Santa Maria Valley Chamber to Hold ‘2026 State of Education’ on Tuesday

KEYT on February 24, 2026

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Valley Chamber, along with the Santa Barbara County Education Office, will hold the region’s annual “State of Education” event at Allan Hancock College on Tuesday afternoon.

Scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the yearly gathering will bring educators from around Northern Santa Barbara County to discuss a number of academic-related topics, issues and updates.

The program will feature remarks from Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers, as well as a moderated panel that includes superintendents from all of the schools districts in Santa Maria Valley.

During the panel discussions, school leaders will explore student success, workforce readiness, technology, mental health, and cross-sector collaboration efforts across the Santa Maria Valley.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Chihuahua police report decrease in violence, Juárez off world’s most dangerous cities list

KVIA on February 24, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Chihuahua Department of Public Safety, or Chihuahua State Police Department (SSPE), reported last week that Ciudad Juárez has dropped off the list of the 15 most violent cities in the world, after 54 months of the current state administration.

State Public Security Secretary Gilberto Loya announced that, after four and a half years, Ciudad Juárez now ranks 17th globally.

“This reflects the increasing effectiveness of the implemented security strategy and the ongoing coordination with authorities at all three levels of government,” stated Loya, Chihuahua’s police chief. “This progress is quantifiable and verifiable, as the city currently has a homicide rate of 60.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest in the last eight years.”

According to the Citizens’ Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, A.C., in the eighteenth edition of the ranking of the 50 most violent cities in the world, Ciudad Juárez ranked 17th, representing a drop of five places, as well as a reduction of more than 42% in intentional homicides.

Secretary Loya also stated that these results are due to the permanent operation of the State Police in Ciudad Juárez, as well as the strategic decision to relocate the operations center of the State Public Security Secretariat from Chihuahua City to the border at the beginning of the current state administration.

“These results reaffirm the effectiveness of the Public Security strategy in combating crime and are directly related to the implementation of the Sentinel Platform, a video surveillance and intelligence system that has expanded security coverage and contributed to creating safer environments for citizens, based on the premise that security generates results,” SSPE said in a statement.

Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 6.

Click here to follow the original article.

Santa Barbara City College’s School of Extended Learning Kickstarts Free Mental Health Counseling Program

KEYT on February 24, 2026

Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Yolanda Yturralde is excited for students to get the help they need.

“This is an opportunity for older adults to finally receive services and not have to worry about insurance,” said Yturralde, who is the Mental Health Cancer at Santa Barbara City College’s Wake Center.

On both the Schott and Wake campuses students will be able to access free one-on-one sessions.

“The students who have come to see me, are just in shock that it’s free. They’re grateful and some have said that they’ve done some deep work that they hadn’t done in 25 years,” said Yturralde.

“If students don’t have insurance, particularly, an hour of, your counseling session could cost more than $100. And that is out of reach for many of our students,” saidthe School of Extended Learning’s Vice President and Assistant Superintendent Carola Smith.

Smith says the new services will help students identify roadblocks toward academic, career, relationship, and personal success.

“Oftentimes we see that our adult learners are kind of juggling many different responsibilities. They may have family responsibilities. They may oftentimes have different more than one job. so it’s really important to create a welcoming and nurturing environment so that they can succeed,” said Smith.

The services help with stress management skills, emotional support, and general life management skills.

“Therapy is for everyone. And I always tell people if they come in because of specific trauma and they resolve that, they usually go on to start to dream about how they want to make their life better. And we end up doing a few sessions just to expand on what’s already good. And sometimes people end up going in a totally different direction with their work or recreational or social and emotional issues,” said Yturralde.

Students can make an appointment by calling the school of extended learning mental health counseling.

“It’s just a way to expand your life and have more of what you want,” said Yturralde.

Click here to follow the original article.

Idaho Falls Fire Department responds to fire at Staybridge Suites hotel

KIFI on February 24, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the Staybridge Hotel around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday morning.

A hotel employee reported seeing smoke coming from exhaust pipes, which filled the lobby area.

The fire department said the fire appeared to have started in a ground-floor mechanical room before spreading to adjoining walls and the ceiling.

Firefighters inspects a vent outside the Staybridge Suites on Feb. 24, 2026. Courtesy: Idaho Falls Fire Department

Firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading by ventilating the second floor and opening parts of the first‑floor ceiling so they could reach hidden flames. Smoke filled the building, and at least three rooms were damaged, according to the fire department’s news release.

Firefighters work on putting out a fire at the Staybridge Suites on Feb. 24, 2026. Courtesy: Idaho Falls Fire Department

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The hotel is currently under construction and is preparing to open in July.

Click here to follow the original article.

Pedestrian hybrid beacons activated in El Centro

KYMA on February 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro says they have activated new pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHB) Monday.

According to a press release, the PHBs were activated at the intersections of Imperial and Holt Avenue, and Imperial and Barbara Worth Avenue.

The City says these are to “improve pedestrian safety while maintaining efficient traffic flow along Imperial Avenue.”

To cross, the City says pedestrians must follow these instructions:

Push the button to activate the beacon and wait on the sidewalk while traffic comes to a complete stop.

Cross the street once the WALK symbol appears and if it is safe to do so.

There is also a countdown timer which advises pedestrians on the time remaining when crossing the street, the City says.

For drivers, the City says they must follow these signals:

Flashing yellow: Be prepared to stop

Solid yellow: Slow to a stop

Solid red: Remain stopped

Flashing red: Stop first, then proceed once crosswalk is completely clear

No signal lights: Proceed without stopping

There is also an instructional video available on the City of El Centro’s social media pages:

Facebook

Instagram

X

YouTube

LinkedIn

To learn more about PHBs, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

HybridBeaconLightsPREngDownload

HybridBeaconLightsPRSpaDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

AWC to hold Sixth Annual Desert Southwest Transfer Conference

KYMA on February 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is holding the Sixth Annual Desert Southwest Transfer Conference next week.

According to a press release, the conference, taking place at the Yuma Campus from March 2 to March 5, will “feature a series of transfer-focused activities to support and prepare students and alumni for a successful transition to the university of their choice.”

“The Desert Southwest Transfer Conference will provide students with the tools they need to succeed in their higher education journey. Don’t miss this opportunity for valuable insights and connections,” said Martha Cordova, AWC Director of Transfer Services.

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

Courtesy: Arizona Western College

AWC says during the conference, students will:

Explore transfer options.

Connect with employers from the Yuma community.

Attend information sessions and workshops hosted by Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

To learn more about the conference, read the press release below. For a list of events happening during the conference, see attached poster.

Desert Southwest Transfer Conference connects students to university pathwaysDownload

26-Desert Southwest Transfer Conference-PosterDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Human remains found along Moniteau County creek

KMIZ on February 24, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

People combing a creek bed in Moniteau County for deer antlers found human remains over the weekend, the sheriff said Tuesday.

Sheriff Tony Wheatley said the shed hunters found a partial human skeleton along a creek on Indian Springs Road, west of Jamestown, and deputies recovered it Saturday night. The sheriff’s office sent the bones to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification, Wheatley said.

Wheatley said it’s not clear how old the bones are, and that the area has some indigenous burial sites, so an anthropologist is also examining the remains.

Click here to follow the original article.

Boise woman faces federal charges after allegedly ramming stolen ambulance into Meridian office building

KIFI on February 24, 2026

Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — A 43-year-old Boise woman faces up to 20 years in federal prison after she allegedly stole an ambulance and intentionally crashed it into a Meridian office building housing Department of Homeland Security offices before attempting to set the vehicle on Fire.

Federal prosecutors have charged Sarah Elizabeth George with Attempted Destruction of Federal Property by Fire and Malicious Destruction of Property Used in or Affecting Interstate Commerce by Fire. During a press conference Monday evening, Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea confirmed that George was taken into custody following a five-day intensive investigation into the attack on the St. Luke’s Portico North building.

“Really, it was good old fashioned Police work that got us to where we are tonight,” said Chief Basterrechea refrencing the assembled investigators from the Meridian Police, FBI, and other federal partners. “These investigators literally went door to door, looking for possible camera footage, possible witnesses, and other information and evidence stemming from I-84 to Fairview, from Locust Grove to Cloverdale.

The incident began on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 18, when George allegedly stole an unoccupied Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from the St. Luke’s West facility.

According to court documents, at 11:06 PM, CCTV footage from inside the ambulance captured George as she briefly stopped at a nearby parking lot, north of St. Luke’s. At this point, police say George grabbed two jugs of gas, which she had previously stashed in the bushes on the edge of the parking lot.

From there, court documents indicate the 43-year-old intentionally drove the vehicle into the Portico North building in Meridian. CCTV footage once again captured George as she exited the ambulance and began pouring the contents of the two gas jugs around the lobby floor.

Local and Federal investigators believe George was attempting to light the ambulance on fire and potentially the building. Chief Basterrechea says, fortunately, it appears she was scared off by responding agencies before she could ignite the fuel, and there were no injuries reported.

Detectives from the Meridian Police Department identified George through extensive neighborhood canvassing, the review of surveillance footage, and the use of forensic technology.

According to court documents, investigators also obtained surveillance video of George purchasing gasoline at a Fred Meyer gas station, later linked through financial records to a rewards/loyalty card in her name.

On Monday, February 23, investigators obtained warrants for George’s arrest and to search her home. As of her arrest, investigators are still combing her residence for further evidence linking her to the incident.

While George currently faces significant federal charges, local authorities noted that the investigation remains active and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rigby Middle School claims $1500 in Idaho Environmental Coalition’s first-ever ‘Ecobots’ Challenge

KIFI on February 24, 2026

News Team

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — Eighth graders from Rigby Middle School proved they are the masters of the machine this week, taking home the top prize and $1,500 for their school’s STEM programs at the Idaho Environmental Coalition’s (IEC) first-ever Ecobots Challenge.

“Our students worked very hard to prepare for this competition and their hard work paid off,” Rigby Middle School coach Lingpei Zou said. “The Ecobots Challenge not only strengthens students’ coding skills but also encourages them to deliver presentations that highlight their reasoning, teamwork, challenges and more. It is truly a valuable learning experience for all of us.”

While Rigby took the top spot, the competition was fierce. Praxium Mastery Academy followed in second place, with Black Canyon Middle School finishing third. Other competitors included Alturas Preparatory Academy, Watersprings School, and White Pine STEM Academy. Every participating school received funding to bolster their respective STEM classrooms.

“These students represent the next generation of scientists, engineers and skilled trades. It’s important that we invest in them now, so our communities and our businesses thrive in the future,” IEC President and Program Manager Dan Coyne said.

For more information on the event and other IEC community outreach activities, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

Celebrating Black History: Spotlighting the desert’s Black artists

KESQ on February 24, 2026

Daniella Lake

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – For our final Celebrating Black History story, we’re spotlighting local artists who’ve made significant contributions to art and culture. Alvin Taylor, a Palm Springs native, is a world-renowned drummer known for his work with Elton John, George Harrison and Billy Preston.

“When you are playing and you’re in the zone, it’s like, wow, you know, no better feeling,” Taylor says.

He started out as drum major for the Palm Springs High School marching band. He then went on to become part of Little Richard’s band and open for Elvis Presley. Taylor also performed at the first airing of Saturday Night Live. He received a star on the Palm Springs walk of fame exactly 8 years ago on February 24, 2018.

“I couldn’t believe it. It’s such a wonderful feeling. A feeling of acceptance,” says Taylor.

Bernard Hoyes is a visual artist based in Desert Hot Springs. His artwork is inspired by African spirituality and growing up in Jamaica.

“I was in the streets in downtown Kingston, pretty much floundering, but in a way, trying to figure out the life of a young man. And my artistic talents kind of came to the top,” says Hoyes.

He painted the mural on the side of St. Paul’s church in Palm Springs. He also designed the statue along Tahquitz Canyon titled diversity.

“I use a DNA genome with the hummingbirds at the top to show the commonality of all beings through the DNA,” says Hoyes.

Hoyes has an upcoming exhibit at the San Bernardino County Museum.

Click here to follow the original article.