Category: ktvz-local-news

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, information from hearing on December 9th)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Redmond woman accused of fatally stabbing her mother was back in a Deschutes County courtroom Tuesday morning, but her scheduled plea hearing was postponed after a discussion with lawyers in the judge’s chambers.

Jessica Andersch is charged with killing her mother, Tracy Berry, in their Redmond home earlier this year. Investigators said Andersch called 911 to report the crime, and responders found her covered in blood.

A neighbor previously told KTVZ News that Andersch had been acting erratically and insisting someone else was inside the home hours before Berry was found. In earlier court appearances, Andersch’s behavior also raised concerns about her mental state, including outbursts referencing “the being” representing her mother.

A judge had ordered a mental evaluation and treatment for Andersch at the Oregon State Hospital, though she waited for weeks in the county jail for an open bed amid the state’s ongoing shortage of psychiatric treatment space. During her time at the hospital, Andersch filed a petition seeking acquittal, making several unusual claims — including calling the victim a “copy.”

Despite that petition, Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson ruled Monday that Andersch was mentally competent to stand trial and to aid and assist in her defense, clearing the way for the case to proceed and for her to enter a plea to the charges. That plea hearing, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is now set for January 14.

We will continue to follow developments in this case. KTVZ’s Claire Elmer also will be digging deeper, examining how Oregon’s strained mental health system continues to impact criminal proceedings across Central Oregon.

Earlier Story — December 8th — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge has ruled that Redmond murder suspect Jessica Andersch is now mentally fit to aid and assist in her own defense, clearing the way for her to enter a plea.

Andersch is charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of her mother, 56-year-old Tracy Lynn Berry, at the Redmond duplex the two shared earlier this year. Police were called to the southwest Redmond home in June, where Berry was found dead and Andersch was taken into custody at the scene.

During an earlier court appearance, Andersch had an outburst in front of the judge and admitted to the killing, saying she stabbed “the being that represented herself as Tracy Berry” and asking to be sent to prison. Those statements, along with her behavior in court, led to questions about her mental fitness and a decision to send her to the Oregon State Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

While at the Oregon State Hospital, court records show Andersch wrote a letter to the court from the psychiatric facility, asking to be acquitted of the charges. In that letter, she referred to “T. Berry” as a “copy,” echoing the unusual language she used in court, and asked to be “left out of plans to renovate” the Redmond duplex where the killing occurred.

After months under state hospital supervision, evaluators concluded Andersch is now able to understand the proceedings and work with her attorney, a key standard for being found fit to aid and assist in her own defense under Oregon law. Judge Alison Emerson adopted that finding in Deschutes County Circuit Court on Monday, ordering that her criminal case move forward and scheduling her expected plea for Tuesday, December 9th.

Andersch’s case is one of several in Central Oregon where questions of competency have been risen. Officials in the judicial system have noted that mental health evaluations can be difficult to schedule and that treatment beds at facilities like the Oregon State Hospital remain limited — just some of the factors causing delays which ripple through the justice system. 

KTVZ News will continue to follow developments in State v. Jessica Andersch as the case returns to open court.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday, Hayden Homes Amphitheater announced the return of The Goo Goo Dolls in July of 2026 as well as Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics in August.

The Goo Goo Dolls cancelled their August 2025 show due to poor air quality and are now planning to make a stop on July 26th with Neon Trees as part of their U.S. Summer Tour. General pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday, December 12th at 10 a.m. local time. Click here for tickets and tour information.

Then, on August 19th, Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics will take the stage. Artist pre-sales go live Tuesday, December 9th. General on-sale begins Friday, December 12th at 10 a.m. local time. Click here for more information.

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Jillian Fortner

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Hospice of Redmond is entering a new chapter, and with that comes a new name.

The organization announced it will now be known as ClearPath Healthcare, a change leaders say better reflects its growing range of services.

The website has already been updated to reflect the rebranding.

The expanded services include a new in-home primary care program, with providers traveling to patients across Central Oregon.

“Hospice of Redmond has been doing more than hospice, and serving well beyond the city limits for decades now,” said Lauren Lebien, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Hospice of Redmond. “With the launch of primary care, it became inevitable that we needed a name reflecting everything we do.”

The new name was unveiled Saturday night during the Festival of Trees fundraiser.

ClearPath Healthcare says interested patients can call now. The expanded in-home primary care services are expected to begin in early March 2026.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding interview with attendees, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Downtown Bend kicked off the holiday season this weekend with one of the community’s favorite traditions: the annual Christmas tree lighting in the heart of downtown.

Families packed the streets Sunday night, filling the sidewalks around the big tree as music, laughter and the smell of hot cocoa set a festive scene. The event featured live performances by local choirs singing holiday favorites, visits with Santa and plenty of holiday lights brightening up downtown.

Kids lined up to “sit with Santa,” share what they’re hoping to find under the tree this year and snap photos on their families’ phones and cameras. Volunteers handed out candy canes, adding to the classic small-town holiday feel.

The lighting of the tree happened mid-event, with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler helping lead the countdown and flip the switch that officially signaled the start of the season. As the tree lights came on and downtown’s twinkle lights glowed overhead, the crowd cheered and many families stayed to stroll through the decorated streets and take in the magic.

KTVZ’s Claire Elmer live-streamed the celebration and spoke with attendees about what makes the night special.

“I think just the atmosphere, right? It’s the holiday season — getting festive, getting to enjoy it with the family. It doesn’t get better than that,” one dad, Bobby, said.

Young attendees were especially taken with the towering downtown tree.

“It’s a pretty tree,” a group of girls told Elmer, quickly agreeing that their favorite part was “the star on the top” and “the colorful lighting,” while sipping hot cocoa and trying to stay warm in the chilly evening air.

The Downtown Bend Business Association, which hosts the celebration, said the Christmas tree and downtown holiday lights will remain up through the New Year, giving residents and visitors more time to enjoy that holiday glow on evening walks and shopping trips.

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KTVZ

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A family in Madras safely escaped a house fire Saturday morning thanks to the quick response of Jefferson County Fire & EMS crews.

Firefighters were called to SW Second Street just after 10:40 a.m. after reports of smoke coming from the home. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the eaves and vents. They helped the family safely evacuate an elderly occupant and several pets before attacking the flames from both inside the home and the roof.

One resident was taken to St. Charles Madras for smoke exposure. No other injuries were reported.

Investigators determined the fire started from a debris burn too close to the home, which spread to the siding and into the attic. Fire officials are reminding community members to keep debris burns a safe distance from structures and never leave them unattended.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS received support from volunteer firefighters, interns, and officers with the Madras Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The holiday season is in full swing, and Saturday’s Holiday Parade drew crowds from across Bend to celebrate together.

Hundreds of people lined the streets as over 90 different groups celebrated their organization and the holidays.

Groups ranged from news stations like KTVZ to Schools and even the Raiders fan group.

We caught up with people along the parade route to hear their reactions.

Betty and Harlen, long time residents of Bend, were incredibly enthusiastic.

“Amazing! Seriously, it was an awesome parade,” Betty and Harlen told KTVZ News. “Santa for sure. It was a great parade. We both seen this for the last 40 years. 50 years. it was a great parade.”

Taylor Schreiber, another resident of Bend was with his son who enjoyed the Tractors.

“The parade was awesome. I think people have been craving connection and crowds like this for a long time. People just had a blast partying and having great music,” Schreiber told KTVZ News. “My son loved the tractors. Those old school tractors rolling by the back. Love to see those things still pumping.”

Everybody loves a good holiday parade and this year was no different. If you missed the parade you can catch it on KTVZ+.

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Cami Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend Christmas tree lot raising money for a local rehab charity started its morning with an unwelcome surprise. Employees at the Super Thrift Tree Lot say, Friday morning, they discovered that someone had forced their way into a storage shed on the property. Fortunately, the shed didn’t hold anything valuable; the money box, tools, and generator are all kept off-site after hours.

The theft hit especially hard because proceeds from the lot benefit the Adult and Teen Challenge Program, a faith-based organization that supports people working to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

Program coordinator Gregg Huisingh told KTVZ News, if someone needed something, they could’ve just asked. He added, “That’s what we’re here for, to try to help people as much as possible. And that’s what this is for, to provide what we need to help people. That’s exactly what we do.”

Despite the setback, staff members say they’re in good spirits. They’re still filing a police report, but their focus remains on the good that’s come from community generosity this season. Every tree set aside for charity this year has already been paid for and given away — a reminder, they say, that the true meaning of Christmas can’t be stolen.

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Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: adding video and quotes from Sarah Swartz, Suzy Reininger, and Sarah Roberts)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The holiday season is in full effect as a packed downtown bend celebrates First Friday.

As the calendar turns from November to December, businesses and residents are gathering their holiday gifts and getting ready for the holidays.

On the first Friday in Bend, businesses stay open later to bring in the month.

Sarah Swartz, the owner of Wildflower, told KTVZ, “we’re seeing a lot of people out for first Friday, so, it’s fun to have the energy and despite the fact that we don’t have snow, it seems to be going pretty well so far.”

Snow plays a big factor on tourism in Central Oregon. Thousands of people flock to the mountains nearby. But with the limited snowfall, we haven’t had that tourism bump that helps small local business.

So how are local business fairing?

“Actually, it’s been amazing. Lots of super, happy, people visiting from out of town,” Suzy Reininger, the owner of Leaping Lizards Toy Company told KTVZ. “Then, our locals are saying we are shopping local this year, so thank you.”

Sarah Roberts, the owner of Oregon Body and Bath told KTVZ, “you know, I don’t think it’s impacted us much at all. It’s been busy. We’ve got a lot of customers coming in every day, so I don’t know that it’s impacted us very much.”

We are now just a few short weeks from the holidays but Swartz, Roberts, and Reininger told KTVZ that gifts and flowers have been flying off the shelves.

Reininger told KTVZ they have already had to reorder more toys to fill the demand.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thursday marked the final day of Shop with a Cop with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff Ty Rupert and other DCSO team members were seen spending time with all the kids, uplifting their Christmas spirit with necessities like blankets and jackets—and of course a few Christmas toys to spark some holiday joy. 

Shop with a Cop is a long-standing national tradition that pairs local law enforcement officers with children in need of a special holiday shopping experience.

Kids are nominated through local schools and community organizations. 

Together with law enforcement, they spend the day together–having fun shopping for necessities and a few holiday gifts.

The program is entirely funded by donations. Donations are accepted year-round. Click here to learn more.

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KTVZ

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Some community members still feel the effects of the covid pandemic – including the Taizé community. Now they say they are ready to rebuild.

Taizé is a style of worship dating back to France at the end of World War Two.

The community in Bend has been around for several decades.

Members of the community told KTVZ News, Taizé brings a sense of calming to their lives.

Deby Welch, a member of the Taizé community told KTVZ, “The focus we try and make is on healing. So we have different things. Healing for people, healing for the world. This month, healing for faith communities.”

“I was amazed how comforting. Just coming, listening to the music, participating and the feeling of it’s not something that asks much of you, but it gives you so much to just sit in,” Michaele Grabenhorst said to KTVZ News.

Community members come together for songs, prayer, and comfort in the chaotic world.

They say that anyone from any religion is welcome to join.

They meet on the first Thursday of the month, at Trinity Episcopal Church.

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