How local businesses are navigating Prime Day, encourage buying local

KESQ on July 12, 2025

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Friday is the final day of Amazon’s extended Prime Day sales event, with online shoppers flocking to score discounts on everything from electronics to home goods. Nationally, Prime Day spending is expected to top $23 billion.

But not everyone is buying into the hype.

Local businesses say the growing dominance of e-commerce, especially during major sale events like Prime Day, is creating serious challenges, including lower sales.

“It’s slow for everybody… It’s not only the weather, it’s Amazon and all that it’s hard for small businesses.”

Maria, local small business employee

But local shoppers say you just can’t beat shopping in person.

“Online is easier but it’s nice to support them because these people have families and they live here and I just feel like it’s a personal type thing where you can help them out… Just now I asked her which looks best on me and I guess the advice and support from the person who works there you don’t get that online. You just have to get the size and hope it fits. This I can try on and I can make sure it fits good and she can tell me whether it looks good or not.”

Janae, Palm Springs resident

Some businesses are even making a push of their own, reminding residents that some of the best deals, and biggest impacts, are still found close to home.

“My main focus because we’re under $10 clothing shop, is to keep my merchandise better and better. Sale is always there, but I try to keep my quality… I think the best thing is start showing our stuff online too. What kind of merchandise we carry. That helps maybe more businesses.”

Azmatqazi, L.A.’s Fashion owner

Owners who see an opportunity to reconnect with consumers eager to shop.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in deadly robbery at Cabazon outlet mall

KESQ on July 12, 2025

Jesus Reyes

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect in the shooting death of a 66-year-old man at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Elijah Ray Burt, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 5.

Burt was arrested along with his twin brother, Emanuel Rick Burt, and a third suspect, Reginald Charles Trice, for the slaying of Michael Moser of Palm Springs in March 2022.

Michael Moser is pictured far left

Emanuel Burt, 22, was convicted in November of robbery charges. He was sentenced to 72 months in state prison, according to court records.

Trice, 21, is currently on trial on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. His trial will continue on Monday, court records show.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Ramirez alleged Trice confronted Moser shortly before 7 p.m. on March 24, 2022, in the 48600 block of Seminole Drive, though the specific location within the mall wasn’t provided.

Ramirez said Moser was shot at least once, prompting calls to 911, after which deputies and paramedics converged on the location. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was no sign of the defendants when deputies reached the mall. However, Ramirez said over the ensuing weeks, detectives developed leads pointing to Trice as one of the alleged assailants. A warrant was obtained and served at his residence in the 15500 block of Morada Road on April 21, 2022, according to the sheriff’s spokesman.   

The defendant was taken into custody without incident.

The brothers were identified and named in the criminal complaint after Trice’s arrest.

They were tracked down and taken into custody in Las Vegas at the end of April 2022. A month later, they were returned to Riverside County.   

None of the men had documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Sign of the times: Bend’s family-owned M.C. Smith Signs marks a half-century in business

KTVZ on July 12, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — M.C. Smith Signs, a trusted name in custom signage and branding solutions, proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Since opening its doors in 1975, the company has grown from a small local sign shop into a respected leader known for creativity, craftsmanship and customer dedication. 

For five decades, M.C. Smith Signs has helped businesses of all sizes across Central Oregon make their mark through expertly designed and fabricated signage. From storefront signs and wayfinding systems to large-scale branding installations, the company has continuously adapted to new technologies while staying true to the values that have fueled its success: quality, service, and integrity. 

“This milestone is not just about looking back – it’s about honoring the relationships, community, and innovation that have brought us here,” said Chis Linderman, owner of M.C. Smith Signs. 

“We’re grateful to our clients, employees, and partners who have supported us through every chapter. As we look to the future, we’re more committed than ever to delivering signage that inspires and endures.” 

About M.C. Smith Signs 

Founded in 1975, M.C. Smith Signs is a full-service signage company specializing in custom design, fabrication, and installation. Serving a diverse client base across commercial, institutional and municipal sectors, the company combines modern technology with a commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.  

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Oregon Department of Forestry says they’re ‘anticipating the fire season to pick up’ amid red flag warnings

KTVZ on July 12, 2025

Isabella Warren

(Update: Adding video, comments from ODF)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– We’re just a week into July, and already this fire season has been busy. In just 10 days, hundreds of wildland firefighters have been deployed across the state following intense lightning and dry conditions.

Officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say that, so far this season, it is similar to last year, though they have seen more vehicle-sparked fires. 

However, the early start we saw in June with the Rowena and Fairy fires is causing long-term staffing issues. KTVZ News spoke Friday with ODF on how they track lightning strikes in the area, and what they’re preparing for this August. 

“We have the multi-mission aircraft, and that aircraft will then go up and basically follow behind the storms,” said Public Affairs Officer Jessica Neujahr. “They’ll go up and start detecting fires so that we can get firefighters out to new starts as early as possible.”

She said, however, later fires in August could put a strain on staffing: “It kind of puts a bit more of a strain on those resources. So we are anticipating the fire season to pick up even more. And we’re preparing for that.”

In August of 2024, nearly 13,000 wildland firefighters were on the ground in Oregon, battling the mega-fires burning in the east. Because this year’s season started early, officials have already dipped into the state wildfire funding. Governor Tina Kotek had recommended dipping into the state’s rainy day fund to help, as last year’s season cost the state $350 million.

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Pinkel sues to keep license; allegedly refused breath test in DWI stop

KMIZ on July 12, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel has filed a lawsuit to keep his driver’s license.

Pinkel’s lawyer – Bogdan Susan — on Wednesday filed a petition in Camden County asking the court to not suspend the former coach’s license after he allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer test

A Missouri State Highway Patrol report on Tuesday showed that Pinkel was arrested at 11:46 p.m. Monday in Camden County on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The report said that he was brought to the Camden County jail and was released. Criminal charges have not yet appeared on Casenet.

The petition alleges that Pinkel was “not legally arrested or stopped” and that the trooper did “not have reasonable grounds to believe that Petitioner was driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated” and that Pinkel refused the test under Missouri’s Implied Consent law.

Another motion indicates that Pinkel could lose his license on July 23, if the order for stay is not granted.

A summons was issued for the Department of Revenue on Friday and a hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Camden County Courthouse.

Pinkel, 73, served as MU’s head coach from 2001-15. Pinkel previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI in 2011 in Boone County. He was sentenced to two years of probation and completed the sentence.

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Traffic Alert: Overnight work on Indian Canyon tonight from 8PM to 5AM

KESQ on July 12, 2025

Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) – Construction crews will be working on Indian Canyon Drive between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue in North Palm Springs from 8:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, officials said.

Drivers are advised to watch out for traffic control as crews will be striping the road.

To ensure the safety of construction crews, the speed limit along Indian Canyon Drive will be reduced to 35 mph while our team is hard at work.

Residents can find key information on the Indian Canyon Drive Widening project, the latest updates, and frequently asked questions at www.indiancanyonproject.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Indian Canyon Drive widening, please contact our hotline at 760-203-5224. For more direct assistance, contact construction manager Andrew Beebe at andrew.beebe@weareharris.com or call 949-396-4735. 

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Report: 171 Missouri veterans died by suicide in 2022

KMIZ on July 11, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Veterans Commission’s veterans suicide prevention report that was published this week shows 171 veterans in the state died by suicide in 2022.

The report shows that 42.6 of every 100,000 Missouri veterans died by suicide, higher than the national average of 34.7 of every 100,000.

Guns made up roughly three-quarters of veteran deaths in the state, while it made up two-thirds of the state’s overall suicides and 55% of the nationally reported number. Veteran deaths made up 14.5% of the state’s 1,179 reported suicides for that year.

Date from the report shows that the central region of the state reported 22 deaths by suicide for the year. The St. Louis metro area had the most with 52, while the southwestern portion had 39 and the Kansas City metro area had 36.

The prevention program aims to decrease the number of veteran suicides, the report says. The report claims that roadblocks include the ongoing stigma of mental health struggles and help-seeking for veterans. The report also says that access to mental health services is difficult for veterans.

“Barriers such as transportation shortfalls and a lack of awareness of available resources are limiting factors for Veterans seeking mental health support,” the report says.

Those needing immediate attention can call the national suicide hotline at 988.

veterans-suicide-prevention-report-2025Download

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Developing Story: US-20 Crash, 5 taken to a local hospital

KIFI on July 11, 2025

News Team

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State Police is currently responding to a single-vehicle rollover crash on US-20 near Exit 313. Witness video from the scene reportedly shows an overturned Road Ranger RV, which was being towed by a red SUV.

According to ISP, the SUV was occupied by two adults and three children, all of whom have been transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

No details have been released at this time regarding the cause of the crash. The northbound left lane of US-20 is currently blocked, per Idaho 511.

This is a developing story, and Local News 8 will provide updates as more details become available.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department is reporting a crash on US-20 near 105th N. in Idaho Falls. The left lane is currently blocked, according to Idaho 511.

The Idaho Transportation Department is directing drivers to consider an alternative route, expect delays, and use caution.

No details have been released at this time regarding potential injuries or the cause of the crash.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will update with more details as they become available.

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Shuttered La Quinta sports bar receives suspension for supplying alcohol to minors

KESQ on July 11, 2025

Haley Meberg

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ)– The Beer Hunter Sports Bar & Grill in La Quinta loses liquor license after employees served alcohol to two minors resulting in great bodily injuries. 

According to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in January 2024, two bartenders were said to have supplied two minors with alcoholic beverages at The Beer Hunter Sports Bar & Grill without conducting proper ID checks leaving the two underaged individuals exiting the property clearly intoxicated. 

After leaving the property one of the minors backed their vehicle into a parked car, exited the vehicle and entered the roadway where they were struck by an oncoming car, causing major bodily injuries. 

Following the incident the ABC conducted an investigation where it was determined the La Quinta sports bar employees furnished the alcohol to the minors leading to the injuries.

“Keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors is one of our top priorities,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “We’re reminding businesses and their employees to check IDs carefully and do their part to keep Californians safe.”

The ABC sought disciplinary action against the bar for supplying alcoholic beverages to minors, service of alcohol to someone that was clearly intoxicated and other business-related violations resulting in the suspension of their alcohol license.

The Beer Hunter Sports Bar & Grill had closed its door September 2024 due to alleged lease issues. 

Even though the bar had been closed prior to a conclusion the ABC reported they still continued on with the investigation that had been in place. 

We asked an ABC official what this license suspension will mean for the property in which they responded, “Under the agreement with the licensee, the license is revoked, with the revocation stayed for the next 180 days to allow for transfer of the license. In addition, the license is suspended indefinitely until it is transferred.” 

No further information about the future of this bar has been released. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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UCSB student in recovery after critical injuries from cliff fall

KEYT on July 11, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Luke Ogburn, a 2nd-year USCB biology major, is on the road to recovery following a fall from the Isla Vista bluffs on June 13.

Ogburn suffered a fractured pelvis and clavicle, two collapsed lungs, swelling under his skin, a broken rib, multiple facial and orbital fractures and deep cuts across his head and body after falling.

Ogburn survived the fall but still requires serious medical care in the aftermath of the incident, according to a Facebook post from his employer, the IV Bagel Cafe.

Ogburn marks the first cliff fall of 2025 after Your News Channel covered one of them in 2024 and another in 2023.

At least 14 students have died since the mid-1990s after falls from the Isla Vista Bluffs, as mentioned in a 2023 article from Your News Channel, thanks to the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees President Jonathan Abboud.

The IV Bagel Cafe donated 50% of their sales on July 9, though Ogburn’s fundraiser goals remain unmet, according to the Daily Nexus.

The Facebook post also mentioned a fundraiser for Ogburn’s medical expenses, which you can donate to at this link.

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