Iron Heroes: 1st Armored Division Troops compete for army-level representation

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The 1st Armored Division and its subordinate brigades hosted the Iron Heroes Competition at the Doña Ana Range Complex today.

This tactical series identified the division’s top individuals, teams, crews, and squads to represent 1AD in higher-level Army competitions.

Tanks traversed the terrain scanning for targets that resembled enemy vehicles. Several four-crew-member tank teams participated.The competition was about hitting targets resembling enemy vehicles.It also required traversing desert terrain.

The Best Tank Competition tested crews on speed, accuracy, and teamwork under demanding fire and maneuver scenarios.

It also intended to showcase warfighting readiness while emphasizing the discipline, cohesion, and lethality of 1AD tank crews in large-scale operations.

By highlighting how crews execute synchronized fire and movement, the competition demonstrated the division’s capacity to dominate on complex, modern battlefield challenges.

“You just go out there and do the best, and you already already know they’re the best. They’re just proving to everybody else who is the best. At the end of the day,” said 1st. Sgt. Quinterro who was overseeing the event.

Click here to follow the original article.

Crook County Road Department to dedicate a new flagpole and plaque honoring employees

KTVZ

(Update: Adding video)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County Road Department has announced the upcoming dedication marking the installation of a new flagpole and plaque at its facility, as a lasting tribute to the dedication and service of its employees — past, present, and future.

The county says the flagpole “will serve as a daily reminder of the critical work performed by the department in maintaining and improving the county’s infrastructure.”

County officials and department leadership say they see the flagpole not only as a symbol of pride but as a meaningful way to recognize the hardworking individuals who have kept Crook County moving safely and efficiently over the years.

“It’s important that we take the time to recognize the dedication and hard work of our road department employees,” said County Commissioner Seth Crawford. “These men and women often work long hours, in all weather conditions, to ensure our roads are safe and well-maintained. This flagpole and plaque are a wonderful way to show our gratitude for their past, present, and future service to the county.”

The project was initiated by road department employee Erick Kufeldt as a way to build morale and honor the legacy of those who have served in the past, while also inspiring those who continue the mission today.

“This flagpole represents more than just a physical addition to our facility — it’s a symbol of pride and appreciation,” said Road Superintendent Brad Haynes. “Every person who has worked for the Crook County Road Department has contributed to the strength and reliability of our community. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and preserving that legacy.”

The dedication ceremony for the new flagpole is scheduled for next Monday, November 24 at 1:00  PM at the Crook County Road Department located at 1306 N. Main Street in Prineville

Click here to follow the original article.

37 overdose cases eligible for review in 2024

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Health Department (YCHD) presented new statistics on local overdoses.

The county says 37 drug overdose cases were eligible for review in 2024, which is three less than the previous year.

Meanwhile, the highest total they have seen in the past four years was in 2021 with 56 cases eligible for review.

These cases do not count people under eighteen years old, people who were pregnant at their time of death, or if the overdose was ruled a suicide.

Ryan Butcher, the Deputy Chief Health Officer for the health department, explains why spreading awareness is important.

“The more awareness we can get out there, where we can direct individuals to seek help…it’s just something more people know about it and where to direct people…We all have a smart part to play in that, and that’s something we can all do,” said Butcher.

Joanne Fiser, the Executive Director of the Yuma County Anti-Drug Coalition, explains how these meetings provide useful information.

“It could be for your family, it could be for your kids, it could be for your grandkids…The information you receive from these coalition meetings is education, and education is power,” Fiser says.

YCHD, the Yuma County Anti-Drug Coalition, and several other local organizations came together to discuss these latest local drug use trends. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Local researchers fighting pests in organic lettuce

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – On Tuesday’s Home Grown report, we share how researchers at the University of Arizona are creating new ways to defend one of Yuma’s most important winter vegetables.

The researchers are using the plant alyssum to help fight thrips in organic lettuce. Thrips are insects that spread a dangerous disease into the winter vegetables.

Since organic farming is strict on chemical sprays, researchers needed a non-toxic way to combat the insects.

“What I’m really trying to do is have thrips be attracted to the sweet alyssum and try to pull them out of the organic lettuce, because we are limited on the tools we can use on organic IPM as far as chemistries,” says Macey Keith, a U of A Cooperative Extension Assistant.

The plan is for the thrips to be attracted to a trailer full of the alyssum.

The project used one trailer the previous year, and will now begin to try it with three.

Click here to follow the original article.

Wyoming Man charged with felony kidnapping after missing Utah teen found in Idaho

Seth Ratliff

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Wyoming man is now in custody after a multi-state search for a 16-year-old girl reported missing out of Utah.

Anthony Holm, 42, of Star Valley, Wyoming, was arrested and charged with felony kidnapping by the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office after deputies located him and the missing juvenile in the Lava Hot Springs area. The teen has been safely reunited with her parents.

On Friday afternoon, November 14, Bannock County dispatch received a call for assistance from the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office in Utah. The Utah agency was actively searching for the missing juvenile, who was believed to be traveling with an adult male, later identified as Holm.

Acting quickly on the provided information, a Bannock County deputy was dispatched to the area of Lava Hot Springs. Within 10 minutes of the call, the deputy located Holm’s vehicle.

Following interviews with both the adult and the juvenile, deputies arrested Holm on a charge of felony kidnapping and booked him into the Bannock County Detention Center.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office publicly extended its thanks to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office for their crucial cooperation and acknowledged the efforts of all agencies involved in ensuring the juvenile’s safe return.

Click here to follow the original article.

Preliminary report reveals details on plane crash out of Colorado Springs

Mackenzie Stafford

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – An Aviation Preliminary Report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) obtained by KRDO13 details engine issues that may have caused a plane flying out of Colorado Springs to come crashing down in Castle Rock. The flight ended in a crash landing after about 45 minutes in the air on November 10.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Lucky’: Plane from Colorado Springs crashes on roadway, hits car, but none seriously injured

Investigators say the pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, he observed a slight decrease in engine speed. They say the El Paso County man immediately applied carburetor heat. However, investigators note that about two minutes later, the engine lost all power. The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, according to the report.

The report details that in the forced landing, the left wing struck a car, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. No one in the car was injured, according to the NTSB. Investigators did say that one person on the plane did report minor injuries.

Now investigators will complete an engine examination following the recovery of the airplane.

KRDO13 spoke with the pilot of the plane, who said it was a scary experience. He plans to speak with us about it further in the future; however, he is waiting on the complete engine examination before sharing more.

It comes after a plane crashed in Colorado Springs on Powers just over a month before. However, the preliminary report regarding the Powers crash did not point to the engine losing power.

Click here to follow the original article.

Central Oregon counties, cities see slow but steady growth in new Portland State University estimates

Barney Lerten

(Update: Added Video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Portland State University’s Population Research Center just released their July 1st annual population estimates for the state and its counties and cities, with most numbers showing small but steady growth.

PSU produces the yearly estimates as directed by state law, using various data, from births and deaths to school enrollment, driver’s licenses and housing-unit surveys of city and counties. They play a role in how revenue is distributed and other government actions.

Preliminary estimates are released in mid-November and local jurisdictions get a chance to review them and seek any revisions before the estimates are certified in mid-December.

Overall, the estimates show that Oregon’s population grew by 15,157 residents, to total 4,300,422, a small increase of just over one-third of a percent.

Deschutes County’s population rose by 2,764 residents to an estimated 213,886 in the past year, for an increase of 2,764 residents, or 1.3%. While a fairly small number, it’s still a higher growth rate than the state as a whole.

PSU’s Crook County July 1 population estimate of 26,760 is 271 residents more than a year earlier, growth of about 1%.

Jefferson County, meanwhile, is not far behind Crook, with 25,768 residents as of July 1, which added 137 people, or just over a half-percent from mid-2024.

Looking at the region’s cities, PSU estimates Bend added 1,527 residents in the past year, for a new estimate of 107,079, an increase of 1.46%.

Bend Senior Planner Damian Syrnyk told KTVZ News the latest PSU estimate reflects slower recent population growth than had been forecast earlier by both the city and PSU. City planners had projected a 2025 population of over 109,000, while PSU’s 2025 forecast, made three years ago, was for Bend to grow to 111,062 residents by now.

Syrnyk also noted that Bend’s population growth of 1,527 people represented 55% of the county’s growth over the past year.

Elsewhere, Redmond’s new population estimate of 37,460 residents is a rise of 572 people, or 1.55%.

PSU said Sisters had a July 1 estimated population of 3,834 residents, a modest increase of 71 people, or 1.92%.

La Pine grew by 101 people in the past year, for a region-leading 3.38% growth rate and a total population of 3,223 residents, the new estimates show.

Prineville added 124 residents, or just over 1%, for a new estimated population of 11,716 people.

Madras grew by about the same number – 125 people, or 1.53 percent, to an estimated 8,242 residents. Elsewhere in Jefferson County, Culver added a dozen residents, or .72%, for a population of 1,661.

Click here to follow the original article.

Palm Springs man accused of sexually assaulting more than 15 minors pleads not guilty to charges

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Springs man suspected of sexually assaulting multiple minors pleaded not guilty to charges on Monday.

Jesse James Garcia-Airada, 28, faces 18 charges, including multiple sexual assault charges.

According to court documents, investigators believe Garcia-Airada sexually assaulted over 15 girls and provided them with fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine vape pens.

Investigators also said they believe Garcia-Airada traveled in and out of California to meet and assault the victims. The recommended bail from investigators was one trillion dollars; however, Garcia-Airada is being held in lieu of bail.

Garcia-Airada was arrested Thursday morning in the area of South Palm Canyon and Linden Way. His arrest came after initial report of sexual assault in May 2025.

“During the course of the investigation, it was learned the suspect had contacted multiple underage females and was offering illegal substances in exchange for sex. Investigators were able to identify multiple underage female victims throughout Riverside County,” reads a news release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Garcia-Airada was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center without bail and faces charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, along with additional child sexual assault related offenses.

Riverside Sheriff’s investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with any additional information to contact Investigator Christine Davis-Arden at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8990.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

Click here to follow the original article.

City of Santa Barbara Appoints New City Attorney

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding the appointment of their new City Attorney, John Doimas

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the appointment of John Doimas as the new City Attorney, following a vote by the City Council. Mr. Doimas brings over 13 years of dedicated service to the City, most recently serving as Assistant City Attorney, where he has been a trusted legal advisor on some of the City’s most complex and high-impact matters.

Mr. Doimas began his tenure with the City in 2012 as a Deputy City Attorney and was promoted to Assistant City Attorney in 2017. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in shaping key City policies and ordinances, leading sensitive investigations, and supporting the creation of the Civilian Oversight Commission. His legal leadership has been instrumental in advancing housing safety through receivership and unfair competition cases, and he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to public service, transparency, and community well-being.

Mayor Randy Rowse praised the appointment, stating, “John brings a rare combination of legal expertise, collaborative spirit, and deep understanding of our community. His appointment ensures continuity, stability, and a strong legal foundation for the City’s future.”

In his new role, Mr. Doimas will serve as the City’s chief legal advisor, overseeing the City Attorney’s Office and providing legal counsel to the City Council, City departments, and various boards and commissions.

Originally from Chicago, Mr. Doimas earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from DePaul University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on his daughter at gymnastics and soccer competitions.

Reflecting on his selection, Mr. Doimas stated, “I am honored to be selected by the Mayor and City Council to continue serving Santa Barbara in this expanded capacity, and helping to contribute  to the success, stability, and resilience of our city, and I am deeply grateful for the tremendous support of the City Attorney’s Office, whom I consider my extended family, as well as the dedicated staff across all City departments.”

The City looks forward to Mr. Doimas’s continued leadership and dedication in his new role.

For more information about the department, visit City Attorney (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityAttorney).

Traducción al español:

SANTA BÁRBARA, Calif. – La Ciudad de Santa Bárbara se complace en anunciar el nombramiento de John Doimas como nuevo abogado municipal (City Attorney), tras un voto del Concejo Municipal. El Sr. Doimas aporta más de 13 años de servicio dedicado a la Ciudad, desempeñándose recientemente como abogado municipal adjunto (Assistant City Attorney), donde ha sido un asesor legal de confianza en algunos de los asuntos más complejos y de mayor impacto para la comunidad.

El Sr. Doimas inició su trayectoria con la Ciudad en 2012 como abogado municipal auxiliar (Deputy City Attorney) y fue ascendido a abogado municipal adjunto en 2017. A lo largo de los años, ha desempeñado un papel fundamental en la formulación de políticas y ordenanzas clave, ha liderado investigaciones delicadas y ha apoyado la creación de la Comisión de Supervisión Civil. Su liderazgo legal ha sido esencial para promover la seguridad habitacional mediante casos de intervención judicial y competencia desleal. Además, ha demostrado un compromiso constante con el servicio público, la transparencia y el bienestar de la comunidad.

El alcalde Randy Rowse elogió el nombramiento y afirmó, “John aporta una combinación poco común de experiencia legal, espíritu colaborativo y profundo conocimiento de nuestra comunidad. Su nombramiento garantiza continuidad, estabilidad y una base legal sólida para el futuro de la Ciudad”.

En su nuevo cargo, el Sr. Doimas se desempeñará como el principal asesor legal de la Ciudad, supervisando la Oficina del Abogado Municipal y brindando asesoría legal al Concejo Municipal, a los departamentos de la Ciudad y a diversas juntas y comisiones.

Originario de Chicago, el Sr. Doimas obtuvo su título de abogado en la Universidad Loyola de Chicago y posee una licenciatura en ciencias políticas e historia de la Universidad DePaul. Fuera del trabajo, disfruta pasar tiempo con su familia y animar a su hija en competencias de gimnasia y fútbol.

Reflexionando sobre su nombramiento, el Sr. Doimas declaró, “Es un honor haber sido seleccionado por el alcalde y el Concejo Municipal para continuar sirviendo a Santa Bárbara en esta nueva capacidad y contribuir al éxito, la estabilidad y la resiliencia de nuestra ciudad. Estoy profundamente agradecido por el tremendo apoyo de la Oficina del Abogado Municipal, a quienes considero mi familia extendida, así como del personal dedicado de todos los departamentos de la Ciudad”.

La Ciudad espera con entusiasmo el liderazgo y la dedicación continuos del Sr. Doimas en su nuevo cargo.

Para más información sobre el departamento, visite City Attorney (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityAttorney).

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.

SJSD School Board to view financial audit, reach decision on the long-range plan by Nov. 24 

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A recent post made by a St. Joseph School District Board of Education Member details that the district will revisit long-debated consolidation plans, dive into an in-depth financial audit and ultimately guide some of the most consequential decisions the board has faced this year in terms of finances.

Community members will have an opportunity to speak, as a public hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to discuss Plans 2 (Lafayette/Central model) and 7 (Benton/Hyde and Central model). Both plans being reviewed will have the intent to retain four middle schools. A location for this hearing is still “to be announced”.

A Special Board of Education meeting will immediately follow the hearing at 6:30 p.m., at the Central High School Auditorium, where board members will review and advance a singular plan to vote on at a later meeting.

Also, according to Lanning’s post, the board will hold a Work Session at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, to review a financial audit proposed by Board President LaTonya Williams and Lanning in August. The audit was performed by the Missouri School Board Association.

Following the audit review, the board will move on to a meeting to review items at 5:45 p.m., which include monthly reports and personnel approvals. The board will then plan to vote on a consolidation plan, per Lanning’s post.

Click here to follow the original article.