Category: ktvz-local-news

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Lawmakers in Salem are debating two competing bills aimed at addressing liability and insurance concerns for Oregon’s ski and outdoor recreation industries. Senate Bill 1517 and Senate Bill 1593 both seek to regulate how liability is handled as operators face rising insurance costs.

The legislative push comes as many recreation providers shift rising insurance expenses to consumers. Oregon currently does not recognize liability waivers, a factor that has placed significant financial burdens on the state’s recreation industry. This shift in costs has made some outdoor activities unaffordable for many residents.

Senate Bill 1517 would change the existing liability rules but includes nearly seven exemptions. These exemptions would push legal liability back onto the operators rather than the participants. The bill has already passed the Senate and has moved to the House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 1593 takes a broader approach by allowing operators to be released from claims of ordinary negligence. This competing measure is currently being held in the Senate Rules Committee. While both bills address the same industry, their methods of handling liability differ in scope.

Jordan Elliot serves as the president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association. He said the current legislative environment has created a difficult situation for those looking to enter the industry.

“I think complicated is an understatement,” Elliot said. “I think it’s a real crisis of how we’re incentivizing the next generation to want to be the new leaders in this economy and take on that risk.”

Elliot noted that ski areas have spent the last 10 years dealing with these financial and legal pressures. He described the industry as a precursor for what other recreation sectors might face.

“It’s good to see that there’s, there’s competing bills actually on this, because it means the legislature is finally taking this seriously after the ski areas have been kind of the canary in the coal mine for the last decade,” Elliot said.

The legislative debate highlights Oregon’s unique position regarding liability. Most other states currently recognize liability waivers for recreation businesses, but Oregon does not. This lack of recognition has contributed to the financial and physical burdens reported by industry operators.

Senate Bill 1517 will now move through the House. Senate Bill 1593 remains in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting further action.

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Barney Lerten

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team went to a home south of Sunriver Wednesday morning and arrested a Bend-area man wanted on several active warrants for crimes ranging from identity theft to repeatedly running from police.

The SWAT Team arrested Paul Alfred Akehurst, 40, without incident around 8:40 a.m. at a home off Trader Lane, south of Vandevert Road, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr told KTVZ News.

The Deschutes County warrants include two felony warrants for criminal driving with a suspended or revoked licenses and another for aggravated ID theft.

Carr said deputies also had developed probable cause for additional charges, including fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, reckless endangering and driving with a suspected or revoked liecense.

“The arrest followed an ongoing investigation and recent incidents in which Akehurst fled from law enforcement in a vehicle and drove recklessly toward the public and responding deputies,” Carr said in a news release.

Akehurst surrendered without incident after deputies served him with a court-authorized warrant.

Carr said Akehurst was booked into the county jail in Bend on the outstanding warrants. He added that more charges may be filed, pending further review.

Back in May of 2014, KTVZ News reported that Bend police arrested Akehurst on DUII and other charges after a chase down Third Street hit speeds of 100 mph. Court records show he pleaded no contest to five of his nine charges and was sentenced to 30 months in prison and a lifetime suspension of his driver’s license.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding previous guilty plea, sentence)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Sisters man arrested in December for stealing a front loader from a construction site and ramming a family member’s SUV has been arrested again in the theft of several city, school and construction vehicles around the region, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday.

Blake Mogan, 33, a transient from Sisters, faces charges stolen vehicle investigations since December. The cases involved heavy equipment and other vehicles taken from locations throughout Sisters, Redmond, and Bend, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said..

As KTVZ News reported in December, deputies first encountered Mogan on Dec. 9, when he was arrested in Redmond operating a construction loader taken from a nearby job site.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office shared these photos of the various stolen vehicles

“Following that incident, law enforcement agencies in the region began investigating additional thefts with similar methods and patterns,” Carr said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, deputies found an abandoned and heavily damaged Sisters School District Suburban on Buckhorn Road. Carr said evidence recovered from the SUV, along with onboard video footage, identified Mogan as the person who illegally broke into the school district’s transportation building and stole the suburban.

On Monday of this week, deputies responded to the report of a stolen City of Sisters F-450 crane truck. Deputies coordinated with other agencies and found the truck on a forest road northwest of Sisters.

Mogan was contacted and taken into custody without incident, Carr said. During the investigation, deputies also recovered a stolen utility trailer associated with the case.

During interviews with investigators, Carr said Mogan admitted to several vehicle thefts, including prior incidents under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, the Bend Police Department and the Black Butte Police Department.

Mogan was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on numerous charges, including:

Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

Burglary in the Second Degree

Theft in the First Degree

Criminal Mischief

Criminal Trespass

Driving While Suspended

Mogan also faces a probation violation detainer related to previous convictions, and was being held without bail Wednesday at the jail in Bend, records showed.

These cases remain under investigation, Carr said, and more charges from partner agencies may follow.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Sisters School District, City of Sisters Public Works, Black Butte Police Department and the Bend Police Department for their continued partnership throughout the investigations.

Court records show Mogan pleaded guilty in late January to unauthorized use of a vehicle. He was sentenced earlier this month to a 10-day jail term, 18 months probation and a one-year driver’s license suspension.

Conditions imposed at the time included substance abuse evaluation, no drug use or possession and no contact with the excavation firm or other victims. He also was ordered to pay $5,170 in restitution.

Mogan was arraigned Tuesday on the nine new charges, six of them felonies, and is due back in court March 3 for arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend have announced Jennifer Graham as the organization’s new chief operating officer. The organization said Wednesday that Graham will oversee club operations and programming to support safe and high-quality experiences for local youth and families.

The appointment comes as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend seeks to expand its programs and services to more youth in Central Oregon. Graham will manage the systems and staff necessary to facilitate the club’s growth in the region.

Graham is a longtime Central Oregon resident, with a background as a youth-focused nonprofit leader. A former elementary school teacher, she has experience working with families at both the classroom and systems levels. She has been recognized locally for her leadership and previous contributions to youth initiatives throughout the region.

Most recently, Graham served as youth programs manager at East Cascades Works. During her time there, she led regional initiatives that connected youth across urban, rural and tribal communities to various opportunities and support.

Graham said she looks forward to working with the local community.

“I’m honored to join Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend and support the incredible work already happening here, and I’m excited to work alongside this team and community to reach more youth and strengthen programs,” Graham said.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend CEO Michael Baker said Graham’s experience will be vital to the organization’s growth. Baker noted that the club is preparing for a period of growth and expansion into neighboring areas.

“I am so excited to work with Jennifer,” Baker said. “She brings a wealth of experience to her role and is going to be instrumental in helping our organization serve more members, more often with deeper impact. Jennifer is going to be critical to our successful expansion to other communities in Deschutes County that desperately need our services.”

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Women of the Snow Spring 6-Week Workshop begins Thursday, Feb. 26, offering consecutive weekly sessions for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The program is designed to build confidence and skill through a consistent group environment and expert coaching.

Each group works with the same coach throughout the six weeks to provide a tailored experience based on ability levels. The curriculum focuses on elevating technique and fostering connections within a women-centered space.

The workshop is open to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders who identify as women. This includes cisgender women, transgender women, and nonbinary individuals who feel most comfortable in a women-centered environment. The program aims to create a supportive atmosphere while connecting participants to the mountain and the local community.

Participants will explore specific terrain and technical skills throughout the series. The “Steeps & Deeps” portion of the curriculum focuses on mastering steep lines and powder riding. These sessions utilize specific areas of the mountain, including Northwest and the Summit’s Backside.

The program also addresses “Technique for Women,” which focuses on refining carving and improving flow through trees. These lessons utilize techniques tailored to women’s biomechanics to help participants ride with more ease.

Coaches provide “Gear Know-How” by offering information on equipment from the mountain’s Demo Shop. This instruction is designed to help participants choose the best setup for their specific riding styles and goals. A dedicated Demo Day may be included as part of the multi-week series.

Each day of the workshop is adapted to current weather and snow conditions. If deep powder is unavailable on a scheduled day, coaches may shift the focus to carving techniques and save steep terrain topics for a day with better-suited conditions.

The workshop begins Thursday, Feb. 26, and will run for six consecutive weeks. Registration and further information are available through the Women of the Snow website.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate David Medina visited Central Oregon this week as the latest stop on his campaign trail ahead of the May 19 primary election. Medina, a Portland native and small business owner, addressed a variety of topics ranging from the state’s energy crisis to his involvement in the Jan. 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol.

During the conversation Medina spoke about energy policy and the impact of AI data centers on local utility costs. He is advocating for a shift toward nuclear energy, arguing that current energy prices have become unsustainable for Oregon residents.

Medina identified the expansion of AI data centers as a significant driver of Oregon’s growing energy needs. He stated that the state must reconsider its approach to renewable energy to address rising costs and what he described as an ongoing energy crisis. While acknowledging historical concerns regarding nuclear energy, Medina argued that the state must explore the option to stabilize costs.

“And, you know, obviously they talk about, you know, what happened in Japan and and the leaks,” Medina said. “And I’m sure you have those, you know, you have those risks. But, you know, that’s something we have to look into. We have to do something different than what we’re doing now. Our energy prices are out of control.”

Medina estimated that even if the state moved forward with nuclear development, Oregon remains approximately eight years away from the completion of a nuclear power plant. Beyond energy, his platform also includes positions on wildfires and education.

The candidate also addressed his presence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and a separate incident at the state Capitol in Salem. Medina characterized his involvement as peaceful and compared his experience in Washington, D.C., to a common tourist activity.

“I never talked to anybody On January 6th,” Medina said. “I walked in, I’m basically like a lot of people on a guided tour. I’m not saying January 6th, there wasn’t a lot of stuff happened there. I never stood with any of there was any violence there, never stood with that.”

Medina emphasized that he supports law enforcement and suggested that many people present during the event were unfairly categorized.

“I’ve never been with that,” Medina said. “That is something I support my law enforcement. But the majority of people on January 6th were being guilty by association.”

The primary election is scheduled for May 19. The full interview with Medina is available at KTVZ.com.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A detour on Division Street from Highway 97 is in place while The North Unit Irrigation District replaces fish screens in the river nearby.

These screens are designed to guide fish and other aquatic creatures away from equipment and into safe passages.

The banks of the river are steep near the headwaters, and the District needs to close down one lane of traffic so a large crane can be part of the project.

Josh Bailey serves as the general manager for the North Unit Irrigation District. Bailey says these upgrades have been a long time coming. The screens are 80 years old.

“Our system has a lot of pumps,” Bailey said. “There’s a lot of drops. There’s, a lot of things that, are definitely not conducive for, biological life. And we want to keep all of that out of our system, not only to protect the species, whatever it may be, but also to protect the district’s infrastructure.”

This partial road closure that is expected to continue until around April 9. Then, they’ll resume the work in October.

They’re doing this project during the off season, so it doesn’t impact farmers and ranchers who depend on the irrigation district for their water.

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Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon House Republicans paused floor deliberations Monday to protest the handling of a conduct complaint against Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend), which alleged he pressured a colleague into changing her vote on a firearm bill last week.

Republican leaders claim the incident has not been thoroughly investigated and have called for a transparent review by the Legislative Equity Office. The move comes after House Democrats accepted Kropf’s resignation from the House Committee on Conduct without floor debate on Monday.

The continued conflict stems from a February 16th committee work session for House Bill 4145, which would tighten firearm regulations in Oregon.

During the House Judiciary Committee meeting on February 16th, Representative Thủy Trần (D-Portland) initially voted against the measure. Trần expressed concerns that the bill was contradictory and could negatively impact lawful gun owners.

Following her initial “no” vote, Rep. Kropf called for a recess. Trần followed Kropf into a hallway for a private conversation. When the two returned, Trần changed her vote to “yes.” The bill then advanced with a five-four vote.

A citizen, who did not witness their exchange, filed a formal conduct complaint with the Legislative Equity Office, alleging Trần returned shaken and distraught after meeting with Kropf.

Trần later addressed the encounter and the atmosphere of the meeting, saying Kropf “created a hostile working environment.”

House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer released a statement on Monday, requesting a full investigation into the matter. Elmer claimed that Democratic leadership attempted to “sweep this under the rug,” rather than investigate the complaint.

“The allegation that a lawmaker created a hostile working environment by intimidating another lawmaker into changing their vote is a serious allegation that creates distrust in the democratic process,” Elmer stated. “It must be properly addressed and thoroughly investigated through a transparent process that respects the victim and remedies the wrong committed against them.”

The Republican protest on Monday followed a two-hour delay of the House floor session. During the session, Representative Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) made a motion to accept Kropf’s resignation from the House Committee on Conduct.

Kropf was replaced on the committee by Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland). The motion was ruled undebatable, which prevented further discussion on the floor.

In response, Rep. Kropf released a statement on Monday:

“Earlier today, I submitted my resignation as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Conduct. While I believe deeply in the purpose and work of the committee, it has become obvious in recent days that my presence on that body was serving as a distraction to the important business of the House of Representatives.

I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to lead in this area and have utmost confidence that the current committee will continue its work with competence and integrity.

Regarding Minority Leader Elmer’s call for investigation: I have previously offered to cooperate with the Legislative Equity Office and will be happy to do so in the future should the need arise.”

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend chapter of the Future Farmers of America will hold its Run for the Roses Benefit Dinner and Auction on Saturday, March 7. The fundraiser is the organization’s only major event of the year used to pay for student travel to national competitions.

This year’s event features a Kentucky Derby theme. The gathering serves as a platform for local organizations and businesses to demonstrate their support for the agricultural program and its student members.

The fundraiser features a dinner, a silent auction and various games. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with FFA students, who will be present to share and discuss their current agricultural projects. Tickets for the event are currently available through the Bend FFA chapter website.

Harmony Fidler, the district president for Bend FFA, said the annual benefit highlights the level of community engagement with the organization. She noted that local businesses often provide unexpected support for the chapter’s efforts.

“It’s just really crazy to see how much the community comes in and supports us,” Fidler said. “How many people are bidding interactive and care about this organization. Everywhere you go, you see it in business you didn’t know supported FFA. For example, last year Cuppa Yo came in and stepped in and that was really cool to have them partner with us in want to support our program.”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend says it is offering sponsorship and grant funding to organizations working to build a more connected, inclusive or engaged community.

“From neighborhood gatherings to cultural celebrations and educational programs, these funds promote community outreach and education regarding City priorities and Council Goals,” Monday’s announcement said.

It continues in full below:

The City is now accepting applications from local organizations planning events or programs that are connected to City Council Goals or City priorities taking place this year between June and December. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

This year, the application process is moving from a continuously open application with twice a year review to an application only available during specific application periods aligned with the twice a year review process.

Spring Application Period:

The Sponsorship Application is open from February 1 to March 31. Applications are reviewed in April, and final decisions and payments are made in May.

If your event or program takes place between June and December, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Fall Application Period:

The Sponsorship Application is open from August 1 to September 30. Applications are reviewed in October, and final decisions and payments are made in November.

If your event or program takes place between January and May, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Shifting to twice-a-year application windows simplifies the application and review process. The City is committed to maintaining the twice-a-year review and award cadence to ensure nonprofits and community groups have a predictable timeline and process for seeking City Sponsorship funds.

For full program details or to submit an application, visit bendoregon.gov/get-involved/grants-sponsorship.

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