Soon-to-be father and Woodland Park football star Aiden Hernandez remembered by coach

KRDO on June 4, 2025

Emily Coffey

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)—A tight-knit family and community are devastated by the loss of Aiden Hernandez, a soon-to-be father and recent Woodland Park High School grad.

Those who knew him say he was a pillar of the community and a bright and driven athlete with a passion for the culinary arts.

“Incredible young man, great energy, A smile that would just melt your heart.  Very intense. Very driven young man, even from an early age,” His former football coach, Chad Drummond, said.

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says they were called out to assist with a work accident on 9500 Escondido Road on May 29th, at 9:58 a.m. They say that after administering CPR, he was pronounced dead on the scene. EPSO says a tree branch fell on Hernandez, but other details on the incident and his death are unclear.

“It dropped me to the floor,” Former Football coach Chad Drummond said. “I don’t know if I’ve still accepted it.”

Aidan was expecting a child with his longtime girlfriend, Michaela Boring. The Hernandez family did not agree to go on camera today.

“You will not find a closer family from when he was little until he graduated. If he had an event, everyone was there. If someone else in the family had an event, they were all there,” Drummond said. “They supported each other from morning to night, which is why my heart breaks for this family. It is absolutely a catastrophic loss.”

To contribute to the Meal Train, click here. For donations to the baby registry, click here.

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Columbia Board of Education reviews more than $300 million budget

KMIZ on June 4, 2025

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Talks continued Wednesday night within the Columbia Board of Education about how it plans to spend money for the upcoming school year and the impact it will have on the district’s five-year plan.

The budget is made up of roughly $307 million. About 77% of that operating budget is comprised of staff salaries and benefits, marking a $10 million increase.

The Board had approved a new salary schedule in April, which included pay raises to base salaries for employees in order to help recruit and retain teachers.

The district’s funds includes total fund balances for the district, as well as its operating funds, comprised of general and teacher funds. According to meeting documents, CPS experienced a nearly $7 million decrease in its fund balance.

That was caused by excess expenditures in the Capital Projects fund, according to documents. The opening of schools, such as John Warner and Eagle Bluffs Elementary have also had a significant impact on funds, documents say.

Chief Financial Officer Heather Mcarthur told ABC 17 News the district is spending down its capital project money on those various projects. Mcarthur said to be able to continue being able to do that, as well as make other large fixes, they now have to ask voters.

“Any kind of new bond issues has to be authorized by the voters so before we can plan on that, we’d have to go to the voters,” Mcarthur said. “So, any additional money for capital improvements beyond what our local property tax supports, which is in the 3 to $4 million range that goes into that fund, would have to be going to the voters for authorization for new general obligation bonds.”

Discussions were also had Wednesday regarding debates around property taxes in Missouri. Some lawmakers have proposed a flat income tax and cutting the overall rate. Mcarthur said she worries what this could mean for CPS, which largely relies on it.

“Our district is very highly locally funded, so for the 2025- 2026 budget, about 64% of our total revenue comes from local sources and over 50% directly from local property taxes. If you think about that $300 million, 150 million dollars of it comes directly from property taxes,” Mcarthur said.

The board will vote to approve the budget during its regular meeting on Monday.

Budget Presentation _443853lm454stwk3pawy2rlnp4grxdDownload

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BYU-Idaho students vying for prestigious national video award

KIFI on June 4, 2025

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Two BYUI students are being recognized for their video production skills and have been nominated for an award similar to the Emmys.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also known as NATAS  offers the Student Production Awards for college students.

This is organized by the same company who do the Emmys.

We caught up with one of the students nominated for the NATAS, Tim Boyce. He is being recognized for his editing on the project he pitched, called Gathering at Devotion.

He calls it his love letter to the school.

“Gathering Devotion, it was a poetic documentary that was attempting to show how unique this university, BYU-Idaho, is,” said Boyce. “And so it was all kind of about showing the fun, the busy hustle and bustle of student life, the homework, the rushing around. And to completely contrast that with devotion, we have here. To show that the university takes a break and encourages students to do so.”

Boyce tells us his project was a group effort, but he is honored to be recognized.

Check out his video here.

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Jurors selected in Lori Vallow Daybell’s second trial

KIFI on June 4, 2025

Curtis Jackson

PHOENIX (KIFI) – Sixteen jurors were selected for the murder conspiracy trial of Lori Vallow Daybell on Wednesday.

The process was delayed twice, as Lori claimed she was sick.

The jury consists of eight men and eight women sworn in on Wednesday afternoon. The 16 jurors include four alternate jurors.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Thursday morning.

Lori Vallow Daybell is facing murder conspiracy for the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

Vallow Daybell was convicted in May of conspiring to kill her former husband. She is also convicted of killing her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, in Idaho.

Police say Vallow Daybell’s brother shot at Boudreaux outside his home in Gilbert in October 2019. Boudreaux was not hit but the bullet shattered his car’s window.

To see previous stories on this case, you can check out our Vallow-Daybell Coverage here.

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Elm Fire near Cabazon likely intentionally set

KESQ on June 4, 2025

Jesus Reyes

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) –  An acre-wide fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon on a mountainside near Cabazon was likely the result of arson.

The Elm Fire was first reported at around 3:00 p.m. in the area of Adele Avenue and Elm Street.

Riverside County Fire Department officials said multiple engine crews and a Cal Fire helicopter crew were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a slow rate on the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest.   

No structures were threatened.   

Sheriff’s deputies were summoned because witnesses reported seeing an unidentified man igniting the fire, according to the sheriff’s department.   

Firefighters contained the blaze by 4 p.m.   

A sheriff’s STAR-9 patrol helicopter was requested to help search for the suspect. That effort was underway late Wednesday afternoon.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Special session to now include disaster relief, tax policy

KMIZ on June 4, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe has amended the call for this summer’s special session to include additional items, a Wednesday press release from the governor’s office says.  

The call replaces the previous one made on May 27, which included legislation to incentivize Kansas City sports teams to stay in the state and fund capital projects, such as the nuclear reactor at the University of Missouri.

The session will now include talks involving disaster relief, tax policy and additional budget appropriations, the release says.

“After productive conversations with members of the Missouri General Assembly this week, we are amending our special session call to allow for additional legislation in the areas of disaster relief, tax policy, and budget investments,” Kehoe said in the release. “We appreciate legislators working together to use this as an opportunity to show up for our communities by acting swiftly to help those in crisis, while also making smart decisions that secure opportunity for the future.”

The release says the call asks the legislature to create a tax credit up to $5,000 per homestead “against an individual’s income tax liability for the insurance deductible incurred as a direct result of a disaster for which a presidential disaster declaration has been requested by the Governor.”

Other goals, according to the release, include enhancing the Missouri Housing trust, appropriating money to the Disaster Relief fund and giving property tax relief to uninhabitable residences damaged and listed in disaster declarations.

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Idaho Falls to celebrate Second Annual Juneteenth CommUNITY Heritage Music Festival

KIFI on June 4, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Idaho Falls is proud to support the Second Annual Juneteenth Community Music Festival, hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Juneteenth Organizing Committee in partnership with the Eastern Idaho Jazz Society.

Juneteenth is a national, state and local holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Similar to Independence Day, it celebrates freedom and the ongoing effort to achieve liberty, equality and justice for all.

“The Juneteenth CommUNITY Heritage Music Festival is about celebrating the right to freedom for all through the universal language of music, education, and human connection,” said Lora King, Juneteenth Community Heritage Music Festival Committee co-chair. “It’s an honor to belong to a team that is dedicated to sharing those beliefs within our community.”

This year’s celebration includes two free public events. The first will take place Saturday, June 14, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Riverwalk Bandstand. The event will feature live music, opening remarks from City of Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and City of Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti, and informational booths hosted by local organizations highlighting Idaho Falls’ rich cultural history and community connections.

The second event will be held Tuesday, June 19, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Colonial Theater in downtown Idaho Falls. This free program will include a Readers Theater presentation on the history of Juneteenth, along with musical performances that explore themes in American and African American music throughout the 20th century.

For more questions about the Juneteenth CommUNITY Heritage Music Festival, contact Bill Forsyth 208-521-1822 or w.forsyth@att.net

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Jeff Blauer named principal of Hillcrest Elementary School in American Falls

KIFI on June 4, 2025

Seth Ratliff

The following is a news release from the American Falls School District:

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The American Falls School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Blauer as the new principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. Mr. Blauer, a respected educator with 19 years of service in the American Falls School District, currently teaches second grade in the district’s Dual-Language Immersion Program and brings a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Blauer succeeds Tina Fehringer, who is retiring after a highly successful 19-year tenure as principal of Hillcrest. During her leadership, Hillcrest became a model of excellence in elementary education. She was named Idaho’s National Distinguished Principal in 2017 and led the school through numerous innovative programs that strengthened academic achievement, enhanced family engagement, and built a strong, caring school culture.

Tina Fehringer

“We appreciate all of Tina’s efforts and the amazing work she has done at Hillcrest Elementary School,” said Superintendent Randy Jensen. “She has been a phenomenal leader and an integral part of our district’s success. We are excited to welcome Jeff Blauer as the new principal. Jeff is an outstanding educator and leader, and we’re confident that he will maintain Hillcrest’s high standards and take them even further.”

Blauer brings a strong resume of leadership and professional involvement at both the district and state levels. He was named a 2024 State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) in science and currently serves on several state committees, including the Idaho Essential Standards Committee, the Idaho Comprehensive Math Plan Committee, and the Idaho Math Instructional Guide Committee. He also serves as the Elementary Education Board Representative for the Idaho Science Teaching Association (ISTA).

In addition to his classroom work, Blauer has coordinated district Title I programs, facilitated standards-based reporting systems, served as a schoolwide behavior coach, and led professional development for teachers across the district. He has also taken on multiple leadership roles in the local education association and currently serves on the American Falls City Council.

“I am honored to be selected as the next principal of Hillcrest Elementary,” said Jeff Blauer. “This school has a strong tradition of excellence thanks to Tina’s incredible leadership and the dedication of our teachers, staff, and families. I look forward to building on that legacy and continuing to support the growth and success of every student at Hillcrest.”

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as principal of Hillcrest,” said Tina Fehringer. “Working alongside such dedicated teachers and staff for nearly two decades has been a true privilege. While this goodbye is not easy, I take great comfort in knowing that Jeff Blauer will lead this next chapter. Jeff began his career at Hillcrest and understands the heart of this school. I know he will continue the work we’ve started and lead with compassion, vision, and integrity.”

The American Falls School District thanks Tina Fehringer for her years of exemplary service and congratulates Jeff Blauer on his appointment.

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State school for disabled in Columbia considered for permanent closure

KMIZ on June 4, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The State Board of Education is considering a proposal that includes a Columbia school for disabled children among several statewide closures.

The board first heard the proposal to close 12 Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled in May and heard an update to the plan on Tuesday. On the list is Delmar Cobble School in Columbia, which was temporarily closed in February because of staffing shortages. Students from the school now attend schools in Marshall and Jefferson City.

The school in Marshall, Prairie View State School, is among the 12 slated for closure next summer under the plan, along with Dogwood Hills State School in Eldon.

Delmar Cobble and other schools that are temporarily closed would close for good this fall, under the plan.

June board meeting documentsDownload

A DESE spokesperson said in a written statement that dates are not set in stone, depending on when the board of education takes final action on the plan. It’s also undetermined what would happen to the real estate after the permanent closure, the statement says.

The plan could save the state nearly $13 million in deferred maintenance costs and another $1 million annually, according to board documents.

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OSU-Cascades contributed nearly $90 million to the region in 2024, economic impact report finds

KTVZ on June 4, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new study shows that Oregon State University-Cascades contributed $89.9 million in economic impact to the Central Oregon region in 2024, reflecting the campus’s growth, spending, research and other contributions to the surrounding community. 

The report, commissioned by OSU, details the collective impact of the university’s contributions to the economy and society, which totaled more than $3.5 billion.

The full report was unveiled Wednesday by OSU President Jayathi Murthy at the Portland Metro Chamber’s annual meeting.

The economic analysis showed that OSU-Cascades generates 701 jobs in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and drives $6.6 million in state and local taxes. In all, OSU supports and sustains 933 jobs in the tri-county region and drives $9.4 million in state and local tax revenues, with OSU-Cascades driving the majority of that impact.

“This report is confirmation of how OSU-Cascades is working in partnership with the Central Oregon community to fulfill its decades-long quest to bring a four-year university campus to serve both the region’s educational and economic needs,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades. 

Since OSU-Cascades was founded in 2001, it has developed 24 undergraduate degrees, three master’s degree programs and a doctoral program. Several academic programs were developed in collaboration with regional industries as they sought a local and skilled workforce to boost employee recruitment and retention. 

These include degrees in energy systems engineering, which has boasted a 95% job placement rate since 2012; and outdoor products, which was launched in 2020 with a $250,000 gift from Hydro Flask and in the 2024-2025 academic year enrolled nearly 80 students.

In 2024, the first cohort of 44 students graduated from OSU-Cascades’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The program was created in 2021 to address the need for physical therapists in Oregon and the nation, especially in rural areas, and to help diversify the physical therapy workforce. Alumni of the program are now working in Central Oregon, Portland and around the state, as well as in California, Idaho and Washington. 

The report also notes how OSU-Cascades’ transformation of nearly 120 acres of unusable land, a former pumice mine and demolition landfill near downtown Bend is a cost-effective use of public money and a long-term investment that will produce future economic benefit for the region. 

Expansion plans include a 24-acre innovation district where entrepreneurs, established businesses, researchers and students will advance research, technology commercialization, incubation and economic development. Land remediation for the first eight-acre phase of the district is complete and roadways and utilities are under construction. 

OSU-Cascades is currently seeking $42 million in capital funds for the last phase of its land remediation for the academic campus, and for a student health and recreation center, for which students have raised $20 million since 2017.

“As legislators face difficult budgeting decisions, this economic impact report can give them even more validation of the return of an investment in OSU-Cascades,” said Bloomer. 

As a branch campus of Oregon’s leading research university, OSU-Cascades’ research portfolio has steadily climbed with expenditures for research and sponsored activities totaling $5.8 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Challenges addressed by researchers have local and global impact related to water, energy, natural resources, human health and resilience, sustainable tourism and intervention strategies for injuries.

To date, the university campus’s energy systems engineering program has spun off two companies based on licensed commercial technologies. Onboard Dynamics and Espiku are both based in Bend.

A news release is also available outlining OSU’s overall economic impact in 2024.

Conducted by Parker Strategy Group, the economic impact report used data available through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, as well as OSU operational and capital expenditures, employee payroll, and student and visitor spending.

About OSU-Cascades:  Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.

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