City of El Centro announces temporary road closure of Imperial Avenue & Barbara Worth Drive intersection

KYMA on July 9, 2025

Abraham Retana

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of El Centro has announced the intersection of Imperial Avenue and Barbara Worth Drive will be temporary closed this week.

According to the City, the closure is to “accommodate construction work related” to their Active Transportation Program Improvements Project.

The closure will start Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. and will go until Thursday at 6:00 a.m. It will be temporary closed again on Thursday from 9:00 p.m. until Friday at 6:00 a.m.

The City is asking drivers to “seek alternate routes and follow all posted signage in the area.”

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Goleta Library’s Temporary Site Opens During its Remodel

KEYT on July 9, 2025

John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. – There is a now a new temporary home for the Goleta Library.

It is located at 6500 Hollister Ave., just across from Goleta City Hall.   

The main Library on Fairview Ave. was closed on April 1st to begin improvements, and will remained closed for the next 18-24 months for remodel.

This temporary library is smaller and has quickly been called “tiny but mighty!” It’s also referred to as the Goleta Library Express.

The staff welcomes the public for quick visits, as they can room can only hold 35 people at a time.

20,000 books are part of this move and more can be brought in as requested by library patrons.

Goleta Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo said, “we look at the most popular authors. New York Times bestseller lists, book club lists. So we try to really match what we have with what our patrons are looking for. “

Shelves from the main library were used where they could be set up efficiently. “And we definitely prioritize bringing as many physical materials as we could. And so looking at how many books we fit on a shelf and then looking at our collection and then pulling what titles to pack from there,” said Saucedo.

Getting a book order filled Mark Preston said, “I like books. This is the closest place to get to them, the easiest way to get to it. So for me where I live this is easier.” He enjoys the service to have a book put on hold.

There is also a special area for kids to pick up books, or if they are part of a summer reading program, they can get their prizes. “It’s a reading incentive program where you can earn prizes at different milestones of how many books or how many minutes you read. It just really helps to prevent summer slide and the learning loss in between school years,” said Salcedo.

Specially marked parking spaces are in the parking lot nearby for those coming to the library.

There will also be outreach programs for reading and library related activities in area parks. The library van is on the move regularly with books and services that are provided in neighborhoods and it has a regular spot in Isla Vista. The IV community does not have its own library.

It will be open six days a week:

Tuesday through Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Closed Monday

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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The man behind K.C. Wolf: Dan Meers’ impact goes beyond game day

News-Press NOW on July 9, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — For the past 35 years, Dan Meers has brought joy and laughter to countless fans as he donned the mask of K.C. Wolf.

His flashy hip dancing, paired with a wide variety of antics to distract opponents in games, is what made him an iconic fixture for Chiefs Kingdom on gameday.

His decision to pass the Wolf mantle down by transitioning to a part-time mascot was influenced by his drive to be a full-time grandfather.

“It’s funny, when I started this job, I was a single guy,” Meers said. “Then I met my wife, got married, we had three kids and now I’m having grandkids. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I’ve had a whole lot of fun. My grandkids will see all the pictures that I’ve got hanging on the wall, the bobbleheads and great stories I’ll be able to tell for years to come.” 

His work as K.C. Wolf has led him to participate in over 10,000 events that span across 38 states and 12 countries.

However, Meers has always prioritized using his platform with the Kansas City Chiefs as a way to give back through events such as school visits, charity work, keynote speeches and even walking people down the aisle.

“The thing that I love about Dan and the job he’s done since the 1990s to now, for 35 years, no one really knew who he is,” former NFL coach and current NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Tony Dungy said. “He’s not doing it for attention. Nobody says, ‘Oh that’s Dan Meers. ‘”

Dungy gives Meers credit for staying humble during his tenure.

“It’s K.C. Wolf, that’s his character. He’s representing the (whole) Chiefs organization and Kansas City. And he’s getting no credit for it. But that’s Dan all the way. That’s who he is. He does nothing but bring joy to people’s lives.”

While he will be transitioning to part-time Wolf Meers still aims to be a part of the community with the platform he has with Chiefs.

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Holts Summit police partner with Homeland Security for immigration arrests

KMIZ on July 9, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Holts Summit police said Wednesday that they partnered with Homeland Security agents to make four immigration arrests this week.

The arrests happened Tuesday, according to a Holts Summit Police Department news release. The operation was in cooperation with the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security.

The four people were arrested by federal law enforcement “due to their immigration status and/or potential involvement in matters that remain under active investigation,” according to the release. Police gave no other details about the arrests, including names and specific allegations.

They were taken into federal custody but it was not clear Wednesday where the detainees were being held.

Holts Summit city administrator Brandon Ruediger referred questions to federal officials.

Federal officials did not provide information about the arrests in response to an email inquiry.

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Trump administration sues California over trans athletes in girls’ sports

KESQ on July 9, 2025

City News Service

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KESQ) – The U.S. Department of Justice today sued the state of California, warning that by allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females in high-school sports, the state was putting billions of dollars in federal educational funding at risk in continuing a practice the Trump administration contends is discriminatory, demeaning and violates civil rights law.

According to the complaint, filed in federal court in Santa Ana, California’s policies and practices “ignore undeniable biological differences between boys and girls, in favor of an amorphous `gender identity.’ The results of these illegal policies are stark: girls are displaced from podiums, denied awards, and miss out on critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition.”  

The suit accuses the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation of engaging in illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them. The DOJ alleges the state’s policies deprive girls of the equal education and athletic opportunities afforded to them by federal law’s Title IX prohibition against sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funding.

“California is on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of history,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a statement. “Women deserve dignity, respect, and an equal opportunity to compete on their own sports teams. The time for talk is over. California must comply with Title IX and end its civil rights violations against women. No person, no state, is above the law.”  

California officials deny the state’s policy is breaking the law. Earlier this week, the state refused demands by the Trump administration to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s school athletic teams. State officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit says that the U.S. Department of Education’s allocation of funds to California for the current year totals nearly $44.3 billion, of which about $3.8 billion remains available for use by the state’s education department.   

In June, President Donald Trump threatened California with possible fines and loss of federal education funds for allowing a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School to compete in a state track and field meet.   

“The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is `deeply unfair’ to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “But not only is it `deeply unfair,’ it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.”  

The DOJ contends that allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females “is not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys.”   

The federal government alleges that such competition “erodes the integrity of girls’ sports, diminishes their competitive experience, and undermines the very purpose of Title IX: to provide equal access to educational benefits, including interscholastic athletics.” Despite warnings from the U.S. Department of Education, the CDE and CIF “continue to require California schools to allow boys to compete against girls,” the complaint states.   

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon posted on X that “California won’t get away with allowing males to take girls’ athletic opportunities away.”

CDE has authority over CIF and local school districts’ interscholastic athletic policies, and CIF oversees 1.8 million students and over 750,000 student-athletes in grades 9 through 12, the lawsuit noted.

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Valley cities protecting the homeless from extreme heat, voting on additional funding for services

KESQ on July 9, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – City officials in Palm Springs and Cathedral City are set to vote on approving additional funds for homeless services Wednesday night.

The three-year agreements with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, or CVAG, will be handled by CVAG’s “CV Housing First” program. The program has been running since 2017.

Palm Springs will vote on approving $390,200 for the agreement, while Cathedral City will vote on approving $125,000 per year over three years, totaling $375,000.

City officials and homeless shelters are highlighting the importance of these services, especially when it comes to keeping people safe from extreme heat.

Data from Riverside County from this year shows 187 heat-related emergency department visits in the Coachella Valley so far. Data for heat-related deaths in 2025 is not yet available. The Coachella Valley’s unsheltered population is a group vulnerable to heat-related illness.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest.

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Highway 111 project in La Quinta underway, what you need to know

KESQ on July 9, 2025

Luis Avila

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Work on the Highway 111 Pavement Rehab Improvement Project is underway, and the impacts are already being felt by commuters and surrounding businesses.

A vital, two-mile artery, thousands of commuters use highway 111 in La Quinta. Some say the once-smooth stretch of road has become a bumpy one, with potholes, uneven asphalt, and cracks. Drivers say improvements have been long overdue.

“Coming back to the area, a little shocked, disappointed. I remember the roads like 111 being a little bit smoother to drive on.”

Martha Black, La Quinta resident

“I’m actually glad to see some of those being repaired. I see that’s why a lot of the streets are being repaired. I’m excited about that.”

Michael Lacey, Indio resident

After months of delays, construction is taking place between west of Washington St to Jefferson St.

Work includes:

Pothole repairs

Repaving

Medium repairs

Landscaping improvements

This is welcoming news even for surrounding business owners. But with roads in the area impacted, this is bringing separate challenges.

“It does not help our business because we are already struggling with the heat so people not being able to come into our parking lot affects us as well.”

Heidi McArthur, Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

Business owners are doing what they can to offset some of the impacts.

“We’re trying to reward local people for shopping here, encouraging people to shop local as much a possible. Being cognizant of the construction going on and how it may be impacting local businesses and trying to shop there.”

Heidi McArthur, Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

At least one lane may be closed in each direction during construction, so drivers can expect traffic delays.

The project, which costs $7 million, is expected to run from June 23, 2025 to October 2025.

For more information, click here.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Burley man charged with four counts of first-degree murder in Idaho homicides

KIFI on July 9, 2025

Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) — 56-year-old Benjamin Roy Naylor of Burley is now in custody, facing four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of four individuals across Cassia and Minidoka Counties. His arrest on July 8, 2025, followed a rapid, multi-agency investigation that unfolded over several hours.

The investigation began Tuesday afternoon when officers, responding to a 911 call in Rupert, found the body of a woman inside a home. She was described as “cold to the touch,” according to a press release by the Cassia and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Offices. Within hours, two more victims were located in Cassia County, and the fourth victim was later found in a vehicle in Minidoka County.

Naylor was apprehended on July 8, 2025, during a traffic stop conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Idaho State Police. The arrest followed a coordinated investigation among the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, and Rupert Police Department.

“This arrest represents the collaborative effort of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to ensure public safety,” stated Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney McCord Larsen. “We are grateful for the swift response and professional work of all officers involved.”

Naylor appeared in court today and has been ordered held without bond. A state public defender has been appointed to represent him in both counties. Preliminary hearings have been set: for Cassia County on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM, and for Minidoka County on July 23, 2025, at 1:30 PM.

Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Stevenson emphasized the commitment of both offices to pursuing justice. “Our offices are committed to working together to seek justice for the victims and their families,” he said. “This partnership ensures that we can provide the resources and expertise necessary to handle a case of this magnitude.”

In a press release, both prosecutors urged the public to allow the legal process to proceed without interference. We ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about this case,” Larsen cautioned. “Such speculation can harm the investigation and potentially impact the defendant’s right to a fair trial.”

The extensive investigation involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Rupert Police Department, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Heyburn Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho State Police.

UPDATE:

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) — A 56-year-old Burley man, Ben Naylor, has been taken into custody in connection with the murders of four people in Cassia and Minidoka Counties, according to a press release from Cassia and Minidoka Counties. Naylor was arrested last night, July 8, as part of a joint investigation between the Cassia and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Heyburn and Rupert Police Departments.

The investigation began Tuesday afternoon, when officers responding to a 911 call discovered the body of a woman inside a Rupert home, “cold to the touch.” Within hours, two additional victims were discovered in Cassia County, and a fourth victim was later found in a vehicle in Minidoka County.

Idaho State Police and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Naylor Tuesday night.

Authorities believe Naylor acted alone and have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. In a press release, officials acknowledged the significant public interest in the case but urged patience to preserve the integrity of future judicial proceedings. They committed to providing more information as it becomes available.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the victim’s families during this profoundly difficult time,” stated the release.

ORIGINAL:

MINIDOKA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Law enforcement officials in Minidoka County have apprehended a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of a Rupert woman on July 8.

Emergency services were dispatched to 1024 F Street after receiving a report of a woman found unresponsive and “cold to the touch.” Upon arrival, emergency personnel quickly determined the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were suspicious. Rupert Police Chief Jeff McEwen stated in a Facebook post that investigators were immediately called to the scene and are actively “conducting an investigation into the circumstances that were discovered.”

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a similar case, and Chief McEwen confirmed that Rupert Police Department officers are actively collaborating with Cassia County detectives.

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office with the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office confirmed via Facebook that a suspect has been taken into custody. The Rupert Police Department later confirmed that a suspect is in custody in their investigation. While it remains unconfirmed if the suspect is the same individual for both agencies, Chief McEwen’s statement could indicate a joint investigation between the departments.

Chief McEwen announced that additional information regarding the investigation will be released later on Wednesday.

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‘It’s a great tool’: Local emergency officials react to Watch Duty app’s growing role in monitoring wildfires

KTVZ on July 9, 2025

Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding video, details, comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildfire season intensifies, many Central Oregonians are turning to the Watch Duty smartphone app or website to stay informed. Since its launch in 2021, the app has become a widely used source for fire information around the region.

Watch Duty co-founder Dave Merritt told KTVZ News on Wednesday that the app was created in California and now reaches millions of users across several states.

“We started in the communities that we knew and knew needed it the most, in Sonoma, Napa, and Lake County,” Merritt said. “At the end of that first year, we realized that, you know, we had like 100,000 people that had downloaded the app, and people really, really liked it.”

The app is run by active and retired firefighters, dispatchers and first responders who monitor radio scanners and official sources, collaborating 24/7 to deliver information quickly.

Merritt said Watch Duty saw a major spike in downloads during the January wildfires in Los Angeles.

Deschutes County officials say Watch Duty has become a helpful tool over the years, but they still encourage residents to sign up for official emergency alert systems.

“A lot of people use it. It’s a great tool. But we do also ask that people look at official sites as well,” said Nathan Garibay, emergency manager for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Garibay said the Watch Duty team has been open to local feedback and has made efforts to align their alerts with Deschutes County’s communication practices.

“They seem receptive to that feedback and have made adjustments to get information out in a format that is consistent with our practices,” Garibay added.

Garibay noted that not every fire poses a major threat, and that’s why the county is selective with its emergency alerts.

“We don’t want people to get fatigued around getting those alerts,” he said. “But we want them to be aware of what’s going on and where the risk is, and that when an incident occurs that is potentially threatening to them, they get the right information in a timely fashion.”

In addition to wildfire notifications, Deschutes County Alerts also sends warnings for severe weather, neighborhood emergencies, and missing persons.

As Watch Duty continues to grow, both its co-founder and local emergency officials agree it’s not about picking just one source. They say staying informed means relying on multiple, trusted channels.

“We should be viewed as supplementary to official sources, you know – especially around wildfire,” Merritt said.

Watch Duty currently focuses on wildfires, but the team hopes to expand to other natural disasters in the future.

“So what happens if there’s a flood? What happens if there’s a tornado? What happens if there’s a tsunami?” Merritt said. “You know, we don’t necessarily know how we’ll fit into those different ecosystems and challenges, but we want to try to provide good, free services to the public to help them when an emergency strikes.”

Watch Duty is available on the App Store, Google Play and on your web browser. 

You can sign up for Deschutes County alerts here. If you join, you’ll receive phone calls, an email or text messages about emergency evacuations, natural disasters and neighborhood emergencies. 

Jefferson County and Crook County also have alert services.

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Jackson water well back online, residents can irrigate lawns

KIFI on July 9, 2025

Curtis Jackson

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) – Jackson residents can once again water their lawns now the a well has been repaired.

On Friday, July 4, the Town of Jackson asked people to pause or reduce their irrigation when one of the wells on the west side experienced issues. City crews had to wait for parts to get the well running again.

Public works staff said reducing irrigation would be a simple solution to the demand on the system.

They said they are working on increasing water capacity and storage in West Jackson by constructing two new wells and piping along High School Road to address increasing demand.

On Wednesday, July 9, the city said the well is back online. “The community’s participation resulted in a 40% reduction in water use,” they said in a news release.

The town also suggested the following in conserving water, as water is not a endless resource. : •    Raise mowing blades to 3-4 inches to improve water retention •    Consider watering 4 days a week or only on odd or even days  •    Change to weather-based irrigation systems with sensors •    Plant native plants that require less watering •    Don’t water on rainy days   

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