Category: ktvz-local-news

Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Marine Board issued safety guidelines today ahead of Labor Day weekend to help recreationists navigate hazards on state waterways.

State officials are encouraging boaters and paddlers to review equipment rules, check local water levels and prepare for end-of-summer water conditions before heading out.

Low water levels across the state have increased hazards such as exposed gravel bars, shoaling and submerged debris. Randy Sigman, interim Boating Safety Program Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board, urged boaters to research their destinations in advance.

“Take the time to get familiar with the waterway and know the dangers that come with natural waterbodies such as current, tides and wind,” Sigman said. “Look out for wood, other debris and shallow gravel bars or shoaling that can catch motorized boaters off-guard with these low water levels.”

The Oregon State Marine Board compiles a weekly Opportunities and Access Report detailing water levels, ramp closures and nearby alternative locations. Boaters can also check access site status through the Boat Oregon Online Map to track impacts from low water or active wildfires.

State law requires all watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, rafts, inflatable boats and stand-up paddleboards, to carry a properly fitted life jacket for every person onboard and at least one sound-producing device. Life jackets must be in good condition and readily accessible, not packed away or stored under hatches. Children younger than 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while a boat is underway. Most recreational boating fatality victims in the state so far this season were paddlers who were not wearing life jackets.

Marine officials also cautioned recreationists against using pool floats on open waterways. Sigman warned that pool toys lack structural integrity and control needed for river currents. “If you plan to float in a river, keep in mind that pool toys are designed for use in a swimming pool, have no directional control and can puncture easily,” Sigman said. “Float in a watercraft designed for a river that won’t easily puncture and comes equipped with a paddle so you can maneuver away from obstructions.”

Law enforcement will also monitor for impaired operators on the water. Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants violations can lead to fines up to $6,250, suspension of boating privileges for up to three years and jail time. Legal intoxicants under the law include alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs and certain prescription medications.

Seating rules inside motorboats are also strictly enforced. It is illegal to ride on the bow, decks, gunwales or transoms of a motorboat while the vessel is underway. Passengers are advised to remain in designated seats, as sitting on the stern creates hazards from direct exposure to carbon monoxide exhaust and potential propeller strikes.

Boaters are also subject to speed restrictions near shorelines and structures. A statewide proximity rule requires all motorboats and personal watercraft to slow down within 200 feet of docks, launch ramps, marinas, moorages, floating homes, piers and swim floats, regardless of whether a slow-no-wake buoy is posted. Operators remain legally responsible for damage caused by their boat’s wake, while paddlers should stay near shore and cross busy channels at right angles when safe.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — When a house fire breaks out, every second counts — including when it comes to getting your pets to safety.

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue says a device called Rescue Retriever was designed to help firefighters locate pets inside a burning home.

The device detects smoke and activates a bright, silent strobe near your pet’s designated area — giving firefighters another clue about where to look.

Rescue Retriever is available to purchase online.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem. The meeting will be open to the public in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams.

The committee oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund, which was created by the Oregon Legislature. The fund finances fiscal year budgets for forest protection districts, supports investments in fire prevention, detection and suppression resources and provides loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations for wildfire costs.

The meeting agenda includes a financial status update for the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund and the ending balance for Fiscal Year 2026. Committee members will also hear a weather update, discuss an administrative rule framework and receive reports from the administrator, the Agency and Business Services Division and the Protection Division.

In-person attendance will be held in the Tillamook Room in Building C at the Department of Forestry complex. Virtual access is available through Microsoft Teams using conference information listed on the meeting agenda. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities, as well as special materials or assistance, must be arranged at least 48 hours before the meeting. Requests can be made by calling 503-881-8292 or emailing lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

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Claire Elmer

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management will temporarily close the Reynolds Pond Trailhead from September 11th – 13th to protect public safety during permitted gundog testing.

The restriction will block access to Reynolds Pond and limit entry into the Oregon Badlands Wilderness from that location between noon and 6:00p.m. daily.

During the three days of testing, gundogs will participate in a series of outdoor evaluations at Reynolds Pond involving the use of blank shotgun shells.

According to the bureau, the temporary closure is designed to keep public visitors safely separated from the live testing area.

Lisa Clark, manager of the Deschutes Field Office, emphasized the importance of safety during the scheduled activity.

“Hunting with trained dogs has a long tradition in Oregon and safety is an important part of that,” Clark said. “This short closure gives the dogs and participants room to complete the testing safely while visitors use other trailheads to access the Wilderness.”

The announcement coincides with National Shooting Sports Month, an observance highlighting American recreational shooting and hunting traditions alongside firearm safety, personal responsibility and conservation efforts.

Visitors seeking alternative entry to the Oregon Badlands Wilderness during the daily closure hours are advised to use the Dry River or Chitwood trailheads.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild’s Beaver Works Oregon program is seeking volunteers for an expanded fall field season after wildfires and unsafe summer conditions forced the cancellation and rescheduling of multiple restoration projects.

The recruitment push will run through September and October across Central and Eastern Oregon to make up for field time lost to smoke and fire closures.

Under Oregon state law, beavers are recognized as a keystone species and “nature’s engineer” for their role in increasing water quality and quantity, reducing wildfire risks and providing refuge for wildlife. Beaver Works Oregon designs projects to support these natural processes by building structures that slow water and restore stream functions where beavers are absent.

The organization also plants native vegetation to provide food and habitat, assists with human-beaver coexistence efforts and conducts surveys to determine where beaver populations currently live and where restoration can support their return.

Fieldwork opportunities span multiple locations across Central and Eastern Oregon, including a native plant planting week at Crooked River Park, willow and cottonwood planting along Eightmile Creek and building Beaver Dam Analogs at Camp Creek in the Malheur National Forest. Beaver Dam Analogs are human-built structures designed to slow water flow and restore natural stream function in areas lacking active beaver populations.

Maureen Thompson, director of conservation at Think Wild, highlighted the connection between severe fire activity and wetland restoration needs. “This is the most destructive and largest wildfire season on record for Oregon, which has underscored exactly why this work matters,” Thompson said. “Beavers are powerful agents of landscape change. By slowing and storing water, reconnecting streams with their floodplains and creating wetland habitat, beavers can help Oregon stay wetter and more resilient during drought and wildfire and quite literally provide safe haven for other animals as the fire passes through their home.”

A major component of the program’s long-term research involves beaver sign surveys. Volunteers receive training to identify physical evidence of beaver activity, including chewed vegetation, tracks, scat, dams, lodges and bank dens. Data gathered from these observations help land managers and conservationists understand historical presence, track existing populations and evaluate potential sites for future habitat restoration.

No prior experience in restoration or wildlife monitoring is required to participate, as training, tools and guidance are provided for all projects. Emily Sullivan, volunteer coordinator at Think Wild, noted that projects accommodate a wide range of skill and physical fitness levels. “If you’ve been considering volunteering with Beaver Works Oregon, now is the time to get started,” Sullivan said. “We have opportunities for a wide range of interests and abilities. Some projects are physically demanding and take us deep into the field, while others are accessible to beginners and families. You can bring friends, learn something new, spend time outside and directly contribute to healthier wildlife habitat and a more fire-resilient region.”

Volunteer events begin with beaver research and monitoring on Sept. 19–20, followed by the Crooked River Park planting week from Sept. 21–27. Scheduled October activities include a family-friendly survey day on Oct. 3, Beaver Dam Analog construction at Camp Creek in Malheur National Forest from Oct. 12–16, and plant restoration along Eightmile Creek from Oct. 21–24, alongside multiple monitoring sessions running through Oct. 30.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — High Desert Chamber Music will hold auditions for its 2026-27 Spotlight Chamber Players program on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Bend, Ore. The chamber music program is offered at no cost to selected students.

The program is open to violin, viola, cello, bass and piano students in grades 6-12 who have completed at least three years of private instruction and possess intermediate to advanced playing ability. High Desert Chamber Music has presented classical music concerts and educational outreach programs in Central Oregon since 2008.

Students accepted into the program receive weekly chamber music instruction coached by violinist Isabelle Senger, founder of High Desert Chamber Music. Participants may also receive additional coaching and mentorship from visiting artists featured in the HDCM Concert Series. Students must make a one-season commitment, with ensemble placement and group assignments determined following auditions.

Members of the Spotlight Chamber Players receive paid performance opportunities throughout the season at HDCM concerts and community events, as well as free admission to HDCM concerts. Past graduates of the program have pursued music performance degrees at institutions including the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Auditions can be scheduled by calling 541-306-3988 or emailing info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com. Application details and further program information are available online through the organization’s website.

Auditions will take place Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 in Bend.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — Chief Kari Goodheart Petitioner of the Oregon Freedom Amendment, filed formal objections Sunday with the Oregon Secretary of State and Attorney General over the draft ballot title for Initiative Petition 2028-025.

The challenge contends that the Attorney General’s draft ballot title fails to accurately describe the proposed constitutional amendment and does not comply with state legal standards.

The formal objections challenge the draft title’s compliance with ORS 250.035, which requires the caption, summary and result statements to clearly explain a measure and use parallel language. Initiative Petition 2028-025 aims to establish an individual constitutional right to engage in hunting, fishing, farming, ranching and other agricultural practices across Oregon.

According to the formal objections, the draft title fails to accurately reflect the scope of Initiative Petition 2028-025. The measure explicitly establishes a fundamental constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, farm, ranch, raise livestock, cultivate crops, harvest natural resources and engage in generally accepted agricultural and wildlife management practices. However, the draft “yes” statement leaves out trapping, raising livestock and cultivating crops, even though those activities are included in the “no” statement and the summary. The draft caption also omits trapping and other agricultural activities.

The filing also challenges the draft summary for emphasizing restrictions while concluding that the measure’s effect on current law is unclear. Goodheart requested the removal of that assertion, stating that the amendment clearly establishes a constitutional standard and that individual legal applications would occur later.

As Chief Petitioner of Oregon Freedom Amendment Initiative Petition 2028-025, Goodheart emphasized the requirement for accurate information on the ballot. “The people of Oregon deserve a ballot title that tells them clearly what they are voting on,” Goodheart said.

Goodheart argued that the draft creates confusion for voters evaluating the initiative. “The Attorney General’s draft uses different lists in the yes and no statements, leaves protected activities out of the yes statement, understates the constitutional rights created by the amendment and then tells voters that its effect is unclear,” Goodheart said. “That does not provide voters with the clear and consistent information Oregon law requires.”

By submitting formal objections during the statutory comment period, Goodheart preserved the right to seek review from the Oregon Supreme Court under state law. If the Attorney General certifies a ballot title without addressing the objections, an elector who submitted written comments during the public window may petition the state Supreme Court to determine whether the title substantially complies with state requirements.

The proposed constitutional amendment is designated for the Nov. 7, 2028, general election ballot. If the ballot title is certified without addressing the filed objections, the chief petitioner may petition the Oregon Supreme Court for review.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Hayden Homes Amphitheater maintains a 93.5% waste diversion rate, keeping concert trash out of landfills through composting, recycling and reuse.

Staff from Deschutes County Solid Waste recently toured the facility to observe the behind-the-scenes operations firsthand.

The venue’s waste management strategy relies on clear communication with vendors, strong custodial support and careful post-event sorting.

A dedicated Green Team and waste staff at the amphitheater continuously adapt their practices to find new ways to reduce waste within the community.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Emergency crews responded to a water rescue on the Deschutes River near the Bend Whitewater Park after a man was found unconscious in the river.

Bend Fire and Rescue alongside Bend Police were dispatched to the scene.

According to police, witnesses saw the man swimming above the rapids shortly before he was found face down and unconscious under a bridge.

Nearby surfers spotted the swimmer, pulled him out of the water and brought him to an island in the middle of the river.

After being pulled to the island area, the man regained consciousness. First responders reported that CPR was not performed on the individual.

Emergency personnel temporarily closed Colorado Avenue near the scene as a precaution while responders worked in the area.

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Kelsey Merison

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 34-year-old man died late Wednesday night after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 20 in Lincoln County, according to the Oregon State Police.

State police reported that the victim, identified as Cordaro Ryan Stock of Toledo, was struck near milepost 10 at approximately 11:35 p.m. The driver initially believed the vehicle had hit a deer, but Toledo police officers later located Stock’s body in a nearby ditch after a bystander contacted emergency services.

The collision occurred as a beige 1996 Acura Integra was traveling westbound on Highway 20. Orion David Sliwka, 19, of Salem, was identified as the driver of the vehicle. Neither Sliwka nor his passenger sustained injuries and state police noted that Sliwka cooperated with investigating law enforcement officers.

After the impact, the Acura continued traveling westbound and stopped at a business in Newport. While at the business, a second person spoke with Sliwka and his passenger, leading them to believe the vehicle may have struck a person rather than an animal. That individual then called 911 to report the incident.

The resulting on-scene investigation closed or restricted traffic on Highway 20 for approximately 6 hours. Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Toledo Police Department, Newport Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Pacific West Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

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