Evan Vega
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A color run was held at the Elks Event Center in Santa Maria on Saturday.
The event combined fitness, community, and vibrant colors for participating runners.
Bright colored dyes were thrown in the air as people ran the 5k event.
It was hosted by the Guadalupe Kiwanis and Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbra County.
It was open to all ages and fitness levels.
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding video, comments from executive director)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Mountain View Community Development is one step closer to building a 75-home village in Redmond for disabled people who have been homeless, thanks to a decision by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Monday afternoon.
“The community of Redmond has been really innovative and has provided congregate shelter and safe parking, and permanent sort of housing. I think Redmond is getting some things right,” said Executive Director Rick Russell.
In July, the nonprofit asked the county to lease a 9.5-acre property north of Oasis Village and south of a proposed managed homeless camp off Highway 126 in Redmond.
On Monday, the commissioners approved the lease agreement, which will run for 65 years at no cost to the nonprofit.
But it was a 2-1 vote, with Commissioners Phil Chang and Patti Adair in favor of the move and colleague Tony DeBone voting no. He did the same a bit earlier on a companion measure, an amendment to an existing ground lease to the city of Redmond, now scaled back from 12 to about three acres.
DeBone later explained to KTVZ News he’s not at all opposed to the project. But he believes the city of Redmond should be taking the lead on such efforts, as originally intended, not the county.
“I’m kind of done giving away free stuff,” he said.
Mountain View Community Development currently runs a safe parking program, but says the area needs more permanent solutions.
“We see people come into safe parking, and they get stable, and they start working on a plan to move forward. But so many of our older people are stuck waiting for a voucher for a subsidized apartment,” Russell told KTVZ News on Tuesday. “And they can wait not just months, but they’ll wait years for their number to come up.”
Here’s the rest of the Mountain View Community Development news release:
“Homelessness requires a whole community response, and we’re grateful for this successful collaboration with local government, private business, and nonprofit partners,” said Rick Russell, Mountain View Community Development’s executive director.
“The main barrier to our Safe Parking participants getting into stable housing is that there simply aren’t enough places to live, and waitlists are years long. This project will provide dozens of households with a place to live, on-site case management, along with an intentionally built community.
“What the county has done today is open the doors to more people gaining housing, and that is good for our unhoused neighbors and the community at large,” Russell said.
The 75 cottage-style homes will range from 400 to 600 square feet and will be designed and built by Simplicity by Hayden Homes, an affiliate of Redmond-based Hayden Homes. Land development is tentatively scheduled for this fall. with vertical construction to follow in 2026.
“Redmond is our hometown, and it’s important to Simplicity and Hayden Homes that we help our city solve the housing crisis,” said Ryan Jennings, President of Simplicity by Hayden Homes. “Simplicity has been building quality cottages for nearly 15 years, and we are proud to help Mountain View Community Development provide a safe, welcoming home to so many of our unhoused neighbors.”
For people to qualify to live in the village, they must be chronically unhoused and have a disability. Russell said he expects that most people will be 55 or older. Residents will pay 30 percent of their income for rent, and the remainder will be subsidized.
Mountain View Community Development will have case managers on site, and 10 percent of the homes will be reserved for people who haven’t been unhoused but want to live in the community as an informal support system.
The development will be funded by Oregon Housing & Community Services, which will also provide a rental subsidy and operations support. The nonprofit will apply for a $3 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank, as well.
It is also seeking private grants and funding, Russell said.
For more information, visit Mountain View Community Development’s website, www.mvcdoregon.org.
Karina Bazarte
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) hosted a town hall in Imperial County after he hosted a series of them throughout California.
More than 300 locals voiced their concerns at the Congressman Ruiz’s town hall meeting. However, the main concern is the actions by the Trump administration.
“My goal is to ensure that every single person in our district has a voice and that their concerns are heard in Washington D.C,” said Ruiz.
Before the meeting, I caught up with the California lawmaker who explained some of the concerns he’s hearing.
“The Imperial Valley communities…communities of the working class who are struggling day in and day out to make their paycheck last month to month, and so any increase of cost for what the tariffs are going to do is very concerning for them,” said Ruiz.
Besides tariff concerns, one local says many people in Imperial County have Medicaid or Medicare, or both. She says many programs also help locals with their health.
“It appears that all of these programs are helping our most vulnerable population but are now at a tremendous risk of being eliminated or cut to the point of coming ineffective and you have mention that as well…so when are you going to get ready to impeach Trump?” said the local.
However, the congressman says it will be hard for an impeachment to happen due to the lack of representatives being on the same page.
“Many of them agree with what he is doing and those that don’t and I’ve spoken with them are afraid,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz says his staff will be in attendance to help out with other concerns.
“If any individuals have any difficulties with Medicare, Social Security…The VA, [the] IRS or Small Businesses Administration, those are federal agencies they can come and meet with my staff who can start advocating for them through case work,” said Ruiz.
At the end of the meeting, some locals voiced their discontent of where they feel the congressman stand with certain issues.
Ruiz had this to say about their discontent.
“I am not for pro any Israel…Gaza war. I want peace, I want the war to end,” said Ruiz.
He also talked about the next step.
“Based on what I hear, I’ll take that with me to Washington D.C. and I’ll advocate for the ideas that have been brought up,” Ruiz expressed.
Mitchell Kaminski
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia may consider raising its sales tax as it prepares to draw down $31.1 million from its cash reserves over the next six years.
The projected spending comes as sales tax revenue falls short of expectations and employee wages and benefits continue to rise.
The City of Columbia purchased economic data from Oxford Economics to assist with future financial projections.
According to Columbia’s Director of Finance Matthew Lue , while sales tax revenue is still growing, it is not expected to increase at the same pace as last year. In fiscal year 2024, Columbia collected approximately $31.8 million in sales tax revenue. That figure is projected to decline to about $30.1 million by the end of fiscal year 2025. However that number is expected to estimated to gradually increase to $34.3 million by 2031.
Potential tax hikes on the table
Columbia’s current sales tax rate is 7.98%, but the City Council is considering several new taxes to boost revenue.
One proposal would add a tax on tobacco products, including an extra 10 cents per pack of cigarettes and 10 cents per milliliter of nicotine for e-cigarettes.
The city is also exploring new 1% sales taxes dedicated to economic development or capital improvements for public safety. Both would require voter approval.
Other options include a 0.25% sales tax for capital improvements or a dedicated parks tax.
A separate 1% public safety sales tax is also under consideration, but would require approval from the state legislature. That tax would support public safety operations, large-scale projects and pension obligations.
City looks to balance 2026 budget
The city’s fiscal year 2025 budget included a $23 million deficit, with projected revenue of approximately $540 million compared to $563 million in expected spending.
Last year, city staff told ABC 17 News that the deficit would be something to watch closely. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood warned at the time that expenses could surpass revenues by the start of fiscal 2026, which begins Oct. 1.
Seewood said during Monday’s pre-council meeting that city staff is working to reduce the current budget, with a goal of achieving a balanced budget in fiscal 2026 to avoid deficit spending. Among the strategies being considered include reviewing current expenditures and evaluating whether unfilled, unfunded positions are still necessary.
Reserves projected to shrink
Columbia is now projected to end fiscal 2025 with about $37.6 million in its general fund cash reserve, according to a presentation shown to the City Council on Monday. By fiscal 2031, that number is expected to shrink to just $6.5 million.
Revenue Forecast for the FY26 BudgetDownload
General fund revenue is projected to exceed $127 million by the end of fiscal 2025, up from nearly $124 million in 2024. It is expected to dip slightly to $126 million in 2026, but will gradually increase to just over $135 million by 2031.
Courtesy of City of Columbia
Spending, however, is forecasted to top $129 million in 2025 and nearly $130 million in 2026, with much of the increase tied to employee salaries and benefits.
A major change in the fiscal 2025 budget was a $10 million increase aimed at improving employee compensation. When the budget was approved, city leaders expected to generate up to $1 million in revenue from a 3% marijuana sales tax approved by voters in April 2024. That tax took effect in October and was factored into the funding for employee pay raises.
Courtesy of City of Columbia
News Team
BINGHAM COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – 64 lucky local high schoolers have been selected to receive a portion of $32,000 in scholarships as recipients of the 2025 Bingham County Mayors Scholarship.
All scholarships will be awarded at the annual Bingham County Mayors Scholarship Awards Gala, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Aberdeen High School, 268 S 4th St W in Aberdeen. The recipients were chosen by the Bingham County Mayors Scholarship Selection Committee out of 74 applicants.
“This program helps eliminate barriers to a collegial education through financial assistance and sends a message to our youth that they can compete at any level,” writes Blackfoot Mayor Marc Carroll. “…We are grateful for the many generous donors who contributed to this effort.”
For more information or to donate to the program, click HERE.
The full release from Mayor Carroll’s office, including a list of the scholarship recipients and corporate sponsors, is listed below.
Jesus Reyes
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities discovered several televisions and DJ equipment left behind after a train burglary Sunday night in Palm Desert.
The incident was first reported just before 10:20 a.m. on the 75000 block of Gerald Ford Drive.
A caller reported subjects possibly stealing items from a train, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
“After further investigation, it was determined the items were remaining objects from the theft that occurred the night before,” an RSO spokesperson told News Channel 3.
A News Channel 3 crew spotted several boxes of televisions, DJ equipment, and headphones on the floor near the train.
Union Pacific responded to take custody of the recovered property.
There is no word on whether there were any arrests.
Barney Lerten
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sunriver Service District said Monday is proud to announce the appointment of Peter J. Rasic as the new Sunriver Police Department Chief of Police.
“Chief Rasic brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience, leadership and community engagement to his new role, making him an outstanding choice to lead Sunriver’s public safety efforts,” said the announcement, which continues in full below:
Chief Rasic joins Sunriver after serving with the El Monte Police Department in California, where he most recently held the rank of Lieutenant.
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to public service, officer development and innovative policing strategies. His leadership experience includes overseeing patrol operations, emergency preparedness, personnel management and budget oversight for a department with 167 employees and a $44 million budget.
Beyond his professional experience, Chief Rasic holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech from California State University, Long Beach. He has also completed prestigious leadership training programs, including the FBI National Academy, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the West Point Leadership Academy.
Throughout his career, Chief Rasic has been recognized for his dedication to public safety and community involvement. His accolades include awards from the California Narcotics Officers’ Association, the American Red Cross and the City of El Monte, as well as a United States Congressional Letter of Merit for his exceptional service.
Chief Rasic is no stranger to Sunriver, as he and his family have vacationed here for many years and are deeply familiar with the community.
The Sunriver Police Department and the community warmly welcome Chief Rasic and look forward to hisleadership in continuing to uphold the highest standards of public safety and service.
For more information email ssdadmin@sunriversd.org
Phillip Willis
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) hosted a celebration of Earth Day with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. There were speeches, awards, and traditional tribal dancing at the event, which 105 tribe members attended.
“This meeting today means a collaboration in the efforts to try to save our environment, protect out environment, protect our cultural sites.” – Ladd Edmo, Fort Hall Business Council
The celebration began with INL transporting participants to Middle Butte Cave, where the guests held a religious ritual before taking a tour.
The event continued at the INL Meeting Center in Idaho Falls, where guests were welcomed by INL Tribal Engagement Lead Elese Teton. Following remarks were given by the INL Deputy Lab Director, David Teter, Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office Deputy Manager, Mike McAnulty, and Fort Hall Business Council representative, Ladd Edmo.
A $25,000 check was presented to the Shoshone-Bannock Junior-Senior High School by the INL. The presentation was followed by gift exchanges to select members of INL staff from tribal representatives.
The INL’s Tribal engagement director Jennifer Jackson said about the event, “This is just one of the many events that demonstrates that we value them and their rich history, and that we want to learn from them.”
A traditional sign language performance of America the Beautiful was performed. It was requested that no recordings be made due to the sacred nature of the rendition.
The Shoshone-Bannock Dance Troupe danced to music performed by the drum group Sage Point. The event ended with a Friendship Dance, in which the entire group joined hands and danced in a clockwise pattern.
The tribe members were then transported back to Fort Hall.
Ryder Christ
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Fifty-six years ago, a disaster off the coast of Santa Barbara sparked the creation of Earth Day, a movement that continues to focus on educating the next generation, as it did in 1991.
Thirty-four years ago, children gathered at Santa Barbara’s De La Guerra Plaza to celebrate Earth Day.
At the time, key concerns included deforestation, ozone depletion, and basic recycling awareness.
‘If they keep cutting the forests in Brazil, in 60 years they will be gone,’ one young girl shared in a KEYT news report by Jennifer Mansback.
In 1991, more than 4,200 square miles of forest were cleared in the Brazilian Amazon. By 2023, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon had decreased by 23%, with only 3,475 square miles of forest cleared that year—the lowest annual figure since 2018, according to Mongabay, a nonprofit conservation and science news outlet.
Children were the theme of the 1991 Santa Barbara Earth Day celebration.
“The children get so much input about what’s wrong with the world,” one woman said in the report. “We wanted them to also know that they are very powerful if they choose to recycle or write letters.”
At the time, youth involvement was encouraged to spread awareness. Today, young people are leading global movements using social media and activism to address climate change, microplastic pollution, environmental justice, and the transition to clean energy.
“The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were a major update to U.S. environmental policy, targeting air pollution from urban smog, toxic air pollutants, and ozone layer depletion.”
Thirty-four years later, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a comprehensive plan to enhance climate resilience, including a target for 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032.
However, the Trump administration rolled back several environmental policies, including granting two-year exemptions from mercury and air toxics regulations to 47 coal-fired power plants.
Santa Barbara has a long history with Earth Day, dating back to Jan. 28, 1969, when a blowout from a drilling operation at one of the offshore platforms spilled more than 3 million gallons of crude oil over several weeks—one of the largest oil spills in U.S. waters at the time. It was also one of the first televised environmental disasters.
“The Santa Barbara oil spill brought home, vividly, the lesson that man can no longer irresponsibly exploit the environment without facing consequences,” said Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day’s founder.
Nelson founded Earth Day one year later, on April 22, 1970.
In response to growing environmental concerns following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, President Richard Nixon called for the establishment of the EPA in 1970.
Today, the City of Santa Barbara continues to lead the environmental movement by banning single-use plastics to reduce waste entering the ocean and requiring all new construction to use electric systems for heating, cooking, and other energy needs, all in an effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
This year, Santa Barbara will celebrate the 55th Earth Day at Alameda Park on April 26-27.
The 1991 Earth Day Celebration footage is preserved by UCSB Library Special Research Collections as part of the KEYT News Video Archive. Digital copies of materials are available by request. For more information on the collection, contact the Film & Television Curator.
Andrea Turisk
WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- In Wellton, more than $2 million in grant funding is changing the way the police department operates.
The Wellton Police Department (WPD) says most of their equipment funding comes from grants and in a couple years alone that funding has really helped them better protect locals.
Detective Nathan Hammond with WPD says, “One piece of equipment by itself may not seem significant, but when you add all of it up, it starts to really make a difference.”
Grant money has paid for new patrol vehicles, firearms, and other tools needed for officers to keep the community safe.
Chief David Rodriguez with WPD says these things are necessary to continue growing as a department.
“We had to catch up. We were so far behind from all the other departments technology wise and equipment-wise so that was one of my major focuses. As a small department there’s no excuse,” Chief Rodriguez expressed.
Detective Hammond says these new additions not only help them do their job more effectively. Officers can feel safer while doing their job.
“Having the effective equipment whether fit be rifles, shields, body armor, whatever have you, all of that equipment helps us be more effective at keeping the community safe as well as ourselves,” Hammond remarked.
But while the gear is new, the building isn’t. The department still runs out of a former feed store built in the 80s
“A new station is what I’m thriving for. One that’s purpose built, one that has a proper evidence room, a proper holding facility. One where we can separate the suspect and victims,” Rodriguez spoke.
While the department has seen major upgrades in equipment, Rodriguez says their next priority is a new station. One that can support a growing team and help them work more effectively.
