Culvert break forces road closure near Harrisburg

KMIZ on April 28, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

HARRISBURG, Mo. (KMIZ) 

A culvert break along North Route F near Harrisburg forced the closure of part of the roadway Monday evening after rushing water damaged the road surface.

The failure happened around 5 p.m. in the 17100 block of North Route F when water surged through a rusted pipe and caused several holes in the culvert. 

When ABC 17 News arrived, a resident was standing in the road, warning drivers not to cross. Part of the roadway also appeared to have already started to cave in, with residents claiming it was due to water damage. 

Missouri Department of Transportation crews arrived shortly before 6:30 p.m. and officially shut down that stretch of road, turning several vehicles around.

A resident said the culvert had been a concern for some time because of visible rust. He also said the area was partially flooded earlier in the day and that he could hear water pounding against the side of the pipe before it cracked.

“This is the highest I’ve ever seen it. Last year, there was something kind of like this, but it wasn’t near what we had today,” Harrisburg resident Zach Perkins said when asked about the flooding near the culvert. “It was about 4:30 or so whenever I was able to get down here, the old driveway up here was, say, about a foot and a half, 2 feet underwater.” 

Perkins added he could hear water pounding inside the pipe shortly before the culvert broke. 

The road damage came as waterways across Mid-Missouri rose following heavy rainfall. According to the National Weather Service, the Missouri River reached 23 feet at Boonville. Flood waters were also measured at 26 feet along the Missouri River at Glasgow, while Moniteau Creek near Fayette reached 19 feet.

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Cattle industry thrives at Central Oregon Livestock Auction

KTVZ on April 28, 2026

Kelsey Merison

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Livestock Auction recently held a feeder sale, drawing a large crowd and featuring nearly one thousand cattle on the auction block. The event highlighted the robust state of the cattle industry, which remains strong while other sectors may be struggling.

Feeder cattle are defined as being under one year old. This particular sale was noted as one of the larger events, as many of the cattle had been weaned and reached sufficient size for sale. The auction attracted a diverse range of bidders, from large meat companies purchasing hundreds of head to individuals acquiring one or two animals for their backyards.

Tim Messner, the sale yard foreman at the Central Oregon Livestock Auction, spoke on the industry’s current health. “Very strong. Yes, yes… Seems like we’re setting set new records every week. We’re all trying to work hard for the industry,” Messner said. “We all have an understanding that if we work together the best we can, then we’re going to create the best price for our customers.”

Bidding at the auction can extend throughout the entire day. While ranchers often compete as rivals during the bidding process on the auction floor, a sense of community prevails outside the arena. A cafe located next to the main arena serves as a gathering place where attendees can share breakfast and lunch.

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Residents of Saline, Howard counties face cleanup after storm hits area

KMIZ on April 28, 2026

Haley Swaino

SALINE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Tedd Wiseman got a call Monday morning that led him to a shocking discovery.

“I couldn’t believe it. One of the volunteer firemen was calling me on the phone, and he said, ‘Man, you all got heavy bin damage,” Wiseman said

He is the manager at Central Missouri AgriService’s Slater location in Saline County, where storms hit early Monday.

Wiseman said he couldn’t believe what he saw when he arrived at work. Grain elevators were torn open, with extensive damage. Most of the heavy damage was to bean and soybean storage bins, Wiseman said. About 600,000 bushels worth of beans were lost in four bins. Crews were still assessing if a fifth bin was a loss Monday afternoon.

Wiseman said the bins were like a skyline for Slater.

“I stared at these things for 40 years; they just always stood here. They’re built in the seventies,” Wiseman said.

As cleanup crews worked to remove large pieces of damaged debris on Monday, Wiseman said management would soon sit down at the drawing board to decide what comes next in rebuilding.

That was what many people across Saline County were faced with after the storms.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw a tree crush the front of a home in the 300 block of South Jefferson Street in Slater.

A downed powerline pole toppled another, seemingly abandoned, house in nearby Gilliam on South Bartlett Street off Highway 240. A torn-apart metal barn was seen in pieces blown across Highway 240. Some pieces of it were mangled in trees.

At least four dozen power lines were seen snapped while driving through parts of Saline and Howard counties. Thousands were left in the dark.

The City of Glasgow declared a state of emergency after the town lost power, which could be restored in two to three days, the city announced on its social media.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw part of the Tri-County Trust Company’s roof blown off in Glasgow on Monday. Electric crews were seen across the city working on downed power lines— some fully on the ground, some mangled in trees.

For all the damage and cleanup ahead, Wiseman said he feels there is still much to be grateful for.

“Everybody seems to be in pretty decent humor. And we’re lucky that, to my knowledge, nobody has been hurt in this. And the only thing that’s really been tore up is property. That can be can be rebuilt,” Wiseman said.

No injuries have been reported as of Monday evening.

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First female fire department chief takes the reins at Idaho National Laboratory

KIFI on April 28, 2026

David Pace

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho National Laboratory’s first female fire chief took the helm today, protecting over 890-square miles of critical nuclear and energy infrastructure in southeast Idaho.

Chief Jennifer Porter will lead a team of 75 firefighters at three stations. She comes equipped with 18 years of experience fighting fires with the department.

“My main priority is to support my team. We are an all-hazards department, so I want to ensure that they have the tools and the equipment to respond safely to any hazards that may be thrown at them for whatever they respond to,” Porter said.

INL’s Fire Department includes five fire engines, a 3,000-gallon water tender, five ambulances, a haz mat truck and a rescue vehicle.

The new chief is an Eastern Idaho native and graduate of Madison High School.

At INL, she served as deputy chief of operations since 2022, and as a battalion chief for five years, including during the largest fire in the site’s history – the Sheep Fire in 2019.

The fire burned 112,000 acres, and firefighters successfully protected all major facilities, although some infrastructure was damaged.

That experience may prove invaluable as she leads the INL Fire Department during what is expected to be a severe fire season.

“We try to plan for the worst case scenarios this year because of low snowpack, warmer than average winter conditions, and the consistent drought,” Porter said. “We are preparing early for those conditions to be extreme fire behavior here on the INL on the desert.”

Firefighters at INL also receive specialized training to handle situations with hazardous or radiological materials.

“We do Hazmat; we respond to radiological emergencies. We do special operations, some rope rescue. We do wildland fires,” she said. “We do structure fires and respond to EMS events.”

Outgoing INL Fire Chief Jim Blair touts the laboratory’s overall safety record.

“Our hazmat team primarily is responding to the same things that you’re seeing in normal industry. You know, laboratory chemicals, fuel spills from semi trucks, semi trucks that have overturned, you know, normal chemicals,” he said. “But as far as radiological, it’s rare at the desert that we respond to radiological emergencies, just because the lab runs a very safe operation.”

Most often, INL firefighters respond to calls that are not related to wildfires.

Porter acknowledges she has big shoes to fill and says leadership “isn’t about a title – it’s about serving others and earning trust over time.”

“I’m really super excited that Chief Porter is taking over for me,” Blair said. “We have really, really super good people – Chief Porter amongst that group. I think that the lab did a very good job of selecting the next fire chief. She’s a strong candidate. She’s a strong leader. And most importantly, she cares about her people.”

To other women and men following in her footsteps, Chief Porter says, “Stay committed to your values, work hard, and be consistent in how you show up.”

Fire Chief Jennifer Porter will lead 69 firefighters and six battalion chiefs at Idaho National Laboratory.

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Ventura Police Report Drop in Retail Theft, But Business Owners Say Fewer Shoppers May Be Factor

KEYT on April 28, 2026

Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) — Retail theft in Ventura is down 35% compared to this time last year, according to the Ventura Police Department.

Police say they investigated 650 retail theft cases in 2024, down from 420 the year before. Officials credit increased enforcement and improved surveillance technology for the decline.

“You have organized efforts by law enforcement to be out there and be seen,” said Commander Ryan Weeks. “You have better camera systems, so it’s easier to identify people.”

But some local business owners say the drop in theft may also reflect another issue: fewer customers.

Theft impacts more than just inventory. Davina DeCant, owner of Industry Horror — a non-profit retail store that employs adults with autism — says even isolated thefts can have a major impact.

“When it comes to retail theft, you’re not only stealing from us, but you’re stealing from the people who create and make this stuff, and all the sales keep them employed,” DeCant said.

She described an incident from a couple years ago where a woman stole about $900 worth of merchandise while a new employee was being trained.

“The young gentleman kept my employee distracted while she just filled up her bag and then they left,” DeCant said.

DeCant says theft doesn’t happen often, and when it does, technology can help identify suspects.

“Thankfully we had it on camera, and the public was able to identify her thanks to social media,” she said.

While police point to enforcement, some business owners say declining foot traffic could also be contributing to the drop in theft.

With Main Street closed to cars, several say weekday business has slowed.

“During the week, it’s very difficult. There isn’t a lot of traffic,” DeCant said. “I wish they would implement a hybrid system where they could keep it open to traffic during the week.”

Some business owners say fewer shoppers may mean fewer opportunities for theft — but it also means fewer sales.

Daniel Bovis, a worker at Times Remembered, says limited access has impacted customers, especially those with mobility challenges.

“If someone’s buying a big piece, we can’t take it out to their vehicle to load it,” Bovis said. “We’ve basically stopped selling big items because there’s no access.”

Business owners say they want Main Street reopened to vehicle traffic to help bring customers back.

Meanwhile, Ventura police say they will continue enforcement efforts and are encouraging businesses to report thefts to help track trends and build cases.

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DUI suspect apprehended by K-9 unit after foot pursuit in Madras

KTVZ on April 28, 2026

Triton Notary

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) 43 Year old Sir Charles Ariesis Williams was taken into custody on April 26th after leading law enforcement on vehicle and foot pursuits in Madras. The incident began at approximately 2:11 p.m. with reports of erratic driving and a possible domestic violence situation. Williams was apprehended by a K-nine unit following a vehicle crash and subsequent foot chase.

Frontier 911 dispatchers received the initial request for officers to respond to the area of SE 7th Street and SE G Street. Reports indicated a male driver was erratically trying to “run down” another vehicle and a female on scene. Law enforcement also received additional reports of a possible domestic violence situation involving Williams and his female passenger.

A deputy from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office located Williams’ vehicle while officers were en route to the scene. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but Williams failed to stop and attempted to elude the deputy, leading to a vehicle pursuit. Williams later crashed into a passerby vehicle in the area of NE 10th Street and NE Oak Street. He then ran from the scene, prompting law enforcement to pursue him on foot and establish a perimeter around the area.

A shelter-in-place request was distributed to citizens in surrounding areas out of an abundance of caution while the situation unfolded. Assistance was requested from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for a K-nine unit to track the suspect. Law enforcement units responded to 410 NE Oak Street, where Williams was believed to be hiding in a large area of shrubbery. After multiple verbal warnings and commands, the K-nine unit deployed the K-nine to search the area. The K-9 located Williams and officers on scene took him into custody. Williams received immediate medical treatment and care from Jefferson County Fire and EMS and was transported to St. Charles Hospital in Madras. He was taken into physical custody on April 27, 2026, at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Ore., with assistance from the Bend Police Department. Williams was booked and lodged at the Jefferson County Jail on multiple charges. These include Robbery III, Coercion, Kidnapping, Assault III, Attempt to Elude by Vehicle, Attempt to Elude by Foot, Escape III, Criminal Mischief I, DUI, Reckless Driving, Harassment, Criminal Mischief III, Reckless Endangering, Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver.

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Voter Information Guide and Sample Ballots Arrive in the Mail

KEYT on April 28, 2026

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) California voters may be surprised to see the long list of candidates named printed in the Voter Information Guides and Sample Ballot this election season.

Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters Martin Cobos said now it the time to study the information inside the guide.

“As you can see there are 61 candidates for Governor, which is a lot, and there are 16 for Lieutenant Governor and it takes the entire front side of the ballot. We urge you and hope that you will make your choice early and cast your vote early and not wait until Election Day, because it you haven’t decided among those 61 people it may take awhile,” said Cobos.

Although a some candidates including Eric Swallwell and Betty Yee have dropped out of the Primary Election there names are still on the ballot.

The names do not start alphabetically with A.

“The state of California has a rotation, so, they randomly select the alphabet and within that selection is how they determine which name comes first and which name comes second or third or in this case 61st,” said Cabos.

All the names are capitalized.

The first name on the ballot is Lukasz Adam Filinski and the last is Max Fomin – both have no party preference.

A chaplain on the ballot who goes by the name LivingForGod AndCountry Demott also has no party preference.

Since this is an Open Primary there are people of all parties on the ballot.

Voters are only allowed to cast a vote for one candidate for Governor and one for Lt. Gov.

“It is overwhelming when you look at that page and see 61 candidates and 16 for Lt. Gov take your time you can only vote for one choose the candidate you would like to vote for and vote for one, most importantly vote, second vote early,” said Cobos.

Elections Divisions Manager Christina Valenzuela said some people may get more than one guide in the mail if they have more than one voter living at the same address.

“County Voter Information guide is mailed to every voter, however if you would like to receive yours via email you can opt out of receiving this guide or at least one person in your family can opt out and receive it electronically that will save taxpayers money, save on the usage of more paper so just signing up it is on our website we have an opt out program just sign up and we will send your voter information guide electronically,” said Valenzuela.

Ballots will be sent, out on Monday May 4.

There are 61 polling locations in Santa Barbara County if you include the Elections Office.

There are 18 drop boxes in Santa Barbara County. Ballots may be dropped off at any time of day or night.

People may also mail them at the post office.

As long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received at the Election Office within 7 days they will be counted.

Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The top two vote-getters will be on the ballot Nov. 3.

For more information visit your county’s election website.

The website in Santa Barbara County is https://sbvote.com, https://electionssupport@countyofsb.org or call 1-800-722-8683.

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Fiesta Poetry Contest Begins in the Month of May

KEYT on April 28, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Your poetic words or story about Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara could win you a cash prize.

Old Spanish Days is now hosting a poetry contest.

The month of May has been designated as the “Fiesta Poetry Month” by 2026 El Presidente Colin Hayward.

El Presidente Hayward has selected a distinguished panel to judge this year’s inaugural FiestaPoetry Contest. The judges include current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin aswell as former Santa Barbara Poets Laureate Perie Longo, David Starkey, and Melinda Palacio.The group will be joined by Father Larry Gosselin.

There will be several age groups for this competition. Cash prizes of $100, $200, and $300 will be awarded after the deadline which is May 31.

For more information go to: Fiesta Poetry Contest.

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No injuries reported after storms cause damage in Randolph, Monroe counties

KMIZ on April 28, 2026

Marie Moyer

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fallen trees and other damage was seen across Randolph and Monroe counties after severe storms swept through the area Monday morning.

Randolph County Emergency Management Director David Gaines said the first warning of tornadoes out came out of Chariton County around 6 a.m.

 “A lot of damage related to the wind and the storm came through the south southwest part of Randolph County and then across over into  Monroe County,” Gaines said.

A post on X from Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B alleged a tornado went through the Middle Grove Area at around 8:30 a.m. The National Weather Service has not yet confirmed a tornado.

On April 27, 2026, at approximately 0830 am, a tornado went through the Middle Grove area of Randolph & Monroe Counties in Troop B. Preliminary reports are multiple residences have sustained damage along with grain bins, trees, & powerlines. No injuries have been reported. #MSHP pic.twitter.com/rj9U7TR2OM

— MSHP Troop B (@MSHPTrooperB) April 27, 2026

Gaines added that crews from local agencies like the Western Madison Rural Fire Department and the Monroe County Rural Fire Department worked across both counties. This also included working with the MSHP and The Department of Natural Resources.

“Crews were out quickly searching for damage, making sure that those houses and structures that were damaged were not occupied, and at this time, we don’t have any reports of injuries,” Gaines said.

Middle Grove School near Madison was also damaged after a tree fell on its roof. There were also holes reported in the roof, one of the walls and damage to classroom trailers. The school later posted about the damage on Facebook and several residents — including students from the nearby Central Christian College of the Bible — helped with clean up.

“Many hands make light work and we had a fantastic turnout of our community, all sorts of people coming out just to lay hands on the building to help us get ready to go,” Middle Grove School Superintendent Aaron Vitt said. “It’s a pretty special place to be.”

Downed trees and tree limbs were seen across Moberly, with Ameren at one point reporting more than 2,100 customers without power.

“Our crews are going ward by ward,” City of Moberly spokesman Scott McGarvey said. “We have crews that are assigned to each ward in our city and as they find something that they need to report, they’re reaching out to Ameren.”

Moberly’s water and wastewater treatment plants temporarily lost internet to remote stations during the storm. The wastewater plant also fully lost power and and temporarily operated on generators before power was restored in the afternoon.

The Missouri Department of Corrections also reported damage to the Moberly Correctional Center.

“The assessment has shown downed and uprooted trees, damaged roofs, broken windows, downed utility poles and damage to the handball court,” Department of Corrections spokeswoman Karen Pojmann wrote in an email to ABC 17 News.

No injuries of residents or employees were reported.

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Rolling roadblocks planned for I-70 near Missouri River

KMIZ on April 28, 2026

Ryan Shiner

UPDATE: This brief was updated after a Tuesday morning press release from MoDOT gave an update.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Rolling roadblocks are planned this week on Interstate 70 near the Missouri River, according to an updated press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

“Blasting operations” are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday as part of the Improve I-70 Project, according to the release.

Contractors will use explosives “to blast portions of the rock alongside the interstate between Boone County Route BB and the Missouri River,” the release says.

Short-term closures of the ramp from Route BB onto westbound Interstate 70 will be required, as will “rolling interstate roadblocks,” the release says.  

The closures are expected to last 15 minutes apiece.

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