Imperial County libraries launch ‘Fine Forgiveness’ program ahead of August closures

KYMA on July 21, 2026

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – If you have an overdue library book collecting dust on your counter, your wallet is about to thank you.

The Imperial County Free Library system has officially launched its “Fine Forgiveness Bi-Week” program, giving local readers an opportunity to clear their accounts completely free of charge. Officials decided to bring the initiative back after it was a massive hit with the community last year.

Between Monday, July 20 and Friday, July 31, book lovers can return overdue or slightly damaged library materials to have all associated late fees entirely wiped clean.

To make the process even easier, residents do not even need to step foot inside a building. Materials can be dropped off directly into the outdoor drop boxes at any of the county’s four participating branch locations in Heber, Holtville, Calipatria, and Salton City.

“We understand life happens, things happen, and not everyone has the means to pay a fine depending on how many books they’ve checked out,” said Imperial County Librarian Mary Jane Guerrero. “We try to be accommodating in that sense.”

Guerrero emphasized that every returned book helps support the local region.

“We are relatively smaller than comparing ourselves to the larger libraries that have more of a central base community,” Guerrero said. “So, we try to ensure that everything brought back allows us to continue providing the services and materials needed by these small communities.”

While the library is offering a clean slate for late returns, administrators noted a few important restrictions to keep in mind before you head out.

The grace period does not cover completely lost items, nor does the program apply to older, unrelated fines already sitting on a patron’s record. However, fees will be waived for minor book damage, provided the total repair cost does not exceed $25.

The push to get books back on the shelves comes just ahead of a system-wide shutdown. All Imperial County library branches will close to the public starting Monday, August 3, to allow staff to conduct an annual inventory audit.

The cleanup will ensure catalogs are accurate and collections remain accessible. Doors are scheduled to reopen just in time for the upcoming school year on Monday, August 17.

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Arizona attorney general to host town hall in Yuma

KYMA on July 21, 2026

Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is coming to Yuma to hear about bio-solids concerns from residents.

Attorney General Mayes is holding a town hall this Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center.

She says she’s interested in hearing concerns about bio-solids from the Yuma community.

The issue became a hot topic this year, garnering reaction from locals as well as county leaders.

If anyone is interested in attending, and would like to RSVP, click here.

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Found child safely reunited with family: Horizon police

KVIA on July 21, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (6:52 p.m.) — Horizon police said the child has been safely reunited with her family.

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — The Horizon City Police Department is trying to find a girl’s family after being found. In a social media post made Tuesday, police said the girl was safely found in the area of Darrington Road and Antwerp.

Police found her after 4 p.m. Tuesday and wants to reunite her with her family as quickly as possible. They believe she is 10-12 years old.

Courtesy: Horizon City Police Department

If you recognize this child or have any information that may help identify her family, contact the Horizon City Police Department immediately at (915) 852-1047 or respond in person at 15021 Darrington Rd.

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FIRE ALERT: Temporary Emergency Closure Implemented for Akawa Butte Fire

KTVZ on July 21, 2026

Dylan Anderman

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Effective immediately, the Deschutes National Forest is temporarily closing an area east of Forest Service Road 11 on the Sisters Ranger District for public safety due to the Akawa Butte Fire.

The area is closed to the public due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Akawa Butte Fire.  

For more information about the temporary emergency closure, visit the Deschutes National Forest website.

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Boone County cyclosporiasis total climbs to 45 cases

KMIZ on July 21, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

There have been a total of 45 cases of cyclosporiasis in Boone County as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.

A PHHS spokesman told ABC 17 News on Monday that there were 37 cases of the diarrhea-causing illness reported and Cole County had five cases, according to its health department on Monday.

The University of Missouri said last week that it has pulled iceberg lettuce from its dining halls in response to a recall.

Walmart had removed four bagged lettuce brands from its shelves in 27 states, according to previous reporting.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported 216 cases in the state this week.

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Los Angeles man arrested for allegedly stealing over $30K across Coachella Valley and LA

KESQ on July 21, 2026

City News Service

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 59-year-old Los Angeles man suspected of stealing more than $30,000 from retail stores across the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles area was behind bars today.

The suspect was booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of burglary, grand theft, organized retail crime and possession of stolen property, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

County jail records show the suspect is out of custody. Bail information was not available. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 27 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft Sunday in the 34000 block of Monterey Avenue in Rancho Mirage.

The department’s Robbery Burglary Suppression Team identified Grigoryan as the suspect.

A search warrant was executed Monday in the 65000 block of Rolling Hills Drive in Desert Hot Springs, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Deputies also found more than $7,000 worth of allegedly stolen merchandise that was later returned to retailers.

The investigation was ongoing, and anyone with additional information regarding the thefts was asked to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1600.

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Pedestrian crossing upgrades set to begin in Cathedral City

KESQ on July 21, 2026

Haley Meberg

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City’s Public Works Department announced upcoming pedestrian crossing construction starting July 22.

The project is operated by the Onyx Paving Company, Inc. and will take place at the intersection of 30th Avenue and San Eljay Avenue as a part of the HSIP Cycle 11D Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades project.

This project aims to improve safety at the intersection, making updates like LED safety lighting, ADA curb ramps and curb bulb-outs, new pavement markings, advanced warning signs and new asphalt overlay.

Construction is set to begin July 22 and last until July 28, with work hours spanning from 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cathedral City officials say drivers should prepare for intermittent lane closures and traffic delays while the project is in place. They urge residents to reduce speed in the ConeZone, watch out for workers and consider alternative routes to their destinations.

For more information stay with News Channel 3.

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La Quinta urges residents to support local businesses with community card program

KESQ on July 21, 2026

Haley Meberg

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of La Quinta encourages community members to participate in the La Quinta Community Card program, helping local businesses survive the summer months in the desert.

The promotional event is in effect and will stay in place through September 30th. With the purchase of a Love LQ Card, community members will be matched 50% of the original card’s price, which could range up to a total of $50.

More than 30 shops and restaurants are participating in this event, and all the money spent will go directly back to the small businesses in the city.

For more information about how to apply for a card and the participating businesses, visit Shop La Quinta Local Community Card | La Quinta, California Gift Card — Shop over 30 Local Businesses.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more information.

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City of Pocatello seeks 7th seat member for Golf Advisory Committee

KIFI on July 21, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello is looking for a volunteer to fill a vacancy on its Golf Advisory Committee.

The position is open for immediate appointment, and applications will be accepted through Aug. 4.

The seven-member committee makes recommendations and decisions related to the city’s municipal golf courses. Members also help oversee communication between golfers, city officials and course employees at Riverside Golf Course and Highland Golf Course.

The committee meets at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month during the golf season, which runs from March through October.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee can apply by contacting the mayor’s office at Pocatello City Hall or by visiting pocatello.gov and selecting the Advisory Committees link.

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El Paso Symphony Orchestra to perform ‘Harry Potter’ film concert October

KVIA on July 21, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The world of Harry Potter is coming to El Paso’s Plaza Threatre with an elevated movie-viewing experience October. The El Paso Symphony Orchestra and University of Texas at El Paso Choral Union will perform one of the movies’ soundtrack while the film plays on a 40-foot screen!

Oct. 10, the theatre will echo the music from the third film, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” according to the orchestra.

Tickets go on sale July 30 at 10 a.m. on elpasolive.com and epso.org, according to a news release.

Doors open at 6 p.m. the day of the show and the performance will start at 7 p.m.

The experience is part of a “Film Concert Series” made for the Harry Potter movies, according to the orchestra. Debuting in 2016, the series is scheduled to perform across more than 48 countries.

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