Central Oregon Fire says fire risk remains high despite recent rain

KTVZ on September 8, 2025

KTVZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2025:

Central Oregon — Recent weather systems across Central Oregon brought abundant lightning, strong winds, and some much-needed rain. Despite the rainfall, fuels such as grass, brush, and timber remain extremely dry, keeping wildfire risk high. So far this month, wildland fire resources have responded to 76 incidents, including 46 wildfires, most caused by lightning.

As a reminder, Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions remain in effect on Central Oregon public lands. These rules prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquettes—except in designated, developed campgrounds. The use of internal combustion engines, including chainsaws, is also prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. For details and a list of designated campgrounds, visit centraloregonfire.org/fire-restrictions.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon Forest Protection District is also under Regulated Closure, which applies to private, state, and county forestlands it protects. These restrictions limit fires, smoking, and equipment use. For the latest information, visit ODF’s website or contact a local office.

Firefighters continue to respond quickly to new starts, but with peak fire season still underway, any spark can rapidly grow and threaten communities, firefighters, and natural resources.

The public plays a vital role in prevention: follow fire restrictions, never leave a campfire unattended, and call 9-1-1 immediately if you see smoke.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local schools to close Monday due to last week’s storm

KYMA on September 7, 2025

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Two District One schools are still feeling the impact of last week’s storm.

Palmcroft Elementary School and Gila Vista Jr. High School will be closed Monday, September 8.

The schools are still repairing damages and ensuring classrooms are safe to return.

Parents will be updated on when classes are set to resume.

Click here to follow the original article.

MISSING PERSON: Alex Smith

KYMA on September 7, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

UPDATE (5:43 PM): According to the Yuma Police Department, Alex Smith has been found.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is asking the community’s help in finding a missing person.

According to a post on Facebook, 93-year-old Alex Smith was reported missing at around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

YPD described Smith as a five-foot, eight-inches tall, weighing 217 pounds, has white hair and brown eyes, and exhibits “symptoms of memory loss but is not diagnosed with any medical conditions.”

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

Courtesy: Yuma Police Department

In addition, YPD says Smith uses a cain to help him walk, but it was left behind at his home, located in the area of S. Avenue B.

YPD also says Smith left in his vehicle, a red Kia Sorento SUV with Arizona license plate number PNA1B3A, which has handicap placards, and was last seen by his neighbors about four days ago.

If anyone sees Smith or locates his vehicle, call YPD at (928) 783-4421.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dogs rescued from fourteener in Chaffee County for the third time this year

KRDO on September 7, 2025

Michael Logerwell

CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – Mt. Princeton is proving not to be pup-friendly. This weekend marked the third time this year search and rescue has had to take a dog off the +14,000ft Chaffee County Mountain.

The North Chaffee County Search and Rescue posted these pictures on social media. The rescue team says they got the call at 2:38 PM and reached the Pup-ject at 4:36 PM. The team says the dog needed first aid for his paws, which is why they are taped up in the pictures above.

This marks the third rescue and sixth dog the rescue team has helped down Mt. Princeton this year.

This is a cautionary tail for all dog owners; Do your research before you go hiking!

More information on North Chaffee County Search and Rescue can be found here.

Click here to follow the original article.

California minimum wage increasing in 2026

KESQ on September 7, 2025

Shay Lawson

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ)  – California’s minimum wage is set to rise to $16.90 an hour on January 1, 2026 according to California’s Department of Finance.

While California’s cost of living varies, recent data indicates cost of living is about 12.6% above the national average according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Some supporters said the higher wage is necessary to help workers keep up.

While some opponents said increasing the minimum wage would increase business costs, forcing companies to pass those expenses on to consumers through higher prices.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear what residents are saying.

Click here to follow the original article.

Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club hosts 28th annual open house event, celebrates large turnout

KTVZ on September 7, 2025

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding interviews with President and resident, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The East Cascade Model Railroad Club had their annual open house event on Saturday and Sunday. The club opens once a year to the public for a chance to see what members have been working on all year.

This year, the event hosted over 2,500 people. Brian Benjamin, President of the Model Railroad Club, spoke with KTVZ News about the open house.

“Today is the 28th annual open house. We open to the public to come show what we’ve done over the year. There’s a few new additions, a few new trains, and we have free rides,” said Benjamin. 

Their property spans over 20 acres and has nearly two miles of train tracks. The event included food vendors, free train rides, and a chance to see the indoor layouts close-up.

From large-scale engines to smaller layouts, the hobby continues to draw rail enthusiasts from near and far. Model Railroad Club members from across the state of Oregon, and even some from Washington, have come with their rail cars just for the event.

Carl Stensel, Bend resident and rail enthusiast, spoke with KTVZ about what draws him to the event, and model trains. 

“You create your own little world. And I think a lot of that appeals to a lot of people to kind of make their own view of what the perfect world would be like. Particularly these days, it’s awfully appealing to have a chance to sort of make your own statement about what life should be like,” said Stensel.

For organizers, it’s about more than the trains — it’s about keeping a piece of history alive.

“There has been railroads since day one in the United States. Everyone’s been caught behind a train. It’s something that’s always been there. So now we have a way that we can play with it and keep it alive,” said Benjamin. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Leveling Up: Esports takes off in St. Joseph schools  

News-Press NOW on September 7, 2025

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western State just hosted an esports jamboree, bringing together students from Benton, Central, Lafayette and Mid-Buchanan R-V School District.  

The teams faced off in popular games like Smash Bros and Rocket League. Central High came out on top in several rounds, snagging first and third in Fornite and second in Smash Bros.  

“It was really fun, if I remember correctly I did smash bros and I also watched some of the other people do their matches and people at fortnite are insane,” Darren Henderson, Junior from Central highschool said.  

Henderson says these matches happen every two weeks which was the norm two years ago.  

The district plans to keep these tournaments going every couple of weeks, with students able to compete in-person or online—even from their phones at home.  

“It was the first time for me to experience an esports type of area and it was really amazing to meet new people there and see how competitive playing video games is,” Fernando Maldonado, Junior said.  

Anyone can stop by and sign up—each school has its own players who get to decide if they want to compete against other teams.  

“They can do them daily but we don’t have as much as I would like. I am hoping to see that grow with Missouri Western’s involvement in this,” Ashley Murawski, E-sports coach said.  

Murawski also says this is a great opportunity that enhances the ability to contact with people that they wouldn’t normally have an interaction with.  

Players can either meet up at each other’s homes for scheduled matches, or connect online ahead of time to plan things out.  

“I have always really liked playing video games and i am a very competitive person so I hope to continue doing esports and playing related stuff in the future as well,” Naomi Noble, Junior said.  

Students say they’re looking forward to more tournaments, where they can make new friends, boost their confidence, and face off against teams from other schools .

Click here to follow the original article.

Experts explain difference between headaches and migraines, ways to relieve pain

News-Press NOW on September 7, 2025

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (New-Press NOW) — Migraines can strike without warning and can ruin an entire day.  

According to the Mayo Clinic, migraine headaches produce throbbing pain and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. They can last for hours or even days, and can affect all age groups, including children and teens.  

Hamilton, Missouri, physician, Dr. Greg Dean, said there are definite distinctions between what would be classified as a migraine headache and a “normal” tension headache.  

“If you have a headache and you become very light sensitive… and it’s accompanied by nausea, that’s more likely to be a migraine,” Dean said. “But if you have muscle tension in the back of the head that seems to come forward and can be relieved by Tylenol or Ibuprofen, it is more likely to be a tension headache.”  

Dead added that if you experience one migraine, they are likely to return. However, if you experience migraines as a child or teen, it is not uncommon to outgrow them as an adult. Migraines can be triggered by physical, environmental and psychological factors.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is common to combine medicines with other remedies that include therapy and even lifestyle changes to best manage them.  

Once a migraine occurs, regardless of how long it lasts, it is common to feel drained and even a bit despondent for a period of time afterward. Warning signs for a migraine may occur days before.

Signs often include water retention, constipation, neck stiffness and mood swings. Once a migraine occurs, taking medications for symptoms or prescribed medications for migraines should be accompanied by avoidance of bright lights and noise until the migraine has passed. Also, because of after effects, doctors recommend gradually building back up to your normal daily functions.  

For more information about symptoms and other details, visit mayoclinic.org, and consult a physician to determine the best approach for long-term treatment.  

Click here to follow the original article.

St. Joseph to honor Vietnam War vets with special Patriots Day tribute Sept. 11

News-Press NOW on September 7, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, MO. (News-Press NOW) — One local church will host a special gathering next Thursday to support veterans of the Vietnam War and hear firsthand experiences from prominent veterans.

A Patriots Day Tribute to honor Vietnam vets, prisoners of war and those missing in action will take place at 5 p.m. at Wyatt Park Baptist Church at 2902 N. Leonard Road on Sept. 11.

The event, sponsored by the Veterans Assistance League, offers the chance to not only support and honor veterans but also educate themselves about the history of the 20-year period. Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam.

Prominent speakers will be in attendance, such as Air Force Capt. Guy Gruters, a former POW and cellmate of late Arizona senator and presidential candidate John McCain.

A large mobile Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be on display along with additional guest appearances and a musical performance by popular local artist Phil Vandel.

Local veteran and author Milt Toratti will have books and other memorabilia on display.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with all of the proceeds going to provide for veterans at the Veterans Home in Cameron, Missouri.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 816-632-6010 or visit the Veterans’ Assistance League on Facebook.

Click here to follow the original article.

College weekend wrap-up

KEYT on September 7, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

NCAA Football:

#25 Utah 63, Cal Poly 9

Junior College Football:

Pasadena City 62, SBCC 3

Bakersfield 33, Hancock 7

Ventura 45, Fullerton 42

NCAA Women’s Volleyball

Trojan Invitational:

#22 USC 3, UCSB 2

#13 Creighton 3, UCSB 2

Wooo Pig Invitational:

Tulsa 3, Cal Poly 0

Cal Poly 3, Arkansas 0

Oklahoma 3, Cal Poly 1

Sunbird Classic:

Westmont 3, UC Merced 0

Westmont 3, Stanislaus State 1

Westmont 3, Chico State 0

Junior College Women’s Volleyball:

SBCC 3, El Camino College 0

NCAA Men’s Soccer:

Cornell 1, UCSB 0

Cal Poly 3, Air Force 0

Westmont 4, Simon Fraser 4

NCAA Women’s Soccer:

Cal State LA 2, Westmont 1

NCAA Men’s Water Polo:

Inland Empire Classic:

UCSB 28, Occidental 8

UCSB 27, Fresno Pacific 7

UCSB 13, Pomona-Pitzer 8

UCSB 11, Concordia 9

Junior College Women’s Water Polo

Central Coast Invitational:

SBCC 14, Golden West 6

SBCC 18, Cuesta 6

SBCC 12, Orange Coast 5

SBCC 19, West Valley 9

Click here to follow the original article.