Barney Lerten
KTVZ viewer Catherine Beaton shared video with us of a couple of elusive bobcats she spotted in Tetherow. (Meanwhile, Bend Park & Rec District posted a photo of one spotted at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.)
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Spotting an elk herd is not all that rare in the woods around Bend, but one moving this fast…
“Forty years on our property in SE Bend, never seen anything like this!!” viewer Paul Bianchina said as he shared this video with KTVZ News.
“Displaced by all the building perhaps?” he wondered.
Harley Coldiron
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — As the White House rescinds a move to pause federal aid, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley tells KTVZ News he believes the initial move was likely unconstitutional.
The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded a sweeping freeze on most federal loans and grants. The funding freeze stemmed from a memo by the Office of Management and Budget. The White House press secretary said the memo was rescinded, but she insisted the president’s executive order reviewing the use of federal funds remains in full force.
Merkley said, “To go back and stop the distribution of funds that have already been approved by law is a violation of law. However much Trump might desire it, the president is not a king, and a law is not a suggestion.”
Under a funding freeze, nonprofits and programs like Head Start would lose critical funding. Many say they wouldn’t be able to operate.
Oregon Capital Chronicle
By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle
Students in Oregon’s Class of 2024, who started high school online in the midst of a global pandemic, surpassed expectations and graduated at a rate slightly higher than their peers in 2023 and significantly higher than predicted four years ago.
At the start of the pandemic, fewer than 74% of these students were on track to graduate in four years. But last year, nearly 82% graduated on time, the second-highest in state history, according to data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education.
“Students and staff overcame all the obstacles that COVID-19 threw in their path,” Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams said in a news release. “We are seeing results, but we know much more needs to be done so that every child is set up for success, not only to find their path to graduation, but to thrive in their educational experience.”
The class of 2024 included about 38,700 students — about 1,000 more graduates than the class of 2023, which boasted about an 81% graduation rate. The rate has not budged much or only made small gains since the pandemic, and it is still below that of the pre-pandemic class of 2019. In that class, 85% of students graduated on time, marking a high for Oregon.
The 2024 graduation rate ticked up despite state and national assessment tests showing Oregon students are struggling to make progress in key subjects and rebound from achievement losses from the pandemic.
That class also had some of the worst attendance rates in the state’s recent history. About one-third of Oregon students missed at least 16 days out of 160 or more days during the 2023-24 school year and were considered “chronically absent.” Before the pandemic, about 20% of students were considered chronically absent.
More to the picture
Williams said assessment tests and attendance data tell only part of the picture.
Over the last decade, the state has seen a growing number of students across all racial and ethnic categories enroll in Advanced Placement, or AP, courses, with more of those students earning high and college credit-worthy scores on AP exams. There has also been an increase in the number of students enrolled in Career and Technical Education, or CTE, classes. Those students tend to have the highest graduation rate in the state — around 98% of them graduated on time in 2024.
English-language learners, special education students and students in foster care also achieved some of the biggest gains in graduation rates in 2024.
Students for whom English is not a first language graduated at higher rates — nearly 88% — when they completed an English-language learner program before entering high school, the data found.
And students in foster care graduated at a record rate of 51% in 2024, and nearly 69% of special education students graduated, also a state record. Ten years ago, just over 50% of students with disabilities graduated in four years in Oregon, according to Oregon Department of Education data.
Overall, the state’s graduation rate in 2024 was nearly 10 percentage points higher than it was in 2014. Alaska Native and English Language learners graduated in 2024 at rates about 20 percentage points higher than they did 10 years ago, and Black and Latino students graduated at rates about 15 percentage points higher in 2024 than in 2014.
“This news is about resilience and dedication,” Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release. “I’m proud of the class of 2024 and the educators and parents who didn’t give up on students.”
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Class of 2024 Overcame Historic Obstaclesto Graduate at Second-Highest Rate in Oregon
Graduates began high school during the pandemic when classes were remote, yet 81.8% of the Class of 2024 graduated on time.
(Salem, OR) – The statewide graduation rate for the class of 2024 is 81.8%, according to data released today by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). The Class of 2024 started high school in distance learning due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and after their first year, only 73.6% were on-track to graduate in four years.
The statewide graduation rate represents about 38,700 public school students in all 36 counties and is the second-highest ever reported in the state.
“I’m proud of the Class of 2024 and the educators and parents who didn’t give up on students. This news is about resilience and dedication,” Governor Kotek said. “Let’s keep building on this progress and provide every Oregon student the best opportunity to thrive.”
“This class of talented, gritty scholars are an inspiring example for other young people. Students and staff overcame all the obstacles that COVID-19 threw in their path,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “Their first year in high school were some of the toughest days of the pandemic. Through their hard work—along with the dedication of educators, support staff, and the commitment of lawmakers and communities to expand learning opportunities—our scholars show us what’s possible when we prioritize their needs. We are seeing results, but we know much more needs to be done so that every child is set up for success, not only to find their path to graduation, but to thrive in their educational experiences.”
Other key findings include:
Students completing two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the statewide average, graduating at a rate of 97.7%, up 2.7 percentage points over the previous year’s mark for CTE students.
Former English Learners – students who have successfully completed English Learner programs prior to entering high school in Oregon – graduated at 87.8%, 6.0 percentage points higher than the statewide average and an all-time high for that student group.
Special Education students also saw the highest graduation rate for that student group at 68.8%.
The graduation rate for students receiving foster care increased 4.1 percentage points to 51.0%, a record high for that student group.
Isabella Warren
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — New Priorities Family Services in Redmond is launching a new program to help young children with mental health challenges and families of patients with substance abuse.
The clinic provides mental health and substance abuse services for ages as young as 6, offering psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation services and residency plans.
Executive Director Karen Ludwig says the organization is now launching a new program to address a group many services ignore, “It’s important for the family to understand either the addiction process or the mental health process and be able to give the support.”
Shawn Kelly is a recovery mentor and has seen the effects first-hand.
“I personally think that it’s important for the family to know that they’re not alone and that they have other support out there that can help them better address the situations that they’re going through,” he said.
Barney Lerten
127 marijuana plants, six guns also found in raid on Levi Witsoe’s home
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bail has been set at $1 million for a La Pine-area man facing 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse, a year after a cyber-tip to Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies of images being shared online – some identified as a local teen girl. A later raid on his home also found over 100 marijuana plants.
In January of 2024, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children unit received an ICAC Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Sergeant Thomas Lilienthal said in a news release Thursday, which continues below in full:
This Cybertip detailed an unknown user who shared an image of child sexual abuse material on the chat application Kik within Deschutes County. Through multiple search warrants and subpoenas, the ICAC unit was able to identify the user as Levi Jameson Witsoe, now 35.
While conducting surveillance operations, the ICAC unit identified information consistent with Witsoe being involved in an illegal marijuana operation and contacted the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) team for assistance. DCIMME began to investigate and develop information on Witsoe over the next several months.
In August of 2024, a joint search warrant operation was conducted in the 52000 Block of Ranch Drive near La Pine for Witsoe. This joint operation was conducted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit, Oregon State Police ICAC unit, Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement team, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), Federal Bureau of Investigation and Deschutes County Detectives Unit, Street Crimes Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit.
During this search warrant, 127 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were located and seized, in addition to six firearms, U.S. currency, packaging and shipping material, and several large totes full of marijuana seeds in various stages of packaging. ICAC detectives also seized digital devices belonging to Witsoe to continue with their investigation.
Several search warrants were obtained for the seized digital devices, as well as for data from online accounts operated by Witsoe that were discovered during the analysis of those devices. Digital Forensics Detectives located a large number of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child. This child was identified a 16-year-old female juvenile who resides in Deschutes County. The Oregon Department of Human Services was contacted and assisted with ensuring that the child was safe.
Upon the completion of the analysis of Witsoe’s digital devices and data from his online accounts, Witsoe was indicted on the listed Child Sex Abuse charges on Jan. 16. Witsoe turned himself into the Deschutes County Adult Jail on Jan. 22 without incident.
The Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) program is a partnership between the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE), and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to address illegal marijuana activity in Deschutes County.
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Court records show Witsoe was indicted Jan. 17 on 20 charges of encouraging child sexual abuse, 10 first-degree counts, which a Class B felony, and 10 second-degree counts, a Class C felony.
Witsoe was arraigned on the indictment on Jan. 23 and remains held at the county jail on $1 million bail. A plea hearing has been set for Feb. 5.
Lilienthal said Witsoe also was arrested on felony charges of illegal marijuana manufacture and importing or exporting marijuana items. Court records show he was indicted last October on those charges and also is set to enter a plea to those on Feb. 5.
Barney Lerten
(Update: adding video)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Dr. Melissa Skinner, who agreed to step down as Crook County schools superintendent after a tumultuous few weeks of community turmoil, has issued a statement explaining and defending her actions and claiming the accusations against her were “based on innuendo” and not the facts.
Here’s Skinner’s full statement, sent to KTVZ News Wednesday evening, with a request to “please do not twist my words”:
Jillian Fortner
(update: adding video, comments from La Pine HS, Redmond School District)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s high school Class of 2024 overcame historic obstacles from pandemic impacts and achieved an 81.8% graduation rate, the second-highest on record, according to figures released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education. And every Central Oregon district topped the state figure.
Here in Central Oregon, the Redmond, Jefferson County and Bend-La Pine school districts saw a slight bump from last year. Crook County, Sisters and Culver had small year-to-year dips, but still performed above the state average.
Bend-La Pine Schools:2023: 83.6%2024: 85.3%
Redmond:2023: 87%2024: 90.9%
Crook County:2023: 97.3%2024: 95.5%
Jefferson County2023: 87.3%2024: 91.5%
Sisters:2023: 93.6%2024: 92.6%
Culver:2023: 92%2024: 90.9%
La Pine High School was excited to report an eight-point increase from 2023. The school has been dedicated to boosting graduation rates after falling behind a few years ago.
The principal credits the school’s teachers and staff as the key to their success.
“We have an extremely low turnover at this point at this school,” Principal Scott Olszewski said. “We have teachers that are really committed to being here, a staff that is very committed to being here — committed to this community and the kids that are here.”
One of the biggest challenges for this class was navigating the global pandemic’s impacts.
“The fact that they could start out high school in Covid and end up graduating at a high rate, on time, just further shows the resilience they have,” Olszewski added.
Central Oregon school districts also report high graduation rates among students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) classes.
Redmond School District Director of Secondary Schools David Burke said, “The students in our CTE programs tend to graduate over 95%. And the reason behind that is kids really find meaning in those classes. Those classes are connected to personal passions that they have.”
Oregon schools have exceeded expectations, but they say there’s always room for improvement until they reach 100%.
Burke added, “We’re pausing for a second just to celebrate because a historic high graduation rate for us. It’s a really fantastic achievement.”
While graduation rates in Oregon are rising, state and national assessments show that students are still struggling to make progress in key subjects.
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Bend-La Pine Schools statement:
Graduation rate is up in Bend-La Pine Schools, with another big increase at La Pine High School
The Bend-La Pine Schools graduation rate rose in 2024 to 85.3 percent – the second-highest rate over the past 10 years. The rate increased from 83.6 percent in 2023 and is 3.5 percentage points above the statewide average of 81.8 percent.
Two high schools in the district had higher graduation rates in 2024. Summit High School’s rate was up half a percentage point, and La Pine High School had an 8-point increase, to 78.1 percent. La Pine’s improvement comes one year after a similar jump of almost 11 points from 2022 to 2023. Caldera High School had its first-ever graduating class in 2024, with a graduation rate of 82.2 percent.
“I am very proud of our students, staff, families, and community partners for their dedication to the success of youth in La Pine and greater south Deschutes County,” La Pine High Principal Scott Olszewski said. “There are so many people supporting this school and the schools that educate our students before their freshman year. I am proud of the quality of teachers and staff, and the variety of programs we offer that ensure all students can earn a diploma, regardless of their background, and open doors for a limitless future after they leave. Our continuing goal is to raise graduation rates, and together we know we can.”
The district also continues to see a high rate of graduation among students who participate in Career Technical Education classes. CTE participants graduated at a rate of 91.3 percent in 2024, up from 90.4 percent in 2023. Bend-La Pine Schools offers CTE classes at all seven of its high schools.
The newly released graduation rates are for students who began high school in the 2020-21 school year and earned a regular or modified diploma within four years. The district also tracks students who graduate within five years. The five-year graduation rate in 2024 was 87 percent.
In addition, the district tracks all students who complete school with a regular or modified diploma, GED, extended diploma, or adult high school diploma within five years of entering 9th grade. The district’s 2024 completer rate was 90.2 percent.
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Redmond School District news release:
Press Release – Redmond School District Graduation RateDownload
Barney Lerten
(Update: Added video)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An 18-year-old Redmond resident was arrested Thursday on an arson charge, accused of setting a fire that destroyed an unoccupied RV in east Redmond after a dispute with adult family members, police said as they asked any witnesses to contact officers.
Around 12:25 p.m., officers from the Redmond Police Department, along with Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to a 9-1-1 call of an RV on fire in the undeveloped area south of East Antler Avenue and north of East Highway 126, police Lieutenant April Huey said.
“A preliminary investigation determined an RV was set on fire after a dispute between adult family members,” Huey said in a news release.
The suspect, an 18-year-old, fled the area but was later located with the help of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
The Redmond resident was booked into the county jail on a second-degree arson charge. KTVZ News policy is to not name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.
Huey said the RV was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries.
Remond Police are asking any witnesses to the fire to contact the non-emergency dispatch number at 541-693-6911.
John Carroll
WASHINGTON D.C. (KTVZ) — With more than 1,400 hours of flying Black Hawk helicopters for the U.S. Army, retired Colonel David Shaw believes a miscommunication between those in the helicopter and air traffic control may be the cause behind Wednesday’s tragic crash into the Potomac River.
In an interview Thursday with a former college friend, KTVZ Chief Meteorologist John Carroll, the retired colonel emphasized just how busy the DCA (Reagan International) Airport is, especially as it’s surrounded by several military air bases.
“You’ve got the air base. You have all the flag officers that typically fly in and out of Andrews Air Force Base. You have the Marine base that’s even farther south. It’s very common to see helicopters flying all over the place,” Shaw said.
While he does have many questions investigators will be working to answer, Shaws says the flight paths were not unusual, even with how busy the airport was.
“It wouldn’t be uncommon to fly through congested areas at night, if you wanted to get from point A to point B in the shortest direction, which is down the river,” he said.
Shaw believes a miscommunication between the Black Hawk helicopter and the control tower might have been the key issue.
“This is just complete speculation. When the tower asked the (Black Hawk helicopter crew) ‘Do you have the aircraft in sight?’ My assumption was that he was looking at the aircraft that was taking off to the south, when in fact what the tower was talking about, ‘Do you have (the plane) landing to the north?’ which is abnormal, in my opinion.”
As far as what happened to those onboard both aircraft, Shaw says he believes they likely were killed upon impact or when they hit the water: “If they didn’t die immediately, they died when they hit the water, which would have felt like hitting cement at 200 miles an hour.”
