95.1 KTTI and 100.9 The River officially off the air

KYMA on March 13, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Two popular radio stations in Yuma are now officially off the air.

95.1 KTTI and 100.9 The River went off the air before noon Friday. Both licenses have been sold to K-LOVE Network.

The FCC filings were made on November 25 of last year, and there is no word on what K-LOVE will bring to our area in the future.

KBLU, which was also owned by El Dorado Broadcasters, went off the air earlier this month.

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Cascades East Transit expanding region’s Dial-A-Ride service, plans paratransit pilot in Deschutes River Woods

KTVZ on March 13, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Cascades East Transit, operated by the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, announced Friday that it is expanding its curb-to-curb Dial-A-Ride service areas across the region starting March 30, to boost access to flexible transportation for residents.  

CET also said it will launch a pilot paratransit Dial-A-Ride service in Deschutes River Woods, starting May 4, bringing new transportation options to the community just south of Bend. 

According to COIC, the Dial-A-Ride expansion “significantly improves access to flexible, on-demand transit options in both rural and urban communities, particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, and residents living outside traditional fixed bus routes.” 

“Transportation is a lifeline for many residents in Central Oregon,” said Bob Townsend, transit director at CET. “This expansion helps ensure more people can reach health care, jobs, education and essential services, no matter where they live in the region.” 

Expanded Rural Dial-A-Ride

CET’s Rural Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb shared ride service available to the general public, with no application required. The program allows riders to schedule trips within designated service areas within their community and provides transportation for communities where fixed bus routes may not operate.  

With this service expansion, residents in Prineville, La Pine, Madras and Redmond will see significantly larger service areas and improved access to scheduled rides. The Dial-A-Ride fare rate is $4 per ride in rural areas. Eligible riders can schedule trips up to 30 days in advance.   

Bend Paratransit Dial-A-Ride

Bend Dial-A-Ride provides paratransit transportation service for community members who cannot utilize the fixed-route bus system due to physical or cognitive disabilities. The new pilot service area in Deschutes River Woods will launch May 4 with the goal of extending transportation access to residents who previously had limited mobility options.  

Riders must qualify for this service. Qualification information and applications can be found at https://cascadeseasttransit.com/policies/ride-assist or by contacting CET’s call center at 541-385-8680. Bend and Deschutes River Woods Paratransit Dial-A-Ride service is $4 per ride, with a $20 credit to riders who take 10+ trips in a month.  

Scheduling trips is easy, by calling the CET customer service center at 541-385-8680. Eligible riders can schedule trips between one and 14 days in advance for Bend paratransit. Updated service maps and eligibility information are available at https://cascadeseasttransit.com/dial-a-ride.  

“Expanding service helps more people stay connected to their community,” said Andrea Wasilew, Outreach and Engagement Administrator for Cascades East Transit. “We’re proud to offer riders greater independence and mobility through this service.” 

About Cascades East Transit Cascades East Transit is Central Oregon’s regional public transit provider, offering fixed-route buses, city connector routes, recreational shuttles, and Dial-a-Ride, and paratransit services. Service areas include Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties and the Warm Springs community. CET’s mission is to exceed rider expectations by delivering courteous, safe, reliable, and high-quality transit that strengthens regional connectivity, reduces congestion, supports environmental sustainability, and enhances quality of life. Learn more at www.CascadesEastTransit.com. 

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Charges filed after chase allegedly exceeds 70 mph on busy central Columbia streets

KMIZ on March 13, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged Thursday with three felonies after leading police on a chase through busy city streets, according to court documents.

Dejon M. Woltkamp-Linzie, 29, was charged with aggravated fleeing, second-degree kidnapping and armed criminal action after the chase that started Wednesday afternoon on West Worley Street. An officer tried to pull Woltkamp-Linzie over at Worley and Lasalle Place for running a stop sign and having no registration, according to a probable cause statement.

Woltkamp-Linzie drove through a red light at Worley and Providence Road and went into oncoming traffic to go around cars at a stop sign at Rogers Street and Fifth Street, the statement says. The chase reached speeds higher than 70 mph on Washington Avenue and continued at high speeds on Wilkes Boulevard, police say.

The vehicle, a Nissan Sentra, also passed a school bus and then went airborne, almost losing control, according to the statement. The suspect eventually crashed into two utility poles.

Woltkamp-Linzie ran a short distance before giving up, and told police that a passenger in the vehicle had been driving, according to the statement. He also allegedly said he ran because the passenger had a warrant for her arrest.

Woltkamp-Linzie remained in the Boone County Jail on Friday on no bond. His initial arraignment was set for Friday afternoon.

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Meet Molly the therapy dog, IFPD’s newest four-legged recruit

KIFI on March 13, 2026

News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Idaho Falls Police Department recently welcomed Molly, a police therapy dog in training, to the team. Molly, a two-year-old golden retriever, is partnered with Officer Eric Lyke, who is serving as a school resource officer at the Alturas Academy schools.

Molly was previously owned by Brian Walker, former director of the 3B Juvenile Detention Facility. Walker started Molly’s training, including earning her Basic Canine Good Citizen certification, and utilized her within the facility, working with juveniles and staff. When Walker retired, he still wanted Molly to have the opportunity to serve in a similar capacity and offered her to the Idaho Falls Police Department. 

The Idaho Falls Police Department adopted her and placed her with Officer Lyke, with the support of the administration at Alturas Academy. Being paired with a school resource officer means that Molly spends her days interacting with kids and staff, both at Alturas Preparatory Academy (grades 6-12) and Alturas International Academy (grades K-5), and generally assisting her handler, Officer Lyke. 

School resource officers (SROs) have unique roles within law enforcement agencies. Like any other police officer, SROs investigate crimes and respond to safety concerns within their assigned areas. SROs also work to build rapport and familiarity between students and law enforcement, often acting as informal mentors and role models for students. Through the positive relationships they build, SROs often learn about safety or criminal issues from students that may otherwise go unreported. 

Officer Lyke, whose position at Alturas is new as of the 2025-2026 school year, calls Molly a ‘cheat code,’ making him even more approachable and helping him to connect with students who may otherwise be nervous around police officers. 

According to Officer Lyke, it is very common for students to stop by his office, in the halls, or wherever he may be, just to take a few minutes to pet and play with Molly. While often those interactions are casual, on occasion, students have sought comfort from Molly while grieving the loss of a family pet or processing school, social, or home stress. 

Molly has become a popular fixture at Alturas, as a subject for art and photography projects, an incentive and reward for good test scores and positive behavior, and with periodic appearances on the Alturas social media accounts. The Idaho Falls Police Department thanks the administration and staff at Alturas Academy for supporting Molly’s placement with Officer Lyke and for welcoming her into the schools. 

Officer Lyke has also utilized Molly on patrol, responding to calls for service and investigations within the larger community. While assisting with the response to a car accident, Officer Lyke was able to introduce children involved in the crash to Molly, helping them to process the stress of the crash and shift their focus to something positive. In another case, Molly was able to interact with a child at the center of a child abuse investigation, distracting the child while other officers spoke with the parents. 

During a recent political protest, Officer Lyke was nearby when officers were called to respond to a disturbance. After officers addressed the initial concern, Officer Lyke retrieved Molly from his patrol vehicle and spent a few minutes walking through the crowds. According to Officer Lyke, Molly’s presence helped to lower tensions from the disturbance. 

Officer Lyke and Molly also serve as part of the Idaho Falls Police TRUST team, an internal department resource that offers peer support to police officers and other staff. Molly is one of three dogs who are part of the IFPD wellness dog program, including one who is already a certified therapy dog. 

Thanks to the generosity of the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation and their $3,000 donation, Molly and her handler are receiving additional training through Idaho Elite K-9. With the help of Idaho Elite K-9, Molly is currently working towards completing her Advanced Canine Good Citizen and Urban Canine Good Citizen certifications. IFPD hopes to continue her training and certify Molly as a therapy animal in the future. 

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Idaho trucking industry sounds alarm as diesel prices surge amid global tensions

KIFI on March 13, 2026

Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As gas prices soar nationwide, Idaho’s trucking industry is sounding the alarm. They say the pain at the pump will soon turn into pain at the checkout line.

The surge is being driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran and the subsequent retaliatory strikes, global oil markets are shuddering.

In the Gem State, AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular is now $3.51, 55-cents more than last month.

Executives at Doug Andrus Distributing say they saw diesel jump by a dollar per gallon in the first week of the conflict. When you’re buying 400-thousand gallons a month, that’s a massive hit to the bottom line.

Jason Andrus says ultimately, those costs will trickle down to everyday Idahoans.

“80% of the goods in the United States are moved by truck. And so, you know, all of those prices will be affected by the cost of gas and energy,” said Andrus. “Not only do the consumers see (the spike in prices) at the gas pump, but they’re going to see it in the price of groceries and everything else they buy that gets moved by trucks.”

The spike in prices shows no signs of slowing. As global shipping traffic stalls in the Middle East, AAA warns oil prices could climb even higher.

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COCC classified staff begin strike authorization vote; walkout would be the second in the state

KTVZ on March 13, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Unionized classified staff at Central Oregon Community College launched a strike authorization vote Friday morning to protest what they describe as poverty-level wages. The workers, represented by the Oregon Education Association, indicated they are willing to walk out to secure higher pay.

OEA said in a news release that the strike authorization vote will be underway through next Thursday and is expected to pass.

If the authorization is approved, it could lead to the second community college strike in Oregon history, following a walkout at Portland Community College that began Wednesday.

A strike may be called at any time once a vote authorizes the action, provided the union gives a 10-day notice. Union officials indicated a walkout could begin as early as the first week of April.

The union says COCC is considered one of the wealthiest community colleges in the state.

However, they said, classified staff at the college currently earn a minimum wage of $18.91 per hour. According to the MIT living wage calculation for Bend, a living wage for a single person with no dependents is $26.81 per hour.

The union is seeking a contract that would increase the lowest wage to $27.89 per hour by the end of the agreement. OEA added that such a pay level “barely meets the living wage standards for their area.”

The classified workers declared an impasse in their contract talks ane mediation efforts last month.

That prompted COCC President Greg Pereira to tell KTVZ News in a statement that while the college is committed to reaching a “financially sustainable” agreement, it also “must balance compensation growth with long-term financial stability, in order to protect programs, services and tuition prices.

Union leadership highlighted a $4.5 million increase in the administrator salary pool since 2023 as evidence that the college can afford higher wages for staff.

Scott Dove, an academic technology specialist and president of the Classified Association of Central Oregon Community College, stated that the institution has the resources to meet these demands.

“By Central Oregon Community College’s own analysis, they have more than enough resources on hand right now to immediately avert this strike and meet our modest wage demands,” Dove said. “The reason they haven’t is not because they can’t, but because they don’t want to.

“We have members who are actively experiencing food insecurity and who struggle to stay at COCC because they cannot afford groceries and stable housing on the poverty wages COCC pays us. The COCC board has increased the administrator salary pool by over $4.5 million since 2023. We are asking that they make a similar investment in their classified staff.”

Classified staff roles at the college include counselors, administrative assistants, library assistants, custodians and food service workers. More than 90% of the classified staff have already completed strike preparation training with the union.

The Oregon Education Association represents more than 42,000 public educators across the state. The organization represents staff in various educational settings, from pre-kindergarten through community colleges.

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Jefferson City Board of Education approves door lock contract, pay raise for substitute teachers

KMIZ on March 13, 2026

Camryn Payne

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Board of Education approved a contract for door locks at the Jefferson City Academic Center, a pricing amendment for substitute teachers and other staff and heard the preliminary budget at its meeting Thursday.

The board approved a $65,783.70 contract with Riverside Technologies Inc. to put in new door locks at the Jefferson City Academic Center. The district is renovating the Southwest Early Childhood Center to house the new academic center. The facility will serve as an alternative high school and is expected to reopen for the 2026-2027 school year.

The new pricing amendment between the district and Penmac Education Staffing will give substitute teachers and other staff a raise. The new rate is a 28% increase over what the district currently pays. The new rate will go into effect in July.

The board was presented with the preliminary budget for 2026-27. The district is projecting more than $138 million in revenue, an 0.8% increase from this year’s budget. Expenditures are projected to be over $135 million, a 6% increase.

The district says the increased cost is largely due to teacher and staff pay raises, increased benefits and adding new staff to the Jefferson City Academic Center.

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IVC to hold State of the College Address, groundbreaking ceremony

KYMA on March 13, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial Valley College (IVC) is set to hold the State of the College Address next week.

The address is taking place at the campus Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Building 3200, Room 3201, and IVC says it will bring “together college leadership and community partners to hear updates on the institution’s progress, priorities and ongoing efforts to strengthen educational opportunities throughout the Imperial Valley.”

Erik Ortega, Imperial Community College District Board President, Dr. Lennor Johnson, IVC Superintendent/President, Ric Epps, Academic Senate President, and Elaine Valdez, Associated Students Government, will deliver remarks during the event.

Following the address, there will also be a groundbreaking ceremony “recognizing the start of construction for the Public Safety Regional Training Center and a new Maintenance and Operations Warehouse.”

“On March 25, we are marking the start of two projects that expand how Imperial Valley College partners with local law enforcement and public safety agencies to train the next generation of professionals right here in the Imperial Valley,” said Dr. Johnson.

The event will go until 4 p.m. To learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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Silent Drill Platoon performs at MCAS Yuma ahead of Yuma Airshow

KYMA on March 13, 2026

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon delivered a special on-base performance at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma as part of preparations for the upcoming Yuma Airshow, offering local residents and fellow service members a preview of what spectators can expect during the event this weekend.

A group of 24 Marines are participating in this weekend’s silent drill performance at the airshow. The platoon is made up of Marines from across the U.S. who travel throughout the country performing their precision routine.

According to Dylan Lewis, guide for the Silent Drill Platoon, the performance marks the beginning of a busy season following months of intense preparation.

“This is actually one of the first few shows that we’re doing this year,” Lewis said. “Before this, we’ve done about three months of just straight drilling, all day, every day, to prepare for this moment.”

The rehearsal performance at MCAS Yuma was attended by both local residents and military members stationed in the area.

During the demonstration, the Marines performed their choreographed routine while a Blue Angels jet flew overhead, adding to the spectacle for those in attendance.

While the appearance served as an early showcase for the unit, the Silent Drill Platoon expects to maintain a demanding performance schedule throughout the year. Platoon Cmdr. Jonathon Kirby said the group aims to appear frequently across the country.

“We shoot for 100 performances a year,” Cmdr. Kirby said. “After we get done with MCAS Yuma Airshow, we’re gonna go back, get some well-earned leave, about a week.”

Spectators will have the opportunity to see the Marines perform again during the 60th Annual Yuma Airshow this weekend at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

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Marine F-35 pilot presents to Kofa JROTC ahead of Yuma Airshow

KYMA on March 13, 2026

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Students in the Kofa High School JROTC program got a sense for what it takes to fly one of the fastest and most advanced aircrafts in the U.S. military.

Marine Corps Major Andrew Sanchez, an F-35 pilot, visited the program to demonstrate the skills, training and technology involved in piloting the F-35 and F-35B fighter jets.

His presentation gave students an inside perspective on modern military aviation and the career opportunities available in the Marines.

The visit also highlighted Yuma’s close connection to the aircraft. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma is home to more F-35B jets than any other military base in the world, making the region a major hub for the aircraft’s training and operations.

With many JROTC students considering future service in the military, Sanchez said he wanted to give them a clearer picture of what that path could look like.

“A lot of them are going to go into the military and it’s important that they understand what they’re getting into, and the certain capabilities that we have, so they can kind of choose their career path and figure out what’s best for them,” Sanchez said.

He also spoke about what makes Yuma the ideal location for flying aircrafts, and specifically jets.

“The amount of airspace around here…there’s so many mountains, there’s so many places you can fly. There’s just a lot to do tactically, which is why the weapons and tactics course is here in Yuma, Arizona.”

Sanchez will also be taking to the skies this weekend. He is scheduled to pilot an F-35B during Saturday’s Yuma Airshow.

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