Idaho Fish and Game issues salvage order for Upper Snake and Southeast Canals

KIFI on October 23, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Fish and Game:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for irrigation canals within the Upper Snake and Southeast Regions, effective Oct. 31, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2025.

Local canals in the Upper Snake and Southeast Regions will be shut off as irrigation season ends for the year, and it is expected that many fish will be stranded as canals go dry.  Rather than letting them go to waste, Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order effective Oct. 31 – Nov. 30, 2025, and encourages the public to salvage and utilize these fish during this timeline.

Canals from the Upper Snake Region included in the salvage order are:

Anderson, Burgess, Butte and Market Lake, Chester, Clark and Edwards, Consolidated Farmers, Crosscut, Danskin, Dry Bed, Eagle Rock, East LaBelle, Egin, Fall River, Farmer’s Friend, Harrison, Idaho, Independent, Island, Marysville, Osgood, Palisades, Parks and Lewisville, Porter, Reid, Rexburg Irrigation, Rigby, Rudy, Salem Union, St. Anthony, St. Anthony Union, Teton Island Feeder, Teton Irrigation, West LaBelle, Wilford, and Woodville canals.

In the Southeast Region, the salvage order includes the canals and laterals of:

Aberdeen Springfield, Blackfoot, Cedar Point, Corbett Slough, Great Western, Highline, Lavaside, Low Line, New Lavaside and People, Peoples, Reservation, and Snake River Valley canals.

During the salvage order period for the previously mentioned canals:

All bag, possession, and size limits are suspended.

A valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

Fish may be taken by any method except firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electrical current.

Sturgeon may NOT be retained, must be immediately released alive, and must be reported to the Upper Snake Regional Office by calling (208) 525-7290.

No live fish may be transported from the place of capture.

Anglers are reminded that some segments of these canals are on private property and permission must be obtained from the landowner prior to fishing in those areas.

For more information about this salvage order, contact the Southeast Region Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 or the Upper Snake Region Fish and Game office at 208-525-7290.

Click here to follow the original article.

MU’s 2026 fall semester Stop Day at risk of getting cut for Veterans Day

KMIZ on October 23, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A traditional day off for students at the end of the fall semester is at risk of being eliminated next school year.

The University of Missouri is at the beginning stages of reviewing its academic calendar for next year to be in compliance with its mandated number of academic hours for classes that meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, according to an email from Director of Undergraduate Studies James Crozier.

The school could remove “Reading Day”, also known as “Stop Day” by students and alumni, for the fall 2026 semester because of a law signed earlier this year that would make Veterans Day a holiday for UM System employees, according to an email from a university spokesman.

At its meeting on Thursday afternoon, the MU Faculty Council voted to remove Stop Day from the fall 2026 calendar. Members had to suspend their traditional rules to take the vote immediately, since the decision must be finalized before fall enrollment begins.

Crozier told ABC 17 News in an email that the change would only affect the 2026 fall semester, and would not require cancelling the spring semester’s Stop Day, or any future Reading Day.

The university is required to have 29 academic days scheduled for Tuesday/Thursday classes and 43 for Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes. Crozier indicated that Veterans Day falling on a Wednesday in 2026 is what led to the discussion, but noted that Veterans Day could again impact future Stop Day schedules, depending on how the calendar falls. He said those decisions would be made on a year-to-year basis.

A statement attributed to MU spokesman Christopher Ave indicated after the Faculty Council votes to recommend removing the day from the academic calendar, it would then go to the chancellor and president for review. If UM System President Mun Choi also recommends the change, it would be submitted to the Board of Curators for final approval.

Stop Day has been a long-standing MU tradition that gives students a day off before finals to study and catch up on classwork. However, it’s also become widely known as a social day for students.

“What I’ve heard its a great time and I’m still looking forward to it,” MU freshman Brendan Cline told ABC 17 News.

“It would be kind of a bummer if it got taken away but it would also be nice to get the day off school,” MU freshman Joshua Fenter added. “I’m sure we would still be able to do some fun stuff at the end of the year.”

Last May, large crowds on East Campus brought an increased police presence, and Columbia police handed out flyers reminding students about the city’s nuisance ordinance. Despite the possible change, many students told ABC 17 News they expect some kind of replacement event to happen if Stop Day is canceled.

“Being replaced by Veterans Day is kind of a bummer as it is, but Veterans Day is Veterans Day. You always got to honor them, but not being able to have a stop day is kind of a negative point,” MU freshman Garen Simpkins said. “I will be highly shocked if students don’t participate in that given how big a culture there is around it, even if it is Veterans Day.”

Click here to follow the original article.

More than $68,000 donated for K9 Roam, police dog who had leg amputated after stabbing

KRDO on October 23, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says that more than $68,000 has been donated to the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs for K9 Roam’s care.

Police say K9 Roam was repeatedly stabbed by a suspect on Oct. 15.

READ MORE: Man accused of stabbing CSPD K9 Roam identified as Fort Carson Sergeant

Due to the extent of his injuries, emergency veterinary staff said they were forced to amputate one of his hind legs.

CSPD says they saw an outpouring of support. While most of the donations to the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs were made in Colorado, CSPD says that some donations came as far as Canada, the U.K., and Belgium.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received,” said Chief Adrian Vasquez in a press release. “K9 Roam is not only a valued member of our department but also a symbol of the courage and dedication our officers bring to the community every day. The kindness shown to K9 Roam by our community, nation, and from around the world is a reminder of why we serve.”

In addition to monetary donations, working K9 dogs also made donations of their own, too. CSPD says some K9 dogs gave blood to assist in Roam’s recovery.

CSPD says Roam is recovering at home with his former handler. CSPD says the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs will continue to make more efforts to raise money for Roam. They plan to make Roam bracelets, have him in their calendar, and even make a Roam plushie; proceeds will go to Roam’s care and the K9 unit, CSPD says.

Information on donations can be found here.

Click here to follow the original article.

‘Significant tragedy’ averted: Judge sentences Smith Rock mass shooting plotter Samson Garner to 30 years in prison

KTVZ on October 23, 2025

Claire Elmer

(Update: Garner sentenced, judge’s ruling)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Samson Garner, the Portland resident recently convicted by a jury of plotting a mass shooting at a Smith Rock climbing event two years ago, was sentenced Monday afternoon to 30 years in prison.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson agreed to the prosecution’s recommended sentence for Garner, found guilty back in September of planning a mass shooting at Smith Rock’s Craggin’ Classic event in October 2023. She rejected the request by his defense attorneys for a much shorter, 7 1/2 year sentence, ruling that each of the four counts of attempted aggravated murder should be served consecutively.

Prosecutors urged the judge not to do as the defense requested: “Concurrent sentences minimize the defendant’s conduct and intent to ‘rampage through the park shooting belayers and spectators while their climbers watched and lived the horror, unable to help or do anything to save themselves and their friends,’” Chief Deputy District Attorney Mary Anderson wrote in her response.

The judge quoted that section of Garner’s email and said: “I believe this would have been a significant tragedy.”

However, she said, because that threat was taken seriously by Garner’s friends and by law enforcement, “the community was spared that outcome,” and she quoted a familiar phrase to head off such incidents: “See something, say something.”

The hearing previously was set back twice, with the most recent delay bringing sharp criticism from Judge Alison Emerson aimed at the defense.

Earlier Story — October 23rd — BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge once again postponed the sentencing of Samson Garner, the Portland man convicted of plotting a mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park’s 2023 Craggin’ Classic, after sharply criticizing his defense team for missing repeated filing deadlines.

The packed courtroom on Thursday heard Judge Alison Emerson rebuke defense attorney Kelly Monaghan for not receiving a sentencing memorandum until hours before the hearing.

Emerson said she had to read the filing over her lunch break and needed more time to fairly review it. She emphasized the court’s duty to take the sentencing process seriously, adding that the briefing’s lateness would not allow her to make an informed decision.

Garner, 41, was found guilty in September on all 26 felony counts, including attempted murder, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, following a three-week trial.

Prosecutors have recommended a 30-year prison sentence, citing the severity of the charges and Garner’s violent intent. The defense has asked for a combined 7½-year term, arguing that consecutive sentences would be excessive and outlining why during Thursday’s hearing.

Prosecutors also read a victim impact statement from former Craggin’ Classic event coordinator Jessica Mason, who described the lasting trauma she experienced after learning of Garner’s threats to attack the event. Mason said she has since left her position and stopped rock climbing due to fear tied to the incident.

Judge Emerson postponed the sentencing to November 10, saying she would take time to review the documents before issuing a final decision. Garner’s sentencing had already been delayed previously due to defense attorney Joel Wirtz’s involvement in negotiations for a new contract for Oregon’s public defenders.

Defense attorney Kelly Monaghan said Garner won’t make a statement at his sentencing, saying that was what his attorney’s had advised.

As a result, Emerson said the Nov. 10 hearing will be limited to her decision and the imposition of sentence. She apologized to those who drove over from Portland and said they can observe ithe subsequent hearing remotely, if they wish.

Click here to follow the original article.

Red Ribbon Week Starts With Pajama Day At Santa Maria’s Taylor Elementary

KEYT on October 23, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Eight days of drug prevention education begin today in Santa Maria with the official start of Red Ribbon Week.

Since 1985, Red Ribbon Week has been paying tribute to fallen DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

The prevention of drug abuse and violence are presented to school kids of all ages through educational activities and “spirit dress” days.

At Taylor Elementary School in Santa Maria, Red Ribbon Week kicked off with “pajama day.”

Several local schools have already participated in “wear red day” as well as “crazy hair day.”

School officials acknowledged the wide range of agencies that collaborate on a daily basis to keep kids safe and engaged.

“Everything that we do here every day is a partnership between, you know, our staff and families and outside organizations and our district office,” says Stefanie Hardgrave, principal Of Taylor Elementary School. “And it takes all of those people equally engaging in order for us to support students and help everybody to be successful.”

On October 28th, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley is holding an adults-only seminar called “Hidden In Plain Sight” which will be at El Camino Junior High, educating parents about the signs of drug and alcohol use in kids and teens.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Sen. Wyden talks with KTVZ News about the continuing government shutdown, health care and fentanyl crisis

KTVZ on October 23, 2025

Spencer Sacks

(Update: Adding more comments from Wyden, full video interview)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The second-longest shutdown in history is in its fourth week, with no clear end in sight.

KTVZ News spoke Thursday with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, who said he’s grown increasingly frustrated with the shutdown.

“It’s it seems like there is no willingness, particularly with the Trump administration, to open up the negotiations to get this resolved,” Wyden told us.

“But you have to have the president say to everybody who’s following this, ‘Look, let’s get to work. Let’s do it in a bipartisan way, and I know how to do it.’”

One of the major sticking points between Republicans and Democrats is over health care.

It’s an issue that both sides have talked about fixing. Senator Wyden said we need a new way of thinking about the problems.

“No question that we have to look for ways to modernize,” he said. “For example, the employer-based system comes from the World War II movement. Now that’s really an important tool for employers we can modernize. And so, you bet there ways to make everything better, if you really want to dig in and work in a bipartisan way.”

Senator Wyden said he still supports employer-based health insurance but is interested in companies giving financial assistance directly to workers.

Another major issue going on is the flip-flop in the courts over the legality of President Trump sending federal National Guard troops to Portland. When asked about this, Wyden was animated in his reply.

“It’s a local function,” he said. “You know what we’re saying here? We believe that our city is overwhelmingly made up of people who want a safe and community-oriented kind of approach.”

“We don’t want the feds coming in and trampling all over our rights. And that’s really what the Founding Fathers always thought. It’s that these were local kind of issues, you bet. There are things that need to be done at the local level.”

Rulings are expected soon by both Portland u.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The senator also spoke about the devastation that the fentanyl crisis has caused. He said he is hopeful for the future on curbing the epidemic.

Wyden told us he is working on legislation right now hoping to reduce the effects that fentanyl has on our community.

“It (fentanyl) is so powerful,” he said. “The cartels and everybody else pushes it, once it gets to the United States. What I want to do, though, is go to the source, and these brokers are playing a bigger and bigger, role in terms of getting it to the United States. Let’s cut them off at the source.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Santa Barbara Waterfront Department Scores FEMA Reimbursement in Excess of $2-million

KEYT on October 23, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  (KEYT) – At a time when funding issues are washing out some of the Santa Barbara financial safety net, a big check is on the way from the federal government.

Between 2022 and 2024 there were historic storms and directional swells that pushed tons of sand into the parking areas from the Yacht club to the Harbor West Parking lot, along with destruction of the asphalt in many areas.

It left the area vulnerable to more storms and damage, to not just businesses in the area, but the U.S. Coast Guard offices. Some of the harbor areas impacted were around the Santa Barbra Fish Market and Brophy’s On the Alley.

It required an all-out effort by the crews to clean the area out and open drains.

Santa Barbara Waterfront Director Mike Wiltshire told the Harbor commission recently a request for repair cost reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been approved.

He says the impact and repairs at the time were “enormous.”

In just days, at the time, “one of the larger actions was to install a 400 foot rock revetment. This was critical,” he said.  ‘This revetment followed a previously designed plan.”  That sped up the process to defend the property.

T go after FEMA money “is long and tedious and takes a huge amount of staff time,” said Wiltshire.

All along they were unsure about the results.

“We heard back from FEMA and they are going to reimburse us roughly for $2-million of the $2.6-million in claims,” said Wiltshire.

Wiltshire called it “a huge win for the Waterfront department.”

This week, the City Finance Committee received a report showing overall revenues are trending down and expenses are going up citywide. All departments were asked to suggest ways to trim costs or generate new fees.

Also the Harbor Commission recently looked at concerns going forward. Questions have been raised about harbor dredging with dwindling funds for one more clearing  possibly in January.

Harbor commissioner John Stedman asked if the Coast Guard Vessel Blackfin would be stuck here in a storm. “Is it conceivable that federal government wouldn’t dredge if we were in emergency conditions  given that have that Coast Guard vessel?”

Wiltshire said, “they’ll dredge essentially the minimum about to get passage for that Coast Guard cutter and our operations, as opposed to clearing a channel for the normal width (for all vessels.)”

The city also saw an insurance deductible for Stearns Wharf go up from $250,000 to $3-million in case there is a damage issue there.

The recent FEMA money is going back into the waterfront reserves.

Click here to follow the original article.

After Years of Planning, Work to Revitalize Downtown Santa Maria is Finally Happening

KEYT on October 23, 2025

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The long-running effort to revitalize downtown Santa Maria is finally taking place.

City leaders have been working to bring a restored vibrancy to the downtown area around the busy intersection of Broadway and Main Street for decades.

Now, with a handful of residential and commercial developments either in construction or soon to be on-the-way, Santa Maria is now beginning the process that stakeholders believe will dramatically remake and reimagine the important downtown core.

“This is absolutely a transformational point in our downtown revitalization efforts,” said Chenin Dow, Santa Maria Community Development Director. “This really has the capability of transforming our downtown in a new and different way, to really be what our community needs for the next generation of Santa Maria.  

Ten years ago, Santa Maria adopted its Downtown Specific Plan, a document created to establish its vision, regulations, and guidelines to revitalize, beautify, and redevelop the downtown area. Santa Maria leaders use the Specific Plan essentially as a road map to focus its efforts, attract investment and be a catalyst for improvement.

“The Downtown Specific Plan was first adopted back in 2015, but these last few months we’ve really started to see the rubber meets the road in terms of projects coming out of the ground,” said Dow. “We are looking to build over 1,000 units of housing within the downtown core. There’s more than 130,000 square feet of commercial being developed or redeveloped.”

The first major development project in the downtown area is already complete, The Gateway mixed-used development on the northwest corner of Broadway and Main Street.

Located at the site of a former stereo store, the three-story building includes the now open Efren’s Mexican Restaurant on the bottom floor, and housing units on the top floors.

Within the past few weeks, construction began on the redevelopment of the former Falla’s/Mervyn’s building in the Santa Maria Town Center West shopping center.

Santa Barbara-based developer The Vernon Group has been working for five years on the project that will transform the long-vacant two-story 85,000 square foot building into a 104-unit residential complex called Heritage Walk Lofts.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in early August and now construction crews can been seen working on the well-known building on a daily basis.

Heritage Walk Lofts is the first in a series of other major developments The Vernon Group has planned for the downtown area.

Other projects The Vernon Group is working includes the proposed Perlman Apartments on the northeast corner of Broadway and Main Street and right across the street on the southeast corner, the Alvin Newton Apartments.

Both of the those two developments are planned to be six-story structures and have been approved byte Santa Maria City Council.

The Perlman building is set to be an affordable housing complex with about 250 unites and the Alvin Newton building to have a mixed-use concept that includes under 100 units.

The Vernon Group also has two other longer term projects in the works in the area, including what is known as “Lot 1,” the site of the former Boot Barn, and “Lot 4,” which is property located just north of the Heritage Walk Lofts.

Should all of these projects come to fruition, downtown Santa Maria will look and feel much different than it does today.

It’s a complete evolution,” said Suzanne Singh, Santa Maria Valley Chamber Vice President of Economic Development and Government Affairs. “We’re shifting to what the younger generation wants. I think we’re moving to what our younger generation is looking for, which is revitalized downtowns where they can live in high rise apartments, go down, get their coffee, do their shopping, all that right where they live, and so I think we’re listening to that younger generation and we’re trying to accommodate them, in addition to making Santa Maria look awesome.”

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rexburg Police seek public’s help to identify downtown graffiti suspect

KIFI on October 23, 2025

Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Rexburg Police Department is asking the community for help in identifying a person of interest believed to be responsible for a month-long spree of vandalism and graffiti in the downtown area.

Since September 14th, the unidentified individual has “tagged” an estimated 35 local businesses, causing property damage and frustration for owners.

The Rexburg PD has released multiple surveillance images showing the suspect. Though the individual’s face is often obscured by a face mask and sunglasses, the photos appear to show a white male wearing Nike high-top sneakers, dark clothing, including various hoodies, and sunglasses.

Police are urging anyone with information that could help identify the person of interest to contact Officer Hansen or Detective Wheeler at the Rexburg Police Department (208) 359-3000.

Click here to follow the original article.

Witness describes ‘terrifying’ near-miss during chase that ended in crash near Indio-Coachella border

KESQ on October 23, 2025

Garrett Hottle

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) A driver who says he was nearly hit during Wednesday’s police pursuit through La Quinta and Indio is describing what he calls a “terrifying, split-second” moment that could have taken his life.

Twenty-year-old Jesse Bautista told KESQ News Channel he was driving east on Avenue 48, near Jefferson Street, when he suddenly saw flashing lights fill his rearview mirror.

“I looked and saw a white Camaro and a bunch of cops,” Batista said. “I could’t move over there were cars in front of me. The driver was right behind me, and at the last second, he jerked the car into another lane. If he hadn’t, he would’ve hit me.”

He says his windows were down and he could hear the sound of sirens growing louder as the pursuit closed in. He says the Camaro swerved sharply between lanes before speeding past, followed by several Riverside County Sheriff’s patrol cars.

“It was so fast I didn’t have time to think,” he said. “I was shaking, tearing up—I thought, ‘I’m too young to die.’”

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first tried to stop the suspect around 4:00 p.m. Wednesday near Avenue 47 and Adams Street in La Quinta. The driver failed to cooperate, leading to a chase that ended at Avenue 48 and Calhoun Street near the Indio-Coachella border, where the suspect crashed into another vehicle.

Deputies say the suspect ran from the scene but was caught after a neighborhood search. The driver of the uninvolved vehicle was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and Indio Police assisted with traffic control as the crash site was cleared.

Batista says after the near miss, he pulled over with other drivers and watched the chase continue east toward Coachella.

“Even when I got home, I could still hear the sirens,” he said. “My adrenaline was through the roof.”

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing. The suspect’s name and charges have not been released.

Stick with KESQ News Channel 3 for updates. 

Click here to follow the original article.