Jesus Reyes
BIG BEAR, Calif. (KESQ) – We have another bald eagle egg at the Big Bear nest.
Jackie laid her fourth egg, the second of this second clutch Friday just before 6:00 p.m.
Jackie had just laid an egg on Tuesday.
Jackie had laid two other eggs earlier this year, but last month, the eggs were abandoned and ultimately eaten by ravens.
You can watch the livestream of the nest, courtesy of the Friends of Big Bear Valley, below:
Heriberto Perez Lara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Chris Clem is a former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent and a former Deputy Chief Patrol Agent in the El Paso Sector; he also served as the acting Chief in the Big Bend Sector.
In El Paso, he spent over 17 years as Chief and Deputy Chief, both before and after leaving the Big Bend Sector.
The U.S. Department of War reportedly shot down a CBP drone in the Fort Hancock area of the border, which is in Hudspeth County near the edge of El Paso County.
“Drone operations were just beginning from the law enforcement side; we were just kind of experimenting with that when I was the Deputy Chief,” Clem said. “However, we were aware of drones on the south side being used to survey and cross the border to look for Border Patrol assets.”
At one point, Clem says they partnered with UTEP as a center of excellence to examine the drone threat and situation in El Paso.
“We have seen drones from video, raw video footage in Mexico, on cartels using that for explosive devices against other cartel members, so the potential threat is there,” Clem said. “I can tell you from my time as chief in Yuma, Arizona, where we encountered drones carrying small amounts of narcotics across the border from rooftop to backyard.”
For Clem, it’s clear that these situations and activities happen a lot along the U.S.-Mexico border, which is why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of War (DOW) on a more advanced counter-drone system for the border.
“For the longest time, at least that I can recall, most of that was dealt with by Customs and Border Protection and the FAA,” said Clem. “We didn’t work necessarily, at least I was not aware of, or I don’t recall us working directly with the military on the border with the counter-drone, but now I do know that has since changed under the current administration and obviously we wouldn’t be talking about it if it hadn’t happened over the last few weeks.”
Retired Border Patrol Chief Clem also spoke about concerns communities like El Paso have over possible drone cartel threats in the region, “We’re talking to El Pasoans who know that when you have a secure border, it is healthy and safe for both sides, whether you’re in Juarez or El Paso, when people can go back and forth freely without fear, when commerce and trade and travel, when you can just go across and have a nice dinner with your family and not worry, because we’ve had a secure border; that’s what we need to look at.”
“This is what these little hiccups are along the way; they’re disruptive, but at the end of the day, we’re looking for that safe and healthy border environment, and I think we’re well on our way. I would just encourage El Pasoans to continue to live their day and just be mindful of events. They’re well-experienced and know how things can happen quickly at the border.”
Clem also said that after the first aerospace shutdown in El Paso weeks ago, it seemed a little excessive for an isolated incident, but the federal government also had other classified information that wasn’t shared with the public.
“But then with this most recent one, I really thought, okay, we don’t want to be a pattern, right? We’ve got two incidents; there’s clearly a communication issue that needs to be resolved,” Clem said. “The threat is not going to be suspended; the bad guys (cartels) are not going to stop sending drones over the border because we are having a safety shutdown, so I imagine operations will continue, with a little bit more oversight, and decisions will probably have to be second- and third-order approvals before they fire off any kind of system.”
ABC-7 reached out to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) for comment; they redirected us to the Pentagon for any follow-up questions. ABC-7 also reached out to the offices of Congressman Tony Gonzales and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar for comment; they have not responded to our request.
Mitchell Kaminski
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KIMZ)
The city of Columbia could be looking at an additional $5.27 million price tag to make the McKinney Building usable for an event space.
Members of the McKinney Building Task Force on Friday received an update on a feasibility study outlining potential renovation plans for the historic downtown structure, as officials continue evaluating costs, structural concerns, and future uses.
The two-story building at 411 E. Broadway, built in 1917, once served as a hub for Black culture in Columbia. The second-floor McKinney Hall hosted music legends including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, according to the Historical Marker Database.
The city purchased the McKinney Building in August 2023 for roughly $1.7 million after it had sat vacant for roughly two decades.
“It’s a very important building on a very important piece of land right on Broadway. So it’d be unfortunate to see that building continue to sit vacated, not being used to its fullest potential,” Jen Hendrick, President of SGA Architecture, told ABC 17 News.
After purchasing the property, the city tapped the mayor’s task force to come up with a report on ideas of how to best utilize the space. The mayor’s task force first presented a report to the City Council in December 2024, before taking it to SOA Architecture to review and conduct a feasibility study.
The feasibility study examined building compliance, structural conditions, potential programming and cost projections.
“There have been several iterations of this feasibility study as we talk through what made sense, what didn’t make sense. And so that was really this whole past year in between all of that,” said Amy Schneider, who is the director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There were some structural deficiencies, and so we had to stop for two or three months so we could look at that west wall of the building, make sure we get it shored up, and make sure it’s safe for the community before we can move on and finalize that feasibility report.”
Proposed uses from the presented study include social gatherings, performances, educational programming and rotating exhibits. Plans show a first-floor multipurpose room with space for concerts and events, along with a lobby, exhibit area, catering kitchen and restrooms.
The second floor would house the Office of Cultural Affairs, a public classroom, a conference room, storage and a restroom. The cellar would not be used due to structural limitations.
The multipurpose room has four different layouts, depending on the event. In a conference or banquet setup, it can accommodate roughly 42 people, 36 in a classroom layout, 48 for performances and up to 100 in an open-floor configuration.
Hendrick said the building’s long vacancy presented early challenges.
“When buildings are vacant, HVAC systems deteriorate and then we have problems with plumbing fixtures and those types of things. So the building experienced some water damage and then just over time, the building has deteriorated,” Hendrick said. “We were not expecting the structural ramifications that we had associated with really that deterioration. So, I think we’ve got a really good grasp of it. But those are some of the things that right off the bat we were like, ‘Wow, these are very surprising to us.’”
Hendrick added the mayor’s task force’s vision guided the design process.
“Really, that just guided us on the total vision for the project and how it could be a community investment and a community amenity. And so all of the conversations that we had, we really just kept turning back to that, that document from the mayor’s task force, and that’s what guided us,” Hendrick said.
The estimated project cost totals $5.27 million, including roughly $4 million for construction and $1.2 million in owner’s costs. Hendrick said the feasibility study did not begin with a set budget.
“Because it was a feasibility study specifically, they came to us and said, ‘Let’s look at the big picture. In an ideal world, how can we really utilize or repurpose this building?’ So they didn’t give us constraints on the budget. What they wanted to understand is if we want to meet the goals of the mayor’s task force, what will it cost to do that as opposed to this is the budget, what can we afford to do?” Hendrick said.
City officials have already addressed some structural concerns. In an email to ABC 17 News, city Public Works spokesman John Ogan said a professional structural engineer identified deterioration in a cast iron column and portions of the foundation and masonry wall in the southwest corner of the original structure.
Temporary structural supports have been installed, and survey targets placed in January 2026 are being monitored for movement. Permanent structural modifications will be required as part of any renovation project, Ogan said. To date, the city has spent about $22,530 on temporary stabilization and monitoring.
When asked about the project’s price tag, Schneider said she believes the investment is worthwhile, even if the city does not see a direct financial return.
“I think our return on investment is providing something that the community needs. This is something that is in our downtown area. This is something that the community of central Columbia could use for meeting rooms, for performances. So, yes, I think the return on investment is emotionally for the community, even more so than that financially,” Schneider said.
She said additional steps remain before final plans are approved.
“What we’ve shown is the feasibility study, so there is many, many more steps to come before you see a final version of the McKinney Building. But what we will do is once we get past the feasibility study, we start the fundraising, we get some final plans. There will be time for public input from the community, and we will certainly be asking for that,” Schneider said.
The feasibility study is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on April 6.
Jesus Reyes
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Cathedral City man who molested two boys pleaded guilty to child sexual assault charges Friday at the Larson Justice Center.
David Hadley Pio, 67, on Friday admitted two counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for Pio’s admissions, prosecutors agreed to drop two related felony charges against the defendant.
Pio is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12. He is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Pio was originally arrested for the crime in July 2012.
His case has been pending adjudication for more than a decade. It was unclear how much of his time in county jail may be credited toward his prison sentence. It’s possible he may receive only a “paper” prison commitment, avoiding further time behind bars.
In 1994, Pio was arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct, penetration with a foreign object and forced sodomy on a person under 14, but the case was later dismissed, according to a declaration in support of a search warrant by CCPD.
He reportedly worked as a local youth-sports volunteer and allowed juveniles to frequent his home, police said.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.
Jesus Reyes
ONTARIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two Palm Springs first responders will be among the heroes from Riverside and San Bernardino counties being honored by the American Red Cross at the Inland Empire Heroes Awards and Luncheon.
The event will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at the Ontario Convention Center. Honorees will be celebrated for their acts of courage and humanitarian service, the Red Cross of Riverside County announced on Friday.
“Not all heroes wear capes – many of them are our friends and neighbors right here in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties,” said Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Riverside County. “The Inland Empire Heroes Awards and Luncheon recognizes ordinary people who have shown extraordinary courage. Each honoree’s story is remarkable, and we’re confident this year’s event will inspire everyone in attendance.”
2026 Inland Empire Heroes Awards Honorees
Animal Welfare Hero Award: CALFIRE Division Chief John Crater – Temecula, Calif.In September 2024, the Airport Fire burned more than 23,000 acres across Orange and Riverside counties, destroying or damaging nearly 200 structures. During this devastating fire, CALFIRE Division ChiefJohn Crater not only performed heroic duties to safeguard people and property but also worked to save the life of a beloved dog belonging to a man trapped in the fire. Division Chief Crater drove through active flames, spotted the homeowner, and urged him to evacuate. When the man asked if he could bring his dog, Division Chief Crater guided both to safety. Due to his bravery and selflessness, the man and his dog were safely evacuated and escaped the flames unharmed.
Corporate Hero Award: Fresh Up – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.Fresh Up has been a Red Cross partner for the past four years, donating over $250,000 in WingStop meal voucher cards to encourage blood donations in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Their support has boosted donor turnout, helping address critical blood shortages and strengthening community engagement around lifesaving blood collection efforts. This long-term commitment reflects their dedication to community preparedness and response.
Disaster Services Hero Award: Frank Kams – San Bernardino, Calif.Frank Kams, Emergency Services Coordinator for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, has improved public safety through the development of advanced disaster-evacuation technology and the modernization of fire evacuation mapping. By collaborating with fire agencies, GIS analysts, and regional partners, he helped create updated sound mapping products that have dramatically improved public communication and responder coordination. This platform has significantly increased the accuracy and speed of evacuations, ultimately improving efficiency and potentially saving lives. The software has proved vital during local wildfires, from the Line and Bridge Fires to the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Kams’ work has substantially impacted regional preparedness, interagency coordination and the safety of communities facing increasingly severe wildfire and flooding threats.
First Responder Hero Award: Deputy Christopher Cherms and Deputy Shawn Owens – Victorville, Calif.In December 2025, Deputy Christopher Cherms and Deputy Shawn Owens responded to a house fire in Victorville and learned an occupant was still inside. Without hesitation, Deputy Cherms forced entry through heavy smoke and heat, crawling into the burning home to search for victims while Deputy Owens prepared for extraction. Deputy Cherms located an unresponsive woman, briefly retreated for air, then reentered to bring her to safety. Deputy Owens provided immediate care as Deputy Cherms attempted to search for additional victims, but the rapidly deteriorating conditions ultimately prevented further entry. The rescued woman survived due to the deputies’ heroic actions.
First Responder Hero Award: Deputy Fire Chief Gregory Lyle – Palm Springs, Calif.In May 2025, a domestic terrorist attack occurred at the American Reproductive Center in Palm Springs. After a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in the clinic’s parking lot, firefighters rushed to the scene and got to work extinguishing fire and evacuating civilians from the surrounding areas until everyone was withdrawn for fear of a possible secondary device. Unwilling to place others at risk going back into the area but wanting to address the concern to protect the clinic’s embryos, Deputy Fire Chief Gregory Lyle and FBI Bomb Squad Chris Melzer volunteered to go themselves. After convincing the FBI to allow entry, Chief Lyle and Agent Melzer navigated the heavily damaged building to locate cryogenic tanks and attempted to restore power. With support from multiple agencies, the team ultimately reestablished electricity, preserving the embryos.
Deputy Chief Lyle at the site of the bombing (May 2025)
Gift of Life Hero Award: Captain Gustavo Araiza – Palm Springs, Calif.Captain Gustavo Araiza of the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) is committed to saving lives through regular blood and platelet donation. As a member of PSPD’s Command Staff, he consistently leads by example—always the first to sign up and donate at the department’s frequent blood drives. With AB+ blood, one of the rarest types, he recognizes the critical impact his donations can have. Captain Araiza’s consistent participation and encouragement has inspired many colleagues to become donors. Through his leadership and his example, the PSPD’s blood drives have grown in terms of both participation and impact, collecting lifesaving blood and helping patients in need.
Good Samaritan Hero Award: Freddy Aguirre – San Bernardino, Calif.Freddy Aguirre and his wife, Valerie, were driving when they saw a vehicle accident. A severely injured man ran toward them, and with no other cars around, the Aguirres immediately stopped their RV to help him and the three additional occupants of the vehicle. Freddy told Valerie to call 911 as he jumped out and grabbed a strap. Freddy sat the victim down, applied a tourniquet, and maintained pressure until paramedics arrived. The man was airlifted for further medical care. Firefighters and a police officer credited Freddy with saving the man’s life.
Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award: Brian Barber – Victorville, Calif.Marine Corps Veteran Brian Barber transformed his own struggle with PTSD and depression into a mission to help others heal. After discovering peace and connection through fishing, Barber founded Mission FISH: Fishing, Interacting, Sharing & Healing in 2015, a 100% volunteer-supported nonprofit dedicated to providing recreational fishing therapy to veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and Gold Star families. More than 5,000 participants have benefited from the program, which blends recreation, community and access to mental health support in a stigma‑free environment. Barber’s deeply personal commitment has created a powerful ripple effect across the Inland Empire, offering hope, camaraderie and renewed purpose to those most at risk. His leadership continues to help save lives and strengthen the military and first responder community.
Youth Hero Award: Carter Sliney – Yucaipa, Calif.Carter Sliney, 13, has made a meaningful impact across Yucaipa through his compassion and community service. Recognized by Smiles 4 Seniors as their youngest honoree, he creates and delivers handmade cards to local senior centers, offering moments of joy and connection to older adults who may feel isolated. His commitment extends further through the “blessing bags” he assembles for unhoused individuals and local stray animals, filled with essential food and supplies. As a volunteer with the Yucaipa Animal Placement Society, he also assists with daily tasks and serves as their mascot, Yappy, helping promote pet adoption at community events. Sliney’s dedication to helping others continues to strengthen his community.
The Inland Empire Heroes Awards is made possible thanks to the generosity of Hometown Hero Sponsor Circle K, Regional Sponsor U.S. Bank; Presenting Sponsor Sysco Riverside; Community Sponsors Altura Credit Union, Double Tree by Hilton Claremont, IAPMO, Inland Empire Business Journal, JJ Roofing, Ed Monie, the Ontario Convention Center, San Antonio Regional Hospital and other local sponsors.
“Thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors, we are able to honor remarkable heroes from across the Inland Empire and strengthen our ability to deliver vital Red Cross services when our communities need them most,” said Yevette Baysinger, Executive Director of the Red Cross of San Bernardino County.
Nominations for the Inland Empire Heroes Awards are accepted year-round. Individual event tickets and sponsorships are also available now. For more information about the Inland Empire Heroes Awards, please visit redcross.org/IEHeroes.
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Habitat Santa Barbara is coming to downtown Santa Barbara with its specialized business known as the “ReStore.”
Inside, community donations that have been collected will be sorted, priced, and sold including furniture and home décor, along with usable building materials and fixtures.
These items will be available to the public at a discounted price with the proceeds supporting Habitat Santa Barbara’s local affordable housing efforts.
The ReStore is at 400 State Street on the corner of Gutierrez Street. It will open this summer.
Habitat Santa Barbara says in a newsletter, “We are actively seeking volunteers who can help us get ready by signing up for shifts to accept donations, so that we can start to fill up our store with inventory. Learn more about our immediate volunteer needs!
For more information go to: Habitat Santa Barbara
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ABC 17 News Team
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The horses who got rescued from a mud hole on Wednesday near Harrisburg are still at the MU Veterinary Clinic.
They are being treated for pneumonia, complications for hypothermia, ulcers–and one of them suffered a foot injury.
The horses got stuck in what was formerly an animal lagoon. It was in the process of being drained–but probably looked dry to the horses. They are expected to be at the vet for the next seven days and are still fighting for their lives.
The horses’ owner is working on setting up a GoFundMe to help with the vet bills.
Josie Anglin
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Copper Kettle in Ashland will have a follow-up health inspection after it reportedly had nine violations, seven of which are critical.
The inspection report said management was using the same cutting board for raw sausage and for ready-to-eat food.
The health inspector also found expired food in the coolers and improper hand-washing practices from the employees. The report also detailed the dishwasher’s sanitization concentration was at 0 PPM and may not be sanitizing the dishes. The restaurant was told to get the dishwasher fixed before the next inspection. The inspection also noted dented cans, no date labels on food and adulterated food items.
There were two non-critical violations for excessive ice buildup in the freezer, damage ceiling tiles and mold growth. Those were also listed as repeat violations.
The Columbia/Boone County Health Department will go back for a reinspection on Wednesday.
Copper Kettle declined to comment.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Culver woman who ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of a small school bus in Redmond nearly two years ago has pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including DUII and third-degree assault, a month before she was due to go on trial.
Katrina Nicole Dacus, now 36, earlier pleaded not guilty to 26 charges, including numerous counts of reckless endangering and fourth-degree assault, filed after the March 22, 2024 crash on Highway 126 and SW Helmholtz Way in Redmond.
Dacus was at the wheel of an SUV that crashed into a Baker High School bus carrying 14 Baker County Future Farmers of America students, who were in Redmond for a state convention. Three students were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The charging document said Dacus was driving with a measured blood alcohol level of at least .15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit of .08.
The crash sent the school bus off the highway’s eastbound shoulder and into a ditch.
In the plea petition filed Monday, Dacus agreed to serve a two-year prison term, with a potential “good time” reduction, along with three years probation and a five-year suspension of her driver’s license, to begin upon release from prison.
Deschutes County Circuit Judge Raymond Crutchley accepted the guilty pleas at a hearing Thursday afternoon. The eight-day jury trial scheduled to begin March 31 was canceled. Dacus is due to be sentenced on April 13.
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia’s mayor is recommending the City Council table a vote that could ban gaming machines.
Previous reporting shows the city was looking at banning unregulated machines known as “gray machines” or “no-chance machines.” The machines have been described as being “skill-based,” which has brought up questions of legality. The Columbia ban would include a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail.
The council heard a first read on the ban bill at its Feb. 16 meeting. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe is recommending the council table the issue until mid-May as the state appears to be moving legislation on the issue.
Buffaloe had told ABC 17 News she was to see how the legislative process plays out. She will recommend tabling the issue at Monday’s meeting.
House Bill 2989 – sponsored by state Rep. Bill Hardwick (R-Dixon) — had a second read in the Missouri House on Thursday and say its first read last week. The bill would require the state’s lottery commission to “to implement a system of video lottery game terminals and to issue licenses to video lottery game manufacturers, distributors, operators, handlers, and retailers. The Commission must not allow a single vendor or licensee to be responsible for implementing the program,” the bill reads.
