Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City Council recently approved the construction contract for the Butler Market & Wells Acres Roundabout & Butler Market Key Route Project. Construction is expected to begin in early-mid September.

To reduce traffic impacts, eastbound traffic on Butler Market Road will remain open throughout construction. Westbound Butler Market Road will be closed from Brinson Boulevard to Eighth Street.

The City of Bend will host a Preconstruction Open House 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, at Hollinshead Barn, 1235 NE Jones Road. Community members are encouraged to drop in, meet the project team, ask questions, and learn what to expect during construction.

Improving the intersection of Butler Market and Wells Acres Roads has been a priority for the surrounding neighborhoods for many years. A new roundabout at this location will improve safety and efficiency for all modes of travel. The project includes sewer main installation, construction of a new roundabout and key route bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

Once complete, the project will deliver a long-desired improvement to intersection safety and time reliability, and provide safer, easier connections for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling between neighborhoods, schools, parks and businesses in the area.

Sign up to receive project email updates and download the construction detour map at bendoregon.gov/butler-wells.

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) —  Children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading is now open for donations of new and gently used children’s books on an ongoing basis.

The organization, which pairs volunteers with students for one-on-one reading sessions and gives participants two new books to keep each month, is in the early phases of opening a Book Bank in Central Oregon that will enhance the organization’s efforts to ensure local kids have books of their own. 

A 2020 study in the Journal of Global Health found that the likelihood of being on track in literacy almost doubled if at least one book was available in a student’s home.

“The Book Bank offers a sustainable way to increase book ownership and ensure that books kids have outgrown can find a new home with another child,” says SMART Reading Area Director Jennifer Zardinejad. All donated books will be sorted and cleaned with the help of volunteers before being given away to Central Oregon students. 

Thanks to community donations and book drives with local businesses, SMART was able to host its first schoolwide, free book fair this spring at Culver Elementary. Students took home over 1,000 refurbished books ahead of summer break – a period of time when students are at risk of losing important reading gains they made during the school year.

Donations of new or gently used children’s books are accepted at SMART Reading’s office Monday through Friday by appointment. To schedule a book drop off, call 541-797-7726. SMART Reading is located at 1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 101, Bend, OR 97703.

From now until Sunday, August 31, books can also be dropped off during business hours at the following two locations in Bend:

Play Theory Cafe, 2221 NE 3rd Street, Suite 200; and

Strictly Organic Coffee Co., 6 SW Bond Street (in the Box Factory). 

To see SMART’s book donation criteria or learn how to host a book drive at a business, school, or community organization, visit www.SMARTReading.org/central-area. 

About SMART Reading:

SMART Reading is a statewide children’s literacy nonprofit that serves kids in Oregon’s highest-need schools and communities with two ingredients critical for literacy and learning success: shared reading time and access to books. We mobilize volunteers to read with PreK through third-grade children, building confidence, literacy skills and a love of reading. Since 1992, we have paired over 158,000 volunteers to read with 334,000 children, and have put over 4.9 million books in the homes of the children we serve. Visit www.SMARTReading.org or call 541-797-7726 to learn more.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An intentionally set fire, possibly involving fireworks, broke out along the Bend Parkway and was stopped quickly by fire crews on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. beside the northbound parkway south of Reed Market Road.

“Fire crews were able to stop it quickly before it threatened any structures,” Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki told KTVZ News.

It burned about a quarter-acre, he added.

One northbound lane of the parkway was closed for about a half-hour during firefighting efforts, causing traffic to quickly back up.

Derlacki said Bend Police are investigating the intentionally set fire, possibly involving fireworks. Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact police at 541-693-6911.

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Evacuation level lowered, lines hold overnight)

POST, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters working through the night held the lines on the 50-acre Pine Fire that broke out Wednesday in southeastern Crook County, sheriff’s deputies said Thursday morning as the evacuation alert was lowered from Level 3 GO NOW to Level 2 GET SET in the area.

Here’s the sheriff’s office’s 9 a.m. update:

Fire crews worked through the night, successfully holding the fire lines. While there is still fire activity within the established perimeter, crews are making steady progress in containing it. Helicopters, engines, dozers, and personnel remain active in the area. For everyone’s safety, please avoid the area as suppression efforts continue.

Crook County Emergency Management will continue to work with the Fire Incident Command and provide information as it comes in. Continue to monitor the Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Genasys, and Watch Duty for any updates.

POST, Ore. (KTVZ) August 13 — A new fire, named the Pine Fire, broke out Wednesday afternoon southeast of Post in Crook County’s Maury Mountains and quickly grew to about 50 acres, prompting a Level 3 GO NOW evacuation in the area.

The Level 3 evacuation was issued for Zone CRR-7S-E by the Crook County Sheriff’s Office. The zone can be viewed on the Watch Duty map & on the Genasys Evacuation Map.

The sheriff’s office said the evacuated area is on SE Pine Creek Road (Forest Service Road 17), south of Pine Creek Reservoir to the FS RD 17/150 spur.

Level 3 GO NOW evacuation zone (Map courtesy Crook County Sheriff’s Office)

Central Oregon fire officials issued this fact sheet:

UPDATED: 8/13/25 3:33 p.m.

Start Date: August 13 at 12:18 p.m.

Location: 44°05’28.9″N 120°24’13.7″W

Between the Maury Mountains and Hwy 380, along Pine Creek Road

Jurisdiction: BLM Prineville District, Crook County

Fire Size: Approximately 20 acres. Fire behavior has moderated. Crews are making good progress.

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: grass, juniper and timber. Increasing fire activity and torching

Structures: no structures threatened

Fire Crews/Resources: 3 engines, 2 dozers, air attack, 2 Type 1 helicopters, 6 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tankers), 1 Type 1 helicopter, 2 eight-person hand crews, 2 Type 2 IA crews, the local RFPAs (Rangeland Fire Protection Associations), and the La Grand Hotshots have been ordered.

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.

UPDATE: New information from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office was posted on Facebook concerning the Pine Fire.

CCSO Emergency Management is on scene of the Pine Fire located on SE Pine Creek Road (Forest Service Road 17) in Post. Currently, there is a 20+ acre fire actively burning. CCSO Emergency Management is working closely with Forest Service Fire Incident Command and monitoring the growth of the fire.

Currently, there are ground crews, dozers, skidgens, and air attack on scene.

At this time the fire is burning on Forest Service land and there are no threats to any subdivisions out in the Post area. We ask that the general public avoid the area due to the large volume of fire personnel and equipment in the area.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new wildfire, named the Pine Fire, is burning an estimated 20 acres in Crook County as of Wednesday afternoon.

The fire is located near NF-17, south of the Paulina Highway.

Details about the fire’s cause and containment are limited at this time.

No structures are immediately threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered.

Stay with the platforms of KTVZ News for urgent updates as more information becomes available.

Another fire, the Glass Butte Fire, broke out on BLM Prineville District-managed land in Lake County. Here’s the fact sheet on that fire:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2025

UPDATED: 8/13/2025 4:11 p.m.

Start Date: August 13 at 1:27 p.m.

Location: 44°02’17.5″N 121°18’30.6″W

 South of Hwy 20 near Glass Butte area

Jurisdiction: BLM Prineville District, Lake County

Fire Size: 5 acres. Fire behavior is active with a low rate of spread.

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: grass, brush and sage

Structures: no structures threatened

Fire Crews/Resources: 5 engines, 1 dozer, 1 load of smoke jumpers, air attack, 4 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tankers) and 2 helos have been ordered,

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.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on assault and other charges, accused of stabbing his older brother in the lip early Wednesday morning, police said.

Around 1 a.m., Bend Police responded to a report of a domestic dispute. Neighbors at an apartment building in the 600 block of NE Bellevue Drive reported hearing a loud argument, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said in a news release.

When officers arrived, they encountered a 21-year-old man who reported he’d been stabbed in the lip by his brother, 19-year-old Marcus Randall Slocum, who had left the scene, Miller said.

The knife used in the incident was recovered at the apartment, and the victim was treated and released by Bend Fire & Rescue medics at the scene. 

Miller said officers learned Slocum was likely at an apartment in the 2000 block of Linnea Drive, and members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team responded to the complex to join patrol officers in attempting to locate the suspect. They conducted a search of the apartment and did not find Slocum, Miller said.

Around 1:30 p.m., officers saw Slocum return to the Linnea Drive apartment. He was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Deschutes County Jail on charges of second-degree assault, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.

Kennedy Emily Lacy, 19, also of Bend, was with Slocum when he was arrested and was cited and released at the scene for resisting arrest, hindering prosecution and interfering with a peace officer. 

Court records show Slocum pleaded guilty in March to fourth-degree assault and was allowed to enter the Domestic Violence Diversion Sentencing Program.

 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

La PiNE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine man was killed in the weekend collision of his motorcycle with an SUV at the intersection of Burgess and Huntington roads, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday.

On Saturday at around 12:30 p.m., deputies responded to several 911 calls reporting a serious crash involving a motorcycle at the intersection, Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

Witnesses told deputies a blue 2005 Yamaha motorcycle operated by Jacob Werner, 44, of La Pine, was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Burgess Road.

Carr said an investigation determined that Werner failed to stop for a red light and collided with a maroon 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee as its driver was making a left turn onto Huntington Road.

“Werner died at the scene, despite lifesaving efforts from first responders,” Carr said.

His passenger, a 44-year-old La Pine woman, sustained serious injuries and was transported by La Pine Fire to St. Charles Bend, where Carr said she was listed in stable condition.

The 75-year-old male driver of the Jeep and his 73-year-old female passenger, both of La Pine, were uninjured. They remained at the scene and fully cooperated with the investigation.

“Speed has been determined to be the leading contributing factor in this crash,” Carr said.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by La Pine Fire District and the Oregon State Police.

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Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Springfield motorcyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday morning on Oregon Highway 126 near the intersection with U.S. Highway 20 west of Sisters, Oregon State Police reported Thursday.

OSP Public Information Officer Captain Kyle Kennedy initially confirmed to KTVZ News on Wednesday that the motorcycle crash around 10:40 a.m. had resulted in a fatality.

Kennedy said Thursday a preliminary investigation found that Jan Dwight McSilvers, 72, of Springfield, was operating an eastbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a curve and left the highway. The motorcycle then rolled on top of McSilvers, who died at the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, Kennedy said. OSP was assisted at the scene by Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire District medics and ODOT.

Numerous Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire crews also responded to the crash, which happened in Linn County west of Santiam Pass and Sisters.

ODOT reported the crash closed the northbound lane of Highway 126 at the intersection with Highway 20. Drivers were advised that crews were flagging traffic through the area and to consider using an alternate route.

An ODOT representative said the agency was notified of the crash at 10:42 a.m. and crews were flagging traffic by the scene from 11:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m.

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Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments from Brightside)

REDMOND, Ore (KTVZ) – Since 2015, NBC’s Clear the Shelters has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find homes. This August, KTVZ is featuring Central Oregon shelters working to do the same.

At Brightside Animal Shelter this month, adoption fees are discounted, and your price is decided by one spin of the wheel.

“It will give you a different percentage off, rates ranging from 5% up to 50% off the adoption fee,” said Paige Kidd, Development and Volunteer Manager for Brightside Animal Shelter.

The shelter reports more animals have been coming through their doors this summer.

“We have seen a lot of animals coming in from the community, from different rescues, owner surrenders, strays,” Kidd said.

Those looking to adopt will need to fill out a questionnaire and meet with an adoption counselor.

“One of our adoption counselors will sit down with you, walk you through getting them settled in, what it looks like to be an owner,” said Kidd.

Even if you cannot adopt, there are other ways to support the shelter, including becoming a foster. They’re also looking for volunteers to help at the shelter or their thrift store.

Learn more about Clear the Shelters here.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: State economist says highest rate in four years, chart)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s jobless rate rose to 5% in July, the highest in four years, as its seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 2,700 jobs in July after a revised loss of 8,600 jobs in June, the Oregon Employment Department reported Wednesday.

State Economist David Cooke told KTVZ News the last time Oregon’s jobless rate was at 5% was in July of 2021, as it declined from the peak of 13.7% seen in April 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impacts.

You can review the unemployment rate fluctuations at this chart.

Here’s Wednesday’s full report from the agency:

July’s losses were largest in financial activities (-2,700 jobs); professional and business services (-1,400); and health care and social assistance (-1,100). Gains were largest in construction (+2,900 jobs) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+800).

Construction employed 112,700 in July, rebounding from its relatively weak prior two months, but landing well below its average level of 117,500 jobs during the prior two years.

Professional and business services has been on a declining trend since early 2023. Accounting for 254,100 jobs in July, it is down 14,800 jobs, or 5.5%, since its peak employment in March 2023. Each of its three component industries dropped by a similar percentage during that period.

Newly revised numbers for this year show lower employment levels than previously estimated for most industries. Since July 2024, Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment dropped 24,600 jobs, or -1.2%. Manufacturing lost 9,400 jobs, or 5.0%.

Each of these industries cut between 3% and 4%: information, private education, wholesale trade, financial activities, and construction. In that time, only two major industries expanded: health care and social assistance (+9,800 jobs, or 3.2%) and leisure and hospitality (+2,000 jobs, or 1.0%).

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.0% in July and 4.9% in June, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.2% in July 2024. Oregon’s 5.0% unemployment rate was 1.4 percentage points higher than the recent low of 3.6% during spring 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1% in June and 4.2% in July.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the July county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for August on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Madras and Jefferson County said Tuesday they are proud to announce the kickoff of a collaborative strategic planning process aimed at creating a shared vision for the community’s future.

The process began with the first joint City Council and County Commission work session, held on Monday, August 11, facilitated by SSW Consulting with support from the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC).

During the meeting, council members, commissioners, and staff reviewed demographic and economic data, highlighting significant population growth, increasing diversity, and economic challenges facing the region. Discussions focused on key community priorities such as economic development, housing affordability, health care access, emergency preparedness, infrastructure improvements, and technology investments.

“This partnership marks an exciting step toward aligning city and county goals and strengthening our community,” said Will Ibershof, City Administrator. “We are committed to involving residents every step of the way to ensure the strategic plan reflects what matters most to our diverse population.”

Community engagement will be the cornerstone of this process, with multiple opportunities planned for public input throughout September and October. Residents can expect surveys, interviews with key stakeholders, and outreach at local events designed to gather diverse perspectives.

Following the outreach period, the City Council and County Commission will reconvene in November to share data findings and begin developing the strategic plan based on community input. The goal is for each organization to have a comprehensive strategic plan ready for adoption early in 2026.

For ongoing updates, community members are encouraged to visit madras.gov or follow the City of Madras on social media. 

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