Mom who contributed to baby son’s fentanyl-related death sentenced to prison

KESQ on February 18, 2026

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Jurupa Valley woman partly responsible for her 1-year-old son’s ingestion of a deadly dose of fentanyl was bound for state prison today to serve a sentence of 12 years, four months behind bars after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and another felony.

Sandy Alyssa Acuna, 25, admitted the manslaughter count, along with child cruelty, under a plea agreement Tuesday with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for her admissions, prosecutors dropped second-degree murder and other charges against Acuna.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Joshlyn Pulliam certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.  

Acuna’s co-defendant and former live-in boyfriend, 26-year-old Adler Alan Metcalf of Jurupa Valley, is charged with second-degree murder and three counts of child cruelty. Metcalf’s case was pending trial Wednesday at the downtown courthouse, though no courtroom had been assigned yet for pretrial motions. He’s being held in lieu of $500,000 bail at the Robert Presley Jail. 

Adler Metcalf
(In Court – Left & Booking Photo – Right)

The defendants were the parents of Adler Jr., who died in 2020.   

According to a sheriff’s department arrest warrant declaration, in the early morning hours of Sept. 1, 2020, Acuna called 911 after discovering the toddler unconscious and barely breathing in their mobile home in the 5400 block of 34th Street.  

Paramedics attempted resuscitative measures, and the child was taken to a Riverside hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.   

Acuna told first responders she believed Adler Jr. had somehow climbed out of his crib and gotten hold of “three Oxycontin” pills that she claimed had been prescribed to her, according to the affidavit. The case was immediately turned over to detectives for potential child abuse, and further investigation revealed Acuna had no prescription for the painkillers.   

Investigators also turned their attention to the couple’s 4-month-old daughter, Melissa, whose blood was tested for the presence of drugs, which confirmed the infant had marijuana in her system, according to court papers.   

An autopsy ultimately verified that Adler Jr. had died from “acute fentanyl toxicity,” the declaration stated.   

Detectives seized Acuna’s mobile phone after a search warrant was served at the defendants’ residence in early October 2020. The device revealed pictures of blue “M-30” pills, which are known to contain fentanyl, according to the affidavit.

“Sandy said she does not use the drug,” the document said. “She said she allows a number of people to use her phone. Adler Sr. said he vapes marijuana, using a wax pen.”

Investigators later uncovered the parents were intentionally “giving fentanyl and marijuana to Adler Jr. and Melissa” for reasons unclear, the affidavit alleged.

The pair were arrested without incident during the second week of November 2020. Neither defendant had documented prior felony convictions.

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Salton City man pleads not guilty to murder charge in T’Neya Tovar case

KESQ on February 18, 2026

Jesus Reyes

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Salton City man accused of the murder of a missing 17-year-old girl pleaded not guilty to all charges in his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Abraham Feinbloom, 51, is charged with murder and resisting a peace officer in connection with the T’Neya Tovar case, a teenager reported missing on Dec. 1. He was arraigned at the El Centro Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 23 for a preliminary hearing.

According to our sister station KYMA, investigators said they determined Tovar died from a gunshot wound. Bullet fragments were found in a leg discovered not far from Feinbloom’s house on Dec. 21, which was later confirmed through DNA testing to belong to Tovar.

Check Out: New timeline, digital evidence raise questions after arrest in T’Neya Tovar investigation

Additionally, prosecutors indicated Feinbloom and Tovar had been in contact since October 2025 and she was allegedly dropped off at his house in Salton City.

Feinbloom was arrested Friday morning following a search warrant at his home on Harlequin Court in Salton City. Investigators say when deputies moved in, Feinbloom jumped a fence in what appeared to run away from police.

On Wednesday, prosecutors revealed that when Feinbloom was arrested, he had a passport and Thai currency on him.

The FBI continues to ask that anyone with information about her murder contact police. A reward of $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the resolution of this case. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Checkgate: Bribery investigation looming after Wyoming lawmakers receive checks on House Floor

KIFI on February 18, 2026

Seth Ratliff

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A firestorm of controversy is erupting in the “Cowboy State” after a Teton County Republican leader was caught distributing campaign checks directly on the Wyoming House floor. The incident has sparked a criminal investigation and a rare moment of bipartisan condemnation in the state legislature.

The controversy began on February 9, on the first day of session in the 2026 Wyoming Legislature. Following the day’s legislative session, Rebecca Bextel, a conservative activist and state committee woman for the Teton County GOP, was spotted handing checks to three lawmakers.

Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie) captured the incident on camera, later describing it to the Cowboy State Daily as a “terrible misuse” of the chamber and “dishonorable.”

“Nothing to Hide”

Bextel has remained defiant, taking to Facebook to clarify her actions. She maintains that the checks were written two weeks prior and were not distributed while the House or Senate were actively in session.

“There’s nothing wrong with delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors when I am in Cheyenne,” Bextel wrote.

Timing and “Optics”

The controversy has drawn significant attention and speculation to recent legislative action. On February 11, the three Republican Representatives who were documented as receiving the checks, Joe Webb (Lyman), Darin McCann (Rock Springs), and Marlene Brady (Green River), all voted to introduce House Bill 141.

The bill, which Bextel has publicly championed, would bar communities like Jackson from implementing policies or imposing “a monetary fee, nonmonetary condition or other concession” in order to offset or incentivize the development of new affordable housing, or to prevent the loss of existing affordable units.

During the bill’s introduction, Rep. Mike Yin (D-Jackson) warned colleagues to vote “no” based on the undesirable “optics” of the situation.

While Yin clarified he wasn’t making a direct accusation of bribery, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody) fired back, calling his comments “defamatory” and an “allegation of quid pro quo.”

In response, Bextel quickly took to social media, calling Rep. Yin a “sore loser.”

“In an attempt to stop the unconstitutional mitigation fees bill from passing, he essentially tried to accuse me of bribery from the House floor,” wrote Bextel.

As of February 18th, HB141 has been placed on House General File, indicating it is awaiting further action by the entire membership of the House.

Formal Investigations and Legal Stakes

The fallout of the Checkgate controversy has been swift. On February 12, all 59 present House representatives unanimously voted to convene a special seven-member committee to investigate the incident.

Under Wyoming’s “Misuse of Office” statute (Section 9-13-105b), officials are strictly prohibited from using public facilities, equipment, or “time” for political or campaign activities. If the distribution of checks on the House floor is found to violate this rule, it is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and potential removal from office.

By February 13th, all 31 Wyoming State Senators had formally condemned Bextel’s actions.

Even Bextel’s own party has distanced itself. Kat Rueckert, Teton County GOP Chair, stated the party had “no prior knowledge” of the checks. “Bextel acted on her own accord,” Rueckert said.

The legislative probe is currently on hold, however, as the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into possible bribery.

Under Wyoming’s bribery statutes (Section 6-5-102), if investigators find that any lawmaker accepted a “pecuniary benefit” upon the understanding that their vote or legislative discretion would be influenced—specifically regarding HB 141—they could face a felony conviction. This carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

In a recent update, Bextel welcomed the scrutiny, expressing hope that the hearings will lead to “clear rules for various types of engagements with representatives and activities on the floor.”

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I-25 northbound reopens overnight after deadly crash; troopers share brown-out safety guidance

KRDO on February 18, 2026

Stella Girkins

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – I-25 has reopened in both directions after Tuesday’s deadly crash shut down the highway south of Pueblo for more than 12 hours.

The Pueblo County Coroner has identified the four people killed as David Kirscht and his adult son, Scott Kirscht, both of Walsenburg, Mary Sue Thayer of Rye, and Karen Ann Marsh of Pueblo.

The crash happened in the Stem Beach area around ten in the morning. The interstate was closed in both directions, while law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency crews responded.

Southbound lanes reopened Monday evening, while northbound traffic remained detoured until early Tuesday morning.

According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the pile-up involved 29 passenger vehicles, seven semi-trucks, and a livestock trailer.

CSP says the chain-reaction crash unfolded during sudden “brown-out” conditions – strong winds kicking up dust and dirt, drastically reducing visibility.

“The visibility was not bad until it wasn’t,” said Kimber Begano, who narrowly missed the crash. “There was no bracing yourself for it. You were just in the thick of it.”

What CSP says to do in a brown-out

Following the crash, viewers asked what drivers should do if they suddenly lose visibility on the highway.

Before heading out, CSP encourages drivers to check CoTrip.org and local weather.

“If drivers encounter a brownout while traveling, they should immediately slow down, turn on their light-beam headlights, and increase following distance,” says Trooper Sherri Mendez. “Reducing speed and increasing following distance gives drivers more time to react.”

Drivers should also avoid sudden braking or abrupt lane changes.

If visibility drops to near zero, CSP reminds drivers not to stop in the travel lane. Instead, carefully move completely off the roadway by taking the next exit or pulling off – well beyond the shoulder.

“Once safely off the road, drivers should turn off their lights, set the parking brake, and remain in their vehicle with their seatbelts fastened until visibility improves,” says Mendez. “Leaving lights on while stopped can unintentionally cause other motorists to follow those lights and collide with the parked vehicle.”

Authorities continue to investigate the crash as the southern Colorado community recovers from one of the most significant pile-ups in recent memory.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) also shared this guidance.

Similar to a blizzard, brownouts reduce visibility significantly. Motorists should avoid driving through a dust storm if possible. When that’s not possible, motorists should not stop in a travel lane but should exit the roadway, park, turn off headlights and use the emergency brake. 

CDOT works with State Patrol to determine whether and when wind-related restrictions or closures need to be put into place; typically, 60 mph gusts or sustained winds are a threshold we use to help make this determination.

If CDOT, in coordination with the Colorado State Patrol, determines that high winds – typically 60 mph+ – could compromise traveler safety, a High Wind Restriction will be issued for a particular segment of highway. High profile vehicles such as semi-trucks, loaded or with an empty load, will be required to park and shelter in place or turn around until it is determined winds have subsided and it is safe for such vehicles to resume travel. The restriction helps prevent a truck, trailer or light-weighing vehicles from suddenly entering into another lane or causing a rollover.

– The Colorado Department of Transportation.

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‘Great first step’: St. Charles needs dozens more medical assistants, so it will pay those seeking certification

KTVZ on February 18, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — St. Charles Health System announced Wednesday it’s offering a new incentive to encourage individuals to become certified medical assistants, to help fill a growing need within the organization.

People accepted into the program will receive funding to cover the cost of the MA certification program at Central Oregon Community College and will also receive a stipend to help cover living expenses while in the program, their announcement said.

St. Charles – Central Oregon’s largest private employer, with over 5,000 employees – says it’s slated to hire up to 70 medical assistants over the next year, making it the most in-demand position within the health system.

“We are excited to offer this new funding, in hopes of getting more people interested in becoming medical assistants, which is an engaging but often overlooked health care job,” said Jennifer Brooks, chief nursing officer for ambulatory care at St. Charles.

Before becoming a nurse, Brooks spent several years as an MA and believes it’s a fun and fulfilling position.

St. Charles’ new program at COCC will provide funding for 10 students in an accelerated six-month MA program starting in June and an additional 20 students in the regular nine-month tract starting in September. After graduation, individuals who received the funding commit to working for St. Charles for at least two years.

Shannon Waller, medical assisting program director for COCC, said, “Our Medical Assisting program at COCC blends hands-on clinical training with strong classroom instruction ,so students graduate confident and job-ready.

“As an accredited program, our curriculum is built on national standards and prepares students with the knowledge and skills today’s clinics expect,” Waller added. “This funding opportunity helps remove financial barriers and opens the door for more students to step into meaningful health care careers.”

Medical assistants serve in the clinic setting and are often the first clinical staff members patients interact with when they visit a doctor’s office.

MAs support providers, prepare patients for exams, maintain equipment, help address patient questions and much more, all while working standard office hours. Certified MAs can also perform EKGs and blood draws, among other medical tasks.

Kaylyn Grammater, clinical educator for ambulatory care at St. Charles, said, “Becoming a medical assistant is a great first step entry into the profession of health care. Many MAs go on to become nurses, doctors, physical therapists and other types of health care professionals. They are like the glue that keeps our outpatient clinics together.”

St. Charles now employs about 250 medical assistants, almost all of whom work at outpatient clinics. The system has about 50 vacancies and anticipates needing to hire up to 70 within the coming year. Starting wages for medical assistants are typically between $24 and $30 an hour.

St. Charles says it’s also now hiring pre-certified medical assistants. The new position allows caregivers to earn their certification while employed as a medical assistant, with a more limited scope of practice.

Fill out interest list for MA funding.

Apply to work as a medical assistant at St. Charles.

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Powerful winds slam Coachella Valley

KESQ on February 18, 2026

Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Strong overnight winds tore through the Coachella Valley, leaving a trail of damage and debris across several communities by early morning.

One of the hardest-hit areas was Parkview Mobile Home Estates, where powerful gusts knocked down fencing, overturned trash cans and furniture, and scattered debris throughout the property. Residents woke up to damaged awnings and fallen trees.

The winds created hazardous driving conditions across the valley. Blowing sand reduced visibility in several areas, prompting temporary road closures. Vista Chino at the wash is closed due to sand accumulation and safety concerns, forcing drivers to seek alternate routes.

Winds are expected to ease by 4 p.m., though cleanup efforts in affected neighborhoods are expected to continue.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more. 

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Semi-truck overturns on I-10 in Desert Center; Three hospitalized

KESQ on February 18, 2026

City News Service

DESERT CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) – High winds caused a semi-truck to overturn early today on Interstate 10 in Desert Center, sending two adults and a minor to a hospital with injuries.

The crash was reported about 3:20 a.m. Tuesday on westbound I-10, according to the California Highway Patrol.   

A preliminary investigation determined a 2015 Freightliner was traveling about 55 mph in the No. 2 lane when a sudden gust of wind pushed the vehicle out of its lane, causing it to overturn onto a metal guardrail, CHP officials said.

A 50-year-old woman was ejected from the truck and suffered severe injuries, while a 14-year-old boy complained of leg pain, according to the agency.

All three occupants were taken to Desert Region Medical Center in Palm Springs.

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Casa Maria’s owner pleads guilty to misdemeanor, is given credit for time served

KMIZ on February 18, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who owned a Mexican restaurant in south Columbia pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Tuesday in Butler County.

Crystal Umfress pleaded guilty to making a false affidavit, a misdemeanor, according to the deputy clerk in Butler County. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail, but was given credit for time served.

Umfress was previously charged with several felonies in the case, including two counts of filing false documents and three counts of forgery after she was accused of impersonating county officials and restaurant owners.

Court documents in previous reporting say Umfress impersonated an elected official in emails and accused other Mexican restaurant owners of crimes. Court documents say Umfress asked for information about the liquor licenses of “various” restaurants and falsely claimed hearings were scheduled for an investigation.

Court documents also claimed Umfress attempted to pose as the owners of other Mexican restaurants in emails and asked for officials to revoke their liquor licenses.

Earlier this month, Umfress was found not guilty of second-degree arson. Both cases originated in Dunklin County, but were moved to Butler County in 2024.

Casa Maria’s moved out of its Columbia location in December after a judge ruled in favor of Grindstone Plaza Development in its motion for default against Umfress. A writ of possession order filed on Dec. 17 says the restaurant was ordered to vacate the property after owing $120,750.04 in unpaid rent and $8,926.61 in fees and costs. The restaurant had indicated in social media post at the time that it would continue as a food truck.

Check back for updates.

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Palm Springs Tramway reopens after wind closure

KESQ on February 18, 2026

Joel Killam

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened Wednesday afternoon after a wind closure, with the first tram up at 12:00 p.m.

They will now be operating a normal schedule. The last car up will be at 8:00 p.m. and the last car down will be at 9:30 p.m.

Earlier in the morning the Tramway was closed due to high winds.

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Four-Story Scaffolding Collapse in a Violent Wind Storm Closes Part of Garden St. in Santa Barbara

KEYT on February 18, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Work crews spent the morning taking apart a massive pile of twisted metal where a large scaffolding collapsed in a violent wind storm Tuesday night in downtown Santa Barbara.

The scaffolding was in front of a new 36-unit housing project at 425 Garden Street.

An alert from Santa Barbara Police advised drivers to avoid the area. During the mid-morning hours, one lane was open but some of the scaffolding was still hanging 30 feet over the street.

A resident nearby said winds in excess of 50 miles per hour came through with a direct hit Tuesday night about 10p.m..

The metal did not get tossed to other properties. It did damage two trees in the area, which showed signs of broken branches as the scaffolding was being removed.

At the same time an aggressive rain, lightning and thunder event roared over the area causing trees to come down, a power pole broke off, electric lines were down and hundreds were without power.

Several intersections were without signals including at Micheltorena and De la Vina and Arrellaga and Castillo. Some drivers did not yield to check both directions during the outage and there were several violations and close calls with possible crashes.

A power pole was snapped in the 900 block of Flora Vista on the Mesa. Power lines were down in a backyard and many residents were in the dark. Santa Barbara City fire and police were checking the area for life hazards late Tuesday night.

Massive Tree collapses down in Isla Vista

There was also a massive tree down in the 6500 block of Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista that narrowly missed a multi-story home. It took hours to carve it up.

(More details, video and photos will be added later today.)

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