Crime And Courts Archives

Oregon DEQ still dealing with cyberattack, says there’s been no sign of a data breach

April 11, 2025 4:22 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said Friday it continues to work with the Department of Administrative…

Cyberattack targets Oregon DEQ; agency shuts down networks to limit impact

April 9, 2025 1:53 pm Barney Lerten

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has been the target of a cyberattack, the agency announced…

Authorities release names of mother, three young children found dead at Cornelius home

April 9, 2025 2:00 pm KGW

Two of the three children found dead in a Cornelius home were students at Cornelius Elementary School, the Forest Grove School District confirmed…

Problem Solvers: New legislation would notify schools of level 1 and 2 sex offenders visiting school

April 7, 2025 6:51 pm KTVZ

The Oregon House Committee on Judiciary held the first hearing Monday on legislation introduced by Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend, to keep more sex…

‘High-volume’ Central Oregon drug trafficker sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison

April 9, 2025 4:59 pm Barney Lerten

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A known, high-volume Central Oregon drug trafficker was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison Wednesday following…

Joshua Lawrence Smith murder arraignment 3-28

Murder trial of Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother delayed until July

April 9, 2025 2:32 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The murder trial of a Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother just over a year ago has been delayed for three months,…

‘A reckoning’: Oregon to get over $4 million in multistate settlement with drug firm for its role in fueling opioid crisis

April 8, 2025 12:59 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced Tuesday a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan…

Bend woman arrested on arson, animal abuse charges, accused of setting her home on fire, killing two cats

April 7, 2025 9:57 am Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video and comments from neighbors) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 65-year-old Bend woman was arrested on arson and animal abuse charges…

Oregon’s attorney general has joined in a dozen lawsuits challenging President Trump’s executive orders, agency actions

April 4, 2025 4:28 pm Barney Lerten, Tracee Tuesday

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined Friday in three more multi-state lawsuits challenging the legality of President…

Dramatic drop: Oregon sees auto thefts plunge 30% in 2024

April 3, 2025 3:19 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2024 Vehicle Theft Trends report reveals a significant drop in vehicle thefts…

PacifiCorp involved in bills in Oregon, other western states to limit utility wildfire liability, damages

March 31, 2025 10:49 am Barney Lerten

The Oregon Legislature is expected to advance two bills this week that could provide electric utilities with a financial safety net and some level of…

Humane Society of Central Oregon Responds to Urgent Dog Surrender Bend, OR (March 27, 2025) – In a major coordinated effort with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Department and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control, the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is currently addressing the surrender of over 30 dogs from a property south of La Pine. The dogs, ranging from young puppies to senior dogs, are suffering from various health issues, including malnourishment, significant injuries, and chronic disease. This urgent circumstance has put a strain on the resources of the shelter, which is at full capacity for dogs. With an ongoing effort to care for and manage this large intake of dogs, HSCO is calling for community support: Adoptions: Visit the shelter to adopt one of our currently available dogs, helping free up resources for incoming animals. All available animals are listed at hsco.org/adopt. Fostering: We are in need of short-term foster care for young and senior dogs. Donations: Many of the animals will need ongoing medical treatment and long-term care requiring significant funding. Secure donations can be made directly at hsco.org/donate. Executive Director’s Statement: Amber Kostoff, Executive Director of HSCO, says, "Right now, our top priority is giving these animals the medical care they urgently need. We’re calling on our community for help: adopt, foster, or donate. Your support will help ensure these animals get the care they need.” About the Dogs and Care Efforts: The surrendered animals are receiving comprehensive medical assessments and treatments from HSCO’s veterinary team. The dogs will become available as they are medically cleared and have been spayed or neutered. When the dogs become available for adoption, they will be listed on HSCO’s website: hsco.org.

La Pine-area woman facing 69 animal neglect charges; 18 of the surrendered dogs brought to HSCO in Bend

March 28, 2025 11:09 am Barney Lerten, Harley Coldiron

A woman was cited on 69 counts of first-degree animal neglect after surrendering dozens of dogs from her property south of La Pine, Klamath County…

South Deschutes County man arrested on charges of posing as a minor online to receive explicit images of girls

March 28, 2025 1:48 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 51-year-old south Deschutes County resident has been arrested and indicted on nine felony counts of encouraging child sex…

Caught on camera: Madras police receive graffiti-tagger tips after releasing security video

March 27, 2025 3:27 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Madras police release of security video showing at least one alleged graffiti tagger has brought in tips officers are busy…

Rep. Emerson Levy Alyssa's Law Instagram

Averting a ‘failure of communication’: Bend Rep. Emerson Levy’s House-passed bill could make schools safer

March 25, 2025 5:38 pm KTVZ

Alyssa’s Law (HB 3083), legislation that requires Oregon school districts to consider installing a panic alarm system in their schools, consisting…

$150,000 Deschutes County settlement with prosecutor brings to light gender disparity; county denies allegations

March 25, 2025 11:23 am KTVZ

Deschutes County has reached a $150,000 settlement with Deputy District Attorney Alison Filo of a lawsuit she filed against the county last year,…

Madras police chase, quickly arrest man accused of stealing knife at one store, threatening worker at another

March 25, 2025 4:18 pm Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A man who stole a knife from the Madras Bi-Mart and threatened a Domino’s Pizza worker with it ran away Tuesday afternoon…

Sisters man arrested suspected of burglary, multiple businesses damaged

March 22, 2025 3:06 pm Gregory Deffenbaugh

(Update: Adding video) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 26-year-old Sisters man was arrested early Saturday morning after a series of reported break-ins at…

U.S. Supreme Court declines to revive landmark climate suit brought by young Oregonians

March 24, 2025 3:23 pm Barney Lerten

The nation’s highest court declined Monday to hear a petition that would have revived a landmark climate change lawsuit against the federal…

Supreme Court declines appeal from Oregon youths seeking to force action on climate crisis

March 24, 2025 6:39 am CNN Newsource

By John Fritze, CNN (CNN) — The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a long-shot appeal from a group of minors who have for years been…