Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Verizon customers across Central Oregon are experiencing a service outage on Saturday.
Here’s what we know so far:
The outage began around 10 p.m. Friday night and is affecting communities across Central Oregon and as far north as Salem. Verizon officials say they’re still investigating the cause and don’t yet know when service will be restored.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Furnish Hope in Bend was chosen for this month’s Pay It Forward segment, which recognizes individuals and organizations making a positive impact in the community.
Through the Pay It Forward initiative with Mid Oregon Credit Union and Dutch Bros Coffee, Furnish Hope received a $500 award. The organization helps transform empty houses into fully furnished homes for people in need.
“On behalf of Dutch Bros Coffee and Mid Oregon Credit Union we would like to give you this $500. Wow thank you,” representatives said during the presentation.
The donation will support Furnish Hope’s Match Program, which aims to raise $50,000 before its grand opening and the unveiling of a new warehouse. Executive Director Megan Martin is encouraging community members to join the effort and “pay it forward.”
“Take each of these $100 bills and invite the listeners out there to consider what your gift of $100 would do. Just imagine a $100 gift being multiplied dollars for dollar and turning into a $50,000 match. All we need are 500 people out there, 500 people that believe in the mission of what we do, which is bringing hope to people throughout our community by showing up with something so simple and basic as household furnishings,” Martin said.
Over the past seven years, Furnish Hope has furnished more than 3,000 homes for families in need.
More information and donation opportunities are available at furnishhope.com.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual national recertification event for the U.S. Forest Service Helicopter Rappel Program is planned next week west of Bend, adjacent to Forest Service Road 41.
The event is scheduled to start next Monday, April 13, and run through April 21, officials said Friday. Additional days are possible if weather impacts helicopter operations.
During the training dates, the public can expect to see up to six helicopters hovering in the air west of Forest Service Road 41 and south of the Cascade Lakes Highway at any given time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., including on weekends.
While no trail or road closures are anticipated, officials say those recreating along Forest Service Road 41 and adjacent trails should adhere to any posted signage and avoid closed areas for their safety and the safety of training participants.
The national rappel event will provide certification for 65 spotters and 185 veteran rappellers.
Rappellers are aerial-delivered wildland firefighters who rappel out of a helicopter to fight wildfires that are often in remote, difficult-to-reach locations.
In addition to initial attack, rappel crews also respond to large fires, all-hazard incident operations, and resource management objectives.
For further questions, contact the Deschutes National Forest at (541) 383-5300.
Barney Lerten
WASCO COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual or individuals suspected of contaminating a pond with spray foam near the White River Wildlife Area in Tygh Valley.
On March 26, several cans of spray foam were located in a small pond bordering the White River Wildlife Area, OSP said in a news release.
OSP says the cans had been compromised, causing the foam to leak into the water. It appeared that the cans and foam had been there for several days prior to their discovery.
Information leading to the identification and citation or arrest of the individuals could yield a reward of $300.
Anyone with information can email a tip to TIP@osp.oregon.gov or contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Reference case number SP26-100289.
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.
The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.
Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar
The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.
Cash Rewards
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf$400 Game Fish & Shellfish$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag
$300 Habitat destruction
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20
Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County commissioners recently received a report on cannabis use by young people and are urging parents and caregivers to learn more about the risks it poses.
At an April 1 board meeting, Deschutes County Health Services shared emerging medical findings, scientific data and local public health concerns about adolescent cannabis use in the county, officials said in a news release Friday that continues in full below:.
Staff said early cannabis use has been linked to a greater risk of mental health problems, including anxiety and mood changes, and may also affect school performance and physical health.
Following the presentation, commissioners encouraged parents and caregivers to learn more about the risks of cannabis (marijuana) use.
“Preventing adolescent cannabis use takes education, strong community support and informed families,” said Deschutes County Prevention and Health Promotion Program Manager Jessica Jacks. “Parents and caregivers have the biggest influence on whether a young person uses cannabis, alcohol or other drugs before age 21.”
Highlights from the presentation include:
The latest data show 8% of Oregon youth ages 12 to 17 and 24% of adults ages 18 and older reported cannabis use.
Youth who regularly use cannabis before age 18 are more likely to develop cannabis use disorder later in life.
Cannabis use may worsen outcomes for youth with symptoms of psychosis and may be linked to earlier first episodes of psychosis.
New evidence shows chronic cannabis use, especially during early adolescence, may raise the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia.
Cannabis products today are more potent than in past decades, raising new concerns about health effects and risk.
The legal age to buy and use retail cannabis in Oregon is 21 and older. Deschutes County encourages families to stay informed, talk openly with their children and seek support when needed.
The county’s Prevention and Health Promotion Team works collaboratively with the Shared Future Coalition to help prevent youth substance use, including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and other drugs.
The coalition brings together local leaders from business, government, schools, health care, law enforcement, faith groups, media, parents and youth to reduce substance misuse through education, community engagement and policy.
For more information, visit sharedfuturecoalition.org. To view Health Service’s cannabis impact presentation, visit deschutes.org/meetings – or view below:
Barney Lerten
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Road Department will close a section of Huntington Road near the Three Rivers community for two weeks, from next Monday through Sunday, April 26, for construction work tied to the South Century Drive/Huntington Road roundabout project.
Huntington Road will be closed to all traffic from the South Century Drive intersection to about 500 feet south of the intersection, officials said Friday. Drivers can detour around the closure using Vandevert Road, U.S. Highway 97 and State Recreation Road (see map).
Along with the Huntington Road closure, the county says drivers should also expect a continuous single-lane closure on the north and west sides of the South Century Drive intersection from April 13-26.
A temporary traffic signal will guide traffic through the work zone. Drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during busy travel times.
For more information about travel impacts on county roads, visit the Deschutes County Road Department news and closures page, or email road@deschutescounty.gov.
Kelsey Merison
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Officials in Redmond are moving forward with plans to clear a large homeless encampment at an eastside industrial site–a cleanup that will cost $150,000.
Desert Rise Industrial Park
It’s scheduled for June at the Desert Rise Industrial Park, where approximately 90 people are currently living. Notices have already been issued requiring residents to vacate the property by June 15th.
Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said the decision is firm.
“We have to do this,” Fitch said. “It’s not a question of if. It’s a question of must.”
Residents Face Uncertainty
For those living at the site, the upcoming deadline brings uncertainty. Steve Dominguez, who has stayed at the site for about six months, said many residents are unsure where they will go next.
“A lot of these people probably are not sure where they’re going to go,” Dominguez said.
Steve Dominguez
He described his experience living at the site as difficult.
“It’s a nightmare for me because I’m not used to being out here,” he said, adding that he values having his own space but finds the environment at the site stressful and unpredictable.
“Out here, people are going to do what they’re going to do.” he said.
City Cites Safety and Property Concerns
The city says the cleanup is necessary to prepare the land for future manufacturing businesses and to address ongoing safety and sanitation issues.
Trash at Desert Rise Industrial Park
Mayor Fitch emphasized that public safety and protection of private property are the city’s top priorities. He pointed to concerns about dangerous conditions and widespread trash accumulation at the site.
“The primary responsibility for any local government, any government, that is, is the safety of our citizens and the protection of private property. That goes true for the city. It goes true for the county. We’ve had a lot of testimony about danger out there,” Mayor Fitch said. “That’s another aggravation is that, you know, there’s just a lot of garbage out there. And that should not be.”
He also acknowledged that the cleanup will come with other implications.
No Delay Expected
Mayor Fitch said there is no plan to postpone the cleanup.
“The simple answer is no,” he said when asked about a possible delay.
Mayor Ed Fitch
He acknowledged that closing the site could shift challenges into surrounding areas, including county-managed land, but said the city will coordinate with county officials moving forward.
“We are cognizant that this is shifting the issue from some city property over into the county. We’re going to work with the county. First we have to see what happens,” Mayor Fitch said. “Some of these people are not going to want to be in a managed camp or any kind of place with rules and regulations. So there’s not much we can do for them, but they need to be off of this property. Others who need help, we’ll work with the county on doing that. We’ll work with the providers on making sure that happens, as well as it can be. It’s just going to be a difficult summer.”
Outreach and Limited Options
Before the closure, outreach teams from local resource centers are expected to connect with residents to offer assistance and alternative options.
Mayor Fitch noted that some individuals may choose not to enter structured or managed environments.
“There’s a lot of people out there who don’t want to live under rules and regulations. But people who do want to have safety and some management, some case work, those places are going to be available for them,” he said.
New Managed Camp Opening Soon
A new managed camp is expected to open soon south of the industrial park along Highway 126 near the Redmond Airport. The site is intended to provide an alternative for those willing to relocate to a more structured setting.
Location of new managed camp
For residents like Dominguez, the situation remains uncertain.
“You just have to take it as it comes,” he said. “It’s a sad way to live. I wouldn’t want anybody to come out here and live like this. It’s pretty stressful. Gotta just live day by day and just hope for the best.”
City officials say the coming months will be challenging as the transition unfolds, with the cleanup marking a significant step in Redmond’s efforts to redevelop the industrial area while addressing homelessness in the region.
John Carroll
Chief Meteorologist John Carroll stopped by to speak to the kinder kids at Culver Elementary School. What a great group of well behaved students. They asked many weather questions and became “Weather Detectives” and found all the clues needed to forecast the weather in Culver for the day.
John read them his children’s book, The Adventure of Robbie the Raindrop, which talks about the water cycle and how to recycle and keep our world green.
Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After one of its latest opening days ever on Dec. 23, Mount Bachelor has announced it will close for the season on April 19, the earliest closing date on record. That marks a season lasting just three months and 28 days. The short season was heavily impacted by abnormally low snowfall across Central Oregon.
Local Businesses Feel the Impact
For many businesses that rely on Mount Bachelor’s long winter season, the shortened run has taken a toll.
Todd McGee, owner of Powderhouse, said his team was fortunate to make it through the tough season.
“I’m just grateful with the year we did have. It could have been a lot worse than a lot of other mountains,” McGee said.
He added that business wasn’t as strong as usual, but he was proud to keep his staff employed.
“Traffic has not been as heavy as normal, but we made it through. We didn’t lay off any employees, which I was very happy with. Some of them have been with me for 25 years,” he said.
Pole Pedal Paddle Event Adjusts to Conditions
The Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation’s iconic Pole Pedal Paddle event, celebrating its 50th year, is also adapting to the lack of snow. Organizers announced that the skiing portion of the event will be canceled this year due to limited snow, replacing it with a 2.5- to 3-mile mountain run and a 1.5-mile fun run.
“This year marks the 50th year of the Pole Pedal Paddle, and it has a long tradition of being adapted to weather conditions like water levels and snow levels,” said Marieka Greene, community engagement and development coordinator for MBSEF. “Many course changes have been made in relation to development in Bend. And so this is just another part of the Pole Pedal Paddle story.”
This isn’t the first time organizers have had to change the course. During what was known as the Great Drought of 1976-77, the event was also modified to fit the challenging weather conditions.
Ending a Short but Memorable Season
Despite the shortened season and lower-than-average snowfall, many skiers and riders still made the most of the slopes this winter. As Mount Bachelor prepares to close next week, the community is already looking ahead — hoping for deeper snow and a longer season next year.
Campbell Porter
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College’s board of directors has approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Classified Association of COCC (CACOCC/OEA), following union members who resoundingly approved a deal last week that averted a planned strike.
The agreement was reached during last-minute, mediated talks just hours before a possible first-ever walkout by classified employees was set to begin. More than 100 classified workers “resoundingly” approved the three-year contract, with 91% of union members participating in the vote and 98% voting in favor.
All seven members of the board approved the agreement Wednesday evening during the monthly meeting on the COCC Bend campus. With both ratification and board approval complete, COCC will begin implementing the terms of the agreement.
The three-year agreement runs retroactively from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, and includes a combination of wage increases, benefit changes and enhancements to working conditions for classified employees. The agreement provides wage increases of 6% in the first year, followed by 4.5% increases in each of the subsequent two years, along with an additional 2% step increase annually. In total, the agreement represents approximately $1.9 million in increased wages and benefits over the life of the contract.
The agreement also includes updates to employee benefits, including a transition to tiered insurance rates beginning in October 2026, as well as continued employer support for health care coverage. Additional contract updates address areas such as non-discrimination protections, grievance procedures, health and safety practices, leave policies and part-time employee benefits.
“This agreement supports our valued employees while maintaining the long-term sustainability of the college,” said Erica Skatvold, chair of the COCC board of directors. “We, the board of directors, have always sought to support and compensate our classified staff fairly. We are committed to moving forward together in service of our students and community.”
“The members of CACOCC applaud the agreement that was ratified with 91% voter participation and 98% approval,” said Jen Chance, senior enrollment specialist and member of the college’s Extended Senior Leadership Team. “This contract will help COCC retain more of our talented and dedicated classified staff in the jobs they love, while most importantly maintaining their high-caliber support and service to students. We are grateful to be in a position to take the next steps forward towards positive change to grow together as a stronger unit and a stronger COCC.”
COCC will begin implementing the agreement immediately, including retroactive compensation adjustments to July 1, 2025, and updates to payroll, benefits and human resources systems. The college remains focused on supporting students, employees and the broader Central Oregon community as the agreement is implemented.
The college will continue to share updates as the ratification process moves forward at cocc.edu/negotiations.
