Ivette Saucedo
ELLICOTT, Colo. (KTLO) – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the evacuation order at 1:36 pm.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders at 1:14 pm for west of Curtis Rd., South of Davis Rd., East of Blaney Rd., and North of Highway 94 due to a fire near Dragonman Distributors. Everyone in the area has been ordered to evacuate now.
This is a developing story.
Cameron Montemayor
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials and the local firefighters union have negotiated a new $200,000 contract to raise firefighter pay by 4% in 2026, including future raises in 2027 and 2028.
City councilmembers will hear an ordinance for first reading Monday to renegotiate a new fire department contract with the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77, a $200,000 agreement that would modify the current pay plan for employees within the fire bargaining unit, covering firefighters, drivers/engineers and captains.
If approved by City Council, all department employees will receive a 4% increase in pay retroactive to July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2026. The contract includes additional raises of 3% in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
The agreement also includes longevity raises to increase salaries above the base salary for every five years of continuous service a member has completed for the department:
5 years of service: 5% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.
10 years of service: 10% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.
15 years of service: 15% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.
20 years of service: 20% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.
The agreement also updates EMT compensation by converting certified EMT pay from a lump-sum payment to an hourly rate through an adjustment to base pay prior to the application of longevity, and revises out-of-title compensation.
The contract comes after a year with numerous meetings and negotiations between union and city officials to come to an agreement, which includes a wide range of operational changes.
A final vote on the new agreement by City Council will likely take place on Jan. 19 following Monday’s first reading.
Jarrod Zinn
BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – With the arrival of 2026, Buellton isn’t hesitating with its sense of forward motion into the year ahead.
The city is announcing a first for this year.
Buellton city officials say 2025 saw some significant legislative changes, and that 2026 will begin to see some tangible results.
“There’s a lot that went on this last year,” says Scott Wolfe, Buellton City Manager. “It was a very busy year. We operated most of the year with only four city council members.”
After a special municipal election in august, Carla Mead filled the previously vacant fifth seat on the council.
“The council’s kind of found a new dynamic and hopefully in 2026 they’ll hit their stride,” says Wolfe.
A friendly competition with neighboring city Solvang has secured funding for an overhaul to the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Center, and Buellton’s application for Tree City USA designation is submitted.
“We’re just waiting to hear back to see if we’ve met the requirements for that,” says Wolfe.
Most recently, the city’s Arts and Culture Committee is announcing two new community initiatives to bring their residents creative sides out.
“This city is so good about embracing the arts, which is something you don’t always find,” says Kristin Merz, project coordinator on the Buellton Arts And Culture Committee.
Submissions for next year’s street banners are open until April, with the theme “Into The Forest.”
And at the end of January, auditions for Buellton’s first community theatre production will be held.
“Our second art project that we’re announcing is our community theater production of Annie,” says Merz. “So we are looking for both adult actors, child actors, crew and volunteers to help with that project.”
Auditions will be held January 24th and 25th and the play will be performed at the Solvang Festival Theater in April.
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Cameron Montemayor
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of multiple large-scale hotel projects is underway on North Woodbine Road in the form of a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel.
Construction is now moving forward in the early stages of a $7.5 million TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road, a 129-room hotel located on a 4.7-acre plot of land north of Stoney Creek Hotel.
Planning and Community Development Director Nathan Pare confirmed foundation and underground utility work has already been finished, with framing work next in line. The hotel is scheduled to be complete in 2026.
Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.
The project comes after city councilmembers approved a measure in April to accept funds from the developer for building plan review services. The property is owned by Altira St. Joe Hotel LLC.
TownePlace Suites has more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, including several in Kansas City. The St. Joseph hotel is expected to have a breakfast area, fitness area, an indoor pool and an outdoor patio.
The Woodbine hotel is one of three hotel projects ongoing or planned across St. Joseph, including a nearby $60 million plan on Frederick Avenue for two large hotels and a new conference center — which is already under construction — adding close to 250 new rooms.
Additionally, a $5.1 million 90-room WoodSpring Suites hotel and conference center is also in the works for South Belt Highway by San Jose Steakhouse.
Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia City Council at its Monday meeting will vote on whether or not the city will enter in an agreement with US Capitol Police for security services.
The agreement is listed in the consent agenda for Monday’s meeting.
City documents state the agreement is requested because of the growing number of congressional visits and political events being held in Columbia.
The agreement would set terms and conditions with the Columbia Police Department and Capitol Police to provide protective support for members of Congress when they visit Columbia. The council memo says USCP would reimburse CPD for its services.
“This agreement does not obligate CPD to provide services, nor does it require USCP to reimburse expenses that were not coordinated directly with USCP. The MOU may be terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice,” the council memo states.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Fulton man has been accused of a pair of child sex crimes after authorities claim he sexually abused a child in 2005.
Thomas Harris, 48, was charged on Wednesday in Callaway County with second-degree statutory rape and second-degree statutory sodomy. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.
The probable cause statement says the victim described several instances of sex abuse throughout their childhood to authorities on Dec. 29. The victim allegedly told police that when they were 15 years old in 2005, they had sexual relations with Harris, who was 28 years old at the time. The victim went on to describe several more instances of sexual abuse, court documents show.
Harris allegedly told authorities in a Dec. 30 interview that he had “parental consent,” to engage in relations with the child, court documents say.
Christina Barham, 57, of Fulton, was also charged in connection with the case with sex abuse of a child younger than 14 years old and first-degree child molestation. She is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. A mugshot was not available. A court date has not been scheduled.
David Pace
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The New Year has arrived – and with it a flurry of resolutions to power goal-setters toward healthier, better lives.
From relationship goals to spending more time with loved ones, getting out of debt to going on a dream vacation – people throughout eastern Idaho are taking charge and implementing plans for self-improvement as we all push aside the holiday junk food and tackle real issues to enhance our lives.
Here are a smattering of resolutions from your friends and neighbors in the greater Idaho Falls region.
“For 2026, I’m planning on finishing my master’s degree and starting to be a teacher for preschool,” said Idaho Falls resident Ann Caruso.
Idaho Falls High School Math Teacher Sharon Oliver is focusing on incremental improvements in her personal life.
“Personal organization, taking time for friends, taking time for relaxation and health, then just making the most of every day,” she said.
Todd DeVries, a local clinical therapist / social worker, is reaching out to friends for a European vacation.
“I’m excited because I have a trip to Vienna planned, and my New Year’s resolution is to intentionally have more fun this year,” DeVries said.
Local resident Rick Whittaker is starting January off with a brisk jaunt.
“My New Year’s resolution is to get 25 pounds off. So I’m here with my dog right now, just kind of getting started walking,” he said.
Rigby residents Melanie and Kennedy Sullivan set multiple objectives for the coming year.
“I’m trying to find the goals for the five F’s – which is faith, family, finances, fitness, and friends,” Melanie said.
Her daughter Kennedy is prepping for a Color Run at Utah State.
Norman Southworth said he’s hoping to enjoy his retirement and stay healthy.
“I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I usually just fix problems as they come along,” Southworth said.
Finally, Desiree Nason emphasized personal care.
“My main New Year’s resolution is to get my mind healthy,” she said. “So focus on myself, don’t worry about saying no if it upsets other people, and just being able to live my life and be happy.”
All these resolutions may spark additional ideas for ways you can improve this year.
Idaho Falls area residents share their New Year’s resolutions along the River Walk.
Luis Avila
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The new year is here with a pay raise for minimum wage workers in California.
The state’s minimum wage has increased by 40 cents to $16.90 per hour. The annual increase is primarily due to a state law requiring annual adjustments for inflation, ensuring wages keep pace with the rising cost of living.
Some local workers say the increase comes at a much-needed time, as everyday expenses remains high, though acknowledge it still falls short.
“In reality, it’s not enough. I think it’s a step forward, a small one at least, to help us,” admits Nataly Sanchez, an employee at Casa Luna Mexican & Seafood Restaurant.
Business owners, however, say they are already in a tough spot and that the increase adds to their current financial strain. As a result, it could force some to make tough choices to make ends meet.
Jose “Pepe” de la Torre, owner of Casa Luna Mexican & Seafood Restaurant, says, “It hurts us because high costs are in everything, food, rent — everything. So, of course, it’s really affecting us.” He adds, “When we hear that, we start thinking of what we should do — what kind of changes we should do so we can continue to operate.”
While workers and business owners view the increase differently, both say they hope the higher wage ultimately brings more benefits than challenges in the year ahead.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
Kendall Flynn
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s rainy start to the new year in the Coachella Valley, and many are looking to avoid the storm during the holidays.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are popular holidays for people to visit Downtown Palm Springs, but the rain might be putting a damper on tourism. Businesses have been expecting an increase in sales and foot traffic, but with the rain that’s now uncertain.
“We had 14 reservations canceled today in the last I want to say in the last two hours,” Mark Hewitt, the owner of Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar and Grill, said. “When half of your patio space is uncovered and, you know, normally under this glorious sun that we have here, you lose a ton of business.”
“It’s definitely hurt our business,” Willie Rhine, co-owner of Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge, said. “Fortunately, we have a large, indoor lounge area — but we definitely got hurt both holidays. ”
Now Hewitt and Rhine are looking toward tourism season to help pick up their businesses before the summer. But, each said there are other factors in play that keep their concerns high.
“I think the biggest fears is that is that the tourism season is going to be down this year is and we’ve already seen some of that,” Hewitt said. “We’ve seen a lot of our snowbirds that are not coming back.”
“Our industry right now is probably the hardest it’s ever been,” Rhine said. “Our cost of labor has gone up. Our cost of goods have gone up. So we definitely need as many operating days as possible. [The rain] definitely doesn’t help.”
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from visitors and businesses on the impacts of the rain.
Prajukta Ghosh
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– Local businesses can get a head start on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a series of readiness workshops.
The series kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, focusing on how the World Cup could impact local businesses.
A second workshop, “Getting Financially Ready for a Visitor Boom,” is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9.
The final session, “Elevating Your Customer Experience for a Global Clientele,” will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 9.
All workshops will be held at the Launch Pad located at 801 Felix Street.
