Local News Archives

‘Very senseless and horrific crime’: Crook County judge imposes 25-year prison term in 2022 kidnap, fatal shooting

April 21, 2026 5:12 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras man indicted on murder, kidnap and other charges in the 2022 killing of another Madras man was sentenced Tuesday to a 25-year prison term on a lesser manslaughter charge, after he denied shooting or burying the victim, whose grieving family members pleaded for a murder conviction and life sentence. Victor Manuel Romero Jr., now 29, signed a plea petition last

‘Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home’ exhibition to open May 21 at The Museum at Warm Springs

April 21, 2026 1:56 pm Barney Lerten

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — “Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home” — a major exhibition featuring the art of celebrated artist Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama) and the art of a number of the artist’s closest friends from her personal collection and collections of other art institutions — will open Thursday, May 21, at The Museum at Warm Springs. The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, October 10.

Bend parks officials look to curb damage in north Shevlin Park as use grows

April 21, 2026 1:21 pm Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Bend continues to expand, city park officials are working to stay ahead of environmental damage in a lesser-used area of Shevlin Park that’s seeing a surge in visitors. Bend Park and Recreation District staff are presenting an updated trail plan for North Shevlin Park during a board meeting Tuesday evening,

Roller season gets underway at The Pavilion in Bend

April 21, 2026 12:34 pm Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Park and Recreation District said Tuesday it has completed its seasonal changeover at The Pavilion and is now open for roller activities. Spring through early fall welcomes roller skating, inline skating, skateboarding and scootering at The Pavilion’s non-ice season rink and skatepark. See the schedule for all details. There is also registration

Sisters High students take part in ‘bioblitz,’ count flora and fauna at proposed Highway 20 wildlife crossing sites

April 21, 2026 11:34 am Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University-Cascades, and Sisters High School are teaming up this month to conduct a “bioblitz” at four proposed wildlife crossing structure locations along US Highway 20. A bioblitz is a communal effort to record as many species within a designated location and time

Bend-La Pine Schools On the Road to Kindergarten

Bend-La Pine Schools invite families to ‘On the Road to Kindergarten’ events at neighborhood parks

April 21, 2026 10:44 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Families in the Bend-La Pine School District with children entering kindergarten this fall can register at a neighborhood park this Saturday. The mobile registration event will also provide details for the 2026-27 school year, including school boundary information, required enrollment documents and more, officials said this week. “On the Road to Kindergarten is a fun

BLM is reminding visitors that Teaters Road remains open for public access

April 21, 2026 10:28 am Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the busy recreation season begins, the Bureau of Land Management’s Prineville District is reminding visitors that Teaters Road remains open for public access. Gates along the road may be closed for short periods of time, but they will remain unlocked, officials said Monday. Visitors may pass through and should leave gates as they

Update: Deschutes National Forest cancels Tuesday’s prescribed burn SE of Bend

April 20, 2026 8:35 am Kelsey Merison

The Deschutes National Forest has cancelled a Tuesday planned 501-acre prescribed burning operation that it began Monday on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District southeast of Bend.

Weatherization workforce training in Oregon addresses energy affordability crisis

April 21, 2026 9:52 am Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — In recognition of Earth Day, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is highlighting its investment in a more sustainable future through hands-on weatherization training at the Oregon Training Institute. The Oregon Training Institute, located in Salem, prepares workers to improve home energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and create healthier living environments,

Multi-platinum artist Sara Evans to perform at Deschutes County Fair

Multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans to perform at Deschutes County Fair

April 21, 2026 8:01 am Kelsey Merison

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans will join Kendall Toyota of Bend’s Free Summer Concert Series on Wednesday, July 29th. The concert will kick off a week of live music and fair experiences. General admission to the concert is included with fair admission. The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo aims to provide

Bend man pleads guilty in 2020 murder-for-hire killing of Bend couple; his uncle got a 25-year prison term

April 20, 2026 6:52 pm Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend man facing two counts of murder and conspiracy in the 2020 murder-for-hire deaths of a couple at their northeast Bend home has pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter and is expected to receive a 20-year prison sentence. Last week’s plea deal comes less than a month after Nathan Shane Detroit’s uncle, Kenneth

Oregon safari owner pleads guilty to animal neglect, faces sentencing

April 21, 2026 7:40 am Kelsey Merison

BANDON, Ore. (KTVZ) — Back in February 2025, KTVZ News brought you a developing story regarding the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, after a December 2024 inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed the safari’s conditions. Several big cats appeared malnourished with visible ribs and hip bones. Coos County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested

‘The land is healing’: Closure of Cabin Butte area near China Hat extended as Deschutes National Forest continues restoration

April 13, 2026 12:49 pm Claire Elmer, Barney Lerten

(Update: adding comments from district ranger and forest official) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The closure of the Cabin Butte area, commonly known as China Hat Road, south of Bend has been extended for a reduced area as crews continue large-scale forest restoration work. The area has been closed to the public since last year to

There’s Good News: 100+ Women Who Care of Central Oregon donates to nonprofit that helps women in recovery

April 20, 2026 6:16 pm Barney Lerten

UPDATE: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Members of 100+ Women Who Care of Central Oregon have collectively donated $19,500 as of April 15 to M Perfectly, a Central Oregon nonprofit dedicated to ensuring the long-term success of women in recovery. M Perfectly’s mission is simple yet powerful: to equip women in recovery with the education, opportunities, and resources

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon to host “The Big Draft” at Greg’s Grill

April 20, 2026 5:07 pm Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon (BBBSCO) has launched “The Big Draft” recruitment campaign this week. It’s a partnership with the NFL Inspire Change Initiative. Together, they aim to find mentors for 85 youth in Central Oregon currently on a waitlist. “The Big Draft” is a national recruitment effort designed

Volunteers needed for 2026 Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium in Bend

April 20, 2026 4:56 pm Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Cascade Cycling Classic Downtown Criterium, presented by Hayden Homes and Simplicity, is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Bend, Ore. This one-day road cycling event will feature races from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the start and finish line located on NW Wall St. near the Tower Theatre. Organized

Madras man pleads guilty to manslaughter, faces 25-year prison sentence in 2022 fatal shooting

April 20, 2026 2:13 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras man facing trial on murder, kidnap and other charges in the 2022 fatal shooting of another Madras man has pleaded guilty to a lesser manslaughter charge and now faces a 25-year prison sentence, due to be imposed at a hearing this week. Victor Manuel Romero Jr., now 29, was serving time in

Outdoor burning rules vary across Central Oregon after dry, mild winter

April 20, 2026 11:56 am Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon fire districts are moving up the end of outdoor debris burning to April 30, citing dry conditions, gusty winds and faster-drying fuels that are raising wildfire concerns across the region. Bend Fire & Rescue says debris burning in the rural areas surrounding Bend will be allowed only through April

Bend’s Trinity Lutheran Church celebrates opening of its long-awaited worship, performing arts venue

April 20, 2026 11:02 am Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Trinity Lutheran Church & School celebrated and held its first worship service Sunday in its long-awaited, newly completed worship and performing arts venue, The Trinity Center. The opening of the new facility marks a milestone, as the church now has achieved permanent occupancy for its campus on NE Butler Market Road

Oregon AG leads deal for Albertsons to pay $773M in opioid settlement

April 20, 2026 9:42 am Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Monday, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced an agreement in principle with grocery chain Albertsons, requiring the company to pay up to $773 million to address its role in the opioid epidemic. Oregon, which helped lead the multistate negotiations, will receive up to $38.2 million over nine years. These funds

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