Category: ktvz-local-news

Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BendFilm will host its annual fundraising Gala on Sunday, March 15th at The Pavilion at Tetherow to support student summer camps and the annual Bend Film Festival. The event features a live screening of the Academy Awards, a red carpet entrance, dinner and auctions.

The Gala raises money for year-round initiatives including free movies in the park, as well as the organization’s Basecamp program. The evening runs from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion and includes a best-dressed prize for guests in formal attire.

Individual tickets for the fundraising event are available for $160, while a table of 10 is priced at $1,500. All entry options include dinner, two drinks and a welcome glass of champagne. BendFilm has requested that those purchasing full tables submit guest names and email addresses to the organization prior to the event date.

The event schedule begins with check-in and a silent auction at 2:30 p.m. at the venue located at 61240 Skyline Ranch Road. Welcome remarks are scheduled for 3:30 p.m., followed by the start of the Academy Awards broadcast at 4 p.m. Due to limited parking at Tetherow, attendees are encouraged to use ride-share services or carpool to the Gala.

Supporters can also participate in a digital Oscar Ballot Prediction Contest for an additional fee. Digital ballots are distributed via email starting March 8 and participants must complete their entries by 4 p.m. on the day of the gala. The contest offers prizes to those who achieve the highest prediction scores.

Participants interested in bidding on live or silent auction items are required to have a credit card on file. This information can be saved during the initial ticket checkout process or provided in person at the event. Additionally, attendees have the option to purchase scholarship spots for the 2026 filmmaking summer camps.

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Kelsey Merison

(Update: adding video, comments from students, dean of OSU-Cascades, and local lawmakers)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Years of growth are continuing here in Central Oregon, as OSU-Cascades is taking another major step to support student wellness and campus life.

The Oregon Legislature has approved $42 million for a new Student Health and Recreation Center, giving students access to on-campus fitness and health services.

The 40,000-square-foot facility is designed to fill a long-missing gap in the student experience.

“We have residence halls, dining halls, classrooms, and laboratories, but we don’t have a space for students to access recreational opportunities,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades.

“This will be a huge step forward that will help students succeed, stay in school, and graduate,” Bloomer added.

The new building will house a variety of recreational and clinical services — including exercise space, medical care, and mental health counseling — allowing students to stay healthy without leaving campus. 

For many students, it also represents a space for connection and community.

“It’s going to give students more of an opportunity to connect with one another at a place that’s not the dorms or the dining hall,” said student Damon Iraggi.

Fellow student Kait Rodriguez added, “I also think it’ll bring departments closer together and more engaged with students. I’m really excited for it.”

Central Oregon lawmakers also highlighted the broader economic benefits of the investment, pointing to the university’s role in developing and retaining local talent.

“This is a large part in making sure we have a complete campus here,” said Rep. Jason Kropf (D-Bend). “We’re building the workforce of the future so people can be educated here, live here, work here, make a career here.”

State Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) added, “It’s incredible to have brilliant people from Bend, Redmond and Sisters be able to stay in this community, go to school for four years, and become the next business owners.”

State funding will cover about half of the project’s cost. OSU-Cascades students themselves contributed $20 million through a fee they approved in 2017. 

The project will also fund remediation of the former landfill and pumice mine adjacent to campus, paving the way for future expansion as the university continues to grow.

Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in 2028. Once complete, leaders and locals alike say the new Health and Recreation Center will play a central role in supporting students — in turn, strengthening the future workforce that will stay and serve Central Oregon.

Earlier Story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Legislature has approved $42 million in state-backed bonds to fund the construction of a new student health and recreation center at Oregon State University-Cascades. The 40,000-square-foot facility will be the first comprehensive on-campus center for wellness and clinical services at OSU-Cascades.

The project aims to provide expanded physical activity areas, preventive care, and mental health counseling for students on the Bend campus. This investment follows years of advocacy from student leaders. In 2017, students voted to increase student fees in response to the need for on-campus recreation and health services and committed $20 million for the project.

The center will include flexible indoor spaces for fitness and recreation alongside dedicated areas for clinical health services and mental health counseling. Outside the building, the project includes the construction of two all-purpose recreation fields. Currently, student fitness options on the Bend campus are limited to a single small room in the residential hall.

“The student health and recreation center will deliver essential services that directly support student life, learning and retention, and reap rewards for student success and the local, regional and state economies,” said Sherm Bloomer, the chancellor and dean of OSU‑Cascades.

Bloomer noted that the center is particularly important for first-generation, rural, and low-income students. These populations often have less access to wellness and health services. The new facility will provide these resources directly on campus to support academic performance.

“Students have said for years that access to health and wellness resources is essential to our success. This investment shows student voices matter, and we’re proud to have helped make this project a reality,” said Whitney McFarlane, the president of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus.

The legislative funding will also pay for the remediation of 24 acres of land. This effort will create buildable sites for the recreation center as well as future student housing and academic buildings. The university anticipates needing more space as enrollment numbers continue to grow.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 following the completion of land remediation efforts. The new building will be connected to the campus geo-exchange system for heating and cooling to help meet net-zero energy goals.

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Kelsey Merison

(Adding suspect’s name and formal charges filed after arraignment)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police arrested 32-year-old Bend resident Zachary Lee Coelho on March 6th after he allegedly threatened a security guard outside of a local bar with a gun. The arrest follows an investigation into a confrontation that occurred on March 1st at Cascade West on SW Century Drive.

Coelho was formally charged and arraigned on March 9th and faces the following formal charges:

Delivery of Cocaine

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Unlawful Possession of Cocaine

Menaicng

Harrasment

The incident began around 12:09 a.m. when a security guard denied the man entry to the establishment. According to police, the suspect became upset and engaged in a physical altercation with the guard before threatening to shoot him, cocking a firearm, and pointing it into the air before fleeing the scene.

Officers identified the man as the suspect during their investigation and located him five days after the initial report. At approximately 7:55 p.m. on March 6th, police conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s silver Subaru WRX near NE 15th Street and U.S. Highway 20, where he was taken into custody.

Following the arrest, investigators obtained search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle and his home in the 1700 block of SE Tempest Drive. Inside the residence, officers reported finding two firearms and ammunition.

Police also seized a significant amount of cocaine and smaller bags of the drug. Investigators located materials commonly used for measuring and packaging controlled substances during the search. These findings led to additional charges related to the manufacture and delivery of cocaine

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Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Scalehouse Gallery in Bend is currently hosting “Seeds of Abundance: Limits, Loss & Regeneration,” a solo exhibition by artist Michele Guieu. The exhibition, which is sponsored by the City of Bend, opened March 6th and will run through April 24th.

The show invites visitors to reflect on ecological limits, loss and the potential for regeneration. Guieu uses immersive installation work to examine the intersection of the natural world and modern societal crises. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

The installation features a variety of immersive works created from natural and reclaimed materials. Guieu designed the space to encourage visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature and one another.

The artist focuses on the systems that shape modern lives while acknowledging the beauty of the natural world. The work specifically addresses current global crises. These include biodiversity loss, ecological overshoot and the increasing complexity of thermo-industrial society.

The exhibition suggests that these challenges require resilient and thoughtful responses rather than immediate solutions. Guieu drew inspiration for the exhibition in part from “The Great Simplification,” a podcast by Nate Hagens.

These acts are intended to nurture responsibility while acknowledging ecological limits. The gallery has scheduled multiple events to accompany the show. An Artist Talk is set for March 19th at 5:30 p.m. A Small Mobile Workshop will follow on April 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opening reception for the exhibition was held Friday, March 6th.

The exhibition will remain on view at the Scalehouse Gallery through April 24th. Gallery officials stated that further programming will be announced at a later date.

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Tracee Tuesday

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sunriver Police Department is warning residents about a scam involving a man impersonating the chief of police and attempting to collect personal or sensitive information.

According to police, several community members have reported receiving calls, messages, or emails from someone claiming to be the Sunriver Police Chief. In each case, the impersonator asked for details such as Social Security numbers, banking information, or passwords.

Officials emphasize this is a scam. The department said it will never contact residents to request personal or financial information.

Anyone who receives suspicious communication claiming to be from law enforcement is urged not to respond, hang up immediately, and report the incident to their local police department.

Authorities add that scammers often try to pressure victims by creating a sense of urgency or authority. Residents are encouraged to verify the source before sharing information and to warn others about the scam to help protect the community.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon submarine veterans commissioned the SS Redside at Riverbend Park on Saturday, marking the beginning of a new memorial dedicated to post-World War II service members. The model represents the Sturgeon-class submarines, a vessel type known as the workhorse of the Cold War.

The commissioning is part of a multi-year effort by the Central Oregon United States Submarine Veterans to create a lasting memorial for Oregon submariners. For many veterans in attendance, the Sturgeon-class, or 637-class, was the first type of submarine they served on during their military careers.

Approximately 60 people attended the ceremony, including 30 veterans and members of the public who stopped at the park to participate. The gathering allowed former service members to share stories and connect with other submariners who were not previously aware of the local organization.

Rick Neault serves as the base commander of the Central Oregon United States Submarine Veterans. He expressed satisfaction with the completion of the model after several years of effort by the group.

“It was, you know, really it’s kind of rewarding,” Neault said. “It just feels good to be able to create something and, just have it turn out better than we had expected.”

Retired Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Keane of the U.S. Navy helped build the model and has a personal history with the original vessel. He first boarded the submarine more than 50 years ago.

“I was part of the team and I was actually was actually my first submarine was the U.S.S Sturgeon and I would have board her in January 1969,” Keane said.

Anne Graham, a retired submariner and builder of the SS Redside, said the project is necessary to recognize the loss of life within the submarine community.

“We honor that submarine veterans who’ve died in the service,” Graham said. “There’s a lot of them. And we think it’s time to have a memorial to that service.”

Michael Lewis is a retired U.S. Submarine Force captain and Mountain View High School graduate who attended the park ceremony. Lewis, a 30-year submariner, noted the significance of the model for all generations of the force.

“Well, it’s very special because this represents all the submarine force, past and present,” Lewis said. “And it’s an honor of the shipmates that have gone before those that perished in their service of duty and all that.”

The event included a formal christening by Ileene Davis, who sponsored the vessel. Davis is the Bremerton base commander of the U.S. Submarine Veterans.

“I mean, not every day someone gets to do that,” Davis said. “So I mean it. It’s the great women, you know, the first ladies that got a chance to do those.”

The Central Oregon Submarine Veterans intend to use the SS Redside model as the first step in their broader plan to establish a permanent memorial. The project will continue to focus on honoring Oregon submarine veterans who served from the end of World War II to the present day.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Mt. Bachelor and OUT Central Oregon are hosting the eighth annual Winter Pridefest this weekend. The multi-event celebration honors the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

The festival features a series of events both in town and at the mountain resort. These include social gatherings and various on-hill activations designed to promote community engagement.

On-mountain highlights for the weekend include group Pride Rides and festive decorations throughout the resort. Visitors can also access specific food and beverage specials during the festivities.

An après party is planned for the West Village Lodge Deck, depending on mountain conditions. Organizers have designated the Rock Bar as an alternative indoor location if a move is necessary.

Weather conditions are expected to remain clear for the outdoor activities. Forecasts for the weekend call for sunshine and high temperatures in the mid-40s.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Campfire Hotel is hosting a series of events this weekend in coordination with OUT Central Oregon’s annual Winter PrideFest. The festivities, held at the hotel and the adjacent Dogwood at the Pine Shed, include the Diva Drag Brunch, winter pool parties and nightly dance sets.

Located in the Bend Central District, Campfire Hotel has been recognized for its efforts in fostering an inclusive environment since opening in October 2020. The property became one of the first Travel Proud certified hotels in Oregon through Booking.com in 2021 and received Travel Oregon’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Award in 2023.

Keagan Parks serves as the general manager of Campfire Hotel. Parks noted the importance of providing a space where visitors can be themselves during the festivities.
“Campfire Hotel is honored to serve as a safe, welcoming and inclusive basecamp for Winter PrideFest celebrations year after year,” Parks said. “We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Whether they’re staying with us, attending an event, or simply stopping in to relax by the pool, creating a place where all are invited to gather, celebrate and connect is at the core of who we are.”

The Winter Pride Diva Drag Brunch takes place Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Produced by Justin Buckles Productions, the event features drag, burlesque and live singing performances. Doors open at 11 a.m. with the show running from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 for those age 21 and older, though the price does not include food or alcohol.

Following the brunch, the hotel will host Winter Pride Pool Parties from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Local performers DJ Aloso and Fruity Pebblez will provide music at the outdoor heated pool and hot tub. The parties are free for hotel guests, while non-guests may purchase a pool pass for $20.

Celebrations also extend to the adjacent Dogwood at the Pine Shed. The venue hosted the OUT Central Oregon Welcome Mixer to start the weekend. Winter Pride Dance Parties are scheduled there on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 from 9 p.m. until midnight.

Throughout the weekend, the on-site Canteen Bar serves as a gathering spot between scheduled events. The bar offers a variety of beer, wine and non-alcoholic options, as well as signature cocktails like the Rye An’ Gosling.

The weekend of events concludes on Sunday, March 8. The Dogwood at the Pine Shed will host Okay Karaoke from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for attendees to sing iconic favorites.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new monthly event called “Second Saturdays” will launch at the Old Mill next week, offering a dog-themed take on the downtown Bend’s “First Fridays” gatherings. The inaugural event is scheduled for March 14 from noon to 3 p.m.

The event features an obstacle course specifically designed for dogs alongside various pet-themed vendors. Attendees can also visit The Hungry Hound, a Central Oregon food cart that provides food options specifically for dogs.

Street Dog Hero will be there with adopotable dogs, and vets will give free, basic checkups.

In addition to the pet-focused activities, the gathering includes live music and food carts for people. Beer will also be available for purchase during the three-hour event.

Bryan Du Toit, owner of The Hungry Hound, said the event was created to match the lifestyle of local residents. “Bend is such an outdoor place and everybody here has dogs,” Toit said. “So we just thought we wanted to create a monthly event where people could bring their dogs, plan for it.”

Organizers intend for the meetup to be a permanent fixture on the local calendar. “No, it’s going to happen every month and just come on down and have a great day,” Toit said.

The meetup will be held in the grassy space by the river next to Gregs Grill, which is one of the main sponsors of the series. The event is designed as a monthly pet-themed gathering featuring activities for both animals and their owners.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bella, a 2-year-old Newfoundland, is available for adoption at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. Bella is a gentle giant looking for a home familiar with the needs of her breed.

Bella arrived at the shelter from a property that housed many other dogs and is now seeking a permanent environment where she can be the primary focus.

Bella is described as a low-activity dog that enjoys lounging outdoors. She would be a fit for a home with a porch or deck where she can sit and enjoy the great outdoors. Shelter staff noted that she is expected to be easy to walk on a leash and primarily seeks a companion to stay by her side.

Bella needs a little grooming, so her true personality and appearance can shine in a new environment.

The Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits Tuesday through Saturday. The facility operates from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for families interested in meeting Bella or other available animals.

The Pup Crawl fundraiser will continue every Friday and Saturday throughout the month of March. Each event is scheduled to take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at various local establishments.

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