Redmond School Superintendent Dr. Charan Cline

Planning moves forward on Redmond’s distinctive Tumalo K-8 expansion.  It will be as fresh approach to middle school.  KBND's Mike Thomas reports:

Nineteen-year-old Saxton Deaton has been arrested by Bend Police in connection with a road rage shooting that occurred near Third and Wilson. The incident happened just after 1:45 Sunday afternoon when another driver reported that his vehicle was shot following an aggressive encounter; no injuries were reported. After an extensive investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Deaton’s residence on Butler Market Road around 1:40 Monday morning and he was taken into custody without incident. Deaton faces charges including attempted first-degree assault, menacing, and unlawful use of a weapon.

Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair plans to run for Congress in Oregon’s 5th District in 2026 as a Republican, targeting Democratic Representative Janelle Bynum’s seat. Adair, known for supporting homeless veterans, has not yet officially filed. Under Oregon law, she must choose between running for Congress or for county commissioner by the March deadline. Her decision means the Deschutes County Board will see at least three new members, as the board expands with two additional seats next year. Two other candidates have already filed for the Congressional seat.

A former La Pine Middle School volleyball coach faces 20 felony charges, including rape, sexual abuse, and luring a minor, after alleged incidents involving a boy under 14. According to Central Oregon Daily News, Sierra Beverly Ann Stigall, 22, was taken into custody Friday and remains held at Deschutes County Jail. Prosecutors say these offenses occurred between May 1 and July 31, 2025, following her brief tenure as a 7th grade volleyball coach during fall 2024. Officials confirm Stigall’s only involvement with the school district was coaching for six weeks. Her arraignment is scheduled for Monday, November 24th,  in Deschutes County Circuit Court.

picture credit C.O. Daily

A Bend woman has been taken into custody after a fire broke out in a triplex Saturday afternoon on the 1200 block of NW Stannium Road. Officers arrived around 12:17 p.m. to find a second-story apartment engulfed in flames. Authorities say 33-year-old Rachel Joy Kidwell was at the scene and admitted to starting the fire. Police quickly evacuated nearby units while Bend Fire & Rescue prevented the blaze from spreading further. Damage was reported in neighboring apartments, but firefighters successfully controlled the situation. Kidwell faces arson charges and remains at the Deschutes County Jail as the investigation continues.

A county advisory committee has voted 4-3 to recommend a first-ever county-commissioner district-map.

Supporters on the committee included Bernie Brader, Matt Cyrus, Ned Dempsey… and Phil Henderson… while Andrew Kaza, Carol Loesche, and Melanie Kebler opposed.

The group also suggested assigning district numbers by random drawing. Staff will soon present this recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.

The choice is “Map C’…which can be viewed at the county’s website, Deschutes dot org.

If approved by both the board and county voters in the May 2026 primary, the new district boundaries would take effect in the 2028 election.

The Madras Police Department has formalized code enforcement authority with a newly established oath, clarifying officers’ power to investigate violations and issue citations.

This development strengthens the city’s ability to address nuisance issues, distressed properties, abandoned vehicles…and other code-related concerns.

The move is part of a broader strategy to improve public safety and neighborhood appearance, with an emphasis on effective enforcement alongside voluntary compliance.

Residents are encouraged to report violations using the city’s online complaint form.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says there has been a spike in illegal off-road vehicle use in Crooked River Ranch.

A straw poll of more than 2,600 property owners in Crooked River Ranch conducted by the county road district asked whether residents would be open to allowing ATVs — all-terrain vehicles — on the 62 miles of unpaved roads in the area.

Central Oregon Daily News reports the majority of residents -- 670-- voted no while 450 voted yes.

The road district is reporting the result to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds the public off-roading is currently illegal in Crooked River Ranch and that it would take a county ordinance to change that. 

A Portland man, Samson Garner, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to carry out a mass shooting at a climbing event in Smith Rock State Park.

Authorities intercepted Garner in August 2023 before he could act, discovering firearms, body armor, and ammunition in his possession. Investigators credit vigilant police work and crucial information from the community for thwarting the planned attack.

Garner was convicted on all 26 felony counts.

Tuesday, the Bend Heroes Foundation and Bend Senior High football players will install flags at Bend Heroes Memorial in Brooks Park starting at 7:00 am for Veterans Day.

Displays will be along the parade route, Veterans Memorial Bridge, Wall Street, Bond Street, and part of Greenwood. Flags will be taken down at 3:00 pm.

The Veterans Day parade begins at 11:00 a.m..

Bend police, working alongside the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, carried out search warrants at three locations Tuesday, arresting eight people tied to a September armed robbery at Ponderosa Park. The initial robbery, reported on September 29, involved a 27-year-old local resident being assaulted and robbed at gunpoint after an argument with friends. Officers say guns and prescription drugs were stolen. This week’s coordinated searches targeted locations on NW Portland Avenue, SE Wildcat Drive, and NE Purcell Avenue. Seven adults were booked into the Deschutes County Jail, while a 17-year-old was taken to juvenile detention. Authorities say further arrests and charges could follow.

Arrested: Ryan Nicolas Hansen, 19-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: Justin Tyler Bird, 18-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: Gauge Allen Raines, 20-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: Tayler Lewise Coverdale, 20-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: Devin Michael McGillan, 23-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: Charley Ray Ann Maxwell, 19-year-old La Pine resident 
Arrested: Amaiah Elizabeth Rowan, 19-year-old Bend resident 
Arrested: 17-year-old Bend resident  

Bend Police responded to gunshots at the Shilo Inn parking lot early Sunday, where an argument at a party escalated.

Investigators say 23-year-old Jeison [Yay-son) Barrios allegedly fired three handgun rounds, then struck a 32-year-old man with a vehicle before fleeing.

Officers located the injured man at a traffic stop; he was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect’s abandoned vehicle was later found, and Barrios was arrested hours afterward.

He now faces felony hit-and-run and weapons charges.

The investigation remains active.

The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned Ian Cranston’s conviction in the 2021 shooting death of Barry Washington Jr. in downtown Bend, citing a jury instruction error regarding self-defense and the absence of a duty to retreat under Oregon law.

Cranston, previously sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter and assault, may now face a new trial.

Cranston’s attorney told Central Oregon Daily News that he believes a correctly instructed jury will find Cranston’s actions lawful.

The Deschutes County District Attorney says state officials are considering appealing to the Oregon Supreme Court.

The timeline remains uncertain.