Santa Barbara’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration returns to the Waterfront

KEYT on June 17, 2025

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding their annual Fourth of July Celebration event at the waterfront.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara has announced the return of the annual Fourth of July Celebration. Hosted by the City’s Waterfront and Parks and Recreation Departments, the yearly tradition will transform Santa Barbara’s waterfront for a full day of family-friendly activities.

Enjoy live music and dance performances at the West Beach Bandstand sponsored by the PARC Foundation starting at noon. Closures of State Street, from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, and Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez, will allow crowds to take the celebration to the streets starting at 6:00 p.m.

Fourth of July Celebration

Friday, July 4, 2025

Noon to 9:30 p.m. 

West Beach (99 W. Cabrillo Blvd.) 

Road Closures 7/4/25:

Cabrillo Boulevard – Closed to vehicle traffic at 6:00 p.m. from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez

State Street – Closed to vehicle traffic at 6:00 p.m. from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard

Stearns Wharf – Closed to vehicle traffic at 3:30 p.m.

West Beach

The day will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks display at approximately 9:00 p.m., presented by Garden State Fireworks and sponsored by the City’s Waterfront Department. Longtime community event media partners KjEE (92.9 FM) will simulcast the soundtrack, and the show will be livestreamed on KEYT.com.

Fourth of July Celebration Schedule: (subject to change)

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Goodlanders

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Peer Pressure

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – The Three Combroneros

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Walking Coco

5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – The Other Woman

6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Ladyfinger

7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – East Valley Rd

8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. – False Puppet

9:00 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. – Fireworks! 

Cabrillo Boulevard Sidewalk at West Beach

Enjoy a special street fair with festive food vendors from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., sponsored by the PARC Foundation. This year’s vendors include Tink’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs, Lidos Philly Cheese Steaks, Timbers Roadhouse, G Brothers Kettle Corn, Elubia’s Kitchen, and The Deli Doctor.

For more event information, including parking and road closures, visit Fourth of July Celebration 

For more information about the Parks and Recreation Community Foundation, visit PARC Foundation.

July 5th Beach Cleanup Volunteer Opportunity

On July 5, the City will partner with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper to host beach cleanups at nearby beaches to ensure any litter left over from the holiday does not make its way to the ocean. Cleanups will take place at Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and East Beach. Gloves and buckets will be provided for all volunteers.

July 5th Beach Cleanup 

Saturday, July 5, 2025 

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Register to help with the cleanup

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Sedalia names new Ward 1 councilwoman

KMIZ on June 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new council member has been picked in Sedalia.

The city announced in a Tuesday social media post that Cheryl Ames has been sworn in as the new Ward 1 councilwoman. Interviews were conducted by the city and Mayor Andrew Dawson made the appointment.

Tom Oldham stepped down from his position in April after “serious allegations” were brought against him, the City of Sedalia wrote in a prior social media post. The city did not elaborate on the allegations in the post or in communications with ABC 17 News.

Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders told ABC 17 News in emails that his office is investigating Oldham. The criminal investigation includes the possible sexual harassment of a youth. Oldham was recently reelected to his seat in the April 8 race. Charges have not yet appeared on Casenet.

The other three candidates for the position were appointed to other boards and commissions:

Adam Porter – appointed to the Sedalia Park Board

Jason Michael Joy – appointed to the Bothwell Regional Health Center Board

Virginia Kaye Brainard – appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission

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Bend Police making a welfare check find seriously injured woman; detectives investigate, seek info from public

KTVZ on June 17, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Police are asking the public for information after finding a seriously injured woman during a welfare check at a home in a southeast Bend neighborhood.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a request for a welfare check in the 61000 block of Alstrup Road, Bend Police Community Relations Manager Jessica Rich said Tuesday. 

When officers arrived, they found a woman with serious injuries inside a home. Bend Fire and Rescue transported the woman, a 37-year-old Bend resident, to St. Charles Bend for treatment.

“Detectives are investigating the case, and additional information will be provided when it becomes available,” Rich said in the news release.

Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact Deschutes County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 541-693-6911.

Rich told KTVZ News that due to the active investigation, she’s “unable to share additional information, including more detailed information about her injuries or the circumstances around the request for the welfare check.”

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Idaho Supreme Court orders changes to ballot title and fiscal statement for abortion ballot initiative

KIFI on June 17, 2025

News Team

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — On Monday, the Idaho Supreme Court ordered Attorney General Raúl Labrador and the Idaho Division of Financial Management (DFM) to revise the language used in the short ballot title and fiscal impact statement for the Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act. The ballot initiative, proposed by Idahoans United for Women and Families, aims to restore access to abortions and other reproductive health services across Idaho.

“This unanimous ruling is a significant victory for fairness and transparency in Idaho’s elections and a strong defense of our ballot initiative rights,” stated Melanie Folwell, Executive Director for Idahoans United for Women and Families. “In their ruling, the Court recognized the importance of supplying voters with clear, accurate, and impartial information on their ballots.”

The ruling comes after Idahoans United filed a lawsuit against state officials, including the Attorney General and the DFM, arguing that both the ballot titles and the fiscal statement contained unnecessary and prejudicial information.

Under Idaho law, the Attorney General is responsible for drafting summary titles for ballot initiatives, outlining what the legislation would accomplish if passed. However, Idahoans United argued that the inclusion of information regarding the Medicaid budget and potential cost impacts on the state’s prisoner population in the fiscal statement was both unnecessary and biased. They further argued that both the short and long ballot titles failed to provide clear, concise, and accurate information to voters.

The short ballot title submitted by the Attorney General states, “Measure establishing a right to abortion up to fetus viability and to make reproductive decisions regarding one’s own body.”

In a ruling authored by Justice Colleen Zahn, the court partially granted Idahoans United’s petition. It specifically ordered the Attorney General to submit a new short ballot title that complies with Idaho Code, and the DFM to draft a revised fiscal impact statement.

“The Court’s decision to direct Attorney General Labrador and the State of Idaho to make ballot titles and fiscal impact statements clear and fair is a win for all Idahoans who value a government that respects the will of the people, not just the power of politicians and bureaucrats,” Folwell said. “Voters deserve to know exactly what they’re voting for and how much it will cost, and we are proud to have held that line.”

However, the court ruled that the long ballot title sufficiently complied with Idaho code. The group’s request to replace the term “fetus viability” with “fetal viability” in the short ballot title was also denied, with the court stating the phrases were not “substantially” different.

“I’m pleased the Court upheld the majority of our ballot title work, especially rejecting the unfounded claims of bias and acknowledged the challenging task of summarizing a 1,226-word initiative in just 20 words,” said Attorney General Labrador. “We will move swiftly to revise the short title in accordance with the Court’s guidance.”

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Man arrested in Rigby for violating no-contact order

KIFI on June 17, 2025

Seth Ratliff

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Rigby man is in custody after allegedly violating a no-contact order. On Monday, June 16, Bryce D. Larson, who was out on pre-trial services for an aggravated battery charge, was arrested after being found inside a protected party’s home.

Just before 5 PM, Rigby Police officers were called to the 200 block of 4th West on a report that Larson had been seen entering the victim’s residence. Upon arrival, the officers heard noises from the garage but were unable to get anyone to answer the door.

However, video evidence provided by the caller confirmed that Larson and a juvenile male had entered the home through the garage. The officers also confirmed that the protected party had left the residence on foot shortly after Larson’s arrival, with no indication that Larson had left the home.

Authorities attempted to contact Larson by phone multiple times. When they were finally able to reach him by phone, Larson reportedly refused to exit the residence and even denied being there.

Law enforcement then issued an arrest warrant for Larson, and the Rigby Police were able to enter the home around 8 PM, finding him inside. He was arrested on charges of violating a no-contact order and resisting and obstructing officers.

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Inside a high-stakes active shooter drill: ‘We rehearse so we’re ready’

KESQ on June 17, 2025

Garrett Hottle

PERRIS, Calif. — Law enforcement, students, and volunteers gathered Wednesday at Citrus Hill High School for one of the region’s most immersive active shooter training drills to date.

The all-day simulation, led by the Val Verde Unified School District Police Department, was designed to mimic the critical first 15–30 minutes of a school shooting. Officers responded to rotating scenarios that included simulated gunfire, mock explosive devices, barricaded hostages, and student “victims” covered in realistic makeup.

“We’re giving officers the safest environment to train in — but creating the most chaos possible,” said Val Verde PD Chief Mark Clark.

Now in its sixth year, the drill featured role players from multiple agencies and Explorer programs, with some students aspiring to law enforcement careers.

Jesse Garcia, a junior from Orange Vista High School, said the program changed his life: “It’s helped me a lot. My dream is to graduate and go to college.”

The training also incorporated breaching tactics, tourniquet use, and split-second triage decision-making. Clark said the department’s policy mandates officers enter rooms even in hostage scenarios — a lesson drawn from real-world tragedies.

“We do monthly fire drills,” Clark said. “But we don’t prepare enough for this. That has to change.”

The training is expected to serve as a model for other school districts and local police agencies seeking to enhance readiness.

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Local group and faith leader express worry about rise in antisemitism

KESQ on June 17, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A rise in antisemitism has sparked worry from local groups and Jewish faith leaders in the Coachella Valley.

Jewish Family Service provides mental health counseling to all, whether they’re Jewish or not. However, antisemitic actions nationwide, and even locally, is concerning for the nonprofit’s Executive Director, Kraig Johnson. 

“Personally, it’s very bothersome to see. Professionally, as a Jewish agency, it’s making sure that our clients and my colleagues are safe,” said Johnson.

Meanwhile, one Jewish faith leader said it’s not just anti-Jewish hate that is concerning; rather, hatred involving other groups is a growing concern, too.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear why both groups say “community” is the most important way to combat Jewish hate. 

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‘The community is awesome!’ Donations pour in for evacuated animals staying at Deschutes County Fairgrounds

KTVZ on June 17, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video, comments)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Pet Evacuation Team said late Tuesday it is now caring for 175 animals evacuated from the Alder Springs Fire at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond – and thanks to the community, they are “all set” with donated food for them.

“We have horses, goats, dogs, cats and a rabbit,” a PET official told KTVZ News earlier in the day.

“At this time, we do not need any more dog or cat food,” the representative said. “A generous donor brought in grass hay last night. Volunteers are working four-hour shifts.”

Later Tuesday, we were told: “This community is awesome!  We have received SO MANY donations!  We’re all set for now.”

 Obviously they help people get their pets out of harm’s way, but they also keep pets at a safe location while you’re evacuated. They’re fed, cared for, and the dogs even get taken for walks. It might seem like a difficult task to evacuate your pet, but the team here has some tips to make it easier.

“Prepare, prepare, prepare,” Vikki Sheerer said. “It’s not a matter of if, but we live in a wildfire zone, and someday the fire is going to get close to your neighborhood. So we encourage people to have a crate for their dogs that has food, water, their favorite bedding, all their veterinary medication, and have it ready in the garage.”

You can get your pet used to going into a crate by feeding them in the crate routinely before evacuations ever happen.

Everyone who uses the Pet Evacuation Team;s services gets documentation and a wristband linked to their pet’s ID. You can even visit your pet any time at the shelter, feed them yourself and spend time with them.

PET is an all-volunteer organization that relies on donations. To learn more, visit their website at petevacuationteam.com.

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From the goal to God’s plan: Local lacrosse coach starts club league

News-Press NOW on June 17, 2025

Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — Mackenzie Porter knows what it’s like to hold the line when the pressure is high.

As a former Division I lacrosse goalie, she stood in the net with nerves of steel, ready to block whatever came her way.

Now, she’s taking that same courage, vision, and faith beyond the crease and into the heart of St. Joseph- with a mission to empower the next generation of girls through the sport that shaped her.

“So I played on my high school team from seventh grade all the way up to my senior year,” Porter said. “But in that time, it was in 10th grade when I committed to play Division I at Rutgers.”

Porter is an account executive at News-Press NOW and is also a high school lacrosse coach.

She’s building the very thing she had growing up in New York: a dedicated lacrosse club.

The club, The Mighty MO League, is still in its early stages, but the vision is clear: create a place where young girls can grow in confidence, develop grit, and find their voice, through lacrosse.

“I want this to be an opportunity for girls to fit in, because that’s exactly what my youth program was for me, and gave me a group of friends that I had all the way up through high school,” Porter said.   

In a city where lacrosse is still gaining traction, Porter’s club could be the spark that lights a movement. One rooted not just in athletics, but in faith. 

“I actually was kind of thinking back to when the Lord first kind of touched my heart and he met me in my mess,” Porter said. “He actually met me at lacrosse practice in my third year here in Missouri through a teammate who asked to pray over me when I was having a really, really hard day.” 

Building a program from the ground up takes a village. Porter is calling on the St. Joseph community to help bring this dream to life through donations of gently-used gear, financial contributions, and community partnerships.

“I have things in there that can go directly to my house. If they wanted to Venmo or donate money, they could reach out to me through that Facebook page as well if they’re looking to help,” Porter said. “I had people who are also looking just to help out coaching, and they never even coached the sport, but they just want to learn.”

If you’re interested in supporting Porter’s girls’ lacrosse club in St. Joseph, visit Mighty Mo Lacrosse on Facebook.

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Arroyo Grande Library Temporarily Closing for Significant Renovations Next Month

KEYT on June 17, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – Central Coast bookworms will need to make a small adjustment starting next month.

But luckily, it’s only a matter of going next door.

The Arroyo Grande Library is in need of major renovations.

San Luis Obispo county’s largest library will temporarily close for critical infrastructure updates.

“We have a really strong readership at the Arroyo Grande Library,” says Erica Thatcher with County of SLO Public Libraries. “That library lends more books than any of the other libraries in our library system.”

A state grant is making these essential safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements possible.

They’re deemed “critical” for ongoing operations.

“We received a $1.6 million grant,” says Thatcher. “The California State Library has an initiative called the Building Forward Grant, and they are funding projects all over the state of California to bring libraries up to date.”

The state has a list of 278 libraries benefiting from this infrastructure grant, including this location.

“They’re committed to making sure that our buildings are keeping up with all of the things that are happening in today’s world,” says Thatcher.

The library will be receiving upgrades for fire suppression, ADA compliant restrooms, a new HVAC system, security features, and more.

“The project includes the HVAC and the ADA compliance, but it also includes a kind of reimagining of the children’s area,” says Thatcher. “So that’s probably the biggest part of the project that isn’t just updates. We don’t know exactly when the project will be completed and we’ll know more when we get underway and the project progresses.”

The library will close on July 16th.

A temporary exchange location will be set up right next door at the Chamber of Commerce building to return library items and to pick up anything on hold.

During the closure, residents of south San Luis Obispo county are welcome to visit other county libraries in Nipomo, Oceano, and Shell Beach.

Learn more about the closure on the Arroyo Grande Library’s website.

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