Horn Fire: State Highway 87 reopened as crews battle blaze near state border

KIFI on August 13, 2025

News Team

UPDATE:

MADISON COUNTY, Montana (KIFI) — State Highway 87 has reopened this morning near the Idaho/Montana border as crews continue to fight the Horn Fire. The fire, which was started by a lightning strike on Wednesday afternoon, has burned an estimated 2,000 acres, according to the Montana DNRC.

Crews worked through the night, taking advantage of easing winds to slow the rapid spread of the fire. Despite this progress, the Madison County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning of possible evacuations for residents on both sides of the highway.

ORIGINAL:

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Crews in Madison County, Montana, are actively combating the Horn Fire, a 30-acre brush fire burning along the Idaho/Montana border. According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Highway 87 is closed in all directions. Montana authorities are directing travelers to use alternate routes.

“Do not stop along the highway, and please do not use or operate any drones in the area. Any personal drones will require air suppression helicopters to leave the area and will hamper firefighting activity,” said the Madison County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

The fire began around 2:24 PM, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, and is reportedly visible from the Henry’s Lake area of Island Park. Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies are directing residents near Island Park and the surrounding area not to report the fire to 911, as emergency services are already aware and are being overwhelmed.

For updates on the Hwy 87 closure, visit https://511.idaho.gov/#:Alerts. This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as new details become available.

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Jewish Federation of the Desert awarding $1.2M in grants to several organizations

KESQ on August 13, 2025

KESQ News Team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Jewish Federation of the Desert is awarding more than $1.2 million in grants to several organizations.

Each year, Jewish Federation of the Desert provides funding to local, regional, and international organizations in a variety of categories and each of our grantees meets several objectives, which include:

Caring for the vulnerable

Strengthening their community

Supporting Jewish people around the world

“It warms my heart to see. Giving money to people that really need it throughout the community,” said Arnie Gillman, president of the Jewish Federation of the Desert. 

Local & Regional Allocations:

ADL – World of Difference Institute, Aleph Schoolhouse, Angelview, Bikur Cholim of Palm Springs, Chabad of Rancho Mirage, Chabad Jewish Center of Riverside, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Har El, Havurah of the Desert, Inland & Desert Hillel, Jewish Family Service of the Desert, Joslyn Center, Mizell Center, Or Hamidbar, Sun City Jewish Services Temple Isaiah – JCC and Temple Sinai.

Overseas Allocations: Supporting Jews Around-the-World:

DROR Israel Educational Centers, Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, Jewish Agency for Israel, Leket Israel, Joint Distribution Committee, Ramat HaNegev – Center for Children with Special Needs and their Pithat Nitzana (children and youth programs).

For more information on the Jewish Federation of the Desert, visit www.jfedps.org

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Recognizing black-owned businesses in St. Joseph

News-Press NOW on August 13, 2025

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — August is the month to recognize black businesses and how they contribute to our community.

St. Joseph salon KD’s Beauty Bar is owned by Dai’Janise Wilbon and Kanei Jackson.

The two owners have exemplified the importance of being black business owners in their community, opening their business in May of 2024.

There has been a misconception among some customers since the salon is a black-owned business.

“We thought you only serviced a certain community. It’s like, ‘No, we’re here for everyone.'” said Wilbon.

Wilbon is right, the salon has a variety of services for all customers, from hair to nails; the salon truly does it all.

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Goats abound the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line over the next few weeks

KION on August 13, 2025

Jeanette Bent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — Seeing goats in Aptos and Capitola? Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) announced this week that they will be utilizing goats to control vegetation overgrowth along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL) starting Monday.

The RTC is expecting the goats to be out there “working” for another four to six weeks, trimming down approximately two miles of the corridor.

According to the RTC, the goats will be used in four locations (State Park Drive and Sumner Avenue in Aptos, as well as Park and 41st avenues in Capitola) to “control weeds and potential fire hazards, clear certain drainage ditches to prevent clogging which may damage infrastructure or neighboring properties, reduce the debris degrading the railroad ties, and to clear certain invasive growth areas which impede visibility for safe travel and for police to patrol for illegal activities.”

They say their choice to use goats stems from a variety of reasons. Goats are quieter than other trimming methods, more energy efficient, requires less person-power, and could reduce the need for and/or enhance the effectiveness of herbicides.

They are hoping that the goats may also reduce the overall maintenance cost of the corridor.

The RTC says that this work will require using electric fencing, goat herders, and herding dogs, all of which will also be contained within the SCBRL right-of-way.

The public is asked not to disturb the electric fencing, enter the fenced area, or pet/feed the goats or dogs. 

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Oregon State Police identifies motorcyclist killed in crash on Highway 126 west of Sisters

KTVZ on August 13, 2025

Barney Lerten

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Springfield motorcyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday morning on Oregon Highway 126 near the intersection with U.S. Highway 20 west of Sisters, Oregon State Police reported Thursday.

OSP Public Information Officer Captain Kyle Kennedy initially confirmed to KTVZ News on Wednesday that the motorcycle crash around 10:40 a.m. had resulted in a fatality.

Kennedy said Thursday a preliminary investigation found that Jan Dwight McSilvers, 72, of Springfield, was operating an eastbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a curve and left the highway. The motorcycle then rolled on top of McSilvers, who died at the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, Kennedy said. OSP was assisted at the scene by Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire District medics and ODOT.

Numerous Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire crews also responded to the crash, which happened in Linn County west of Santiam Pass and Sisters.

ODOT reported the crash closed the northbound lane of Highway 126 at the intersection with Highway 20. Drivers were advised that crews were flagging traffic through the area and to consider using an alternate route.

An ODOT representative said the agency was notified of the crash at 10:42 a.m. and crews were flagging traffic by the scene from 11:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m.

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Measles cases remain steady as new school year approaches

News-Press NOW on August 13, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Summer continues to go on and with it the measles cases in all parts of the country have continued.

This comes as the 2025-26 school year approaches for Missouri and other states. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the kindergarten vaccination rate stood at 90% and nearly 97% in Buchanan county in 2024.

Buchanan County’s exemption rate was roughly 2%.

“With travel they should use masks, proper hand hygiene.” St. Joseph Community Health Nurse Kristi Billings said. “Make sure you’re vaccinated before you travel. It’s very rare that most of the older population haven’t been vaccinated. It’s the younger ones that are traveling in close quarters with somebody. The illness can last in a room for a longer period of time than the person being there.”

For the general population, those who are not vaccinated, as well as pregnant women and low immunity children under the age of 12, have the highest risk of contracting the virus.

 

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St. Joseph Auction and Antique Mart closing

News-Press NOW on August 13, 2025

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — After 20 years in business, the St. Joseph Auction and Antique Mart will close its doors on Sept. 3.

The 20,000-square-foot antique mall, located at 3600 S. Leonard Road, has been home to more than 80 vendors, offering unique items to both travelers and community members.

For owners Chip and Julia Littlewood, the decision to close wasn’t easy and ultimately wasn’t theirs to make.

Chip and Julia Littlewood stand with their award.

“Well after 20 years at the same location as the premier antique mall of St. Joe, the building owners decided to sell the building,” Chip said. “Our last day will be Sept. 3.”

The siblings of the late Mike Haskins have decided to sell the building, resulting in the lease being canceled and doors closing.

For many shoppers, the Antique Mart has been more than a place to buy old treasures, it’s been a reminder to slow down, rethink consumerism and enjoy the nostalgia of shared shopping trips across generations. Mother-daughter duo Brandy Bumphrey and Abby Jeffress said they just experienced three generations of their family making memories there.

Antiques are shown on display in the mart

“For myself, it’s generally a fight against consumerism,” Jeffress said. “Considering that usually whatever you want has already been made.”

When they found out the mart was closing, they were disappointed to hear of the news, but not surprised considering most people shop anywhere from fast fashion to major online retailers.

Reflecting on more than a decade running the mart, Chip expressed gratitude for the community’s support, the Readers’ Choice awards and the relationships he’s built through a shared love of antiques.

“We appreciate all of the community,” Chip said. “We have served people all across the United States and different overseas areas and regions. We are grateful.”

Chip Littlewood speaks on the stores success after 20 years.

The silver lining: many valued vendors have teamed up with Black Kat Salvage II Antique Shop located at 902 Edmond St., in Downtown St. Joseph.

In a press release, Chip said they look forward to this new chapter and encourage all of their friends to visit the Black Kat Salvage II Antique Shop.

“We’re devastated by the fact that we’ve lost our lease, but there’s always a silver lining in everything,” Chip said.

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Columbia Public Works to consider raising downtown parking meter price to $1 per hour

KMIZ on August 13, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Department of Public Works at Wednesday’s Parking Commission meeting said it would recommend the City Council to raise downtown parking meter prices to $1 per hour.

On-street parking is currently 60 cents per hour from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan wrote in an email that on-street parking rates near the University of Missouri’s campus is $1 per hour, and that public works is recommending the City Council raise the city’s rate in order to keep it consistent. Ogan wrote the increase “would bring parking revenue more in line with the cost of operating and maintaining our facilities.”

Data presented by the city shows more than half of street parking revenue (based on the hourly average) comes from the ParkMobile App, while 46% comes from coins and cash. That dataset excludes parking garages.

When including parking garages for the period of 2020-24, roughly 40% comes from debit/credit/Apple Pay/Google Pay, while 33% comes from ParkMobile and 27% is from coins and cash.

An information packet from the city says ,“Currently, commuters can only use coins and ParkMobile to pay for parking on the street and at a few lots. Card readers are installed in all city-owned parking structures, but street meters do not support these payments. Street meters do not support these payments. Therefore, the Debit/Credit/Apple Pay/Google Pay category reflects revenue solely from garages, as ParkMobile cannot be used in those facilities.”

Parking Rate Analysis 2.0-UpdatedDownload

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Sheriff’s Deputies investigate a string of thefts in Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Swan Valley

KIFI on August 13, 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a rash of recent thefts reportedly targeting storage units, vehicles, and small buildings.

Deputies have received multiple reports from the Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Swan Valley areas. Thieves have allegedly made off with valuable items, including a 1980s Honda CR60 motorcycle from a storage unit, as well as tools and fishing gear from unlocked vehicles and small buildings, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

1980s Honda CR60 motorcycle, Courtesy Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

Authorities are urging residents to lock and secure all vehicles and buildings, including sheds, homes, and storage units.

While deputies are continuing to follow up on leads and suspect information, anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip to East Idaho Crime Stoppers at www.IFcrime.org. The Sheriff’s Office is also asking the public to report suspicious activity as soon as possible to Bonneville County dispatch at 208-529-1200. 

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Clear the Shelters: loving animals at Brightside seeking their ‘fur’-ever homes

KTVZ on August 13, 2025

Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments from Brightside)

REDMOND, Ore (KTVZ) – Since 2015, NBC’s Clear the Shelters has helped nearly 1.2 million pets find homes. This August, KTVZ is featuring Central Oregon shelters working to do the same.

At Brightside Animal Shelter this month, adoption fees are discounted, and your price is decided by one spin of the wheel.

“It will give you a different percentage off, rates ranging from 5% up to 50% off the adoption fee,” said Paige Kidd, Development and Volunteer Manager for Brightside Animal Shelter.

The shelter reports more animals have been coming through their doors this summer.

“We have seen a lot of animals coming in from the community, from different rescues, owner surrenders, strays,” Kidd said.

Those looking to adopt will need to fill out a questionnaire and meet with an adoption counselor.

“One of our adoption counselors will sit down with you, walk you through getting them settled in, what it looks like to be an owner,” said Kidd.

Even if you cannot adopt, there are other ways to support the shelter, including becoming a foster. They’re also looking for volunteers to help at the shelter or their thrift store.

Learn more about Clear the Shelters here.

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