Columbia curfew considered to help prevent youth violence, but no ‘serious’ discussions yet

KMIZ on July 17, 2025

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia leaders have discussed the possibility of implementing a juvenile curfew as part of ongoing efforts to address youth violence, though city officials say no formal proposals have been made.

“We’ve been talking with some people in the community about the possibility of having a curfew, and especially in some areas where there are high levels of trouble. But that’s an ongoing conversation,” Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said.

The discussions come as violent crime is down in Columbia through the first six months of the year. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol data, Columbia Police have reported 186 violent crimes so far in 2025 — on pace to fall below the 470 reported in 2024. Gun-related violent crimes have been cut nearly in half compared to the same period last year, with 69 so far in 2025 compared to 112 through June 2024.

Through the first six months of this year, there have been two murder cases cleared compared to 10 at the same point in 2024. Nonfatal gun-related crimes have declined as well, falling from 339 total in 2024 to 131 so far this year.

“I wouldn’t really say it’s a dangerous area,” Seth Thomas, a Columbia resident, said.

While curfews are often considered as a tool to reduce juvenile crime, research on their effectiveness is inconclusive. A 2016 study from the National Library of Medicine found that some juvenile curfew laws were associated with reductions in youth victimization and crime, but the report emphasized that more research is needed.

Conversely, a 2016 analysis by the Campbell Collaboration, a nonprofit criminal justice research group, concluded that curfews do not reduce crime or victimization. Columbia City Council members say no formal curfew proposal is under consideration.

“As best I know there is no discussion about curfews,” Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters wrote in an email. “There is always conversation looking at what other cities are doing and what we might be able to do in Columbia. But no serious discussion that I know of regarding curfews.”

Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman said safety remains a top priority for city leaders, but said more details — such as curfew hours and age restrictions — would be needed before he could support the idea.

“As far as priorities go, safety is still one of our top priorities,” Waterman said. “We’re getting close to filling all the authorized positions on the police department. I think the investments that we’ve made with the flock [camera system] and the NIMB system, from what I am hearing anecdotally, are beginning to help the police.”

Residents are split on whether a curfew is needed.

“I feel very safe. People are very friendly so it’s definitely a good environment,” Columbia resident Brian Consiglio said. “I think as long as people are having fun they should be allowed to stay out as long as they want.”

Boone County resident Jack Thompson suggested that if there is a curfew, it should be closer to bar closing hours.

“1 or 2 [a.m.],” Thompson said when asked what an ideal curfew time would be. “Cause everybody is leaving the bars then.”

City officials said conversations about additional violence-prevention measures, including curfews, remain in the early stages as Columbia’s Office of Violence Prevention and its advisory committee continue reviewing strategies to keep crime trending downward.

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Four Juveniles Tied to July 4 Fire That Destroyed Historic Templeton Feed & Grain Building

KEYT on July 17, 2025

Andrew Gillies

TEMPLETON, Calif. — The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that four juveniles from northern San Luis Obispo County have been identified in connection with the devastating fire that destroyed the historic Templeton Feed & Grain building on July 4.

According to a press release, detectives determined that one of the juveniles is allegedly responsible for starting the fire, which is believed to have been ignited by illegal fireworks. All four individuals are reported to be male and under the age of 18.

While the Sheriff’s Office has completed its part of the investigation, officials say the identities of the juveniles and the evidence collected have been turned over to the Templeton Fire Department, which is leading the case moving forward.

The Sheriff’s Office also thanked the public for their help and cooperation during the investigation. As of Thursday, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office said no charges have been recommended.

The fire consumed the Templeton Feed & Grain structure, a fixture in the community for more than a century. Originally constructed in 1912, the building was not only a visual landmark but also a symbol of the town’s agricultural roots—so iconic, in fact, that its image appears on Templeton’s emergency service vehicles.

It remains unclear whether any of the juveniles have been detained or arrested. Your News Channel has reached out to Templeton Fire and Emergency Services for additional comment. Their response will be included as soon as it is received.

Templeton Feed and Grain Fire on July 4, 2025. Image courtesy of the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.

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Colorado Springs ranked 14th most boring city in the U.S.

KRDO on July 17, 2025

Mackenzie Stafford

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A recent list released by Finance Buzz lands Colorado Springs as the 14th most boring city in America.

KRDO13 is digging into what data points were used to come to that conclusion.

Researchers at Finance Buzz say they collected data in categories using a mix of population makeup, culinary scene, outdoor activities, nightlife, celebrations and things to do. Here’s more on their study.

KRDO13 took the results to downtown Colorado Springs to ask people if they thought the ranking got it right. 

There was an array of answers, including “that’s ridiculous,” “oh come on,” “I’m not surprised,” “that’s crazy to me,” and “I call B.S.”

One person told us that, “It’s kind of hilarious because when I moved here, there was actually a lot of, keep Colorado Springs lame. And I was like, come on, Colorado Springs is awesome,” shared Crystal Byrd.

The main shortfalls that the study suggests contribute to Colorado Springs’ ranking are a lack of nightlife and a subpar culinary scene. 

“The nightlife is kind of limited to just this one block,” said Brandon McCright, speaking about Tejon St.

His family member disagreed.

“20-somethings can still come down here and party all night long. But yeah, we 50-somethings still have a place to go,” explained Debbie McCright.

Some downtown businesses are trying their best to keep things interesting.

“We’ve been hosting DJs at night, which is really fun,” said Owner of TByrds Tacos & Tequila, Crystal Byrd.

Despite the low ranking, the study wasn’t completely negative. The rankings did tout Colorado Springs’ stunning scenery, which is a big draw to the area, and something that the city itself highlighted when we asked for its reaction to the study.

“If being surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, over 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open space, a historic downtown, wonderful shops and craft breweries and distilleries, world-class museums, Olympic-level training, festivals for every season and being ranked as the #1 Most Neighborly City in America are ‘boring’, we’ll take that any day.”

– Joe Hollmann, Acting Chief Communications Officer, City of Colorado Springs

Other cities that made the top 15 spots include Tulsa, Oklahoma, Phoenix, Albuquerque and Jacksonville, Florida, which was named the number one most boring city in the country. 

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California AG joins suit callenging Trump administration rule on Affordable Care Act

KESQ on July 17, 2025

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition in filing a challenge to a final rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that critics say would create significant barriers to obtaining health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.  

“Far from delivering on their promises to drive down costs and `make America healthier,’ the Trump administration’s HHS and CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) are doing their best to make it harder and more expensive for Americans to obtain health insurance and access care,” Bonta said in a statement.   

“These sweeping changes would impose onerous verification requirements, junk health insurance premiums for some consumers, shorten enrollment periods in federal and state health care exchanges like Covered California, deprive up to 1.8 million Americans of health insurance, drive up out-of-pocket health care costs and so much more,” he said. “It’s unlawfuland it’s wrong — we’re meeting the Trump administration in court to defend Americans’ health care coverage.”  

The coalition is co-led by Bonta with the attorneys general of Massachusetts and New Jersey.

The Trump administration’s final rule would make a range of amendments to the rules governing federal and state health insurance marketplaces, which the administration estimates will cause between 725,000 and 1.8 million people to lose their health insurance, while causing millions more to pay increased insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and deductibles.

In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the HHS and CMS rule is arbitrary and capricious, contrary to law, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. The coalition is also seeking preliminary relief, and a stay, to prevent the challenged portions of the final rule from taking effect before the Aug. 25 effective date.   

Congress enacted the ACA in 2010 to increase the number of Americans with health insurance and decrease the cost of health care. The plaintiffs say that 15 years later, the act continues to meet its goals, with annual enrollment on the ACA marketplace doubling over the past five years, resulting in over 24 million people signing up for health insurance coverage in plan year 2025 on the ACA exchanges and receiving subsidies to make such coverage affordable.

California has nearly two million ACA plan enrollees, the third highest of any state, Bonta said.

According to the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, with less than four months until open enrollment for plan year 2026 begins, the Trump administration’s final rule would abruptly reverse the trend, erecting a series of new barriers to enrollment, including imposing an automatic monthly charge on all automatically re-enrolled consumers who qualify for $0 premiums, shortening the open enrollment period for signing up for health coverage, and making other changes which will make coverage less affordable for millions of individuals nationwide.

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‘First line of defense’: Governor Kotek signs bill to support rangeland fire protection associatons

KTVZ on July 17, 2025

Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek on Thursday signed House Bill 3349, which authorizes the Oregon Department of Forestry to donate or sell depreciated firefighting assets to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) that play a vital role in local fire management across Eastern and Central Oregon. The bill also includes $1 million to support the work of RFPAs.

“We’re facing larger fires than ever before in eastern Oregon and across our state,” Governor Kotek said. “Rangeland Fire Protection Associations have and will continue to be a first line of defense in rural communities, and it is important that we resource them. I am incredibly grateful for the resilience of these landowners who are volunteers dedicated to protecting their communities.”

“In rural Oregon, wildfire response often starts with neighbors, not sirens,” Representative Mark Owens (R-Crane) said. HB 3349 helps ensure our Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are recognized and equipped to do the job safely and effectively. This is about honoring their commitment and making sure rural communities are part of the solution.”

Rangeland fire protection associations operate as independent associations of landowners that provide local wildfire protection. There are 28 RFPAs that provide fire protection across 17.6 million acres in Eastern and Central Oregon. Prior to this legislation, RFPAs had no direct access to ODF’s excess vehicles and supplies.

HB 3349 establishes the Rangeland Protection Association Fund and allocates $1 million to provide the associations with funding for firefighting and rangeland fire readiness, support for pursuing federal grants, and the transfer of firefighting assets.

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Richland man charged with manslaughter in fatal Pulaski County crash

KMIZ on July 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Richland, Missouri, man was charged with involuntary manslaughter in a fatal crash that occurred on April 28 on Highway 133 in Pulaski County.

William Sivell II, 19, was charged on Tuesday with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors: Failing to drive on the right side of the road, reckless driving and driving on the left side of the road while view was obstructed. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday and a $5,000 bond was set. A court date was not scheduled.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says that a 54-year-old man from Richland was killed in the crash. His name was not released in court documents.

The report says that a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado – driven by Sivell – was heading northbound on Highway 133 when it crossed the centerline and hit a 2015 Toyata Tacoma – driven by a 67-year-old man from Dixon.

The Chevy then hit a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country that was driven by the 54-year-old trees, the report says. The Chevy and the Chrysler went off the left side of the road and the Chrysler hit multiple trees, the report says. The Chevy hit a tree, came back to the road way and went off the right side of the road, the report says.

Sivell allegedly told law enforcement that he tried to pass the Chrysler and claimed it hit him, the probable cause statement says.

The statement says a witness allegedly told troopers that Sivell’s vehicle and the Chrysler were heading north when Sivell tried to pass it, but tried to avoid the Toyota and hit both vehicles, the statement says.

Everyone in the crash wore seatbelts, the report says. The Chevy and the Chrysler were totaled while the Toyota had minor damage.

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Auen Foundations awards $250K grant to the historic Plaza Theatre’s restoration efforts

KESQ on July 17, 2025

Haley Meberg

PALM SPRINGS, Calif (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced they have received a $250,000 grant from the Auen Foundation to restore the historic theater’s mezzanine. 

The Auen Foundation, a Coachella Valley-based private grant-making foundation, has awarded the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre with a $250,000 grant in their mission to restore the historic structure to its former beauty. 

The Plaza Theatre has agreed to rename the mezzanine as the Auen Mezzanine to honor the donation. The Auen Foundation will receive prominent recognition as a Founding Donor as well as on the donor wall recognizing those that have taken the step to officially name an element or location in the theatre. 

“The Auen Foundation is proud to support the Plaza Theatre Foundation as a founding donor in the restoration of this cultural treasure in the heart of Palm Springs,” said Sherrie Auen, Trustee of the Auen Foundation. “Aligned with our mission to enrich quality of life — especially for our aging population — this transformative project will bring people of all ages together to enjoy performances, programs, and shared experiences, while ensuring this iconic space remains accessible and vibrant for generations to come.” 

The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation is still in the process of trying to fundraise the remaining $6 million needed to complete this restoration and update the theater which is set to open December 2025. 

‘With this incredible gift, the Auen Foundation is directly supporting and contributing to the cultural enrichment of our community,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation. “We are honored to work with this respected foundation which helps increase quality of life for so many. There are several significant naming opportunities remaining, so other organizations and individuals may join the Auen Foundation to help us restore this icon, where the culture of Palm Springs takes center stage.” 

The Plaza Theatre was built in 1936 and was a home for the arts until its closing in 2014. With the completion of the anticipated restoration the Plaza Theater will provide the city and its visitors entertainment for years to come. 

The Oak View Group will operate the theatre and is currently selling tickets for upcoming events. Visit the Plaza Theatre’s website at www.palmspringsplazatheatre.com for more information about their inaugural season.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates. 

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Dr. Dennis Assanis Named UC Santa Barbara’s Sixth Chancellor

KEYT on July 17, 2025

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – On Thursday, the University of California Board of Regents announced UC Santa Barbara’s sixth chancellor as Dr. Dennis Assanis.

Assanis will take over for former chancellor Henry Yang, who just concluded his 31 year tenure on July 14th. Executive Vice Chancellor David Marshall was named Interim Chancellor while the search for the university next permanent chancellor was underway. Marshall will continue as Interim Chancellor until Assanis assumes his role on September 1, 2025.

Assanis is a Greek-native who previously served as President of the University of Delaware (UD). An article published by The Current credits Assanis with overseeing the many programs and opportunities that made the University of Delaware one of the best colleges in the United States according the U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal. 

Research spending skyrocketed over 160 percent during Assanis’ time at UD, and he oversaw the development of multiple interdisciplinary centers and institutes – including the creation of the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) campus, now home to over 1.2 million square feet of new facilities and more than 3,000 professionals.

The UC Regents formally approved Assanis’ appointment at their July 17th meeting.

“Dr. Assanis is the right person to lead UC Santa Barbara into the future,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. “His deep understanding of the power of interdisciplinary work combined with his energy, insight and strategic vision will blend perfectly with the excellence of UC Santa Barbara students, faculty and staff as they address the world’s most urgent challenges.”

Assanis spoke via Zoom about his personal academic journey and his excitement to begin a new journey at UC Santa Barbara.

“I always remember my late father, who never stopped encouraging me to pursue my academic dreams to the fullest as chancellor,” Assanis said. “I look forward to building on the outstanding accomplishments created by Chancellor Yang and the faculty, staff, and senior leaders who have shaped UC Santa Barbara with their daily contributions and dedication.”

Assanis earned his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Newcastle University, and proceeded to earn three master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Assanis completed his Ph.D. in Power and Propulsion at MIT.

“Above all, [my wife] Eleni and I are thrilled to join the vibrant Gaucho and Santa Barbara communities, to make new friends, hear your stories, learn, and lead with integrity. Together, we will win and write the next chapter in UC Santa Barbara’s incredible story.”

The Current reported the UC Regents approved Assanis’ salary at $880,000.

The search for the university’s sixth chancellor concluded just in time for the 2025-2026 academic school year. Assanis will assume his role on September 1, 2025.

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Port of Hueneme unveils second STAX Clean Air Barge

KEYT on July 17, 2025

Ivania Montes

PORT HUENEME, Calif. – In a bold step toward cleaner air and climate leadership, the Port of Hueneme unveiled its second STAX Engineering emissions capture and control barge this week—making it one of only two ports in California to operate multiple barges of this kind.

The STAX barge is part of a cutting-edge technology that captures harmful pollutants directly from ships docked at port. According to STAX Engineering, the barge removes 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) — both of which are known to impact human health, particularly in communities near the port.

The STAX technology is especially important for working ports like Hueneme, which are located near residential neighborhoods. A recent study by the California Air Resources Board found that coastal communities often face elevated levels of air pollutants due to port and shipping activity.

STAX’s Chief Technology Officer, Bob Sharp walked and showed your News Channel STAX’s latest addition: STAX 6. Right across from where it is placed is STAX 3.

The mayor of Port Hueneme was present saying, “It is a concern that we have had in the city was that our community, was being impacted. And so any step that the port can take towards, decreasing those emissions is a good thing.

The new barge also supports the Port of Hueneme’s ambitious Zero Emissions by 2030 initiative. If achieved, it would make Hueneme the first zero-emissions port in the nation—and possibly the world—by the end of the decade.

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VC Defensa Volunteers Help Meet Increased Demand for Food Following ICE Raids

KEYT on July 17, 2025

Mina Wahab

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — VC Defensa Volunteer Leo Martinez says the demand for food deliveries has shot up, and the attendance at many food distribution sites has dropped. “Our volunteers are having to load up their cars with all the extra food at the end of the food distribution and going out to do deliveries, whether it be in neighborhoods that we know are in need or as part of our network of already existing families that we’re trying to serve, that we’re directly affected by the first raid,” said Martinez. Prior to the ICE raids, the volunteers would go to food distribution sites to pass out “Know Your Rights” flyers to community members.  Now, they’re focused on delivering the food to some of the community’s most vulnerable. “We’re running to the box, food stores sometimes are going to local distributors, and that’s where we put together our bundles and we buy in bulk dry beans, dry rice, dry pasta, and then we mix it in together with a lot of canned proteins and we try to put together bundles of meals that at least are cohesive and go together.” Yvonne Lomeli says it’s the farm workers who are struggling the most, as they’re skipping days of work in the fields out of fear of deportation. She’s helping to feed the workers she says dedicated their lives to feeding the community. “We get big bulks of thing, the bulk of beans and rice, and then we have volunteers by hand, putting them in like quart size bags and then really like distributing and putting these things together,” said Lomeli, a VC Defensa Volunteer who wears many hats. It’s not just food they’re delivering. It’s also basic hygiene necessities like diapers and toiletries. Yvonne Lomeli says it’s bringing dignity to families that have been stripped of their humanity. “It’s just one tiny stress off of a family’s plate that has already experienced so much trauma. And that’s actually a lot of the work that we do. It is not about it’s not about so much support in the thriving. It is literally support in surviving the day-to-day.”  

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