Category: ktvz-local-news

Isabella Warren

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ)– Mop-up efforts continued Wednesday on the Euston Fire northwest of Redmond after a resident burning cheatgrass out of season sparked a 20-acre brushfire, another sign that fire season isn’t coming – it’s here.

It was an illegal burn, as Redmond Fire and Rescue banned debris burning just days ago, as did other Central Oregon communities. 

“Someone was burning cheatgrass. So the message from us is to please don’t burn anything, because it’s just so hot and so dry right now,” said Kimberly Johnson, Public Information Officer for the Central Oregon Wildfire Agencies.

Tuesday afternoon, fire officials arrived at a small brushfire, which quickly grew, threatening a dozen homes and other structures. The resident responsible for the burn could receive a fine and be found liable for the firefighting costs.

The Euston Fire caused Level 2 ‘BE SET’ evacuations (later lowered to Level 1 ‘Be READY’ and a temporary evacuation point at a Redmond church. The Red Cross reported no residents used the center, but says it’s a sign of wildfire season. 

“Redmond fire, other structure agencies, the BLM, Forest Service, units all got on scene. And it was just an aggressive attack trying to stop things, because there were structures threatened,” Johnson added.

Wildfire season officially started in Deschutes County on June 2nd, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry, and predictions show this season will not be any better than last.

ODF Public Affairs Officer Jessica Neujahr said, “We’re expecting above-average temperatures, below-average precipitation. So all that means is that it’s going to be hot, and it’s going to be dry.”

And with the Euston Fire and small brushfires starting across the region in recent days, it’s an early start for the year. 

“Because we have had several districts go into fire season, we’re expecting more within the next week to go into fire season,” Neujahr said. “We’re really trying to urge people to check their local restrictions before they bring any fire hazards onto the landscape.”

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new study shows that Oregon State University-Cascades contributed $89.9 million in economic impact to the Central Oregon region in 2024, reflecting the campus’s growth, spending, research and other contributions to the surrounding community. 

The report, commissioned by OSU, details the collective impact of the university’s contributions to the economy and society, which totaled more than $3.5 billion.

The full report was unveiled Wednesday by OSU President Jayathi Murthy at the Portland Metro Chamber’s annual meeting.

The economic analysis showed that OSU-Cascades generates 701 jobs in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and drives $6.6 million in state and local taxes. In all, OSU supports and sustains 933 jobs in the tri-county region and drives $9.4 million in state and local tax revenues, with OSU-Cascades driving the majority of that impact.

“This report is confirmation of how OSU-Cascades is working in partnership with the Central Oregon community to fulfill its decades-long quest to bring a four-year university campus to serve both the region’s educational and economic needs,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades. 

Since OSU-Cascades was founded in 2001, it has developed 24 undergraduate degrees, three master’s degree programs and a doctoral program. Several academic programs were developed in collaboration with regional industries as they sought a local and skilled workforce to boost employee recruitment and retention. 

These include degrees in energy systems engineering, which has boasted a 95% job placement rate since 2012; and outdoor products, which was launched in 2020 with a $250,000 gift from Hydro Flask and in the 2024-2025 academic year enrolled nearly 80 students.

In 2024, the first cohort of 44 students graduated from OSU-Cascades’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program was created in 2021 to address the need for physical therapists in Oregon and the nation, especially in rural areas, and to help diversify the physical therapy workforce. Alumni of the program are now working in Central Oregon, Portland and around the state, as well as in California, Idaho and Washington. 

The report also notes how OSU-Cascades’ transformation of nearly 120 acres of unusable land, a former pumice mine and demolition landfill near downtown Bend is a cost-effective use of public money and a long-term investment that will produce future economic benefit for the region. 

Expansion plans include a 24-acre innovation district where entrepreneurs, established businesses, researchers and students will advance research, technology commercialization, incubation and economic development. Land remediation for the first eight-acre phase of the district is complete and roadways and utilities are under construction. 

OSU-Cascades is currently seeking $42 million in capital funds for the last phase of its land remediation for the academic campus, and for a student health and recreation center, for which students have raised $20 million since 2017.

“As legislators face difficult budgeting decisions, this economic impact report can give them even more validation of the return of an investment in OSU-Cascades,” said Bloomer. 

As a branch campus of Oregon’s leading research university, OSU-Cascades’ research portfolio has steadily climbed with expenditures for research and sponsored activities totaling $5.8 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Challenges addressed by researchers have local and global impact related to water, energy, natural resources, human health and resilience, sustainable tourism and intervention strategies for injuries.

To date, the university campus’s energy systems engineering program has spun off two companies based on licensed commercial technologies. Onboard Dynamics and Espiku are both based in Bend.

A news release is also available outlining OSU’s overall economic impact in 2024.

Conducted by Parker Strategy Group, the economic impact report used data available through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, as well as OSU operational and capital expenditures, employee payroll, and student and visitor spending.

About OSU-Cascades:  Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and the Public Health Advisory Board recognized the winners of the 2025 Health Heroes Awards at a special ceremony Tuesday at Ponderosa Park.

Every year, the County honors one individual and one organization with Health Heroes Awards for their contributions to promoting the mental, physical, spiritual and social well-being of Deschutes County citizens.

This year’s Individual Award winner is community health worker Lourdes Reyes, who serves as the Healthy Families Coordinator for the Latino Community Association.

Reyes uses a bilingual and bicultural approach to help her clients navigate the healthcare system. According to her nominator, Reyes’ work helps to reduce health care barriers, improve health literacy and build healthier futures for Latine families in Central Oregon.

The Organization Award winner is Volunteers in Medicine. Volunteers from a network of more the 300 dentists, counselors and doctors provide free and low-cost health care to the uninsured and underserved members of our community.

According to the group’s nominator, Volunteers in Medicine has provided over $155 million in medical treatment and services to more than 15,000 patients since 2004.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Burn complete)

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a successful test fire, firefighters on Tuesday ignited a three-acre burn about a mile west of Sunriver and roughly two miles north of Besson Day Use Area to support the field portion of a FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course.  

Deschutes National Forest officials said smoke will be visible from Sunriver and the surrounding area. Smoke impacts may occur in the Sunriver vicinity overnight and in the early-morning hours. Residents are encouraged to close windows and doors to minimize smoke impacts.  

Ignitions were complete by mid-afternoon, but officials said crews “will remain on scene into the evening and patrol the unit throughout the weekend.”

No trail or road closures are anticipated. Firefighters will conduct regular patrols to monitor the burn area until they declare the burn out.  

The objective of the FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course is to prepare participants to perform wildland fire investigator roles and responsibilities and provide an opportunity to practice investigation methods, evidence collection, and documentation in a variety of scenarios.  

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts. 

FI210 Vicinity Map_06052025Download

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A small but very visible fire broke out Wednesday along Highway 126 in Prineville and was quickly extinguished by Crook County Fire & Rescue crews.

The 217 Od Grade Fire was reported in the Lookout Butte area on the north side of “the grade” into Prineville shortly after 1 p.m. and was reportedly doused within a half-hour, Central Oregon fire officials said.

Officials told KTVZ News the fire burned into a previously burned scar area, stopping its forward progress. It was estimated to have burned less than a quarter-acre.

Some residents said the Redmond-Prineville Highway was closed for a time, though ODOT’s TripCheck did not show a closure, only advising motorists to use caution in the area of milepost 16. ODOT Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey told us just one lane of the highway was affected.

ODOT TripCheck

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video, full story, interviews, and resources)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Tuesday’s Euston fire in Redmond triggered evacuation alerts and cut power to approximately 10,000 homes and businesses.

Though quickly contained, it was a reminder to be emergency-ready

The first critical step – ensuring you are notified as soon as you are at risk. 

Lt. Nathan Garibay, emergency services manager for Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office told KTVZ, “We encourage people to sign up for Deschutes Alerts which allows you to put in a number of different contact options – your address of your home and your work.” 

Deschutes Alerts will directly inform you of an emergency that may affect you – via call, text, or email. You can sign up for the alert system here. 

Even if you currently receive the alerts, regularly check your profile to confirm your information is accurate. It will increase the ability of making sure officials can reach you during an emergency. 

There are three levels for evacuation alerts – 

Level One – be ready

Level Two – be set

Level Three – go now!

Levels can change at any moment, and preparation will help you act quickly. 

We spoke with an estate attorney, Patricia Nelson, owner and attorney at Two Spruce Law PC, about critical documents you need to grab.

Nelson told KTVZ, “If you have originals, protect them: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, wills, trusts, advanced directives, and insurance policy information.”

Another important reminder – take things invaluable to you, leave the rest. Anything insured can be replaced. Taking inventory of your possessions beforehand is key. 

“Take a quick video of each drawer, the contents of each drawer. Flip through so that you have evidence of what you had. If you have something particularly valuable a boat, an RV and piece of art…if you can, retain the receipts for the purchase,” recommended Nelson.

Other things to help you prepare – a family emergency plan that includes health and contact information, a go-bag – at your home, car, or even workplace, and a list of things to do before leaving your home. 

You can fill out an emergency plan online here and have it emailed as a PDF to your loved ones to ensure all information is current and accurate. 

Ask the following questions to make sure you are adequately prepared:

Are you set up to receive emergency alerts? 

Check your information to make sure it’s up to date. Text COFIRE to 888-777 for fire-specific information.

What is your shelter plan? 

If you need shelter assistance, you can call the American Red Cross 1-800-733-2767 (800-Red-Cross) or find local resources by dialing 211 or texting your zip code to 898-211 (help will reply between 9am-5pm).

What is your evacuation route? 

Check your routes on TripCheck or call 511 for road closure info.

What is my family communication plan? 

Confirm contact information is up-to-date, where you’ll meet, and how you’ll stay connected in the event of an emergency. 

Do you need to update your emergency kit?

Regularly check your go-bag or emergency kit to ensure adequate supplies and expiration dates (where applicable). 

When preparing to evacuate, remember the six P’s: 

People and pets (food, water, hygiene, sanitation, clothing and comfort items).

Prescriptions (medications, eyeglasses and medical devices).

Phones, personal computers, hard drives or disks, and chargers.

“Plastic” (ATM debit and credit cards) and cash.

Papers and important documents (photo identification, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, visas, insurance policy, mortgage deed or rental agreement, medical records, banking or financial records).

Pictures and other irreplaceable memorabilia.

You can find information on how to prepare your property before leaving here, if you have time – getting out quickly and safely should always be your number one priority. 

For a recommended checklist for your emergency kits, click here. 

For more information and specifics if you have any high-risk or special needs concerns, you can visit ready.gov.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Sheriff’s employees union calls for van der Kamp to resign immediately)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp, facing a potential loss of his police certification from a state agency next month, told KTVZ News on Wednesday he will be retiring in late August and will no longer work in law enforcement. But the union representing sheriff’s deputies joined those calling for him to step down right away, and not wait until summer’s end.

“I’m exhausted,” van der Kamp, 53, told us. “I’m going to go do something a little bit slower. I’ve been doing this (law enforcement) for 24 years now. I’m at the point where we’re looking for other things to do at this point.” 

In the furor that arose after District Attorney Steve Gunnels put van der Kamp on the Brady list of law enforcement who could not be called to testify at trials due to issues of dishonesty, van der Kamp said he’d decide whether to retire within 90 days. 

A state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training panel voted unanimously last month to recommend the DPSST Board revoke his law enforcement certification for life. An investigation delved into issues ranging from failure to include his Southern California law enforcement experience when applying for a Deschutes County position to falsely claiming on the witness stand having degrees from two colleges he never attended. 

Van der Kamp told KTVZ News his remaining months on the job will involve completing some internal projects and ensuring a smooth leadership transition to whomever is appointed by county commissioners to succeed him. The sheriff’s position is expected to be on the ballot for a full term next year. 

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Tuesday that van der Kamp said he’d retire August 31; on Wednesday, van der Kamp told KTVZ News: “It’ll probably be slightly before that, due to the way the pay periods fall, but we’re shooting for the end of August.” 

The sheriff also told OPB that he will still live in the U.S. while exploring opportunities overseas. He told us the makeup of that future life for him and his wife is “still in the works. It’ll probably be in the works for a little while. I have the ability to maintain a rental portfolio, run a business, purchase a business – a lot of options.” 

“I’m looking forward to a break, catch my breath and reconnect with my family,” van der Kamp said. 

The sheriff said he didn’t agree to an immediate resignation, as several elected officials and others urged, due to his commitment to those who voted him into office. He repeated an earlier statement that he’s heard “far more messages (from the public, saying, ‘Fight this to the death’” than those urging he leave now, as well as “a lot of internal support.” 

But coincidentally, the Deschutes County Sheriff Employees Association issued a statement Wednesday, saying the union is calling for him to resign immediately – and to reimburse the association for funds provided for his legal defense during last year’s election. The statement is at the end of this article.

“People are upset, I’m upset that things did not go as planned,” he said. “But I went up against a big machine. We balanced a great budget, cutting it 6%, hired amazing people, promoted better people – changed the culture of the office, settled a lot of complaints.” 

“I think people are much more content with the work that we’ve done here. We’ve left a good mark.” 

But critics who want him to leave right away would have little time before late August to mount a recall campaign, for example.

And as van der Kamp put it: “The only people who could fire me are the people who hired me.”

Asked if the proper term was resignation or retirement, van der Kamp said he’d submitted his Public Employee Retirement System paperwork “to collect my monthly retirement check.” 

After a contentious fall election, defeating sheriff’s Captain William Bailey – whom previous Sheriff Shane Nelson endorsed – van der Kamp said he’s not about to suggest, recommend or endorse anyone to be chosen as his successor. 

“Didn’t we learn that lesson?” he told us. “I think we’ve learned that lesson. I have no interest in saying who what when. The county is still trying to figure out what to do.” 

Van der Kamp also won’t say if he believes the next sheriff should be a current employee of the department or not. “I’m just not going to get in the mix of endorsing or not,” but he added, “we have amazing talent in this office.” 

And the sheriff doesn’t expect the strife facing the agency to end with his departure: “I don’t think it’s over. Whoever comes in behind me is going to be subjected” to scrutiny and criticism, van der Kamp said. 

Asked if he’d stay in Bend or Central Oregon, van der Kamp said he doesn’t know, as his aging parents and adult children live elsewhere. “We don’t have any long-term connections” to the area,” he said. 

—

Here is the Deschutes County Sheriff Employees Association’s statement provided Wednesday to KTVZ News:

“To: Local media

From: Deschutes County Sheriff Employees Association

Re: DCSEA notice to Sheriff Van der Kamp

Date: June 4, 2025

In November 2024, voters elected Sheriff Van der Kamp to be the Sheriff of Deschutes County, in part to bring much-needed change to DCSO.  In April 2025, DA Gunnels placed Sheriff Van der Kamp on the Brady List for dishonesty.  As time progressed, more allegations regarding Sheriff Van der Kamp being dishonest have surfaced.  The members of the Deschutes County Sheriff Employee Association will not tolerate dishonesty from anyone in our organization.

Over the past several weeks, members of DCSEA have voted on several issues related to Sheriff Van der Kamp.  Based on the results of the voting for those issues, DCSEA has requested Sheriff Van der Kamp to resign effective immediately.  Additionally, DCSEA has requested Sheriff Van der Kamp reimburse DCSEA funds provided to him for legal defense during the 2024 election.  A notice of these requests were provided to Sheriff Van der Kamp on June 4, 2025.

The members of DCSEA remain committed to providing superior public safety and keeping the public’s trust.

Respectfully,

DCSEA President Sergeant Daniel (Danny) Graham”

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Kade Linville

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, Ore. (KTVZ) – Crater Lake National Park is seeking a new superintendent after Kevin Heatley, the park’s previous superintendent, announced he would be leaving the position in late May.

Heatley was hired in January of 2025. His resignation comes only five months after being selected for the position. Heatley cited budget cuts and and staff shortages, which were negatively affecting the park’s ability to operate as influencing his decision to step back from the role.

As Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake receives thousands of visitors every summer. The announcement comes just days before Crater Lake National Park prepares to open the north entrance to the park, officially signaling the beginning of the park’s 2025 summer season.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Tuesday afternoon, the area between Redmond and Terrebonne was the center of attention for wildfire suppression as a quickly developing wildfire came to life.

The fire quickly grew from one acre at around 4:45 to an estimated 20 acres by 5:30. The fuel was mainly grass and some small trees and with the brisk north winds the fire pushed south.

The progression of the fire appeared to be halted as fire crews quickly established a southern perimeter. Two helicopters along with fixed wing aerial attacks kept the fire from pushing into more populated regions just to the south.

Close to 7 pm the activity of the blaze seemed to slow significantly and drop buckets from helicopters turned their attention to hotspots inside the perimeter. The choppers used an large body of water just to the northwest of the fire to grab the water while the jets dropped fire retardant.

At the advent of this fire, winds helped fan the flames and allowed the line of flames to march to the south as the winds came in from the north. The wind relaxed as the night moved along and although the fire is not progressing at this time, there are still some hot spots inside the perimeter that will be tended to through the night and into Wednesday.

Excellent work by the firefighters, both local and regional!

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Tyson Beauchemin

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Depending on where you are in Central Oregon, mosquitoes can be everywhere or nearly non-existent. That’s due in part to the efforts of vector control groups like the Four Rivers Vector Control District.

It’s not pest control. Its entire focus is on killing mosquitoes and getting them early before they start biting.

Four Rivers Vector Control has been out since April, treating the areas.

“With where the areas where mosquitoes actually spawn with a naturally occurring bacteria to kill them, the difference between the places treated and those not treated is dramatic, huge, very huge,” Myles Bowlin, from Four Rivers Vector Control told KTVZ News.

“I think personally, without mosquito control, in the Sunriver area especially, there would almost be nobody outside recreating,” he said. “We have areas just over a fence where one side you’ll be perfectly fine. If you go two miles in one direction, you cannot get out of your car.”

For the Four Rivers Vector Control District, mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but a public health issue. As part of this effort, it’s using a helicopter between June 15th and July 15th. It’ll fly over the Little Deschutes River area of Sunriver during daylight hours.

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