Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

(Update: Initial OSP details; highway cleared)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — An injury crash involving a car and a semi-truck closed U.S. Highway 20 just east of Santiam Pass for about two hours Monday afternoon, and holiday travelers encountered long backups in both directions.

The crash was reported around 12:35 p.m. at milepost 79.5, a mile east of the summit, according to ODOT TripCheck. ODOT advised drivers that the road was closed due to the crash and advised them to use an alternate route.

Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy told KTVZ News the initial report was that “a passenger vehicle possibly lost control and struck a commercial motor vehicle (truck).”

At least one person was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Bend, Kennedy said Kennedy expected to have more information after the on-scene investigation concludes.

Injury crash just east of Santiam Pass Monday afternoon brought closure, long holiday traffic backups in both directions.

Unconfirmed first-responder reports from the scene indicated the highway’s westbound lane was going to reopen about an hour later and that a Life Flight helicopter on stand by was no longer needed.

A long traffic backup in both directions could be seen until around 2:40 p.m. on the highway’s TripCheck cameras, as many Presidents Day motorists traveled between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley.

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Kelsey Merison

MEDFORD, Ore. (KTVZ) — Medford City Councilor and U.S. Navy veteran Kevin Stine filed for the Democratic nomination for Oregon State Senate District 3 on Monday. Stine’s campaign centers on steady leadership, educational improvement and long-term economic opportunity for the Rogue Valley.

Stine has served on the Medford City Council for 11 years and spent 16 years in the Navy, including both active duty and reserve service. He is running to represent a district he says needs leadership that understands local challenges. “Southern Oregon deserves representation that listens first and acts responsibly,” Stine said. “We can make progress on affordability, education and overall livability when we focus on cooperation and outcomes.”

Improving statewide education outcomes and protecting regional institutions are central to Stine’s platform. Stine is a Southern Oregon University graduate and has seven years of experience working in education. He called for collaboration between lawmakers, educators, administrators and school board members to strengthen the system. “Southern Oregon University is one of our community’s greatest assets,” Stine said. “It should continue to educate local students while attracting talent and innovation into our region.”

The campaign also identifies housing availability and cost pressures as urgent issues for Rogue Valley workers. Stine noted that high costs are preventing many residents from achieving financial security. “Young Oregonians are being forced to wait longer than ever to buy their first home, making it harder to put down roots, build stability and plan for the future,” Stine said.

Stine’s military background includes nine years on active duty and seven years in the reserves. He described his leadership style as community-focused and bipartisan. “My approach has always been to work with people across the political spectrum and find solutions that improve everyday life,” Stine said. “That’s the mindset I’ll bring to Salem.”

Several local leaders in Southern Oregon have expressed support for Stine’s candidacy. His early backers include Phoenix Mayor Al Muelhoefer and former Medford Mayors Al Densmore and Lindsay Berryman. The campaign is also supported by Ashland City Councilor Dylan Bloom and Medford School Board members Angela Zbikowski and Sandra LaNier McHenry. Additionally, Phoenix-Talent School Board member Michael Campbell and former board members Karen Starchvick and Michelle Atkinson have joined the list of endorsements.

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Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon taxpayers can get free help filing their federal and state income tax returns at WorkSource Oregon centers across the state this February and March.​

WorkSource Oregon and the Oregon Department of Revenue are partnering to provide in-person assistance at six locations.

The first event is Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the WorkSource center in Woodburn. Additional events will take place in Hillsboro, Eugene, Southeast Portland, Lebanon and Bend, with each event running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Bend event is on March 25 at the WorkSource Oregon – Bend center on SW Emkay Drive. Volunteers from the Department of Revenue will be available to help guide taxpayers through the online filing process using free public-access computers and Wi-Fi.​

Officials say the goal is to make tax season easier for Oregonians and help them claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Oregon Kids Credit.

To prepare, taxpayers are encouraged to set up a Revenue Online account and bring key documents, including W-2s, 1099 forms and last year’s tax return.

More information, including the full schedule and locations, is available at worksourceoregon.org or on the Department of Revenue website at oregon.gov/dor.

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Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is warning Spanish-speaking workers about a scam targeting injured employees in several states, including Oregon and nearby Idaho and Montana.

According to the agency, scammers are contacting workers through phone calls, emails, and social media platforms such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. They often pose as official representatives and convince victims to attend fake online workers’ compensation hearings. Afterward, victims are told to pay money to receive benefits or settlements.

Officials say the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division and the Workers’ Compensation Board never charge for hearings, benefits, or mediation. They also don’t request payments through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Workers are urged to be skeptical of any payment requests and to verify communications before sending money or personal information. Anyone unsure about a contact can reach the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers at 800-927-1271 or by email at oow.questions@dcbs.oregon.gov.

People who suspect a scam should report it to local law enforcement, the Oregon Department of Justice’s fraud hotline at 1-877-877-9392, or the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation if the scam involves someone claiming to represent an insurance company.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Residents from across the Northwest gathered in Central Oregon this weekend for Bend WinterFest 2026. Despite a lack of significant snowfall, attendees enjoyed a wide range of festivities including food, crafts and live entertainment.

The event drew visitors from as far as Idaho and Portland to celebrate the season in Bend. Activities included a dog show featuring frisbee-catching pups, while various local vendors showcased their products and services to a community eager for winter-themed engagement.

Vendors at the festival reported positive interactions with the crowds throughout the weekend. Sarah Wellman, owner of Well Created, noted that people attending the event seemed genuinely interested in the local businesses.

“We’ve been having a great time. All the other vendors and people have been amazing,” Wellman said. “People are just so kind and generous and, really, genuinely interested in what we’re here to. To sell and bring.”

Other business owners emphasized the social aspect of the gathering. Nataliya, owner of Crepe Oh! Holics, described the event as a festival that unites the community.

“Winterfest is really very cool,” Nataliya said. “Festival, this unites people, community. So we just enjoy to be here.”

The festival grounds featured unique amenities such as fires and saunas to complement the winter theme.

Avalon Disko, co-owner of Zap Trip Mobile Tattoos, highlighted the specific atmosphere of the event. “I like the area we’re at,” Disko said. “We have all these fires and dogs and saunas. So. Yeah, it’s been fun.”

While the spirit of the event remained high, many participants noted the unusually low snow levels for February. Silas Baker, a resident of Bend, said he wished for more snow but still found the celebration exciting. Lincoln, co-creator of Sasquatch, described the lack of snow as “kind of bad” and expressed his hope for its return.

“I really, I hope for snow to be here,” Lincoln said.

The absence of snow raised concerns for some about the upcoming summer months. Bend resident Lacey mentioned that while the weather remains cold, the lack of snow could lead to more wildfires.

Tracey Barnett, co-owner of Crazy About Crystals, pointed out the inherent unpredictability of the region’s weather. “It’s cold, but there’s no source for it, right? We’re in central Oregon. You never know if you’re going to have snow by 5 feet or 5 inches,” Barnett said.

Participants and organizers at the festival said they are still hoping for fresh snowfall to arrive soon.

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Spencer Sacks

La Pine, Ore. (KTVZ) — A La Pine home was saved Thursday morning after a fire that started in a nearby shop spread to the residence. Firefighters contained the flames on Burlwood Lane and reported no injuries.

The fire broke out when an RV inside a shop ignited. Dispatch reports indicate the blaze then moved from the shop to the home before crews arrived to intervene.

Firefighters responded to the scene on Burlwood Lane to find the shop fire threatening the main house. Crews were able to quickly contain the flames, which prevented the house from being destroyed. No residents or emergency responders were hurt during the incident. New images from the scene show the extent of the response from local crews.

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Campbell Porter

Benito has already overcome incredible odds and now, this little pup is ready for his forever home.

The Oregon Humane Society rescued Benito, along with 16 other animals, from a neglect case in Lake County. When responders found him, the 3-month-old terrier-chihuahua mix had a dangerously low body temperature of just 91 degrees, about ten degrees below normal.

Thanks to some quick thinking, the rescue team stopped at the Humane Society of Central Oregon for emergency care. Since then, his recovery has been remarkable.

Benito’s foster family says he’s already showing off his quick learning skills during training.

Now healthy and full of personality, Benito is looking for his new family; just in time for Valentine’s Day. You can meet him and other adoptable pets at the Humane Society of Central Oregon’s open house this weekend or go to their website.

Pet Pals is brought to you by The Backyard at GoodLife Brewing Company.

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Gregory Deffenbaugh

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An 85-year-old woman died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in a Safeway parking lot in Bend.

Melinda Ann Lyons was hit at approximately 1:10 p.m. at the store located at 320 SW Century Drive.

Lyons was attempting to cross the parking lot to enter the store when she was struck by a silver Ford Eco Sport. Bend Fire medics transported Lyons to St. Charles hospital, where she later died from life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, 77-year-old Evelyn Ranae Olsen, was traveling at approximately 15 mph through the parking lot when the collision occurred. Olsen remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

The Bend Police crash reconstruction team responded to the Safeway parking lot following the report.

Following the investigation, Olsen was cited for careless driving that causes an accident with serious injury or death to a vulnerable user.

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Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Downtown Bend will be bursting with handmade hearts this Valentine’s weekend, all part of a community tradition that’s all about kindness, creativity, and spreading love.

Students from the Waldorf School of Bend, along with residents of Fox Hollow Retirement Community, will rise early Saturday morning to “Heart Bomb” downtown Bend by covering it with colorful, handmade paper hearts. Each heart carries a personal message meant to brighten someone’s day.

KTVZ visited the school Friday afternoon, to see how the students’ hearts were coming along.

“This year, a couple of our co-creators actually decided to let the students write new messages, so you might see some new ones this year,” said teacher Rebecca McGuire. “But the message overall is that we really want to express love and spread kindness in our community. It’s really valuable for our students to see the joy of making something for someone else and just spreading love.”

This marks the 12th year the Waldorf School has carried out the Valentine’s Day tradition. Students and volunteers will begin placing hearts around downtown starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

If you spot one, organizers encourage you to take it: keep it for yourself, or pass it along to someone else who might need a little extra love this Valentine’s Day.

If you spot the beauty downtown Saturday, please feel free to send photos and videos in through the share tab here on our website.

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Barney Lerten

ROSEBURG, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Ford Family Foundation’s Visual Arts Program has announced Warm Springs artist Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama) as the inaugural recipient of the 1905 Legacy Award. 

Named in honor of Hallie E. Ford’s birth year, the 1905 Legacy Award recognizes outstanding Oregon artists whose extensive careers and sustained excellence have significantly impacted the artistic community of Oregon. 

The award will be given every five years and is accompanied by $50,000 for the artist to use as they see fit. It is bestowed by nomination and reviewed by an anonymous panel of arts professionals. The 1905 Legacy Award joins the Hallie Ford Fellowship in the Foundation’s Visual Arts program as a further demonstration of Hallie Ford’s deep commitment to supporting Oregon artists. 

“We are pleased to honor Hallie Ford’s vision for Oregon visual arts with the 1905 Legacy Award,” says Kara Inae Carlisle, president and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation. “I cannot think of a more fitting inaugural recipient than Lillian, whose lifelong dedication to culture, craft and community has brought joy to so many while honoring the history and legends of her people.” 

Pitt’s artwork has been exhibited globally, and she continues to garner institutional attention – a tribute to her longstanding status as an artist central to the Northwest’s cultural life. Among the awards and recognitions Pitt has received: 

1990 Oregon Governor’s Award for the Arts; 

Oregon Chiles Foundation Award from the High Desert Museum, Bend, OR;  

Leadership Award from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Portland, OR;  

Honored Citizen by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon;  

History Maker by the Oregon Historical Society; and an 

Honorary Doctorate from the University of Portland in 2022.  

Lillian Pitt’s life and works are featured in The Story of Lillian Pitt. An exhibition of her work will be on display at the Museum of Warm Springs, opening May 21. More information on the 1905 Legacy Award is available on The Ford Family Foundation’s website. 

About The Ford Family Foundation Visual Arts Program 

The Visual Arts Program honors the late Hallie Ford, co-founder of The Ford Family Foundation, who left a legacy based on an interest in, and a lifelong support of, the visual arts. The Hallie Ford Fellowships are the flagship element of the Visual Arts Program. In addition, the program offers grants to visual artists for unanticipated career opportunities; supports artists-in-residence programs; brings curators and critics from outside the region to Oregon for studio visits and community dialogue; supports exhibitions, catalogues and other forms of documentation; and awards grants for small capital projects.   

About The Ford Family Foundation The Ford Family Foundation believes in the power of rural communities. It is a private, nonprofit foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Its investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions so that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life. www.tfff.org 

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