Imperial Valley Republican Party releases list of endorsements of local candidates

KYMA on March 9, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley Republican Party has released its list of endorsements of local candidates.

The committee is backing three of the following candidates they say will fight for the region’s priorities in Sacramento:

Art Hodges for State Senate District 18

Denis Bilodeau for California State Board of Equalization District 4

Jeff Gonzalez, who is running for re-election for Assembly District 36.

For these candidates, priorities for this election cycle includes agriculture, border security, economic development and healthcare access.

“What we’re really excited about with our three Republican candidates that we’ve endorsed so far, is that they are the common sense, solution oriented folks that can represent everyone in Imperial Valley,” said Sayrs Morris, Secretary of California GOP.

The party says the endorsements are meant to help voters better understand where local candidates stand as election season ramps up.

“This is you know an important area for California and I think it’s important that these candidates that are running for statewide office, they do their due diligence, they find out what the needs our for our community, and they come down here and they campaign and they get in front of our residents and they talk about what their plans are for the state,” Jason Jackson, a member of the central committee for the republican party told KYMA.

Taxes are also a key talking point on the campaign trail in Imperial County, with many decisions being made at the state level impacting Valley resident and businesses.

Morris said she hopes to see more seats flip red during the election.

“”We are ready to flip our senate seat, and Board of Equalization, folks, that is so important for the state. They set so many standards that have to do with taxes and Denis Bilodeau has the experience to make common sense reform for all of us,” she said.

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Locals in Yuma react to gas prices rising as war with Iran continues

KYMA on March 9, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gas prices are on the rise as the war with Iran continues, and locals across Yuma County are sharing their reaction.

According to GasBuddy, the average gas price in Arizona has risen 53.3 cents per gallon in the last week.

Two Yuma locals, Mark Williams and Reba Maxwell, talked about how they feel about the rise in gas prices.

“Well, I’m not happy about it. I wish it would go back down to what it was maybe a couple of months ago,” Williams expressed.

“I mean…what got to buy gas, so what can I do?” Maxwell said.

Drivers all across America have felt the price at the pump increase as the national average for gas prices has also risen by 51.1 cents across the country following the strikes in Iran.

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New indictment filed against man accused in 2023 Dove Drive shooting

KMIZ on March 9, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new set of charges have been filed against one of the men accused in the 2023 Dove Drive shooting that left one man dead.

A superseding indictment was filed on Friday in the case against Ja’Shaun Barney, 21, of Columbia. He is now charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, accessory to first-degree murder, accessory to first-degree assault, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

Seven people total were charged in the Dove Drive shooting. Barney is the only one accused who has not pleaded guilty. Court documents say Deazes Turner, Deljuan Turner and Alqueze Jones shot and killed Deshon Houston from a white 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Barney, while Bryton Allen also shot at Houston from an Acura MDX driven by Williams.

Friday’s indictment also listed the initials of a second person who was allegedly targeted in the shooting.

Damarkus Williams, 21, was given a 10-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections for a guilty plea in November to second-degree conspiracy to commit murder.

Deljuan Turner, 22, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Jones, 22, pleaded guilty that same month to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Allen, 22, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to 20 years. He was also sentenced to four years in prison in an unrelated case where he pleaded guilty to resisting arrest in 2021.

Deazes Turner pleaded guilty in April to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Jajuan Crockett pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder, tampering with a motor vehicle, two counts of stealing and one count of tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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The Idaho Challenged Athletes Foundation hosts a curling and biathlon clinic

KIFI on March 9, 2026

KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 4:11 PM, Mar 08, 2026

By Steve Dent:

BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — The Idaho Challenged Athletes Foundation hosted its three-day winter sports weekend in Boise, where adaptive athletes had the chance to compete in sled hockey at Ice World, skiing at Bogus Basin, and a pair of activities at the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse.

Idaho News 6 has been to the clinics for downhill and cross country skiing, as well as sled hockey so we went to check out the adaptive athletes trying out the biathlon.

“I have fibular hemimelia… it is where one of my cells copied wrong and all the other cells copied off that one, making my leg gone.”” said Jackson Lang.

Lang participated in all three days, and Jackson praised Idaho CAF for bringing all the adaptive athletes together and making it easy for them to connect to each other and mentors.

“Thank you for all the fun stuff and helping me meet people like me,” said Lang. “My favorite is the skiing because I’ve always loved skiing.”

Ty Wiberg competes on the Para Nordic and biathlon development teams. Wiberg just missed making the Paralympics this year, so he traveled from Montana to mentor the next generation of adaptive athletes.

“Helping coach any aspect is really rewarding in the sense that you get to start with somebody who may have never done the sport,” said Wiberg. “They have never tried it at all, and in a short couple of hours, you get to watch somebody excel at it.”

You could see the improvement on both ends with curling and the biathlon. This event happened inside the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse, and they also had a huge television in the gym that was showing the Paralympic Winter Games in Italy.

“They can watch it, and they can really see the athletes that are performing at the top of the top,” said Wiberg. “In case that is something they ever want to try to make, and they know that it is possible too.”

The winter sports weekend also included a grant on Thursday night, with 13-year-old Hailey Lopez of Twin Falls, who has cerebral palsy, receiving $2,000 for skiing equipment.

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Chris Dudley focuses on Oregon’s future at campaign stop in Sisters

KTVZ on March 9, 2026

Spencer Sacks

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley held a campaign stop in Sisters on Monday to present his platform to local voters. The event focused on three primary pillars of his campaign: education, the economy and livability.

The campaign stop attracted community members of all ages who gathered to hear the candidate’s message ahead of the primary election, which is scheduled for two months from now. Dudley is seeking the Republican nomination after previously running for governor in 2010, a race he lost by 20,000 votes.

Dudley focused his address on his vision for the future of Oregon. He expressed a personal commitment to improving the state during his speech in Sisters.

“I’m passionate about our state,” Dudley said to KTVZ News. “Passionate that we could do better as our state deserves better.”

Several residents who attended the event expressed interest in the candidate’s platform. Ethan, a resident of Sisters, said he came to the event because he believes the campaign offers a new direction for the party.

“I’m here because I think Mr. Dudley provides a more youthful and rejuvenated message for Republicans in Oregon,” Ethan said.

Other community members highlighted the candidate’s professional experience outside of elective office. Steve Hewlett, a resident of Sisters, said the state would benefit from a leader with a corporate background.

“Chris Dudley I think is the answer for Oregon,” Hewlett said. “He’s not a politician, and that’s what we need. Somebody with a business sense.”

The theme of political transition was a recurring sentiment among those in the audience. Rick Lieberson, a resident of Sisters, said he believes the candidate is the right person to facilitate a shift in leadership.

“I think we need a change,” Lieberson said. “And I think he could facilitate that change.”

Dudley told supporters that he believes the outcome of this campaign will be different, noting that he is encouraged by the turn out in his home community. When asked about campaigning in Sisters, Dudley said it was “incredible” to see many friends turn out for the event.

The primary election is on May 19th. The Dudley campaign stated that it feels it has momentum heading into the upcoming vote.

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Rush Hill man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Audrain County sex crimes

KMIZ on March 9, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Audrain County man who was already sentenced to 50 years in prison for federal child sex crimes has been sentenced for his crimes in Audrain County.

William Dahl, 41, of Rush Hill, pleaded guilty in January in Audrain County to promoting child porn, two counts of child enticement and two counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to five years in prison, which will be served at the same time as his federal sentence, a Monday press release from Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger says.

Dahl is currently serving time in a Missouri prison for child sex crimes out of Randolph County. He was sentenced to five years last year after he entered an Alford plea for first-degree statutory rape in Randolph County.  

He was previously sentenced 50 years in federal court in December 2023 for producing and two counts of receiving child pornography.

“The courage these victims of William Dahl showed today, to stand one after another and tell William Dahl he was finally held accountable for what he did to them, was amazing.” Shellabarger said in the release. William Dahl’s community now knows what these victims have known for years: that he had a long history of sexual assault, enticement, production of child pornography, and sexual assault, and that continued for years.

“Many in the community chose to protect Dahl, pushing these victims’ truth aside with comments like ‘no one will believe you,’ and ‘nothing will happen to him.’ The truth, a finding of guilt, has happened – and the truth of what these victims went through is now made plain: William Dahl’s practice of seeking out young women and assaulting and objectifying them, hiding behind his family’s name and reputation in the community has reached its end: in a prison cell.”

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Family in Winterhaven loses everything in house fire

KYMA on March 9, 2026

Madeline Murray

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – A family in Winterhaven lost everything in a house fire that happened over the weekend.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says they were sent to assist the Imperial County Fire Department with a house fire Sunday.

YFD says there wasn’t any injuries reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Cuauhtemoc Sanchez, the father of the family, described what his family is going through saying, “Sad because we lost everything. We don’t have no where to stay…clothes.”

The family will be accepting donations. The following items can be dropped off at 1567 E. 23rd Street in Yuma:

Men’s clothing/shoe sizes:

Jeans, size 38

Shirts, size 2X

Shoes, size 13

Women’s clothing/shoe sizes:

Jeans, size 12

Shirts, size XL

Shoes, size 6

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RootedHomes opens applications for Redmond affordable homeownership community

KTVZ on March 9, 2026

Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — RootedHomes recently announced that it has opened applications for Rooted at Antler, a permanently affordable, net-zero homeownership community at 1699 West Antler Avenue in Redmond. 

The Antler Campus is the second RootedHomes community in Redmond. Recognizing the need for both affordable and mid-market housing in Central Oregon, RootedHomes said it has developed this community for families earning under 120% of the Deschutes County Area Median Income (AMI), the organization said in a news release that continues below:  

Antler features on-site playgrounds, community gardens, and convenient access to social service facilities on Antler Avenue and the Dry Canyon. All 18 homes are Energy Star-certified and built to net-zero standards, delivering long-term energy savings while supporting environmental responsibility. 

“With the launch of Rooted at Antler, we are continuing our mission to ensure that the people who make Redmond thrive, our teachers, healthcare workers, and service providers, can afford to live here,” said Eliza Wilson, executive director of RootedHomes.

“By offering homes at multiple income tiers, from 80% to 120% AMI, and prioritizing resident-driven design in partnership with our homeowners to ensure feedback around parking and community design is implemented, we are filling a critical gap in the housing market while building a stronger, more inclusive community,” Wilson added. 

Available Homeownership Opportunities 

The 18 homes are divided into two qualification tiers based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Deschutes County: 

For Homebuyers Under 80% AMI: 

4 Fully Accessible Duplexes ($256,000): Ground-floor, 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath homes (1,014 sq. ft.). 

4 Upstairs Duplexes ($312,000): 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes (1,014 sq. ft.) with modern layouts. 

3 Single-Family Cottages ($340,000): Two-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes (1,343 sq. ft.). 

For Homebuyers 80%–120% AMI: 

7 Single-Family Cottages ($432,000): 3-bedroom, 2-bath cottages (1,343 sq. ft.) for moderate-income buyers. 

Up to $25,000 in down payment assistance is available for qualified households. In recognition of local veterans’ service, RootedHomes also offers up to $60,000 in down payment assistance for qualifying veterans. 

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said, “Rooted at Antler represents exactly the kind of innovative housing solution Redmond needs.”

“By delivering permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes for working families, RootedHomes is helping ensure that the people who serve our community every day can also call Redmond home,” Fitch said. “We’re proud to support partnerships that expand homeownership opportunities while strengthening the long-term sustainability of our city.” 

Income-qualified applicants who have completed a mandatory information session and obtained mortgage preapproval can apply through the RootedHomes website. 

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Retired Idahoan warns of modern-day “dust bowl” in eastern Idaho

KIFI on March 9, 2026

Par Kermani

PARKER, Idaho (KIFI) — After an unseasonably dry winter, a City of Parker resident is claiming the region is currently in the grip of a modern-day Dust Bowl. He estimates that millions of cubic yards of sandy topsoil are being stripped from local farms every spring, clouding the air and burying neighboring properties.

Sailors said, “We’ve got these dust storms every spring… and it’s all from these potato and wheat farms west of town”.

The physical evidence of the erosion is literal. Sailors pointed to a neighbor’s home just 400 yards away, where the lawn has risen 2.5 inches above the sidewalks and roadbeds over the last 12 years due to accumulating windblown soil.

Sailors, who studied soil science in Colorado and Kansas, argue the solution is simple: leave crop roots in the ground through the winter.

“In other states, they leave the standing roots…” Sailors said, “because it holds the snow moisture all winter and keeps the soil erosion from doing this”.

Ron Patterson, an agriculture expert with the University of Idaho, explained that the very nature of potato farming makes the ground susceptible to the region’s 60-mph spring winds.

“Potatoes are not a crop that disturbs the soil,” Patterson said. “There’s a lot of soil disturbance in the harvesting… and the timing of when the potatoes are harvested in the fall makes that ground susceptible”.

Patterson noted that by the time potatoes are out of the ground, it is often too late in the season to plant a cover crop that can grow enough to stabilize the soil before the winter freeze. While equipment exists to plant directly into stubble for other crops like wheat or barley, the cost is often prohibitive for many local operations.

“The farmers are aware of it. It’s their money that’s blowing away in the wind,” Patterson said, noting that conservation is a long-term versus short-term economic struggle. “If they don’t have the economic ability to purchase the equipment… then that’s a bit of a challenge”.

Patterson added that while the dust is a nuisance, the windblown topsoil is actually a high-quality nutrient boost for the residential yards it lands in.

Sailors remains undeterred by the economic hurdles, stating he is willing to be a “pariah” with the farming community to save the soil. He plans to bring the issue before a city meeting this week.

“I just think it’s a crime,” Sailors said. “I think everybody could work together and find a way to not destroy our topsoil”.

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Benjamin Naylor sentenced to life without parole for southern Idaho killings

KIFI on March 9, 2026

Seth Ratliff

CASSIA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The man charged with killing four people across two southern Idaho counties is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Monday, Benjamin Naylor was sentenced to four consecutive and concurrent fixed-life terms in state prison, the Cassia County and Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices announced. The move comes after Naylor pleaded guilty to the charges in late December in a bid to avoid the death penalty.

RELATED: Quadruple murder suspect, Benjamin Roy Naylor, pleads guilty, avoids death penalty

“This outcome allowed the defendant to take accountability for his actions, which is an important part of our pursuit of justice,” said Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney McCord Larsen. “Four consecutive and concurrent fixed-life sentences mean Benjamin Naylor will spend the rest of his natural life in prison. That is a certainty. And certainty, for these families, has value.”

The charges stem from a killing spree that spanned the two southern Idaho counties. On July 8th, 2025, Naylor shot and killed Kelly and Donna Jenks of Burley, then went on to kill Angelica Medina and Dennis Mix during a Schizophrenic episode.

More than two dozen people were in the gallery of Monday’s sentencing hearing, including several members of the victim’s families.

Naylor will spend the remainder of his natural life in prison with no possibility of parole. As part of the sentencing, Naylor will also have to pay restitution to the victim’s families and civil penalties.

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