Ochoco National Forest starting prescribed burns, hazardous fuels reduction work this week

KTVZ on April 28, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: More specifics on acreage, location)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — With favorable weather conditions in place, the Ochoco National Forest Monday it is beginning this year’s prescribed fire operations this week on nearly 900 acres about 15 miles northeast of Prineville.

“We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires,” Public Affairs Officer Isabella Isaksen said in a news release.

We plan on burning up to 898 acres,” she told us.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include: 

Along the north end of Forest Service Road 27, north of Highway 26 and south of Forest Service Road 2710, in the Lookout Mountain Ranger District. 

These areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.  

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road. 

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled. 

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.   

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Wildfire Risk Reduction Plan up for review for the Los Padres National Forest

KEYT on April 28, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. –  A draft strategic plan to reduce fuels in the Los Padres National Forest and help firefighting efforts has been prepared. The public can review it and comment starting later this week.

It is called the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (WRRP). It covers a wide area including the Monterey, Mt. Pinos, Santa Lucia, and Santa Barbara Ranger Districts. That includes Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties.

The draft evaluates the environmental effects of this proposed fuels reduction and forest health project.

It proposes vegetation treatments on approximately 90,796 acres of National Forest Service lands administered by Los Padres National Forest (LPNF). The LPNF says that includes mechanical thinning, hand thinning, chipping and grinding, piling and burning, mastication, mowing and weed-whipping, prescribed fire, targeted grazing, and planting and seeding which may limit public access while work is being done. 

Up to 10,000 acres of treatments on average would be implemented annually over multiple years. The plan is to give firefighters fuelbreaks and defense zones while improving conditions for vegetation resilience.

“We’re trying to be prepared so that when a fire happens in an area we can give firefighters and communities a change to be effective and be able to quickly and effectively put out the fire and reduce the risk of catastrophic effects,” said the Deputy Director of the Los Padres National Forest Jeanne Dawson.

Forest officials say it will also  and protect the health of forest.

The Los Padres Forestwatch Group has been studying the plan and will have a detailed comment. Monday Benjamin Pitterle with the organization said, “reducing wildfire risk is a laudable goal, but this proposal puts roadless areas, endangered species habitat, and sacred tribal sites at risk. It distracts from real solutions by relying on outdated strategies that are ineffective at protecting forests and communities when it matters most—during wind-driven wildfires.” The group wants more funding and attention towards home hardening, fire prevention efforts and fire education for the public.

There have been informational meetings and the comment period is taking place between May 2th – June 2th.”We’ve taken a lot of the best available science out there and taken a lot of stakeholder input  and pulled it together  to have a pretty comprehensive project and we just want to get input from the public,” said Dawson.    

More information can be found at the project website:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/lpnf/landmanagement/projects.

A press statement from the National Forest Service reads:

Los Padres National Forest releases draft WildfireRisk Reduction Project Environmental Assessment

SOLVANG, Calif., April 17, 2025 — Los Padres National Forest officials released the draft EnvironmentalAssessment (EA) for the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (WRRP) on the Forest’s Monterey, Mt. Pinos, SantaLucia and Santa Barbara Ranger Districts. The draft EA evaluates the environmental effects of this proposedfuels reduction and forest health project.The Forest is proposing a series of vegetation treatments on approximately 90,796 acres of National ForestService lands administered by the LPNF within Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and VenturaCounties. Treatments will include mechanical thinning, hand thinning, chipping and grinding, piling andburning, mastication, mowing and weed-whipping, prescribed fire, targeted grazing, and planting and seedingwhich may limit public access while work is being done. The LPNF anticipates up to 10,000 acres of treatmentson average would be implemented annually over multiple years.The purpose for the WRRP is to increase community protection and enhance wildfire suppression opportunitiesby establishing fuelbreaks and defense zones while improving conditions for vegetation resilience andprotecting the health of forested areas from environmental stressors.The draft EA, supporting analysis, and other information is available for review online at the project website:https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/lpnf/landmanagement/projects. The LPNF will host four informationalmeetings prior to the 30-day public comment period. The meetings will be held in Santa Maria (April 21), BigSur (April 23) and Frazier Park (April 24). In addition, a virtual meeting will occur April 22.The Forest Service will accept comments on this proposal prior to the 30-day public comment period (projectedMay 2 to June 2) following publication of the legal notice in the Santa Barbara Independent. Comments will beaccepted electronically through the project website and can also be mailed to the LPNF Supervisor’s Office,Attention Kyle Kinports, 1980 Old Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93464, or hand delivered to that address.For questions concerning this proposal, please contact Mr. Kinports at (805) 961-5710.

#

Click here to follow the original article.

WATCH: Mizzou women’s basketball coach gives offseason update

KMIZ on April 28, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper took questions from reporters Monday afternoon along with star player Grace Slaughter.

Harper has signed several players since being hired last month to lead the women’s team after the departure of Robin Pingeton.

Watch the news conference live in the media player.

Click here to follow the original article.

St. Joseph Arts Association announces new stage name

News-Press NOW on April 28, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Arts Association has announced it will take on a new name to provide renewed energy within its organization.

While the association’s official legal name will remain as the Performing Arts Association of St. Joseph, Inc., for marketing and branding purposes, it will be known as ‘816 Live’.

“Our legacy is not changing, it is growing,” said Paul Storiale, executive director of 816 Live. “With 816 Live, our goal was to create a brand that feels more distinguishable and fresh, while continuing to embody the spirit of live events. We remain committed to our mission of delivering world-class entertainment to Saint Joseph and the entire region.”

The change will be a gradual transition, and the association said patrons will still enjoy the concerts and events they have come to love.

The 2025-2026 season for ‘816 Live’ will be announced on Thursday, May 1. Country music legend, Randy Travis will kick off the brand new season on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Click here to follow the original article.

I-15 Police chase ends near Blackfoot

KIFI on April 28, 2025

Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State Police stopped a pickup on I-15 near the south Blackfoot exit 89 after a high-speed chase that started near Pocatello on I-86 milepost 59.  

The chase ended around 11:30 a.m. Monday, just north of the exit. 

It’s unknown why police were chasing them.  

ISP and Bingham County deputies are also searching spots along the Interstate for items that may have been thrown out of the pickup. 

This is a developing story and will be updated as we get more. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Idaho Gives launches annual fundraising campaign

KIFI on April 28, 2025

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Monday marked the start of the 2025 Idaho Gives’ annual fundraising campaign.

Each year, Idaho Gives helps nonprofits in the Gem State raise money and awareness.

“We have about 640 different organizations participating this year,” said Idaho Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Impact Director, Evin Vask.

Sponsors and nonprofit representatives gathered at the Idaho Falls Public Library for the campaign’s launch party.

The fundraising campaign will run until Thursday, May 1.

To learn more about local nonprofits and how to donate, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Central High School presents ‘Night of Jazz’

News-Press NOW on April 28, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Jazz lovers will have a chance to take part in an event highlighting the work of high school students from the past year.

The Central High School Jazz Bands are preparing for their ‘Night of Jazz’ performance on Friday, May 9.

A dinner, silent auction and a live show will be presented to those in attendance.

The event also serves as the main annual fundraiser for Jazz at Central High School, and allows students to continue to gain experiences through Jazz.

Doors will open at 5: 30 p.m., with the performance starting at 6 p.m. in the Central high school gymnasium.

Those interested can purchase tickets for dinner and show for $15 presale, or for $17 at the door.

Those just interested in the show, can purchase presale tickets for $3, or for $5 at the door.

Light refreshments will be served for all guests and presale tickets should be purchased before Tuesday, May 6.

Presale tickets can be purchased by going to the CHS Night of Jazz website or by ordering from Paypal @CenralBandBoosters.

Click here to follow the original article.

City of El Centro previews Buena Vista Park ribbon-cutting ceremony

KYMA on April 28, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Buena Vista Park next month.

The ceremony is taking place, Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at 1010 Fieldview Avenue.

The park, according to the City, “is the latest addition to El Centro’s growing park system and was made possible through Measure P funding and a grant from the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program.”

“For us, this was really important. This neighborhood has about 250 households and there wasn’t a park within a one mile radius, and so as a community, it is really important to have parks nearby any neighborhood in El Centro,” said Adriana Lima, Community Services Director for the City of El Centro.

Click here to follow the original article.

Coachella and Stagecoach campground lost and found: What happens to it?

KESQ on April 28, 2025

Tori King

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ)– Each and every year, thousands of music fans descend upon the desert to attend both Stagecoach and Coachella. Last year, 250,000 tickets were sold for the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival, according to attendance data provided to News Channel Three by the city of Indio, but 2025 was expected to have an even higher turnout.

Higher attendance also leads to more items being left behind. With so many people in town, its easy to misplace items, especially enjoying the performances out at the Empire Polo Club. Most of those items end up at the festival’s lost and found. But what happens to the 60,000-70,000 pounds of junk that campers get rid of at Stagecoach and Coachella every year?

In order to find that answer, all you have to do is ask Lupe Torres Hilario. She’s the Director of Operations at the Galilee Center in Mecca. Over the past six years, her organization has partnered with Goldenvoice, the creators of the music festivals, to solve the ‘lost and found’ problem. They work together to make sure perfectly good items don’t go to waste.

News Channel Three’s Tori King visited the Galilee Center in Mecca to see the process from start to finish.

“So these are not like Prada sunglasses or diamond earrings being left behind, I mean, this is stuff that people deliberately left behind that they did not want to take home,” asked News Channel Three’s Tori King.

“Yeah, that’s correct, we don’t get none of that,” that Hilario. “The only stuff that we get is what campers use to spend the night that they don’t want to take back with them, things that they don’t want, or they don’t need it. Toothpaste, cots, beds, blankets, pillows, inflatable pools. That’s the stuff we bring back.”

Items are sorted at the center, cleaned and are first given to those in need.

“A lot of the sleeping bags are used for most of the homeless people that come in and ask us for something to keep them warm wherever they need to spend the night,” said Hilario. “We do also give back to families in need that come in with a clothing voucher. We do give them whatever they need with a clothing voucher.”

Whatever is left, is marked with a price and then sold at the Galilee Center Thrift Store.

“Everything gets sold, and all of the the profits go towards funding our programs,” said Hilario. “Those programs include our rental assistance, utility assistance, our food program, which is feeding 450 families each each week, and our our infant services. We give out 500 diapers to infants once a month. So you can give back to the community by purchasing from our store.”

Hilario hopes the partnership between the center and Goldenvoice continue for years to come.

“We try to help the community any way we can, and we would love to keep doing it,” said Hilario.

For more information on the Galilee Center, or any of its programs or thrift stores, click here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marine animals wash up dead in Ventura County, locals react

KEYT on April 28, 2025

Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif.—Fred Gray says he was heartbroken to see a baby whale wash ashore during his visit to Morro Bay last year. “I was hoping, you know, that the baby whale had a good life, you know, and it didn’t suffer,” said the Ventura native. This year many visitors to California beaches are having similar experiences. Sky5 footage from KTLA shows a dead humpback whale on a Ventura County beach Friday. Dead whales were also spotted in LA and Orange counties., and even as far north as San Francisco. Marine mammal rescue groups and scientists say that high levels of Domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin produce by algae blooms are causing the deaths. “The fish eat the red algae and then the birds, the seals, dolphins, things like that. They eat the fish and it has a neurotoxin that causes them to become disoriented. And then they have seizures,” said Steven Dishman, who lives in Oxnard.

And it’s not just whales. The surfers we spoke to have seen dolphins, seal lions, and even pelicans getting sick. “I was just walking to go surfing and somebody comes up to and he’s like, my friend got bit by a seal. He’s like, Be careful, there’s one out there…What really surprised me is at Rincon Point, I saw a couple of dead dolphins and I was really surprised. That’s rare,” said Ventura surfer Bart Williams.

Researchers at Scripps Oceanography say this is the fourth year in a row we’ve seen a toxic algae bloom off California’s coast. This year’s might be the worst one yet. “This is the worst overcast bloom we have ever seen in Southern California. The amount of animals suffering and strandings that we’re seeing related to this bloom is absolutely heartbreaking,” said Pacific Marine Mammal Center Veterinarian Dr. Alissa Deming.

Now that the cause of these deaths is known, locals are hopeful that organizations will be able to step in and help reverse this new trend.

Click here to follow the original article.