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Redmond Expects State Agency To Deny Groundwater Request

REDMOND, OR -- Redmond officials have been working with a state board to increase its allocation of groundwater to accommodate future growth. Mayor Ed Fitch tells KBND News it appears the request will be denied, "We did get a preliminary letter from the Water Resources Department, saying that it’s unlikely they’re going to approve our permit for additional groundwater. They have offered to allow us a rate increase, which would allow us to pump more water in the summer. But not a volume increase, for the need for water long-term."

Fitch says, "Right now, the city’s in actually fairly good shape, water-wise. We are bumping up against our limit for pumping in the summertime, so that’s why the rate is important. But we have enough water to sustain the city for the next 15 years or so." But under state law, Fitch says, the city is required to plan for water use beyond that. Other Central Oregon cities struggle with the same issue. "We are going to look at convening all our legislators and others with an interest in water in the Deschutes Basin, in May, to craft a proposal to the Legislature that would allow the cities to have certainty of access to water in the future," says Fitch, "And give cities the ability to plan long-term and to assure new businesses, new developers, new people that there will be water available when they come to Redmond or Bend or La Pine or whatever city there is in the Deschutes Basin."

He’s frustrated city water systems are limited by the state, when 17,000 unregulated wells in Deschutes County pump water out with no limitations. Fitch also notes cities in the Deschutes Basin use about 3% of the groundwater; the vast majority of the rest is used for agriculture. 

 

RPD Investigating Stabbing, Seek Witnesses

REDMOND, OR -- Redmond Police continue to investigate a downtown stabbing that occurred last Thursday. The victim is recovering. A suspect has not been identified.

Police ask people to come forward, who may have witnessed an altercation around 4:50 p.m. Thursday, possibly in the alley between SW Evergreen and SW Deschutes avenues, east of Seventh Street (pictured), behind Diego's restaurant. Businesses in the area with surveillance video are also asked to contact Redmond PD.

Anyone with information in the case should contact Det. Ben Halsey through non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

 

file photo courtesy Google Earth


Two Homes Damaged In Sunday Fire

BEND, OR -- Coals from a backyard firepit are blamed for a Sunday afternoon fire that displaced two families. According to Bend Fire & Rescue, one of the residents disposed of coals into a plastic recycling bin located outside, between the two homes. The ashes ignited the other contents of the bin and spread to the outside wall, eventually catching the other house. 

Firefighters responded just after 4 p.m. and knocked down the flames, but both buildings sustained substantial damage. A vehicled in the driveway also suffered minor damage. Crews remained for an extended period, due to a gas leak at one home. The meter was destroyed and Cascade Natural Gas had to excavate in order to shut off the gas.  

No one was injured, but damage is estimated at $300,000.

 

photo courtesy of Bend Fire & Rescue


Terrebonne Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest

TERREBONNE, OR -- A Bend woman is accused of trafficking drugs in Central Oregon. The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team arrested 38-year-old Nancy Long during a traffic stop on Friday.

Long was identified by drug agents as a fentanyl trafficker, prompting a short investigation and surveillance operation. Detectives believe she imported signficant quantities of fentanyl from the Portland area for distribution in the High Desert.

Long was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by CODE detectives and Sheriff's deputies on HIghway 97, just north of Terrebonne. Narcotics L9 "Bonnie" alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, and a search turned up a "substantial quantity" of fentanyl powder. 

The driver was released without charges. Long is charged with Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of fentanyl. She's also accused of a probation violation and was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. She's due in court March 22nd.


Six Arrested In CODE Drug Bust

BEND, OR -- Six people were arrested last week in a drug bust that authorities say resulted in the dismantling of a local trafficking operation.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team investigated community tips about a home on NE Moonlight Dr. in Bend and identified the group they say trafficked fentanyl and other drugs. After several weeks of surveillance, detectives say 37-year-old Cailen Mount and 27-year-old Chelsea Kelly were caught selling drugs in a parking lot at Windy Knolls and Twin Knolls Drive.

In a separate traffic stop, they arrested 30-year-old Shamika Alfonso and 24-year-old Robert Sanger as they left the NE Moonlight Dr. house. 

When detectives served a warrant at the house, they say 31-year-old Dana Fetch and 28-year-old Wylon Smith were seen trying to remove evidence. During a searc of the home, authorities say they found commercial quantities of powdered fentanyl, diethyltryptamine - a Schedule One psychedelic drug, cocaine and fake pharmaceutical pills made of fentanyl.


Bend Man Arrested For Threatening To Stab Motorists

BEND, OR -- A Bend man faces several charges after police say he threatened numerous people, Friday afternoon.

According to Bend Police, 31-year-old Arnaldo Lopez called 911 and reported he was standing in the middle of NE 27th and Highway 20, planning to stab someone. Officers responded to the area a little after 1 p.m.

Lopez reportedly blocked a Community Service Officer’s vehicle and threatened to fight her. He then ignored officers' commands and walked toward a patrol car in the middle of the road. Police pepper sprayed the man and took him into custody. No weapon was found. 

Lopez is charged wtih Disorderly Conduct, Coercion, Menacing and a Probation Violation.


JCSO Releases Identity Of Idaho Couple Killed In Plane Crash

MADRAS, OR -- After nearly a week of searching for next of kin, authorities have finally released the identities of two people killed in a plane crash southeast of Madras. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirms David and Venita Hagerty were the only two on board when their small plane went down March 10th. 

Bud Pugh is an associate pastor at the Hagertys’ Idaho church and says David flew Venita to Aurora to attend a family member's funeral in Lake Oswego. The crash occurred on their flight home.

Pugh tells KBND News David worked as an IT specialist for NOAA in Colorado, "And [he] was able to work from here but would travel back and forth on occasion, back to Boulder." Pugh says Hagerty volunteered to fly members of his church to a men's retreat, "He's very experienced and very careful, for all intents and purposes. We suspect he probably ran into the weather, or might've been heading into Redmond or somewhere to get out of it." Pugh called the couple faithful, good people. 

The NTSB continues to investigate the cause of the crash. 

 


Bowman Museum Celebrates New Exhibit Saturday

PRINEVILLE, OR -- The Bowman Museum unveils a new exhibit Saturday, highlighting Crook County’s early days. “Really celebrating the early history of Crook County is really celebrating a lot of what we still see today with the Pioneer Queens Association. We still celebrate the Pioneer Queens today. And that started back then and then also just the medical evolution of the area,” Museum Executive Director Sean Briscoe says the Crook County Historical Society has big plans for the Belknap Exhibit Center, “It opens up the opportunity for us to get a lot more of our artifacts out on display. So, we can show more of what we have in our collection. But also, it allows us to open up for traveling exhibits.”

Saturday’s grand opening shows off the newly renovated house. “Downstairs will be Dr. Belknap Crook County Doctor. So, it's really going to give a highlight of what kind of medicine was used in early Crook County. And then upstairs is going to be focused on our Pioneer Queens,” Briscoe tells KBND News the project has been in the works for years, “The Belknap Exhibit Center features not only one of Prineville’s first doctors, but also his influential wife, “Wilda Belknap was prominent in starting the Pioneer Queens association, which later would evolve into the Crook County Historic Society.”

Tomorrow’s grand opening is from 11 to 4. “We will have historical reenactors floating around. We'll have Mrs. Belknap who will be here and she will be kind of in character,” he says. There will also be historical artifacts on display and guest lectures. The Belknap Exhibit Center is next to the Bowman Museum.

 


Redmond PD Searches For Stabbing Suspect

REDMOND, OR -- Redmond Police are investigating a downtown stabbing. A Hispanic man was found stabbed near SW Sixth and Evergreen Thursday, just before 5 p.m. He was taken to the hospital. His condition has not been released. 

Detectives located the knife believed to have been used in the crime, but a suspect has not been identified. 

A "shelter in place" alert was issued but later lifted. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Ben Halsey at non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.  


Salem Man Arrested After Sunriver Assault, Standoff

SUNRIVER, OR -- A Salem man spent Thursday night in the Deschutes County Jail, following a more than six-hour standoff in Sunriver. Sunriver Police and Sheriff's deputies responded to a call of an unprovoked assault Thursday afternoon, in the area of 3 Whistling Swan Lane. Alexander Eaton is accused of punching a man and threatening to kill him before running into a nearby vacant home.

When police arrived, just after 2:30 p.m., they issued a "shelter in place" alert to neighbors and tried to convince Eaton to come out. Deschutes County SWAT responded and eventually entered the home, taking the 32-year-old into custody shortly before 9 p.m.

Eaton is charged with Burglary, Assault and Trespassing. He's due in court Friday afternoon. 


Input Sought On West Bend Trails Project

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest is taking public input on the West Bend Trails project on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District. A draft Environmental Assessment was just released for the proposal to reroute almost nine miles of trail to improve trail intersections and reduce long-term maintenance. It would also add more than 17 miles of new trails and decommission about 17 miles of unauthorized trails. The 30-day comment period closes April 15th. Learn more about what's planned HERE

The draft Environmental Assessment is available HERE. Comments can be submitted electronically by email or by mail to:

Kevin Stock, District Ranger

c/o Emilie Bedard, Deschutes National Forest

63095 Deschutes Market Road

Bend, OR 97701


Two Hurt In Powell Butte Hwy Crash

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Two people were hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Powell Butte Highway, Thursday morning. Crook County deputies and medics responded just after 7 a.m. and found two cars and a small SUV. One driver was flown to the hospital with critical injuries. Another driver was taken by ambulance.

Investigators say the SUV was eastbound when it left its lane and hit the two oncoming cars. They do not believe alcohol or other impairing substances were a factor, but the investigation is ongoing.


Crook County Schools Choose Superintendent

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Crook County Schools has named their new superintendent. “Unanimously, we selected Dr. Skinner and are currently working through contract negotiations. And when those are final or complete, we will make an announcement of what our next steps are,” said School Board Chair Jessica Brumble during Monday’s School Board meeting. 

Dr. Melissa Skinner is currently the Executive Director of Leadership at a school district in Odessa, Texas. She was chosen from among three finalists who met with school leaders and the community last week. Those groups then provided feedback. The board hired a consulting firm to aid in the search, last year, following the resignation of Dr. Sara Johnson.

“We appreciate all of the community feedback. We have quite a bit. Rob Hess’ firm did a great job with community involvement and those things,” Brumble said at the meeting. Provided contract details are ironed out, Dr. Skinner begins her role as Crook County Schools superintendent this July 1st.


Snowpack Is Strong, But Concerns Remain

BEND, OR -- Oregon ski resorts are thrilled with the snowpack. Mt. Bachelor reports it has received more than 300 inches this season and it plans to operate its full footprint through April 21. Spring operations begin the following day.

Snowpack in the Upper Deschutes-Crooked River basin is now 116% of normal. "In a lot of areas, snowpack levels are where we like to see them right now," says NRCS Hydrologist Matt Warbritton, "Across the Cascades and the central Blues, several of our SNOTEL stations have above-normal snowpack, and some don’t. Some are still below normal, so some areas still need to play catch-up by quite a bit." 

NOAA determined this winter has been the warmest on record, across the country. El Nino conditions brought higher than normal temperatures to Oregon, as well. But Warbritton says Oregon’s snowpack is slightly above normal for this time of year, "And that’s really due to three significant storms we’ve had, from early December to now. If not for even one of those storms, we may not be seeing these elevated snowpack levels."

Some trouble spots remain, like in the South Santiam and Hood River watersheds. "The mid-winter heatwave that we experienced in the second half of January had quite a significant impact on those sites’ ability to fully recover," Warbritton tells KBND News. In Central Oregon, snowpack in the Ochocos is now 116% of what's considered normal for this time of year, "That area’s been doing fairly well and that’s really good news for a region that’s experienced more extreme drought in the last five years." Nearly all of the middle of the state is still considered abnormally dry or in moderate drought, stretching from Wasco County to the California border.

Oregon’s snowpack typically peaks in early April, so we’re still a few weeks away from the end of snow accumulation season. "We’d still like to see that improvement continue into summer," says Warbritton, "And that’s really often going to be dependent on the rate of snowmelt during the spring, and also, temperatures."He is concerned about this weekend’s predicted warm-up, "In March, seeing temperatures above freezing in the mountains is not something we want to see, because then that will promote melting of snowpack. Especially, when you have sunny conditions, as well."

Images: (top) courtesy NRCS-Oregon; (upper right) courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor


E-Bike Bill Could Return In 2025 Session

BEND, OR -- Central Oregon State Representative Emerson Levy is frustrated strong e-bike legislation failed in the short session. But says the bill that passed, defining classifications for electric bicycles, is a step forward. "What we needed to do first and foremost: let’s correct the law; clean up the law. Because, it’s very difficult to operate for our cities and our schools and our police departments, when the law is mud - or, is clear as mud," Levy tells KBND News, "We couldn’t build on anything until we did that."

Her original bill would've created an education program, allowed kids under 16 to ride Class One electric bikes, and imposed penalties for parents of kids who violate the law. But, she says, "Ultimately, there was conflict between the bill and some bike advocates in Portland who wanted more, and less restriction. And that was something I wasn’t willing to compromise on." She adds, "What we ran up against, frankly, is people who don’t live on our side of the mountains saying kids should be able to ride Class Two bikes without restriction and no fines or penalties for - essentially, no fines or penalties."

She named the bill Trenton’s Law, after a Bend teen who died in a crash; he was riding an e-bike underage. His parents testified in support of the stronger restrictions, "Until you experience a fatality, like our community has experienced, and God willing they won’t, it’s hard to really understand what we’re trying to do." 

Rep. Levy says she hopes to revisit the issue in 2025. She’s also looking into a California program where schools require a parking permit for bikes. It's a free sticker applied right to the bicycle, "Regardless of if it’s an e-bike or regular bike, that means you’ve had a safety class and your bike is approved within their limits."

Overall, the Democrat says she wants to help educate parents, "I want families to have conversations no different than, ‘is this cell phone appropriate for my kid?’ These are very powerful machines, and I know people are ignoring the law. So, if that is happening, really be aware of your child’s ability, their education and how well they can navigate the road." 

Photo: Rep. Emerson Levy carries HB 4103 to the House floor, Feb 27, 2024.


With Filing Deadline Passed, Local Races Take Shape

BEND, OR -- Tuesday was the last chance for candidates to file for the 2024 election season, and the race for Deschutes County Commissioner is now a four-way contest. 

Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang faces three challengers: Small business owner Robert Imhoff, Judy Trego, founder of the Sisters Community Foundation, and Brian Huntamer, an unemployed drug and alcohol counselor.

This is the first election since voters approved changing County Commissioner to a nonpartisan position. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in May, the top two move to the November election. 

No new candidates for Deschutes County Sheriff filed for that race, which means Capt. William Bailey and Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp will appear on the November ballot. 

And, two Republican State Senators disqualified from running for re-election jumped into new statewide campaigns, just ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Dallas Senator Brian Boquist is running for State Treasurer. He’s the only GOP candidate in that primary race. Two Democrats filed to run last fall: fellow Senator Elizabeth Steiner and Jeff Gudman, a financial analyst.

Klamath County Senator Dennis Linthicum threw his hat in the ring for Secretary of State. He’ll face investment broker Brent Barker and market analyst Tim McCloud in the GOP primary. Linthicum’s wife Diane is one of two Republicans running for his Senate seat.

Senators Dennis Linthicum and Brian Boquist were barred from running for re-election due to last year’s walkout. 

file photo


Bend Parks Hosts Women's Hockey Event Sunday

BEND, OR -- A prestigous women’s hockey player hits the ice at The Pavilion on Sunday. “We have Megan Bozek, who is a two-time Olympian, four-time world champion for U.S. Women's hockey. She's going to be coming alongside a woman named Caitlin Parker who works for the Seattle Kraken,” The Pavilion’s manager Clare Gordon says it’s the third year for the Girls and Women "Have the Edge” skill demonstration, “We’re asking girls and women to come out and try hockey. So, this really is aimed to folks who are trying hockey for the first time or beginner level players who want to get a little more introductory work in the game.” Youth and women’s hockey have been offered at the Pavilion since it opened in 2015 but interest has picked up in the past few years.

Bend Parks and Rec took over the popular Learn to Skate program this year after the Bend Rapids hockey club ran out of grant funding. “It seemed such a positive influence on more girls trying hockey that we wanted to continue it this year. So, we kept the name and we're working closely with the Rapids,” Gordon says it will be a fun day for everyone, “Megan is going to be on the ice with all the players. She'll be out there talking to them, giving him feedback. We'll do a meet and greet with Megan for kids, ask questions and adults ask questions and yeah, get to meet her, and then we'll do a barbecue.”

The event will be led by BPRD's Learn to Skate and hockey coaching staff alongside the Bend Rapids youth hockey club. Participants are placed in three age groups starting at five-years old up to adults.  Equipment including skate rentals are provided. The event is free but registration is required. It starts at 3:30 Sunday afternoon at the Pavilion.

Photo credit: Bend Parks and Rec 


Bend Police First In Oregon With "Live 911"

BEND, OR -- A Central Oregon police department is the first in the state to use "Live 911," a new technological tool. "Live 911 is a partnership with Deschutes County 911 and Bend Police Department," says Lt. Brian Beekman, "It’s a software product that can stream the audio of a 911 call, real-time, directly to the first responder in their vehicle."

He tells KBND News it allows officers to respond to nearby incidents even before getting dispatched, "Not all calls, but some calls, seconds really do matter. And if we can shave down our response time from let’s say five or six minutes, down to a minute or two, that changes everything on the call and helps us resolve it more safely."

Officers don't hear every call coming into the dispatch center, only those in close proximity to their patrol car, "The first responder - in this case, Bend Police officers will set up a radius around their car. It’s off the GPS of their car. Let’s say it’s a mile radius. So, as they’re patrolling the city, within a mile of their car, if a 911 call comes in, that audio will be streamed, real time, right to that officer."

Beekman credits Live 911 for the swift arrest of an assault suspect after a fight in downtown Bend, last month. And, he says, it helped save a man involved in a January domestic dispute, "Unfortunately, he was in mental crisis. He decided to try to harm himself. He decided to try to take his life. If someone didn’t intervene within seconds, his life would’ve been taken, based on his actions. That officer arrived on scene within two minutes of the call being made to 911, provided medical care to that person. That person is alive today."

Bend PD and Deschutes County 911 tested Live 911 over the past year and now plan to continue it for the long-term. "Our City Council, right now, has a public safety goal around using pieces of technology to help the first responders, to help us resolve calls in a more efficient way, use our staff more efficiently," says Beekman, "And that’s what we’re doing here with this tool."

 


One Killed In Sisters-Area Crash

SISTERS, OR -- The driver of a pickup was killed in a crash north os Sisters, Tuesday evening. Deschutes County deputies responded to the intersection of Wilt and Hinkle Butte roads just before 8:30 p.m.

Investigators say the Dodge Ram Pickup was found resting on its side on the shoulder of the road, and no other vehicles were involved. 

The name of the driver has not been released. 

 

UPDATE (2 P.M.): The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office says 65-year-old Kevin Gast, of Sisters, was the driver killed in Tuesday night's rollover crash


New Drug Laws: DA Gunnels Looks Ahead

BEND, OR -- The Governor is expected to soon sign HB 4002 - one of several bills changing Oregon’s drug possession laws. Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels is pleased with the bill and its multiple opportunities for defendants to get into drug treatment instead of jail. "The system is bending over backwards to get them into treatment," he tells KBND News, "And if the person has any internal motivation to get into treatment, they will do it." Gunnels adds, "And, if they need the push of a judge telling them, "Look, if you don’t go to treatment, I’m going to put you in jail for six months.’ That is also available in this bill. So, I think that’s a positive thing for public safety in Oregon."

Prosecutors also pushed for what was called the Boyd-Hubbell fix. "There was a case that came out of the Oregon Supreme Court a few years ago that really made it difficult to prosecute Delivery of Controlled Substances, delivery of drugs in our communities," says Gunnels. Essentially, the ruling meant dealers could only be prosecuted if caught in the act of a drug sale. Under HB 4002, he says his office will again be allowed to prosecute dealers for possessing large amounts of controlled substances, even if not observed selling. "That is generally - that’s probably 90% of the cases we get are people who are in possession of drugs, they’re on their way to deliver them or they’re in their pockets and they’re going to deliver them." Gunnels says, "Under this new statute, it will be easy, because that is the new definition of Delivery, that covers what we thought Delivery meant for a number of years."

HB 4002 will take effect once it’s signed by the Governor. "There were a lot of people, a lot of entities that were approaching this bill - pro and con - to try to get various things inserted in it. And that’s why it’s a little bit complicated," says Gunnels, "But, at the end of the day, the re-criminalization of drugs will be a positive thing for the people who are addicted to drugs."

A separate bill increases criminal penalties for someone caught using drugs on public transit. 

file photo


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