Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

(Update: adding video from court hearing on November 24th regarding employment of Ms. Stigall)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sierra Stigall, a 22-year-old former La Pine Middle School volleyball coach, went before a judge on Monday at the Deschutes County Courthouse. Stigall faces a growing list of charges related to sexual abuse of minors, with a second alleged victim identified.

Stigall was originally charged with 20 counts in connection with alleged abuse of a boy under 14, covering incidents between May and July of this year. Though four of those counts were dropped prior to Monday’s court appearance, authorities now say a second victim has been identified. 

With the formal grand indictment on new charges including a second alleged victim filed Monday, Stigall now faces 39 counts –including multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse, luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child. All are Class B or C felonies, except a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor.

Prosecutors allege that her contact with one or both alleged victims may have lasted through November.

During Monday’s hearing, prosecutors read a letter from an alleged victim’s parent. In it, they urged the court not to lower bail. Stigall’s lawyer said her employer indicated she could return to work if released, however – her former employer posted on KTVZ’s Facebook page Monday evening that she would not be welcomed back at their establishment.

Stigall’s defense asked the judge that her bail be reduced to $50,000. Prosecutors recommended $350,000, referencing Stigall’s lack of prior criminal history, but stressing the seriousness of the charges. Circuit Judge Raymond Crutchley ultimately reduced her bail to $100,000. He also ordered Stigall to surrender her passport, submit to electronic monitoring and avoid contact with minors if released.

Stigall was arrested November 14 and remains in jail following Monday’s decision. It is not yet clear if she will be able to post bail at the reduced amount. Her plea hearing is scheduled for December 15.

The district attorney’s office continues to investigate, as the scope of the case widens.

KTVZ will continue to follow this developing story and keep you updated. 

Earlier Story — November 17th — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sierra Beverly Ann Stigall, a former volleyball coach from La Pine charged with rape and abuse of a minor, also coached a traveling under-14 baseball team in the La Pine area, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

While detectives said they had no information at this time indicating any other victims, they also asked to hear from anyone with concerns about Stigall having inappropriate contact with minors.

Stigall, now 22, was arrested Friday and remains jailed on 20 counts of rape, sexual abuse and luring a minor under the age of 14, according to court documents filed on Monday.

The charges against Stigall include multiple counts of sexual abuse in the first and second degree, sodomy, rape, and luring a minor, all allegedly occurring between May and July of this year. The alleged victim is a boy under the age of 14, who reportedly was coached by Stigall after her tenure as a seventh-grade volleyball coach at La Pine Middle School in the fall of 2024.

Court documents allege that Stigall had at least three sexual encounters with the minor during the specified period. The incidents reportedly took place in a vehicle and a hotel room, where Stigall allegedly engaged in various forms of sexual contact with the victim.

Stigall’s coaching role with the alleged victim occurred after her employment with Bend-La Pine Schools, where she was only employed for the six-week volleyball season in 2024. The district confirmed that this was the only time she was employed with them.

Stigall, who attended La Pine Middle School and then graduated from La Pine High School in 2021, is currently being held in jail on $500,00 bail pending her indictment on an expected grand jury indictment, which is scheduled for next Monday.

The case has raised significant concerns within the community, given Stigall’s previous role as a coach and her ties to the local schools. As the legal proceedings continue, further details are expected to emerge about the nature of the alleged offenses and Stigall’s relationship with the victim.

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jason Carr issued a news release with some more information Tuesday afternoon.

Carr wrote that that “DCSO does not believe Stigall was employed by the Bend-La Pine School District during these (crimes). However, Stigall was involved in coaching a U14 traveling baseball team in the La Pine area.”

Based on the investigation and an interview with Stigall, she was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail on the following charges:

Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (X5)

Sodomy in the Second Degree (X2)

Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (X8)

Rape in the Second Degree (2)

Luring a Minor (X2)

Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree

“Detectives with DCSO have no information concerning additional victims,” Carr wrote. “If you or someone you know have concerns about Stigall having inappropriate contact with minors, please call the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 633-6655 and ask for Detective Porter.”

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The beloved Old Fashion Christmas event is back, bringing classic holiday charm to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center through the weekend.

Visitors can browse arts, crafts, antiques and unique gifts while enjoying festive food, hourly prize drawings, holiday movies and a visit from Santa.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned good for the Lil’ Bit Food Pantry to receive extra tickets for the prize drawings.

The event runs Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6, or $5 for veterans and seniors, with free parking available for all guests.

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Spencer Sacks

(Update: adding information from latest hearing)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman was arraigned on arson and other charges Monday in Deschutes County Court, accused of setting fire to her home in northwest Bend.

Rachel Kidwell, 33, was arrested Nov. 15 at the triplex where she resided when Bend Police responded to a structure fire.

When officers arrived, they found Kidwell on the front porch. Police said she told them she had started the fire herself, a blaze that also damaged two adjacent units before firefighters could stop it.

Kidwell has been indicted on three counts of first-degree arson, as well as first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of reckless endangering. A hearing on her fitness to proceed has been set for December 8th.

KTVZ News will continue to follow this developing story and will keep you updated.

Earlier Story — November 15th — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend Woman was arrested on Saturday after allegedly starting a fire in the 1200 block of NW Stannium Road.

33-year-old Rachel Joy Kidwell is being investigated for Arson after telling officers that she’d started the fire at the home.

Bend Fire & Rescue was able to prevent the fire from spreading but other units in the multifamily building sustained Damage

This story is developing and we will continue to update it as we learn more.

Read the Press Release Below:

“At approximately 12:17 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, Bend Police responded to a report of a fire in the 1200 block of NW Stannium Road.  

When officers arrived, they found a second-story apartment in a triplex fully engulfed in flames. A woman, later identified as 33-year-old Bend resident Rachel Joy Kidwell, was on the porch when officers arrived and told them she’d started the fire at the home.  

Bend Police evacuated the surrounding residences. 

Bend Fire & Rescue was able to prevent the fire from spreading and successfully extinguished the flames. Other units in the multifamily building sustained damage. 

Officers took Kidwell into custody and transported her to the Bend Police Department. She will be lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

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KTVZ

Update: Adding video

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It’s a good time to be a pika in Oregon, or a volunteer trained to spot them. New survey data from Cascades Pika Watch – which included Central Oregon for the first time – shows numbers of the potato-sized mammals, as well as the people who survey them, are on the rise.  

Pikas, tiny rabbit relatives known for their distinctive, squeak-toy-like calls, typically live on mountain slopes at elevations above 6,000 feet, but a unique low-elevation population is living at the Columbia River Gorge, just a half-hour from Portland. 

Since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, surveys indicate the pika ((the preferred pronunciation is PIKE-uh) population in the area has been steadily increasing. Last year, volunteers spotted pikas at more than two-thirds of the sites surveyed, and that number rose even higher in 2025.

“This year, we found pikas at 82% of sites surveyed, which is close to the pre-fire population numbers,” said Dr. Johanna Varner, scientific adviser for the Cascades Pika Watch program. “This is great news for the Gorge pika population.”  

There is growing concern among scientists about the future of pikas, as climate change has caused population declines and local extinctions in parts of the pika’s range. But Varner says the season’s results are very encouraging — particularly in the Gorge.  

“The data from this program tell us this population might be more resilient than some others,” Varner said. “We’re really hopeful that pikas in Oregon continue to thrive.”

For the first time, Cascades Pika Watch ventured east as well this year, partnering with the High Desert Museum and Discover Your Forest to survey for pikas in Central Oregon. Trained volunteers detected pikas at 11 out of 27 sites in the region.

“We’re excited to begin the process of monitoring pikas in Central Oregon,” said Jon Nelson, who oversees citizen science programming at the High Desert Museum. “Pikas may be small, but they can tell us a lot about the larger ecosystems where they live.” 

Pikas aren’t the only creatures increasing in number this year — the ranks of pika watchers grew as well. More than 287 trained citizen scientists submitted 683 surveys from 109 locations throughout the Gorge and Central Oregon. In the Gorge, that’s a 62% increase in survey respondents from last year, which was itself a record-breaking year for the program.

 Every summer, volunteers from Cascades Pika Watch — a program of the Oregon Zoo — head into the field with binoculars to stake out pika hot spots, record their locations and listen for the pika’s telltale squeak. Then they upload their data to a website, helping biologists to better understand where pikas live and whether their range is shifting.  

“Each year, this program has gotten bigger and better,” Varner said. “The future of Cascades Pika Watch is really bright, and there’s still plenty of room for more people to get involved.”

 Cascades Pika Watch will return next year, and aspiring pika watchers are encouraged to sign up for free in-person or online trainings. Sites are accessed via public hiking trails, and no special skills are required. Sign up for updates at oregonzoo.org/pika. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Did you know our consumption accounts for half of our greenhouse gas emissions? Did you hear that Knott Landfill is close to full? Have you heard contradictory things about recycling and whether it matters? 

This July, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass a sweeping bill, the Recycling Modernization Act, that modernizes Oregon’s recycling infrastructure, and makes producers responsible for their packaging (The Environmental Center asks that you see their Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act post for more info). 

Do you have questions about what has changed or what is about to change? Or maybe, are you skeptical that these changes will have any meaningful impact? 

At Rethink Waste Project’s 4th annual America Recycles Day free virtual event on Tuesday, November 18th (6-7:30pm), everyone is invited to come learn from a panel of experts about recycling and the Recycling Modernization Act. This is an opportunity for all residents to get clarity on our recycling system and what’s recyclable and not here, while also learning why recycling by itself won’t save us from our climate and waste crises. 

All who are interested can learn more and register for this free event at https://envirocenter.org/event/rma/ or by clicking the link from www.RethinkWasteProject.org 

Panel: 

Colin Teem, Materials Management – Eastern Region Specialist, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 

Rachel VanWoert, RMA Technical Assistant, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 

Susan Baker, Diversion and Franchise Services Manager, Deschutes County Solid Waste 

Moderator: Kavi Chokshi, Rethink Waste Program Manager, The Environmental Center 

A big thanks to our panelists! 

Questions? Contact kavi@envirocenter.org  

### 

About the Rethink Waste Project 

The Rethink Waste Project (RWP), a program of The Environmental Center, envisions a community that understands the upstream and downstream impacts of using Earth’s resources and makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials. RWP provides waste prevention and reduction education for Deschutes County residents, businesses, and organizations through a partnership with Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste and local garbage and recycling service providers. RWP offers free presentations around waste reduction, recycling, food waste prevention, and more. Learn more at: www.RethinkWasteProject.org. 

About The Environmental Center 

The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. We translate sustainability into practical, local action in order to create a healthy future for people and the planet. We are focused on building community, educating kids, revolutionizing energy, rethinking waste, and advocating for change. Learn more at www.envirocenter.org or by visiting our facility at 16 NW Kansas Ave. in downtown Bend, Oregon. 

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Central Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its 2026 Washington, D.C. Youth Tour program. CEC will select two high school juniors to visit the nation’s capital for a one-week trip in June.  

Participants will join hundreds of student leaders from electric cooperatives nationwide to learn about cooperatives’ contributions to rural America, leadership, the political process and interact with elected officials.

The trip includes visits to the nation’s capital and other notable sites, such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, the Washington Monument, Mount Vernon, and the Smithsonian.  

High school juniors interested in applying can find the application here. Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. and can be completed online, mailed, or dropped off at any Central Electric office. 

To be eligible, students’ families must be CEC members. Applicants must include information about their interests and a 500 to 1,000 word essay on the following topic: “What is the greatest issue facing your community, and how can you be a part of the solution?” Applicants will participate in an interview conducted by a committee comprised of CEC employees. 

The Youth Tour is an all-expense paid trip as the co-op will cover the selected student’s transportation, lodging, meals, and one checked bag.  

The selected students will share their trip experience with CEC’s membership at the co-op’s annual meeting in April 2027. For more information, https://www.cec.coop/in-your-community/youth-tour/ or call (541) 548-2144. 

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Lynsey Harris

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) –The Central Oregon Avalanche Center is gearing up for its 26th annual Powderhound Preview and Fundraiser, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

We sat down with a COAC forecaster to talk about what the event is, why it matters, and how locals can get involved.

Powderhound is not just a fundraiser—it’s a way to bring the community together around snow safety, avalanche awareness, and fun winter activities.

The event includes educational sessions, local guest speakers, and opportunities to support avalanche research and safety programs in Central Oregon. Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry adventurer or just curious about snow safety, Powderhound offers something for everyone.

Tickets and more information are available on the COAC website. Don’t miss your chance to learn, connect, and support avalanche safety in our community.

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Jillian Fortner

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As we move into the colder months, fire officials are warning about an uptick in home heating dangers.

Last week, Bend Fire & Rescue rushed to put out two house fires reported just 90 minutes apart, both tied to improper use of heating systems.

Master’s Touch, a Bend chimney cleaning company, says fires like these aren’t uncommon.

About 110,000 homes make up Central Oregon and 30% of them rely on fireplaces or wood stoves as a primary heat source. Master’s Touch says half of those chimneys aren’t being cleaned regularly.

“That’s why we have about between between 30 to and 40 fires every single year in central Oregon. From chimney fires,” said Don Braem from Master’s Touch. “People are not cleaning them and they’re not aware that they they need to be cleaned.”

He added that creosote buildup is one of the biggest dangers.

“Creosote wood really burns, dirty. A lot of tar. It leaves in the residue and that builds up,” Braem said.

Master’s Touch recommends chimneys be cleaned every two years, and says appointments are filling up fast as winter approaches.

“We’re swamped right now. Everybody waits until it’s too late,” Braem said.

Simple maintenance and proper use of your heating system can be the difference between a warm home and a dangerous, costly emergency.

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KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Heart of Oregon Corps will hold a topping-off ceremony Monday evening at its new $7.3 million, 3.4-acre site in Redmond to celebrate the completion of the steel frame construction of the new main building at Central Oregon’s first workforce development campus.  

During the brief ceremony, a large five-foot-tall heart atop the structure will be illuminated “as a symbol of the bright light the campus represents for youth on the workforce track and for our regional economic development,” the organization said in a news release Friday:

The new central campus will be a generational resource for young people seeking thriving careers and will serve as a foundational building block of a strong economy as Heart of Oregon trains young people to solve our region’s greatest challenges including affordable housing, the childcare shortage, wildfire fuels reduction and conservation.  

“The construction of this campus has been years in the making, beginning with the initial $2 million grant that COBA helped Heart of Oregon secure from the state of Oregon,” said Tim Knopp, executive vice president of the Central Oregon Builders Association.

“For 25 years, Heart of Oregon youth and young adults have strengthened our region — building not only their futures, but also the economic and environmental vitality of Central Oregon. This topping off ceremony honors their contributions and underscores the significance of this campus to our community’s success.” 

The topping off and heart lighting will be livestreamed on Heart of Oregon’s Facebook page, with the video remaining up for all to see after the event. The heart will remain illuminated throughout the holiday season and can be seen from the intersection of SE 9th Street and East Highway 126, near the new roundabout. 

With construction underway on the new centralized campus, Heart of Oregon’s Legacy 25 campaign has already raised $5.67 million and is working hard to secure the final $1.63 million to ensure the campus opens on time in September 2026. Donors can visit www.hoccampus.org to make a contribution by Dec. 31 to help secure the remaiining needed funding for the project. 

For 25 years, Heart of Oregon has prepared more than 5,000 young people for careers. Since 2000, the organization has relied on leased and aging facilities that no longer meet the growing demand for its programs.

The campus will serve as the cornerstone of Heart of Oregon’s operations, complemented by satellite locations in Madras and Prineville. Together, these sites form a connected network that allows rural youth to build skills close to home while also engaging with peers from across Central Oregon through shared training and collaborative learning opportunities. 

“The lighting of this heart atop the frame of our new campus building celebrates our hard-working youth and their dedication to serving our region,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “This event marks not just the rise of a building, but the creation of a place where young adults will continue to gain skills, confidence and purpose as they build brighter futures for themselves and for Central Oregon.” 

Designed with youth at its heart, the campus incorporates trauma-informed principles and cultural elements that foster belonging, connection and pride. The 6,600-square-foot campus center will house classrooms, offices and gathering spaces, while the adjacent 14,000-square-foot warehouse will become a hands-on training hub for emerging workers across Central Oregon. Six large equipment bays will offer storage for Heart of Oregon Corps fleet of equipment including wood chippers, trailers, and vehicles. 

Heart of Oregon is grateful to the major donors to the project including Deschutes County, Crevier Family Foundation, First Interstate Bank, Hayden Homes, Les Schwab, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, PGE Foundation, R & H Construction, The Autzen Foundation, The Bend Foundation, The Clark Family Legacy Foundation, The Collins Foundation, The Healy Foundation, The Joseph and Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation, The Max and Marie Anna Richter Family Fund of OCF, The Rosendin Foundation, The Roundhouse Foundation, The State of Oregon, and Tykeson Family Foundation.  

Learn more and make a donation to this visionary campus campaign on the Legacy 25 website.

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Tyson Beauchemin

(Update: More info, photos from Bend Fire official)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire traced to improper disposal of burned yard debris tore through a detached garage and threatened a home near the Deschutes River in southwest Bend late Friday morning, but firefighters protected the home and stopped its spread.

The fire was reported around 11:35 a.m. in the 60700 block of River Bend Drive, near Deschutes River Woods.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived to find flames on the back side of the garage that were extending toward the house, located about 10 feet away, Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said.

The home’s occupant already had evacuated, along with her dog, and was a safe distance from the structures, Kettering said.

Crews were able to quickly knock down the blaze, limiting the home’s damage to some charring on an exterior porch railing.

Kettering said the garage had moderate fire damage, with radiant heat and smoke damage to its contents. A lean-to structure attached to the back of the garage was a total loss, Kettering added.

The cause of the fire was traced to improper disposal of burned yard debris. Kettering said it had been smoldering for over a day before catching the shed on fire.

An investigation determined that ashes and char from a previous debris burn had been placed in a plastic bag and set at the edge of the lean-to structure, which was used to store firewood. 

Kettering said it’s important to remember that ashes can remain hot for several days, especially if there are larger pieces within the ash. 

Bend Fire & Rescue recommends that ash, whether from a debris burn, the fireplace or the woodstove, be placed into a metal container with a lid – never in a paper or plastic bag – and put outdoors onto a non-combustible surface such as concrete, metal or bare dirt. Fill the bucket with water, and wait at least 24-48 hours before disposing of the material. 

For more home fire safety information, visit Informational Videos and Virtual Tours | City of Bend.

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