BEND, OR -- It’s kindergarten registration season. Families in the Bend-La Pine School District with kids who will be five years old on or before September first are invited to events this Saturday at a variety of local parks. 

Lisa Birk, Executive Director of Elementary Programs, tells KBND News asking parents to register kids this early allows schools time to plan, “We can set students up in classrooms appropriately. We can make sure that parents are connected so that they are up to date on any of the events that are upcoming in their own schools. And they can just make sure that their student has all of the things in place to help them be successful on day one.” She says it benefits kids, too, “It just gets them connected with other adults. What we want our students to know is that every adult, whether it's your teacher or anybody who's kind of tall at your school, they are there to support you in whatever way is necessary. And so, we want them to feel comfortable both in our parks. But then also when they're coming to school. Parks are a really easy way for students to come in. Have the adults be able to meet with adults and get some paperwork done or other things done while kids are having fun climbing on a school bus, and looking through a little swag bag of all things related to getting ready for kindergarten.”

Registration and orientation events are in Bend, Sunriver and La Pine. Staff can also provide details on school boundaries and required enrollment documents.

Families can find the yellow school bus at the following locations on April 20:

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

• Hollygrape Park - 19489 Hollygrape Street, Bend
• Sun Meadow Park - 61141 Dayspring Drive, Bend
• Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park - 1310 NE Highway 20
• Sunriver/Three Rivers area - Oregon Water Wonderland 1 Mailboxes (South Century and Snow Goose)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Education Center - 520 NW Wall St., Bend
• Ponderosa Park - 225 SE 15th St., Bend
• Canal Row Park - 1630 NE Butler Market Rd., Bend
• Frontier Heritage Park - 16405 First St., La Pine/Rosland area

Bend-La Pine Schools also hosts "Kinder Fiesta," a Spanish language kindergarten kick-off event, on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St., Bend.

Click HERE to learn how to register online. When you’re ready to register, use THIS LINK link to get started. Find your neighborhood school through the district's Attendance Area page. Those who are not sure about their child’s school of attendance or who have additional questions about kindergarten registration can call 541-355-6820 to reach district staff who can answer questions in English and Spanish.

This story has been edited to include comments from Elemntary Programs Executive Director Lisa Birk

BEND, OR -- Following passage of HB 4002, Deschutes County is moving ahead with plans to create a deflection program for people caught with user-amounts of illicit drugs.

"It is essentially a goal to divert people who are willing to engage in some time behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment, to divert them from entering the criminal justice system and having that on their record long term," Behavioral Health Deputy Director Holly Harris told County Commissioners on Wednesday. "We would like to implement a Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion program, otherwise known as LEAD. So, similar to what Marion County has in their community; similar to what Seattle has done in their community. These are evidence-based programs. And they really can be tailored to your community’s resources and needs, and what your community desires to do with these types of programs." She added, "When law enforcement encounters somebody out in the community that is now in possession of small amounts of drugs - deflection-eligible amounts - they can be offered deflection."

Previous Coverage - New Drug Laws: DA Gunnels Looks Ahead

Harris says unlike in Marion County, where efforts are driven by the Sheriff's Office, the Behavioral Health division would lead Deschutes County's program. She told Commissioners Best Care and Ideal Options have already signed on to help provide staff when someone is caught with drugs, "So, those two partners will be able to respond 24/7 to the scene with law enforcement, if that’s what’s appropriate, to really make that initial connection - which is what the legislation was all about: making that point of contact, starting to build rapport and engagement, and offer follow-up services." Harris says, "If the individual is willing to accept that and they do the follow-up requirements, that are still yet to be developed as part of the program, then their charges can be dismissed and their record expunged."

Deschutes County was one of the first to notify the state of plans to create a deflection program under the new law. Because of that early adoption, Harris expects the county to receive more than $756,000 in state funding, with the first half allocated for development and roll-out of the program.

BEND, OR -- Mount Bachelor will now provide year-round on-site daycare for employees, "So, not only winter and summer season, when we’re operational, but also during the shoulder seasons when we are preparing for either winter or summer operations," says President and CEO John Merriman, "It was really important for us to do it year-round. Because if you don’t then your employees get into a bit of a bind at certain parts during the year. And daycare in town is difficult to get and extremely expensive." He adds, "They can either do a monthly rate or a daily rate. And they can just drop off their child, not worry about it. They’re professional, licensed childcare providers that we have here." 

The ski resort expanded the existing winter child care this past year to serve employees; in the past, it was primarily for guests, "We are lucky in that we already have the space. And since we provided it in the winter to both guests and employees, we’re already licensed." The rate paid by Bachelor employees will be subsidized by the company. Merriman says, "It was fairly easy to ask the manager if she could stay year-round, and ask the teachers if they could also stay year-round. So, it was certainly a benefit for them as well; now they don't have to look for a different place to work over the summer."
Merriman says it builds on other recruitment and retention efforts to address the high cost of living in Bend, "We added the employee housing earlier this season, and this is kind of another area where we feel like we can help make our employees’ lives easier." He tells KBND News one of his workers cried when she heard the news, "Because she was so stressed about what she was going to do for daycare for her less than year old child over the summer."

Daycare is available seven days a week for ages six weeks to 10 years old. For another few days, hours are 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Spring operations begin April 22nd, when child care closes at 1:30 p.m. Summer hours begin June 27th, when child care is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

photo courtesy of Mount Bachelor

BEND, OR -- A Bend couple is accused of illegally growing marijuana and selling it to east coast buyers. The investigation into 50-year-old Michael Bradford and 49-year-old Automne Glasow began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package of pot destined for Virginia.

Glasow was arrested during a Thursday morning traffic stop. At the same time, the Deschutes County SWAT team executed a federal search warrant at the couple's house on Manzanita Lane and arrested Bradford. The operation was a collaboration between the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Team and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team. 

Detectives also seized about 69 pounds of processed pot, 160 marijuana plants, packaging materials and cash.

The pair is charged with possessing 32 times the legal limit of marijuana and attempted delivery.

BEND, OR -- A Bend woman is charged with felony animal neglect and 15 misdemeanor counts of second degree animal neglect. Jean Poirier was indicted by a Deschutes County grand jury earlier this week.

The case began in March, when deputies responded to a tip about the condition of animals on the 66-year-old's rural property. After several days of investigation, 15 horses were seized. Veterinarians determined they were in dire need of medical care and proper feed. Poirier's 17 dogs were  in better condition and allowed to remain.

The horses are now at the Sheriff’s Office rescue ranch. They range in age from 13 to 29 years old and consist of one stallion, four geldings and 10 mares.

Poirier was arraigned Tuesday and is due back in court in mid-May. 

BEND, OR -- More traffic shifts are coming to Highway 97 on the north end of Bend. ODOT’s Kacey Davey says on Thursday, northbound traffic will move to a newly built section of the Parkway between Cooley and Grandview, "We’re not expecting it to cause any delays. It’s just a shift in traffic. So, people will move off the current road, they’ll shift a little bit over to the right and start driving on the new alignment, and tie back in around Grandview. But there’s no lights or detours or flaggers or anything like that."

She tells KBND News backups reported after last week’s change at the northbound onramp at Empire were caused by congestion and the signal at Robal Road. Those issues have eased, "The onramp basically had a light to be able to come on and off and that caused some delays. We adjusted the light timing at Robal to help with that, to allow more traffic to come in from that side. And also, people have adjusted; so our delays have gone down a lot." But, Davey says, drivers may still want to avoid that area, "You can go on Business 97 to 20, and then use the new roundabout to access it from that side. And that would eliminate having to use the light there at Robal, which still could see some backups during heavier traffic times, like after school or before or after work." 

According to Davey, more lane shifts and traffic adjustments are coming, "We’re more than halfway done. We’re expecting all of this to be done by the end of the year. But right now is a really busy time when we’re moving some things around and starting work on things we previously haven’t worked on." She adds, "I tell folks to keep an eye - we have a project sign-up. So if you go to our project website, you can sign up for these traffic alerts, and you’ll be notified any time something changes in the area." 

More blasting is also planned for near Empire this Saturday. Oregon Department of Transportation crews will blow up more basalt rock, forcing the closure of Highway 97 for a short time. "The last few blasts have only been closing the highway for about six or seven minutes, without too much of a backup at all," says Davey. That operation is scheduled for Saturday, sometime between 7 and 9 a.m.

VANCOUVER, WA -- The Clark County Medical Examiner released the identity Wednesday of a man shot and killed during an April 13th confrontation with deputies. Benjamin Woods, a 41-year-old Prineville man, died of multiple gunshot wounds. 

Authorities say Woods and a female accomplice stole a van in Hazel Dell, Washington on the morning of April 13th. Witnesses reported the male suspect had a handgun. The pair was spotted about 15 minutes later in Salmon Creek where they were reportedly involved in an attempted carjacking. 

When deputies responded, they contacted Woods inside an American Legion. Woods was shot and killed at about 11:30 a.m. during that interaction, although few details of the shooting have been released. The female suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Lyndsey Jones, was arrested several hours later on burglary charges. Her city of residence is unknown. 

The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by Vancouver Police, is conducting the investigation into the officer-involved use of force. 

BEND, OR -- A concept to engage the public in government policy decisions rarely seen in the U.S. could be coming to our area. City Club of Central Oregon Executive Director Kim Gammond says Citizen Assemblies are more common in Europe, "It’s a way for people to actually impact policy decisions beyond the one or two times a year we get to vote. And, it’s done in a way that’s much more democratic than a lot of our citizen involvement processes in government." She tells KBND News, "Ireland’s done several national referendums through this process. This is how they legalized abortion and gay marriage in Ireland was through this process. So, you know, not simple issues! And then, in the Basque country, in Spain and France, they’ve run them to help with some more local issues, there."

Gammond says the goal is to gather a large group of people from a community, representing the area's diverse ideas and demographics. She notes the more common citizen committees doesn't actively recruit members, "They’re often people that are coming forward and saying ‘I want to be on this.’ Where this is run more like jury duty; and we’re saying, ‘okay, 10,000 people in Deschutes County, are you interested in being on this?’ and inviting them in."

Nonprofits running Citizen Assemblies compensate participants for their time, and work with local governments to make sure recommendations are pursued. The Central Oregon Civic Action Project is actively fundraising for a local assembly, "The group that’s coming together here has spent a lot of time building the base, both for financial support, support within governments, and then bringing the right partners to the table to try to facilitate this." Gammond says the Civic Action Project is still developing its first policy issue.

City Club hosts a public forum Thursday morning to discuss the concept, "We’ll have a panel with Healthy Democracy, Central Oregon Civic Action Project and then a member of the Bend City Council, to talk about how this would look at the local level, in the United States and in Central Oregon." That forum is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist church. Register HERE.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County’s new landfill will likely be at the Moon Pit site, currently an aggregate gravel mine north of the town of Millican. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee settled on the location at its meeting Tuesday, choosing to not pursue a second option known as "Roth East," east of Millican. The committee's recommendation now goes to Deschutes County Commissioners, who will make the final decision.

Committee member Chris Ogren voted for Moon Pit, saying it’s important to choose a spot that will last as a landfill for 50-100 years, "We don’t know what the future of the Roth East site will have. I get that. I also think it’s unlikely that it’ll be a big mine. So, I think just the industrial site for me is the reason I’m leaning that way."

Keith Kessaris agrees the gravel pit is better suited for a landfill and faces fewer wildlife challenges, "Because of the disturbance that’s already occurred in Moon Pit, I think it lessens the environmental impact there, compared to the Roth East site. Also one thing, the observatory at Pine Mountain is one of the two observatories left in the state, besides the one we have here in Sunriver. I think there needs to be more attention paid to that and I think to protect that as much as possible, for future generations. The Moon Pit site, unfortunately the financial impact is a bit more, but I think it’s a better location."

Robin Vora also took note of the higher cost to purchase and develop Moon Pit, but he worries Roth East will take too long, "I like the Roth East site, from a financial standpoint. I’m concerned about the habitat and how that will be handled and the delay of those processes, as well. I’m not super excited about siting a landfill in a current mining application, but it might be the way to go."

Committee member Cassie Lacey, with the City of Bend, noted Roth East is also farther from the county’s most populated areas, "The city of Bend has explicit council goals around greenhouse gas emission reduction, so that’s definitely an important factor for us; just kind of that distance traveled."

Bend's Knott Landfill is expected to reach capacity within five years. 

SALEM, OR -- Prineville State Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson is among a group of a dozen female Republican lawmakers demanding action by the Oregon Schools Activities Association, after a transgender student placed third in the girls’ division at a Sherwood track competition.

The GOP women signed a letter to the OSAA director, saying they are "left with no choice" but to encourage parents to withdraw their girls from competitions in which biologically male athletes are allowed to participate. They also say they plan to pursue a statutory change in the 2025 session to remove records set by biologically male athletes in girls sports.

They ask the OSAA to change its Gender Identity Participation policy, which currently states a goal to promote harmony and fair competition among schools. Click HERE to read the full letter. 

OSAA Executive Director Peter Weber tells KBND News he's consulting with the Executive Board and counsel "to provide a response to these legislators."

BEND, OR -- As the four-way race for Deschutes County Commissioner heats up, the candidates’ ability to cultivate relationships takes center stage. 

Judy Trego is the Executive Director of the Sisters Chamber, and says she recently worked with state lawmakers to secure funding for the courthouse expansion by lobbying in Salem for $150 million,"And we were successful in doing that when no one said we would get the money." She adds, "The minute Rep. Levy got elected, I invited her to Sisters and got all the businesses together to meet with her, took her on a tour of Sisters."

Incumbent Commissioner Phil Chang says he’s also formed relationships in Salem, including work on an omnibus wildfire package, "That bill has now delivered over $10 million of funds for private land fuels reduction treatments in our community." He also says he built relationships with critical groups in the private sector, prior to getting elected, "Since I’ve been in office, those collaborative relationships have resulted in things like hundreds of more childcare slots available in our community." Chang also touts his work with federal lawmakers, including securing a grant with the help of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, "I was able to help the La Pine Community Health Center secure $3 million to help expand the health center."

Trego says she's also worked with Oregon's Congressional delegation, "When Rep. Chavez DeRemer first got elected, I invited her to Sisters and we did a roundtable with businesses to see what their challengers were, and give her a to-do list to take back to Washington, DC."

Small business owner and youth coach Rob Imhoff says, "Doesn’t matter if you’re in business, doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete, doesn’t matter if you’re in a club or part of a group, the relationships you have, that’s what gives you the benefit of the doubt. It allows people to trust in your intention." Imhoff adds, "I want to be a bridge builder. In terms of specific relationships, as they would relate to a county commissioner, I have already had some discussions with some high level people, with regards to- like, some of the Deschutes Basin Hydrologists." He says, "I carry an endorsement of a very important farm bureau. Why? Because I understand and relate to farmers, and I’m willing to have a conversation and not be closed off with any bias that I’ve come to the table with."

A fourth candidate, former addiction counselor Brian Huntamer, announced Monday he is dropping out of the race to support Imhoff. 

For the first time, this is a non-partisan race. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes on May 21st, the top two go to the November ballot. 

BEND, OR -- An 18-year-old Bend man was arrested Monday evening, following multiple pursuits in two counties. The incident started in Jefferson County, where a deputy tried to stop a Dodge Charger for going more than 100 miles an hour. They discontinued that pursuit at about 6:15 p.m., as the former law enforcement vehicle continued southbound. 

A Deschutes County Deputy spotted the car speeding through Terrebonne and tried to pull over the driver. But the Sheriff's Office says the pursuit was again called off when the vehicle hit 120 miles an hour.

Continuing south, another Deputy deployed spike strips at Deschutes Junction, at Tumalo Road. The Charger slid off the road, through wire fencing and irrigation pipes and stopped in a field. Deputies and State Troopers arrested Liam Bryne on multiple charges, including Felony Elude and nine counts of Reckless Endangering. He was evlauated at the hospital before getting booked into the jail. 

PRINEVILLE, OR -- A couple from Madras got stuck in the Ochoco Mountains, Sunday evening, prompting a rescue operation by the Crook County Sheriff's Office. The pair called 911 at about 6:15 p.m. and reported their vehicle was stuck in the mud in the Big Summit Prairie area. They were unable to dig out and the woman was due to take medication at 8 p.m.

Crook County Search and Rescue deployed nine members. A hasty team took off almost immediately, due to the potential for a medical issue. They took two vehicles, including a tracked vehicle. They arrived at the pair at about 8:20 p.m.

SAR officials say one person marked the road to help rescuers find their exact location. The pair and their dog were taken to a friend's house in Prineville. There was no medical need during the operation. 

CCSO reminds travelers snow is melting. But, as roads open, mud may be an issue on lightly traveled roads. Visitors are encouraged to let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return. 

BEND, OR -- A fire southeast of Bend destroyed a large shop, a tractor, two pickup trucks, two travel trailers and a car. Firefighters responded to Rickard Road just before 1 a.m. Sunday and found the barn fully engulfed, with flames spreading to a nearby home and trees. They knocked down the fire before it could damage the inside of the house.

The damage to the shop was so extensive, investigators could not determine the exact cause. Losses are estimated at $200,000. No one was hurt.

Bend Fire and Rescue says the home had just one working smoke detector and the resident was lucky to be awakened by the sound of the fire outside. 

BEND, OR -- Investigators have identified the two people killed Friday in a crash on Knott Road. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year old Bobby Jones, of Gilchrist, was eastbound and tried to pass a truck on a solid double-yellow centerline. He almost collided with a westbound pickup, and when he returned to his lane, his SUV clipped the truck, drove off the road and hit a tree.

Jones and his wife, 61-year-old Tami, both died at the scene. A backseat passenger went to the hospital with serious injuries.

BEND, OR -- NeighborImpact continues to see a rise in food insecurity in the tri-county area. "In the last year, we served over 800,000 food boxes and meal sites across Central Oregon, which is absolutely a record," says Food Program Manager Jordan Reeher, "And numbers just, unfortunately, keep going up around the region."

The nonprofit is a regional food bank, "We receive a lot of food from Oregon Food Bank and then distribute it to a lot of our partner agencies around Central Oregon," says Reeher, "They’re a lot of times where someone is receiving the food directly. That’s where people go if they’re getting hot meals, if they’re getting a food box." He adds, "The bulk of the work we do is providing food to those partner agencies. We want to support that network, make sure that we have food available and that we can distribute that." Reeher tells KBND News the need for food has grown since the pandemic, "Through our network, we did four million pounds that we distributed to our partner agencies, and then another two million pounds that our food pantries and meal sites distributed themselves. So, six million pounds that went out in just the last year."

Much of their work is donor supported. But an upcoming fundraiser will help continue efforts through the year. The US Bank Foodie Crawl is April 28th, from 2-4 p.m., "We always call it a pub crawl meets progressive dinner. It’s basically the best of both. You get to just walk around, try out some new spots, try out some new food." Reeher says, "You get to walk around on a beautiful day downtown and eat some little sampler plates from the best restaurants in Bend. It doesn’t get much better than that." There's also an after-party at McMenamins, from 4-6 p.m., "And all of it just supports the food program, and makes it so the work we do is possible."

Tickets are available now HERE. 

REDMOND, OR -- Oregon’s Department of Transportation kicks off a series of public workshops and open house meetings this week in Central Oregon, focused on safety. ODOT’s Transportation Safety Office will host eight meetings around the state over the next six weeks, starting Thursday in Redmond. ODOT's Mindy McCartt says others are scheduled for southern and eastern Oregon and The Gorge, "These are those rural areas where we haven’t been in very often."

The agency wants to hear ideas from the public about how to improve safe road user behavior, "It’s the getting the right information in front of the people that need to know, in order to elicit a behavioral change," says McCartt, "And the only way we know, right now, to influence the public is to get out there and ask them how they want to learn."

She says existing tools, like tickets and social media campaigns, aren't enough, "We’ve worked with our legislative partners and our law enforcement partners and increased the fines for distracted driving. Well, that’s still not working; we still have distracted drivers out there. So, now we’re going to be looking at what’s going to get your attention? What’s going to get your attention to re-think is it worth picking up that phone?"

The information will help determine how grant money is spent in each community on a variety of issues, "We’re looking at aging road users, we’re looking at bicycle safety, commercial vehicle safety, commercial traffic safety, distracted driving, drivers education, emergency medical services; impaired driving, intersection safety - when you think about, ‘is it legal to turn right on a red?’ Those kinds of things; U-turns, motorcycle safety, seatbelt awareness, child protective seats, pedestrian, Safe Routes to School, work zones." 

Thursday’s all-day workshop in Redmond requires an RSVP via email or by calling 541-508-9690. The open house starts at 5 p.m., at Redmond City Hall. Later stops include The Dalles, Roseburg, North Bend and Island City. 

SISTERS, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest invites the public to an open house at the Sisters Ranger District, Tuesday evening. "It’s an opportunity for the public to come and hear about a range of activities that we have planned for the upcoming year," says Kaitlyn Webb, with the Forest Service.

They'll talk about the upcoming wildifre season and projets planned for the season, "Vegetation management in the Green Ridge and Cougar Rock areas, anticipated prescribed burn plans - So, great opportunity to hear more about a community-focused overview of those plans, the new ranger station’s construction, predictions for fire season and also several watershed restoration projects." Webb tells KBND News, "It is a great opportunity for folks to come, hear updates, but then also have one-on-one conversation with the specialists."

Prior to the formal presentation, they'll offer a walking tour of the new ranger station site, "We’re in the middle of construction of a new ranger station in Sisters. So, it’ll be an opportunity for the community to come and take a walk, and take a look at the progress we’ve made on that construction so far," says Webb. 

That walking tour is at 4:45 Tuesday, April 9th. RSVP by calling 541-549-7700 or via email. The open house portion is from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Sisters Ranger District office on North Pine Street. No RSVP is needed for the drop-in event. 

BEND, OR -- The Homeless Leadership Coalition has released more preliminary data from this year’s Point In Time (PIT) homeless count. While Bend saw fewer unsheltered homeless, "There was a huge rise in Crook County for the number of people who are living unsheltered," says Coalition Chair Eliza Wilson. But she believes the spike is because of a better process, "We had a huge provider group and cross-systems group working to do the PIT count this year, and we’ve never had that level of engagement in Crook County." She adds, "The health department led the PIT count in Crook County and there were a number of organizations involved in that. Even the library, Redemption House were hugely involved. So they did such a great job of going out into more rural areas." She says most of those counted have been in that community for a long time.

The PIT count is a snapshot of where the unhoused spent the night of January 23rd. Wilson says volunteers counted 1,811 people in the tri-county region. That's 164 more than in 2023. As in past years, Wilson still believes this year's number is an undercount, "We do know that there are more people entering homelessness than exiting." She adds, "This is only what we can capture between 9-5, Monday-Friday; or, I think we had some people go out on Saturday and Sunday. If we were to really be able to have the capacity to count people when they’re off work, because we have a lot of folks who work."

Wilson says there is good news: In both Jefferson and Deschutes County, where state emergency funding increased shelter capacity, more people are accessing those services. "For the first time, there is a shelter in Jefferson County that opened, so we’re seeing more people in shelter in the count." And, "In Deschutes County, why we’re seeing more people in shelter, it’s because we’ve increased shelter capacity with the emergency order funding, and those investments. And in Jefferson County, the same thing: we have a shelter."

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers for Central Oregon Partnerships For Youth (COPY), to mentor young people who have a parent in custody. COPY's Bob Moore says the program works with kids trying to process a lot of family upheaval, "If you’re a kid who has a parent dealing with drug offenses or a registered sex offender, those are really big, challenging issues and you’re probably not having a lot of safe places for you to process some of the feelings and concerns that you’re dealing with." He tells KBND News, "Our volunteers are one of those people that are often having those conversations with kids because they know that’s a safe environment."

After training and background checks, a COPY mentor is paired with a child. "What we ask of our volunteers is to spend a couple hours per week with that youth for a year," says Moore, "And what that time looks like kind of depends a little bit on interest and activities and all sorts of different things."

To keep costs down, COPY partners with local organizations to provide options, "Whether it’s the rock climbing gym or the trampoline parks or High Desert Museum or the park and rec districts. So, a lot of opportunities for the volunteers to be plugged in with their youth, doing things out in the community that don’t cost a lot of money through those partnerships." Moore says, "Mt. Bachelor just ended up setting up a partnership with us to do some projects around getting kids into the outdoor environment with some of the programs that they offer. We’ve got some partnerships around cooking, in particular, which I think are amazing." Moore adds, "Having the opportunity for our kids to go out and just have some positive connections in the community, but also having that stable adult that’s willing to be with them through that process and be that consistent person in their life."

COPY is grant funded. The next training for volunteer mentors is Saturday, April 13. The 3.5-hour class covers policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families and communication. A current volunteer will also take questions. It's free but advanced registration is required. To sign up, call 541-388-6651 or email. Click HERE for more information. 

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County District Attorney says an 18-year-old involved in an officer-involved shooting in Bend on March 20th died of a self-inflicted wound. Witnesses reported a vehicle traveling at over 90 miles an hour on the Bend Parkway that evening. The driver, later identified as Gabriel Platz, was then involved in a three-car crash. One of the other involved drivers told 911 dispatchers Platz smelled of alcohol. 

When police arrived, District Attorney Steve Gunnels says Platz was still in his vehicle and officers noticed a handgun on the floor. The DA says Platz disregarded commands to not pickup the gun. Investigators determined Platz was shot by police at the same time he sustained a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident was captured by two officers' bodycams. According to the autopsy, one of the bullets fired by police entered his leg, the other his chest. The self-inflicted wound was to his temple. 

DA Gunnels says the officer's "use of deadly force was reasonable to defend himself" other officers and bystanders. 

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz issued a statement thanking the DA and the Tri-County Major Incident Team for the "rapid, transparent and thorough investigation." He says, "The completion of the District Attorney's Office review brings to a close the criminal investigation required following these types of incidents. The Bend Police Department will now conduct an administrative review, which aims to assess whether officers adhered to department policies and procedures during the incident."

Krantz went on to say, "My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident, and I remain steadfast in ensuring our entire community knows that the Bend Police Department is committed to upholding their safety and well-being." And he urged anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or knows of someone who is to call 988 or County Behavioral Health at 541-322-7500. 

An image from an officer's bodycam shows Gabriel Platz raising his handgun, according to DA Gunnels' report. 

BEND, OR -- St. Charles Health System, Central Oregon Community College and OHSU are collaborating on a program to train more nurses. Dr. Susan Bakewell Sachs is Dean of OHSU's School of Nursing. She says it will help address the local healthcare workforce shortage more quickly than traditional prgrams, "Designed for individuals who already have at least a Bachelor's Degree in another field, to enter nursing through this accelerated program that gives them a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 15 months."

OHSU already offers the program in Portland and Ashland, "It is a well-established program," says Bakewell Sachs, "And we have students who have Bachelor’s Masters, Doctoral degrees, who make the decision to change their career path and come into nursing." The partnership allows for OHSU nursing students to use COCC’s simulation lab and classroom space, and they will serve many of their clinical hours with St. Charles. She says it'll also benefit OSU-Cascades, "OSU has graduates who come out of their campus with Bachelor’s of Science degrees, and who may very well want to pursue nursing."

The gaol is to train local students who Bakewell Sachs expects will stay in Central Oregon to work. "We have four regional campuses outside of Portland, and we really do seek to try to educate students in those communities who want to be in those communities." She adds, "We have examples of how this has worked well in other parts of the state, so I’m just really pleased we were able to put this together and we’re ready to move forward."

The first cohort of eight students begin classes in July. 

BEND, OR -- Safety improvements are coming to a section of Greenwood Avenue in Bend. 

The City's Project Manager Todd Johnson says they’ll begin work on what’s called a ‘road diet’ later this summer, “Changing from four lanes to a three-lane roadway section with turn lanes in the middle of that. And this is to provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians and vulnerable users. …Just add in a buffer between vehicles and those vulnerable users.”

He tells KBND News Greenwood from Wall to Second Street will see construction for a few weeks and then the traffic will be evaluated, “Likely implementing this around the July time frame of seeking public input on proposed changes. We have an open house that's live online right now and you can go and comment on it.”

The project is part of the city’s larger goal. “There is a council priority of investing in the core area and just seeing redevelopment there. So certainly, this Greenwood project is part of kind of the larger midtown connections projects that we have,” Johnson says, noting several projects are lined up, “We're looking at that Hawthorne pedestrian bridge, we're looking at making improvements to Franklin, and then this certainly at Greenwood with first the quick build, and then evaluating that for a year.”

An open house this Tuesday, April 9^th, will allow the public to give input. It’s from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bend City Hall.

There’s also an online survey at the city’s website.

BEND, OR -- Oregon’s strong snowpack is good news for the summer, if it doesn’t melt off too fast. "Forecasts are predicting slightly above normal water supply conditions for the summer," says NRCS Hydrologist Matt Warbritton, "Which of course bodes well for reservoir storage and also the irrigation season, which has started already."

New snow in Central Oregon this pushed the Deschutes-Crooked River Basin over 100% of average for this time of year. But just to the north, the Mt. Hood and Lower Deschutes Basin is lower than normal. Jefferson County Commissioners have asked for a state drought declaration. Warbritton isn't surprised, "Throughout Oregon, especially in the Cascades, but also as you move out into Central Oregon, there’s a lot of microclimates that come into play. And of course, weather patterns aren’t always consistent over a much broader area." He tells KBND News, "Although snowpack and water-year-to-date precipitation over these past two winters have been beneficial to the Central Oregon region that have seen mostly near-normal conditions, there’s still some lingering longer term dry conditions."

Warbritton says northeast Oregon is also likely to see a lower water supply this summer, "There are some indications of drier soil moisture conditions in the Umatilla basin, as well as snowpack and precipitation deficits in parts of the Grande Ronde and Powder River basins."

The strongest snowpack is in the southeast corner of Oregon, "The Steens Mountain and the Owyhee and Harney Basin, those areas have really seen pretty good snowpack through the course of the winter," says Warbritton, "And those are regions, historically, that have trended a bit more dry. But in the past at least couple of years, those regions have been doing well." He adds, "Our Fish Creek Snotel site, which is up at higher elevations in the Steens Mountains, actually has recorded as of April first, its fifth highest snowpack on record. And that record dates back to 1941."

BEND, OR -- A preliminary look at this year’s Point In Time homeless count shows a positive trend in Bend. "We actually went down in Bend, as far as overall numbers of folks who are homeless," says Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, "And we are also seeing less unsheltered homeless and more people who are in a sheltered status, which is good because then they get those connections that get them into housing." Local leaders got an early look at the results from the survey conducted in January. Kebler says the broader stats are mixed, "In the region, overall, the numbers did go up in total. But in our city, they actually went down. And that’s the first time that’s happened in over a decade."

She tells KBND News, "I think that’s a credit to the city leadership in stepping up and saying we need to expand those shelter facilities, and our community partners that stepped up: Shepherds House, REACH, NeighborImpact, everybody’s who’s helping us run our Project Turnkey and our Second Street Shelter, and creating better partnership with the county and coordination. And, I think this is a sign that we need to keep going; we can’t let up."

Kebler believes an increase in affordable housing options also helps, "For all the housing built in Bend, 10% of it was deed restricted housing. And that was the result of a goal that we set in 2021 and continued to push forward, to really ramp up the number of those subsidized affordable housing units, to go along with all the market-rate units that are being built in Bend." She adds, "10% may not sound like a lot. But if you look at what other cities are able to do and sort of how much it takes to subsidize these units, it’s actually a really big accomplishment to see that percentage of our housing be set aside for people with certain incomes to make sure they can afford it."

The official results from this year’s PIT count, conducted by the Homeless Leadership Coalition, have not been released.