Category: ktvz-local-news

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A conduct complaint was filed this week against Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, alleging he created a hostile environment and intimidated a colleague during a committee session on gun policy. The complaint claims Kropf pressured Rep. Thủy Trần, D-Portland, to change her vote on an amendment to a high-profile firearms bill on February 16th.

The incident in question occurred during a House Judiciary Committee work session for House Bill 4145. After Trần initially voted “no” on a proposed amendment, Kropf called an immediate recess and spoke with her privately for nearly 20 minutes. When the committee reconvened, Trần changed her vote to “yes,” which allowed the measure to pass and advance out of the committee.

Derek LeBlanc filed the formal conduct complaint with the Legislative Equity Office on February 16th, 2026, as a private citizen. LeBlanc, who was present for the work session, described watching the interaction from the gallery.

“Rep. Trần had just voted no. The next person up to vote was Rep. Kropf,” LeBlanc said. “But he pivoted really quickly, called a recess and then took her outside for, I would imagine, close to 15 minutes.” While LeBlanc did not hear the private conversation, he expressed concern regarding Trần’s appearance when the lawmakers returned to the room.

“I don’t know what was said specifically,” LeBlanc said. “All I can read is obviously her body language as she came back into the room. She was visibly distraught. She looked like she was shaking.”

Rep. Trần did not respond KTVZ News’ request for comment, but addressed the incident to OregonLive/The Oregonian. She characterized the atmosphere during the session as unprofessional.

“Upon reflection, it created a hostile working environment to me, staff, advocates and the public,” Trần said. While the complaint alleged she was “visibly shaken” and had “tears in her eyes,” Trần clarified that “there were no tears,” though she noted that “the meeting caused stress for many in the room, not just me.”

Despite the friction during the meeting, Trần stated to OregonLive/The Oregonian that she continues to value her professional relationship with Kropf. “I have a great deal of respect for Democratic Rep. Kropf of Bend, but his management of events made for a less than ideal situation during a Monday meeting,” Trần said. She added that she understands the “tremendous pressure” placed on committee chairs during a short legislative session.

Rep. Kropf, who serves as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, declined to comment on the specifics of the complaint, but issued a statement regarding the intensity of the legislative environment.

“It’s natural that tensions run high in this building: we’re doing important, detailed work that will affect all of our fellow Oregonians for years to come and we’re doing it on a very public stage,” Kropf stated. He noted that the atmosphere is “particularly true when navigating a weighty issue like preventing gun tragedy.” Kropf also emphasized his regard for Trần’s work as a legislator.

“I can say that I have known Rep. Trần to be an incredibly thoughtful legislator and I hold deep respect for her as a colleague,” he stated.

Kropf is a chief sponsor of the bill that was being debated during the session. The incident drew criticism from other lawmakers, including Rep. Alek Skarlatos, R-Winston, who addressed the behavior on the House floor Tuesday.

Without naming Kropf directly, Skarlatos called the act of pulling a member out of a committee to change a vote “inappropriate.” He told fellow representatives that “everyone’s vote is sacred” and such actions go against the principles of a republic.

House Bill 4145 seeks to modify the firearm permit provisions of Ballot Measure 114. The voter-approved measure, which has been the subject of multiple legal challenges regarding its constitutionality, has not yet taken effect since its passage in November 2022.

The Legislative Equity Office is currently reviewing the complaint filed by LeBlanc. Investigations conducted by the office are generally confidential under legislative rules. House Bill 4145 is now scheduled to move to the House floor for further consideration.

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Tyson Beauchemin

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Christians marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday by receiving traditional ash crosses on their foreheads. The day initiates a 40-day period focused on fasting and repentance.

The season of Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before he began preaching. Mirroring this, believers often give up specific luxuries or habits to reflect on their repentance. Traditional fasting practices include eating smaller portions and abstaining from meat on Fridays.

During today’s service at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Redmond, ashes in the shape of a cross were applied to the foreheads of the gathering. Pastor Saji Thomas, explained that the mark is a public sign of humility.

“And ashes is not telling that ‘I am a saint’,” Thomas said. “It says that ‘I am a sinner and I am ready to repent.’ So it’s kind of witnessing for others.”

While Ash Wednesday is primarily recognized as a Catholic tradition, several other Christian denominations also observe the day. Father Thomas invited any individuals who wished to participate in the spirit of repentance to receive ashes at the start of Lent.

In addition to traditional fasting, Thomas suggested his congregation make changes to their daily habits. He encouraged participants to reduce their screen time and replace it with prayer time.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 12-year-old Bend resident, Alder Gonzales, really wants his own e-bike. But instead of asking his parents or saving up birthday and holiday cash for years to buy it, he decided to earn it for himself.

Gonzales has started his own auto detailing service. He goes door to door, knocking asking if people need their car cleaned. He manages the business while balancing his schoolwork.

The venture has seen a significant increase in business recently, after he was posted in a local facebook group. He’s started traveling directly to clients’ homes to work on their cars.

Alder isn’t just a kid with a hose and some dish soap. He’s got proper cleaning equipment. He also utilizes specific products designed for both the interior and exterior of vehicles. He tries his best to re-create the high-quality results of a real auto detailer for his customers.

Gonzales still need to balance school and his side hustle, but he’s looking to the future, where this could become a proper job for him

“I see a lot of people who do this for, like, a full time job and they get like a bunch of clients,” Gonzales said. “They have, like, a big business.”

Gonzales has an idea for how he wants his future auto detailing business.

“All this stuff would go in the van and have and it would just be ways to do so because I could drive to people like from anywhere and I could just work out of the van,” Gonzales said.

He’s still a long ways from getting his e-bike though. And will have to clean a lot more cars to achieve his dream.

If you want to hire Alder, you can contact him through his professional email: crystalcascades6@gmail.com

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — From Friday through Monday of Presidents Day weekend, Prineville Police Department officers made seven DUII arrests in the city, officials said Wednesday.

“That’s seven situations where someone chose to drive impaired and seven times where a life could have been changed forever,” the department said in a Facebook post.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of traffic crash fatalities involve alcohol or drugs, the department said.

“Those aren’t just statistics,” police said. “Those are families, friends and neighbors. A DUII is preventable. A tragedy is preventable.”

“Prineville is a small community, and we care about every person on our roads,” the post stated. “We serve this community because we care deeply about the people in it. Please help us protect Prineville by making the safe choice before you ever turn the key.”

“Someone is waiting for you at home. And someone else is waiting for the person you might meet on the road. 

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding quotes from Karrie Newman, a Central Oregon resident)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two vehicles, including an Oregon State Police patrol car, were struck by rocks or concrete thrown from a bridge onto Highway 97 south of Bend early Sunday morning. The incidents occurred near the railroad bridge just before the Baker Road exit.

While no injuries were reported, the objects caused significant damage to the vehicles and left debris in the roadway. Oregon State Police (OSP) dispatch logs indicated multiple calls reporting similar incidents in the area during the same timeframe.

Highway 97 is known for a high frequency of fatal crashes and residents expressed concern that these intentional acts have made the route even more dangerous.

Karrie Newman, a Central Oregon resident, was driving on Highway 97 under the railroad bridge when her vehicle was struck twice. The first object dented the hood of her car and the second cracked the windshield.

Newman said the experience was “very scary” and noted that she could have crashed had she lost consciousness from the impact. Newman emphasized that the actions should not be dismissed as simple mischief.

“These aren’t kids just being kids,” Newman said. “These are kids being dangerous and violent. These are kids that could potentially destroy their lives if they kill somebody.”

The damage to Newman’s vehicle is estimated at nearly $4,000. She faces a $1,000 insurance deductible to cover the repairs. “I have almost $4,000 in damage to my vehicle, and, my insurance is going to want to be reimbursed for that,” Newman said. “And I have to pay $1,000 deductible. So this isn’t a victimless crime.”

An Oregon State Police patrol vehicle was also hit by a piece of concrete during the same period. The impact shattered the windshield of the patrol car, but the trooper involved did not sustain any injuries. An OSP representative confirmed the details of the strike in a statement to KTVZ News.

“An OSP patrol vehicle was struck by a piece of concrete that shattered the windshield. The trooper was not injured,” the representative said. “He reported there were additional pieces of concrete in the roadway.”

Other community members have reported similar behavior in different parts of the region. These incidents include individuals throwing rocks from hills near the Old Mill District and dropping water balloons from the Empire Avenue overpass.

The Bend Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the incidents to contact them. KTVZ News has contacted the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for further information and is awaiting a response.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The windshields of at least two vehicles – one an Oregon State Police patrol car – were damaged early Sunday morning after rocks or concrete were apparently thrown from a railroad overpass onto Highway 97 near the Baker Road exit south of Bend.

OSP confirmed to KTVZ News late Wednesday that one of their patrol vehicles was hit around 12:47 a.m. Sunday.

In the statement to KTVZ News, a representative said, “An OSP patrol vehicle was struck by a piece of concrete that shattered the windshield. The trooper was not injured.”

“When he got out to check, there were concrete chunks in the roadway,” OSP told us. “There was no suspect information.”

OSP also told us their dispatch notes indicate “there were additional calls of similar incidents” in the area.

The damage comes as other drivers have reported their vehicles being hit by rocks, or even water balloons, thrown from highway and railroad overpasses, including one at Empire Avenue.

If you’ve experienced a similar incident recently, please contact us at news@ktvz.com with details and any photos or video.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles Health System announced Wednesday it’s offering a new incentive to encourage individuals to become certified medical assistants, to help fill a growing need within the organization.

People accepted into the program will receive funding to cover the cost of the MA certification program at Central Oregon Community College and will also receive a stipend to help cover living expenses while in the program, their announcement said.

St. Charles – Central Oregon’s largest private employer, with over 5,000 employees – says it’s slated to hire up to 70 medical assistants over the next year, making it the most in-demand position within the health system.

“We are excited to offer this new funding, in hopes of getting more people interested in becoming medical assistants, which is an engaging but often overlooked health care job,” said Jennifer Brooks, chief nursing officer for ambulatory care at St. Charles.

Before becoming a nurse, Brooks spent several years as an MA and believes it’s a fun and fulfilling position.

St. Charles’ new program at COCC will provide funding for 10 students in an accelerated six-month MA program starting in June and an additional 20 students in the regular nine-month tract starting in September. After graduation, individuals who received the funding commit to working for St. Charles for at least two years.

Shannon Waller, medical assisting program director for COCC, said, “Our Medical Assisting program at COCC blends hands-on clinical training with strong classroom instruction ,so students graduate confident and job-ready.

“As an accredited program, our curriculum is built on national standards and prepares students with the knowledge and skills today’s clinics expect,” Waller added. “This funding opportunity helps remove financial barriers and opens the door for more students to step into meaningful health care careers.”

Medical assistants serve in the clinic setting and are often the first clinical staff members patients interact with when they visit a doctor’s office.

MAs support providers, prepare patients for exams, maintain equipment, help address patient questions and much more, all while working standard office hours. Certified MAs can also perform EKGs and blood draws, among other medical tasks.

Kaylyn Grammater, clinical educator for ambulatory care at St. Charles, said, “Becoming a medical assistant is a great first step entry into the profession of health care. Many MAs go on to become nurses, doctors, physical therapists and other types of health care professionals. They are like the glue that keeps our outpatient clinics together.”

St. Charles now employs about 250 medical assistants, almost all of whom work at outpatient clinics. The system has about 50 vacancies and anticipates needing to hire up to 70 within the coming year. Starting wages for medical assistants are typically between $24 and $30 an hour.

St. Charles says it’s also now hiring pre-certified medical assistants. The new position allows caregivers to earn their certification while employed as a medical assistant, with a more limited scope of practice.

Fill out interest list for MA funding.

Apply to work as a medical assistant at St. Charles.

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John Carroll

An avalanche impacted several skiers in the Castle Peak region of California in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This mountain is about 24 miles northwest of Truckee, California and is a favorite spot for winter outdoor enthusiasts.

Snowfall totals from February 15th through February 17th

The Avalanche was more than likely caused by the tremendous and rapid buildup of snow in the area. An atmospheric river this week deposited nearly 4 feet of snow across portions of the Sierra Nevada Range which destabilized the snowpack and increased the risk of an avalanche.

For the article on the Skiers trapped by the avalanche, click here.

Weight and gravity play a role in these types of events. The new snow settles on the old snow base, but with the amount of new snow and the weight of the new snow, the area was compromised. If the new snow is not “set” or stable, it is easier for a slide to occur.

Several factors are in play when an avalanche occurs, one of them is rapid snow growth on the mountain. Four feet of snow in three days will qualify as rapid accumulation rate, or snow growth.

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Matthew Draxton

Editor’s Note: The information presented in this story might not be suitable for all ages. Discretion is advised.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A licensed counselor testified Monday that a 9-year-old boy at the center of a high-profile child abuse case used intentional vomiting to “control his world” in times of stress.

Sarah Session was initially charged with second-degree attempted murder, assault and criminal mistreatment of her stepson. On January 21st, 2026 Judge Emerson dismissed the attempted murder charge as well as first degree assault charge due to insufficient evidence to sustain prosecution. She now faces two counts of assault in the second degree, five counts of assault in the third degree, eight counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree, and two counts of coercion.

Session’s parents, Gary and Paula Hardenburg, face charges of criminal mistreatment and tampering with evidence.

Todd Ricker, who treated the child by telehealth, provided a window, through testimony, into the months leading up to the arrests, detailing the boy’s behavioral struggles and the family’s home environment in south Deschutes County.

Ricker, a self-employed counselor with 34 years of experience, testified that his sessions with the child began on Oct. 20, 2023. Ricker, who specializes in child and family therapy, conducted the appointments exclusively through audio-visual telehealth.

During the initial intake, Session reported concerns regarding the boy’s difficulty with transitions and oppositional behavior. She also noted a recurring issue with purging and vomiting, which she characterized as a trauma response to violence in the home.

As the weekly hour-long sessions progressed, Ricker was able to find techniques that positively benefited the boy’s behaviors. While the behavior was initially treated with calming and breathing techniques, Ricker concluded the vomiting was used by the boy as a behavioral tool.

“It did not seem to be a trauma response,” Ricker said. “It seemed to be a way to try and control his world with anything he could.” Ricker noted that he had never seen a child of that age intentionally vomit in his over 30 years of practice.

The counselor initially observed a positive relationship between the child and his stepmother. During telehealth visits from their living room, Ricker said the boy appeared comfortable, often curling up close to Session on the couch. “It was a very sweet close attachment,” Ricker said recalling meeting Session and her step-son. He noted that Session appeared to be a caring parent who was relieved to find a therapist for the boy.

However, Ricker later learned that Session was the boy’s stepmother rather than his biological mother, which created a legal dilemma regarding her authority to sign medical paperwork.

During the final meeting on Jan. 31, 2024, Session reported that the boy’s behavior had escalated and she had placed a blue tarp in his bedroom to protect the carpet from vomit. Ricker testified that he could see the tarp during the video call but could not determine how much of the room it covered. Upon viewing a photo of the room in court Tuesday, Ricker expressed concern about the environment. “There doesn’t appear to be any toys or anything of comfort which is a concern,” Ricker said. He added that while he advocated for natural consequences, keeping a child in such a sterile room for an extended period would be inappropriate.

Under cross-examination by the defense, Ricker stated that the boy struggled with honesty and had unusual eating habits, such as stuffing his cheeks with food “like a chipmunk.” Ricker testified that from his perspective, the boy showed sincere remorse for the vomiting and had an overall sadness he wasn’t doing better. The defense, however, questioned Ricker on if the boy told him he was vomiting intentionally. Ricker said that the vomiting was a technique for the boy to feel in control in times of stress or disarray. When questioned by prosecutors, Ricker said Session “may have suggested” the boy felt special when purging, rather than the boy asserting it himself.

Ricker testified that he is a mandated reporter and never saw signs of physical abuse or unexplained bruises during his video sessions. “I would be shocked if Sarah was abusing [the boy] because she conveyed a caring loving attitude toward [him],” Ricker said. He noted that Session often spent extra time with him discussing how to better support the child’s health and behavior.

Prosecutors presented Ricker with information he was not aware of during his therapy sessions with the boy. The prosecution described alleged footage showing the boy confined to his room, restricted from water and being called a “disgusting, terrifying, psychotic creature” by Session.

Ricker testified that he never saw Session lash out or yell during their appointments. He also stated he was unaware that the boy was “covered in bruises” when he was eventually taken to a hospital on February 6, 2024.

The testimony follows previous court records confirming Session’s background in education. Session was employed as a special education teacher at Ponderosa Elementary School within the Bend-La Pine Schools District during the 2020-21 school year. State records indicate she maintains an active teaching license.

Session, along with her parents Gary and Hardenburg, were arrested in Coos Bay on February 21, 2025 following the investigation into the alleged abuse.

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Barney Lerten

TRUCKEE, Calif. (KTVZ) — As many 10 skiers were missing Tuesday after an avalanche struck a group of 16 people skiing in the Castle Peak area near Truckee late Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Nevada County, Calif., sheriff’s deputies said in a Facebook post that at least six skiers survived the avalanche and remained at the site awaiting rescue following the slide, which occurred around 11:30 a.m.

The incident triggered a massive response involving 46 emergency first responders who were navigating dangerous weather conditions to reach the survivors. The Sierra Avalanche Center had placed the region under a high avalanche warning prior to the group’s departure.

The group caught in the slide consisted of four ski guides and 12 clients, deputies said. Rescuers directed the six survivors to shelter in place, as weather conditions in the backcountry remain highly dangerous. Officials have not released the names or conditions of those who are unaccounted for.

Highly skilled rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center have been deployed to reach the site. In addition to the ski teams, a SnoCat team was launched from the Alder Creek Adventure Center to assist in the search.

The Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, which is near Castle Peak, was reporting about 30 inches of snowfall over the past 24 hours, NBC News said. Castle Peak is a popular backcountry skiing destination along Interstate 80.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office was coordinating the response with assistance from several local and regional agencies. They thanked those assisting, who included search and rescue teams from Nevada, Placer and Washoe counties, as well as the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and Truckee Fire.

The Sierra Avalanche Center previously issued an avalanche warning for the area effective through 5 a.m. Wednesday. The center categorized the current risk as high for the backcountry.

“HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry,” the Sierra Avalanche Center stated in the warning. “Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.”

The avalanche occurred in the same general area as one back on Jan.6, when Bend resident Chris Thomason, 42, was buried in snow and killed while snowmobiling with four friends in the Castle Peak area.

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Barney Lerten

Update: adding video

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek’s new Prosperity Council traveled to Redmond on Tuesday for their second official meeting, to discuss strategies for Oregon’s economic growth. The session included a tour of the BASX manufacturing facility tour and a roundtable discussion at Hayden Homes with Central Oregon business leaders.

The meeting was part of the council’s charge to identify ways to make the state more competitive. During the visit, members gathered feedback from local employers to help shape policy recommendations and received a briefing on the state’s latest revenue forecast, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The council began the day with a tour of BASX, a Redmond-based manufacturer of high-efficiency data center cooling solutions, cleanroom systems, custom HVAC systems and modular solutions. Members observed the manufacturing processes first-hand, to understand the caliber of businesses operating in Central Oregon.

Following the facility tour, the council convened a business roundtable at the headquarters of Hayden Homes, the Redmond-based homebuilders. Council members met with area employers to hear directly about what actions the state should take to encourage economic growth. The discussion focused on identifying what programs are currently effective and what policy changes are necessary.

Gov. Kotek emphasized that the state must be proactive in maintaining its economic standing. “Oregon’s prosperity is not a given. We have to act with intention to be more competitive,” Kotek said. She noted that the meeting in Redmond was specifically designed to help the council understand the perspectives of businesses in the region.

Renée James, co-chair of the council, said the tour demonstrated the type of industry Oregon can support.

“Seeing firsthand how companies like BASX are manufacturing here in Oregon demonstrates the caliber of businesses we can attract and grow in this state,” James said. She added that the council is committed to translating “real-world experiences into practical policy recommendations” to improve state competitiveness.

Co-Chair Curtis Robinhold explained that the council is traveling across the state because economic needs vary by region.

“Central Oregon’s business community showed us that economic prosperity isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Robinhold said. He stated that the group is “taking this council on the road” to hear from workers and communities in every part of the state to build a strategy for shared prosperity.

The day concluded with a briefing on Oregon’s revenue forecast and economic outlook. Members held a discussion regarding the state’s financial trajectory following the presentation of the economic data.

Former state Senator Tim Knopp of Bend,, who Kotek recently chose as the state’s Chief Prosperity Officer, will attend council meetings and work closely with the council. 

The council has launched an online statewide survey and other engagement tools on its website. Oregonians can use these resources to share insights and ideas about the state’s economic future to help guide the council’s upcoming work.

Engagement tools are available on the Council’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/policies/Pages/Prosperity-Council.aspx. A list of the 16 council members can be found on the Governor’s Prosperity Council website here.

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