Board OKs prospective pay hikes for sheriff’s top administrators

KESQ on January 14, 2026

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Board of Supervisors today authorized the Riverside County Department of Human Resources to potentially increase the salaries of multiple sheriff’s administrators on the basis that not doing so would leave them at salary rates equal to or less than underlings.

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the agency’s proposal to modify the salary ranges of the correctional chief deputy, the chief deputy sheriff, the chief deputy sheriff designated “A” or “B” under the salary ordinance, the assistant sheriff and the assistant sheriff designated “A” or “B.”

No one was named specifically in the human resources document posted to the board’s agenda Tuesday.

“With the implementation of the adjustments, costs will be incurred only to bring incumbents below the new minimum salary up to the new minimum salary,” according to an agency statement. “Approval of the recommended adjustments will ensure adequate spacing and appropriate salary progression for the executive management level classifications. This will aid in retention and ensure that the sheriff’s department is able to provide growth opportunities into these positions as opportunities arise.”

According to officials, the board’s approval in July of a new three- year contract with the Law Enforcement Management Unit, representing upper-level sheriff’s personnel, as well as District Attorney’s Office investigators and other county peace officers, created the likelihood of “compaction,” which defines circumstances where a subordinate is making as much as or more than a superior.

It’s commonly cited as the rationale for hiking the annual salaries of elected officials, too.

The collective bargaining agreement with the LEMU — which establishes across-the-board auto pay hikes totaling 19% over the next three years — placed sheriff’s captains at pay rates in competition with their bosses, officials said.

The new range for an assistant sheriff will be $261,000 to $313,323 per year, compared to $163,099 to $221,326 previously. For an assistant sheriff “A,” the new range will be $279,000 to $335,256, compared to $172,883 to $278,479 before now. For an assistant sheriff “B,” the revised range will be $292,435 to $350,922, instead of $220,791 to $299,326 previously.   

The chief correctional deputy range will go from $161,560 to $230,613, to $191,635 to $251,516 per year. The chief deputy sheriff’s range is now $239,544 to $287,453, compared to $150,545 to $209,827 previously. The chief deputy “A” range will be $256,312 to $307,574, compared to $159,577 to $222,416 previously, and the “B” category will be $268,289 to $321,947, compared to $203,796 to $284,048 in the past.   

The new rates are retroactive to Dec. 11.   

The Department of Human Resources said there are no anticipated immediate impacts to the sheriff’s budget as a result of the changes. It was unclear how many of the positions are actually filled.

Officials said a “market survey” was conducted to determine the pay rates in neighboring counties and how best to bring the county in line with other jurisdictions.

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Amplified Music Rule Approved to Tone Down Isla Vista’s Unpermitted Deltopia Event

KEYT on January 14, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – After years of seeing thousands show up for out of control parting in Isla Vista, the County Board of Supervisors will be using a new ordinance change to quiet it down and make it less attractive to out of towners.

It is known as Deltopia. It started as Floatopia in the water, then after a beach ban, ended up on Del Playa Drive.

A ban on amplified music means if it can be heard from the sidewalk it is a violation.

The county heard some staggering numbers from the Sheriff’s department including costs of $465,000 in overtime from 2023 to 2025 for the Sheriff and Fire departments.  From 2010 to 2025 the costs have been over $1 million.

There are also associated costs for the University Police, American Medical Response (AMR) and clean up efforts.

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting saying it has had a full or overflowing emergency room from the calls for medical needs coming from the event.

The impacts on the hospital and transport services have been beyond any normal weekend significantly.

Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Schmidt made the presentation with photos, financial impacts and statistics that included injuries and deaths.  He personally has been part of the response teams for years, including making rescues when someone goes 40-feet off the bluffs.

The UC Santa Barbara Associated Students has been working on solutions and providing funding for alternative events as part of a pivot on the event towards a more sanctioned and controlled scene.

The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) has also favored a more collaborative festival using parks and sites off of Del Playa Drive with security, food set ups, music, restrooms, and a more inclusive schedule for the community. A meeting on that plan will take place in Isla Vista at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 20th.

County Supervisors were firm in their concerns about unsafe bluff top and patio parties that were over crowded and uncontrolled gatherings that have been difficult to measure or break up when there are safety issues or medical calls.

Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann both recall talking to parents after fatal incidents over the years in Isla Vista as they stressed the safety priority.

There was also an alert about the ineffective use of cell phones when the crowd use overwhelms the towers making 911 calls sometimes impossible.

Student leaders were credited with their work on a solution and their presentations at town hall meetings and to the county leaders.

IVCSD President Spencer Brandt said he met with San Luis Obispo officials to find out how St. Patrick’s Day events were controlled using rules and alternative activities that were supported by the community and some of what made that plan work, is being used in Isla Vista going forward.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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3.1 magnitude earthquake strikes near Coachella Tuesday afternoon

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.1 has struckroughly 18 miles east-southeast of Coachella and 21.5 miles east-southeast of Indio, according to the U.S. Geoglogical Survey.

The quake struck shortly before 5 p.m.

There are no reports of injuries or damage.

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Palm Springs planning commission approves major hotel expansion along North Palm Canyon Drive

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – A vacant former Days Inn along North Palm Canyon has been unanimously approved for transformation into “The Verb in Palm Springs,” a nearly 180 room resort, following Palm Springs commissioners’ approval of the major redevelopment project.

The project, proposed by O2 Architecture on behalf of the property owner, calls for an expansion of the hotel and restaurant at 1973 N. Palm Canyon Dr.

The development would increase the hotel’s room count from 107 to 179 rooms and add a new two-story hotel building along with a relocated restaurant and lobby.

The staff report said, “the scope of work includes the demolition of one existing hotel building, the current lobby and the diner. The remaining two hotel buildings and back of house building will be rehabilitated. The proposed design introduces five buildings: three hotel buildings, a back of house building and a combined restaurant-lobby structure.”

The project has been determined to be categorically exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, with staff concluding it would not result in significant impacts to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality.

News Channel 3 has reached out to Spot On Ventures LLC, the lead developer on the project, for further comment. Xander Brown, Head of Acquisitions and Capital Markets, said:

“Our team has a history of creating hospitality projects that appeal to visitors and local residents alike and our vision for this site is to transform an outdated and vacant Days Inn location into a dynamic new amenity for our community.

Palm Springs is a community rich in culture, design and architecture, and a history that very much informs the present day. We are excited to build on that foundation and create a completely updated and revitalized 179-key hotel that will offer a spectacular design, unique interiors, and beautiful landscaping to create an updated visual identity at this important location.

We are confident that our project will offer a super experience to its guests, based on design, service and guest amenities, including meeting space, views, pool, and gardens. Equally important, we will create an accessible community amenity on the north side of Palm Springs that is anchored by a restaurant that is designed to appeal to local residents and operated by a longstanding and well-regarded local operator.

We appreciate the thoughtful review by city officials; their feedback has resulted in a stronger project. We look forward to being a part of this community.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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News Channel 3 to launch weekend newscasts on the CW

KESQ on January 14, 2026

KESQ News Team

Palm Springs, Calif. (KESQ) – The Gulf California Broadcast Company, owners of KESQ News Channel 3, KDFX FOX 11, KPSP CBS Local 2, KCWQ CW 5, KUNA Telemundo 15, and La Poderosa 96.7 radio, is expanding its local weekend newscasts to air on KCWQ, the Palm Springs CW affiliate.

Beginning January 24, News Channel 3 Live at 6PM local newscasts will also be simulcast on KCWQ CW 5 Saturdays and Sundays.

The addition of local weekend newscasts to Palm Springs CW 5 will allow viewers to watch News Channel 3 live newscasts at 6PM year-round on Saturdays and Sundays, even when ABC affiliate KESQ is airing live network sports or other special programming.

“We’re excited to expand News Channel 3’s critical local news and First Alert weather coverage to CW 5,” said Jerry Upham, Gulf California Broadcast Company’s General Manager. “This allows us to better serve the Coachella Valley’s weekend viewers, and is a unique opportunity for the Desert’s News Leader to provide local newscasts every Saturday and Sunday at 6PM throughout the year. ABC’s programming often doesn’t allow us to provide full live newscasts during this time period due to live sports and other network coverage.”

News Channel 3 newscasts currently air on KESQ, KPSP CBS Local 2, and KDFX FOX 11. All newscasts are also available via the KESQ livestream at kesq.com/livestream/

The addition of News Channel 3 live newscasts to KCWQ now extends the Desert’s News Leader to all the company’s English-speaking stations. In addition, the Spanish-speaking newscast Noticias Telemundo 15 continues to air on KUNA Telemundo 15 weekdays at 6PM and 11PM.

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Santa Barbara City Council Votes 4-3 in Favor of Temporary Rent Freeze

KEYT on January 14, 2026

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Renters and landlords packed a marathon meeting that resulted in a 4-3 votes to pass an ordinance to establish a temporary rent increase moratorium and a Just Cause Eviction code update.

Santa Barbara City Council member Meagan Harmon made the motions.

“The ordinance will become effective in 30 days, it is just a temporary rent freeze during this interim period while we move forward to develop a rent stabilization ordinance,” said Harmon,” one thing to note is that there is a rollback date that increases are not allowed as of December 16th, so even though it becomes effective in a month, it goes back to Dec. 16.”

It’s was proposed to stop a rush of rent increases while the city works on a program.

“It is really just about stabilizing and sort of maintaining the state of play as it currently exists, while we go forward and develop this program, it is not about setting a permanent rent freeze or stopping increases forever, it is just about stabilizing the here and now, while we develop this program together,” said Harmon.

Mayor Randy Rowse , Council member and Mayoral candidate Eric Friedman and Council member Mike Jordan were not swayed by more than three hours of mostly supportive comments.

Many critics of interfering in the free market agreed with the no votes.

“We have 3 city council members that are renters, they are going to benefit by this vote,” said Mike Stoker, a former Santa Barbara County Supervisor who works with the nonprofit Santa Barbara Taxpayers Advocacy Center.

Another speaker thought they should recuse themselves and another asked if any council members were landlords.

None of them currently rent out property.

Council member Wendy Santamaria reminded the crowd that this does not apply to single family homes or Section 8 housing.

Supporters are pleased, although many including Stanley Tzankov, with the Tenants Union and CAUSE, recognized a 5th yes vote would have made it an urgent ordinance.

“I wish they would have acted with urgency because people are hurting and I guess this is better than the alternative but we need to get something good to protect tenants and stabilize rents,” said Tzankov.

Emily Pelstring said she supported the yes votes even though she plans to move in about six months due to her high studio rent.

“When you are paying into rent it is not going into any investment,” said Pelstring, ” and property values in Santa Barbara always continue to go up, you are sinking away a good portion of your money to live an area where you work.”

In July, the council plans to consider a permanent rent stabilization program that the city staff was asked to work on following a presentation on Dec. 16, 2025.

Rent stabilization or control is likely to be a hot topic during the upcoming mayors race. 

The agenda’s first recommendation that passed included the introduction and adoption of an emergency ordinance that establishes a temporary rent increase moratorium during the preparation, consideration and potential adoption of a permanent rent stabilization program.

The second item that passed included the adoption of an amendment to the Santa Barbara Municipal Code relating to additional requirements for Just Cause Evictions for the purpose of removing rental units from the market

For more information visit, https://santabarbaraca.gov

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SJSD finance committee takes closer look at district financial audit  

News-Press NOW on January 14, 2026

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District’s finance committee met Tuesday to take another closer look at the district’s financial statement audit from KPM. 

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Robert Hedgecorth said the goal was to give committee members time to really sit down together and review the information.  

While KPM had already spent a good amount of time going over the audit during a board meeting, Hedgecorth said he wanted another opportunity to walk through parts that could be confusing.  

“I gave everyone a printout, and they can go over it and dig deep into the information and then email me or give me a call if they have any questions about any other pieces in the audit,” Hedgecorth said.  

He added that it’s important for committee members to fully process the numbers, especially since there are several misconceptions circulating in the community.  

Hedgecorth said there’s always room for improvement, and he makes it a point to ask auditors for feedback on how the district can strengthen its processes and procedures.  

“We talked through those things today at the meeting and got their feedback on it and what we could do to be better moving forward,” Hedgecorth added.  

Hedgecorth also touched on the two new high schools in the district and why that option may be less likely in the future.

“Its more complex formula than this, but you cannot borrow for more than 15% of your assessed evaluation in total. That’s a state statute and so the cost of a new high school, we wouldn’t have the bonding capacity to do that out of our general obligation fund,” Hedgecorth said.  

He said the district could technically borrow through Certificates of Participation, or COP debt, on top of the maximum general obligation amount, but it would result in a significant increase to the tax levy—something the district wants to avoid.  

Instead, Hedgecorth said SJSD needs to focus on long-term planning.  

“We need to work backwards, then, to ensure what bonding capacity we have to establish the funding for those buildings. If we wanna use some COP debt to support those project then we would have to pass that as a tax levy increase,” Hedgecorth said.  

Hedgecorth said another option is being strategic about how facilities are designed and built to help fund projects without raising taxes.  

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Wellsville man charged with sodomy, sex abuse in Montgomery County

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Wellsville man was charged with two felonies after he was accused of sexually abusing a girl on Dec. 7.

Noah Smith, 18, was charged on Monday in Montgomery County with first-degree sodomy and sex abuse. He is being held at the jail without bond, though a mugshot was not immediately available. An arraignment was held on Tuesday and Smith appeared by video from the jail. A counsel status hearing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 and an attorney asked for a bond to be set.

The probable cause statement says the victim was given alcohol by another person described as “Suspect 2.” Court filings show a woman, Elizabeth Mize, gave alcohol to the minor victim and other youth.

Mize was charged with two counts of misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor and a summons was issued for her on Tuesday.

The statement says the victim allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .11, which is higher than the legal limit to drive. Court documents claim Smith assaulted the victim twice and the victim had to remove his hands from various areas of her body.

During the last occurrence, the victim allegedly kicked Smith and locked herself in a bathroom to avoid him, the statement says. Once a ride arrived for the victim, Smith allegedly refused to let her leave, the statement says.

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Oregon and U.S. gas prices fall to lowest levels in nearly five years – but AAA says that could change soon

KTVZ on January 14, 2026

KTVZ

PORTLAND, Ore., – The national average for regular gas has been stable over the past week, and the Oregon average continues to fall. In fact, Oregon had the second-largest week-over-week decline for a state in the nation, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.

Both averages are at their lowest prices in nearly five years. The national average is at its cheapest price since March 2021 and the Oregon average is at its lowest price since May 2021.

However, crude oil prices have climbed above $60 per barrel this week, which could translate into higher pump prices, AAA says.

For the week, the national average for regular remains at $2.82 a gallon. The Oregon average falls five cents to $3.34 a gallon and Bend’s has dropped to about $3.23 a gallon. Oregon has the second-largest decline in the nation, behind the District of Columbia.

National State Local Gas Prices 1-13-26

“December and January are often when pump prices are at their lowest prices of the year, due to the seasonal factors of lackluster demand for gas as well as cheaper winter-blend fuel,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “However, with crude oil rising above $60 today for the first time since early December, that may put some upward pressure on pump prices.”

The Oregon average for regular gas began 2026 at $3.42 a gallon, which is the highest price of the year so far. The lowest price of the year so far is today’s price of $3.34.   

The national average began 2026 at $2.83 a gallon, which is the highest price of the year so far. The lowest price of the year so far is $2.795 on January 11.

The average price for the national average for regular gas in 2025 was $3.11 per gallon. The average price of the Oregon average for the year was $3.87.

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. gasoline decreased from 8.56 million b/d to 8.17 million b/d for the week ending January 2. This compares to 8.48 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic supply of gasoline increased from 234.3 million barrels to 242 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.0 million barrels per day compared to 9.5 million barrels the previous week.

Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce and less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures. The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend. Switch-over dates are earlier in California with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.

Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.

The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) has mostly been in the upper $50s to mid-$70s since September 2024.

WTI is trading at $61 today, compared to $57 a week ago and $79 a year ago. In 2025, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $80.04 (January 15) and $57.46 (October 16) per barrel.  In 2024, WTI ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.

Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, the current situation in Venezuela, protests in Iran, unrest in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Crude prices were volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, there were concerns that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region. Crude oil prices declined after October’s fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But in 2025, the cartel boosted production which put downward pressure on crude oil prices. For 2026, OPEC+ says it’s not planning any production hikes in the first quarter of the year due to lower demand.

Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 49% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 14% is refining, 21% distribution and marketing, and 17% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains at or near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country remains is at 13.81 million barrels per day for the week ending January 2. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October 2024. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.

Quick stats

Oregon is one of 33 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a week ago. The District of Columbia (-5 cents) and Oregon (-5 cents) have the largest week-over-week decreases in the nation. Iowa (+15 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase in the country. The average in Hawaii is flat.

Hawaii ($4.42) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the fifth week in a row. California ($4.21) is second. These are the only states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week six states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 42 states with an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.23) and Arkansas ($2.39) and. No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.

The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.19 this week, same as a week ago.

Oregon is one of 44 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is 10 cents less and the Oregon average is 29 cents less than a month ago. Oregon has the largest month-over-month decline in the nation. Idaho (-24 cents) has the second-biggest month-over-month drop in the nation. Maryland (+8 cents) has the largest month-over-month increase.

Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 25 cents less, while the Oregon average is 12 cents less. Utah (-40 cents) has the largest year-over-year drop in the nation. Alaska (+19 cents) is the only state with a year-over-year increase.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with six of the seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.

Rank
Region
Price on 1/13/2026

1
Hawaii
$4.42

2
California
$4.21

3
Washington
$3.80

4
Alaska
$3.49

5
Nevada
$3.35

6
Oregon
$3.34

7
District of Columbia
$3.11

8
Pennsylvania
$3.01

9
Vermont
$3.00

10
New York
$3.00

As mentioned above, Hawaii has the most expensive gas in the country for the fifth consecutive week. California, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon round out the top six. Arizona is 11th. Oregon slips to sixth after three weeks at fifth.

Six of the seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week decreases: Oregon (-5 cents), Alaska (-5 cents), Arizona (-4 cents), California (-4 cents), Washington (-3 cents) and Nevada (-2 cents). The average in Hawaii is the same as a week ago.

The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast inched up from 79.6% to 80.0% for the week ending January 2. This rate has ranged between about 70% to 93% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate is steady at 94.7%.

The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased from 29.58 million bbl. to 31.35 million bbl. for the week ending January 2. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.

Oil market dynamics

Crude oil prices have climbed above $60 this week for the first time since early December as investors weigh the protests in Iran, the impacts from the U.S. action in Venezuela and how it might impact that country’s large oil reserves, and seemingly no progress in efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 3.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 419.1 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI jumped $1.36 to close at $59.12. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI added 38 cents to settle at $59.50. Today crude is trading around $61, compared to $57 a week ago. Crude prices are about $17 less than a year ago. ($78.82 on January 13, 2025)

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

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Cole County commissioners seek clarity from bank before auction of late farm owner’s land; was intended to become county park

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Haley Swaino

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A late Cole County farmer owners’ land is set to be auctioned on Feb. 7, even though he intended it to become a county park.

After a large group of family, friends and neighbors of Lawrence Renn Jr. showed up to continue their fight to stop the sale of the Elston farmland at Tuesday’s commission meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to reopen talks with Renn’s trust bank.

Renn created a trust that stated 178 acres of his farm — located off Route T and Elston Road in Elston– would be leased to the county after his death for $1 a year. He died in 2021. But the county broke the 99-year lease after the bank told them how much money was available to develop and maintain the park.

“When we asked if there were going to be some funds available to help us develop this, we were told no,” Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said. “The land was basically his gift and that would be like $15,000-to-$20,000.”

Bushman said taking that much money out of the county parks budget would not be doable.

“We did not have the funds to do it, so that is why we notified Hawthorn trust that we respectfully declined this gift,” Bushman said.

The county then went to court and withdrew from the trust, and the bank put the land up for auction.

But family and friends insisted millions was in the bank, specifically intended for the park.

“There’s some miscommunication between the bank and Cole County about the amount of funds available for the development of this park,” neighbor Tony Brenneke said.

Bushman said he reached out to the bank last week about the money available.

“It’s the same amount last week they gave me that they gave us in 2024,” Bushman said. “The $3-to-$4 million, I don’t know where it is or what it can be used for, but it’s not being offered for the park.”

And that’s the issue commissioners are hoping Hawthorn Bank will sit down and clarify for them before the land is sold.

“If they say, ‘No, this $3-to-$4 million is going to be used for this or something else and it’s not available for you,’ then so be it,” Bushman said. “A lot’s going to hinge on what conversations we can perhaps have with Hawthorn Bank before Feb. 7.”

Tony Brenneke said there is one glaring concern that could cost them the land.

“One big question that we’re left is is kind of why Hawthorn Bank not being 100% forthcoming with the county about what assets are available to develop this park,” Brenneke said.

The group at Tuesday’s meeting left clapping and thanking the commission, hopeful the bank will be receptive to talks.

“Conversations between the bank and grantor, Lawrence Renn, before his passing as well as certain language in the trust, mandated that the trust was not to be the sole source of funding for the development and maintenance of the park and that it be a collaborative effort between the trust and the county,” Hawthorn Bank said in a statement.

The bank said its worked over the past few years to exhaust all options, while still maintaining the language in his trust.

“Ultimately, both the Cole County Commission and Missouri State Parks declined to accept the gift of the conveyance of the land for the park, citing insufficient personnel and funding to undertake such a project,” the statement said.

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