Nearly 200 Non-Profits to Divide a Share of $1-Million in a Special Dividends Luncheon

KEYT on November 24, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. (KEYT) – Montecito Bank & Trust started off the Thanksgiving week with a contribution to 188 non-profits that will each share a portion of $1-million.

The philanthropic program is called Community Dividends that got its start back in 2003 by the late Michael Towbes the founder and CEO of the bank.

The 2025 funds were distributed at a special lunch at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Each person enjoyed a full Thanksgiving meal while hearing about the program’s history and plans for the future.

Montecito Bank & Trust President and CEO Janet Garufis told the room of 300, “you listen to your community,  engaging with them to better understand  their needs.  You collaborate with partners to be more effective and how those needs are met, you advocate for changes to enhance the quality of life for all segments of our community.”

Since the distribution began more than $23-million has gone to groups specializing in programs for arts, youth and education, social services, and medical and health services sectors.

Many of the representatives gathered prior to the lunch to share updates about their non-profits and some of the financial challenges they face either with a change in local donations or a drop in federal funds. In some cases the stories were dire and included program staff layoffs.

There was also be a special Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend. That was founded in 2019 to continue the late CEO’s legacy beyond the original dividends goals by Towbes. It is an annual award of $100,000 to one or more non-profit organizations that deliver critical and sustainable services to a large number of the most vulnerable people in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.  This year there were two winners.

They were given to the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF).

In receiving the award VCCF President Vanessa Bechtel recalled a quote by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu which read, “do your little bit of good where you are.” They also have a Neighborhood Support Coalition that will be using the funds.

Santa Barbara Foundation President and CEO Jackie Carrera said there is a dire need to keep groups funded that are providing health care, aid for those who are facing food insecurity and in need of mental health resources. She re-emphasized the national concern about the shift in public funding which in many cases, is going down.

“We have a big job ahead of us with the number of applicants we are seeing that are experiencing those cuts and changes to those programs because of policy changes but we have a good team to make those decisions,” said Carrera.

One of the growing programs was featured when a choir of children performed for the luncheon.They were with the Music Academy of the West “Sing! ” after school program that serves 300 young singers.

Additionally, this year there were five recipients of a golden ticket worth $500. that they found inside the Montecito Bank & Trust annual report handed to each attendee. Those who received the surprise could keep it for their organization or pass it on to another non-profit in the room.

This years list of recipients are:

2nd Story AssociatesAccess Central CoastAdelante Charter SchoolAHA! (Attitude. Harmony. Achievement.)Alano Club of Santa Barbara, Inc.Alpha Resource Center of Santa BarbaraAlzheimer’s Association, California Central Coast ChapterAmerican Indian Health & ServicesAngels Foster Care of Santa BarbaraAssociation of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties ChapterAtterdag at Home, Inc.Atterdag Village of SolvangBethania Tuesday Food DistributionBig Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, IncBlind Fitness IncBoys & Girls Club of CamarilloBoys & Girls Club of Greater VenturaBoys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley Inc.Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Inc.Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV)C.A.R.E.4PawsCabrillo Economic Development CorporationCalifornia Avocado Festival, Inc.California Missions FoundationCalifornia Nature Art MuseumCalifornia State University Channel Islands FoundationCALM 

Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara 

Carpinteria Children’s Project 

Carpinteria Education Foundation, Inc. 

Carpinteria Skate Foundation 

Casa Del Herrero 

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families 

Casa Serena, Inc. 

Channel Islands YMCA 

Children’s Creative Project 

Children’s Resource & Referral 

City Impact, Inc. 

CommUnify 

Community Counseling and Education Center 

Community Environmental Council 

Congregation B’nai B’rith 

Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ventura County 

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Barbara County 

Crane Country Day School 

Dignity Moves 

Direct Relief 

Easy Lift Transportation 

Economic Development Collaborative Ventura County 

Elings Park Foundation 

Ensemble Theatre Company 

Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County 

Fielding Graduate University 

Food From The Heart 

Food Share of Ventura County 

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County 

Friends of Fieldworkers, Inc. 

Friendship Adult Day Care Center, Inc. 

Friendship Manor Inc. 

Ganna Walska Lotusland 

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara 

Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria 

Goleta Education Foundation 

Good Samaritan Shelter 

Grace Fisher Foundation 

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County 

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County 

Hearts Aligned Inc. 

Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center 

HELP of Carpinteria 

Hillside 

Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc. 

House Farm Workers 

Housing Opportunities Made Easier 

Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County, Inc. 

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County 

Immigrant Hope of Santa Barbara, CA Inc 

James Storehouse 

Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara 

Laguna Blanca School 

LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner 

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County 

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association 

Lobero Theatre Foundation 

Magoo’s Shoes 

Many Mansions 

Meals on Wheels Santa Barbara 

Mental Wellness Center 

Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project 

Momentum WORK, Inc. 

Moorpark College Foundation 

Mothers’ Helpers 

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation 

Museum of Ventura County 

Music Academy of the West 

Mystic Ocean Adventures 

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation 

New Beginnings Counseling Center 

Old Mission Santa Barbara 

Old Mission Santa Ines 

Opera Santa Barbara 

Organic Soup Kitchen 

Outreach Alliance of Ventura County 

Pacific Pride Foundation 

Parks and Recreation Community Foundation 

Partners In Housing Solutions, Inc 

PathPoint 

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation 

Pilgrim Terrace Cooperative Homes 

Planned Parenthood California Central Coast 

Safety Town of Santa Barbara County 

Sansum Clinic 

Santa Barbara Birth Center 

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Inc. 

Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation 

Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. 

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper 

Santa Barbara Community Housing Corporation 

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation 

Santa Barbara County Education Office 

Santa Barbara Culinary Experience 

Santa Barbara Education Foundation 

Santa Barbara Foundation 

Santa Barbara Hillel 

Santa Barbara Historical Museum 

Santa Barbara Humane

Santa Barbara International Film Festival Santa Barbara Middle SchoolSanta Barbara Mission Archive-LibrarySanta Barbara Museum of ArtSanta Barbara Museum of Natural HistorySanta Barbara Police Activities LeagueSanta Barbara Public Library FoundationSanta Barbara Rescue MissionSanta Barbara SymphonySanta Barbara Trust for Historic PreservationSanta Barbara Waldorf AssociationSanta Barbara Zoological FoundationSanta Cruz Island FoundationSanta Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital FoundationSanta Ynez Valley People Helping People, Inc.Scholarship Foundation of Santa BarbaraShowers of Blessing Santa BarbaraSolvang Friendship HouseSolvang Senior CenterSolvang Theaterfest, Inc.St. Vincent’sStanding Together to End Sexual AssaultState Street BalletStorytellerStuart C Gildred Family YMCAStudents for Eco-Education & Agriculture, Inc.Studio Channel Islands Art CenterSurgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) InternationalTeacher’s FundTeddy Bear Cancer FoundationThe Arc Foundation of Ventura CountyThe Cecilia FundThe Foundation for Girsh ParkThe Foundation For Santa Barbara City CollegeThe Marjorie Luke TheatreThe Salvation Army of Santa BarbaraTina Hansen McEnroe & Paul V. McEnroe Reading and Language Arts Clinic at UCSBTransition HouseTurning Point FoundationTV Santa BarbaraUCSB Arts & LecturesUCSB Economic Forecast ProjectUnited Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara CountyUnited Way of Santa Barbara County, Inc.United Way of Ventura County, Inc.Unity Shoppe, Inc.Veggie RescueVentura College FoundationVentura County Community Development CorporationVentura County Community FoundationVentura County Medical Resource FoundationVentura HousingVentura Land TrustVNA Health Foundation

Westmont CollegeWhite Buffalo Land TrustWilderness Youth ProjectWomen’s Economic Ventures (WEV)Women’s Fund of Santa BarbaraYouth and Family Services YMCA: Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Center

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Parents Create Hummingbird Hideaway for Santa Barbara Students

KEYT on November 24, 2025

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A group of parents has turned compassion into action with the creation of the “Hummingbird Hideaway” at Monte Vista Elementary School in Santa Barbara.

The cozy, colorful space offers students a place to unwind, read quietly, or simply take a break from the buzz of the school day.

Funded by the Hope School District Educational Foundation, the hideaway aims to support mental wellness and teach mindfulness to children facing daily stress.

Teachers believe the effort is paying off.

Students who step into the hideaway return to class more relaxed, focused, and ready to learn.

Parent Cody Westheimer designed and built the structure – a similar concept to his “Hawk’s Nest” at the Botanic Gardens.

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Shepherd’s House to offer Thanksgiving dinners in Bend and Redmond, and is seeking food donations

KTVZ on November 24, 2025

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the season of gratitude and giving approaches, Shepherd’s House Ministries is reaching out to the compassionate and generous community for support in ensuring that everyone has a warm and hearty Thanksgiving meal.

This year, Shepherd’s House says it is providing a Thanksgiving dinner to those in-program, in need, or anyone in the community who wants to join the celebration. 

Dinners will be served on Wednesday, November 26th at the following times and locations: 

12:00pm-2:00pm at the Lighthouse Navigation Center 275 NE 2nd St, Bend

12:00pm-2:00pm at the Men’s Center 1854 NE Division St, Bend

and 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Redmond Center 1350 S Hwy 97, Redmond 

Shepherd’s House says it needs your help to make it happen and asks that you please consider donating a few food items for this cause.

High Priority Donation Needs are: 

• 🍦 HEAVY WHIPPED CREAM

• 🥛WHOLE MILK

• 🍞 DINNER ROLLS

• 🍒 CRANBERRY SAUCE

• 🍞 BOXED STUFFING

• 🧈 BUTTER

• 🥧 PUMPKIN & APPLE PIES

Other requested donations are: 

• 🍲 CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

• 🥗 SALAD GREENS

• 🍞 HAWAIIAN ROLLS

• 🧅 ONIONS, CARROTS, CELERY

• 🌱 FRESH GREEN BEANS

• 🍠 FRESH YAMS

• 🍽️ CRISPY ONIONS

• 🥚 EGGS

• 🫙 BLACK PEPPER

• 🧁 BROWN SUGAR

• ☕️ COFFEE 

• 🥛 CREAMER

• 🥔 RUSSET POTATOES

• 🦃 TURKEYS (APPROX 12 – 18 LBS)

Donate your food items by Wednesday, November 26th at Shepherd’s House Men’s Center at 1854 NE Division St, Bend,  or Shepherd’s House Redmond Center at 1350 S Hwy 97, Redmond. 

For more information, please contact Shepherd’s House at shministries.org or 541.388.2096.

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Pilot Grove tornado: Report reveals timeline of destruction

KMIZ on November 24, 2025

Erika McGuire

PILOT GROVE, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than seven months after an EF-2 tornado hit the small town of Pilot Grove, a report obtained by ABC 17 News through a Missouri Sunshine Law request breaks down the timeline of events on April 2. 2025.

According to the agency, the morning began with dangerous conditions as the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a rare risk level 5 of 5 for severe thunderstorms for several states, including Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. A severe line of thunderstorms developed and moved from southwest Missouri to the northwest, passing through Cooper County.

Timeline

A line of storms moved into Cooper County early that morning, and a tornado watch was issued around 2:30 a.m.

Conditions escalated quickly. Around 8:29 a.m., the NWS reported a severe thunderstorm near Pilot Grove. At roughly the same time, an EF-2 tornado touched down southwest of town and began tracking northeast.

A tornado warning was issued four minutes later, at 8:33 a.m. Sirens were activated across Cooper County, but not all areas were included in the polygon, and Pilot Grove’s siren did not sound because the tornado had already damaged power lines.

The Cooper County Emergency Management Agency set the outdoor siren off twice within minutes of each attempt, following protocol, according to agency Director Larry Oerly.

Over the next 20 minutes, multiple tornado warnings were issued for different parts of the county as the storm moved toward Boonville. Reports of damage, downed power lines and homes hit by the tornado began coming in between 8:45 and 9 a.m.

By 9:01 a.m., fire and EMS crews were dispatched to Pilot Grove as search and damage assessment operations began.

At 9:02 a.m., another tornado warning was issued for northwestern Cooper County until 9:30 a.m.

The After Action Report noted multiple hazards were encountered, such as downed power lines with broken utility poles, debris blocking roads and gas leaks from broken propane lines.

Utility companies were notified and made their way to Pilot Grove and the surrounding area. The Missouri Department of Transportation was notified and blocked off Highway 135 in the impacted area.

A command post was set up at 16851 Highway 135.

The EF-2 tornado damaged or destroyed 16 homes, 12 commercial buildings and two public buildings. Damage to vehicles, farm equipment and trees was also reported.

A total of 29 different agencies responded to the aftermath.

Watch ABC 17 News at 10 p.m. Tuesday to see what emergency managers learned and hear from tornado victims.

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Kennedy Skate Park to be temporarily closed for renovations

KYMA on November 24, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma says Kennedy Skate Park will be temporarily closed for renovations.

According to a press release, the closure is set to begin Monday, December 8, and “will undergo demolition and reconstruction to ensure long-term durability and quality for years to come.”

The City says surface cracking began to appear after the park reopened earlier this year, and says while the park remains safe to use, they, along with a project contractor, determined a full replacement was the best course of action in order to maintain a “high-quality, state-of-the-art facility” for skaters, BMX riders and scooter enthusiasts.

“While we know many will miss the park during reconstruction, we’re very pleased with the contractor’s commitment to make things right and provide Yuma with the very best skate park possible for our community,” said Eric Urfer, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Kenny Shepherd, Project Executive for Willmeng Construction, the company in charge of the renovation, issued the following statement:

“At Willmeng, we’re passionate about building spaces that bring people together and inspire active lifestyles. We know how much Kennedy Skate Park means to Yuma’s skaters, riders, and families, and we’re truly sorry for the inconvenience this closure may cause. We’re excited to work alongside the City and American Ramp Company to deliver a renewed, top-quality skate park that everyone can be proud of. Thank you for your patience and support as we make Kennedy Skate Park better than ever!”

The City says the park will reopen in late spring 2026. To learn more about the renovation, click here.

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Ethan Hawke to receive Career Achievement Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

KESQ on November 24, 2025

Jesus Reyes

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) – Ethan Hawke will receive the Career Achievement Award at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival, organizers announced Monday.

The award celebrates Hawke’s impressive body of work, including his most recent project, Blue Moon.

“Ethan Hawke has spent four decades building one of the most adventurous and prolific careers in film, consistently delivering performances defined by depth, intelligence, and fearless originality,” said Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi. “In Blue Moon, he brings those same qualities to his show-stopping portrayal of Lorenz Hart, capturing the famed lyricist at a moment when his life is unraveling as his former partner Richard Rodgers debuts Oklahoma!. Hawke’s work here stands among the most powerful performances of his career. It is a privilege to present the Career Achievement Award to Ethan Hawke.”

The Film Awards will take place on January 3, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running January 2-12, 2026. The event will be presented by Kering and sponsored by Entertainment Tonight.

Check Out Our Film Festival Section for More Announcements

Teaming up once again with his frequent collaborator, filmmaker Richard Linklater. Blue Moon sees Hawke stars as legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart. On the evening of March 31, 1943, Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit Oklahoma! By the time this night is over, Hart will have confronted both a world that no longer values his talent and the seeming impossibility of love. The film from Sony Pictures Classics also stars Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott.

Hawke joins this year’s previously announced honorees Michael B. Jordan (Icon Award), Leonardo DiCaprio (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Adam Sandler (Chairman’s Award), Hamnet’s director Chloé Zhao and cast members Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal (Vanguard Award); and Sentimental Value cast members Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning (International Star Award).

Past recipients of the Career Achievement Award include Kevin Costner, Bruce Dern, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Samuel L. Jackson.

Ethan Hawke is an Academy Award-nominated actor whose expansive career includes directing feature films, documentaries and highly acclaimed stage productions; in addition to being a producer, screenwriter, and best-selling author. Hawke’s filmography includes nine collaborations with filmmaker Richard Linklater, including Boyhood (Academy Award®, SAG, Golden Globe®, BAFTA, Choice and Independent Spirit Award nominations), and memorably the Before trilogy (Before Sunrise and its twosequels Before Sunset and Before Midnight), costarring Julie Delpy.

Hawke, Delpy, and Linklater received Academy Award® and Independent Spirit Award nominations for writing the latter two films and were honored with the Louis XIII Genius Award for the trilogy at the 2014 Critics Choice Awards. He received Academy Award® and Screen Actors Guild nominations for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day, opposite Denzel Washington.

He also received career-best notices for Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, for which he won the Independent Spirit Award, the Gotham Award and over 30 critics’ awards (including the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for ‘Best Actor’).

More recently, he received career-best acclaim for his portrayal of abolitionist John Brown in The Good Lord Bird, the Showtime series he starred in, executive produced and co-wrote, winning a Peabody Award among numerous other accolades, including an AFI ‘TV Program of the Year’, the Gotham Award for Outstanding Performance in a New Series, and SAG Award, Golden Globe, and TCA Award nominations (and a WGA Award and USC Scripter Award nominations for his writing).

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ISP increasing Thanksgiving patrols as record numbers hit Idaho roads

KIFI on November 24, 2025

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO (KIFI) — Ahead of the Thanksgiving travel surge, the Idaho State Police is increasing patrols on the Gem State’s roadways, reminding drivers to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober during one of the busiest travel holidays of the year.

AAA of Idaho predicts an astonishing 81.8 million Americans will travel for the holiday, including 478,000 Idahoans. With record numbers of drivers expected to hit the road, motorists can expect the largest presence of law enforcement on the day before Thanksgiving, which ISP projects to be the heaviest travel day.

“Thanksgiving weekend can often turn deadly as it combines heavy traffic with winter weather, and that means drivers need to slow down and give themselves extra time,” Lieutenant Tyler Barrett said. “We just want everyone to get to their destinations safely and return home safely, which is why this operation focuses on visibility and enforcement of driving behaviors that put lives at risk.”

ISP is set to partner with local sheriff’s offices to limit and prevent accidents, focusing on distracted and impaired drivers.

ISP reminds drivers to:

Drive sober or don’t drive at all.

Buckle up — every trip, every seat.

Watch your speed and increase following distance.

Put the phone down and avoid distractions.

Slow down and move over for emergency and tow vehicles, as required by Idaho law.

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Cyclocross offers cyclists fitness and a one-of-a-kind experience

KIFI on November 24, 2025

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 24 NOV 25 14:03 ET

By Steve Dent

Click here for updates on this story

    EAGLE, Idaho (KIVI) — Cyclocross is a wild and wacky event requiring bikers to navigate dirt, sand, grass and they even have to get off their bike every now and then.

Twisted Turtle Racing hosts a series, as this sport takes place in the fall to help riders stay in shape during the shoulder season. We went to the Waffle Cross event at the Eagle Bike Park.

“This is a pretty iconic course here in Boise,” said Allen Schroeder, a professional cyclocross rider here in Boise. “This is the most people we have had at a race in a long time, so it is really good to see. It helps when it is nice and sunny like this, some days in cross you will have rainy conditions, and we are still out here racing in the mud.”

That is one of the wild parts about cyclocross; they compete in any weather. At the course at the Eagle Bike Park, the race is a combination of road cycling, mountain biking, and even steeplechase.

It features a division for riders of any age, and the racers love it.

“I honestly really like the sand pits or going up the stairs, just the things where I have to get off my bike,” said Zeke Whitlock. “After mountain biking season, it is nice to have something before winter arrives.”

Cyclocross is also one of the most friendly cycling events for spectators as the riders compete on a short course where they do as many laps as possible during the time period. This sometimes leads to some shenanigans with hand-ups. Sometimes during the competition, riders will get handed a shot of whiskey, a beer, or some food.

“It could be your beverage of choice or bacon or you name it,” said Andrew Shaber, who enjoys cyclocross because to him it is a puzzle. “It incorporates a lot of transitions that tests your skills, your fitness, and everything in between.”

The final race of the season will be the second Sandy Cross of the fall at Sandy Point State Park. That race will take place on December 6 and 7.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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CAL FIRE lifts hiking restrictions as wet weather eases fire risk

KESQ on November 24, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – Recent rain and weather conditions have eased fire risk across Southern California over the past couple of weeks.

As locals and visitors alike take advantage of this pleasant weather, they will now have more places to recreate in Riverside County.

Officials with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire announced the reopening of six hiking areas that typically have high fire risk, including Whitewater Canyon north of the I-10.

“We are pleased to announce the re-opening of Riverside County’s scenic hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas. We welcome residents and visitors back to enjoy these natural spaces and remind everyone to remain vigilant and responsible, as wildland fire risks persist.”

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser

The full list of reopened recreation areas include:

Eagle Canyon/Tin Mine (east of Corona)

Steel Peak (north of Lake Elsinore)

Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet)

North Mountain (south of Banning, north of San Jacinto)

Whitewater Canyon (east of Cabazon)

Ramona Bowl (south of Hemet)

These closures happen regularly, typically as spring turns to summer and much drier and hotter weather arrives, fueling critical fire weather.

“The chief closes the hiking areas in order to not only keep the area safe, but to keep the hikers safe as well. If there were to be a fire up there, we would want to make sure there was nobody hiking,” explained Maggie Cline de la Rosa, a public safety information specialist with CAL FIRE’s Riverside Unit.

According to Cline de la Rosa, this is the typical period when these restrictions are lifted. Despite the easing of fire risk, she still urges caution from hikers.

“Even though the suspension has been lifted, for example, we’re expecting some warmer temperatures and Santa Ana winds this coming week. So, you know, we always just want people to remain vigilant.”

The closure through Whitewater Canyon did not affect the Whitewater Preserve, which is managed by The Wildlands Conservancy. Visitors passing through the canyon to get to the preserve had to stay on the road, as no public off-roading access was allowed during the closure.

Staff with the preserve provided the following statement about fire risk in the area:

“Fire season and the summer months are always a time of vigilance for our team as we remove invasive weeds that create fire fuels and practice our fire safety protocols. This past season was not as severe immediately to Whitewater as previous years, but it was across California and the nearby mountain communities. While we have modified our visitor access, requiring reservations for summer weekends to prevent overcrowding impacts, we are happy to provide free and safe access to the beauty and biodiversity of Whitewater Preserve year round for picnicking, hiking, water access, camping, and more! Free access to all of The Wildlands Conservancy’s preserves is made possible by visitor donations.”Lucas Wilgers, Preserve Manager at the Whitewater Preserve

Fire officials said despite the year-round nature of fire season in our region, this year has presented more mild fire conditions than years past.

“Are the conditions now better than what they have been in past years?” we asked Cline de la Rosa. “Yes, the conditions now are better,” she said. “We did receive more rain. We also had more of a mild fire season for the summer, [but] we do anticipate having probably the usual fire season that we have in December/ January, when we get those Santa Ana winds that come in.”

In the meantime, hikers in the area, like Jeff Peyton, who visited the Whitewater Preserve with his grandson, are excited to enjoy the outdoors.

“We’re going to take advantage of it and let’s hope that we get more rain. It’s good for the environment!”

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65th North closure begins December 1 for bridge replacement

KIFI on November 24, 2025

News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Falls Public Works Street Division:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Beginning Dec. 1, 65th North will be closed between 5th West and 5th East (Lewisville Highway) to allow crews to remove the existing bridge and replace it with a wider structure over the Idaho Canal. During this closure, drivers will need to use 81st North or 33rd North as east- and westbound detour routes. Glen Abby Lane/Circle and the Sage Lakes Golf Course will be accessible from North 5th West, and Ender Lane and Brad Avenue will be accessible from North 5th East. The closure is anticipated to remain in place through April, weather permitting, with paving and remaining construction resuming once conditions allow.

The existing bridge is being replaced to ensure long-term safety and reliability, and the new bridge will be wider to accommodate a turning lane and better pedestrian and bicycle access. Replacing the bridge will bring the structure up to current safety standards, improve the roadway approaches, and provide a safer and more dependable connection for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

Please watch for posted signs, use alternate routes, and exercise caution near crews and equipment.

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