Crime And Courts Archives

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…

Arizona brothers plead guilty in Oregon to fraud conspiracy that took in nearly $109 million in COVID relief funds

March 21, 2025 6:16 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two brothers from Sedona, Arizona, have pleaded guilty for conspiring with one another and others to defraud the U.S. Small…

Flooding Jackson County sheriff's office

Oregon emergency managers warn of fraudulent fundraising, other scam risks in wake of recent flooding

March 21, 2025 4:27 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Oregon communities grapple with the aftermath of devastating flooding and landslides, that Governor Kotek declared a state…

FBI agents arrest Pendleton man on charge of transporting, abusing Alaska minor, seek more info from public

March 21, 2025 2:41 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVZ) – An Oregon man was arrested by the FBI Thursday in Portland after a federal grand jury in Alaska…

School speed zone sign Redmond Police Dept.

Redmond changing school speed zone signs to flashing lights; drivers need to slow down to 20 mph when they flash

March 20, 2025 6:29 pm Barney Lerten

City of Redmond Public Works crews will begin updating 18 school zone speed limit signs this month, moving to a system where drivers need to slow…

Watch: Wanted Bend man arrested in stolen SUV after police spike strips end wild high-speed drive through town

March 20, 2025 10:01 am Barney Lerten, Harley Coldiron

A Bend man wanted on a felony warrant stole an SUV whose owner left it warming up at the Riverhouse Lodge hotel, then took it on a wild drive through…