Second Harvest providing food to kids in need during summer

News-Press NOW on June 18, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW). — Throughout the weekdays in the summer, Second Harvest will have cafe sites available for kids in need to receive nutritious lunches.

The lunches are provided to all kids 18 and under.

“I believe this is our third or fourth summer that not only (Nodaway) Valley Bank has sponsored a day for our employees to come help, but also volunteer to hand these (lunches) out,” Vice President of Nodaway Valley Bank and volunteer Brett Steiner said. “Today was kind of a slower day. But with summer school still in, it’ll pick up by the end of the year.”

The list of the cafe sites that will be providing meals and the times they are operating can be found on Second Harvest’s website.

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Community holds food drive and speak-out to protest possible SNAP cuts

KESQ on June 18, 2025

Luis Avila

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of people gathered outside Rep. Ken Calvert’s Palm Desert office to hold a food drive and protest possible SNAP cuts under the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ Advocates say the cuts would impact thousands of families across the Coachella Valley.

Several attendees sharing personal experiences, explaining how the program supported them through challenging times.

“As a little girl, I lost my father at age 9. He was only 45, my mom was 38 with 6 kids. We had no choice but to go on SNAP and not only that but government housing. It was very difficult.”

Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident

“My mother is 101 years old. We depend on the SNAP program for food support. They’ve already cut her food budget by over half since last year.”

Evanne Levin, Rancho Mirage resident

Organizers pointing to the number of local residents enrolled in SNAP, about 13 percent of Riverside County, as a reason to keep funding intact. Within Calvert’s 41st district, 95,000 people receive SNAP benefits.

“This is not a huge benefit that people are getting but it is a lifesaving amount of money for them… If our citizens are hungry, it’s not wasteful to feed them. We have no problem donating to good causes and this a good cause. This strengthens our community.”

Christine Massey, organizer

Wednesday’s protest was combined with a food drive benefiting local food banks, which advocates say could see increased demand if federal assistance is reduced.

But organizers say donations alone won’t solve the problem, and are hoping their message is heard.

“Be humane. You may not have been at that point where you need the food to eat to survive, but there’s  plenty of people that need it. If you have a soul, please, be humane.”

Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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DEA investigation results in around 70 arrests at multiple illegal grow operations near Thermal

KESQ on June 18, 2025

Jesus Reyes

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a large investigation at several illegal marijuana operations near Thermal Wednesday morning.

In an update, the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division said, “Preliminary numbers, subject to change, are as follows: 70 to 75 undocumented migrants were arrested. At least one US citizen was arrested for impeding law-enforcement. The operations covered 787 acres.”

“The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division (Riverside DO) is leading a vast investigation, which involves multiple illegal marijuana grow operations, in the area of Thermal, CA,” the DEA wrote in a statement to News Channel 3.

DEA LA Field Division is leading a vast investigation involving multiple illegal marijuana grow operations in Thermal. The operation is authorized by federal search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge from @USAO_LosAngeles based on a submission from @USAO_LosAngeles. pic.twitter.com/qSa3EIsSD2

— DEALosAngeles (@DEALOSANGELES) June 18, 2025

Unmarked law enforcement vehicles, military vehicle, and a helicopter in Mecca just before 11 a.m. in Mecca (6/18/25)

Wednesday morning, News Channel 3 received multiple reports of a large group of federal agents, including ICE and Border Patrol, and military vehicles in the eastern Coachella Valley area.

Military and unmarked law enforcement vehicles staged in Indio (6/18/25)

DEA officials confirmed this was not an ICE operation; however, our crews at the scene confirmed ICE and Border Patrol agents were at the scene and in the area as well.

“Due to the magnitude & topography of this operation, DEA has requested support from multiple federal partners. The nature of this evolving investigation limits the information we are able to provide at this point,” reads a DEA statement.

STATEMENT FROM SUPERVISOR MANUEL PEREZ ON RAIDS:

“ICE raids that occurred on June 18, 2025 are causing fear and widespread disruption in communities in the Coachella Valley. Reports recount aggressive migrant operations, including a raid at a Food 4 Less in Indio, targeting the most vulnerable communities like farm workers. These actions, carried out by masked agents with paramilitary tactics, are completely unnecessary in communities filled with working people. These raids are inhumane and destabilizing.

There is no plan, no organization, no respect for due process guarantees. We urgently call on our federal leaders to stand up for our community in the face of the Trump administration, for transparency and accountability, and to put an immediate end to these traumatic operations that separate families and sow discord.

We are in touch with our local partners, TODEC and the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice. Both organizations provide resources, including legal assistance for our migrant community. Visit Riverside County’s Immigration Resource Web for the list of resources and assistance..

Today and always, we show our support for the migrant community.”

We’ll have the latest updates at 5 and 6 pm on News Channel 3.

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Judge awards Ryan Ferguson $43.8 million in lawsuit against insurance company

News-Press NOW on June 18, 2025

News-Press NOW

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge awarded Ryan Ferguson nearly $44 million in his lawsuit against an insurer that hasn’t yet paid out his settlement with several Columbia police detectives.

Judge Cotton Walker on Monday awarded Ferguson $43.8 million. A Cole County jury sided with Ferguson in November when he sued Travelers Insurance to collect the rest of his nearly $11 million settlement with the detectives who helped convict him of the 2001 murder of Kent Heitholt.

Walker’s decision added several million dollars of interest to the amount the jury ordered in November. Walker ordered Travelers to pay $41.6 million for claims of bad faith and another $2.14 million for vexatious refusal — an insurer’s unreasonable denial or delay in paying a valid claim. Ferguson’s attorneys will collect $305,250 in attorneys’ fees through the judgment.

Ferguson’s attorney, Kathleen Zellner, told ABC 17 News that she and Ferguson were pleased with the decision. Zellner says she delivered the news to Ferguson on Monday.

“He was thrilled.  It was close, not entirely comparable to when I got to tell him that, the appellate court overturned his conviction and he was going to be released. But this is a close second, Zellner said. “I’m thrilled for him and his family. I’ve represented him since 200,9 so this has been a long, long journey.†

Combined with the money Ferguson collected from the 2017 settlement, Zellner said the case is the largest individual award for a wrongful conviction in U.S. history.

“For me personally, it’s confirmation that our legal system does work. Sometimes, it takes a long time, but if you persevere and if you’re on the right side of the case and the evidence does work,  and this case is an example of that because we had to push through setbacks along the way,†Zellner said.  “We never gave up hope in exonerating him and then in getting compensation for the wrongdoing and then  holding the insurance company liable.†

The six police detectives will also get a percentage of the final award, Zellner said. The group of former police officers became plaintiffs in Ferguson’s lawsuit to show the stress caused by Travelers’ refusal to cover the city and its workers in the case. The insurance provider covered the city’s law enforcement liability from 2006-11, a period in which Ferguson was in prison for the killing.

“We have we have an agreement with them [six former police officers]  and so they’ll get a percentage of it,†Zellner said. “That was based on us having their cooperation and then we basically represented them in the sense that we presented their case to the jury, that they were deprived of coverage.  And we had an excellent officer testify about the type of strain that it took on her life. So it was definitely a collaboration because  the officers had been put in a difficult position when the coverage was denied.†

An appeals court vacated Ferguson’s conviction in 2013 after Zellner found that prosecutors failed to disclose some witness statements to the defense.

ABC 17 News reached out to CPD for comment but was told the department does not comment on litigation. ABC 17 News has also reached out to Travelers Insurance and the City of Columbia for comment.

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IID contributes $40,000 to support safe water activities

KYMA on June 18, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors approved to contribute $40,000 to support safe water activities during the summer.

“The District is pleased to once again have our esteemed Water Safety Campaign reach thousands of schoolchildren this year,” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “We are excited to make this financial contribution to our communities so that we can continue spreading the very important water safety message.”

IID says the funds will help “expenses associated with keeping pools open, providing free or discounted swimming lessons, or providing safe water activities for youth and adults, such as water slides.”

According to IID, the funds, which is included in their 2025 Public Affairs Water Safety budget, will be distributed to the following entities:

Brawley

Calexico

Calipatria

El Centro

Holtville

Imperial

Westmorland

Heber Public Utility District

Niland Chamber of Commerce

County of Imperial

The Imperial Valley Desert Museum

To learn more about this, click here.

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Clay Oven Indian Cuisine temporarily closed for repairs

News-Press NOW on June 18, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A popular Indian restaurant in St. Joseph will be temporarily closed for the next few days due to minor damage from a fire sprinkler that went off Tuesday.

A manager for Clay Oven Indian Cuisine said the restaurant plans to reopen in two or three days once the interior has been full cleaned and inspected. The restaurant is located at 1209 North Belt Highway next to Anytime Fitness.

The restaurant’s sprinkler system was activated due to a minor fire/smoke that occurred Tuesday evening, however, little to no damage was caused by the fire.

Restaurant staff are thankful water damage was limited and won’t lead to any extended closures. The restaurant serves a wide range of authentic Indian cuisines for the community.

Customers are encouraged to follow Clay Oven’s Facebook page for the latest info.

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UPDATE: Alder Springs Fire 68% Contained, Final Update Provided as Evacuation Orders Lifted

KTVZ on June 18, 2025

KTVZ – News Team

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Alder Springs Fire is now 68% contained with LEVEL 1 evacuation notices in place. Below is the latest from Central Oregon Fire.

Yesterday, wildland firefighters continued to mop up and secure fire lines around the Alder Springs Fire burning on lands managed by the US Forest Service and BLM and protected by Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue and the Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association. The fire remains within its 3,278 acre footprint and is now 68% contained.

Rain is forecast for the fire area today and mobile weather stations will be measuring and recording precipitation in several locations. Due to increased containment and cooler weekend temperatures, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has made changes to evacuation levels. There are no longer Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders in place. Now only Level 1 evacuation notices are in place in Jefferson County for the Alder Springs Fire in the following zones: CRR11, CRR10N, CRR10S, CRR12, CRR8, CRR7, CRR6. For a map of the evacuation zones, visit: https://tinyurl.com/JeffersonCountyEmergencyMap

The Prineville BLM has lifted the closure that was put in place as a result of the Alder Springs Fire as of 6:00 a.m. today, June 21, 2025. The public can now access trailhead and trails for Steelhead Falls, Otter Bench and Scout Camp; however, there is still fire traffic in the area so visitors to these sites are encouraged to use caution while driving and recreating.

While crews will continue to mop up and secure the fire perimeter in the northeast portion of the fire, Resource Advisors (READs) continue to make their assessments and resources have been brought in to assist with suppression repair in the areas along the perimeter that have been contained. READs help advise fire staff on how to protect or mitigate negative impacts to natural and cultural resources. Where firefighters have put in control lines with dozers, skidgens or hand tools, those fire lines will need to be repaired and naturalized so they do not become new roads, trails or paths for increased erosion.

This will be the final fire update for the Alder Springs Fire. The fire will transition to a local Type 4 incident management team on Sunday afternoon. Any updates for the Alder Springs Fire will be posted on the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org or on X/Twitter @CentralORfire.

Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

Remember it only takes one spark to cause an accidental wildfire. Know your local fire restrictions, take care with all ignition sources, secure trailer chains and do not drive through or park in dry grass. Preventing wildfires doesn’t just protect public lands, it protects communities so do your part to prevent one more spark.

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Alder Springs Fire burned across 3,400 acres but reached 40% containment as of Friday as officials report more progress on extinguishing the wildfire while securing lines and sparing hundreds of homes protected by crews from around the state.

The announcement comes after the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office dropped all Level 3 GO NOW evacuation orders as seen on this interactive map.

Alder Springs Fire lowered evacuation levelsLevel 3 GO NOW (red) evacuation orders have been dropped to Level 2 (BE SET – yellow), others reduced to Level 1 (BE SET – green) in revised Jefferson County map Wednesday evening

“Watch out for fire personnel for the next several days,” the sheriff’s Office advised in a Facebook post Wednesday evening. “Even if you return in a Level 2 (BE SET zone), be cautious of smoke and aware fire personnel could be on your property if a flare-up happens near your land.

“Still remain vigilant and be ready to go if anything changes. We appreciate the patience during this fire. Fire personnel have been working diligently day and night to contain this fire which is currently at 21% containment. Thank you to everyone who has assisted in the Alder Springs Fire so far and will continue to do so through the week,” the Facebook post said.

Earlier in an update on the Alder Springs Fire Facebook page, officials said, “Firefighters continue to look for and mop up hotspots along the fire’s edge. As the fire’s edge is proved to be free of all burn potential, the containment percentage will continue to increase.”

The Northwest Coordination Center reported earlier Wednesday that 2,052 homes were threatened by the blaze and 1,279 other “minor structures.”

Friday Update:

Containment levels have increased. The Alder Springs Fire is now 40% contained with no new growth.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as firefighters remain in the area to ensure the community stays protected. Please stay alert for any changes.

Wednesday Update:

Alder Springs Fire Information: 503-383-9647Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Evacuation Information: 541-420-9652Alder Springs Fire Facebook Page: Facebook.com/AlderSpringsFire

Central Oregon —Yesterday, wildland firefighters were successful in increasing containment on the Alder Springs Fire burning on lands managed by the US Forest Service and BLM and protected by Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue and the Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association. The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces completed their structure protection and mop up work in and around Crooked River Ranch. The Alder Springs Fire footprint remains 3,278 acres and is now 40% contained.

“On behalf of the Forest Service and BLM, we would like to thank the Central Oregon Interagency Management Type 3 Team, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team, and all our cooperators and partners for coming together as one team with one mission,” said Crooked River National Grassland District Ranger, Slater Turner.

“We are very proud of our firefighters whose aggressive attack of this fire helped return our community back into their homes,” said Lisa Clark, Field Manager with the Prineville BLM Deschutes Field Office. “The OSFM and Central Oregon teams showed a high level of professionalism and provided the public with helpful, up-to-date information that was critical to the success of this incident. We are grateful for all the hard work and planning that helped keep firefighters and the public safe during this early season fire.”

All OSFM structural task forces are demobilizing today. The last two task forces will finish their work this morning before heading to their home department.

“The Red Team is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Crooked River Ranch community — your support means everything,” said Incident Commander Ian Yocum.

Wildland firefighters are back on the fire this morning, continuing to mop up to reach the goal of 100 ft of cold ground all the way around the fire perimeter. Crews will continue to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) also known as “drones” equipped with infrared (IR) technology to identify areas of heat both on the perimeter, as well as areas of more dense heat on the fire interior. Fire Managers are also working with Resource Advisors (READs) to begin to assess the needs for suppression repair. Where firefighters have put in control lines with dozers, skidgens or hand tools, those fire lines will need to be repaired and naturalized so they do not become new roads, trails or paths for increased erosion. READs help advise fire staff on how to complete to protect or mitigate negative impacts to natural and cultural resources.

With cooler temperatures and moisture forecast for today and this weekend, some wildland resources are being released from the fire to return to their homes and families so they can rest and be available for future fires.

The Alder Springs Fire was human-caused and the investigation is on-going. More information will be released when the investigation is complete.

Evacuations: The Jefferson and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Offices have issued evacuation notices for the Alder Springs Fire.  Level 2-Set: CR06, CR07, CR08, CR10N, CR10S, CR11, CR12Level 1-Ready: CR02M, CR02N, CRPL2

For more information on evacuation notices, visit:Deschutes County Evacuation Map: https://tinyurl.com/DeschutesCountyEmergencyJefferson County Evacuation Map: https://tinyurl.com/JeffersonCountyEmergencyMap

A temporary evacuation point has been established at Highland Baptist Church: 3100 SW Highland Avenue, Redmond. A large animal shelter has been established at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds at 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond.

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Missouri Troopers expanding use of ‘Ghost Graphic’ cars before July 4th

News-Press NOW on June 18, 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri State Troopers are preparing to roll out additional “ghost graphic†vehicles just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

As News-Press NOW reported last month, the reflective graphics on these patrol cars allow troopers to discreetly monitor aggressive or reckless driving on the roadways.

Officers have deployed these vehicles on a rolling basis ahead of major holidays in the past.

“Low-profile vehicles, that’s exactly what these are, and they’re a necessary enforcement tool for us,” said Sgt. Shane Hux of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H.

Across Missouri, 10 vehicles with ghost graphics were deployed and put into service ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

According to MSHP, 10 additional vehicles will go into service before the Fourth of July weekend. Nine have already been deployed to the nine patrol troops across the state, and the remaining vehicles will be assigned to areas experiencing high numbers of complaints about reckless driving and crashes.

“We have one assigned for Troop H, to Andrew and Buchanan counties,” said Sgt. Shane Hux. “That’s where we’re seeing a high influx of traffic as well as an increase in traffic crashes.”

State troopers say they frequently witness drivers speeding past while distracted by their phones. The low-visibility vehicles have been helping troopers catch violators more effectively.

“It gives an officer the opportunity to witness other violations because the public becomes accustomed to our standard patrol vehicles,” Hux said. “For example, when our first Dodge Chargers came out, they had very distinctive rear tail lights. So at night, people quickly learned to recognize them. It’s beneficial for us to mix things up for the motoring public.”

While some residents have mixed opinions about the addition of these vehicles, MSHP emphasizes that the goal is to protect public safety.

“More than 1,000 people lose their lives every year in Missouri due to motor vehicle crashes,” Hux said. “If these vehicles can reduce that number even slightly, that’s a good sign.”

MSHP Troop H expects to have another ‘ghost graphic’ vehicle added to the area by the Fourth of July.

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Judge to consider delaying Kohberger trial

KIFI on June 18, 2025

Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, will be in court Wednesday afternoon.

The court hearing is expected to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The hearing will consider a defense motion to delay the start of the trial and whether the defense has enough evidence to suggest there may be an alternate suspect in the crime.

Kohberges defense argued key information was leaked about the casein an episode of NBC’s Dateline program.

The judge responded with an order in hopes of finding the potential leak and sealing any other potentially damaging information.

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Juneteenth: Highlighting Black-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley

KESQ on June 18, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thursday, June 19, is Juneteenth marking the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. Since then, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a recognition of the end of slavery.

Local Black-owned businesses and organization says the federal holiday impacts them greatly and makes them recognize the opportunities their ancestors sacrifice opened.

“Our ancestors fought for stuff like this,” Rico Pereira, the owner of Ricos Westcoastwash. “For the right to have that ability to get out and get it on your own. Don’t always have to fit into that 9 to 5, or the American dream per se..and you can get the most out of what you put out.”

It’s those opportunities Tim Vincent, the president of the Brothers of the Desert board says the federal holiday empowers them to continue creating.

“It really shapes how we continue to do the work,” Vincent said. “We just created our own brothers of the desert scholarship…it just makes me think of how important that it is to really continue to move forward.”

Brothers of the Desert is a non-profit organization supporting Black gay men and their allies in the Coachella Valley, and their new scholarship help students in this group. Vincent says the importance of Juneteenth goes beyond celebrating the historical significance of Black people, but it’s to support all marginalized groups.

Vincent and Pereira say the best think people can do in the community is to get educated on Juneteenths history and join the celebration – something they think people need to do more of.

“I think some don’t care to know and then some don’t take the extra step to learn,” Pereira said. “So I think just taking that first step.”

Many local businesses are joining with the City of Palm Springs to celebrate Juneteenth from Thursday to Saturday with the Palm Springs Village Fest, Kings and Queens Pageant, Concert in the Park, R&B brunch and more.

News Channel 3 is highlighting local Black-owned businesses and speaking of the importance of Juneteenth for them.

For more Black-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley like Ricos Westcoastwash visit here.

Events in Palm Springs for Juneteenth:

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