Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 29-year-old Sisters man was arrested in a guns-drawn traffic stop Wednesday morning on assault, hit-and-run and other charges, accused of hitting a pedestrian on a sidewalk and a short time later brandishing a knife during an argument.

Around 10:50 a.m., Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported hit and run involving a vehicle vs. a pedestrian in the area of West Hood Avenue and Highway 20 West in Sisters, Lt. Chad Davis said.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers advised a gold-colored sedan had driven up onto the sidewalk at this location in the oncoming lane and struck a pedestrian. Several citizens witnessed the vehicle strike the pedestrian and later provided statements to deputies.

The car was seen leaving the area, heading west on Highway 20, Davis said. Deputies responding to the scene evaluated the pedestrian and began to search for the suspect vehicle.   

The pedestrian, a 35-year-old Sisters man, had minor injuries and refused treatment from medics with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, Davis said. He received minor scrapes and abrasions from being struck by the driver’s side mirror of the suspect vehicle and was able to walk away from the scene.

At 10:56 a.m., a separate 911 call was received from the Mainline Station at 1001 Rail Way, where there was a reported dispute involving a man who was brandishing a knife. 

Prior to a nearby deputy arriving at Mainline Station, the man with the knife was seen leaving in a gold-colored sedan, Davis said. 

Deputies were able to locate the gold sedan near the original hit-and-run scene, where they performed a high-risk vehicle stop.  

The suspect complied and was taken into custody without incident, Davis said. He was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail in Bend on charges of second-degree assault, failure to perform the duties of a driver involving injury, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, reckless driving, reckless endangering and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Davis said the investigation determined that after the driver struck the man with his vehicle, he drove to Mainline Station, where he got into a separate argument with a 46-year-old Sisters man.

The suspect is accused of brandishing a folding knife at the other man during the verbal confrontation.

Staff at Mainline Station called 911 to report the dispute. Eventually, the suspect drove away from Mainline, heading east on Highway 20, where he was stopped by deputies and taken into custody. 

Davis said neither of the victims had any prior affiliation with the man.

KTVZ News policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the incident by officers from the Black Butte Ranch Police Department and medics from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District. 

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Barney Lerten

Update: Adding video.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians will be honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country at several events around the area on Memorial Day.

Bend’s Memorial Day Service begins at 1 p.m. at the Central Oregon Veterans Memorial at Deschutes Memorial Gardens.

In downtown Bend, volunteers will read the names of every U.S. service member killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since 2003 at the 18th annual “We Are Remembering – Not Just a Number” event at Troy Field Each name is accompanied by the beat of a drum.

Signs listing each of those heroes are also placed around the field during the event, which begins at 8 a.m. and continues until about 11:30 p.m. The reading of names will also be livestreamed.

Bend’s first observance of the day begins at 7 a.m., as the Bend Heroes Foundation and volunteers will honor Bend’s 112 war dead with a moment of silence and by installing flags bearing veterans’ names at  Bend Heroes Memorial in Brooks Park, along Veterans Memorial Bridge,  and downtown Bend.  

Boy Scout Troop 25 has the honor of leading the flag installations, with former Scoutmaster Kelly Reynolds and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Atticus Zmach leading the volunteers. 

Proclamations issued by President Trump and Governor Kotek will be read.  

Foundation Chairman Dick Tobiason will update participants on the recently completed Oregon Gold Star Families Memorial Highway across Oregon on the 477 mile US Hwy 30 between Astoria and the Oregon – Idaho border.  That highway honors the families of about 6,000 wartime veterans from Oregon who made the ultimate sacrifice during war from WWI to the present, including Bend’s 112. The Gold Star highway on  US Hwy 30 is the longest highway in Oregon and the 9th  and final veterans highway across Orego,n initiated by the Foundation. Photos of Gold Star Family members and highway signs will be shown. 

Tobiason will also discuss the National Medal of Honor Highway Act, created by Congress and President Biden last December at his request. That 3,365-mile highway across the USA on US Hwy 20 honors all 3,528 Medal of Honor recipients from all 50 state,s including 29 recipients connected with Oregon and had its origin in Oregon eight years ago.

The National Medal of Honor Highway is the longest highway in our nation. Tobiason kept his promise to WWII Medal of Honor recipient Bob Maxwell, a director of Bend Heroes Foundation, to honor our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients with the coast-to-coast highway. The original Act signed by Congress and President Biden and a highway map will be displayed at 7:00 am. 

Finally, a wreath will be placed by Gold Star Families at the granite monument listing the 112 war dead names at Bend Heroes Memorial before 250 flags are installed. 

The Foundation’s Bend Parade of Flags program began 20 years ago, with BSA Troop 25 as the first youth group to be involved. 

In Redmond, a Memorial Day ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. at Redmond Memorial Gardens and another observance is set for 9 a.m. at the Terrebonne Pioneer Cemetery.

The Sisters veterans community will mark Memorial Day with a gathering at Sisters Village Green Park at 11 a.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Col. John Miller, U.S. Air Force (Ret.). Miller is a life member and has served as post commander for both the Sisters VFW and American Legion Post, and continues to be an officer in both, The Nugget Newspaper reports.

Prineville’s traditional Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. and travels from NE Fourth and Main streets, down Fourth Street to Elm Street. It ends at the Memorial Park area of Ochoco Creek Park, where there are POW/MIA and Hotshots monuments.

From there, participants walk north one block and line the Elm Street Bridge across Ochoco Creek for a wreath-laying ceremony.

At 1 p.m., the Prineville Band of Brothers hosts a paver dedication and rededication of the Bob Ervin Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Crook County Fairgrounds.

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Harley Coldiron

(Update: Fun new video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a record winter and nearly eight feet of snow piling up on the Cascade Lakes Highway, the beloved scenic route opened Thursday morning, giving Central Oregonians access to lakes, trails, and camping.

One of our loyal viewers, Craig Brightwell, sent in videos of him and his dog Canyon enjoying Cultus Lake. It’s one of over a dozen lakes now available to access, just a short drive from Bend.

The 66-mile highway starts in Bend and runs southwest to Crescent in Klamath County.

The Oregon Department of Transportation maintains the highway and usually opens it from Memorial Day Weekend through late October or November.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the old saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, just wait a minute and it will change.” In late March, the weather changed in the mountains just north of Burns, the snowpack started melting – fast!

Burns is a small community of 2,700 in the high desert of Harney County. On March 30th, the Burns levee on the swollen Silvies River failed, the community was hit by major flooding, affecting hundreds of homes on the north and east side of the community. The flooding was so severe, it could be seen from National Weather Service satellites in space.

The community response was immediate, and help came from far and wide. And the residents of Burns rallied and helped themselves.

The Burns Lions Club, through their member, District Governor Lion Pete Runnels, applied for an emergency grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation. The clock started at 5 p.m. on Monday with the submission of the grant. By 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the $15,000 grant was approved – and by Thursday, the money was in the bank, in only 94 hours.

That was great, but not enough for the Burns Lions, who promptly added $5,000 of their own charitable project fund. The Crooked River Ranch Lions heard about the disaster and sent $1,000. With some quick personal donations, including Parr Lumber staff and Lion Pete, the total dollars to help Burns residents came to just under $22,000.

Lion Pete Runnels connected with the Parr Lumber store in Burns and was met by Manager Jon Case, who was busy trying to get as much sheetrock, subfloor and insulation as could be trucked to Burns in short order. Jon and Burns Parr Lumber were already planning to let affected Burns residents have the product at near-cost.

After some brief number crunching, the sum of $350 per flood victim was settled upon.

When the water receded and Burns residents took the toll of the flood damage, they began flocking to the Parr Lumber store, where they were happy to get products at substantially reduced prices, along with a $350 gift from the Lions.

When everything was said and done, the Lions helped 69 Burns families begin their recovery from the Silvies River flood of 2025.

Lion Pete was quoted saying, “When the waters receded and folks faced the question of where do we start … this assistance was immediate and gave them a starting point and hope to begin the recovery process. There was no ‘red tape,’ so to speak.”

Jon Case replied, “We would do it again in a heartbeat. The appreciation shown from those affected wasmoving.”

As Burns families continue their recovery, the Burns Lions will be there to help. As always, the Burns Lions will make sure underserved community members will get the vision and hearing help they need and that all the K-8 students get quality vision screening, plus so much more.

The Burns Lions say: “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.” The Burns Lions can be reached through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BurnsLionClub/.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: La Pine-area burn proceeds, one near Sisters canceled)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly 240 acres of prescribed burning were taking place Thursday on the Deschutes National Forest northeast of La Pine, putting up a smoke plume visible over a wide area.

Burns on Thor Units 11 and 12 were conducted on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District about four miles northeast of La Pine, along both sides of Paulina Lake Road, a mile west of Ogden Group Camp.

No road or trail closures were expected, but officials said smoke would be visible from La Pine, Sunriver Highway 97 and the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, due to unfavorable conditions, firefighters canceled the 158 acres of prescribed burning planned for Thursday about 3 1/2 west of Sisters, along the north side of Forest Service Road 1012 (Cold Springs Road), and west of Highway 20.

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. 

—

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest plans to conduct two prescribed burn operations Thursday totaling nearly 400 acres on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts, if conditions are favorable. 

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 236 acres of ignitions on the Thor Units 11 and 12 Prescribed Burn, located about four miles northeast of La Pine, directly along the north and south sides of Paulina Lake Road, one mile west of Ogden Group Camp.  

Ignitions are slated to begin around 10 a.m. A pilot car and flaggers will be in place along Paulina Lake Road during ignitions. No road or trail closures are anticipated. Smoke will be visible from La Pine, Sunriver, Highway 97, and the surrounding area.

Residents in La Pine and Newberry Estates are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. Smoke impacts are also possible across Highway 97 during ignitions, overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday, Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 158 acres of ignitions on the Highway 20 Units 81 & 93 Prescribed Burn, located about three and a half miles west of Sisters, along the north side of Forest Service Road 1012 (Cold Springs Road), and west of Highway 20.  

Ignitions are slated to begin around 10:30 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Sisters, Highway 20, and the surrounding area. Residents in Sisters, Tollgate subdivision, Black Butte Ranch 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. Smoke impacts are also possible across Highway 20 during ignitions, overnight and in the early morning hours. A pilot car operation will be available if needed. No road or trail closures are anticipated. 

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 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 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

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend announced Wednesday it will soon be requesting applications for the development of affordable housing, pending Bend City Council approval on Wednesday, June 4.

The total amount of funding available is $5.7 million, and this competitive offering is a combination of three funding sources: $4 million in Pathways to Remove Obstacles (PRO) to Housing Funds, $1.5 million in Affordable Housing Funds (AHF), and $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG).

The PRO Housing Fund is intended to be offered in competitive application cycles, along with the annual Community Development Block Grant and Affordable Housing Fund offerings. Applicants may choose to apply for any or all the funding sources, greatly amplifying the amount of funding available for affordable housing development.

Funds will be targeted to developments with a high feasibility of success, low risk and near-term deadlines, who, without additional funding, will be unable to proceed in the near term. 

By offering the PRO Housing Fund to developers as loans with favorable terms, as opposed to grants, repayments of loans are refunneled into future application cycles, resulting in a long-term impact on the community’s housing and community development needs.

Both nonprofit and for-profit affordable housing developers are encouraged to register for a virtual pre-application training on Wednesday, May 28. A recording of the training and the training slide deck will be available on the City’s website in the Request for Proposals (RFP) section on May 29.

Technical questions should be directed to housing@bendoregon.gov and please include “2025 Funding Application” in the subject line. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers will be posted at theCity’s websitein the Developer Resources section. The FAQ period closes on June 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. 

Pending Bend City Council approval on June 4, applicants may access the application starting on Thursday June 5. All applications must be submitted before 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25.

Please see this graphic for a schedule of the funding allocation process.

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Kade Linville

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – On Tuesday afternoon, just after 5 p.m., Bend Police responded to multiple calls about an indecent exposure incident at the Box Factory in Bend.

The initial call reported a man exposing himself and soliciting people at the corner of Colorado Ave. and Staats Street.

Officers arrived in the area where the exposure was initially reported. The investigation turned into a foot chase, with officers apprehending and arresting the individual reported.

A KTVZ News team was on location when officers took the individual into custody. Onlookers told KTVZ News that they were impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Bend Police officers.

The suspect was transported to the Deschutes County jail on suspicion of public indecency and second-degree disorderly conduct.

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video, Jillian Fortner has a report on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every Friday, Jericho Road’s Weekend Food Program sends out food bags to students across the Redmond School District. 

Last year, over 2,000 bags were sent out. 

“Each one of those bags averages two to three meals. So that’s 6,000 meals that went out through the volunteer efforts of this program,” said Don Senecal from Jericho Road of Redmond. 

The program recently received a $7,000 grant from the Healy Foundation. 

“This award is extremely appreciated,” said Eleanor Bessonette, program director of the Weekend Food for Students.

Jericho Road says the funding comes at a critical time. 

“The demand for assistance is still there, but the cost is going up,” Senecal said. 

Recent reductions in support to the Oregon Food Bank and the NeighborImpact Food Warehouse by the Department of Agriculture have resulted in fewer supplies being available.

In April, KTVZ spoke with NeighborImpact, which reported a 17% decrease in food supplies, over half a million pounds lost.

Carly Auten, Food Program Director for NeighborImpact, said, “We’re looking at less food, less variety, and we’re looking at potentially having to put more limits on food. It’s very disheartening for those us who work in food banking.”

Students in the Weekend Food Program are selected through a screening process.

Some already rely on SNAP benefits, but that safety net may also be at risk.

House Republicans have proposed close to $1 trillion in cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP as part of a larger effort to reduce federal spending.

Oregon U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum warns that if the legislation passes, millions of Americans could lose access to essential support.

Bynum said, “80,000 Oregonians will be at risk of losing access to food they put on the table thanks to SNAP. Now, I know from my own town halls and that my constituents are not okay with this, and I think they shouldn’t be.”

For more information about how to help the Weekend Food Program, visit the website for Jericho Road of Redmond or call 541-633-0854.

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Harley Coldiron

LAKE COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dog hoarding is growing in rural areas of Southern Oregon’s Lake County, as 14 dogs were seized just this month, and 100 more are likely on the way.

The concerning issue has caught the attention of several Central Oregonians, who have stepped in to help.

“Oh, my God! It – it just – it just broke my heart.”

When Elena Chadwick saw images of starving dogs in a rural area of Southern Oregon, she felt more than just sadness. She felt a call to action.

“She sent me pictures, and of course I started crying.”

Chadwick, who works with the Sunriver Veterinary Clinic, drove hundreds of miles to help round up the 14 dogs and get them the care they need.

She connected with Kathy and Becky, a mother-daughter duo who help run the Humane Society of North Lake County. “This last guy was a veteran and he was actually feeding his food to the dogs,” Kathy said, adding that the trailer he lived in was “just kind of a shack – no water, no power, no sanitation.”

With help from the local sheriff’s office, they seized the dogs and brought five of them to Central Oregon for adoption.

Needing close care in a warm home, one of the pups is already off the market.

“She was very skittish. We had to use a catch pole to get her. I can still see her ribs and her spine sticking out quite clearly,” Chadwick says as she pets her new puppy.

“Right now, her name is Snickers Fun Size Candy Bar,” she says with a smile. “And we’re hoping we get a little meat on those bones – and we can upgrade her to Snickers Full Size Candy Bar!”

While Snickers has her forever home, four of her family members are still up for adoption, with many shelters already at capacity. Jeannette Moore, who owns the newly opened Sunrover Dog Daycare, stepped in to help.

Though these pups are on their way to a better life, the issue of dog hoarding in rural Oregon is not going away, according to Kathy and Becky, “We have five situations involving 100 dogs out here right now. A lot of animals get dumped out here. We’re finding even more and more, with the economy.”

Though there’s a long road ahead, they’re happy for the help from the High Desert: “It’s overwhelming. It’s so it’s amazing. It’s totally awesome. It, I just can’t, I can’t even – it makes me happy!”

If you are interested in adopting any of these puppies, contact the Sunrover Dog Daycare in Sunriver.

If you aren’t able to adopt, here are some other ways to help:

Donate directly to the Humane Society of North Lake County, whether it’s food, supplies or cash.

Donate to Sunriver Veterinary Clinic‘s Angel Fund

Donate food, water and supplies to Sunrover Dog Daycare

The Humane Society of Central Oregon often works with North Lake County. Here are ways to support them as well.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles Health System’s Trauma Program will honor and recognize former trauma patients on Wednesday, May 21 at St. Charles Bend.

The event will include a visit from therapy dogs, a free barbecue lunch and the chance to connect with St. Charles caregivers, first responders and fellow medical trauma survivors.

“Every year, this is an incredible event for our former patients and caregivers. It’s a chance to connect with one another in a meaningful and healing way,” said Jeremy Buller, Trauma Program Coordinator.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Charles Bend Conference Rooms A and B and the outside patio, weather permitting.

St. Charles Trauma and Emergency Services cared for more than 2,500 traumatically injured patients in 2024 – up about 200 patients over the previous year. Falls are the most common injury, followed by motor vehicle crashes, ATV/snowmobile/dirt bike crashes, motorcycle crashes and bike crashes.

Buller said that summer is referred to as trauma season by medical professionals because of an increase in these types of injuries.

“We are always here and ready to help, but we would also love to help our community members prevent a visit to the Emergency Department,” said Buller. “Have fun this summer, but please wear a helmet, don’t mix intoxicants with moving vehicles, don’t text and drive and talk to your primary care doctor about fall prevention.”

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., 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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