Category: ktvz-local-news

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Deschutes Children’s Foundation has it’s first ever pickleball tournament, it’s called The Big Dill. It’s happening at Widgi Creek Golf Club in Bend on September 11th. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and registration is $75 per person. You get to participate in a raffle, a silent auction, and enjoy food and drink. Whether you’re new to pickle ball or a seasoned player. This is all about fun, connection, and supporting a great cause.

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Lynsey Harris

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — You name the fun, our Lynsey Harris was partaking in it during her live segments Thursday evening from the 2025 Crook County Fair.

From the tall slide to the Dinky Train to a pair of 4-H turkey-raisers and their birds, she was having a blast, and taking us along for the ride.

You can find much more information about this year’s fair, with the theme “Timeless Traditions,” at their website. The fair runs through Saturday.

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Barney Lerten

(Adding video from Monday’s broadcast)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – World-class shows at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, walking along the river trail, patio happy hours, and retail therapy are highlights of the Bend Summer season. Commute Options said Thursday it’s thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Hayden Homes Amphitheater and the Old Mill District for the “August Car-Free Commute Challenge.” 

The “August Car-Free Commute Challenge” is an initiative designed to encourage concert attendees and folks visiting the district to choose sustainable transportation methods throughout the entire month of August, according to a news release that continues in full below:

Participants simply need to create an account on Get There Oregon (www.getthereoregon.org) and log their car-free commutes – whether they walk, bike, scoot, roll, or ride the bus – to and from any concert at Hayden Homes Amphitheater or visit to the Old Mill District. By logging their trips, they are automatically entered into a prize draw, with the grand prize being a $200 Old Mill District gift bundle. 

The goal of the program is to reduce single-occupancy vehicles, ease congestion, and promote a healthier, more sustainable Bend. This effort aligns with the Old Mill District’s sustainability goals and Commute Options’ vision for accessible, convenient transportation options to lessen single-occupancy commutes in the community.  

By participating in car-free travel, concert-goers and visitors can ease traffic backups and contribute to a more sustainable, more enjoyable experience in Bend. 

Amanda Bird-Zimmerman, Assistant Marketing Director and Community Engagement Lead with the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater, states, “We are thrilled to partner with Commute Options to encourage not only more sustainable transportation choices, but also to get folks outside to experience a different perspective of this gorgeous place we call home. Whether folks take one or 30+ alternative commute trips this month, any amount makes a difference. And, you can’t win if you don’t play, right? See you out there!” 

Join the August Car-Free Commute Challenge! 

Everyone visiting the Old Mill District or attending concerts at Hayden Homes Amphitheater this August is encouraged to participate. It’s free and easy to get signed up. 

Here’s how to participate: 

Make an account on Get There Oregon: Simply visit www.getthereoregon.org or scan the provided QR code at the venue. 

Log your sustainable commute: Record your travel to/from using methods such as: 

Walking 

Biking 

Scooting/Rolling 

Riding the Bus 

Be automatically entered into the prize draw!  

Details on The Grand Prize: One lucky participant will win a $200 Old Mill District gift bundle, which includes a $100 Old Mill District Gift Card (usable towards concert tickets, shopping, and dining), movie tickets, Old Mill District swag, and more! 

“The August Car-Free Commute Challenge provides a fun and rewarding way for concertgoers to make a positive impact on our community,” said Brian Potwin from Commute Options. “Collaboration is key to sustainable change. We’re incredibly proud to team up with Hayden Homes Amphitheater and the Old Mill District to offer a fun, rewarding way for everyone to contribute to a less congested Bend.” 

Join Commute Options, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, and the Old Mill District in making a positive impact this August! When you choose a car-free commute, you could win big. Learn more at https://www.commuteoptions.org/hayden-holmes-car-free-commute-challenge/  

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Supervisory Deputy District Attorney Stacy Neil received the Oregon Sex Crimes Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Oregon District Attorneys Association at a ceremony Thursday at the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend.

The award was created to recognize an Oregon prosecutor for outstanding accomplishments in seeking justice for the victims of sexual abuse. 

Neil has been a prosecutor in Deschutes County for 19 years, focusing on child abuse cases including sexual abuse, assault and murder. She also worked as a child abuse forensic interviewer for four years.

Throughout her career, she has been a leader in the field, developing protocols to improve child abuse investigations in Oregon. She helped rewrite the Oregon Interviewing Guidelines for child sexual abuse cases and serves on the KIDS Center Board of Directors. 

District Attorney Steve Gunnels praised Neil, saying: “Stacy is a smart, dedicated and tenacious prosecutor who is extremely effective in her role. She takes sexual abuse cases to heart and always fights hard to get justice for victims. She is an outstanding prosecutor and an asset to our community.” 

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NPG Content Share

(Update: Adding video)

News Team

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal wrong-way crash that happened Wednesday night on Interstate 86 near American Falls and killed a Bend, Oregon man.

Around 8:55 PM, an 81-year-old man from Bend was reportedly driving a Honda Civic westbound in the eastbound lanes at mile marker 40. The Honda crashed head-on into a Volkswagen SUV.

The man died at the scene, ISP reported. His name has not been released, pending notification of family members.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 35-year-old woman from California, was transported to a local hospital. Her current condition is unknown.

The westbound lanes of I-86 were closed for about four hours as crews investigated the scene and cleared the wreckage.

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Kade Linville

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Thursday night, the nonprofit Citizens4Community and Kendall Auto Group are starting their summer series in Sisters, showing free movies in the outdoors.

The Details:

What: Cars outdoor movie screening, powered by Kendall Auto Group of Central Oregon

🪑 What to Bring: Low-back chairs or a blanket—whatever keeps you cozy!

🚫 Please Note: No alcohol or dogs allowed.

When: Thursday, August 7 | Doors @ 7:15 PM, movie at sundown (approx. 8:15 PM).

Where: Village Green Park | 302 S Elm St., Sisters, OR 97759

Who: Open to the public, all ages

How much: Free admission! Donations benefit C4C.

🍿 Snacks for a Cause | Concessions will be available for purchase from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District’s volunteer Fire Corps, with all proceeds supporting their local work.

More Free Summer Movie Fun:

August 22 – Encanto at Sisters Art Works, co-hosted by SFF Presents

September 12 – The Sandlot at Sisters Community Church baseball fields

September 20 – Top Gun at Sisters Eagle Airport

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding update from Governor Kotek, Adding House Republican leader’s reaction to proposal)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Governor Tina Kotek unveiled more details Thursday of her proposed funding solution of tax and fee increases lawmakers will take up at an August 29 special session. She said the proposal, if approved, will “preserve critical transportation and maintenance services for Oregonians, protect the jobs of hundreds of essential workers across the state, and preserve transit services.”

A top Republican lawmaker again blasted the proposal, calling it a “tone-deaf” package that would “hurt struggling families.”

The proposal follows up on the initial details she outlined to reporters last month, including a six-cent-a-gallon gas tax hike and increases in the state’s payroll tax and vehicle registration and title fees.

Here’s the rest of her news release, followed by one from Oregon House Republican Leader Christine Drazan:

The proposal would deliver adequate funding for the State Highway Trust Fund in the 2025-27 biennium, while maintaining Oregon’s emergency funds for urgent needs, such as wildfire suppression.

“In the weeks since the adjournment of the legislative session, my team and I have worked every day with legislators, local partners, and key stakeholders to zero in on a focused solution for the immediate crisis in our transportation system,” Governor Kotek said. “I am confident that lawmakers will step up this month to avert these layoffs, and I appreciate their partnership in getting to the other side of this crisis.”

Table of proposed gas tax and fee hikes to cover ODOT funding shortfall

“The Governor’s proposal is a targeted, near-term, and necessary fix to a statewide crisis. We must protect the jobs of ODOT employees whom we rely on to keep our roads and bridges safe,” Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said. “For decades, Oregon has underinvested in the safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transit options. This proposal doesn’t solve all the funding challenges facing our statewide transportation system, but we have an opportunity with this legislation to keep Oregon on a path toward a fair and stable funding system that puts safety first.”

“This proposal is about keeping Oregonians safe; making sure that every community – urban and rural – has functioning roads and transit; and holding ODOT accountable to Oregon taxpayers,” House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) said. “We’ve heard from mayors, county commissioners, and transit leaders across the state who have been clear that the stakes are real and the timeline is urgent. We need to take action before harmful cuts to transportation services take effect.”

If additional revenues for the State Highway Fund are not secured during a special session, a first wave of layoffs will go into effect on September 15, and a second wave is slated for January 2026. 

Here is the governor’s transportation funding proposal released Thursday:

Transportation Funding Proposal One PagerDownload

News release:

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION TAX PACKAGE THAT RAISES TAXES, HARMS STRUGGLING OREGONIANS

SALEM, ORE. — House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby) released the following statement in response to the governor’s tone-deaf transportation tax package that takes from family savings accounts instead of using available funding:

“The governor’s tax package is going to hurt struggling families. Oregonians will be paying more but getting less—no new lanes, no improved bridges, just higher taxes. House Republicans proposed using money from the state’s Legislative Emergency Board to protect maintenance and preserve essential jobs that keep our roads safe, but the governor rejected any plan that didn’t raise taxes. Her plan to cut maintenance workers was dangerous and wrong, and her push to raise costs at the pump is extreme and out of touch. She should listen to Oregonians, work across the aisle and pursue a measured approach to the transportation needs of the state without forcing the largest transportation tax increase in Oregon’s history.”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department alerted community members Thursday of a recent uptick in scams they are seeing frequently offering tips,in an effort to help you avoid becoming a victim.  

“So far in 2025, we have received at least 243 calls reporting scams and fraud attempts,” Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said in a news release. “In July alone, 20 people reported to the Bend Police Department that they had lost a combined $107,905 in scams, in amounts ranging from $25 to $26,000.”

The types of scams can vary, but over the past couple of months, we’ve seen multiple incidents in which the victim lost tens of thousands of dollars through similar methods.

Here are just a few examples:  

The victim received a call purporting to be from Wells Fargo. The caller told the victim there was an issue with her account, then sent an Uber to the victim’s home to provide transportation to the bank. The victim was directed to withdraw $12,000 and then took a second Uber to a Chase Bank to deposit the money in separate ATM deposits to unknown accounts. The caller then provided the victim with a third Uber to transport the victim back home.  

The victim received a call purporting to be from U.S. Bank. The caller told the victim that someone had attempted to open a Zelle account with the victim’s phone number. The victim was directed to withdraw $2,000 in cash and use that money to buy MoneyPak Green Dot cards, then repeat the transaction at a different grocery store with $1,500 in cash. The victim then provided the numbers on the back of the cards to the caller.  

The victim received an email from a scammer regarding a fake purchase on eBay. The victim called a number listed in the email and spoke with a person who directed the victim to go to a Bitcoin ATM and make multiple deposits totaling $32,000. The scammer was able to gain access to the victim’s computer through a screen-sharing program, and the scammer may also have shut down the victim’s bank account and attempted to make purchases on multiple credit cards. 

Many of our most recently reported scams have featured a victim receiving either an email or a phone call about a problem – an issue with a bank account, a fraudulent charge, a warrant or a missed jury duty call.

The scammer then rushes the victim – they need to act quickly to solve the issue by transferring money, giving the scammer gift cards, or taking money out of their bank account and putting it elsewhere.

Often, the scammer stays on the phone with the victim the entire time the scam is taking place. By the time the victim figures out it’s a scam, they’re often too late and lose a lot of money.  

Here are a few reminders to help prevent these scammers from getting hold of your hard-earned money:  

Law enforcement and other federal agencies will never call or email you demanding money. Banks will not ask you to wire money as part of a fraud investigation. Banks will not tell you to remove money from their accounts and place it in another bank.  

Do not transfer money into Bitcoin ATMs or online apps at the behest of any agency or business.  

Legitimate groups do not request payment in the form of gift cards.  

Not sure if it’s a scam? Trust your gut. Hang up, don’t reply to the email. Call your banking institution and check that the call or email is legitimate. Don’t trust caller ID – a scammer can fake a number they’re calling from. You can also Google the number you’re receiving a call from. Often, other people who have been scammed will post to the internet identifying the phone number as a scammer.  

Have you been the victim of a scam? Call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 to report it and file a complaint with the FBI at www.IC3.gov. 

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Thursday that he will hold open-to-all town halls this month in Polk, Jefferson, Josephine, Benton and Clatsop counties.

Heading into these five town halls from August 14-23, Wyden has held 1,129 open-to-all town halls in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.

“I’m looking forward to these town halls in communities large and small because hearing my fellow Oregonians’ opinions and answering their questions are a must to do my job in the Senate representing all parts of the state,” Wyden said. “Our country faces unprecedented challenges, and these open-to-all meetings help shape the solutions that Oregonians want for our state and country.”

The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 14

Polk County, 5 pm, Western Oregon University’s Werner University Center, 400 Monmouth Ave N., Monmouth

Saturday, Aug. 16

Jefferson County, 10 am, Madras Performing Arts Center, 412 SE Buff St., Madras

Monday, Aug. 18

Josephine County, 4 pm, Rogue Community College gym, 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Benton County, 4 pm, Philomath High School auditorium, 2054 Applegate St., Philomath

Saturday, Aug. 23

Clatsop County, 4 pm, Astoria High School auditorium, 1001 W Marine Dr., Astoria

For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town hall.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week on Show Us Your Garden, we have another great variety of gardens to show off. A garden that is made from a circle of friends who all share different parts of their gardens with each other. Another is a lovely fountain hidden in some beautiful flowers on the front deck. The third garden is one that gets a lot of attention each morning.

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