Category: ktvz-local-news

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– A new hub for creatives in Bend is opening its doors. This was the scene at the open house for the new Open Arts Center on Greenwood Avenue.

The center is going to be a hub for artists and a hangout spot for teens. The center is free for any teen who wants to be part of the program. There, they can practice their existing skills, learn new ones, or even get mentorship from adult artists.

It also marked the realization of a long-held dream for the founders.  

Maija Kellner-Rode and Claire Brislin, co-founders of the Open Arts Center, told KTVZ News: “We met two years ago, and it really felt like a moment of destiny, where two individuals who had been dreaming of this idea individually came together and were ready for it.

“There’s a real gap here in creative community hubs for a larger community, and having a place where people can come to share ideas, create community, create belonging, all in one center.”

It’s the founders’ hope it becomes a place for traditional art, dance and music.

This is only the beginning, when it comes to renovations they have planned for this space. The center will also be looking for donations from the community, when it comes to furniture, instruments, and art supplies.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District is opening registration for fall recreation programs and sports leagues on Monday, Aug. 4 and Tuesday, Aug. 5 for programs in September through December. The Fall 2025 Online Playlist is available for viewing and download now.

Monday, August 4, 6:00 a.m.: Recreation, enrichment and sports programs, camps and leagues registration opens. This includes no-school day camps, art, crafts, sports, ice skating, technology, fitness, outdoors, cooking and more. Sports leagues include adult curling, adult hockey, youth indoor soccer, youth volleyball, middle school Ultimate and youth/middle school/high school basketball. 

Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 a.m.: Swim lessons and aquatic programs registration opens. This includes lessons for youth and adults.

Registration information night event on July 30

BPRD invites community members to attend its Registration Info Night on Wednesday, July 30 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Larkspur Community Center where staff can assist attendees to get ready for registration.

With English and Spanish services available, staff can set up/update a household account, provide activity details, help build a wish list, learn about youth recreation programs and inclusion services and therapeutic recreation programs for those with disabilities, and assist with the scholarship process as needed. Learn more at bendparksandrec.org/event/registration-info-night/.

How to prepare for registration

For patrons who haven’t logged into their online account in the past 30 days, they are strongly encouraged to do so now to be sure they can successfully log in without issue and register for recreation programs on Aug. 4-5. BPRD staff recommend adding programs to a Wish List in the online registration account and noting the opening dates of the programs.

When registrations open at 6:00 am each morning, patrons are encouraged to register online or in person at any of these locations:

District Office: 799 SW Columbia St. – open at 6:00 a.m. (Aug. 4-5 only)

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center: 800 NE 6th St. – open at 5:30 a.m.

Larkspur Community Center: 1600 SE Reed Market Rd. – open at 6:00 a.m.

If having trouble while registering online, contact Customer Service by phone at (541) 389-7275.

Scholarships are available to those who qualify. BPRD encourages community members to apply early to ensure the application is processed in time for registration. In the last year, approximately 3,300 individuals received financial support to participate in programs that provide enriching activities and contribute to a physically active community

Additionally, please note that any outstanding balances on a household account must be paid in full before registering for any programs.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If variety is indeed the spice of life, you’re in for a spicy treat at this year’s 105th Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo.

A good example is when our own Lynsey Harris and Dylan Anderman got to ride a pair of camels on Wedneday’s opening day

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Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Habitat for Humanity of La Pine-Sunriver said Wednesday it’s now accepting applications for the first four affordable homes in the new Park View neighborhood in north La Pine. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. 

These homes are part of a permanent affordability model designed to help families build equity while ensuring long-term housing affordability for future homeowners, the organization said in a news release.

Each home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an attached garage, with fire-resistant landscaping, energy-efficient design and a commitment to Dark Sky community standards. 

Eligible applicants must meet income qualifications. Applicants should earn between 60-80% of the area median income, but are encouraged to contact HFHLPS if outside these parameters. 

Applications can be found on the HFHLPS website: habitatlapinesunriver.org/home-ownership and prospective homeowners learn more about the home here: habitatlapinesunriver.org/homes. 

The estimated sales price for these homes ranges from $175,000 to $225,000, after subsidies. 

Habitat encourages community members to spread the word to anyone who may benefit, including employees, friends, and family.   

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

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rooster wrangling is not part of many folks’ typical workday, but a Deschutes County sheriff’s sergeant’s helpful actions this week show that you really never know what a day will bring.

The sheriff’s office said in a lighthearted Facebook posting Wednesday about the McGrath Road poultry encounter: “Sgt. Turk (David Turkington) went beak-to-beak with a runaway rooster near the Bend Airport this week.”

“It took a few minutes, some gentle persuasion, and maybe a little chicken whispering — but the rooster is now safe and sound at the DCSO Animal Rescue Ranch,” the agency said, adding: “It turns out that being a chicken owner has its perks. “

“Just another day of unexpected calls and community service for our Patrol Team. You never know what you’ll encounter in Deschutes County!”

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Harley Coldiron

(Update: Jefferson County DA’s Office recused itself from case; defendant had worked as trial assistant)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jobett Christine Zamora pleaded guilty to one count of custodial misconduct and received a sentence of 10 days in jail and three years’ probation for having a sexual relationship with an inmate at Deer Ridge State Prison in Madras, while working there as a contractor for Oregon Corrections Enterprises.

Court documents reviewed by KTVZ News show the 40-year-old Madras resident engaged in an act of sexual intercourse with an inmate at least twice while working at Deer Ridge as a contractor.

The two incidents happened between December 2022 and July 2023, which led to her two felony charges of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct and a misdemeanor charge of first-degree official misconduct.

Zamora pleaded guilty to one of the felony charges. In exchange, she had her other felony and misdemeanor charges dropped.

KTVZ News also learned Zamora was a trial assistant for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office from 2019 to 2021. In light of this, the DA’s office had to recuse itself, leaving Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels to prosecute the case.

At the time of the relationship, Zamora was a contractor worker at Deer Ridge for Oregon Corrections Enterprises (OCE).

OCE is a semi-independent stage agency funded through the products and services it provides. The revolutionary program works inside Oregon’s prisons, providing training and career opportunities for inmates. 

The inmate is not named in the charging documents. It’s not clear how the relationship surfaced, though charging documents indicate the encounters were likely caught on camera.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: New fire, Incident 667, burns about 27 acres)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon received more lightning on Tuesday, and interagency resources responded to several smoke reports, leading to at least a half-dozen new fires, officials said Wednesday.

A new fire, Incident 667, was reported late Wednesday morning southwest of Mackey Mountain, burning in grass and brush about 20 miles east of Hampton, in the southeast corner of Crook County.

Officials said interagency engines and overhead staff were on scene, with more resources on order. It ws estimated at 27 acres, according to Watch Duty.

Here’s the officials’ earlier Wednesday update:

The newly reported starts, all lightning-caused, may have been holdovers from Monday or new strikes from Tuesday’s storms.

While most have been contained, there are two fires receiving ongoing suppression work. The Boulder Fire, 2 miles north of Juniper Butte outside of Prineville, remains at 21 acres and is staffed with engines, a water tender, and overhead; and the Kwolh Fire, just south of Mt. Bachelor, is two 0.10-acre fires and is staffed with rappelers.

With more lightning in the forecast for Wednesday, firefighters are prepared to respond to any new starts or holdover fires from Monday and Tuesday.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Starting this winter, health care providers from St. Charles will begin offering services to guests and employees of Mt. Bachelor at the clinic, located in the ski patrol building near the West Village area, the two organizations announced Wednesday.

Providers from St. Charles Urgent Care clinics will staff the St. Charles Mountain Clinic Fridays through Sundays and during holidays, they said in a joint news release. 

“We are very excited and also humbled to take on this responsibility for the community,” said Dr. Steve Gordon, president and CEO of St. Charles. “Our organization and Mt. Bachelor have a lot in common, in terms of our history and commitment to the Central Oregon community, and we are thrilled to be able to work more closely together through this new collaboration.” 

The St. Charles and Mt. Bachelor teams will work together over the next few months to determine what level of services will be provided, the levels of staffing and more before ski season opens – typically in late November. 

“At Mt. Bachelor, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees is critical,” said John Merriman, Mt. Bachelor President and General Manager. “Partnering with St. Charles – an organization deeply rooted in this community – allows us to expand on that commitment with expert medical support right here at the mountain. We’re incredibly proud to offer this new level of care as part of the Mt. Bachelor experience.”

About St. Charles Health SystemSt. 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 5,300 caregivers. We proudly partner with our local medical community to provide a wide variety of health services.

About Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor is the premier ski area in the Pacific Northwest, offering 4,323 acres of lift-accessible terrain with 360-degree descents from its 9,065’ volcanic peak. The mountain resort is served by two carpets and 12 lifts, including seven high-speed quads and one high-speed 6-pack. Mt. Bachelor also features 15 Woodward Mountain Parks, 56 km of groomed cross-country trails, snowshoeing, and sled dog rides. Summer attractions include downhill mountain biking, ZipTour ziplining, hiking, dining, camping, and tubing or whitewater rafting with Sun Country Tours. Mt. Bachelor is part of POWDR, a family-owned and operated Adventure Lifestyle Company©. For more information visit www.mtbachelor.com.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This month’s Small Business Spotlight is highlighting Big Ed’s Artisan Bread of Bend. Big Ed’s can be found in restaurants and retailers across Central Oregon–and has its own retail space at 601 NE 1st Street.

At Big Ed’s, it’s all things bread all the time.

“Loaves, English Muffins, buns, hoagies,” said Seth Chilcutt, the general manager at Big Ed’s. “We also offer a wide spread of baked goods at our retail store–like pies, brownies, bagels, and granola.”

Seth Chilcutt is the bread man at the store–but it’s a family-run business.

Seth Chilcutt of Big Ed’s Artisan Bread live on KTVZ News at Sunrise

“We’ve been very lucky to be around for over 12 years now. We really are a proud Central Oregon company, and we want to be involved in as many places as we can be,” Chilcutt said. “We’re really blessed to be in such a great community. If it wasn’t for our local businesses and our incredible staff, really, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We have so many local businesses that love our product and really support us.”

You can find Big Ed’s in more than 150 spots across Central Oregon and beyond.

Loaves of Big Ed’s bread

“If you’ve eaten out in Central Oregon, you’ve very likely enjoyed our products,” Chilcutt said.

To learn more about Big Ed’s, click here.

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video, Adding comments by Oregon Dept. of Forestry)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Millions of acres were burned across Oregon during the 2024 wildfire season. Six “mega-fires” (over 100,000 acres each) burned across Eastern Oregon, and the state spent nearly $350 million to put them out.

But this year, the season looks drastically different. It started much earlier, with the Roweena and Fairy fires sparking in early June.

“Even looking at July last year, we’re in a very different spot,” Oregon Department of Forestry Public Information Officer Jessica Neujahr told KTVZ News on Wednesday.

This year has technically been a much more active season, but last year’s season saw a significant difference in acreage on ODF-protected land.

“On ODF-protected land, we have had 578 fires that have burned 12,533 acres. And then, compared to last year, we had 494 fires,” Neujahr said. “So less fires in numbers, but the acres burned were 257,235 acres.”

That does not include the nearly 100,000-acre Cram Fire, earlier this month in Jefferson and Wasco counties.  

ODF says weather patterns have played a major factor

“We’re still seeing these weather patterns with the lightning and the heat and everything like that, but it’s a much more natural wave, I guess you can say,” Neujahr said. “So we have our peak, and then it goes down, and then it pops back up, and then it goes back down.”

August will remain a pivotal point of the wildfire season. The National Interagency Fire Center says August and September will see a significant wildfire risk in the Pacific Northwest.

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