Appreciation BBQ honors PS Police, Fire Dept. for bravery and dedication

KESQ on June 20, 2025

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A private appreciation BBQ was held Friday to honor members of the Palms Springs Police and Fire Departments for their service and courage, following last months fertility clinic bombing. The event was put together by the Hispanic-American Chamber of commerce in partnership with other groups.

“We are so honored so happy to feed these guys because they’re the ones who work 24 hours a day to keeping security and safety.”

Rafael Oscal, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president

Local leaders and community members rolled up their sleeves to serve first responders.

“I traded in my suit for some gloves and just wanted to give back. My role is just to be a community member and show love to the men and women who constantly go into the line of fire.”

Jeff Gonzalez, 36th Assembly District assembly member

Our local heros share what this means for them.

“Honestly, it’s overwhelming. We’re so lucky. This city is something else, special. We have people like David who reach out to us… we work together as a team.”

Michael Torres, PSPD Lieutenant

“To have other people serve us, it feels good… This community has always stepped up and given back. Not only do they give it to us but they give it to everyone impacted. Especially with this bombing, the way it came together.”

Jeff Van Lierop, PSFD Deputy Chief

The gratitude didn’t end there. Organizers were also recognized by locals leaders for their work and dedication. For volunteers, many of whom were directly affected by the bomb, this was about healing too.

“It’s the least we can do to give back to our first responders. They were there within minutes during the bombing and we appreciate the personal touch even Michael calling us and making sure that we’re ok.”

David Rios, Velvet Rope Hotel owner

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Jefferson City exploring a use tax as revenue falls short of projections

KMIZ on June 20, 2025

Olivia Hayes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City officials say a use tax could generate nearly $70 million in additional revenue at a time when traditional sales tax is waning.

Jefferson City’s June sales tax report shows the city was short nearly $400,000 of its projected revenue for the fiscal year. The city’s projected 10-year budget showed a need for just over $200 million, but the projected revenue sat just under $80 million. That’s a deficit of more than $120 million.

With use tax, Jefferson City would tax extra on purchases made outside of the city, like online storefronts. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the state use tax rate is 4.225%. Use tax does not apply if the purchase is from a Missouri retailer and is subject to Missouri sales tax.

Supporters of use taxes have championed it as a way to recapture revenue lost to increasing internet commerce. They also claim the taxes can level the playing field for local businesses, which must pay sales taxes.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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CDC reports rise in unintentional fall deaths in elderly

KMIZ on June 20, 2025

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week released a study showing a sharp rise in unintentional fall deaths among older adults.

The report found that from 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls increased by more than 79% for adults aged 65 to 74. For those ages 75 to 84, the rate jumped more than 75%, and it more than doubled for adults 85 and older.

In Missouri, the CDC found a fall death rate of 64.3 per 100,000 people ages 65 and older in 2023, slightly below the national average of 69.9. The CDC found more than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023.

The report does not include why there is an increase in falls.

The Columbia Fire Department says it has responded to 677 fall-related calls so far this year. That’s compared to 1,290 calls in 2024 and 1,319 in 2023.

However those numbers show all falls not just falls among the elderly. But the department says most calls are amongst seniors.

Columbia Fire Department spokesperson Katherine Rodgriuez says fall related calls are at the top of medical calls the department responds to.

“The Columbia Fire Department regularly responds  to fall related calls especially involving older adults and they are the most common medical calls we receive,” Rodgriuez said.

Falls can happen anytime, anywhere but Rodgruiez says many happen in bathrooms and staircases where medications are needed.

“Poor lighting, cluttered spaces or like grab bars or hand rails not being installed in places where you’re like to fall or trip,” She added.

Health conditions also contribute to falls.

“Mobility and balance issues, side effects from medications can cause folks to be off kilter with their balance,’ Rodgriuez said.

However, the Mayo Clinic recommends several ways to prevent falls.

Review medications with a doctor to check for side effects or interactions that may cause dizziness.

Stay active to maintain strength, balance, and coordination.

Wear sensible shoes with nonslip soles and good support.

Remove home hazards like boxes, loose rugs and electrical cords.

Light up your living space with brighter bulbs and night lights in hallways and bathrooms.

Use assistive devices such as handrails on stairways, grab bars in bathrooms and a sturdy plastic seat for showering.

“Double check there is no clutter in the homes, we encourage residents to have proper lighting in the homes, install grab bars in the bathrooms and check on the adults in your lives make sure they have regular vision and balance checks.” Rodgriuez said.

Smart911 is also a helpful tool. It’s a free app that allows users to create a safety profile, including health history, medications, mobility limitations, home address, and more. The app helps first responders act more quickly and effectively in an emergency.

“It’s for any type of call, not just medical,” Rodriguez said. “We utilize it as a way to get a brief background and context on what’s happening with the resident or patient,”

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Registered sex offender will serve life in prison for Platte County crimes

News-Press NOW on June 20, 2025

Crystal Olney

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Terry Lee Wilson, a registered sex offender, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for sexually abusing a young girl for over a decade.

Wilson was found guilty in February by a Platte County jury of three counts of first degree statutory sodomy.

“This defendant repeatedly committed serious sexual offenses, causing significant harm to numerous victims,” Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said in a press release. “It is both just and necessary that he now will serve multiple life sentences, ensuring he can no longer endanger another young woman.”

He was previously convicted in 2003 out of Wyandotte County on multiple counts of felony attempted indecent liberties with a child and received probation.

When the crimes in Platte County occurred, Wilson was a registered sex offender.

The victim in the Platte County case testified that the sexual abuse increased over a number of years and she eventually contacted the Metropolitan Organization to County Sexual Assault to report the abuse, according to a press release.

Since Wilson was charged as a predatory sexual offender, the minimum sentence was life in prison. The sentence he received on Wednesday was three terms of life imprisonment.

“I am very proud of this young girl for coming forward, ultimately leading to a dangerous man now spending the rest of his life in prison. We will continue to do all we can in Platte County to rid our streets of sexual predators,†said Zahnd in a press release.

The Kansas City Police Department investigated the case.

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Gene Autry Trail reopens after blowing sand prompted closure

KESQ on June 20, 2025

Julia Castro

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — North Gene Autry Trail has reopened after being closed Friday morning due to low visibility caused by blowing sand through the Whitewater Wash.

The temporary closure affected the stretch between Salvia Road and East Via Escuela.

Other nearby Whitewater Wash crossings, including Indian Canyon Drive and Vista Chino, remain open

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Grandmother-granddaughter duo separated by distance write new children’s book

KVIA on June 20, 2025

Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– A grandmother and granddaughter duo are celebrating a big milestone after publishing a children’s book. 

Grandmother Sloan Sullivan lives in Lake Geneva, WI, and granddaughter Brooklyn Freytag lives in El Paso, TX. 

The novel, The Blueberries of Life: A Book about Grandparents, was inspired by their long-distance relationship and having to say goodbye time and time again.

“So then we said ‘We should write a book.’ And all of a sudden, it became a book. After a couple of years of debating whether we were going to do it, how we were going to do it, we became very serious about it. And we started writing,” Sullivan said. 

Brooklyn had a personal say in choosing the title of the book after comparing life to pancakes and blueberries to grandparents!

“We have normal pancakes, but when you get to add blueberries, they’re even more special. And it was like having my grandparents coming down to see me. It made it more special,” the child author said.

The charming book takes readers on Brooklyn and her grandparents’ adventures as they are visiting her.

“I like it, how it shows how you can be close to family, even if they’re far away,” Brooklyn said.

She said when her grandparents are in town, life is much sweeter! Both told ABC-7 the book has brought them even closer. 

Sullivan hopes the novel will remind families that love knows no bounds. 

“Truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever take that for granted. I get excited with every signature, every time I see a customer or they tell us a story about their lives or their grandparents or their grandchildren. I think that’s the best part of this whole thing.”

Brooklyn said in the future she would like to write her own novel. 

If you are interested in buying the book, click here.

If you have a Good Vibes Only story, email news@kvia.com.

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Some residents of Security-Widefield eagerly await street repaving while coping with flash flooding

KRDO on June 20, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Five streets in Security-Widefield are widely considered to be in the worst condition for that community, and will get a much-needed repaving this summer.

That is, if it ever stops raining.

Some neighbors tell KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior that late spring rainfall has occasionally flooded streets as crews perform concrete work to prepare for repaving.

The latest example came Tuesday along Chimayo Drive, one of the streets on the repaving list; a homeowner, Jesse Rehm, said that the street had several feet of water covering his yard and almost reaching his front porch.

“At least it wasn’t as bad as it was last year,” he said. “I spent like $26,000 in repairs to piping and restoration for my crawl space. I thought I was going to have to foreclose on my house because I just bought this place. Me and my wife, we bought this place almost 3 years ago, and she’s pregnant right now.”

Neighbors said that some of the concrete crew cleared a clogged storm drain that caused the flooding, and the water quickly drained away.

Still, some residents wonder what good repaving will do if streets are under water during significant rainfall in late spring, summer, and early fall.

Dan Gerhard, a public works engineer for El Paso County, said that flash flooding won’t cause serious delays in the concrete work for repaving.

“With something like that, if we have nice weather, (workers) will be back pouring concrete tomorrow. So, it really doesn’t delay us too much. We have had quite a bit of rain the past 2-3 weeks. For the most part, thankfully, all the rain has been in the afternoon and we’ve been able to get a lot of work done before the rain comes.”

Last summer, the county resurfaced several streets in Security-Widefield, using a method known as slurry-sealing; the method is designed to extend the life of streets that don’t require a full rebuild, and is less expensive than asphalt repaving.

Many residents were unaware of that and asked why streets that appeared to be in good condition were resurfaced, while streets in worse condition were not.

Chimayo Drive, Bison Drive, Alturas Drive, Holly Drive, and Birch Drive will be repaved this summer.

Gerhard said that the county is working on a plan, updated every five years, to guide decisions about repaving and other resurfacing treatments.

The county is also in the early stages of forming a long-range master plan to reduce flooding and improve drainage; repairs to a crumbling drainage ditch south of Fontaine Boulevard are a recent upgrade to the area’s drainage infrastructure.

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How to save on your electric bills this summer

KESQ on June 20, 2025

Allie Anthony

As summer temperatures rise, your electric bill might too.

Dan Cornelius from Dan Only HVAC recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees and keeping it running. Using a smart thermostat, closing blinds during the day, and running ceiling or floor fans can all help keep your space cooler without relying solely on your AC.

Keeping your AC unit in good shape is just as important. Regular maintenance, like cleaning or replacing filters, shading the outdoor unit, and scheduling professional tune-ups can help your system run more efficiently and lower your energy bills over time.

Another way to save money is through incentives and rebates through the Imperial Irrigation District or Southern California Edison.

Stay with News Channel 3 today for more money saving advice.

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35,000 expected in downtown Colorado Springs for Hill Climb Fan Fest block party

KRDO on June 20, 2025

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) said it expects over 35,000 people in the heart of Colorado Springs Friday evening at its “Fan Fest” block party.

The PPIHC hosts Fan Fest the Friday before the Hill Climb race every year. This year, it spans 10 blocks of downtown Colorado Springs. It’s a rectangle between four streets: Platte and Pikes Peak Avenues (North to South) and Nevada and Cascade Avenues (East to West).

Fan Fest starts at 5 p.m. The PPIHC has mapped out the various public parking and transit options for the event (see map above).

The Motocross group, Team FMX, will perform at the block party. The group will start practice at 5:30 p.m., followed by two demonstrations. The first is at 6:30 p.m followed by another at 8:15 p.m.

The Hill Climb drivers will be around speaking with people and signing autographs. The autograph session starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The event ends at 9 p.m.

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Boone County Fire Protection District reminds people of heat-borne illness as temperatures rise

KMIZ on June 20, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Fire Protection District, along with many other first-responder agencies and health officials, are reminding the public to be aware of the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as a heat advisory has been issued for Boone County through Tuesday evening.

According to Mayo Clinic, Heat-borne illness can take effect within 15 minutes, with common symptoms including nausea, a high heart rate and feeling faint or dizzy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should drink water and seek shelter indoors.

Heat stroke, which can be fatal, also includes symptoms of a high body temperature over 100 degrees, no sweating and a headache. 911 should be called immediately, and the person should be moved to a cooler area until help arrives.

Ways to avoid heat-borne illnesses include wearing light clothing, drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities outside during peak temperatures. It’s also recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

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