Ukrainians split on path forward as Zelensky, Trump discuss ceasefire

Luis Avila

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – As ceasefire talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump took place Monday, Ukrainian Americans in the Coachella Valley are reacting with a mix of hope, skepticism, and concern.

For many in the local Ukrainian community, the ongoing war is more than just a distant conflict — it’s a personal crisis that continues to cast a long shadow.

“It’s been devastating. First year, no one could believe it was happening. I couldn’t sleep… It’s been 3 years. It’s been a long time. Many people died. Many families have been affected.”

Tatiana Wright, Indian Wells resident

Tatiana Wright is among those cautiously optimistic about the latest ceasefire talks. She believes dialogue — even with Russian President Vladimir Putin — is essential. When asked about whether compromises — including possible land concessions — should be on the table, Wright didn’t rule it out.”

“Yes he met with Putin.. Without conversation, without process of negotiation, he has no resolution. We’re going nowhere. We need to sit at table and start talking regardless of who we have to talk… If it takes some land to be negotiated, whatever it takes.”

Tatiana Wright, Indian Wells resident

But not everyone in the community shares that sentiment.

Nila Onuferko has deep concern over any deal that might involve territorial concessions or suggest moral equivalence between Ukraine and its aggressor. She argues that giving up land would set a dangerous precedent for the future.

“When someone says to Zelensky, ‘It’s in your hands to stop this,’ it really lends the question: really, who’s invading who?… If they give up land, it sets a bad precedent because then it says who are we as a people.”’

Nila Onuferko, Indian Wells resident

While opinions vary, one thing is clear: the desire for peace is shared across the community.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Allan Hancock College Welcomes 10K Students in Lompoc and Santa Maria

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The fall semester for 2025 has started at Allan Hancock College.

Officials say enrollment is up a little from last year.

At the previous class’s commencement a couple months ago, president Walthers commented about having “too many graduates,” and it looks like this year will be following the same pattern.

With very warm, sunny weather on the Central Coast, the first day of the fall semester for 2025 officially began at Allan Hancock College on Monday.

“You can see there’s a lot of stuff going on on campus today,” says Allan Hancock College president Kevin Walthers. “Students are back for the first time, parking lots are full.”

About 10,000 students are enrolled between the Santa Maria and Lompoc campuses this year, which is up a little from last year, according to president Walthers.

“At any given time we have somewhere around 600 faculty members teaching classes,” says Walthers.

College officials say that while there are online options, the bulk of the classes are held in-person, because they learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that students strongly prefer in-person learning.

“Our STEM classes are all full,” says Walthers. “So all of our chemistry and math classes and our engineering classes are all just packed.”

Students arriving on campus are getting plenty of support.

“Today we have the informational booth,” says student ambassador Maria Martinez. “A lot of students don’t know where their classes are. So we’re guiding them to their classes. If not we’re trying to explain to them, like they have also questions, where there’s parking, financial aid.”

“We have a food pantry and we have a clothes closet and we have emergency grants and loans for students,” says Walthers. “We put a lot of things in place to help those students get through their program in a timely manner.”

Students are excited about collaborations between other campuses including Cuesta’s cybersecurity cohort, Santa Barbara City College’s radiology program, and upcoming programs with Cal Poly including sociology and business.

According to president Walthers, about 1,100 students are Hancock Promise students, having just graduated from local high schools and on course for 2 years of tuition-free classes.

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Fire Update: Horn Fire 50% contained at 2800 acres

News Team

MADISON COUNTY, Montana (KIFI) — The Horn Fire near Highway 87 at the Idaho-Montana border is now 50% contained at 2800 acres. The evacuation warning for people in Madison County, Montana, was lifted on Saturday, allowing residents to return to their homes.

Fire officials have determined the fire was caused by a lightning strike.

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WATCH: Trump and Zelensky meet with European leaders at the White House

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a guest at the White House on Monday as European leaders try to hammer out a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky and Trump took questions from reporters before a closed-door meeting, and the atmosphere was more friendly than Zelensky’s last trip to the White House. They later joined European leaders for comments before another session of talks.

Watch the events in the video player.

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West entrance of Joshua Tree National Park closed to traffic during construction

Jesus Reyes

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park will be closed to inbound and outbound traffic beginning 6 a.m. August 25 through 6 p.m. August 29.

Park officials said visitors must enter or exit the park via Twentynine Palms or Cottonwood using the north entrance station in Twentynine Palms or the Cottonwood entrance at the park’s south boundary.

The north entrance station is the most accessible for visitors traveling on Highway 62, park officials said. The North entrance is 25 miles east of the west entrance station and adds an additional 17 minutes of driving time.

Exiting vehicles may turn around at Quail Springs Picnic Area and entering vehicles may turn around at the current west entrance station; however, this is not advised due to an expected backup of traffic.

Park Boulevard will also be closed to vehicle traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs Picnic Area. The closure includes the Maze Loop and Bigfoot trailhead parking areas. Visitors may not drive to or park at these trailheads during the closure.

Park officials said the closure is necessary for crews to lay new pavement in the construction area.

All other park roads are expected to remain open.

“It has been exciting to see this project’s progress over the last six months,” said Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Jane Rodgers. “Though the temporary closure of the entrance is an inconvenience to visitors and staff, it will allow construction crews to complete important work. Park staff look forward to welcoming visitors at the new entrance station in the next few months.”

Visitors can access construction updates at https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/management/2025-west-entrance-construction.htm

Park rangers encourage visitors to recreate responsibly in their vehicles by observing posted speed limits and driving only on designated roads. 

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Bend woman killed and 6 people injured, including 4 children, in Highway 97 crash south of Bend

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend woman was killed and six people were injured, including four children, in a head-on crash of her car and a minivan on Highway 97 south of Bend Thursday night, Oregon State Police reported.

Here’s the full news release issued Saturday by OSP:

On Thursday, August 14, at 9:49 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 145 in Deschutes County.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a silver Honda Accord, operated by Felicia Devin Nicholson (33) of Bend, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 97 near milepost 145 when it drifted across the center line for an unknown reason and struck a southbound silver Honda Odyssey, operated by Earl Leone Christison IV (46) of Oregon City.

The operator of the Accord (Nicholson) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Odyssey (Earl Christison) was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Odyssey passenger Erin Ruth Christison (45) of Oregon City was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Four female juvenile passengers (ages 17, 14, 11, and 9) in the Odyssey were also transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sunriver Police Department, and multiple area emergency medical service responders.

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MSHP says recent summer deer vehicle crashes are not ‘out of the ordinary’

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite deer season starting up next month in Missouri, deer have been making their presence known during the month of August. First responders have reported at least four serious vehicle crashes involving deer since the start of the month.

The crashes include a Pettis County Man driving a truck and three separate motorcycle crashes in Montgomery City and Boone and Cole County, leaving a woman, a man and one other motorcyclist with serious injuries.

A 2023 Deer Season Summary and Population report by the Missouri Department of Conservation found that the deer population has been increasing in both the Ozark and Central regions, with deer harvest increasing by 28% and 5% from 2022, respectively.

ABC 17 News spoke with multiple people in Columbia. Four people said that they have not seen a noticeable number of deer this summer, while five others said they commonly see deer on back roads or on the side of major highways. One person said they’ve seen large groups of deer in the yards of their neighborhood.

“I feel like I’ve just seen more deer recently,” University of Missouri student Ella Vuichard said.

Lieutenant Kyle Green with the Missouri State Highway Parol said in a statement to ABC 17 News that the recent crashes “are not out of the ordinary,” and the MSHP responds to deer crashes every week throughout the year.

In 2023, the MSHP reported that Missouri had consistently ranked 10th to 15th in the country in deer-related car accidents each year. There were a total of 3,591 crashes with deer with four deaths and 420 injuries reported that year.

Co-owner and mechanic of Tiger Auto Repairs and Sales, Castle Mahmood has seen a lot of deer-related accidents, both during car repairs and his own personal vehicles. Mahmood adds that most crashes he sees happen in the fall and winter.

“If its small without antlers, it’ll be damaging the bumper, hood, fender and if it’s a big one with big antlers, it could go through the windshield and kill the driver because I’ve seen those too,” Mahmood said.

Green said that deer are most active during sunrise and sunset in both rural and city areas. He recommends keeping an eye out when driving and not swerving if a deer is on the road. MoDoT also recommends being on guard after seeing a deer in case there are others.

“Many times the crashes that result from a person swerving are more severe than just hitting the deer,” Green said.

Of the people ABC 17 News spoke with, five people said that they are mindful of deer all the time when driving, regardless of the season.

“My old car, I had smoked a deer, it was very unfortunate, it was right next to my house, but yeah, it was kind of scary. Now I watch out for deer a lot more,” Columbia visitor Dylan Jacobs said.

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Columbia murder suspects denied bond reduction; trial date pushed to November

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Codefendants Samarion Robins, 20, and Oscar Ashford Jr., 21, were denied a bond reduction by a Boone County judge on Monday.

Their Sept. 8 trial date was also pushed to Nov.18. The trial was pushed back after Judge Jeff Harris revealed that prosecutors handed more than 900 pages of discovery to the defense.

Robins and Ashford are charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in the death of 15-year-old Aubrey Doxley in 2022 on McKee Street. Daniel Ayers also faces charges in Doxley’s death. Prosecutors dropped charges against a fourth defendant, Tavan Williams-Patrick, on Friday.

ABC 17 News spoke with family members of Robins and Ashford following court and they expressed frustration. They explained that they felt like the judge focused more on the 900 pages of discovery than whether bonds for Ashford and Robins should be lowered.

They also believe the two men are not soley responsible for Doxley’s death. The original probable cause statement alleges other people were shooting back at the car that Ashford, Robins, Williams-Patrick and Ayers were in.

The state explained that the 900 pages of discovery were police reports that they planned to cross reference, but that one specific report gave a reason into why the prosecution believes the shooting on McKee Street occurred. The state said that they believe the shooting was retaliatory after Ayers was shot almost two days before.

The state also confirmed its reasons for dropping the charges against Williams-Patrick. He was the first set to be tried out of the suspects, but the state wants Robins and Ashford tried first. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News that prosecutors plan to refile charges later.

According to previous reporting, Doxley’s mother, Latoya, said Aubry was lying in her bed when shots came through the window of their home. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Prosecutors argue that the four defendants were shooting out of a car while they were driving down McKee Street the night of Doxley’s murder.

Ashford’s legal team asked for a pretrial release with no financial conditions. Court documents filed by his lawyer cite previous motions by state and federal courts that a bail amount is typically set to ensure the defendant appears in court. The documents argue that Ashford is not a flight risk or a danger to the community and that if the request is granted, he will comply with the court’s conditions.

Robins’ legal team argues that his $1 million cash-only bond is beyond his financial means to pay. Robins’ lawyer referred in court documents to the state’s move to drop charges against Williams-Patrick. They say the state’s evidence against Robins, Ashford and Williams-Patrick were the same and question the state’s ability to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Ayers will have a status hearing on Oct.10 after his court proceedings were suspended because of a court order for a mental health evaluation.

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Indio DUI sweep nets one arrest, 41 citations

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Indio police arrested one motorist on suspicion of driving under the influence and issued 41 citations during a DUI enforcement sweep in the city, authorities said today.

The crackdown occurred Friday, and police noted that drivers convicted of a first-time DUI offense can face about $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license.

“We are committed to taking impaired drivers off the road,” the Indio Police Department said in a statement. “Driving under the influence is not only dangerous but also has major consequences.”

The program was funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

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Celebrating National Fishing Month in Northwest Missouri

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — While August often marks the return to school routines, it’s also a time to celebrate something that draws people outdoors and onto the water, National Fishing Month.

Fishing is more than just a pastime in Missouri; it’s a beloved tradition spanning generations. From families enjoying a quiet day at a local pond to serious anglers seeking their next big catch.

Here in Northwest Missouri, there are plenty of great spots to cast a line.

In the St. Joseph area, the Missouri Department of Conservation recommends several easily accessible public fishing locations, including Corby Pond, Krug Park Lake and the ponds located on the Missouri Western State University campus.

These waters offer opportunities for both beginners and seasoned anglers to enjoy the outdoors close to home.

Erin Woodiel with the MDC described the type of fishing that can be found in the St. Joseph region.

“One of the most popular fish in the Northwest is going to be crappie; they can be caught all over the place. You can also get large-mouth bass,” said Woodiel

The MDC partners with local cities and works to stock ponds and lakes in the region.

“We actually stock a lot of different waters in the northwest region every fall, so you should have plenty of catfish,” said Woodiel

Whether you’re fishing for the first time or have years of experience, National Fishing Month is a great reminder to brush up on safety tips and review Missouri state fishing regulations.

Missouri has specific rules to help protect fish populations, ensure fair access for all anglers, and keep the sport safe and sustainable.

Before heading out, anglers should make sure they have a valid Missouri fishing permit.

Most residents and non-residents ages 16 to 64 are required to carry a fishing license when fishing public waters.

Permits can be easily purchased online through the MDC, at local vendors or at MDC offices. Special permits may also be needed for certain species or methods, so it’s important to check the specific requirements before you fish.

Woodiel did note that your standard fishing permit allows for the fishing and capture of all fish species except trout.

Woodiel explains that trout fishing and capture require their own permit on top of the standing fishing permit.

For more information on fishing regulations and permits, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing

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