Category: ktvz-local-news

Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding comments from pyrotechnicians, Bend Fire)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The colorful, bombastic Pilot Butte Fireworks Show is just a day away, and Sure Shot Fireworks and fire officials are preparing for the big night.

Chris Mattison with Sureshot Fireworks said Thursday, “We increased the show for you guys this year for the team, for the city of Bend. We’re ready to rock a show for you guys!”

Hundreds of fireworks, big mortars, and the longest show so far are all in store for viewers of the display.

“You’re going to see a plethora,” said Mattison. “We’re going to be shooting so many shells that the whole butte will be lit the whole time. We have shells that when they break, they’ll be just as large as the butte itself.”

The butte is hosed down for three days before the show, to ensure fires that are sparked don’t grow. Four volunteer fire crews also will be on the scene, extinguishing any problems throughout the night.

Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki has worked the holiday for years.

“You’ll be able to see all the headlamps run around the side of the butte. We have fire trucks that are mobile and fire trucks in place with hoses off of them,” he said. “They’re ready to go. They can get to those fires very quickly and get them stopped. Last year, we had no fires. One year before, we had two spot fires. So kind of goes back and forth.”

Sureshot Fireworks gained community support for this year’s show, with materials like wood, sand, and trailers. The show is sponsored by Subaru of Bend. 

The show begins at 10 p.m. Friday and lasts more than 20 minutes. The butte will be back open to the public on July 6th. 

And remember: You can watch the fireworks displays in Bend and Redmond as well on the Fourth of July Live Fireworks Spectacular, at 10 p.m. Friday on KTVZ and starting at 9:45 p.m. on KTVZ+.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — College View, a newly constructed multi-family apartment community, is now accepting applications and will host a special Application Event on Friday and Saturday, July 11th and 12th.

Offering spacious 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment homes, College View is conveniently located next to the OSU Cascades campus and features upscale amenities designed to meet the needs of today’s renters.  The rents are $925 for a one-bedroom, $1,025 for a two-bedroom and $1,150 for a three-bedroom.  Household incomes must be below 50-60% of the area median income.  

Due to high local interest, we encourage prospective residents to attend the upcoming Application Event: 

College View Application Event 📍 2017 NE Full Moon Drive, Bend, OR 97701 🗓️ Friday, July 11th | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 🗓️ Saturday, July 12th | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Bring your completed application, ID, and income documentation.  Each applicant aged 18 and older must submit a complete application. 

Download the application and learn more here:  https://housing-works.org/our-properties 

College View is the newest addition to the Housing Works portfolio and is proudly managed by Cascade Management. Together, we are committed to expanding access to quality, affordable housing in Central Oregon. 

Lynne McConnell 

Housing Works 

Executive Director 

lmcconnell@housing-works.org 

Tiffany Hopp 

Cascade Management, Inc. 

Marketing and Communications Manager 

Tiffany.hopp@cascade-management.com 

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue, the City of Redmond & Redmond Police Department officials said Wednesday they are concerned about potential fireworks-related fires and personal injuries as the Fourth of July draws near.

One of the most common fireworks-related fires that Redmond Fire & Rescue crews respond to involves “spent” fireworks placed in grocery sacks that rekindle and spread to fences, decks, and even homes.

The best and safest plan is to attend a professional fireworks display and eliminate the risk altogether. Instead of lighting your own legal fireworks, view the professional show launched from the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Residents can drop off unwanted fireworks (illegal or legal) at any Redmond Fire & Rescue fire station for disposal.

If your intent is to use fireworks, keep it legal.

Oregon law bans fireworks that fly, explode, or move across the ground more than six feet or up in the air more than 12 inches. This includes popular items like bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, and M80s.

Residents should purchase all fireworks at a licensed Oregon fireworks stand. Fireworks purchased by mail order or in the state of Washington or at Native American reservations are illegal in our state.

Many firework-related fires are caused by careless use or improper disposal of legal fireworks. Even legal fireworks are dangerous and have caused injuries and burns to users, especially unsupervised children. This includes sparklers. They can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees; wood burns at 575 degrees, while glass melts at 900 degrees (National Fire Protection Association).

Redmond Fire & Rescue advises you to celebrate safely this year by following these safety tips:

• Only adults should light or handle fireworks. Supervise children at all times.• Store fireworks, matches, and lighters out of the reach of children.• Use fireworks outdoors on a paved surface, away from buildings, vehicles, and vegetation.• Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings.• Never pick up or try to re-light a “dud.”• Never alter fireworks or make your own.

• Have a hose nearby in case of fire and place “spent” fireworks in a metal bucket with water and completely soak the spent fireworks.

Under Oregon law, the Fire Marshal’s Office and law enforcement can seize illegal fireworks and issue criminal citations with fines up to $500 per violation and a sentence of up to 6 months in jail. Individuals can be held civilly liable for damages resulting from improper use of any fireworks — legal or illegal. 

Individuals using fireworks can also commit other criminal offenses, including reckless burning, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and more, which can have large fines and jail/prison time. Use of illegal fireworks within Redmond City limits may result in a fine of $1,500, repeat offenders may receive a fine up to $6,000.

Oregon law also makes parents liable for damage caused by their children and allows fire departments to charge for the cost of suppressing fires caused by fireworks. Additionally, the use of illegal fireworks constitutes criminal activity, and your insurance policy may not cover you if you engage in a criminal act that results in damage.

Please do not call 911 to report fireworks use. It is very important the 911 system be kept for reporting emergencies, active fires, and serious medical problems. Firework concerns may be reported via email to reportfireworks@redmondoregon.gov or by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at 541-693-6911.

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Fire & EMS has been awarded $1.9 million from the Oregon Legislature to assist with the ongoing expansion and remodel of its existing fire station.

“This critical investment will help bring the project to completion,” the agency said Wednesday in a news release that continues below: 

The funding will allow the district to upgrade its nearly 40-year-old facility to meet current building codes and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. It will also provide modern living quarters designed to accommodate a diverse workforce, ensuring a safe and functional space for its personnel to work.  

Importantly, the state funding enables the department to redirect a portion of its voter-approved bond—passed in May 2024—toward other essential fire and EMS equipment needs. These resources will strengthen emergency response capabilities and support the district’s mission to serve the community. 

Fire Chief Jeff Blake expressed his appreciation to those who made the funding possible, stating: 

“We are an organization with many needs,” Blake said. “I want to personally thank Representatives Greg Smith, Vikki Breese-Iverson, and Senator Mike McLane for their strong support in this process. Without their help, this would have been very difficult to accomplish.” 

Jefferson County Fire & EMS is grateful for the continued support from the legislature and community as it works to build a safer and more resilient organization.  

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – State Senator Anthony Broadman, Representative Emerson Levy and Representative Jason Kropf announced Wednesday a series of key investments secured for Central Oregon in Oregon’s 2025–2027 state budget.

Representing one of the fastest-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, the Central Oregon delegation worked collaboratively to deliver critical funding for public safety, mental health, health care access, economic development, and cultural preservation. 

“These are investments in the future of Central Oregon—health care access, public safety, and community resilience,” said Senator Broadman. “We came to the table with clear priorities, and I’m proud to say we delivered.” 

“Working together across chambers, we made sure Central Oregon’s voice was heard,” said Representative Kropf. “These projects will have a real and lasting impact.” 

“Our region is growing fast, and these targeted investments will help us meet the needs of today and tomorrow,” said Representative Levy. “We’re building capacity in mental health, health care access, and emergency response.” 

Together, the lawmakers championed the inclusion of the following regional projects: 

$10,128,616 for CORE3: A state-of-the-art regional emergency coordination center and public safety training facility. 

$3,121,146 for a Central Oregon Child Psychiatric Facility: Providing long-overdue, critically needed pediatric mental health bed capacity. 

$4,045,902 for Mosaic Community Health: Supporting construction of a new community health campus in Bend. 

$2,000,000 for the High Desert Museum: Enhancing exhibits, visitor facilities, and educational programming. 

$3,843,973 for the Warm Springs Commissary Project: Advancing food access, retail space, and economic opportunity in Warm Springs. 

$10,000,000 for the Industrial Site Readiness Loan Fund (HB 2411): Unlocking land for job creation and rural economic development across Oregon. 

In a joint statement, Broadman, Levy, and Kropf added: “This is a major win for Central Oregon—and we’re proud of what we were able to bring home for our constituents and the good people of this region. We know not every priority made it across the finish line this time, but the work doesn’t stop here. We’re proud of where we landed today, and it’s a testament to what strong advocacy and collaboration can accomplish for a growing and dynamic region like ours.”

These appropriations were included in HB 5006 and HB 5531, which together make up the 2025–2027 capital construction and targeted investment plan. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A suspected child abuser living illegally in Culver has been arrested on federal charges, accused of enticing and sexually abusing a minor in Oregon and Washington, federal prosecutors said.

Leonias Juber Ramos-Garcia, 25, a Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Culver, has been charged by criminal complaint with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to court documents, in 2024, Ramos-Garcia met the minor at a business in Jefferson County, Oregon. In February of this year, undeterred by the minor’s age, Ramos-Garcia gave the minor a note that contained cash and professed his affection for the minor, prosecutors said.

In March, Ramos-Garcia is alleged to have engaged in sexually explicit communication with the minor and, despite the victim’s reluctance, Ramos-Garcia persuaded the minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct at a hotel in Central Oregon.

In April, Ramos-Garcia traveled from Oregon to Washington and took the victim to a second hotel, where he again sexually abused the minor, federal prosecutors said.

Ramos-Garcia was arrested Tuesday in Culver and made his first appearance in Eugene federal court Wednesday before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Madras Police Department. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

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 as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 72-year-old Oregon State Penitentiary inmate who was convicted and received a lengthy sentence in a 2003 robbery, kidnapping and assault in Bend died Wednesday morning at the prison’s infirmary, Oregon Department of Corrections officials said.

Stuart Ross Anderson III “passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care,” the announcement said.

As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

Anderson entered state custody on June 22, 2004, from Deschutes County, with an earliest release date of January 4, 2040. Anderson was 72 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

According to a state Court of Appeals ruling that affirmed Anderson’s lengthy sentence, the then-Bend resident entered a fabric store (Joann’s Fabrics) in Bend on August 10, 2003, approached a cashier and demanded money, claiming to have a gun.

After receiving money, he left and crossed the parking lot toward Timber’s Tavern, where a worker was outside talking with a friend.

The ruling, quoting official accounts, said Anderson tried to enter the worker’s truck and demanded the man give him a ride. He refused and dragged Anderson out of his truck, then began walking away.

A fabric store employee yelled to the tavern worker, asking him to stop Anderson because he’d just robbed the store. As he approached the suspect, Anderson pulled a heavy rubber mallet from his bag and struck the victim in the head, knocking him unconscious. He was soon arrested by Bend Police.

DOC said it “takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.”

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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Harley Coldiron

(Update: adding video)

The entire press conference, livestreamed on KTVZ+, can be viewed in full by clicking the video above.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At a virtual press conference Wednesday afternoon, a wide array of top Oregon Democrats slammed President Trump’s budget proposal bill, which they warned would lead to thousands of Oregonians losing health care coverage and food assistance, while slashing taxes for billionaires and corporations.

The White House and Republican congressional leadership are vigorously defending the bill. “The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay,” House GOP leaders said in a joint statement.

The bill would eliminate taxes for tips and overtime, while also slashing taxes for high-income earners and corporations. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says it will add nearly four trillion to the national debt. 

To help pay for this, the bill would increase work requirements for those on Medicaid and require them to prove their eligibility twice a year. 

The cuts would take a particular toll on people in rural areas who are more likely to receive their health insurance through Medicaid. Here in Central Oregon, one in every three residents use Medicaid for health care coverage. Many of them are children and families.

Oregon’s senators, governor, and congressional representatives all blasted the bill, including District 5 (D) Rep.Janelle Bynum, who said, “This bill is trash. T-R-A-S-H. Trash.” She added, “This bill will have devastating impacts for Oregonians. It will cause our rural hospitals to close, it will make health care more expensive and less accessible. It cuts SNAP, forcing seniors and kids to go hungry.”

Many speakers during the online news conference called on Oregon’s only Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz to vote no on the bill. Assuming all Democrats vote against the bill, Republicans can only afford for three Republicans to defect.

Gov. Tina Kotek said she has spoken with Rep.Bentz this week and told him to consider “the impacts on his district,” which consists of very rural areas of Eastern Oregon and parts of Central Oregon.

KTVZ News did reach out to hear his perspective, though we did not immediately hear back.

Other congressional Republicans say the bill helps fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to cut taxes. Some Republican hardliners did vote against the bill in the Senate, saying it adds too much to the national debt.

Congressional Democrats in the virtual press conference also focused their concerns on how the eligibility and work requirements could lead to thousands of Oregonians losing their medicaid coverage.

“I’m ready to take the fight to every committee room, every courtroom, and every newsroom to do it,” Rep. Bynum said, her voice full of emotion.

Governor Kotek and Rep. Salinas expressed their concerns about cuts to food programs, such as SNAP. Nearly 800,000 Oregonians receive SNAP, many of whom are family households with multiple children.

Rep.Salinas said Republicans aren’t voting on the bill based on policy but rather, “a loyalty test to Donald Trump”, adding she wasn’t confident her republican colleagues would “find a backbone.”

Senator Jeff Merkley joined others who said the Senate version of the bill was even worse than the one the House passed earlier.

“I know my House colleagues will do all they can to not accept the bill as the Senate passed it,” Merkley said. “This is not done. We still have a chance to kill this horrific bill that hurts families and helps billionaires.”

The revised bill now heads to another vote in the House of Representatives, with a vote expected sometime in the next few days.

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Barney Lerten

NEW YORK (KTVZ) — Bend’s job market leads the country, according to a new data-driven study of nearly 350 U.S. cities by the financial technology company SmartAsset.

The study analyzed 348 U.S. cities to evaluate key factors that impact workers and families, including income growth, unemployment, health insurance coverage, commute times, and remote work flexibility, to determine where job seekers and working households are best positioned for long-term success.

“Bend stood out for its strong performance across multiple indicators,” SmartAsset PR Manager Vanishaa Doshi told KTVZ News. “This ranking reflects how local economic conditions are helping residents not just find work, but build wealth, maintain work-life balance, and access important benefits like employer-sponsored health insurance.”

“Bend residents reflected a combination of relatively low unemployment (3.1%) and high income growth at 44.2% over three years,” the report said. “At the same time, work is accessible and flexible for many, with an average commute time of 16 minutes, while 26.9% work remotely.”

SmartAsset said it ranked those 348 U.S. cities based on six metrics from the latest Census Bureau data to help households determine which job markets might be most suitable for their financial goals.

“The demand for different career paths and qualifications varies widely from place to place, often depending on local economic features, including geography, infrastructure, politics, culture and resources,” the report said.

“Similarly, what makes one job market more appealing than others can depend on a job-hunter’s financial and familial circumstances. Not only does the presence of jobs and a high income count, but many households rely on health insurance, the possibility for income growth, a short enough commute to allow work-life balance, or even remote work in full.”

Find more details at: https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-job-markets-2025.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Revised size estimate, containment figure; Crook County drops Level 1 notice)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Numerous firefighters on the ground and in the air stopped the spread of a new grass fire that burned about 500 acres southeast of Madras near the Jefferson-Crook county line on Wednesday, prompting evacuations and alerts that later were reduced and dropped.

The Grizzly Flat Fire was reported shortly after noon about three miles north of Grizzly Mountain, south of the intersection of SE Ramms and Grizzly roads, according to Watch Duty. Forward progress was stopped on the fire by Wednesday evening and the fire, estimated late Wednesday at 624 acres, was mapped overnight at 496 acres, but officials later held to the higher figure.

As of Thursday afternoon, officials said the blaze was 65% contained, “with three crews and five engines working hard to further that.”

Here’s their Thursday afternoon update on the Grizzly Flat Fire:

Start Date: July 2 at 12:09

Location: Northwest of Prineville, OR

Jurisdiction: Oregon Department of Forestry–Prineville

Fire Size: 624 acres 

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: Grass, brush, juniper

Structures: No structures lost; all evacuations lifted

Fire Crews/Resources: Interagency fire crews are engaged and continuing mop-up. There is a fireline around the perimeter of the fire.

Containment: 60% Containment

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

The fire burned on land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, which posted this update Wednesday night:

“Thank you to all our friends and neighbors that helped stop the Grizzly Flat Fire today! The landowner and neighbors, Grizzly RFPA, Jefferson County Fire District, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Department, Crook County Sherrif’s Department, BLM, USFS, all those amazing aviation folks and dispatchers out there. This incident had significant potential to become a much bigger problem.

The fire is currently estimated to be 500 acres, expect that to change with more accurate mapping. Its expected to remain inside the current footprint and crews will be on scene into the night to keep it there. Please avoid the area as crews will be mopping up hot spots for the next few days.”

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.

—

Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook:

“Due to a fire off Grizzly, (Zone) SE 16 is in a level 3. SE 20 is a level two. SE15 is a level one. (CRR-1S-B was added later.)

Winds are blowing in a SE direction at this time. If levels change, we will let you know through the Everbridge alert app and here on Facebook.”

Around 6 p.m., they posted a good-news update:

“All zones are currently at a Level One. Thank you to all the hard work of the First Responders who assisted with the Grizzly Flat Fire. Still stay Ready to Go at any time.”

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office evacuation levels map: Red is Level 3 GO NOW, Yellow is Level 2 GET SET, Green is Level 1 GET READY

INTERACTIVE MAP: https://fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com/…/weba…/index.html…

Seven engine crews were dispatched Wednesday, along with a bulldozer, as firefighters worked to protect structures east of the fire.

Crook County, meanwhile, issued a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) notification for NW Grizzly Mountain Road, Ochoco West Subdivision, and NE Allen Creek/NE Lofton Creek.

Shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office posted: “CCSO Emergency Management has dropped the LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation for the Grizzly Flat Fire.”

No cause has been reported for the fire, but Central Oregon fire officials said the region received more than 2,700 lightning strikes from Tuesday’s thunderstorms.

They said, “13 new incidents within the same period are either completely contained or being actively worked.” Most were stopped at a small size, typically listed as 1/10th of an acre.

We will be tracking this new fire and others as they come to light, on KTVZ.COM and KTVZ+.

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