City of San Elizario moves to block resources for proposed ICE detention centers

KVIA on May 7, 2026

Heriberto Perez Lara

SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KVIA) — The City of San Elizario held its council meeting on Tuesday and unanimously approved the following two items:

“14. Discussion and Action: Regarding a Resolution supporting Emergency Services District #2 decision to protect our health and resources and to limit or deny permits to detention facilities that would create mass strain on personnel or resources.”

“15. Discussion and Action: Regarding approving a Resolution supporting Lower Valley Water District denial of services to the proposed Department of Homeland Security proposed detention facility.”

Both items were proposed by San Elizario Alderperson Place 5 Thomas Black.

ABC-7 spoke with the Mayor of San Elizario, Miguel Chacon, who said the council anonymously passed those two items because they wanted to join efforts with the cities of Socorro, El Paso, and the County of El Paso to raise their voices to the federal government over future detention facilities.

San Elizario Mayor Chacon says he supports this item for the following reasons:

The resources these detention centers are going to be taking from the region

The proposed new facility in Socorro, Texas, is set to be opened in warehouses not designed to accommodate a detention center.

The water resources that it will need.

“We live in a desert, so right now we are going through one of our worst dry seasons ever recorded and I believe it’s time for the city of San Elizario to fight for the water, not just for the water from our city, but for the region; so those are the main reasons why we are opposed to these detention centers from opening here,” Mayor Chacon said. “We hear, we see what is happening at other detention centers across the nation, and we know there’s a violation of human rights; we have women, we have children detained in these facilities, and this is not what the City of San Elizario represents.”

“The City of San Elizario, not just us, but the County of El Paso, is built by immigrants; we are a welcoming immigrant community, so we need to be with them and support this because there’s a lot of violation of human rights in these detention centers, and we cannot afford to continue supporting this from happening,” Mayor Chacon added.

For the City of San Elizario and Mayor Chacon, it feels great to find a common ground in something and have the support from former Mayors, from other cities, and from other organizations that have also raised their voices against ICE facilities. “It feels great to find common ground and to unify the community against something that is happening across the nation.”

ABC-7 also spoke with Fire Chief and Marshal of El Paso County Emergency Services District #2, Roger Esparza, whose district covers every city in the county, but El Paso and Horizon cities.

Chief Esparza says they have evaluated how many emergency calls they are planning to have at the detention center in Socorro, since it is unknown for now, but the ambulance thing is a concern for them, since his department does not manage them; it’s managed through the county.

“When you look at manufacturing warehouses, it’s very few people; they’re manufacturing, you’re not living there, you’re not showering there, you’re not using that, you can have a couple of hundred people working there, and it’s very minimal water usage,” Chief Esparza said. “Versus now that they’re looking to have 8,000 or 9,000 people living there per se, and showering, restroom usage, everything that goes with somebody being detained.”

ESD #2 has discussed with the Lower Valley Water District before this new detention center was announced, and the problems the area was having with some of the hydrants, as the utility has been trying to resolve some of those issues, according to Chief Esparza.

“Now this is going to possibly hinder, I don’t know how they’re going to handle, that’s on their side, on the water side, but I think it’s going to be a burden for us as the fire department,” Chief Esparza said. “I did have a meeting with the ICE people here locally, and they were half and half receptive, or maybe not receptive, they may come to us, but you know, they’re the federal government, they think they can do whatever it is they want, right?”

ABC-7 also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comment and for interviews.

A spokesperson with DHS sent us the following written statement they have previously sent to us for other stories relating to the ICE detention center in Socorro:

“As with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals. As Secretary Mullin said in his confirmation hearing: ‘I will work with the community leaders and make sure that we are delivering for the American people what the President set out… We want to work with community leaders. We want to be good partners.’”

San Elizario Chacon also raised concerns over the fact that if something happens at the detention center, ESD #2 will have to cover it, not the federal government, and local taxpayers will eventually have to pay for that.

“As an immigrant myself, it makes me feel great that I represent a city where the majority of my council members are in agreement on this very controversial topic across the nation, but at the end, I feel happy that we have not only the support of my council members, but the full support of my community on this,” Mayor Chacon also said. “I hope that at the end, the federal government realizes that we’re not welcoming the detention centers in our community.”

He is aware that the Mayor of Socorro, Rudy Cruz Jr., is also doing everything he can to raise his voice and his community’s voice out in Washington D.C. to prevent this from happening, along with El Paso County Commissioner for District 3, Iliana Holguin, and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-Texas).

“I think we’re coming together more as a community more than ever, from the west side to the east side, we’re all different, but I think now that we see these issues coming into El Paso, we’re starting to pull more together, and we put aside whatever their political views are, and we’re working more together, ESD #2 Chief Esparza added. “But I think it is going to be a very stressful situation, a taxing situation, more for the fire department than anything, because when they call, we will have to respond.

“I know that when I did have the conversations with ICE, they did mention that there could be some funding available to us to augment our operations, but from what I’ve heard in other locations, they’ve (ICE) said the same thing, but there’s been no augmentation of it, so I’m not even going to worry about that,” Chief Esparza added. “Our sole purpose here is to respond to every call that we get, and we’ll figure that out later.”

ESD #2 did a quick preview of what could happen once this proposed detention center starts operating in Socorro, but Chief Esparza says one of the things that caught everybody’s attention was the possible tax increase situation for the county.

“Nobody thinks about this, but every taxpayer for the El Paso County area that pays into ESD #2 knows that they’re paying into the fire department, right? Unfortunately, this big facility will not be contributing to that because they are the federal government, so they’re tax-exempt,” Chief Esparza said. “So the county residents will have to foot the burden for that facility, and that was made very clear to me by the individuals at ICE, that that’s just the way that they see it, it’s our burden to pay for it because that’s what they do.”

ESD #2 currently has only around 34 firefighters ready to respond to Clint, Fabens, Montana Vista, San Elizario, Socorro, and West Valley, among others.

“Do we have the manpower right now to do it? No, in this year’s budget, I’m hoping to put an additional 20 firefighters on staff, and maybe they’ll get approved. Still, maybe they will not get approved and that’s what we’re looking at to be able to accomplish everything that we’re going to have to do right now to get going for these tasks,” Chief Esparza added. “So in other words, that if we needed funding, the federal government would have to subsidize for us to get more staffing, but like I said, a lot of cities that have been told that they haven’t seen any of the funding come available.”

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Hermann High School students evacuated after hoax threat

KMIZ on May 7, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hermann High School in Gasconade County was evacuated at 10:45 a.m. Thursday after the district received a threat, according to a social media post from the Gasconade County R-1 School District.

The district wrote it had “received a threat that required us to take immediate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff.” Local law enforcement and officers from the Capitol police determined it was safe to return to the building.

The district wrote that it was notified by state agencies earlier in the week that hoax threats have been targeting school and that “district should be on the lookout for them.”

Several schools around Mid-Missouri have seen threats made against them in the past month or so, including the Fayette R-3 School District, Lebanon High School in Laclede County, the Camdenton School District and the University of Missouri.

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Highway 63 lanes reopen after chase that ended in suspect’s death

KMIZ on May 7, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Highway 63 near Clark was closed for hours Thursday because of a police response, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Thursday.

The northbound driving lane and both sounthbound lanes had reopened by about 4 p.m., and traffic was moving slowly through the scene.

A Boone County Sheriff’s deputy said the scene was connected to another one near Columbia. A sheriff’s office spokesman said the suspect is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect allegedly shot two people on Douglas Drive before the chase and fired a shot at a trooper while on the run, Brian Leer of the sheriff’s office says.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to a police incident on U.S. 63, at Route P / Route B, near Clark (just north of the Boone / Randolph County line. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route,” the patrol wrote in a social media post.

The Patrol later said the chase ended when a trooper used a pit maneuver to stop the suspect’s Ford Bronco. Patrol spokesman Sgt. Kyle Green said the suspect fired at officers after losing control of the Bronco, but no officers fired back.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

🚨U.S. 63 Closed in Randolph County🚨

Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to a police incident on U.S. 63, at Route P / Route B, near Clark (just north of the Boone / Randolph County line.

Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/XuQnkjHgb2

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) May 7, 2026

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Plano home a total loss after Thursday morning fire; occupant hospitalized and firefighter injured

KIFI on May 7, 2026

Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A late-morning fire left a local home in ruins on Thursday, sending one resident to the hospital and leaving a firefighter with minor injuries. According to the Madison Fire Department, the home is a total loss with damages estimated to be $450,000.

The fire broke out around 11:38 a.m. at a home at 5779 W. 4500 N., in the Plano area northwest of Rexburg. Fire officials say a passerby first spotted the flames and acted quickly, calling in the emergency before helping the home’s sole occupant evacuate safely.

By the time the first responders arrived, the home was already fully engulfed in flames. As they had rushed to the scene, firefighters say the flames had already spread to a large propane tank near the house.

Courtesy Photos: Madison Fire Department

22 fire personnel battled the blaze, immediately launching a defensive attack to contain the flames and control the venting of the propane tank. Meanwhile, first responders rushed the occupant of the home to Madison Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Madison Fire Department has confirmed that one firefighter received minor injuries during the effort.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is currently underway. MFD Battalion Chief Ellis Johnston stresses how rapidly the fire crews responded to the scene despite the distance from the blaze.

“This incident location was more than 11 miles from our staffed station,” said Johnston. “Initial responders arrived on scene 13 minutes after being dispatched. Despite how far away this structure fire was, we managed to mitigate potential fire hazards and spread.”

In the wake of the incident, the Madison Fire Department is reminding the community that they are “always looking for local community members to become certified and join our fire department, especially in the areas of the county farther away from our main fire station.”

For more information, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Firefighters and emergency crews are currently on the scene of a structure fire near the intersection of 4500 N. and 5800 W.

According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), deputies have closed the roadway to ensure the safety of first responders as they work to extinguish the blaze. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow first responders to do their jobs safely.

At this time, there is no word on the cause of the fire or potential injuries. Local News 8 is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Sheriff’s Office says chase suspect killed 35-year-old man, shot 65-year-old woman

KMIZ on May 7, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A suspect in a shooting and chase is dead after suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Boone County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Columbia Police Department officers were sent to an “incident” northeast of the city Thursday afternoon and asked drivers to avoid the area.

Columbia officers were responding to an incident near the 5100 block of North Douglas Drive, outside the Columbia city limits. Boone County sheriff’s deputies were at the scene, which remained an active investigation at about 2 p.m.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office later wrote in a social media post that Steven A. Swanson, 32, had shot and killed a 35-year-old man and seriously injured a 65-year-old woman.

Swanson is related to the victims and drove off after the shooting before taking his own life, the sheriff’s office says.

A chase ensued and the suspect shot at trooper and hit the trooper’s car, Leer said. The suspect’s vehicle went into a ditch and the suspect killed themselves with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Leer said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the trooper used a pit maneuver to stop the suspect’s Ford Bronco. Patrol Troop F spokesman Sgt. Kyle Green said the suspect began firing as his Bronco lost control, but no one returned fire.

The response to the crash led to Highway 63 being shut down in southern Randolph County.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death of Swanson.

The woman is in serious condition at an area hospital, the Sheriff’s Office post says.

Prior cases

Previous reporting shows Swanson was accused of stabbing his brother in the leg in October 2025.  He pleaded guilty in that case on Dec. 22 to third-degree assault. He was ordered to serve five years of probation and completed a shock program of 120 days with the Department of Corrections.

He also pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic assault in December.  

Check back for updates to this developing story,

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U.S. Senator Schiff and Congressman Carbajal continue their fight against Sable Oil Operations

KEYT on May 7, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – With Sable Offshore Oil now pumping oil from two of its three platforms off Santa Barbara County, the opposition to this newly restarted operation continues.

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24) were flanked by environmentalists and other local political leaders Thursday at Shoreline Park to discuss the current legal challenges and strategies.

With the recent restart of two platforms an estimated 52,000 barrels of oil a day are being moved on shore and through a controversial pipeline. That pipe broke in 2015 along the Refugio coast causing one of the worst oil spills in the county’s history. Sable was not the operator at the time.

Work has taken place to repair the pipeline and Sable says it is safe. Sable says a third platform, Hondo, will be operating in June. All of the oil comes ashore in a pipeline that sends the crude to refineries, primarily Chevron in El Segundo.

The restarting of the platforms came with support from the White House due to what was said was an oil crisis in the U.S. from the war in the Middle East.

The group that gathered included California Assemblyman Gregg Hart along with Chief Legal Counsel for the Environmental Defense Center, Linda Krop, the Tribal Leader for the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, Mati Waiya and also Brandon Jones-Cobb Center for Biological Diversity.

“We’ve seen the disaster. This greed. This lopsided approach to taking away the health of our ecosystem for the profit of others. It’s absurd,” said Waiya. He referenced the impacts on marine life including the symbolic dolphins which carries a deep meaning and connection with tribal history and its ancestors.

Hart says at every turn Sable has not cooperated with California’s oil policy. “Sable continues pumping oil into its pipelines despite unresolved legal disputes, violations of state regulations and direct court orders that halt restart activities. California law and direct court orders are not optional. We cannot allow Sable and the Trump administration to operate as though they are above the law.”

Schiff says no hearings are expected in Washington on this oil production issue under the current leadership, but if it changes, he says. “I want to know what discussions took place around all the contributions the industry was making, and, how they sought to call on the promises the president made to be essentially the president of the oil industry,” he said. “That’s the line of questioning I will have when we get the opportunity. “

With a dual targeted approach aimed at Trump and Sable Carbajal said, “Trump and his cronies are telling people that Sable is a domestic solution to energy, to the energy crisis and the energy crisis that he created with his idiotic and illegal war with Iran. But the reality is that Sable won’t produce anywhere near oil to lower the price families are paying at the pump.” Many Santa Barbara drivers are currently paying in excess of $6.00 a gallon for gas now.

Schiff was angry that a wind energy project off the coast of Morro Bay has been stopped after a buy out-style deal by the Trump administration to two companies for $885-million to abandon their plan. “Moving off of fossil fuels and moving to renewable sources of energy is an environmental imperative. It is a health imperative. It’s an economic imperative. It is a national security imperative. So many of these conflicts, like this war we’re in now with Iran, end up being about, the oil economy,” he said.

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Buzzard Defense’s Second Motion Denied In Lompoc Courtroom

KEYT on May 7, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The second of two motions was heard in a Lompoc courtroom today from Erica Sutherland, the public defender of Ashlee Buzzard.

Buzzard is accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter Melodee and leaving her body in rural Utah last year.

On Wednesday in a Santa Maria courtroom, Judge Hippach denied Sutherland’s motion to quash a search warrant and traverse the sworn statement used to obtain it.

Reports say Sutherland claimed the warrant had been issued in haste and was based on hunches, but that prosecutor Jordan Lockey referenced incriminating evidence, and Judge Hippach agreed.

Today Buzzard returned to the Lompoc courthouse, where Judge Stephen Dunkle heard Sutherland’s other motion to compel further discovery of forensic evidence.

Prosecutor Jordan Lockey from the Santa Barbara County DA’s office argued that all evidence has been discovered to Sutherland, totaling 19 disks of material.

Further argument from Lockey implied that discovery of the magnitude and detail Sutherland claims is missing is unnecessary and unprecedented for the scheduling a preliminary hearing.

Judge Stephen Dunkle denied Sutherland’s motion to compel further discovery.

Buzzard will return to court on May 27th at 1:30, at which time a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Mass resignation: Idaho Falls Farmers Market Board steps down after public outcry over former manager’s plea agreement

KIFI on May 7, 2026

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The entire Idaho Falls Farmers Market Board of Directors has resigned, paving the way for new leadership, the organization announced on Facebook.

This decision comes after widespread public outcry regarding the market’s former manager, who had a 2019 felony conviction for injury to a child. A protest previously planned for Saturday has been canceled following the board’s resignation.

The organization announced the former manager resigned from his position on Monday, May 4, 2026, amid significant public backlash. He was initially hired by the market in 2021 as an assistant manager and was promoted to manager a year later. The controversy sparked hundreds of online comments, including reports of violent threats against current board members and vendors.

According to a statement from the former board members, they had initially hoped to hold a meeting with vendors to address concerns and plan next steps. However, safety concerns made it clear that a public meeting at that time would not allow for a safe and orderly transition process.

The former board members stated they used the farmers market’s bylaws and attorney guidance in their decision. “On the evening of May 6, 2026, current board members resigned in succession and were replaced according to the prior election results until a new board could be seated with enough members to conduct business under the bylaws,” the former board members said in a statement. “As of now, no prior board members remain on the Idaho Falls Farmers’ Market Board.”

The former manager had been on supervised probation since his 2019 plea agreement. Court records show that he had not violated the terms of his parole during his tenure. The farmers market bylaws allow board members to resign at any time.

The Idaho Falls Farmers Market has long been a Saturday morning tradition, attracting families to the greenbelt for local goods and produce. The issue gained public awareness after a post appeared in the “Life in Idaho Falls (SE Idaho) Facebook group” on May 3, 2026. The previous board had met on Wednesday evening, May 5, 2026, to determine a path forward. The new board was selected from a list of vendors who had previously expressed interest in serving.

The Idaho Falls Farmers Market will continue as scheduled on Saturday at 9 a.m. The former board members say the “new board will be responsible for leading the organization moving forward, communicating with vendors, and determining what additional changes may be needed.”

Vendor Impact and the Path Forward

For many vendors, the Farmers Market serves as a primary source of income. Camelia Gutierrez, owner of Blue Bonnet Flower Farm, and her husband work tirelessly growing and selling quality, fresh, and dried flowers each week at the market.

She says that they, like many, felt “blindsided” by the controversy.

“We don’t agree with how it was handled. And we didn’t know. Most of the vendors, I think most of the community, nobody knew. So it was pretty shocking overall,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez, who has planted 40,000 sprouts this season to supply her wildflower booth, called the board’s resignation “the best possible move” for the community. Despite some vendors choosing to depart the market permanently, Gutierrez remains optimistic about rebuilding.

“We’re very hopeful for moving forward and rebuilding this amazing market and all the vendors and everybody involved,” said Gutierrez. “Hopefully, we can come together and move forward in a positive way and keep getting together as a community and sharing the beautiful market that we have.”

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Local News 8 is aware of the intense digital conversation surrounding this story. While rumors moved quickly across social media over the past several days, our newsroom chose to delay reporting until tonight to ensure a higher standard of journalistic integrity.

Our mission is to provide accurate context to stories rather than fueling rumors or hearsay. We spent the last several days closely monitoring the social media controversy surrounding the Idaho Falls Farmers Market, reaching out directly to stakeholders and verifying legal standings to ensure accuracy and provide a complete picture of the situation.

In addition, Local News 8 has made the editorial decision not to name the former manager at this time. Our focus remains on the actions of the board, the safety of the community, and the future of this local event rather than providing a platform for further speculation and violent rhetoric.

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Bengals Win: ISU takes the Big Sky Softball Championship

KIFI on May 7, 2026

Max Gershon

UPDATE:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State University Bengals have captured the Big Sky Softball Championship title, defeating the Sacramento State Hornets 16-8 in a Game 10 blowout.

The Bengals left no room for doubt, jumping to a commanding 5-2 lead in the first inning. In the 2nd, the pressure continued with another 4 runs, stretching the gap to 9-3. By the end of the 3rd, another 5-run surge effectively put the game out of reach for Sacramento State, putting ISU at 14-5.

Finally, in the 5th, Bengals ace Marley Guluskin took the mound, and the crowd erupted as the Hornets struck out for the final time.

“As that swing and miss happens…It was like a weight off the shoulders. You know, we finally did it!” said Head Softball Coach Andrew Rich. “This group is unbelievable. You can’t ask for a better group of players and a better group of just human beings.”

Watch our full interviews with the team below:

ORIGINAL:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The stage is set for a showdown as the Idaho State Bengals face off against the Sacramento State Hornets in Game 10 of the 2026 Big Sky Softball Championship.

The Bengals enter the matchup with momentum on their side, looking to repeat the magic of their previous encounter in Game 7, where ISU overcame the Hornets in a 15-7 blowout following a massive comeback in the 4th.

Sacramento State earned its spot in today’s rematch after a 10-7 victory over the Montana Grizzlies on Wednesday. However, to keep their championship dreams alive, the Hornets must find a way to overcome the Bengals in a doubleheader.

If the Bengals win Game 10, they will officially be crowned the Big Sky Champions. If the Hornets win, they will force a decisive Game 11 tiebreaker to determine the overall winner.

The Idaho State Bengals are facing off with Sacramento State in Game 10 of the 2026 Big Sky Softball Championship. The stage is set for a rematch of Bengal’s dramatic comeback win. For more details, click HERE.

Local News 8 will provide updates on the championship action. Game 10 kicks off at 12:00 p.m. MT.

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11-Year-Old’s $1 Donation Sparks Eviction Prevention Push in Santa Barbara

KEYT on May 7, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – An 11-year-old’s one-dollar donation is helping inspire a new eviction prevention effort in Santa Barbara.

Everything Under the Sun, a local non-profit, recently helped a tenant avoid eviction and is now expanding that work with a broader campaign aimed at keeping more residents housed amid ongoing housing pressures in the region.

The initiative began in a simple but meaningful way — with a single dollar given by a child who knows the organization’s founder through sports. That small gesture has since grown into the foundation of a much larger fundraising effort.

Anastasia Rodriguez, 11, said she wanted to be part of helping people in need. “When he told me about his non-profit, I really wanted to help, so I wanted to donate the first dollar,” she said.

Founder Al Ortiz said the moment stood out as the beginning of the campaign. “The first thing that came out of Anastasia’s mouth was, ‘Coach Al, can I donate the first dollar toward the one million dollar challenge?’”

The organization now hopes to raise $1 million to support eviction prevention efforts and provide stability for more families across the community.

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