Yuma Fire Department voices concerns to City of Yuma

KYMA on April 17, 2025

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department is looking for some much-needed help from the City of Yuma.

The department voiced their concerns at a City of Yuma work session on Tuesday night.

A third-party consultant provided an in-depth presentation on the current issues and statistics YFD is facing.

The findings addressed issues with response times, aging equipment, staffing levels, and service demands.

Third-party consultants are experts fire departments use to improve fire safety practices and compliance with regulations.

“The third-party consultant was a tool to help the city identify the needs of the fire department, help council work on their budgetary issues, and overall, I think it was a success. It helps us better serve the community and that’s what we want,” says John Dunbar, a local firefighter and Union Officer.

Over 50 firefighters were in attendance.

The firefighters believe their message was well-received by the City Council.

College of the Desert earns awards in communications

KESQ on April 17, 2025

City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – College of the Desert is celebrating today after earning honors for its communications and marketing efforts from the Community College Public Relations Organization.  

The college announced Wednesday it had received three gold and two bronze awards for communication excellence at the annual community college conference.

College officials said the gold awards were a result of a student-led microsite, www.codstory.com, which helped boost student enrollment at the Palm Springs campus, along with a campus brochure praised for its storytelling and design.

“These awards are a reflection of the strategic and thoughtful communications that help define College of the Desert,” Acting Superintendent Val Martinez Garcia said in a statement. “We are proud of the culture of empathy, clarity, and professionalism we are reinforcing — ensuring our students, employees, and community say connected and informed.”

Albrecht-Kemper opens undergrad exhibit

News-Press NOW on April 17, 2025

Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art will open its newest exhibit, the Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, to celebrate the emerging talent of college students across the country.

After receiving over 120 submissions, 47 artworks were selected from 31 students spanning 18 colleges and universities nationwide. The students used a wide array of styles and mediums, which represent the diversity of perspectives from the next generation of artists.

“We have paintings, prints, ceramics, drawings, photographs,” Madison McKinley, Albrecht-Kemper’s marketing and communications manager, said. “We have everything. It’s a collection of works from college students. They’re not yet graduated, but they’re trying to get their artwork out there, and what better way to do it than showing your art in a museum?”

McKinley said they wanted to feature undergraduate work to embrace the enthusiasm young artists portray in their craft.

“The art world is constantly evolving and changing,” McKinley said. “There’s all different types of ideas and styles…When you’re in college, you’re really experimental and, you know, innovative.”

The show will feature several pieces from artists in the region, including students from the Kansas City Art Institute, Johnson County Community College, University of Central Missouri and more.

The artwork will be judged anonymously, followed by an award ceremony at 6 p.m. Pieces can be purchased with prices ranging from $25 to $2,000.

The exhibit opens 4 p.m. Friday, April 18, and will be available to view through June 15.

Highlighting the local Master Gardeners Program

KYMA on April 17, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A program in Yuma could help you learn more about the plants in your garden, house plants, and trees.

The Master Gardener Program allows people to do a variety of things such as harvesting food for the food bank.

Members can also help out in the community garden, and the “U-Pick” events.

Bobi Kress, local Master Gardener, shares why she enjoys the program.

“Gardening in Arizona, that’s a whole different ballgame, and I needed help and I reached out and found Master Gardeners who were kind enough to come out and go through my garden,” said Kress.

The program starts on May 22 and ends on September 4, and will be on Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ask the Mayor: Redmond’s Ed Fitch answers your questions, from airport parking to the latest on city developments

KTVZ on April 17, 2025

KTVZ – News Team

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From airport parking fees to development plans and community concerns about the upcoming China Hat Road clearing in Bend, Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch talked Thursday with the KTVZ News at Sunrise team in our studio, answering viewers’ questions.

Fitch appears on KTVZ News at Sunrise in the 6:30 a.m. segment on the third Thursday of every month. Make sure to submit your questions for the mayor here for next month’s segment. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

You can also pose a question for Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler on this page – she joins us at Sunrise on the second Thursday of every month.

Fremont County sees alarming amount of wildfires in April

KIFI on April 17, 2025

Noah Farley

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Fremont County emergency responders have responded to an alarming number of wildfires since the beginning of the month.

In total, there have been 25 wildfires in Fremont County between April 1 – 16. Four of them alone happened on the same day, April 15.

In response, Fremont County officials are working to get the word out about burning safety and fire restrictions.

Most of the fires were caused by controlled burns that were either left alone or grew because of the wind. One firefighter was hurt during one of the recent fires and had to be taken to the hospital.

Fremont County usually sees only five to ten wildfires this time of year.

“But this year, there’s been a lot of people burning and they haven’t paid attention to the weather forecast to see if there’s going to be winds or they’re just burning something that they’re not able to control,” said Fremont County Fire Marshal, Keith Richey.

Richey says people need to get a permit before doing a controlled burn and use common sense. If their fire gets out of hand, they need to call the fire department before it gets even worse.

What to consider if you’re filing your taxes past the April 15 deadline

KVIA on April 17, 2025

localnews8newsteam

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The deadline to file your taxes has passed, and the 2025 tax season is winding down. Financial experts tell Local News 8 it’s been a pretty standard tax season.

People using direct deposit can expect to see their returns in their bank account 5 to 10 business days after processing.

Checks will usually take a bit longer to arrive. If you missed the deadline, you can still file your taxes without penalty if you’re expecting a return.

If you do owe money, financial experts suggest that you take immediate action, and late filing penalties can be expected. 

“The biggest problem that we have is people that start new businesses. A lot of people aren’t aware that partnership and corporation returns are actually due on March 15th. And so every year we get several people that come in here that have started new leases or new partnerships or corporations after March 15th, and they’re already late,” said Brett Zollinger, CPA at Sutton & Simmons PLLC.

The next tax deadline is for nonprofits that have a regular calendar year end, and that’s May 15th.

Click here to follow the original article.

Easter egg alternatives

KVIA on April 17, 2025

localnews8newsteam

Idaho Falls, IDAHO (KIFI) – With egg prices still on the rise, people are putting a new twist on the Easter egg tradition.

On social media, users have been sharing different items around the house kids can decorate that won’t break the bank.

Local News 8 in the Morning tested out 3 options to dye instead of eggs this year.

Easter Potatoes

Ingredients

Yukon gold potatoes

Food coloring

Paintbrushes

hairspray (optional)

Directions

Clean and dry potatoes.

Use a paintbrush to apply food coloring to potatoes. A little dye goes a long way!

Let dye set for at least 10 minutes.

Set dye with hairspray.

Marshmallow Eggs

Ingredients

Marshmallows

Food coloring

Toothpicks or skewers

Cups or ramekins

Directions

Put marshmallows on toothpicks.

Fill cups or ramekins with water and food dye.

Dip marshmallows into dye.

Hold for about 5-10 seconds, let excess drip off.

Let dry on a paper towel.

Jumbo Pasta Shells

Ingredients

Jumbo pasta shells

White paint

Markers or paint

Directions

Paint jumbo shells white and let dry.

Decorate shells with markers or paint.

Click here to follow the original article.

Northside Parade postponed

News-Press NOW on April 17, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One local parade has been rescheduled from Saturday, April 19 to Saturday, May 17.

The Northside Parade will still begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Middleton Street and St. Joseph Avenue.

The parade route will continue north along St. Joseph Avenue and will end at Brothers Market.

The parade features floats, bands, walking groups and more.

American Falls man convicted of embezzeling $129K from Housing Authority

KIFI on April 17, 2025

Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – 72-year-old Bruce Hauber of American Falls is sentenced to 5 years of probation for stealing over $129,000 from the American Falls Housing Authority (AFHA). The news comes from the Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

Between 2019 and 2023, Hauber was responsible for paying bills, managing rent, and handling the authority’s bank accounts.

But instead of sticking to official business, prosecutors say Hauber started using AFHA credit cards for personal purchases. According to court records, Hauber used the cards to pay for meals, airplane tickets, utilities for his home, medical expenses, and purchases at retailers.

“Hauber deliberately orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to embezzle more than $125,000 in federal funds designated to provide housing assistance for elderly and disabled residents in American Falls, Idaho—a community of roughly, 4,500 people,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The theft was especially harmful given the limited resources available to support the community. HUD OIG remains committed to working alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement and oversight partners to aggressively pursue individuals who compromise the integrity of HUD programs and exploit communities in need.”

To conceal the embezzlement, Hauber wrote fictitious checks to venders and entered the checks into AFHA’s internal accounting system, say prosecutors.

“Our office will vigorously investigate and prosecute cases involving theft of public money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott. “Bruce Hauber stole from the American taxpayer and deprived American Falls residents vital public housing funds.”

As part of his sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Hauber to pay back $79,000 in restitution. The judge also sentenced Hauber to eight months of home detention with location monitoring as a condition of probation.