‘It’s not worth the risk:’ DUII drivers are still a serious, costly problem in Deschutes County
With holiday parties and gatherings at hand, intoxicated drivers continue to be a significant problem throughout Deschutes County.
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Raid on three Tumalo properties turns up illegal marijuana grow, 330 plants, DCSO says; resident arrested
TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) – A long-term investigation into an illegal marijuana grow operation led to a raid on three Tumalo properties Tuesday morning by several agencies and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and the arrest of a 39-year-old resident, deputies said Thursday. The Sheriff’s Office Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Team led the search
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Deschutes DA, commissioners discuss proposals to tackle addiction crisis, deal with Measure 110
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels met with county commissioners Wednesday morning to discuss an 11-point proposal by Oregon DAs, sheriffs, police chiefs and cities to address the crisis in drug addiction and needed changes to the voter-approved Measure 110.
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‘I want to be a cop when I grow up’: Central Oregon law enforcement and kids enjoy 2023 Shop with a Cop
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is granting holiday wishes with the annual Shop with a Cop Shop program, which began Tuesday at the Redmond Walmart and moved to Bend’s Walmart for more shopping excursions Wednesday and Thursday.
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NE Bend homeowner falls victim to jewelry theft for second time; other valuables stolen
Cascade Village is a manufactured home community located off Cooley Road in northeast Bend. A few weeks ago, a homeowner there says their house was been broken into, resulting in thousands of dollars in lost jewelry and other valuables.
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Residents near China Hat Road upset after recent string of crimes, continuing issues in homeless camps
Three transients tying to steal an RV from a camp off China Hat Road south of Bend early Saturday morning were pursued by two others when it became stuck, and a confrontation led to gunshots, one striking a woman in the shoulder, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said. Detectives and the SWAT Team later arrested the two men and a woman at a La Pine-area home.
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Amid calls for Measure 110 repeal, Oregon DAs, sheriffs, police chiefs and cities band together to propose major changes
Three months after a new joint legislative committee began public meetings to seek comprehensive solutions to Oregon’s drug and addiction crisis, amid many calls for either repeal or maj
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Deschutes County road construction update: Week of Dec. 10-16
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here is Deschutes County’s road construction update for the week of Dec. 10-16. Skyline Ranch Road Crack Sealing (Bend Area) – Crack sealing work will be occurring along Skyline Ranch Road between Century Drive and Skyliners Road. Traffic Information – Single-lane closures facilitated by flaggers will be occurring. Road users should expect delays
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‘A great day on the hill’: Mt. Bachelor’s (re)opening day brings crowd of skiers, snowboarders
Mt. Bachelor, which closed operations just a day after opening last weekend when heavy snow turned to heavy rain, reopened to sizable crowds on Friday after a new round of late-week snowfall that snow-lovers hope will keep the lifts spinning from here on.
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Deschutes County commissioners vote 2-1 to allow ‘safe parking’ for homeless near Bend and Redmond
Deschutes County commissioners voted 2-1 this week to join the cities of Bend and Redmond and allow “safe parking” sites outside the two cities for homeless people needing a safe place to park RVs, using similar rules and involving churches and their parking lots.
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Smiling China Hat armed menacing suspect still wants to represent self in court; judge unsure, appoints defender
A transient accused of firing a gun and menacing a touring Kansas family returned to Deschutes County Circuit Court Monday for arraignment on expanded charges in a 14-count grand jury indictment, and again said he wants to be his own lawyer.
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Emily Habeck’s Shark Heart chosen as Deschutes Public Library’s ‘A Novel Idea’ 2024 community read
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes Public Library is proud to announce Emily Habeck’s debut novel Shark Heart as the 2024 A Novel Idea…Read Together selection. Literary enthusiasts gathered at the Downtown Bend Library Saturday night to hear the announcement live. Also joining the lineup of coveted books and notable authors of A Novel Idea is
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Deschutes County road construction update: Week of Dec. 3-9
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here is Deschutes County’s road construction update for the week of Dec. 3-9: Gribbling Road Bridge Replacement (Bend Area) – Mobilization of equipment will be occurring on Gribbling Road near the Central Oregon Irrigation Canal. Traffic Information – Road users should expect trucks and equipment entering/exiting the roadway. Gribbling Road will be closed
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Heavy snow, rarin’ to go: Mt. Bachelor skiers, boarders cheer opening day, despite challenging conditions
A delayed seasonal celebration is still a party, and hundreds of skiers and snowboarders cheered hitting the slopes Saturday as a windy snowstorm that delivered over two feet of snow (and was still coming down hard) made for a happy opening day at Mt. Bachelor.
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Sunriver Women’s Club community grant program awards $39,000 to area nonprofits
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sunriver Women’s Club awarded more than $39,000 in October to local nonprofits serving south Deschutes County. This award represents a range of organizations focusing specifically on supporting food insecurity, child safety, shelter, and education and youth development. Grants addressing food insecurity include Care and Share Community Outreach to provide monthly
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Truck and trailer stolen from Bend businesses recovered, two fugitives arrested at Sunriver Business Park
A tracker on a truck stolen Friday from a Bend auto detailing business helped Bend Police and other law enforcement locate it in the Sunriver area and make a guns-drawn arrest of two Washington County fugitives, recovering the truck and a trailer stolen from another Bend business.
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1989 killer of Bend woman who took life sentence to avoid death penalty dies at Umatilla state prison
A Deschutes County killer who accepted a life prison term to avoid a death-penalty trial in the 1989 rape, robbery and killing of a Bend woman died Wednesday evening at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla, the Oregon Department of Corrections said Thursday.
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Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and SAR prepared, with over 130 volunteers ready for trouble this winter
With winter weather arriving, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue has reminders about being prepared for whatever the elements bring your way.
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Former DCSO deputy, detective convicted on two counts of official misconduct, acquitted on two other charges
(Update: Adding no sentencing date set; could face two-year sentence) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – After a two-day non-jury trial, a judge on Wednesday found a former longtime Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy and detective guilty of two counts of official misconduct and not guilty on two other charges involving intimate photos transferred from a dead man’s
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‘Aspirational visions’ of multi-use paths spark debate at hearing on Deschutes County 20-year transportation plan
Deschutes County reached a milestone Wednesday with a public hearing on the draft update of its 20-year Transportation System Plan. But inclusion of some controversial proposals for bike and multi-use path routes – even though not really up to the county to make happen — brought a predictable round of debate to the table.
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