Rodeo closes out Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival

KESQ on March 2, 2026

Timothy Foster

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival concluded its 78th year on Sunday, with the rodeo emerging as the main attraction for fans of all ages.

The grandstand arena was packed as riders and their horses competed in high-energy events like saddle bronc and bareback riding. In these competitions, half of the rider’s score comes from the horse’s performance, highlighting the athleticism, strength, and skill of the animals. Spectators were impressed by the power and precision of the horses, which are specially bred and trained for rodeo performance.

Timed events such as roping added to the excitement, with horses demonstrating quick reflexes, sharp turns, and incredible speed. Families attending the rodeo noted that the combination of fast-paced action and tradition made the arena a memorable experience for both first-time and seasoned rodeo fans.

Visitors described the arena as energetic and engaging, praising both the riders and the horses for their skill and dedication. Many said that seeing the animals up close was a highlight of the festival.

The rodeo not only provided entertainment but also offered an educational glimpse into Western traditions and competition. Spectators noted the diversity of events, the precision required in scoring, and the unique bond between rider and horse, making it a standout feature of the fair.

Organizers said the rodeo continues to be a key part of the festival, drawing fans who appreciate both the athletic competition and the cultural heritage of the sport. With each year, the rodeo remains a central reason many families return to the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.

As the festival closed its gates on Sunday, attendees reflected on the rodeo as the highlight of the event, praising the excitement, energy, and incredible performance of the horses and riders alike.

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Protesters gather in Jefferson City Sunday, speak out against ICE, joint US-Israel attack on Iran

KMIZ on March 2, 2026

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Protesters gathered in the Capital city on Sunday afternoon to speak out against a crackdown on immigration in the United States.

The protest was scheduled before President Donald Trump announced the joint US-Israel attack on Iran early Saturday morning, but one protester said the attack was another reason to protest the administration.

“A war in Iran killing 107 students in an elementary school, killing a supreme leader, is unacceptable,” Fulton resident Khyron Cooper said. “We should be going for peace, love and changing perspectives instead of celebrating war and killing people.”

Cooper referenced Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Facebook post following the president’s announcement.

In the post, Kehoe acknowledges that Iran has been a threat to the U.S., and asks people to pray for the safety of those serving in the military.

Iran and the U.S. have had a tense relationship leading up to the attack. A political science professor at the University of Missouri told ABC 17 News on Saturday that it dates back over 40 years. Although every president has had a different foreign policy stance with Iran, Trump was the first to engage in military action.

Shelby Dorfman, a protester from Columbia, said the attack is infuriating.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with the greater good and about being a part of community. This is just absolutely ridiculous,” Dorfman said. “This does not have to be our lives, we do not have to let this happen.”

Jordan Herrera is a veteran who drove from Kansas City to be a part of the protest at the Capitol.

“I’m a person who served in Iraq and Afghanistan on the premise that there were weapons of mass destruction, which we never found,” Herrera said. “If the Trump Administration is now going to say that they (Iran) have the ability to develop a missile, meaning they don’t have the missile technology today, they need to develop it, I don’t understand why we’re bombing Iran.”

He is also running for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, which Republican Mark Alford currently holds.

While the focus of the rally was to protest ICE and federal agent brutality involving citizens and noncitizens, one protester held a sign that read, “Let ICE show us what tough guys they are, send them to Iran to fight.”

Protesters speak out against ICE

Robert Olsen spoke at the protest about his best friend, Owen Ramsingh, who was detained by ICE in September for drug charges from his youth. Ramsingh was deported to the Netherlands in February.

Olsen said Ramsingh is struggling now that he’s out of an El Paso detention center.

“His daughter passed away about 11 months ago, and he’s been incarcerated in the ICE detention camp for five months,” Olsen said. “How do you think you’d be feeling? He’s traumatized.”

Ramsingh posted on Facebook shortly after arriving in his home country, the Netherlands, detailing the facility’s conditions.

Olsen said he’s seeing his best friend soon.

“I’m flying over there Wednesday to see him and give him the biggest hug that I’ve given him in many years,” Olsen said.

Dorfman said the whole situation is sad and infuriating.

“Because of how upsetting it is to see someone who changes Columbia in such a positive way to be taken from his home just because he went to visit his family members,” Dorfman said.

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Video forecast update on wintry precipitation falling in Mid-Missouri

KMIZ on March 2, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Watch a live update on wintry precipitation falling in Mid-Missouri and what’s expected early this evening.

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Fire crews rescue male hiker on Mission Canyon trail

KEYT on March 2, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews rescued a male hiker in his 20s via helicopter before 3:00 p.m. Sunday on the Tunnel Road Trail near Mission Canyon.

The hiker reported a medical complaint, and the SBCFD received assistance from Santa Barbara City Fire to rescue the hiker.

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YPD issues warning about scam calls

KYMA on March 1, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has issued a warning about scam calls Sunday.

According to a press release, they have received reports of a telephone scam where the phone number appears to be coming from YPD’s non-emergency line.

YPD says scammers are impersonating members of the department, as well as possibly impersonating other law enforcement agencies, to call residents and business to demand “immediate payment to avoid arrest.”

YPD says the calls are often “spoof phone numbers to make them appear legitimate,” and says they will never request money, credit card information, or tell anyone to pay “to resolve a warrant over the phone, text, or email.”

In order to avoid falling victim to these scam calls, YPD is offering the following tips:

Do not provide personal or financial information.

Hang up immediately if a caller demands money.

Report the call to the Yuma Police Department immediately.

Scam using PD numberDownload

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City of Yuma hosts 2026 Yuma BBQ and Brew Festival

KYMA on March 1, 2026

Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the City of Yuma’s 2026 Yuma BBQ and Brew Festival Saturday.

The festival, which took place from noon to 9 p.m. in Downtown Yuma, had over 35 BBQ vendors and 25 PBS-sanctioned BBQ pitmasters who came to Yuma from all over the U.S. to compete for who has the best barbecue.

The event had many community dances, a DJ, plenty of goodies for attendees to buy, and a band performing on the Main Stage.

“It’s very important for the community to come and support our local vendors, and come in and enjoy everything that’s free because what family doesn’t enjoy things for free,” said Brissa Garcia, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Yuma.

Local vendors also competed for the Best Local Barbecues, where the winner would receive $1,000.

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Locals attend Eighth Annual Fisher’s Landing Rib Cook-Off

KYMA on March 1, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County attended the Eighth Annual Fisher’s Landing Rib Cook-Off this weekend.

The annual event took place at Fisher’s Landing Resort Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and it was to benefit Amberly’s Place.

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to taste and judge the ribs of more than ten teams.

Scott Anderson, Associate Manager of Fisher’s Landing, said they had a record-breaking number of sponsors for this year’s cook-off.

“This year, we have 12 and two really big sponsors. And then a bunch other came in about $1,000 a pop…We certainly appreciate it. I know Amberly’s appreciates it and it’s just, it’s the sponsorships that help put on these big events like this,” Anderson expressed.

The first place winner received a $2,000 prize while the second and third place winners received other cash prizes.

For the list of winners, see attached file.

HISTORY of the RCO WinnersDownload

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CIF-SS Championship: Coachella Valley defeats Del Sol, Desert Hot Springs falls to Sierra Vista

KESQ on March 1, 2026

Kendall Flynn

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – The CIF Southern Section playoffs are closing out in the Coachella Valley and two local teams battled it out in their championship games on Saturday.

The Coachella Valley girls soccer team defeated Del Sol at home 3-2 in a hard-fought game. It’s the first ever championship win for the program. They’ve reached the semifinal four times and are nine-time league champions, but has fallen short of the CIF championship in years past.

The Arabs head coach Francisco Morales said the win was special for the team and the alumni who came to watch. For the players, they said it was a culmination of everything they’ve been working toward this season, and with the stands packed with fans, they felt supported through the whole journey.

“They’re a complete team,” Morales said. “I tell people like they’re they’re a group of young ladies that know their roles, bought into the culture of the team. And, and they all do their focus on their individual jobs, and they do their jobs well.”

Desert Hot Springs girls basketball fell to Sierra Vista on the road Saturday 52-42 , ending the Golden Eagles equally historic season. It was the first year they had ever reached the semifinals and championship.

Coachella Valley girls soccer will now head to the CIF State Championship to compete in Division IV regionals. Coachella Valley will be on the road March 3 to face Ramona at 5 p.m. in round one of regionals.

Desert Hot Springs will also be heading into the CIF Girls Basketball State Championship in Division V. The Golden Eagles will be on the road against the Vista Panthers with tip-off at 7 p.m. for round one of regionals

News Channel 3 will continue to follow their progress through the postseason.

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Santa Maria Police arrest three teens on weapons charges

KEYT on March 1, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Police officers arrested three teens just after 10:00 p.m. Saturday on weapons charges after their car failed to stop at a stop sign.

SMPD’s Gang Suppression Team conducted a patrol in the Miller Street and Chapel Street area before starting a traffic stop in the area when the teens’ car failed to stop.

SMPD officers then arrested three males: the 19-year-old driver, another 19-year-old passenger and a 17-year-old also in the car.

SMPD officers then also found two loaded guns where the passengers were seated and arrested all three in the car for weapons violations.

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SB County Animal services seek public aid in animal cruelty investigation

KEYT on March 1, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Animal Services is seeking public aid in an animal cruelty case from Feb. 17 in Lompoc.

The suspect wore a red beanie, a blue T-Shirt and jeans and is approximately 20 to 50 years of age, last seen heading north on the 200 block of North E Street in Lompoc around 3:20 p.m., according to the SBCAS.

The man had a tan, pug-type dog in his possession that has not been located and its welfare is a priority, according to the SBCAS.

The man is sought as a person of interest, though no formal charges have been filed. Investigators are trying to speak with the individual as part of the ongoing investigation, according to the SBCAS.

Those who recognize the man in the SBCAS released photo, or those who have information on the dog’s location are asked to contact the SBCAS or Animal Control Officer Hart.

Anonymous tips are also available at the SBCAS website.

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