Central Coast Now Using Drones For Conservation-Friendly Farming

KEYT on March 25, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Central Coast industrial farmers are beginning to use large drones designed specifically for conservation.

For the first time in 25 years, the U.S. Drought Monitor declared the state of California 100% drought free, thanks to the winter storms.

But that quarter century of persistent drought conditions has led to the development of farm technologies focused on conservation.

Drone manufacturer Hylio, Inc. has developed large drones designed specifically to increase output while reducing input, and they already have some clients on the Central Coast.

Conservation is always on the minds of industrial farmers.

“Basically a 10 to 1 water usage ratio,” says Arthur Erickson, CEO of Hylio. “So whatever a tractor might use for a similar application, the drone needs a 10th of that to be as effective, if not more effective. You go from 20 gallons an acre with a tractor to 2 or 3 gallons per acre with the drone. It’s obvious who the winner is here for, for doing applications.”

CEO of Hylio Arthur Erickson says this drone technology is here to stay, and can be instrumental in maintaining California’s status as drought-free.

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One year later: Pocatello community to gather in honor of non-verbal teen killed in police shooting

KIFI on March 25, 2026

Linda Larsen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Civil rights attorneys will host a public vigil on April 4 to honor Victor Perez, a non-verbal autistic teen who was shot and killed by Pocatello Police nearly one year ago. The memorial vigil will take place at 11:00 a.m. at 703 N. Harrison Ave. in Pocatello.

The vigil, organized by the law firms Burris Nisenbaum Curry & Lacy and Snake River Criminal Defense, marks the anniversary of the fatal shooting. Perez, who also had cerebral palsy, died after four officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at his family’s home.

Organizers say the vigil is intended not only to honor Victor’s life, but also to show the Perez family that the community has not forgotten him and continues to stand with them.

The vigil program will include a moment of silence and a series of speakers close to the family and the case. Participants are invited to bring items to contribute to a memorial at the 703 N. Harrison Ave. site.

Shooting and Legal Background

The shooting happened only seconds after officers arrived at a Perez family barbecue. Perez, who was known to have violent outbursts due to his condition, had gotten hold of a large kitchen knife and was swinging it at family members as they attempted to take it from him. A neighbor called 911 to report the incident, mistakenly telling dispatchers that Perez was drunk.

Attorneys with Burris Nisenbaum Curry & Lacy highlighted the impact of the tragedy on the Perez family. “Victor was shot by Pocatello police on April 5, 2025,” the firm stated in a news release. “In the year since, his family has continued to live with the profound loss of his presence in their daily lives.”

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office investigated the incident and determined the four officers involved would not face criminal charges, noting it is legally bound to consider only the facts “known or reasonably believed” by the officers at the time of the shooting.

“None of the four shooting officers were aware of Perez’s age or his disabilities at the time of the shooting,” Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye wrote in a letter to the press. “The officer’s knowledge was limited to what dispatch reported, and dispatch’s knowledge was limited to what the 911 caller reported.”

RELATED: Officers in Victor Perez Shooting will not face criminal charges, Pocatello Mayor responds

In June 2025, attorneys representing the Perez family filed a civil lawsuit not only for the life of Victor Perez, but also a civil suit for the endangerment of the lives of two members of the family, Victor’s sister and mother, who were standing nearby at the time he was shot.

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Direct Relief Reaches Flood-Hit Communities in Hawaii

KEYT on March 25, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Urgent relief is reaching flood-hit communities in Hawaii.

Local emergency teams from Direct Relief are on the ground delivering critical supplies to people forced from their homes.

Aid includes medicines, vaccines, clean water support, and basic essentials for families in crisis.

Crews are working quickly as communities face unsafe water and difficult conditions.

“Because of the large amount of water the area has received… the extra, also an influx of bugs right now… so yeah just here making sure community has what they need,” said emergency response communications, Brea Burkholz of Direct Relief.

Relief efforts are expected to continue as communities begin the recovery process.

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Better Business Bureau: File your taxes for free, if you qualify

KYMA on March 25, 2026

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Hiring a professional tax preparer can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and they may be necessary in some cases. 

If you’re looking for a tax professional, check reviews and for trusted Better Business Bureau Accredited preparers at bbb.org, but if your tax picture is fairly simple, there are a number of ways to file your federal and state taxes for free, if you qualify!!

The IRS partners with various tax preparation services to offer free file: https://www.irs.gov/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free

California residents may be able to file state taxes for free through the Franchise Tax Board: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/index.asp

Arizona residents may qualify for free file through the state’s Department of Revenue: https://azdor.gov/file-and-pay/e-file-services/free-tax-return-preparation

TurboTax offers free federal and state tax filing for simpler returns if you meet certain requirements: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp

H&R Block offers free file for simpler returns if you qualify: https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/free-online-tax-filing/?srsltid=AfmBOoqjy4QV_v7QOlOZsquFf2wxJzBrGs0VpUwEPVzhwtEYhT-9aNWk

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GoFundMe created for family of man who died after being hit by a vehicle in Imperial

KYMA on March 25, 2026

Moses Femino

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – A GoFundMe has been created for the family of the man who died after being hit by a vehicle in Imperial last week.

41-year-old Ruben Camargo was traveling southbound on State Route 86, north of Aten Road, after 12:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Imperial when he was hit by a GMC Sierra.

After the Imperial Police Department (IPD) arrived on scene, they, along with the Imperial County Fire Department, performed life-saving measures before Camargo was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, but he was later flown to UC San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center, where he later died.

According to IPD, the driver of the GMC remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation, and says impairment did not factor in the crash.

The GoFundMe was created to help ease Camargo’s family with the “financial burden of arranging funeral services” to honor his memory.

The GoFundMe has a goal of $7,000, with over $5,500 raised so far. If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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National Fastpitch Resource opens in Brawley

KYMA on March 25, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A new space dedicated to fastpitch softball players held it’s grand opening on Wednesday, March 24.

National Fastpitch Prospects is officially open in Brawley, featuring a store with gear, apparel, and resources for young softball players.

Community members, city council members and families came out to meet the staff and celebrate the growth of E-1 sports in the region.

Fastpitch Prospects aims to help give resources to student athletes in rural areas, like Imperial Valley.

“While opportunities flourish in major metropolitan areas many of our local athletes were left without exposure they needed to pursue their dream,” said Victor Nava, President of the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Organizers say they hope the store and the organizations can become a resource hub for beginner and advanced softball players looking to take their game to the next level.

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City of San Luis, Arizona offers new way for people to park

KYMA on March 25, 2026

Abraham Retana

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Starting in April, there will be a new way to pay for parking in Downtown San Luis, Arizona.

San Luis will have two new ways to pay for parking, with the first one being through a phone app called “Park Smarter.”

“The application will give the parking you just put the license plate you change the time and put the information to charge for parking,” said Francia Alonso, Public Information Officer with the City of San Luis.

The app is available for iPhones and Androids. However, the second way to pay is by sending a text message.

“Another option you guys have is text to a number that is going to be displayed at all the parking stations which will be text ‘PAY’ to 77447,” Alonso shared.

The cost of parking remains 50 cents per hour, with a five-hour parking limit. The new ways to pay to park start April 1.

To learn more about this, click here.

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Santa Barbara’s “Library on the Go” Expands with New Van

KEYT on March 25, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a morning ceremony at the Michael Towbes Plaza, the Santa Barbara Public Library announced the arrival of its second “Library on the Go” mobile outreach vehicle.

They’re calling this addition, “Library on the Go 2.0.”

It’s part of the library’s continued outreach to community areas and residents without immediate access to the library and its services.

The staff reminded the community, that even decades ago, the library was bringing books to workers building Gibraltar dam, delivered on a wagon to Cuyama.

“Library on the Go” was introduced during the COVID pandemic in 2021. It also picked up more interest during the main library construction in 2023 when there were many days with limited access. That’s when the library sent the van out more often to meet the community needs.

Supervising Librarian Lisa Gonzalez said, “life is so busy and we really want to make it easier by bringing the library right to you. So we’ve been dreaming of this increased access to libraries and books for years now.”

In 2025, there were 709 hours of public service logged at 373 “Library on the Go” van stops, “including participation in 13 major community events. During that time, we circulated 6783 items and created 513 new library cards, ” said Santa Barbara Librarian Brandon Beaudette. “So we’re literally just bringing you the same service you get here.”

Gonzalez said, “libraries are all about access access to books, access to information, access to ways to connect with each other.”Funding for “Library on the Go 1.0” was made possible by the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.

Funding for “Library on the Go 2.0” came from the California State Library and a donation from the James M. Cox Foundation. Cox Market Vice President Kirsten McLaughlin said, “last year, we celebrated with the city with one of those big checks when we granted them $250,000 for this incredible vehicle. “

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El Centro man arrested in connection to assault with a deadly weapon

KYMA on March 25, 2026

Skylar Heisey

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) says a man has been arrested in connection to an assault from earlier this week.

According to a press release, the arrest happened Tuesday in the area of Bucklin Park where the suspect, a 45-year-old man from El Centro, was taken into custody without incident.

ECPD says the man was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer.

The arrest stemmed from an assault, which happened Monday, where a victim was hit with a baseball bat and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to ECPD.

The investigation is ongoing, and if anyone has information regarding the case, call ECPD at (760) 352-2111.

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Report: Columbia fire union president arrested at restaurant

KMIZ on March 25, 2026

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia police incident report provides more details about the arrest of the leader of the Columbia Firefighters’ Union.

Zachary Privette, 38, was arrested on Monday night. Online records show he was released from jail after posting a $4,500 bond.

The report states officers were called Monday to Trumans Bar and Grill at 9:10 p.m. for a physical altercation. It adds that the victim was a man, born in 1962.

Privette was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault involving a special victim. No formal charges have been filed as of Wednesday morning.

Columbia Police Department spokesman Colin Imhoff told ABC 17 News the incident was determined to involve a “special victim” because “the victim was considered to be elderly according to Missouri law.”

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