Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond hasy launched its 2026 biennial Community Survey. The purpose is to learn what the community thinks about the city that works for them.

The comprehensive survey includes questions ranging from how safe people feel, downtown development, to satisfaction with various city services and other city centric topics. This 3-minute survey is available online at https://www.redmondoregon.gov/communitysurvey.

“Living in Redmond is a shared investment in our community. Together, we strive for continual improvement, and that begins by asking, ‘How are we doing?’ Your voice helps shape our future,” shared City Manager Keith Witcosky.

The Redmond Community Survey is conducted every two years, giving residents yet another outlet to voice their opinions and provides the City with input about policy decisions and service delivery.

Hard copies of the survey were mailed directly to residents via the City’s Redmond Connection newsletter and are available at City Hall or by request. Survey responses will be accepted until March 23.

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Matthew Draxton

(Update: adding information on sale requirements and pending status)

BEND, ORE. (KTVZ) — The former Shilo Inn in Bend is now pending sale as part of an ongoing Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. The property was listed for sale on February 6th and officially reached mutual acceptance with a Buyer on February 23rd. The deadline to submit offers to purchase was by end-of-business-day on February 17th.

The 179-room hotel, located near the Deschutes River, is being sold through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington. 

Under the terms outlined in the Summary of Requirements for Purchase and Sale Agreement, the sale must receive final approval from the Bankruptcy Court after public notice and a hearing. Any competing offers received before that court hearing can be considered, with the current bidder having the opportunity to match higher bids.

The listing broker handling the sale is Kristan Kellogg of Varsity Real Estate. Offers were required to include a $200,000 deposit and proof of financing sufficient to close the transaction.

Documents show that the Buyer will assume the restaurant lease on the property, but will not retain rights to the “Shilo Inn” name — the sign must be removed or covered before reopening under a new brand.

The sale does not include ATMs or vehicles located on the premises, and any Buyer is expected to complete detailed property and environmental inspections within 30 days of offer acceptance.

The pending sale marks the next step in the liquidation of the long-standing Bend hotel, which closed after more than three decades of operation. The court is expected to approve the sale later this spring.

KTVZ News will continue following this story as new details emerge regarding the ultimate Buyer and plans for the property.

The full Summary of Requirements for Purchase and Sale Agreement is below:

Shilo Inn Sale RequirementsDownload

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Potential buyers are now touring the Shilo Inn after the over-30-year hotel hit the market for sale Friday. This all comes two weeks after the Shilo Inn abruptly shut its doors due to bankruptcy.

KTVZ News had an exclusive look inside the unique 7.5 acre property. The iconic Bend staple since 1992, is officially on the market for 14 million dollars. Before it was the Shilo Inn though, it was the “Touch of Class Motors Inn” during the 1980’s.

“It was originally a residential, seven and a half acre parcel with a manufactured home on it,” said Kristan Kellogg, the lead real estate agent with Varsity Real Estate that’s selling the property. She continued, “a gentleman came in, purchased the land and made it the hotel that it is today”

When Kellogg first arrived on site, she expected to have to clean and strip a few rooms. But behind every closed door was a surprise.

“It definitely looked neglected,” Kellogg reflected. “You could see wallpaper that’s been peeling, stains on the carpets, food that had been left over for a while. Majority of the rooms were like that.”

With thirteen different layouts, not every room is created equal.

“It’s very evident that there’s been a lot of, like, deferred maintenance over the last five years,” Kellogg claimed. “I would say, that the new investor, whoever comes in is going to need to kind of revive that and hopefully they do.”

There is a total of eight buildings on this property; six of which are designated for specific hotel use. The other hotel buildings include a private residence, and the Real Taste of India restaurant — who could hav either lease terminated by a new landlord.

“It’s going to be up to the owner really,” added Crystal Knowles, the former assistant general manager at Shilo Inn. She added, “me and my GM didn’t even know we didn’t have jobs because they were still asking us to do things and we were doing things.” 

Knowles says despite technically being terminated, they’re still working to help Kellogg make the property appealing to potential buyers and hoping, “that we get you know a buyer that sees the real potential of this place, not just somebody who wants to tear it down,” so that the former staff have the opportunity to return.

In regards to the staff rapport , Knowles said, “we’re like a little family. We may not go home to the same houses but we’re all one group and it doesn’t just end here.”

Kellogg added to the sentiment saying, “there’s a lot of employees that have worked here for a really long time. And so to be able to see them to come back to a place that’s now alive again and what it should have been originally and, you know, carry on that legacy would be awesome.”

Interest is high among local hotel owners and developers with “several investors that are already planning on making offers,” Kellogg said.

However the future of the longstanding blue-roofed hotel could go any direction.

Kellogg thinks “there’s one investor in particular that will probably tear it down, but then everyone else, I think will just try to bring it back to life, which is what I’m hopeful for.”

Monday marks the beginning of cite tours for potential buyers of the Shilo Inn. Official offers are required to be submitted to the bankruptcy court by February 16th.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It’s rare to find riverfront property in Central Oregon, and it’s especially hard to find it up for sale, but that’s exactly what’s happening with Bend’s Shilo Inn. The 7.5-acre riverfront property is being listed this week by Varsity Real Estate.

According to Oregon real estate broker Kristan Kellog, Varsity Real Estate is listing the Shilo Inn for $14 million.

This comes after Shilo Inn abruptly shut its doors “temporarily,” according to a sign on the front door. Shortly after, KTVZ News found that its owners had filed for bankruptcy, along with two other Shilo Inns locations in Oregon. One in Warrenton and another in Newport.

Matthew Draxton got a tour on Monday of the hotel that began as the Touch of Class Motor In in the 1980s. He’ll have an exclusive look inside the now-closed hotel on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.

Once the property hits the market, Varsity Real Estate “will show the property over the next week and a half to potential investors. And then the bankruptcy court will call for all offers, as of February 16th,” Kellog said.

“At that point, they will review all of them and choose the highest and best offer, which will then be submitted to the Bankruptcy Court,” she said.

Kellog added that bankruptcy attorneys hope to fast-track the process and sell in 60 days. With an aggressive timeline, potential buyers will now only have about 30 days to assess the property and make their offer.

From addressing leaky roofs and asbestos ceilings to sewage replacement and a general facelift, Kellog adds the facilities are in need of major upgrades.

Despite this, she said the Shilo Inn “has really good bones, like really good bones.

“So to see someone come in and just bring this place back to life and make it a part of the Bend community again would be amazing,” Kellog insisted.

This is a developing story, and KTVZ News will provide updates as soon as possible.

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Barney Lerten

Portland, OR — The America 250 Oregon Commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, has announced the recipients of its second round of grant funding, awarding nearly $75,000 to 25 organizations across the state for projects and programs that commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

Among the latest recipients are three based in Central Oregon: ClearPath Healthcare of Redmond, Bend’s High Desert Museum and the Warm Springs Community Action Team. Details of their plans for the funding are in the list below.

These grants are in addition to an initial $50,000 in total funding awarded to 13 organizations last October.

“With recipients in communities across all corners of Oregon, these grants represent Oregon’s commitment to commemorating America’s 250th birthday in ways that reflect the unique character of our state,” said America 250 Oregon Commission Chair Kerry Tymchuk.

“From highlighting Indigenous histories to honoring the sacrifice of Oregon’s veterans to instilling a love of history in our youth, these initiatives provide an opportunity for Oregonians to engage in our shared story. We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for providing the funds that made these grants possible.”

The Oregon 250 Grant Program was established to help organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions, and cultures. These grant awards of up to $3,000 will support programs that align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts.

A third funding cycle will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects. More information about the Oregon 250 Grant Program can be found at oregon250.org.

The following organizations were awarded grants in the Oregon 250 Grant Program’s second funding cycle:

CETI, Multnomah County 

Grant funds will support the creation of a bilingual, augmented-reality storybook and community events that preserve, interpret, and honor the erased history of Portland’s Chinese immigrant community buried at Lone Fir Cemetery’s Block 14.

City of Monmouth, Polk County 

Grant funds will support the purchase and installation of a permanent display case that will be placed in Monmouth’s City Hall and used for exhibitions acknowledging the Indigenous peoples of this region that encourage visitors to consider diverse perspectives while reflecting on the past.

Civics Learning Project, Statewide

Grant funds will provide support for We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, a comprehensive curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students covering the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States that culminates with simulated congressional hearings where students testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress.

Crossroads Creative and Performing Arts Center, Baker County 

Grant funds will support the production of a film showing diverse Baker County residents sharing the Declaration of Independence in locations across the county, meant to serve as a reminder of the power of the charge to create a more perfect union.

ClearPath Healthcare/Hospice of Redmond, Deschutes County 

Grant funds will support programs for local veterans, including the creation of a Wall of Memory, monthly Taps memorial gatherings, pinning ceremonies, and programs bringing veterans in connection with one another.

Dayton Community Development Program, Yamhill County 

Grant funds will support the digitization of historical Dayton newspapers that are currently held on microfilm. The project will build on a previous digitization project, adding papers from 1929 to 1947 to the University of Oregon Digital Newspaper Program.

Douglas County Historical Society, Douglas County 

Grant funds will support “Your Heritage: Douglas County Oregon Through the Ages,” a student essay and art contest increasing youth awareness of county history.

Gresham Historical Society, Multnomah County

Grant funds will support production and marketing of Gresham History Week (June 13–21), a festival commemorating the semiquincentennial as well as GHS’s 50th anniversary.

Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum, Statewide

Grant funds will support HACCM staff and volunteers traveling to four locations around Oregon to document, collect, and archive stories of the Greek American experience through oral history interviews, meetings, and community gatherings. These stories will serve as source material for future special exhibitions and other public programs.

High Desert Museum, Deschutes County 

Grant funds will support a community conversation series and a public lecture series that will examine the legacies of America 250 through the lens of the American West, bringing together scholars, Indigenous knowledge holders, artists, and the broader public to explore themes such as patriotism, citizenship, voting rights, the American Dream, and the layered cultural narratives that define the High Desert.

Historic Jacksonville, Inc., Jackson County 

Grant funds will support the “Museum without Walls” project to convert Jacksonville’s 1881 Old City Hall into the ADA accessible physical base of a citywide museum that shares the history of Jacksonville’s Historic Landmark District through onsite exhibits and introduces guests to the many ways they can explore the town including physical and virtual tours.

Jackson County Expo Center, Jackson County 

Grant funds will support the creation of a new exhibition featuring a series of exhibits created by local organizations that will together share the history of the Rogue Valley.

Klamath Falls School District, Klamath County 

Grant funds will support exhibitions and programs relating to 250 Years of Exploration: From Pioneers to Space, a community-wide celebration that connects America’s 250th anniversary to the enduring spirit of exploration that has shaped both the nation and the Klamath Basin.

Lane County, Lane County 

Grant funds will support the preservation and digitization of historically significant original ledgers, ordinances, and record books of Lane County.

League of Women Voters of Lane County, Lane County 

Grant funds will support Democracy at the Grange, a free public civic education event in Cottage Grove offering clear, accessible explanations of how Oregon’s civic systems work, including ballot measures, Oregon’s open primary, resolutions, and how residents can access trusted election information through Vote411.

Milwaukie Historical Society, Clackamas County 

Grant funds will support an online exhibit and public event sharing the history of the Milwaukie Pastry Kitchen, the first Black-owned bakery in the state of Oregon.  

Oregon ArtsWatch, Multnomah County 

Grant funds will support the publication of 20 stories highlighting America 250 Oregon projects, increasing knowledge about events and encouraging engagement.

Oswego Heritage Council, Clackamas County 

Grant funds will support the publication of Oswego: People, Places, and Events, a historical publication sharing stories from the past 150 years in the Lake Oswego area through photographs, quotations, newspapers, and a timeline.

Restore Oregon, StatewideGrant funds will support Restore Oregon’s efforts to gather and share a collection of Oregon’s preservation history, highlighting losses (intentional and natural) and celebrating what has been saved through future exhibits and storytelling.

Southern Oregon Historical Society, Jackson County 

Grant funds will support two projects; first, a crowd-sourced photo collection project centered on peoples’ personal sense of America, with a goal of collecting 250 captioned photo submissions from Southern Oregonians; second, SOHS will consult with Grand Ronde basket maker Stephanie Craig on its Native American basketry collection, working on basket identifications, information, and best practices for museum storage.

Tangent Together, Linn County 

Grant funds will support the Tangent Harvest Festival and the creation of Oregon Harvest Games within its Kids’ Village, offering children interactive, age-appropriate activities that demonstrate how agricultural tasks were performed historically and how they are carried out today.

Twin Oaks Elementary School, Lane County

Grant funds will provide immersive, place-based learning experiences for students in grades K–5 as well as purchase a collection of books to extend learning beyond these excursions.

Warm Springs Community Action Team, Jefferson County 

Grant funds will support the production of A Bridge to the Future, the first-ever film to tell the story of the Warm Springs Reservation and its people into the present. Written, filmed, and edited by and with tribal members, the film uses the metaphor of the Commissary to explore how Warm Springers use the tools of the colonizer to dismantle oppression and build something new and powerful, shaped by tribal hands and invested in a tribal future.

Warren Community Foundation, Columbia County 

Grant funds will support facility improvements to the Grange Farm Museum in St. Helens that will significantly enhance the museum’s usability and overall visitor experience.

Willamette Heritage Center, Marion County 

Grant funds will support the creation of an immersive exhibit examining what the events of 1776 meant and mean to people living in Mid-Willamette Valley. 

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, the mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County has invited residents in the Redmond/Terrebonne community to apply for a vacant position on the county’s Planning Commission.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, March 5, at 4 p.m., officials said Thursday.

The Planning Commission reviews land use policies and zoning regulations,  making recommendations to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.

Members form the official citizen involvement committee on land use planning for unincorporated areas of the county, providing a platform for community input.

Position Details

Vacancy: One at-large member from the Redmond/Terrebonne area

Term: July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030

The Planning Commission meets at the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend, every second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Additional meetings may occur elsewhere in the county.

Interested residents should submit an application with a letter of interest and resume, describing their interest in rural land use planning and ability to serve collaboratively on a committee. 

Find the application here: 

Deschutes County Planning Commission Application  

Learn more about the Planning Commission here:

Deschutes County Planning Commission Information

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Ross Stores is launching its 12th annual “Help Local Kids Succeed in School” fundraiser starting on Saturday to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, including here in Central Oregon.

Customers at Ross Dress for Less locations in Bend and Redmond can donate at the register through March 1 to support academic programs for local students, the company and organization said in a news release Thursday.

The fundraiser specifically supports Power Hour, a program that provides homework assistance and tutoring for more than 4 million young people served by the clubs each year. To increase the impact of the campaign, the Ross Stores Foundation will match customer donations up to $500,000.

Donations made at the checkout registers will benefit local chapters of the organization. While 100% of the funds raised at each store stay with the Boys & Girls Clubs, 80% of that total is directed specifically to the club in that store’s community.

In Central Oregon, contributions at the Bend and Redmond locations will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend.

Gary Cribb, senior group executive vice president of stores and loss prevention for Ross Stores, said the company works with employees and shoppers to reach these goals.

“Ross is proud to host our 12th annual in-store fundraiser for BGCA in February,” Cribb said. “The Ross Stores Foundation, our Associates and our generous Customers join forces to raise funds for clubs nationwide and help local kids succeed.”

Cribb noted that the funds are designated for Power Hour, which serves as an academic support program to help students achieve higher grades. The program provides a space for children and teenagers to complete their schoolwork with the help of club staff members. Services are available both in person and virtually.

Michael Baker, chief executive officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend, said the partnership has provided reliable resources for the organization over the last decade.

“We are incredibly thankful for the support the Ross in-store campaign has generated for our organization over the past 12 years,” Baker said. “This annual support has enabled us to expand our homework assistance program, “Power Hour” to more of our members, more often.”

The campaign uses specific donation tiers to illustrate how the funds are used. A $5 donation covers one hour of homework help for a club member, while a $10 donation provides a teenager with an hour of assistance with college applications. A $15 donation funds one and a half hours of science experiments.

This year marks the 12th time Ross has held the in-store fundraiser. Over the history of the partnership, the Ross Stores Foundation and its customers have donated more than $55 million to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Power Hour program.

The fundraiser will remain active at Ross Dress for Less registers through March 1.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Camp Fire Central Oregon announced Thursday it has been awarded a national grant of nearly $50,000 to strengthen character development and explore expanding its summer programs to La Pine.

The funding is part of the American Camp Association‘s Character at Camp Grant Program, which is supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.

The competitive grant program is designed to highlight camps as impactful environments for youth growth. Camp Fire said it will use the funds to support initiatives that promote belonging, leadership and personal growth for both campers and staff.

The grant will support a feasibility study for a sustainable, community-driven expansion of the SummerKids Day Camp to a satellite site in La Pine. This initiative aims to provide rural youth with specific opportunities to develop character strengths.

The organization will also use the funds to build the relationships, systems and shared understanding required for long-term success in the region.

Beyond physical expansion, the funding provides staff capacity to formalize and articulate how current Camp Fire practices build character. The organization intends to combine community engagement with internal reflection and strategic analysis to ensure character development remains central to its decision-making processes.

Kecia Kubota, executive director of Camp Fire Central Oregon, said the organization previously expanded its after-school program into South County following a community request.

“All of us at Camp Fire Central Oregon are beyond thrilled to have applied for this highly competitive grant and been selected because of our commitment to character development and youth growth,” Kubota said. “Now that we have this grant, we can explore the possibility of bringing to La Pine yet another one of our time-tested, beloved programs: SummerKids Day Camp.”

Program Director Morgan Schaening explained that the staff identified three specific traits to prioritize across all programming, including the potential expansion.

“The strengths we selected to develop in our youth — and our staff — include curiosity, confidence and compassion,” Schaening said. She noted that these traits represent the foundation of thriving for youth and align with the mission of connecting young people to the outdoors and themselves.

The Character at Camp initiative recognizes camps as uniquely positioned to provide research-informed programs and inclusive communities. By joining this national network, the Central Oregon nonprofit will work with the American Camp Association to advance best practices and share the impact of camp settings on youth learning and growth.

Camp Fire Central Oregon will use the grant to explore the possibilities for the La Pine satellite site. The organization will focus on community engagement and strategic analysis as it evaluates new growth in the Central Oregon community.

For more information about Camp Fire Central Oregon, visit campfireco.org.To learn more about the Character at Camp initiative, visit ACAcamps.org. 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Low snow conditions have prompted Oregon Adaptive Sports to move this Saturday’s Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers adaptive skiing event and the following weekend’s CamPAH! snowsports camp from Hoodoo Ski Area to Mt. Bachelor.

The junior racing event provides young athletes with disabilities a low-barrier entry point into alpine sports. The program focuses on a non-competitive experience for youth in Central Oregon.

The events are typically held at Hoodoo Ski Area but was relocated to Mt. Bachelor this year due to challenging snow conditions. Organizers said the temporary move allows them to maintain safety and appropriate on-snow conditions for participants while continuing the seasonal program.

The Bartlett Junior Racers event is structured to prioritize time on the snow, rather than competition. Participants ski in a supported environment that emphasizes exploration and repetition.

This non-competitive approach is designed to encourage participation among children and young adults with disabilities.

The event is named in memory of Bartlett, who was a prominent member of the Oregon Adaptive Sports community. Bartlett was known for her work recruiting and organizing volunteers from the University of Oregon to support adaptive programs.

The Bartlett Memorial Fund provides financial support for the event to ensure it remains a low-barrier opportunity for youth athletes.

For more information about Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers or Oregon Adaptive Sports youth programs, visit:https://oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/ellie-bartlett-jr-racers/

OAS also will host CamPAH!, a deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camp for deaf and hard of hearing youth, on Feb. 14–15. Traditionally held at Hoodoo Ski Area over President’s Day weekend, CamPAH! will take place at Mt. Bachelor this season due to low snow conditions.

CamPAH! serves deaf and hard of hearing youth athletes ages 10–19 who want to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills in an environment designed specifically for visual communication and cultural connection.

The camp operates entirely in American Sign Language, with volunteer coaches who are fluent in ASL and are Deaf, CODA, and/or professional interpreters, ensuring direct communication and meaningful access on snow.

Since its founding in 2013, CamPAH! has supported nearly 200 Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth athletes as they begin and continue their snowsports journeys. Founded with leadership from Cara Frank, Development Director at Oregon Adaptive Sports, the program was created to establish a Deaf-friendly space on the mountain where access is foundational rather than accommodated. 

The program’s name, CamPAH!, reflects the ASL sign “PAH,” which conveys a sense of “finally” or “success at last” in an upbeat, celebratory way. That meaning echoes the experience many athletes and families describe — the impact of participating in a program where communication access is built in, not adapted as an afterthought.

CamPAH! continues to demonstrate the importance of Deaf-centered instruction and culturally responsive access in outdoor recreation. Parents consistently point to both skill progression and confidence gained through the program.

“You all did an amazing job. I can’t stop talking about the positive impact this had on my son. He engaged in a different and more sophisticated way, and his skiing skills improved over the weekend. We came for exposure to Deaf culture and to try something new — I didn’t expect him to love skiing, love his teachers, and grow so much. Now he wants to do it every weekend. We can’t wait to come back next year.”— Parent of CamPAH participant 

CamPAH! is one of the few deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camps of its kind in the United States and highlights the value of culturally responsive programming and community-led access in outdoor recreation.

For more information about CamPAH! and OAS programs, visit oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/campah/.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, founded in 1996 provides adaptive outdoor recreation throughout the year.

The organization offers various programs for children and young adults with disabilities across Central Oregon, including Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, paddling, and golf. These programs aim to provide consistent access to outdoor activities in the region.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it has successfully completed its accreditation process through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, a step it says is “reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement operations and public safety.”

Accreditation is a continuous process conducted every three years to ensure law enforcement agencies remain compliant with more than 100 professional standards, DCSO said. They said the standards cover critical areas such as policies, training, operations and accountability, helping agencies operate efficiently and transparently.

“This process is an important part of our responsibility to the community,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Accreditation ensures we are consistently meeting best practices and improving how we serve the public. It’s about building trust and demonstrating transparency because our community deserves to know that we hold ourselves accountable and operate at the highest level of professionalism.”

The accreditation process includes:

Policy Review and Updates: Aligning agency policies with state and national standards.

On-Site Assessment: Independent evaluators verify compliance.

Ongoing Improvement: Agencies must maintain compliance and prepare for reaccreditation every three years.

The sheriff’s office said, “Accreditation benefits the community by enhancing public confidence in law enforcement services, reducing liability risks, and improving operational efficiency, while strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the public.”

The accreditation is valid for three years and must be renewed before January 31, 2029.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek and more than 30 Oregon mayors sent a letter Thursday to the Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, demanding a halt to federal immigration enforcement actions in the state until recent use-of-force incidents are investigated and those involved are held accountable.

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch were among the 31 mayors who signed onto the letter, which you can read in full below.

“We demand an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement actions in Oregon until thorough investigations of use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis, in Portland and all other use of force incidents by federal agents are thoroughly investigated and those involved are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Kotek said.

The governor said she and the mayors are calling for a pause in enforcement actions following reports of increasingly aggressive tactics and recent use-of-force incidents involving federal officers. The Oregon leaders said such actions erode public trust and threaten individuals exercising their First Amendment rights.

The governor and mayors called for federal actions to stop until use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis, Portland and other locations are thoroughly investigated.

Gov. Kotek emphasized the state’s position on federal accountability in the joint letter, arguing that state and local law enforcement agencies are essential to public safety. They said the agencies have built community trust through local policing strategies that are being damaged by federal actions that exclude local partners and prioritize intimidation.

Oregon officials also highlighted the negative impact of current enforcement practices on daily life. They stated that families are avoiding work, school, health care and local businesses because of fear regarding these federal operations.

Despite the federal actions, the officials reaffirmed Oregon’s commitment to its Sanctuary Law. They indicated that state and local resources will continue to be focused on community-based public safety needs. The letter concluded by expressing support for immigrant and refugee communities, stating that they belong in the state, and that Oregon stands with them.

The letter follows a January 30 executive order and a series of conversations with community leaders, including a roundtable convened by Governor Kotek with community leaders.

02.05.26_Oregon Elected Leaders Letter to Noem, HomanDownload

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is accepting entries for the SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP Art Contest right now through the end of February. Central Oregon elementary school students are invited to submit designs to be featured as the official artwork for the upcoming annual team race. You can see the winning artwork for the 2025 Art Contest above.

Organized by the foundation as a fundraiser and presented by Sylvan Learning, the race is scheduled for May 17th, 2026 at Seventh Mountain Resort. The event name stands for “Playful Peers Persevere” and is designed for children in elementary school; the competition is an alternative to Central Oregon’s beloved annual “Pole Pedal Paddle” event.

The winning design will serve as the official artwork for the 2026 event. It will be featured on participant shirts and in advertisements. The winning artist will also receive free entry into the race for themselves and their team!

The designs submitted must include specific text within the design. “SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP,” “Bend, Oregon” and “2026” as well as the letters “MBSEF” somewhere in the artwork.

Entries must be received by 4 p.m. on February 27th, 2026. Submissions can be emailed to events@mbsef.org or delivered to the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation office at 2765 NW Lolo Drive in Bend. Foundation coaches and staff will be judging all submissions.

For local educators, the foundation is offering a new lesson plan and an accompanying video to show students for the contest. These materials and further event details are available on the official race website: https://pppbend.com/mini-ppp/

Registration to compete in the SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP will begin on March 1st, 2026. The race will take place on May 17th, 2026.

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