Jefferson City man accused of throwing 2 teens off hood of SUV

KMIZ on July 3, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 43-year-old Jefferson City man was charged with six felonies after he allegedly drove his SUV erratically to throw two 13-year-olds off of it.

Seth Wilson was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He is being held at the Cole County Jail on a $25,000 bond. An arraignment was held on Wednesday.

One of the victims allegedly sat on the hood of the vehicle Monday in the 1300 block of Monroe Street because “his cellphone was on it and he received a missed call from his father,” the probable cause statement says. That teenager sat on the vehicle while returning the call and the other sat with them, according to court documents.  

Wilson allegedly then got into the vehicle and drove it with the youths on it, the statement says. He then allegedly made hard stops to get them to fall off, which they eventually did after he drove around the block a few times, the statement says. Witnesses reported seeing at least one of the youths fall off the SUV, and the second had a limp, court documents say.

The probable cause statement says that the two victims claimed Wilson tried to convince them to get into his vehicle after they fell off.

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American Reproductive Centers share plans to reopen, rebuild in a year

KESQ on July 3, 2025

Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The American Reproductive Centers, the fertility clinic targeted in the Palm Springs terrorist attack, are now demolishing their old office and preparing for a new beginning.

Dr. Maher Abdallah, the clinic’s founder and chief doctor, says the rebuild will cost $17 million, not including the cost of new equipment.

While they did receive some insurance coverage, Dr. Abdallah says it’s only a fraction of that cost.

It’s why the $500,000 secured by Assemblyman Greg Wallis from the California state budget, comes at a perfect time.

“It’s a major change because we’re so used to lots of space in our buildings. Our own surgery center, IVF lab, andrology lab. It’s a smaller operation now,”

Dr. Abdallah says the clinic is quickly outgrowing it’s temporary home, across the street at the El Mirador Plaza. He estimates they’re working with a fifth of the space they’re used to, and it’s limiting their procedures.

Now, Dr. Abdallah says he’s eager to rebuild ARC, with plans to finish construction and reopen the new offices by May 2026.

“It will be the same as our last office, but it will be one building instead of two and it will have two stories. It will be better protected too. We’ll have higher walls and armed guards at all time.”

It’s a new, safer home, where he says ARC and it’s embryos will not just survive, but also thrive.

Following up on several embryos that reached blastocyst and fully developed despite the bombing, Dr. Abdallah told News Channel: “The patients that had active, embryos, they continued division. They became perfect blastocysts, and they’re genetically normal. Now we’re preparing for a surrogacy for that couple. I guarantee 99% those embryos will turn into a pregnancy.”

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Redmond officials urge fireworks caution: Leave it to the pros, or keep it legal and safe

KTVZ on July 3, 2025

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue, the City of Redmond & Redmond Police Department officials said Wednesday they are concerned about potential fireworks-related fires and personal injuries as the Fourth of July draws near.

One of the most common fireworks-related fires that Redmond Fire & Rescue crews respond to involves “spent” fireworks placed in grocery sacks that rekindle and spread to fences, decks, and even homes.

The best and safest plan is to attend a professional fireworks display and eliminate the risk altogether. Instead of lighting your own legal fireworks, view the professional show launched from the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Residents can drop off unwanted fireworks (illegal or legal) at any Redmond Fire & Rescue fire station for disposal.

If your intent is to use fireworks, keep it legal.

Oregon law bans fireworks that fly, explode, or move across the ground more than six feet or up in the air more than 12 inches. This includes popular items like bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, and M80s.

Residents should purchase all fireworks at a licensed Oregon fireworks stand. Fireworks purchased by mail order or in the state of Washington or at Native American reservations are illegal in our state.

Many firework-related fires are caused by careless use or improper disposal of legal fireworks. Even legal fireworks are dangerous and have caused injuries and burns to users, especially unsupervised children. This includes sparklers. They can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees; wood burns at 575 degrees, while glass melts at 900 degrees (National Fire Protection Association).

Redmond Fire & Rescue advises you to celebrate safely this year by following these safety tips:

• Only adults should light or handle fireworks. Supervise children at all times.• Store fireworks, matches, and lighters out of the reach of children.• Use fireworks outdoors on a paved surface, away from buildings, vehicles, and vegetation.• Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings.• Never pick up or try to re-light a “dud.”• Never alter fireworks or make your own.

• Have a hose nearby in case of fire and place “spent” fireworks in a metal bucket with water and completely soak the spent fireworks.

Under Oregon law, the Fire Marshal’s Office and law enforcement can seize illegal fireworks and issue criminal citations with fines up to $500 per violation and a sentence of up to 6 months in jail. Individuals can be held civilly liable for damages resulting from improper use of any fireworks — legal or illegal. 

Individuals using fireworks can also commit other criminal offenses, including reckless burning, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and more, which can have large fines and jail/prison time. Use of illegal fireworks within Redmond City limits may result in a fine of $1,500, repeat offenders may receive a fine up to $6,000.

Oregon law also makes parents liable for damage caused by their children and allows fire departments to charge for the cost of suppressing fires caused by fireworks. Additionally, the use of illegal fireworks constitutes criminal activity, and your insurance policy may not cover you if you engage in a criminal act that results in damage.

Please do not call 911 to report fireworks use. It is very important the 911 system be kept for reporting emergencies, active fires, and serious medical problems. Firework concerns may be reported via email to reportfireworks@redmondoregon.gov or by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at 541-693-6911.

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Boone County FPD reminds people of safe firework disposal for Fourth of July weekend

KMIZ on July 3, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

From large mortar fireworks to sparklers, the Boone County Fire Protection District is reminding people to stay aware of potential dangers when using fireworks this Fourth of July weekend.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths and 14,700 injuries in 2024. This marked an increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries. There were also around 1,700 emergency injuries last year involving sparklers.

We’ve had people with their hands blown off, fingers blown off, a lot of soft tissue injuries in the past,” BCFPD Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said.

All fireworks feature a warning and instruction label on how to properly handle them. Fireworks without the labels are most likely counterfeit and should be avoided. Fireworks can be stored in a dark, dry area. While fireworks don’t expire, they can degrade over time, affecting ignition and burn time.

The best environment for fireworks is open, flat ground away from trees and houses. Driveways and grass and slanted, should also be avoided to prevent any fireworks from tipping over. Blomenkamp adds that something flat, like a piece of plywood, can be used. Fireworks should also be kept away from dry brush.

Sparklers can also reach temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees and are recommended to be used with adult supervision, according to the CPSC. A field test on Wednesday showed a sparkler reached more than 400 degree.

The BCFPD recommends piercing an upside-down cup through the bottom of a sparkler to protect hands from the sparks.

Used fireworks and sparklers can stay hot more than 100 degrees. Let them cool for 10-15 minutes or soak them in water before throwing them out in a metal bin or trash can to prevent any fires. Never relight defective fireworks; soak them in water and throw them out safely.

“What we see a lot of times is kids will get done with these. They’ll throw them on the ground, they’ll run to get another one, and somebody else will inevitably step on it,” Blomenkamp said.

Bloomenkamp also recommends homeowners check their properties when fireworks go off nearby.

“Because you’re in a neighborhood subdivision does not mean that everything is safe and you’re exempt from starting a natural cover fire, people can have dry leaves in their gutters, they can have dry grasses or leaves around their house still,” Bloomenkamp said. “Follow the recommended instructions on the package, shoot them off that way and it could be a safe holiday.”

Cities like Columbia, Jefferson City, Fayette and Ashland have bans on fireworks within city limits or require permits to handle them, it’s recommended for people to reach out to their local fire, police or sheriff’s office for the rules before purchasing or lighting fireworks.

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Veteran’s journey to ‘Vietnam Wall’ hits roadblock over Real ID

KESQ on July 3, 2025

Shay Lawson

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ)  – Robert Leon Wendler, a Vietnam veteran, is facing trouble in his efforts to attend an Honor Flight to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or ‘Vietnam Wall’ in September.

“When I first came home from Vietnam, we weren’t welcomed home,” Wendler said. “It was a very difficult thing for most of us Vietnam vets. Because of that, there are organizations out there that make it right by honoring Vietnam veterans and taking them free of charge to the Vietnam Wall.”

But Wendler can’t fly. He said he doesn’t have a REAL ID, now required for domestic air travel under Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines that took effect May 7, 2025.

“According to the rules, I have to have a REAL ID. I cannot get a REAL ID without my birth certificate,” Wendler said. “My birth certificate is under Robert Leon Jones. I can’t even get a copy of that because I can’t prove that that’s who I was.”

Wendler said he was born in Orange, California in 1950 as Robert Leon Jones. After his mother remarried in the 1960s, he began using the last name Wendler — the name he used to enlist in the military and for nearly every document since.

He said he was never legally adopted.

“The irony is, is that they didn’t ask me for a REAL ID when they put me on an airplane and sent me to Vietnam,” Wendler said.

Now to get his original birth certificate, he said he’s been told he must legally change his name back to Jones — and then begin the process again to return to Wendler.

“It’s a very time consuming and relatively expensive process,” Wendler said.

He said he’s reached out to local congressional offices and the DMV, but said help has been limited.

Beyond the Honor Flight, Wendler said his inability to fly is affecting his job.

He is the west coast regional director at Custom Canines, a nonprofit that places service dogs with veterans, over 400 in the past 15 years.

“If somebody is in a crisis, I need to be able to get to them,” Wendler said. “Right now, the government that I served is not helping me take care of my brothers and sisters.”

According to the California DMV, those who need a REAL ID must present a certified U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport. If names don’t match, a legal name change document is required.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the DMV to find out if it can expedite a Real ID application and is waiting for a response.

Wendler said he understands there’s a process — but time is running out.

“I need to go to pay my respects,” Wendler said. “Then they fly me back home. But when you come home, there’s generally anywhere from 200 to 500 people waiting there for you to give you the welcome home that we never got.”

Wendler can be contacted directly at bob@customcanines.org

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full story at 10 and 11 p.m.

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Jefferson County Fire & EMS thanks lawmakers for $1.9 million to complete station expansion, remodel

KTVZ on July 3, 2025

Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County Fire & EMS has been awarded $1.9 million from the Oregon Legislature to assist with the ongoing expansion and remodel of its existing fire station.

“This critical investment will help bring the project to completion,” the agency said Wednesday in a news release that continues below: 

The funding will allow the district to upgrade its nearly 40-year-old facility to meet current building codes and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. It will also provide modern living quarters designed to accommodate a diverse workforce, ensuring a safe and functional space for its personnel to work.  

Importantly, the state funding enables the department to redirect a portion of its voter-approved bond—passed in May 2024—toward other essential fire and EMS equipment needs. These resources will strengthen emergency response capabilities and support the district’s mission to serve the community. 

Fire Chief Jeff Blake expressed his appreciation to those who made the funding possible, stating: 

“We are an organization with many needs,” Blake said. “I want to personally thank Representatives Greg Smith, Vikki Breese-Iverson, and Senator Mike McLane for their strong support in this process. Without their help, this would have been very difficult to accomplish.” 

Jefferson County Fire & EMS is grateful for the continued support from the legislature and community as it works to build a safer and more resilient organization.  

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Update: Madre Fire fully contained along Highway 166 and east into the Carrizo Plain

KEYT on July 3, 2025

Andrew Gillies

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are responding to a wildfire named the Madre Fire, which has burned 80,779 acres in rural San Luis Obispo County and is the largest wildfire in California so far this year.

As of July 28, fire crews had fully contained the fire, with one outbuilding destroyed. Crews are preparing for temperatures to rise and relative humidity to drop later in the week, which could complicate the response, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire has already stretched well into the Carrizo Plain Ecological Reserve and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, where there is very little burn history in recent years.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued in large stretches of rural San Luis Obispo County as part of the fire response, but were all lifted at 6 p.m. July 16 shared the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services.

A map of San Luis Obispo County evacuation zones that were used during the response can be found at the emergency website for the County of San Luis Obispo.

A temporary evacuation point was established at 13080 Soda Lake Road in Santa Margarita north of the fire for those displaced by the flames.

Evacuation warnings were issued for a stretch of land south of Highway 166 in Santa Barbara County and Kern County to the east of the fire also issued evacuation warnings for western portions of the county along the border with San Luis Obispo County and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, but those evacuation warning were lifted Monday, July 7.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) closed all areas within the Carrizo Plain National Monument. BLM officials explained the move was necessary to protect both firefighters and the public, and to prevent interference with firefighting operations.

On the Thursday after the fire started, flames continued to rage across some of the most remote and rugged terrain in eastern San Luis Obispo County, burning near its southern border with Santa Barbara County. The wildfire spaned three separate jurisdictions: the Los Padres National Forest, San Luis Obispo County-managed property, and land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management at its zenith.

Over 1,500 fire personnel from multiple agencies across the Central Coast and beyond were battling the blaze, both on the ground and in the air at one point as it quickly became the largest wildfire in California this year.

Multiple helicopters were seen making drop after drop in rapid succession to try and contain the flames, which proved relentless — chewing through steep, brush-covered hillsides dotted with dry grasses, oak trees, and shrubs Thursday morning.

Hot and breezy conditions persisted throughout the week the fire sparked, further fueling the fire’s growth and making suppression efforts more difficult heading into the Fourth of July weekend.

Madre Fire Response on July 2, 2025. Image courtesy of the Los Padres National Forest.

The Madre Fire started Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. off Highway 166 in rural San Luis Obispo County, east of Sycamore Creek and west of Rock Front Ranch. The fire grew to around 3,000 acres within the first couple of hours on Wednesday, generating pyrocumulus clouds at points during the afternoon and evening. By Thursday, that smoke had settled into a thick blanket hanging over the Cuyama Valley.

One of the top priorities for fire crews is preventing the blaze from crossing Highway 166. So far, the fire has stayed north of the highway, but officials say keeping it that way is critical and have dedicated dozers and hand crews across the southern edge of the fire.

Highway 166 was reopened 6pm Tuesday after days-long closure.

“There’s going to be a lot more people at risk, a lot more property at risk if it moves the other direction,” said Toni Davis with CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. “So we want to keep it north of Highway 166. This isn’t going to be a two-day type thing. We’re going to be here for a little bit. Working towards more containment. Hoping for more, but we’ve got some work to do.”

Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Public Information Officer Scott Safechuck shared that teams from Santa Barbara County Fire Department, San Luis Cal Fire, and the Los Padres National Forest are part of the fire response. Your News Channel reporter Tracy Lehr saw crews from Ventura County Fire Department arriving Wednesday evening to assist as well.

This is an evolving fire response and more information will be added to this article as it becomes available.

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‘We delivered’: Central Oregon lawmakers tout ‘big wins’ for region in new state budget

KTVZ on July 3, 2025

Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – State Senator Anthony Broadman, Representative Emerson Levy and Representative Jason Kropf announced Wednesday a series of key investments secured for Central Oregon in Oregon’s 2025–2027 state budget.

Representing one of the fastest-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, the Central Oregon delegation worked collaboratively to deliver critical funding for public safety, mental health, health care access, economic development, and cultural preservation. 

“These are investments in the future of Central Oregon—health care access, public safety, and community resilience,” said Senator Broadman. “We came to the table with clear priorities, and I’m proud to say we delivered.” 

“Working together across chambers, we made sure Central Oregon’s voice was heard,” said Representative Kropf. “These projects will have a real and lasting impact.” 

“Our region is growing fast, and these targeted investments will help us meet the needs of today and tomorrow,” said Representative Levy. “We’re building capacity in mental health, health care access, and emergency response.” 

Together, the lawmakers championed the inclusion of the following regional projects: 

$10,128,616 for CORE3: A state-of-the-art regional emergency coordination center and public safety training facility. 

$3,121,146 for a Central Oregon Child Psychiatric Facility: Providing long-overdue, critically needed pediatric mental health bed capacity. 

$4,045,902 for Mosaic Community Health: Supporting construction of a new community health campus in Bend. 

$2,000,000 for the High Desert Museum: Enhancing exhibits, visitor facilities, and educational programming. 

$3,843,973 for the Warm Springs Commissary Project: Advancing food access, retail space, and economic opportunity in Warm Springs. 

$10,000,000 for the Industrial Site Readiness Loan Fund (HB 2411): Unlocking land for job creation and rural economic development across Oregon. 

In a joint statement, Broadman, Levy, and Kropf added: “This is a major win for Central Oregon—and we’re proud of what we were able to bring home for our constituents and the good people of this region. We know not every priority made it across the finish line this time, but the work doesn’t stop here. We’re proud of where we landed today, and it’s a testament to what strong advocacy and collaboration can accomplish for a growing and dynamic region like ours.”

These appropriations were included in HB 5006 and HB 5531, which together make up the 2025–2027 capital construction and targeted investment plan. 

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Boone County voters to decide on expanding senior tax relief to include debt levies

KMIZ on July 3, 2025

Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sample ballots were sent out this week, letting Boone County voters know about the option to expand the senior property tax relief during the August special election.

In 2024, Boone County voters approved a measure to freeze property taxes for homeowners aged 62 and older. However, county commissioners made two exceptions to that freeze: The blind pension fund and debt levies.

Seniors applied through June 30 to determine if they were eligible for tax relief this year. Final numbers weren’t immediately available, but information from the county indicates that it expects around 9,500 households to be a part of it for 2025.

Former State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) is pushing to expand the exemption to include debt levies, as well. She’s backing a petition that would fully freeze property taxes for eligible seniors, including the portion used to repay debt.

“What my petition does is do a full freeze that also includes bond levies, that is the difference. So if it passes, you will still have the initial freeze of the base tax levy, but in addition, it will freeze your bond levy amount,” Toalson Reisch said.

Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick said the proposed expansion could create legal uncertainty.

“Article 6, the Missouri Constitution, clearly states how taxing jurisdictions may enter into debt. It has to be voter-approved, then they issue general obligation bonds as bondholders enter into covenants with those taxing entities to ensure that they can repay those,” Kendrick said. “We know that we don’t have the ability to interfere with the debt levies of those taxing jurisdictions.”

Kendrick said the county will spend more than $100,000 to hold the special election.

“If and when it passes, we will include those debt levies,” Kendrick said. “We think that probably creates some legal uncertainty for the program moving forward, but that’s certainly what we’ll do.”

A debt levy is a portion of property tax set aside to help local governments or school districts repay loans for major projects, such as school construction or public infrastructure. These levies are typically approved by voters as part of a bond issue.

All debt levies are held currently by school districts and the fire districts in Boone County.

“Hopefully, it will create a situation where it’s least disruptive for those already in the program or those who plan to be.” Kendrick said.

The August ballot will also include the race for Columbia City Council’s Ward 2 seat, as well as a proposed property tax increase for the Harrisburg School District.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News that voters who need an excused absentee ballot must request one by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. Completed ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Lennon also noted that a no-excuse absentee voting period will run from July 22-Aug. 4. During that time, any registered Boone County voter can cast a ballot in person at the Boone County Government Center.

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Small skydiving aircraft goes off runway in New Jersey, sending at least 5 to hospital

News-Press NOW on July 3, 2025

Associated Press

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — At least five people were taken to a hospital when a small skydiving aircraft went off the end of a runway at an airport in New Jersey on Wednesday evening, according to authorities.

The incident at the Cross Keys Airport involved a Cessna 208B carrying 15 people, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson. The administration is investigating.

Five people who were injured are expected to be transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Wendy A. Marano, a spokesperson for the hospital, said.

Members of the hospital’s EMS and trauma department traveled to the crash site, she said. She wasn’t able to provide the conditions of the injured.

A person who answered the phone at Cross Keys Airport on Wednesday said he had no information and referred questions to Skydive Cross Keys, a commercial skydiving business located at the airport.

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