BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office arrested 47-year-old Jeffrey Kingsbury Sunday, following an investigation into online sexual corruption of a child. Investigators say he engaged in overtly sexual conversations over social media, with a girl he believed to be under the age of 16. The person he was talking to was actually a DCSO deputy. He allegedly sent imntimate images of himself and described acts from the girl.

On Sunday, DCSO says Kingsbury offered to meet the "girl" near the Riverwood's Country Store. He also sent photos of his vehicle. Investigators spotted the vehicle at about 8:15 p.m. Kingsbury was taken into custody without incident. 

During his arrest, deputies found he had a criminal amount of methamphetamine. He's charged with Online Sexual Corruption of a Child, Luring a Minor, Attempted Sexual Abuse and Meth Possession. 

BEND, OR -- A country music legend is coming to the High Desert, to raise money for Stroke Awareness Oregon. "A stroke does not care about age, race, gender, economic standing," says SAO co-founder Carol Stiles, "Stroke can affect anybody, any time, anywhere." Even a country superstar like singer/songwriter Randy Travis, "He had a stroke in 2013 that was very serious. He nearly died. He is recovering," says Stiles, "His wife is absolutely steadfast as a caregiver and as a support person."

On May 13th, Travis and his wife Mary will take part in a fireside chat in Bend, "To share with our audience their life, their experiences with stroke, their challenges, their resilience and hope." She tells KBND News, "This evening will be uplifting and inspirational for anybody. Plus, how many times do you get the opportunity to be in a room with a superstar and his wife?"

The event is a fundraiser for SAO, to help educate people about the signs of stroke, the importance of quickly seeking medical attention and the resources available for families. Travis was 54 at the time of his stroke. But Stiles says a disturbing trend has emerged in recent years, "The issue of strokes in young adults, ages 15 to 50, is increasing in this country. In fact, it’s puzzling and they are doing research. But the supposition is it’s lifestyle choices."

An Evening with Randy and Mary Travis is May 13th at Westside Church in Bend. Visit StrokeAwarenessOregon.org for more information. 

To hear the full conversation with Stroke Awareness Oregon co-founder Carol Stiles, visit our Podcast Page. 

REDMOND, OR -- Candidates for Deschutes County Commissioner met up for their final candidate forum Friday. At the event, hosted by the Redmond Executive Association, Rotary Club of Redmond and Kiwanis, the four candidates were asked if the new non-partisan race changes how they campaign, and if it’ll make a difference in how the board functions in the future. Small business owner Rob Imhoff says he’s glad parties are no longer involved, "The issue that I have with non-affiliation, though, is that it allows someone to maybe attempt to deceive the electorate by claiming to be something that they’re not." Sisters Chamber Director Judy Trego has come to terms with the shift, saying, "I wasn’t real happy about it in the beginning. The reason I like it is because it creates more engagement." Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang says he fought to make the position nonpartisan, so the 65,000 Deschutes County voters not registered as a Democrat or a Republican get to vote in the primary, "Now, everyone who’s a registered voter in Deschutes County has a say in who is going to be their county commissioner." And, retiree Brian Huntamer notes he is a registered Independent, "And it’s very important that we are able to work with everyone and serve the best interests of the community." 

When asked about the county's budget, Chang called a property tax reduction six years ago a "political stunt," adding, "The problem is that by last year, that reduction in assessed property tax rate meant that the county was receiving $2 million less per year." Trego, who sits on the Deschutes County Budget Committee, said, "The biggest priority is probably with our Health Department. They have an $80 million budget and they’re funding is pretty unstable." Brian Huntamer and Rob Imhoff both said their private sector experience is valuable. "I would look at what have they funded, what’s available, are there excesses in other departments," said Huntamer. Imhoff noted, "Live within your budget, where a tight belt, trim where you can, figure out if there’s redundancy and then let’s work from there, and see if we can give a little bit of money back to our constituents."

At the end of the forum, candidates were allowed to ask one question of one of the others. Chang asked Trego why, as a member of the county’s budget committee, she approved a pay raise for County Commissioners, which he believed was unnecessary amid budget cuts. She said their salary is not the big-ticket item, "PERS is the real problem. When you talk about compensation, PERS is a huge piece of that."

Huntamer then asked Chang why he opposes a pay raise, but wants to add two Commissioners to the board, which would incerease the overall budget, "I think five Commissioners would do a better job of managing our $400 million operating budget than the current three. That’s worth a little bit of extra salary. I would actually think that if we had five, we could be part time and we could sort of even it out." Imhoff asked Chang about his stance on getting rid of juniper trees and Trego asked Chang how he would work with his fellow Commissioners in a respectful way.

Learn more about the candidates in the online voter pamphlet HERE. If none of the candidates receive more than 50% of the vote no May 21, the top two will advance to the November General Election. 

BEND, OR -- A 38-year-old wanted man from Turner, Oregon was arrested Friday afternoon in Bend, during a multi-agency operation. Ryan Gossett has three outstanding warrants for Robbery from Marion County. At about 2:30 p.m., the U.S. Marshals Service notified the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Gossett was likely in Bend and possibly armed.

Through a surveillance operation, deputies, detectives and members of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team determined Gossett and a woman were together at the Cascade Village Shopping Center. 

Officials say they saw the woman in a vehicle associated with Gossett; she circled the shopping center several times, in what they believed to be "counter-surveillance." Just before 4:45 p.m., Gossett came out of a store, the woman moved into the passenger's seat and he took over as driver. DCSO used patrol cars to pin in the suspect vehicle and arrested Gossett.

According to DCSO, he was armed with a handgun and a "criminal quantity of suspected fentanyl" at the time of his arrest. He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on the outstanding warrant and several new charges. The woman was released. 

file photo: Cascade Village Shopping Center

BEND, OR -- Bend Parks and Recreation is getting a $300,000 grant from the Oregon State Marine Board to build a non-motorized water craft launch at Miller’s Landing.

“What's really exciting about this project is the focus has been from the very beginning that we want to provide safe dedicated river access to folks, regardless of their age, regardless of their ability,” BPRD Landscape Architect Ian Isaacson says construction on the $695,734 ramp could begin at the end of this year, or the start of next year, “This project aims to improve the usability and the accessibility at both access point one, which is the existing boardwalk and access point two, which is just downstream. What the Oregon State Marine Board just helped fund specifically is focused primarily on watercraft launching. So, launching of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, things like that.”

He tells KBND News the Miller’s Landing launch will be unique, “From what we've been able to gather from around the country. This is going to be first of its kind in terms of the breadth and the scope of accessibility that we're designing and going to be implementing at Miller's Landing.”

Isaacson says the district has received a lot of support and encouragement, “We've been awarded grants from Visit Bend, Oregon State Marine Board, Visit Central Oregon's Future Fund.”

The Miller’s Landing project should be complete by next summer.

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Prineville is developing its next 20-year Transportation System Plan. Josh Smith, City Planning Director, says immense growth has caused significant issues with its five highways, "We have a lot of coordination with ODOT in those five highways that come through our community. And, to try to figure out what those solutions are to those issues, is the challenge." He tells KBND News, "Specifically with the O’Neil intersection. [It’s] Very dangerous. We’ve had some fatalities there that needed to be corrected, so we need to have a comprehensive plan on how that gets addressed." Smith says the last TSP was finalized in 2013, and was supposed to address the O'Neil intersection. But problems remain. 

Smith also hopes an update will consider changes to Third Street, which is the main arterial through downtown. A previous plan proposed a couplet, "Kind of like Madras, where they have the two one-way streets. It doesn’t really work very well in Prineville because of our topography, but we want to solve that problem. Is that a thing or is it not? We want to make that decision. Because, if it’s going to be a thing, we need to plan for that."
And, he wants to see work on the west "Y," at the bottom of the Prineville grade, "It’s all ODOT right-of-way; it’s the intersection of Highway 26 and 126. We need a solution to that. It’s essentially a roundabout that’s poorly designed and it’s just at capacity." There are also smaller projects in the proposed TSP aimed at improving connectivity and safety for all users. Smith says any work must maintain Prineville’s personality, "It still has a small-town feel. But we do have big-city issues."

The public is asked to weigh in on the draft plan next Thursday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Golden Coffee Company on Fourth Street. For those unable to attend the open house, an online survey is also available through May 17.
 

PORTLAND, OR -- The Oregon Public Utility Commission wants to hear from Pacific Power customers about a proposed 18% rate increase. It would push the average residential power bill up by more than $30 a month. Households in multi-family units would see an average increase of over $18 a month. 

Pacific Power is asking for the large increase to cover power grid improvements, wind generation, customer service improvements and a proposed catastrophic fire fund. A similar fund was created in California. All utilities pay in and it compensates fire victims. Pacific Power is paying out nearly $400 million for the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.  

A virtual public hearing on the rate increase will be held Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. Access the Zoom link and phone-in details at: https://bit.ly/44bnMi6. 

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners are tightening policies around unsanctioned encampments. Assistant County Legal Counsel Kim Riley says new guidelines outline the procedure for removing homeless camps on county-owned property. "Previously, a policy was approved by the board, relating to the removal of unsafe encampments. But this is follow-up that is necessary based on the board’s prior action in August." The update mirrors the previous policy, but applies to any county-owned property declared closed to the public, not only those deemed "unsafe." It still requires campers be given notice and that the county store personal property taken from a site.

Commissioner Phil Chang worries it opens the county up to a lawsuit, "If people who are defending an unhoused person’s right to sleep in a public place, for example, might come forward and legally challenge us." But Riley explained Wednesday campers still must be offered another place to go, "We anticipate that you would have to identify an alternative location, just as we did with the code."

A sanctioned campsite for people displaced from encampments has not been developed, although a location is under consideration on the east side of Redmond, near Oasis Village. Commissioner Chang said Wednesday, "I’m really concerned that we have not made more progress for creating alternative places for people to go. I think we certainly could have in this timeframe." But added, "I will vote yes on this motion, because I hope adopting this policy will help us become even more focused and get more serious about really doing what’s necessary to establish alternative places for people to go."

Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone also approved the update. DeBone said, "I do support putting this on paper. This is what it would look like as we try to proceed and work together in the community to improve the situation, public safety, offering resources for people in need, and not having unsanctioned encampments where it’s very impactful."

file photo

POWELL BUTTE, OR -- The Oregon National Guard’s base in Powell Butte hosts night flight- training missions. The crews flew in Wednesday night.

“You may hear or see Black Hawk helicopters, about 3 to 4, that will be coming through from Washington into the Redmond area. Just the normal rotary aircraft that you, that you would hear,” Biak Training Area Manager Michael Paul says it’s a standard drill, “It’s an active-duty army aviation unit out of joint base, Lewis-McChord out of Tacoma Washington, its active-duty post. They've just asked to do some training in our training area down here to keep their pilots and their back seaters as well mission ready for any real-world missions that they might have.”

He tells KBND News night-training missions are important, “They do have to fly in blackout conditions because obviously real-world missions, combat environment sort of requires that. So that does get them ready for those type of events. That's why they're flying at night. It gets not only the pilots situated to that but also their soldiers in the back seat as well.”

Operations were scheduled all week but due to forecasted weather conditions, they expect to only go out again Monday night, April 29th.

People may hear or see the helicopters from sundown until Midnight in the Powell Butte Area and at the Redmond airport, where they re-fuel.

BEND, OR -- Teens can learn about careers in law enforcement this summer. Central Oregon Women in Law Enforcement hosts the first ever Junior Women's Law Enforcement Academy on July 10. It's open to young women ages 13-18. Register by calling Redmond Police Lt. April Huey at 541-504-3474, or email. Topics covered include defensive tactics, dispatching and the judicial process.

The following weekend, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office offers its Youth Academy for kids between 14 and 17 years old. "It’s a great time for young people to come in and get some hands-on experience and some classroom training," says Sheriff Shane Nelson. "We just want to make sure we have that connection with young people, and get them excited about the profession now." 

DCSO’s youth academy is July 16 and 17, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "It’s not super intense. They’ll learn how to do some crime scene investigations, they’ll get some introductions to our Corrections Division and our jail, and some of the calls that patrol deputy sheriffs go on," says Nelson. There's also a K9 demonstration and a discussion with SWAT. 

"We’re very aware that we usually see people at the worst moment of their lives. So, we just want to provide more opportunity where there’s a positive connection," Nelson tells KBND News, "You get 15-20 young teens and young adults that come into your youth academy once a year, that’s 15-20 more folks that might be applying with your office in the future."

Applications for the Youth Academy are due by May 31. Click HERE for more information.

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Several sheds and other outbuildings were destroyed in a Wednesday afternoon fire, in Prineville. Crook County firefighters were dispatched just after 2:15 p.m., and arrived on NE 5 1/2 Street to find fire spreading rapidly. They got it under control before flames reached to a nearby triplex.

VALE, OR -- A Redmond man was involved in a fatal crash in Eastern Oregon Tuesday afternoon. According to State Police, 22-year-old Hunter Brucker was eastbound on Highway 20 near Vale, and moved into the westbound lane to pass a commercial truck, just before 4:30 p.m. Brucker drove into the path of a westbound pickup, driven by a 17-year-old.

In an attempt to avoid the crash, both vehicles swerved onto the shoulder. However, the SUV and pickup collided head-on. The teen driver died at the scene. His 13-year-old passenger was flown to a local hospital. Brucker suffered only minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

EUGENE, OR -- A 48-year-old Central Oregon man was sentenced to four years in federal prison Wednesday, for his role in a conspiracy to produce animal crush videos. David Noble, of Prineville, was arrested last year after federal prosecutors say he was caught sending payments to overseas co-conspirators to fund the production of videos showing the mutilation and torture of monkeys. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Eugene last May and pleaded guilty in January.

Noble was charged in federal court because his actions crossed outside of Oregon. At the time he was arrested, Noble hadn't violated any state laws. The case prompted the legislature to pass a law in the 2024 session making it illegal in Oregon to create photos or videos of animal abuse.

LA PINE, OR -- A La Pine man faces 20 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse after the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says he was caught distributing child porn on the internet.

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team in Medford first discovered the material and the suspect’s location in January. Over the past few months, local detectives investigated 32-year-old Cody O’Neal after they determined the material came from his IP address.

O'Neil was arrested Wednesday during a search of his home. Detectives seized several digital devices and have applied for additional warrants to analize their contents. 

BEND, OR -- A local veteran will be inducted into the Oregon Military Hall of Fame Sunday. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dick Tobiason joins six others to be honored at a ceremony in Clackamas. Tobiason is chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, and says he’s happy to be recognized for his efforts to support veterans, “The nine Veterans highways across Oregon and then the Medal of Honor highway across the United States. So, it's coincidental that those projects are finishing this year when I'm being inducted.”

He tells KBND News he’ll use his induction speech to talk about other projects, “If this old octogenarian can get a medal of honor highway across the United States. Surely the Gold Star mothers and Gold Star wives can extend the Oregon Gold Star family's memorial highway across the United States.”

“You go out and do something that’s never been done, and you find out how to do it, and you succeed. And you build on that for the next thing,” he says that next thing is an exhibit at a military museum in Washington state.

Tobiason will continue working to recognize and honor war veterans, “So those are things you do for people who are humble; who would never seek any honors for themselves. But that’s our job.”

The late Bob Maxwell was inducted in 2008, the last Oregon Military Hall of Fame ceremony was in 2009. 

Photo: KBND File November 2023-Dick Tobiason

REDMOND, OR -- Support for a plan to consolidate high schools in Redmond is wavering. Superintendent Dr. Charan Cline says a professional survey company found 69% in favor of the idea, "And it surveyed lots of folks. It’s sort of a representative sample. We have a large contingent of our community that doesn’t feel like that survey represented their point of view." He says many of those opposed to consolidation shared their thoughts at listening sessions. The first was last week at Redmond High. "I would say that people were decidedly not interested in a consolidation," Cline told KBND News Tuesday, prior to the second meeting held at Ridgeview High, "Groups of our high school teachers are not in favor of this idea, nor are very large groups of our parents."

Dr. Cline says the reasons for opposition are varied, "We’ve heard concerns about how it might impact traffic. We’ve heard concerns - people are not convinced that we’re not going to grow, in terms of demographics, despite our studies. And they’re worried that we’d need a second high school again in a few years." He adds, "They’re worried about how the two schools would come together, in terms of culture. And, playing time with athletics is a big deal to folks."

The consolidation proposal is one of a long list of projects under consideration for funding by a school bond expected to appear in the November election. "We’ll take that information back to our community bond committee that’s been really listening to the ideas and wrestling through the various problems," says Cline, "And hopefully we’ll get a bond proposal put together for June, to get it on the ballot." The school board is expected to vote on that bond list in July.

He still believes combining schools alleviates issues that may arise with major renovations planned at Redmond High, and would allow the district to get rid of two other buildings if administrative offices and other programs shift to RHS, "If we can do the consolidation, that would be one way to solve some of our problems, going forward, in terms of finances and facilities. But, you know, we can go with two smaller schools, as well, and find other ways to solve the problems." 

BEND, OR -- While the city of Bend tries to convince homeowners to trade in their lawns for low-water landscaping, Bend Parks and Rec is defending its turf. Julie Brown says the district waters a relatively small amount of grass, "We actually have about 3,000 acres of park land that we take care of; less than 200 acres of that - so, it’s about 6.5% - is actually irrigated turf area." She tells KBND News, "Even if you look at it on a per park basis - One of the parks we just recently built and opened was Alpenglow Community Park, over on 15th in southeast Bend. That park looks like that’s a really big turf area. It’s less than 7% of that park."

Where the district does water, Brown says crews take steps to mitigate the amount, "We have about 65 smart meters hooked up and are looking at automated irrigation systems, looking at the moisture content. So, we are watering less frequently, but doing it in a much more efficient way, even for those smaller pieces of grass that we have across the district."

She believes some grass is important, so kids and athletes have a place to play and practice. But says the district tries not to use it where it isn't necessary. And, they have other tools to help reduce water use for other landscaping, including strategic planting, "Really focusing on those natural areas, native plantings, grouping plants together that have similar needs for water. We’re generally going away from having those strips of grass in parking areas or right along the roadway."

City of Bend water customers can get a rebate for converting lawn to a low-water landscape; $3 for each square foot of turf removed, up to $3,000. Click HERE for more information. 

SUNRIVER, OR -- Emergency managers from across the state gather in Sunriver this week for their annual conference. And this year brings a new focus on a high-tech disaster. 

Oregon Department of Emergency Management Training Officer Eli Davis says federal agencies, like the FBI and FEMA, join the Oregon Health Authority and other state agencies. But most of the attendees work on the local level, "Local, city, county and tribe professional emergency managers, as well as volunteer emergency managers, those that have been kind of ‘other duties as assigned;’ lots of hospitals represented." He tells KBND News, "500 people that play in the emergency management game, whether full time or ‘other duties as assigned.’ And this is an opportunity for us to get together, talk about lessons learned, things that we’ve faced either individually or as parts of Oregon."

Among the more than 40 presentations and discussions, cybersecurity is a central theme, "It’s not new. But it’s definitely had a higher level focus from locals on up to the federal side." Davis says last year’s ransomware attack on Curry County was eye-opening for a lot of emergency managers, making it a big topic for this year's Oregon Prepared conference, "We have best practices - or lessons learned from Curry County. We have somebody from the federal agency of Homeland Security that talks about analytics from cybersecurity. We have our [Oregon] Department of Administrative Services."

Davis says topics are selected by attendees, "There are some themes on funding and the other one is cybersecurity. But, woven in there are quite a few others that are touched on in themes that are not as predominant as those two." In the past, there’s been a bigger push to discuss natural disasters, "Yes, that’s still a focus that both our state agencies as well as everybody else is looking at," Davis tells KBND News, "But we want to make sure that there are other emerging trends and that we put a focal point on that as well."

The conference kicks off Tuesday morning in Sunriver, and runs through Thursday. 

MADRAS, OR -- Oregon’s Department of Transportation hosts a meeting Wednesday, to discuss the public's concerns about safety in the Highway 97 corridor between Madras and Terrebonne. ODOT Principal Planner Ken Shonkwiler says it's part of a long-term study, "We’re actually not focused on ‘how to fix it.’ We want to look at and get the public’s agreement on where the issues are at."

He tells KBND News closing intersections, like what happened at Bear Drive three years ago, isn’t practical for every trouble-spot, "There’s not a silver bullet for the crash fixes that happen on this corridor. Bear Drive intersection was unique, because the sight distance was horrible, it was a skewed intersection; and that’s just not the same issue that we have at some of our other intersections and segments, nor is it represented in the crash types. So, it is more of a holistic look at safety." And he says many options are on the table, "We might look at adding turn lanes, we might look at consolidating accesses, maybe realigning intersections."

Shonkwiler says, "Part of what we’ve done recently is pulled together our most recent five years of crash data; we have a participant advisory committee that we got feedback from last week on these areas with safety issues. This next step, we want to take these issues and locations to the public and see if they agree with us." He says they want to know, "‘Do these locations make sense to you? Are there locations that we have maybe not considered, to include in our report? And, are we on the right track?’ Those are really the questions that we are asking the public right now."

Wednesday's open house is 5-7 p.m. at the Madras Performing Arts Center. There’s also an online survey available through May third. More meetings are planned before a final report is completed early next year.

REDMOND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners are still navigating a land swap with the state, more than 20 years after the initial deal was made. A 137-acre county-owned parcel east of Redmond is supposed to transfer to the state, in exchange for 140 acres of state-owned land near the fairgrounds. "In order for this land exchange to move forward, the county-owned land would need to be free of people living there, and also free of debris," Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp told Commissioners Wednesday. He says campers must first be relocated. "There’s still a lot that needs to be done before the county is ready to move forward with a specific date for relocation." Moving campers was put on hold last year, while the county works to develop a sanctioned camp. 

The city of Redmond and County Commissioners have discussed using 45 acres near Oasis Village and the airport. But Kropp says a lot still needs to happen before development can begin, "A big piece of that solution is the Coordinated Houseless Response Office RFP effort, and working through that process to see if there are service providers that will provide services at that 45 acres. It could look like what we currently do at Juniper Ridge, with just the basic hygiene supports, all the way up through a full-fledged managed camp."

Commissioner Tony DeBone asked about potential issues with the 45-acre site, "And it’s kind of up and down, rocky land, with junipers." Kropp responded, "Yes, that will be one of the challenges, is the terrain." Debone also noted, "And people are on that property already."

Commissioner Phil Chang worries about the lack of firm plans for that site, "We have so little idea what’s going to happen on the 45 acres that it’s premature to talk about to say that we’re ready to go on the 137 acres. Because we are so not ready to go."

County Property Manager Kristie Bollinger says there’s a $400,000 budget to get the 137 acres ready to transfer to the state, "Mark property lines, give notice to the individuals, do the clean-up of abandoned and burned out encampments once people relocate to either the 45 acres or a place that they choose to go to, then going in and cleaning up those encampments." She says some of that money would also help provide hygiene services, similar to what's already provided to the houseless community living on the north end of Juniper Ridge. 

All three Commissioners support using the 45-acre parcel as a managed site for people moving off the 137 acres involved in the land swap. But the exact timeline and what’s involved in the sanctioned camp remain unclear.

REDMOND, OR -- Two men are accused of committing a string of burglaries at two Redmond businesses. Last week, police arrested 28-year-old Michael Moran (right), of Redmond, and 25-year-old Christien Richardson (left), of Sisters, in the Dairy Queen parking lot. 

Investigators believe the pair is responsible for at least four break-ins at La Frontera, where burglars took off with "a large multitude of items," according to Redmond Police. The Redmond Tap House was also a theft victim. 

RPD released photos of Moran and Richardson in an effort to find people who may have bought things from the suspects. Stolen items were listed for sale on websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Some have been recovered. But, bracelets, watches and other stolen jewelry remain missing. Anyone who may have purchased items from Richardson or Moran is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Tyler Kirk at 541-504-3400.

BEND, OR -- A fight between two unhoused campers near China Hat Road sent one man to the hospital Sunday afternoon. Deschutes County deputies responded to the area south of Bend at about 4 p.m., when a 911 caller reported someone had been shot. Dispatchers say the person refused to provide any other information, although they were able to determine the general location of the call. 

When deputies arrived, they learned a 32-year-old man had been taken to the hospital by ambulance, with a non-life threatening injuries. Investigators determined two men who live in the area were arguing when one brandished a gun. The other man, a 36-year-old, then armed himself. He shot the 32-year-old, striking his hand and stomach. 

The investigation is ongoing, and the identities of the two men involved have not been released. 

BEND, OR -- Bend City Council will soon start gathering feedback on what the public wants the future Hawthorne Pedestrian Bridge to look like. "We received a federal grant and some state grants; so it’s really fully funded by grants," says City Manager Eric King.

The new bridge will span the Bend Parkway and railroad, from about Hill to Second Street, "It would be a bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting our core area to downtown," says King, "We’ve begun to look at feasibility, high-level design types. We have three different bridge types." Those options are a cable-stayed design, extradosed, or steel truss - similar to Portland’s Hawthorne Bridge, "So we have those three types that we’re going to take out for comment and then Council will make a decision, a recommendation on which one, based on that public feedback, in June." 

An open house is scheduled for late May and feedback will be accepted online before the City Council makes a final decision in June. King tells KBND News, "Then we give that project to ODOT. Because it received federal funds, ODOT is required to deliver that project. So, they would actually do the detailed design and construction of it." He adds, "The timeline is June to make a decision on the type of bridge. The timeline to actually have it open and functioning is 2027."

Click HERE for more on the options under consideration.

MADRAS, OR -- While many schools are cutting art programs, Jefferson County Middle School is rebuilding. It's a process that started last fall, with the hiring of art teacher Eliza Raines. "I’m the first certified art position that they’ve had, for a minute," she tells KBND News. Raines believes that certification makes a big difference for the kids, "Because I’m not only a teacher, but I’m also an artist. So, I understand the struggles that they’re going through with their creativity, with building their skillset. I also understand the mediums and how each different art medium works."

Raines says she began with the basics, by meeting kids where they're at, "It’s interesting to see how as the year has gone on, they’ve really been building on their knowledge. They will pull in aspects from old projects that we’ve been doing into new projects now." She adds, "A huge part of what I try to do in the art rooms is to show students that art is for everyone, and that art can be almost anything. We get so stuck thinking that it’s just painting or drawing or, you know, those really common mediums."

The effort culminates Wednesday, when JCMS hosts its first art show in 20 years, "Which is kind of like a Super Bowl for artists, where we pull together everything that we’ve been working on." Raines says more than 150 students are signed up to participate, "We’ve got drawings, we’ve got paintings, we’ve got sculptures that students have built. And we’re even seeing some showcases from other areas in the school. I know that our CTE and our STEM program have entered in a couple of admissions." The culinary class is also involved, with some delicious creations. 

Anticipation is building for the free public show. Raines says, "I’ve been talking with them about the community coming in to see their work and to really see who they are as artists and their creativity. And that has been both nerve racking for them and also exciting."

The JCMS student art show is Wednesday, April 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6. The school is located at 1180 SE Kemper Way in Madras.

BEND, OR -- A 42-year-old from Idaho was arrested on the roof of a Bend garage Sunday afternoon, after a car chase that started near Millican. Deschutes County deputies first responded to a report of a reckless driver speeding westbound on Highway 20, at about 12:30 p.m. With help from OSP, they tried to pull the SUV over, but the driver refused to stop.

The pursuit was discontinued when he entered Bend. Just after 1 p.m., the suspect vehicle ran over spike strips on Brookswood Blvd, but the driver still refused to stop. Eventually, the vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and ran into another vehicle, sending two people to the hospital.

The suspect, later identified as Nicholas Wood, ran from the crash and climbed on top of a detached garage on SW Sunny Way, leading to a two-hour standoff. Bend Police and DCSO deputies used multiple "less-lethal" options to try to pursuade Wood to come down, including firing pepper balls onto the roof. He was taken into custody just after 3:30 p.m.

A Bend Fire ladder truck was used to bring Wood off the roof. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation before getting booked into the jail on charges of Assault, Hit and Run, Reckless Endangering and Elude. 
Brookswood was closed between Murphy and Reed Mkt Road for several hours. 

CRESCENT LAKE, OR -- A couple from La Pine suspected fentanyl trafficking was recently arrested in Klamath County. Detectives from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team pulled over 35-year-old Mario Fivecoats at the Crescent Lake Junction, late Thursday night. Authorities say 31-year-old Rebecca Ann Toepher and her six-year-old son were also in the car.

A K-9 deputy alerted to the presence of drugs in the car and a search turned up a commercial quantity of fentanyl pills and meth. Investigators believe the pair is responsible for importing drugs from the Portland area to sell in south Deschutes County.

They were taken into custody on multiple charges and Oregon DHS placed the child with a relative.

BEND, OR -- One candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner announced earlier this week he was dropping out of the race, but Brian Huntamer tells KBND News he’s decided to remain, “At this point, I need to put my best foot forward. I need to be honest. I need to stick to my principles and ideals. And if I wind up winning it, that's fine. I'll be happy to take the position and do my best.”

Huntamer says County Clerk Steve Dennison told him the deadline to withdraw had passed, “Everything went out in the voter's pamphlet. I was put on the ballot. Absentee votes were sent out. Steve also mentioned that a lot of those votes are coming back already. That was the number one consideration. And I want everyone's vote to count and if even only one person voted for me, I wanted that vote to be counted.”

While he did not participate in this week’s City Club of Central Oregon forum, he says he will continue to campaign and will serve if elected, “I think my best position to be is to keep running. And I actually made that decision when the forum was completed.”

If one candidate does not receive over 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff election in November with the top two candidates. Standard ballots will be mailed to voters on May first for the May 21^st primary.

BEND, OR -- Bend City Councilors could get a pay raise, but they’ll have to get re-elected to see the increase. "Every five years, an independent committee is charged with meeting and reviewing their compensation," says City Manager Eric King says, "For the Councilors, they’re making about $9,000 a year. It would move up to $30,000 a year. For the Mayor, it would move up from about $19-20,000 to $50,000 a year." He tells KBND News, "That recommendation was based on a lot of data from other similar-sized cities here in Oregon. So, that adjustment puts us more in the middle of the pack, compared to other similar-sized cities in Oregon, as well as in Washington. They looked in that state, as well."

Sitting Councilors get the final say. "It’ll go formally for a vote at the next Council meeting. But it doesn’t take effect. Council cannot vote in their own pay raises, so there has to be an intervening election," says King. "If Council approves this, it can’t be until the next election cycle that somebody would be eligible to receive it."

He says some positions would see the increase in January, following the November election, "It would be those seats - there’s four seats that are up in 2024 and so, whoever gets elected into those seats would be eligible for the new compensation." Seats not up for a vote this year, including the Mayor, would continue to earn the lower amount until after the 2026 election.

REDMOND, OR -- The city of Redmond intentionally flooded a portion of the Dry Canyon this week. Assistant City Engineer Lindsey Cromsigt says it was necessary to test a new drinking water well near the dog park, "The new well is really needed to support the city’s growing water demand and provides capacity and redundancy for our water system. So that testing was conducted per state requirements."

Cromsigt tells KBND News, "To test the well, we had to run a constant rate test, as required by the state. So we were pumping 3,500 gallons per minute out of the well for a 12 hour period." She adds, "We’re really excited that the well performed per the expectations and we’re going to be able to produce the water needed to meet our city’s growing demand."

However, that testing resulted in as much as three feet of flooding in some areas north of the disc golf course, "So, the paved walking paths in the Dry Canyon are open and the disc golf course will reopen shortly after this weekend. However, the dirt walking trails between the West Canyon Rim entrance and the disc golf course will remain closed until further notice, as we re-evaluate the restoration needed in that area." Cromsigt hopes the water will soak back into the ground naturally, but says if it takes too long, they'll bring in pumps to get things cleared. She expects dirt trails to reopen in a few weeks. "We do ask that residents respect the trail closures and stay off the dirt paths until the signs and barricades are removed from the area; and just continue to use those paved path areas, in the meantime."

Despite those barricades and signs, visitors have been seen walking through water, "We ask that people do not walk through muddy or swampy areas because those muddy conditions will further hinder our progress and make the restoration take a longer period of time." Cromsigt says, "Walking in muddy conditions only further deteriorates the dirt trails that we are trying our hardest to preserve. So, by letting the water dry out and letting the conditions return back to normal, that’s when we can have our most effect doing our restoration plan."

This is the first time the Dry Canyon has been used for such an operation. The city’s last new well - its eighth - was developed in southwest Redmond, and crews used a nearby canal to catch water pumped out during testing. 

Because more infrastructure is needed, Redmond's ninth well isn't expected to be operational until late 2026. 

BEND, OR -- Following passage of HB 4002, Deschutes County is moving ahead with plans to create a deflection program for people caught with user-amounts of illicit drugs.

"It is essentially a goal to divert people who are willing to engage in some time behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment, to divert them from entering the criminal justice system and having that on their record long term," Behavioral Health Deputy Director Holly Harris told County Commissioners on Wednesday. "We would like to implement a Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion program, otherwise known as LEAD. So, similar to what Marion County has in their community; similar to what Seattle has done in their community. These are evidence-based programs. And they really can be tailored to your community’s resources and needs, and what your community desires to do with these types of programs." She added, "When law enforcement encounters somebody out in the community that is now in possession of small amounts of drugs - deflection-eligible amounts - they can be offered deflection."

Previous Coverage - New Drug Laws: DA Gunnels Looks Ahead

Harris says unlike in Marion County, where efforts are driven by the Sheriff's Office, the Behavioral Health division would lead Deschutes County's program. She told Commissioners Best Care and Ideal Options have already signed on to help provide staff when someone is caught with drugs, "So, those two partners will be able to respond 24/7 to the scene with law enforcement, if that’s what’s appropriate, to really make that initial connection - which is what the legislation was all about: making that point of contact, starting to build rapport and engagement, and offer follow-up services." Harris says, "If the individual is willing to accept that and they do the follow-up requirements, that are still yet to be developed as part of the program, then their charges can be dismissed and their record expunged."

Deschutes County was one of the first to notify the state of plans to create a deflection program under the new law. Because of that early adoption, Harris expects the county to receive more than $756,000 in state funding, with the first half allocated for development and roll-out of the program.

BEND, OR -- Mount Bachelor will now provide year-round on-site daycare for employees, "So, not only winter and summer season, when we’re operational, but also during the shoulder seasons when we are preparing for either winter or summer operations," says President and CEO John Merriman, "It was really important for us to do it year-round. Because if you don’t then your employees get into a bit of a bind at certain parts during the year. And daycare in town is difficult to get and extremely expensive." He adds, "They can either do a monthly rate or a daily rate. And they can just drop off their child, not worry about it. They’re professional, licensed childcare providers that we have here." 

The ski resort expanded the existing winter child care this past year to serve employees; in the past, it was primarily for guests, "We are lucky in that we already have the space. And since we provided it in the winter to both guests and employees, we’re already licensed." The rate paid by Bachelor employees will be subsidized by the company. Merriman says, "It was fairly easy to ask the manager if she could stay year-round, and ask the teachers if they could also stay year-round. So, it was certainly a benefit for them as well; now they don't have to look for a different place to work over the summer."
Merriman says it builds on other recruitment and retention efforts to address the high cost of living in Bend, "We added the employee housing earlier this season, and this is kind of another area where we feel like we can help make our employees’ lives easier." He tells KBND News one of his workers cried when she heard the news, "Because she was so stressed about what she was going to do for daycare for her less than year old child over the summer."

Daycare is available seven days a week for ages six weeks to 10 years old. For another few days, hours are 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Spring operations begin April 22nd, when child care closes at 1:30 p.m. Summer hours begin June 27th, when child care is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

photo courtesy of Mount Bachelor

BEND, OR -- A Bend couple is accused of illegally growing marijuana and selling it to east coast buyers. The investigation into 50-year-old Michael Bradford and 49-year-old Automne Glasow began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package of pot destined for Virginia.

Glasow was arrested during a Thursday morning traffic stop. At the same time, the Deschutes County SWAT team executed a federal search warrant at the couple's house on Manzanita Lane and arrested Bradford. The operation was a collaboration between the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Team and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team. 

Detectives also seized about 69 pounds of processed pot, 160 marijuana plants, packaging materials and cash.

The pair is charged with possessing 32 times the legal limit of marijuana and attempted delivery.

BEND, OR -- A Bend woman is charged with felony animal neglect and 15 misdemeanor counts of second degree animal neglect. Jean Poirier was indicted by a Deschutes County grand jury earlier this week.

The case began in March, when deputies responded to a tip about the condition of animals on the 66-year-old's rural property. After several days of investigation, 15 horses were seized. Veterinarians determined they were in dire need of medical care and proper feed. Poirier's 17 dogs were  in better condition and allowed to remain.

The horses are now at the Sheriff’s Office rescue ranch. They range in age from 13 to 29 years old and consist of one stallion, four geldings and 10 mares.

Poirier was arraigned Tuesday and is due back in court in mid-May. 

BEND, OR -- More traffic shifts are coming to Highway 97 on the north end of Bend. ODOT’s Kacey Davey says on Thursday, northbound traffic will move to a newly built section of the Parkway between Cooley and Grandview, "We’re not expecting it to cause any delays. It’s just a shift in traffic. So, people will move off the current road, they’ll shift a little bit over to the right and start driving on the new alignment, and tie back in around Grandview. But there’s no lights or detours or flaggers or anything like that."

She tells KBND News backups reported after last week’s change at the northbound onramp at Empire were caused by congestion and the signal at Robal Road. Those issues have eased, "The onramp basically had a light to be able to come on and off and that caused some delays. We adjusted the light timing at Robal to help with that, to allow more traffic to come in from that side. And also, people have adjusted; so our delays have gone down a lot." But, Davey says, drivers may still want to avoid that area, "You can go on Business 97 to 20, and then use the new roundabout to access it from that side. And that would eliminate having to use the light there at Robal, which still could see some backups during heavier traffic times, like after school or before or after work." 

According to Davey, more lane shifts and traffic adjustments are coming, "We’re more than halfway done. We’re expecting all of this to be done by the end of the year. But right now is a really busy time when we’re moving some things around and starting work on things we previously haven’t worked on." She adds, "I tell folks to keep an eye - we have a project sign-up. So if you go to our project website, you can sign up for these traffic alerts, and you’ll be notified any time something changes in the area." 

More blasting is also planned for near Empire this Saturday. Oregon Department of Transportation crews will blow up more basalt rock, forcing the closure of Highway 97 for a short time. "The last few blasts have only been closing the highway for about six or seven minutes, without too much of a backup at all," says Davey. That operation is scheduled for Saturday, sometime between 7 and 9 a.m.

VANCOUVER, WA -- The Clark County Medical Examiner released the identity Wednesday of a man shot and killed during an April 13th confrontation with deputies. Benjamin Woods, a 41-year-old Prineville man, died of multiple gunshot wounds. 

Authorities say Woods and a female accomplice stole a van in Hazel Dell, Washington on the morning of April 13th. Witnesses reported the male suspect had a handgun. The pair was spotted about 15 minutes later in Salmon Creek where they were reportedly involved in an attempted carjacking. 

When deputies responded, they contacted Woods inside an American Legion. Woods was shot and killed at about 11:30 a.m. during that interaction, although few details of the shooting have been released. The female suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Lyndsey Jones, was arrested several hours later on burglary charges. Her city of residence is unknown. 

The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by Vancouver Police, is conducting the investigation into the officer-involved use of force. 

BEND, OR -- A concept to engage the public in government policy decisions rarely seen in the U.S. could be coming to our area. City Club of Central Oregon Executive Director Kim Gammond says Citizen Assemblies are more common in Europe, "It’s a way for people to actually impact policy decisions beyond the one or two times a year we get to vote. And, it’s done in a way that’s much more democratic than a lot of our citizen involvement processes in government." She tells KBND News, "Ireland’s done several national referendums through this process. This is how they legalized abortion and gay marriage in Ireland was through this process. So, you know, not simple issues! And then, in the Basque country, in Spain and France, they’ve run them to help with some more local issues, there."

Gammond says the goal is to gather a large group of people from a community, representing the area's diverse ideas and demographics. She notes the more common citizen committees doesn't actively recruit members, "They’re often people that are coming forward and saying ‘I want to be on this.’ Where this is run more like jury duty; and we’re saying, ‘okay, 10,000 people in Deschutes County, are you interested in being on this?’ and inviting them in."

Nonprofits running Citizen Assemblies compensate participants for their time, and work with local governments to make sure recommendations are pursued. The Central Oregon Civic Action Project is actively fundraising for a local assembly, "The group that’s coming together here has spent a lot of time building the base, both for financial support, support within governments, and then bringing the right partners to the table to try to facilitate this." Gammond says the Civic Action Project is still developing its first policy issue.

City Club hosts a public forum Thursday morning to discuss the concept, "We’ll have a panel with Healthy Democracy, Central Oregon Civic Action Project and then a member of the Bend City Council, to talk about how this would look at the local level, in the United States and in Central Oregon." That forum is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist church. Register HERE.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County’s new landfill will likely be at the Moon Pit site, currently an aggregate gravel mine north of the town of Millican. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee settled on the location at its meeting Tuesday, choosing to not pursue a second option known as "Roth East," east of Millican. The committee's recommendation now goes to Deschutes County Commissioners, who will make the final decision.

Committee member Chris Ogren voted for Moon Pit, saying it’s important to choose a spot that will last as a landfill for 50-100 years, "We don’t know what the future of the Roth East site will have. I get that. I also think it’s unlikely that it’ll be a big mine. So, I think just the industrial site for me is the reason I’m leaning that way."

Keith Kessaris agrees the gravel pit is better suited for a landfill and faces fewer wildlife challenges, "Because of the disturbance that’s already occurred in Moon Pit, I think it lessens the environmental impact there, compared to the Roth East site. Also one thing, the observatory at Pine Mountain is one of the two observatories left in the state, besides the one we have here in Sunriver. I think there needs to be more attention paid to that and I think to protect that as much as possible, for future generations. The Moon Pit site, unfortunately the financial impact is a bit more, but I think it’s a better location."

Robin Vora also took note of the higher cost to purchase and develop Moon Pit, but he worries Roth East will take too long, "I like the Roth East site, from a financial standpoint. I’m concerned about the habitat and how that will be handled and the delay of those processes, as well. I’m not super excited about siting a landfill in a current mining application, but it might be the way to go."

Committee member Cassie Lacey, with the City of Bend, noted Roth East is also farther from the county’s most populated areas, "The city of Bend has explicit council goals around greenhouse gas emission reduction, so that’s definitely an important factor for us; just kind of that distance traveled."

Bend's Knott Landfill is expected to reach capacity within five years. 

SALEM, OR -- Prineville State Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson is among a group of a dozen female Republican lawmakers demanding action by the Oregon Schools Activities Association, after a transgender student placed third in the girls’ division at a Sherwood track competition.

The GOP women signed a letter to the OSAA director, saying they are "left with no choice" but to encourage parents to withdraw their girls from competitions in which biologically male athletes are allowed to participate. They also say they plan to pursue a statutory change in the 2025 session to remove records set by biologically male athletes in girls sports.

They ask the OSAA to change its Gender Identity Participation policy, which currently states a goal to promote harmony and fair competition among schools. Click HERE to read the full letter. 

OSAA Executive Director Peter Weber tells KBND News he's consulting with the Executive Board and counsel "to provide a response to these legislators."

BEND, OR -- It’s kindergarten registration season. Families in the Bend-La Pine School District with kids who will be five years old on or before September first are invited to events this Saturday at a variety of local parks. 

Lisa Birk, Executive Director of Elementary Programs, tells KBND News asking parents to register kids this early allows schools time to plan, “We can set students up in classrooms appropriately. We can make sure that parents are connected so that they are up to date on any of the events that are upcoming in their own schools. And they can just make sure that their student has all of the things in place to help them be successful on day one.” She says it benefits kids, too, “It just gets them connected with other adults. What we want our students to know is that every adult, whether it's your teacher or anybody who's kind of tall at your school, they are there to support you in whatever way is necessary. And so, we want them to feel comfortable both in our parks. But then also when they're coming to school. Parks are a really easy way for students to come in. Have the adults be able to meet with adults and get some paperwork done or other things done while kids are having fun climbing on a school bus, and looking through a little swag bag of all things related to getting ready for kindergarten.”

Registration and orientation events are in Bend, Sunriver and La Pine. Staff can also provide details on school boundaries and required enrollment documents.

Families can find the yellow school bus at the following locations on April 20:

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

• Hollygrape Park - 19489 Hollygrape Street, Bend
• Sun Meadow Park - 61141 Dayspring Drive, Bend
• Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park - 1310 NE Highway 20
• Sunriver/Three Rivers area - Oregon Water Wonderland 1 Mailboxes (South Century and Snow Goose)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Education Center - 520 NW Wall St., Bend
• Ponderosa Park - 225 SE 15th St., Bend
• Canal Row Park - 1630 NE Butler Market Rd., Bend
• Frontier Heritage Park - 16405 First St., La Pine/Rosland area

Bend-La Pine Schools also hosts "Kinder Fiesta," a Spanish language kindergarten kick-off event, on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St., Bend.

Click HERE to learn how to register online. When you’re ready to register, use THIS LINK link to get started. Find your neighborhood school through the district's Attendance Area page. Those who are not sure about their child’s school of attendance or who have additional questions about kindergarten registration can call 541-355-6820 to reach district staff who can answer questions in English and Spanish.

This story has been edited to include comments from Elemntary Programs Executive Director Lisa Birk

BEND, OR -- As the four-way race for Deschutes County Commissioner heats up, the candidates’ ability to cultivate relationships takes center stage. 

Judy Trego is the Executive Director of the Sisters Chamber, and says she recently worked with state lawmakers to secure funding for the courthouse expansion by lobbying in Salem for $150 million,"And we were successful in doing that when no one said we would get the money." She adds, "The minute Rep. Levy got elected, I invited her to Sisters and got all the businesses together to meet with her, took her on a tour of Sisters."

Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang says he’s also formed relationships in Salem, including work on an omnibus wildfire package, "That bill has now delivered over $10 million of funds for private land fuels reduction treatments in our community." He also says he built relationships with critical groups in the private sector, prior to getting elected, "Since I’ve been in office, those collaborative relationships have resulted in things like hundreds of more childcare slots available in our community." Chang also touts his work with federal lawmakers, including securing a grant with the help of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, "I was able to help the La Pine Community Health Center secure $3 million to help expand the health center."

Trego says she's also worked with Oregon's Congressional delegation, "When Rep. Chavez DeRemer first got elected, I invited her to Sisters and we did a roundtable with businesses to see what their challengers were, and give her a to-do list to take back to Washington, DC."

Small business owner and youth coach Rob Imhoff says, "Doesn’t matter if you’re in business, doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete, doesn’t matter if you’re in a club or part of a group, the relationships you have, that’s what gives you the benefit of the doubt. It allows people to trust in your intention." Imhoff adds, "I want to be a bridge builder. In terms of specific relationships, as they would relate to a county commissioner, I have already had some discussions with some high level people, with regards to- like, some of the Deschutes Basin Hydrologists." He says, "I carry an endorsement of a very important farm bureau. Why? Because I understand and relate to farmers, and I’m willing to have a conversation and not be closed off with any bias that I’ve come to the table with."

A fourth candidate, former addiction counselor Brian Huntamer, announced Monday he is dropping out of the race to support Imhoff. 

For the first time, this is a non-partisan race. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes on May 21st, the top two go to the November ballot. 

BEND, OR -- An 18-year-old Bend man was arrested Monday evening, following multiple pursuits in two counties. The incident started in Jefferson County, where a deputy tried to stop a Dodge Charger for going more than 100 miles an hour. They discontinued that pursuit at about 6:15 p.m., as the former law enforcement vehicle continued southbound. 

A Deschutes County Deputy spotted the car speeding through Terrebonne and tried to pull over the driver. But the Sheriff's Office says the pursuit was again called off when the vehicle hit 120 miles an hour.

Continuing south, another Deputy deployed spike strips at Deschutes Junction, at Tumalo Road. The Charger slid off the road, through wire fencing and irrigation pipes and stopped in a field. Deputies and State Troopers arrested Liam Bryne on multiple charges, including Felony Elude and nine counts of Reckless Endangering. He was evlauated at the hospital before getting booked into the jail. 

PRINEVILLE, OR -- A couple from Madras got stuck in the Ochoco Mountains, Sunday evening, prompting a rescue operation by the Crook County Sheriff's Office. The pair called 911 at about 6:15 p.m. and reported their vehicle was stuck in the mud in the Big Summit Prairie area. They were unable to dig out and the woman was due to take medication at 8 p.m.

Crook County Search and Rescue deployed nine members. A hasty team took off almost immediately, due to the potential for a medical issue. They took two vehicles, including a tracked vehicle. They arrived at the pair at about 8:20 p.m.

SAR officials say one person marked the road to help rescuers find their exact location. The pair and their dog were taken to a friend's house in Prineville. There was no medical need during the operation. 

CCSO reminds travelers snow is melting. But, as roads open, mud may be an issue on lightly traveled roads. Visitors are encouraged to let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return. 

BEND, OR -- A fire southeast of Bend destroyed a large shop, a tractor, two pickup trucks, two travel trailers and a car. Firefighters responded to Rickard Road just before 1 a.m. Sunday and found the barn fully engulfed, with flames spreading to a nearby home and trees. They knocked down the fire before it could damage the inside of the house.

The damage to the shop was so extensive, investigators could not determine the exact cause. Losses are estimated at $200,000. No one was hurt.

Bend Fire and Rescue says the home had just one working smoke detector and the resident was lucky to be awakened by the sound of the fire outside. 

BEND, OR -- Investigators have identified the two people killed Friday in a crash on Knott Road. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year old Bobby Jones, of Gilchrist, was eastbound and tried to pass a truck on a solid double-yellow centerline. He almost collided with a westbound pickup, and when he returned to his lane, his SUV clipped the truck, drove off the road and hit a tree.

Jones and his wife, 61-year-old Tami, both died at the scene. A backseat passenger went to the hospital with serious injuries.

BEND, OR -- NeighborImpact continues to see a rise in food insecurity in the tri-county area. "In the last year, we served over 800,000 food boxes and meal sites across Central Oregon, which is absolutely a record," says Food Program Manager Jordan Reeher, "And numbers just, unfortunately, keep going up around the region."

The nonprofit is a regional food bank, "We receive a lot of food from Oregon Food Bank and then distribute it to a lot of our partner agencies around Central Oregon," says Reeher, "They’re a lot of times where someone is receiving the food directly. That’s where people go if they’re getting hot meals, if they’re getting a food box." He adds, "The bulk of the work we do is providing food to those partner agencies. We want to support that network, make sure that we have food available and that we can distribute that." Reeher tells KBND News the need for food has grown since the pandemic, "Through our network, we did four million pounds that we distributed to our partner agencies, and then another two million pounds that our food pantries and meal sites distributed themselves. So, six million pounds that went out in just the last year."

Much of their work is donor supported. But an upcoming fundraiser will help continue efforts through the year. The US Bank Foodie Crawl is April 28th, from 2-4 p.m., "We always call it a pub crawl meets progressive dinner. It’s basically the best of both. You get to just walk around, try out some new spots, try out some new food." Reeher says, "You get to walk around on a beautiful day downtown and eat some little sampler plates from the best restaurants in Bend. It doesn’t get much better than that." There's also an after-party at McMenamins, from 4-6 p.m., "And all of it just supports the food program, and makes it so the work we do is possible."

Tickets are available now HERE. 

REDMOND, OR -- Oregon’s Department of Transportation kicks off a series of public workshops and open house meetings this week in Central Oregon, focused on safety. ODOT’s Transportation Safety Office will host eight meetings around the state over the next six weeks, starting Thursday in Redmond. ODOT's Mindy McCartt says others are scheduled for southern and eastern Oregon and The Gorge, "These are those rural areas where we haven’t been in very often."

The agency wants to hear ideas from the public about how to improve safe road user behavior, "It’s the getting the right information in front of the people that need to know, in order to elicit a behavioral change," says McCartt, "And the only way we know, right now, to influence the public is to get out there and ask them how they want to learn."

She says existing tools, like tickets and social media campaigns, aren't enough, "We’ve worked with our legislative partners and our law enforcement partners and increased the fines for distracted driving. Well, that’s still not working; we still have distracted drivers out there. So, now we’re going to be looking at what’s going to get your attention? What’s going to get your attention to re-think is it worth picking up that phone?"

The information will help determine how grant money is spent in each community on a variety of issues, "We’re looking at aging road users, we’re looking at bicycle safety, commercial vehicle safety, commercial traffic safety, distracted driving, drivers education, emergency medical services; impaired driving, intersection safety - when you think about, ‘is it legal to turn right on a red?’ Those kinds of things; U-turns, motorcycle safety, seatbelt awareness, child protective seats, pedestrian, Safe Routes to School, work zones." 

Thursday’s all-day workshop in Redmond requires an RSVP via email or by calling 541-508-9690. The open house starts at 5 p.m., at Redmond City Hall. Later stops include The Dalles, Roseburg, North Bend and Island City. 

SISTERS, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest invites the public to an open house at the Sisters Ranger District, Tuesday evening. "It’s an opportunity for the public to come and hear about a range of activities that we have planned for the upcoming year," says Kaitlyn Webb, with the Forest Service.

They'll talk about the upcoming wildifre season and projets planned for the season, "Vegetation management in the Green Ridge and Cougar Rock areas, anticipated prescribed burn plans - So, great opportunity to hear more about a community-focused overview of those plans, the new ranger station’s construction, predictions for fire season and also several watershed restoration projects." Webb tells KBND News, "It is a great opportunity for folks to come, hear updates, but then also have one-on-one conversation with the specialists."

Prior to the formal presentation, they'll offer a walking tour of the new ranger station site, "We’re in the middle of construction of a new ranger station in Sisters. So, it’ll be an opportunity for the community to come and take a walk, and take a look at the progress we’ve made on that construction so far," says Webb. 

That walking tour is at 4:45 Tuesday, April 9th. RSVP by calling 541-549-7700 or via email. The open house portion is from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Sisters Ranger District office on North Pine Street. No RSVP is needed for the drop-in event. 

BEND, OR -- The Homeless Leadership Coalition has released more preliminary data from this year’s Point In Time (PIT) homeless count. While Bend saw fewer unsheltered homeless, "There was a huge rise in Crook County for the number of people who are living unsheltered," says Coalition Chair Eliza Wilson. But she believes the spike is because of a better process, "We had a huge provider group and cross-systems group working to do the PIT count this year, and we’ve never had that level of engagement in Crook County." She adds, "The health department led the PIT count in Crook County and there were a number of organizations involved in that. Even the library, Redemption House were hugely involved. So they did such a great job of going out into more rural areas." She says most of those counted have been in that community for a long time.

The PIT count is a snapshot of where the unhoused spent the night of January 23rd. Wilson says volunteers counted 1,811 people in the tri-county region. That's 164 more than in 2023. As in past years, Wilson still believes this year's number is an undercount, "We do know that there are more people entering homelessness than exiting." She adds, "This is only what we can capture between 9-5, Monday-Friday; or, I think we had some people go out on Saturday and Sunday. If we were to really be able to have the capacity to count people when they’re off work, because we have a lot of folks who work."

Wilson says there is good news: In both Jefferson and Deschutes County, where state emergency funding increased shelter capacity, more people are accessing those services. "For the first time, there is a shelter in Jefferson County that opened, so we’re seeing more people in shelter in the count." And, "In Deschutes County, why we’re seeing more people in shelter, it’s because we’ve increased shelter capacity with the emergency order funding, and those investments. And in Jefferson County, the same thing: we have a shelter."

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers for Central Oregon Partnerships For Youth (COPY), to mentor young people who have a parent in custody. COPY's Bob Moore says the program works with kids trying to process a lot of family upheaval, "If you’re a kid who has a parent dealing with drug offenses or a registered sex offender, those are really big, challenging issues and you’re probably not having a lot of safe places for you to process some of the feelings and concerns that you’re dealing with." He tells KBND News, "Our volunteers are one of those people that are often having those conversations with kids because they know that’s a safe environment."

After training and background checks, a COPY mentor is paired with a child. "What we ask of our volunteers is to spend a couple hours per week with that youth for a year," says Moore, "And what that time looks like kind of depends a little bit on interest and activities and all sorts of different things."

To keep costs down, COPY partners with local organizations to provide options, "Whether it’s the rock climbing gym or the trampoline parks or High Desert Museum or the park and rec districts. So, a lot of opportunities for the volunteers to be plugged in with their youth, doing things out in the community that don’t cost a lot of money through those partnerships." Moore says, "Mt. Bachelor just ended up setting up a partnership with us to do some projects around getting kids into the outdoor environment with some of the programs that they offer. We’ve got some partnerships around cooking, in particular, which I think are amazing." Moore adds, "Having the opportunity for our kids to go out and just have some positive connections in the community, but also having that stable adult that’s willing to be with them through that process and be that consistent person in their life."

COPY is grant funded. The next training for volunteer mentors is Saturday, April 13. The 3.5-hour class covers policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families and communication. A current volunteer will also take questions. It's free but advanced registration is required. To sign up, call 541-388-6651 or email. Click HERE for more information. 

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County District Attorney says an 18-year-old involved in an officer-involved shooting in Bend on March 20th died of a self-inflicted wound. Witnesses reported a vehicle traveling at over 90 miles an hour on the Bend Parkway that evening. The driver, later identified as Gabriel Platz, was then involved in a three-car crash. One of the other involved drivers told 911 dispatchers Platz smelled of alcohol. 

When police arrived, District Attorney Steve Gunnels says Platz was still in his vehicle and officers noticed a handgun on the floor. The DA says Platz disregarded commands to not pickup the gun. Investigators determined Platz was shot by police at the same time he sustained a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident was captured by two officers' bodycams. According to the autopsy, one of the bullets fired by police entered his leg, the other his chest. The self-inflicted wound was to his temple. 

DA Gunnels says the officer's "use of deadly force was reasonable to defend himself" other officers and bystanders. 

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz issued a statement thanking the DA and the Tri-County Major Incident Team for the "rapid, transparent and thorough investigation." He says, "The completion of the District Attorney's Office review brings to a close the criminal investigation required following these types of incidents. The Bend Police Department will now conduct an administrative review, which aims to assess whether officers adhered to department policies and procedures during the incident."

Krantz went on to say, "My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident, and I remain steadfast in ensuring our entire community knows that the Bend Police Department is committed to upholding their safety and well-being." And he urged anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or knows of someone who is to call 988 or County Behavioral Health at 541-322-7500. 

An image from an officer's bodycam shows Gabriel Platz raising his handgun, according to DA Gunnels' report. 

BEND, OR -- St. Charles Health System, Central Oregon Community College and OHSU are collaborating on a program to train more nurses. Dr. Susan Bakewell Sachs is Dean of OHSU's School of Nursing. She says it will help address the local healthcare workforce shortage more quickly than traditional prgrams, "Designed for individuals who already have at least a Bachelor's Degree in another field, to enter nursing through this accelerated program that gives them a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 15 months."

OHSU already offers the program in Portland and Ashland, "It is a well-established program," says Bakewell Sachs, "And we have students who have Bachelor’s Masters, Doctoral degrees, who make the decision to change their career path and come into nursing." The partnership allows for OHSU nursing students to use COCC’s simulation lab and classroom space, and they will serve many of their clinical hours with St. Charles. She says it'll also benefit OSU-Cascades, "OSU has graduates who come out of their campus with Bachelor’s of Science degrees, and who may very well want to pursue nursing."

The gaol is to train local students who Bakewell Sachs expects will stay in Central Oregon to work. "We have four regional campuses outside of Portland, and we really do seek to try to educate students in those communities who want to be in those communities." She adds, "We have examples of how this has worked well in other parts of the state, so I’m just really pleased we were able to put this together and we’re ready to move forward."

The first cohort of eight students begin classes in July. 

BEND, OR -- Safety improvements are coming to a section of Greenwood Avenue in Bend. 

The City's Project Manager Todd Johnson says they’ll begin work on what’s called a ‘road diet’ later this summer, “Changing from four lanes to a three-lane roadway section with turn lanes in the middle of that. And this is to provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians and vulnerable users. …Just add in a buffer between vehicles and those vulnerable users.”

He tells KBND News Greenwood from Wall to Second Street will see construction for a few weeks and then the traffic will be evaluated, “Likely implementing this around the July time frame of seeking public input on proposed changes. We have an open house that's live online right now and you can go and comment on it.”

The project is part of the city’s larger goal. “There is a council priority of investing in the core area and just seeing redevelopment there. So certainly, this Greenwood project is part of kind of the larger midtown connections projects that we have,” Johnson says, noting several projects are lined up, “We're looking at that Hawthorne pedestrian bridge, we're looking at making improvements to Franklin, and then this certainly at Greenwood with first the quick build, and then evaluating that for a year.”

An open house this Tuesday, April 9^th, will allow the public to give input. It’s from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bend City Hall.

There’s also an online survey at the city’s website.

BEND, OR -- Oregon’s strong snowpack is good news for the summer, if it doesn’t melt off too fast. "Forecasts are predicting slightly above normal water supply conditions for the summer," says NRCS Hydrologist Matt Warbritton, "Which of course bodes well for reservoir storage and also the irrigation season, which has started already."

New snow in Central Oregon this pushed the Deschutes-Crooked River Basin over 100% of average for this time of year. But just to the north, the Mt. Hood and Lower Deschutes Basin is lower than normal. Jefferson County Commissioners have asked for a state drought declaration. Warbritton isn't surprised, "Throughout Oregon, especially in the Cascades, but also as you move out into Central Oregon, there’s a lot of microclimates that come into play. And of course, weather patterns aren’t always consistent over a much broader area." He tells KBND News, "Although snowpack and water-year-to-date precipitation over these past two winters have been beneficial to the Central Oregon region that have seen mostly near-normal conditions, there’s still some lingering longer term dry conditions."

Warbritton says northeast Oregon is also likely to see a lower water supply this summer, "There are some indications of drier soil moisture conditions in the Umatilla basin, as well as snowpack and precipitation deficits in parts of the Grande Ronde and Powder River basins."

The strongest snowpack is in the southeast corner of Oregon, "The Steens Mountain and the Owyhee and Harney Basin, those areas have really seen pretty good snowpack through the course of the winter," says Warbritton, "And those are regions, historically, that have trended a bit more dry. But in the past at least couple of years, those regions have been doing well." He adds, "Our Fish Creek Snotel site, which is up at higher elevations in the Steens Mountains, actually has recorded as of April first, its fifth highest snowpack on record. And that record dates back to 1941."

BEND, OR -- A preliminary look at this year’s Point In Time homeless count shows a positive trend in Bend. "We actually went down in Bend, as far as overall numbers of folks who are homeless," says Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, "And we are also seeing less unsheltered homeless and more people who are in a sheltered status, which is good because then they get those connections that get them into housing." Local leaders got an early look at the results from the survey conducted in January. Kebler says the broader stats are mixed, "In the region, overall, the numbers did go up in total. But in our city, they actually went down. And that’s the first time that’s happened in over a decade."

She tells KBND News, "I think that’s a credit to the city leadership in stepping up and saying we need to expand those shelter facilities, and our community partners that stepped up: Shepherds House, REACH, NeighborImpact, everybody’s who’s helping us run our Project Turnkey and our Second Street Shelter, and creating better partnership with the county and coordination. And, I think this is a sign that we need to keep going; we can’t let up."

Kebler believes an increase in affordable housing options also helps, "For all the housing built in Bend, 10% of it was deed restricted housing. And that was the result of a goal that we set in 2021 and continued to push forward, to really ramp up the number of those subsidized affordable housing units, to go along with all the market-rate units that are being built in Bend." She adds, "10% may not sound like a lot. But if you look at what other cities are able to do and sort of how much it takes to subsidize these units, it’s actually a really big accomplishment to see that percentage of our housing be set aside for people with certain incomes to make sure they can afford it."

The official results from this year’s PIT count, conducted by the Homeless Leadership Coalition, have not been released. 

La Pine, OR -- Deschutes County will ask the Environmental Protection Agency for a grant to fund projects in the La Pine area.

Commissioners approved the grant request Wednesday after Community Development Department Director Peter Gutowsky told them how the money would benefit South County residents, “We have efforts that are ongoing right now that deal with air quality, upgrading septic systems, assisting homeowners with rehabilitation efforts, helping people with deepening domestic wells.”

The EPA’s Community Change grant is for addressing climate action, pollution reduction, and community engagement.

NeighborImpact, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality are included as partners in the proposal.

“We're going to have a story to tell, we're going to have experiences. It will inform how we can utilize these resources countywide, but it also has statewide implications in a very positive way,” Gutowsky told the board the partners play an important role in coordinating with the county to get the money, “You have to demonstrate, not only that you have the relationships today, you have the readiness to proceed, but you have the capacity to continue to invest in not just specific sub area, but for us, it would be all of southern Deschutes County.”

The proposed 19.7 million dollars in grant funding would go towards specialized equipment and implementing pollution reduction strategies.

“We have, I think a significant track record that we can leverage going forward with the partners. And it's a really exciting opportunity,” Gutowsky said.

The county aims to submit its application by late May or early June. 

BEND, OR -- A fire in the Scandia Village RV Park, in northeast Bend, remains under investigation. Bend Fire and Rescue responded Thursday morning, just before 5 a.m. after a neighbor woke to a loud noise and found a fifth wheel fully engulfed in flames. 

No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. Firefighters extinguished the flames, and prevented damage to neighboring buildings. The RV, a storage trailer and the contents are considered a total loss, with damages estimated at $75,000. 

UPDATE: Bend Police believe the fire was started by a man who was angry with the trailer's owner. The incident began just after 3 a.m. Thursday, when officers arrested 54-year-old Edward Bales for blocking Third Street with his pickup. Investigators say Bales and 26-year-old Austin Stapleton had been drinking together for several hours in Redmond and Bend. While driving to Bales' home in the Scandia Village RV Park, the two got into a fight. Stapleton allegedly punched Bales in the face and took his keys. 

Bales was in custody, charged with DUII, when firefighters were dispatched to his trailer at about 4:45 a.m. About 30 minutes later, Deschutes County deputies responded to a reported DUII in La Pine and arrested Stapleton. Bales' dog was in Stapleton's vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. He's now charged with DUII, assault, robbery, theft, burglary and arson. 

Photo courtesy of Bend Fire & Rescue

REDMOND, OR -- A special job fair aims to help educators find positions at local districts.

The Central Oregon Regional Educator Network hosts Thursday’s event at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

“We are definitely looking for classroom teachers. We are also looking for other educational positions, special education teachers, counselors, school psychologists, educational assistants to some of those classified positions,” Kimberly Strong, from the High Desert Education Service District, says there will be over a dozen prospective employers, “We're going to have 11 different participating school districts as well as some community resources. And so, it's an opportunity for local educator candidates to come on out and get to know some of our regional districts. High Desert ESD will be out there. They are always looking to recruit substitute teachers. So, there's a lot of different opportunities for folks in Central Oregon.”

She tells KBND News it is free to attend, but advanced registration is suggested, “Folks can do that by visiting centraloregoneducators.org and out of the 1st 100 people to register, we're going to put them in a raffle for some cool Central Oregon themed prizes.”

The event is from 1 pm to 6 pm Thursday in the Middle and South Sister buildings at the fairgrounds.

KBND File Photo: Previous Local Job Fair

SALEM, OR -- The Oregon Marine Board is trying to boost participation in its permit program for non-motorized watercraft, like paddle boards. According to the board, compliance is especially low in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

Stand-up paddle boards and kayaks grow in popularity every year, but the OMB doesn’t know how many of these non-motorized boats are actually out on the water. "Anecdotally, we believe that there are around 300,000, which is almost double what we have in motorized," and the OMB's Ashley Massey says the number of Waterway Access Permits issued is much lower, "Because paddling is such a wonderful activity and so many people do it, and it’s become so accessible to pick up at Bimart or Costco, a standup paddleboard or kayak, it’s really difficult to get a sense of what those numbers look like." Permits have been required since 2020 for, "Anyone who operates a non-motorized paddlecraft, and that includes standup paddle boards that are 10-feet or longer." 

Massey says, "When our marine law enforcement are patrolling waterways and they’re engaging with paddlers, a lot of them aren’t aware that this permit program is even around."

Permits cost between $5 and $30, "Some families have like six kayaks. And say only three people want to go paddling. You only need three out there," says Massey, "So, it’s one permit per boat and they are transferable to other watercraft." Recreators are supposed to carry the permit with them, either a paper or digital copy. Kids 14 and under are exempt. Paddlers also need to carry a properly fitting US Coast Guard approved and readily accessible life jacket and whistle. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while on board. Click HERE for more information.

Money from the permits goes, "To develop separate access, where possible. Especially in areas where there’s mixed use boating," says Massey, "A lot of conflict that we were hearing about out on the waterways was coming from motorized boaters, saying they can’t use a launch ramp because so many people are in the way. And, the same with boarding docks." Since the program began, the agency has issued $2.7 million in project grants, including one project near Bend's whitewater park.

REDMOND, OR -- A 40-year-old Redmond man was arrested last week on child pornography charges, and police say local children could be involved. Redmond Police say they received information from an out-of-state agency, leading them to execute a search warrant at the home of Justin Copeland. 

Detectives say they collected evidence pointing to Copeland's possible contact or attempted contact wit children in the Redmond area. Any information about the suspect or the investigation is urged to contact Det. Ben Halsey at RPD, at 541-504-3475. 

Copeland is accused of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child and Encouraging Child Sex Abuse. He was arrested Thursday without incident. 

REDMOND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners met Tuesday night with the Redmond City Council to discuss the possibility of creating a managed homeless camp on a portion of 45 acres of county-owned land near the airport. 

City Councilor Cat Zwicker also serves on the board for the Coordinated Houseless Response Office (CHRO) and says the current strategy of asking a service provider to develop a property is unlikely to work. She wants the city and county to first get infrasctructure to the site, "I feel like, this is almost a situation of if you build it, they will come." County Commissioner Phil Chang agrees, "I buy the argument that asking a homeless service provider to come in and develop a managed camp versus asking them to come in and operate a managed camp are two very different things. I’m personally very supportive of this proposal." He says there is funding for the project, "Of our remaining America Rescue Plan funds, we’ve allocated $1.5 million, so I would love to have a sense of what we think that $1.5 million could get us." 

Commissioner Patti Adair also serves on the CHRO board and said, "I really believe that we have an opportunity here. We need to get it done sooner rather than later."  She cited the county’s work providing water and portable toilets to campers in Juniper Ridge as an example of how a managed camp could work. Chang agrees that program has been successful, "But, we haven’t provided management. We haven’t provided a space for service providers to come in and support people on their journey out of homelessness."

Redmond City Councilors appeared open to the idea of siting a managed camp near the airport if it's a partnership between the city, county and a homeless service provider. Commissioner Tony DeBone was frustrated the conversation lacked details, saying, "When you say the word ‘managed camp,’ I don’t have a feel for what that means." Commissioner Adair replied, "It means that there’s rules. You don’t leave your trash out." But DeBone still expressed concerns, "There’s a lot of thoughts in each one of our heads about what we think this should look like. And there’s nothing on paper here, now. So, we’re talking about it at a high level. We’ve been doing this for years now, which is frustrating for all of us." 

Mayor Ed Fitch says the property could be ready by next spring. 

BEND, OR -- For the second time in just a few days, firefighters say efforts to destroy weeds started a structure fire. Bend firefighters responded to a home on Northeast Hope Drive Tuesday, and found flames spreading from the ground, up an outside wall and into the second floor. Crews kept the fire from growing and it was quickly extinguished.

Investigators say someone used a propane torch to burn weeds and hot embers spread from the ground to the garage. Damage is estimated at $100,000.

On Saturday, a Tumalo-area barn was destroyed after someone tried to get rid of weeds next to the building, using a propane torch. 

REDMOND, OR -- Windows of nearly a dozen vehicles were shot out in northwest Redmond over the weekend and police are asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible.

The damaged vehicles were discovered Sunday morning on NW Birch and NW Cedar, between NW 31st and NW 35th streets. Police believe the shooter used a BB gun or air rifle sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

Anyone living in the area with security footage is urged to contact RPD through non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911; reference case #2024-8946.

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County department that issues permits for new development wants to increase its fees to cover an anticipated future budget shortfall. "Deschutes County’s Community Development Department is the only county department in Oregon that really tries to be fee dependent," says Director Peter Gutowsky. He told County Commissioners this week those permit requests are down between 1% and 30%, depending on the category, "CDD, right now, is experiencing some structural budget challenges as a fee-dependent department. And, this is a reflection on conservative budget estimates over a five-year period. And we have a shortfall of approximately $1.4 million."

Gutowsky is asking County Commissioners to consider raising the cost of most permits in its fiscal year 2025 budget. The biggest increases would be for electrical and land use applications, which could go up 18%. He also proposes wiping out eight positions in the department. "I want to emphasize that the Community Development Department is not proposing layoffs," he says, "These are unfilled positions that we want to eliminate, and it just reflects our budget challenges." He’d also like to transfer for around $244,000 from a reserve fund.  

"I want to underscore that CDD’s budget is not vulnerable immediately," says Gutowsky. "We’re not in a budgetary crisis now. It’s just: we’re aware of this kind of budget vulnerability, or structural challenge on the horizon - five, six, seven, eight years, assuming our budget projections, which are conservative, were to be somewhat accurate."

Commissioners will formally consider his request next month, when they discuss the budget for fiscal year ‘25. 

TUMALO, OR -- A Tumalo-area barn was destroyed in a Saturday evening fire. The homeowner discovered the blaze at about 6:30 and called 911.

Firefighters from Bend, Redmond and Cloverdale responded and stopped the fire from spreading to nearby vehicles and buildings. But the barn and its contents are considered a total loss, valued at about $75,000.

Earlier in the day, someone was burning weeds with a propane torch near the barn. Its metal siding did not fully cover the wood framing and was able to ignite. The fire smoldered several hours before it was noticed.

MADRAS, OR -- Central Oregon Community College has wrapped up the design phase of its Madras Campus expansion project. Officials submitted for permits last week. "We hope to be breaking ground by the end of June 2024; so just around the corner," says Madras Campus Director Jeremy Green.

He tells KBND News the lower part of the building was designed in partnership with a third-party operator of a childcare facility, "The Children’s Learning Center is our partner, and they have existed for the last several years with a three-year long waitlist," says Green, "With the addition of 100 childcare slots, they’re going to be able to really meet the broader need within the community." Green says it means some kids could start pre-school at COCC Madras and later return to earn their degree. "This is an exciting venture for COCC, as a whole. We don’t have another facility on any of our four campuses that are going to be built or designed like this, with a third-party childcare provider on site. So it is going to change the look and feel of the Madras campus, for sure." 

There’s also an expanded health careers training facility that mirrors portions of St. Charles Medical Center. Renderings of the entire expansion project will be available at an open house later this week, "What are the COCC students going to experience when they walk into this facility, as a health careers-specific training site for nursing, nursing assisting and medical assisting? What can the broader community expect as this building is constructed over the next year?"

The open house is Thursday evening, April 4, at COCC Madras (1170 E. Ashwood Rd.), from 4 to 5:30 p.m. "We have the latest renderings of the project that will show the project to scale, that will give an idea of what the building will look like on the inside, folks accessing this facility from the childcare center get a look and a feel for what is it going to look like for the kiddos coming in." 

Fundraising for the project continues. Green expects the new building to open in the fall of 2025. 

Image: Architectural rendering of COCC Madras' new building