OSU-Cascades offers free tax preparation services for qualifying individuals, families

KTVZ on February 9, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State University–Cascades said Monday it’s hosting free tax preparation appointments for qualifying families and individuals through April 15.

The service is provided through the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA.

The VITA program is designed to help people who need assistance preparing their own tax returns, including those with a household income of $67,000 or less. The service is also available to individuals with disabilities, people with limited English language skills and individuals ages 60 and older.

OSU-Cascades is hosting the sessions in partnership with the Oregon State University College of Business.

Appointments are available on Mondays and Thursdays between 5:30 and 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Each tax preparation session lasts about 90 minutes, and returns are processed on-site during the scheduled time.

The team of volunteer tax preparers includes OSU-Cascades faculty and staff, business students and community members. To assist a diverse range of clients, some volunteers are fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment can visit beav.es/VITA or call 541-209-6192. Clients will receive specific information regarding which documents and records they must bring to the university for their tax processing.

Community members who wish to serve as VITA volunteers for the program can contact organizers by emailing VITA.cascades@oregonstate.edu.

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Independent auditor issues clean report for City of St. Joseph for fiscal year 2025

News-Press NOW on February 9, 2026

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An independent audit of the City’s financial statements, Police Pension Fund and compliance with federal awards showed a clean bill of health for the latest fiscal year.

City councilmembers and staff were given a review of the latest audit for the City during a work session Feb. 2 by Hood and Associates, an Oklahoma-based firm with offices in more than a dozen states, including in Kansas City.

The key takeaway: a comprehensive review of the City’s financial statements, internal controls and compliance showed its financial statements were presented fairly in all material respects and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The audit comes during a fiscal year that saw multiple changes designed to improve internal processes and transparency, including streamlined electronic bidding procedures, consolidating procurement across all departments and eliminating fund transfers.

No illegal acts were discovered during the course of the audit, as well as any significant deficiencies.

“The auditors recommended that the City continue to monitor, update and maintain its financial policies and procedures and to evaluate and adopt new accounting pronouncements as they are established,” the city stated in a news release.

One significant policy change documented in the audit was the City’s adoption of the Governmental Account Standards Board State No. 104: Disclosure of Certain Capital Asset, a standard used to improve financial reporting transparency for state and local governments by requiring separate, detailed note disclosures for non-traditional capital assets and assets held for sale.

During the auditor’s presentation, continued prioritization of cybersecurity was emphasized, an area of growing concern for government agencies nationwide. The city was impacted by a large cyberattack last June that heavily impacted technology and communication across multiple departments. The city invested more than $1 million to upgrade information technology and cybersecurity infrastructure.

While no evidence suggested any information was misused, more than 11,000 residents were potentially impacted.

“The City has been implementing multiple new security measures in the last year to protect the integrity of its data and cyber infrastructure,” a City press release stated.

The City has earned the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 34 consecutive years, the highest achievement a city can earn, and is expected by its independent auditor to receive the award again for fiscal year 2025.

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Proposed Verizon Cell Tower Site in Carpinteria on Hold While New Location is Reviewed

KEYT on February 9, 2026

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new cell tower site in the heart of downtown Carpinteria has been met with a pushback from some business owners and citizens, but a new site could be the solution.

The proposal is for the location on the corner of Carpinteria Ave. and Linden Ave. where a famous clock tower stands.

The sides would be widened out and the towers would be concealed. Verizon and Centerline Communications believe this is the best spot to improve the signal strength they need. They were represented by Celeste Magennis from Centerline at a recent meeting.

The city’s Planning Commission has been evaluating the site after it went through other headings, including the Architectural Review Board.

Verizon has said other sites were looked at or the owners were not interested, but it reported no response from the county.

The owners of Pacific Health Foods near the proposed site said the tower would have a negative impact on the store’s customer base. There was also a concern about the strength of the buildings structure to handle new cell towers.

“We definitely had some customers who were concerned about having the 5G towers on the roof and whether you believe one way or another   customer perception is such a big thing,” said Nathan Noll Pacific Health Foods store owner.

In a late move at the hearing, County Supervisor Roy Lee said his office did not get messages about the project, and when he learned about the issue, he stepped up with a solution.

“My office never received those notices, not anybody’s fault. Maybe they were lost in the mail but something was amiss,” he said.

Lee said he would facilitate a review of a site on Walnut Ave. at the Veteran’s building as a possible answer to the location controversy. “The county is open to having those cell towers at our facility on Walnut and we will be more than happy work with Verizon to bring forth the best project possible.”

The project plan will be back in front of the commission in April.

Noll is hoping the solution is reached and wants to stay in the store’s current location without the towers. “It has worked out  really fine.  Great location. It is downtown on the main strip we have put a lot of money into this building over the years as well too so, it would be nice if we didn’t have to move.”

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Yuma High School CTE students hold presentations at city council meetings

KYMA on February 9, 2026

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Local students spoke at a meeting along with other Yuma cities.

Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) students held presentations at city council meetings with the City of San Luis, City of Yuma and City of Somerton for CTE month.

The presentations had students share general information about CTE, while highlighting personal stories that expressed how CTE impacted their lives.

“Career and Technical Education plays a vital role in preparing students for a skilled workforce within our community,” YUHSD Director of CTE Nereida Lansman said. “Increasing public awareness of CTE helps community members better understand how these programs provide students with hands-on learning, industry certifications, and career-ready experiences that support local industries and contribute to long-term economic growth.”

It’s become tradition for students to make presentations at City Council meetings at the City of San Luis, but this is the first year for the City of Somerton and City of Yuma to participate.

“Thanks to CTE, my perspective on my future has completely changed, it has provided me with opportunities that I believe would not have been possible without it,” Yuma High School CTE Ambassador Ayana Logan said at the Yuma City Council work-session. “CTE has truly impacted my life, and I am excited to continue being a leader next year and represent it proudly and confidently.”

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Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs honored for bighorn sheep restoration efforts

KTVZ on February 9, 2026

Kelsey Merison

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs were honored for their decades-long bighorn sheep restoration efforts during the Wild Sheep Foundation’s annual show last month.

The Tribes received the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Federal Statesman Award, which recognizes government agencies for outstanding contributions to wild sheep conservation.

The recognition follows a successful funding initiative that raised $760,000 for wildlife habitat from 2024 to 2026. These funds, generated through permit sales and auctions, support habitat restoration, invasive species removal and watershed projects in the Mutton Mountains.

The Wild Sheep Foundation auctioned the Tribes’ third annual permit for $250,000 at the 2026 Wild Sheep Show. This followed a 2024 permit that sold for $230,000 to hunter Timothy Haught. These sales, combined with 2025 permit revenue, brought the total conservation funding to $760,000 over a three-year period. The contribution of these funds also makes the Tribes eligible to apply for the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Grant-In-Aid program for further restoration work.

Haught received the 2026 North American Wild Sheep Gold Award for a successful bighorn sheep hunt that achieved a 177 five/eight Boone & Crockett score. Proceeds from his 2024 bid have been used to support habitat restoration and invasive species removal on the reservation.

The conservation funding also benefits aquatic life in the Mutton Mountains watershed. Reinvested funds support anadromous fish such as steelhead. Austin Smith Jr serves as the general manager of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources.

Jr emphasized that the primary focus of these programs is the long-term health of the ecosystem. “All of our restoration efforts are in pursuit of achieving one goal: returning fauna and fish populations to their historic levels,” Jr said. “We appreciate the Wild Sheep Foundation’s recognition of these efforts and will continue to collaborate to restore bighorn sheep populations throughout our lands.”

Warm Springs Tribal Wildlife Biologist Camille Brooks and Warm Springs Wildlife Range and Agriculture Manager Michael Leecy presented details on the success of the bighorn restoration efforts at the annual show. The Tribes are among only 24 award winners honored by the foundation with the Federal Statesman Award in the last 40 years.

The Wild Sheep Foundation has invested more than $145 million to support wild sheep populations across North America throughout its history. By collaborating with local affiliates, tribes and government agencies, the foundation has helped triple wild sheep populations over the past few decades.

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon is a sovereign Indian tribe representing the Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute peoples. Their reservation stretches from the Cascade Mountains to the Deschutes River in Central Oregon An 1855 Treaty with the United States reserved the Tribes’ right to fish, hunt and gather foods throughout the John Day, Hood River, Deschutes and Columbia basins.

The Tribes donated a single ram permit to the Wild Sheep Foundation. The permit will be auctioned at a later date to raise funds for future bighorn restoration efforts.

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Cyclists express satisfaction with CV Link after its use in Tour de Palm Springs

KESQ on February 9, 2026

Gavin Nguyen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The CV Link underwent its first major trial since its official opening last year.

Thousands of cyclists rode along its paved surface as the Tour de Palm Springs invited them to the valley. Many of them took to our local roadways and streets. New this year, though, was the addition of the CV Link to the route cyclists used.

Portions of the Link was closed for the event on Saturday. Riders cycling the long-distance routes (88- and 102-mile courses) used the artery on their return journey to Palm Springs from Coachella in the second half of their ride.

Many of those riders took to social media to express their satisfaction with the addition of the Link to the course, and local nonprofits dedicated to promoting the Link said it was a successful first use for an event that drew thousands.

One local cyclist, Terry Arnold, lives in Palm Springs, but was originally from Portland. She said the Link is on the same level, if not better, than bike trails found in Portland, known for its avid cycling community.

Arnold, riding the Link with five others on Monday, said bringing the Tour de Palm Springs route to the Link was a major safety bump.

“The last time I did that ride, there were too many cars around me,” she recounted. Motioning to the Link, she continued, “But this would be fabulous.”

Another cyclist from her group added, “I think the more they can get [the Tour cyclists] off the road and on the Link would be better.”

While some issues remain, like signage issues that News Channel 3’s Karen Devine reported in her I-Team investigation, many said this is a positive outcome and a step in the right direction for taking advantage of one of the valley’s long-term projects.

James Rothblatt and Joel Craig, two board members of “Friends of CV Link,” a nonprofit that advocates for the Link and shares feedback with CVAG, said it was a successful trial for the pathway.

Rothblatt hoped future events utilize the Link’s main advantage: safety.

“I’d really like to see is events that recognize the people with disabilities,” he wished. “Hand cyclists, trikes, people that might not be safe at all in traffic because they ride so low down on recumbents. But on CV Link, they’re free to to fly and not be worried about being run over.”

Craig also recalled a pair riding on a tandem bicycle during the Tour de Palm Springs. He said the person riding on the front wore a jersey emblazoned with the word “GUIDE,” while the person riding on the rear seat wore one that said “BLIND.”

“I’m pretty sure that it was a way for a blind person to actually ride in the event. And that, just like Jim said, that’s what the CV Link is perfect for,” he said.

“The more people that use this, the better.”

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‘Benito Bowl’ ignites Latino pride across the Coachella Valley

KESQ on February 9, 2026

Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – One day after the Super Bowl halftime show — nicknamed the “Benito Bowl” — people are still buzzing about the performance.

Headlined by Bad Bunny, the show was packed with powerful cultural storytelling, symbolism, and visual moments that resonated with fans across the world. Many viewers praised the performance for celebrating Latino identity and pushing creative boundaries on one of the biggest stages in entertainment.

News Channel 3 is speaking with local residents to hear their reactions to the halftime show and what it meant to them.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Optimum network outage caused by vandalism, officials say

News-Press NOW on February 9, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Optimum customers in St. Joseph may have noticed a network outage over the weekend, one that was caused by vandalism, according to officials.

“Vandals blatantly cut Optimum’s fiber-optic network infrastructure in search of copper to steal- resulting in consumers and businesses losing their internet connectivity,” according to a news release.

Optimum line cut in St. Joseph. Courtesy of Optimum.

Optimum said it reported the incident to local authorities and emphasized the unnecessary disruption to not only itself and customers but also to law enforcement.

“These crimes disrupt vital services such as 911 emergency calling, putting public safety at risk and highlighting a growing challenge for service providers and residents alike,” the release detailed.

Because of the incident and the area affected, Optimum is now urging the community to stay alert, suggesting for residents to keep an eye out for unmarked vehicles or individuals working near infrastructure without proper identification.

Optimum said, if residents notice someone who can’t provide official credentials or seems out of place, to report it to local authorities, as well as Optimum’s Customer Support, who will inform its Security Operations team.

Reports can be made by visiting Optimum.com or the My Optimum app and connecting with the company via its 24/7 chat support.

In a statement to the public about the incident, Optimum expressed its apologies:

“We sincerely apologize to our customers who experienced an internet service disruption. Our teams responded immediately and restored service after our network was deliberately damaged by criminal activity. We appreciate the customers’ patience and urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.”

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Palm Springs man with mental illness missing for over a month, family seeking community’s help

KESQ on February 9, 2026

Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Terrence “Terry” Scott, a Palm Springs resident, has been missing for over a month according to his family members. Scott’s family says he has schizophrenia and takes daily medication.

“He’s gone and he’s missing a month now, that’s not okay,” says William Warne, his roommate.

He was last seen on January 5th near his home in the area of South Farrell Drive & East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. His roommates say they also have mental health issues and can relate to Scott.

“When you break from reality like that, you’re not certain of anything. And it leaves one in a situation to be victimized. So that’s the scary part,” says Eric Montanez.

His family lives on the east coast and says it’s been extremely challenging to find him, and believe there should be more help for people with mental illness.

“The help there is not where I feel like it should be for people with mental health issues, especially schizophrenia. And a lot of times they consider him voluntarily missing, but he’s not able to make decisions for himself,” says his sister Brittany Johnson Scott.

If you see Scott, contact Palm Springs Police Department at (760) 323-8116.

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More questions than answers in FBI search of Thermal Home

KESQ on February 9, 2026

Garrett Hottle

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) New details are emerging about the FBI search carried out Friday at a home on Harlequin Court in Thermal, as authorities clarify their roles and News Channel 3 obtains new video and photos from the scene.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that its deputies were not conducting the investigation tied to the search and were only assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation in a limited role.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies provided traffic and spectator support only, while the FBI conducted what officials described as the search-investigation at the residence.

“The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office assisted the FBI on Friday with traffic and spectator support only,” the agency said in an email. “The FBI was conducting the search-investigation. The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office is not currently investigating the case you inquired about. I would refer all questions to the FBI for further information.”

News Channel 3 has obtained new video showing the moment FBI agents arrived at the property, including audio in which agents can be heard using a loudspeaker to announce their presence before entering the home. We have also obtained new photos of police canines used during the search, images that had not previously been released.

Federal officials have previously confirmed the FBI was assisting with a state-issued warrant, but have not publicly detailed what prompted the search or whether it is connected to the disappearance of 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar.

Neighbors told News Channel 3 that agents canvassed the area and asked questions related to Tovar’s disappearance, but law enforcement has not confirmed whether the search was tied to a missing persons investigation.

The FBI has not yet responded to follow-up questions seeking clarification on the scope of the investigation, what resources were used, or whether the activity is related to a missing persons case or another type of federal or multi-jurisdictional investigation.

This story remains developing. News Channel 3 has reached out to the FBI and will update this article as soon as additional information is confirmed.

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