Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The 33rd Annual Midnight at the Oasis Classic Cars event is almost here.
All the fun begins this Thursday at 6 p.m., with a rally on Main Street in Downtown Yuma.
After that, catch three days of classic cars, food and entertainment this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Desert Sun Stadium.
For time and ticket prices, click here.
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council is moving forward with plans to adopt new home-hardening requirements aimed at making new residential buildings more resilient to wildfires.
During a work session last Wednesday, councilors directed staff to begin the local adoption process for Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
Section R327 is a state-adopted building code that local jurisdictions can choose to implement for new, detached residential structures. The standards focus on construction practices that reduce the risk of ignition during wildfire events.
The council’s decision followed reviews of various options and timelines by city officials to improve community safety and regional consistency.
Section R327 establishes specific construction requirements for newly built dwellings and accessory structures.
Under the proposed rules, new homes would be required to use non-combustible or ignition-resistant materials for exterior components such as roofing, gutters and windows. These measures are intended to reduce the risk of a structure catching fire during a wildfire event.
The requirements focus on new construction and would not apply to apartment buildings, commercial construction or renovations to existing buildings.
While structures like mixed-use facilities and apartments are not regulated under Section R327, they are often already subject to fire resilience standards through the Oregon Structural Specialty Code.
The Bend City Council also held discussions regarding defensible space, which refers to a buffer zone created around a structure to slow the spread of fire.
Potential updates to local defensible space requirements will be considered separately from the home-hardening code. Because this topic involves multiple city departments, it will be brought back for council discussion at a future meeting, following additional public input.
Adopting the new standards would bring the city in line with neighboring jurisdictions. Section R327 is scheduled to take effect on April 1 in the City of Sisters and unincorporated areas of Deschutes County. officials noted that a consistent regional approach helps support overall community wildfire resilience.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for consideration and public comment during the City Council business meeting on April 1. The council will determine a specific implementation timeline during that meeting, with the code potentially taking effect this spring.
More information about the proposal and meeting details can be found at bendoregon.gov/citycouncil.
Here is the presentation councilors received:
Caleb Nguyen
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The California Highway Patrol identified a dead pedestrian in San Luis Obispo involved in an animal control truck crash last Wednesday at 4:15 p.m..
Brooklyn Gutierrez, 18, from San Luis Obispo, died at the scene after being hit by the truck on Orcutt Road near La Lomita Way, according to the CHP.
The CHP received aid from the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department, the County Sheriff’s Office and San Luis Ambulance in the incident.
Dave Alley
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The historic Fremont Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo will remain closed until further notice due to public safety concerns.
The City of San Luis Obispo said it has suspended the building’s Certificate of Occupancy, effective immediately so that an engineer can determine if the theater’s marquee sign is not a hazard and a risk to public safety.
A powerful storm last month damaged the theater’s iconic sign, causing a portion of the structure to fall onto the ground.
“After some of the larger storms in mid-February, it came to our attention that a portion of the exterior of the Fremont’s large, iconic tower sign had fallen into the street,” said Timothea Tway, San Luis Obispo Community Development Director. “So the city took the immediate action to close Monterey Street and close the sidewalk to ensure public safety. Since then, we’ve been working with the property owner as they get engineers out to the site to further assess the structure.”
San Luis Obispo officials said its staff “met with the property owner, who conveyed new information based on additional limited observation indicating that the structural integrity of the sign structure cannot be confirmed at this time.”
“The city continues to work with the property owner as they assess the damage to the tower sign above the marquee, and we will continue to work with them to make sure that we’re ensuring public safety, which is our number one priority as well as the rehabilitation of this iconic historic structure,” said Tway. “We continue to learn more about the structural integrity of the sign, so that’s why, out of an abundance of caution, the city has suspended the certificate of occupancy for that building. Until there’s further evidence from a licensed engineer and agreement from the building official that the building safe to open it will remain closed to the public.”
When contacted by News Channel 3-12 on Monday, Fremont Theater owner Rob Rossi indicated a structural investigation is set to begin Tuesday to determine the extent of the damge.
Rossi added the 35-foot fin sign goes back to the very construction of the historic theater that dates back to 1942.
He is hoping to reopen the theater as quickly as possible, targeting a goal of two weeks.
The closure has forced the popular venue to already postpone two scheduled events, Carlos Mencia on Friday night, and Emo World Tour on Saturday night.
Rossi added theater management is working with other local venues to serve as a new site for scheduled events that have been impacted, as well as attempt to book new dates when the theater eventually does reopen.
With the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival set to be held on April 23 through April 28, Rossi is optimistic the longtime venue for the popular event will be ready to go.
“I’m ust really looking forward to seeing how they were able to reconstruct this and hopefully bring it back to what it used to be,” said Linda Mayer on Monday while walking past the theater. “Maybe even better, but certainly retaining the historic structure of what it was. I live in Cambria now, but I’ve been coming here since I was in my teens, so it has a lot of significance in history. Just to know all the movies and things that have gone on there, and the the plays and things that are the concerts that are still going on. It’s really sad to see it in its current state, but really hopeful that it’ll be back to normal soon.”
While the Fremont Theater remained closed, nearby businesses, including Buona Tavola, Shin’s Sushi and The Bridge Café are open to the public.
“We encourage the public to patronize them,” said Tway. “There’s signage out on the street reminding everyone that they can access the businesses near the Fremont Theater.”
In addition, the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse, which is located across the street, and San Luis Obispo County Government Center next door will also remain open during normal business hours.
News Team
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — If you’re thinking about running for local office, today’s the day. The filing period for candidates running for county or local offices in Idaho is now underway.
Candidates have until March 13th at 5 p.m. To get their names on the May 19th ballot. State and federal candidates, though, are already locked in, and the race for governor is now taking shape.
Idaho Governor Brad Little will be facing several challengers in May’s Republican primary election:
Office
Governor
Mark Fitzpatrick (Republican)Justin R. Plante (Republican)Sean Calvert Crystal (Republican)Ethan Giles (Republican)Lisa Marie (Republican)Daniel C. Fowler (Republican)Ron James (Republican)Terri Pickens (Democrat)Maxine Durand (Democrat)Chanelle Torrez (Democrat)Jill C. Kirkham (Democrat)Melissa-Sue Robinson (Libertarian)Paul Sand (Libertarian)Pro-Life (Constitution)John R. Stegner (Independent)
For a full list of the Federal and State Candidates, click HERE.
Jarrod Zinn
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The owners of a small winery in lompoc are pushing back against what they say is an unconstitutional mandate coming from the county.
a year ago, the santa barbara county board of supervisors approved an ordinance creating the “Wine Business Improvement District”, or “Wine BID.”
“This issue has been going on for almost six years,” says Norm Yost, Founder Of Flying Goat Cellars. “It went through different councils, but then finally in 2025, it was approved.”
Under this ordinance, wineries are required to pay a 1% fee of their revenue on sales to consumers, including transactions in tasting rooms, wine clubs, and at events.
“This is not a tax,” says Adam Shelton, senior staff attorney at the Goldwater Institute. “It is a 1% fee. And both the county and the Vintners Association has made it very clear that this fee, if passed on to customers, is actually taxable.”
The Vintners Association is tasked with managing these funds for regional wine industry marketing.
“We’re just noticing across the board, a downturn in the business,” says Yost. “So right now to incur a 1% assessment above our tax on our wines being sold in the tasting room has been just very, very difficult for us to absorb and to, disseminate the information.”
Founder of Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc Norm Yost says he’s not opposed to partnerships, associations or regional marketing, but he is opposed to the county mandating which organizations to partner with.
“Associations like this are supposed to be voluntary,” says Shelton. “The Vintners Association existed prior to the establishment of the BID, and at that time it was a voluntary association.”
In a letter written to the Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors, Adam Shelton, Flying Goat’s attorney at the Goldwater Institute, says compelling an independent company to join a private association violates the constitution.
“If this law does stay in place and is allowed to continue collecting these assessments, this could be used as a format for other industries,” says Yost.
The County of Santa Barbara sent us the following statement:
“The County of Santa Barbara has received correspondence regarding the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District, which was formed in February 2025 pursuant to California law. At this time, we are not aware that a lawsuit has been filed, but are reviewing the received correspondence.”
The Santa Barbara Vintners Association sent us their statement as well:
“The Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District was formed by the County through a public process and approved by the Board of Supervisors, consistent with federal and California law and long-standing benefit assessment frameworks used statewide.”
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John Palminteri
GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – It rarely happens but two roundabouts are opening at the same time in Goleta.
They are on both sides of Highway 217 on Hollister Ave. This area has had congestion for years. This is east of Old Town and the Goleta Community Center.
The goal was to increase traffic safety along with a smoother flow in an area that has a crowded street, multiple highway ramps and is in a close proximity to the Santa Barbara Airport and UC Santa Barbara. It can, at times, be backed up in more than one direction.
Over the weekend, some of the upgraded work was done on paving and striping. More is scheduled in the weeks ahead along with landscaping.
Ramps were closed Friday evening until Monday morning before reopening for traffic. Additional work on the ramps to upgrade changes continues.
Steve Nicholson is a resident in the area. He says, ” hopefully this will help the afternoon because when this was being built up the Northbound was getting bumper to bumper.”
A regular driver in the area, Benny Navarro says he has seen confused drivers already and advises people to be patient and get used to the flow. “Once the flow gets pumping then I think it will work better than the double lights because the double lights would cause heavy heavy traffic,” he said.
The work is done as part of Goleta’s Project Connect . It began in March of 2024. This involves other nearby streets including Fowler, Ekwill and Kellogg Ave.
There is also work on the San Jose Creek taking place in the same area to reduce flood dangers.
Statistics show roundabouts have a strong safety record and can reduce both injury and fatal accidents.
For more roundabout driving information go to: Federal Highway Administration.
The city says some key tips from the video are:
Slow Down:
Slow down. Going slower gives you more time to make decisions.
Look around for anyone in the crosswalk and be ready to yield to them as you exit the roundabout.
Look Around:
For multi-lane roundabouts, choose the lane for where you want to go. Use the left lane to go left, right lane to go right, and either lane to go straight.
Take note of the signs and markings to help you select your lane.
Keep looking around and check the crosswalks to see if anyone is waiting to cross or already crossing. Be ready to stop to allow them to cross.
Look around for traffic already in the roundabout and be ready to yield.
Be Ready to Yield:
You must yield to traffic in ALL lanes of a roundabout.
Enter when there’s a comfortable gap.
Go slow and stay in your lane. Don’t turn left from the right lane and don’t turn right from the left lane.
Yield to large vehicles and give them space.
Follow the pavement markings to stay in the correct lane.
Additional work will continue on Project Connect with overall completion anticipated in Spring 2027.
Haley Swaino
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri drivers are paying more at the pump as gas prices rose nearly 16 cents per gallon this week, to an average of $2.68.
According to GasBuddy’s latest survey of more than 3,900 gas stations statewide, this jump continues a trend that has pushed Missouri fuel prices nearly 16 cents higher than a month ago.
The national average rose about 5 cents per gallon this week, bringing it to $2.94 — up nearly 8 cents over the last month.
The Tuesday update from GasBuddy includes a five‑year comparison to Missouri and U.S. averages:
2025: Missouri $2.85 | U.S. $3.04
2024: Missouri $2.99 | U.S. $3.34
2023: Missouri $3.00 | U.S. $3.35
2022: Missouri $3.43 | U.S. $3.69
2021: Missouri $2.49 | U.S. $2.74
While prices are still about 17 cents lower than the same time last year in the Show-Me State and 10 cents lower nationwide, costs are increasing.
As global tensions mount, people may feel the pressure at the pump.
“Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekend’s U.S.–Iran attacks, which have elevated geopolitical risk premiums even in the absence of immediate supply disruption,” Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy Patrick De Haan wrote in a release Monday.
Even without an immediate drop in global oil supply after attacks began on Feb. 28 in the Middle East, global oil prices traded at their highest level in more than eight months on Monday.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged to $78.65 per barrel, an 8% increase.
“Oil prices have firmed as traders assess the potential for further escalation,” De Haan said. He added that concerns over key transit routes and broader instability have brought “fresh uncertainty” to global energy markets.
De Haan expects upward pressure on gasoline prices to continue in the coming week, with the national average likely to reach $3 per gallon for the first time this year.
A spike is anticipated as early as Monday evening.
“We’re looking at roughly 10 to 30 cents more per gallon, possibly as early as this evening across really the majority of the country. That does include here in Columbia as well as in the Show-Me State,” Petroleum Analyst Matt McCain said. “We [GasBuddy] looked at overnight Friday night, Saturday and Sunday to come up with our 10 to 30 cents a gallon increase. But the conflict did not end on Sunday.”
He said costs will not rise because of a low supply. U.S. oil comes from domestic production, Canada, even Missouri.
“The reason for the price increase is simply because crude oil is traded globally, utilizing U.S. dollars in a global exchange,” McCain said.
With continued, broadening attacks, impacts at the pump could change drastically in just days.
According to GasBuddy, the national average is rising for the fourth consecutive week, driven by a combination of seasonal refinery patterns and global market forces.
Diesel prices are also on the move. The national average increased 5.4 cents over the past week, now standing at $3.740 per gallon, adding further cost pressures for truckers and the supply chain.
Some Columbia trucking companies tell ABC 17 News they don’t anticipate a negative ripple effect until a few months into a broadened war with Iran.
It is worth noting that there has been a large gap reported between the cheapest and most expensive gas stations. GasBuddy reports wide price swings across Missouri. The lowest price recorded on Sunday was $2.26 per gallon, while the highest reached $3.69, a spread of $1.43 per gallon.
GasBuddy recommended some simple ways to cut back as more money is being put toward gas.
“Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. That usually comes with the word free, that helps with gas mileage. Making sure that you have proper oil changes and other aspects. All of these things can add up for fuel efficiency, which can help stretch that gallon a little bit more,” McCain said.
Gas can also last longer by not accelerating fast or speeding, using cruise control on highways and combining errands to reduce trips.
Caleb Nguyen
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (KEYT) – About 50 firefighters from Ventura County Fire and LA County Fire tackled a structure fire at the 900 block of Westcreek Lane in Thousand Oaks just before 11:00 a.m. Monday.
The two-story, multi-family apartment showed smoke and fire crews aggressively attacked the fire before searching for potential injuries and damages to the property, according to the VCFD.
Crews also worked to protect the potential exposure to surrounding homes and more information on the fire will be provided once available, according to the VCFD.
Silas Moreau
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Museum is launching a year-long program this spring to explore the intersection of regional history and American founding themes. “250 in the West” marks the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
The program features a series of events focusing on public lands, citizenship and identity. By examining little-known stories of the High Desert and the broader West, the museum aims to provide a space for civic engagement and dialogue about modern challenges and opportunities.
Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., explained that the series is designed to encourage community conversation through the work of renowned scholars.
“Anniversaries invite us to look both backward and forward and to pause and reconsider the stories we think we know,” Whitelaw said. She noted that the speakers will illuminate little-known aspects of regional history to create space for thoughtful engagement.
The series begins on Thursday, March 12 with a presentation by Flannery Burke, Ph.D. Burke is a professor at St. Louis University and the author of “Back East.” Her talk will explore how Western perspectives influenced the intellectual development of the United States, including the formation of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
On Wednesday, April 15, the museum will host Leisl Carr Childers, an associate professor at Colorado State University. Childers will trace the origins of public lands from the American Revolution to the present. The presentation focuses on how debates over land use have shaped the West and continue to influence the region today.
The spring portion of the program concludes on Thursday, April 30 with legal scholar and author Susan Kamei. Her book, “When Can We Go Back to America?” draws from her family’s experience during the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans in World War II. Kamei will discuss the historical and political ramifications for citizenship and what it means to be an American.
Doors for all three events open at 6:00 p.m. and presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the March 12 and April 15 events are $8. The April 30 event is $12 and includes a post-presentation reception with light appetizers and a no-host bar. Museum members receive a 20% discount on all ticket prices.
The program is made possible through support from the America 250 Oregon Commission. Information regarding tickets and the series is available at highdesertmuseum.org/250-west.
The “250 in the West” program will continue in the fall. Additional events and speakers for the second half of the yearlong series will be announced at a later date.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the 250 in the West series, visit highdesertmuseum.org/250-west. The programmatic series is made possible with support from the America 250 Oregon Commission.
