Category: ktvz-local-news

Isabella Warren

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Smoke could be seen across Central Oregon as fire crews ramp up prescribed burning. Tuesday, 91 acres were burned southwest of Sisters as the season comes to a close and wildfire season approaches.

“Should a wildfire start in these areas where we have conducted prescribed burning, firefighters have a greater chance of success at stopping that fire and keeping it small,” said Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs Specialist Jaime Olle.

Every year, the U.S. Forest Service conducts thousands of acres of prescribed burns across the region, to help prevent catastrophic wildfires. 

Last year, fire investigators found that BLM prescribed burns prevented the Darlene 3 Fire in La Pine from destroying more land. It’s a glimmer of hope after one of the state’s worst wildfire seasons brought more than 1,900 fires and burned over 1.9 million acres in the state.  

BLM spoke with KTVZ News last fall, “If you go and look at where these fuel treatments work, you’ll see a low mortality rate of the trees, whereas in the places where the fuels had not been pretreated, you’ll see a high mortality rate,” said Amanda Roberts, BLM’s Prineville District manager.

Senator Ron Wyden reintroduced legislation in May of last year to continue to support prescribed burns.

The National Prescribed Burn Act would allocate $300 million to expand the intentional fires to the winter and spring months and increase the number of acres burned a year.

Currently, 3.6 million acres are burned in the state annually. 

Olle said, “Typically, these projects are strategically located across the landscape, in places where we can do the best to not only restore the forest health, but also reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to our communities.”

The season typically lasts from mid-April to mid-June. You can find more information about the latest prescribed burns at http://Centraloregonfire.org.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools will present diplomas to 1,387 seniors during seven high school graduation ceremonies this Thursday through next Tuesday. 

The Class of 2025 includes 491 Honors Diploma recipients, 129 Seal of Biliteracy recipients, and 25 students who are receiving their International Baccalaureate diploma.

Many others have challenged themselves with rigorous coursework, including college-level Advanced Placement and dual credit classes, as well as a host of Career Technical Education courses offered in all the district’s high schools. 

“This is such a special time in our community, as we gather to celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors and send them off with our heartfelt best wishes for continued success in their education, careers, service and life,” said Katie Legace, Executive Director of High Schools. “We are incredibly proud of our graduates and what they have achieved through their hard work in our schools.” 

Caldera High School will lead off the celebrations on Thursday, June 5, with its ceremony at 7 p.m. On Friday, June 6, La Pine High School’s graduation will be at 7 p.m. 

Three schools will hold ceremonies on Saturday, June 7: Bend Senior High School at 10 a.m.; Summit High School at 2 p.m.; and Mountain View High School at 6 p.m. 

Bend Tech Academy will celebrate its seniors Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. Realms High School will follow with its ceremony on Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. 

More details available at bend.k12.or.us/district/news-events/graduation-information. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — We’ve known it was in the works for quite a while, but it all became official Tuesday: Burgerville, which calls itself “the Pacific Northwest’s premium fast-food chain,” announced the opening date for its newest restaurant and first in Central Oregon, near the Bend Elks Stadium in southeast Bend.

Burgerville said it “is known for its commitment to serving locally sourced food, a dietary-friendly menu and seasonal favorites like the beloved Walla Walla Sweet Onion Rings and Marionberries. The menu features pasture-raised beef from Country Natural Beef, Wilcox Farms cage-free eggs and offers gluten-free buns and dairy-free shakes.”

Here’s the grand opening details:  

What: A grand opening celebration of Burgerville’s newest Bend location, for the community – open to all customers.  Where: 612 Southeast 3rd St., Bend, OR 97702  When: Monday, June 23rd at 7 a.m. opening, 10 a.m. ribbon cutting  

Details: Join us for a fun-filled morning, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony and:  

Special Guest Appearances: Burgerville CEO Ed Casey and Ranchers from Central Oregon-founded Country Natural Beef, a longtime partner brand.

Breakfast: Order Burgerville Breakfast menu items (ends at 11 a.m.) and Stumptown Coffee offerings, including the new Cold Brew with Cold Cream Cloud Foam. The first 100 orders will receive free Original Cheeseburgers for a year*. 

Exclusive Community Burger: For the first 30 days only, Burgerville Bend is serving a Bend exclusive item: The 10 Barrel Beer Cheese Slider. Featuring Bend’s own 10 Barrel Beer Cheese, pasture raised beef patty from Country Natural Beef, served on a pretzel bun.  Burgerville will donate 20% of all slider proceeds to The Giving Plate, a Bend nonprofit food relief organization.  

Come celebrate Burgerville’s expansion into the Bend community and experience the delicious, locally sourced menu that customers across the Pacific Northwest love.  

*The first 100 customers who make a purchase at the new Bend Burgerville will receive a gift card upon checkout with the value of 52 Original Cheeseburgers. 

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Jillian Fortner

Jillian Fortner has a report on KTVZ News at Five

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Paddleboarding is one of the many fun ways Central Oregonians enjoy the local rivers, but experts say there are important safety precautions to take before heading out on the water.

“A lot of people assume they’ll be fine because they can swim, or think nothing will happen,” Sue Fox with Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe said Friday. “Most of the time, that’s true. But as an old friend used to say, ‘The river only has to win once.’”

Fox says it’s important to understand the waterway and come with the proper gear. Always wear a properly fitted life jacket.

“The reason we don’t want them loose is because if you were to fall in the water, you could easily fall out of it. The PFG could come up over your face,” Fox added.

Chris Gerdes, the park manager at Prineville Reservoir, says a recent incident nearly turned deadly because the person wasn’t wearing the proper safety gear.

“We already had a near-drowning this year,” Gerdes said. “Again, this person did not have their life jacket on.”

The Oregon State Marine Board recommends using a quick-release leash in fast-moving water.

“There’s an emerging trend when we look at the causes for fatalities in recent years, where a person, otherwise well-outfitted, died because their leash to the SUP became entangled in brush or other debris on area rivers,” said Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board.

Stand-up paddleboarding incidents and fatalities were infrequent prior to 2019. Between 2020 and 2024, there were three SUP injuries beyond first aid and 10 fatalities where either a life jacket wasn’t worn, or the person became entangled in an obstruction on moving water – without a quick-release leash.

Sue Fox said, “With ocean surfing, an ankle leash is great. But on the river, that has different hazards.”

Entanglements do happen with life jacket straps as well, officials noted. However, the chance of survival from drowning is greatly improved. It’s important for paddlers to make sure the straps on their life jackets are tucked back into the jacket itself, and the slack is not allowed to dangle.

The Oregon State Marine Board also requires whistles on paddlecraft, a rule state park officials are reminding visitors to follow.

Gerdes said, “It actually is something that you could get ticketed for. So I really want to avoid having that happen.”

More safety tips can be found on the Oregon State Marine Board’s paddling page.

For questions about gear, the staff at Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe are ready to help.

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Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Gas prices are edging lower as June begins, even as crude oil prices are climbing, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.

The Ukrainian attacks on Russia are putting upward pressure on oil prices, but prices remain below $65 per barrel. This is helping to keep pump prices calm even as demand for gasoline climbs. For the week, the national average for regular falls four cents to $3.14 a gallon.

The Oregon average slips three cents to $3.99 a gallon, while Bend’s price also falls about three cents, to about $3.96 a gallon.

Here’s the rest of AAA’s weekly gas prices report for the area:

“Crude oil prices have jumped to start this week, driven by the escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine. These types of events often put upward pressure on crude prices due to uncertainty about global oil supplies,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

“Another factor influencing oil prices is that OPEC+ announced over the weekend that it will boost production by 411,000 barrels per day in July. This is the third month in a row that the cartel is increasing output. Normally, this would put downward pressure on crude prices, but investors were expecting it.”

The Oregon average began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and is currently at $3.99. The highest price of the year so far is $4.02 on May 28. The lowest price of the year so far is just under $3.45 a gallon on January 2.  

The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and is currently at $3.14. The highest price of the year so far is $3.27 on April 4. The lowest price of the year so far is $3.06 on January 5.

This week, 13 Oregon counties have averages at or above $4, down from 14 a week ago.

Clackamas $4.05

Clatsop $4.12

Columbia $4.19

Curry $4.06

Grant $4.04

Harney $4.18

Jackson $4.11

Josephine $4.11

Lake $4.11

Multnomah $4.13

Tillamook $4.16

Wallowa $4.04

Washington $4.11

Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures. The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country.

The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend until June 1.

Switch-over dates are earlier in California, with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.

Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31.

Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in this country rose slightly from 13.39 to 13.40 million barrels per day for the week ending May 23. The record high is 13.63 million barrels per day for the week of December 6. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.

The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) had been mostly in the upper $60s to mid-$70s since last September, but crude prices dropped in early April as markets reacted to President Trumps tariffs and the impact on U.S. and global markets. Additional downward pressure on crude prices came after the decision by OPEC+ to increase production.

The lowest closing price since September was $57.13 on May 5, which was the lowest closing price since February 2021. The recent high price for crude was $80.04 per barrel on January 15, which was the highest price since last August.

Crude oil was trading around $63 on Tuesday, compared to $61 a week ago and $74 a year ago. In 2024, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.

Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, concerns remain that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region.

In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But now the cartel boosted production by 411,000 barrels in May and June, and announced the same increase for July.

Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 49% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 16% is refining, 19% distribution and marketing, and 16% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. jumped from 8.64 million b/d to 9.45 for the week ending May 23, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This compares to 9.15 million b/d a year ago. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 225.5 million barrels to 223.1. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day, compared to 9.6 million barrels daily the previous week.

Pump prices will likely be fairly stable or even tick lower in the short term, if crude oil prices remain in the low $60s.

Quick stats

Oregon is one of 35 states with lower prices now than a week ago. Indiana (-13 cents) has the largest week-over-week decline in the nation. Utah (+6 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase. The average in South Carolina is flat.

California ($4.76) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the 16th week in a row. Hawaii ($4.48) is second, and Washington ($4.39) is third. These are the three states in the country with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week 22 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 25 states with an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Mississippi ($2.65) and Texas ($2.71). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.

The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.12 this week, compared to $2.20 a week ago.

Oregon is one of 21 states with higher prices now than a month ago. The national average is three cents less and the Oregon average is nine cents more than a month ago. Ohio (-20 cents) has the largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Washington (+13 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 40 cents less and the Oregon average is 26 cents less than a year ago. Maryland (-57 cents) has the largest yearly drop. Washington (-11 cents) has the smallest.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with all seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.

Rank
Region
Price on 6/3/2025

1
California
$4.76

2
Hawaii
$4.48

3
Washington
$4.39

4
Oregon
$3.99

5
Nevada
$3.86

6
Alaska
$3.65

7
Illinois
$3.36

8
Idaho
$3.33

9
Arizona
$3.31

10
Utah
$3.31

As mentioned above, California has the most expensive gas in the country for the 16th week in a row. Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Alaska round out the top six. Arizona is 9th. Oregon is fourth most expensive for the second week in a row.

Six of the seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week decreases: California (-9 cents), Nevada (-6 cents), Arizona (-4 cents), Oregon (-3 cents), Washington (-2 cents), Alaska (-2/10ths of a cent). Hawaii (+1 cent) is the only state in the region with a week-over-week increase.

The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast fell from 82.6% to 79.5% for the week ending May 23. This rate has ranged between about 72% to 92% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate ticked down from 90.7% to 90.2%.

The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region rose slightly from 27.1 million bbl. to 27.2 million bbl. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.

Oil market dynamics

Crude oil prices jumped on Monday after Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russia. Russia is a major oil producer, and crude prices often rise when a major producer is involved in geopolitical events.

Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 440.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI slipped 15 cents to settle at $60.79. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI jumped $1.73 to settle at $62.52. Today crude is trading around $63 compared to $61 a week ago. Crude prices are about $11 less than a year ago. ($74.22 on June 3, 2024)

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: full story, instructor and student interviews, adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Students in the Outdoor Product program at OSU-Cascades had the opportunity to share their final projects with the public. 

The interdisciplinary program spans two terms. It requires students go from the research phase to a buy-ready prototype in about six months, mirroring the actual timeline of the industry.    

Students this year – who worked independently or with a group – created products they felt met a need in the outdoor products market.

Naomi Morrison, an instructor for the Outdoor Products program, told KTVZ News, “Students are focusing on hard goods and soft goods. They might be looking at apparel. They might be working on gear.”

Environmental considerations also played a large role in many of the projects. “They’re really focused on sustainability. They really think about how do we make sure that the products we are making are going to help the environment,” said Morrison.

SnoPlanks – a local snowboard company donated to OSU-Cascades for students to practice real-life business skills on – was the focus of some projects. 

We spoke with one student, Jaili Moffitt, about her all-female group’s SnoPlanks product – a snowboard meant specifically for women. 

Moffitt told us, “I’ve always been passionate about getting women out on the mountain, and so I saw a way for me to show my passion through my work.” 

The idea of creating a product related to their own interests attracted other students on campus to the showcase to learn more about the program. Moffitt, originally an engineering student, said this project helped her to realize marketing is truly her passion. Other students in her group had similar realizations. 

“I have seen so much growth in my team and the ten people that I work with. We all come from different backgrounds, different experiences, in different majors,” said Moffitt. 

To learn more about the OSU-Cascade’s Outdoor Products program, you can visit its dedicated site here. 

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Barney Lerten

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With medicine and supplies in tow, a team from Madras Animal Hospital and Fences For Fido greeted dozens of Warm Springs residents who lined up on Saturday for free pet vaccines, flea/tick medications, and pet food.

The free wellness clinic is among the services that help bridge gaps between the remote tribal community and essential services like veterinary care.

“Forty minutes before the clinic opened, our first customer arrived with seven dogs and a cat,” says Michelle Blake, Executive Director of the Portland-based nonprofit Fences For Fido, who coordinated Saturday’s two-hour drop-in wellness clinic at the Warm Springs Fire and Safety building.

“Just imagine the cost if all eight pets needed to get their exams and treatments at the going rate for veterinary care,” Blake said.

In the first hour, the team vaccinated 44 dogs and 5 cats and anticipated an afternoon total of about 75 pets.

Pets arriving for the free clinic ranged from a 1.7-lb puppy to 80-lb adult dogs.

“There was even a little family reunion when a brindle pit bull mama met two of her 7-month-old puppies while waiting in line for shots,” Blake said.

Now adopted to separate families, the puppies and their mother recognized each other and exchanged little nose-bumps while waiting their turns.

Fences For Fido has served the Warm Springs community since 2016. The nonprofit’s founding mission is to build free fenced yards to improve the quality of life for dogs previously kept on a tether or in a small enclosure. “Our mission expanded to help meet other critical needs for dogs and cats on the reservation where there is no on-site veterinary care,” says Kelly Peterson, Fences For Fido’s chair and co-founder.

The organization partners with another nonprofit, First Nations Veterinary, to bring high-volume summer spay/neuter clinics to Warm Springs. Those summer clinics will sterilize 100 or more pets in a two-day weekend. Outside of clinic weekends, Fences For Fido partners with Dr. Jerud Rhen and his staff at Madras Animal Hospital.

“Dr. Rhen makes time available to help us serve Warm Springs families, and our team will drive pets from Warm Springs to Madras if the family has a transportation challenge,” says Blake. “Together, Fences For Fido and Madras Animal Hospital have spayed and neutered 167 dogs and 26 cats.”

Fences For Fido processes 600+ applications each year form Oregon and Washington families asking for help with fencing, veterinary care, or spay/neuter services. The group’s volunteer fence-builders unchained 323 dogs and delivered 217 dog houses to pets in need in 2024.

Their services in Warm Springs have provided:

600+ dogs with safe fenced yards. 

400+ dogs and puppies transferred to shelters and rescues

800+ dog houses to provide protection from weather extremes

100,000+ pounds of dog/cat food distributed through the organization’s Warm Springs pet food bank

Fences For Fido, founded in Portland in 2009, has unchained more than 3,700 dogs across Oregon and Washington. FencesForFido.org

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Isabella Warren

Isabella Warrenvisited the site of a burn near Sisters; her report on KTVZ News at Five

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest conducted two more prescribed burn operations Tuesday on the Crescent and Sisters ranger districts. 

Firefighters on the Crescent Ranger District planned to conduct up to 42 acres of ignitions on the Sting 16 Prescribed Burn, located about 12 miles southwest of Crescent and two miles south of the Two Rivers subdivision.

The prescribed burn unit is located between OHV Trails #13 and #39. No closures are anticipated for these trails; however, officials say the trails may have some smoke impacts during and after ignitions. Smoke will be visible from Highway 97 and 58 and the surrounding area.  

Residents in Two Rivers, Crescent Lake and Crescent are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Also on Tuesday, after a successful test firing, the Sisters Ranger District conducted 91 acres of prescribed burning on SAFR 240, two miles southwest of Sisters and one mile southwest of the Crossroads subdivision, at the intersection of Forest Service Road 15 and FSR 1512 near Sisters Cow Camp.

The burn was complete by early Tuesday afternoon and crews were transitioning to cooling down hot spots and securing the perimeter.

Smoke was visible from Sisters and the surrounding area. No road or trail closures are anticipated; however, smoke may impact FSR 15.

Isabella Warren is getting a behind-the-scenes look at this season’s prescribed burns for a report tonight on KTVZ News at 5:00 p.m..

Drivers should use caution when traveling in the area. Residents in the Crossroads subdivision, Sisters and the surrounding area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed, to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. 

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when the weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.  

What does this mean for you? 

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.  

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. 

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best when running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner. 

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible. 

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating. 

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional. 

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources. 

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. 

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Barney Lerten

 MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles’ new community pharmacy in Madras opened to the public on Monday, bucking the nationwide trend of pharmacy closures and helping fill a critical health need for the region.

“Today is an exciting day for our community and St. Charles, as we are opening a pilot community pharmacy in Madras to help increase access to medicine for Central Oregonians,” said Todd Shields, vice president and hospital administrator for St. Charles Madras.

“We are tremendously grateful to the organizations that supported the effort to open a new pharmacy, including the Central Oregon Health Council, Roundhouse Foundation, Bean Foundation and Mid Oregon Credit Union. Thanks to this outpouring of support, we are able to provide this much-needed service to the residents of Jefferson County.” 

St. Charles had announced in early January its plans to open the pharmacy at the site of the former Hometown Drug, near downtown and just three blocks from St. Charles Madras.

The new pharmacy is located at 65 N.E. Oak Street, Suite 100 and will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pharmacy will fill prescriptions (in store and via a drive-up window) and provide immunizations, medication management, injections for long-term care needs and retail sales for over-the-counter medicine and durable medical equipment (like crutches or walkers). 

Learn information about how to fill a prescription at the new pharmacy and other details on their webpage.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, owns and operates hospital campuses in Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond, along with primary and specialty care clinics throughout the Central Oregon region. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,900 caregivers. We proudly partner with our local medical community to provide a wide variety of health services. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Calfiornia woman and a Redmond man entered not-guilty pleas Monday in the fatal early-January shooting of a Bend man at the Holiday Motel and their joint trial was set for July of next year. 

Few words were spoken by either co-defendant Monday as each appeared by video from the Deschutes County Jail for their back-to-back hearings before Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott. Jessica Mae Sanders of Clearlake, Calif., turned 31 last Thursday, the same day that Jason Newton Loun turned 39, court records show. 

The pair were named jointly in an amended indictment last month. They each face the same six charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, in the killing of Robert Lewis Treher, 34. 

Herriott scheduled a six-day jury trial for July 14, 2026. A motion and status check hearing is set for Sept. 15 and a trial readiness hearing a week before the trial is set to begin. 

Prosecutors said at a March hearing that Loun allegedly drove Sanders to the SE Third Street motel, where she entered Treher’s room and stole several items, then shot him with a 9 mm handgun. Loun is accused of finding and threatening Treher, and driving Sanders to and from the scene. 

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