Idaho Falls firefighters celebrate ‘Fill the Ambulance’ toy drive success

KIFI on December 16, 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls firefighters are celebrating the conclusion of the Fill the Ambulance Toy Drive, which successfully delivered hundreds of toy donations for local children and their families. Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) and Idaho Falls Firefighters IAFF Local 1565 extended a heartfelt thank you to the community for their support.

Throughout the drive, Idahoans donated new, unwrapped toys in support of two vital local organizations: the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho (RMHC) and the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission. Thanks to the incredible turnout, the RMHC says they have enough toys to support families through 2026, while the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission was able to fulfill wish lists for every child they serve.

“The Toy Drive and Light Parade were a huge success again this year, thanks to all of the help from the Idaho Falls Fire Department,” said Deborah M. Chessey, Development and Community Manager for RMHC of Idaho. “We received enough to get us through all of 2026, and the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission was able to fill their wish lists for all of their children.”

The toy collection efforts culminated with the RMHC’s 5th Annual Toy Drive Light Parade and Ugly Sweater Car Show on December 13th.

In a news release, the IFFD and IAFF Local 1565 recognized the extensive network of supporters who contributed, including the dedicated firefighters who volunteered their time, the local businesses that served as collection points and offered incentives, the media partners who amplified the message about the drive, and the various organizations that provided valuable time or financial support.

“Each played an important role in helping the community’s generosity reach those who need it most,” states the release. “Above all, IFFD and IAFF Local 1565 thank the community members who showed up, donated, and helped make a difference. Their willingness to give is what ultimately made this year’s Fill the Ambulance Toy Drive a great success.”

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Benedictine’s Osborn named AFCA NAIA Coach of the Year

News-Press NOW on December 16, 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Chris Roush

ATCHISON, Kan. (KQTV) — Joel Osborn’s accomplishments continue to roll in as the Benedictine head coach earned a national award this week.

The American Football Coaches Association has announced that Osborn is the NAIA National Coach of the Year. 

Osborn guided the Ravens to a 12-2 finish in 2025 with a trip to the NAIA semifinals. 

The Ravens’ only two losses came against #1 Grand View by a combined 10 points.

Benedictine finished 6-0 in Heart Conference action.

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Pueblo community joining forces for free bike repair class for all

KRDO on December 16, 2025

Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The free Grassroots Gravel Roadside Repair Basics class gathers support and outreach groups from all across the Steel City to get people out and riding.

Adam Davidson started the program as a way to help get more community members excited about biking ahead of the annual Pueblo Grassroots Gravel ride each October. Since its start, Davidson has partnered with the city, local bike experts and the Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo.

Grassroots Gravel has become a year-long program (really a “training plan”) for the Boys and Girls Club children. The kids commit to signing up for the race, then join the free classes throughout the year and get their bikes (and themselves) in riding shape.

“We have one specifically who’s really been a part of this outdoor programming, and to see him just really connect with biking, and see a sillier side of him that we normally never see, is just huge,” said Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo outdoor equity and education manager, Yenny Espinosa Niño.

The free class is open to everyone. It’s Tuesday, December 23, at the El Centro De Quinto Sol recreation Center. It’s from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free registration is required.

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Santa Barbara County Forecasts Budget Challenges For Next Five Years

KEYT on December 16, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors received a budget forecast for the next five fiscal years at this morning’s meeting in Santa Maria.

As one supervisor said during the meeting this morning, this is a sobering picture of the county’s future, but they expressed appreciation that this was brought to their attention as early as it was.

A projected five-year deficit of more than $66 million affects some of the revenue that supports key safety net services such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh, making coverage reductions necessary while increasing costs.

“We see the $23 million deficit starting next year, more than doubling in 2728 and then growing incrementally, incrementally from there to the total $66.4 million cumulative deficit by the end,” says Paul Clementi, Santa Barbara County Budget Director.

The strain is the result of impacts from federal changes as well as state budget cuts in response.

“We’re really in a situation where we have to make some very difficult choices,” says Joan Hartmann, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

To address the challenges, a new budget balancing framework has been proposed, which looks to reduce some budgetary items, increase efficiency, develop new options for generating revenue, and implement strategic use of reserves.

“There’s going to be cuts somewhere, and I think that’s probably the message that people need to understand here,” says Bob Nelson, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

A figure of $50 million is earmarked for the expansion of the northern branch jail.

“And as well, we have continuing state mandates, jail settlement that is requiring us to add more beds at the Northern branch jail,” says Mona Miyasato, County Executive Officer.

Some locals say data shows the jail’s expansion constitutes overbuilding, and that those funds could be used to offset the projected deficit.

“We can reduce the jail daily population by up to a potential 128 people or more, eliminating the need for the extra half jail housing unit,” says Maureen Earls, representing CLUE Santa Barbara. “That would save 44 million and construction costs and reduce long term debt and operating costs by millions each year.”

Moving forward, critical safety net services are to be prioritized and additional savings measures will be introduced in the coming months.

“There’ll be a lot of things on the chopping block for me before it comes to child welfare,” says Steve Lavagnino, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

The board will be making budget decisions for the fiscal year of 2026 to 27 in April.

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Stinking Springs and Egin areas temporarily closed to protect wintering mule deer

KIFI on December 16, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the BLM:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office, in coordination with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, has temporarily closed the Stinking Springs area near the South Fork of the Snake River to all motorized vehicles and human entry to support wildlife survival rates. The annual closure began Dec. 15 and continues until May 1, 2026.

“Increasing human activity in the Stinking Springs area creates additional stress on the mule deer that winter there, requiring them to deplete their supply of stored winter fat more quickly,” said BLM Upper Snake Field Manager John Reffit. “We appreciate the public’s help every year in avoiding this area to help protect these animals.”

In addition, the annual Egin-Hamer Area Closure will go into effect Jan. 1, with restrictions lasting until April 1, 2026, south of the Egin-Hamer Road, and until May 1, 2026, north of it. This temporary closure also restricts human entry to BLM-managed public land to protect wintering deer, elk and moose. A detailed map is available online.

The seasonal closures apply to BLM-managed public lands in the vicinity of Stinking Springs and Egin-Hamer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service also enacts similar winter closures on nearby National Forest lands. Visitors are encouraged to check with agency offices before planning travel in these areas. For more information, contact the Upper Snake Field Office at 208-524-7500.

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UPDATE: Sisters restaurant shooting suspect charged with attempted murder, assault; bail set at $500K

KTVZ on December 16, 2025

Barney Lerten

Editor’s note: Video has been removed from this article because it mistakenly showed the incorrect suspect.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge set bail at $500,000 Wednesday for a Redmond man facing attempted murder, assault and other charges, accused of using a Sabre self-defense pistol to shoot a former co-worker in the face at Spoon Restaurant in downtown Sisters.

Seven charges filed Wednesday against Kristopher Michael Kirkpatrick include second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude police and menacing.

Circuit Judge Michelle McIver agreed to the state’s recommendation of the $500,000 bail amount for Kirkpatrick, as well as conditions that include no contact with the shooting victim, a woman whose pickup he allegedly stole or with the restaurant.

The court filing says Kirkpatrick shot a man in the face with a “Sabre self-defense projectile launcher,” in what authorities say was a workplace dispute.

Other conditions if Kirkpatrick is released include not possessing any firearms, ammunition or any other weapon, including less-lethal devices such as BB guns.

Kirkpatrick is due back in court next Tuesday for arraignment on an expected formal indictment.

Earlier story:

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ-Dec. 16) — A workplace dispute sparked a shooting at Spoons Restaurant in Sisters Tuesday morning that injured the suspect’s former co-worker. That led to a police chase and the man’s arrest along Highway 20 between Sisters and Bend, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

At 8:19 a.m., deputies were dispatched to reports of a shooting at Spoons Restaurant, located on East Hood Avenue. The sheriff’s office says the incident was the result of a workplace dispute where the victim and suspect knew each other.

Detectives say the suspect, Kristopher Kirkpatrick, 31, entered the restaurant posing as a customer before confronting the victim — a former colleague — and shooting him at point-blank range in the face with a Sabre pistol, capable of firing pepper balls and rubber bullets. They say he then chased the victim through the restaurant, firing several times.

Kirkpatrick then fled the restaurant and took off in a truck on Highway 20 toward Bend. Deputies initiated a pursuit and successfully executed a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver near Plainview Road, located between Sisters and Bend.

Kirkpatrick was arrested and taken into custody without further incident, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including cuts, bruising and swelling to his face, and additional bruising and swelling on several parts of his body from the impact of the projectiles. He was taken to St. Charles-Bend for further evaluation. 

Although the ammunition used was not traditional bullets, Carr said that “the Sabre pistol is capable of inflicting serious injury, especially when targeting areas of the body like the face or at close distance. Detectives say the suspect made it clear through his actions that he intended to cause harm and kill the victim.”

“Thankfully, nobody else was hurt in the shooting, and detectives believe only the victim was the intended target,” Carr wrote, adding that the investigation is ongoing. 

Kirk was held without bail at the Deschutes County Jail on initial charges of first- and second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, vehicle theft, attempt to elude police and first-degree menacing pending arraignment Thursday afternoon.

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Three people arrested during Saturday saturation patrol in St. Joseph, 27 citations issued

News-Press NOW on December 16, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A joint traffic safety operation conducted across multiple counties with the help of Mothers Against Drunk Driving resulted in multiple local arrests this weekend.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office has released local data from Saturday’s saturation patrol operation, a multi-county effort that saw five law enforcement agencies patrolling specific areas for impaired or dangerous drivers, including key assistance from the Sheriff’s Office and the St. Joseph Police Department.

Authorities arrested one individual for driving while intoxicated on Saturday. Two additional arrests were made for one individual with an active warrant and another for driving with a suspended license.

A total of 63 vehicle stops were made in the Buchanan County area during the operation, including 27 citations being issued. The operation focused on areas of St. Joseph and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

The operation marks the second saturation patrol in St. Joseph since August, pairing local law enforcement with the support of nationwide nonprofit Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Since its founding in 1980, MADD has helped reduce deaths from drunk driving by more than 50% by working in collaboration with law enforcement, saving more than 400,000 lives and supporting millions of additional victims.

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Rexburg Police seek help finding missing at-risk 22-year-old

KIFI on December 16, 2025

News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Rexburg Police Department is urgently asking the public for help finding a missing at-risk 22-year-old.

Police are searching for Beckett McVey of Rexburg, who has a history of mental health issues. Concerned family members have requested a welfare check, and officers have been unable to locate or make contact with the individual.

Anyone with information to help police locate Beckett and complete the welfare check is asked to call dispatch at 208-372-5001.

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Humane Society Partners With Ventura Housing to Keep Pets With Residents

KEYT on December 16, 2025

Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Humane Society is partnering with Ventura Housing to help residents keep their pets as they transition out of homelessness, removing a common barrier that often forces people to choose between housing and their animals.

Through the partnership, Humane Society veterinary teams visit Ventura Housing developments quarterly to provide free or low-cost veterinary services.

The program is supported by a Ventura County Community Foundation grant and is designed to make routine pet care accessible for residents who may otherwise struggle to afford it.

The partnership currently serves eight Ventura Housing communities: Chapel Lane, Westview Village, Valentine Road Apartments, El Portal, Gregory Gardens, Vista Del Mar Commons, Willett Ranch, and Buena Vida.

Advocates say programs like this address a significant need.

Studies estimate that 5 to 10 percent of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a dog or cat, and surveys show many avoid shelters because pets are not allowed.

Research has also found that forced separation from pets can cause deep emotional distress, particularly for people already facing trauma and instability.

Ventura Housing says keeping people and pets together strengthens stability, emotional well-being, and community connections—helping residents rebuild their lives without leaving behind the companions who supported them through their hardest moments.

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Idaho farmers to cash in on Trump Administration’s $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Payment program

KIFI on December 16, 2025

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Local farmers could be receiving a post-holiday bonus, as the Trump Administration rolls out a temporary $12-billion Farmer Bridge Payment program.

Announced a week ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the one-time payments are being made in “response to temporary trade market disruption and increased production costs.”

“These relief payments are going to go a long ways to help farmers who are up against it right now financially. It’s really tough in farm country right now for a lot of crop farmers,” said Idaho Farm Bureau Federation spokesman Sean Ellis. “Almost all prices for crops that I can think of that we grow in Idaho are down and some of them are down substantially.”

“I’ll give you an example. What it cost for Idaho farmers to grow 100 pounds of russet potatoes right now is about $8 to $9 total. On the open market, they’re getting about $2. So that gives you an idea of how much and how far underwater they are,” he continued.

Eligible farmers include producers of “corn, wheat, chickpeas, lentils, mustard, peas, canola, safflower and barley,” according to a United States Department of Agriculture news release.

$1 billion of the $12-billion fund will cover payments for “specialty crops and sugar.”

The Trump Administration blamed farmers’ tight economic conditions on policies implemented by the Biden Administration that resulted in  “record-high input prices and zero trade deals.”

The deadline for farmers to verify their acreage for eligibility in the program is 3 PM on Friday, December 19.

“The plan we are announcing … ensures American farmers can continue to plan for the next crop year,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in a release. “With this program serving as a bridge to the improvements President Trump and Republicans in Congress have made, it will allow farmers to leverage strengthened price protection risk management tools and the reliability of fair trade deals so they do not have to depend on large ad hoc assistance packages from the government,” she continued.

Farmer Bridge Assistance payments will roll out on February 28, 2026. 

For more information on how to qualify, visit the USDA website or email farmerbridge@usda.gov.

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