Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County is inviting residents in the Redmond/Terrebonne community to apply for a position on the county’s Planning Commission.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m.

The Planning Commission reviews land use policies and zoning regulations, making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. Members form the official citizen involvement committee on land use planning for unincorporated areas of the county, providing a platform for community input.

Position Details

Vacancy: One at-large member from the Redmond/Terrebonne area

Term: July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030

The Commission meets at the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, every second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Additional meetings may occur elsewhere in the County.

Interested residents should submit an application with a letter of interest and resume, describing their interest in rural land use planning and ability to serve collaboratively on a committee. 

Find the application here: 

Deschutes County Planning Commission Application 

Learn more about the Planning Commission here:

Deschutes County Planning Commission Information

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Senate passed a Central Oregon lawmaker’s bill during Friday’s final hours of the legislative session to preserve Oregon’s farm stands and create new opportunities for farmers through the enhanced Farm Store permit.

House Bill 4153-A passed the Senate by a 21-8 vote, after previously passing the House 40–14.

Representative Vikki Breese‑Iverson (R‑Prineville), the bill’s chief sponsor, released the following statement in a news release that continues below:

“I brought forward HB 4153-A to support Oregon’s family farms as they face economic and regulatory challenges. These farms are the heart of our communities and showcase the best of Oregon agriculture. This bill preserves the future of farming by modernizing outdated rules, clarifying the law, and giving counties tools to fairly administer permits. I am grateful to the Governor, counties, and all our cosponsors for their partnership.”

Additional chief sponsors and supporters also released statements:

“As the saying goes, we saved the best for last. HB 4153-A allowing farm stores is without a doubt the best bill of the session. I am proud be a chief sponsor and to have carried it on the Senator floor.” – Sen. Fred Girod (R-Silverton)

“HB 4153-A helps support Oregon’s farmers by creating a clearer pathway for farm stores and agritourism activities that allow families to buy directly from the people who grow their food. By setting reasonable guardrails—like limits on store size and requirements that land remain in active agricultural production—we can strengthen local farm economies while protecting Oregon’s farmland. This bill is about helping working farms diversify their income while keeping agriculture at the heart of our rural communities.”  – Rep. Sue Rieke Smith (D-King City)

“I am proud to support this bill because it protects the small-scale agriculture that defines my coastal district. Even the very smallest farms now have a clear path to a farm stand or farm store permit, ensuring they can continue connecting with our community while staying in business.” – Senator David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford)

“We applaud the passage of HB 4153-A, the Farm Store bill, earlier this week in the House and today in the Senate. The overwhelming and bipartisan support for the legislation is the culmination of years of collaborative work, among stakeholders, that balances economic opportunity and farmland protections. Importantly, it introduces farm stores as a critical, commonsense tool for our state’s producers that encourages profitability at a time when our farmers need it the most. The Oregon Farm Bureau thanks Representative Breese-Iverson for her steadfast leadership and is grateful to the many legislative supporters of Oregon agriculture.”- Angela Bailey, President of Oregon Farm Bureau

Current farm stand permits come with major limitations, including significant limits on indoor gathering spaces, restrictions on simple family‑friendly structures like play areas, strict income caps, and significant prohibitions on educational events.

HB 4153‑A creates a new Farm Store permit. It allows an active farm to sell farm products, offer local goods from other producers, and host limited agritourism events such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower festivals, and farm tours.

The bill gives counties modern, clear, and enforceable rules to regulate access, egress, parking, hours of operation, noise, sanitation, and public health and safety. The bill prohibits using a farm store as a residence, hotel, café, or drive thru.

HB 4153‑A was developed though a robust process including a wide coalition of stakeholders including the Governor’s Office, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Oregon Property Owners Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Association of Oregon Counties, and farm operators large and small across the state.

HB 4153‑A will be signed by the Governor at a date to be determined.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Starting Sunday evening, ODOT says construction crews will be upgrading curb ramps and pedestrian crossings along U.S. Highway 20 on Bend’s Eastside so that they meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Similar work will follow elsewhere in Bend and in Sisters in coming months.

The Highway 20 improvements planned between NE Arnett Way and NE Delton Street are designed to help make it easier and safer for people walking or rolling to cross the street, ODOT said in Friday’s project announcements..

To help minimize daytime traffic impacts, ODOT says most work will take place at night, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Sunday through Friday. 

Map courtesy ODOT

During construction, you can expect: 

Crews working in the area throughout the project duration 

Overnight construction and noise  

Sidewalk, shoulder, and lane closures 

Flaggers directing traffic as needed 

Minimal traffic delays 

Nightly left-turn restrictions with signed detours at NE Azure Drive (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) for up to eight weeks while crews work at this location.

Similar ADA curb ramp work will affect Highway 20 traffic in Sisters, starting next month, and at several locations on Highway 20 and Third Street on the north and south ends of Bend.

All of the work is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year. Brown Contracting Inc. is the contractor on the $17 million project.

Visit this ODOT website for more information or contact Meghan Blyth, the agency’s Region 4 community affairs coordinator.

Sisters project locatons (ODOT)

ADA project work planned on Bend’s north and south ends. (ODOT)

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Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — A bipartisan group of House members – including Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum and Republican Cliff Bentz – introduced legislation Friday to continue exempting wildfire relief payments from the federal income tax for six more years.

The Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act seeks to ensure that disaster aid remains with survivors as they rebuild their communities.

The bill makes a targeted extension to the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023. It would continu to exclude wildfire recovery payments—including compensation for living expenses, lost wages, personal injury, death and emotional distress—from federal gross income filings through 2032.

Without an extension, payments received by victims of catastrophic wildfires would once again be subject to federal tax obligations.

Bynum, one of the bill’s primary sponsors, emphasized that the federal government should not collect a portion of relief funds intended for reconstruction.

“When wildfire survivors are trying to rebuild after a massive tragedy, the federal government shouldn’t be taking a cut of their relief,” Bynum said. “This bipartisan bill ensures that survivors aren’t taxed on the money meant to help them pick up the pieces.”

Bentz noted that until late last year, the United States Tax Code “added insult to injury” by taxing these settlement funds.

“People who lose their homes and wages due to wildfire should not be taxed on the funds they received as result of these disasters,” Bentz said.

California lawmakers highlighted the specific impact of recent disasters on their districts. Rep. Brad Sherman noted that the Palisades Fire caused immense devastation and destroyed entire communities.

“The last thing fire victims should face is a tax bill on their recovery assistance,” Sherman said. He added that the legislation ensures victims are not “unfairly taxed as they focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.”

Rep. Mike Thompson of California, who worked with the late Rep. LaMalfa on previous tax relief efforts, stated that survivors cannot afford to wait for retroactive relief from Congress. Thompson said it is wrong to tax settlement money meant for rebuilding after families have lost homes and livelihoods.

Rep. Tom McClintock of California added that the bill reauthorizes “commonsense protections” for residents who are constantly under the threat of wildfires.

Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii compared the recovery needs in Lahaina to those seen in Paradise, Calif. Tokuda said recovery can be “undone” if families lose access to essential resources through taxation.

“Survivors shouldn’t face a tax bill while they’re still rebuilding their lives,” Tokuda said. “By removing federal taxes from wildfire settlements, we can prevent the disaster after the disaster.”

Rep. Blake Moore of Utah, who joined in reintroducing the measure, described LaMalfa as a “champion for rural Americans.” Moore stated that after catastrophic fires, victims should not have to worry about whether disaster aid will be subject to federal taxes. The bill is sponsored by a bipartisan group including Reps. Vince Fong, McClintock, Sherman, Thompson, Moore, Bentz and Tokuda.

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Silas Moreau

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BrightSide Animal Center will host its Brighter Futures Gala on May 2nd at the High Desert Music Hall in Redmond. The fundraiser is designed to support the organization’s mission of providing care, shelter and second chances for animals in Central Oregon.

The gala runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 818 SW Forest Ave. and is a 21 and older event. The evening will include cocktails, dinner and auctions to raise money for local animal welfare services.

The gala features a variety of fundraising activities, including live and silent auctions and a paddle raise. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet some of the animals whose care and transformation were funded through community contributions. Proceeds from these activities directly fund the center’s programs that provide shelter and medical services for animals in the region.

Ticket prices are currently at an early bird rate through March 15. After that date, the cost of admission will go up. Each individual ticket includes an open bar, dinner and full access to the night’s events. For those attending as a group, the organization offers reserved tables that accommodate eight guests.

BrightSide Animal Center is currently seeking local businesses and individuals to serve as event sponsors. The organization is also collecting donated items to be used in the live and silent auctions. Interested parties can coordinate sponsorships or donations by contacting the development department at development@brightsideanimals.org.

Early bird ticket pricing remains in effect until March 15. The gala will begin at 6:00 p.m. on May 2 at the High Desert Music Hall.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nonprofit partners will be stationed at Fred Meyer store entrances across the state on Saturday, March 7th, for the National Cereal Day celebration and Pour It Forward Cereal Drive. Volunteers will be on-site throughout the day to collect cereal donations and engage with shoppers to help families in need.

The drive aims to stock local food banks and pantries with breakfast staples. Shoppers are encouraged to purchase and donate boxes of cereal, with the assurance that every donation stays within the local community where it was collected.

The campaign has already reported momentum across the region. According to organizers, hundreds of boxes have been collected at most sites, while some locations have already received thousands of donations from customers and store associates. Additionally, Post Consumer Brands contributed to the effort earlier this week by making a direct cereal donation to the Idaho Food Bank.

The donation process is designed to be integrated into a regular shopping trip. Customers can purchase a box of cereal and drop it into a designated donation bin located near the customer service desk. Every box donated remains in the local community to support area food banks and pantries.

The Pour It Forward Cereal Drive will continue at all Fred Meyer locations through Tuesday, March 10, for customers who are unable to participate during the Saturday event.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon’s youth—through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships. This month we’re spotlighting Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit with a Deschutes County chapter that works to ensure no child sleeps on the floor.

“There’s a lot of people in town that are doing good, and we’re just one of them,” said Bob Mickelsen, the interim Deschutes County chapter president.

Bob Mickelsen

At Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the mission is simple: ensuring no child has to sleep on the floor. 

“Sleep in Heavenly Peace is mission-centric… All we do is service kids that don’t have beds,” Mickelsen said. “If they don’t have a bed, we give them a bed. How do we determine if they need a bed? Three things: They need a bed because they don’t have one, they have a space to put the bed, and they’re between the ages of three and 17.”

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national organization, but the Deschutes County chapter started making a difference in our community in 2020. 

“This organization got started in Central Oregon because there wasn’t one… My wife and I, when we retired, determined that we wanted to do something in a volunteer way. And we found Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” Mickelsen said. “And they said, ‘Well, we don’t have a chapter in Central Oregon, so would you be willing to start one?’ And we said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.’ And then all of a sudden we did.”

Since then, around 3,000 beds have been built and donated for children in need right here in Central Oregon. 

And the work isn’t slowing down. 

“There really is a need,” Mickelsen said.

The nonprofit is looking for someone to step up and take on a leadership role—in the form of the chapter’s president.

It also needs kids to donate beds to, with an influx sitting in storage waiting for a forever home. 

Donations are always welcome.

“This community is full of what I call do-gooders. We want to do good for our community and SHP, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, is an ideal opportunity for that because it’s simple to do, it’s engaging, there’s a lot of opportunities to give back,” Mickelsen said.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, click here.

If you would like to know more about our other 21 Cares for Kids partners, click here.

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Campbell Porter

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Baby Resources Program received a $500 donation this month through KTVZ’s Pay It Forward Program, to help local parents secure essential supplies. The Redmond-based charity provides clothing, diapers and other equipment for children up to age 8.

The donation is part of a KTVZ initiative, sponsored by Mid-Oregon Credit Union and Dutch Bros Coffee, to recognize individuals and groups improving the community. The Central Oregon Baby Resources Program operates out of NeighborImpact and focuses on filling gaps in local support services for families.

Kiersten Wertheimer runs the Central Oregon Baby Resources Program as a solo operation. She established the charity after identifying a lack of specific resources for families in the area.

“I decided to do this because I saw a need in the community and I just wanted to fill it,” Wertheimer said. “I’m one of those people that if I see something, I just kind of just step up to the plate and and do it. So here I am doing it.”

While the name focuses on infants, the program supports children up to age 8. In addition to providing physical goods, such as strollers and car seats, the charity assists parents in securing postpartum care.

Since its launch in February, the organization has served approximately 300 children. During that period, Wertheimer has distributed around 4,500 items to local families.

The $500 from the Pay It Forward Program will be used to purchase clothing for young children.

Community members interested in donating items or volunteering can find more information on the Central Oregon Baby Resources website or their FaceBook page.

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding new info from DCSO)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 19-year-old driver escaped injury Saturday night after a rock apparently was thrown through his truck’s windshield on Rickard Road near Bend. The incident resulted in a shattered windshield and left debris across the vehicle’s interior.

The driver, Colton Kirkpatrick, was traveling on the outskirts of the city at around 10:30 pm when the rock entered the cabin and landed on the passenger seat.

This event marks at least the third recent report of rocks hitting vehicles in the area, following a similar incident on Highway 97 involving two other cars, one an Oregon State Police patrol car which shattered its windshield.

Kirkpatrick described the moment the object hit his truck while he was traveling on Rickard Road. He initially thought the approaching object was a bird before it impacted the glass.

“I think I see a bird, but it’s actually a rock – and it flies through my windshield that came up from over here,” Kirkpatrick said. “Completely shatters the windshield. Lands on the seat next to me. Glass is all over my lap.”

Kirkpatrick said the rock narrowly missed him during the drive. He noted that if the object had been just one foot closer, it would have struck him directly in the face. Kirkpatrick said he hopes the community remains alert because a similar situation could happen to anyone.

Upon returning home after the incident, Kirkpatrick spoke with his parents about the encounter. He said they expressed relief that he was not physically harmed.

“The first thing they did was hug me,” Kirkpatrick said. “And said that they’re so glad that I’m okay. I wasn’t hurt. I mean, because, I mean – easily could have killed me.”

KTVZ has reached out to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office who confirmed the incident and said the investigation is ongoing

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Redmond Police Department, in partnership with FIXBend, announced Thursday it has installed a public lost-pet microchip reader outside the front of the department, on the external east fence.  

The device is free of charge for use by the public to assist in locating the owners of lost pets as part of the Rawley Project, an initiative to provide affordable services to those in need within the community, the agency said in a news release. 

The device works by scanning the microchip of a located lost pet.   

FIXbend is a low-cost spay, neuter, vaccination, and microchip program created to provide those in need access to affordable sterilization and vaccination services in Central Oregon. They provide volunteer-run monthly, low-cost clinics in Bend, Oregon.

“The Redmond Police Department is proud to partner with this great organization to provide services to the community of Redmond,” the agency said.  

If a lost dog or cat is located, you can now take it to RPD, located at 111 NW Teak Ave., and scan for a microchip to identify the owner to come get the pet, or take it to BrightSide Animal Center, or call non-emergency dispatch at 693-6911. 

RPD said it would like to thank FIXBend for their services and this partnership for the community.  Visit the website at https://www.therawleyproject.org/fixbend or email fixbend@therawleyproject.org for more information.  

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