Category: ktvz-local-news

Spencer Sacks

Redmond, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert held a town hall meeting in Redmond to address community concerns and discuss his first seven months in office. The meeting, held at the VFW building, lasted more than 2 hours and covered topics ranging from gun rights to immigration enforcement.

The event is part of a countywide town hall tour Rupert is conducting to rebuild public trust following a loss of faith in the department in previous years. During the meeting, Rupert highlighted his personal history and the work completed since he became sheriff approximately seven months ago.

Throughout the session, Rupert spoke with community members about the different needs across Deschutes County. He emphasized the importance of transparency and honesty in his leadership. Rupert said these meetings provide him with insight into how his office can improve its service to the region.

“And it also gives me an opportunity to learn what their concerns are and how we can better serve them,” said Rupert, sheriff of Deschutes County. “As a sheriff’s office and also as a sheriff, one of the questions I asked was, what do they expect out of their sheriff? And you heard honesty, integrity, transparency.”

The town hall featured a question-and-answer period where Rupert encouraged attendees to ask difficult questions. He told the crowd that he does not intend to avoid hard topics or scrutiny.

“And as you know, some of these questions asked tonight are difficult questions,” Rupert said. “And I made it clear to them that I’m not going to run from those questions. That’s not how I get better. If I run away from a question, they expect a sheriff that will be able to stand strong, be honest and transparent and answer their questions to the best of my ability.”

The discussion included specific questions regarding firearms and immigration enforcement. Regarding gun rights, Rupert stated he supports the right to own and carry a firearm but believes there should be regulations governing who can and cannot possess weapons. On the topic of immigration, he noted that there are currently no operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he is aware of within Deschutes County.

Rupert is scheduled to hold his next town hall meeting in Bend.

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KTVZ – News Team

LOS ANGELES, Ca. (KTVZ) — The Arizona rock band Jimmy Eat World announced a North American tour on Tuesday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album “Bleed American.” The tour is scheduled to begin June 9, 2026, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver and will conclude in November 2026 at the Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, Fla.

The band will perform the entire “Bleed American” album during the tour, which marks their return to the Vans Warped Tour stage after a 25-year absence. Originally released in 2001, the album has been certified platinum in the United States and features the hit single “The Middle.” The tour follows a series of sold-out performances in the United Kingdom scheduled for August 2026.

The tour is promoted by Live Nation and includes a stop at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend, Ore., on July 17. The band will also perform at the Vans Warped Tour in five cities, marking their first appearance at the festival in 25 years. Other notable venues include the Brooklyn Paramount on June 16 and Chase Field in Phoenix on Sept. 6.

A rotating lineup of special guests will join the band on select dates throughout the North American trek. These artists include Rise Against, Motion City Soundtrack, Sunny Day Real Estate, Thrice, The Get Up Kids and Hot Mulligan. Additional performers such as Mom Jeans, Minus the Bear, PUP and Sparta are also scheduled for specific shows.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins said the band members are approaching the tour with a sense of gratitude that differed from their experience when the album first debuted. He noted that the group is still surprised by the long-term impact of the music.

“When we printed the last mix of Bleed American, we felt like we had achieved something great for ourselves,” Adkins said. “There was no barometer of how it would connect with people outside of the studio and we are still in awe with the life the record and songs have had since their original release.”

Adkins said the anniversary shows will feature updated production elements to reflect the band’s history. He described the tour as a way to celebrate the record’s connection with the audience.

“I feel like at this time in our lives, especially for me, it’s important to get back to a place that you can savor,” Adkins said. “This tour is designed to be an elevated version of our show, a heightened experience with production that reflects 25 years of learning how to stretch artistically in the live environment.”

Drummer Zach Lind said the tour serves as a way to show appreciation to fans who have supported the band’s career. The group intends to play the “Bleed American” album in its entirety along with other material.

The album “Bleed American” was released on July 24, 2001, through DreamWorks Records. Its most successful single, “The Middle,” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a place in the Spotify Billion Streams Club in 2024. Billboard reported that the record helped the Arizona-based quartet achieve platinum success in the United States.

Several modern alternative and pop-rock artists have identified the album as a primary influence on their music. This list includes Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday. SPIN described the record as a lasting example of rock music from the era that resisted temporary trends.

Ticket presales for Citi and American Express cardmembers begin Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. local time. General ticket sales will open to the public on Friday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. local time through the band’s official website.

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Campbell Porter

(Update: clarifying information, adding video, comments from residents)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rural residents in Deschutes County will soon be able to roll their recycling carts to the curb for the first time.

After holding a public hearing earlier Wednesday, the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a plan allowing Republic Services to provide commingled curbside recycling in distant rural areas that currently only have trash pickup. The new service will cover areas south of Sunriver and rural zones north and east of Bend, Redmond and Sisters. It does not cover urban areas like downtown Bend or Redmond.

Households in those areas now receive garbage collection from Wilderness Garbage and Recycling, Bend Garbage and Recycling and High Country Disposal*, but none of those companies offers curbside recycling in those specific zones. Under the approved proposal, all customers will see a $6 monthly increase on their trash bill, whether they choose to participate in curbside recycling or not.

For residents like Kim Lavelle, who lives in one of the affected rural areas, the change has been a long time coming.

“It’s really frustrating. We want to do what’s right. We just can’t. Our hands are tied,” she said, describing the difficulty of recycling without curbside service.

Another resident, Laura, said the extra effort required to haul recyclables to drop-off locations keeps many people from recycling at all.

“It’s definitely an effort. I think a lot of people in our community probably don’t recycle because of the effort. It does take a lot of extra trips and time management, as opposed to having something that you can just do right at your curbside,” Laura said.

With the commissioners’ vote, Republic Services will begin delivering recycling carts to eligible rural customers and is set to start commingled recycling collection after July 1, 2026.

The county says the new service is intended to make recycling more accessible and convenient for residents who have been asking for better options for years.

*Wilderness Garbage and Recycling, Bend Garbage and Recycling, and High Country Disposal are the current trash providers for those specific distant rural zones, even though Republic Services acquired High Country Disposal, Bend Garbage & Recycling, and Deschutes Recycling back in 2019 for urban service in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.

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CNN Newsource

By Auzinea Bacon, CNN

(CNN) —

Eddie Bauer LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday and hopes to sell about 200 of its namesake outdoor sportswear stores in the United States and Canada, citing declining sales and supply chain challenges.

The company said its financial headwinds were exacerbated by the Trump administration’s uncertain tariff policies and inflation, among other factors.

Most of the outfitter’s locations will remain open while the company looks for a buyer. But if that process fails, Eddie Bauer shops in the US and Canada operated by the LLC could close, the company noted. The company couldn’t say when individual stores may close, a spokesperson told CNN over email. (KTVZ News reported last week that Bend store employees were informed of the impending closure.)

“While the leadership team at Catalyst was able to make significant strides in the brand, including rapid improvements in product development and marketing, those changes could not be implemented fast enough to fully address the challenges created over several years,” Marc Rosen, the chief executive of Catalyst Brands, which owns the Eddie Bauer brand, in a statement.

This is the third bankruptcy for the more than 100-year-old company, following a Chapter 11 filing in 2003 and six years later, because of the 2008 financial crisis.

Eddie Bauer stores outside of the US and Canada will remain open because they are operated by other licensees, the company said in a press release. The company’s online sales and wholesale operations will transition to a different firm called Outdoor 5 LLC, allowing e-commerce to remain available.

The brand isn’t the first major retailer to file for bankruptcy so far this year. Saks Global filed for bankruptcy in January amid a broader luxury market slump and under high debt loads from buying its luxury rival, Neiman Marcus.

“This is not an easy decision, and we are grateful to the Retail Company’s associates and customers for their loyalty and trust,” Rosen said. “We are working to minimize the impact on the Retail Company’s employees, vendors, customers and other stakeholders.”

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After an extensive and thoughtful search process, the Central Oregon Trail Alliance has announced the hiring of Casey Andrews as the new executive director.

The search engaged the Hiring Committee of the Board of Directors, additional board members, staff, and volunteers, who collectively dedicated more than 1,000 hours reviewing over 40 applicants, conducting interviews, and evaluating the organization’s needs and long-term vision, COTA said in a news release Monday that continues below:

Andrews has called Bend home for several years and is grateful to live in a place where trails are woven into everyday life. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, exploring Central Oregon’s trail systems and public lands.

Trails hold deep personal meaning for Andrews as places of connection to nature, to community, and to stewardship and she values the role they play in supporting both individual well-being and shared responsibility for the landscapes we all enjoy.

Andrews brings 15 years of experience in public lands management, including roles with the National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service.

During her tenure with the Forest Service, she worked closely with Central Oregon Trail Alliance on trail planning, grant development, project management, and project implementation, building a strong foundation of collaboration and trust over many years.

Her professional background includes managing complex, multi-partner projects; overseeing grant-funded trail work; and coordinating across agencies, nonprofits, and volunteer groups to deliver durable, on-the-ground trail development and maintenance.

“With an extremely strong pool of candidates, we are thrilled to welcome Casey Andrews to the organization,” said Eric D’Orvilliers, COTA Board of Directors Vice President. “Casey’s background and familiarity with COTA are a huge benefit to us. Her breadth of experience across the various pillars of our mission, combined with her vision for COTA’s future, is what truly stood out in the hiring process.

“She leads with both passion and a genuine interest in the stakeholders of our organization. With our new five-year Strategic Plan in place and Casey’s leadership, COTA is poised to grow, deepen community connections, and continue providing the best riding experience possible for Central Oregon.”

“Trails are where community, conservation, and stewardship come together,” said Andrews. “I’m excited to join COTA because it reflects the best of Central Oregon: care for public lands, collaboration, and a community that shows up to steward the trails we all love and enjoy.”

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, just announced that its annual peer-to-peer fundraising event, the 2026 Bowl For Kids’ Sake is back and taking place on Thursday, May 7, at Sun Mountain Fun Center in Bend.

This year, the event goes retro with an 80s-themed cosmic bowling extravaganza – and everyone, including kids, are invited, the organization – a 21 Cares for Kids partner – said in a Monday news release. 

Bowl For Kids’ Sake brings together friends, families, and co-workers to raise funds that directly support BBBSCO’s youth mentoring programs across Central Oregon. It’s a day of community, celebration, and making a real difference for kids in our community. 

Get Involved! 

BBBSCO is currently seeking: 

We need you to make teams!  

You put together a team of 4-6 people 

We give you our peer-to-peer fundraising website 

You earn prizes for top fundraising team, individual to bowler, best costume and more! 

Corporate Sponsors! More information on our website.  

Teams raise funds leading up to the event, then come together on May 7 to bowl, celebrate, and support mentorship. No bowling experience is required – just enthusiasm and a desire to make an impact. 

Why It Matters 

Funds raised through Bowl For Kids’ Sake help match local youth with mentors, empowering young people to build confidence, develop skills, and thrive in school, at home, and in their communities. BBBSCO currently serves 220+ kids per year. Littles are 91% more likely to feel an increased sense of belonging, 95% plan to graduate from high school and 20% more likely to enroll in college.  

Join the Fun 

Register your team, learn about sponsorship opportunities, or get answers to FAQs at: https://bbbsco.org/events/. 

“Bowl For Kids’ Sake celebrates the relationships that transform lives in Central Oregon,” said Jenn Davis, Program Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. “We can’t wait to see the community come together, rock their 80s gear, and support the next generation of mentors and mentees.” 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon 

A program of J Bar J Youth Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon was founded in 1994. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. BBBSCO serves over 220 youth annually and continues to grow programming. We are committed to serving at-risk youth and youth facing adversity with mentors in our community.   

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Lee Anderson

(Update: OSP releases names, other crash details)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State Police on Monday released the name of a La Grande man who was killed in a head-on crash on Highway 97 south of Madras. A Bend man was injured in the collision.

Just after 4 p.m., OSP troopers and other first responders headed to the scene of the two-vehicle crash near milepost 102, about seven miles south of Madras.

OSP’s initial investigation found that Aaron Lee Bottorff, 51, of La Grande, was driving a northbound Subaru Forester when he crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons.

His car ran head-on into a southbound Jeep Cherokee driven by Bryan Gonzelez Celestino, 34, of Bend, troopers said.

Bottorff was declared deceased at the scene. Celestin reportedly suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The crash and on-scene investigation closed Highway 97 for about three hours. ODOT set up a detour in the area.

OSP said it was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and ODOT.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a change in defense attorneys, a murder trial has been delayed a second time for a Bend man accused of the fatal stabbing of his roommate in August 2024.

Robert Carter Lawrence, 52, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon in the August 1, 2024 killing of Matthew Kenneth Hallberg, 57. He pleaded not guilty to the charges that September.

Police said they responded on the night of August 1, 2024 to a report of a deceased person at a home on Raintree Drive in southeast Bend. Officers found Hallberg dead in the home’s backyard.

Prosecutors said a neighbor could hear Hallberg calling for help, saying Lawrence was trying to kill him. They said Lawrence admitted killing Hallberg, who suffered several stab wounds.

Lawrence’s trial already had been delayed from last November to May 12 of this year.

But at a hearing Monday, Deschutes County Circuit Judge Michelle McIver granted a motion for a delay, filed last week by current defense attorney Raun Atkinson, court records showed.

Atkinson told the judge he was just appointed to the case in late January and “needs additional time to complete our investigation and prepare” for trial.

Lawrence had asked for a new attorney last month, and his defense counsel at the time, Lisa Valenti said in a court filing that there had been “an irreparable breakdown in the attorney/client relationship.”

McIver did not immediately schedule a new trial date on Monday, according to court records, but set a status check hearing for April 13.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore (KTVZ) — Wanderlust Tours is hosting a “Romance in the Snow” tour this Valentine’s Day weekend, offering couples a chance to go snowshoeing under the stars. The experience is priced at $150 per person and includes a bonfire at an amphitheater built out of snow.

The event serves as an outdoor alternative to traditional holiday celebrations. Participants will trek through the forest before arriving at the snow structure to sit by a fire and drink hot cocoa.

Jay Geib, the marketing and events manager for Wanderlust Tours, said the program focuses on creating a unique atmosphere for couples. Geib noted that many people typically spend the holiday at restaurants or exchanging gifts. “And this is just a really unique experience that is just, you know, different and a way to kind of get outside, have a really cool adventure with your loved one,” Geib said. “And there are those incredible moments in the forest.”

In addition to snowshoeing, the tour includes hot cocoa served by the fire at the snow amphitheater. Organizers indicated that other romantic surprises are planned for the trip, though they have not disclosed specific details to avoid spoiling the experience for guests. Tickets are currently available for purchase through the Wanderlust Tours website.

The tour is scheduled to run this Saturday from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man was shot Sunday night in an undeveloped area south of the Deschutes County Fairgrounds after a property dispute, but authorities released few details Monday amid an active investigation.

Redmond police officers were dispatched to the scene around 8:45 p.m. after the victim called 911 to report he had been shot, Lt. April Huey said Monday.

An adult male was located at the scene with a gunshot wound and transported by medics to St. Charles Medical Centerl with non-life-threatening injuries, Huey said.

Detectives and officers from multiple local agencies have since cordoned off the area and are on-site to process the crime scene, she added.

The Redmond Police Department led the response with assistance from Oregon State Police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Bend Police Department and Redmond Fire & Rescue.

Personnel from the OSP Police Crime Lab also were dispatched to the scene to assist with processing evidence. According to Huey, investigators remained on-site following the incident to conduct a thorough search of the area.

Investigators have already identified and contacted several individuals regarding the shooting.

No names have been released to the public as the department works to obtain more information through the ongoing investigation.

Police said they believe there are additional people who were present or have knowledge of the dispute who still need to be interviewed.

Officers ask anyone with information regarding the shoting to call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

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