Category: ktvz-local-news

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — ODOT and the City of Bend continued their tour, informing the public about the upcoming Hawthorne Bridge project.

Earlier Tuesday evening, they held an open house with officials from ODOT and the City there to answer the public’s questions.

As a reminder, the long-awaited pedestrian bridge at the Midtown Crossing will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross Highway 97. Events like these allow you to be part of the process.

Ryan Oster, the director of the Engineering Department, spoke with KTVZ.

Oster told KTVZ, “We do want the public to be informed and aware of all the decisions that are being made and be a part of that process. We’ve got multiple different design considerations for how the bridge is going to land and how it’s going to interact with the surrounding community. We’d love to hear from people who are going to be using this and who live nearby, to get a good feel for what would work well in the environment.”

The design that’s been chosen is called a “broken top truss” bridge, inspired by the Cascade Mountain Range.

The more than $30 million project passed the City Council. Work on the project is expected to start next year, with the goal of finishing it by 2027.

The $30 million project is being funded mostly by grants from the federal government and the state of Oregon.

Only $1 million—just a fraction of the bridge’s cost—is being funded by taxpayers through a city bond.

If you missed tonight’s open house, the plans are available on the City’s website.

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount St. Helens.

The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, which announced the details on Tuesday: 

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum.

Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.  

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director.

“We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.” 

WHAT: Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum. 

WHEN: Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027 

WHERE: High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery) 

59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE) 

COST: Free with Museum admission or membership 

Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID 

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include: 

Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research. 

Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region. 

Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them. 

Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows. 

Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits. 

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living in the ‘danger range’ of an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them. ” 

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.  

About The High Desert Museum 

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon, in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history, and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert region. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence, and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Solid Waste is expanding options for residents to recycle items that can’t be placed in curbside recycling bins. Starting Tuesday, more recycling containers will be available at county transfer stations and at Knott Landfill for:

Plastic bags

Plastic lids from items like yogurt and sour cream tubs

Shredded paper in paper bags

Aluminum foil & trays

Rigid product buckets and pails from items like cat litter or laundry detergent

Rigid plastic package handles such as six-pack carriers

Residents can drop off of these items — along with all previously accepted recyclables — at the Negus, Southwest and Northwest transfer stations, and at Deschutes Recycling at the Knott Landfill.

“Residents now have additional recycling options for some of those hard to recycle items and can drop them off at our county transfer stations for free,” said Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell. “These changes allow us to keep valuable materials out of our landfills and put them back into use as new materials.”

This expansion is part of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which took effect in July. The RMA is making recycling simpler and adding more convenient drop-off locations across the state. Producers of packaging and paper products help fund these expanded programs.

For more information about what items can be recycled, as well as drop-off locations and hours, you can visit the Deschutes County Solid Waste website.

For more information about the Recycling Modernization Act, visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website.

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KTVZ

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Prineville man who refused to stop for police and hit speeds over 100 mph in a pursuit was arrested several hours later, nearly 200 miles away in Harney County, with illegal drugs in his possession, authorities said Tuesday.

Prineville Police tried to pull over a white Nissan Altima around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday on SE Combs Flat Road east of Prineville. The driver, Clay Jamison, 46, is believed to be connected to a drug investigation over the past month, Detective Sergeant Jordan Zamora said.

Jamison refused to stop for officers, sparking a pursuit during which Jamison allegedly drove recklessly after reaching speeds of over 100 mph.

Zamora told KTVZ News that Jamison reached NE Third Street, which becomes Highway 26 (the Ochoco Highway) but failed to yield to them as he headed east from Prineville.

“The pursuit was terminated due to public safety concerns,” Zamora said in a news release.

Because of his direction of travel, Prineville Police notified the sheriff’s offices in Wheeler, Grant and Harney counties, as well as Oregon State Police, to be on the lookout for Jamison.

Zamora said he was found in Harney County several hours later and taken into custody by OSP without further incident.

Burns Police said the wanted fugitive was apprehended around 1:15 p.m. Sunday by officers from all agencies in that area, including Burns and Hines police, Harney County sheriff’s deputies and OSP troopers.

Jamison also was found in possession of felony amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, the Prineville detective said.

Jamison was taken to the Harney County Jail and faces new Crook County charges of felony attempt to elude law enforcement and reckless driving.

“Prineville Police would like to thank the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Burns Police Department, Hines Police Department, Crook County 911, Frontier Dispatch, Oregon State Police Dispatch and Grant County Dispatch,” Zamora said in a news release.

“The Prineville Police Department appreciates the rapid response and assistance from all agencies involved. Their support played a key role in safely bringing this incident to a close,” the detective added.

Burns Police offered similar thanks in a Facebook post about the arrest: “A big thank-you to all agencies involved for their teamwork and dedication to keeping our community safe.”

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Barney Lerten

ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) — Firefighters battling a fire that destroyed an Alfalfa home Monday were challenged not only by a lack of hydrants but exploding fireworks and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Alfalfa Fire District crews were sent around 3:25 p.m. to the initial report of a flue fire at a home in the 2500 block of Deer Lane, Fire Chief Chad Lavalee said. While en route, the call was upgraded to a structure fire.

The first crews on scene found heavy smoke billowing from the roof and eaves of the single-story home.

Firefighters were advised upon arrival that everyone was safely out of the home, and no injuries were reported.

Lavalee said they first quickly did an interior search, to ensure no one was inside, all while encountering heavy flames in the ceiling and attic.

Firefighters also were able to help the homeowner by providing safe access to remove vehicles from the garage.

Lavalee said firefighting efforts were hampered by limited water resources, so two Alfalfa water tenders responded, along with a mutual aid tender from Bend Fire and Rescue.

Due to the lack of nearby hydrants, he said the water tenders had a 35- to 40-minute round trip time to the closest fill site.

“There were fireworks going off, as well as several hundred rounds of ammunition,” Lavalee told KTVZ News.

The home is considered a total loss. The fire chief said investigators were working Tuesday to find the cause of the fire, and no damage estimate was available. Crews had been on scene until about 3 a.m.

The fire district thanked the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Fire & Rescue and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, as well as all responding personnel for their support.

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Kumar arraigned on manslaughter indictment; new bail amount)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A truck driver whose jackknifed rig allegedly caused a crash that killed a newlywed couple east of Bend last week was arraigned Wednesday on more serious charges of first-degree manslaughter that could lead to a longer prison term. A judge agreed as a result to double his bail amount, to $500,000.

A five-count indictment signed Tuesday and filed Wednesday morning charges Rajinder Kumar, 32, with two counts of first-degree manslaughter, a Class A felony, and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. a Class A misdemeanor.

Oregon State Police arrested Kumar, a Fresno, Calif. resident from India, after the Nov. 24 crash on U.S. Highway 20 about 50 miles east of Bend in which a newlywed couple was killed when their SUV slammed into the semi’s trailer. Federal immigration officials claim he entered the U.S. illegally three years ago and have lodged an arrest detainer for him, should he be released.

He initially was charged with two counts of criminally negligent homicide, a Class B felony that in Oregon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

The new manslaughter charges accuse Kumar of causing the couple’s deaths “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.” Each manslaughter count in Oregon carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $375,000 fine, upon conviction. Under Oregon’s Measure 11, a manslaughter conviction also carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with no option of early release.

The reckless endangering charges identify three other people who the truck driver allegedly created “a substantial risk of serious injury.”

At Wednesday’s brief arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Caleb Staats asked Circuit Judge Randy Miller to double Kumar’s bail from $250,000 to $500,000 due to the more serious charges. Miller had increased his bail a day earlier from $100,000.

Defense attorney Andrew Ince did not contest the bail increase Wednesday but reserved the right to argue the matter later.

Miller scheduled a plea hearing for December 23.

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-December 2) — A Deschutes County judge more than doubled the bail amount Tuesday for a California truck driver arrested after a crash last week east of Bend that killed a newlywed couple. He is now the subject of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest detainer, accused of being in the country illegally. 

Circuit Judge Randy Miller agreed to a prosecutor’s request to increase the bail for Rajinder Kumar, 32, of Fresno, from $100,000 to $250,000.  

Kumar was arrested by Oregon State Police last week on two counts of criminally negligent homicide and one of reckless endangering after troopers said he jackknifed his truck on U.S. Highway 20 about 50 miles east of Bend. Troopers said he failed to put out emergency warning equipment before an SUV slammed into the trailer, killing driver William Michah Carter, 25, and passenger Jennifer Lynn Carter, 24.

Miller also agreed to drop the requirement that Kumar surrender a passport before he can be released on bail, since he does not have one. Instead, the judge ordered Kumar to start wearing a GPS location tracker as soon as possible after his release. Kumar had already posted the required 10% of the lower bail amount for his release, but remained jailed due to the passport issue. 

The Department of Homeland Security announced late Monday that it had lodged an arrest detainer for Kumar, who the agency said is from India and entered the country illegally at the Arizona border three years ago. 

It was the third court hearing in a week for Kumar, assisted by a Hindi interpreter. A fourth is scheduled Wednesday afternoon for his arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment.

Deputy District Attorney Caleb Staats asked Judge Miller that Kumar be prohibited from leaving the state. He told the judge a grand jury was reviewing the case Tuesday and an indictment was imminent, adding that “we do anticipate more serious charges being brought.” 

Thomas Lower of Idaho, the father of crash victim Jennifer Lower Carter, was on the phone and given a chance to speak to the judge. Accompanied by his wife, he told the judge they agreed with the new release requirements and had been concerned about Kumar’s lack of ties to the community. 

“This is a terrible tragedy, and we wish to see justice served,” he said. 

But court-appointed defense attorney Andrew Ince objected to the higher bail amount. 

“The only new information the state possesses now is the alleged immigration status of my client,” Ince said – the only reference to that issue during the proceeding. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for the court to increase the security, based on that new information.” 

Ince also said he’d spoken with a member of Kumar’s family in California, who said he “lives at a home with several other close friends and family.” He asked that Kumar be allowed to return to his home in California while the case proceeds. 

“I believe while it’s understandable my client does not have strong ties to Oregon, he does have strong ties to the overall United Sates,” Ince said. “Given his strong ties to California, it would be extremely difficult for requiring  my client to live in Oregon for the pendency of this case.” 

Judge Miller called it “appropriate to increase security to $250,000” to address the flight risk concerns. Kumar’s lawyer said he would look into whether the GPS tracker would work in California, but for now, Miller said he is “not leave the state of Oregon – period – at this point.” 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A woodstove flue fire early Tuesday morning heavily damaged the wood shake roof of a northeast Bend home, but three occupants escaped without injury, an official said.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called out just after midnight to the reported structure fire in the 62500 block of Eagle Road, Deputy Fire Marshal Melissa Steele said.

One of three residents home at the time said they awakened to the smell of smoke, then heard smoke alarms and noticed a large orange glow outside, Steele said in a news release.

“Upon investigation, he discovered the roof — constructed of wood shake shingles —was on fire,” she said. “He quickly alerted the other two occupants, and all evacuated safely without injury.”

Firefighters arrived within minutes and had the fire completely out within a half-hour, the fire official said.

The fire was contained to the roof and did not extend into the interior of the home.

Steele said the fire began in the woodstove flue, which appeared to be original to the home. “Over time, radiant heat likely charred the wood shake shingles and eventually ignited the roofing materials,” she said.

She said the entire roof will need replacement with a fire-rated material such as asphalt shingles, composition, or metal.

However, Steele told KTVZ News, “The structure is inhabitable and roof repairs are already in the works. Red Cross assistance was not needed for the residents.”

The total loss amount is not yet known.

Bend Fire says home heating equipment, including woodstoves and fireplaces, is the leading cause of residential fires in Oregon, with about 450 such fires annually.

Before lighting your stove or fireplace, they recommend that you ensure your flue is clear of debris, and have your equipment inspected for possible failures.

For home heating safety tips, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300. 

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KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Latino Community Association and the City of Bend jointly announced Tuesday the launch of Office Hours at the Latino Community Association’s office at 2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive in Bend.

The Latino Community Association and the City of Bend have a longstanding relationship, collaborating in many ways, from City projects to co-hosting community outreach events.

“Recognizing this partnership and the increasing demand for services in other languages, City staff with Spanish language proficiency will work onsite at the Latino Community Association beginning December 2025,” according to the announcement, which continues here in full.

Once a week, City staff will provide one-on-one consultations for community members requesting support in navigating City processes.

“’Mi casa es su casa’ is more than a saying – it is our commitment. We are honored to welcome the City of Bend into our home so that Latine families can more easily access resources, ask questions and feel seen, heard and supported in the place they call home,” said Catalina Frank, Executive Director of the Latino Community Association. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the City for taking this step with us and for their commitment to building a more connected community in Bend.”

“Expanding access to City services for all of our community includes implementing innovative ideas in the places and spaces where community members already gather and go to for information,” said Kathi Barguil, the city’s Community Relations Manager. “We’re excited to support our partners at LCA and provide accessible resources to our immigrant and Spanish-speaking community members.”

When community members visit the Latino Community Association Bend office, they can request to schedule time with the City staff person by appointment. There will be a set schedule for the Office Hours starting in January 2026.

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Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three people were seriously injured when a van collided nearly head-on with a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 26 north of Madras Monday morning.

According to Oregon State Police, a Chrysler van was heading east near milepost 112 around 6:20 a.m. when the driver drifted into the westbound lane and the path of a Freightliner truck.

The two vehicles collided nearly head-on, troopers said. The van came to rest on the eastbound shoulder and the semi off the eastbound shoulder.

The van driver and three passengers were taken to St. Charles Madras with serious injuries, troopers said. The truck driver also was taken to the hospital with possible injuries. OSP did not disclose names or other details.

The crash shut down the highway for about four hours, OSP said. Both vehicles were towed by Prince’s Towing, and SMAF Environmental was called out to clean up a diesel spill.

ODOT, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Fire and EMS assisted at the crash scene, according to OSP.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, comments from Mosaic pharmacist, behavioral health manager)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Across Central Oregon, Mosaic Community Health is helping people take their first step toward quitting nicotine by offering free nicotine replacement products at all of its pharmacy locations.

No appointment, no cost, and no need to be a Mosaic patient — anyone 21 or older can stop by a Mosaic pharmacy in Bend, Redmond, Madras, or Prineville to pick up nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges.

“Any member of the community can just approach our pharmacy counter and request what they need,” Alison Hoffman, a pharmacist and pharmacy manager with Mosaic, told KTVZ News on Tuesday. “If they’re not sure, our pharmacists can help determine the best product or strength for them.”

For many people, the hardest part of quitting is simply knowing where to begin. Hoffman said Mosaic’s goal is to remove as many barriers as possible — from cost, to access, to finding the right kind of support.

“This is a great time of year, especially with the new year approaching, for people to set a goal of quitting tobacco or vaping,” Hoffman added. “We can help support that through our pharmacies.”

Because quitting nicotine involves more than overcoming physical cravings, Mosaic also offers integrated behavioral health services, to support the mental and emotional side of the process.

“When people start nicotine replacement therapy, they can also meet with a behavioral health provider,” said Jessica Peacock, Mosaic’s behavioral health manager. “We help them explore their motivations, identify potential challenges, and learn strategies that make quitting easier.”

Starting in January, Mosaic will launch a free tobacco cessation support group in Prineville. The group will offer participants a chance to share their experiences, learn coping skills, and find encouragement together.

Peacock said quitting is rarely easy — but every success begins with a single, brave decision.

“We know people can be successful,” she said. “We’ve watched patients go through this journey and really improve their health outcomes. This is the first step. That’s a very brave thing, and we would love to support you through that process.”

For more information, locate and contact the nearest Mosaic Community Health facility to you here.

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