Local food bank, other businesses participate in Giving Tuesday

News-Press NOW on December 2, 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Alexis Kuhnert

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Giving Tuesday is a movement created to reimagine a world built on shared humanity and generosity.

Different organizations participate in Giving Tuesday, which falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer their time, money and talents to help their communities in different ways.

The movement was created in 2012 to help streamline more ways to give back.

Second Harvest Community Food Bank is one of the organizations taking part in Giving Tuesday.

While grocery costs remain high, Second Harvest provides food resources to the community.

Mackenzie Bally, Second Harvest marketing manager, said it’s a big day for them as Giving Tuesday starts the holiday season.

“The holidays can be a little bit tougher on some families and some of our neighbors, and so giving back during this time is just really important because you’re able to help those people,” Bally said.

For Second Harvest, every dollar donated provides up to six meals to families and individuals in need.

Anyone interested in participating in Giving Tuesday can not only help Second Harvest, but also the St. Joseph YMCA, the St. Joseph YWCA, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and more.

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Missouri legislators file separate bills to fully ban abortion, criminalize procedure

News-Press NOW on December 2, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A pair of Missouri legislators are seeking to nullify abortion rights that were enshrined in the state constitution by voters in 2024, going as far as proposing criminal penalties for those involved in the procedure.

Missouri State Sen. Mike Moon (R-29) and Missouri State Rep. Burt Whaley (R-138) announced the filing Monday of separate bills, called the Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act, designed to completely abolish abortion in the state.

The legislation would recognize the abortion amendment passed by voters in 2024 as a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, making it a criminal offense of murder for those engaged in the procedure.

Abortions would only be legal in situations where the procedure is needed to avert the death of a pregnant woman and once all reasonable alternatives to save the life of the unborn have been ruled out or attempted beforehand, making it one of the most strict anti-abortion proposals in the country.

Despite the passage of Amendment 3 in November 2024 by Missouri voters to enshrine abortion rights into the Missouri Constitution — a measure that passed with 52% approval — access to the procedure remains limited while court cases unfold to decide the constitutionality of a wide range of targeted abortion restrictions.

Such laws are used to make it harder to provide or access abortion, even where the procedure is otherwise legal.

As a result, in-clinic abortions are currently available at three Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri, while medication abortion is completely unavailable, according to state media reports.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are currently pursuing a separate challenge to allow the use of abortion medications such as Mifepristone and Misoprostol.

A high-profile trial over the constitutionality of Missouri’s targeted abortion restrictions is scheduled to begin in January 2026, settling which of Missouri’s abortion regulations will be upheld and which are unconstitutional. A decision one way or another will likely end up before the Missouri Supreme Court.

At the same time, the Republican-controlled legislature has placed a new constitutional amendment for voters to consider in November 2026 that would reverse the results of the 2024 abortion amendment and criminalize abortion in all but a handful of circumstances.

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Missouri State Highway Patrol uses stopwatch to enforce work zone speed limits from the air

KMIZ on December 2, 2025

Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

If you’re speeding, especially in a work zone, you may be on the lookout for troopers on the side of the roads to avoid getting a ticket.

But it’s much harder to spot a trooper when they are ticketing you from 2,000 feet in the air.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Aircraft Division has been using planes for speed enforcement since the late 1950s. So far this year, the patrol has conducted at least 40 speed enforcement flights in Mid-Missouri. The counties include Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Phelps, Pulaski and Saline, where MSHP planes fly over road construction zones.

“These guys that are out here doing 80, 90 miles per hour plus, and they will continue going that speed, do not know that they’ve already been caught,” said Cpl. Geoffrey Beaulieu with Troop F. “It really just lets us hammer down on those big speeders that really need to be slowing down.”

To properly conduct a speed enforcement flight, troopers and Missouri Department of Transportation workers have to go to the site and paint white blocks on the road beforehand. Those blocks are placed 1/8 of a mile apart using a certified tape measure.

The process isn’t as complicated as it may seem, as troopers in the air use only their eyes, a radio and a stopwatch to catch speeders.

The stopwatch also gets set to 1/8 of a mile, and will calculate a vehicle’s speed by using the formula of time over distance.

“We start the stopwatch before they get to that block, and when they get to the second block, we stop the watch. The stopwatch gives us the speed,” said Master Sgt. Dustin Metzner, a trooper and pilot for the Highway Patrol’s Aircraft Division.

Metzner says it’s crucial that troopers start and stop the watch at the right time, or else they could get a bad speed reading.

“It’s really important for us to make sure that we’re not cheating the violator out of distance,” said Metzner. “Because if we measure their distance less than 1/8 of a mile on the watch, it’s going to erroneously give us a faster speed than what they’re actually going.”

The pilot and ground troopers are on the same radio channel to communicate back and forth. The plane follows the speeding car, giving detailed descriptions as they go, until the trooper catches up with the violator. The trooper on the ground gives the driver a ticket or citation, and the process repeats.

“If we’re not 100% certain that we started the watch after the blocks, then we’re not going to stop them and put them on the shoulder,” said Metzner.

According to flight reports from the Highway Patrol, the average speed enforcement flight led to around seven speeding tickets and two warnings for speed per flight. Most of those ticketed or warned were going 11-20 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone, which is typically 55 mph.

Watch ABC 17 News at 10 on Wednesday to find out how many resources go into running these flights, and what to do if you’re ticketed.

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Latino Community Association and City of Bend jointly announce weekly Office Hours

KTVZ on December 2, 2025

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Latino Community Association and the City of Bend jointly announced Tuesday the launch of Office Hours at the Latino Community Association’s office at 2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive in Bend.

The Latino Community Association and the City of Bend have a longstanding relationship, collaborating in many ways, from City projects to co-hosting community outreach events.

“Recognizing this partnership and the increasing demand for services in other languages, City staff with Spanish language proficiency will work onsite at the Latino Community Association beginning December 2025,” according to the announcement, which continues here in full.

Once a week, City staff will provide one-on-one consultations for community members requesting support in navigating City processes.

“’Mi casa es su casa’ is more than a saying – it is our commitment. We are honored to welcome the City of Bend into our home so that Latine families can more easily access resources, ask questions and feel seen, heard and supported in the place they call home,” said Catalina Frank, Executive Director of the Latino Community Association. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the City for taking this step with us and for their commitment to building a more connected community in Bend.”

“Expanding access to City services for all of our community includes implementing innovative ideas in the places and spaces where community members already gather and go to for information,” said Kathi Barguil, the city’s Community Relations Manager. “We’re excited to support our partners at LCA and provide accessible resources to our immigrant and Spanish-speaking community members.”

When community members visit the Latino Community Association Bend office, they can request to schedule time with the City staff person by appointment. There will be a set schedule for the Office Hours starting in January 2026.

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Eldon woman seriously injured in Cole County crash

KMIZ on December 2, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 66-year-old woman from Eldon was seriously injured in a crash Monday afternoon on Highway 54 in Cole County at the Moreau River Bridge, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the driver lost control of her 1999 Ford F-150 on the ice-covered roadway and hit the bridge. The truck was heading eastbound at the time of the crash.

Snow caused hazardous driving conditions on Monday and a slew of crashes were reported around the Mid-Missouri area.

The woman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the report says. She was brought to Capital Region Medical Center by ambulance.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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SLO County looking for new ideas to improve its Parks and Recreation facilities

KEYT on December 2, 2025

Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation is currently in the early stages of updating its Master Plan for the first time in two decades and is seeking public input during the nearly one year-long process.

The county operates more than 30 individual facilities, including parks, open space, campgrounds, golf courses, plus community and regional parks.

“The parks are very important,” said Emily Moody, a mother of our who lives in Nipomo. “It’s a good getaway from when you’re stuck in the house with kids, you can bring them here and let them run around burn off energy.” 

Starting this week, the Parks and Recreation Department has began a public outreach effort to encourage park users to provide comments, suggestions, concerns and other ideas on what they would like to see in the future.

“Right now, the process for the Master Plan update is collecting information, looking at all of our existing facilities, looking at our existing documents, any past needs assessment or strategic plans gathering public information through community surveys or having focus groups to look at different aspects of parks and recreation in this county and gather community input from special interest groups and organizations and non-profits,” said Shaun Cooper, San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation Assistant Director.

A mailed survey was recently delivered to 5,000 households randomly selected throughout the county.

On Monday, an online survey opened up through the Parks and Recreation Department website that allows anyone in the county to answer questions.

“We are looking for information from the public on the types of recreation facilities they like, the types of facilities that they use, the types of facilities that they like to see what’s lacking,” said Cooper. “What are the activities they’re interested in? How often they use our park facilities? We are looking at all aspects of parks and recreation in the county and what types of programs or activities they like to do.” 

The online survey will remain active and open to the public through Dec. 15.

“The public input will help guide our plan for the future, which will help us make decisions, prioritize projects, prioritize funding for projects, and help us guide, a sustainable system into the future for parks and recreation in the county,” said Cooper. “Anybody is welcome to get online and take the survey. Share the link with your friends. We want as many people as possible to complete the survey online. It’ll be considered along with the statistically valid survey for the community input.”

The county pointed out the survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish.

“I think it’s important to know what the town wants or the things that draw them in,” said Moody. “I think it’s important for (the county) to be involved with the people. I think it’s important to listen to the people of the county to see where funding should go.”

For anyone who would like more information about the County of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Master Plan, or to provide online input, visit www.slocountyparksplan.com.

The Parks and Recreation Department expects the Master Plan to be updated and completed by fall 2026.

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Three people seriously hurt in van-semi collision on Highway 26 north of Madras

KTVZ on December 2, 2025

Barney Lerten

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three people were seriously injured when a van collided nearly head-on with a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 26 north of Madras Monday morning.

According to Oregon State Police, a Chrysler van was heading east near milepost 112 around 6:20 a.m. when the driver drifted into the westbound lane and the path of a Freightliner truck.

The two vehicles collided nearly head-on, troopers said. The van came to rest on the eastbound shoulder and the semi off the eastbound shoulder.

The van driver and three passengers were taken to St. Charles Madras with serious injuries, troopers said. The truck driver also was taken to the hospital with possible injuries. OSP did not disclose names or other details.

The crash shut down the highway for about four hours, OSP said. Both vehicles were towed by Prince’s Towing, and SMAF Environmental was called out to clean up a diesel spill.

ODOT, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Fire and EMS assisted at the crash scene, according to OSP.

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Noyes Home for Children to host Holiday Open House

News-Press NOW on December 2, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Noyes Home for Children is hosting its annual Holiday Open House.

The event provides a way for the community to tour the Noyes Home, as well as enjoy holiday merriment for kids of all ages and the young at heart.

Community members will also be able to see the Noyes Home’s ever-growing “Help Light the Way Donor Wall”.

Courtesy of the Noyes Home for Children.

The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 801 N. Noyes Blvd.

The Noyes Home will be filled with music, refreshments and fun activities for the whole family.

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Man now charged with murder in suspected DUI crash that killed La Quinta teen

KESQ on December 2, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man accused of a suspected DUI crash that killed a La Quinta teen has now been charged with murder.

Jose Villegas Orbe, 47, of Palm Springs, was back in court on Tuesday, where he received an additional charge of murder after the teen he struck with his car, Liam Cantu, died in the hospital. He was previously also charged with DUI causing injury, hit and run, and driving on a suspended license.

Villegas is being held in lieu of bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 4.

The crash killed Liam Cantu, a 14-year-old La Quinta High School freshman, as he was riding his bicycle with another teen on Highway 111 in La Quinta on October 10. The crash came as Cantu was excited to join the La Quinta High School baseball team.

According to authorities, Villegas had a history of DUI convictions. In a previous conviction, he had signed a Watson advisement, which could lead to a murder charge for the defendant if they cause a subsequent fatal DUI crash. When Cantu passed, that murder charge was added.

A second teen bike rider was also injured in the crash. They were released from the hospital to continue their recovery.

News Channel 3’s Gavin Nguyen was in the courtroom, he’ll have the latest on the case. Watch News Channel 3 starting at 4 p.m. for more.

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Santa Barbara Library Partners with Grace Fisher for Disability Awareness Through the Arts

KEYT on December 2, 2025

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Public Library is teaming up with the Grace Fisher Foundation and a youth makers market to celebrate disability awareness through art and storytelling on Saturday.

Attendees can enjoy a short film, an information session with Grace Fisher, hands-on craft activities, and holiday shopping — an all-in-one experience. The event is designed for all ages and encourages creativity, empathy, and understanding.

The collaboration highlights inclusion and youth leadership while making the arts accessible to the entire community, showing how partnerships can bring people together around important social causes.

The event will be held at the Michael Towbes Library Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For more information, visit here.

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