Bend woman arrested on reckless burning, theft charges, accused of starting two fires near Deschutes River, Sawyer Park

Barney Lerten

(Update: Police clarify reckless burning, theft charges)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman has been arrested on reckless burning and other charges, accused of starting two fires near the Deschutes River west of Sawyer Park over the weekend that firefighters stopped from spreading.

Police and Bend Fire & Rescue responded shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday to several calls reporting a fire on the west side of the river, across from Sawyer Park, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Fire crews quickly contained the fire at about 20 by 20 feet, officials said.

They then requested police assistance, as a second fire had just started south of the initial fire. That one was stopped at about 5 by 5 feet.

Officers searched the area and found Kristina Louise Paulsen, 45, walking in the area of the fires, Miller said.

“She had a lighter in her hand when she was contacted,” she added.

Officers arrested Paulsen and took her to the Deschutes County Jail on two charges of reckless burning, as well as first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft and a parole violation warrant.

It’s far from Paulsen’s first time being arrested. KTVZ News found she has been arrested at least 7 times in Oregon, mostly for possessing or selling heroin. A 2017 report from KTVZ News found she was 1 of 5 arrested in a large investigation targeting drug distribution in Central Oregon.

For these most recent charges, Miller told KTVZ News the initial charges were reckless burning and not arson because there was “nothing in the report that says we could prove they were intentionally set.”

She also explained the theft charge to us.

“When officers contacted her, they also contacted someone else in the park who said she had stolen pieces of property from him, before the fires were started – not the lighter, random stuff,” Miller told us.

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California man arraigned in Bend gas station stabbing after 2 court no-shows; plea hearing set

Claire Elmer

(Update: Suspect arraigned, plea hearing set; no change in bail)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A California man arrested last weekend in a recent stabbing at a Bend gas station that nearly killed the victim appeared in court from jail Thursday afternoon after two no-shows due to illness earlier in the week, and the judge kept his bail at $500,000.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson set an August 28 plea hearing for Kirk Raymond Reed, 36, of Apple Valley, California.

Reed told jail officials he was too ill to appear on video from the county jail for arraignment on Monday. He also did not appear at Tuesday’s rescheduled hearing, but was on hand for Thursday’s brief arraignment on felony charges of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Asked by his court-appointed defense attorney, Nicholas Patterson, Reed agreed to wait until a later date to address whether his bail could be reduced.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) August 4 — A California man stopped and arrested over the weekend for stabbing a man in the arm at a Bend gas station last month said he was too sick to appear in court for arraignment Monday. But a judge hiked his bail from $100,000 to $500,000, due to his lack of ties to the area and the victim’s life-threatening injuries. 

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller reset arraignment for Tuesday afternoon for Kirk Raymond Reed, 36, of Apple Valley, California after a jail deputy told him Reed said he was feeling ill and unable to attend Monday’s hearing by video from the jail. 

Reed was indicted Friday on charges of first-degree assault, a Class A felony, and unlawful use of a weapon, a Class C felony, and a $100,000 bench warrant was issued for his arrest. 

Bend Police spotted Reed driving south on Highway 97 early Sunday morning and he was arrested by Sunriver Police during a traffic stop at the Pinnacle 365 gas station-convenience store. 

Deputy District Attorney Mara Houck told the judge that the victim “was almost killed” by Reed, who apparently has not been in the area for long and has no ties to the community. 

“The victim was bleeding heavily from his arm,” she said, and suffered what “turned out to be a life-threatening injury.” 

“He almost bled to death,” Houck said, but a quickly applied “tourniquet saved his life.” 

Judge Miller increased the bail amount to $500,000, pending Tuesday’s arraignment. He also directed Reed that if released, he is to have no contact with the victim or the ARCO gas station where the stabbing occurred, and not to possess or use “weapons of any kind, including knives.” 

Bend Police announced Reed’s arrest earlier Monday.

“During the course of this investigation, Bend Police identified 36-year-old Kirk Raymond Reed of Apple Valley, Calif., as a suspect in this stabbing,” Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said. “Officers also identified multiple vehicles associated with Reed.” 

Around 12:34 a.m. on Sunday, Bend Police spotted one of the suspect vehicles associated with Reed traveling south on Highway 97. About 10 minutes later, Sunriver Police officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the Pinnacle 365 on Venture Lane in Sunriver.   

Reed was taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, Miller said. I

“Bend Police wish to thank the Sunriver Police Department and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on this arrest,” Miller said.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — July 26 — A 33-year-old Bend man is recovering after being stabbed in the arm on Friday night at a gas station on the south end of Bend. 

The incident happened around 9:35 p.m. at the ARCO gas station off of South Highway 97. According to Bend Police, bystanders and responding officers rendered life-saving care before the victim was taken to St. Charles in Bend, where he is in stable condition. 

The suspect fled the scene before police arrived. He is described as an adult male with tattoos on his chest and arms, short brown hair, and a mustache. 

As of Saturday morning, no arrests have been made. Police say the investigation is ongoing. 

If you have any information, you are encouraged to contact Bend Police. You can call their non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.

KTVZ will continue to update you on this developing story. 

You can read the full statement from Bend Police below:

News Release from Bend Police Dept.Posted on FlashAlert: July 26th, 2025 9:40 AM

Date: July 26, 2025  

Case #: 2025-00043431 

Incident: One stabbed at gas station, suspect flees 

Date / Time of Incident: July 25, 2025 / 9:35 p.m.  

Location: ARCO South, 61100 block of South Highway 97, Bend  

Victim: 33-year-old Bend resident 

At approximately 9:35 p.m. on Friday, July 25, Bend Police responded to the ARCO gas station on South Highway 97 for a report of a man who had been stabbed.  

Witnesses and responding officers provided lifesaving medical care to a 33-year-old man who had been stabbed in the arm. The victim was transported to St. Charles and is in stable condition.  

Officers learned that the suspect, identified as an adult male with tattoos on his chest and arms and short brown hair and a mustache, had fled the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.   

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Missing children safely located in Klamath County through help of DSCO and OSP

Barney Lerten

(Update: three missing children located)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The three young children who went missing with their mother in Bend earlier this week have been found, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

The children were found at a residence in Klamath County following an extensive search effort led by the DSCO, with assistance from the Oregon State Police.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Josh Spano traveled to Klamath County with an OSP Trooper to recover the children. After more than an hour of calm and compassionate negotiation, the children’s mother, Desirae Gross, agreed to relinquish custody. They were safely turned over to ODHS without incident.

No additional details will be released at this time out of respect for the children’s privacy and the sensitive nature of this case.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the public’s concern and support throughout the search. The most important outcome is that the children were found safe.

Dale Beaver, age 2, Isabella Beaver, age 1, and Ethan Biven, age 3, went missing with their mother, Desirae Gross, from Bend on Tuesday. The Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division said early Friday evening it “believes that they may be at risk and is searching for them to assess their safety.” 

Here’s the rest of the DHS missing child alert, with details about the three children:

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find the children. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of the children or the mother should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  

The family is believed to be in the Bend area, potentially at a houseless encampment along North Highway 97.  

Name: Dale Beaver Pronouns: he/him Date of birth: 11/16/2022 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Name: Isabella Beaver Pronouns: she/her Date of birth: 1/9/2024 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Name: Ethan Biven Pronouns: he/him Date of birth: 12-15-2021 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Report #25-40500 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2057007 

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger, and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety.

As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.  

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Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver welcomes four new board members

Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors.

These individuals bring deep community roots, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to the mission of creating affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods across South Deschutes County. 

Please join us in welcoming: 

Patrick Jackson, Loan Officer at New American Funding 

Jessica McIntyre, REALTOR®, La Pine Realty 

Jennifer Michaud, Branch Manager at US Bank La Pine 

Robin Mirrasoul, Retired La Pine Business Owner 

“We are honored to welcome Patrick, Jessica, Jennifer, and Robin to our board,” said Kim Gammond, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity La Pine Sunriver. “Their combined experience in housing, finance, and community development will help us further our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” 

These new board members will play an integral role in advancing Habitat’s mission, supporting homebuilding initiatives, and expanding outreach in the La Pine and Sunriver communities. 

For more information on our board, volunteer opportunities, or how to get involved, visit: www.habitatlapinesunriver.org

### 

Founded in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver has built more than 40 affordable homes in three neighborhoods, including Putney Place. Habitat provides more than 100 critical, health and safety repairs to neighbors across South Deschutes County each year, and runs a thriving ReStore in La Pine. 

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Oregon Parks and Recreation Department survey aims to gather public input amid projected funding shortfall

Barney Lerten

SALEM, Oregon (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department wants to better understand the public’s values and priorities for the future of state parks through a new survey as it launches a strategic initiative to reimagine how parks are funded, operated and supported.

OPRD faces a potential 14% budget shortfall for park operations by 2027, even with recent fee increases. The gap is due to increasing costs, the impact of higher visitation and changes in lottery funds. The strategic initiative will work to address that shortfall before 2027.

“For more than a century, Oregon’s parks have been a source of pride, joy and connection for communities across the state,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption. “But the way we fund the system has not kept up with how Oregonians use and value it today. We’re not waiting for the crisis—we’re planning ahead to build a more resilient and relevant park system.”

OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect feedback from visitors and potential visitors about their priorities for new and existing experiences, services and amenities, as well as views on public-private partnerships, sponsorships and other funding options.

The survey is open to everyone and will help inform decisions about the future of state parks. Those who complete the survey have the option of entering a drawing for a free Oregon State Parks annual parking permit. 

Oregon State Parks continues to experience record visitation with more than 56.6 million estimated visits in 2024. It is one of the most visited park systems in the country.

This level of use significantly increases wear and tear on aging park infrastructure, driving up maintenance needs and long-term operational costs.

Parks’ funding comes from three main sources. A little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from the agency’s share of recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. Oregon State Park operations is not funded by general fund taxes.

“We already operate leanly, but we’re also taking a hard look at costs and spending decisions as we plan the future. We’re building new partnerships with Oregon businesses and growing opportunities for visitors to experience state parks in new and innovative ways,” Sumption said.

In addition to operating more than 250 state parks and maintaining hundreds of historic structures, the agency also manages the ocean shore, the State Historic Preservation Office, ATV safety programs and permits as well as multiple grant programs for trails, ATVs, historic structures and local government projects.

For more information about the survey or to learn about ways to support parks, visit stateparks.oregon.gov/ or take the survey at bit.ly/stateparksurvey.

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Famed Budweiser Clydesdales still coming to Deschutes County Fair, but travel delay cancels downtown Redmond event

Barney Lerten

(Update: Clydesdales’ travel delay, downtown Redmond event canceled)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) —  The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center said Wednesday it’s learned that the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales have experienced an unexpected travel delay and won’t not arrive in time for the Grand Opening Day of the 2025 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo.

“While the Budweiser Clydesdales will not be with us on Opening Day, we’re still working closely with the team to bring them to Central Oregon,” the announcement said.

Meanwhile, the city of Redmond announced, “We have been informed that due to transit delays, the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales are unable to make their scheduled appearance in downtown Redmond on (Thursday evening), July 31. They will still be at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo for visitors to enjoy.

Fairgoers can still experience world-class horse displays and meet impressive equine teams every day of the Fair. On site and on display for the full run of Fair are the Lone Pine Clydesdales from Walking H Ranch and the Percherons from Lazy M Ranch in Terrebonne—both providing demonstrations and photo opportunities daily.

All equine exhibitions are included with Fair admission.

For up-to-date information on Fair happenings, visit DESCHUTESFAIR.com

About the Bi-Mart Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo:

The Bi-Mart Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, presented by Indian Head Casino, is Oregon’s largest county fair, offering five days of action-packed entertainment, family fun, rodeo excitement, and, of course, the Kendall Toyota of Bend FREE Summer Concert Series on the Bi-Mart Stage. With five nights of concerts, five thrilling rodeo performances, and hundreds of hours of free family programming, this year’s Fair will be an unforgettable experience for all ages. Join us from July 30 to Aug. 3, 2025, for the Five Best Days of Summer! The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be making a special appearance in downtown Redmond on Thursday, July 31, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., courtesy of the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo. 

Earlier story:

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) July 25 – The public is invited to come to Centennial Park to meet and take pictures with the Clydesdales, and then cheer them on as they travel down Sixth Street under the Redmond Arch starting at 7:30 p.m.   

“We are honored the Budweiser Clydesdales have selected our community to make an appearance as well as have an active role in this year’s Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo,” remarked Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch. “While many may be familiar with their famous television ads, once you see them in person, you will have an entirely new appreciation for the 90-year tradition they have upheld.” 

Beginning in the spring of this year, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales have been traveling to communities across the country and appearing at various local events and venues in support of Anheuser-Busch’s longstanding partnership with Folds of Honor.

Through its scholarship program, Folds of Honor ensures that families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and families of first responders receive educational opportunities and support.  

To date, Anheuser-Busch, its brands, and wholesaler partners have donated over $33 million, which has funded over 6,600 scholarships for Folds of Honor recipients.  

The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will be on display every day of the 2025 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo! Fairgoers will have the rare opportunity to see these majestic horses up close through daily meet-and-greets, hitching demonstrations, and special presentations—all included with Fair admission. 

In a powerful tribute, the Clydesdales will also escort Folds of Honor scholarship recipients into the rodeo arena during an evening performance, highlighting our shared commitment to honoring military families. 

Don’t miss your chance to experience these legendary horses in person, either at the fair or downtown Redmond. For Fair & Rodeo event schedules and details, visit: https://expo.deschutes.org/p/fair/bi-mart-fair-and-rodeo

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Only Level 1 evacuation zone remains on the nearly 2-week-old , 96,000-acre Cram Fire

Barney Lerten

ASHWOOD, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Friday removed the last Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 GET SET evacuation zones on the nearly 2-week-old Cram Fire that blew up to cover nearly 96,000 acres. A small area along the fire’s perimeter is stil at Level 1 GET READY.

Here’s what the sheriff’s office posted on their Facebook page:

“The area to the SE of the perimeter is currently in a Level 1. It’s the western side of NE 15, the northern half of SE 17 and the top NW corner of SE 18.

Road closures are still in effect and are only open to the residents and fire personnel.

Mop up will continue through the weekend, so please be cautious of the fire personnel and apparatus that you will see on the roads.

Thank you so much to the community for your patience during this fire and thank you SOOOOO much to all the men and women fire personnel who have come to our county to help with the #CramFire,” the post concluded.

Friday’s evacuation levels map (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Here’s Thursday’s final daily update on the Cram Fire:

ire Information Line: (541) 216-7206Email 2025.cram@firenet.govInformation Resources: https://linktr.ee/cramfire2025

Size: 95,736 acres | Cause: Under Investigation | Total Personnel: 533| Containment: 77%

This will be the final daily update for the Cram Fire unless fire activity changes. As containment and suppression repair objectives are met, firefighting resources and excess equipment will be released from the incident and made available to fill other needs.

There were some areas of heat detected yesterday on the southeast portion of the fire, well within the fire perimeter. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up to further secure containment lines. This includes assessing threats and extinguishing areas of interior heat that may pose a threat to containment lines.

Work is ongoing to restore soil stability and vegetative cover in areas impacted by suppression-related activities.

Weather: Today will be hot and dry again, with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s and humidity around 25%. Northwest winds will be gusty in the afternoon, potentially 25 miles per hour along ridgetops. Unburned green islands within the fire perimeter may produce smoke and isolated tree torching may occur.

Evacuations: Evacuations remain in effect for some zones around the fire. Please refer to official evacuation maps for the most up-to-date info: Jefferson County: tinyurl.com/JCSOEvacMap, Wasco County: tinyurl.com/WascoCountyEvacMap, Crook County:tinyurl.com/CrookCountyEvacMap

Smoke Outlook: An interactive smoke map for your area is available at https://fire.airnow.gov.

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; use caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit, https://keeporegongreen.org.

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Barricaded Prineville man armed with knife surrenders to Central Oregon SWAT team, ending hours-long standoff

Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A police call lto a Prineville residence Thursday evening led to a standoff with a barricaded man armed with a knife that lasted several hours before the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team was able to convince him to surrender.

Officers responded shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday to a call of a disturbance involving a weapon in the 800 block of NE Belknap Street, Police Chief Jeff Profio said in a news release Friday.

Prineville officers and Crook County sheriff’s deputies tried to contact the man, but he refused to come out of the residence, Profio said.

The CERT team responded to assist after the suspect, later identified as Jacob Todd Boyum, 46, of Prineville, barricaded himself inside the home and was believed to be armed.

The Prineville Review reported that the man refused to come out of a camper trailer, and the heavy law enforcement response drew a crowd of more than 100 onlookers. It said a family member who asked to remain anonymous told the Review police alleged Boyum threatened others with a knife and was likely dealing with a “mental episode.”

For several hours, law enforcement made repeated “loud hail” announcements, trying to encourage the suspect to surrender.

When these efforts were unsuccessful, Profio said CERT utilized unspecified “additional methods to attempt to gain the suspect’s compliance and continued to encourage the suspect to surrender peacefully.”

Eventually, Boyum surrendered peacefully, the police chief said, adding that “no force was used during the arrest.”

The Review reported that CERT used one of its armored vehicles to breach the camper’s back window and place a cellphone inside in an effort to speak with him. He surrendered without further incident a short time later.

Boyum was lodged in the Crook County Jail on charges of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as a felony warrant for parole violation.

“There were no injuries to the suspect or law enforcement personnel during this incident,” Profio said. 

The initial charging document indicated Boyum was armed with a knife. Court records show he was due for arraignment Friday afternoon on the charges.

Profio said Prineville Police “would like to thank the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the CERT team for their assistance and professionalism during this incident.”

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Crews stop fast-moving grass, brush fire east of Redmond that brought evacuation of threatened homeless camps

Barney Lerten

(Update: Forward progress stopped on 3-acre fire)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fast-moving brush fire broke out early Thursday evening east of East Antler Avenue in Redmond, prompting the evacuation of threatened homeless camps.

Incident 598, later called the Greenwood Fire for nearby NE Greenwood Avenue, was reported shortly after 5 p.m. and brought a quick response by Redmond Fire & Rescue. First crews on scene reported a moderate to rapid rate of spread as it burned brush and grass and also involved some juniper trees.

The fire initially was reported at about three acres. Crews stopped forward progress of the fire by about 6 p.m.

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch sent three engines, a hand crew and a bulldozer to help stop the fire’s wind-fanned spread to the northeast. Air attack also was on the scene, according to Watch Duty.

No structures were threatened, but Redmond Police were helping clear camps in the area, Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney told KTVZ News.

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Look to the skies for Balloons Over Bend

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Hot air balloons will fill the skies once again as Balloons Over Bend returns for a three day celebration starting Friday.

The event kicks off with a sunrise balloon launch at Jewell Elementary School. Organizers recommend arriving around 6:15 a.m. to grab a good viewing spot.

The sunrise launches continue Saturday and Sunday. They’re free and open to the public.

For those who prefer evening events, the Night Glow festivals in Bend and Redmond offer a chance to see the balloons illuminated against the night sky.

For the full schedule and details, visit balloonsoverbend.org.

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