KTVZ – News Team
LAKE COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, along with other agencies across the state are increasing DUII patrols to target intoxicated drivers during the New Year’s holiday. The Office says their patrols will end on Thursday, January 1st.
Below is the full release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — If you’re thinking about ringing in the New Year at Mt. Bachelor, below is a look at the resort’s snow stake camera from 6:30 a.m. today.
As you can see, there’s not much snow at the resort, but that’s not stopping skiers and snowboarders from enjoying the start of the long-awaited season.
You can kick the evening festivities off with a candlelit ski or snowshoe adventure over at Nordic from 5 to 8 p.m. Plus, the Nordic Café will be serving up food and beverages and Nordic staff will tend to an on-snow bonfire. You can learn more at mtbachelor.com on the events page.
And, Hoodoo Ski Area says it will open for it’s annual New Year celebration tonight, but then close again until more snow arrives.
Hoodoo says it will only have the Easy Rider lift spinning on New Year’s Eve due to a lack of snow.
The lodge will stay open until Midnight with live music and a fireworks show. Click here to learn more.
Claire Elmer
(Update: adding detailed information, video)
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new tool is now available in Crook County to help property owners protect themselves from real estate fraud, a crime experts say is increasing nationwide.
Property, or real estate, fraud can involve scammers forging deeds, filing fake mortgage documents, or transferring ownership of a property without the owner’s knowledge. In many cases, victims don’t realize what happened until they try to sell, refinance, or access their property records.
Experts say bare land, vacant homes and properties owned by seniors or out-of-state owners are among the most vulnerable. A survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 83% of respondents believe electronic notification systems are the most effective way to fight property fraud.
The Crook County Clerk’s Office launched a free Property Recording Alert Service (PRAS) on Jan. 1, giving property owners an added layer of protection. The system sends same-day email alerts whenever a document is recorded under a monitored name, helping owners quickly identify suspicious activity.
Each alert includes a link to view the filing and instructions on how to obtain a copy of the document. Officials say the service doesn’t stop someone from filing paperwork, but provides an early warning so property owners can contact law enforcement or an attorney if something looks suspicious.
Property owners can sign up through the Crook County Clerk’s Office website and add the names they want monitored. Experts also recommend regularly checking property records, protecting personal information, and being cautious of unsolicited offers to buy property.
Earlier Story — December 30, 2025 — CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Crook County Clerk’s Office has announced a new tool to help property owners monitor their land records and alert them to potential fraud.
The Property Recording Alert Service, or PRAS, is a free system that sends automated email notifications whenever a new document is recorded under an enrolled name. Each alert includes a link to view the document details and information on how to obtain a copy of the record.
The clerk’s office says PRAS is designed to improve transparency, protect ownership, and provide early warnings if fraudulent documents are filed. The system offers same-day notifications, enhanced monitoring for accuracy, and more concise data in each alert.
Property owners can sign up through the Crook County Clerk’s Office.
Claire Elmer
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Multiple Bend mothers say routine trips to Southeast Bend shopping centers have recently taken a disturbing turn, after an unknown man approached them in parking lots and began talking about their young daughters being trafficked.
What began as casual, friendly comments allegedly escalated into statements about the girls being “very pretty” and likely to be trafficked, if their mothers did not “hold on to them.”
Bend resident and mother Lauren Henderson says the encounter left her shaken. “He kept getting closer to me, and he followed me all the way to my car,” she recalled, adding that he repeatedly told her that her daughter was very pretty and would be trafficked.
After more mothers came forward describing the same man, similar comments, and the same locations, they contacted law enforcement. The women say they were told that while the alleged behavior was unsettling and inappropriate, it did not meet the legal definition of a crime under current statutes.
Legal experts and advocates note that many worrying encounters fall into a gray area: concerning enough to report and document, but not always chargeable as harassment, stalking, or another specific offense. Advocates still encourage people to make a report so patterns can be tracked over time.
Anti-trafficking experts stress that trafficking is not the same as a sudden, stranger abduction in a parking lot. Cheryl Csiky, executive director of the Bend-based national nonprofit In Our Backyard — and a survivor of child sex trafficking herself — says most trafficking-related approaches do not look like a “grab and go” situation.
“Most approaches from a trafficker or someone who’s looking to exploit someone will be friendly,” Csiky said. “Traffickers have a goal to get to know their victim first, to understand what their needs are, because that’s what they want to exploit.” Real trafficking cases are more likely to involve grooming, isolation and secrecy over time than a single public encounter, she added.
Csiky says silence is one of the conditions that allows exploitation to continue in any community. She encourages parents and caregivers to trust their instincts when something feels off, even if they cannot fully explain why in the moment.
“We don’t have to always be polite. Staying silent is what traffickers want,” she said. “When traffickers know that a town, a family, a child understands what human trafficking is, they’re less likely to target that person for any victimization.” In Our Backyard promotes local education and “linking arms” among parents, schools, law enforcement and service providers as a key prevention strategy.
For Henderson, the encounter has reshaped how she moves through everyday routines like shopping and school drop-offs. “I have been locking my doors instantly as soon as we get into the car, more careful where I park… just so much more aware,” she said.
Advocates emphasize that awareness, education, and community connection are more effective than fear alone. They encourage families to learn the signs of grooming and exploitation, talk openly with children at age-appropriate levels, and reach out to local organizations when they see something that doesn’t feel right—so concern can turn into action, rather than panic.
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mt. Bachelor announced it plans to start spinning Alpenglow today, December 29th.
Here’s a look at the resort’s snow stake from Monday morning at 7:40 a.m.:
Mt. Bachelor snow stake, 12/29/25 7:40 a.m.
While it may look like there isn’t much snow on the mountain, Sunrise Lodge with access to Cloudchaser, Early Riser, Rainbow and Sunrise lifts and Lava Tube Carpet welcomed skiers and snowboarders this weekend, doubling the current open terrain.
The resort said today will be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 30s and light to moderate winds. It expects to open Alpenglow for the season this morning, conditions permitting. Click here for the full mountain report.
Kelsey Merison
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thump Coffee and Backporch Coffee Roasters will soon join forces.
The companies announced they will merge in 2026.
Thump says this merger isn’t about becoming something different, it’s about strengthening what both companies already care deeply about: craft, people, community, and the ability to make someone’s day a little better, one cup at a time.
“Your neighborhood Thump café stays your neighborhood Thump café. Your favorite drinks aren’t going anywhere. Nothing big is changing in your daily experience—and won’t for a long time,” Thump said in the announcement.
Over the past few years, both of the teams have been growing, side by side, sometimes on the same trail, often in the same community—and it became clear they were building toward the same thing.
Beginning January 1st, Thump and Backporch will officially join together as part of a long-term partnership often referred to as the Thump–Backporch Coffee merger, or TBC Thump Backporch Coffee.
Click here to learn more about the merger.
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The iconic “Prince of Egypt” is coming to Central Oregon just in time for the new year.
The beloved movie is hitting the stage with iconic songs and a fun atmosphere.
They are going all out with a live orchestra, grand pyramids and pillars. all they’re missing are real frogs.
The shows will be on January 2nd-4th and 9th-11th at Ridgeview high school.
Tickets are $15
For more information go to ovationpa.com.
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –Happy Trails Horse Rescue in Bend has earned global recognition for its work helping horses in need.The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries awarded Happy Trails full accreditation earlier this month.
The designation means the rescue meets rigorous animal care and management standards confirmed through an on-site inspection.
GFAS leaders praised the Happy Trails team for providing safe refuge for horses at risk and for supporting the community through education and outreach programs.
Happy Trails founder Dianne Scott says the process helped strengthen operations and reaffirm the group’s commitment to transparency and high-quality care.
Kelsey Merison
TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — For this month’s ‘Making a Difference’, we’re spotlighting Healing Reins, where lives are transformed through the power of horse therapy.
KTVZ News spoke with Executive Director Polly Cohen about what 2025 looked like at the nonprofit and what the team is looking forward to most in 2026.
“These animals are incredible to talk to. Whether it’s the goats, the chickens, even the miniature cow or the horses themselves, people would rather be outside and interacting with them,” Polly said.
At Healing Reins in Tumalo, people of all ages come to receive a special type of support.
“It’s just a great opportunity to have that talk therapy or those other therapy services in an outdoor setting that encourages people to interact in a safe manner,” Polly said.
The nonprofit serves around 1,000 individuals with various needs per month.
“On a weekly basis, we’re right about 250, and that’s like a little bit of a steady climb as we’re adding more services that people want to come out here for,” Polly said. “You know, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health services.”
This year, Healing Reins is especially grateful for its donors.
“It’s been an adventure with funding,” Polly said. “We’re thankful for all the support from all the donors. I mean, that’s a big deal… Grant funding was a lot less this year, but the community stepped up and able to provide. Because these horses are expensive.”
It’s not just monetary donations that make their mission possible.
“Our horses go through 70 to 90 tons of hay a year, which just is an enormous amount. And so hay to us is basically gold, for our industry. And so we’re very appreciative for all the hay donors who have given us hay this last year,” Polly said.
Healing Reins is looking forward to another year of making a difference in Central Oregon.
“2026 is the year of the horse, which I think is spectacular toward what we do here on a daily basis. This next year is just kind of a grounding year for us,” Polly said. “Next year is continuing to settle into this beautiful site. We actually have a new mission, vision, and tagline that we’re excited to share with the community in January. And so, we’re just looking forward to that kind of new growth for us.”
Here’s another fun way to help out Healing Reins: you can donate your Christmas tree to the goats! They’re full of vitamins and a natural de-wormer.
You can learn more about donating, volunteering, and its services by clicking here.
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Ducks have had an impressive season so far. They have gone 12-1 in the regular season and have already had a monster win against James Madison.
So what has been their superpower this season?
Ducks coach Dan Lanning answered this on The Pat McAfee Show.
Dan Lanning said, “I think our superpower is the amount of guys that make an impact on this team. I think strength in numbers is really, been a superpower for us. We’ve been down players and then we’ve had players available. We’ve had guys that you didn’t expect to make an impact, making huge impacts. So I think are really our superpowers, the strength, the numbers and the buy in from our players.”
The Ducks take on the Texas Tech red Raiders on New Years Day at 9 am pacific
