railroad tracks were mechanically mowed to remove overgrown brush and create a fire break along the eastern edge of the neighborhood.

“This is an example of where creating defensible space around your home and neighborhood can help protect your home from more than just wildfires,” officials said.

Locomotives create immense amounts of electricity to move heavy trains, and that same electricity makes fighting fires on them extremely dangerous,_bulk crews noted.

Residents in the area have mixed feelings about the vegetation. While fire officials praise the mowed areas for safety, one neighbor who spoke off camera said the trees and brush serve as a sound barrier between neighbors and the train tracks.

Learn more about creating defensible space on your property at bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone.

Reported 9:42 AM on 6/3/26

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a reported train fire on Tuesday, June 2nd around 3:15 p.m. just south of Baker Road near Deschutes River Woods. The fire originated in the lead locomotive’s braking system and no injuries were reported, according to the agency.

Engineers traveling north on BNSF’s line from Klamath Falls felt a jolt on the train before seeing smoke. They were able to quickly stop the train before entering town to prevent blocking traffic lanes and prevented a brush fire by coming to rest in an area where a fire break had been created by previous wildfire mitigation efforts. No cargo or other locomotives were threatened by the fire.

BNSF stopped all north and south traffic in the area until the damaged locomotive could be removed and the train could be moved to a central Bend staging yard. Cheyenne Road was closed for a time during the incident to allow firefighting hoses to be deployed to the locomotive.

This unique response highlighted the various aspects of firefighting that crews need to be prepared for. Locomotives create immense amounts of electricity to move the heavy trains and that same electricity makes fighting fires on them extremely dangerous.

The incident also highlighted a community effort in Deschutes River Woods led by the neighborhood association, Bend Fire & Rescue, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, and BNSF. A grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office was awarded in 2024 to help reduce vegetation in and around the large subdivision.

Large areas of open land on both sides of the railroad tracks were mechanically mowed to remove overgrown brush. This created a fire break along the eastern edge of the neighborhood, which was done to prevent the spread of wildfire into or out of the neighborhood. The cleared area provided a safe working zone for firefighters and greatly reduced the risk that the fire in this train could have spread to the neighborhood.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Think Wild held a volunteer orientation event today at its wildlife rehab, inviting individuals from all backgrounds to discover how they can help save wildlife. The event aims to showcase diverse ways people can contribute to wildlife conservation, moving beyond the need for specialized qualifications.

These open invitation events provide prospective volunteers with insight into spending time at the wildlife rehabilitation center. Think Wild clarifies that it does not exclusively seek ex-veterinarians or individuals with prior wildlife qualifications for its volunteer roles.

Emily Sullivan, Community Engagement Coordinator for Think Wild, highlighted the organization’s broad need for varied skill sets among its volunteers. “Whatever weird and wonderful skill set or background you have, I guarantee you we have a need for it,” Sullivan said. She provided examples of past volunteer contributions, including sewing specialized bags for transporting willow sticks in restoration projects and welding a giant hamster wheel for bobcat patients. Sullivan emphasized that any skill or background, even if it seems irrelevant, could be valuable to Think Wild at some point. Think Wild offers volunteer positions for teenagers interested in summer activities. Some positions do not require a minimum commitment of hours and the organization provides necessary training and experience for volunteers.

The next open orientation event is scheduled for June 11. Further details regarding volunteering opportunities are available on Think Wild’s website.

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KTVZ News Partners

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC NEWS) — CBS News has fired veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley a day after he confronted the show’s new executive producer at a heated staff meeting.

“Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you,” “60 Minutes” executive producer Nick Bilton said in a letter addressed to Pelley, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News.

“I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated for cause effective immediately,” Bilton added.

In a separate note to “60 Minutes” staffers, Bilton confirmed that the network had “parted ways” with Pelley.

“I know how much Scott meant to many of you, and I don’t say this lightly,” Bilton wrote. “I made repeated attempts to have direct conversations with him over the weekend, and this afternoon I tried to find common ground. That was not the path Scott chose.”

Pelley’s exit deepens the turmoil at “60 Minutes,” the leading newsmagazine on American television. In recent months, “60 Minutes” employees have clashed with CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss over the show’s editorial direction under its new corporate owner, Paramount Skydance, the media company run by technology scion David Ellison.

The tension reached a fever pitch Monday during a “60 Minutes” staff meeting designed to introduce employees to Bilton, a technology journalist tapped by Weiss to be executive producer of the program. Pelley laced into Bilton, according to an audio recording obtained by NBC News and a source who was in the room.

Bilton, a documentary filmmaker and a former tech columnist at The New York Times, told the gathered staffers that Weiss “loves this institution,” according to the recording. Pelley interrupted Bilton and pushed back, accusing Weiss of “murdering” the venerable newsmagazine, which debuted in September 1968.

“She does not love this place,” Pelley told Bilton, according to the recording. “She was brought in to kill it, and she’s been doing exactly that.”

Pelley also pressed Bilton about the firings of former executive producer Tanya Simon and fellow correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega; Bilton said those decisions predated him. Alfonsi collided with Weiss last year over the decision to postpone a “60 Minutes” segment about the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan men to a prison in El Salvador.

Alfonsi alleged the story was abruptly pulled for “political reasons.” Weiss said it was “not ready” for air. The segment, titled “Inside CECOT,” ultimately aired in January and featured statements from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security that were not in the original version.

In one especially tense exchange at Monday’s meeting, Pelley asked Bilton why he had accepted a position at a show “knowing that you would never be welcomed here,” according to the recording.

“I don’t believe that will be the case,” Bilton replied, according to the recording.

“I have been a journalist for 25 years, Scott. I have sat and talked with incredibly powerful people like you have,” he added. “None of it intimidates me, OK?”

In the termination letter obtained by NBC News, Bilton accused Pelley of “remarkable incivility and contempt.”

“Yesterday’s performative display of hostility — enacted in front of the staff instead of in a civil, private conversation — demonstrated that you have no interest in contributing to the future success of the show, or approaching my new tenure with a mind open to collaboration and progress,” Bilton wrote.

Pelley’s firing marks the end of his nearly 40-year run at CBS News. He joined the news division in 1989 before he ascended to the anchor desk at the “CBS Evening News,” which he helmed from 2011 to 2017. He was a “60 Minutes” correspondent for more than 20 years.

The remaining roster of “60 Minutes” correspondents includes Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim. Anderson Cooper, a 20-year veteran of the show, left the program last month.

The tumult at “60 Minutes” comes amid head-spinning changes in the wider media world. Ellison, whose Skydance Media took over Paramount in an $8 billion merger, looks set to expand his media empire with a $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN and HBO. The deal still needs sign-off from federal regulators

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Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Redmond’s long-anticipated Hub Aquatic and Recreation Center is nearing completion, but officials now say the opening will likely come later than originally planned.

The 56,000-square-foot facility, located at Southwest 35th Street and Lava Avenue, is expected to open in late summer or early fall, according to the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District.

Executive Director Katie Hammer said the district had initially hoped to welcome the public by mid-summer.

“Although RAPRD had hoped to open the facility in mid-summer, current projections indicate that the Hub Aquatic and Recreation Center will likely open in late summer or early fall,” Hammer said.

Construction on the $49 million project, funded by a voter-approved bond measure in 2022, is in its final stages. Work on the west side of the building is nearing completion, while progress continues in the aquatic areas.

District leaders say delays are largely tied to the pool construction, which is taking longer than expected as crews prioritize long-term durability and safety.

When complete, The Hub will replace the aging Cascade Swim Center and expand recreation options for the growing Redmond community. The facility will include lap and leisure pools, a water slide and hot tub, fitness areas, gym space and community rooms.

RAPRD officials say an official opening date will be announced once construction timelines are finalized.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hank Simmons, a longtime community leader, businessman, and rodeo advocate, has been named the 2026 Grand Marshal of the Crooked River Roundup in Prineville. He steps into the role after Susie Yancey Pape’ withdrew due to health reasons.

The Crooked River Roundup board of directors expressed heartfelt support and well wishes to Pape’ and her family following her withdrawal from the grand marshal position. Roundup President Laura McDaniel stated the organization was grateful for Pape’ and all she means to the rodeo community, acknowledging her absence would be missed this year.

Simmons, born and raised in Prineville, has dedicated his life to the traditions, values, and western heritage of Central Oregon and the Crooked River Roundup. He is a 1979 graduate of Crook County High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University in 1983, where he was also a four-year football player on the university’s Hall of Fame 1980 team.

During his time in college, Simmons developed a passion for rodeo competition, beginning steer wrestling in college rodeo. He continued to pursue this sport throughout the Northwest while balancing work and family life, crediting his wife Susan’s unwavering support for his journey through the challenges and sacrifices of his rodeo dreams.

After returning to Prineville, Simmons initially worked for a Redmond electronics manufacturing company before joining his family’s real estate and loan business. This decision followed advice from his father to “row your own boat,” and today, the family business has grown substantially, becoming a longstanding fixture in the community.

Simmons’ commitment to the Crooked River Roundup deepened even after his days as a rodeo competitor ended. In the mid-1990s, he joined the Crooked River Roundup board of directors, serving for nearly 20 years, including several terms as president. Simmons shared that being part of the organization has been

“Being part of this organization has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Simmons shared. “I grew up dreaming of being a rodeo cowboy and someday being part of the Crooked River Roundup, and now to be selected as Grand Marshal is incredibly humbling.”

Simmons says the lessons learned through faith, family, friendship, and service have shaped his journey and fueled his passion for preserving western heritage and community traditions. Laura McDaniel, president of the Crooked River Roundup, affirmed Simmons’ impact, stating, “Hank embodies everything the Crooked River Roundup stands for — dedication, integrity, western heritage and community. His commitment and service have helped further the tradition and success of these events.”

The Crooked River Roundup welcomes fans from across the region to celebrate Simmons during Roundup Week festivities this June and July in Prineville.

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Kelsey Merison

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Graduating seniors from the Jefferson County School District made a special stop this week.

Graduates returned to their elementary and middle schools to walk the halls one last time– but this time they returned in caps and gowns.

The district says it loves this annual tradition, and that it always brings lots of cheering, smiles, some happy tears, and students reuniting with former teachers and staff who helped them get to this point.

Congrats, grads!

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Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) —  It might be a good idea to fill your gas tank as soon as possible. Gas prices reached a one-month low Monday, settling at a national average of $4.32 per gallon.

That’s based on oil prices where traders built in the possibility of a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But Monday morning, Iran pulled out of negotiations in protest over Israel’s attacks in Lebanon.

That makes a reopening extremely unlikely.

Oil futures shot up following the news, and prices at the pump are likely to follow.

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