Category: ktvz-local-news

Tracee Tuesday

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Regios Cafe, located beside The Hub Motel in Redmond, has offered breakfast, lunch and dinner in easy, casual fashion for close to 20 years – but it’s not a drive-thru.

Until Tuesday afternoon, you could say.

Redmond Fire & Rescue was called to the NW Sixth Street eatery around 2:45 p.m. after someone crashed their car into the side of the restaurant.

Andrea Renteria, whose family owns the business, said her mother was among those working at the time, when her brother called her to let her know that someone had crashed into the side of the restaurant. So she quickly drove over, and thankfully learned her mom and the workers were shaken up but okay.

She said the man told her he was choking on a McDonald’s French fry when he panicked and tried to hit the brake — but instead punched the gas, sending the car plunging forward.

It slammed into the side of the restaurant, causing damage both inside and out, including a refrigerator and door. The crash sent the crushed fridge’s items sailing far and wide: “tomato sauce over here, rice over here, our tacos over there.”

Renteria said the man had some bruises on his head and was checked out by medics at the scene, but declined an ambulance trip. Instead, he drove away with his wife, likely to get checked out.

A natural gas line also was damaged, and a Cascade Natural Gas crew was called in to shut it off for safety reasons before repairs can be made.

“We’re glad that no one got hurt,” Renteria said. “They’re a bit shaken up, but everyone’s okay.”

She said the restaurant likely will need to be closed for a few weeks for clean-up and repairs.

“So give us some time,” Renteria said. “But our love is still here. So if you guys can keep on supporting us, we’ll still be here.”

And she even found some humor in what caused the whole thing – a fast-food French fry, not anything from their restaurant’s menu.

“So you can’t blame us,” she said.

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John Carroll

I had the privilege of speaking with the 3rd grade class at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Bend. They are just wrapping up a unit on the Water Cycle and I had a fun time talking to them about that topic and a few more. The students helped me forecast the weather for the day by being “weather detectives” and searching for clues in the sky to help solve the mystery of today’s weather.

They also have a lot of interest in recycling and trying to “Keep Oregon Green”. It was a lovely visit and hopefully the kiddos learned a little bit about the weather and had some fun.

If you want myself or Shannon Brady to come to your school and chat about the weather, fell free to have your teachers send us an email at weather@ktvz.com

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Madras Police released a security video Tuesday as they seek the public’s help in a vandalism investigation after someone hurled a concrete block through the window of a financial institution.

The incident occurred around 12:13 a.m. last Friday, the department said in a Facebook posting.

“Surveillance footage shows an individual throwing a concrete block through the window of a local business,” police said.

“This reckless act caused significant property damage and is currently under investigation,” they added.

Police Chief Timothy Plummer told KTVZ News it was a financial institution, but declined to be more specific at this time.

The person in the video is not seen trying to enter the business or cause other damage and ran away afterward.

Anyone who recognizes the person in the video or has any information that could help identify the suspect is asked to call the Madras Police Department at 541-475-2424.

“Your help is vital to keeping our community safe,” the police report said. “Thank you for your continued support.”

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – KTVZ is proud to announce it has received special recognition from the Assistance League of Bend in honor of a decades-long partnership rooted in community service and shared values.

The all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presented the award to KTVZ in appreciation of the station’s ongoing support of its mission to transform the lives of children and adults facing poverty and cancer throughout Deschutes County. Since 2002, KTVZ has worked closely with Assistance League of Bend to amplify its efforts and spotlight the positive change it creates through a variety of philanthropic programs.

“We’re truly honored to be recognized by the Assistance League of Bend,” said Ron Parodi, General Manager, KTVZ. “Their work touches so many lives in Central Oregon, and it’s been a privilege to help share their story with our viewers and support their mission through the years. This recognition is a reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening our community.”

Through programs such as providing new school clothes to students facing adversity, personal care items to low-income seniors, and handcrafted hats to cancer patients undergoing treatment, Assistance League of Bend continues to serve with compassion and care. Their work directly aligns with the mission of 21 Cares for Kids, KTVZ’s community campaign that brings together local organizations and resources to help children thrive across Central Oregon.

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Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest conducted prescribed burning operations south of Sisters and northeast of La Pine Wednesday.

Ignitions were complete on Odin North Unit 3 northeast of La Pine by the afternoon, for a total of 199 acres, more than 100 acres less than the sought-after total. Firefighters will not continue with ignitions in Odin North Unit 7 this afternoon. Crews have transitioned to mop-up and patrol operations.

Residents in Newberry Estates and La Pine are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours.

Meanwhile, Sisters Ranger District fighters have ceased ignitions on SAFR 34 located 3 miles south of Sisters at roughly 7 acres due to unfavorable conditions. Firefighters have transitioned to mopping up and securing the prescribed burn perimeter.

—

Earlier info:

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plans to ignite up to 310 acres on the Odin North Prescribed Burn Units 3 and 7, located four miles northeast of La Pine, south of Paulina Lake Road and east of Newberry Estates. Ignitions are planned for Wednesday and will continue on Thursday, if conditions remain favorable. No road or trail closures are anticipated. 

Ignitions are slated to begin at 10 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Highway 97, La Pine and Sunriver. Residents in Newberry Estates and La Pine are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

On Wednesday, the Sisters Ranger District plans to conduct 30 acres of prescribed burning on the SAFR Unit 34 Prescribed Burn three miles south of Sisters and east of Forest Service Road 16 near the PRT – Whychus Horse Ford Tie Trail. While no road or trail closures are anticipated, the public is asked to avoid recreating in the vicinity of the prescribed burn. 

Ignitions are planned for 9 a.m. Residents in Sisters 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. 

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 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.  

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/desch

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Level 3 registered sex offender has been arrested on new charges of encouraging child sex abuse while in the Deschutes County Jail on a probation/parole violation.

Last November, Deschutes County Parole and Probation contacted the Bend Police Department regarding Emily Fawkes, also known as Jeffrey Yaeger, 45, of Bend, being in violation of their supervision requirements, sheriff’s Sergeant Thomas Lilienthal said.

Bend Police Department Officers were able to locate Fawkes at a Bend store and took Fawkes into custody for a probation/parole violation, Lilienthal said.

While being taken into custody, Bend Police officers located a tablet in Fawkes’s possession, which is an additional violation of their probation/parole conditions.

Deschutes County Parole and Probation officers developed information that the tablet located in Fawkes’s possession was utilized to consume Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) while in their possession. Parole and Probation officers and Bend Police informed the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.

ICAC Detectives wrote a search warrant to both seize and analyze the device and Fawkes was lodged at the county jail in Bend for violating probation and parole.

Over the next several months, Lilienthal said, Redmond Police Department Digital Forensics completed the analysis of data on Fawkes’s tablet, locating Child Sex Abuse Material and other information consistent with Fawkes seeking both Child Sex Abuse Material and contact with children online.

On April 29th, 2025, while still in jail, additional crimes of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse were charged against Fawkes, the sergeant said.

Fawkes is a Level 3 registered sex offender for a child sex crime and is on post-prison supervision for a child sex crime as well.

Lilienthal wrote, “The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Deschutes County Parole and Probation, the Bend Police Department, and the Redmond Police Department for their partnership and investment in protecting the children of our community.”

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Harley Coldiron

Richardson respected the Judge’s ruling but stressed as a Vietnam Veteran with Traumatic Brain Injury, those dogs were his lifeline_________________________________________________________________________________________

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A judge ruled that a La Pine-area man whose three dogs were taken away after a widely seen video of him repeatedly hitting one with a shovel, was not allowed to own animals or firearms as his court case unfolds. The 75-year-old Vietnam Veteran had filed an emergency petition to get them back.

Also, the prosecutor in the case confirmed Tuesday to KTVZ News that Hooch suffered “multiple internal physical injuries” in the attack, including brain injuries. However she added that Hooch and the two others are now “doing very well” at the Humane Society of Central Oregon.

KTVZ News waited for hours outside the Deschutes County Courthouse to get Richardsons side of the story, but he declined.

During his brief court appearance Tuesday, Richardson was heard telling his court appointed lawyer that he suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD after being injured while serving as a Marine during the Vietnam War.

Though Richardson wanted all three dogs returned to him, he mainly petitioned to have Everett and Paco returned to him. The two dogs were seized, along with Hooch, when Richardson was arrested outside the La Pine Post Office.

In a 10-page letter to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division and filed in court Monday, Richardson claims “several serious procedural and factual errors in this case,” focusing on the removal and seizure order for his three dogs – Hooch, the injured animal, as well as EV (Everett) and Paco.

Among other claims, Richardson said his other two dogs were not listed on the seizure or removal order, and that he has not been shown the video evidence seen by so many online. He noted all of his dogs have been seen by a local vet annually since he moved to the area in 2018 and that the two older dogs are rescues with ID tags, vaccinations and licenses.

“Hooch is not licensed as I did not know if he would survive first year,” Richardson wrote.

Richardson also asked that adoptions not proceed for any of the dogs “until this matter is fully adjudicated.”

Richardson was arrested and charged and the dogs were seized after a KTVZ Problem Solvers report broke the news regarding the widely viewed, disturbing video of the alleged assault on Hooch.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Raymond Crutchley plans a brief emergency hearing Tuesday afternoon on Richardson’s claims and on prosecutors’ motion to amend his conditional release to say he can possess no domestic animals while the case is pending, and to place an emergency temporary hold on the two other dogs.

Crutchley also plans to set a hearing on a petition prosecutors filed Monday for the immediate forfeiture of Hooch.

After numerous requests for information on Hooch’s condition, KTVZ News reached out to Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney Rosalie Beaumont.

She shared with us Tuesday that “after being seized, Hooch was taken to an independent vet (meaning outside of HSCO) and underwent a full examination. 

“The examination confirmed that Hooch had multiple internal physical injuries, with at least one of the injuries possibly resulting in long-term complications. However, the puppy is otherwise healthy, stable, and now doing very well at HSCO,” Beaumont told us.

Richardson is charged with first-degree aggravated animal abuse, a felony, and second-degree animal abuse. He is scheduled for arraignment on May 20 on those charges.

(You can read Richardson’s letter in full below, as well as the sheriff’s office report filed in court.)

John Richardson letterDownload

sheriff’s office report – Richardson dogsDownload

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KGW

(Update: Suspected driver arrested)

By  Anthony Macuk (KGW)

BEAVERTON, Ore. (KGW) — Beaverton police have arrested the suspected driver of a minivan that sideswiped a motorcyclist on Highway 26 on Monday morning in what appeared to be a deliberate act of road rage. The motorcycle rider was launched more than 200 feet and seriously injured. The driver continued on the freeway, making the incident a hit-and-run.

Samir Helio Pazzoto-Filho has been charged with one count of second-degree assault, one count of unlawful use of a weapon — specifically, a motor vehicle — and one count of failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, according to documents filed Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court. A news release from the Beaverton Police Department also listed charges of attempted assault and reckless driving.

The incident was captured in a dashcam video. The blue Kia Carnival is traveling in the left lane when the motorcyclist pulls up beside it in the center lane and appears to yell at the Kia driver. The Kia then abruptly lurches to the right, crossing all the way over to the right lane and pushing the motorcyclist off the right side of the freeway.

Pazzoto-Filho was arrested Monday evening and booked in Washington County jail. His booking record lists his age as 41. In a news release, the Beaverton Police Department said a community member provided a tip that led officers to Pazzoto-Filho’s home, and when they arrived they saw him driving a blue Kia Carnival that matched the video. 

Credit: Beaverton Police Department

Photo of damage on the right side of the Kia Carnival that police say was involved in a road rage incident that ran a motorcyclist off Highway 26.

Police said the Monday incident apparently stemmed from “a road rage-style interaction between Pazzoto-Filho and the motorcycle rider.” They added that based on conversations with “numerous” community members, investigators believe Pazzoto-Filho was seen driving recklessly in the days prior to the incident.

Anyone with information or who witnessed his driving behavior in the Monday case or any other incidents is asked to contact Beaverton police at 503-526-2261. Police noted that the Kia has Florida license plates.

KGW spoke Monday evening with the family of the motorcyclist, a 21-year-old man named Correy. They said he was injured in the crash but avoided breaking any bones. Correy’s sister said the Kia cut him off and slammed its brakes, which is what prompted Correy to ride up in the center lane and try to get the driver’s attention. She said the driver made eye contact and then jerked the wheel.

Pazzoto-Filho is scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert boasts some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States.   

However, increasing light pollution emanating from developed areas, threatens the health of both nocturnal wildlife and humans.   

One community is taking the lead in protecting Central Oregon’s dark skies – the City of Sisters.  

Tuesday evening, at McMenamins in Bend, I attended the “Natural History Pub – How Sisters is Protecting Central Oregon’s Dark Skies.” 

The event, hosted by the High Desert Museum, celebrated the city of Sisters, as it’s passed an outdoor lighting ordinance and established itself as a Dark Sky International community.      

The presentation discussed the many splendid planets, stars and galaxies you can clearly see in the dark skies.  

What exactly makes Central Oregon cities like Sisters so recognized as a Dark Sky community and so perfect for taking in the vibrancy of the universe? 

“There are a couple of factors. One is the elevation. Two is, the transparency of the sky is based on the low humidity,” said Dark Skies board member Christopher Hill. 

Hill added: “And three, because of that, some of the communities are so small, the actual light dome is much smaller than when you have a larger city, like on the west side of Oregon, around Portland and Eugene. And so therefore, the skies here (are) that much more transparent for being able to see the Milky Way and the stars.” 

As Sisters continues its five-year plan to ensure all outdoor lighting meets Dark Sky standards, the city stands as a shining example of how communities can unite to protect the natural beauty of the night sky. 

For more information on Sisters’ Dark Sky designation and upcoming stargazing events, visit the city’s official website or Dark Sky International. 

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Another long-time staple of Bend’s dining scene closed down abruptly on Monday, as 900 Wall, a popular spot that opened downtown 16 years ago, closed its doors and apparently informed its employees of the sudden closure the very same day.

KTVZ News had reached out earlier Monday afternoon after an email from an employee said the restaurant had “just closed. … Just got the message from the other 30 minutes ago.” But the phone call and email brought no reply, nor did a visit.

A few hours later, the official word came in a Facebook announcement, accompanied by a photo of … a brick wall:

“We served our last order of fried green beans Sunday evening,” the owners wrote. “We did all we could to continue to provide a living for employees, a sense of community for our guests and a platform for all of the local farmers and producers we’ve worked with for the past 17 years.”

“We are not alone in our struggle this winter and spring, so if you value locally owned restaurants, now is the time to support the wonderful community we have grown with here. We’re grateful we had the opportunity to be a part of so many memories in our community.

And the comments from surprised fans came fast:

Dozens quickly weighed in on Reddit’s Bend subreddit, with opinions (as always) all over the map, other than that the place always seemed very busy at its prominent location at the corner of NW Wall Street and Minnesota Avenue.

“RIP to the best happy hour in town,” said one, while another called the food “unfortunately pretty forgettable.”

Others wondered if the upswing in food cart popularity is why sit-down restaurants – not just the so-called “fast casual” of now-closed Shari’s and the like – are struggling.

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