Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert Continues Town Hall Series In Sisters (Photo)
- 01/20/26
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to attend a Town Hall meeting in Sisters this Wednesday, January 21, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Road.
This event is part of a series of Town Halls where Sheriff Rupert is meeting with residents across Deschutes County to discuss public safety, answer questions, and hear community concerns.
So far, meetings have been held in La Pine, Sunriver, and Terrebonne. Sisters is the next opportunity for citizens to engage directly with the Sheriff.
Additional Town Halls are planned in Redmond and Bend, with dates and locations to be announced soon.
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Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert Continues Town Hall Series In Sisters (Photo)
- 01/20/26
Sisters, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to attend a Town Hall meeting in Sisters this Wednesday, January 21, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Road.
This event is part of a series of Town Halls where Sheriff Rupert is meeting with residents across Deschutes County to discuss public safety, answer questions, and hear community concerns.
So far, meetings have been held in La Pine, Sunriver, and Terrebonne. Sisters is the next opportunity for citizens to engage directly with the Sheriff.
Additional Town Halls are planned in Redmond and Bend, with dates and locations to be announced soon.
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Holiday Traffic Safety Effort Yields 56 Stops, 12 DUII Arrests Across Deschutes County
- 01/16/26
Deschutes County, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its participation in the Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over campaign, which ran from December 10 – January 1 to help keep impaired drivers off our roads and ensure safer travel for everyone.
During the enforcement detail, deputies worked four six-hour shifts, resulting in:
- 56 traffic stops
- 11 citations issued
- 50 warnings given
- 1 warrant arrest
- 1 DUII arrest during the detail
- 12 Total DUII arrests agency-wide
While the primary goal of Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over is to prevent impaired driving, these efforts also allow deputies to engage with the community, share safety information, and remind drivers of the importance of making safe and responsible choices.
“We want our roads to be safe for everyone—not just during the holidays, but all year long,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Driving sober saves lives, and we appreciate the community’s support in making safety a priority.”
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to plan ahead, use designated drivers or a rideshare service, and avoid driving impaired. It’s never worth taking the chance of harming yourself or others by getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired.
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Holiday Traffic Safety Effort Yields 56 Stops, 12 DUII Arrests Across Deschutes County
- 01/16/26
Deschutes County, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its participation in the Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over campaign, which ran from December 10 – January 1 to help keep impaired drivers off our roads and ensure safer travel for everyone.
During the enforcement detail, deputies worked four six-hour shifts, resulting in:
- 56 traffic stops
- 11 citations issued
- 50 warnings given
- 1 warrant arrest
- 1 DUII arrest during the detail
- 12 Total DUII arrests agency-wide
While the primary goal of Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over is to prevent impaired driving, these efforts also allow deputies to engage with the community, share safety information, and remind drivers of the importance of making safe and responsible choices.
“We want our roads to be safe for everyone—not just during the holidays, but all year long,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Driving sober saves lives, and we appreciate the community’s support in making safety a priority.”
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to plan ahead, use designated drivers or a rideshare service, and avoid driving impaired. It’s never worth taking the chance of harming yourself or others by getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired.
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Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert Continues Town Hall Series In Terrebonne (Photo)
- 01/12/26
Terrebonne, OR – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents about this week’s community Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Terrebonne Community School.
These Town Halls offer residents the opportunity to connect directly with their Sheriff’s Office, ask questions, share concerns, and provide ideas to help shape the future of public safety in Deschutes County.
Sheriff Rupert’s next Town Hall will make a stop in Sisters on Wednesday, January 21, at Sisters Elementary School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional Town Halls are in the works, including several in Bend.
Sheriff’s Town Hall Meeting Schedule
Terrebonne
- Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Terrebonne Community School, 1199 B Ave., Terrebonne, OR
Sisters
- Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR
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Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert Continues Town Hall Series In Terrebonne (Photo)
- 01/12/26
Terrebonne, OR – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents about this week’s community Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Terrebonne Community School.
These Town Halls offer residents the opportunity to connect directly with their Sheriff’s Office, ask questions, share concerns, and provide ideas to help shape the future of public safety in Deschutes County.
Sheriff Rupert’s next Town Hall will make a stop in Sisters on Wednesday, January 21, at Sisters Elementary School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional Town Halls are in the works, including several in Bend.
Sheriff’s Town Hall Meeting Schedule
Terrebonne
- Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Terrebonne Community School, 1199 B Ave., Terrebonne, OR
Sisters
- Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Sisters Elementary School, 2155 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, OR
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Deputies With The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Suspect Following Homicide Early Wednesday Morning
- 01/08/26
Bend, Ore. – On January 7, 2026, at 2:58 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a property near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive just north of Bend. Upon arrival, the body of Christi Mitchell, 42, was discovered. Deputies contacted Stephen Mitchell, 45, who was still on scene and took him into custody.
Following an initial interview and investigation, Stephen Mitchell was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing several charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Physical Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Burning, and Abuse of a Corpse.
The public may notice police presence near Deschutes Memorial Gardens on the north end of Bend as the investigation continues.
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Fire Marshal’s Office.
Further inquiries regarding this case should be addressed to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.
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Deputies With The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Suspect Following Homicide Early Wednesday Morning
- 01/08/26
Bend, Ore. – On January 7, 2026, at 2:58 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a property near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive just north of Bend. Upon arrival, the body of Christi Mitchell, 42, was discovered. Deputies contacted Stephen Mitchell, 45, who was still on scene and took him into custody.
Following an initial interview and investigation, Stephen Mitchell was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing several charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Physical Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Burning, and Abuse of a Corpse.
The public may notice police presence near Deschutes Memorial Gardens on the north end of Bend as the investigation continues.
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Fire Marshal’s Office.
Further inquiries regarding this case should be addressed to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.
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New Four-Legged Deputy: The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Drug Detection K-9 “Dozer” (Photo)
- 01/06/26
Bend, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to welcome its newest working dog, K-9 Dozer, a 16-month-old Springer Spaniel specially trained in drug detection.
K-9 Dozer has been assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team and will work primarily in undercover and drug operations throughout Deschutes County and the tri-county region. Dozer was trained by Golden Gate K9 under certified trainer Frank Romano.
Dozer is a four-odor drug detection dog, trained to detect methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. Adding him to the K-9 team strengthens local drug enforcement capabilities, as there are currently only a limited number of odor-detection dogs available in the region. Dozer arrived in late December for an introduction with his new handler and will begin field operations in early 2026.
With Dozer’s arrival, DCSO now has five working dogs, including:
- Three patrol K-9s (Delta, Ronin, and Vinnie)
- One digital forensics detection K-9 (Cache)
- One drug detection K-9 (Dozer)
Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasized the importance of continued investment in drug enforcement efforts.
“Drug investigations play a vital role in improving public safety and preventing dangerous drugs from entering our communities, which often lead to increased crime,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “K-9 Dozer improves our ability to identify and disrupt illegal drug activity while ensuring the safety of our community, deputies, and partner agencies across Central Oregon.”
In addition to CODE operations, K-9 Dozer will be available to assist DCSO patrol deputies and other Central Oregon law enforcement agencies as needed.
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New Four-Legged Deputy: The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Drug Detection K-9 “Dozer” (Photo)
- 01/06/26
Bend, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to welcome its newest working dog, K-9 Dozer, a 16-month-old Springer Spaniel specially trained in drug detection.
K-9 Dozer has been assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team and will work primarily in undercover and drug operations throughout Deschutes County and the tri-county region. Dozer was trained by Golden Gate K9 under certified trainer Frank Romano.
Dozer is a four-odor drug detection dog, trained to detect methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. Adding him to the K-9 team strengthens local drug enforcement capabilities, as there are currently only a limited number of odor-detection dogs available in the region. Dozer arrived in late December for an introduction with his new handler and will begin field operations in early 2026.
With Dozer’s arrival, DCSO now has five working dogs, including:
- Three patrol K-9s (Delta, Ronin, and Vinnie)
- One digital forensics detection K-9 (Cache)
- One drug detection K-9 (Dozer)
Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasized the importance of continued investment in drug enforcement efforts.
“Drug investigations play a vital role in improving public safety and preventing dangerous drugs from entering our communities, which often lead to increased crime,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “K-9 Dozer improves our ability to identify and disrupt illegal drug activity while ensuring the safety of our community, deputies, and partner agencies across Central Oregon.”
In addition to CODE operations, K-9 Dozer will be available to assist DCSO patrol deputies and other Central Oregon law enforcement agencies as needed.
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Class Prepares Volunteers To Mentor Children Of Incarcerated Parents (Photo)
- 01/05/26
Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent.
After initial training and background checks, volunteers are matched with a child that shares similar interests and commits to spending a few hours a week together for a minimum of one year. This time is often spent on outside activities, exploring the community, doing art or craft projects, or simply hanging out and talking.
On Saturday, January 17, COPY will offer an orientation/training class. This 3½ -hour class covers program policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families, and communication skills. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required.
For additional details please call 541-388-6651 or email COPY@deschutes.org Additional program information is available at the Sheriff’s Office web site at www.sheriff.deschutes.org/copy
Class Prepares Volunteers To Mentor Children Of Incarcerated Parents (Photo)
- 01/05/26
Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent.
After initial training and background checks, volunteers are matched with a child that shares similar interests and commits to spending a few hours a week together for a minimum of one year. This time is often spent on outside activities, exploring the community, doing art or craft projects, or simply hanging out and talking.
On Saturday, January 17, COPY will offer an orientation/training class. This 3½ -hour class covers program policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families, and communication skills. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required.
For additional details please call 541-388-6651 or email COPY@deschutes.org Additional program information is available at the Sheriff’s Office web site at www.sheriff.deschutes.org/copy
