UPDATE: Idaho Falls teenager reported missing: Police ask for public’s help

KIFI on May 21, 2025

News Release

Update May 22, 10:50 p.m.: Idaho Falls Police report Kenworthy has been located and is safe.

The following is a press release from the Idaho Falls Police Department:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is looking for a juvenile runaway, Cordell Kenworthy. Cordell is a 17-year-old white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 6 feet tall and approximately 160 pounds. Cordell was last seen wearing a black hoodie and plaid coat and was carrying a yellow backpack. Cordell was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on May 19th, at his residence in Idaho Falls.

As a reminder, it is considered a crime to harbor a runaway. Anyone who has information about Cordell’s current whereabouts, or over the past two days, is encouraged to call Idaho Falls Police Dispatch at (208)529-1200.

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Legendary gay adult film actor Colton Ford found dead on Palm Springs hiking trail

KESQ on May 21, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A missing hiker found dead Monday on a Palm Springs trail has been identified by his friends as iconic gay adult film actor Glenn Soukesian, known professionally as Colton Ford.

Palm Springs police confirmed they received a report of a missing hiker on Monday at 4 p.m. The hiker was last seen on Sunday before going on a hike on the Goat Trails behind 4733 E. Palm Canyon Drive.

“Our Search and Rescue Team found the lost hiker deceased on the hiking trail at 8:16pm that night,” writes PSPD Lt. Mike Villegas.

Villegas added that the coroner’s office ruled out foul play. There was no information available on the possible cause of death.

The coroner’s office has not released the identity of the man, however, friends confirmed Soukesian’s identity to multiple outlets, including News Channel 3.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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When Burns was hit by severe flooding, the Lions Club, community and many others stepped up to help those in need

KTVZ on May 21, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the old saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, just wait a minute and it will change.” In late March, the weather changed in the mountains just north of Burns, the snowpack started melting – fast!

Burns is a small community of 2,700 in the high desert of Harney County. On March 30th, the Burns levee on the swollen Silvies River failed, the community was hit by major flooding, affecting hundreds of homes on the north and east side of the community. The flooding was so severe, it could be seen from National Weather Service satellites in space.

The community response was immediate, and help came from far and wide. And the residents of Burns rallied and helped themselves.

The Burns Lions Club, through their member, District Governor Lion Pete Runnels, applied for an emergency grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation. The clock started at 5 p.m. on Monday with the submission of the grant. By 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the $15,000 grant was approved – and by Thursday, the money was in the bank, in only 94 hours.

That was great, but not enough for the Burns Lions, who promptly added $5,000 of their own charitable project fund. The Crooked River Ranch Lions heard about the disaster and sent $1,000. With some quick personal donations, including Parr Lumber staff and Lion Pete, the total dollars to help Burns residents came to just under $22,000.

Lion Pete Runnels connected with the Parr Lumber store in Burns and was met by Manager Jon Case, who was busy trying to get as much sheetrock, subfloor and insulation as could be trucked to Burns in short order. Jon and Burns Parr Lumber were already planning to let affected Burns residents have the product at near-cost.

After some brief number crunching, the sum of $350 per flood victim was settled upon.

When the water receded and Burns residents took the toll of the flood damage, they began flocking to the Parr Lumber store, where they were happy to get products at substantially reduced prices, along with a $350 gift from the Lions.

When everything was said and done, the Lions helped 69 Burns families begin their recovery from the Silvies River flood of 2025.

Lion Pete was quoted saying, “When the waters receded and folks faced the question of where do we start … this assistance was immediate and gave them a starting point and hope to begin the recovery process. There was no ‘red tape,’ so to speak.”

Jon Case replied, “We would do it again in a heartbeat. The appreciation shown from those affected wasmoving.”

As Burns families continue their recovery, the Burns Lions will be there to help. As always, the Burns Lions will make sure underserved community members will get the vision and hearing help they need and that all the K-8 students get quality vision screening, plus so much more.

The Burns Lions say: “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.” The Burns Lions can be reached through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BurnsLionClub/.

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21 drivers cited in Indio distracted driving operation

KESQ on May 21, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police officers cited 21 drivers for using their cell phones during a distracted driving enforcement operation, authorities announced today.

“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” the Indio Police Department said in a statement. “Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer.”

The enforcement occurred Tuesday at various locations citywide, according to police. News Channel 3’s Kendall Flynn joined Indio police during the operation. Check out her report here.

Under state law, it is illegal to hold a phone or other device while driving, including for talking, texting or using apps.   

A first offense can result in a fine. A second offense within 36 months of a prior conviction may add a point to the driver’s record.   

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

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Kohberger defense team demands trial delay after case details leak

KIFI on May 21, 2025

News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The defense team of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, is pushing to delay the fastly approaching murder trial, citing the apparent leak that made its way into a recent episode of “Dateline NBC.”

In recently published court documents, Kohberger’s lawyers argue that the case details mentioned in the Dateline special, “The Terrible Night on King Road,” violated the court’s gag order, but may have created an unfair basis against their client.

“The apparent leak is not only an egregious violation of the Court’s non-dissemination order; it enabled Dateline to gild rampant speculation with a veneer of credibility,” argue Kohberger’s defense team. “When purportedly ‘exclusive’ information surfaces through a media broadcast shortly before trial -particularly information attributed to unnamed sources with access to the investigation, it carries a heightened aura of credibility and secrecy that can deeply influence public perception.”

The 40-page legal filing, filed and signed by Kohberger’s lawyer Ann Taylor, calls for a delay just two-months before jury selection is set to begin.

“While prompt administration of justice is important—to both the State and Mr. Kohberger—the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial outweighs modest delay,” contend Kohberger’s legal team. “And, because the majority of cases ending in the death penalty are later overturned for error, the public interest lies in ensuring a fair trial in the first instance. A continuance will ensure that Mr. Kohberger’s fundamental constitutional rights are honored, and that any verdict rendered rests on a fair and complete presentation of the facts, not on forced haste.”

As of now, the prosecution has not yet formally responded to Taylor’s motion.

Kohberger, 30, faces four counts of first-degree murder related to the fatal stabbings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin at an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, during the early hours of November 13, 2022.

He was apprehended in connection with the killings over a month later in his home state of Pennsylvania. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf in May 2023.

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East Boulder Street in downtown Colorado Springs to partially close for over 2 years

KRDO on May 21, 2025

Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A busy road in downtown Colorado Springs is set to close down for over two years starting in less than two weeks. 

East Boulder Street will be closed for the Palmer High School renovation from Weber to Nevada. The developers say the 2-and-a-half year closure is temporary, but they do plan to request a permanent closure from the city.

Come June 3, drivers who typically pass through East Boulder Street will have to find a new route to get from North Nevada Avenue to North Weber Street.

After June 3, the block will gradually begin filling up with construction equipment and materials.

“For the safety of both students and staff, because we have over 1200 students on site,” Doug Abernethy with RTA Architects explained. “We really need to close Boulder Street in order to allow construction to occur, because we have a 3 to 4-story academic wing. It requires quite a bit of space for a crane in the construction. So Boulder’s got to be closed to accommodate students and staff, but also the construction workers and actually the logistics of building the building.”

Abernethy says the school will shift student pick-up and drop-off to North Nevada Avenue.

Another area that will be slimming down is North Weber Street.

“There are going to be some temporary construction barricades that will reduce this. It’ll be one lane in each direction, but then there won’t be that center median,” said Tony Cingoranelli with Adolfson and Peterson Construction.

Abernethy further explained that the bike lane and parking on the west side of North Weber Street will be shifted over in order to accommodate the construction. That area is slated to be closed through July 20, 2026.

The closures raise some concerns for business owners further along East Boulder Street.

“That’s going to hugely affect our business, because it is a major fanfare. This is one of the largest crossings to downtown. That’s part of the reason we signed here was because we do have this incoming traffic,” explained Claire Schroder, an owner of Toodles Tearoom.

The owner of Toodles Tearoom on Boulder Street also points to other businesses trying to open up shop in the area. She explained how some buildings nearby are trying to fill in spots for new shops downtown.

“With that road closed, that’s a major issue for them, I’m sure not only for construction, but then if they have a launch and there’s no access to it, that’s going to be a massive problem,” Schroder shared.

The city says the district and developers will have to reapply for the construction permit every 90 days.

Colorado Springs School District 11 plans to apply for the permanent closure of East Boulder Street in the next two months. 

“As we’re working through this first phase of construction, there’s an extensive engagement process that will continue to occur to consider the closure of Boulder,” Abernathy said. “And so we have to apply to the planning department, and then ultimately that needs approval by the city council. That will run in parallel with the first phase of construction.”

In the meantime, drivers will have to reroute. District 11 provided this map of potential alternative routes:

PAST COVERAGE: Palmer High School could expand across Boulder Street in Colorado Springs

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Hollister City Manager met with a “vote of no confidence” by Fire Fighters Association

KION on May 21, 2025

Jeanette Bent

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Hollister Fire Fighters Association sent a letter to City Manager David Mirrione Tuesday that denied confidence in his ability to lead the city.

In the letter, the group said that although the decision was not made lightly, they feel that “deep and ongoing concerns that have escalated over time,” need to finally be addressed.

“We are writing to formally express a vote of no confidence in your leadership as City Manager of Hollister,” they wrote to Mirrione.

The association goes on to say that Mirrione has demonstrated fiscal mismanagement and lack in transparency over failing to publish the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (last publication date was in 2021).

“This absence of transparency not only violates public trust but raises serious questions about how taxpayer dollars are being managed,” according to the letter.

The Firefighters Association goes on to accuse Mirrione of jeopardizing public safety through “poor” handling of the fire protection negotiations. They say that relationships with partner agencies have become strained as a result.

Finally, the letter says that Mirrione demonstrated a consistent pattern of “micromanaging the department head’s responsibilities,” which limited his ability to lead and manage, as well as resulted in “low morale across the fire department.”

KION has reached out to both City Manager David Mirrione as well as the Hollister Fire Fighters Association for further comment. Neither have responded.

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Prescribed burn northeast of La Pine puts up tall smoke plume; burn west of Sisters canceled

KTVZ on May 21, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: La Pine-area burn proceeds, one near Sisters canceled)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nearly 240 acres of prescribed burning were taking place Thursday on the Deschutes National Forest northeast of La Pine, putting up a smoke plume visible over a wide area.

Burns on Thor Units 11 and 12 were conducted on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District about four miles northeast of La Pine, along both sides of Paulina Lake Road, a mile west of Ogden Group Camp.

No road or trail closures were expected, but officials said smoke would be visible from La Pine, Sunriver Highway 97 and the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, due to unfavorable conditions, firefighters canceled the 158 acres of prescribed burning planned for Thursday about 3 1/2 west of Sisters, along the north side of Forest Service Road 1012 (Cold Springs Road), and west of Highway 20.

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when the weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities.

While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn. 

—

Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest plans to conduct two prescribed burn operations Thursday totaling nearly 400 acres on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts, if conditions are favorable. 

Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 236 acres of ignitions on the Thor Units 11 and 12 Prescribed Burn, located about four miles northeast of La Pine, directly along the north and south sides of Paulina Lake Road, one mile west of Ogden Group Camp.  

Ignitions are slated to begin around 10 a.m. A pilot car and flaggers will be in place along Paulina Lake Road during ignitions. No road or trail closures are anticipated. Smoke will be visible from La Pine, Sunriver, Highway 97, and the surrounding area.

Residents in La Pine and Newberry Estates are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. Smoke impacts are also possible across Highway 97 during ignitions, overnight and in the early morning hours. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday, Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 158 acres of ignitions on the Highway 20 Units 81 & 93 Prescribed Burn, located about three and a half miles west of Sisters, along the north side of Forest Service Road 1012 (Cold Springs Road), and west of Highway 20.  

Ignitions are slated to begin around 10:30 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Sisters, Highway 20, and the surrounding area. Residents in Sisters, Tollgate subdivision, Black Butte Ranch and the surrounding area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts.

Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. Smoke impacts are also possible across Highway 20 during ignitions, overnight and in the early morning hours. A pilot car operation will be available if needed. No road or trail closures are anticipated. 

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. 

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.  

What does this mean for you? 

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.  

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. 

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner. 

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible. 

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating. 

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional. 

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources. 

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts. 

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Colorado wildlife officials warn rattlesnake season is upon us

KRDO on May 21, 2025

Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – With the warmer weather sticking around, rattlesnakes are coming out of their dens and possibly into your personal space. We spoke with wildlife officials on how you can avoid a bite like some of the gnarly ones Coloradans have seen over the last few years.

Wildlife officials say people can’t merely stay away from areas rattlesnakes frequent to ensure their safety, since they can be found almost anywhere around here. 

“Prairie rattlesnakes are well-distributed across most areas of Colorado,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson John Livingston. “Can live anywhere up to elevation lines as high as 9,500 feet, but more commonly found 7,500 feet and below.”

Colorado Springs falls within those elevation parameters.

Carissa Welch, and her dog Rizzo, who got bit trying to protect her, will tell you that. Welch will also tell you the vet bill was expensive, but worth it. 

“There’s no amount of money I wouldn’t pay to save his life again,” she told KRDO while Rizzo was undergoing treatment.

Rattlesnakes are thriving in Pueblo, too.

“It’s a fairly large bite area,” said Luis Linhares who was attacked by a rattlesnake in 2023. “So, the large vipers are around here.”

“I’m surprised he pulled through this,” Luis’s wife, Linn Smith, said in a KRDO interview days after the attack.

So, how do we keep ourselves and our pets safe?

According to Livingston, rattlesnake season is usually from April to September, and the reptiles like to hangout on trails in the morning to warm up.

He says don’t try to go around them.

“You just want to slowly back away off that trail,” Livingston elaborated.

Keep your dogs on a leash, don’t hike with earbuds (that way you can hear the warning rattle), and wear long, thick pants and closed toed shoes in grassy areas… even in the heat.

Above all – you should call 911 immediately if you get bitten since the venom spreads fast.

“A cytotoxin that they have starts breaking down your muscles and your fat when they bite you,” Livingston explained. “When they bite pray, and feed on pray, it helps them digest and breakdown that animal.”

Livingston says while rattlesnake bites aren’t usually fatal, they can be deadly depending on your size, the size of the bite and how quickly you’re treated.

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Get your ducks in a row: Idaho Falls Rotary Club gearing up for annual race

KIFI on May 21, 2025

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Rotary Club is making waves as they gear up for the annual Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race. On Wednesday, the club officially launched its yearly fundraiser, giving the community an exciting sneak peek at this year’s prizes.

This year’s event promises high-flying thrills with a World War II military “warbirds” flyover, alongside speedboat races and an escort down to the greenbelt.

The grand prize is a 2025 Kia K4, while the first prize offers a 2025 4-wheeler ATV, generously provided by Idaho Central Credit Union.

“Over the past 33 years, the Idaho Falls Rotary Club has raised more than $7 million through duck adoptions, with matched funds by the City of Idaho Falls. After event expenses, all of the remaining funds go into making improvements along the River Walk/Greenbelt,” said the rotary club.

For the past nine years, the funds have gone toward the development of the city’s newest park along the River Walk – Heritage Park.

The Rotary Club is quacking with ambition this year, aiming to sell a whopping 30,000 ducks to support these community improvements. To adopt a duck, click HERE.

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