Hiker hospitalized after minor medical emergency at Bump and Grind Trail

KESQ on September 12, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker was taken to the hospital after suffering a “minor medical emergency” while on the Bump and Grind Trail in Palm Desert Thursday morning.

The incident was first reported at around 11 a.m.

A Rescue9 helicopter hoisted the patient out of the trail and onto a landing zone. The patient was then transported to the hospital via a ground ambulance.

No other details were available as of Thursday afternoon.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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‘Healthy Desert, Healthy You’ Environmental Health Summit underway

KESQ on September 12, 2025

Spencer Blum

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – The 2nd annual “Healthy Desert, Healthy You” Environmental Health Summit presented by the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation got underway on Thursday with a full slate of panels.

The event, being held at the Westin Rancho Mirage, brings together experts from across the valley to talk about various community health topics ranging from renewable energy and a sustainable future, to air quality, to infrastructure.

News Channel 3’s First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum was there and spoke with vendors, panelists, and organizers about some of the issues, including some related to his work every day.

The Environmental Health Summit continues on Friday.

For more information, visit healthydeserthealthyyou.com.

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DCSO releases results of “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign

KTVZ on September 12, 2025

Cami Porter

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office participated in a national campaign over the Labor Day weekend, addressing reckless driving and identifying non-sober drivers.

Below is the full press release and results:

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Target Team (CATT) participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign over Labor Day weekend, marking the first year the agency has joined this national effort. The campaign focused on identifying impaired drivers and addressing other dangerous driving behaviors that put the community at risk.

Over the holiday weekend, the CATT team stopped 90 motorists. Those stops resulted in:

87 warnings

26 citations

8 arrests

3 DUII

The Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone that impaired driving is 100% preventable. To keep our roads safe, please:

Plan ahead and choose a sober driver before heading out

Use a taxi or rideshare service if you’ve been drinking

Take the keys from friends or family who may attempt to drive impaired and help them get home safely

Call law enforcement if you see a suspected impaired driver

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on the five fatal behaviors most often linked to serious and fatal crashes: lane safety, occupant safety, distracted driving, speed, and impaired driving.

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Two dead in three-car crash involving a semi-truck near Salinas; deputies identify victims

KION on September 12, 2025

Sergio Berrueta

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – Two people are dead after a deadly three-vehicle crash near Salinas, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identifying the victims as 31-year-old Aristeo Cruz Jimenez of Port Hueneme, California, and 35-year-old Marcos Cruz Alia of Salinas.

The crash happened on Highway 183 near Cooper Road when the driver of a red sedan was looking to make a left turn. As they attempted to do so, the driver of a grey SUV rear-ended the sedan.

It was then that the red sedan was pushed into a semi-truck that was traveling northbound, causing the vehicles to crash head-on. The driver of the red sedan suffered major injuries but both passengers in their car were killed.

The highway was closed in between McFadden and Cooper Roads as CHP investigated the scene.

The CHP said the driver of the SUV ran away from the scene but was later located and identified as a 19-year-old woman from Salinas.

The CHP didn’t indicate if the woman was arrested.

This case is still being investigated by CHP.

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Heat determined to be reason Mizzou moved kickoff time for upcoming game

KMIZ on September 12, 2025

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Athletics announced Thursday that Saturday’s football game will be pushed up to noon, instead of the originally scheduled 3 p.m. start.

The school says the change is to avoid the worst of the extreme heat forecast this weekend. After consulting with the National Weather Service, Mizzou decided moving the game earlier would help protect both players and fans.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Jon Carney said temperatures at noon will still be hot but slightly cooler compared to mid-afternoon.

“During that time period, the hourly temperature forecast is 92 at noon, then 95 and 96 versus 97 at 3 p.m., 97 at 4 p.m., and then 96 at 5 p.m. So there is a little difference,” Carney said.

Fans told ABC 17 News they first heard about the change through an email from the university. Others said they were glad about the decision, while some said the change didn’t affect their plans.

“Mizzou was looking out for us and they actually sent out a campus wide reminder. So it’s great,” Ryan Aheran said.

An ABC 17 reporter tested field temperatures with a thermometer, comparing grass to turf similar to the surface the Tigers will play on Saturday. The results showed turf was more than 20 degrees hotter than grass.

Medical experts are warning fans to watch for signs of heat exhaustion.

“Headache would be one of the first signs of dehydration. Also, if you stop sweating, become confused, dizzy, disoriented, or just overall do not feel well,” said Jackie Beshears, who is a nurse practitioner at Boone Convenient Care.

Beshears encouraged fans to prepare ahead of time.

“Some things I would say before the game is making sure that they’re wearing sunscreen, making sure they’re wearing hats, light clothes, hydrating more than they think they need to before the game, and avoiding alcohol,” Beshear said.

Beshears said anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek help right away and get water or ice to cool down. She added that anyone experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion should seek help immediately and cool down with water or ice.

Carney said while conditions will be hot, the heat index isn’t expected to reach dangerous levels.

“Heat index around 105 (degrees) as being dangerous to do strenuous activity with and defiantly 110 is where we start to really get concerned is where we start issuing excessive heat warning at that level,” Carney said.

The new kickoff time, however, did cause some adjustments for the city bus schedule. Columbia spokesperson John Ogan said the revised Saturday schedule will be available Friday morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., after being finalized with bus supervisors.

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Riverside County DA’s Office responds to misinformation surrounding prior Jake Haro case

KESQ on September 12, 2025

Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is addressing what it describes as “a significant amount of misinformation” surrounding the handling of a prior criminal case against Jake Haro.

DA officials released a statement on Thursday clarifying the Office’s position and actions in the matter.

According to the DA’s Office, an internal review confirmed that prosecutors believed the original charges against Haro could have been more severe due to the nature and extent of the victim’s injuries. They say that had the case gone to a preliminary hearing, they likely would have pursued amendments to increase the charges.

However, Haro entered a guilty plea before that stage, and his plea agreement was accepted by the court.

Prosecutors say that they strongly objected to the proposed sentence – Haro received probation, with 180 days in a work release program and a suspended prison sentence.

The DA’s Office adds its objection was made “in open court and on the record,” citing the seriousness and permanent nature of the injuries inflicted on Haro’s then-10-week-old daughter.

“The Court chose to deviate from the People’s insistence that Mr. Haro deserved prison time for his actions,” the statement reads. “It was acutely aware of the heinous and permanent nature of this young victim’s injuries.”

While acknowledging that the court had the discretion to grant Haro probation, the DA’s Office says it believes that “granting Mr. Haro probation under these circumstances, on these facts, was an inappropriate use of that discretion. And that is the basis of our objection.”

Officials conclude in their statement, “Our office’s primary focus remains providing justice for Baby Emmanuel. It is essential that we do not lose sight of who is truly responsible for the loss of life at issue in this case and focus our time and energy on ensuring justice for Baby Emmanuel.”

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Teller County Sheriff’s Office increases security Thursday in wake of recent shootings

KRDO on September 12, 2025

Mackenzie Stafford

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO) – In the wake of the Evergreen High School shooting on Wednesday and the political assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) tells KRDO13 there will be an increased presence of deputies in the county.

Kirk was slated to speak at the Truth & Liberty Conference in Woodland Park on Thursday night. He was scheduled to speak just after seven at Charis Bible College. Instead, there will be a special tribute with a panel discussion at the college. 

As of 3 p.m. MT, the suspected assassin has yet to be apprehended.

TCSO says they are in contact with their partners at the Colorado Springs FBI office to track any potential threats. Deputies are also working with Charis Bible College security, where the conference is being held.

The Woodland Park Police Chief tells KRDO13 they have extra personnel all over the city. He says the event at Charis is a large-scale response by multiple law enforcement agencies. Chief Deisler says he cannot get into specifics, but he says the event is getting the attention it needs.

A vigil was held to honor the life of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday night at Memorial Park. On Thursday, a single candle was left behind. The flag was flown at half-staff on Thursday for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. However, President Trump also ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff through Sunday to honor Kirk. It’s something Woodland Park resident Jake Ethington appreciated.

“It’s been a bit of a heavy day, but also, I guess, just also been good to see the people who cared about him. And with the flag at half staff, little things, people just showing, you know, that, we all respected what you’re doing,” shared Jake Ethington.

He spoke to KRDO13 about his experience seeing Kirk at Charis Bible College in years past.

“It was impressive. And I guess more than anything, it was just that I could tell I felt like he really believed what he was saying was trying to help people and help America. He was just very driven and, you know, I remember he was talking about just the importance of reading books and educating yourself and people of all different types on so many different subjects. He was just a very driven and, you know, educated man, and just wanted to learn. And so even to this day, I think I probably read a few extra books just because of how he talked about that. So that was it was impactful,” explained Ethington.

He says he still might try to secure a ticket for tonight’s event to honor Kirk.

KRDO13 spoke with one woman who created the Turning Point U.S.A. chapter at Charis Bible College, where the Truth and Liberty conference is being held. Turning Point U.S.A. is the organization Charlie Kirk founded, sparking a major youth conservative movement.

“I came across Charlie and Turning Point USA a couple of years ago. My mom and I went to America first, and I remember that was the first time that it really sparked a fire within me. What Charlie was doing, what his heart was for this country. Because I’ve always had a heart for politics, a heart for this country. And so that was the first time it really ignited something within me. And that’s when it really started. I got connected with a representative here in Colorado, a field rep, and she got me connected and said, Yeah, you can have a chapter at your Bible college. And I was like, that’s amazing. And so that’s kind of when I started,” explained Mandy McNulty.

She touched on how he inspired so many and the lasting impact he will leave behind.

“Charlie left a huge legacy not only for me, but for this country. The fearlessness as a leader, how selfless he was to put himself on the line, to speak the truth and not be afraid. He cared so much for people. And I think that’s something that really stood out to me, that he was so willing to put himself out there on college campuses where he knew that his life was on the line all of the time, and to speak the truth, but to unite people and just seeing what the movement that he started in my generation is truly incredible,” McNulty continued, “He was an inspiration to me. He still will be. And I believe his legacy has only begun from what’s happened.”

McNulty said she had the opportunity to meet and interact with Kirk in 2023. McNulty says she and others will carry on his legacy.

“He just started something in this country, and it will never be forgotten,” shared McNulty. “I really believe that this is a turning point, and I’ve heard a lot of people say that this is going to be a turning point in this country. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean that that has ended.”

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Bus drivers respond to shortage crisis affecting the Pajaro Valley

KION on September 12, 2025

jose.romo

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is getting the wheels rolling. Despite their continuing struggle with a bus driver shortage, district staff remain committed to getting students to school. Five weeks into the current school year and PVUSD continues struggling with a bus driver shortage. 

“It took maybe about a month, and I was able to get my license and start driving, so it was great.” Raymond Alvarez says after working as a basketball coach for quite some time in the district, he felt he could do more to help. Just two weeks ago, he was able to pass his final test certifying him as a bus driver. 

“When I started here in February we were short 19 drivers and we had a couple that retired, we brought on a couple drivers, but we’re still, we’re now 20-21 drivers short,” says Sarah Lemke, Director of Transportation. “So it’s a struggle every day to make sure that we cover all the routes and the kids to school.” 

For Raymond, being a bus driver is more than just his job. He understands that it’s balancing relationships with both the students and their parents. “We’re taking other people’s kids to school so we have to go through an extensive background check. We have to do drug screenings. We have do all this before we can even start the training, right? And that’s a big thing because you don’t want anybody driving your kids,” he adds.

Lemke says she has committed to bringing change to the department in hopes of addressing the ongoing shortage. She adds that they are no longer canceling routes.

“This year, I let my staff know I would rather students be late and we go pick them up after we’ve dropped the others off and get them to school than cancel a route. I just don’t feel that we should be canceling routes. We need to get our kids there. Even if they’re late.”

Training to become a bus driver includes 20 hours of classroom instruction followed by another 20 hours behind the wheel. 

Lemke adds, “If you have any accidents or DUIs or anything, obviously, we don’t really want you transporting our students. We wanna make sure they’re safe.” 

She adds that starting Monday, they are expecting 36 people to begin the bus driving training program. She understands many of them might weed out on the first day as the training is rigorous and safety focused, but she hopes this program helps address the onging staffing issues.

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Samson Garner found guilty on all counts mere hours after closing arguments concluded in trial for attempted mass shooting at Smith Rock

KTVZ on September 12, 2025

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On late Thursday afternoon at the Deschutes County Courthouse, the jury announced they had reached a unanimous verdict in the trial of Samson Garner after less than 3 hours of deliberation. 

Garner is the man at the center of the attempted mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park’s Craggin’ Classic event in October 2023. 

Just before 5 p.m., the judge read the jurors’ decision — Garner was found guilty on all 26 counts. 

As the charges and verdicts were read aloud by the judge, Garner remained visibly emotionless and silent. He remained stoic as his sentencing date was set for October 2nd. 

Earlier in the day, the state and defense team presented their closing arguments. 

The prosecution began by reading Garner’s email to his ex-girlfriend in its entirety to the jury, in which Garner wrote about his mental health struggles, violent thoughts, and suicidal desires. It also included what the state called ‘homicidal fantasies’, detailing Garner’s thoughts of causing others pain and shooting spectators as their loved ones watched while helpless.

The state outlined the timeline of events in Garner’s life starting in 2022, when they allege he started to spiral into a dark, violent mindset. They highlighted how those closest to Garner became concerned about his well-being — and the safety of themselves and others — after receiving threatening messages from him. 

Garner’s messages included regrets of not cutting his friend’s head off, threats of cutting off his ex-wife’s fingers and shooting up her family’s Christmas party, and other graphic violent ideologies. 

The defense argued a “moron versus genius” theory, claiming Garner’s behavior would classify him as a moron if the mass shooting was actually his intent. They referenced Garner’s phone being on and showing his location, how he was found in flip-flops and drinking a beer when he was arrested, and was camping 20 miles from Smith Rock. 

Garner testified he was only in Central Oregon to recreate and target shoot to help his mental health. He claimed he was extremely depressed and having intrusive thoughts that scared him, which is what he claimed he wrote about, not actual intentions. 

Garner said he regretted the threatening texts — but claimed he had a dark sense of humor and was black-out drunk when he sent them. 

In rebuttal, the prosecution argued Garner’s circumstances when arrested aligned with the actions Garner himself wrote of taking in regard to the Craggin’ Classic. They reminded the jury of the extensive tactical gear and firearm collection found in Garner’s possession when he was found in Central Oregon before concluding their argument. 

The judge instructed jurors on their instructions before sending them into deliberation. 

The approximate length of Garner’s eventual sentence is not yet known, though it’s expected to be lengthy due to the seriousness of the charges and number of counts. KTVZ will continue to follow the story and will provide an update once Garner is formally sentenced.

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Protesters rally after Prineville pastor accused of shooting cat, owner says pet survived

KTVZ on September 12, 2025

KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Prineville pastor is facing community backlash after allegations surfaced that he shot a neighborhood cat and placed it in a church dumpster.

On Tuesday, posts in the “Prineville Information” Facebook group claimed a local pastor shot a cat late Monday night near Bailey Street.

The cat’s owner said they confronted the pastor after the incident. According to the posts, the pastor said the cat had gotten into a chicken coop, and the injured animal was later moved to a dumpster at the church.

A group of protesters showed up at the church with signs, condemning the alleged shooting.

“You can’t go shooting guns in city limits. You’re free to have guns, but, you know, you shouldn’t be going around shooting, you know, bullets can hit somebody or kids or whatever and just do the right thing, you know, like, hey, there’s other ways to get rid of a cat, you know, like scare it off,” said protestor, Matthew Bond.

KTVZ worked alongside the Prineville Review to investigate. We asked the pastor for comment, but he has not responded to either news organization.

The pastor did post on his Facebook page, saying he believed the cat was feral and had been attacking his family’s chickens. The post has since been deleted, but he expressed remorse over the event.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they are actively investigating.

While deputies would not answer questions about the case, the sheriff’s office also posted on Facebook They urged the community to be cautious of claims made online and to be patient while the investigation continues.

The cat’s owner says the animal survived but may lose its eyes due to the injuries.

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