A kitchen fire erupted Tuesday morning in a duplex on NE Vail Lane in Bend.  The resident, awakened by smoke alarms, found the home filled with smoke and immediately evacuated, calling 911. Bend Fire and Rescue quickly contained the flames to the kitchen, preventing the blaze from spreading. Investigators say the fire started on the stove, possibly due to an unattended burner or a knob being bumped, igniting food and nearby cupboards. Damage is estimated at $75,000, with no impact to the other unit. Officials emphasize the importance of working smoke alarms, which proved critical in this incident.

The Hayden Homes Amphitheater is raising the bar for sustainability at concert venues nationwide. Achieving a 93.5% landfill diversion rate in 2025. Staff and fans worked together to cut down waste, eliminate single-use plastic water bottles, and encourage greener choices like reusable bottles and low-impact travel. Nearly 10,000 concertgoers rode bikes to shows; more than 156,000 pounds of material were recycled or composted, keeping per-guest waste to under one ounce. The venue has received top accolades from Live Nation, including for highest bottle recycling rebate and successful zero waste collaborations with major tours.

Shevlin Park will conduct a controlled pile burning operation beginning Monday, the fifth, as part of ongoing forest health management. Park Services and the Natural Resources team will burn understory debris that has been thinned and piled. The project is expected to last five days, and residents near Shevlin Park should anticipate visible smoke, which is intentional and closely managed. For safety, the parking lot nearest Aspen Hall will be closed, and signage will guide park visitors. This effort helps maintain a healthy forest environment for all.

An attached garage broke out in flames on NW Terra Meadow Drive on Christmas Eve, drawing a rapid response from Bend Fire & Rescue. Crews were dispatched just before 2pm after both occupants and neighbors reported the fire. Investigators traced the cause to a failed lithium battery in a passenger car that had been converted from gas to electric. Neighbors sheltered in place over concerns about toxic smoke from lithium-ion byproducts. The two adult occupants and three dogs escaped unharmed, and most personal belongings, including Christmas presents, were spared.

Modern attached garages are built with fire barriers between the garage and the main part of the house. This includes more sheet rock and heavier duty doors leading into the house to prevent a fire in the garage from spreading into the house. However, damage to home utilities has left the house unsuitable for living.

Mt. Bachelor is officially open, launching the 2025/26 season after recent storms bolstered the snow base and cold conditions brought fresh powder. As snow continues to fall, skiers and riders can look to Mount Bachelor’s website for updated information on lift operations, trail openings, event schedules, and CET bus routes. Uphill access and Nordic trails will open at 9:00 a.m., when a free Uphill Pass and armband will be required in accordance with Mt. Bachelor’s Uphill Policy. Early season conditions mean variable terrain, so visitors are urged to remain on groomed runs and exercise caution.

A La Pine woman is in custody this morning following a harrowing chase that stretched across Central Oregon last night. Deschutes County Deputies report Charity Carter, 46, refused to stop for troopers after allegedly abducting a 9-year-old from Multnomah County. Authorities disengaged pursuit several times due to safety concerns as Carter reportedly rammed five law enforcement and two civilian vehicles in her attempt to evade arrest. The pursuit, that began in LaPine, ended in Redmond when officers deployed spike strips and performed a PIT maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The child is safe, while Carter faces charges including kidnapping, reckless driving, and hit and run.

Three Bend residents are behind bars after police unraveled a home burglary on NW Baltimore Avenue.

The investigation traced the crime to 36-year old Heather Cordier, the home’s cleaner… and accomplices Stephanie LaFountaine, and Stephen Rechner.

Surveillance footage showed the trio removing bags of stolen property valued around 12-hundred dollars.

Police executed search warrants at two locations on December 9, recovering several stolen items and arresting all three suspects.

A fourth individual, Sergei Newlin, was also taken into custody on an unrelated parole violation.

All four now remain held at the Deschutes County Jail as the investigation continues.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch

Redmond’s new public safety facility is being hailed as a success, wrapping up three point four million dollars under budget. Mayor Ed Fitch points to the collaborative approach between engineers, architects, and builders as the key to this achievement—avoiding costly change orders and delays. The savings have already helped upgrade police radios and launch new evidence storage for vehicles, while the remainder has been set aside for future community needs.

Chief Mike Krantz with Sanford

The Bend Police Department recently welcomed a new support K9, Sanford—a four-and-a-half-year-old standard poodle trained not for patrol, but for people. Unlike traditional service dogs, Sanford has 20 handlers and roams the department, offering comfort and earning the playful nickname “Snackford.” Sanford’s role extends beyond police wellness—he supports both officers and community members during stressful situations, such as traumatic incidents or court proceedings. According to Chief Mike Krantz, Sanford helps lower anxiety and brings approachability to the department. It’s all part of Bend PD’s commitment to mental health and officer wellbeing.

A dramatic scene unfolded Monday night on NW Norse Way near Redmond when deputies responded to reports of a family dispute involving heavy machinery. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, a caller reported that a relative threatened—and then proceeded—to crush their vehicle with a stolen CAT 980M front loader. Responding deputies intercepted the massive equipment nearby and arrested 36-year-old Blake Mogan. Authorities say Mogan admitted to taking the $750,000 vehicle from a construction site. The front loader was recovered with minimal damage. Mogan now faces multiple charges, including vehicle theft and criminal mischief, at the Deschutes County Adult Jail.

District Attorney Steve Gunnels

DUI arrests go up in Deschutes County during the holidays.

District Attorney Steve Gunnells says Bend police make about 600 DUI arrests each year, and this number gets even higher when people are out celebrating.

 

 

A 15-year-old died following a head-on collision involving two motorcycles Saturday night on  Indian Lane in Crook County. Deputies responded around 9:23 and found the motorcycles in the roadway. The operator of the other motorcycle, also 15, suffered serious injuries and was flown to St. Charles Bend for treatment.. Authorities say alcohol is not suspected to have played a role in the crash. Investigations are continuing.

A fatal crash occurred Thursday night northwest of Bend when a vehicle left the road, struck a tree, and caught fire. Jennifer Lynn Simmons, 43, of Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Johnson Road between Tyler Road and Tamoli Lane. Simmons was alone in the car. Investigators believe speed was a factor. Johnson Road was closed for several hours. The incident is still under investigation.

 

Jaimie Olle with Deschutes National Forest

Smoke from controlled burns around the Deschutes National Forest may be noticed this week as firefighters continue their seasonal pile burning efforts. KBND’s Mike Thomas reports:

 

 

picture courtesy Bend Fire

A fire alarm at Miller Elementary School on NW Crosby sounded around 9pm Sunday, prompting a swift response from Bend Fire & Rescue. Crews traced the alarm to the gym, discovering a fire in the custodians’ workshop caused by a lithium battery failure. The fire sprinkler system activated, containing the blaze to the workshop, although smoke and water spread into the gym. Firefighters worked alongside school staff for over an hour to ventilate and clean affected areas. School officials canceled school for Monday. Experts remind the public that while lithium batteries are useful, storing and handling them properly is essential for safety.