Crime And Courts Archives

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 Trump’s executive orders and federal agencies’ recent actions, bringing the total to a dozen so far. Rayfield noted Friday that his predecessor during Trump’s first term, former Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, had only

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 across the U.S. in 2024, following a four-year surge. Vehicle theft in Oregon declined a dramatic 30 percent, the NW Insurance Council reported Thursday. Despite the decline, the issue of vehicle theft remains a

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 protection from bankruptcy-inducing lawsuits if their equipment starts a catastrophic fire.

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 sheriff’s deputies said. Eighteen of the seized dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend for care and eventual adoption.

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 abuse and luring a minor, accused of posing as a juvenile to entice young girls to send him sexually explicit images online over the past two years. Last November, the Deschutes County

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 following up on, Police Chief Tim Plummer said Thursday. The department posted the video on its Facebook page Wednesday and requested help from the community to identify the people seen

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 of either a wireless or wearable panic alarm, passed the Oregon House Tuesday by a unanimous 50-0 vote.

$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, alleging gender discrimination. Both the current and prior district attorneys told KTVZ News they are pleased by the resolution of the matter.

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 but was caught and arrested by police without any injuries, Police Chief Tim Plummer said. Madras officers responded around 1:40 p.m. to reports of an armed subject near Highway

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 businesses along Rail Way in Sisters, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to an alarm and report of broken glass at the Mainline Station, located at 1001 Rail Way,

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 government, led by young Oregonians and their peers from across the country.

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 attempting to force the federal government to address climate change. Filed by 21 children and teenagers in 2015, the lawsuit alleged that the federal government’s energy policies

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 Business Administration out of nearly $109 million in loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric Karnezis, 43, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to commit wire fraud. On

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 of emergency, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management is urging residents to remain cautious and informed to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe. As communities come together

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 returned an indictment this week charging him with transporting a minor with the intent to have the child engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, in 2019, Steven

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 down to 20 mph, but only at times when new lights are flashing.

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 town, including a golf course. He was arrested after a spike strip flattened the tires and officers pinned in the vehicle on a cul-de-sac.

Reward fund total tops $30,000 for tips to solve recent illegal killing of gray wolf near Sisters

March 19, 2025 2:54 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Three organizations add to reward fund) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three organizations have pushed the total potential reward past $30,000 for information in the recent illegal killing of a federally listed endangered gray wolf near Sisters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday it’s offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads

La Pine-area couple cited after drug raid turns up large dismantled marijuana grow, butane honey oil and a handgun

March 20, 2025 3:42 pm Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A drug raid on a La Pine-area couple’s property found a dismantled large marijuana grow in their shop, authorities said Thursday. They were cited on felony drug charges and being felons in possession of a firearm. Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, detectives with the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement team,

Court docs reveal Idaho quadruple murder suspect bought a knife and victims’ roommates used social media before calling 911

March 19, 2025 11:05 pm CNN Newsource

By Lauren del Valle, Jean Casarez and Holly Yan, CNN (CNN) — A flurry of court filings in the quadruple murder case against Bryan Kohberger reveal the suspect bought a knife on Amazon months before the killings and the victims’ surviving roommates texted family and were active on social media before calling 911. The newly

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