Category: ktvz-local-news

KTVZ

(Update: Ignitions complete, smoke to remain visible)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire managers with the Ochoco National Forest said more than 400 acres of prescribed burning took place Wednesday on the Paulina Ranger District.

The HEJ 9 unit encompassed about 418 acres on the northwest side of Big Summit Prairie, east of Forest Service Road 22, west of FSR 22-300, and south of FSR 22-250.

Forest officials said in a Facebook update late Wednesday that ignitions were completed and fire managers had transitioned to holding and patrol operations to secure the perimeter and ensure the burn stays within planned boundaries.

Smoke will remain visible over the next several days, they said, as interior fuels continue to burn.

Forest Service officials had said late Tuesday that if conditions remain favorable, a second day of burning may occur to finish the unit.

Earlier informatuon:

Smoke from the burn may be visible from Big Summit Prairie, Prineville, Redmond, and Madras, and travelers on Forest Service Roads 22 and 42 may experience intermittent smoke impacts. Smoke could settle into low-lying areas of Big Summit Prairie overnight. Fire managers will post signs along affected roads.

Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest will manage this prescribed fire.  Smoke may be visible for several days to weeks as logs and stumps continue to burn out, and Forest Service resources will patrol the area daily until the fire is declared out. 

What does this mean for you?

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Ochoco National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County on Wednesday invited community members to apply for an open position on the Budget Committee.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 27, the county said in a news release that continues below:.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in county public services and budget processes to apply for this vacancy on the County’s Budget Committee,” said County Administrator Nick Lelack. “This is a great opportunity to learn about and contribute to County operations and finances.”

The Budget Committee consists of the three-member Board of County Commissioners and three citizen members. They review proposed budgets, approve property tax rates, and make recommendations on how Deschutes County should use its resources to effectively serve the community. Members also serve on the Elected Official Compensation Committee, which reviews the salaries and benefits of county elected officials.

To apply, eligible candidates must be:

A Deschutes County resident and registered voter

Able to attend meetings during business hours

Willing to review budget documents on your own time to prepare for meetings

Able to serve a three-year term, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026

The Budget Committee typically meets four to five times a year, between December and June, including up to three full days of meetings in mid-May. Additional meetings may be called if necessary.

For more details and to apply for the position, please visit www.deshcutes.org/jobs.

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Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new state law, House Bill 2563, requires both home and auto insurance companies to clearly explain to policyholders why their premiums are increasing.

The change highlights increasing concern from both regulators and consumers over rising premiums and the unclear reasons behind those price hikes.

Insurers must list up to four main reasons behind any rate hike, using straightforward language instead of technical insurance jargon.

Oregon Consumer Justice supports the new law, which aims to bring more fairness and transparency to insurance pricing.

“We believe that pricing transparency is essential to consumers,” State Policy Director Angela Donley said. “If they’re required to purchase a product, they have a right to know what they’re paying for and that they’re paying a reasonable price.”

James Fleming, a sales executive with Marsh McLennan Agency, said the law won’t change how agents do their jobs, but it will affect how carriers communicate rate changes.

“As far as an agent goes, we don’t physically have to write out the reasoning. That’s all done on the carrier side,” Fleming explained.

He added that customers often express frustration over unexplained premium hikes and sees this new transparency requirement as a positive step.

“This is good, because it’s individualized. It’s specified for each client that inquires,” Fleming said.

The new disclosure rule applies only to policy renewals, not to new insurance applications. Insurance providers will be required to respond within 20 days of the customer’s request.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

TYGH VALLEY, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Maupin man was killed in a crash on U.S. Highway 197 in Wasco County, Oregon State Police said.

Troopers responded around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday to the single-vehicle crash near milepost 37 on the highway.

OSP said a preliminary investigation found Howard Mcloud Mansfield, 60, of Maupin, was heading north at the wheel of a gray Isuzu Rodeo when it left its travel lane for reasons troopers were unable to determine.

The SUV crossed into the southbound lane, struck the hillside and overturned. Mansfield was thrown from the Isuzu and died at the scene, troopers said.

The highway was impacted for about a half-hour during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Southern Wasco County Ambulance, Juniper Flat Rural Fire Protection District, Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A massive Halloween display in southwest Redmond is missing some key features due to late-night thieves, and the owner is looking for answers, but just wants them returned.

Late Monday night, someone took some of the larger inflatables out of the yard on SW 27th Street. The swiped decorations include a massive dragon that moved and lit up, a large looming ghost, an inflatable tree and a mini-Grim Reaper.

David Fisher, who helped create the display, estimates about the four decorations were worth slightly more than $700.

When Fisher and his family posted about the theft online, someone responded with a video of what appears to be four people running through a yard, carrying deflated decorations.

While Fisher is upset about the theft, he’s just hoping to get the decorations back.

“If they mysteriously reappeared, bygones can be bygones,” he said in an interview Tuesday with KTVZ News in front of the still-impressive Halloween display. “And we can move forward and allow the community to enjoy the display. That one reason we did this, we put this out is for the community and our neighbors.”

Because the display is on a major road in Redmond, it gets a lot of attention. Fisher says people make it a point to stop by daily and admire it.

A report has been filed with the Redmond Police about the crime.

Online, other people reported having their decorations stolen in a nearby neighborhood.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Street Dog Hero says it has been recognized as the top nonprofit organization in Oregon and awarded a $5,000 grant through Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation’s Mutt’s Across America program.

“This generous grant will enable the organization to continue its vital work rescuing dogs and providing critical spay and neuter services to low-income communities across the state,” SDH said in a news release Tuesday, which continues below:

In partnership with Tractor Supply Company, MuttNation Foundation’s Mutt’s Across America program has committed a total of $250,000 in grants nationwide, supporting one shelter or foster-based rescue in each state. The program aims to combat pet overpopulation, improve animal health, and increase access to veterinary care in underserved areas. 

Thanks to this grant, Street Dog Hero will fully cover the costs of an upcoming spay/neuter clinic in Christmas Valley, scheduled for Saturday, October 11. Rural communities like Christmas Valley often face significant barriers to veterinary services, with the nearest veterinarian located over two hours away. This clinic aims to address these disparities directly. 

The spay/neuter clinic in Christmas Valley this weekend will focus on spaying and neutering 100 animals, helping to curb overpopulation and improve the health and well-being of local pets. By bringing essential veterinary services directly to the community, Street Dog Hero hopes to foster healthier, happier animals and stronger bonds between pets and their families. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation for their support,” said Marianne Cox, Founder of Street Dog Hero. “This grant will make a real difference in Christmas Valley, providing much-needed veterinary care and helping us continue our mission to rescue and serve dogs in Oregon’s rural communities.” 

For more information about Street Dog Hero or to support their ongoing efforts, visit streetdoghero.org. 

About Street Dog Hero 

For over 8 years, Street Dog Hero has been fulfilling its mission of helping end animal overpopulation by spaying and neutering owned and street dogs and cats around the world. To date, the organization has provided more than 11,495 free or reduced-rate spay/neuter and other wellness services to animals in Mexico, Jamaica, as well as locally. They have also rescued over 3,936 dogs from more than a dozen countries like Mexico, South Korea, China, India, Bahamas, Afghanistan, Armenia and right here in the United States and have found them forever homes. Street Dog Hero is making lasting positive changes in the lives of animals and their humans, working towards a world where all dogs are healthy, safe, cared for, and wanted. Through this work, SDH makes a lasting impact on owned and street dogs and cats and the families that surround them. To learn more about SDH, foster, adopt, volunteer, and donate, go to www.streetdoghero.org.  

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Warm Springs man was sentenced Tuesday to more than 11 years in federal prison for using online social media and messaging platforms to coerce and sexually exploit a 15-year-old minor victim.

Leonard Polk, 25, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release, federal prosecutors said in a news release late Tuesday, which continues in full below:

According to court documents, in December 2024, Polk met the minor victim through Snapchat, an online messaging application. Using Snapchat and Facebook Messenger, Polk persuaded the minor victim to send sexually explicit images. Polk then picked up the minor victim and brought her to his house on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, where he sexually abused her on multiple occasions.

Polk was arrested in Washington on January 21, 2025, and the minor victim was rescued, after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received information that Polk had brought the minor victim from Oregon to Washington.

“Protecting children remains our highest priority. This case serves as a stark reminder of the very real dangers that exist on social media and the predators who use these platforms to exploit our youth,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Let there be no doubt: if you target children in our community, we will use every resource at our disposal to protect them and ensure you are held fully accountable.”

On February 11, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 2-count indictment charging Polk with sexual abuse of a minor and sexual abuse – incapable victim. On July 14, Polk pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor.

The case was investigated by the FBI Portland’s Bend Resident Agency and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed.

To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office scam warning, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Several members of a Bend church have become the latest intended targets of a gift-card scam that has been around for years but appears to be getting more sophisticated all the time, sending out emails impersonating the pastor, possibly with the help of artificial intelligence. 

A parishioner at Nativity Lutheran Church alerted KTVZ News he was one of church members to get the scam emails, and Pastor Chris Kramer confirmed and provided the details to us. 

Kramer said a similar, less sophisticated scam involved the church about five years ago. 

This time, he said, parishioners began getting bogus emails early last week that claimed to be from Kramer, including his name and photo, likely harvested off the website. They speak of a “delicate” situation – and ask the recipient to buy Target gift cards and provide the numbers off them. 

“Apparently, they have read our newsletter, got a little sense of my writing style,” the pastor said. Asked if he thought it likely involved AI, Kramer replied: “Absolutely!” 

Kramer said the “predatory” Target gift card scam targets -no pun intended – the “particularly generous and the elderly, who are not necessarily so sophisticated in the ways of the computer world.” 

And Kramer repeated words familiar to many: “We’d never ask anyone on an email, ever, to give anyone gift cards.” 

Another Bend church was the target a year ago, he recalled, and more recently a Medford church.

The scammers manage to compromise someone’s computer, finding names and harvesting email addresses from an unprotected computer.  

The parishioner who contacted KTVZ wrote that the pastor “has mentioned (the scam) several times previously, so we were ready. But the messages are so ‘genuine,’ you can understand how some people have been stung. Target has been great about notifying and refunding, etc.” 

As for finding the scammers, it’s not likely, if not impossible. 

“It’s not local, and these people are probably in India or China or Russia – or who knows?” Kramer said. “I read an article about the slave trade, where they force the slaves to do this work.” 

“We need to get the word out,” the pastor said. “Please, no pastor will ever ask you to go buy gift cards!” 

At least five church members bought the cards after getting the scam email, and Kramer said he’s only aware of one who apparently didn’t get Target to deactivate the card in time, to the tune of $600 until a refund. 

“A couple of them did upload the cards, as the scammers told them,” Kramer said. “They then called the church to see if they did it correctly, and we told them, ‘No, no! Call Target!’ They deactivated the card.” 

And the scammers, whoever and wherever they are, can be … stubborn. 

Kramer said one parishioner who got the gift card deactivated in time to avoid a loss heard from the scammers once again, who said “It didn’t work – could you try it again?” 

Kramer also contacted Bend Police last week to report the issue, according to Communications Manager Sheila Miller. 

Overall, she said, the department has gotten about 315 calls reporting scams or online fraud so far this year.

Apparently coincidentally, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted this Scam Alert on their Facebook page on Tuesday:

“Scam calls have picked up and this morning we have had an influx of calls about them. Here’s what you need to know:

1. We will never call you to say you have a warrant

2. We will never ask you to pay us

3. Hang up as soon as you hear bitcoin

4. We do not have badge numbers at the Sheriff’s Office

5. We will not call you about missing Jury Duty

6. You can ALWAYS hang up and call our office to verify any phone call you get, scam or just questionable.

Please look out for family members that are not on social media. They do often target the older generations. Share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors.”

The Federal Trade Commission website to report such fraud says it has been tempoarily shut down due to the partial government shutdown but still links to consumer.ftc.gov. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov/) also is still in operaton.

The Oregon Department of Justice also has a hotline and website to report consumer fraud. The Consumer Hotine at 1-877-877-9392 is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., staffed by volunteers who field more than 50,000 calls each year. The website also has a searchable consumer complaint database.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tax season may be months away, but Central Oregon’s AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is already recruiting volunteers.

The fully volunteer-run program provides free tax assistance to older adults with low to moderate income at six locations across the region. In 2025 alone, the program served more than 2,300 individuals in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, returning nearly $2.3 million in tax refunds to local residents.  

“This is a rewarding way to give back,” said Rebecca Von Stein, District Coordinator for Central Oregon Tax-Aide. “You don’t need to be an accountant, just someone who wants to help others and is comfortable preparing your own return or assisting friends and neighbors. We’ll provide all the training you need.” 

Volunteer roles include: 

Tax Preparers – Work directly with clients to prepare and file returns 

Client Facilitators – Greet taxpayers and help with paperwork 

Technology Assistants – Provide support for hardware setup and usage 

Volunteers receive training in January to prepare for the February–April tax season. Most commit to about two half-day shifts per week, with flexible scheduling available to fit a variety of needs. Tax-Aide will return in 2026 with free tax assistance available at six community locations, including the Council on Aging of Central Oregon, COCC Campus – Cascades Hall, Latino Community Association, La Pine Senior Activity Center, Redmond NeighborImpact, and Warms Springs Community Action Center. 

“Volunteers are the heart of this program,” Von Stein said. “With more people stepping up, we can serve even more Central Oregonians who rely on this service.” 

Those interested can learn more and apply at aarpfoundation.org/TaxaideVolunteer or call 541-668-7634. 

AARP Foundation 

AARP Foundation works for and with vulnerable people over 50 to end senior poverty and reduce financial hardship by building economic opportunity. As a charitable affiliate of AARP, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Through vigorous legal advocacy, evidence based solutions, and by strengthening supportive community connections, we foster resilience, advance equity and restore hope. To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.  

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