CVUSD highlights student success amid budget cuts, teacher layoffs

KESQ on May 30, 2025

Kendall Flynn

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District has been dealing with an ongoing mass layoff, hoping to aid its $50 million budget deficit. In the wake of these challenges, the district is recognizing its progress in new learning programs and student success.

In the State of the District meeting, Superintendent Frances Esparza said CVUSD has implemented it’s first ever instructional framework for learning rooted in neuroscience.

Along with the new program, CVUSD has seen improvements in it’s CAASPP test scores, graduation rates and college, and career readiness. In 2021, the district saw 76% of it’s students graduate compared to 85% in 2024.

With college and career readiness they have seen an increase of 37% of students ready in 2021 to 43% in 2024. Both categories of graduation and readiness reach the “green” threshold for the district, something they are reaching for the first time.

Two programs the district highlighted were it’s KidWind challenges and Prisms learning. With KidWind, one group of middle school students from Bobby Duke Middle School created wind turbine and solar device running on “girl power” called “Blossom.”

With a partnership in a company called Prisms, students with CVUSD have also been learning math in a new way with virtual reality. The program creates real life scenarios to teach students math in a way they will remember in an interaction space.

While the success of students and its new programs are exciting for the district, the road to recovery after the budget cuts and teacher layoffs is not over yet.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from CVUSD officials on their success and challenges.

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Las Vegas motorcyclist hospitalized after Interstate 70 crash

KMIZ on May 30, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from Las Vegas suffered serious injuries when a tractor-trailer hit him motorcycle Thursday afternoon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the 63-year-old was riding his Harley-Davidson Roadking near the 185 mile marker in Montgomery County when the crash happened at about 1:45 p.m. A truck driven by a 59-year-old Illinois man rear-ended the motorcycle as the bike was slowing for an emergency vehicle ahead, the patrol report states.

The motorcycle rider was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis with serious injuries. He was wearing a helmet, the report states.

The truck driver was not injured.

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Two Sisters firefighters among 22 Oregon has sent to help battle blazes in Alberta, Canada, other U.S. states

KTVZ on May 30, 2025

Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry on Friday deployed 14 firefighters to Alberta, Canada, four to Alaska, three to Minnesota and one to Florida to help fight wildfires.

“With fire season beginning in some parts of the state, this will be the agency’s last big out-of-state resource push until the rainy fall returns in Oregon,” ODF said in their announcement.  

ODF Public Affairs Officer Jessica Neujahr told KTVZ News that the two firefighters going to Alaska, Ben Duda and Eric Metzger, are from Sisters, while some of the others are from John Day and Fossil.

Those being deployed to Alberta and Alaska are going through the Northwest Compact, which is a mutual assistance agreement among six states and five NW Canadian provinces and territories. Those deployed to Minnesota and Florida are going through state-to-state mutual aid agreements.

Both agreements are in place for organizations to easily share resources with one another, creating a larger and more comprehensive fire management system.  

“These agreements help bolster Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system and create a cache of reciprocal resources for all of us to call on when needed,” said Michael Curran, ODF’s Fire Protection Division Chief.

When wildfire activity is low in Oregon, firefighters can be spared to help in places experiencing high levels of wildfire. This two-week rotation with our partners is our firefighters’ chance to enhance existing skills, learn new ones, and build on long-standing relationships.

“Know that we don’t share these resources without appropriate vetting. Before committing to any out-of-state deployment, we make sure that our own fire management system is still adequately staffed and ready to respond to fires here in Oregon. Serving Oregonians is our first and primary priority,” said Curran.

Oregon can and has called on its out-of-state partners to send resources when wildfires here exceeded our local and state response capacity, most recently in 2024 when ODF received firefighters and equipment from about 21 states, provinces and territories.

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Riverside woman killed in four-vehicle crash on I-10 near Chiriaco Summit

KESQ on May 30, 2025

Jesus Reyes

UPDATE 5/30/2025 – The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman killed as 44 year old Jamie Pierce of Riverside.

The SIG Alert was lifted by CHP as of 5:42 p.m. and all lanes of traffic are now open in the area.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman was killed Friday in a crash involving a pickup truck that slammed into two other vehicles and a big rig at full speed on Interstate 10 near Chiriaco Summit, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported just before Noon near the exit on Cottonwood Springs Road.

A man driving a white, Dodge pickup truck was traveling at “full speed” while traffic was slowing and crashed into the rear of a Volkswagen sedan, CHP Officer David Torres said.

Torres said the crash caused a chain reaction in which a Tesla and a big rig semi truck were subsequently hit.   

Paramedics pronounced the female driver of the Volkswagen dead at the scene. She was identified as a Riverside resident.

The driver of the Dodge was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center for moderate to major injuries.

CHP confirmed the driver of the other two vehicles did not report injuries.

Alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in this crash.

A SIG Alert has been issued. The #1 and #2 lanes are blocked.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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Illegal psilocybin mushroom grow raided at SE Bend apartment; resident arrested, DHS assists with 2 children

KTVZ on May 30, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon drug agents raided and dismantled an illegal psilocybin mushroom grow operation at a southeast Bend apartment this week and arrested a resident on drug charges.

Members of the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) team and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team concluded a drug investigation with Wednesday’s raid, Bend Police Lt. Mike Landolt said.

A short-term investigation revealed that Nygel Marcus Boothe, 29, was manufacturing and distributing psilocybin mushrooms. On Wednesday, detectives served a search warrant at an apartment in the Stillwater Crossing Apartments. 

Landolt said detectives located a large-scale psilocybin grow within the residence where Boothe, his girlfriend and two juvenile children reside.  Detectives located psilocybin mushrooms, a psilocybin mushroom grow operation, a handgun, and evidence of drug distribution within the apartment.   

“Detectives were aware of the dangers associated with a psilocybin mushroom grow within a residence, which pose a significant health hazard for people living in that environment,” Landolt said in a news release. “All evidence and hazardous items were removed from the apartment as part of this investigation.”

The Oregon Department of Human Services was contacted and responded to the location to assist police and assure the safety of the children.

Boothe was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and booked on several drug charges.

Court records show Boothe was arraigned Thursday on two felony counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. He was granted conditional release, including no use or possession of controlled substances without a valid prescription and not to associate with those using illegal drugs or frequenting places where they are used, kept or sold. He’s due back in court June 24 for arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment.

Landolt said Boothe was living with a “significant other” who may be facing similar criminal charges at a later date, after the case is presented to a grand jury. 

Landolt said DCIMME would like to thank the Bend Police Department and the Department of Human Services for their assistance during this investigation. 

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies:  Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department,  Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.

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Woman pleaded guilty, jailed for animal abuse

News-Press NOW on May 30, 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Wathena, Kansas, woman will face about a year in county jail for animal abuse for causing a cat’s death.

On Friday, May 30, 2025, in the circuit of Buchanan County, Missouri, Kylie Barmann was charged with a Class A misdemeanor for animal abuse and, under law, will be confined in the county jail for a term of 12 months.

Barmann pleaded guilty to the abuse and was also given credit for 75 days served.

In March, News-Press NOW reported, Barmann, 31, reportedly abused the cat at a St. Joseph residence on Jan. 20.

According to a probable cause statement, she caused the animal’s death by throwing it repeatedly on a concrete floor, kicking it several times while it was on the ground and standing on its head for several seconds. 

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Joshua Tree National Park Eureka Fire at 214 acres with 80% containment; temporary Park closures remain

KESQ on May 30, 2025

Jesus Reyes

Update 6/3/2025

As of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Joshua Tree National Park officials report the Eureka Fire remains at 214 acres with 80% containment.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday morning may continue to help firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

All non-local resources are expected to be released by Thursday morning.

Temporary closures within the affected areas of the park will last until June 5th, 2025.

UPDATE 6/2/2025 –

As of 6:00 p.m. Monday, Joshua Tree National Park officials report that the Eureka Fire remains maintained at 214 acres and is now at 75% containment.

They say crews will continue suppression work this week. Four engines and one hand crew are assigned for tomorrow, with all other resources released at this time.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation.

The temporary closures within the affected areas of the Park will last until June 5th, 2025:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the Park. 

Update 6/2/25

Containment on the fire has grown to 70%, authorities announced Monday morning. The fire remains at 214 acres.

There are temporary closures within the affected areas of the park while fire containment remains active. The closures will last until Thursday, June 5:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

UPDATE 6/1/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Eureka Fire burning in Joshua Tree National Park has reached 214 acres and is 65% contained as of 11 a.m. Sunday according to park officials.

Fire crews worked overnight and successfully held the line, despite strong winds between 8 and 10 p.m.

Officials said control efforts are progressing well, with firefighters securing lines extending 50 to 100 feet from the line in most areas.

Crews will continue to monitor and extinguish smoke inside the containment line.

Closures remain in effect for parts of the park including:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

The fire’s cause is still under investigation.

UPDATE 5/31/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire crews worked through the night on the Eureka Fire at Joshua Tree National Park, which is now 40% contained and holding at 212 acres according to Joshua Tree National Park officials.

They said a small 4 acre flare-up fire on the southeast side was quickly stopped early Saturday morning.

Crews from CAL Fire, U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriffs and Fire Protection remain on scene, with 11 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 hand crews and 1 helicopter working throughout the day.

Several areas remain closed including:

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary.

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper.

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Blvd in the park. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

UPDATE 5/30/2025 –

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Joshua Tree National Park officials report staff has been responding to the Eureka Fire 3 miles northeast of Eureka Peak in the Covington Flats area of the Park.

They say crews from Bureau of Land Management, Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Protection are working with the Park in the containment of the fire. 

Officials also announce that there are temporary closures within the affected areas of the Park while fire containment remains active:

Creosote/Bigfoot Trail starting off Park Boulevard in the Park

Lower Covington Flats Road and La Contenta within the Park boundary

Backcountry camping in the zones covering Black Rock, Covington, Quail Wash, and Juniper

California Riding and Hiking Trail starting in Black Rock

They add the cause of the Eureka Fire is currently unknown and will be under investigation.

UPDATE 5/30/2025 7:00 P.M. – Watch Duty reports that the Eureka Fire is currently 175 acres and is 40 percent contained. Crews will be working through the night.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire has burned approximately 165 acres at Joshua Tree National Park Friday afternoon.

According to Watch Duty, the fire was initially reported around the area of Nolina Cove Road & Lower Covington Flat Road.

Viewer photo showing how the scene looks in Yucca Valley

By 12:30 p.m., the fire had burned 20 acres. By 1:45 p.m., the fire was mapped at 163 acres.

According to San Bernardino County Fire, there was no threat to structures as of 2:25 p.m.

Joshua Tree National Park (Update): #EurekaFire is currently holding within the retardant lines at 165 acres. No current structure threat. @CALFIREBDU @BLMca @JoshuaTreeNPS

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) May 30, 2025

Viewers in the west end of the Coachella Valley have reported seeing smoke.

Picture of smoke visible from Thousand Palms

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Moberly prison inmate charged with animal abuse and harassment for alleged dog hanging

KMIZ on May 30, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A prisoner at Moberly Correctional Center was charged Friday with animal abuse and harassment for allegedly hanging his ex-girlfriend’s dog by its leash last September.

Brian P. Wadley, 42, was charged with felony animal abuse and harassment in Boone County. He’s serving a four-year sentence in Moberly on charges including receiving stolen property, leaving the scene of a crash and drug possession, according to online prison records.

Court documents say he was homeless and living in the woods when he was arrested for a probation and parole violation.

Wadley is accused of sending videos via his cellphone of the woman’s brown Chihuahua mix hanging from a leash and collar, according to a probable cause statement. Wadley allegedly said in the videos that he was punishing the dog for the woman’s behavior.

Wadley allegedly admitted to sending the messages to the woman because he was mad at her. He told a Columbia Police Department officer that he had left the dog tied to a tree. It wasn’t clear from court documents whether the dog survived.

No hearings have been scheduled.

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Semi overturns on I-10 near Desert Center, injuring driver

KESQ on May 30, 2025

City News Service

DESERT CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – A tractor-trailer overturned Friday on Interstate 10 west of Desert Center, injuring and trapping the driver, as well as prompting partial closure of the highway.

The rollover wreck was reported at 10:55 a.m. on westbound I-10, roughly halfway between Desert Center and Chiriaco Summit, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said the big rig, hauling bales of hay, plowed into the guardrail on the north side of the interstate and overturned.   

No other vehicles were involved.   

Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location within 20 minutes and discovered the trucker injured and pinned inside the cab of the semi.

CHP said the driver suffered major injuries to their arm.

CHP officers shut down the westbound slow lane to provide space for first responders to work, though most of the truck was displaced off the interstate.

Traffic was slow on both sides of I-10 due to the wreck.

There was no immediate word on what might have triggered the crash.

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World’s Top Ranked Bull Rider Wacey Schalla Headlines a Strong Field at this Year’s Santa Maria Elks Rodeo

KEYT on May 30, 2025

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade has once again attracted an elite field of rodeo competitors, including budding young superstar Wacey Schalla, who is currently the world’s top ranked bull rider.

The 19-year-old from Arapaho, Oklahoma is not only ranked first in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world standings in bull riding, he’s also ranked second in the overall standings.

On Wednesday night, Schalla kicked off the Elks Rodeo by capturing first place in the Xtreme Bulls competition, with a top score of 89.5 points.

For Schalla, who is coming off his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last December, this marks his first ever trip to Santa Maria.

“That’s the best thing about rodeos,” said Schalla. “You get to go see tons of different places and cool places like this, right next to the coast. It’s beautiful country and I’m excited to come back next year.”

With the way he has performed over the first two nights of the Elks Rodeo, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Schalla returning back to the Central Coast year after year.

On Thursday, he also earned the top score in the bareback competition with a score of 85.5 points.

“I can’t complain,” said Schalla. “I’ve been super blessed. I won the Xtreme Bulls the first night and then and made a good bareback ride. We’ll see how it holds.”

Schalla noted the Santa Maria weather is much different than he’s used at home in Oklahoma and in many of the other places the rodeo circuit takes him to, but added he is impressed with what he has experienced so far with the Elks Rodeo.

“They accommodate you,” said Schalla. “It’s an accommodating town and the rodeo overall makes us want to come back. Whenever you get off your horse and throw your arms up in the air, and you can’t even hear yourself, you know you’re in the right place.”

With the Xtreme Bulls win already under his belt, Schalla is hoping to add even more to his already growing collection of victories and payouts when the Elks Rodeo finishes on Sunday.

He’s aiming to add a pair of wins in both the bull riding and bareback riding competitions.

For more information about the 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade, click here to visit the official website.

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