Update: Deschutes National Forest cancels Tuesday’s prescribed burn SE of Bend

KTVZ on April 20, 2026

Kelsey Merison

(Update: Tuesday burn to be rescheduled)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters are cancelling today’s Flank 1 Prescribed Burn due to unfavorable conditions.

According to Central Oregon Fire Info, “The Flank 1 Prescribed Burn is located 15 miles southeast of Bend on the west side of Forest Service Road (FSR) 18 just north of FSR 18 and FSR 25 junction and Camp II OHV Staging Area. Firefighters completed 200 acres of ignitions yesterday.

Trail closures are in place for the Opine OHV Trails System for Trail #020, #022, and #025. Closures will remain in place for multiple days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Firefighters will reopen trails once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.

Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires. Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.”

ORIGINAL REPORT:

If conditions remain favorable, the Deschutes National Forest plans to continue on Tuesday a 501-acre prescribed burning operation that it began Monday on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District southeast of Bend.

Firefighters plan to continue prescribed burning operations on the Flank 1 Prescribed Burn 15 miles southeast of Bend on the west side of Forest Service Road 18 just north of the FSR 18 and FSR 25 junction and the Camp II OHV Staging Area.

Firefighters completed 200 acres of ignitions Monday and will finish the remaining 301 acres Tuesday, if conditions are favorable, forest officials said, noting that it’s is the final prescribed burning unit within the Flank Burn Plan area.

Ignitions are planned around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and will be visible from Highway 20 and portions of Bend.

Trail closures are in place for the Opine OHV Trails System for Trail #020, #022, and #025. Closures will remain in place for multiple days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Firefighters will reopen trails once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.

These operations are designed to manage forest health and protect nearby homes from potential wildfires.

These closures will remain in place for multiple days. They will be lifted once mop-up and patrol operations are complete and firefighters have assessed the trails as safe for public use.

Prescribed burns serve an important role in protecting homes from tragic wildfires, officials say. Fire management officials collaborate with smoke specialists from the Oregon Department of Forestry to plan these operations effectively.

During and after the burn, smoke may settle in low-lying areas during overnight and early morning hours. Residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to mitigate smoke impacts.

Utilizing a portable air cleaner is recommended if available, ensuring it runs with doors and windows closed. A do-it-yourself air cleaner can also be created. For homes with central air systems, residents should use them to filter air, ideally with high-efficiency filters.

Drivers in smoky areas are advised to slow down, turn on their headlights, and set their vehicle’s air system to recirculating mode. Individuals with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions should monitor their symptoms and contact a health care professional if their condition worsens.

For more information on smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon, residents can visit centraloregonfire.org. Additional smoke preparedness resources are available at centraloregonfire.org/protect-your-health.

The Forest Service says firefighters will reopen the affected trails in the Opine OHV Trails System once conditions have been thoroughly assessed and deemed safe for the public.

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Mild Monday with warm temperatures and sunny skies

KIFI on April 20, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

If the rain and colder temperatures last week weren’t your favorite kind of weather conditions, you are in luck. As we start off the week, we’ll climb back into the 70s for the next few afternoons, with clear skies and mostly sunny conditions. A brief hiatus from the stormy weather, however, will come to an end by Wednesday, when we’ll return to rain and gusty conditions.

We start off Monday morning with a small freeze, but quickly warm up as the sun rises. A major warm-up will begin this mid-morning and continue into the afternoon, with high-pressure amplifying and returning temperatures to the 70s in the lower valleys. Overnight temperatures will dip into the lower 40s, with mountainous regions slightly above freezing. This pattern will carry over into Tuesday’s forecast as well. No major concerns for the next few days, but breezy, wet conditions will return by the middle of the week. No wind concerns, around 15-20 mph in most areas across the region. Little to no precipitation is expected on this mild Monday.

Tuesday afternoon will still bring above-average temperatures, with places along the Snake River Plain reaching the mid- to upper 70s. By Tuesday evening, a major system will move in from the Pacific coast, bringing cooler temperatures and increased rain showers around Eastern Idaho for Wednesday.

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‘We could smell it immediately’: Neighbors recount tense night with gas explosion threat

KIFI on April 20, 2026

Fox13

Originally Published: 20 APR 26 11:23 ET

By Caroleina Hassett

Click here for updates on this story

    BRIGHAM CITY, Utah (KSTU) — Wyatt Romney has lived by the corner of 100 South and 500 West in Brigham City for many years, and his long-time friend Blake Smith moved in a little over a year ago.

“It’s always been a really quiet neighborhood. It’s a really nice neighborhood. We’ve got really friendly neighbors,” Romney said.

That was until Romney got a phone call from his mom on Saturday night asking if something was going on.

“Me and Blake walk outside, and the cop is like, ‘Get over here. Get over here,'” Romney said. “So we walk across the road… We could just both smell it immediately.”

It was the smell of natural gas, turned on by 44-year-old suspect Jeremy Ruben Perea in an attempt to cause an explosion, according to Brigham City Police.

Detective Crystal Beck said officers responded to the area just before 8 p.m. due to a domestic violence incident.

“The suspect attempted to break into an ex-girlfriend’s apartment and threatened to blow the place up. He told her to get the dogs out, and she fled without shoes on,” she said.

They both lived in a duplex, and officers said the suspect turned the gas on in the basement. While they were able to shut it off quickly, 14 homes needed to be evacuated.

“I originally thought that it was just a gas leak,” Romney said. “I didn’t think anything of it at the time. I was like, ‘Okay, they’ll shut the gas off, you know, connect lines or whatever, fix what they need to,’ and then I was like, ‘Oh, it’s worse.'”

Both Smith and Romney told FOX 13 News that they were able to come back to their home after about six hours, around 2 a.m.

“Negotiators, after several hours, were able to peacefully get [Perea] out of the home, and he came out with his hands up,” Beck said.

“I’m definitely glad that whatever was going to happen didn’t happen, but I’m also very glad that everyone made it out alive,” Romney said.

“I was telling him, it’s a crazy thought that we could have just been doing our thing and then something drastic happens,” Smith added.

Beck said the victim ended up okay. She also mentioned that there was an incident in the past, but police were not called.

It’s because of this that Smith and Romney encourage neighbors to keep an eye out.

“It’s hard to think something like this is going to happen, but, I mean, it’s always good to be wary. At least look outside and make sure that nothing strange is going on,” Romney said.

“Just don’t be oblivious to something that’s happening around you,” Smith added.

Perea is in custody for aggravated assault with a domestic violence enhancement.

Brigham City PD said they take domestic violence situations very seriously and encourage the public to call 911 if they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Driver crashes near YFD station

KYMA on April 20, 2026

Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A driver veered off the road and crashed near the Yuma Fire Department’s (YFD) Station Four Sunday morning.

According to YFD, the driver veered off the road and drove through a gate, hitting a pole and crashing near the fire station.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

YFD says the pole caused damage to the station bay door, and the driver was taken to the hospital after the Fire Station 4 crew “suspected a medical emergency.”

No firefighter injuries were reported, according to YFD.

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Oregon work zones see record high in crashes and fatalities

KTVZ on April 20, 2026

Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Oregon work zones experienced a five-year high in crashes in 2024 with 621 incidents reported, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). These crashes resulted in 14 lives lost and 36 serious injuries.

All individuals who suffered serious injuries or died in Oregon work zones in 2024 were drivers or their passengers. Each of these crashes was preventable, according to ODOT. National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed from April 20th-24th, encourages safe driving practices to protect both drivers and road workers.

Work zones are shared spaces where driver decisions significantly impact safety. Drivers are advised to pay attention, as distracted driving is a leading cause of work zone crashes. Reducing speed is crucial because work zone speed limits are lowered for everyone’s safety.

When encountering road workers, drivers should safely change lanes to give them space. If changing lanes is not possible, drivers must slow down. Planning ahead by visiting TripCheck.com for the latest closures, detours, and delays can help drivers navigate work zones and manage travel times.

Work zones extend beyond areas marked by orange barrels and lane closures. Any area where someone is working along the road is considered a work zone, requiring drivers to slow down and move over. This includes emergency responders assisting stranded or injured travelers, road maintenance workers fixing potholes or replacing signs, tow truck drivers aiding disabled vehicles, and utility workers ensuring essential services.

Work zones remain active even when no workers are visibly present. Fines for speeding and other unlawful behaviors are doubled in these designated areas.

Data from 2020 through 2024 shows an upward trend in work zone crashes, injuries, and deaths.

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Celebrating Earth Week: Local organizations partner to save millions of pounds of food

KRDO on April 20, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates Americans waste up to 40% of our food. King Soopers and Care and Share are trying to lower that figure as the world celebrates Earth Week.

King Soopers said it donated over 5 million pounds of food to food banks across Colorado in 2025. Those donations in Southern Colorado went to Care and Share.

The donations include proteins, like frozen beef and chicken. Care and Share said protein is one of the hardest foods to properly distribute to the community. Instead of ending up in the landfill, King Soopers freezes the meat it can no longer sell, but is still good to eat.

“Proteins are hard to get. It’s expensive food, so we see proteins and healthy, nutritious food that comes from King Soopers right to the neighbors that we serve, and we’re so proud,” Care and Share CEO Nate Springer said.

This Earth Day week, Care and Share said households can practice the same initiative. Instead of throwing out old cans and snacks that have yet to expire, you can keep them out of the landfill by donating to your local food bank.

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Tragedy inspires Washington woman to connect with others through Mariners baseball

KTVZ on April 20, 2026

KTVZ News Partners

SEATTLE, Wash. (KOMO) — A 70-year-old Washington woman is turning personal tragedy into an opportunity for connection by offering her extra Seattle Mariners season ticket to strangers.

Rhenda Strub, of Olympia, has found solace at the ballpark after the death of her son and now uses social media to find companions to join her for games.

Her first guest was 83-year-old Joan Staples-Morin, of Tacoma, who attended a game with Strub.

Strub’s journey began after her son, Wyatt, died in March 2023 at age 27 from muscular dystrophy. His death left her deeply grieving, finding it difficult to leave her home.

“When I lost him, I didn’t want to come out of my room,” Strub said.

She initially found peace watching Mariners games on television from her home, a practice she maintained for three years as baseball helped her heal.

“There’s no such thing as a bad day at the ballpark,” Strub said.

In March, on what would have been the third anniversary of her son’s death, Strub decided to embrace a new path. “On the third anniversary of his death, I gave myself a present to help bring me back into the world,” Strub said.

She purchased two season tickets just a few rows back from the first base line. Since her children and grandchildren are busy, and her husband dislikes crowds, Strub turned to social media to offer her second ticket for $71 a game.

Her post generated thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Strub described the heartwarming response. “So many people said, ‘I need a grandma,’ ‘I want a grandma,’ ‘I’ll be your grandchild,’ and that just warms my heart,” Strub said. “I mean this is what I was hoping I would get when I bought myself the tickets.”

Strub expressed the strong bonds that form at the ballpark. “You make an instant connection with everyone around you. It’s like being with family all the time,” she said.

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Jailed Missouri Amish leader facing new charges including manslaughter

CNN Newsource on April 20, 2026

By Harper Cook

Click here for updates on this story

    COLUMBIA, Mo. (KOMU) — A man who led an Amish retreat in Cooper County is now facing additional charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in connection to allegations of abuse in the community.

Sam Shetler, 42, is now being charged with three counts of trafficking for the purposes of forced labor, one count of first-degree sodomy, four counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, according to court records.

Shetler was initially charged with two counts of trafficking for the purposes of forced labor and one count of first-degree sodomy.

The new charges follow interviews that the Cooper County Sheriff’s Office conducted with more people who had contact with Shetler, according to court documents. The interviews were conducted in the days following Shetler’s arrest, according to court documents.

The interviews revealed more allegations of sexual abuse by Shetler and an allegation that he misled people in the community into believing he had medical expertise, which led to the death of a 6-month-old, according to court documents.

Shetler owned and operated Mercy and Truth, a retreat for Amish and Mennonite community members, for years before his arrest on March 25, according to court documents. A probable cause statement written by a Cooper County Sheriff’s Office detective sergeant described the retreat as being for individuals who are “morally or mentally disabled and or in need of counseling or therapy services.”

The charges Shetler initially faced were filed in connection to alleged incidents dating back to 2022, and the new charges filed Monday are related to alleged incidents from 2014-2016, 2021 and 2022, according to court records. Shetler has pleaded not guilty to the original charges and has his next court appearance on Tuesday, where his attorney is expected to make a motion to reduce his bond. His bond is currently set at $100,000 cash or surety, according to court records.

Death of a baby A new probable cause statement filed Monday alleges that Shetler was involved in the death of a 6-month-old child in March 2025. The Cooper County detective sergeant investigating the case against Shetler interviewed someone who worked at Mercy and Truth on April 7, 2026, in which the investigator learned more information about the death of the child, according to the probable cause statement.

The child had been sick for about four days and was having issues breathing, even “turning blue” on several occasions, according to the probable cause statement, which cited testimony from the infant’s parents.

The child was taken to Shetler, who was known in the community as a practitioner and holistic doctor who had medical expertise, according to the probable cause statement.

Shetler allegedly provided a breathing treatment of lavender oil in a diffuser and gave instructions for how to use it on the infant, according to the statement. The child was put down for a nap on March 6, 2025, and about an hour later, he was found blue in color and unresponsive, according to the statement. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement.

An autopsy report from the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office said the child died from pneumonia and had multiple viruses, including RSV and the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the probable cause statement.

“The negligence of Sam Shetler who identifies himself as a ‘practitioner’ and carries himself as one with medical knowledge was aware of this substantial and unjustifiable risk which constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in this situation involving any unwell or ill child,” the Cooper County detective sergeant who investigated the case wrote in the probable cause statement.

Kidnapping and sexual abuse charges Another new probable cause statement filed Monday alleges that Shetler made unwanted sexual contact with a woman and threatened her to prevent her from leaving the retreat. The woman told the Cooper County Sheriff’s Office that Shetler told her that if she tried to escape, he would kidnap her and hold her longer, according to the statement.

The statement also details the accounts of three other women who said they stayed at the retreat between 2014 and 2016 to learn how to belong in the Amish community. The women were between 19 and 20 years old at the time, according to the statement.

The women said that at the retreat, they witnessed Shetler pulling out the teeth of a young boy as punishment, and they said they each tried to escape at different times throughout their stays, according to the probable cause statement.

The women said that at the retreat, they were forced to take pills, up to 80 a day at one point, and were told they were “demon possessed” because they would not submit to Shetler, according to the probable cause statement.

One woman said she escaped but the other two did not and were allegedly sent to a different retreat in a different state until they would comply with Shetler’s orders, according to the statement. After returning to the retreat in Cooper County, the two women eventually escaped at separate times while Shetler was not present at the retreat, according to the probable cause statement.

The Cooper County Sheriff’s Office investigator interviewed the women on March 30 and 31, 2026, according to the statement.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Jacob Richey
news@komu.com
5738846397

Imperial County firefighters battle three-alarm fire east of Calexico

KYMA on April 20, 2026

Adrik Vargas

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Firefighters across Imperial County battled a three-alarm fire east of Calexico Sunday.

According to the Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD), the fire started at around 11:40 a.m. in the area of Highway 98 and Hammers Road.

ICFD says the fire started on the north side of Hammers Road before jumping across the highway, and says mostly trees, vegetation and an abandoned shed were affected.

In addition to ICFD, the responding agencies were the Heber Fire Department, the Calexico Fire Department and the El Centro Fire Department, with the Seeley Fire Department, Holtville Fire Department and NAF El Centro providing assistance, and ICFD says they brought a water tender, which held 2,500 gallons, from Station 6 to help battle the fire.

However, ICFD says a fire truck from Holtville was involved in a crash, located in the area of Highway 111 and McCabe Road, on the way to help battle the fire, and one person was taken to the hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy: Christian Guzman, Imperial County Fire Battalion Chief

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Oklahoma City community gathers to honor victims of 1995 bombing

CNN Newsource on April 20, 2026

By Meghan Mosley

Click here for updates on this story

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Survivors, families and community members gathered Sunday morning for the 31st annual remembrance ceremony to honor the 168 lives lost in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

“We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever,” said Laura Piatt, an Oklahoma City bombing survivor.

The ceremony featured prayer, reflection and a message from Chris Fleming of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

“May this ceremony and what these chairs represent continue guiding us toward a future defined not by the violence of that day, but rather the service, honor and kindness that grows in its aftermath,” Fleming said.

Richeal Thatcher attended the ceremony to honor her sister, who died in the bombing while seven months pregnant.

“She was just a beautiful soul,” Thatcher said. “Everybody loved her. She was in the credit union. She had been a longtime credit union employee. So, lost a lot of friends there, too.”

Others, like Arlene Blanchard, came to pay respects to coworkers lost inside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

“The memories come back quickly, and it’s unbelievable to me that three decades have passed and that day is so vivid in my mind, it’s etched there,” said Blanchard, a survivor of the bombing.

Blanchard reflected on the bond she shared with her coworkers.

“The people that I worked with, it was, as I read, it’s family and friends,” she said.

The ceremony honored the 168 victims, each represented by an empty chair at the memorial.

“While we cannot change what happened, we can choose how we move forward,” Fleming said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.