Category: ktvz-local-news

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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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked two locals after they spotted and helped stop a brush fire, using a water hose and shovel. Though Central Oregon has experienced rainfall this Independence Day, wildfire risk is still extremely high with lightning, high winds, and even flooding forecasted.

Below is the full post from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office:

Clayton and Jeaneva sprung into action this afternoon when they saw a brush fire in the area of NW Lower Bridge Way and NW Quail Road. They used a water hose and shovel to stop the fire from spreading and help extinguish the fire.

With current dry conditions and afternoon winds picking up, their actions were invaluable to preventing another wildfire in Deschutes County. Be safe out there as you celebrate Independence Day.

Happy 4th of July from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office!

***End of Post

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For this month’s ‘21 Cares for Kids: Making a Difference’ spotlight, we’re highlighting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon—a youth mentoring network solely supported by donors and volunteers.

“The first thing we did is go climbing at the Bend Rock Gym,” said Ryan Bukstein, a Big Brother.

Ryan and Maddox have a lot of fun together.

Ryan and Maddox

“I had never climbed before and so that was really cool for me because it was a little scary. And (Maddox) had climbed,” Ryan said. “He’s a really talented climber, loves it, so he got to help me learn to climb.” 

Their relationship blossomed two years ago when Ryan decided he wanted to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon (BBBSCO).

“My wife and I decided we weren’t going to have kids, and I wanted kids to be a part of my life. So I was looking into the options there. And I had heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters, so I just hit them up and they connected me,” Ryan said. “Actually, I told them that I really wanted a younger kid, and so that opened me up to a lot more options. And (Maddox) was the first person I met with. I went to his house, and immediately he was like, ‘Let’s go ride bikes!’ And they were like, ‘No, we have to do this match process first.’ But he was in it from the start. So it was really cool, we hit it off.”

Ryan Bukstein

Since then, it’s been nothing but good times and lasting memories—something many Central Oregon kids are able to experience through BBBSCO. 

“We serve over 220 kids each year through Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties, kids from all communities from La Pine and Madras,” said Jenn Davis, the program director.

Jenn Davis

Jenn gets to see the program’s impact first-hand. 

“Mentoring has proven that it has an impact on our economy. Kids who have a stable mentor in their life are more likely to graduate high school and go on to secondary education,” Jenn said. “They’re more likely to make two-thirds greater income over their lifetime than their non-mentored peers, and they close the economic gap. They’re more likely to have the income closer to their mentors and their families. It really improves our economy.”

Big and Little sisters

And now, in a space that’s brand new, the opportunities are endless. 

“Big Brothers Big Sisters moved on to the J Bar J community campus back in February. We’re so grateful to have this space,” Jenn said. “We have 20 acres for our kids to come out and enjoy our therapeutic horse program. It’s a space for them to spend time with their mentors. They can cook and bake and do arts and crafts. We started a tutoring program this summer. Lots of activities for them to engage in a safe place.”

Engaging activities in a safe place—something Ryan says all Central Oregonians can take part in with just a little free time and a lot of heart. 

“So many people in Bend have the time to be a part of this. And I think here in Central Oregon, we could be an example for other areas, leading the charge,” Ryan said. “Reach out, come out here.”

If you’re interested in becoming a mentor with BBBSCO, or if you have a child you think would benefit from having a mentor, click here for more information.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is moving its online dog licensing program to DocuPet, simplifying the process for owners to license their dogs, comply with state regulations, and ensure a quick reunion if their dogs go missing.  

Under Oregon law, all dog owners are required to vaccinate their pets against rabies and obtain a license in the county where they reside. Deschutes County issues licenses for county pet owners, including licenses for all cities within the county. Currently, only an estimated 32% of dogs in the county are licensed. The goal in transitioning the online program is to streamline the process and increase registration by providing a user-friendly platform.   

Key features to using the DocuPet platform include:

Convenience: Owners create secure online profiles at deschutescounty.docupet.com to purchase or renew dog licenses. These profiles allow owners to upload photos, store microchip numbers, rabies certificates and other important information to aid in finding dogs if they get lost. Profiles can be easily updated with changes such as owner relocation, ownership transfers, or changes to the dog’s details or status. Owners can quickly generate Lost Pet Reports online.

Compliance: Dogs six months or older or those with permanent canine teeth, whichever comes first, must be licensed per state law. New dog owners or new county residents have 30 days to license their dogs.

Extended Customer Service: Online support is available beyond normal business hours, including on Saturdays, with services in Spanish to enhance community accessibility.

Additional Benefits: Every license includes the HomeSafe 24/7 lost pet service, which helps keep dogs out of shelters and returns them home safely. Additionally, owners can choose from a variety of colorful dog tags or design their own. Each tag contains a unique code linking to the dog’s online profile, enabling anyone finding a lost pet to report it easily.

The annual licensing fee in Deschutes County is $36 for unaltered dogs and $22 for spayed or neutered dogs, with options for two- or three-year licenses. Service animals are exempt from fees but are still required to be licensed. To license a service animal, please contact Deschutes County directly at (541) 388-6637.

For more information or to license your dog online, visit deschutescounty.docupet.com.

Community members who prefer to pay with cash or check can obtain dog licenses in person at the Deschutes County Services building, located at 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend, or through local humane societies.

You can learn more about the county dog licensing program by listening to Episode 53 of the Inside Deschutes County podcast.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nothing says summer like baseball and fireworks, and the Bend Elks have both Thursday night.

Around 9 p.m., the team will hold its annual fireworks show at Vince Genna Stadium. The celebration will light up the sky for about 20 minutes after the Bend Elks take on and defeat the Walla Walla Sweets.

The game starts at 6:35 p.m., so the fireworks are expected to begin just after 9 p.m.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools said Thursday it would like to remind residents and visitors that the use of fireworks is not permitted on school grounds, including playgrounds, fields, parking lots and sidewalks.

Here’s the rest of their announcement:

This applies to all our Bend properties, which fall under the City of Bend fireworks ban, as well as our campuses outside of Bend city limits, including our schools in La Pine and Sunriver.

Discharging fireworks is prohibited due to safety concerns, risk of fire, potential for property damage, and litter from spent fireworks. In previous years, district maintenance teams have needed to clean up messes left from the discharge of fireworks on school property, including aerial fireworks that land on school roofs.

Security personnel will patrol school district properties on and around the Independence Day holiday. In Bend, fireworks complaints may be directed to fireworks@bendoregon.gov.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Board of Commissioners have invited representatives from PacifiCorp to attend a public community meeting to discuss the Blueprint South 500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project.

The meeting will take place on:

Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Powell Butte Community Center

Address: 8404 SW Reif Rd, Powell Butte, OR 97753

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the status of the proposed transmission line project and give residents an opportunity to hear directly from PacifiCorp. Company representatives will present information about the project’s current phase, routing considerations, and anticipated timelines, followed by a Q&A session to address public questions and concerns.

“We’ve heard from many community members who are concerned about possible plans and want more transparency and clarity around this project,” said Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford. “We appreciate PacifiCorp’s willingness to engage directly with the public.”

All interested residents, landowners, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact the Crook County Commissioners’ Office at (541) 447-6555.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As part of its commitment to enhancing dark skies in the community, the Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 10, to consider proposed amendments to county outdoor lighting regulations.

The Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners have expressed support for amending the county outdoor lighting ordinance. After receiving feedback from two panels convened on the topic, Community Development staff have proposed changes to the ordinance that address public concerns about light pollution.

The proposed amendments include:

Simplifying the code to support responsible lighting practices

Updating terminology to better reflect current lighting fixtures

Utilizing the guiding principles of Dark Sky International, which offer best practices for responsible lighting

Clarifying types of facilities and lighting fixtures that are exempt

The public is invited to attend a public hearing during the Planning Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, in the Barnes Sawyer Room of the Deschutes County Services Building, located at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend. Community members can provide feedback in person or virtually. The meeting agenda and virtual log in information can be found at www.deschutes.org/meetings.

You can find more information about the proposed lighting control amendments at this link.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — While tradition calls for fun at the 4th of July Pet Parade, precautions are necessary for pets and people. The Humane Society of Central Oregon wants pets participating in the parade to remain healthy and safe.

Here’s what they shared with us Thursday:

Bring plenty of water and a pet bowl to the pet parade, whether as a participant or a spectator on the curb with your dog. Be willing to adapt your parade plans.

Safety considerations include leaving your pet in a cool home and bringing a stuffed animal instead. Other options include using a stroller or wagon to pull your pet.

Leave the parade route if your pet demonstrates intolerance towards the heat. Watch for excessive panting, seeking shade, dancing on the hot asphalt, or lying down.

“We all know the dangers of leaving a pet in a hot car, but there are heat concerns when our pets are outdoors,” said Crystal Bloodworth, DVM, of the Humane Society of Central Oregon.

“Dogs need to pant to cool themselves, as they do not sweat. This isn’t always enough, however, as cool water and shade can help. Paying attention to your pet while outdoors in the heat is critical to ensuring a fun day for everyone,” said Dr. Bloodworth.

Senior, obese, short-muzzled dogs (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc.) and long-haired breeds are discouraged in extreme heat.  Another concern in high temperatures is hot asphalt, which can cause damage to paw pads.

Tips for keeping your pet comfortable at the Pet Parade include:

•          Before and after the parade, find a cool, shaded place to rest.

•          Do not arrive too early: staging begins at 8:30 am; the parade starts at 9:30 am.

•          Bring plenty of cool water for you and your pet. Water will be available at the parade staging area and HSCO will provide water en route – look for the orange flags at street intersections.

•          Utilize dog cooling vests, dog booties, misting or wetting your dog down.

•          Allow dogs to cool off in the water pools at the staging area and finish.

•          Get creative and place your pet in a shaded, decorated stroller or wagon to keep them off of the hot asphalt.

•          Watch for signs of your pet’s paw pads overheating or soreness – picking up paws, seeking shade and avoiding walking by sitting or lying down.

•          Do not leave your pet in the car, not even for a few minutes.

•          Learn to recognize the signs of heat stroke: Faster, heavier panting; excessive thirst and/or drooling with hanging strands of saliva; whining or signs of agitation; decreased responsiveness; glassy eyes; increased pulse/ heartbeat; elevated body temperature and staggering, weakness, collapse, seizures and/or unconsciousness.

•          If your pet shows heat-related symptoms, immediately go to a shaded area or a dog-friendly business that may let your dog cool in the air-conditioned store so you can assess your pet’s condition.

•          If you think your pet will be challenged by warm temperatures, BPRD and the Humane Society of Central Oregon encourage you to leave your pet at home.

Should you need any emergency veterinary services over the holiday weekend, there are two emergency animal clinics in Bend, Bend Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Center (541 385-9110) and Veterinary Referral Center Urgent Care (541 209-6960) or call your veterinarian.

For additional information on the Pet Parade, visit www.bendparksandrec.org.

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About the Humane Society of Central Oregon:

Founded in 1961, the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is a full-service animal shelter located at 61170 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR. As a Socially Conscious Shelter, HSCO is dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes for all animals under its care. In the past year, HSCO found homes for more than 2,200 animals and reunited 659 pets with their families. Our community outreach includes accessible veterinary care and the HOPE pet food bank, which support the needs of pet owners in Central Oregon. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information, visit hsco.org or call 541-382-3537.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The owner of a Prineville car dealership, the focus of recent KTVZ Problem Solvers reports for allegedly scamming clients while selling their vehicles, has been arrested on 35 counts of aggravated ID theft, forgery and illegal consignment practices. 

Michael Dwayne Smetzer Jr., 37, of Prineville, entered not guilty pleas to all of the felony and misdemeanor charges through his attorney during his arraignment Thursday before Crook County Circuit Judge Wade Whiting. Smetzer, who was arrested Wednesday by Crook County sheriff’s deputies, appeared by video from jail. 

In a three-part Problem Solvers report late last year, KTVZ’s Matthew Draxton spoke with several of Smetzer’s customers about their experiences with the business, saying they did not receive the money for the vehicles months later. One said Smetzer told him the issues were with the finance company and were out of his hands. 

Deputy District Attorney Paxton Deuel said at Thursday’s hearing that the alleged crimes occurred over a two-year period, during which Smetzer sold cars but failed to pay his victims, and “forged titles and bill of sales. Right now, there’s 13 alleged victims stemming from his actions over two years.” 

The judge told Smetzer that each of the Class B felonies carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the Class C charges could bring five-year prison terms and a $125,000 fine. You can read the full indictment below this article. 

Whiting asked the prosecutor if they had calculated the total alleged losses. Deuel said each of the aggravated thefts involved sums of $15,000 to $20,000, so it totals “well over $100,000.” 

It also came to light during the court proceeding, as Smetzer asked for a court-appointed attorney, that he is in arrears for $62,000 in unpaid child support. 

Defense attorney A Vada Camacho asked the judge that Smetzer be granted conditional release, since he apparently has no criminal history.  

But Whiting said he had reviewed the indictment, and due to “the severity and number of charges,” set his bail at $50,000. If Smetzer is able to post 10 percent and gain release, the judge ordered that he have no contact with any of the alleged victims. 

Smetzer is due back in court next Thursday for a pre-trial conference. 

Michael Smetzer indictmentDownload

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