Tremendous postseason run ends for UCSB Softball at NCAA Regional Championship

KEYT on May 19, 2025

Mike Klan

WESTWOOD, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Softball team (36-26, 17-10 Big West) fell in the Los Angeles Regional Final on Sunday, May 18. The Gauchos ran into a buzzsaw that was the No. 9 national seed, UCLA. The 2025 squad led the program to new heights, and set new standards across the board for the team moving forward.

HOW IT HAPPENEDUC Santa Barbara faced a challenging opponent in UCLA. The Bruins initiated the scoring in the first inning with four runs. A two-RBI single put the Bruins up early and an error on the play allowed another run to score. Following that another RBI single from brought home one more. UC Santa Barbara managed to get a runner on base with Tehya Banks’ single, but they couldn’t convert it into a score, trailing 4-0 after the first inning.

In the second inning, UC Santa Barbara responded with an Alexa Sams’ double, setting the stage for Ainsley Waddell’s RBI single that brought in the home team’s first run of the game. The inning concluded with UC Santa Barbara narrowing the score to 8-1, following the Bruins’ four additional runs earlier in the inning.

The third inning saw a defensive stand from UC Santa Barbara, as they retired the Bruins in order without allowing any runs. However, UC Santa Barbara’s offense was stifled, as they were unable to add to their score, maintaining the 8-1 deficit.

The fourth inning featured a couple of home runs for the Bruins that increased their lead. UC Santa Barbara was unable to score during their turn at bat, the defensive side showed resilience by limiting further damage, despite the Bruins’ three runs in the inning, resulting in an 11-1 score.

In the final inning of play, UC Santa Barbara managed to get two runners on base, but ultimately, they could not capitalize on these opportunities. The Bruins added one more run, sealing the game with a 12-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

UCLA allowed two runs across three games in the Los Angeles Regional, the Gauchos scored both runs, the only team to score on the Bruins.The Gauchos broke numerous single-season records including home runs, runs scored, runs batted in, doubles and hits.This was the first time in program history the Gauchos won a Big West Championship weather postseason or regular season.UC Santa Barbara had six players selected to All-Big West Teams following the regular season.The 2025 squad earned the first two wins in an NCAA Tournament for the program.Prior to their loss against UCLA, the Gauchos had won eight straight elimination games during The Big West Championships and the NCAA Tournament.

IN CONCLUSIONUC Santa Barbara Softball was brought to new heights and set new standards for the program. The Gauchos proved a lot and showed grit, resilience and heart throughout the season. UC Santa Barbara Softball is officially on the map and people are taking notice.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics).

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ShelterBox USA President Honored by Alma Mater

KEYT on May 19, 2025

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The long-time president of ShelterBox USA received an honorary degree during a visit to her alma mater.

During the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Islands, Kerri Murray donned a cap and gown.

The 1995 graduate received an honorary human services doctorate.

Providence College President Fr. Ken Sicard said, “Kerri Murray has risen among the most esteemed voices in humanitarian service.”

Santa Barbara-based ShelterBox USA is on the front lines helping people displaced by disasters, including the LA fires, and conflicts around the globe.

For more information visit https://www.shelterboxusa.org

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Missouri Task Force One returns to Columbia after responding to deadly St. Louis storms

KMIZ on May 19, 2025

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Task Force One returned to Columbia on Sunday afternoon following a two-day deployment to north St. Louis Friday in response to deadly storms.

The 88-member emergency response team was sent to assist with recovery efforts after severe weather caused widespread damage across parts of the city. Team members were stationed in impacted zones and at a designated St. Louis Fire Department staging area to help coordinate recovery operations.

According to Cathryn Shaw, Executive Director of All Among Us, a nonprofit that serves women and families in need, several neighborhoods in north St. Louis were left uninhabitable.

“I think we have a couple neighborhoods here that the majority of the homes in these neighborhood are going to be condemned,” she said.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw extensive destruction in both north St. Louis and the Central West End, including homes leveled, trees uprooted, and power lines barely intact.

“These people have lived in their homes for over 50 years and their roofs are gone. You know, their yards that they have built these beautiful like sitting areas and areas to welcome their family. It’s gone,” Shaw added.

Shaw, whose organization typically provides groceries and basic essentials, said the scope of this disaster has shifted the city’s needs dramatically. Shaw emphasized the urgent need for outside assistance.

“Well (they need) money. They need volunteers to come down. They certainly need tree removal,” Shaw said. “They need counselors. They need people to come just to sit with people and talk and listen to them and let them process their trauma.”

Missouri Task Force One members utilized technology such as drones to assess the damage from above, with three to four drones deployed to map and monitor the affected areas.

One member described the storm’s impact as particularly severe due to the dense population of the areas hit. Many neighborhoods remained without power Sunday, while others have only limited service restored.

Despite the devastation, Shaw said the response from residents, first responders, and volunteers has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Yesterday, what was so rewarding was to see everybody in St. Louis who literally had cooked all night to be on the street at six o’clock yesterday morning serving hot meals to people and not just the volunteers, but all the pole in the community,” Shaw said. “They could get a hot meal. Every third block had a hot meal going on. It was really inspiring and humbling to see yesterday… to see the city of St. Louis coming together.”

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California Strawberry Festival Helps Music Programs and More

KEYT on May 19, 2025

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – The California Strawberry festival raised money for non-profits and scholarships over the weekend.

The Oxnard High School Marching Band welcomed people at the entrance and marched throughout the festival.

High school music programs sold all kinds of strawberry treats, including funnel cakes and churros.

Student volunteers also helped people build their own strawberry shortcakes.

The festival began in the Channel Islands Harbor in 1984, and then moved to Strawberry Meadows by Oxnard College, before finding a new home at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

“Every year it gets better, we improve it, we listen to all the comments and we make adjustments,” said festival chair Dean Kato. “We make it more comfortable for all the guests.”

A memorial scholarship is named after Kato’s father who was one of the original founders.

Festivalgoers quenched their thirst with strawberry smoothies, strawberry margaritas, and strawberry beer.

People rarely leave empty handed.

They buy chocolate covered strawberries and entire flats of berries and souvenirs to bring home.

Between now and next year the festival will be awarding scholarships and grants from the money raised in May when local strawberries are plump and sweet.

For more information visit http://www.castrawberryfestival.org

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Firefighters discover body in storage facility after fire in Colorado Springs

KRDO on May 19, 2025

Michael Logerwell

BREAKING UPDATE: MONDAY 5:58 A.M. – Just before 6 a.m. on Monday, the Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed the discovery of a deceased person when firefighters were clearing units after a fire in a storage facility.

CSFD officials say they are now working to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

According to the CSFD, The Colorado Springs Police Department is now conducting a death investigation.

Firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire just before 9 p.m. Sunday at Public Storage, on Van Teylingen Drive, north of the Academy Boulevard/North Carefree Circle intersection.

Several dozen units in a center section of the business appear to have been damaged or destroyed by fire, smoke and water; contents of the units included furniture and at least one car and motorcycle.

The scene was active for much of the morning, with the Regional Bomb Squad, the Metro Crime Lab and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office assisting; the latter will perform an autopsy on the body.

One man who rents a unit says his property apparently wasn’t seriously damaged.

“I have some paintings in there that I was worried about,” he said. “They’re covered with soot. My hands are black from brushing it off. I was here when the fire happened and when I saw the firefighters spraying water on the roof of the units, I was worried.”

By late morning, authorities had cleared the scene and the only activity was from managers securing the property and crews making repairs.

It’s unclear how many renters are affected.

Managers declined comment and referred media inquiries to their corporate office in California.

PREVIOUS STORY — Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Fire Department is ringing the second alarm for a structure fire along Van Teylingen Drive, near Palmer Park.

Through social media, the fire department said the blaze is spread across multiple units at the Public Storage facility.

Firefighters are asking the public to avoid the area.

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Deschutes County Commissioners urge PacifiCorp to consider Route D for transmission line

KTVZ on May 19, 2025

KTVZ News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Last month, we shared the concerns residents have about a proposed PacifiCorp transmission line.

The electric company’s 180-mile Blueprint South transmission line project would run from Powell Butte to Chiloquin.

PacifiCorp is currently considering four possible routes for the line. Two of those options, Route A and Route B, have drawn pushback from residents.

Now, in a letter to PacifiCorp, Deschutes County Commissioners Chang and DeBone have requested that Route D be considered.

They cited that Route D would have the least impact on residential and agricultural properties in Deschutes County.

“Looking at the map, I do think that route D, does a pretty good job of avoiding, residential properties, utilizing existing transmission corridors, you know, places where there’s already power lines,” said Commissioner Phil Chang.

In the letter, they also offered an alternative hybrid route. Commissioner Chang says using parts of Routes A, B, and C could avoid building new infrastructure through public lands.

The letter supported the line and the increase in grid capacity and reliability it will bring.

It’s just a request from the commissioners because Deschutes County does not have authority over the siting of the transmission line. That authority belongs at the state level.

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Car crash kills three, injures two on Highway 1 near Lompoc

KEYT on May 19, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews were on scene of a fatal four car crash just after 6:00 p.m. on Highway 1 southeast of Lompoc.

SBCFD said three victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

An adult female was transported with major injuries from the scene by helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Emergency Room. An adult male additionally was sent to the emergency room by ambulance with major injuries.

SBCFD said one vehicle had flipped upside down on the center divider.

Highway 1 has reopened after being closed in both directions.

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Fire at the Aqua Breeze Motel breaks out Sunday afternoon

KION on May 19, 2025

Jeanette Bent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Santa Cruz Fire Department said Sunday that they responded to reports of a structure fire at the Aqua Breeze Motel in Santa Cruz.

Upon arrival, firefighters say they learned that there was a disabled occupant trapped inside the building.

They say there was heavy smoke showing from the first floor, and hotel occupants were evacuating the building.

According to the City of Santa Cruz, firefighters from Engine 3110 and Truck 3170 extended a hoseline into the effected room and aggressively extinguished the fire while searching for victims.

They said that within seconds, units located an unconscious man in the room and carried him outside to awaiting medical care.

Firefighters who showed up later coordinated an effort to make sure that the fire did not spread to adjacent rooms as well as no further people in the building.

After the rescued man was treated by advanced medical care on scene, police say that he was transferred to an awaiting ambulance who took him to Dominican Hospital.

The City of Santa Cruz says that there are no updates on the victims condition.  

The fire is currently under investigation and not believed to be suspicious in nature.

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Salinas Valley Fair, a learning opportunity for FFA and 4-H youth

KION on May 19, 2025

jose.romo

KING CITY, Calif. (KION-TV) –Today marks the last day of the Salinas Valley Fair. While it’s all about funnel cakes, turkey legs, and live entertainment for most, it’s also an opportunity for local ag students to showcase their hard work. Most of them say this experience has taught them time management skills along with creating a community.

“You really get to bond with animals you never thought you’d ever get to bond with,“ Jayce Duhon says. “You had to know the struggles and get to feed them ice cream.”

For Jayce, that is the most rewarding part of the annual Salinas Valley Fair. Celebrating the last day of their 81st weekend, organizers recognize the importance this fair has to the community. 

“This is a huge part of South County,” says Lauren Hamilton, CEO of the Salinas Valley Fair. “Everybody looks forward to our fair in May. They come out as such a fun family event, and it’s the annual celebration that everybody looks forward to.”  

For Nathan Marquez, owner of three food vending locations at the festival, his goal is to provide the community with the best customer care and great food options. “we appreciate all the customers and guests that are coming out. we say come out, have a good time, bring your family here.”

Once you get past the food and fun, the Salinas Valley Fair is also recognized for its livestock auctions. Many student members of Future Farmers of America and 4-H make their way here to sell the animals they’ve been working hard to raise.

Mekenzie Gearhart says, “the community is helping me out as well and also buying my goat. That also supports me as like a showman and a. person in high school.”

Jordan Davis, this year’s Miss Salinas Valley Fair, says she has worked closely with FFA and 4-H. She adds its a true learning experience. “Definitely time management. and… just not procrastinating on anything and figuring out what i have to get done throughout the and having a schedule ready to go.” 

The learning does not stop with the students. Jayce Duhon’s dad Justin says he has learned a lot from seeing his son and two daughters participate in these programs. “For Jayce, you know he’s got to overcome a huge animal compared to his size and just watch him kind of face some fears. It’s pretty neat and just the rewards. getting up early every day, go feed. say no sometimes to hanging out with friends because you’ve got to go feed at night.”

Jayce now gets to enjoy the rewards of his hard work. “I sold my animal for a surprising $8 thousand, which was amazing,” Jayce says with a smile. He adds that while his steer showed some nerves during the showmanship portion of the auction, he was able to pull through proud to have calmed it down. 

With the $8 thousand Jayce hopes to participate in a big baseball tournament in Cooperstown. He also hopes to buy his dream car.

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Much-needed exercise equipment donated to AZ State Veterans Home in Yuma

KYMA on May 19, 2025

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The community gathered together to help out local Veterans in Yuma stay healthy, fit, and rehabilitate.

The Arizona State Veteran Home in Yuma received a much-needed donation of exercise equipment on Sunday.

The One Step Exercise Machine is highly-adjustable and accommodating total-body functional trainer.

The new piece of equipment was donated by several local VFW Posts, Auxiliaries, individuals, and organizations.

The cost was around $9,000 and was raised within the past year.

Joshua Priest, Director of Rehabilitation at the home, says, “It will benefit the residents here with strengthening, range-of-motion, and endurance…It keeps them moving, active, and prevents them from decline.”

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