City of Redmond issues call for artists for exhibit of paintings to honor America’s 250th birthday

KTVZ on March 27, 2026

Barney Lerten

 REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Redmond’s Commission for Art in Public Places announced Thursday a call for Oregon artists to submit digital images of original two-dimensional paintings for an art display at Centennial Park that will honor America’s 250th birthday.

The selected artworks will be enlarged into 5-by-5-foot Aluminum Composite Material panels and displayed outdoors for about two years.

Two artists will be chosen — one for each side of a two-sided display structure — offering a prominent large-scale showcase of their work in the heart of downtown Redmond. 

Interested artists and artists teams will want to review the request for proposals available online at redmondoregon.gov/CalltoArtists and submit their proposal(s) before 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 30. 

America 250 Theme 

This year’s display honors America 250, the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Officials say the artwork should reflect themes connected to the American experience — its diverse histories, landscapes, cultures, shared values, or community spirit. Artists are invited to interpret the theme broadly and creatively, expressing what “American” means through their own artistic perspective. 

The project strengthens Redmond’s growing public art collection and offers residents and visitors an engaging way to experience local creativity in the heart of downtown. The 2-D display is located at Centennial Park, located on the north side of Evergreen Avenue between 7th and 9th streets, directly across from Redmond City Hall. 

For more information about the RFP or RCAPP, please visit www.redmondoregon.gov/RCAPP or contact RCAPP Liaison Cory Murray and 541-504-3062 or cory.murray@redmondoregon.gov. 

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Missouri Gaming Division sees downward trend for arrests at Missouri casinos

KMIZ on March 27, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

An armed robbery at a Mid-Missouri casino Wednesday is drawing renewed attention to security measures at the state’s gaming facilities.

Authorities say two men, one armed with a rifle and the other with a handgun, robbed the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville around 2 p.m. and fled with an unknown amount of money. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the suspects initially escaped in a Ford Taurus that was later found abandoned in Howard County before switching vehicles and remaining at large.

While the robbery involved guns and a multi-agency response, state data shows such incidents are relatively uncommon at Missouri casinos.

According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Isle of Capri recorded just seven arrests in 2025, all for misdemeanors, and no felony arrests. The casino also had 11 criminal investigations that year, tying it with the Century Casino in Caruthersville for the fewest arrests statewide. River City Casino in St. Louis and the Hollywood Casino in Maryland Heights were tied for the most arrests at 130 a piece. 

Oversight and enforcement at Missouri casinos fall largely to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Gaming Division, which maintains a constant presence at licensed facilities and investigates criminal activity.

The division has an authorized strength of 125 members, though staffing stood at 92 officers and two civilians at the end of 2025; and is divided into administrative, investigative and enforcement units that handle everything from licensing background checks to on-site criminal cases. 

In fiscal year 2025, the division’s Casino Enforcement Unit conducted 1,195 criminal investigations and made 1,497 arrests, 405 of which were for felonies.  That total marks a decline from 1,622 arrests in 2024, 426 of which were felony arrests according to MSHP’s annual reports.

Arrests across the state’s eight casinos were also down in 2025. In 2025 the Gaming Division made 656 arrests at casinos, down from 1,003 in 2024 and 1,303 in 2023. Of the 656 people arrested in 2025, 320 were arrested for a felony. 

Casino operators are responsible for day-to-day security, but employees must be licensed through the Missouri Gaming Commission. The licensing process includes background checks, with MSHP’s Gaming Division assisting in investigations of applicants and potential violations.

Under Missouri law, security personnel working in and around casinos must meet strict licensing requirements, including fingerprinting and criminal history checks. However, those holding a gaming commission occupational license for casino security are exempt from some local licensing rules.

The Gaming Division also oversees thousands of licensees, more than 9,000 active occupational license holders and conducts hundreds of investigations annually, including cases involving gaming offenses, white-collar crime and regulatory compliance. 

Despite that oversight, specific security details, including the number of guards at individual casinos,  are not publicly disclosed.

State records show the Isle of Capri employs 313 workers and operates a 28,000-square foot gaming floor with 650 electronic gaming devices and 15 table games. 

The FBI tracks robbery data nationwide but does not break it down by location type, meaning statistics on casino-specific robberies are not available.

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Columbia police hold active-shooter response training while schools are on spring break

KMIZ on March 27, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department announced in a social media post that it is using unoccupied school buildings for active-shooter response training this week while students are on spring break.

More than 40 officers completed their training this week and more sessions will be held throughout the year, the post says.

“The training was co-developed by multiple Boone County law enforcement agencies, including the University of Missouri Police Department, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbia Police, and is being taught by instructors from each of those agencies,” the post says.

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Deschutes County’s population has grown the most in Oregon this decade; Crook County’s growth rate tops state

KTVZ on March 27, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Halfway through the 2020s – a decade in which Americans’ lives were greatly impacted by the COVID pandemic – Deschutes County has added more residents than any other Oregon county, while Crook County’s growth rate tops the state. 

Those are two Central Oregon highlights from the U.S. Census Bureau’s county population estimates for July 1, 2025, released Thursday, which shows a definite slowing growth trend – or even declines – around the country.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang said the area remains an attractive destination for new residents.

“I’m not surprised. I mean, this is a great place to live,” Chang said. “You know, we have access to outdoor recreation, good schools, strong economy. You know, lots of things to do in our communities.”

Chang noted that officials are tracking how the increasing population will impact local resources like land and utilities.

“There is a lot of concern about how much land all that growth will consume, how much water all that growth will consume, how much electricity will be needed to support 300,000 people in Deschutes County in 2043,” Chang said.

The City of Bend is also preparing for the influx, as its population is projected to grow to nearly 1.5 times its current size by 2068. Russell Grayson, the City of Bend chief operating officer, said the city must prioritize infrastructure to keep pace with the arrival of new residents.

“There’s a lot of investment that needs to go on with infrastructure to make sure that we can accommodate that growth,” Grayson said. “And so we’re always trying to play that game of staying in contact with that growth and making sure that our infrastructure can support it.”

The new figures show Deschutes County had a July 2025 estimated population of 213,072 people. That’s an increase of 1,870 residents from 2024, up nearly a full percent in a year. The county also has added 14,811 more people since July 2020 – a 7.5% increase, which is No. 1 in the state. 

City of Bend Senior Planner Damian Syrnyk tells KTVZ News the breakdown of those numbers is even more telling – as the growth is based far more on newcomers than on growing families. 

“Deschutes County has seen, over the last five years, our population growth from natural increase – births exceeding deaths – is becoming a much smaller component” of the total, Syrnyk told us. “Most of it has been from net migration – more people moving in than moving out.” 

In fact, he said, a whopping 97% of Deschutes County’s growth this decade is attributed to more newcomers’ arrivals than those who have left. 

Crook County’s population estimate for last July 1 was 27,564, an increase of 244 people in a year, almost a percent. But the county has grown by 2,825 people over the past five years – a growth rate of 11.4% that is the fastest in the state, according to the new estimates. 

Jefferson County, meanwhile, added 55 people in the year ended last July, or .2%. It’s grown by 1,225 people, or 5% since 2020. 

While .2% sounds small, that’s twice the growth rate seen in Oregon’s most populous county, Multnomah, which added just over 900 residents last year, a .1% increase. The latest population for that county is down 2.6% this decade. 

Smaller counties can lead the way, when you look at county rankings. Sherman County, for example, added 36 residents last year, for a total population of 2,051 – but that 1.8% annual growth rate is No. 1 in the state.

KTVZ News reported last fall on a different set of Oregon population estimates, compiled from similar but different data by Portland State University’s Population Research Center. 

It showed, for example, Deschutes County adding 2,764 residents in the year ended last July – nearly 1,000 more than the Census Bureau – but a lower total population of 213,886 people. 

The Census Bureau is expected to release its city population estimates for July 1, 2025 in May.

Here’s the national picture, as the Census Bureau reported on Thursday:

Slow Growth Impacts Nation’s Largest Counties HardestDiminishing Population Gains in Metro Areas Highlight Nationwide Trend

MARCH 26, 2026 – Population growth slowed in a majority of the nation’s 3,143 counties and the District of Columbia between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the Vintage 2025 population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Among the 2,066 counties that grew between 2023 and 2024, nearly 8 in 10 saw their growth slow or reverse direction in 2025. In many cases, counties already in decline saw losses accelerate.

Meanwhile, 310 of the 387 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (metro areas) had slower growth between 2024 and 2025 than during the prior year. The three metro areas with the steepest percentage point declines in population growth rates were along the U.S.-Mexico border: Laredo, TX (from 3.2% in 2023-2024 to 0.2% from 2024 to 2025); Yuma, AZ (3.3% to 1.4%); and El Centro, CA (1.2% to -0.7%).

These shifts were largely due to lower levels of net international migration (NIM), which declined nationwide. Nine out of 10 U.S. counties experienced lower NIM levels between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, compared to the year prior. The one in 10 counties that did not see a drop in international migration did not see an increase either.

Some of the country’s most populous counties experienced the greatest impacts from lower NIM. These counties typically had more births than deaths (natural increase) as well as negative net domestic migration — more people moving out than moving in from other areas of the country. Coupled with reduced NIM, the result was slower growth or, in some cases, population decline.

“The nation’s largest counties like those in the New York metro area are often international migration hubs, gaining large numbers of international migrants and losing people that move to other parts of the country via domestic migration,” explained George M. Hayward, a Census Bureau demographer. “With fewer gains from international migration, these types of counties saw their population growth diminish or even turn into loss.”

The Population Estimates Program uses current data on births, deaths and migration to calculate population change since the most recent decennial census (2020 Census) and produce an annual time series of population estimates. Today’s release includes population totals and components of change for U.S. counties and metro areas and micropolitan statistical areas (micro areas), and total population for Puerto Rico municipios and metro/micro areas. Tables are available on census.gov/popest.

Key Takeaways

Geographically, many of the fastest-growing counties were in states along the southeast coast of the United States in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

Among some of the largest metro areas, the fastest-growing counties tended to be on the outer edges, a pattern especially pronounced in Texas.

Among counties with populations of 20,000 or more, nine of the top 10 fastest-growing counties were in the South, as were 45 out of the top 50.

Growth declined dramatically in metro areas — on average from 1.1% between 2023 and 2024 to 0.6% between 2024 and 2025.

This shift was largely due to NIM reductions, especially since net domestic migration losses waned and natural increase had no noticeable change.

County Highlights

The number of counties in 2025 with natural decrease (more deaths than births) was 2,055 or 65% — roughly the same level as the prior two years, but still lower than between 2021 and 2022 when around 75% of counties had natural decrease.

Domestic migration patterns continue to redistribute the population from the largest counties to less populous ones. Collectively, the 50 counties with 1 million or more people in 2025 had a net domestic migration loss of 637,634. In contrast, large counties (50,000-999,999 in population) had a combined net domestic migration gain of 533,766, and medium-sized counties (15,000-49,999) had a net domestic migration gain of 95,095. Even small counties (less than 15,000) had a slight net domestic migration gain of 8,773.

NIM dropped by 20,000 or more in 10 counties. These counties (0.3% of all counties) made up 25.5% of the nation’s total NIM reduction between 2024 and 2025.

Refer to the bottom of the release for tables on Population Change by County Size, Components of Population Change by County Size, Top 10 Most Populous Counties, Top 10 Counties by Numeric Growth: 2024 to 2025, Top 10 Counties by Percent Growth: 2024 to 2025, Top 10 Counties by Numeric Decline: 2024 to 2025, and Top 10 Counties by Percent Decline: 2024 to 2025.

Metro and Micro Areas

Between 2024 and 2025, metro areas grew faster (0.6%) than micro areas (0.2%) or the territory outside of metro/micro areas (0.1%). However, all three saw their growth reduced to about half of what it had been between 2023 and 2024 (1.1%, 0.5%, and 0.2%, respectively).

In their entirety, metro areas lost population between 2024 and 2025 through net domestic migration (-119,205). But those losses were offset by gains in both NIM (1,209,432) and natural increase (613,743), resulting in overall population increase (1,704,826; 0.6%).

Between 2024 and 2025, micro areas and the territory outside of metro/micro areas both lost population from natural decrease (-39,119 and -55,766, respectively) — losses that were balanced by gains from domestic migration (67,419 and 51,786) and NIM (36,655 and 16,155). As a result, micro areas grew by 64,867 (0.2%), and the territory outside of metro/micro areas grew by 11,367 (0.1%).

Refer to the bottom of the release for tables on Population Change by Metro/Micro Area Status, Components of Population Change by Metro/Micro Area Status, Top 10 U.S. Metro Areas by Numeric Growth: 2024 to 2025, Top 10 U.S. Metro Areas by Percent Growth: 2024 to 2025, Top 10 U.S. Micro Areas by Numeric Growth: 2024 to 2025, and Top 10 U.S. Micro Areas by Percent Growth: 2024 to 2025.

Technical Notes

The most recent net international migration estimates reflect methodological improvements, including the incorporation of additional administrative data at the subnational level. Details are available in the Random Samplings blog, “New Population Estimates Show Historic Decline in Net International Migration.”

The Census Bureau in June is scheduled to release July 1, 2025, population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin for the nation, states metro and micro areas and counties, and population by age and sex for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its municipios. Vintage 2025 incorporates the 2020 Census by full demographic detail (age, sex, race and Hispanic origin) into the April 1, 2020, estimates base for the first time. These data will be embargoed.

With each new release of annual estimates, the entire time series of estimates is revised for all years back to the date of the last census. All previously published estimates (i.e., old vintages) are superseded and archived on the FTP2 site. Due to periodic methodological updates, year-to-year comparisons in the estimates should only be done within the same vintage.

Tables

Population and Population Change by County Size in 2025: 2023-24 vs. 2024-25

Components of Population Change (Rates per 1,000) by County Size in 2025: 2023-24 vs. 2024-25

Population and Population Change by Metro/Micro Area Status: 2023-24 vs. 2024-25

Components of Population Change (Rates per 1,000) by Metro/Micro Area Status: 2023-24 vs. 2024-25

Top 10 Most Populous Counties: July 1, 2025

Top 10 Counties by Numeric Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 Counties by Percent Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 Counties by Numeric Decline: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 Counties by Percent Decline: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 U.S. Metro Areas by Numeric Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 U.S. Metro Areas by Percent Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 U.S. Micro Areas by Numeric Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

Top 10 U.S. Micro Areas by Percent Growth: July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025

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Problem Solvers: Student-led initiative to combat growing mental health issues in schools

KTVZ on March 27, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend-La Pine School’s Healthy Schools program has resulted in a 21% reduction in behavioral health-related emergency department visits since its inception. The initiative, which targets student mental health and suicide prevention, has saved between $812,000 and $1.5 million in associated health care costs.

Partnership Formed to Address Adolescent Health

The program was created in 2021 in partnership with Deschutes County to address worsening adolescent health issues, including alcohol and drug use and disruptive behavior. Recent data from a 2024 student health survey revealed that nearly 11% of 11th graders in the district had considered attempting suicide (see full study below), while national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed approximately 37% of students reported regular mental health struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students Lead Suicide Prevention Efforts

One of the primary initiatives within the district is Sources of Strength, a student-led suicide prevention program that focuses on stories of hope rather than trauma. Kayla Brandon, a senior at Caldera High School and a nationally recognized peer leader, helps facilitate these efforts.

“The Sources of Strength program is an up strength suicide prevention program,” Brandon said. “So we focus on stories of hope instead of stories of trauma.”

Changing Perspectives on Mental Health

Daisy Chavez, a junior at Caldera High School and also a nationally recognized peer leader, said the program changed her perspective on the importance of the topic.

“I really got drawn into the idea of really realizing how mental health is a bigger topic,” Chavez said. “I think at first I was like, it’s not that big of a deal. And then once I got into it, you really do learn so much about what mental health is, how it impacts others and how you can also help others who are in that situation as well.”

Curriculum Builds Skills and Trust

Chavez noted that students have seen a visible increase in suicide and depression rates among their peers. The curriculum focuses on eight essential health skills, including advocacy, decision-making and accessing reliable resources.

Neil Seibert, a health and PE teacher at Caldera High School, said these skills provide a foundation for healthy habits and trust-building between students and mentors.

“We have eight essential health skills that we focus on, accessing valid and reliable resources, advocacy, decision making,” Seibert said. “Practicing health enhancing behaviors. And so those skills set the foundation for everything that we cover in our health curriculum.”

Peer Events and Family Engagement

During March, peer leaders organized a Mentor Madness event where students and mentors competed in games in the gymnasium and classrooms. Beyond the classroom, the district emphasizes parental engagement through family nights.

Hailey Barth, a public health specialist, explained that these events allow students to teach their families the resiliency skills they have learned.

“We have hosted multiple family nights throughout the district where this is a peer led program,” Barth said. “So students are planning this. They’re inviting their families to these events and they’re also teaching, their parents and families the resiliency skills they’re learning in the program.”

Family Connection Strengthens Mental Health

Federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports this focus on family connection. Regular family rituals such as shared dinners, walks or movies are associated with 40% fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety in teenagers.

Expansion Ahead for Healthy Schools Program

The district currently offers the Healthy Schools program in every high school.Bend-La Pine Schools officials are now working to implement the program in middle schools across the district.

Bend-LaPine Administrative School District 1 2024 (1)Download

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City of Goleta Issues Temporary Parking Restrictions for Deltopia Weekend

KEYT on March 26, 2026

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Goleta regarding upcoming parking restrictions for the surrounding areas and neighborhoods around Isla Vista.

GOLETA, Calif. – The City of Goleta’s temporary parking permit program returns once again for Deltopia. The unsanctioned event in Isla Vista is usually held the weekend after students return from their Spring Break, and this year it is anticipated for Friday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 5th. Over the past several years, a temporary permit-only on-street parking program for Goleta residents near Isla Vista was implemented and deemed successful in easing the impacts felt by residents. Restricted parking will be in effect from Noon on Friday, April 3rd through 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 5th.

Parking permits are issued for the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista: University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The area requiring permit includes Hollister Avenue to the southern City limit (generally Whittier Drive), from Cannon Green Drive (including those cul-de-sac streets on the west side of Cannon Green Drive) to Storke Road.

Courtesy of the City of Goleta

Each impacted Goleta household will receive two passes in their mailbox by Friday, March 27th. The parking permits are required to be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window for vehicles parked on the street during restricted hours. Vehicles parked in private driveways do not require a permit. Should Deltopia move to the following weekend, the restrictions will be in place from Noon on Friday, April 10th to 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 12th.

Signage will be posted on the streets in advance to remind residents, and electronic message boards will be at several entrances to the University 1 and 2 neighborhoods. Vehicles parked on the street not displaying the appropriate permit will be subject to ticketing and/or towing.

Similar to last year, Girsh Park will be issuing daytime permits to those attending organized activities at the park on April 4th. Affected families will receive their permits ahead of time from their leagues.

If you live in the area designated to receive a parking permit and have not received yours, please contact the City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Department at 805-961-7554 or parkingfeedback@cityofgoleta.gov to make arrangements for a replacement.

A map and FAQs can be found here: https://cityofgoleta.org/parkingrestrictions.

Traducción al español:

GOLETA, Calif. – El programa temporal de permisos de estacionamiento de la ciudad de Goleta regresa una vez más para Deltopia. El evento no autorizado en Isla Vista suele celebrarse el fin de semana después de que los estudiantes regresen de sus vacaciones de primavera, y este año se espera que sea del viernes 3 al domingo 5 de abril. En los últimos años, se implementó un programa temporal de estacionamiento en la calle solo con permiso para los residentes de Goleta cerca de Isla Vista, que se consideró exitoso para mitigar los impactos que sufren los residentes. El estacionamiento restringido estará en vigor desde el mediodía del viernes 3 de abril hasta las 7:00 a.m. del domingo 5 de abril.

Se emiten permisos de estacionamiento para los vecindarios de Goleta más cercanos a Isla Vista: los vecindarios de University 1 y University 2, incluyendo el complejo de condominios Cannon Green. La zona que requiere permisos incluye la Avenida Hollister hasta el límite sur de la ciudad (generalmente Whittier Drive), desde Cannon Green Drive (incluyendo las calles sin salida en el lado oeste de Cannon Green Drive) hasta Storke Road.

Cada hogar afectado en Goleta recibirá dos pases en su buzón antes del viernes 27 de marzo. Los permisos de estacionamiento deben estar pegados con cinta adhesiva al interior de la ventana del lado del conductor para los vehículos aparcados en la calle durante el horario restringido. Los vehículos estacionados en entradas privadas no requieren permiso. Si Deltopia se traslada al siguiente fin de semana, las restricciones estarán vigentes desde el mediodía del viernes 10 de abril hasta las 7:00 a.m. del domingo 12 de abril.

Se colocarán señales en las calles con antelación para recordarlo a los residentes, y habrá foros electrónicos en varias entradas de los barrios de la Universidad 1 y 2. Los vehículos estacionados en la calle que no muestren el permiso correspondiente estarán sujetos a multas y/o remolque.

Al igual que el año pasado, el Parque Girsh emitirá permisos diurnos a quienes asistan a actividades organizadas en el parque el 4 de abril. Las familias afectadas recibirán sus permisos con antelación de sus ligas.

Si reside en la zona designada para recibir un permiso de estacionamiento y no ha recibido el suyo, por favor contacte con el Departamento de Servicios Vecinales de la Ciudad de Goleta al 805-961-7554 o parkingfeedback@cityofgoleta.gov para organizar un reemplazo.

Aquí puedes encontrar un mapa y preguntas frecuentes: https://cityofgoleta.org/parkingrestrictions.

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Hotel Bed Tax Revenue Remains Strong for Santa Barbara

KEYT on March 26, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The latest hotel bed tax figures are out for Santa Barbara and they are up.

The City Finance Department says the bed tax, or transient occupancy tax (TOT), was above the projection of $2 million by about 10 percent. For the fiscal year dating back to July 2024, the fees have exceeded expectations in every month but one.

The TOT is a key component to the city’s annual general revenue. This uptick comes at a time when there are serious funding concerns across the board due to a variety of changes in the financial picture including cuts from the federal and state governments.

The highest income month in the fiscal year so far has been January, exceed almost 34 percent.

The lowest was September of 2024 which was down about three percent.

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Kid’s World Playground to Close for Maintenance

KEYT on March 26, 2026

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding the upcoming closure of Kid’s World Playground for maintenance.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Kid’s World, the 8,000-square-foot wooden playground within Alameda Park, will be closed for regularly scheduled maintenance from Tuesday, April 7, through Friday April 17. The unique all-wood structure requires a special maintenance regimen to ensure it can hold up against the elements year after year.

During the closure, City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department staff will conduct a thorough inspection of the playground and make any necessary repairs before deep cleaning, re-staining, and resealing the structure. The closure will ensure enough time for the stain and sealant to cure properly and protect the wood from moisture damage. The closure has been timed to take place after spring break and before the annual Earth Day Festival to reduce the impact on local families who use the playground.

Kid’s World is expected to reopen the afternoon of Friday, April 17.

Kid’s World, Santa Barbara’s largest playground, was constructed in 1993 by hundreds of community volunteers under the direction of Leathers and Associates, a firm recognized for its imaginative playground designs. The playground was built in just one week, with significant input from local residents and children who helped inform the design. Tiles featuring the handprints of children who participated in planning and construction remain visible around the structure. In 2018, Kid’s World underwent a full renovation to comply with updated accessibility requirements and building codes.

For more places to enjoy in the city of Santa Barbara, visit Parks & Recreation Spaces (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Parks).

Traducción al español:

SANTA BÁRBARA, Calif. – Kid’s World, el parque infantil de 8,000 pies cuadrados dentro de Alameda Park, estará cerrado por mantenimiento programado del martes 7 de abril al viernes 17 de abril. La estructura única, completamente de madera, requiere un régimen de mantenimiento especial para garantizar que pueda soportar las inclemencias del tiempo año tras año.

Durante el cierre, el personal del Departamento de Parques y Recreación de la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara realizará una inspección completa del parque infantil y llevará a cabo las reparaciones necesarias antes de limpiar a fondo, volver a teñir y sellar la estructura. Este cierre asegura que el tinte y el sellador tengan el tiempo suficiente para curarse correctamente y proteger la madera contra daños por humedad. El mantenimiento se ha programado después de las vacaciones de primavera y antes del festival del día de la Tierra (Earth Day Festival), para reducir el impacto en las familias locales que utilizan el parque.

Se espera que Kid’s World reabra la tarde del viernes 17 de abril.

Kid’s World, el parque infantil más grande de Santa Bárbara, fue construido en 1993 por cientos de voluntarios de la comunidad bajo la dirección de Leathers and Associates, una firma reconocida por sus diseños imaginativos de parques infantiles. El parque se construyó en tan solo una semana, con una importante participación de residentes y niños locales que ayudaron a informar el diseño. Los azulejos con las huellas de manos de los niños que participaron en la planificación y construcción siguen visibles alrededor de la estructura. En 2018, Kid’s World se sometió a una renovación completa para cumplir con los requisitos actualizados de accesibilidad y los códigos de construcción.

Para descubrir más lugares para disfrutar en la ciudad de Santa Bárbara, visita Parks & Recreation Spaces (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Parks).

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Holy cow! This stuck heifer required heavy machinery to free it from cattle guard

KIFI on March 26, 2026

Fox13

Originally Published: 26 MAR 26 14:15 ET

By Spencer Burt

Click here for updates on this story

    GRAND COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — It just couldn’t moooooo-ve.

Multiple police agencies and local volunteers stepped up Wednesday to save a cow whose lack of fear got the best of it.

The animal stepped into a cattle guard and got stuck, according to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Cattle guards are metal grates that act as a barrier when a road goes through a fence on open range land. Cows and other hoofed animals tend to avoid the guards because the spaces between the bars are just wide enough for their hoof or foot to get stuck, while small enough to allow cars and trucks to drive over them.

However, the cow in question ignored that and apparently stepped on the grate with reckless abandon, falling in.

Sheriff’s deputies worked with Utah Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Land Management to rescue the stuck cow. Some ranchers even volunteered to help.

The crew took an excavator and attached a heavy-duty chain to its bucket. That chain was then connected to some towing straps and a long piece of cloth, which they roped around the animal to lift it out.

“Situations like this don’t always have a positive outcome, so we’re grateful this one ended well,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.

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Starting Monday- Street sweepers will be cleaning our streets

KIFI on March 26, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho —To remove sand and debris from roadways, the City of Idaho Falls Street Division will begin sweeping residential streets on Monday, March 30.

The sweeping schedule is divided into zones, with each zone anticipated to be completed in one day. A map of the zones will be updated with upcoming dates as the sweeping begins and can be found here.

Residents are encouraged to move cars and trucks from the street on their scheduled sweeping day to help crews complete their work efficiently.

Once residential roads are cleared, they will move to larger roads and freeways. Then the sweeping will fall into a routine of scheduled street sweeping until October.

The first zones to be swept are zones B12 and B13, from 1st street to 17th street, between Holmes Avenue and St Clair Road.

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