Point-in-Time Count data shows latest on homelessness in Coachella Valley cities

KESQ on May 21, 2025

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County released updated data from this year’s Homeless Point-in-Time Count.

As we reported last week, the data shows that homelessness in Riverside County continues to grow, but the rate is slowing.

This week, the county provided a breakdown on unsheltered and sheltered homeless in Coachella Valley cities.

The report shows that homelessness is up from two years ago, however, there was a 19% decrease in unsheltered homelessness. The county’s program outcomes also revealed that more than 80% of people maintained housing stability over two years.

Data shows that the top three reasons reported for unsheltered homelessness in the county were Family Disruption, Lack of Income, and Unemployment.

You can check out the full summary below:

Attachment-79801Download

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Columbia youth summer lunch sites announced

KMIZ on May 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Summer Lunch Program in Columbia will run from June 2-Aug. 7, according to a Tuesday press release from the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.

Meal sites will be open Monday through Friday for all youth ages 18 and younger, the release says. The program will not run on June 19 and July 4. Locations for the program include:

Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) Stewart-Parker: Lunch from noon-12:30 p.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.

CHA Bear Creek, 1109 Elleta Blvd.: Lunch from noon-12:30 p.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.

Columbia Square, 1715 W. Worley St.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 12:30-12:45 p.m.

Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 1-1:15 p.m.

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 702 Banks Ave.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.

PHHS will also serve lunch behind the Armory from noon-1 p.m. June 2-Aug. 1. The release says that those who plan on bringing a large group to the Armory should call the WIC office 573-873-7384 at PHHS at least a day in advance.

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Girls 2A State Golf Championships

KRDO on May 21, 2025

Rob Namnoum

Sophia Lee of Colorado Academy won the Girls 2A State Golf Championships as she shot even par over the two day tournament. Addison Dorsey of Manitou Springs finished second at 3 over. Kyndra Johnson of Salida placed third as she finished the tournament at six over. The 2A state tournament was played at the Pueblo Country Club.

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Palm Springs elementary students exchange artwork with students in Mexico

KESQ on May 21, 2025

KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Connecting cultures through art and architecture. Students in Palm Springs participated in a cultural exchange with students from San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, which is Palm Springs’ sister city.

The four-day cultural exchange involves bilingual students from Vista Del Monte Elementary in Palm Springs and students from Newland School in San Miguel de Allende….

It is centered around a project called “Modernism Art in a Box.” Through virtual meetups, the students are exploring modernist architecture, climate, and culture — and even built their own designs inspired by what they learned.

“Students have been able to interact with each other through Zoom through video, and so we’ve had some positive feedback along with the teachers being in communication,” said Jamie Santos, principal at Vista Del Monte.   

This is one of the many efforts between Palm Springs and San Miguel de Allende to work together to exchange culture and uplift students.

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Gauchos add guard Marvin McGhee IV

KEYT on May 21, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UCSB men’s basketball team added 6’6 shooting guard Marvin McGhee IV as he announced on social media that he is transferring to the Gauchos.

He played his sophomore season at fellow Big West school Cal State Bakersfield where he averaged 5.4 points per game and shot over 47 percent from three-point distance as a reserve.

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CIF-SS Round 2 baseball playoff scores

KEYT on May 21, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-SS Second Round:

Division 2:

Mater Dei 6, Simi Valley 4

Torrance 3, Oaks Christian 2

Division 4:

Dos Pueblos 5, Valencia 4

Pacifica 9, Monrovia 8 (8 innings)

Thousand Oaks 10, Claremont 3

Division 5:

Camarillo 6, Moreno Valley2

Division 6:

Montebello 1, St. Bonaventure 0

Estancia 11, Foothill Tech 1

Division 7:

Channel Islands 15, Chaffey 1

Grace 14, Silverado 8

Division 8:

La Quinta/W 3, Cate 2

Fillmore 15, San Jacinto Valley 4

Division 9:

Nuview Bridge 16, Ojai Valley 0

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Missouri lawmakers share memories of Kit Bond during memorial service

KMIZ on May 21, 2025

Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Tuesday, dozens of former and current Missouri lawmakers traveled from around the state to honor former governor and Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond.

Bond died last week at 86 years old. He was originally from Mexico, Missouri, where his maternal grandfather, A.P. Green, was a well-known businessman.

He was sworn in as Missouri governor in 1973 and again in 1981, then won a U.S. Senate seat in 1986. He would stay in that seat until his retirement following the 2010 election.

“A hundred years ago, we were famous for sending 400,000 mules into World War I and II,” said John D. Ashcroft, who had also served as governor, senator and attorney general of the United States. “Now we’re famous for defending freedom around the world with missiles. He presided over that kind of transition for the state of Missouri, taking it from something  distant past and to be a leader in the future.”

Ashcroft was one of a handful of current and former public officials who took part in the memorial service. Some notable attendees included former Sen. Jack Danforth, Gov. Mike Kehoe, first lady Claudia Kehoe, Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission member Warren Erdman (who previously served as Bond’s chief of staff), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City), Missouri Capitol Police Chief Zim Schwartze and former Sen. Roy Blunt (who took over Bond’s senate seat following Bond’s retirement).

Cleaver described Bond, a Republican, as a friend during the memorial service. He touched on how the two were on opposites sides of the political aisle, but respected each other.

“Kit Bond’s shadow strikes all over the state of Missouri,” Cleaver said. “We did work together on project after project after project, and I will be delighted for the rest of my life that I had that opportunity with Kit Bond.”

Lawmakers were not the only ones who attended the ceremony early Tuesday afternoon. Many residents and friends of Bond from his hometown of Mexico, Missouri, recalled fond memories.

“He’d always come to all of the things [in town] whether it would be something to do with the hospital in the community,” Mexico resident Joseph Corrado said. “He was always there and he was very down to earth.”

Corrado recalled how Bond would often visit his Chinese restaurant and touched on his love for Chestnut trees.

“He grew chestnuts from the University of Missouri on his land in Mexico, and he didn’t know what to do with them,” Corrado said. “So what we did was we made a special gold menu and it was the Kit Bond Menu.”

Local historian and former President of the State Historical Society Bob Priddy said Bond accomplished a lot during his decades of years of service for Missourians.

“You can list the things he accomplished, that’s part of his legacy.” Priddy said. “But what you saw was a tribute to kit bond as a person.”

Flowers surrounding Bond’s casket as well as the entrance to the Rotunda where guests signed their names. Former Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel and his family sent yellow roses and their condolences saying, “To the Great and Honorable Christopher Kit Bond. For his outstanding leadership and love for the citizens of Missouri. For his friendship to our family, and his energy, smile and charisma will live in on in memories.”

Bond’s body will stay in the Capitol for 24 hours. All are welcome to pay their respects.

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Problem Solvers: Central Oregon steps up as 14 dogs are seized in Lake County, with over 100 more likely to come

KTVZ on May 21, 2025

Harley Coldiron

LAKE COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Dog hoarding is growing in rural areas of Southern Oregon’s Lake County, as 14 dogs were seized just this month, and 100 more are likely on the way.

The concerning issue has caught the attention of several Central Oregonians, who have stepped in to help.

“Oh, my God! It – it just – it just broke my heart.”

When Elena Chadwick saw images of starving dogs in a rural area of Southern Oregon, she felt more than just sadness. She felt a call to action.

“She sent me pictures, and of course I started crying.”

Chadwick, who works with the Sunriver Veterinary Clinic, drove hundreds of miles to help round up the 14 dogs and get them the care they need.

She connected with Kathy and Becky, a mother-daughter duo who help run the Humane Society of North Lake County. “This last guy was a veteran and he was actually feeding his food to the dogs,” Kathy said, adding that the trailer he lived in was “just kind of a shack – no water, no power, no sanitation.”

With help from the local sheriff’s office, they seized the dogs and brought five of them to Central Oregon for adoption.

Needing close care in a warm home, one of the pups is already off the market.

“She was very skittish. We had to use a catch pole to get her. I can still see her ribs and her spine sticking out quite clearly,” Chadwick says as she pets her new puppy.

“Right now, her name is Snickers Fun Size Candy Bar,” she says with a smile. “And we’re hoping we get a little meat on those bones – and we can upgrade her to Snickers Full Size Candy Bar!”

While Snickers has her forever home, four of her family members are still up for adoption, with many shelters already at capacity. Jeannette Moore, who owns the newly opened Sunrover Dog Daycare, stepped in to help.

Though these pups are on their way to a better life, the issue of dog hoarding in rural Oregon is not going away, according to Kathy and Becky, “We have five situations involving 100 dogs out here right now. A lot of animals get dumped out here. We’re finding even more and more, with the economy.”

Though there’s a long road ahead, they’re happy for the help from the High Desert: “It’s overwhelming. It’s so it’s amazing. It’s totally awesome. It, I just can’t, I can’t even – it makes me happy!”

If you are interested in adopting any of these puppies, contact the Sunrover Dog Daycare in Sunriver.

If you aren’t able to adopt, here are some other ways to help:

Donate directly to the Humane Society of North Lake County, whether it’s food, supplies or cash.

Donate to Sunriver Veterinary Clinic‘s Angel Fund

Donate food, water and supplies to Sunrover Dog Daycare

The Humane Society of Central Oregon often works with North Lake County. Here are ways to support them as well.

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Santa Barbara Supervisors Hold Moment of Silence for Dos Pueblos Students Killed in Car Crash

KEYT on May 21, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held a moment of silence for three teens who were killed in a head-on car crash Sunday evening.

The county says the teens were employees in the junior lifeguard program and had spent the day at Jalama Beach. The crash occurred on Highway 1, the road that connects back to Highway 101 and Goleta.

All three were students at Dos Pueblos High School.

They have been identified as 18-year-old Jake Curtis of Goleta, 17-year-old Michael Ochsner, and 15-year-old Alexander Wood, both of Santa Barbara.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash happened when the teens, driving a 2007 Toyota Yaris southbound, veered into oncoming traffic and hit a 2024 Tesla Model 3 head-on. The impact was so strong, it pushed the Tesla into two other cars traveling south — a 2012 Audi Q5 and a 2002 Honda Accord.

Tragically, all three teens inside the Toyota were pronounced dead at the scene. The two people in the Tesla — a 54-year-old driver and a 53-year-old passenger from Lompoc — were rushed to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with major injuries. CHP says the drivers of the Audi and the Honda had only minor injuries.

Supervisor Joan Hartmann said, “This tragedy has shaken our entire community, and our hearts go out to the families, friends, and co-workers. The whole county mourns with you.”

Dos Pueblos High School has encouraged any students or staff in need of support to visit the Wellness Center at any time throughout the week for counseling services.

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Bremner, Flora and McCollum are All-Big West First Team for UCSB

KEYT on May 21, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – With the first pitch of The Big West Baseball Championship less than 24 hours away, the conference has announced its 2025 award winners and All-Big West honorees. Seven UC Santa Barbara student-athletes have received acclaim, with LeTrey McCollum, Tyler Bremner and Jackson Flora all earning first team honors. Jonathan Mendez was named to the second team, while first-year Gauchos Nate Vargas, Xavier Esquer and Rowan Kelly all earned honorable mention.

McCollum, Santa Barbara’s senior captain, ended his Gaucho career with a bang, putting together an historic season at the plate. McCollum finished the 2025 regular season with a career-best .365 batting average — 5th in The Big West — as well as 10 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 40 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, all career highs. He was held hitless in just seven of his 53 games and failed to reach base in just one game, finishing the regular season on a 49-game hitting streak, the longest in Santa Barbara Baseball history. On March 9, he hit a walk-off home run to complete the first cycle by a Gaucho since Michael Young in 1997.

Bremner, the ace of Santa Barbara’s pitching staff, likewise had an historic season in what is likely his final year as a Gaucho. One of the top pitching prospects in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft, Bremner spent this spring striking out just about anybody and everybody who stepped in the box to face him, including a world-beating stretch run that saw him tally double-digit strikeouts in six of his last seven starts. The righty won back-to-back Big West Pitcher of the Week awards to finish the regular season as he ran away with the conference’s strikeout crown. Bremner has 111 punchouts on the season, eighth most in the country and 27 more than the next-closest Big West pitcher. On May 9, he became UC Santa Barbara’s all-time strikeout leader, recording the 275th of his career.

The man in second place in The Big West strikeout standings behind Bremner is his teammate, Flora, who racked up 84 K’s in his first season in Santa Barbara’s starting rotation. The sophomore came flying out of the gates, pitching back-to-back scoreless outings to start the season, but then hit a rough patch in March. A move to the bullpen, where he pitched long relief outings behind an opener, revitalized his season. On April 19, he delivered a signature moment, pitching a complete game, one-hit shutout in The Blue-Green Rivalry against Cal Poly, earning both Big West and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pitcher of the Week honors. Since then, he has posted double-digit strikeouts in each of his last two outings, 12 at Cal State Fullerton on May 4 and 11 against Cal State Bakersfield on May 15.

Mendez started every game in the Gauchos’ middle infield behind Flora and Bremner, turning 31 double plays but his inclusion in the All-Big West Second Team is thanks largely to his bat. The sophomore leads the team in both home runs (11) and doubles (17), with the latter figure leading the conference as well. He started the year scorching hot, finishing the month of March with more extra-base hits than singles. He has been hot down the stretch too, ending the regular season on a 12-game hitting streak including four straight multi-hit games to end the year. All told, 44 percent of his 68 hits have been at least a double, giving him a team-high .565 slugging percentage and 122 total bases.

Vargas was another every-game starter for Santa Barbara who made big contributions to the Gaucho offense in 2025, with the junior college transfer earning all-conference honorable mention in his first year of Division I baseball. He has a Big West-leading 17 doubles like Mendez and his just one homer behind him for the team lead there, with 10 long balls. The junior catcher also leads the Gauchos with 49 RBIs, eight of which have come from sacrifice flies, the sixth-most of any player in the country. A workhorse behind the plate, Vargas has caught every game since April 17 for Santa Barbara, and he has stayed red-hot at the dish down the stretch, hitting in all but two of the Gauchos’ final 19 games.

Ninety feet down the line from Vargas, Esquer made himself Santa Barbara’s first choice at third base with both the bat and the glove this season, starting every game in 2025. Defensively, Esquer had more assists than anyone but Mendez this season, frequently showcasing his arm strength with Manny Machado-like throws across the diamond. At the plate, he hit .286 with plenty of pop in his bat, tallying 15 doubles and eight home runs on the season, but what Esquer has done better than any Gaucho this season is get hit by pitches. After wearing four of them — the most in a single game since at least 2011 — in Saturday’s season finale, the redshirt sophomore is one HBP away from tying Andrew Calica’s single-season record of 24. More importantly, he broke out of a late-season slump with a 3-for-3 day at the dish on Friday, including both a home run and a double, re-igniting his bat as the Gauchos prepare for The Big West Championship.

But arguably the hottest bat down the stretch has been that of Kelly, a rookie who did not make his first start until March 22 but who has not left the lineup since the start of April, hitting his way to All-Big West Honorable Mention. The freshman is hitting .403 against conference opponents this season, making him The Big West’s second-best hitter in conference games. He has been great in any game though, hitting .355 overall to rank ninth in the conference. Like his all-conference teammates, Kelly has been great down the stretch, coming into Wednesday’s Big West Championship opener on a 14-game hitting streak, including back-to-back three-hit games against Cal State Bakersfield to help the Gauchos clinch their spot in the conference’s first tournament since 1998.

Kelly, Vargas, Esquer, Mendez, Flora, Bremner and McCollum will lead Santa Barbara into a do-or-die game against Hawai’i on Wednesday to open The Big West Championship at 12 noon from Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. With a win, the Gauchos will advance into the tournament’s double elimination bracket and continue their defense of the conference title.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics).

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