Buchanan County EMS program aims to tackle paramedic shortage

News-Press NOW on June 4, 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County EMS paramedic program is helping trainees succeed while also easing emergency service staffing shortages.

Buchanan County EMS is currently in its third year of its paramedic program, which provides comprehensive training and the skills needed to respond to medical emergencies. 

“Chillicothe is the closest paramedic program we had,” said Joe Pike, Buchanan County EMS education coordinator. “There was a dire need for one in the community, and we’ve accomplished it. It’s not an easy process, but so far, we’ve been successful with it.”

With EMS crews nationwide working to address staffing issues, local emergency officials are also aiming to grow their paramedic class each year. 

Over the past three years, the Buchanan County EMS program has averaged about eight applicants each year, all of whom have gone on to become certified paramedics upon completing their training.

The main goal is to enroll around 10 paramedic students each year, which officials hope will help address the ongoing shortage.

“We have nearly a 100% passing rate. Everyone who has attended the course has gone on to get their paramedic license,” said Joe Pike, Buchanan County EMS education coordinator. “There are three students in the 2025 class right now who walked into this building and started in EMT class with no prior medical training whatsoever. Now that they’re in paramedic school, I fully expect them to succeed and become certified paramedics.”

With the 2025 class approaching graduation, BCEMS is currently accepting applications for the 2026 paramedic program, which will remain open until September 1.

The program requires an EMT-Basic license and runs over 11 months, from January to November 2026.

“It’s a pretty lengthy process, and they’ve already gone through quite a bit just to get into the course,” Pike said. “What they’ve faced so far is not even the tip of the iceberg. They still have a lot of work ahead, but they’ve quickly learned what we expect of them to make it through.”

More information about program requirements and costs can be found at www.bc-ems.com/paramedic-program.

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Utah mom survives devastating vespa crash in Italy: ‘It’s just a miracle you can’t make up’

KIFI on June 4, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Debbie Worthen

Click here for updates on this story

    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL, KSL TV) — What began as a sentimental family vacation on Italy’s Amalfi Coast turned into a nightmare for a young Utah mother — and a journey of faith, resilience and recovery.

Miranda Preston and her husband, Isaac Preston, had traveled to Italy to celebrate his graduation from medical school. With a narrow window before Isaac Preston began his residency, the couple brought along their two toddlers and Miranda Preston’s parents for what they hoped would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

But just days into the vacation, tragedy struck.

“We were trying to recreate a memory,” Miranda Preston said, referencing a cherished moment from 20 years ago when her older sister, who later passed away from cancer, had ridden a moped with their father along the same coastal road. “They said it was just the most memorable thing.”

Moments after filming a video on a Vespa, she and her father crashed.

“I have a split-second right before I hit the wall,” Miranda Preston recalled.

The crash left her with a broken spine, fractured ribs, a brain bleed, liver lacerations and several knocked-out teeth.

The couple, unfamiliar with the area and unable to speak Italian, found themselves in a terrifying situation.

“We got a phone call from Miranda’s dad. He was very confused,” Isaac Preston said. “Then the police got on the phone yelling at us in Italian to go to this hospital.”

Back in the U.S., friends reached out to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A senior missionary couple from Utah, fluent in Italian, arrived at the hospital to help.

“Me and Elder Montanelli gave her a blessing that night,” Isaac Preston said.

Isaac Preston described the night apart from his wife as one of the hardest of his life.

“I literally got back to the hotel, me and my mother-in-law just bawled,” he said.

After four days in the hospital, Miranda Preston was moved to an Air B&B as plans were made to bring her home. Her parents flew back to the U.S. with the couple’s one and two-year-old sons.

In the days that followed, the Prestons said they witnessed miracle after miracle.

“I just feel like God’s hand is so involved in every detail of our lives,” Miranda said. “I felt completely surrounded by angels.”

This week, Miranda was finally reunited with her children — a moment filled with emotion and gratitude.

“I’m just filled with gratitude for it. God is good,” she said.

Now back in the U.S., the Prestons have moved into a fixer-upper in Texas, just in time for Isaac Preston to begin his medical residency. They said they are overwhelmed with gratitude for the financial help, prayers and support from friends, family and strangers alike.

“We couldn’t have done this without the army of people who lifted us up,” Isaac Preston said.

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Woman pulled from canal in daring bystander rescue

KIFI on June 4, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Dramatic photos of a heroic rescue in a canal are making waves on the local social media page “Life in Pocatello.” On Tuesday, three bystanders jumped into action, forming a human chain to save a woman trapped in her car after she plunged into the canal off Hawthorne Road in Bannock County.

Witness Cassia Merrill Myers, who shared the compelling images, described the harrowing scene. Myers was calling 911 when she saw the three unnamed men, who were driving by, immediately jump into the canal. Her photos capture the tense moments as they linked together to avoid being swept away by the current and reached the vehicle

“Water was filling up her car and she was panicking,” Myers recounted in her post. “We had to smash both her windows with a wrench from one of the gentlemen’s trucks, and he was bloodied up from pulling her out.”

Thanks to their brave efforts, the woman was brought safely to the canal bank just as paramedics and police arrived on the scene.

Pocatello emergency responders speak with the rescued woman.

“These men are absolute heroes,” writes Myers.

While the names of the rescuers remain unknown, Myers declared, “These 3 men are absolute heroes.”

Local News 8 has reached out to the police for further details on the incident.

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Deschutes County honors Lourdes Reyes, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic with 2025 Health Heroes Awards

KTVZ on June 4, 2025

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and the Public Health Advisory Board recognized the winners of the 2025 Health Heroes Awards at a special ceremony Tuesday at Ponderosa Park.

Every year, the County honors one individual and one organization with Health Heroes Awards for their contributions to promoting the mental, physical, spiritual and social well-being of Deschutes County citizens.

This year’s Individual Award winner is community health worker Lourdes Reyes, who serves as the Healthy Families Coordinator for the Latino Community Association.

Reyes uses a bilingual and bicultural approach to help her clients navigate the healthcare system. According to her nominator, Reyes’ work helps to reduce health care barriers, improve health literacy and build healthier futures for Latine families in Central Oregon.

The Organization Award winner is Volunteers in Medicine. Volunteers from a network of more the 300 dentists, counselors and doctors provide free and low-cost health care to the uninsured and underserved members of our community.

According to the group’s nominator, Volunteers in Medicine has provided over $155 million in medical treatment and services to more than 15,000 patients since 2004.

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‘A woman is on fire’: Witnesses to Boulder terror attack, faith leaders condemn hate

KRDO on June 4, 2025

Mackenzie Stafford

BOULDER, Colo. (KRDO) — On Wednesday, witnesses from the Boulder terror attack and many religious leaders came together to denounce hate in any shape or form. The group stood united in the same spot along Pearl Street where the Sunday attack took place.

The group was all speaking out against the alleged actions of Mohammad Soliman, who lived in El Paso County. 

On Wednesday, a letter could be seen posted to the front door of the Soliman residence. It’s an eviction warning from the landlord looking to collect rent, however, no one is home to pay it. While the Soliman family is in ICE custody, on Wednesday, a judge issued an order blocking the deportation of Mohammed Soliman’s family.

The new message comes as leaders from a multitude of different faiths stood together to share their message of love overcoming hate. 

A crowd filled the space outside of the Boulder County courthouse to hear from Jewish, Islamic, and Catholic leaders. 

“The whole Jewish community is reeling, shocked that this hideous hate crime could happen right here in downtown beautiful Boulder.  And yet, we have seen this coming, and Jews here and all over America and the world have not been feeling safe, physically or emotionally, in the face of demonizing hate speech and dangerous rhetoric.  We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our neighbors and friends, faith leaders from across the county, state and the world. Demonization of others has to stop. The hate speech has to stop,” said Rabbi Marc Soloway. 

Some shared that an attack on one religion and the ability to share your beliefs freely is an attack on all religions. 

“A threat to one faith community is a threat to all. The values, the values that we and I love so dearly, of pluralism and freedom and democracy. We cannot have those threats. And though we differ in faith and practice, we can be united in our care and attention for each other and for those in need,” stated Reverend Mary Kate Réjoius, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.

Others explained how being neighborly is a common thread in all religions, a pillar needed in the community in the wake of the attack. 

“We stand firm on our Islamic shared values of neighborliness, which are American values. We stand firm on that with our neighbors, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, at all times and especially at times like this,” said Imam Nader Elmarhoumi, Islamic Center of Boulder.

Ed Victor says the Run for Their Lives awareness group has held these walks since Oct. 7, 2023. Victor spoke about his experience on Sunday. 

“Suddenly, right by me, I think I heard a crash, and I felt a lot of heat. And a person is on fire, a woman is on fire. I’m saying this because that’s what happened. That’s what I saw. And I’ll tell you that my focus got extremely narrow at that time. I didn’t notice anything else. I was worried about that woman,” recounted Ed Victor, a participant in the Run for Their Lives awareness group.

Victor continued to explain the distress, trying to extinguish the fire.

“I’ll tell you what. Someone on fire takes too long to put out. Whether it took 1 minute or 2 minutes, I don’t remember. But I know it took too long. What did we have to put them out? You look around, you’re like, there are some flags. We have a banner. You do what you can. It was myself and three other people doing what we could,” explained Victor.

He shared how speaking out against anti-Semitism is so important right now– a message echoed by many of the speakers on Wednesday.

KRDO13 also reached out to the local Islamic Society of Colorado Springs, which shared this statement.

We at the Islamic Society of Colorado Springs are heartbroken by the tragic attack that occurred yesterday in Boulder, Colorado. Acts of hatred and violence have no place in Islam. Our faith teaches us to uphold justice, show compassion, and honor the sanctity of every human life. We stand firmly against all forms of extremism and violence, and we condemn yesterday’s attack in the strongest possible terms.

In times of tragedy, we are called to respond with empathy, kindness, and a shared commitment to peace. We pray for unity and understanding in our society, and we pledge to continue working alongside people of all faiths and backgrounds to build a more compassionate and just world.May Allah (SWT) guide us all to be sources of peace, mercy, and healing in our communities

-The Islamic Society of Colorado Springs.

The suspect, Mohammad Soliman, claimed that his attack was not an attack against Jewish people broadly, but against Zionist supporters of the state of Israel. 

Soliman is expected back in Boulder County court Thursday afternoon. 

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Construction to begin Monday in American Falls

KIFI on June 4, 2025

News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department will begin construction Monday at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue and State Highway 39 in American Falls. The $3.5 million project will redesign the busy intersection to improve safety. 

Work will place a signal at the intersection of Pocatello Avenue and SH-39. SH-39 will also be widened to four lanes from the intersection to Fairgrounds Road. New turn lanes will also be built on SH-39 for traffic heading to Pocatello Avenue.  

This year construction will take place through August and will focus on realigning and widening the intersection. All lanes will remain open, but traffic will be slowed in the construction zone. Flaggers will be present during different phases of the project. Access to the American Falls Airport and the Power County Fairgrounds will remain open throughout construction.  

In the spring of 2026 ITD will return to install the traffic signal. 

Project details are available on ITD’s projects website, click HERE.

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Defense to rest in trial of man accused of bribing Palm Springs ex-mayor

KESQ on June 4, 2025

City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – The defense is slated to rest Thursday, setting the stage for closing arguments, in the trial of a real estate developer accused of enriching the one-time mayor of Palm Springs with six-figure bribes to cinch his support for downtown projects.

Testimony in the trial of 86-year-old John Elroy Wessman got underway two weeks ago at the Banning Justice Center. The prosecution rested Tuesday, after which the defense opened its case, which was expected to conclude on Thursday. Closing statements will start immediately after.

Wessman is charged with nine counts of bribery of a public official and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.

“The law is very clear: You have to follow the rules,” Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Amy Zois told jurors in her opening statement last month.

Zois characterized the business relationship with former Mayor Steve Pougnet as one of backroom deals intended to do one thing — benefit Wessman and his ventures.

The prosecutor said the defendant and fellow developer Richard Hugh Meaney, 59, conspired to favor Pougnet with high-dollar rewards for gaining the mayor’s support for the men’s redevelopment projects between 2012 and 2014.   

“These men cared about money, property and control,” Zois told jurors.   

She said Pougnet’s $3,605-a-month salary during his two terms was “peanuts” compared to the hefty cash infusions into his bank account facilitated by the two developers.

Zois argued it was Wessman’s influence that landed Pougnet work on the Palm Springs International Film Festival, for which he received $150,000 in 2012. The festival board chairman ended the mayor’s consultancy when it didn’t net the kind of results the board had wanted.

Zois alleged the developers provided $225,000 in illicit payoffs to the mayor, all to ensure his active support for the downtown renaissance projects, which records allege included construction of The Dakota, the Desert Fashion Plaza, The Morrison and Vivante.

Pougnet reached a plea agreement directly with the court last month, admitting nine counts of bribery by a public official, eight counts of illicit financial interest in public contracts and one count of conspiracy, as well as no contest to three perjury counts.

Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 2.   

All the felony charges against Meaney were dismissed over a year ago. However, he pleaded guilty to a reinstated misdemeanor count of financial conflict in a government contract. Like Wessman, Meaney is free on his own recognizance. He’s due for sentencing Monday.  

Both the ex-mayor and Meaney are expected to receive terms of probation.   

“There is very little evidence against Mr. Wessman,” defense attorney David Greenberg told jurors in his opening statement. “The payments were legit, the testimony against my client are not reliable, and there’s no proof of specific intent to corrupt the mayor.”

The attorney detailed how his client took appropriate steps and remained within the bounds of the law to get his projects approved by the Palm Springs City Council.

Greenberg underscored how Wessman relied on creative financing to contend with impacts of the Great Recession that started in 2008, seeking what amounted to a “public-private partnership” between Wessman Development Inc. and the city to move forward with redevelopment.   

The efforts led to Measure J being put before voters citywide in 2011. It passed, resulting in $43 million in municipal bonds going to the developer’s projects, which began in earnest in the winter of 2012, the defense said.

Greenberg leveled blame at Meaney for any improprieties connected to cash for Pougnet. The attorney insisted that his client always considered his dealings with the mayor and council above-board.  

Pougnet, Wessman and Meaney were criminally charged for the first time in 2017 and later indicted by a grand jury.  

The case began as a federal corruption probe until it was turned over to county investigators in 2016.

A trial judge in December 2020 dismissed all counts against Wessman, characterizing them as baseless, but the charges were reinstated by the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Riverside less than two years later.   

Pougnet was in office from 2007 to 2015.   

Payments to him were drawn directly from accounts maintained by Meaney’s Union Abbey Co. and Wessman Development Inc., according to the prosecution.

A prosecutor told the grand jury in 2019 that Pougnet planned to moveto Colorado to join his husband and two children when his first term ended in 2011, but the two developers put him “on their payroll” in order to gain him votes of confidence in their projects.

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‘Structural concerns’ of vacant Sedalia building lead to sidewalk, lane closure

KMIZ on June 4, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The sidewalk and eastbound traffic in the 200 block of West Main Street in Sedalia have been closed off by the city because of “structural concerns” at a vacant building, the city wrote in a Wednesday social media post.

The city wrote that access to the building at 207 West Main Street has been closed off as a precautionary measure. The city later stated in an updated post that the building is in a “state of collapse” and will either need immediate repairs or be demolished.

“The building has been deteriorating over the past several months, but suffered new damage from the recent storms,” the city wrote in its initial post

An engineer evaluated the building on Wednesday and noted nearby buildings are at risk if a collapse occurs, the updated post reads.

“In coordination with safety precautions, Liberty Utilities made the decision last night to cap the gas lines at the street level rather than excavating Main Street. While gas service to the building had been shut off for at least five years, capping the lines at the street is a critical safety step,” the post says. “If a structure collapses, it can damage underground utility lines, potentially causing leaks or ruptures. By sealing the gas line at its main distribution point, Liberty Utilities has eliminated the possibility of residual or pressurized gas entering the area. This action also removes a significant fire or explosion risk to surrounding buildings, first responders, and the public.”

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Deschutes National Forest conduct three-acre burn west of Sunriver for field training

KTVZ on June 4, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Burn complete)

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a successful test fire, firefighters on Tuesday ignited a three-acre burn about a mile west of Sunriver and roughly two miles north of Besson Day Use Area to support the field portion of a FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course.  

Deschutes National Forest officials said smoke will be visible from Sunriver and the surrounding area. Smoke impacts may occur in the Sunriver vicinity overnight and in the early-morning hours. Residents are encouraged to close windows and doors to minimize smoke impacts.  

Ignitions were complete by mid-afternoon, but officials said crews “will remain on scene into the evening and patrol the unit throughout the weekend.”

No trail or road closures are anticipated. Firefighters will conduct regular patrols to monitor the burn area until they declare the burn out.  

The objective of the FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course is to prepare participants to perform wildland fire investigator roles and responsibilities and provide an opportunity to practice investigation methods, evidence collection, and documentation in a variety of scenarios.  

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. 

FI210 Vicinity Map_06052025Download

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Man suffers minor injuries in hit-and-run

News-Press NOW on June 4, 2025

Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A man suffered minor injuries in a hit-and-run two-vehicle accident around 12th and Edmond Streets Wednesday.

A white Dodge pickup was heading south on 12th Street when it ran a stop sign and struck a white Ford F-150 that was heading east on Edmond Street.

The driver of the Dodge pickup fled on foot after driving further down the street.

“The white F-150 spun, impacted a KCP&L utility pole, which caused significant damage,” St. Joseph Police Sgt. Brian McClintick said. “Like I said, the Dodge pulled further down the street, and then witnesses said that he left the area with a dog.”

Local law enforcement is investigating this incident.

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