Barney Lerten, Author at KTVZ

DCSO deputies seize 228 roosters in raid on alleged large-scale cockfighting operation NE of Redmond

November 5, 2026 2:34 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies raided a property northeast of Redmond and seized 228 roosters allegedly being used in a large-scale cockfighting operation, authorities said Thursday. Following a long-term investigation, detectives with the DCSO’s Street Crimes Unit served a search warrant on Wednesday at the property off O’Neil Highway, Public Information Officer

Oregon missing unified data collection, complaint process for farmworkers, report says

November 5, 2026 2:08 pm Barney Lerten

By Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM, Ore. – Oregon lacks a unified system to track data and handle complaints about working conditions from farmworkers who make up the backbone of the state’s multi-billion dollar agricultural industry, a new state report found. The 75-page report released last week by the Legislative Policy and Research Office

Central Oregon Strong: Bend-La Pine Schools grateful for physical donations, but running out of space; urges giving to funds instead

November 5, 2026 1:51 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools are offering thanks for an influx of physical donations in the wake of the Silver Rail Elementary shooting three weeks ago, but as it runs short of storage space, the district is asking that people considering donating to several funds set up for that purpose. “We are incredibly

There’s Good News: Locavore Holiday Gift Faire expands to two days for the first time; tickets now on sale

November 5, 2026 12:34 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -One of Central Oregon’s favorite holiday shopping traditions is getting a little bigger this year. Central Oregon Locavore’s 18th Annual Holiday Gift Faire returns December 11–12, expanding to two days for the first time. Tickets are now on sale for $3 per person. The Holiday Gift Faire brings together more than 80

Bend Chamber announces 2027 Bend Emerging Talent Passport Program

November 5, 2026 12:00 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Chamber is inviting local businesses and emerging professionals to invest in a stronger workforce through the 2027 Bend Emerging Talent (Bend ET) Passport Program. Offered through the BendNEXT Foundation and powered by U.S. Bank, the program combines practical leadership training, mentorship and professional connections in a yearlong experience. The

Oregon Health Authority issues updated public health guidance on harms, benefits of cannabis use

November 5, 2026 10:34 am Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Health Authority said Thursday it has published updated public health statements offering guidance to clinicians, local public health agencies, legislators and the public on the potential harms and benefits of cannabis use. Based on extensive review of scientific literature and key reports from around the world, the 2026 Cannabis Public Health

There’s Good News: U.S. Postal Service opens registration for ‘Operation Santa’ letter adoptions

November 4, 2026 2:35 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The U.S. Postal Service’s Operation Santa adoption registration is officially open! Groups and individuals interested in adopting letters for this year’s program should visit USPSOperationSanta.com, click on the registration link and follow the prompts. For security reasons, all prospective adopters must be vetted through a short registration and ID verification process

‘Everyone gave it all they had’: ODF looks back as record-breaking 2026 fire season draws to a close

November 4, 2026 1:58 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — All Oregon Department of Forestry districts have terminated fire restrictions, marking the end of the record-breaking 2026 fire season, the agency said Wednesday. “As we mark the end of the 2026 wildfire season, I want to thank our first responders, landowners, contractors, local governments, Tribal Nations, the Oregon National Guard, other

Bend-La Pine Schools to offer livestreams of Silver Rail Elementary families and community engagement sessions

November 4, 2026 12:47 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-La Pine Schools has posted links where the public can view Wednesday evening’s engagement session with Silver Rail Elementary School families and Thursday evening’s session for the broader community. Wednesday’s session is at this YouTube link, while Thursday’s meeting will be at this YouTube link. Here’s the full message posted Tuesday

Prineville hemp processing plant hit by second fire in five months; cause traced to overfilled holding tank

November 3, 2026 7:44 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The second fire in five months at a Prineville hemp processing plant had a similar cause as one that broke out this summer, but began outside the building, a fire official said. This time, the fire suppression system worked – it didn’t last time, prompting a closure order – but this

Central Oregon Strong: Young Silver Rail survivor’s grateful family overwhelmed by cards and gifts, asks for a pause

November 3, 2026 3:11 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– The tremendous public outpouring of love and support for the recovering 7-year-old survivor of the Silver Rail shooting has been so strong – well beyond dollars – that her thankful mother is asking that people pause sending any more gifts and cards. “As of right now, it’s going to take us forever to read and

There’s Good News: 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon gives $21,000 to BEAM program

November 3, 2026 2:48 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ_ Members of 100+ Women Who Care Central Oregon have collectively donated $20,500 to the BEAM Program, helping neurodivergent learners build confidence, develop self-regulation skills and rediscover the joy of learning. BEAM will also receive an additional $500 anonymous donation through the Oregon Community Foundation, bringing the total contribution to $21,000. “BEAM allows children

Deschutes County releases dramatic 911 call from Silver Rail Elementary hero: ‘Yeah, he’s shooting!’

November 3, 2026 12:57 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. — Deschutes County 911 released Tuesday the terrifying audio of the call Silver Rail Elementary parent Kaylub Giamanco made while pursuing a 16-year-old gunman into the school on Oct. 15 before he was able to fatally shoot him and stop the attack that left three children and a teacher dead and another child

Deschutes National Forest conducting pile burning near Kiwa Butte, NW of Sunriver

November 3, 2026 12:20 pm Barney Lerten

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest is conducting 150 acres of pile burning operations Tuesday, seven miles northwest of Sunriver near Kiwa Butte. Firefighters implement pile burning to reduce leftover vegetation generated from active forest management such as timber sales and pre-commercial thinning treatments. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with

LIVE Blog: Decision 2026 – The Midterm Elections

November 2, 2026 8:00 pm Barney Lerten

All 3 Central Oregon counties top state’s ballot returns 10:20 p.m. (Nov. 3) – More than 1.8 million Oregon voters – just over 58% – returned ballots in Tuesday’s general election, the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office reported just after 8 p.m. All three Central Oregon counties outpaced the state’s voter turnout figure. Deschutes County

Deschutes County deputies hand ‘souvenirs’ to two drivers heading up Century Drive to Mt. Bachelor around 90 mph

November 2, 2026 2:57 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The early-season snow is quite a draw to visit Mt. Bachelor, but two drivers in a 90-mph hurry to hit the slopes got what Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies called an unwanted “souvenir from their trip, and it definitely wasn’t a season pass.” Here’s DCSO’s lighthearted Facebook post Monday – with a

Utah teen missing for over a year found in Oregon; man arrested

November 2, 2026 11:42 am Barney Lerten

SALT LAKE CITY (KTVZ) — A 17-year-old Utah girl reported missing 17 months ago was safely recovered in Oregon on Sunday and a 39-year-old man with her was arrested, the FBI said. Oregon law enforcement worked with FBI in Salt Lake City and the Rich County Sheriff’s Office, located the girl, who was reported missing

McKenzie Pass winter closure begins next Thursday; ODOT warns that going past gates is ‘at your own risk’

October 30, 2026 3:08 pm Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With winter approaching, Oregon Department of Transportation crews will close McKenzie Pass, Oregon Highway 242 next Thursday, marking the start of the annual seasonal closure. McKenzie Pass is a scenic, secondary highway that closes each year as winter weather approaches. Due to weather, cost, and logistics, ODOT does not maintain the

Central Oregon Strong: Mom of 7-year-old Silver Rail shooting survivor thanks community for support

October 30, 2026 2:46 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. — The mother of the 7-year-old girl wounded in the Silver Rail Elementary shooting that claimed the lives of three classmates and a teacher thanked everyone for their support and donations Friday, in the wake of a “nightmare” shared by so many. “Hi everyone, this is Saylor’s mom, Danielle,” Danielle Graham said in

Central Oregon Strong: Silver Rail hero who wrestled with gunman identified, says: ‘It all happened so fast’

October 30, 2026 12:19 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Certified Learning Specialist who threw a cellphone at the 16-year-old Silver Rail Elementary shooter and tried to take his gun away was identified for the first time Friday and issued a statement saying in part, “It all happened so fast, and I wish with everything in me that we had