Report reveals highest paid on Riverside County government payroll

KESQ on June 30, 2026

City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The 10 highest paid officials in Riverside County government last year were working almost entirely in public health, according to a report released today by the California State Controller’s Office.

The agency on Tuesday published its 2025 Government Compensation in California analysis, showing how taxpayer funds were spent in the previous year, and who was receiving what for being on the public payroll. The data is available at publicpay.ca.gov.

As in 2024, the individual who received the largest income in county government was an unnamed staff psychiatrist for the Riverside University Health System’s Department of Behavioral Health. That doctor received a total $608,296, a large part of which may have been related to overtime claims.

Amounts documented by the controller’s office include base pay, overtime and lump sum disbursals, which are often tied to banked vacation and sick leave time that went unused, sometimes for years, then cashed out.

The second- and third-highest paid in 2025 were also Behavioral Health psychiatrists, both unnamed, taking home $569,294 and $560,356, respectively.

No. 4 on the list was Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Matthew Chang, who has consistently landed in the top 10 since the beginning of the decade. His composite salary last year was $553,240. Just behind him was another unidentified psychiatrist, whose total earnings were $545,811.

No. 6 was Riverside University Health System-Medical Center CEO Jennifer Cruikshank, whose total comp last year was $517,042, according to the report.

Figures showed next in line was another RUHS psychiatrist, identity not disclosed, who received $508,604,An unidentified sheriff’s master investigator was at No. 8 and the only non-medical classification in the top 10, with a total intake of $501,453, some of which may have been tied to a lump sum payout.

Rounding out the 10 highest paid were unnamed psychiatrists, one assigned to detention health to service the jails, and the other designated broadly as a Behavioral Health specialist, with annual incomes of $496,506 and $489,415, respectively.

County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen was at No. 20 for earnings in 2025, compared to No. 30 in 2024. His total compensation last year was $439,606, according to figures.

The five members of the Board of Supervisors were way down the list for annual comp packages, making less than District Attorney Mike Hestrin, whose earnings totaled $392,002, Sheriff Chad Bianco, at $391,069, or Public Defender Steve Harmon and Chief Counsel Minh Tran, who received $366,407 and$365,912, respectively. The supervisors were also behind many sheriff’s sergeants, deputy district attorneys, deputy public defenders, registered nurses, pharmacists, medical administrators and others.

The supervisors’ composite pay ranged from a high of $257,439 to a low of $133,913 in 2025, with Supervisor Jose Medina at the bottom. In keeping with a standard set by his District 1 predecessor, retired Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, Medina has vowed to keep his salary frozen for the duration of his service.

The controller’s website indicated that the average pay for a county employee last year was $73,713, compared to $65,739 in 2024. County government is the single largest employer in Riverside County, maintaining more than 26,000 positions. Roughly $2.36 billion in total wages were paid in 2025.

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Yellowstone Bear World reopens after bomb threat evacuates wildlife park

KIFI on June 30, 2026

Curtis Jackson

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI)—Yellowstone Bear World was closed for a time Tuesday afternoon after receiving a bomb threat.

The threat was reported at around 1 p.m. Owners evacuated around 300 guests to the parking area while Madison County Sheriff’s deputies searched the area. No devices or explosives were found, and the park was reopened shortly after 3 p.m.

On Sunday, Zoo Idaho received a similar threat and was closed for two days. It reopened Tuesday morning.

The FBI reported it has been investigating several bomb threats towards zoos and aquariums around the United States in recent months.

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UTEP researchers 3D-print battery materials, possibly changing power methods

KVIA on June 30, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso developed a way to 3D-print a battery component into nearly any shape. Tuesday, UTEP said the team’s innovation could change how devices are powered.

The researcher’s study focused on gel polymer electrolytes, which is the material inside a battery used to carry the electrical charge. UTEP said electrolytes are liquids that usually have to be sealed inside casings.

UTEP said the usual design limits battery shapes and raises worries about safety and leaks.

As an alternative, UTEP researchers created a printable gel by combining resin with a lithium-based liquid electrolyte and hardening it layer by layer.

UTEP said the printed material worked on par with electrolytes made with the usual methods.

“For years, the shape of a battery has dictated the shape of the device it powers,” said Alexis Maurel, the study’s lead researcher. “We are showing that you can print a high-performing electrolyte battery component with any shape and place it almost anywhere you want.”

Researchers printed discs, an open honeycomb lattice and a solid cube — showing how future batteries can be shaped to fit a device instead of forcing a device to accommodate batteries.

As for stability, researchers said one of their formulations was especially stable during repeated testing.

UTEP said the research team plans to refine its work and incorporate their printed electrolytes into complete battery cells.

The team’s work has been published in Communications Engineering, part of the Nature family of journals.

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Palm Springs City Council approves new convention center food service contract

KESQ on June 30, 2026

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif (KESQ) – The Palm Springs City Council has unanimously approved a new contract putting OVG Hospitality in charge of food and beverage service at the Palm Springs Convention Center for the next five years.

Council members approved the agreement during a special meeting Tuesday. OVG Hospitality, a division of Oak View Group, already manages the convention center under a separate agreement approved last year, along with the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre and Acrisure Arena.

The vote came one week after council members postponed a decision, directing city staff to continue negotiations with OVG Hospitality and the current food service provider, Savoury’s.

Mayor Naomi Soto said that extra week of negotiations ultimately resulted in a stronger agreement.

“What you see on this council is that we have a variety of expertise, perspectives and I think that makes the business we do at the City of Palm Springs stronger,” Soto said.

One of the biggest concerns raised during last week’s meeting was whether local restaurants and independent vendors would still have a place at the convention center under a single food service operator.

City officials say the contract now requires more opportunities for Coachella Valley restaurants and vendors to participate in convention center events and creates a separate process for local nonprofit groups to provide food at certain events. Staff will return to the council within 30 days with additional details on how those programs will work.

“We are so excited that within this new contract with our new management fee structure we are able to get a lot of bells and whistles that are confirmed and secured in this contract and working with local brands is a key part of that,” Soto said. “Now we have direct promises from OVG that they’re going to make that Palm Springs feel real in the building.”

The agreement also changes how the city will receive revenue. Instead of collecting a percentage of food and beverage sales, the city will now collect the revenue directly while paying OVG Hospitality a management fee.

According to city staff, the agreement guarantees Palm Springs at least $750,000 annually and is expected to generate more than $17 million over the next five years—about $3.4 million more than the previous payment structure.

City leaders say the agreement isn’t just about food service. Soto said having a long-term operator in place gives meeting planners more confidence when booking events years in advance, helping attract more conventions, visitors and tourism dollars to Palm Springs.

“People want to book conferences and events and experience and travel when they know what to anticipate, especially for conferences,” Soto said. “The fact that we have a five-year contract with a globally known company able to do food and beverage at the convention center means that planners and conferences are able to book out saying, ‘Wow, I’m excited for what’s happening at Palm Springs.'”

OVG Hospitality is expected to take over food and beverage operations at the Palm Springs Convention Center beginning July 1.

Oak View Group declined News Channel 3’s request for an on-camera interview following Tuesday’s vote.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Kehoe signs $50 billion budget with about $490 million in vetoes, restricted funds

KMIZ on June 30, 2026

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the new fiscal year set to start on Wednesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday signed a fiscal 2027 state budget of about $50 billion, while vetoing or restricting about half a billion dollars in funding, including money for major local projects.

Among those projects are the University of Missouri’s Energy Innovation Center and a new campus agriculture center. Kehoe decided to restrict $2 million meant for the innovation center and $5 million meant for the ag center. That money could be spent later if state finances improve.

Overall restrictions totaled about $441 million.

FY 27 VetoesDownload

Kehoe’s actions align with priorities he first outlined in January, when he called for significant spending restraint as Missouri faces what his administration described as a long-term structural budget imbalance.

His proposed fiscal year 2027 budget cuts roughly $600 million from the state’s core operating budget compared with the prior year. It aimed to reduce overall spending from $55.1 billion to $54.5 billion while returning state finances closer to pre-pandemic spending levels.

State officials have pointed to shrinking reserves, the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief dollars and years of spending growth as reasons for tighter budget controls.

At the same time, Kehoe preserved funding in areas his administration identified as top priorities. The budget includes about $2 billion for public safety initiatives, including Missouri Blue Shield grants, Operation Relentless Pursuit and law enforcement scholarships; $338 million for economic development and workforce programs; $59.4 million for agriculture investments; $9.8 billion for education, and $24.8 billion for healthcare and Medicaid-related services.

Kehoe has repeatedly warned about too much spending by the General Assembly, and echoed that sentiment in a statement released Tuesday.

“State government doesn’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem, and continuing to spend faster than we grow our economy is not a sustainable path forward,” Kehoe said in a news release. “Our work doesn’t end with balancing this year’s budget. By maintaining fiscal discipline and continuing to grow Missouri’s economy, we are building the foundation for an even more strong and resilient Missouri.”

The budget included using $179 million in one-time funding to pay for ongoing costs, Kehoe’s office stated in the release.

Kehoe vetoed 65 line items worth more than $52 million in revenue. That money included $250,000 for Mid-Missouri-based Coyote Hill Foster Ministries and $500,000 for Powerhouse Columbia, both budgeted through the Department of Social Services.

Another $250,000 was voted for substance abuse and mental health treatment courts.

The governor vetoed $500,000 for a security grant program for nonprofit organizations. Joran Kadosh, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Heartland, said in a prepared statement that such funding was critical right now.

“At a time when hate-fueled threats and violence continue to target Jewish institutions and many other faith-based and community organizations, investments in nonprofit security are not optional—they are essential,” Kadosh wrote. “We are disappointed that funding for Missouri’s nonprofit security grant program was vetoed. These grants would have provided houses of worship, schools, and community organizations with critical resources to strengthen their security and help protect the people they serve.”

Restrictions total about $441 million.

FY 27 July 1 RestrictionsDownload

Kehoe preserved $15 million for Jefferson City’s downtown conference center project. City leaders praised the action, and Mayor Ron Fitzwater emphasized in a prepared statement that the conference center will leverage the city’s status as the state capital to attract visitors and business.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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YPD to conduct impaired driving enforcement detail for Fourth of July weekend

KYMA on June 30, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says they are conducting an impaired driving enforcement detail this Fourth of July weekend.

YPD says it will start Friday, July 3, 2026 to Sunday, July 5, 2026, with additional officers patrolling the streets looking to stop and arrest drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During that time, YPD says they will also enforce traffic laws, raise public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives on the roadways.

In addition, YPD is offering the following tip for those under the influence:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin!

Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.

If you’re impaired, use a taxi, Uber, or call a sober friend or family member.

If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911.

In addition, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

4th of July DUI Detail 2026Download

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Two men from Columbia run over in Jefferson City hit-and-run; charges pending

KMIZ on June 30, 2026

Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men from Columbia were run over by a vehicle on Monday at the intersection of Idlewood Drive and Route C in Jefferson City, according to a crash report from the Jefferson City Police Department that was sent to media on Tuesday.

Police later on Tuesday said the driver, a 43-year-old woman, was in custody on suspicion of two counts of leaving the scene of a crash, failure to register a vehicle and driving without insurance..

Jesus Contreras, 32, and Roberto Gutierrez, 26, were injured in the crash, the report says. JCPD Lt. Curtis Finke clarified the men had moderate injuries.

The report says JCPD was called at 10:49 a.m. Monday for a hit-and-run crash that involved a Lincoln MKC. Both men were brought to an area hospital.

Police then posted a video to its social media showing the crash. The video shows two people walking in the intersection and seemingly stop as a vehicle turns and hits them.

Both men were flown off the hood of the vehicle and the vehicle appears to stop as the men are outside of both sides of the vehicle, the video shows. The vehicle is then seen driving away.

Finke told ABC 17 News that the driver of the vehicle is in custody.

Check back for updates.  

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Highland High School rebuild remains on track for January 2027

KIFI on June 30, 2026

Par Kermani

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — More than three years after a fire heavily damaged Highland High School, the next phase of the school’s rebuild is nearing completion.

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 says construction remains on schedule for students and staff to move into the first phase of the new campus following winter break on Jan. 4, 2027.

Construction crews have also started work on a new six-court tennis complex and parking lot across Bench Road. The courts will be used by Highland High School student-athletes and the community through a partnership between School District 25 and the City of Pocatello.

The rebuild follows an accidental electrical fire in April 2023 that damaged about 75,000 square feet of the school.

The first phase of the project, set to open in January, includes six classrooms, a cafeteria, kitchen and commons area, along with a multi-level gymnasium, weight room, indoor track, wrestling room, locker rooms and athletic offices.

Additional facilities are expected to open in July 2027, including choir, band, orchestra and drama classrooms, as well as performing arts spaces.

“This project has always been about restoring more than a building,” Superintendent Dr. Douglas Howell said. “Highland is a place where generations of learners have built friendships, discovered their passions, and created lifelong memories. Every milestone brings us closer to welcoming learners and staff back into a campus that honors that legacy while providing exceptional learning spaces for the future.”

While the first phase is set to open after winter break, construction will continue on the remaining portions of the campus, including performing arts spaces and music and theater classrooms.

The district says the full rebuild remains on schedule for completion by August 2027, allowing students to begin the 2027-28 school year in the finished campus.

Those interested in following the project’s progress can find updates, renderings and time-lapse videos on the district’s Highland High School rebuild website.

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Former Portneuf Valley Soccer Club President charged with Felony Grand Theft

KIFI on June 30, 2026

News Team

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The former President of the Portneuf Valley Soccer, Cristie Stone, has been charged with Felony Grand Theft following an investigation into the organization’s finances.

Stone served as the President of the PVSC from 2020 until late 2024. The charges, filed by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office, came after an internal forensic audit uncovered significant financial irregularities.

The Accusations and Timeline

According to the criminal complaint filed on June 16, 2026, Stone is accused of one count of grand theft involving more than $219,000 from the PVSC between March 1, 2022, and December 30, 2024.

The investigation began on February 25, 2025, when the Pocatello Police Department received a call from a PVSC finance administrator about possible fraud in the organization. An incident report from the PPD says the financial administrator was reconciling multiple existing copies of financial records in QuickBooks and similar software in October 2024 into one single record. That’s when she noticed the PVSC would be reporting a loss for the first time in her memory. This led to her gathering transaction data from the organization’s bank accounts.

The administrator flagged over 16 suspicious transactions at Idaho Central Credit Union between January 2023 and April 2024. She also found suspicious transactions from their Citizens Community Bank account from August 2023 to January 2025, totaling $219,884.38 between both accounts.

The incident report says that after the transactions were discovered in October 2024, “the Board of the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club met several times regarding these transactions and specifically asked Cristie Stone about these transactions, what they were for, and substantiating documentation that these were legitimate expenses. [The financial administrator] reported that Stone offered varying explanations and alleged that her personal credit card had been linked to the PVSC checking account by mistake and that she had not noticed.”

It was also reported that the Soccer Club Board called an emergency meeting on February 25, 2025, with the “intent to restrict or remove Stone as Club president.”

Investigators served a search warrant to ICCU to gain access to the transaction history. Further investigation determined that the funds had been transferred from a PVSC account into a personal ICCU credit card account belonging to Stone.

Internal Audit Uncovers Discrepancies

The PVSC Board of Directors publicly announced the investigation in a news release on June 17. According to the board, leadership took decisive action after discovering initial financial discrepancies, immediately retaining an independent forensic accounting firm to review the club’s financial records and transactions.

The findings of that audit were subsequently handed over to Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney Ian Johnson for evaluation and legal action.

“Because the matter is under review by the Prosecutor’s office, PVSC will not make comments on individuals, evidence, or potential legal proceedings,” PVSC President Mary Keller said in the release. “PVSC recognizes that all parties are entitled to due process and will not engage in further public discussion that could interfere with the investigative process.”

What Happens Next?

Stone’s formal arraignment is scheduled to take place on July 7, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. at the Bannock County Courthouse. If she’s found guilty, Stone faces up to 14 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5000.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As in all criminal cases, charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Head-on crash in Camden County leaves three seriously injured

KMIZ on June 30, 2026

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash in Camden County on Monday night.

According to the online crash report, a 39-year-old Springfield woman was driving a 2024 Jeep Wrangler eastbound on Highway 54 west of Route W at 10:15 p.m. Monday. The report states that the vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2019 Nissan Sentra going westbound, driven by a 44-year-old Harrison, Arkansas, woman, along with a 14-year-old boy, also from Harrison.

The 14-year-old passenger was flown to Cox Health, and the 44-year-old driver was flown to University Hospital, both suffering serious injuries. The 39-year-old Springfield woman also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Lake Regional Hospital by Mid-Mo Ambulance.

All three were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to the report.

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