Flash Flood Watch issued for Wapiti burn area in Custer County

KIFI on July 4, 2025

Seth Ratliff

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) — Custer County Emergency Management has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Wapiti burn area, effective until 9:00 PM MDT on Friday, July 4th. Residents in and around the burn scar should be particularly vigilant, as the most severe weather is anticipated between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM MDT today.

“Stay aware and be very cautious of your surroundings. Watch out for flash flooding and debris flowing,” warned Custer County Emergency Management in a recent Facebook post.

The Wapiti fire, which burned from July 24 to September of 2024, consumed thousands of acres in the area near Stanley and throughout surrounding Custer County. According to the National Weather Service, burn scars are highly susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows due to the loss of vegetation, which normally helps to absorb rainfall and stabilize the soil. Even moderate rainfall can trigger dangerous conditions.

For more information or to contact the Custer County Office of Emergency Management, please click HERE.

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Salute to America attendees brave heat during fest

KMIZ on July 4, 2025

Keriana Gamboa

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The annual Salute to America festival was held Friday around the Capitol in Jefferson City and included areas set up to help attendees beat the heat.

A cooling station and a reusable water bottle refill station were available, as was a Jefferson City bus with cool air and water.

Cole County Emergency Medical Services worked alongside Jefferson City police and fire departments during the event to respond quickly to anyone who may have become ill due to the extreme heat.

“As the sun’s out this time of year, you can’t stress enough to hydrate before you come out. Obviously, if you get too hot,  we’ve got a response vehicle set up that we can come grab you,  get you to the cooling center, get you cooled off, and if necessary,  treat you and get you to the hospital,” Cole County Medical Services Capt. Mike Shirts said.

Officials advised anyone who attended the event to come prepared for the high temperatures by staying hydrated, wearing light clothing and taking frequent breaks to cool down.

At least one person suffered a heat-related illness, which resulted in an EMS response. EMS officials at the scene told ABC 17 News that they were expecting more throughout the rest of the day.

Attendees told ABC 17 News they used a variety of methods to stay cool during the Independence Day festivities.

“Yeah, using hats, anything.  I’ve got light clothing on to stay cool. There’s a nice breeze here. It’s coming through. And so, yeah, we’re. We’re doing great,” attendee Ted Web said.

Festivities kicked off at 2 p.m., with the parade beginning two hours later. Several streets were closed as of Thursday, including roads surrounding the Capitol grounds, the 200 block of Broadway and the 100 blocks of East High Street.

Those streets will back open again by 2 a.m. Saturday morning.

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Palm Springs set to host Fourth of July pool party, concert in the park celebrations

KESQ on July 4, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s the Fourth of July and Palm Springs is ready to welcome nearly 10,000 people between its three events. The Department of Parks and Recreation has planned a weekend full of fun festivities for all residents and visitors.

All city organizers are urging people to attend fireworks shows Friday night rather than sparking their own at home. Fireworks illegal in California without a “safe and sane” seal from the Office of State Fire Marshalls or a permit.

The Palm Springs Department of Parks and Recreation has made sure community members have fun filled and safe activities throughout Friday. If people don’t want to wait until nighttime to start the Fourth of July celebrations, they can head to the Palm Springs Swim Center for an “All American Pool Party.”

The swim center will have inflatable slides, food, games and more for all residents and visitors. They can even stay in the pool all night and watch the fireworks show, starting at 9:15 p.m. until 10 p.m.

If people want to take a break from the pool or come later in the evening, Parks and Recreation is holding a concert in the park at 7 p.m. with live music by Hard Days Work. The Sunrise Park event will see the same fireworks show as the pool party.

Both events within the park are free for entry, and parking will be open for every lot except the lot in front of the Palm Springs Pavilion at the front of the swim center and skate park. Pool capacity is limited to 500 people, so organizers suggest getting there early for space.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is also overseeing the Power Baseball game, while tickets are not free, organizers say the field will be a great place to view the fireworks.

If you want more information on the Palm Springs event go to https://engagepalmsprings.com/fourthofjuly and for other events in the Coachella Valley go to kesq.com

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from organizers of what you need to know before heading to the Palm Springs Swim Center or Sunrise Park.

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Pocatello Fire Department Warns: A drone in the sky will ground all firefighting aircraft

KIFI on July 4, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Pocatello Fire Department:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello Fire Department wants to let the public know about the significant dangers and operational impacts of unauthorized drone flights over active wildfires.

When an unauthorized drone enters the airspace of an active wildfire, all aerial firefighting operations are immediately grounded. This includes air tankers and helicopters vital to slowing the fire’s spread and supporting ground crews. These protocols are enforced to protect pilots who already operate in challenging, low-visibility conditions.

The grounding of air support due to drone interference has direct and significant impacts on our ability to control and suppress wildfires:

Loss of Critical Time: Wildfires spread rapidly. Every minute that air operations are halted is a minute the fire can grow unchecked, potentially expanding to threaten more homes, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Reduced Effectiveness: Air tankers deliver thousands of gallons of retardant to create firebreaks and cool hot spots. Grounding these assets significantly reduces the effectiveness in containing a wildfire.

Increased Danger to Ground Crews: Without aerial support to knock down the intensity of the fire or cut off its advance, ground crews face increased risks and more challenging conditions, putting their lives on the line.

Flying a drone near a wildfire violates Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and may result in civil fines and criminal charges. Before flying, always check for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and follow all FAA regulations. We urge everyone to give firefighters the space they need, both on the ground and in the air, to do their work safely and efficiently. For more information, visit faa.gov/uas.

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Behind the scenes of preparation and safety measures in place for Fourth of July fireworks

News-Press NOW on July 4, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The City of St. Joseph is preparing for its annual fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

The city will be setting up and preparing for the town’s festivities throughout the day. To safely set up the pyrotechnics, part of North Point Drive will be blocked off.

The city will have safety officials from the fire department in the event of a fire breaking out, along with members of the police and parks department to assist with crowd control.

“The city’s had different departments involved already, (along with the) County, of course,” park director Jeff Adkins said. “They’ve given their approval for the shooting site. They will be on site during the fireworks show, just in case there is any problems with the fireworks themselves or to help with crowd control.”

The fireworks show will start sometime around 9:45 p.m. at North Point Drive

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Soles for Christ shoe program accepting donations, volunteers

News-Press NOW on July 4, 2025

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Soles for Christ has announced it is accepting donations and volunteers for its annual distribution.

Soles for Christ is asking for new shoe donations for school-aged children to be dropped off at 1203 N. Sixth St.

The deadline for drop-offs is Thursday, Aug. 7.

Volunteers are also needed for four days in August to help with the program’s set up, takedown, and distribution days- set for Monday, Aug. 11, and Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Scottish Rite Temple, located at 515 N. Sixth St.

Those days include:

1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, for set up

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, for Distribution Day one (which includes building and line monitoring; sock distribution; registering families via laptop/paper; sizing and fitting children for shoes; shoe room attendants; runners)

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for Distribution Day two (which includes building and line monitoring; sock distribution; registering families via laptop/paper; sizing and fitting children for shoes; shoe room attendants; runners)

1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, for tear down

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old for distribution days, and are welcome to sign up for as many days or shifts as they would like.

T-shirts are also available for purchase for $20 to $24 and may be picked up from the AFL-CIO starting Tuesday, Aug. 5. The last day to order is Monday, July 21.

The local event, put together by the AFL-CIO, provides a new pair of shoes for school-aged children ahead of the school year.

The goal of the program is to boost self-esteem and enthusiasm in kids entering preschool (ages four and up) through 12th grade.

The program serves children attending public, parochial and homeschooled children in Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton and DeKalb counties in Missouri, and Doniphan County in Kansas.

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Highway 85/87 reopens Friday after overnight closure for deadly shooting investigation

KRDO on July 4, 2025

Sadie Buggle

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The 4th of July holiday is off to a violent start after authorities confirmed the discovery of two people shot to death during an apparent robbery.

Highway 85/87 between Main Street and the South Academy Boulevard interchange reopened just before 7:30 a.m. Friday; it had been closed since deputies arrived at the scene just before 11 p.m. Thursday.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) said that it received a call reporting a robbery on the highway,

When deputies arrived at the intersection, they found two people dead with apparent gunshot wounds.

The EPSO hasn’t released information about a suspect yet, but says it has identified Eddie Lacharles Jackson, 23, as a person of interest they’re seeking.

No arrests have been made yet.

Most of the investigative activity was focused on a car at the north end of the highway closure; the Metro Crime Lab and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office were at the scene, as well.

This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.

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Columbia man arrested for alleged arson

KMIZ on July 4, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly tried to set a house on fire in June.

Columbia police said in a news release that Brandon Butchkoski, 47, was arrested in connection with a fire on June 29.

Police said officers responded to the 1500 block of Paris Road to assist firefighters. Investigators learned Butchkoski allegedly tried to set a single-story house on fire. Minor property damage was reported.

Online jail records state Butchkoski was booked into the Boone County Jail around 4:49 a.m. on Friday for one count of first-degree arson and possession of controlled substance.

Formal charges have not been filed as of Friday morning. Missouri courts were closed Friday for Independence Day.

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Greater Idaho Falls 4th of July Parade kicks off

KIFI on July 4, 2025

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade kicks off at 9 AM, marking the 249th birthday of the United States of America. The parade will start near Idaho Falls High School, continue down 4th Street, and make its way south on Boulevard to Tautphaus Park.

Local New 8’s Livestream of the pareade is recorded above.

For information on road closures and safety guidelines, click HERE.

The City of Idaho Falls will once again be teaming up with the Community Food Basket in the 4th of July parade this year. Mayor Rebecca Casper, members of the city council, and volunteers will be collecting donations along the parade route tomorrow.

They are asking for monetary donations this year, in place of canned food donations. The team will accept cash and digital contributions through Venmo. For more information, click HERE.

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Forward progress stopped on Sabe Fire in San Benito County

KION on July 4, 2025

Victor Guzman

TRES PINOS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Cal Fire says Firefighters were able to stop the forward progress on the Sabe Fire burning near Tres Pinos early Friday morning.

Cal Fire says the fire is holding at around 25 acres, with crews staying on scene to strengthen containment lines to make sure all hot spots are extinguished.

The fire was initially reported around 4:30 a.m. near Quien Sabe and Santa Ana Valley roads.

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