Local Veteran recovering after being hit by vehicle

KYMA on January 5, 2026

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local Veteran is recovering after being struck by a car. 

Retired Army service member Karla Roche was struck by a vehicle last month at the Quechan Casino.

Roche suffered multiple broken bones, damage to her teeth, and received stitches to her face and mouth.

The 58-year-old Veteran is now recovering but still in need of surgery. 

She says once fully healed, she plans to return to her passion which is connecting fellow Veterans with service animals.

Roche, who has two service K-9’s of her own, is also a certified dog trainer. 

She has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for some medical bills. To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Terrebonne man killed in Highway 20 crash on New Year’s Eve

KTVZ on January 5, 2026

Barney Lerten

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A two-car New Year’s Eve crash on U.S. Highway 20 in Harney County claimed the life of a Terrebonne man, Oregon State Police reported Monday.

Around 5:40 p.m. last Wednesday, Christopher Emanuel Cortez Morales, 25, of Terrebonne, lost control of his Honda Accord, leading to a collision with an Audi A6 driven by Jennifer Tiffany Carey, 53, of Bend, troopers said.

OSP said their preliminary investigation found that Morales was heading west when he traveled into the oncoming lane, clipping Carey’s car. The impact caused the Honda to roll and throw Morales, who troopers said was not wearing a seat belt and was declared deceased at the scene. Carey reported no injuries.

The highway was closed for around 1 1/2 hours while OSP conducted their on-scene investigation.

“Operator impairment is being considered as a primary factor in the crash,” OSP said in a news release.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Oregon Department of Transportation crews.

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Timelines just got tricky: A discreet U.S. Postal Service change could trip up your ballots and benefits

KTVZ on January 5, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video, statement from USPS, comments from Deschutes County clerk)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — When you drop a letter in the mail, you probably assume the postmark date reflects that same day. But after recent changes by the U.S. Postal Service, that may no longer be the case.

The USPS quietly changed its postmarking process at the end of 2025. Now, the date on mail will reflect when it’s processed, not when it’s dropped into a mailbox — a difference that matters for time-sensitive mail like voter registration, government benefits, and election ballots.

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison told us that for election officials, the change itself isn’t a concern — the focus is on making sure people plan ahead.

“The fact that the USPS may not be postmarked something sooner doesn’t change the way we’re evaluating, but it could change the messaging that we’re sending out,” Dennison said. “If you’re mailing something to our office that’s time-sensitive, and postmarks are permissible, just either mail it early, and/or bring it to the counter.”

Dennison said the process at the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office remains black and white. If the postmark date is past a deadline, the document won’t be valid — even if it was dropped in the mail on time.

“We’re following the law. We’re being consistent. We’re applying this consistently,” Dennison said. “We’re just asking the voters and the citizens to take that initiative and make sure they do mail things early.”

In a statement to KTVZ News, the U.S. Postal Service said the update to its Domestic Mail Manual doesn’t change their postmarking procedures, but helps clarify existing practices and improve public understanding.

“Virtually all letters or flats sent by individuals using stamps (such as cards, letters and tax returns) receive a postmark,” USPS said in a statement. “If a customer wants to ensure that a mailpiece receives a postmark and that the postmark aligns with the date of mailing, the customer may take the mailpiece to a Post Office, station, or branch and request a manual (local) postmark at the retail counter when tendering their mail piece.”

The Postal Service also noted that customers can purchase Certified or Registered Mail to receive a receipt with tracking information. It said the updated Domestic Mail Manual “does not signal a change in postmarking procedures with regard to how or what we postmark, but is instead intended to improve public understanding of the information postmarks convey, when in the course of operations they are typically applied, and their relationship to the date of mailing.”

Here in Central Oregon, as election season approaches, residents can also drop off their ballots at official ballot drop boxes located throughout the counties. Those do not require postal processing and provide an alternative to mailing.

The bottom line: if you’re cutting it close to a deadline on time-sensitive mail, bring it directly to the post office for immediate processing. You can also check with your recipient to see if in-person drop-off is an option.

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California drivers to see changes to speeding and red light cameras

KESQ on January 5, 2026

Gavin Nguyen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – California motorists may soon notice new cameras along their daily commutes.

The state is rolling out new automated enforcement programs stemming from several state Senate and Assembly Bills, including cameras at traffic signals and cameras to catch speeders in Caltrans highway work zones.

California Assembly Bill 645 was passed back in 2023 and authorized the start of the speed safety system pilot program. This allowed six pilot cities (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose) to work towards implementing speed cameras in designated problem areas within their cities, including school zones and street racing corridors.

That speed safety program remains limited to those pilot cities and Malibu, which was added a year after the bill’s passing.

Assembly Bill 289, passed more recently in 2025, will expand the scope of that automated enforcement by permitting Caltrans to deploy similar speed cameras along highway work zones statewide to protect their work crews.

Senate Bill 720, also passed in 2025, focuses on red light cameras and revises existing legislation.

Historically, Cathedral City had red light cameras in some problem intersections. The city’s police department still has a webpage online about those red light violations, but the cameras have since been taken down.

News Channel 3 has reached out to Caltrans District 8, which oversees San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, to see if there are plans to deploy those cameras in local work zones.

We also spoke with advocacy groups who said these cameras are necessary to enhance safety. Stay with us for the latest.

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Light the World giving campaign concludes with over 35,000 local visitors & 32,000 donated items

KIFI on January 5, 2026

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As the holiday lights dim and the new year begins, the Light the World Giving Machines have officially concluded their annual mission of charity. This year’s campaign saw a massive outpouring of local support.

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these “reverse vending machines”—which allow visitors to buy essential goods for those in need—drew more than 35,000 local visitors across eastern Idaho alone this season.

According to volunteers, over 32,000 individual items were donated to local and global organizations. The most popular donation item was shelter meals for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, providing over 2,300 meals to people in need.

While the machines have been packed away, the work is far from over. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is currently conducting its first-quarter audit to finalize the total dollar amount raised and will present the funds collected to their local and international charity partners this spring. Because of their sponsorship, every dollar raised will go to benefit the associated organization.

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Local lawmakers in Yuma County react to U.S. striking Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro’s capture

KYMA on January 5, 2026

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local lawmakers across Yuma County are sharing their reaction to to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a large-scale strike against the country over the weekend.

The Pentagon says President Donald Trump gave the order to arrest President Maduro just before 11:00 a.m. Friday.

Troops from 20 military bases and 150 U.S. aircraft took part in the mission, which saw an elite strike force arrive at President Maduro’s compound around 1:00 a.m. Saturday.

After arriving in New York Saturday night, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York courtroom Monday where they both pleaded not guilty.

In a post to X Saturday, Arizona State Rep. Nick Kupper (R-District 25) said, “I think that this will likely be a net benefit for the people of Venezuela & the people of America. However, I’m not sure it was carried out in the most ethical way. I would rather we do things the right way to get the correct result, rather than just do things the way we want.”

Xanthe Bullard, Chair of the Yuma County Democratic Party, released a statement Saturday regarding the Venezuela strikes and Maduro’s arrest. To read the statement in full, see attached file.

YCDP Condemns President Trump’s Unconstitional Action In VenezuelaDownload

Arizona State Sen. Brian Fernandez (D-District 23) says he’s not completely against it, but does not agree with the way it was done.

“I think that the problematic part of this is not seeking congressional approval, this is something that there are consequences to this, and I think that the president should have taken those consequences into account,” Sen. Fernandez expressed.

Meanwhile, Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines is fully on board, saying Maduro had it coming.

“I appreciate President Trump following up on that it has been reported that he was manufacturing narcotics for the United States and we could see those trucks, I mean those boats full of narcotics that were being taken out,” Lines explained.

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Ground stop lifted at Palm Springs airport, some travelers still stuck

KESQ on January 5, 2026

Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop that disrupted flights at Palm Springs International Airport over the New Year’s weekend was lifted Saturday evening.

Some travelers said they continue to face cancellations and delays Monday as operations work to return to normal.

On Monday, a spokesperson from the Palm Springs airport said the FAA issue impacting Southern California airspace, including Palm Springs International Airport, has been resolved.

The FAA issued the ground stop Saturday morning after an air traffic control issue affecting Southern California airspace forced airlines to halt departures. 

Flights began resuming over the weekend, but airport officials cautioned passengers that residual impacts and delays could continue.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Storm Aftermath Leaves Days of Cleaning, Assessment, & Preparations

KEYT on January 5, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The holiday storm train has left the Central Coast for the most part, but there will be days of cleaning and many preparations before the next rain system arrives.

This appears to be a dry week, which is what every community needs that dealt with the hard rains.

The weekend impacts leave behind a work list that will take days or weeks depending on the damage.

The Santa Barbara waterfront has a sailboat wreckage to remove. That was completed by Marborg Industries Monday afternoon during low tide.

After a two day effort to save the Green Flash sailboat, the plan failed and it could not be towed back out from Santa Barbara’s East Beach. The owner took off the mast and the motor and left the rest behind.

For years, the city has had to deal with these vessels that break from a Winter anchorage spot and if the owner does not have the funds it’s costly to deal with the wreckage.

 Capt. Nathan Alldredge is the Santa Barbara Harbor Operations Manager. “Then it becomes an environmental hazard, becomes a safety hazard, the city and some of our non profit partners have to take on as sort of their responsibility.”

As of January first there is now a mandatory insurance police required.  The waterfront department has worked for months to get the requirement in place for the harbor and nearshore waters that include the moorings and free anchorage.

It protects the boaters and protects the city from an unforeseen event.

Alldredge said, “having an insurance policy allows them to be able to work with the contractor (through) their insurance and to be able to get some repairs done or salvage the vessel or  bring it off the beach if it a loss or compensate for some kind of replacement for that boat.”

For those without insurance now they will be cited and it will be a 60-day period before the vessel is impounded if the insurance is not obtained.

Alldredge said, “they can appeal to the waterfront director but after that if they don’t show insurance the vessel is subject to be impounded  and the slip can be terminated.”

The remaining waterfront area will get a full assessment, something all coastal communities will be doing, after the combination of King Tides and two serious storms starting in late December.

The base of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club is holding firm but it is now exposed with all the sand pulled out by the wave action in one corner on the western end. Tidal overflow was minor there. The parking lot was not impacted and a rock wall that was installed after past storms held as planned. It preserves the boat yard, parking areas, and businesses.

Yellow tape is up to keep the public out of the eroding area.

The Carpinteria sand berm has been reduced but still has protections where it sits in front of coastal apartments, some that are seasonal rentals.

The storm caused rock slides in many areas including Mountain Drive near Mission Ridge.

The Santa Barbara Airport and Highway 101 northbound west of Goleta are both open after closures over the weekend.

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Jefferson City man charged with manslaughter in crash that killed nursing home resident

KMIZ on January 5, 2026

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter on accusations that he had a seizure while driving after not taking his medicine, killing a nursing home resident.

Deshawn M. Robinson, 57, was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and driving without a license on New Year’s Day. He was listed on the Cole County Jail roster on Monday evening.

Robinson crashed into Westbrook Terrace Memory Care at 3305 N. Ten Mile Drive on Thursday afternoon. The crash killed a nursing home resident. Authorities have not publicly identified the victim.

Robinson had a seizure at about 10 a.m. Jan. 1, then another one while driving a few hours later that led to the crash, according to a probable cause statement. He had not been taking his seizure medication for several days, police say.

Robinson allegedly told police that he knew not taking his medication led to him having seizures.

No court dates have been set.

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GoFundMe created for paralyzed Yuma man

KYMA on January 5, 2026

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created to help a Yuma man who has been paralyzed following his surgery two years ago.

According to the GoFundMe’s organizer, Nicky Hurtado was involved in a serious crash back in 2002 that required surgery, and said he had lived with no issues for nearly 20 years.

However, in 2021, the organizer said there were complications from the original injury which began to resurface, and had to undergo another surgery in 2024 that was related to the 2002 crash.

Following that surgery, Hurtado experienced paralysis from the chest down and limited functions to his arms and hands, leading to another surgery in 2025, the organizer said.

As of now, Hurtado is currently receiving specialized care at Craig Hospital in Colorado as, according to the organizer, it is one of the “top five spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospitals in the world,” and his days consist of seven to eight hours of intensive therapy.

This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and life-skills classes “designed to help him adapt to life with a spinal cord injury,” the organizer said.

However, the organizer added, “While this care is critical and is truly a blessing, it has created a significant financial burden,” saying Hurtado’s family is traveling from Arizona to visit him.

According to the organizer, the GoFundMe was created to help cover medical costs, travel and lodging, lost income, and more for when Hurtado comes back to Yuma.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $1,300, with only $1,030 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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