Leaders Break Ground on New 55+ Community Development in Santa Maria

KEYT on June 20, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Maria leaders broke ground on an affordable housing project today.

This project is for seniors.

The need for affordable housing on the Central Coast is a problem in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Adults over the age of 55 can feel the housing squeeze more acutely than others, as some are on fixed income.

Research has shown that by the year 2030, adults aged 60 and upwards will make up a quarter of Santa Barbara county’s population.

“The housing need is so great in the state of California to begin with,” says Santa Maria mayor Alice Patino. “And then for the people over 55, we certainly have to have a place for them to live. We’re getting more of those peeps all the time. Yeah!”

Over the last several years, Coastal Community Builders has developed several affordable housing sites on the Central Coast including Palladium and Encore in Arroyo Grande.

“The vast majority of 55 plus communities that have been built recently are for rent product, whether they’re senior apartments or otherwise,” says Cam Boyd, C.E.O. of Coastal Community Builders. “And what makes this unique is that it’s attainable in a for sale product. And so this is an opportunity to, own a single family home on its own lot in a community with all the amenities that, a retiring homeowner might hope for.”

Friday morning, Santa Maria city leaders held a golden-shovel groundbreaking at a new development called Bellecrest.

“Once you pull into the entry Gates is a nice wide boulevard,” says Boyd. “You’ll have a beautiful clubhouse. And towards the back of the community, there’s a small community park.”

The location of Bellecrest is ideal for those 55 and older, as it is merely a few blocks from Marian Regional Medical Center.

“We do a lot of the affordable housing, but we haven’t had anything at this level yet,” says mayor Patino. “We have apartments for people over 55, but there’s some people who don’t want to live in an apartment.”

This will be a gated community with single-family homes, a clubhouse, pool, and more.

“Government moves so slow it seems like it takes a lot of time to get this done,” says mayor Patino. “But from here on in, it’s going to be going up and it’ll be occupied before we know it.”

There’s six months of site work before construction really ramps up.

The project is expected to be finished about a year from now.

Coastal Community Builders has a process in place to make cashing out your current home and purchasing a home at Bellecrest a smooth transaction.

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Pair accused of hit-and-run targeting Riverside demonstrators due in court

KESQ on June 20, 2025

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 58-year-old convicted felon accused of intentionally driving into a crowd of protesters marching along a downtown Riverside street, seriously injuring one of them, is slated to make his initial court appearance today, along with his girlfriend.

Russell Alan Prentice and 39-year-old Candase Wenzel, both of Riverside, were arrested Monday following a Riverside Police Department investigation that began Saturday night.

Prentice is charged with assault using a deadly weapon, hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury and being a two-strike felon. Wenzel is charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Both defendants are being held at the Robert Presley Jail — Prentice in lieu of $1 million bail, Wenzel on $625,000 bail.   

“From the officers in the field that night to our detectives who immediately launched the investigation, along with support from our Crime Analysis Unit, this case was solved quickly thanks to their combined efforts,” police Chief Larry Gonzalez said Tuesday. “Equally important were the tips we received from our community, and we’re grateful for the information they provided.”  

Prentice was driving his SUV in the area of University Avenue and Orange Street shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when he encountered marchers taking part in one of the many “No Kings” rallies that occurred nationwide. The organized events drew a variety of interests to denounce the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions and other policies, timed to coincide with the 47th president’s birthday.

Police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback alleged that Prentice floored his SUV, aiming directly for a number of demonstrators making their way along University, between Orange and Main streets. A young woman was unable to jump out of the vehicle’s path and was struck.

“The SUV then fled the scene,” the police spokesman said.  

The victim was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where she remained in critical but stable condition on Thursday.   

“Officers found the suspect vehicle’s license plate number, and detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Unit began their investigation and subsequently identified the suspect driver,” Railsback said.

A search warrant was served at Prentice’s residence on Jackson Street Monday afternoon. The defendant was taken into custody without incident.   

“Detectives also arrested Wenzel … for her role in taking the suspect vehicle to Phelan, intentionally destroying and concealing evidence,” Railsback said.

She was taken into custody at the same time and place as Prentice.   

He has documented prior felony convictions in another jurisdiction that weren’t listed in court records. Wenzel has no documented prior felonies.

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Problem Solvers: Social media post highlight reality of camping in Central Oregon, homeless weigh in

KTVZ on June 20, 2025

Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, comments from poster and homeless)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Jill Sweet shares her life on the road as a vanlifer across social media, many of her posts highlighting staying in Central Oregon. But one video is going viral, after Sweet shared she had been harassed by a homeless person living in Sisters.

In the video, Sweet recounts while camping in the Deschutes National Forest, she was approached by a homeless man who began screaming obscenities and telling her to leave.

“He was staring straight at me. I’m still a little bit shaken from the moment,” Sweet told the Problem Solvers.

“He just started screaming, like all these absurdities at me. Like calling me every profanity under the sun. And I went inside. My husband went outside to, like, throw all of our stuff back in the van so we could get out of there. ”

Sweet shares her life on the road as a van-lifer across social media, many of her posts highlight staying in Central Oregon. Now she says she’s worried about her safety camping.

“I haven’t really felt a need to want to go back towards that direction,” she said.

The Problem Solvers spoke with homeless in Sisters, who point to what they call the “bad side” of Sisters. 

During our trip to the area, we encountered one camp that was wary of outsiders and not pleased we were in the area. However, they were not hostile and requested not to be on camera. 

Wesley Lucas, who lives on the other side of the highway, says Sweet must have camped in that area. “All of the people that you see that are in this line right here all work in town. That’s where all the meth heads are on the other side of the highway. ”

It comes as the region continues to grapple with an increase in homelessness. 

Sisters has seen an increase of homeless campers since 2024. According to the Point in Time Count conducted this year, 124 individuals experienced homelessness in the city. That’s up from last year’s count of 64.

When asked if Sisters could have a different situation than Bend’s, Lucas said, “It’s a lot different out here than it would be out of China Hat and all that stuff. Because, here, like I said, us three, we watch out for one another and stuff like that. “

unsheltered_homelessness_in_sisters_6.2025.pdfDownload

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Community organizations prepare celebrations for Juneteenth

News-Press NOW on June 20, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW). — In celebrating Juneteenth, St. Joseph Museums will be holding a Juneteenth parade and vendor fair.

The parade and fair will feature multiple local businesses as part of the celebration of cultural pride and appreciation.

“People just always imagine that this is an African-American holiday,” St. Joseph Museums planning committee member LaTonya Williams said. ” It is not only about our history, it’s American history. It’s all of our history. And this means that were all apart of the holiday. Anyone is able to come and partake in the festivities. Everyone is welcome.”

The celebrations will be ongoing throughout the weekend and are being held in the Bartlett Center located at 409 S 18th St.

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Funding cuts impact local non-profits

KYMA on June 20, 2025

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Federal funding cuts hit one local non-profit organization.

Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) provides several services for locals like transportation, legal assistance, and senior nutrition centers. But the recent cuts are impacting how many people they can help.

One of those services, “Meals on Wheels” or home delivery meals, now requires a waitlist because of funding cuts.

“Folks that are on service with us right now receiving meals are continuing to receive those meals across the region. But we can’t take anyone new as they call in. We are using a wait list, and we do work to have them assessed,” said Carol Brown, Senior Program Manager for Aging Policy & Advocacy.

Yuma and Mohave have wait lists but services are still available in La Paz. In their 2021 to 2023 report, the provider network delivered over 660,000 meals. They said they received additional funding during covid to help provide meals.

“But of course, I would say all of us area agencies on aging have spent that funding serving people, so that funding is no longer in place,” said Brown.

This while costs to provide these services keep going up.

“So we’ve been trying to make the purchases for the products, the food, the storage containers, the transportation, everything that’s involved in providing those meals. It has all gone up exponentially,” added Brown.

As this fiscal year comes to a close at the end of this month, they say they’re looking forward to see what the state determines to do with funding.

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Experts discuss mental health following possible termination of LGBTQ+ youth suicide lifeline

KESQ on June 20, 2025

Kendall Flynn

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Trevor Project received official notice June 17 of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration initiating the closure of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program.

The termination could be effective for July 17, 2025, if passed by Congress. The Trevor Project is one of seven centers that currently make up the LGBTQ+ Youth Subnetwork. The program allows callers to “press 3” or “rely PRIDE” to be connected with counselors trained specifically to assist LGBTQ+ contacts.

The service reports in 2024 it directly served more than 231,000 crisis contacts and previously, with the LGBTQ+ Youth Subnetwork, received up to $50 million in restricted federal funds for the lifeline services.

In the projects press release, CEO Jaymes Black said “This is devastating, to say the least. Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.”

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from mental health experts from the Hazelden Betty Ford Center and The LGBTQ+ Center on the the impacts of this potential termination.

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Tragic Accident: Rigby Woman Dies in Fall into Snake River

KIFI on June 20, 2025

Stephanie Lucas

ALPINE, Wyoming (KIFI) — An 89-year-old Rigby woman died Wednesday after reportedly falling 100 feet into the Snake River near Alpine, Wyoming.

Star Valley Search and Rescue Captain Clint Erickson told Local News 8 that the victim, identified as Joyce Balls, was picnicking with her sister and niece along U.S. Highway 26, overlooking the Big Kahuna rapid, a section known popular among white-water rafting enthusiasts.

Erickson says the 89-year-old stood up but lost her footing, “stumbled forward and went off the edge.”

Star Valley Search and Rescue, along with Alpine Fire, searched the riverbank for her. Eventually, a drone operator located her body downriver using a drone.

“This was truly a tragic accident and a reminder just how unforgiving the river can be,” Star Valley Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post, extending their thoughts and prayers to the family.

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SJPD reminds residents to protect their homes while away during summer

News-Press NOW on June 20, 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department is urging residents to stay vigilant against crime during the summer months.

Although no recent cases have been reported, SJPD wants to remind the community that criminals are often more active during warmer weather. Something as simple as an unlocked garage can make you a target for burglary.

Oversharing on social media can also increase your risk. Authorities advise posting cautiously, especially while traveling.

“If you’re going to be away for a while, posting vacation pictures on Facebook can be tempting because you want to share with your friends and family,” said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. “But there are people who look for that, and if they know you’re not going to be at your address, business, or home for a while, they may try to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Police recommend waiting until you return home to share vacation photos, asking a trusted neighbor to watch your property and installing security cameras as effective deterrents.

If neighbors notice any suspicious or unfamiliar activity in their area, they are encouraged to call 911 immediately so an officer can investigate.

The St. Joseph Police Department also offers a free residential and business watch service, which allows officers to periodically check on your property while you’re away.

“The officers working on the street, day or night, are made aware of those addresses and provide extra patrol during their shifts,” Peters said.

Residents can fill out the watch request form by visiting stjoepd.info/ and navigating to ‘Forms and Requests’.

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Mustangs superfan shows why it’s more than a baseball team

News-Press NOW on June 20, 2025

Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Kevin Little has been a St. Joseph Mustangs fan for 15 years and has been a host family for 10.

He was inspired to get involved as a host family by a former player and has not looked back.

“The players themselves are just such unique and genuine young men,” Little said. “They’re so kind, they give up themselves, they give their time and they just love playing here.”

He said he has never had a bad experience as a host family and he enjoys being able to provide them with safety and protection, even outside of baseball season.

“One of the young men that stayed with us last year was on the road in this snowstorm, that 16-inch snowstorm this last winter, and he called and said, ‘I can’t make it home to Maryville, can I stay at your house?'” Little said. “It was so cool that he thought of us as a place of safety and refuge.”

That player was Andrew Clark, a pitcher for three years on the Mustangs.

“It really helped my mom out because I could hear in her voice that she was super scared and worried about me,” Clark said. “I was on the edge of my seat the whole drive. As soon as I could park my car in front of his house and walk inside, I was more than just happy to be there.”

Clark is residing once again with Little for his final season playing for the Mustangs after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University.

He said Little is always the first person he sees on his way to the locker room each day and he always wishes him good luck.

“Not every community has a Kevin or some of the different people who come here,” Mustangs owner Ky Turner said. “There’s a lot of beautiful things about St. Joe, about this ballpark experience and people like Kevin are a big part of that.”

Little said, not only do the Mustangs put out a good quality product playing baseball, but they also connect with the community and that creates a Mustangs family.

“It’s something special to be said about, sitting down next to an unknown stranger and then before you know it you find something in common…Then you hang out after the season and then you’re looking forward to the next season and then you kind of become a family,” Turner said. “That’s why I say, we have a baseball game, but a lot more happens than just baseball.”

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Local officials recommend how to prepare for the summer heat

News-Press NOW on June 20, 2025

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Summer is here and so is the heat; St. Joseph Fire Department officials explain how to prepare for this weekend’s heat advisory.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 1 p.m. Friday, June 20, through 9 p.m. Sunday, June 22. During this period, the heat index is expected to climb above 100 degrees.

The hot temperatures and humid conditions pose an increased risk of heat-related illness in the area.

The National Weather Service recommends drinking plenty of water, staying out of direct sunlight and checking on relatives and neighbors.

When outdoors, residents are encouraged to wear lightweight clothing and limit activities to the early morning or evening hours.

On hot and humid days, the body can lose its ability to cool itself properly. When the body heats up too rapidly or loses too much fluid or salt through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises, and can lead to heat-related illnesses.

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are all forms of heat-related illness. Officials advise familiarizing yourself with the symptoms to recognize warning signs early.

Samantha Vite, a long-time firefighter with the SJFD, explains things to look out for, “Signs for your heat illnesses are going to be your nausea, headaches, and dizziness. You can get fatigue as well as weakness. A lot of times, you just want to get people out of the heat as soon as possible.”

During this upcoming toasty weekend, it is important to remain cool, hydrated and informed on heat safety.

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