Valley braces for rain as public works crews ready roads and drains in Cathedral City

KESQ on December 23, 2025

Gavin Nguyen

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Public works crews in Cathedral City are working hard to make sure that the city’s infrastructure can handle the rainfall.

City officials told News Channel 3 typical trouble spots are checked and surveyed before each forecasted weather event. Crews also clear storm drains ahead of time.

Director of Public Works, John Corella, said his team has been taking the same steps as every forecasted storm.

“We treat every storm equally important with significance, just that we just as we prepared for [Hurricane] Hilary two years past,” he said.

About 50 different storm drains in known problem areas are cleared of debris. Crews also preposition barriers and cones in areas that may be closed due to flooding.

It comes after a storm in November caused mudflows on Varner Road at the northern end of the city. Other spots include the wash at Vista Chino. Crews were seen placing cones and barriers on the side of the road for easy access if the call is made to close the road due to flooding.

Corella said the wash is managed by different flood control agencies, like Riverside County Flood Control and the Coachella Valley Water District.

“We also look at other areas, stormwater channels, and see if there’s debris that we may need to talk to a local flood control agency to be able to clean out and manage that,” he explained.

He asked residents to also do their part to maintain drainage systems near the properties. “Make sure their rain gutters are clear, make sure the downspouts are clear, and then most importantly, It’s in our municipal code that they need to go out there and make sure their gutters, their curb and gutter is free of debris.”

Residents were also seen taking advantage of a sandbag filling area at Cathedral City Fire Station #2 (32-100 Desert Vista Road). Other cities are providing similar resources, like Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

In Palm Springs, sandbags are available for pickup at all five of the city’s fire stations, as well as City Hall.

🌧️ Storm Preparedness Update 🌧️

With several inches of rain expected over the next few days, select fire stations/locations will have sand available to help residents prepare for potential flooding.

🟤 Unfilled sandbags are available at ALL fire stations🟡 Sand is available… pic.twitter.com/zM9UxMXYj1

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) December 23, 2025

Stay with News Channel 3 as we track the incoming storm and hear more from crews and residents on how they’re preparing.

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Pet Talk: Meet Badger and Skunk

KYMA on December 23, 2025

Melissa Zaremba

An adorable doggie duo who are looking for a forever home.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) –  It’s time to meet our pets of the week. 

Badger weighs 77 pounds and Skunk weighs 61 pounds. They are both female huskies who came into the shelter together. 

They both walk great on a leash, love people and love to play. They also can be adopted together or separately. 

As Pets of the Week, there are no fees for them to join your family. In fact, through December 31 all adoption fees on huskies are sponsored. 

Come visit Badger and Skunk at the Humane Society of Yuma located at 4050 S. Avenue 4 1/2 E, or call (928) 782-1621.

HSOY is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you want to give Badger, Skunk, or any animal at the Humane Society a good home you can contact or visit the Humane Society of Yuma today.

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Crossroads Mission celebrates 3 Days of Christmas

KYMA on December 23, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local organization is hosting a Christmas celebration.

The 3 Days of Christmas will be held at Crossroads Mission, who will serve locals food, give away free clothing, and have other fun activities for families to enjoy.

The Crossroads Mission has been hosting this event for over a decade. They also delivered 1,300 homebound meals.

“We do it every year, so the community can be involved, and we like for the volunteers to come and join in with us and be part of it,” said Myra Garlit, the Crossroads CEO.

The event schedule is as follows:

December 23 – Mexican food dinner

December 24 – Roast beef dinner

December 25 – Traditional turkey dinner

Each event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will be needed to help serve meals.

3-Days of Christmas 2025Download

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MSHP assigns five troopers to Troop H after graduation

News-Press NOW on December 23, 2025

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Following the graduation of 25 new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, five will make their way to serve Troop H.

Trooper Matthew J. Dorrell is a native of Marceline, Missouri, and is assigned to cover Zone 4, which serves citizens of Grundy, Livingston and Mercer counties.

Dorrell is a 2023 graduate of Marceline R-V and joined the Missouri National Guard in 2022, where he continues to serve as a heavy equipment operator. Before his employment with MSHP, Dorrell was employed by Lawn Boyz as a lawn care specialist in Bucklin, Missouri.

Trooper Matthew J. Dorrell, courtesy of MSHP.

Trooper Delaney K. Dunkin is a native of Norborne, Missouri, and is assigned to Zone 7, which serves the citizens of Caldwell and Clinton counties.

Dunkin graduated from Norborne R-8 in 2023. After high school, she attended Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods in Kansas City, Missouri, where she earned an Associate of Arts Degree in 2024.

Dunkin was employed by Ray County 911 in Richmond, Missouri, as a communications officer before her employment with the Patrol.

Trooper Delaney K. Dunkin, courtesy of MSHP.

Trooper Raul Hernandez is a native of Marshall, Missouri, and is assigned to cover Zone 10, which serves Daviess and DeKalb counties.

Hernandez graduated from Marshall High School in 2017. After high school, he attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2021.

Hernandez was previously employed by the Marshall Police Department as a police officer before joining MSHP.

Trooper Raul Hernandez, courtesy of MSHP.

Trooper Noah M. Newland is a Queen City, Missouri native who is assigned to Zone 2, which serves Nodaway and Worth counties.

Newland graduated from Schuyler County R-1 in 2022. He attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

Newland was employed by Dollar General as a sales associate before his employment with MSHP.

Trooper Noah M. Newland, courtesy of MSHP.

Trooper Lucas N. Reynolds is a Chillicothe, Missouri native who is also assigned to Zone 4, which serves Grundy, Livingston and Mercer counties.

Reynolds graduated from Chillicothe High School in 2023. He was employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections as a corrections officer before his employment with the Patrol.

Trooper Lucas N. Reynolds, courtesy of MSHP.

The new troopers will report for duty in their respective assignments on Jan. 5.

MSHP said it is hiring and offers over 60 career paths. Anyone interested in applying for trooper or commercial vehicle officer poisitions are encouraged to visit www.joinmshp.us. For other openings, visit https://bit.ly/MSHPCareers.

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New $1.6 million Buchanan County Fairgrounds arena taking shape as county eyes March completion

News-Press NOW on December 23, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The vision for Buchanan County’s new $1.6 million fairgrounds arena in Easton, Missouri, is now coming to life as county residents eagerly await the future home for livestock showcases and events.

Construction crews with Al J. Mueller Construction are making sizable progress on development of a 160-by-250-foot steel arena next to the former East Buchanan Middle School building, which is undergoing heavy renovations as part of the 18-acre Buchanan County Fairgrounds project.

County residents will now see a majority of the arena’s steel framework in place as officials set their sights on March 1 for completion. The new dirt-floor arena will be the same width as an NFL football field, offering space for livestock shows, rodeos, car shows, equine events and more.

Construction crews work on the steel framework of the new Buchanan County Fairgrounds arena in Easton, Missouri is shown on Monday.

“We’ve made a lot of progress. We’ve taken an old school building and we’re slowly getting that converted into a useful venue as well.” Fairgrounds Board member and Buchanan County Farm Bureau President Tim Gach said. “We have plans to do more painting soon, to spruce up some of the classrooms and configure them in different ways.”

Gach, county officials and a number of volunteers are all assisting contractors in renovating the former school building into an upgraded venue designed for 4-H and FFA, as well as a wide-range of possible education and community-based activities, from music lessons and knitting classes to robotics.

The building has seen entire classrooms and offices remodeled with new furniture, as well as new wiring, internet services, painting and other upgrades. The school building will also include space for the University of Missouri Extension – Buchanan County.

The former East Buchanan Middle School building is shown as interior renovations occur inside the structure on Monday in Easton, Missouri. The former school will be paired with the new arena as part of the fairgrounds.

“We do have a number of 4-H activities already planned for that facility starting in January. The local 4-H has just been really excited about the opportunity to have a place to land,” Gach said. “We have had a tremendous amount of inquiry into different things.”

He credited the help of fellow fairgrounds board members with developing concepts and ideas and facilitating various efforts to move the project forward. The Buchanan County Fairgrounds Board is comprised of nine members, including one representative from the Buchanan County Commission.

The Buchanan County Fairgrounds recently unveiled a new logo and social media page in November for future announcements, events and activities.

Once complete, Buchanan County could see the return of its first true county fair in decades.

The steel framework of the new Buchanan County Fairgrounds arena in Easton, Missouri is shown on Monday.

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CVWD approves union contract, notes ongoing Colorado River negotiations

KESQ on December 23, 2025

KESQ News Team

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Water District approved a new labor agreement during a special board meeting Tuesday, while also formally noting continued regional discussions over the future of the Colorado River.

According to the meeting agenda, the board approved a successor memorandum of understanding with the CVWD Employee Association, which represents certain district employees. The agreement is part of the district’s standard labor negotiations and is renewed every two years.

The agenda also included conference reports from district directors who attended the Colorado River Water Users Association conference held December 15 to 19 in Las Vegas. The conference brings together water agencies, state officials, tribes, and federal representatives to discuss Colorado River conditions and long-term management.

News Channel 3 will have more details tonight on the agreement and discussions over Colorado River management post 2026 tonight at 5pm and 6pm.

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Community walk with nature to be held in January

KYMA on December 23, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A walk with nature is planned for January.

The Friends with Cibola NWR 5K Walk is an event for the community to see the beauty of wildlife.

The event is on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Goose Loop Auto Tour at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.

Family is invited to see a variety of animals such as cranes, ducks, geese and blackbirds.

You can register here.

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Idaho Falls business ‘The Gun Shop’ hosts Santa photos

KIFI on December 23, 2025

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Santa traded reindeer for rifle racks this weekend, stopping by The Gun Shop in Idaho Falls to pose for photos with kids. It’s all part of a holiday event meant to give families a less crowded alternative to the mall.

The idea had actually come from a practical problem.

“Everybody wants to go see Santa, and so I know if I take my kids to the mall, the lines are crazy long. And so we just wanted to give kids another option, another place to find Santa,” Lindsey, the marketing coordinator at The Gun Shop, said.

This is the first year The Gun Shop is hosting Santa, but it won’t be the last.

“I think we’ll probably do it again,” Lindsey said.

Santa had one last thing to say to all the kids before he jumps down those chimneys.

“It’s easy to think that you can get on the naughty list, but for the most part, kids are pretty good. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we fix our mistakes and we try better the next day. That’s what matters,” Santa said.

The event is happening from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24 from 12-2 p.m.

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Some Juárez residents already camping out ahead of ‘Santa Bombero’ event on Christmas Eve

KVIA on December 23, 2025

Heriberto Perez Lara

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Dozens of people have begun camping out in front of ‘Parque DIF’ to secure a spot and a Christmas gift for their children at the 86th annual “Santa Bombero” event.

Some residents say they live far from the event location, even on the outskirts of the city, and that it’s difficult for them to travel on the day of the event.

The City of Juárez, Fire Department, and the DIF (Family Development Institute), among other local agencies and organizations, expect to receive and distribute thousands of toys and bicycles to children in the border area.

Juárez Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar reported on Monday that families began arriving at DIF Park Sunday night, hoping to secure a spot for the traditional ‘Santa Bombero’ toy giveaway event, which will take place next Wednesday, December 24, at 8 a.m.

Mayor Pérez Cuéllar also mentioned that this situation was unexpected, as in previous years, families had not arrived so early. He acknowledged that, although appeals have been made to discourage people from spending the night at the park, the number of people is expected to continue increasing as the event approaches.

Mayor Pérez Cuéllar also highlighted that the toy drive has been very successful and reiterated that, as every year, all children will receive a toy. However, he warned that long lines usually form for those hoping to receive a bicycle.

ABC-7 spoke with the municipal Civil Protection director, Sergio Rodríguez, who recommends the community not to spend the night at the park, even if the weather conditions are not adverse, as it is safer to arrive on the day of the event.

Nevertheless, Director Rodríguez indicated that his department maintains a constant presence and a security detail to protect those who have decided to remain at the park.

Authorities reiterated the call to follow official instructions and to arrive in an orderly and cautious manner so that the ‘Santa Bombero’ event can proceed safely and without incident.

Full story tonight on ABC-7 at 6.

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Idaho Falls Regional Airport long-term parking now full amid holiday travel rush

KIFI on December 23, 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Due to increased holiday travel, the Long-Term Parking Lot at Idaho Falls Regional is now full and temporarily closed. Airport officials issued an alert via social media, sharing photos of the packed lot and notifying passengers that while the Economy Lot on International Way remains an option, its availability is also becoming limited.

Addressing potential confusion for travelers on the ground, IDA explained that once the airport determines that safe access or traffic flow can no longer be maintained, the lot must be closed.

“You may notice open spaces in some areas — however, parking availability is managed based on operational and safety thresholds, not visual vacancy alone,” states the post. “When traffic flow or safe access can no longer be maintained, a lot may temporarily close even if some spaces remain.”

Airport leadership expressed their gratitude for the public’s patience during this peak holiday travel season, emphasizing that these restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of both passengers and their vehicles.

The airport is encouraging travelers to get a ride or use the Greater Idaho Falls Transit to avoid parking trouble. They’re also reminding flyers to arrive early and check flight status with their airline

To watch for updates on parking conditions, click HERE.

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