News Channel 3 obtains grand jury transcript of indicted Coachella mayor

KESQ on January 12, 2026

Garrett Hottle

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel Three has obtained the grand jury transcript that led to the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, offering a rare look at sworn testimony from current and former city leaders and regional officials about how City Hall operated behind closed doors.

The more than 500-page transcript shows jurors heard testimony from Coachella Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilmember Denise Delgado, former Coachella City Councilmember Megan Beaman Jacinto, and Celina Jimenez, the city’s director of economic development. Each testified about city decisions, internal dynamics, and their interactions with Hernandez.

Jurors also heard from Erica Felci, executive director of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, the regional agency that oversees transportation and housing programs across the valley. Her testimony focused on a regional homeless housing program connected to properties owned by Hernandez, according to the transcript.

Prosecutors questioned witnesses about city council votes, development projects, and financial disclosures, focusing on whether Hernandez took part in decisions while having personal financial interests connected to those matters. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to charges including perjury and conflict of interest.

Court records show Hernandez is next due back in court on Feb. 23, 2026.

This is a developing story and this article will be updated with additional information as it becomes available. Tune into KESQ News Channel Three tonight for full reports on the release of the grand jury testimony as we continue to follow the legal case against current Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez.

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Augustine Casino in Coachella to host career fair on Wednesday

KESQ on January 12, 2026

City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Augustine Casino was completing the finishing touches today on a multi-department career fair for job seekers in the Coachella Valley that it will host Wednesday.

The fair will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the facility’s administration building, 84-001 Avenue 54 in Coachella.

“We are looking for team members who are passionate about providing the elevated service our guests have come to expect at Augustine Casino,” said Veronique Lang, director of human resources. “Whether you are looking to start a career in hospitality or are an experienced professional in public safety orfacilities, we want to meet you.”

Candidates will have the opportunity to interview directly with hiring managers in numerous available positions, including in food service, housekeeping, facilities, marketing, surveillance and public safety.

To apply, candidates must be 21 or older for most positions, apply online prior to arrival at augustinecasino.com/careers, and are encouraged to dress in professional attire.

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Noise Ordinance Could Silence Two of Isla Vista’s Biggest Events

KEYT on January 12, 2026

John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – Isla Vista could see two of its largest events of the year toned way down with some actions coming before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

It is a proposed amplified music noise ordinance. The issue is on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, the first one of 2026.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department first brought this up last year. Public meetings were held and well attended in Isla Vista with a full crowd of students joining year round residents to speak out about the plan.

The ordinance would ban amplified music that can be heard at or beyond the property line. There are also rules against parties that charge admissions and operate as night clubs

It comes out of the years of party scenes that have led to increasing annual costs by taxpayers to cover the need and overtime for first responders. Often many additional requests go through the Santa Barbara County Fire, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, American Medical Response, Public Works and Search and Rescue to either be prepared for the crowds or to respond during the events.

This includes Halloween weekend, or weekends depending on the date, and also Deltopia weekend after students return from Spring break.

Halloween for the most part has been reduced to a local event in recent years without a surge of out of towners as the area saw in the past.

Deltopia still has thousands of people filling the streets for a mainly daytime party with water-oriented activities, live and projected music, and often times overcrowded balconies and rooftops.

The calls for medical needs due to alcohol or drug issues, along with other injuries has become a serious concerns not only on site, but also when beds run out nearby at the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital emergency room.

The Sheriff’s Department has also noted in its report fatalities linked to the weekend activities.

The Isla Vista Community Services District is opposing the new ordinance. It favors a more organized and permitted event.

Some business owners who also have music on were concerned if they were included in the rule.

Many residents who have roots in the area along with children, want the activities to be community oriented, safe and not creating a risk to the general population.

If the supervisors approve the ordinance there is a timeline that will start to have it in place by the upcoming Spring break.

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From Scraps to Soil: Goleta Foodbank Turns Leftovers Into Fertile Ground

KEYT on January 12, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – At the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s South County facility in Goleta, yesterday’s leftovers are finding a new purpose — feeding local farms instead of landfills.

A powerful new industrial composter can process up to 400 pounds of food waste a day. Spoiled produce and uneaten meals are fed into the machine, where heat and motion break them down in hours, transforming scraps into nutrient-rich compost ready for the next growing season.

“This machine’s like a garbage truck on steroids — only it feeds farms, not landfills,” said one Foodbank worker. Another added, “we’re saving tons from the landfill and growing the next harvest instead.”

Volunteers help shovel the finished compost into bins, where it will eventually enrich local farm fields. The project, funded by a $1 million CalRecycle grant, is part of California’s broader effort to reduce greenhouse gases and cut food waste.

“It grinds, mixes, cooks — all on its own. Big machine, big impact,” one worker said.

What was once filled dumpsters is now feeding the soil, closing the circle from scraps to harvest — right here in Goleta.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Utah Man Killed in Wyoming Avalanche While Snowmobiling

KIFI on January 12, 2026

Seth Ratliff

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyoming (KIFI) — A 31-year-old Utah man lost his life Sunday after being caught in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Labarge Creek area, a popular destination for backcountry snowmobiling.

The victim has been identified as Nicholas Bringhurst, of Springville, Utah. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the fatal slide took place on January 11, 2026.

At 2:15 pm, authorities received an emergency alert via a Garmin InReach satellite communicator, which indicated an injured rider in the remote Labarge Creek backcountry. Members of the Star Valley Search and Rescue immediately rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, rescuers found that Bringhurst’s riding partner had already located and dug him out of the snow. Despite the friend’s efforts to perform CPR, Bringhurst died as a result of being caught in the avalanche. 

Lincoln County Coroner Dain Schwab met with SVSAR units to recover the body. The Coroner’s Office is currently investigating to confirm the official cause of death, though the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has attributed it to the avalanche.

The Sheriff’s Office has extended its deepest sympathies to the Bringhurst family following the tragedy.

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St. Joseph United Way invites community to attend annual meeting in February

News-Press NOW on January 12, 2026

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — United Way of Greater St. Joseph’s annual luncheon meeting is just around the corner.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, United Way is inviting community members to come together for a reflection of the past year and focus on opportunities ahead in 2026. Contributions from thousands of donors and volunteers will be highlighted as part of the event.

Additionally, the meeting will recognize retiring board members, go over the financials for 2025 and the process of electing new board members. Annual award recipients will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the community.

Admission for the event is $30 per person, including tables of eight available for $225. A buffet lunch will be featured for those in attendance.

The luncheon will start at 11:45 a.m. at the Fulkerson Center on MoWest’s campus located at 4525 Downs Dr.

To register, go to the United Way of Greater St. Joseph’s website or call 816-364-2381.

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Chamber Orchestra of Colorado Springs debuts piece honoring lives of Club Q

KRDO on January 12, 2026

Celeste Springer

Reporting by photojournalist Collin Willis contributed to this article.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Chamber Orchestra of Colorado Springs debuted a piece honoring the lives lost in the Club Q mass shooting.

This weekend, the orchestra performed the piece called “Somewhere Bluebirds Fly.” The opening melody is composed entirely of notes reflecting the first initial of each victim: A for Ashley Paugh, C for Kelly Loving, G for Raymond Green Vance, and D for both Daniel Aston and Derrick Rump.

RELATED: Chamber Orchestra turns initials of Club Q victims into musical notes to commemorate the lost

“I hope [those listening] have a moment of reflection. I hope they see the beauty in the chaos, feel empathy, and hope,” said violinist Kelly Dean Pilarczyk. “Hope for the future.”

Just before midnight on Nov. 19, 2022, a gunman opened fire inside Club Q, killing five and injuring 20 others. Derrick Rump, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Raymond Green Vance, and Ashley Paugh were shot and ultimately killed. The memory of those lost still lingers in the minds of many.

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Car hits home at corner of Worley and Garth in Central Columbia

KMIZ on January 12, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A car was seen in the side of a home on Monday afternoon at a Central Columbia intersection.

Several first responders were seen at the corner of West Worley Street and North Garth Avenue around 4 p.m. after a car hit a home.

Columbia police officers and more than a dozen Columbia firefighters were at the scene. A Columbia Fire Department spokeswoman wrote in an email that firefighters were called at 3:56 p.m. and 14 personnel were sent.

The intersection was shut down while first responders worked at 4:15 p.m. A tow truck arrived at 4:24 p.m. and firefighters started leaving the scene at 4:36 p.m. The scene was cleared at 4:41 p.m.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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Grain Belt energy project sues to seize land in Callaway County

KMIZ on January 12, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A company that wants to build high-voltage electric lines to carry wind energy through Missouri has sued a Callaway County landowner for the right to use his land.

Grain Belt Express, LLC., filed the lawsuit against Dustin Hudson of Auxvasse on Friday in county court. In its eminent domain petition, the company alleges it offered Hudson fair market value and tried to negotiate after he rejected those terms.

Hudson continued to say no to Grain Belt, the petition states.

Grain Belt says it needs an easement on Hudson’s land to build and maintain its electric lines. The controversial project has drawn opposition from any local landowners, who say they don’t want high-voltage lines crossing their property.

The federal government canceled a $5 billion for the project last year, but Grain Belt said the work will proceed with private funding. Missouri’s attorney general also demanded documents from the company as part of an investigation.

The project will cross Missouri to deliver power from western wind fields to Illinois. The route will run through Mid-Missouri and a connection is planned from north of Centralia to near Kingdom City. That route includes land in Monroe, Audrain and Callaway counties, according to the Grain Belt website.

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Local businesses prepare for World Cup tourism with marketing workshop

News-Press NOW on January 12, 2026

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Local businesses joined together Monday to discuss marketing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.

This is the second World Cup readiness session the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has hosted in efforts to ensure that local businesses are prepared for the influx of travelers coming to St. Joseph.

Susan Campbell of SJC Marketing gave tips and tricks for marketing to international travelers. Annette Weeks with Aspire Business Consulting said the World Cup is bringing a whole new clientele to St. Joseph.

“There’s definitely things that businesses need to know in marketing to the world and internationally,” she said. “What SEO (Search Engine Optimization) words to use, how to get your website prepared, and what’s the digtal marketing is needed?”

Weeks said promoting the culture in St. Joseph is huge.

“When they come here, they want the experience, and one of the things we’re known for is The Pony Express. We’re recommending that they embed that into the marketing for their business,” she said. “We’ll come together as a community and market that experience.”

Due to the popularity of the World Cup, Weeks said it’s important for the community and local businesses to come together.

“In the United States, we think the Super Bowl is huge, but the World Cup is massive,” she said. “Many countries will take four to six weeks off to come to this. They base their whole year around attending the World Cup. It’s so exciting that we get to participate in an opportunity like this.”

An overall takeaway from the workshop was the marketing strategy local businesses should look into during the World Cup.

“St. Joseph has a great story to tell from many aspects, but especially with the Pony Express that we embrace. It’s just a great opportunity to expand who we are and what we are and brag about it, and let others know our history,” Weeks said.

Weeks said being proactive and working together can help St. Joseph be that destination place.

“That’s why we are having these workshops,” she said. The community is already discussing it, there is a committee along with that as we pull in and educate the small business owners and the nonprofits, with all of us coming together with a unified understanding and unified voice whats really important.”

The next meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9 at The Launch Pad. Speakers will share more about how businesses can be financially ready as the World Cup approaches.

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