Yuma City Council holds hearing on property tax increase

KYMA on June 21, 2025

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma City Council has approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and property taxes will remain the same.

“Property taxes is also a percentage so the percentage that the city is levying against all the properties in the city limits, that rate’s not changing,” said Mayor Doug Nicholls.

Nicholls said keeping the rate steady reflects the council’s focus on managing taxpayer money wisely.

Some residents said they were relieved by the decision.

“I’m more at ease, because hearing they were gonna go up kind of made me a little concerned, but knowing that they didn’t go up made me happier, or more relaxed,” said Nash Rodriguez, a resident.

With the budget now in place, city officials say the focus shifts to putting it into action over the coming year.

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Locals react to Trump’s threat against transgender athlete policy

KYMA on June 21, 2025

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – California allows transgender students to join the teams that feel right to them, but President Trump warned on his social media that if the state keeps this law, federal funding could be cut.

Locals say this isn’t just about sports, it’s about how LGBTQ+ young people feel they belong.

Raul Ureña, the first openly transgender mayor in Calexico, says this issue goes deeper than sports.

“There is even less justification for exclusion at a public school level, but there is a lot more damage to those students who are openly transgender especially at young ages,” said Ureńa.

They also talked about how this fight affects queer youth in small towns like theirs. Recently, the National LGBTQ Youth Suicide Hotline was shut down, which adds to the worry.

Ureña said, “It sends a very clear message, we are going to take away your avenues of inclusion, which are your rights as an American, and we’re also going to take way the suicide hotline for when you face a mental challenge because of that.”

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Alzheimer’s awareness grows in Imperial County as more families seek support

KYMA on June 21, 2025

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – As Alzheimer’s cases rise, care providers are raising awareness about early intervention, community support, and the growing need for local resources.

Nearly 15% of seniors in the region are living with Alzheimer’s. Staff at DayOut, an adult day center in El Centro, say they’re seeing changes including a noticeable increase in younger people being diagnosed.

“We’re seeing more and more people, younger people, getting Alzheimer’s and Dementia…and the younger they are, the faster they deteriorate,” said Maribelle Mendez, the center’s director.

She says simple activities like physical therapy and social connection can make a difference.

“After you get to know people, start making friends at your table, there’s a reason to get up in the morning,” she said. “And if you provide someone with a reason why to get up in the morning it gives them back life.”

Physical therapist Douglas Wisdom added, “The goal is to maximize how mobile they are…keep the quality of life as high as we can by keeping them active.”

The Alzheimer’s Association will host a town hall at 2 p.m. on June 26 at DayOut in El Centro, where families can ask questions, learn about care options, and get connected to resources.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and how you can take charge of your own health, visit here.

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Hazardous air quality hits Imperial Valley due to nearby fire

KYMA on June 21, 2025

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Smoke from a large fire just south of the U.S.-Mexico border is causing hazardous air quality in the Imperial Valley, raising concerns among local residents.

The fire, known as the Border 6 Fire near Campo and Tecate, has burned over 200 acres on the Mexico side. Smoke from the blaze has drifted north into Imperial County, filling the skies and worsening air quality.

Thomas Brinkerhoff from the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District explained, “The winds basically shifted to where the smoke was traveling, northwest, and pushed that smoke into the Imperial Valley, the main towns and cities where residents saw and experienced the smoke.”

Officials say the fire itself does not threaten Imperial County, but the air quality is a concern, especially for people with breathing problems.

Brinkerhoff advised, “Limiting their exposure, their breathing of that smoke, goes a long way to reduce any health issues, any health problems including respiratory issues and asthma attacks, and any heart or lung issues.”

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Tire safety in focus as summer heat hits

KESQ on June 21, 2025

Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – With temperatures soaring in the Coachella Valley, tire safety is back in focus — especially along the I-10 freeway, where tire debris often litters the roadside this time of year.

Joshua McCartney, manager at America’s Tire Company in Palm Desert, said tire failures are all too common in the summer heat.

“The heat and tires are not great friends,” McCartney said. “The more you stay on top of the rotations, the longer they’re going to last.”

McCartney said the three most important things to check are tire age, tread depth and most overlooked — air pressure.

He recommends checking air pressure at least once a month, noting that all America’s Tire stores in the desert offer free drive-up air checks and tread inspections.

“You don’t have to get out of your car,” McCartney said.

America’s Tire operates five locations across the Coachella Valley.

McCartney said safety is their number one priority, urging drivers to take advantage of free inspections.

“We want to keep everybody on the road safe,” McCartney said. “Think about the times when you have to hit your brakes. How well are they going to stop? That’s important to us. I love everybody and I want them to be able to come on in and let us take care of them.”

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Avoiding legal troubles on the road this summer

News-Press NOW on June 21, 2025

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — For those who will hit the road for summer travel out of state, learning a few of the laws from other states might save time and trouble.

While it’s impossible to know all the key laws of every state, Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said knowing a few key laws that are familiar sources of difficulty when traveling can be helpful.

“Laws about hands-free operation of an electronic or cellular device in the state of your destination is important,” Puett said. “Every state is different when it comes to those laws.”

Puett added, for those who choose to carry a gun across state lines, knowing the concealed carry laws for the state of your destination is also important.

“Some states require weapons to be out of reach while driving,” Puett said. “They may also require ammunition to be separated from the gun itself.”

St. Joseph resident Toery Clinton said she often checks gun laws first when she is traveling to another state, to avoid any potential legal issues at her destination.

“I always find out if I need to put the magazine in a different compartment than the gun, or if it needs to be in the trunk or locked away,” Clinton said.

Another St. Joseph resident, Cameron Trombly, said when he travels to other cities and wants to park near a site he is visiting, he has learned the hard way to check out the parking laws.

“You need to check whether they have a kiosk for you to pay,” Twombly said. “Also, check for meters in heavy tourist areas, because forgetting to pay can cost you.”

Sheriff Puett said, even if you get pulled over for any reason in another city or state, common courtesy is the best policy, even if you misunderstood the law or believe that you haven’t broken a law.

“The best thing to do is to comply,” Puett said. “Take the summons, and argue or fight it later, because arguing with an officer roadside is never a good idea, due to safety concerns.”

The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides legal defense funding and grants if an issue arises regarding concealed carry laws from state to state. Though Puett still recommends sorting those issues out after receiving the summons, as the best approach.

Sheriff Puett said that Buchanan County officers exercise discretion when it comes to out-of-state drivers who are unfamiliar with Missouri laws. However, ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse in court. Therefore, if you receive a summons for an actual violation, it is likely you will have to pay the appropriate fines.

A simple online check can usually answer questions about state laws regarding common issues like hands-free cellular usage, speeding and concealed carry laws.

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Community members release balloons in honor of slain teen

KMIZ on June 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dozens of people gathered Friday night at Cosmo Park in Columbia to honor a teenager who died in a shooting this past weekend.

Zarian Simpson died in a shooting on Sunday, June 15 during an armed robbery. Two juveniles were arrested, along with Steven Paden, 34.  

Friends and family started gathering at Cosmo Park around 7 p.m. Balloons were let go shortly before 10 p.m.

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Traffic impacts expected as Columbia hosts Juneteenth parade

KMIZ on June 21, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The public is invited to line East Broadway Saturday morning for Columbia’s annual Juneteenth parade at 9 a.m.

The parade will start at Columbia’s First Baptist Church on East Broadway and Waugh Street. The parade will then head down East Broadway and end at the Second Baptist Church on North 4th Street.

The event is for all ages and is expected to have music and dance performances.

According to emergency plan documents, law enforcement will be present at the parade. For cases involving lost children, suspicious bags, or medical emergencies, attendees can ask a volunteer for help. Volunteers will then locate the nearest officer and event organizer at the scene for further assistance.

In the case of a weather emergency or terroristic threat, guests will be told to head to a nearby shelter or shelter in their cars.

Traffic impacts are expected on East Broadway, and drivers are advised to be aware of an increased number of children and people in the area.

Other Saturday morning events include the 3×3 basketball tournament for kids grades 3-12 at Douglass Park and the St. Paul Juneteenth Legacy event at the St. Paul AME Church on Park Avenue. Both events start at 11 a.m.

Additional events can be found on the City of Columbia’s website.

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Living in the 831: Monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove

KION on June 21, 2025

Scott Rates

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION-TV) — Monarch butterflies are quite a sight to see, arriving mid-October and staying in the area through the end of February.

But, these butterflies are starting to dwindle.

“Ever since we began monitoring monarch butterflies — since the 1990s — what we have seen is a steep decrease in their population, an over 95% drop,” said Natalie Johnson, who works at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

What’s causing the drop in these species? There are a few factors…

“One of the reasons is habitat loss,” said Johnson. “Another is pesticides, and clime change.”

Butterflies, in general in the United States, are seeing a dramatic decline. Scientists saying that there was a 22% decline from 2000 to 2020.

They say that for every five butterflies seen 20 years ago, today there are only four.

“In 2020 there were zero butterflies here in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary,” said Johnson. “There were fewer than 2,000 all over California, and so when there was a rebound in 2021, that brought increased attention to the monarchs again.”

The community in Pacific Grove hoping that these majestic creatures can make a comeback; a comeback so the folks in the area can flutter with joy for many years.

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San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies catch warrant suspect who fled on foot into Joshua Tree desert

KESQ on June 21, 2025

Cynthia White

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – A man wanted on a warrant for grand theft auto is in custody after fleeing into the desert from Sheriff’s deputies in Joshua Tree.

Deputies say they were attempting to arrest the man on Wednesday, who had an active no-bail felony warrant, at a home in the 62100 block of Canterbury Street in Joshua Tree. The man fled when deputies arrived, and they pursued him on foot.

Deputies caught the man after a short chase and found that he was carrying over 7 grams of what they suspect was methamphetamine. The man was arrested and booked at the Morongo Basin jail for the outstanding no-bail felony warrant, along with being charged with resisting a Peace Officer and possession of a controlled substance.

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department asks that anyone with information related to this investigation contact the Morongo Basin Station at 760-366-4175, or to call anonymously, contact 1-800-78-CRIME or wetip.com.

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