Governor Tina Kotek has directed that state flags be lowered to half-staff today Tuesday and Wednesday in honor of Chief Delvis Heath Sr. He served as one of three hereditary chiefs of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, since 1984.

This order aligns with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, following the chief’s passing Sunday, March 29.

Chief Heath devoted his life to advocacy and cultural preservation for the Wasco, Warm Springs… and Paiute tribes.

The flag tribute coincides with his funeral and sunrise burial in The Dalles and Simnasho.

A house fire early Saturday on Thomas Drive in Bend left significant damage but no reported injuries. The blaze was first reported at 5:07 am, with the resident awakened by a smoke alarm and able to evacuate safely. Firefighters arrived within eight minutes, discovering flames coming through the roof of the single-story home. The fire, traced to a pellet stove’s stove pipe in the attic, spread rapidly and caused the roof and ceiling to collapse. Losses are estimated at $480,000, including a vehicle in the garage. Officials remind everyone that properly working smoke alarms are critical to survival.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of overnight vehicle burglaries in La Pine’s Reserve in the Pines subdivision. Authorities report that between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday, an unidentified male suspect entered about 30 unlocked vehicles, resulting in at least five confirmed thefts. No damage to the vehicles was found, but the items stolen varied. Surveillance footage depicts the suspect wearing a light or patterned jacket, a light hoodie with the hood up, blue jeans, and a bright green mask. Residents are urged to review security footage and report tips to the Sheriff’s Office. Community members are reminded to lock their vehicles and remove valuables.

Law enforcement agencies across Central Oregon are collaborating once again through the re-formed Multi-Agency Traffic Team. Officers and deputies from multiple departments will focus exclusively on curbing unsafe driving and making local roads safer. Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasizes that speeding remains the number one complaint from residents. The sheriff noted that a specific, dedicated team is being reinstated due to population growth and increasing roadway incidents. Notably, Deschutes County experiences a higher rate of serious crashes linked to DUI compared to most Oregon counties.

 

 

Two men in their late 20's from the Willamette Valley, who were stranded nearly 400 feet above the ground on a narrow ledge at Smith Rock State Park, were brought to safety after a complex nighttime rescue.  Deschutes County Search & Rescue volunteers responded Monday evening when ropes became wedged in rocks, trapping the climbers in an area known as “Wherever I May Roam.” Navigating steep and exposed terrain in cold overnight conditions, SAR experts reached the men and secured them before conducting a technical descent. The climbers, who began their adventure earlier that day, were uninjured but cold and underprepared for the dropping temperatures. The successful operation concluded around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Park crews in Bend got a head start on spring, thanks to the region’s mild winter. Bend Parks and Rec teams completed maintenance usually delayed by snow, tackling both last fall’s postponed projects and this season’s preparations. A main priority was reducing fire risk—Julie Brown from the Parks department notes specialists spent weeks clearing brush and trimming vegetation during its dormant period. Nearly 2,500 yards of debris—equivalent to 250 dump trucks—was hauled away. That effort, says Brown, is vital for forest health and fire safety. Upgrades to sports fields and new trail construction also moved ahead on schedule.

 

 

Bend Police responded to at least 26 crashes in the past 10 days, with two resulting in serious injuries to a motorcyclist and a cyclist.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reports an alarming rise in dangerous speeding—particularly on Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond, where several drivers were stopped for going over 100 miles per hour.

With spring break bringing more drivers to Central Oregon, Officers are increasing enforcement and urging everyone to slow down and drive responsibly.

 

Deschutes County faces increasingly severe drought conditions, with the number of affected residents now at 67 percent—up sharply from just last month. Bend recorded only 0.02 inches of precipitation over the past week, and recent forecasts predict continued warm, dry weather with below-normal rainfall. The lack of moisture has left Central Oregon’s vegetation unusually dry and vulnerable, prompting urgent warnings from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Residents are urged to burn yard debris only on cool, damp days, clear vegetation around burn piles, and always check for local fire restrictions. In response to heightened wildfire risks, educators and agencies are gearing up for Wildfire Preparedness Fairs throughout April and May, offering workshops on home hardening, defensible space, and safe evacuation planning. Families can find event details and register at centraloregonfire.org.

Bend La Pine schools are experiencing a continued drop in enrollment, which is driving budgetary pressures for the district.  Mike Thomas reports:

 

 

UPDATE:

La Pine, Ore. – Fire crews have continued to make strong progress on the Riverview Fire in La Pine. Fire behavior has significantly moderated, and forward spread has stopped. As a result of improved conditions and ongoing suppression success, all evacuation levels have now been lifted.

 

The fire is currently estimated at 11.4 acres. No homes or structures have been lost or damaged. The fire remains under investigation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire crews are gaining the upper hand on the Riverview Fire burning near La Pine, with slowed fire growth and moderated behavior reported. However, Level 3 "Go Now" and Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation orders remain active as strong winds persist and authorities monitor the situation. 

 

Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation notice is issued for Timber Lane Loop, Riverview Drive, Bridge Drive, and homes along the Little Deschutes River. This area is located north of Burgess Road and west of Huntington Road, east of Forest Road, and south of Elk Court and Deer Run Lane. 

 

Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation notice is issued for the neighborhood north of Burgess, east of Huntington Road, and west of Hwy 97. This includes Cagle Road, Railroad Street, Skidgel Road, Antler Lane, Doe Lane, Pine Drive, Pine Place, Ash Drive, Oak Drive, Elm Drive, Santa Barbara Drive, and Murry Drive.  

 

No homes or structures have been lost to the blaze so far. The temporary evacuation shelter has moved to La Pine High School on Coach Road, where displaced residents can seek assistance. The fire’s cause remains under investigation. For updates, residents are urged to check Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office social media channels.

A motorcycle passenger was killed in a crash at SE Second Street and Miller Avenue in Bend Friday evening. Nineteen-year-old Malachi Longstroth of Redmond was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the motorcycle during a head-on collision with a Subaru Crosstrek. The motorcycle had been heading north at a high rate of speed when the Subaru, driven by a 25-year-old Bend man, turned east onto Miller Avenue. The motorcycle's 20-year-old driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Charles. The Subaru driver remained at the scene and is cooperating. Police continue to investigate the incident.

A late-night home invasion on NW Braid Drive has left one person dead and another hospitalized. Around 11:45 PM on March 12, a resident reported an unknown individual attempting to break into their home. A physical confrontation ensued before the intruder fled on foot. Bend Police responded and found the injured homeowner, who was transported by Bend Fire and Rescue with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers then located the intruder on a nearby golf course, gravely injured. Despite emergency medical efforts, the intruder succumbed to those injuries. Bend Police Detectives are now leading the ongoing investigation into the incident.

Bend officials are pleased with several protections advancing through Oregon’s recent legislative session. Mike Thomas reports:

 

 

Boundary adjustments in the Redmond School District are the subject of a couple of community meetings next week.  Mike Thomas reports:

 

 

A skier lost his life Monday afternoon on the Wanoga Way Ski Trail at Mt. Bachelor. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reports that 65-year-old Nigel Young of Portland was found unresponsive by Ski Patrol after an apparent crash. Despite swift medical attention and resuscitation efforts by Ski Patrol and Bend Fire medics, Young was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been skiing with friends who did not witness the incident. Officials confirm he was wearing a helmet, but his injuries proved fatal. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident with the assistance of Mt. Bachelor staff.

photo courtesy Bend Fire
Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a garage last night around 10:45 in the 700 block of SE Douglas, near Wilson Avenue. Alerted by smoke alarms, the family evacuated safely and dialed 911 while the fire was still contained. Crews arrived quickly, preventing the blaze from spreading beyond the garage and only beginning to affect the house. Investigators say improper disposal of woodstove ashes ignited the fire. The residence is now uninhabitable, and Red Cross is assisting the displaced family. Losses are estimated at $50,000. Officials emphasize that working smoke alarms made a crucial difference in the outcome.
 

(Washington, D.C.)  --  Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz says the Endangered Species Act is being incorrectly used under the National Flood Insurance Program.  Bentz has written a bill that would require floodplain management criteria to focus on protecting property and human health, restoring what the Republican says is a careful balance of responsible development, land management and flood protection.  Bentz says endangered species protection has been misused to impose overly broad restrictions. 

Bend Police have arrested 32-year-old Zachary Lee Coelho following an incident outside Cascade West on SW Century Drive that occurred just after midnight on March first. Authorities say Coelho became upset after being denied entry, engaged in a struggle with a security guard, and allegedly pointed a gun in the air and cocked it while making threats. After an investigation, Coelho was identified and located and arrested a few days later during a traffic stop near NE 15th Street and U.S. Highway 20 on Friday March 6.  A subsequent search of his residence uncovered firearms and a significant quantity of cocaine, along with drug packaging materials. Coelho faces charges including menacing, weapon violations, and multiple counts related to controlled substances.

The annual Sportsmen Show in Redmond is more than just a celebration of the outdoors—it’s an economic driver for Central Oregon.  KBND's Mike Thomas is there:

 

 

Crook County Search and Rescue teams worked overnight Sunday into Monday after 26-year-old Brian Ichkhanian of Bend was reported missing near Lookout Mountain in the Ochoco National Forest. Responders combed difficult terrain in the dark, aided by 17 team members, a K9 unit, and a drone in icy, snowy conditions. Searchers faced steep slopes and continual precipitation as they worked through the night. Around 7:00 a.m. Monday, Ichkhanian made it to safety, arriving at a local residence before being driven back to his car. He emerged tired and soaked, but unharmed after a tense night in the wilderness.

A La Pine man is in custody after deputies say he admitted to being involved in the homicide of his mother early Monday morning.
Authorities responded to Gordy’s Truck Stop, where they found 25-year-old Gavaughn Bates.
Deputies later discovered the body of 56-year-old ErmaJean McGillicuddy at a home on Woodstock Drive.
Two juveniles were present during part of the altercation and have been connected with support services.
Bates now faces multiple charges, including murder and assault.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and the case has been referred to the District Attorney’s office. 
Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
 

Deschutes County Search and Rescue had a busy Saturday, with three back-to-back calls.

First, a solo female hiker from Bend was stranded on South Sister after icy snow conditions forced her to turn back.

Airlink flew in SAR volunteers, who escorted her back safely.

Shortly after, Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol responded to rescue an injured Nordic skier between Todd Lake and Dutchman Flat, using snowmobiles to bring them out.

Finally, SAR volunteers assisted an injured dirt bike rider on Ford Road, who was taken to the hospital by Bend Fire & Rescue.

 

PRINEVILLE, OR., Feb. 27, 2026 — Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burning on the Crooked River National Grassland beginning Monday, March 2, at approximately 10:00 a.m., pending all required approvals. Operations are expected to continue through Tuesday, March 3, weather and conditions permitting.

The project will treat approximately 404 acres within the Pace Jackpot burning units 5 and 14, located approximately four miles southeast of Madras, in the vicinity of Buck Butte off Grizzly Road, east of Highway 26.

Smoke may be visible from Prineville, Madras, and along the Highway 26 corridor. Light smoke impacts are possible along SE Grizzly Road, particularly overnight and in the early morning hours as air settles into low-lying areas. Prescribed burn warning signs will be posted along Grizzly Road, in both directions and along Highway 26 near the project area. Drivers should reduce speed, and use headlights, and be prepared for changing visibility.

Prescribed burning will only occur when weather, fuel moisture, and air quality conditions meet criteria for safe and effective operations. If conditions are not suitable, ignitions will be postponed.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Ochoco National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.