Reducing the risk: City of Redmond to start wildfire mitigation work in Dry Canyon Park

KTVZ on February 6, 2026

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond said Friday it will begin wildfire mitigation work in Dry Canyon Park next week, calling it a proactive effort aimed at reducing wildfire risks and protecting area homes, natural resources and recreational areas.

The project is funded by a $750,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Forestry. City Parks Division staff and city arborists will collaborate with the Heart of Oregon Corps to complete this winter’s work, which primarily focuses on the area north of Maple Bridge, up to the Water Pollution Control Facility.

Crews will focus on vegetation management throughout the park. The teams plan to limb and thin trees while removing deadfall from the designated area.

“This work is part of the city’s broader effort to manage natural resources within recreational spaces,” the city said in its news release.

Maria Ramirez, natural resources program manager for the city, emphasized the importance of the external funding and labor support for the project.

“We are appreciative of the opportunity to partner with Heart of Oregon Corps as part of a recently awarded $750,000 Oregon Department of Forestry grant,” Ramirez said.

The project includes mowing 65-foot-wide fire breaks from the gravel path off NW 19th Street south to the Weigand Family Dog Park. These specific breaks have been maintained since 2000 and are designed to slow or stop the progression of wildfires in the canyon.

Officials scheduled the mitigation work for the winter months to address environmental concerns. Performing the work during this season helps prevent the spread of invasive cheat grass during its spring germination period.

All work zones will be clearly marked as closed to the public during the project, city officials said. They asked that park users stay clear of these areas for safety while crews and equipment are operating.

The work is expected to take about a week, weather permitting. Residents can find updates and further information on the city website at www.redmondoregon.gov or by calling 541-504-2000.

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Short Film on Filipino Experience in Santa Barbara Debuts at International Film Fest

KEYT on February 6, 2026

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival is set to display over 200 films in the next weeks on across multiple screens in the city. Among the screenings are short films created by local filmmakers such Ralph Torrefranca and his new film Fil-Am.

At just 14 minutes, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival describes the film as the story of “a 16-year-old Filipino kid is forced to leave his old life behind for the terrifying new world of Santa Barbara.”

Based on his experience moving from the Bay area to the city of Santa Barbara, Torrefranca wrote and directed Fil-Am over the course of three days in areas up north and here in Santa Barbara. Torrefranca joined your Morning News to talk about the experience.

“I started falling in love with film here in Santa Barbara, taking my first film class during the summer, and then eventually like figuring out that I actually did want to pursue this seriously,” said Torrefranca.

Along with being a film maker, Torrefranca is also a celebrated musician and DJ.

“I feel like storytelling’s always been just a big part of my life, so being able to have this avenue of a visual medium where I could like write the script and develop the script with with the actors and the characters opposed to just like writing a song in my room by myself, I feel like it’s a real collaborative effort.”

You can see Fil-Am at the McHurley Film Center on February 7th and 9th during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

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Sex offender charged with rape, sodomy, child molestation in Callaway County

KMIZ on February 6, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A registered sex offender has been charged in Callaway County with several sex crimes.

Bradford Beck, 51, was charged on Thursday with four counts of child molestation, three counts of first-degree sodomy, three counts of first-degree rape and two counts of tampering with a victim in a felony prosecution. His address on Casenet is listed as Columbia, though the sex offender registry shows his address as Holts Summit.

Beck is in the Callaway County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Friday morning.

The probable cause statement says one of the child victims told their mother on Tuesday they were raped by Beck at about four of five times from the end of December through the end of January. During the first assault, Beck allegedly gave the youth alcohol and marijuana before raping them, court documents say.

After one of the assaults, Beck allegedly told the child to not tell anyone because he could “be in jail for the rest of his life,” the statement says. He then accused that victim of “ruining his life,” after he was confronted by the victim’s mother, court documents say.

A second child victim came forward to law enforcement after they saw Beck was listed on the Callaway County Jail’s online roster on Wednesday. Beck allegedly started raping that victim in November and had threatened to hurt members of their family, while also bribing the child with gifts, the statement says.

Court records show Beck pleaded guilty on Sept. 28, 2015, to sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old and was sentenced to two years in prison.

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Rep. Ruiz allowed entry into Adelanto ICE facility

KESQ on February 6, 2026

Luis Avila

ADELANTO, Calif. (KESQ) – Congressman Raul Ruiz was granted entry into the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Friday.

This visit marks his third attempt to access the facility, after being denied entry on two previous occasions. Ruiz says he wanted to see conditions inside firsthand and speak directly with officials.

News Channel 3 is speaking with Congressman Ruiz about what he observed during his visit and the concerns he raised following the tour.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Star on the mountain to be lit yellow and white in honor of Post Malone’s concert at Sun Bowl

KVIA on February 6, 2026

Valeria Medina

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Chamber, in partnership with Live Nation, will light the star on the mountain in yellow and white tonight to celebrate singer Post Malone’s highly anticipated concert that’s happening at the UTEP Sun Bowl.

As ABC-7 has reported, Post Malone will make a stop in El Paso on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. You can get tickets here.

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Linens catch fire in Mexico apartment after resident falls asleep while smoking

KMIZ on February 6, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported on Thursday night after a fire was reported at an apartment building in Mexico, Missouri.

A Friday press release from the Mexico Public Safety Department says firefighters were called at 7:17 pm. to the 500 block of South Olive Street. First responders found linens burning in one of the apartments and quickly put it out, the release says.

There was “minimal damage” to the apartment, the release says.

Crews determined a resident fell asleep while they were smoking before the fire started, the release says.

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Man seriously injured in single-vehicle crash in Pulaski County

KMIZ on February 6, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 43-year-old man from Dixon was seriously injured in a crash Thursday on Highway 133 in Pulaski County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the man’s 2003 Saturn L200 was heading northbound when it went off the right side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the car then when off the left side of the road, hit a tree and fence and caught fire, the report says.

The man was brought to Phelps Health by ambulance, according to the report. It is not known if he wore a seatbelt.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Idaho AG issues urgent warning over new jail bond scam

KIFI on February 6, 2026

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho attorney general’s office is warning families about a new scam targeting people with loved ones in jail.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador says scammers are pulling names from public jail lists, then calling family members and pretending to be law enforcement or court officials. The scammers make their schemes appear legitimate by faking caller IDs, using official-looking logos, and referencing names of local sheriffs, judges, and court staff.

“These scammers target families at their most vulnerable moments,” said Attorney General Labrador. “They exploit a parent’s or grandparent’s instinct to help by manufacturing fear, creating false urgency, and demanding immediate payment. It’s cruel, deliberate, and wrong. Idaho families deserve to be protected from those who would steal hard-earned money through lies and intimidation.”

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division says it’s almost certainly a scam if the caller:

Demands for immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency

Claims that fees must be paid to the sheriff’s office or court

Pressure tactics, creating urgency, or making you feel guilty for being cautious

Requests to keep the payment confidential or not contact the jail directly

If you get a call like this, hang up and contact the jail directly. To report a scam, click HERE.

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Free bus rides return for MoWest students, employees

News-Press NOW on February 6, 2026

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — City Council approved an ordinance last month, authorizing an agreement with Missouri Western State University to provide free transportation on St. Joseph Transit buses to all students and employees.

In 2013, the City and MoWest previously entered into an open-access agreement to provide transportation to students and employees of MoWest, without having to pay a fare for each ride.

During COVID-19, ridership dropped, as well as prices. As a result, the program was discontinued.

John Vanderpool, interim dean of students, said this is definitely an agreement the university wanted to reimplement.

“We see the value in that, especially for our students and staff to be able to utilize this,” he said. “I think this partnership between us and the city regarding transit was something that we really wanted to happen again. It was great communication between the two of us to make this come to fruition.”

Vanderpool said one of MoWest’s focuses is on providing the best resources and student support.

“I really think this is an opportunity for that. We do have students who have transportation issues, and this gives an opportunity for even if a student comes in with a transportation issue or finds themselves in that, if they’re with MoWest, a really easy way for them to be able to use the city transportation to get to or from,” he said.

In order for students and staff to get their free ride, they would need to show their Griffon I.D.

“If there was a deviation from the course that is set up by transit, there might be an additional nominal fee,” said Vanderpool

Overall, the agreement and partnership are to make sure the MoWest family is cared for.

“The main thing that us and student affairs, or MoWest in general, really are trying to make sure it happened- this agreement, whether it be students or staff,” he said.

The agreement will last until the end of 2026.

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Yuma County replaces contractor for basin construction near Ray Smucker Park

KYMA on February 6, 2026

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County is now looking for a new contractor to finish construction for the stormwater-retention basin at Ray Smucker Park.

About half the park has been closed off due since July of 2023 due to the project’s construction.

The multi-million dollar project has suffered multiple delays, including contractor issues meeting the requirements set forth by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Cesar Fandino, a Yuma local, is eagerly waiting for the park to reopen.

“Oh it has been closed for a long time, and I know my grandkids cause we are out a lot together. They like coming here for the variety of activities, but yet, it’s been on and off for over a year,” Fandino says.

George Cruz, another local, says that he believes plenty of people will flock to the park as soon as it opens.

“Definitely would bring more kids out here, more families out here. I know that the high schoolers will definitely be hanging around that side of the park as well,” Cruz explains.

The Yuma County Attorney’s Office released the following statement saying, “The Flood Control District is prioritizing the re-opening of Smucker Park.”

However, not exact date has been given as to when the park will fully open.

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