AKMA to host Annual Art Fair

News-Press NOW on May 14, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art announced the return of its Annual Art Fair, taking place in June.

The all-day, family-friendly celebration of creativity will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at AKMA, located at 2818 Frederick Ave.

Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

The event will feature different art pieces, like paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more, from artists across the region.

In addition to artist booths, live musical performances will be offered throughout the day, delicious food vendors and a cash bar will be available, as well as interactive craft activities for all ages.

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Manitou Springs officials report improvements in water supply, but still urge water restrictions

KRDO on May 14, 2025

KRDO News

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The City of Manitou Springs says they are getting closer to getting the city out of a water crisis.

Earlier this week, the city said the emergency stemmed from high turbidity levels – or cloudiness – in its primary water source, combined with an unexpected outage of its backup supply. Together, the issues resulted in a much faster depletion of the city’s water reserves than expected, city officials said.

According to the city, the water treatment plant was able to run consistently for 12 hours on Tuesday, which was 4 hours longer than the previous days. They says the plant treated 320,000 gallons of water on Tuesday, though that amount was used by residents that day.

They report that water usage from residents was significantly down compared to usage on the same day in 2024, showing that residents are taking the water restrictions seriously.

“Thanks to reduced runoff and improving turbidity levels, water quality has stabilized slightly. However, storage tanks remain at approximately 50% capacity, and every gallon of conservation still counts. Continued, full participation from residents and businesses is essential to sustaining this positive trend,” wrote the city in a press release.

For now, the city is still asking residents to stop using water unless it is for an essential sanitation or drinking purpose.

Dishwashing and brief, infrequent showers are allowed, though they should only be for essential sanitation. Residents should absolutely not use water for their lawns or car washes.

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Mayor touts community investments, support in State of the City address

News-Press NOW on May 14, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As he stood at the podium to deliver his closing remarks, Mayor John Josendale ended his address with a call to action, challenging those in the audience to continue rallying for St. Joseph.

In his eyes, success … and challenges, will be accomplished and overcome with the help of community partners, from each resident and employee to the abundance of businesses and organizations that support it.

“It makes me proud to see individuals, groups and organizations stepping up to lead the charge,” Josendale said. “If you want to make St. Joseph great, each of us has to be a part of that … working together, we’ll continue to accomplish great things.”

Over the course of Wednesday’s State of the City address at the InspireU Children’s Discovery Museum — a cornerstone of years of Downtown re-development — Josendale highlighted a variety of community gains and progress achieved over the past year, while also laying out new objectives for growth and improvement moving forward.

The speech was organized as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s latest Public Affairs Coffee event.

Strengthening the city’s core services and building stronger connections with the community are two of the top priorities within its strategic vision. This past year saw the continuation of needed upgrades to both police and fire department equipment to enhance operations and improve the community’s access to public safety, including the new southside Fire Station 10.

A recently-launched community survey of St. Joseph residents on those core city services will play a vital role in the direction the city takes moving forward.

“St. Joseph is a great place. How do we make it better?” he said. “The survey is very important to this. We want that input. We want to have a roadmap on what to look at and how to move forward with it.”

Josendale said a continued focus on sustainability and long-term planning is key to ensure positive development continues, highlighting the creation of hundreds of jobs, development of new facilities like the now-open Missouri Western CTAC building or a planned UMKC School of Medicine on Riverside Road this year, as well as significant investments to key assets like the park system, new-and-improved Civic Arena and Rosecrans Memorial Airport, among others.

A new animal shelter, hotels and conference center, aquatic facilities at Hyde Park and Northside Complex (formerly Krug Pool) and renovations to Krug Park are next in line.

“Many elements are coming together to enhance our reputation as a destination for history, arts, entertainment, sports, recreation, business and technology,” Josendale said during his address.

Josendale applauded the work of volunteers, organizations and neighborhood groups in growing efforts to beautify and clean up St. Joseph, including groups like Beautify St. Joseph, Friends of Krug Park and Missouri Western’s Center for Service.

Housing gap improvements and reducing blight have and will remain one of the top priorities for the city as it works to boost population and meet the needs of residents and a growing workforce. Close to $95 million in capital investments were secured in the last year, including the recently-announced expansion at Daily’s Premium Meats and a Nortian Foodtech protein manufacturing facility on Alabama Street.

“In the last month alone, we’ve announced about 250 new jobs coming this way. We need to have housing for that. And we need all levels of housing,” Josendale said. “If you look at the new UMKC building, we’re looking at putting apartments around that location. We’re also looking at putting some new condos and homes out north.”

Josendale touted the addition of the St. Joseph Goats arena football team and accomplishments by the St. Joseph Sports Commission and Convention and Visitors Bureau to secure a wide variety of premiere athletic, entertainment and trade show events at the Civic Arena.

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Statue to be removed for new fire station; South Side residents respond 

News-Press NOW on May 14, 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A historic structure at 303 East Hyde Park Avenue in the south end of St. Joseph, long valued by community members, will soon be relocated. 

City officials confirmed earlier this week that the new South Side fire station will be placed at this location for efficient response times. 

However, community members say other areas within the city could have been explored without interfering with a South Side artifact – The Chief White Cloud statue.

“It doesn’t make sense, there’s plenty of other land they could be using,” said resident Joyce Clark.

According to SJFD Interim Fire Chief Jamey McVicker, the current station was placed on the east side of the railroad tracks to leave room for a second station on the other side, if one is needed in the future. 

“We chose 303 East Hyde Park over 212 Alabama because it’s farther east,” McVicker said. “That way, if we ever need to build another firehouse on the west side of the tracks, they won’t end up too close together.”

Jeff Atkins, director of Parks and Recreation, explained the history behind the White Cloud statue and said he understands why some South Side residents are frustrated. 

“The statue and the teepee behind it were both placed in 2004,” Atkins said. “When you think about it, that’s a long time, and for some people, it’s been there their entire life. But there’s nothing historically significant about the ground where it stands.”

The St. Joseph Fire Department and Parks & Recreation are in early discussions with the Iowa Tribe about relocating the statue, with plans for it to remain along the King Hill stretch. 

“The tribe doesn’t have any strong attachment to that site, and they’re okay with us relocating it,” Atkins said. “Since it’s tied to the King Hill Overlook, we want to make sure it stays nearby, close to the overlook.”

Still, longtime residents who grew up with the statue argue there’s no need to move it or build anything new in such a busy area.

“There are plenty of other places they could put that fire station,” said resident Lyle Hays. “Down the street or anywhere near 59, there’s a lot of open land there. Putting it here will just clutter things and make traffic worse. It’s already bad in the mornings when people are heading to school. It makes no sense.”

City officials will visit tribal leaders in person to get input on relocating the statue. 

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Ales West Beer Festival returns to St. Joseph

News-Press NOW on May 14, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Ales West Beer Festival is returning to celebrate craft beverages and community spirit at Coleman Hawkins Park for it’s seventh year in a row.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and will showcase various samples from breweries, distilleries and more from across the region.

The festival will feature live music, which will be showcased in partnership with the St. Joseph Downtown Association, featuring area artist Casey Brett.

With the event being held at Coleman Hawkins Park, the festival provides an open-air setting for an afternoon of tasting, music and connection.

Guests can expect a laid back, welcoming atmosphere with food vendors, live entertainment and space to relax and explore.

Ales West is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit event, where all proceeds are donated to local charities and initiatives. Funds raised in past years have gone toward neighborhood improvement projects, food security programs, youth services and more.

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Traffic Alert: ITD announces lane restrictions, overnight closure on US-20 in Rexburg for sign installation

KIFI on May 14, 2025

Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Travelers on US-20 in Rexburg should anticipate longer commutes over the next few weeks due to planned lane restrictions and closures by the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) for sign installation.

Starting Wednesday, May 14, ITD contractors will begin drilling deep foundations for large overhead signs as the final touches for the Diverging Diamond Interchanges completed last fall. During this work, there will be lane restrictions at exits 332 and 333. Traffic control measures will be in place, and the road will remain fully open whenever possible, according to ITD.

Exit 333 in Rexburg will be fully closed overnight on Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20, from 7 PM to 7 AM as ITD contractors work through the night to ensure traffic can flow normally during the daytime hours.

“Large equipment, including a drill rig to reach the required 18-foot foundation depth, will need to be in the roadway underneath US-20 for work at both locations, reaching across and over the median concrete barriers,” stated ITD in a press release. “To keep everyone safe and be able to swiftly clean up any water or debris that the drilling creates, lane restrictions and closures have been deemed essential.”

“The foundation for the bridge and cantilever posts that will hold the large overhead signs has to be particularly deep,” Resident Engineer Curtis Calderwood stated. “We want them to be secure and have integrity in the wind. This is pretty well the last holdout for getting the exits truly finished.”

For more information on the restrictions and traffic updates, click HERE.

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CSUSB Palm Desert nursing student hopes to transform healthcare

KESQ on May 14, 2025

Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and Coachella Valley’s nursing shortage, Jason Davalos is graduating California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus (PDC), with a degree in nursing.

Davalos graduates this weekend as PDC’s Outstanding Student of the year and as a University Legacy Scholar, a scholarship that provided a full-ride to the school. He hopes to transform healthcare by breaking down language barriers and providing clinical care to at-risk patients.

Davalos says he was drawn to the profession when he saw the need for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. His own personal experience with immigrant parents also inspired him.

“My parents, they both came from low-income, immigrant households. I think they really dared to dream. Many times, I’m that they felt the odds were stacked against them, especially with my father having such a huge language barrier,” Davalos said.

While he received a full scholarship at PDC, he says when things got rough it was the hands-on learning programs that kept him there.

“Our street medicine program, that’s when we go out into the community, we host community clinics with mainly unhoused individuals, but also migrant farmworkers out in the East Valley. Also, low income and uninsured individuals. I think that for me, I made some very meaningful connections with community members,” Davalos said.

According to him, the biggest challenges facing local families are a lack of insurance and language barriers.

“With the street medicine program, we’re able to bridge that gap, we’re able to serve as that intermediary between the health care system and, and our community. So expanding those services, bringing services to them, is a huge goal of mine,” Davalos said.

While his time at CSUSB-PDC comes to an end, he says there’s still unfinished work in his community.

“Everybody here would agree that the goal is to see this campus as California State University Palm Desert. A standalone campus here in the Coachella Valley that’s unique to our population, unique to our student’s needs.”

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Newly hired Director of Riverside County Department of Animal Services discusses shelter goals for 2025

KESQ on May 14, 2025

Tori King

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ)– A new report found the euthanasia rate for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services dropped by 33%. Data shows in 2025, there have been 540 fewer animals euthanized this year compared to this same time period last year.

According to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, a report on the progress from the first part of 2025 showed measurable gains in lifesaving, pet reunification, and adoption outcomes. Mary Martin, the newly hired director for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, says the data in the Year-to-Date Highlights show the early impact of targeted, ongoing operational changes implemented in collaboration with Riverside County, Outcomes Consulting Group, RCDAS staff, volunteers, and community partners.

“I like a challenge,” said Martin. “There are a lot of improvements we can make day to day, but change takes time.” The new report showed the effects of the improvements being made in 2025 so far.

Positive Outcomes So Far This Year:

Live release rate increased to 80.9%, up from 72% during the same period last year

Euthanasia decreased by 33%, with 540 fewer animals euthanized

Adoption rate increased to 42%, up from 34% compared to same period last year

Transfer-out rates rose across both cats and dogs

The department says it is focused on removing barriers and increasing placement opportunities for animals through multiple ongoing operational improvements.

Key Operational Improvements:

Expanded public access by opening shelters on Sundays and extending hours on Wednesdays, making it easier for families to adopt or reclaim pets

Waived Return-to-Owner fees to remove financial barriers and help more lost pets return home

Increased the frequency of fee-waived adoption events, leading to faster placements and reduced length of stay

Completed cross-country pet transfer flights and enhanced partner rescue outreach, creating more adoption opportunities in partner regions and reducing local overcrowding

Enhanced marketing and visibility for adoptable animals through improved photography, promotion, and outreach

Martin just recently stepped into her new role this year, and has only been on the job for eight weeks. Martin was first introduced in March, and spoke with News Channel 3 about her decision to take on the role. As the shelter system continues to make substantial changes, Martin says she has a plan for the county’s shelters as she steers the department into the future.

News Channel 3’s Tori King spoke with Martin about the changes she has been able to make so far. “These results are a testament to the hard work of our staff and the strength of our community partnerships,” Martin said. “The team made real progress in just a few months, and we are committed to continuing this momentum to save more lives.”

RCDAS has been criticized for it’s euthanasia policies, namely in 2023 when the shelter system had the highest animal kill rate in the county. In 2024, the county’s overall live release rate was 71%, which lagged behind the Coachella Valley Animal Campus’s 80% rate.

“Hearing data like that feels like taking a bullet,” said Martin. “No one wants to see animals be euthanized at that rate. But I think the really important thing to focus on is not that the shelter is euthanizing that many animals. I mean we have to address it. But in order to fix it, we need to ask why the animals are coming to us in the first place. Why are animals losing their homes at the rate that they’re losing their homes?”

These rates have caused some local leaders and advocates to file a lawsuit against the county over shelter conditions.  

“I can’t speak to the lawsuit itself, but what I can tell you is that we are laser focused on making sure that we’re doing all the things that we need to do for the animals in our care,” said Martin. “I think, once again, I keep coming back to this hiring of dozens of people, because I do think that the crew here want to do the right thing for animals, and just simply haven’t really been able to.”

Martin knows monumental efforts like this take a village.

“People here love animals,” said Martin. “I think we all agree that we love animals and don’t want to see them harmed. There is that laser focus on life saving so I think, there’s not enough people, and so greatness doesn’t shine through as much as it should. Because they’re so split in having to try to solve multiple problems at a time.”

To achieve no-kill status, shelter’s must hit a 90% release rate. And it’s something Martin has experience with after taking a Maricopa County shelter from 82% to 96% live release rates. But she says in order to make this a possibility in the future, the shelter needs more funding, and more employees.

Over the last two years, RCDAS had a budget of around $39,000,000 per year. When asked if that was enough money annually to make the shelter system eligible for no-kill status, Martin said no.

“If that were the budget and we weren’t going to get any additions, I would say probably not,”: siad Martin. “Given the amount of animals coming to us, it’s just not enough funding to get there. I believe the county is dedicated now to improving conditions in the shelters, not just for for the community, but for the people who work in the shelters too.” However, with more funding she says nothing is impossible.

“There’s no magic number,” explained Martin. “Do I believe it can happen one day? Yeah, I do. With the investment, with the community stepping up to help us. I don’t believe we can do it alone. Absolutely not.”

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Palm Springs launching Blue Zones Project to boost community health and longevity

KESQ on May 14, 2025

Garrett Hottle

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Palm Springs is launching a bold new health movement aimed at helping locals live longer, healthier lives. Called the Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, the initiative officially begins with a community kick-off celebration on Thursday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Festival Theater. The free event will include a talk from the founder of Project Blue Zones – Dan Buettner, who will unveil a community-driven plan designed to make healthy living simpler and more enjoyable for everyone.

The Blue Zones Project takes a grassroots approach, focusing on reshaping policies, public spaces, and social connections to support better everyday habits. The goal is to mae it easier for people to eat healthier, move more naturally, and stay socially connected in their daily routines.

The launch event will also feature a relaxed reception with wine and light refreshments, giving attendees a chance to connect the Palm Springs Blue Zones team and national project leaders. This kickoff marks the start of a five-year plan to bring the Blue Zones Life Radius model to life in Palm Springs emphasizing permanent and semi-permanent changes to local infrastructure, food access, public policy, and social networks that make healthier choices more intuitive.

The Palm Springs project is part of a wider effort across Riverside County, backed by partners like Riverside University Health System Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. Together, they aim to create measurable improvements in community health and well-being across the region.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle will be speaking with Blue Zones Project Palm Springs’ Community Engagement Lead, Chris Ruetz, on this exciting development and what it means for region.

Be sure and tune into News Channel 3 at broadcast at noon, 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm!

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Ed Pastor Elementary School participates in evacuation drill

KYMA on May 14, 2025

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local school held an exercise Tuesday to have teachers, students, parents and first responders on the same page.

As part of the drill, Ed Pastor Elementary School in San Luis, Arizona evacuated its students from the classrooms to a safe spot a few blocks away.

School officials were informing parents through texts messages about the situation and how to pick up their kids at Eligio Ramirez Park.

“Moving them from location to another the school has to be very prepared in releasing the students in a safe proper manner as well the community and the parents,” said Lina Galvan, Gadsden Elementary School District (GESD) associate superintendent.

Associate Superintendent Galvan says it took a lot of effort to coordinate and move more than 500 students to a safe location.

“It took a lot of planning with the city, the police department, the fire department with our staff, our technology department, maintenance and transportation department. It took the collaboration of the whole school district,” explained Associate Superintendent Galvan.

A grandparent we spoke to says it’s important to have this kind of drills because everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

“This is very important especially nowadays, the kids have to be prepared in case of any problem they could face,” expressed Marisol Garcia, a grandmother of a student.

Gadsden Elementary School District is planning to have another emergency drill next school year involving all schools within the district.

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