Category: ktvz-local-news

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Serán Bioscience, LLC,  in collaboration with leading developer and design-builder Mortenson, hosted a topping-out ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the construction progress of a new commercial-scale cGMP pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing facility in northeast Bend.

The topping-out ceremony marks the transition from structural construction to interior build-out. Slated to open in the second quarter, the facility on NE Triton Place is the third building and the centerpiece of Serán’s new 100,000-square-foot commercial manufacturing campus, the company said in a news release that continues in full below:

The campus positions Bend as a growing hub for advanced pharmaceutical development while supporting flexible end-to-end solutions for complex medicines and helping pharmaceutical partners accelerate their pipelines.

The expansion marks a significant milestone in Serán’s mission to provide fully integrated support starting with drug discovery and pre-clinical services, to first-in-human (FiH) trials, and ultimately  to commercial-scale production of small-molecule therapeutics.

Adjacent to the manufacturing facility, Serán last fall completed two new warehouse and light manufacturing buildings totaling 50,000 square feet. These spaces support critical materials handling, packaging, labeling and logistics functions, helping ensure efficient scale-up and dependable supply chain execution.

“Our clients are bringing forward increasingly sophisticated pharmaceuticals which demands equally sophisticated development and manufacturing capabilities,” said Dan Smithey, CEO of Serán BioScience. “Serán is a partner that can solve challenges early and then reliably carry those solutions through to commercial production, and this investment in our campus strengthens our ability to do exactly that. We appreciate the close collaboration with our development and construction partner, Mortenson, as we bring this next phase of Serán’s growth to life.”

“Serán’s project reflects the level of technical complexity and quality standards we see driving growth in life sciences manufacturing today,” said Pat Clemons, project executive with Mortenson. “Our team is proud to support a facility that is purpose-built for advanced pharmaceutical production while contributing to the long-term economic strength of the Bend region.” 

Located just minutes from Serán’s existing 90,000-square-foot clinical development and manufacturing campus, the new commercial site will operate as a seamless extension of the company’s established clinical operations and is expected to add as many as 150 employees as manufacturing expands.

Serán’s Bend-based workforce currently includes more than 190 highly skilled professionals across 10 specialized buildings, equipped with advanced technologies such as nano milling, micronization, dry and wet granulation, single and multi-layer tableting, aqueous and organic solvent coating, encapsulation, spray-dried dispersions, powder for inhalation and twin-screw melt extrusion.

Together, these capabilities support oral solid dose programs from early formulation through commercial manufacturing, packaging and labeling.

Founded in Bend in 2016, Serán is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization providing a comprehensive suite of development, analytical and clinical manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Serán’s deep experience and expertise in materials science, formulation development, particle and process engineering and pharmaceutical manufacturing enables optimum solutions for their customers’ most difficult drug development challenges. 

“We’re proud to support Serán’s continued investment in Bend and its commitment to serving both emerging biotechnology companies and global pharmaceutical organizations,” said Mike Clifford, Vice President and General Manager at Mortenson. “This is a significant life sciences project for Central Oregon. By delivering flexible, science-driven facilities, we’re helping translate innovation into commercially viable therapies while contributing to the continued growth of the region’s life sciences market.”

About Serán BioScience

Serán BioScience partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the development and production of complex, patient-centric medicines. The Bend facility reflects the company’s long-term investment in innovation, workforce growth, and collaboration, enhancing Serán’s ability to support the next generation of pharmaceutical solutions while strengthening the regional life sciences ecosystem.

About Mortenson

Mortenson is a U.S.-based, top-20 builder, developer, and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. Mortenson’s expanding portfolio of integrated services helps its customers move their strategies forward, ensuring their investments result in high-performing assets. The result is a turnkey partner, fully invested in the business success of its customers. Founded in 1954, Mortenson has operations across the U.S. with offices in Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. For additional information, visit www.mortenson.com.

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Jillian Fortner

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The City of Bend says one of the busiest airports in Oregon is located right here in Central Oregon with more than 140,000 annual takeoffs and landings. Much of that activity driven by student pilots logging required flight hours.

For some nearby residents, that steady stream of training flights has become a daily disruption.

The KTVZ Problem Solvers spoke with longtime Bend resident Ken Saurbier, who says aircraft noise has intensified in recent years.

“It’s just annoying,” Saurbier said. “You’re sitting on the couch watching something or sitting in the backyard, and the helicopters are really loud. When I worked for the school district, you’d hear them coming over the hospital and the schools every day.”

Saurbier now tracks aircraft movements online and showed KTVZ repeated “touch-and-go” training loops over his neighborhood near Bend Municipal Airport.

“Over the last two years, it’s really increased,” Saurbier said.

One of the primary sources of that activity is Leading Edge Flight Academy, which trains hundreds of student pilots in both airplanes and helicopters.

President Travis Warthen said flight paths, altitudes, and traffic patterns are set by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“All of that is established by the FAA,” Warthen said. “There are standard routes, altitudes, turns, and distances. It’s all set by those traffic patterns.”

The Problem Solvers toured the training zones, where pilots practice takeoffs and landings over nearby neighborhoods, schools, and St. Charles Bend hospital.

“If you’re practicing takeoffs and landings, you need a runway,” Warthen said. “But when helicopters are training for off-airport landings, most of that work happens out to the east.”

Researchers say repeated aircraft noise can have impacts beyond simple annoyance.

Matthew Bozigar, a researcher at Oregon State University, said studies have linked chronic aircraft noise to disrupted sleep and other health effects.

“We found it disrupted sleep in the U.S. and was associated with higher body mass or obesity,” Bozigar said. “There are many other documented health effects, particularly in Europe, from aircraft noise.”

The FAA says noise-abatement procedures at Bend Municipal Airport are voluntary. Pilots may deviate from recommended routes if safety is a concern, and the agency reviews noise complaints, referring any safety-related issues for investigation.

The flight school says some residents have also raised concerns about how low aircraft are flying.

Warthen said aircraft are operating within required altitudes, adding that perception from the ground can be misleading.

In the traffic pattern, airplanes are generally required to fly about 1,000 feet above ground level, while helicopters typically operate around 500 feet, with specific crossing altitudes designed to keep aircraft safely separated.

“If one of our aircraft is flying, it’s doing so for a purpose,” Warthen said. “It’s not for fun, and it’s not to harass anyone.”

Any significant changes to flight routes would require a federal airspace study, not a decision by the city or local flight schools.

Bend’s airspace is already under review as the airport prepares to add a new control tower, a process that could eventually change how and where aircraft operate.

KTVZ will continue following the issue as part of its ongoing Problem Solvers investigation.

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KTVZ

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Latino Community Association is breaking ground next week on 128 affordable apartments at SE Easton Place, off Knott Road and east of SE 15th Street in Bend. 

LCA said Thursday the groundbreaking at 2 p.m. next Tuesday “marks LCA’s first venture into building the kind of housing our community needs, and we are proud to partner with United Housing Partners of Montana.”

The new homes will be located near Caldera High School and Alpenglow Park and should be ready for renters in 2027, the organization said.

The location is just east of the new Caldera High School and north of Knott Road in the Easton subdivision. 

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Jillian Fortner

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new Oregon law now requires retailers to verify ID and prohibits sales of nitrous oxide to anyone under 18, in response to growing concerns about recreational misuse of the gas among young people.

House Bill 3447 took effect this month, aiming to curb access to small canisters of nitrous oxide, sometimes called “whippets,” that have become popular as an inhalant.

The gas is commonly used in medical settings, aerosol products, and whipped cream dispensers.

It’s also sold in some Oregon convenience stores, sometimes in colorful, flavored packaging. Health officials say that kind of marketing can be especially appealing to younger customers.

“It’s a really common tactic for industries to have colorful and appealing and youth friendly looking products similar to, you know, vape cartridges,” said Jess Neuwirth, the Deschutes County supervisor of the Substance Misuse & Problem Gambling Prevention Program.

Misuse of nitrous oxide can lead to serious and potentially long-term health effects.

“Repeated use can lead to neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness. Even permanent brain and nerve injury,” Neuwirth said. “Cardiovascular issues can include blood clots, heart attacks, and cardiac arrest. Often, treatment involves high doses of vitamin B-12, because use depletes it in the body.”

According to the Oregon Health Authority, at least 30 deaths statewide have been linked to nitrous oxide between 2021 and 2024.

While misuse in Deschutes County isn’t considered widespread, officials still view it as a growing concern. A recent retailer scan found only about 7% of stores in the county carried the canisters.

The new bill aims to limit youth access by requiring a valid ID and prohibiting sales to anyone under 18.

Health authorities say the new restrictions are an important step toward preventing misuse and saving lives.

If you need help: Call the Poison Center for fast, free, confidential treatment advice 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222 

Parents, talk to your teens and young adults. Discuss the risks and explain why even something that seems harmless can be dangerous.  Get free resources to have honest conversations at SharedFutureCoalition.org

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KTVZ

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Thursday that he will hold eight open-to-all town halls starting next week in Jefferson, Deschutes, Clackamas, Marion, Lane, Tillamook, Clatsop and Columbia counties.

Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., will co-host the town halls in Deschutes and Clackamas counties.

Heading into these eight town halls from Jan. 16-24, Wyden has held 1,138 open-to-all town halls in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties, his office said.

“A new year means new opportunities for all Oregonians to share opinions, ask questions and discuss ideas in open-to-all town halls in community gatherings with their neighbors,” Wyden said. “These face-to-face meetings are always important, and I look forward to these town halls at the start of 2026 to hear Oregonians’ thoughts on priorities for the year ahead in rural, suburban and urban parts of our state.”

Bynum said, “Hearing directly from Oregonians is the most important part of my job,. “That’s why I held 21 town halls last year and that’s why I’m so excited to join Senator Wyden for 2 more to kick off 2026. I’ll see you out there, Oregon!”

The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:

Friday, Jan. 16

Jefferson County, 1 pm, Madras Performing Arts Center, 412 SE Buff St., Madras

Saturday, Jan. 17

Deschutes County, Noon, Sisters High School, 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters

Sunday, Jan. 18

Clackamas County, 1 pm, Camp Withycombe, 15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Marion County, Noon, Chemeketa Community College Auditorium Building 6, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Lane County, 5 pm, Siuslaw Middle School main gym, 2525 Oak St., Florence

Thursday, Jan. 22

Tillamook County, 5 pm, Port of Tillamook Bay Officers Mess Hall, 6825 Officer’s Row Road, Tillamook

Friday, Jan. 23

Clatsop County, 12:30 pm, Seaside High School, 2600 Spruce Dr Suite 200, Seaside

Saturday, Jan. 24

Columbia County, 11 am, Scappoose High School auditorium, 33700 SE High School Way, Scappoose

For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls.

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Barney Lerten

MT. BACHELOR, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor skiers and boarders had lots of fresh powder and a newly opened chairlift to enjoy Thursday as a result of the latest snowstorms, though very windy conditions brought a pause for three lifts at midday.

Recording 10 inches in 24 hours and nearly 2.5 feet of snow in the past week, Mt. Bachelor opened the Outback lift for the season at 9 a.m. Thursday, Mt. Bachelor Communications and Community Relations Manager Presley Quon told KTVZ News.

“Teams have their sights set on getting Northwest open in the next couple days, conditions permitting,” she told us. “The base depth at West Village has more than doubled since late December, allowing skiers and riders to enjoy more terrain and improved conditions in the new year.”

Shortly before 1 p.m., the resort’s mountain report noted that the Cloudchaser, Sunrise and Skyliner lifts were “going on hold due to wind.” It also said the current base depth has topped three feet, at 38 inches. Temperatures were mostly in the teens, with winds to 50 mph and a maximum wind gust of 109 mph reported at the Sunrise Lodge.

On Thursday night, Mt. Bachelor is hosting its first Passholder Party of 2026 at Deschutes Brewery Public House, featuring free beer for the first 200 passholders and the chance to play bingo, win prizes, and connect with other passholders and Mt. Bachelor leaders.

On Friday, Adventure Scientists and representatives from the Whitebark Pine Ecosystems Foundation will gather at West Village Lodge for Lunch & Learn, followed by an on-snow tour to see these unique trees in-person.

Looking ahead to the weekend, there will be Passholder Early Ups on Red Chair (conditions permitting) as well as a new event called Sunday Refresh at the base of Cloudchaser chairlift. Guests can relax, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy mimosas or non-alcoholic beverages on the snow between laps.

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: Adding quotes from Rep. Emerson Levy, (D) – Bend)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –It’s a tense time in the state of Oregon as budget planners are already being asked to prepare for cuts between 2 and 5%. Here’s why. 

The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in 2025, cut federal government spending, which includes money sent to the states.

Oregon is projecting a loss of $890 million to the state budget.

Unlike the federal government, the state of Oregon’s budget must remain balanced.

The money taken in from taxes must be equal to the money the state spends on programs, making an already tense short session even more contentious.

Representative Emerson Levy told KTVZ News, “Once you get to 5%, you will feel that rate. That’s jobs that services. Our largest expenses are within OHP, the Oregon Health Plan. We’re already seeing cuts and rates for local providers that take up kids. So, I hope that it is not that 5%, because we will definitely feel it in the community.”

Rep. Emerson Levy says that she has been asked to prepare for cuts of 2%, 2.5%, and 5%.

 Another issue being discussed is the ongoing issue of education and student scores.

Proficiency numbers are down across the state, leading to greater concern about how it’ll be addressed.

“I think one of the most effective things to do is to knock on the door and say, ‘ Hey, what do you need to get to school?” Rep. Levy told KTVZ News, “So anything that we can do to increase that or fund that, to really build a relationship with that family is really important.”

The short session could run up to 35 days, and we’ll be keeping an eye on every twist and turn from Salem.

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KTVZ – News Team

(Update: Mitchell’s next court date set for January 20th)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thursday afternoon, Bend man Stephen Mitchell, arrested for the murder of his wife, was arraigned in Deschutes County Court. His next court appearance is set for January 20th, where it will be determined if he is fit to stand trial, according to court records.

Earlier Story — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge on Thursday ordered that a Bend man accused of killing his wife, then disturbing her remains, be held without bail.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier Thursday that Stephen Kemm Mitchell, 45, was arrested early Wednesday and booked into the Deschutes County Jail.

Formal charges filed Thursday include second-degree murder, second-degree abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in the death of Christi Lynn Mitchell, 43. The latter two charges involve alleged actions involving his wife’s body.

Christi Mitchell’s body was discovered after deputies responded to a report of suspicious circumstances just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the agency.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels confirmed to NewsChannel 21 that the victim was the suspect’s wife, and was arrested at their home.

“They were renting an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) on the property where the homicide occurred,” the DA told us. Court records show Stephen Mitchell lived in the 63000 block of North Highway 97. No information has been released about the cause of death.

Appearing by video from jail, Mitchell told Circuit Judge Alison Emerson he wanted to request a delay so he could speak to a group, including the DA’s office.

Emerson said Mitchell could represent himself, or talk to family members about possibly hiring an attorney. But in the meantime, she appointed the Atlas Law Group to represent him advised he should not speak to anyone else about the charges until he talks with the appointed lawyer, Raun Atkinson.

Deputy District Attorney Alison Filo asked that Mitchell continue to be held without bail, as he was “discovered being packed and ready to flee.” She said he has a prior weapons offense, and prosecutors believe he poses “an extreme danger to the community, if he were to flee.”

The judge agreed to the no-bail hold and set arraignment in a week on an expected grand jury indictment.

Read the press release from DCSO in full below:

“On January 7, 2026, at 2:58 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a property near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive just north of Bend. Upon arrival, the body of Christi Mitchell, 43, was discovered. Deputies contacted Stephen Mitchell, 45, who was still on scene and took him into custody.

Following an initial interview and investigation, Stephen Mitchell was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing several charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Physical Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Burning, and Abuse of a Corpse.

The public may notice police presence near Deschutes Memorial Gardens on the north end of Bend as the investigation continues.

The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Fire Marshal’s Office.

Further inquiries regarding this case should be addressed to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.”

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From the use of Flock cameras in Bend to road planning, KTVZ News asked Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler your pressing questions Thursday morning.

Make sure to submit your questions for the mayor here. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After hearing citizen concerns from a packed crowd and sharing their own, Bend city councilors agreed Wednesday night to turn off and remove four Flock license plate reader cameras, and not renew the city’s contract with the company.

The four cameras, installed six months ago at the north and south end of town for use in criminal investigation, were turned off as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday, and “they will be uninstalled in coming days,” city Communications and Engagement Director René Mitchell told KTVZ News.

The city also won’t renew the annual, nearly $20,000 contract with Flock, funded through a grant, that extends through May, Mitchell said.

“Council discussed the issues, heard input from community members and staff, and gave direction not to renew the contract,” she told us.

“Typically, contracts under $250,000 don’t go through Council,” Mitchell explained. “The City Manager determined the contract wouldn’t be renewed with this vendor, and Council agreed with that decision and then gave direction to turn the cameras off.”

Several Oregon cities have taken similar steps in recent months amid citizen concerns about access to the information gathered by the cameras.

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-Jan. 7) — Bend City Council chambers were filled Tuesday night as residents voiced strong concerns over the city’s use of Flock cameras, a license plate reader system used by law enforcement to help investigate crimes.

Flock is an automated license plate reader platform that captures images of vehicles, including license plates and identifying details such as make, model, and color. The system can alert police in real time when a vehicle matches a hotlist, such as a stolen car or a missing person.

While law enforcement and some city leaders say the technology can be a useful crime-fighting tool, many residents say it raises serious privacy and constitutional concerns.

Bend resident Jonathan Westmoreland told KTVZ News he began researching the system and felt compelled to speak out.

“So I did some research into Flock, and it seemed like their business practices are a violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of the citizens of Bend,” Westmoreland said. “After researching more, I felt it was my civic duty to come down here and see if I could do something to make a change.”

Residents cited fears of mass surveillance, continuous data collection on law-abiding drivers, and concerns about how long vehicle data is stored, who can access it, and whether it could be misused or breached.

According to the Bend Police Department, four Flock cameras are currently installed in the city — two on the north end of town and two on the south.

During the meeting, several councilors acknowledged the system does offer benefits, but said those benefits must be weighed against public trust and privacy concerns.

Councilor Ariel Mendez said the cameras have helped law enforcement, but raised concerns about the broader implications of the technology.

“Flock cameras do provide some benefits to help solve crimes,” Mendez said. “We heard that they have been useful in some law enforcement activities. However, there are also some pretty serious concerns about Flock security practices, access, and misuse of the database that they compile.”

City officials confirmed Bend’s contract with Flock runs through May 2026. Councilors said the four cameras will remain in place while discussions continue on whether to renew the contract or end the use of the cameras and any data they collect.

No final decision was made Tuesday night, and council members indicated the issue will return for further discussion before the contract expires.

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