Hooker Creek hosts free seminar in Bend addressing challenges with new standard concrete material

KTVZ on April 4, 2026

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Construction professionals across Central Oregon will have an opportunity to learn how to navigate a major industry shift at a free, full-day seminar hosted by Hooker Creek Companies on April 13.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend, followed by a complimentary social hour from 3 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees.

The seminar focuses on Type IL cement, also known as Portland Limestone Cement, which has fully replaced traditional Type I/II cement in Oregon and now makes up more than 60% of the U.S. cement market. While the material meets ASTM standards and delivers comparable strength, industry professionals say it behaves differently in real-world conditions.

Those differences have created challenges for contractors and finishers, particularly in Central Oregon’s hot, dry, and windy climate. Reported issues include surface crusting, crazing, delamination, plastic shrinkage cracking, and faster setting times.

Organizers say the seminar is designed to provide practical, field-tested strategies to help professionals successfully work with Type IL cement in both public and private projects, especially as the region continues to experience significant growth.

The keynote speaker will be Chad White, a senior concrete consultant with Structural Services Inc., who brings more than four decades of hands-on experience in concrete construction. White began his career as a cement mason apprentice and went on to lead a successful construction company for more than 15 years. He is a member of the American Concrete Institute, a published author on concrete slab installation, and a featured speaker at the World of Concrete conference. He also co-authored a widely used 2025 field guide on placing and finishing Type IL cement mixes.

The seminar is open to a wide range of industry professionals, including engineers, inspectors, contractors, construction managers, developers, and public agency staff. Officials from the City of Bend and Deschutes County Public Works departments have already registered to attend.

The event has been approved by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board for continuing education credits for both residential and commercial license holders.

Registration and additional details are available online at cementseminar.com.

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‘Neighborhood Champion’ helping neighbors and the community with wildfire mitigation

KRDO on April 3, 2026

Steve Roldan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Colorado Springs resident who is a champion of protecting her home and her neighbors’ homes is spreading the word about fire mitigation in southern Colorado.

She’s working with other homeowners and the Colorado Springs Fire Department to get the word out about keeping their properties safe from wildfires during drought conditions.

Carol Cannon has made it a priority of hers since going through the Waldo Fire. “So many people lost their homes, and to feel helpless is a horrible feeling in the middle of a wildfire,” said Cannon. “Knowing can take some personal accountability and responsibility in doing my own yard and encouraging my neighbors to do so, is one way to get control,” Cannon added.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department has a free chipping program starting next month that allows people to dispose of brush on their property. You do have to live in the Wildland Interface District. They also go out to properties in that same area to consult with homeowners on how to better mitigate their homes.

For more information on CSFD’s Chipping Program and on the wildfire mitigation consultations for homeowners, you can click on the following sites.

Neighborhood Chipping Program | Colorado Springs Fire Department

Education Services | Colorado Springs Fire Department

Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Board

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Several injured after 3-vehicle crash leads to lane of I-70 closing, 1 driver arrested on suspicion of DWI

KMIZ on April 3, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of Columbia were closed on Friday during rush hour after a crash.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, at around 5:45 p.m., a 27-year-old Columbia man was driving a 2021 Ram 3500 east on I-70 when he passed a 38-year-old Fayette woman driving a 2017 GMC Acadia and a 55-year-old Columbia woman driving a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta.

He then hit both cars and drove off the right side of the road, hit an embankment, and drove back onto the road. The Ram and the Volkswagen stopped in the left lane while the GMC overturned off the left side of the road and stopped in the median.

The Ram had a 26-year-old male passenger from Colombia who was seriously injured in the crash. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

The GMC was also carrying a 14-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy from Fayette and a 15-year-old girl from New Franklin. The boy was seriously injured, while both girls had minor injuries. The woman driving the GMC also had minor injuries. The boy was not wearing a seatbelt.

An 80-year-old woman from Columbia was a passenger in the Volkswagen. She was seriously hurt in the crash, the report says. The other woman driving the Volkswagen had minor injuries.

All seven people injured in the crash were taken to University Hospital by ambulance. All three vehicles were totaled.

Boone County Joint Communications sent a message at 5:47 p.m. stating that a crash occurred in the eastbound lane near mile-marker 122, which is near the Sorrels Overpass. The road was declared closed three minutes later.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop F – which covers much of Mid-Missouri – wrote on its social media at 6:08 p.m. that three vehicles were involved in the crash and injuries have been reported. One vehicle rolled over and is blocking the roadway.

MSHP spokesman Kyle Green told ABC 17 News that a driver of one of the vehicles was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

🚨Injury Crash Blocking EB I-70🚨

Troopers are investigating a three vehicle crash with injuries on eastbound I-70, at the 122.8 mile marker ( just west of Columbia), in Boone County.

One vehicle has rolled over and the roadway is blocked. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/tlA6SRMgED

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) April 3, 2026

An ABC 17 News photographer saw traffic backed up in the eastbound to the Midway exit, which is about a mile west of the crash. Traffic also slowed in the westbound lanes near the crash.

Traffic started moving again around 6:35 p.m.

ABC 17 News has reached out to a number of first responder agencies.

Check back for updates.

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Stacey Wondra pleads not guilty to murder, kidnapping during arraignment

KIFI on April 3, 2026

KIVI Staff

By: KIVI Staff

Originally Posted: April 3rd, 2026 KIVI

PAYETTE, Idaho — Stacey Wondra appeared in Payette County Court on Friday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, kidnapping, and destruction of evidence.

Wondra is accused of kidnapping and killing Fruitland boy, Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan, in 2021.

READ MORE | Accused killer describes duct tape & duffel bag in Michael Vaughan case, interrogation video played in court

Vaughan’s body was never found, and no murder weapon was ever discovered.

A jury will now be tasked with delivering a verdict as to whether Stacey Wondra is guilty of the crimes of which he is accused. He will be back in court on April 15 for a scheduling conference ahead of the trial.

RELATED | Stacey Wondra to stand trial for the murder of Michael ‘Monkey’ Vaughan

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Trump’s executive order limits college athletes to 5 years of play, 1 transfer

KMIZ on April 3, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

President Donald Trump on Friday announced an executive order that can change the landscape of college sports.

College athletes can currently transfer schools after the end of a season, which reversed course a previous rule that made athletes sit out a year if they chose to play at the same level. Both of those options have seen heavy criticism.

Trump’s executive order would limit athletes to transferring once during a five-year period “with immediate playing eligibility, and one additional such time if the student-athlete obtains a four-year degree.”

It limits players to just five years of eligibility as an undergraduate student. There have been recent criticisms of some athletes receiving long-extended eligibility, including one in 2024 who entered his ninth season of football. The order does say it can make an exception for an athlete attending graduate school.

The order also prohibits professional players from playing in college athletics. Charles Bediako, who was a player in the NBA’s developmental league, was able to play a few games for the Alabama men’s basketball team this season, but was later determined by a judge to be not eligible.

Other parameters in the order include banning federal funds “for NIL or revenue-sharing payments or coaching or athletic compensation.”

The University of Missouri’s athletic department had no comment on the executive order on Friday afternoon.

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement on the conference’s social media supporting the order and the SCORE Act, which takes aim at clarifying rules on money related to name, image and likeness.

“The establishment and enforcement of consistent national standards for college athletics remains a top priority, and President Trump’s executive order provides important clarity to help ensure all programs operate under comparable policies,” the statement says.

Commissioner @GregSankey on Presidential Executive Order: pic.twitter.com/WPWPMf5BsF

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) April 3, 2026

The Big 10 Conference similarly thanked Trump and supported the order on its social media. The Big 12 and ACC also approved of the measure.

A statement from Commissioner Tony Petitti on the Presidential Executive Order. pic.twitter.com/VQYuPEeV75

— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) April 3, 2026

Check back for updates.

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Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen to Stop Sunday, Monday Lunch Service, IFRM to Fill the Gap

KIFI on April 3, 2026

Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen is no longer serving lunch on Sundays and Mondays. However, those in need of a meal will still have a place to go on those days.

The Idaho Falls Rescue Mission is stepping up to fill that gap. Starting this weekend, IFRM is expanding its regular meal services to include lunch on Sundays and Mondays. Currently, the IFRM serves hot meals every night at 6:00 pm at 380 E Street.

Lunch services at the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen will continue Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 1 pm.

Both organizations are always looking for volunteers. Click the links for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen to find out how you can help or to learn more about the assistance they offer

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Goodwill’s new Bend center to provide free skills training and job placement

KTVZ on April 3, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new superstore and community training center in north Bend today. Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler cut the ribbon before the first shoppers poured inside. In the first fifteen minutes more than 220 customers checked out the new store. But it’s not just deals on second-hand goods at this Goodwill. The facility includes a job center and classroom.

The center, located near the new Bend Costco, offers free skills training and employment services funded by retail sales and community donations. It’s not just for employees, anyone from the public can attend classes on computer literacy and job skills.

This expansion follows a year where the organization helped connect residents to thousands of local jobs across Oregon and Washington

The new facility features 10,000 square feet of retail space and a Job Connection facility. It will employ more than 50 people and host a rotating group of Career Center instructors. These instructors work with community members to develop personal and professional skills.

In 2025, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette instructors provided more than 40,000 hours of free skills training and educational services. These classes were available to employees and community members throughout northwest and central Oregon and southwest Washington

The organization also connected local residents to more than 9,000 jobs through hiring events and job fairs last year. According to the organization, these employment specialists partnered with various companies including Amazon and Safeway to facilitate the hires.

For the first four days, the store will be giving away $100 gift cards each day. After that, the stores hours will be 10 AM through 8 PM, Monday to Sunday.

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Bill awaiting Governor’s signature would create the strictest Medicaid Expansion requirements in the US

KIFI on April 3, 2026

KIVI Staff

By: Sahana Patel

Posted 7:19 PM, Apr 02, 2026

BOISE, Idaho — A bill sitting on Gov. Brad Little’s desk could make Idaho’s Medicaid expansion requirements the strictest in the country.

House Bill 913 would require people on Medicaid expansion to prove they have met work requirements over a three-month period.

Randy Johnson, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Action Network, said the bill would be among the strictest in the nation if signed.

“The parameters aren’t even established yet, and so there’s already confusion about what people are going to have to [do] to put in the paperwork,” Johnson said. “Idahoans are going to lose their health insurance from this bill, not because they’re not eligible, but because of not being able to fill out the paperwork.”

Randi LaSalle, a former Medicaid expansion recipient, worries that tightening access could do more harm than good and cause instability for families.

“We’re not asking for Medicaid to be selfish. We’re asking for Medicaid to be healthy and sustainable,” LaSalle said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LaSalle and her family qualified for Idaho’s Medicaid expansion program. The program provides coverage for adults who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid but still cannot afford private insurance. LaSalle said having that coverage made a critical difference for her son.

“He was already in sepsis, and he was 3 weeks old, and we had no idea. The only way I felt comfortable going was because we had Medicaid; had we had private insurance, I might have second-guessed it,” LaSalle said.

RELATED | Idaho DOGE Task Force recommends repealing Medicaid Expansion, defunding Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs

Two years later, LaSalle said her family was suddenly cut off from the program, even though she said their financial situation had worsened following the pandemic. She believes outdated income information may have played a role.

“They never reevaluated us. They didn’t give us a notification. They didn’t call us, they didn’t email us, nothing, and we were just dropped,” LaSalle said.

The then-single mother of four said she turned to private insurance to keep her children covered, paying close to $1,000 a month.

“I got a 3rd job. I would work eight hours in a day. Two days a week, I would clean the offices that I worked for, and then at night I would drive for DoorDash,” LaSalle said. “I didn’t want to lose my kids because I couldn’t feed them.”

LaSalle said she is worried other families could face the same kind of instability if the bill becomes law.

“You know, we don’t need handouts. We don’t. We need people to just understand what it’s like. Not to be poor, but to be that family who’s trying and can never catch a break,” LaSalle said. “Not having to pay for insurance at $1100 a month or $900 a month or however much it’s going to cost you, that’s something that can go back towards the family.”

ALSO READ | Idaho lawmakers bring 2026 session to a close, final bills await governor’s decision

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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“I Was a Coward”: Former Idaho pastor sentenced to 17 Years on child pornography charges

KIFI on April 3, 2026

KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 03 APR 26 15:51 ET

By Victoria Rodriguez

Click here for updates on this story

    CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIVI) — Former Nampa pastor Matthew Masiewicz was sentenced to up to 17 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to charges related to child pornography.

Canyon County District Court Judge Thomas Whitney sentenced Masiewicz to a unified 17-year prison term, with five years fixed and 12 years indeterminate. Masiewicz will serve the sentence in the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections.

“Your actions have caused great grief and pain and embarrassment to your family and those you’ve worked with,” Whitney said.

Masiewicz, formerly a pastor at Sovereign Grace Fellowship, previously pleaded guilty to four felony counts related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Nine other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Prosecutors said investigators found multiple images and videos of minors on a laptop at the church where Masiewicz worked, showing children as young as 5. They said he sent those images to others on the app Kik. Prosecutors also noted that some material involved the use of artificial intelligence to generate explicit images appearing to involve minors.

During the sentencing hearing at the Canyon County Courthouse, family and church members listened as Masiewicz admitted wrongdoing.

“I was a coward,” Masiewicz said.

“I should have confessed this to my wife, I should have confessed this to my elder who’s sitting over there,” Masiewicz said.

Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Gregory Swanson told the court Masiewicz struggled to acknowledge the severity of his actions. Prosecutors said Masiewicz laughed while discussing his psychosexual evaluation and attempted to shift blame.

“Apparently even mimicking a chef’s kiss when discussing it with the pre-sentence investigator,” Swanson said.

Masiewicz’s attorney, Clarissa Greensmyth, pushed back against the prosecution’s claims. Greensmyth argued her client showed remorse, deleted material, and reflected on his actions. She described Masiewicz as isolated, struggling with the pressures of faith and his role as a pastor.

“He can be awkward in how he expresses himself. People process extreme events differently,” Greensmyth said.

“And that was really hard and all he had was his faith and prayer,” Greensmyth said.

Masiewicz expressed deep remorse to the court, calling his actions a moral evil and asking for grace and mercy.

“I’ve lost my church community. I have been excommunicated,” Masiewicz said.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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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3 people dead in shooting incident on Tank Farm Road

KIFI on April 3, 2026

News Team

UPDATE 9:50 PM

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bannock County Sheriff’s office says three people are dead including the shooting suspect. Two other were injured.

The sheriff’s office will be holding a news conference at 10:30 p.m. to release more information.

You can watch the news conference below.

UPDATE 8:20PM:

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bannock County Sheriff office says the suspect involved a shooting incident this afternoon is dead and there is no longer a threat to public safety.

No other details have been released.

UPDATE:

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Multiple law enforcement agencies are currently responding to an active shooter incident on Tank Farm Road, just outside the Bannock County line.

According to Bannock County spokesperson Emma Iannacone, the emergency call came in at 2:38 PM reporting 3 people were shot. At this point, there is no information on the possible victims or if any police have been injured in the massive response.

“Our priority right now is securing the scene and ensuring the safety of the surrounding neighborhood,” said Power County Sheriff Kasey Kendall. “We ask for the public’s patience and cooperation as we begin the preliminary investigation.”

A massive police presence is currently on-site. Local News 8 has confirmed that several ambulances and a Life Flight helicopter are on the scene.

At this time, Tank Farm Road is closed between Rowland Lane and Siphon Road. Iannacone emphasizes that the scene is still active. The Sheriff’s Office is directing residents to stay away from the area and use alternate routes. If you are in the immediate area, stay indoors.

ORIGINAL:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Bannock County Sheriff’s Deputies are responding to an active shooter on Tank Farm Rd. near Pocatello.

Local News 8’s reporter on the scene describes a massive police response in the area. It is currently unknown if anyone has been injured, but Local News 8 can confirm that several ambulances and a Lifeflight helicopter are on the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office is directing residents to stay away from the area and use alternate routes. If you are in the immediate area, stay indoors.

Local News 8 is closely watching this developing incident. We have a reporter heading to the area and will provide updates as we learn new information from the Sheriff’s Office.

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