Crook County authorities say a Redmond man has died following a kayaking accident at Prineville Reservoir. Deputies were called Saturday evening after reports of someone in distress in the water north of Powder House Cove Day Use Area. Poor cell service made details difficult to gather. Responders found an overturned kayak near the north shoreline, with a backpack and fishing pole still inside. Search teams, including Airlink, a marine deputy, drone support, and dive rescue crews from Klamath and Deschutes counties, assisted. On Monday, divers recovered 39-year-old Ricardo Toribio Amezcua in about 90 feet of water. Officials believe this to be a tragic accident with no foul play suspected.

A Bend man is in custody after police say a string of burglaries and vandalism targeted local businesses and vehicles Friday morning. Officers arrested 47-year-old James Tharp, Junior after incidents at High Time Vape and Smoke, The Herb Center and Third Street Beverage; where the front door damage alone was estimated at approximately $15,000. Later that morning someone had used large lava rocks to break the windows of five vehicles parked in the area of Northeast Ross and Boyd Acres roads. Nothing was taken from the vehicles. 

Investigators say surveillance showed the same suspect wearing distinctive clothing during the break-ins. Police later found Tharp inside an unoccupied home on Northeast Greeley Avenue, where they recovered about 900 dollars in cigarettes, along with racks, socks, and lighters. He was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on burglary, theft, and criminal mischief charges.

The Sno Park Fire west of Bend is now fully contained. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says forward progress has been stopped on the fire along Skyliners Road, and all evacuation notices for the area have been lifted.

Firefighters on the ground and in the air are credited with keeping the fire to about 10 acres. Crews will remain at the scene to reinforce containment lines and continue mop-up work, checking for hot spots and improving fire security.

Drivers should note that Skyliners Road near NF 4606 may still see intermittent access restrictions while fire operations continue.

A Bend man is in the Deschutes County Jail after a traffic stop near Sisters led to a fentanyl seizure.

Central Oregon Drug Enforcement detectives say they had been investigating 46-year-old Jeremy Boggs the past month, suspecting he was selling illegal narcotics.

Deputies stopped Boggs on a motorcycle around 11 p.m. Wednesday at Highway 20 and Indian Ford Road.

Investigators say he gave a false name and had a felony parole warrant.

Boggs was arrested on drug, false information, and parole violation charges.

Deschutes County deputies are keeping a close eye on spring traffic changes, especially on roads where posted speed limits were lowered.

Sheriff Ty Rupert says aggressive driving and speeding remain the top concerns he hears from residents across the county. In response, the sheriff’s office added a less-visible patrol strategy, using unmarked cars to monitor problem areas.

Rupert says the effort has been working effectively, with deputies seeing many drivers begin to adjust to the newer limits.

The sheriff tells KBND News the goal is not just enforcement, but safer driving habits on county roads.