Fire crews respond to three-acre grass fire near Los Padres National Forest Monday afternoon

KEYT on April 21, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

CUYAMA, Calif. – Several fire crews helped with a small grass fire near Cuyama that first ignited at 3:07 p.m. Monday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The SBCFD estimated the fire at three acres and received help from the Los Padres National Forest to stop forward progress at 3:42 p.m.

Both those agencies mopped up the fire for about one to two hours following the burn and no structural damage or injured people were reported, according to the SBCFD.

More information on the fire will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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LU Board of Curators approves 5% tuition increase

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Lincoln University Board of Curators approved a 5% tuition increase for next school year during its meeting on Thursday in Jefferson City, according to meeting documents.

Mandatory fees will not change from this past school year, which includes activity fees, building maintenance, technology and athletic fees. Mandatory fees for the 2025 summer session decreased by 50%.

The non-academic holiday schedule was approved for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which includes Thursday July 3, for Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday (Friday, Feb. 13, 2026), spring break from March 9-13, 2026, Free Day on April 3, Memorial Day and Juneteenth.

Winter break will occur at the end of business on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025-Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

The board also approved non-academic holiday schedule for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which includes Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12), spring break (March 8-12, 2027), Free Day (March 26), Memorial Day and Juneteenth.

Winter break will occur from the end of business on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027.

2025 04 17 BoC Action ItemsDownload

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Teton County man arrested after allegedly firing shots in downtown Victor

KIFI on April 21, 2025

Seth Ratliff

UPDATED:

TETON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – A Teton County man is now in custody after allegedly firing off shots in downtown Victor.

At around 2:25 AM on April 21, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired near downtown Victor. The deputies determined that a Jeep and a Subaru had left the area together, the shots coming from the Subaru, according to the Sheriff’s office.

Deputies located the Subaru in Driggs, where they ultimately arrested the passenger, Jose Facio Garcia, for Attempted Assault and Carrying a Concealed Weapon while under the influence.

The incident is still under investigation by the Teton County Sheriff’s Office.

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Man sentenced for sexually abusing a teen girl in Yuma

KYMA on April 21, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A Yuma man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

26-year-old Ricardo Zavala-Esparza will serve time for one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

Police say he sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl over the summer of last year.

Zavala-Esparza was also sentenced to 10 years of probation for attempted molestation of a child following the conclusion of his prison sentence.

The victim’s family said Zavala-Esparza deserved the maximum sentence of 24 years.

“Over the past several months, our entire family has been impacted in every way imaginable, including financials, but most importantly we have all been mentally and emotionally traumatized,” the victim’s family expressed.

Prior to sentencing, Zavala-Esparza accepted a plea deal.

He received over 200 days of credit served.

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Crews help with three-acre brush fire near Oso Flaco Lake Monday afternoon

KEYT on April 21, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – CAL Fire SLO crews responded to a three-acre brush fire near Oso Flaco Lake just after 3:00 p.m Monday.

Forward progress of the fire stopped just before 6:00 p.m. and a helicopter helped put it out, according to CAL Fire SLO.

More information on the cause of this fire and the overall incident will be provided once available to Your News Channel.

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Local high school teams to compete in new 14-team conference, starting 2026-2027

KESQ on April 21, 2025

Blake Arthur

In an attempt to improve competitive balance for high school sports in the Coachella Valley, local athletic directors have decided to form a new conference, consisting of 14 teams.

This 14-team conference will be divided into three sub-leagues per sport based on competitive equity.

Busy sports news day with Firebirds playoffs, Bylsma firing and now this. A new 14-team league for local high school teams has been announced. There’s been some changes in the past to help competitive balance but this is the latest version. 1 league, 14 teams. @KESQ @KenjiitoKESQ pic.twitter.com/sZ0Bk9eR7n

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 21, 2025

Every team for every sport from every school is given a number at the end of the year to determine competitive equity. That number, or ranking, will determine which league the team will be part of for that season.

This will go into effect for the 2026-2027 school-year. Should be fun and much more competitive. Think about the matchups we could see at the local level in all sports with no more lopsided results, or at least that’s the goal.

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 21, 2025

At the end of the day, it’s a numbers game and local athletic directors are trying to make competition as fair as possible for all sports and all teams.

This new conference will go into effect starting with the 2026-2027 school-year.

No name for the conference has been determined at this time.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of local high school sports.

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Ex-indie rock drummer accused of recording child in restroom set for preliminary hearing

KESQ on April 21, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The former drummer of the indie power-pop group the New Pornographers is scheduled to appear in court this week for allegedly possessing child pornography and recording a minor in a public restroom.   

Joseph Seiders, 44, of Palm Desert, was arrested April 9 following an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.   

Along with possession of child pornography, Seiders is charged with intent to invade privacy, attempt to use a concealed camera without consent and annoying/molesting a child under 18-years-old.

Seiders was arraigned April 11 before Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini, who scheduled a felony settlement conference Tuesday, and a preliminary hearing Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Milbrant, deputies from the Palm Desert Station received a report of a suspicious circumstance in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive on April 7.

They interviewed an 11-year-old boy who told them a man allegedly recorded him on a cell phone inside the restroom of a Chick-Fil-A.   

Two days later, deputies received another report from an employee at a nearby business who said a man was allegedly seen entering and exiting a restroom with several young males, Milbrandt said.

Deputies identified and arrested Seiders at the scene.   

A subsequent search of Seiders’ residence turned up evidence tying him to both incidents, along with possession of child pornography, sheriff’s officials said.

Details about the interaction between the suspect and the juvenile males inside the restroom were not disclosed.   

Seiders was the drummer of the New Pornographers, fronted by AC Newman and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case. He joined the band in 2014.

After the arrest was reported, the New Pornographers issued a statement reading: ”Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified, and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders– and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”  

Seiders has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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Columbia man sentenced in $1.2 million federal fraud case

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who ran a scheme to defraud insurance companies through staged accidents and fraudulently applied for COVID-19 relief funds was sentenced Monday in federal court, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.

Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 37, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison without parole and was ordered to pay $187,109.75 in restitution, the release says.

The release says that he allegedly began staging vehicle accidents in Mid-Missouri in 2017 and “recruited other people” to participate.

“Lawhorn and the participants would go to various hospitals complaining of fake injuries thereby increasing the medical billing. As a result, the cost of a potential settlement with the insurance companies would increase.  During one staged accident, Lawhorn spoke to the insurance company while pretending to be a person with settlement authority,” the release says.

The 10 accidents totaled a $1.2 million loss from 2017-20, the release says. He allegedly pocketed $105,721.17.

He also allegedly submitted applications for Economic Disaster Relief small business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic and fraudulently obtained $30,000, the release says.

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IFPD urges caution as recent crashes highlight driving risks

KIFI on April 21, 2025

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Members of the Idaho Falls Police Department are urging drivers to make safe and responsible choices when driving, after officers responded to two “serious accidents” over the weekend.

According to IFPD, shortly after 4 AM on Saturday, April 19, officers responded to a motorcycle crash along River Park Way behind the Hilton Garden Inn.

Sometime between 2 and 4 AM, a motorcycle driver had been traveling north on the road, and failed to negotiate a turn, laying the bike down and eventually coming to a stop. IFPD officers found him unconscious. The officers determined the driver was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

According to IFPD, the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was transported by ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for serious injuries.

Officers responded to a second crash, taking place shortly after 5 PM at 425 W 13th Street. A caller told 911 dispatch that a truck, containing a driver and a single passenger, had crashed into a group of trees on the US Air Conditioning property, according to IFPD.

When police arrived at the site of the crash, they found a 1983 Ford F250 wedged between two trees. According to investigators, the truck had been traveling north but failed to navigate a turn, causing it to crash into the trees. Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seatbelt.

Emergency responders used specialized tools to remove the truck’s roof and transport the crash victims to EIRMC, where, despite the best efforts of the first responders and medical staff, the passenger was pronounced dead.

The crash is still under investigation by IFPD.

In response to the accidents, the Idaho Falls Police staff and officers are reminding motorists to make safe and responsible decisions.

“Obey speed limits and traffic control devices, which are in place for the safety of motorists and others in the area,” writes IFPD. “Always wear seat belts, no matter how short the drive may be. Likewise, motorcyclists should always wear helmets. Helmets and seatbelts may save your life. As always, please do not drink and drive. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these crashes, especially loved ones of the man who died on Sunday evening.”

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Morongo makes six-figure donation to support library expansion

KESQ on April 21, 2025

City News Service

BEAUMONT, Calif. (KESQ) – A project to expand the Beaumont Library and restore some of the property’s historic architecture received a $250,000 boost in support from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, it was announced today.   

“Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books — they arehubs of knowledge, opportunity and community that provide a variety of diverse resources and services,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. “We are delighted to support the Beaumont Library Expansion & Renovation Project to help empower students, families and lifelong learners across the region.”  

The $5 million 8,300-square-foot expansion effort broke ground in February and is slated for completion in two phases, all of which will conclude by the end of next year.

The Morongo tribe’s charitable grant will fill some of the funding gap that the Beaumont Library District encountered while preparing the project budget, according to officials.

“The incredible support from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians brings us significantly closer to realizing our vision of a modern inclusive library for all,” Beaumont Library District Board President Margaret Coleman said. “We appreciate this contribution, which reflects Morongo’s dedication to strengthening the communities of the San Gorgonio Pass.”  

The library, located on East Eighth Street, was established in 1914, owing to a $10,000 grant by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.   

Along with a large collection of books, it hosts “developmental play spaces” for children and caregivers, literacy enhancement programs and English as a second language classes.   

As part of the upgrades now underway, there will be new study and conference rooms, a children’s room, a bookstore and a community meeting space, according to the Library District.

The project is additionally intended to preserve most of the original structure.

More information is available at https://mybldproject.org/#home.

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