Five applicants for Deschutes County interim sheriff discuss agency’s future at public forum

Tracee Tuesday

(Update: adding fourth applicant for position)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The union representing Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies has released a list of five recommended applicants for the interim sheriff role to succeed retiring Sheriff Kent van der Kamp and they were invited to speak at a public debate Monday night.

The five listed by the Deschutes County Sheriff Employees’ Association are: Deschutes County Undersheriff Aaron Wells; DCSO Detective and Special Services Commander Ty Rupert; DCSO Detective Lt. James McLaughlin; former DCSO Captain Deron McMaster; and COCC Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, Cory Darling.

As of Monday afternoon, a county representative said three people had filed statements of interest with the county: McLaughlin, Rupert and Wells.

A fourth applicant, who was not on the union’s list, is Gabe Burchfiel, a digital forensic detective with the sheriff’s office.

The list of applicants and the letters of interest submitted by each can be viewed at the county’s website for the interim sheriff selection process.

The deadline for filing statements of interest and other information is 5 p.m. on Friday, July 11, the county said recently in announcing the application process.

The public was invited to the informal debate at the Bend Elks Lodge. It was also livestreamed on YouTube by Connect Central Oregon, and can be viewed here.

While the union will make its own recommendation, county commissioners will in the end select who will serve as interim sheriff until next year’s election.

Van der Kamp, under sharp criticism for false statements and other issues, announced recently he will retire at the end of July.

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More than 400 ODOT employees facing layoffs July 31st amid funding crisis  

Tracee Tuesday

(Update: adding video of interviews with Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang and Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Department of Transportation announced Monday the first wave of layoffs of state workers who deliver basic services to Oregonians and warned of the widespread impacts that will ensue as a result.

The agency initiated 483 of an estimated 600 to 700 total layoffs Monday. A second wave of layoffs, pending any unpredictable winter weather, is currently planned for early 2026, absent legislative action to preserve Oregon’s transportation services.

Tracee Tuesday spoke Wednesday with Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz and Deschutes County Commissioner and Oregon Transportation Commission member Phil Chang on the looming impacts of the cutbacks. One of a dozen maintenance stations slated for closure is in Sisters.

Both waves would constitute the largest layoffs in the history of Oregon state government, the governor said in her announcement, which continues in full below: 

Following the adjournment of the 2025 legislative session, which concluded without passage of sufficient resources to fund ODOT’s budget, the Governor directed the state’s Chief Operating Officer, DAS Director Betsy Imholt, and the Chief Financial Officer, Kate Nass, to conduct a detailed review of ODOT’s reduction plan with ODOT Director Kris Strickler.

The Governor asked for a plan focused on decreasing the immediate impact to basic services for Oregonians and balancing personnel costs with materials costs and anticipated needs heading into the summer and fall seasons. 

The Governor issued the following statement: 

“Consequences to essential transportation services are imminent across the state. This is not business as usual. These layoffs constitute an emergency in Oregon’s transportation system that will hurt every part of Oregon. While we sharpened our pencils to temper the pace of layoffs from one wave into two, there will not be enough workers to provide the level of response Oregonians rely on, whether it’s filling a pothole or clearing safe passage for evacuation when a fire strikes.

“This emergency was preventable, and we still have time to intervene. I have not and will not stop fighting for Oregonians who rely on us to keep our roads safe and people and products moving. Come winter, without a shared commitment to solve this crisis from partners and lawmakers, Oregonians will be left out in the cold – literally.”  

Among other adjustments, the current reduction plan temporarily mitigates the impact to basic services by vastly reducing purchases of materials like sand and deicer, delaying the replacement of aging vehicles, maintaining senior staff to protect irreplaceable expertise, and closing fewer maintenance stations. 

As early as this summer, Oregonians will see noticeable impacts to road maintenance and safety services, the governor and agency said.

With fewer crews and limited resources, ODOT will reduce or delay essential tasks like pothole repairs, pavement maintenance, and road striping. Vegetation management, including brush clearing and fire prevention work, will also be scaled back, increasing wildfire risk and reducing visibility along roads.

Roadside litter pickup, striping and signage replacement, and graffiti and camp cleanups will occur less frequently, leading to a visible decline along state highways across the state. Planned and existing transportation and capital projects will be cancelled or delayed.

As winter approaches, Oregonians can expect slower and less frequent snow and ice removal, particularly in rural and mountainous areas where fewer staff will have to cover more miles of roadway. Deicing treatments will be scaled back, increasing the risk of icy roads and dangerous driving conditions.

Drivers can expect longer and more frequent road closures. Some roads may close during storms if crews are not able to clear snow. With fewer staff, reopening those roads will take longer. 

For the past two biennia, ODOT has been holding hundreds of positions vacant to manage available resources. In addition to the planned layoffs, these vacant positions will also now be permanently eliminated. 

Click here for more information, or review it below:

ODOTFAQ_July7Download

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BLM mobilizes Fire Prevention and Education Team to combat human-caused fire threats in La Pine Basin

Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management announced Monday the mobilization of a National Fire Prevention and Education Team to address human-caused fires in the La Pine Basin.

The NFPET team is composed of fire prevention specialists from the BLM and U.S. Forest Service. The team’s initiatives will focus on enhancing wildfire education and prevention measures tailored specifically to the community’s needs.

The fire prevention team will operate with five key objectives:

Develop prevention messaging to target human-caused fires.

Increase awareness by elevating the engagement of Federal Land Management Agencies within the La Pine community.

Collaborate with key partners across Central Oregon to effectively disseminate fire prevention messaging.

Integrate local expertise from assigned resources to initiate positive community involvement.

Develop a fire prevention strategy to reduce the number of human-caused fire starts in the La Pine Basin.

“This proactive approach is crucial for safeguarding our communities and natural resources against the risk of wildfires,” said Jona Ensley, BLM Assistant Fire Management Officer. “By working closely with local residents and organizations, we can create a culture of prevention that aims to reduce fire risks to communities and infrastructure.”

The BLM invites community members to share the responsibility of protecting the landscapes in the La Pine Basin.

For more information on fire prevention initiatives or to get involved, please contact Jona Ensley at (541) 416- 6423 or jensley@blm.gov.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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Crook County fire grows to 450 acres, new 3-acre fire stopped near Mt. Bachelor ahead of Red Flag Warning, more lightning

Barney Lerten

(Update: New size on Sunrise Fire; new blaze near Kapka Butte stopped)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — One of several new fires quickly grew to about 450 acres in eastern Crook County on Monday, while another east of Mount Bachelor burned about three acres before it was stopped, as crews prepared for potential abundant lightning from a new round of storms on Tuesday.

The Sunrise Fire was reported shortly before 11 a.m. Monday, five miles southeast of milepost 49 on state Highway 380, and was reported at 450 acres by late afternoon, Watch Duty reported.

The smoke plume could be seen over a wide area, including from the AlertWest-University of Oregon camera on Hampton Butte.

Another new fire, the Katalo Fire (Incident 485) was burning Monday afternoon southeast of Kapka Butte on the Deschutes National Forest, east of Mt. Bachelor. It was estimated at three acres before forward progress was stopped, according to a post late Monday afternoon by fire officials.

Heavy helicopters were cooling hot spots while a bulldozer, a Type 2 hand crew, a five-person Oregon Department of Forestry crew and two engine crews worked to establish a fire line around the perimeter. Once the spread was halted, firefighters shifted to securing the perimeter and mopping up the fire.

Other smaller fires were tackled around the region, including a brush and grass fire reported at midday off Yucca Court in the Cimarron City area east of Bend Airport that burned about a quarter-acre before it was doused.

Further east, the 35-acre Bad Water Fire off U.S. Highway 20 near milepost 176 in the Drewsey area prompted ODOT to advise drivers to prepare to slow down and use caution.

KTVZ News Fire Alert will keep you up to date as a Fire Weather Watch (Red Flag Warning) is in place for 2-11 p.m. Tuesday for potential lightning.

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OSU-Cascades puts Graduate & Research Center up for sale for $8.2 million, will consolidate Bend campus operations

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Planners at Oregon State University-Cascades said Monday they are seeking to sell the Graduate & Research Center as they prepare for the consolidation of academic and other operations onto the university campus on Chandler Avenue in Bend.

The Graduate & Research Center will be listed for sale this week with Fratzke Commercial for $8.2 million, the university said in Monday’s announcement. 

The Graduate & Research Center is OSU-Cascades’ only off-campus property. Located at 650 SW Columbia Street in Bend, the 28,000-square-foot building was purchased in 2011 with private, state and university funds. 

“By selling the Graduate & Research Center as outlined in our long-range development plan, we can centralize our mission on OSU-Cascades’ 128-acre campus, enhancing student engagement; increasing student, faculty and staff interactions; and providing more cost-efficient access to services,” said Laurie Hill, chief business officer at OSU-Cascades. 

Hill explained that proceeds from a sale would be reinvested in the development of the campus.

The Graduate & Research Center currently houses classrooms and other space for master’s programs in teaching and counseling, an undergraduate computer science program, the Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability Lab, the Laboratory for the American Conversation and the Central Oregon Innovation Hub, and other campus groups. 

The building hosts classes for about 285 students each term and office space for about 30 faculty, researchers and staff, including in shared workspaces. Following the sale of the building, employees and academic operations will be eventually moved to the nearby campus.

The Graduate & Research Center also houses an early childhood learning center, which will move into to the new Little Kits Early Learning and Child Care Center, located on the OSU-Cascades campus. Little Kits is slated to open in August.

News release from Fratzke Commercial Real Estate Advisors:

Fratzke Commercial Real Estate Advisors, Inc.,

Announces Oregon State University – Cascades campus,

Graduate & Research Center – FOR SALE.

Bend, Oregon, July 7th, 2025 – Fratzke Commercial Real Estate Advisors, Inc., is proud to announce the Oregon State University-Cascades campus, Graduate & Research Center, is now FOR SALE.

Located at 650 NW Columbia Avenue, Bend, Oregon, the 27,394+/- Rentable Square Foot, Class A steel frame building, formerly known as Millpoint 7000, is now for sale at $8,225,000.00.

The building is designed and engineered as a three (3)-level steel structure including dedicated tuck under parking, elevator service, Three Phase 480v, 2000 amp, electrical service, providing the Buyer, in place utilities to support a Biotech/Research & Development Facility, Manufacturing, or in-suite Medical Surgery Center and related medical services.

The decision to sell the GRC supports OSU’s strategic goals, consolidating all instruction on the One hundred twenty-eight (128) acre contiguous campus on Century Drive and Chandler Avenue, Bend, Oregon. The proceeds from the sale will be used for the development of infrastructure and buildings for the growth of OSU-Cascades.

Fratzke Commercial is the Exclusive Commercial Real Estate Brokerage marketing the GRC for sale.

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Prineville murder and attempted murder suspect arraigned on indictment, pleads not guilty

Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, not guilty pleas)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ)– Prineville resident Martin Ray Terry, who was arraigned last week on murder, manslaughter, attempted murder and assault charges, was back in Crook County Court Monday afternoon for another arraignment hearing on a grand jury indictment.

He was charged after an incident two weeks ago in Prineville at the Grasshopper Village Apartments on NW 10th Street left Robert Allen Winter dead and the suspect and Steven Kyle Hutchinson seriously injured.

Terry, 36, who is being held without bail at the Crook County Jail, was arraigned last week by video before Circuit Judge Wade Whiting on eight initial felony charges filed by District Attorney Kari Hathorn: second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Those are the charges listed in the indictment returned Thursday, which was filed in court Monday morning and you can read below.

Terry entered a not guilty plea Monday through his defense attorney, MIcah Moskowitz, as a courtroom filled with family and friends of the victims.

KTVZ News spoke with family and friends of the victims and Terry last week.

Martin Terry indictmentDownload

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Plea hearing delayed a month for Redmond woman charged with murdering her mother

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, information from Monday’s hearing)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jessica Andersch, charged with second-degree murder in the killing of her mother a month ago, appeared Monday afternoon in Deschutes County Circuit Court. The hearing was set for Andersch to enter a plea in the case, but that was delayed by more than a month.

Andersch’s attorney requested a delay in the entry of plea and proposed a new date of Wednesday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m. Judge Randy Miller granted the postponement.

Andersch, appearing by video from the county jail, stood up to leave after her attorney voiced the request but prior to the judge’s reply, saying ‘Thank you, judge,’  mistakenly thinking her attorney’s voice was that of the judge. She promptly sat back down and waited for Miller’s response when she was corrected.

Andersch was arrested on June 8th after calling 911 to report that she murdered her mother in the home they shared in SW Redmond. She has been held without bail since her arrest. 

When police arrived at the home, they found Andersch covered in blood. Her mother, Tracy Berry, was found deceased after being fatally stabbed. 

Andersch was originally charged with both murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon; the weapons charge was dropped when she was indicted. 

Andersch has had a lengthy criminal history in the state of Oregon prior to her arrest for the murder — ranging from theft, unauthorized use of vehicle, and drug use.

Redmond residents who interacted with Andersch in the past, and others who knew of her online, raised questions on social media about potential mental illness based on their interactions with her. Andersch’s mental health status has not been confirmed or denied by any valid sources.

KTVZ News will continue to update you on the developments in this case.

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Pacific Power explains safety system behind recent power outages across Bend

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With multiple power outages affecting thousands of Bend residents in recent weeks, some are becoming worried – not just about inconvenience, but about what they call a lack of both communication and balance from their power company.

KTVZ News spoke with Bend resident, Mark Mariotti, who has recently experienced two two-hour outages within one week. “I’m really concerned of what the future is going to be like. You would think Pacific Power would be concerned about that too,” said Mariotti.

We reached out to Pacific Power who said these outages are not planned shut-offs, but automatic responses triggered by their ‘enhanced safety settings’.

The safety system is designed to shut off power instantly when wildlife, vegetation, or high winds interfere with power lines – especially in areas flagged as elevated wildfire risk by their meteorology team.

Questions about the system’s sensitivity has come into question for some customers. “Maybe they’ve gone too far on the spectrum where they’re shutting off power when it really didn’t need to be,” said Mariotti.

Pacific Power says these safety settings help prevent wildfires, and that customers were informed via email before fire season that outages could become more frequent. 

They say they’re also working to reduce how often they happen and how long they last.

Simon Gutierrez, spokesperson for Pacific Power, told KTVZ, “The safety of our customers and communities is our top priority. Pacific Power continues to focus on wildfire prevention while balancing reliability. We know that power outages are truly a hardship and we strive to provide safe, reliable power to our customers.”

“We all want to prevent fires. But we need a balance, some kind of a common sense,” said Mariotti. 

Pacific Power urges you to contact customer service if you need support or backup. They do offer assistance programs available for those with medical conditions that require power. 

Still, some feel more transparency is needed – especially when danger isn’t necessarily visible, and automated messages are delayed.

“With no communication at all other than the automated responses from Pacific Power, what do I do? I think communication really paves the future way. You need to be able to understand,” said Mariotti. 

As wildfire risk remains across Central Oregon, Pacific Power says safety will remain the priority – even if that means more frequent outages. 

You are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for an outage. Contact your power company to seek their assistance in solutions for you and your home. 

For more information from Pacific Power on their wildfire safety systems, you can visit their dedicated site here.

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Central Oregon animal shelters see increase in lost pets during July 4th holiday

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — While humans were enjoying the fireworks this Fourth of July, many pets had a different experience. 

Loud booms, bright lights, and sudden noise can cause many animals to panic, or even run. 

Animals shelters throughout Central Oregon tend to see at least ten times the normal amount of intakes during the Fourth of July holiday.

Nationally, the American Humane Society estimates July 5th is the busiest day of the year for shelters. 

While many pets are reunited with their families right away, others aren’t so lucky. In some cases, it can take skittish animals days to be captured.

Experts say the best way to protect your pets is to secure them indoors, create calm environments, and check that your pet’s ID tag and microchip information provides sufficient information to reach you. 

If your pet is missing, check with all local shelters (as pets can travel quite a distance when scared), and post on community pages.

Some suggest leaving some of your worn clothes outdoors or on your nearest street corner to help your pet find its way home through scent.

Though fireworks are now banned in most cities across Central Oregon and on public lands, the risk of illegal fireworks being used is still high. It is recommended you continue to secure your pets through the entirety of the holiday weekend. 

If your pet does end up at a shelter, please be sure to pick them up right away as space is especially limited in the days surround July 4th.

Here is contact information for local shelters:

Humane Society of the Ochocos – 541-447-7178

Humane Society of Central Oregon – 541-382-3537

BrightSide Animal Shelter – 541-923-0882

Below is additional information from the American Humane Society:

Tips to Keep your Pets Safe this Fourth of July 

Keep pets inside and shielded from loud noises. Keep windows closed and draw the shades to minimize the sound and flashes of light. 

Be sure that all ID tags are properly affixed to your pet’s collar.

Update your microchip registrations and pet license information. 

If loud noises upset your pets, do not leave them alone; ensure someone can stay with them. 

If you’re the one staying with them, act calm and give them reassuring pets and physical touch, pets, belly rubs, etc.; animals look to you to see how you’re reacting.  

Look into commercially available products that help to reduce stress, like species specific pheromones. 

If you think your pets might need medication to help ease their stress, consult your veterinarian well in advance. 

Contact an animal behaviorist to work with your pets on their fears. With some positive reinforcement and behavior modification training, by next Independence Day, you all may be worry-free! 

With these tips and tricks, we can keep our furry companions relaxed throughout the holiday—and make sure the Fourth of July is a joyful occasion for all.

Celebrate safely and happily this Independence Day—your pets will thank you. 

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Bend climber takes 1st in youth national bouldering; Earns spot on U.S. youth national team

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A Bend teen is climbing to new heights. Nathaniel Perullo from the Bend Endurance Academy just took first place in bouldering at the USA Climbing Youth Championships in Portland. His victory earned him a spot on the US youth national team and a trip to compete at the youth World Championships in Finland.

Nathaniel has trained with the Bend Endurance Academy for years. He says achieving this title is the result of nearly a decade of hard work. In all, 5 local athletes competed with Bend climbers earning top finishes across several disciplines. A big congratulations to all the athletes, especially Nathan, from all of us at KTVZ News.

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