Central Coast Beaches Crowded For Labor Day 2025

Jarrod Zinn

PISMO BEACH, Calif. – The Labor Day weekend certainly heated things up, and the Central Coast has been welcoming a surge of visitors eager to enjoy the region’s stunning coastline, beach weather, and local shops.

The parks, beaches and shops are all full.

The Central Coast, spanning both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, has been a magnet this holiday weekend. 

With a mild summer up until now, thousands have been flocking here for sun, sand, and relaxation.

Pismo Beach, one of the region’s most popular destinations, is alive with visitors enjoying the beach weather.

“Very busy, a nice influx of, of tourists from the valley, from all over,” says Curtis Gilbert, a server at Cool Cat Cafe. “Normally we get a lot of people from Europe during this time. So it’s been a good mix of Europe and tourists from the valley.”

SLO county officials report a significant increase in visitors this weekend, with many towns having seen their busiest days of the season.

“That’s normal for this time of year,” says Gilbert. “We always expect Labor Day to pick up.”

Local businesses are capitalizing on the influx, offering cold drinks, fresh seafood, and outdoor dining to keep guests comfortable.

“We just revamped our bar menu, so we have a lot of new cocktails,” says Gilbert. “There’s a Lavender Tides and a Peachy Keen, milkshakes, and pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris.”

Despite some high surf advisories for both counties’ beaches, families are building sandcastles, surfers are riding waves, and shoppers are exploring.

“You can feel the current moving from south to north a lot more than it does other times when there’s not that kind of energy in the water,” says San Luis Obispo resident Aaron Beardsley.

Safety measures are in place across the county including hydration stations and shaded rest areas at popular outdoor spots.

Authorities remind everyone to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take breaks from the sun.

As the warm weather continues through the week, the Central Coast is set to remain a top destination for anyone seeking a getaway from warmer inland temperatures.

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Buhl Police arrest three juveniles for racist graffiti at Skate Park

Seth Ratliff

BUHL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Buhl Police Department has identified and charged three juvenile suspects after a local skate park was vandalized with “racist and hateful graffiti” last weekend. The suspects were identified following a swift community response to the department’s Facebook post that helped authorities with the investigation.

On the evening of Friday, August 22, the skate park was defaced with racist slurs, hate symbols, and gang markings. The incident sparked outrage and prompted the police department to issue a public statement.

“Acts of hate and destruction have no place in Buhl, and we will continue to hold offenders accountable,” the police department wrote in an updated release.

The three suspects face charges of felony malicious harassment and malicious injury to property. Two are now in custody, though their names will not be released due to their age.

The police department also extended its gratitude to the community for its support, especially those who came forward with information and volunteered to help clean up the offensive symbols.

“Your efforts made a difficult situation better and showed the strength and unity of our city. The pride you take in keeping our parks and public spaces safe and welcoming is greatly appreciated.”

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Imperial Valley Symphony to perform the Music of Shostakovich in November

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Imperial Valley Symphony will be performing a special memoriam in November.

The performance planned for November 15 is dedicated to playing Shostakovich’s music.

The tribute will be played at Southwest High School’s Jimmie Canon Theater.

You can buy tickets for $15 here.

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Gila Ridge High School to remain closed on Friday, August 29

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Gila Ridge High School announced its campus will be closed on Friday, August 29.

The school is working on fixing a broken pipe for air conditioning.

Students will continue to attend class through the Canvas Learning Management System.

Practices and athletic events for fall sports and events will continue.

The school is reminding students that the campus is closed on September 1 for Labor Day.

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Onvida Health partners with local contractor for new medical center

Marcos Icahuate

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local hospital partners with a family-owned construction company to build a new medical center in San Luis, Arizona.

Onvida Health chose to work with Pilkington Construction of Yuma.

The hospital operation president says the goal with this partnership is to create a positive impact in Yuma County.

“We are not only dedicated to providing good health care in yuma but we know that providing an economic impact in yuma county is significant. We want to see yuma grow not just health care wise, but as a community,” said Jake Childs, Onvida Health hospital operations president.

The state of the art medical center is set to open its doors in early 2027.

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Valley drivers brace for another busy day on the roads as Labor Day travel continues

Gavin Nguyen

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Valley residents faced another busy travel day on Monday as the Labor Day weekend came to a close.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted Palm Springs would be another very popular travel destination for folks bound from Los Angeles and San Diego ahead of the holiday. Valley residents felt the push, with big crowds in places like Downtown Palm Springs all weekend long.

The I-10 headed westbound began bunching up as early as 10:00 a.m. Monday morning. On its website, AAA stated 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. are typically the worst hours to drive for the holiday. Traffic began thinning out in Whitewater by 5:00 p.m., though some delays further west near Cabazon remained through that hour.

Some travelers, like Marilyn McAlister, were fortunate enough to take the road less traveled. McAlister and her husband, from El Centro, were visiting their daughter in Buena Park to celebrate her baby shower.

“We’ve been going against the traffic. We haven’t had any problems. No major accidents. So, yeah, our traveling has been relatively smooth,” recounted as the couple filled up at an Arco in Cathedral City.

Others who came into Palm Springs from Orange County, like Nathan Shackelford, said, “I got here on Friday evening. The traffic wasn’t really that bad. There [were] little pockets … I’m going to take I-10 back and try and beat some traffic.”

Stay with KESQ for the latest on traffic conditions as travelers make their last trips of the summer.

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Two horses, rider killed in crash on Highway 371

City News Service

UPDATE 9/2/2025 – California Highway Patrol authorities are reporting that the two women on horseback involved in the crash were riding with a group of people along eastbound State Route 371 at Contreras Road.

They say one of the horses was spooked and went into the roadway. Monique Morton, who was killed in the crash, had followed the horse and rider into the road to assist with getting it back to the group.

At the same time, the driver of the car traveling westbound on 371 collided with the horses and riders. Officers say the driver did not see the horses or their riders in the roadway, and both riders were ejected onto the roadway. Officers add that both horses are deceased as a result of the crash, but no details were given on whether or not it was necessary to euthanized the horses.

The second rider received major injuries and was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center.

CHP says at this time, alcohol or drugs do not appear to have played a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

They ask anyone with information on the crash to contact the California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Area office at 951-846-5300.

ANZA, Calif. (KESQ) – A rider and two horses were killed when a vehicle plowed into them along Highway 371 in Anza, authorities said today.   

The fatalities occurred just after 9 p.m. Sunday on the westbound 371, near Bailiff Road, according to the California Highway Patrol and Riverside County Fire Department.

Authorities said a 70-year-old driver traveling at an unconfirmed speed ran into the equines and rider, identified as 48-year-old Monique Morton of Anza.   

She was pronounced dead at the scene by county fire paramedics 20 minutes later. It was unclear whether the horses died from the impact or were humanely euthanized due to their injuries.

A second rider, identified as a 34-year-old woman from Temecula, was airlifted to the hospital with major injuries.

No other details were immediately available, including the condition of the motorist and whether the CHP believes alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.

The two-lane highway was partially shut down until the predawn hours Monday while a preliminary investigation was conducted.   

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to contact the Indio CHP office at 760-772-8938.

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Willow Creek Fire 38% contained, crews make progress on north end

Seth Ratliff

SMOOT, Wyo. (KIFI) — Fire crews are making progress on the Willow Creek fire. In a release this morning, Bridger-Teton National Forest rangers confirmed that the fire is now 38% contained.

The fire has only grown to around 65 acres since August 29, reaching 4065 acres today, according to the release.

Today, crews on the north end are working directly on the fire line to put out hot spots and secure the perimeter. On the east side, hoses and sprinklers have been set up near structures, ready to be used if the fire approaches, according to the release.

Evacuation zones remain at a ‘SET’ status, meaning residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The affected areas are from milepost 75 south to Salt Pass and west of Highway 89, from Reeves-Schwab Lane south to Gomm’s Pond. To sign up for notifications, click HERE.

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Labor Day protests across U.S. and Central Oregon with message: ‘Workers Over Billionaires’

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This Labor Day, demonstrators gathered across the country to call for fair wages and greater support for workers over billionaires. In Central Oregon, protests took place in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters. 

The AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is one of the main organizers of the event. On their website, they posted the message: “In the streets and on the shop floor, in union halls and the halls of Congress, working people are rising up, speaking out and fighting for an economy, a government and a country for the people—not the billionaires.”

KTVZ spoke with Cyndi Davis, volunteer with 50501 Central Oregon, at the Bend event.

“We are representing the workers of this country that have created our billionaires. And we think that it’s only fair and just that that money trickle down to the people actually doing the work,” said Davis.

Organizers say the event is about more than raising awareness, it’s about building community and giving people ways to take action. 

“There are a lot of people frustrated with what’s happening. This gives us an opportunity to come together and also to inspire other people to use their voice,” said Davis.

Protesters handed out information on letter-writing campaigns, local causes, and monthly demonstrations aimed at keeping the momentum going. 

“We always list local causes that are being impacted by what’s happening, how you can help, and we update that every month,” said Davis.

The hope of organizers and protesters is to see more people speaking up and to keep the conversation going beyond the holiday. 

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Wilkes Boulevard church to close; Turning Point will remain open

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Central Columbia’s Wilkes Boulevard Methodist Church will close next year, but a day center for homeless people will continue to operate out of the building.

Church leadership wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend that the church itself will close next summer “after more than a century of ministry in Columbia.”

The church started the Turning Point day center, but the operation has since been organized into its own non-profit organization, the church wrote. That operation will continue until the day center moves to the city’s Opportunity Campus, which is expected to open next year.

Wilkes Boulevard pastor, the Rev. Andrew McCausland, said in a statement that the need for meaning, justice, and community remains despite fewer people in church.

“That spirit lives on through Turning Point, which will continue to embody our call to love God and neighbor in Columbia. And that spirit lives on through all the faithful congregants who will take Wilkes Boulevard’s heart of service and love to new places of worship,” McCausland said.

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