Goleta Residents Discuss Homelessness, Safety and More at ‘Coffee with a Cop’

KEYT on October 7, 2025

John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The residents of Goleta have had a chance to talk one-on-one with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department assigned to their area.

It was part of a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ program with a special emphasis on Goleta, the Sheriff’s Office is contracted as the police department.

The event was held at the McDonald’s on Fairview which donated all the coffee for those attending.

The issues were widely distributed.

Public Information Officer Raquel Zick said, “we talked about homelessness, we talked about the (housing) program across the street that addresses some of the homeless issues in this area, we talked about e-bikes, we talked about traffic safety with some of the changes in the speed limits.”

One of the groups to come forward was Mom’s Demand Action, Sarah Penna said, “we were building relationships with the police department here in Goleta. We were talking to them about safe storage of firearms, so we hand out a lot of gun locks in the community.”

The department had several members of the command staff on hand.

Upcoming there will be a special ‘Coffee with a Cop’ program that will focus on Isla Vista issues and events including the unsanctioned spring festival known as Deltopia that draws thousands of visitors.

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Bend church parishioners the latest target of long-running gift-card scam, now enhanced by artificial intelligence

KTVZ on October 7, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office scam warning, video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Several members of a Bend church have become the latest intended targets of a gift-card scam that has been around for years but appears to be getting more sophisticated all the time, sending out emails impersonating the pastor, possibly with the help of artificial intelligence. 

A parishioner at Nativity Lutheran Church alerted KTVZ News he was one of church members to get the scam emails, and Pastor Chris Kramer confirmed and provided the details to us. 

Kramer said a similar, less sophisticated scam involved the church about five years ago. 

This time, he said, parishioners began getting bogus emails early last week that claimed to be from Kramer, including his name and photo, likely harvested off the website. They speak of a “delicate” situation – and ask the recipient to buy Target gift cards and provide the numbers off them. 

“Apparently, they have read our newsletter, got a little sense of my writing style,” the pastor said. Asked if he thought it likely involved AI, Kramer replied: “Absolutely!” 

Kramer said the “predatory” Target gift card scam targets -no pun intended – the “particularly generous and the elderly, who are not necessarily so sophisticated in the ways of the computer world.” 

And Kramer repeated words familiar to many: “We’d never ask anyone on an email, ever, to give anyone gift cards.” 

Another Bend church was the target a year ago, he recalled, and more recently a Medford church.

The scammers manage to compromise someone’s computer, finding names and harvesting email addresses from an unprotected computer.  

The parishioner who contacted KTVZ wrote that the pastor “has mentioned (the scam) several times previously, so we were ready. But the messages are so ‘genuine,’ you can understand how some people have been stung. Target has been great about notifying and refunding, etc.” 

As for finding the scammers, it’s not likely, if not impossible. 

“It’s not local, and these people are probably in India or China or Russia – or who knows?” Kramer said. “I read an article about the slave trade, where they force the slaves to do this work.” 

“We need to get the word out,” the pastor said. “Please, no pastor will ever ask you to go buy gift cards!” 

At least five church members bought the cards after getting the scam email, and Kramer said he’s only aware of one who apparently didn’t get Target to deactivate the card in time, to the tune of $600 until a refund. 

“A couple of them did upload the cards, as the scammers told them,” Kramer said. “They then called the church to see if they did it correctly, and we told them, ‘No, no! Call Target!’ They deactivated the card.” 

And the scammers, whoever and wherever they are, can be … stubborn. 

Kramer said one parishioner who got the gift card deactivated in time to avoid a loss heard from the scammers once again, who said “It didn’t work – could you try it again?” 

Kramer also contacted Bend Police last week to report the issue, according to Communications Manager Sheila Miller. 

Overall, she said, the department has gotten about 315 calls reporting scams or online fraud so far this year.

Apparently coincidentally, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted this Scam Alert on their Facebook page on Tuesday:

“Scam calls have picked up and this morning we have had an influx of calls about them. Here’s what you need to know:

1. We will never call you to say you have a warrant

2. We will never ask you to pay us

3. Hang up as soon as you hear bitcoin

4. We do not have badge numbers at the Sheriff’s Office

5. We will not call you about missing Jury Duty

6. You can ALWAYS hang up and call our office to verify any phone call you get, scam or just questionable.

Please look out for family members that are not on social media. They do often target the older generations. Share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors.”

The Federal Trade Commission website to report such fraud says it has been tempoarily shut down due to the partial government shutdown but still links to consumer.ftc.gov. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov/) also is still in operaton.

The Oregon Department of Justice also has a hotline and website to report consumer fraud. The Consumer Hotine at 1-877-877-9392 is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., staffed by volunteers who field more than 50,000 calls each year. The website also has a searchable consumer complaint database.

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Palm Springs finalizes $5.9M settlement for Section 14 survivors and descendants

KESQ on October 7, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs has finalized the $5.9 million payment settlement to the survivors and descendants of Section 14, officials told News Channel 3 Tuesday.

According to the city, the Section 14 Settlement Agreement was signed by the Section 14 claimants on September 4 and by the City on September 5.  The City has received nearly 1,500 signed release/waivers.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, as approved by the City Council unanimously in November (According to Palm Springs:

The City Council approved $5.9 million in direct financial compensation for eligible survivors and descendants. The payment was contingent upon receipt of at least 1,200 signed legal waivers. As of October 6, nearly 1,500 release/waivers have been received by the City.

The City Council voted to authorize the named claimant representing survivors and descendants and their attorneys the disbursement of individual payments once the required waivers were received. As with all settlements of claims or litigation, the City does not get involved in how the claimants and their attorneys share in the proceeds.

The settlement also includes $20 million in affordable housing programs to be implemented over the next decade, prioritizing access for former Section 14 families, along with $1 million in small-business support to strengthen economic opportunity in Palm Springs.

The City remains committed to establishing a public memorial and dedicating a future park to honor the families of Section 14.

In addition, the agreement provides that the City will offer support for a potential Section 14 Cultural and Racial Healing Center, which may include letters of support. The City is not obligated to fund any such center but remains committed to helping community-led efforts succeed.

“The City approached this settlement with care, transparency, and respect for everyone involved, said City Manager Scott Stiles. “Our goal from the beginning has been to resolve these longstanding claims in a way that is fair, equitable and with a focus on healing and progress.”

Not everyone is happy with the settlement. A petition signed by 37 people, including three survivors, who don’t think the settlement goes far enough, and it lists a number of demands.

Section 14 Attorney ResponseDownload

Section 14 is a one-square-mile tract previously held by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, adjacent to downtown Palm Springs. This area used to home hundreds of people, mostly minority families, until the 1950s and 1960s when they were evicted.

Section 14 became a prominent point of discussion of the Palm Springs City Council in June of 2020, when hundreds of people signed a petition to remove the statue of former mayor Frank Bogert in front of Palm Springs City Hall.

In September of 2021, the City Council voted to move forward with an apology for the city government’s role in the destruction of Section 14 more than 50 years ago. At that same meeting, city staff agreed to bring back budget proposals for reparations to those affected within the year. However, survivors of Section 14 felt as though conversations surrounding reparations began to come to a halt

As a result, the city of Palm Springs began facing legal action in November of 2022. The group of survivors, with the advice of economist Dr. Julianna Malveaux and lead attorney Areva Martin, began seeking direct payments for the racially motivated harm caused by the evictions, with damages ranging from $400 million to $2 billion. 

In a 3-2 vote in April of 2023, the City Council voted not to approve a consultant agreement to develop reparations program services like the survivors had long urged for.

Following a closed City Council meeting in January of 2024 in which Section 14 survivors rallied to discuss movement on the reparation plans, the Council issued a statement agreeing to several actions involving the issue in April 2024.

News Channel 3 has been covering the issue for several years. You can watch some of our reports below:

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Hiker rescued by helicopter in Palm Desert

KESQ on October 7, 2025

City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (CNS) – A person was rescued today from a trail in Palm Desert after suffering from a medical complaint.   

The rescue was reported shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 470000 block of Portola Avenue, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.   

The agency said the individual suffered moderate injuries and was hoisted by helicopter to a ground ambulance nearby.   

No further information was immediately available.

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Prepping your vehicle for winter: Essential tips for Idaho drivers

KIFI on October 7, 2025

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (KIFI) — With the Idaho winter months rapidly approaching, local auto experts are sounding the alarm: now is the critical time to prepare your vehicle for safe driving. Procrastinating on car maintenance can lead to dangerous situations and costly roadside breakdowns once the snow and ice arrive.

Local News 8 spoke with Matthew Conde of AAA of Idaho, who emphasized that drivers should be proactive, starting with a basic but often neglected item: windshield wipers.

“A lot of us haven’t been using our windshield wipers very much lately, so now’s a good time to maybe think about replacing those wiper blades if they’re skipping or streaking or just not doing the job anymore,” Conde said.

Conde adds that preparation begins where your car meets the road: the tires. Worn treads drastically reduce traction on slick surfaces, yet many drivers postpone replacement until the first snowfall.

Conde highlighted an easy way to check a tire’s lifespan. “One of the best ways you can go about it is the quarter test, and you stick a quarter in the main track of that tire, and if you can see the top of George Washington’s head, it’s time to think about replacing those tires,” he advised. AAA recommends tire tread depth be at least 4/32″ for adequate traction in winter weather.

One of the best methods to prepare your car is to start from the ground up. After you get your tires replaced, check your fluids. Conde recommends switching to a washer fluid that has antifreeze-type properties to prevent freezing. He also urged motorists to address any existing mechanical problems.

“If you’ve been neglecting that drip in the driveway, it’s like going to the dentist’s office,” Conde said. “No one wants to face those mechanical issues, but dealing with them now, while the weather is still pretty good, is probably your better solution than finding something out on the side of the road somewhere.”

Upkeep is also important for maintaining your car, especially cleanliness. Juan Gonzalez, owner of All Season Detailing, notes that constant exposure to road salt and de-icing chemicals is one of the biggest threats to a vehicle’s longevity.

“One of the biggest concerns from customers right now is how they maintain the vehicle or how do they prepare the vehicle for the wintertime from all the salt and contaminants they get into the vehicles,” said Gonzalez. “

“Something else that gets neglected quite a bit is carwashes,” adds Conde. “Getting that undercarriage washed out, you can prevent any buildup of corrosive stuff, any gunk or debris that might damage brake lines or get up in the brakes themselves. Things like that damage your brake lines or in the brakes themselves. Things like that damage your muffler, so periodically washing all that gunk out of there is a really good idea.”

Gonzalez and Conde both said the same thing when it comes to getting rid of ice on your windshield: Use an ice scraper and never use hot water.

“One of the things that can happen there is called thermal shock. And you can actually crack the windshield doing that,” Conde said.

In terms of safety, AAA recommends keeping an emergency bag in your vehicle that includes a first aid kit, a flashlight, snacks and a blanket in case you get stranded.

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Highlighting the Yuma Agricultural Center’s insect trapping network

KYMA on October 7, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In Tuesday’s Home Grown report, we highlight a local insect trapping network that monitors trends of insect activity.

The network was established 12 years ago, with the more common insects in the area being worms, thrips, aphids, and whiteflies.

It functions as an early warning system, detecting pests found in higher numbers than usual.

“Think about it as an early warning system for the PCAs so that they can be more vigilant or be more alert on where to look for the pests,” says Dr. Samuel Discua Duarte, the interim Director of the Yuma AG Center.

The Yuma Agricultural Center is currently making efforts to expand this network into Mexico.

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Thousands of BYU-Idaho students gather to honor late LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson

KIFI on October 7, 2025

News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A touching scene unfolded at BYU-Idaho’s campus today, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as thousands of students and faculty gathered to watch the funeral and celebration of life for President Russell M. Nelson, the late prophet and 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

With all noon classes canceled, a quiet campus filled the I-Center auditorium to view the live broadcast of the services, which were held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The gathering served as a collective moment of mourning and remembrance for a leader who served as Church President for seven years.

Students attending the viewing shared with Local News 8 the profound impact President Nelson had on their lives and the Church during his tenure.

“It’s really cool to see a giant group like that gather together to, you know, sort of make a life of just one person,” said BYU-Idaho student Norrah Nielsen. “It’s awesome to see how one person can mean so much to the lives of many.”

President Nelson passed away on the evening of September 27, 2025, at the age of 101. The public funeral service officially concludes the period of tribute, which began with a special tribute broadcast on October 1, followed by a public viewing on October 6.

The funeral featured moving tributes to President Nelson, a world-renowned heart surgeon before his full-time church service. President Dallin H. Oaks, who currently serves as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — the governing body of the LDS faith, offered powerful words praising Nelson’s life and service.

“He will be remembered not only as a prophet, but as a bridge builder, a healer, and a man whose life bore witness to the power of faith in action,” said President Oaks

The passing of a Church President dissolves the governing First Presidency. Following established LDS Church precedent, President Dallin H. Oaks is expected to be named the next President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the coming days or weeks, succeeding President Nelson as the prophet.

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Construction underway on $1.6 million Buchanan County Fairgrounds

News-Press NOW on October 7, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Contractors are officially plowing ahead on the highly anticipated home for future livestock showcases and events in Buchanan County.

Crews with Al J. Mueller Construction are on site carrying out the first steps of development for a $1.6 million Buchanan County Fairgrounds arena in Easton, Missouri, with Tuesday’s work focused on grading and landscaping.

The new fairgrounds will span nearly 20 acres, headlined by the construction of a 160-by-250-foot arena, nearly the same width as an NFL football field.

The venue will be capable of hosting a wide range of 4-H and FFA showcases, as well as larger events like rodeos and car shows, among other year-round possibilities.

County officials told News-Press NOW the hope is to have the arena constructed by late December and ready by spring of 2026.

At the same time, renovations are also moving forward at the former East Buchanan Middle School building nearby. The building was acquired by the Buchanan County Fairgrounds Board and will be paired with the arena as a hub for community and fairgrounds-related activities.

This photo shows the land where the new Buchanan County Fairgrounds Arena will be constructed in Easton, Missouri, next to the former East Buchanan Middle School building on North County Park Road.

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New St. Joseph kids clothing store offers affordable options for families

News-Press NOW on October 7, 2025

Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One new South Side business is providing affordable clothing and child care items for families.

The Kids Kingdom clothing store, located on 6968 King Hill Ave., opened its doors on April 1, 2025.

Owner and St. Joseph native Kaeli Thomas desired to provide something special for her community. As a mom of seven, she wanted to give all mothers and caregivers access to affordable clothes for their kids.

“Stuff is up in prices. And I’m like, ‘What does the community need?’ There are new mothers out there that are struggling every day. And I’m like, we just need to bring affordable wear,” said Thomas.

Thomas said it’s all about giving back to the community she loves.

“Stuff’s expensive nowadays. So we want to be able to give affordable and everything be affordable for mothers, new mothers, expecting mothers, mothers that have kiddos. I mean, it’s just we want to give back to the community,” said Thomas.

The Kid’s Kingdom offers a variety of affordable children’s products such as clothing, shoes, strollers, car seats, toys and so much more.

Thomas’s favorite thing about The Kid’s Kingdom isn’t just the products they sell, it’s the relationships that are made.

“My favorite thing about this place is my customers. I love seeing the faces. I love seeing people come in and give great feedback on everything that they have found or, you know, just good feedback that I’m bringing good to the community. But my customers are what keeps me going and is what I love best about this is my customers,” said Thomas.  

From providing affordable kids’ clothing to meaningful connections, The Kid’s Kingdom is here to serve the community it loves.

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Two people dead after car crash near Arroyo Grande

KEYT on October 7, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – Two people died following a car crash and subsequent vehicle fire near Arroyo Grande just before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the SLO Tribune.

The crash occurred on the Highway 101 and Traffic Way off-ramp; however, the car fire posed no threat to vegetation or grass nearby, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

The CHP SLO division originally mentioned major injuries from the crash, but later displayed the incident as a fatality on its incident page.

The car that caught fire was the only vehicle involved, and the San Luis Obispo CHP asked drivers just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to expect delays and choose alternate routes, according to CAL Fire SLO.

More information on the incident will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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