Mike Klan
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It will be an all-local CIF-Southern Section Division 3 boys tennis championship match between San Marcos and Cate.
San Marcos won at La Canada 12-6 while Cate beat Long Beach Poly 12-6 in semifinal matches.
The finals are scheduled for Friday and the CIF-SS may move it to a local location instead of Redlands.
Ryder Christ
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara has identified at least 40 violations that led to the red-tagging of La Casa de la Raza on Anacapa Street.
City officials delivered the Notice of Violation to La Casa Founders Holding Company on Wednesday afternoon. The document outlines numerous issues, including fire safety, building integrity, electrical system deficiencies, and noncompliance with accessibility standards.
According to the city’s Code Enforcement Division, inspectors discovered illegal occupancy of areas not approved for residential or assembly use, blocked or improperly marked exits, unpermitted construction, and hazardous electrical installations. Exposed wiring, obstructed exit routes, and a lack of required fire suppression systems were also documented.
In addition, the facility failed to meet accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Restrooms and access points lacked necessary features, and combustible materials were improperly stored near mechanical rooms and electrical panels—violating fire safety regulations.
The notice states that further violations may exist, as not all areas of the building were accessible during the inspection on Wednesday, May 7. The city deemed the facility “unsafe” and red-tagged the building that same day.
La Casa de la Raza has long served as a cultural and community resource for Latino residents in Santa Barbara. The historic site has stood for over 200 years and has been a central hub for local activism.
Following the red-tagging, several community groups have been forced to relocate. Alma de Mexico, a dance group formerly rehearsing at La Casa, is now practicing at Ortega Park.
The property is owned by La Casa Founders Holding Company, formed after the original nonprofit, Casa de la Raza, faced mounting debt and foreclosure.
“It is very complicated, even within the bankruptcy world,” said Lisa Valencia Sherratt, board president of the original La Casa de la Raza founded in the 1970s. “I understand from our counsel that we have many unique situations. The nonprofit, the original La Casa de la Raza, is in an involuntary bankruptcy with an associated case. That case went to mediation, and the result is that the building will be sold and have new ownership.”
La Casa Founders have until June 13 to submit a building permit application with detailed plans to correct the violations. Failure to meet the deadline could result in a $100 citation per violation.
Erika McGuire
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
State funding for a new juvenile center in Cole County is uncertain after the Missouri legislature failed to pass House Bill 19 on Wednesday.
About $4 million of the more than $14 million project would have come from the state.
The project has been in works since 2022 and would have been built at 2204 St. Mary’s Blvd.
Cole County Commissioner Sam Bushman said in an email Wednesday morning that having a new facility built is critical. Bushman said the original plans included eight detention cells and a half-court basketball gym.
“This could be shrunk down to a good-sized exercise room, with a basketball goal outside.” Bushman said.
However, Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said making the facility smaller and reducing the number of detention cells is not an option.
“If they can come up and do it for $10 million, I would be all for it. But I am not supportive of reducing the programing that we have invested or designed in the facility I am not for reducing that at all,” Wheeler said. “It would be more ridiculous to spend $12 million and then still house juveniles out because it’s not big enough.”
The current facility on Stadium Boulevard in Jefferson City is more than 30 years old and only has three detention cells.
Wheeler said only having three cells forces the county to move juveniles to other facilities, costing thousands in transportation and housing expenses.
“If you get certified as an adult, you have to remain at the juvenile center and I have to pay for it. I am paying if the juvenile goes to Cole County juvenile. I have to pay Cole County juvenile because its my prisoner,” Wheeler said.
Safety is also a key priority for a new facility. Wheeler says the current center’s setup has led to numerous injuries for officers.
“How many juvenile officers have been injured because of the way the set up is, its quite a bit, how many assault there has been there of the juvenile officers,” Wheeler said.
The remaining $10 million for the project would come from the American Rescue Plan Act and Cole County. However, Wheeler says he’s unsure where the funding would come from for the remaining $4 million.
Triton Notary
Today, the NFL released the 2025 schedule. There are a few dates to remember, the Seattle Seahawks will face the San Francisco 49ers for a week one matchup on Sep. 7th. The Seahawks will have a bye in Week 8 before finishing the rest of the season. All the games in bold below are “regional” teams.
2025 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULEThurs. Sept. 4NFL Kickoff Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia EaglesSun. Sept. 7Week 1 Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo BillsSun. Sept. 14Week 2 Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota VikingsSun. Sept. 21Week 3 Kansas City Chiefs at New York GiantsSun. Sept. 28Week 4Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys*Sun. Oct. 5Week 5 New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills*Sun. Oct. 12Week 6Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs*Sun. Oct. 19Week 7Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers*Sun. Oct. 26Week 8Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers*Sun. Nov. 2Week 9Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders*Sun. Nov. 9Week 10Pittsburgh Steelers at L.A. Chargers*Sun. Nov. 16Week 11 Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles*Sun. Nov. 23Week 12Tampa Bay Buccaneers at L.A. Rams**Thurs. Nov. 27Week 13Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens*Sun. Nov. 30Week 13Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders*Sun. Dec. 7Week 14Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs*Sun. Dec. 14Week 15Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys*Sun. Dec. 21Week 16Cincinnati Bengals at Miami DolphinsSat. Dec. 27Week 17*PEACOCK EXCLUSIVE* From Sat. pool*Sun. Dec. 28Week 17Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers*Sun. Jan. 4Week 18NFL #Game272 – TBD
Mike Klan
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Several local high schools won CIF-Central Section titles in the past week in various sports while others were runner-up. All photos courtesy CIF-CS.
St. Joseph boys tennis are Division II Champions after beating Bullard 8-1 in title.
Atascadero boys tennis was runner-up in Division III losing to Fresno Christian 7-0.
Mission Prep boys golf wins the Division III crown.
Santa Ynez finished runner-up to Mission Prep in Division III.
Templeton boys golf (404) was runner-up in Division II to Bakersfield Christian (404).
Jonas Smith of Morro Bay was the Medalist shooting a 70.
Arroyo Grande girls beach volleyball wins the championship over Bakersfield Christian 2-1.
Atascadero girls swimming wins Division II championship.
Atascadero boys swimming is runner-up in Division II to Redwood.
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two juveniles who escaped from the Juvenile Justice Center in northern Boone County earlier this month did so by climbing a recreation area fence, court documents revealed.
Documents claim one of the juveniles involved in the escape is 17-year-old Ja’mez Thompson-Bey. Documents alleged that he, along with another juvenile, climbed over a fence in the recreation area and ran away from the center.
The two were later caught after a search involving several law enforcement agencies and brought back to the center. Initial information said the youths were being detained for charges of first-degree assault and murder.
A motion to have Thompson-Bey transferred to an adult jail was filed on Monday over claims he’s escaped from custody several times, though he is listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 19.
Justice Center Superintendent Tara Eppy said she is not able to provide details on how the youths escaped because the matter involves juveniles. Eppy said the area where juveniles have outside recreation is secure.
“It is really hard to juggle that transparency with the rights of the juveniles and easing any concerns that the the the community may have in that situation,” Eppy said. “That is a struggle but we have really good resources, law enforcement partners that are willing to assist us.”
Eppy said construction at the center was already underway before the incident occurred to add fences to new areas on the grounds. That work is expected to be complete by Friday.
There are also plans in the works to have cameras inside the building switched from analog to digital, Eppy said.
Thompson-Bey is charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of armed robbery. He was charged in connection with a November shooting.
Harley Coldiron
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The KTVZ Studio was bustling with questions and great stories from Sandy and Bruce Cummings as they made a special visit Wednesday. The couple came to tell stories and give advice from their decades of work at NBC.
Sandy worked as a Senior Producer for Dateline, and Bruce served as a Senior Producer for NBC Nightly News. They have worked with everyone from Tom Brokaw to Jane Pauley and Keith Morrison.
The couple has lived in Bend for over a decade and are proud KTVZ viewers.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Morgan County man has been charged with several felonies after he allegedly admitted to child sex crimes to law enforcement.
Matthew Bell, 24, of Rocky Mount, was charged with four counts of sexually exploiting a minor, five counts of child porn possession and four counts of second-degree sodomy. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $250,000 bond. A court date has not been set.
Marie Bell, 50, of Rocky Mount, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. She is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $50,000 bond. A court date has not been set. She is accused of knowing about the alleged assaults.
The probable cause statement says that Morgan County sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence about an assault that was not in progress. Matthew Bell allegedly said that he was assaulted after getting pushed by another individual, the statement says.
Deputies wrote that they were previously notified about the residence being an unsafe condition for a youth. Marie Bell allegedly claimed that Matt Bell and a girl were “in a relationship.”
The youth and Matthew Bell allegedly gave conflicting statements about their living situation before Bell admitted to having sex with the child, the statement says. Bell allegedly repeatedly told deputies that it was “consensual.”
Bell also had child porn saved from the youth on his SnapChat account and showed it to law enforcement, the statement says.
Barney Lerten
Beginning with the landing of a U.S. Army MH-47G Chinook on its Bend campus athletic field, a Central Oregon Community College dedication event for its newly revamped Robert D. Maxwell Veterans Resource Center will celebrate veterans and a new space for student veterans beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, at the Coats Campus Center.
Members of the community are invited to attend this free event, with refreshments served.
The official ceremony, complete with color guard, national anthem and folding of the flag in honor of the center’s namesake, Robert Dale Maxwell, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient, will take place from 4-4:45 p.m.
Event speakers include Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, U.S. Army veteran and director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and Command Master Chief J.W. Terry, U.S. Navy, retired, who serves on the Central Oregon Veterans Outreach’s board of directors.
An open house of the Robert D. Maxwell Veterans Resource Center precedes and follows the ceremony, until 6 p.m., and crew members and active-duty U.S. Special Operations Forces with the “Nightstalker” MH-47G Chinook will remain on the ground to engage with the community and share their experiences.
One of the most advanced helicopters in the world, the MH-47G is specifically designed to support complex and high-risk missions in any environment. It’s the U.S. military’s only special operations rotary-wing unit supporting all branches of U.S. Special Operations Forces. This event provides a rare opportunity for the community to see the aircraft up close.
Maxwell, who passed away in 2019 at age 98, served in Europe and Africa during World War II as a U.S. Army communications technician and received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, for throwing himself on a German grenade in a battle near Besancon, France, on Sept. 7, 1944, to save the lives of others.
Following the war, Maxwell settled in Oregon and used the GI Bill to study automotive technology. He became an instructor, first teaching at Bend High School in downtown Bend before helping COCC launch its automotive program in 1958, where he served for eight years. For many years, the college has offered an automotive training scholarship in Maxwell’s name, sponsored by High Desert NAPA.
Funding for the updated resource center — which included a relocation and a remodel — came from $600,000 provided by the U.S. Department of Education, combined with $81,128 from the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to support tuitions and emergency assistance for veterans. For the current academic year, 7.2% of certificate- and degree-seeking COCC students identify as veterans.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability should call 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-383-7583.
—
Central Oregon Community College is celebrating 75 years of opportunity. Founded in 1949, COCC — Oregon’s first community college — marks a major milestone this academic year (2024-25) of bringing higher learning, connection and enrichment to the region.
jose.romo
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) – The City of Salinas is looking at a rental assistance program as an alternative for the community. Some local folks remain with many questions and concerns as to this potential decision. City Council presented with the option to emulate a renter’s assistance program, Tuesday afternoon.
Among the projects looked at, the city of Monterey which in the past has used $250 thousand in general fund money.
“The staff will start looking for financial partners in the city and maybe in the county,” Councilmember for District two, Tony Barrera, says. “They’re going to be bringing in other groups that can assist us on how to figure this program out.”
The assistance program presentation included those whose rent is more than 80 percent of their income, senior citizens and other eligibility requirements to consider through a renters application process. The projected cost, more than $500 thousand in employee wages, technology fees, and other additional expenses.
“Where’s the funding for this rental assistance program coming from?” Luis Xago Juárez, community organizer with Building Healthy Communities, worries the city does not have enough funds.
“Is it coming from taxpayers? What that does is it taps into our taxpayer, our pool, our money to go and support the efforts of the landlords,” he adds.
City Council suggested searching for local and external partners before pulling from general funds. Amy Salmina, local property manager, says this assistance program would be beneficial. “I believe that there are funds that will be remaining from the rental assistance program to seed it. Other organizations that Aurelio (Salazar) mentioned, maybe FEMA, the mayor mentioned, community involvement, maybe the one-time fee from property owners.”
The council was advised that many rental assistance programs have been successful in the past. A common practice among those has been pulling resources from the city’s general fund. Councilmember Barrera feels the city should be careful with that decision.
“We have to be conscientious that that’s where we pay our employees,” Barrerra adds. “We have to make sure that if we do get money from the general fund, that we don’t affect people’s employment as well.”
Among other alternatives, the city council also suggested increasing the minimum wage in Salinas. The decision for this rental assistance program will still take a few months.
