Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Low snow conditions have prompted Oregon Adaptive Sports to move this Saturday’s Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers adaptive skiing event and the following weekend’s CamPAH! snowsports camp from Hoodoo Ski Area to Mt. Bachelor.

The junior racing event provides young athletes with disabilities a low-barrier entry point into alpine sports. The program focuses on a non-competitive experience for youth in Central Oregon.

The events are typically held at Hoodoo Ski Area but was relocated to Mt. Bachelor this year due to challenging snow conditions. Organizers said the temporary move allows them to maintain safety and appropriate on-snow conditions for participants while continuing the seasonal program.

The Bartlett Junior Racers event is structured to prioritize time on the snow, rather than competition. Participants ski in a supported environment that emphasizes exploration and repetition.

This non-competitive approach is designed to encourage participation among children and young adults with disabilities.

The event is named in memory of Bartlett, who was a prominent member of the Oregon Adaptive Sports community. Bartlett was known for her work recruiting and organizing volunteers from the University of Oregon to support adaptive programs.

The Bartlett Memorial Fund provides financial support for the event to ensure it remains a low-barrier opportunity for youth athletes.

For more information about Ellie Bartlett Junior Racers or Oregon Adaptive Sports youth programs, visit:https://oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/ellie-bartlett-jr-racers/

OAS also will host CamPAH!, a deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camp for deaf and hard of hearing youth, on Feb. 14–15. Traditionally held at Hoodoo Ski Area over President’s Day weekend, CamPAH! will take place at Mt. Bachelor this season due to low snow conditions.

CamPAH! serves deaf and hard of hearing youth athletes ages 10–19 who want to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills in an environment designed specifically for visual communication and cultural connection.

The camp operates entirely in American Sign Language, with volunteer coaches who are fluent in ASL and are Deaf, CODA, and/or professional interpreters, ensuring direct communication and meaningful access on snow.

Since its founding in 2013, CamPAH! has supported nearly 200 Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth athletes as they begin and continue their snowsports journeys. Founded with leadership from Cara Frank, Development Director at Oregon Adaptive Sports, the program was created to establish a Deaf-friendly space on the mountain where access is foundational rather than accommodated. 

The program’s name, CamPAH!, reflects the ASL sign “PAH,” which conveys a sense of “finally” or “success at last” in an upbeat, celebratory way. That meaning echoes the experience many athletes and families describe — the impact of participating in a program where communication access is built in, not adapted as an afterthought.

CamPAH! continues to demonstrate the importance of Deaf-centered instruction and culturally responsive access in outdoor recreation. Parents consistently point to both skill progression and confidence gained through the program.

“You all did an amazing job. I can’t stop talking about the positive impact this had on my son. He engaged in a different and more sophisticated way, and his skiing skills improved over the weekend. We came for exposure to Deaf culture and to try something new — I didn’t expect him to love skiing, love his teachers, and grow so much. Now he wants to do it every weekend. We can’t wait to come back next year.”— Parent of CamPAH participant 

CamPAH! is one of the few deaf-centric adaptive snowsports camps of its kind in the United States and highlights the value of culturally responsive programming and community-led access in outdoor recreation.

For more information about CamPAH! and OAS programs, visit oregonadaptivesports.org/sport/campah/.

Oregon Adaptive Sports, founded in 1996 provides adaptive outdoor recreation throughout the year.

The organization offers various programs for children and young adults with disabilities across Central Oregon, including Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, paddling, and golf. These programs aim to provide consistent access to outdoor activities in the region.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it has successfully completed its accreditation process through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, a step it says is “reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement operations and public safety.”

Accreditation is a continuous process conducted every three years to ensure law enforcement agencies remain compliant with more than 100 professional standards, DCSO said. They said the standards cover critical areas such as policies, training, operations and accountability, helping agencies operate efficiently and transparently.

“This process is an important part of our responsibility to the community,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Accreditation ensures we are consistently meeting best practices and improving how we serve the public. It’s about building trust and demonstrating transparency because our community deserves to know that we hold ourselves accountable and operate at the highest level of professionalism.”

The accreditation process includes:

Policy Review and Updates: Aligning agency policies with state and national standards.

On-Site Assessment: Independent evaluators verify compliance.

Ongoing Improvement: Agencies must maintain compliance and prepare for reaccreditation every three years.

The sheriff’s office said, “Accreditation benefits the community by enhancing public confidence in law enforcement services, reducing liability risks, and improving operational efficiency, while strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the public.”

The accreditation is valid for three years and must be renewed before January 31, 2029.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek and more than 30 Oregon mayors sent a letter Thursday to the Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, demanding a halt to federal immigration enforcement actions in the state until recent use-of-force incidents are investigated and those involved are held accountable.

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler and Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch were among the 31 mayors who signed onto the letter, which you can read in full below.

“We demand an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement actions in Oregon until thorough investigations of use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis, in Portland and all other use of force incidents by federal agents are thoroughly investigated and those involved are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Kotek said.

The governor said she and the mayors are calling for a pause in enforcement actions following reports of increasingly aggressive tactics and recent use-of-force incidents involving federal officers. The Oregon leaders said such actions erode public trust and threaten individuals exercising their First Amendment rights.

The governor and mayors called for federal actions to stop until use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis, Portland and other locations are thoroughly investigated.

Gov. Kotek emphasized the state’s position on federal accountability in the joint letter, arguing that state and local law enforcement agencies are essential to public safety. They said the agencies have built community trust through local policing strategies that are being damaged by federal actions that exclude local partners and prioritize intimidation.

Oregon officials also highlighted the negative impact of current enforcement practices on daily life. They stated that families are avoiding work, school, health care and local businesses because of fear regarding these federal operations.

Despite the federal actions, the officials reaffirmed Oregon’s commitment to its Sanctuary Law. They indicated that state and local resources will continue to be focused on community-based public safety needs. The letter concluded by expressing support for immigrant and refugee communities, stating that they belong in the state, and that Oregon stands with them.

The letter follows a January 30 executive order and a series of conversations with community leaders, including a roundtable convened by Governor Kotek with community leaders.

02.05.26_Oregon Elected Leaders Letter to Noem, HomanDownload

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KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is accepting entries for the SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP Art Contest right now through the end of February. Central Oregon elementary school students are invited to submit designs to be featured as the official artwork for the upcoming annual team race. You can see the winning artwork for the 2025 Art Contest above.

Organized by the foundation as a fundraiser and presented by Sylvan Learning, the race is scheduled for May 17th, 2026 at Seventh Mountain Resort. The event name stands for “Playful Peers Persevere” and is designed for children in elementary school; the competition is an alternative to Central Oregon’s beloved annual “Pole Pedal Paddle” event.

The winning design will serve as the official artwork for the 2026 event. It will be featured on participant shirts and in advertisements. The winning artist will also receive free entry into the race for themselves and their team!

The designs submitted must include specific text within the design. “SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP,” “Bend, Oregon” and “2026” as well as the letters “MBSEF” somewhere in the artwork.

Entries must be received by 4 p.m. on February 27th, 2026. Submissions can be emailed to events@mbsef.org or delivered to the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation office at 2765 NW Lolo Drive in Bend. Foundation coaches and staff will be judging all submissions.

For local educators, the foundation is offering a new lesson plan and an accompanying video to show students for the contest. These materials and further event details are available on the official race website: https://pppbend.com/mini-ppp/

Registration to compete in the SELCO Kids’ Mini PPP will begin on March 1st, 2026. The race will take place on May 17th, 2026.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — BEND, Ore. — With hundreds of running shoe styles on the market, runners often face a challenge in choosing footwear that helps them perform well and lowers the risk of injuries.

Oregon State University–Cascades researcher and biomechanics expert JJ Hannigan will share insights into how running shoes influence biomechanics and injury prevention during a Science Pub presentation on Feb. 17.

Hannigan, who serves as an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and co-director of the FORCE biomechanics lab, will explain how different shoe designs can affect movement patterns and overall performance. His presentation will also outline key features runners should consider when choosing shoes for both training and racing.

The Science Pub will be held from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Charles McGrath Family Atrium in Edward J. Ray Hall at OSU-Cascades. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and dinner, followed by Hannigan’s presentation at 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $22 per person and include a light, pub-style dinner prepared by OSU-Cascades chefs. A no-host bar will also be available. Registration is required, and on-campus parking is free.

To register, visit osu-cascades.edu/science-pubs. OSU-Cascades employees and students can email events@osucascades.edu for tickets. Those needing disability accommodations may contact 541-322-3100 or events@osucascades.edu.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News launched a new initiative to end each newscast with a positive story from around Central Oregon, called “There’s Good News.”

For our first edition, we highlight students at Highland Elementary in Bend. They “blasted off” this week on an imaginary mission to Mars, turning a school day into an out-of-this-world learning adventure.

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students said their goodbyes and “launched” on a pretend rocket ship to the Red Planet, as families gathered on the playground to cheer them on.

The event is part of the school’s “Scottish Storyline” method, where students step into a story to help bring lessons to life.

After weeks of research and planning their Mars journey, launch day gave students a chance to apply what they’d learned in a creative, hands-on way.

The trip may be imaginary, but teachers say the experience reinforces real lessons in curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This Valentine’s Day, Think Wild is partnering with local businesses to offer local, sustainable gifts and delivery services throughout Central Oregon.

“Purchase a gift package for a friend, tweet-heart, or significant otter, and support local wildlife!” the organization said in a news release Wednesday that continues below:

Each Valentine’s Day gift package includes a locally-grown everlasting dried flower bouquet, toffee from Holm Made Toffee Co, local honey from Broadus Bees and The Royal Bee, and a personalized wildlife card.

Additional items such as private wildlife release opportunities, songbird and squirrel nest boxes, and naming opportunities are also available.

For example, wildlife kitchen sponsorships include a custom plaque displayed in the wildlife hospital kitchen, where a name, quote or message can celebrate the recipient and their love for wildlife every single day.

Delivery service within Central Oregon can be added for an extra fee. Funds raised support local wildlife conservation, education, and rehabilitation. 

To purchase a Valentine’s Day gift, visit Think Wild’s website (thinkwildco.org/valentines-day) and order by 4 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Orders can be picked up at Think Wild’s wildlife hospital at 62410 Erickson Rd. in Bend between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. Deliveries will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

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About Think Wild

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation. We provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. We also provide wildlife habitat installations, native plantings, and wildlife education programming for youth and the community, and can help with conflicts with wildlife. Wildlife injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at 541-241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM. Visit us online at thinkwildco.org, or on Instagram or Facebook @thinkwildco. 

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Claire Elmer

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents to a phone scam involving callers who claim to be members of law enforcement. Officials say the scammers are contacting residents and falsely telling them they’ve missed jury duty or have an active warrant out for their arrest.

The sheriff’s office says the callers often demand immediate payment to resolve the issue, frequently requesting unusual forms of payment such as gift cards or cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin.

Authorities emphasize that these demands are a clear sign of a scam, and legitimate law enforcement agencies will never call and request money for a warrant, fine, or missed jury duty — especially not through gift cards or digital currency.

Deputies say the scam is designed to create a sense of fear and urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly before verifying the information.

Anyone who receives one of these calls is urged to hang up right away, avoid sending any money or personal information, and contact the Crook County Sheriff’s Office directly to confirm whether the claim is real.

Residents can reach the Crook County Sheriff’s Office at 541-447-6398 to report suspicious calls or ask questions. Officials remind the public that awareness is key to stopping scam activity before it causes harm.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With hundreds of running shoe styles available, runners are challenged to find a shoe that will help them run well and reduces the risk of injury.

At the next Oregon State University–Cascades Science Pub on Tuesday evening, Feb. 17, researcher and biomechanics expert JJ Hannigan will explore how running footwear affects biomechanics and injury risk.

Hannigan is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades and co-director of the FORCE biomechanics lab.

“He will explore shoe designs and how they influence movement patterns and how, by selecting the right footwear, runners can avoid the risk of injury,” the school said in Wednesday’s announcement.

Drawing on research conducted in FORCE Lab, Hannigan will outline features runners should consider as they select shoes for training or racing on the road or trail.

The Science Pub will take place from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Charles McGrath Family Atrium in Edward J. Ray Hall at OSU-Cascades. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and dining with the presentation to follow at 6 p.m.

Registration is required and on-campus parking is free. 

The event is $22 per person, which includes a light, pub-style, pre-lecture dinner. The no-host bar will offer beer, wine, cider and soft drinks.

To register, visit beav.es/science-pub-running. Space is limited to 120 attendees. OSU-Cascades employees and students should contact events@osucascades.edu for tickets.

For accommodations for disabilities contact 541-322-3100 or events@osucascades.edu

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Matthew Draxton

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — A Bend-based baby food company is making the most of Super Bowl Sunday. Square Baby, initially founded in 2018 by Katie Thomson, is using an ad spot to spread awareness about early exposure to food allergens, with a clever and cheeky twist.   

They’ve created the “Deez Nuts” campaign to educate and encourage parents to introduce food allergens to their babies.

“The Deez Nuts campaign came from an idea that my husband and I had while we were on that walk, and we were trying to figure out, you know, how do we break through?” Thomson questioned. She continued, “how do we create conversation? How do we create buzz as a smaller business?”

Thomson has even started to receive feedback from loyal clients about the campaign.

Julie Gonser, a professional chef and mother, shares her thoughts on the campaign saying, “The Deez Nuts campaign is brilliant because not enough new parents are talking about allergen introduction, and there’s a real fear around it.”

Gonser and her daughter, Beau, are navigating food introduction together.

She continued, “as a new mom, I was not aware of allergen introduction. I just thought throw all the food out there and and let them try it. So, being introduced to Square Baby was not only about food, but it was about education for me.”

The ‘Deez Nuts’ campaign aims to spread awareness of resources available to parents when it comes to introducing allergens to young children.

Thomson reflects on the last few months coming up with and executing the campaign. She said, “I think it’s going to be a big hit. I think it’s going to raise some eyebrows. I think it’s going to start some conversations about food allergy prevention. And that’s really what it’s all about.”

Thomson point to the LEAP study being “really the first one that showed that introducing allergens like peanuts as early as 4 to 6 months of age helps prevent, peanut allergies by up to 80%.” 

According to Food Allergy Research and Education, eight percent of children and eleven percent of adults have at least one food allergy. Plus, food allergies have risen 50% from 2007 to 2021.

Thomson cites a CBS News Report saying “we’ve seen 60,000 baby’s lives have been saved since the new introduction guidelines have come out. I mean the science is undeniable.”

Gonser adds, “I don’t think it has to be a fearful approach. You just got to educate yourself and take baby steps, pun intended.”

The ad leans on humor, as seen through it’s name, which emphasizes one of the biggest allergens parents are facing with their kids: a nut allergy.

In the 30 second Super-bowl Sunday commercial expect to “see babies rapping on the hood of a car with a Square Baby license plate. We see little infants as scientists showing the data and food allergies declining,” said Thomson.

More information on the ‘Deez Nuts’ campaign can be found at the Square Baby website, along with additional resources and educational material on early allergen introduction. It will also include a full menu of allergen options for parents to weigh.

“The Deez Nuts campaign is new, but allergen introduction for Square Baby and doing what’s right for the next generation is something that’s our true north,” Thomson noted as part of Square Baby’s mission.

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