County board approves nearly $100M contract with law enforcement union

KESQ on July 1, 2025

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today approved a new three-year contract with the union representing upper-level Riverside County sheriff’s personnel, District Attorney’s Office investigators and other county peace officers, guaranteeing pay increases to members totaling 19% over the duration of the compact.  

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized implementation of the $96.79 million collective bargaining agreement between the county and the Law Enforcement Management Unit, which takes effect immediately. It will expire on June 30, 2028.

Like the $164 million agreement the board approved in December for the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association, which represents line deputies, automatic pay hikes are at the core of the LEMU contract and apply to all members, according to the terms.

Sheriff Chad Bianco informed the board during budget hearings last month that the LEMU and RSA agreements bore unavoidable impacts to the departmental budget.

The first across-the-board hike, totaling 9%, will go into effect immediately. The next auto hike, totaling 5%, will take effect on Dec. 11, 2025, and the final 5% hike will be added to LEMU members’ paychecks beginning Dec. 10, 2026, according to the agreement.

The county General Fund will cover roughly three-quarters of the contract costs, while the sheriff’s, D.A.’s and Department of Public Social Services’ budgets will cover the remainder.

“Approving the terms of this memorandum of understanding will help the county remain market competitive in attracting and retaining qualified public safety employees,” according to a Department of Human Resources statement posted to the board’s agenda Tuesday.

More than 400 employees are covered under the compact, which encompasses supervisory sheriff’s sergeants, lieutenants, captains, senior aviation personnel, District Attorney’s Office bureau commanders, DPSS chief investigators and DPSS welfare fraud investigative managers.

The bargaining unit’s previous five-year compact with the county was due to expire at the beginning of February, but according to human resources administrators, LEMU negotiators wanted to initiate talks on another contract early, so that process started in March, formally ending just over a week ago with a tentative agreement, which the board formalized.

The new compact features an automatic 40 additional hours of “special vacation time,” which can be applied any time. However, unlike other vacation leave to which members are entitled, the special time cannot be redeemed or cashed out. LEMU members already accrue annual leave at one hour per pay period.   

Sick leave will accrue at four hours per pay period, and qualifying members will be entitled to accrue one hour of pay for every eight hours he or she is placed on “standby duty,” awaiting possible callout to perform functions during what might otherwise be days or time off.

Designated “crisis negotiators” will realize a $50 bump per period solely by having that designation, whether the parties are deployed. Further, the new contract requires an automatic 5% upward adjustment in base hourly pay for those operating under “special assignment” designations, including laboratory analysts, hazardous devices — or bomb squad — supervisors, mounted enforcement detail and motorcycle unit supervisors.   

The county’s contributions to members’ medial-dental-vision insurance plans shall, for one insurance recipient plus one dependent, go from $1,611 per month now to $1,711 per month in November, where it will remain. For those members with two or more dependents, under the “family plan,” contributions will increase from $2,087 to $2,187 per month.   

There will, lastly, be pay increases for welfare fraud specialists, rising anywhere from 2.7% to 12% in hourly hikes, depending on the level of certification.

“By ensuring that salaries remain aligned with the organizational structure and long-term workforce goals, the county can better support clear promotional pathways and provide meaningful incentives for career growth,” the Department of Human Resources said.

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Suspect rushed to the hospital after self-inflicted shooting ends standoff in Ammon

KIFI on July 1, 2025

Ariel Jensen

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies and Idaho Falls Ambulance responded to a report of a suicidal man in a vehicle near the intersection of Chasewood and Curlew Drive in Ammon this afternoon. Dispatch received the call at 2:34 pm reporting a man was in the parking lot of The Gables Assisted Living Center armed with a gun and threatening suicide. As Deputies arrived, they observed the man in a vehicle holding a gun to his head. 

As Sheriff’s Deputies and SWAT Team resources responded to the scene, Deputies contacted nearby businesses and residents to move them away from the area.  During attempts to negotiate with the man, Deputies observed him shoot himself while still sitting in the vehicle. After safely approaching the vehicle and separating him from the firearm, Deputies and Fire Personnel were able to load him into an ambulance, and he was transported to the hospital. 

The man’s condition is unknown at this time, and the area has been reopened for vehicle traffic. Residents and people in the area were unharmed and have returned to their normal day. 

While witnesses on the scene had claimed to reporters that they heard shots fired before law enforcement arrived, SGT. Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office says their agency “did not receive any reports of shots fired at the location of this incident prior to our arrival, or investigate any other fired shots other than the single shot observed from the subject inside the vehicle in the parking lot…There was no other evidence or reports of shots fired anywhere tied to this incident.”

Deputies are continuing to investigate and no further information is available at this time. 

While

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — An active situation on Curlew Drive in Ammon has been resolved after a suspect, reportedly suicidal, shot themselves and is now being rushed to the hospital by law enforcement.

The suspect’s identity and any possible relationship to a nearby assisted living home remain unknown.

The scene is reportedly being cleared by law enforcement. Local News 8 is in contact with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and will provide further updates as they emerge.

If you or a loved one is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

ORIGINAL:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Law enforcement, including Bonneville County SWAT, are responding to an active situation behind the Walmart off Curlew Drive. Witnesses report officers donning tactical gear and carrying AR-style rifles.

There are unconfirmed reports of shots fired at a nearby assisted living facility before police arrived on the scene.

Authorities are asking people to stay clear of the area.

This is a developing story, and Local News 8 is in contact with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and will provide updates as they become available.

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Recreational use advisory lifted for Lake Billy Chinook as toxin level drops; dog owners urged to keep them away

KTVZ on July 1, 2025

Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Oregon Health Authority announced Tuesday it has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Lake Billy Chinook in Jefferson County nearly two weeks ago.

OHA issued the advisory on Wednesday, June 18.

The agency said Tuesday that “water monitoring has confirmed that the level of microcystin in Lake Billy Chinook is below recreational guideline values for people.”

“However, levels detected are still above OHA’s safety values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas,” OHA said in Tuesday’s announcement, which continues below in full:

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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Feds return 150 CA National Guard troops to firefighting duties

KESQ on July 1, 2025

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Acquiescing to concerns expressed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the U.S. Department of Defense agreed today to release 150 California National Guard troops who had been deployed to protect federal buildings and personnel in Los Angeles and return them to their wildfire-protection assignments.   

According to U.S. Northern Command, which is overseeing the deployment of federalized National Guard troops in the Los Angeles area, the move came at the recommendation of Northern Command Gen. Gregory Guillot, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense.

Newsom, who has opposed the federal takeover of 4,000 Guard troops who were assigned to the L.A. area following protests over immigration-enforcement actions, complained that the move had left the Guard’s wildfire-fighting unit woefully understaffed, leaving the state vulnerable to damaging brush fires.

Newsom hailed the decision to release the 150 troops Tuesday.   

“Our firefighters are finally returning to fight wildfires,” he wrote on X. “Better late than never. Now — send the rest home. Nearly 5,000 soldiers — including police, paramedics and first responders — are still sitting idle in L.A. for nothing.”  

The National Guard troops were federalized by President Donald Trump and deployed to Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and personnel. Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blasted the move, saying it exacerbated already-heightened emotions in the city. They also called it an intimidation tactic by Trump amid stepped up deportation actions.   

In addition to the Guard troops, Trump also ordered the deployment of roughly 700 Marines from the Twentynine Palms base to the area.

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Rite Aid closures impacting Valley communities

KESQ on July 1, 2025

Garrett Hottle

29 PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) Another national retailer is shutting down locations across our valley. rite aid is closing all of its stores in the coachella valley and that’s leaving customers scrambling to fill prescriptions and workers uncertain about their futures.

The doors are still open but not for long. rite aid’s 29 palms location is one of the last in the valley still operating… until Wednesday.

“So basically, Rite Aid announced that the company is going out of business… ours is tomorrow, July 2nd. And then the prescriptions that are remaining here… is going to be sent all the way down to Cathedral City.,” a pharmacy technician at the 29 Palms Rite Aid location explained.

For customers like Douglas Smith and his wife Virginia, that’s not just inconvenient it’s frustrating.

“A week goes by, they still don’t have it. They’re like, ‘Well, you gotta drive down the hill.’ I said, ‘I gotta drive down the hill to Cathedral City? Are you kidding me?'”

“We used to get our medicine here… we transferred. It was easy, but still it’s a big store. Kind of surprising.”The closures are happening fast. And for employees, the end comes with few options.

“There’s a standby pool… you can opt in to help close other stores. And then after that, we just kind of get laid off.”Still, she says grateful even as she packs up.

“It’s sad. I really did love working here. And I love the community as well… but we move forward.”

Every Rite Aid in the Coachella Valley is either already closed or will be by early July. If your pharmacy is impacted, experts say it’s best to contact your provider now to transfer prescriptions.

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The unique way a school district is helping students with sensory issues

KIFI on July 1, 2025

CNN Newsource

By John Franchi

Click here for updates on this story

MIDVALE, Utah (KSTU) — An administrator in the Canyons School District who overcame a life changing illness is making a difference for students with special needs.

BJ Weller recently beat brain cancer. One of the lingering impacts of his cancer battle is being sensitive to light and sound. He came face to face with that issue when visiting Jordan Valley School’s cafeteria in March.

“It was actually on St. Patrick’s Day that I came and the principal introduced me to the staff here,” he said. “I could hardly focus at all because my brain was ping ponging back and forth – the echo was so bad.”

BJ struggles with being in loud rooms. After getting through that moment, he realized many of the special needs students at this school most likely struggle with loud noises, too. “Many students here are non-verbal and can’t tell you that the sound is causing pain,” BJ said.

He decided to do something and connected with Draper based Felt Right. The company produces Utah-made panels that help eliminate excess noise. They can be placed on a wall or dangle from the ceiling.

“In a situation like this, it takes the reverberation down and kids are able to concentrate,” Said Talley Goodson, who founded the country several years ago. “It’s because of the material. It takes down the echo in the space and you notice it.”

The school’s principal notices a big difference in how her students react to being in the room. “When students push back and not want to enter the cafeteria – to these being installed – and then walking in just fine. It’s a clear indication that the sound isn’t as difficult to tolerate anymore,” said principal Stacey Nofsinger.

BJ is happy he was able to use his voice for his students. “Every school, every cafeteria needs something like this because we have kids who are suffering,” BJ said.

He believes everything happens for a reason and looks at the cancer he beat as the avenue that allows him to be a more forceful advocate for his students. “Sometimes you think brain cancer is a curse. It’s painful, it’s a challenge,” he said. “I am grateful to be alive. It’s miraculous. But i can use a voice that others don’t have because we just aren’t aware”

To learn more about Felt Right click here.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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Garden Creek Fire now at 1,000 acres – Evacuation orders lifted as fire conditions improve

KIFI on July 1, 2025

Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Garden Creek Fire, which began around 12:30 PM this afternoon, spread to an estimated 1,000 acres. Despite this aggressive expansion earlier Tuesday afternoon, Fort Hall authorities confirmed this evening that improved fire conditions mean residents along Presto Road, Little Indian Canal Road, and Wolverine Road can safely return home, and evacuation orders have been lifted.

Emergency Response and Evacuations Underway

In response to wildfire, authorities in Fort Hall confirmed that nine different agencies are currently on scene battling the blaze, with additional resources en route to bolster their efforts to contain it. Fort Hall Fire Chief Eric King detailed the aerial assault, stating, “We have several large air tankers, some smaller tankers and helicopters involved in our suppression efforts.”

The fire’s rapid spread triggered multiple evacuations earlier Tuesday afternoon. Hundreds of campers at the LDS Church’s Pasa-La-Coma recreation camp in the Wolverine Creek area were forced to evacuate, as were residents living along Presto Road. The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office directed the camp’s evacuees to the Iona Stake Center. Notably, the youth group at the camp was in the midst of a Pioneer Trek, a historical re-enactment of the Mormon pioneers’ arduous journey to the Salt Lake Valley.

“True Pioneer Spirit” – Teton Stage Lines to the Rescue

Teton Stage Lines, a local bus company, played a crucial role in the evacuation, dispatching 12 buses to shuttle the campers out of harm’s way. Nathan Harrington, Operations Manager for Teton Stage Lines, explained, “They couldn’t get ahold of their original carrier that brought them up there. Sheriff Gardner had reached out to us and said, could you do this? And how quick could you do it? And, we said, we can do it right away.”

Harrington expressed pride in his team’s swift response, noting, “We’ve got the people and the capability to do these kinds of things… It was all about getting them out quick and fast as we could.”

All 400 youth and their leaders were safely evacuated. Despite the offer from Teton Stage Lines to transport them back to Utah, the group, demonstrating true pioneer spirit, intends to carry on.

UPDATE:

Four hundred campers at an LDS Girls Camp north of the Blackfoot river are currently being evacuated due to the Garden Creek Fire actively burning over 100 acres in Bingham County. The evacuation was ordered by the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, according to Teton Stage Lines, the bus company transporting the youths.

Their buses left around 5 p.m. and they are expected to arrive at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls by 7.

UPDATE:

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Garden Creek (Lincoln Creek) Fire on the Fort Hall Reservation near Blackfoot has rapidly grown to over 100 acres, propelled by 50 mph winds, according to the Fort Hall Fire Department.

Crews are asking all residents on Presto Road and Little Indian Canal Road to be prepared for a potential evacuation.

The National Weather Service (NWS) out of Pocatello is assisting fire officials. The NWS reported on Facebook that “strong outflow winds could lead to erratic conditions along the fire lines,” making the situation unpredictable.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes will host a news update tonight, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 6:30 PM MDT, to provide critical information regarding the Fort Hall Fire.

You can watch the live update on Facebook by clicking HERE.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The vegetation fire is reportedly 1.7 miles south of Little Indian Road and Garden Creek Road east of the city, according to the non-profit wildfire mapping organization Watch Duty. Watch Duty estimates the fire is at 100 acres.

Courtesy: Monica Underhill

The incident commander for the fire, Eric King, is advising occupants who reside on Presto Road in Fort Hall to evacuate immediately. They also expect high winds at 50 MPH to impact the fire.

Authorities in neighboring Bannock County have issued a severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service. Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm moving northeast, creating hazardous conditions, including gusty winds of up to 50 to 55 mph. The warning will last until 3 PM, impacting

This is a developing story. Local News 8 is working to get more information at this time. We’ll update this story with new information from the scene as the situation unfolds.

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New SJSD budget reflects updated priorities

News-Press NOW on July 1, 2025

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the middle of funding challenges for school districts throughout the country, the St. Joseph School District approved its 2025-2026 fiscal year budget in its June 23 meeting.

The Board of Education unanimously approved its nearly $170 million working budget for the 2025-26 academic year, reflecting only a 2.2% increase from the previous year overall.

Retiring Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Dr. Robert Sigrist, said the goal was to present a conservative budget that recognizes the possibility of cuts in state and federal revenue.

“We tried to be very conservative,” Sigrist said. “We went in most areas below what DESE’s (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) estimate was for state funding.”

Given the $3.1 million deficit left over from last year’s budget, the SJSD will transfer about $5.1 million from the operating fund to carry over into the new year. Noticeable cuts in outlay for building expenditures and new construction kept numbers relatively low, with Sigrist citing the completion of bond-funded projects in the previous fiscal year.

“This past year, we had a lot of bond projects going on,” Sigrist said. “That included the HVAC project at Central. There will still be some bond projects in this coming year, but much of the $20 million bond project money from 2024 was spent in this past year.”

Notable increases in projected spending in faculty and staff recruitment and placement, reflecting the ongoing staffing needs for the district. The amount will increase from about $198,000 to about $659,000 for this coming fiscal year.

“We budgeted more for our ‘Grow Your Own’ program,” Sigrist said. “This will help staff that may be interested in becoming teachers or other certified workers by providing scholarships and incentives.”

In the June 2025 meeting, school administrators noted crucial openings for teachers and staff as the district moves into the new school year.

Enrollment is also expected to be down slightly for 2025-2026. Sigrist said federal funding accounted for about 10% of the SJSD budget for the previous academic year, and the district is prepared to adjust as needed while maintaining a goal of working toward a zero-based budget in the future.

As far as revenue, the district expects slight decreases in local and county revenue sources, an approximate $2 million decrease in federal sources, and about a $ 5 million increase in state sources of funding.

For a full layout of the entire school budget for 2025-2026, visit the SJSD School Board website.

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Man with Triforce tattoo accused of stealing $25,000 guitar, gun

KMIZ on July 1, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man with a tattoo from The Legend of Zelda has been charged with two felonies after he allegedly stole a gun and two guitars in 2023.

Dakota Fratzke, of Mexico, Missouri, was charged with second-degree burglary and stealing more than $25,000. A warrant was issued and no bond was set. He was not in custody on Tuesday afternoon.

The probable cause statement says that police were called to a Mexico residence on Oct. 9, 2023, about a burglary. Someone described as a caretaker told police that two guitars and a gun were stolen from the residence, the statement says. The total value of the items was estimated at $40,000, with one of the guitars being worth $25,000, the statement says.

Court documents say camera footage showed someone with a Triforce tattoo on their right forearm. A Triforce is a symbol from the video game The Legend of Zelda that is made up of three triangles.

The officer wrote in the statement that they learned on Dec. 3, 2024, that Fratzke had a Triforce tattor on his right forearm.

Fratzke pleaded guilty to multiple crimes on March 10, including second-degree burglary, first-degree property damage and misdemeanor stealing. He was sentenced to probation for five years along with a suspended sentence, court filings show.

A press release from December indicates that he was accused of breaking into a business in Mexico on Dec. 2 in the 300 block of Muldrow Street.

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Locals gear up for 4th of July festivities, Police crack down on illegal fireworks

KEYT on July 1, 2025

Mina Wahab

GOLETA, Calif. — As Fourth of July celebrations approach, local officials are urging caution with fireworks, citing thousands of injuries and growing wildfire risks. With stricter bans in place and a rise in alternative celebrations like drone shows, communities across Santa Barbara County are being reminded that safety should come first this holiday season.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2023, there were an estimated 6,400 firework-related injuries nationwide between June 16 and July 16—when many people purchase and use fireworks for the holiday.

Injuries aren’t the only hazard. Fireworks can also spark wildfires.

“Well, last year we had some kids playing with illegal fireworks who caused a vegetation fire. Fortunately, our resources were able to get on scene and contain it quickly. But situations can change rapidly,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Scott Safechuck.

Safechuck warns that even “safe and sane” fireworks can pose serious risks.

In places like Oceano, all fireworks—including “safe and sane” varieties—are now banned.

Safechuck offered tips for those planning to use legal fireworks.

“If they’re going to be using ‘safe and sane’ fireworks in the designated areas, have water nearby. If a firework doesn’t go off and it’s a dud, squirt it with water and soak it. Don’t approach it, because it could go off unintentionally in your hand.”

To avoid the dangers associated with fireworks, the City of Goleta is hosting its first-ever drone show.

“A drone show really is a story in the sky. There will be 150 drones, and over the course of 12 to 15 minutes, they’ll create different images in the sky. Hopefully, that will resonate with our community,” said City of Goleta Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover.

The drone show will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Dos Pueblos High School football stadium.

The event is free and open to the community, featuring line dancing, live music, and a variety of food vendors.

Those who choose to use illegal fireworks may face hefty fines.

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