Immigration Threats Not as High During Old Spanish Days as Previously Feared

KEYT on August 5, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For those who were concerned about immigration raids during Old Spanish Days it appears as if the Santa Barbara annual event went on without a major issue.

Thousands came out for a long list of festive events that began last Wednesday and took place in many parts of the city.

Many of the venues and the two parades were packed with spectators. No turnout estimates were given but long-time participants said it looked full and the public was enjoying the celebration.

State Senator Monique Limon took part in several activities, and even rode on the Santa Barbara High School float at El Desfile Histórico.

At the children’s parade, she said she was happy to see familiar faces and families instead of people staying away because of fear. “Our Santa Barbara and Ventura, Central Coast areas showed up and I think we come together and we are resilient. We don’t let all these bad things that are happening around us be the end of our community, as a matter of fact, it brings us all together so we can build better and healthier communities.”

Limon joined many people both locals and visitors sharing in the annual events.

She will be the State Senate Pro Tempore in January, the highest position she has obtained in her political career.

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Local hardware store hosts water drive to benefit Veterans

KYMA on August 5, 2025

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local hardware store is stepping up to support Veterans during the summer heat, with the organizers saying sometimes, a simple gesture can go a long way.

At Kabat’s Ace Hardware on Fortuna & Frontage Road in Yuma, they’re kicking off their Second Annual Water Drive to benefit Right Turn for Yuma Veterans.

The non-profit supports homeless and at-risk Veterans, helping them transition into stable and long-term housing.

Rudy Gonzalez, Veteran Services Director at Right Turn for Yuma Veterans, says “Just to improve their lives one day at a time. We believe in a hand up, not a hand out.”

Customers can donate by purchasing a case of water in store or by dropping off cases of bottled water .

Gonzalez says it’s a small act of kindness that can make a big difference.

“It helps them in the house, but also it helps us make contact with Veterans that are on the streets that choose to stay on the streets so we have that connection with them so when they’re ready to resources they know who to contact,” he explains.

Last year’s drive collected seven pallets of bottled water, all distributed to Veterans within the program, the community, and those living on the streets.

“We had a couple families who didn’t have any water in their home, so we gave them like four cases of water to help them…I was just blown away by how much our community supported us,” shared Gonzalez.

Sean Toomey, the Store Manager at Kabat’s Ace Hardware, adds “The success last year was unreal. This community is always giving back to their neighbors. We did over 7,000 water bottles last year. We look to try to match that this year as well.”

The water drive runs through the entire month of August.

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Two new businesses open in Bend’s growing Discovery West neighborhood

KTVZ on August 5, 2025

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend’s newest neighborhood on the deep westside of the City is getting two more businesses: Put A Cork In It Wine Bar and Sparrow Mercado. It comes as the 245-acre Discovery West neighborhood continues to grow with homes, residents, and businesses.

Put A Cork In It! opened two days ago. Guests will be able to purchase hard-to-find regional wines from around the Pacific Northwest, available by the glass or the bottle, as well as charcuterie boards and other delicious bites. The atmosphere will be both elegant and welcoming. Put A Cork In It! will welcome guests Monday through Friday, 4-9 pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 pm. 

Sparrow Mercado will be Sparrow Bakery’s second location in Bend and in addition to coffee, tea, and bakery items, will offer grab-and-go items such as lunches and after-school snacks. It will also sell popular grocery staples, beer, wine, canned cocktails, kombucha, and more. The shop will be open from 9 am to 4 pm all summer long, with extended hours beginning in September. Look for Sparrow Mercado to open sometime this week.

Romy Mortensen, Vice President, Marketing and Sales of Discovery West, said, “We are thrilled to have Put A Cork In It! and Sparrow Mercado open this summer. These two businesses will add welcoming gathering spaces and delicious offerings to the community, enhancing the neighborhood feel we set out to create when we envisioned what Discovery Corner would become.”

The new businesses will join five others located around the Discovery Corner Plaza including Harcourts the Garner Group, MCD Homes, Harper House Design, and Bluebird Skin Therapy + Aesthetics, and Aerie by AvantStay, luxury overnight vacation rentals. Anna Salon is set to open later this summer, and three retail spaces remain available for lease, and are listed through Compass Commercial.

What is Discovery West?

Discovery West, situated on 245 acres on Bend’s westside, is the newest community in development by the team behind award-winning NorthWest Crossing. Discovery West offers a variety of home types and sizes, Discovery Corner community plaza, select retail shops, Aerie by AvantStay luxury overnight vacation rentals, public art installations, and 40 acres of parks, trails and open land. The development team’s vision for creating livable, detail-oriented communities that respect the Central Oregon landscape and lifestyle is apparent throughout the neighborhood. www.discoverywestbend.com

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State superintendent speaks to SCESD staff ahead of school-year kickoff

KION on August 5, 2025

jose.romo

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Classes are soon to start, and parents, teachers, and district staff are getting ready. Salinas City Elementary School District hosted a kickoff event. 

“I like doing a lot of math, and I like reading a lot of fairy-tale party books.”

Carlos Mendoza says he is ready to start his sixth-grade school year and is excited to meet his new teachers at Sherwood Elementary. 

He joined many of his peers on a student panel sharing with teachers and district staff their school experience ahead of a new academic school year.

“Every year we welcome back our staff and what makes this so special is that this is the first time since I started here, over five years ago, that we’re all together in one space.”

Salinas City Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Rebeca Andrade says the obstacles this summer came after uncertainty over federal dollars. In the meeting on Monday morning, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond shared that through legal efforts on behalf of his office, they were able to recover nearly $1 billion, $25 million of which will fund programs at the Monterey County Office of Education. 

“Right now, this is a tough time our families are afraid to even leave their homes, and we remind schools that they do not have to accommodate ICE in any way at a school unless the ICE groups have a specific type of warrant that means that they are entitled to be on the campus but otherwise they’re not.”

Tony Thurmond says he has worked to empower local schools and districts through his two terms. As he moves on to run for California state governor, he looks back at the work he has done in hopes of inspiring his successor.  

“I’m proud of being able to sponsor our program to have preschool for every four-year-old, to have two free meals a day for all of our hungry students,” said Thurmond. “These are the things that the state superintendent needs to fight for. 

Thurmond adds he is working on legislation to boost teacher salaries by 50 percent by 2030. He says he is proud of the work the Salinas Elementary School District has done and applauds them for their work with the community schools program moving forward.

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Wyoming Game and Fish law enforcement statistics released

KIFI on August 5, 2025

Stephanie Lucas

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (KIFI) – If Wyoming residents are wondering about the enforcement of fair hunting practices in their state, the Wyoming Game and Fish Law Enforcement Report was just released.

Using 2024’s statistics, Game and Fish reports on the number of times law enforcement action was taken against hunting violations, which included over 240 in the Jackson region and 3,102 across the state.

There’s also a list of the top ten violations documented in 2024. Number one is fishing without a license, followed by trespassing on private land at number two.

If you’re in a reading mood, there’s a collection of memorable stories from Wyoming Game and Fish in the report, including one about two elderly hunters who went way over the limit and shot 7 elk in 12 hours last November.

One of the hunters didn’t even know he’d shot three of the extra elk himself. According to the report, he’d just assumed the caliber of his rifle was high enough that when the elk did not go down immediately, he must not be hitting the elk due to his age and physical inability, so he kept taking shots at more elk. Unfortunately, the three elk he hit were left to waste.

There’s also a Nebraska man who was fishing without a license but had a stolen van, plus a Wyoming social media personality caught releasing live fish into Sloan’s Lake without permission, and a woman running a packing-and-outfitting operation on national forest land without a license, and more.

If you’d like to check out the information for yourself, there’s a link to the report here.

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ABC-7 at 4: El Paso Giving Day Invites Nonprofits to Kick-Off Season

KVIA on August 4, 2025

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)-The Paso del Norte Community Foundation has announced the official launch of the 10th annual El Paso Giving Day campaign.

This year’s kickoff event will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2025, from noon to 2 pm at the SAC 2, located at 1300 Joe Battle, Lot B, El Paso, TX 79936.

On-site registration support for participating organizations

Details about this year’s prize opportunities and campaign timeline

A chance to get a limited-edition 10th anniversary El Paso Giving Day shirt with a $20 donation

Networking with nonprofits across the region

For more information about El Paso Giving Day, visit elpasogivingday.org.

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Jury trial begins for 2023 Watsonville deadly shooting

KION on August 4, 2025

Dania Romero

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) – The jury trial has begun in the case of a Watsonville man accused of murdering his roommate in 2023, leading to a stand-off.

Hector Rocha has pleaded not guilty because of insanity to multiple charges, including murder.

Hector Rocha is accused of killing his roommate, 42-year-old Victor Alamillo, on August 8, 2023, in Watsonville. After the shooting, Rocha left in his mint-green colored pickup truck.

After following a tip, officers found Rocha at a strawberry field, leading to a four-hour standoff where Rocha eventually surrendered.

Rocha was deemed fit to stand trial in April 2024 after he was originally deemed incompetent in October 2023 and sent to a state hospital.

Watsonville man fit to stand trial for August 2023 deadly shooting, DA’s office says

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 17, 2024 AT 12:32 PM- The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that 45-year-old Hector Rocha is now deemed fit to stand trial for allegedly killing 42-year-old Victor Alamillo in August 2023.

In a preliminary hearing on Friday, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy deemed that Rocha was deemed competent to stand trial and criminal proceedings were reinstated per the DA’s office.

In Oct. 2023, Rocha was deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial and was sent to the Department of State Hospitals and was receiving medication.

On Aug. 7 2023, Rocha allegedly shot Victor Alamillo multiple times on the 100 block of Beach Street. Watsonville Police said that Rocha drove off from the scene in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet Truck.

Officers found Rocha on the morning of Aug. 8, 2023 when his truck got stuck in a strawberry field off of McGowan Road and Trafton Road just south of Watsonville.

The DA’s Office said that Rocha is scheduled to be back in court on Thursday morning to confirm a preliminary examination.

According to the Santa Cruz County Superior Court, Rocha is facing multiple charges including six felony counts including murder, violating probation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He did plea not guilty to all of those charges in Aug. 2023.

Rocha is currently being held at the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.

Man suspected of Watsonville Beach Street murder deemed incompetent to stand trial

Update Oct. 19, 2023, at 5:47 p.m.- Back in early August a father of three was murdered on the 100 block of Beach Street. Now his alleged murderer is being deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.

The family of 42-year-old victim Victor Alamillo, said they are disappointed with the Santa Cruz County Superior Court’s decision. They said they would like another doctor’s opinion to see if Alamillo’s alleged killer Hector Rocha, 42, is fit to go on trial.

“I feel like they need to fight more for my uncle, and get a second opinion and do more to help his case because him being so called incompetent I don’t believe that is is accurate, Alamillo’s niece Corinna Sanchez said. “It’s all affected us emotionally, mentally, as well. It’s just taking a burden on all of our family, especially his three daughters that he leaves behind.”

Rocha allegedly fired at his victim multiple times and drove off in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck on August 7, 2023, per Watsonville Police. He was found around 11:30 a.m. the next day after getting stuck in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville.

Courtesy: Watsonville Police Dept.

Photo of suspect’s truck. Courtesy: Watsonville Police Dept.

The DA’s Office said in a statement given to KION:

Mr. Rocha’s case was in court today and he is being sent to the Department of State Hospitals and will be receiving medication.  After a thorough review of the case, Mr. Rocha’s medical history and medical records, and numerous interviews a Dr determined he was not competent to stand trial. 

I met with the victim’s family this morning and they expressed their concerns to me. Our office has taken steps to address their concerns.

Santa Cruz County District Atorney’s Office

When KION asked if there was anything that could be done to change the court’s decision they responded by saying that the court had deemed Rocha medically incompetent to stand trial at this time.

Rocha’s next court hearing is on Dec. 9 and that will be to determine which state hospital he will be placed into.

Alamillo’s family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for an attorney to get justice for him.

ORIGINAL STORY

Update August 8, 2023, at 4:19 p.m.- The suspect accused of murdering a 42-year-old man on the 100 block of Beach Street was arraigned Friday at the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

Hector Rocha, 42, of Watsonville pled not guilty to six felony counts including murder, violating probation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, said the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

He is being held on no bail. Rocha will be in court again on August 17.

Rocha allegedly fired at his victim multiple times Monday night and drove off in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck. He was found around 11:30 a.m. after getting stuck in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville.

After an hours-long standoff, Rocha was arrested.

Family has identified the 42-year-old victim as Victor Alamillo. A father of three girls ages 25, 17 and 15.

“We love and miss him so much. We are all devastated,” said a family member. Family of the victim has set up a gofundme to help with funeral costs.

Suspect in deadly shooting charged with murder after south Watsonville stand-off, says police

Update August 8, 2023, at 4:19 p.m.- CHP confirms with KION that law enforcement has a suspect in custody wanted in connection with a fatal Monday night shooting on the 100 block of Beach Street.

Law enforcement had the suspect surrounded for several hours in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville. The man accused of murdering a 44-year-old man was identified as Hector Rocha, 42, of Watsonville.

CHP says the suspect was stuck in the mud and he was unable to get out. He was in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck that Watsonville police sent out a “be on the lookout” warning for on Tuesday morning.

“We received information from a community member informing us they had spotted the suspect’s truck in an agricultural field near Trafton Road and Mc Gowan Road, just outside Pájaro,” said Watsonville Police.

He refused to get out of the car for more than four hours. He eventually agreed to surrender.

Rocha was booked in Santa Cruz County Jail for murder said Watsonville Police.

ORIGINAL STORY

Watsonville Police are searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting on the 100 block of Beach Street Monday night.

Police said around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting and found a 42-year-old man suffering multiple gunshot wounds. First responders gave immediate aid, but the man died on the scene.

During the investigation, Watsonville Police identified 44-year-old Hector Rocha as the suspect. Police describe Rocha as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, medium build, and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, khaki shorts, and white shoes.

“I’m worried because they murdered a man right next to my house. I have four kids and it worries me because one never knows. You can get hit with a stray bullet, one never knows,” said a concerned neighbor.

Police add Rocha is armed and dangerous and was last seen leaving the scene in a distinct mint green 1967 Chevrolet single-cab truck with rust throughout the body and a white roof.

Police add the truck might have the following two California license plate numbers: 4JC939 / 87823K3.

Photo of suspect’s truck. Courtesy: Watsonville Police Dept.

If seen, you are asked to call 911 immediately and not approach Rocha. Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to call 831-471-1151.

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Two-car crash leaves man dead on Highway 126 Sunday night near Fillmore

KEYT on August 4, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

FILLMORE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol of Moorpark is investigating a two-car crash that killed a 71-year-old man on Highway 126 near Fillmore just before 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

The 71-year-old who died drove a 2010 Volkswagen Passat, and a 53-year-old suffered major injuries in his 2019 Honda Odyssey as the second driver in the crash, according to the CHP.

The 53-year-old driver drove west on Highway 126 at approximately 60 miles per hour and eventually entered the eastbound lane before crashing head-on with the Volkswagen, according to the CHP.

The 53-year-old required hospital transport for his injuries, but drugs and alcohol are still unknown as potential factors in the crash, according to the CHP.

Highway 126 was closed for approximately 45 minutes during an initial investigation that concluded at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to the CHP.

The Ventura County Fire Department, AMR, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and CalTrans helped with the incident alongside the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the CHP.

For more information on the deceased, please contact the VCMEO. For more information on the crash, contact the CHP.

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Law enforcement rescue Colorado Springs man accused of drunk driving UTV into river

KRDO on August 4, 2025

Celeste Springer

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office alleges that a Colorado Springs man got drunk and purposely drove a UTV into a Buena Vista river, requiring an emergency rescue.

“This could have certainly had a grimmer outcome,” said Sheriff Andy Rohrich.

According to the sheriff’s office, the department received a report of a UTV that was stuck in the Arkansas River near Ruby Mountain Campground on Aug. 3.

When they arrived, the sheriff’s office says they found the driver, Jason Joseph Beltz from Colorado Springs, and an unnamed passenger. Both had to be rescued, as the UTV was partially submerged underwater, the sheriff’s office says.

“The river began to sweep the UTV downstream before hanging up on a rock,” said the sheriff. “Although the river can serve recreational interests, it can be very dangerous if it isn’t respected.”

The sheriff’s office says Colorado Parks and Wildlife was called in to conduct a swift-water rescue for the two people. The UTV also had to be towed out.

Upon further investigation, the sheriff’s office said they believe “driving into the river was an intentional act and that alcohol was a contributing factor.”

“This should also serve as a reminder to others that you don’t have to be driving down a paved road while drinking to get a DUI,” said Sheriff Rohrich.

Beltz was booked for DUI on a $1,000 bond, the sheriff’s office said. The passenger was not charged with a crime, and there were no injuries reported, according to the department.

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Fire at Eagle Bluffs Elementary ruled accidental

KMIZ on August 4, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fire marshals have determined a fire that occurred last week while crews were working on the new Eagle Bluffs Elementary School on Sinclair Road was accidental.

Columbia Fire Department spokeswoman Katherine Rodriguez told ABC 17 News in an email the fire was accidentally caused by construction crews who were using hot torches.

The fire occurred Thursday afternoon in the 5400 block of South Sinclair Road. The new elementary school is still on track to open in 2026, according to a message last week from Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark.

All construction workers were able to get out of the building and no injuries were reported. The fire was seen at the building’s HVAC unit on the roof.

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