Deschutes County considers ranked-choice voting for commissioners

KTVZ on July 11, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new proposal in Deschutes County seeks to change how voters elect county commissioners, potentially introducing ranked-choice voting to future races. The initiative is currently in the signature-gathering stage and aims to decide elections on a single ballot.

Current system and proposed change

If approved, the measure would replace the current “first-past-the-post” system, which often leads to runoff elections. Under the existing model, a candidate must receive 50% plus one vote to win outright; otherwise, the top two candidates advance to a runoff.

Two commissioner races in Deschutes County are headed to a runoff this November under that system.

Where ranked-choice is already used

In Oregon, ranked-choice voting is already used in Multnomah and Benton counties, as well as in the cities of Portland and Corvallis.

How ranked-choice voting works

Under the proposed system, voters rank candidates from most to least preferred. Ballots are first counted by each voter’s top choice.

If a candidate meets a set threshold, such as 25% in a three-seat race, they win a seat and surplus votes are redistributed.

If no candidate meets the threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those votes are reassigned based on next choices.

The process continues until all seats are filled.

Supporters cite broader representation

Amanda Page, co-petitioner for Voices for All Deschutes, said ranked-choice voting allows for broader representation beyond geography.

“And so for me, it provides representation not just for those geographical differences, but also ideological differences,” Page said.

Brian Smith, with the Tribal Democracy Project, said the system reflects proportional representation.

“It comes to this idea of representation that’s proportionate. Legislative bodies, commissions, councils — they should reflect the voters while still protecting the majority,” Smith said.

Limited scope of proposal

The proposed change would apply only to Deschutes County commissioner races. Other elections would continue using the current system.

Implementation and logistical challenges

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison said the change would shift commissioner races off the May ballot and require significant public outreach.

“So we would not have commissioner race on the ballot in May as we do right now. That’s one big piece. The other thing will just be implementation. A lot of outreach,” Dennison said.

Costs and system upgrades

Dennison said the county would need to upgrade its ballot tabulation system to handle ranked-choice voting.

“We’ll have to modify our ballot tabulation system, pay for the upgrade to be able to count those ranked choice voting races,” he said.

He added that a second ballot could be required, potentially increasing printing and mailing costs.

What’s next

The proposal must gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, where voters would ultimately decide its fate.

Upcoming public forum

The League of Women Voters will host a forum on ranked-choice voting Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bend Central Library.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yuma man convicted of aggravated assault awaits sentencing

KYMA on July 11, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma man appeared back in court Friday for the final arguments and impact statements ahead of his sentencing hearing.

25-year-old Gabriel Taddei was found guilty last month of one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection to the shooting of a 29-year-old man back in October of 2024.

The jury reached the verdict during his retrial, and the charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

“I will continue to believe, given all the evidence, everything we know, and everything presented to the jury, that he did act in self-defense,” said Joshua Tesoriero, Taddei’s lawyer.

Taddei will be back in court later this month to learn his sentence.

Click here to follow the original article.

Storm cleanup underway in Morgan County with more severe weather possible

KMIZ on July 11, 2026

Melissa Houston

ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. (KMIZ)

A severe morning storm caused tree damage and a widespread power outage across Morgan County on July 10, and residents spent much of the day preparing for possible storms later at night.

In an email to ABC 17 News, Co-Mo Electric Cooperative representative Patrick Wood said at one point nearly 3,000 customers had lost power, mostly in Morgan County. As of 7:30 p.m. Friday, more than 1,800 co-op members still had no electricity.

Wood wrote that the chance for more storms later in the evening prompted crews to try and restore as much power as possible before a second storm hits.

“With the number of active outages and the damage they are seeing, there will likely still be restoration work underway when additional storms move into the area this afternoon,” Wood wrote.

Wood wrote it is likely a second storm would create more power outages for the community.

Starting at 8 a.m., the morning storm generated 23 service calls in the area, according to Rocky Mount Fire Protection District Chief Jonathan Trail.

Trail said the calls were for tree debris in the road and falling on power lines, though no major injuries were reported.

“We were fortunate we didn’t have any injuries to any civilians or personnel, but we did have a fair amount of storm damage,” Trail said. “A lot of tree damage and some residences were also damaged with them.”

Trail said crews cleared all of the blockages in preparation for possible severe weather coming later in the evening. He said the department has experienced a couple of severe storms since July 4, and they know how to prepare for this upcoming one.

“Through the 4th to now, we’ve gotten quite a bit of wind and rain, so we’re obviously going to be ready for it,” Trail said.

The department has responded to 56 storm-related calls since July 4, which exceeds its average of 40 emergency calls per month, according to Trail.

With the high temperatures and ongoing outages, Trail said Station One will be open during business hours for residents needing a space with power.

“It’s pretty warm out,” Trail said. “If people need to come up during business hours just to get in the cool area, they’re more than welcome to come up here to Station One, and we’ll accommodate them.”

In preparation for the second storm tonight, Trail said they are advising residents to be cautious when on the roads. Specifically, if there are flooded roadways, he recommends that motorists turn their vehicles around and not attempt to go through the flood.

“It’s not worth having to have us come out to rescue you, or worse, find yourself in a situation where we can’t get there to help you,” Trail said.

Click here to follow the original article.

National Young Adult Fiddle Player of the Year Serenades on the Strings

KIFI on July 11, 2026

Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Shelby Murdock of Blackfoot has been named the 2026 National Young Adult Fiddle Player of the Year.

The competition, now in its 73rd year, was held in Weiser and featured competitors from across the country and as far away as Japan.

Murdock said competitors ranged in age from 4 to 95. Despite the wide range of talent, she earned the top honor and took home the championship belt buckle.

Although she didn’t begin playing the fiddle until age 13, Murdock quickly fell in love with the instrument. She later majored in music at Idaho State University and continues to perform with Snake River Strings Music School, Sounds of Summit and several other musical groups.

Murdock also stopped by Local News 8 Live in the Morning for a special performance. You can watch the video at the top of this article.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mesilla Valley Transportation reacts to $104 million verdict in wrongful death lawsuit

KVIA on July 11, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On Wednesday, an El Paso jury awarded a family $104 million dollars after finding MVT Services LLC liable for the death of its employee, Orlando Robles.

The company, also known as Mesilla Valley Transportation, sent ABC-7 a statement on Friday:

“We want to take a moment to address the recent jury verdict concerning the tragic accident involving two of our drivers. Our hearts continue to go out to the families affected by this tragic accident. This loss has had a profound impact on all of us. While we respect the judicial process, we are evaluating our appellate options.”

Robles was in the sleeping compartment of an 18-wheeler when attorneys say the driver, Juan Garcia, dozed off and slammed into the back of another big rig on the side of the road. The crash happened October 2020 along I-40 in rural Oklahoma. Robles died as a result of the crash.

His mother, wife, five daughters and son sued Garcia and the trucking company. They argued MVT’s policy did not specify drivers had to sleep during their breaks, only that they had to rest. Attorneys for the family argued Garcia had been on his phone during his resting time instead of sleeping, and when he got behind the wheel they said he was too fatigued to drive.

The case went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court which declined to hear it and sent it back to the trial court, where a jury on Wednesday returned the verdict.

Click here to follow the original article.

Boone County firefighters assist with distressed horse

KMIZ on July 11, 2026

Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Fire Protection District helped get a horse that was down and unable to rise stabilized and loaded for transport to medical care.

Firefighters responded to a property on Bowling Lane east of Rangeline Road and New Haven Road, where they found the horse on the ground. Working with a veterinarian, the firefighters were able to stabilize the horse and load it onto a trailer. They then took the horse to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center for treatment.

No details were provided on what had happened to the horse prior to its rescue.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yuma School District One students celebrate STEM learning during Fourth Annual STEMKAMP

KYMA on July 11, 2026

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma School District One students wrapped up a week of hands-on learning Friday during STEMKAMP Family Day at Ron Watson Middle School.

The event marked the conclusion of the Fourth Annual STEMKAMP, a weeklong summer program that introduces incoming third through eighth grade students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through interactive activities and real-world experiences.

STEMKAMP, which stands for “STEM for Kids of Active Military Personnel,” welcomes all students while maintaining its mission of supporting military-connected families.

Throughout the morning, students showcased projects they completed during the week and participated in interactive STEM challenges alongside their families.

The event also featured the Pathways to Possibilities Expo, where local businesses, military organizations and higher education partners introduced students to a variety of STEM career opportunities.

“STEMKAMP is a science enrichment camp. It’s a weeklong camp for incoming third through eighth grade students in Yuma School District One,” said Amanda Norton, the Yuma STEMKAMP Director. “This is our fourth year doing it. Each year is a very different one…And we just enjoy the community participating with us and having the kids and the families come back each year.”

Organizers say the nationally recognized program helps students strengthen problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills while connecting classroom learning to future careers in STEM fields.

Yuma School District One says partnerships with local businesses, military organizations and community leaders continue to provide students with meaningful opportunities to explore careers and develop skills that will benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.

Click here to follow the original article.

Firefighters extinguish fire in Ocotillo

KYMA on July 11, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

OCOTILLO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) says firefighters extinguished a fire in Ocotillo.

ICFD says the fire happened in the area of Sierra Vista Avenue and Agate Road, near Evan Hewes Highway, before 3 p.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, ICFD says Engine 4 saw a “rapidly spreading fire involving multiple structures and large LPG tanks,” but as the fire intensified, firefighters retreated due to ammunition found in the area.

While four structures were fully engulfed in flames, ICFD says fire crews “faced the immediate threat” of nine additional homes and “the potential involvement of up to 16 more structures.”

Courtesy: Imperial County Fire Department

Courtesy: Imperial County Fire Department

This prompted ICFD to request mutual aid from the following agencies who responded:

Calexico Fire Department

Yuma Fire Department

El Centro Fire Department

Holtville Fire Department

Westmorland Fire Department

NAF El Centro Fire Department

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

American Medical Response

CalOES Fire & Rescue

U.S. Border Patrol

Courtesy: Imperial County Fire Department

Courtesy: Imperial County Fire Department

In addition, ICFD says a “reverse-911 notification was issued to Ocotillo resident,” urging them to evacuate the area, and says the American Red Cross and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) were notified, with ICFD requesting IID “to shut off power to the Sage Brush, Sierra Vista and Imperial Highway corridors to enhance firefighter safety.”

Courtesy: Imperial County Fire Department

Firefighters remained in the area until 4 a.m. Friday fighting the fire until it was fully extinguished.

While there were no injuries reported, there is no word on what caused the fire, and the investigation is ongoing.

Imperial County Fire Department – Media Advisory Ocotillo – Sierra Vista and Agate Road 07.09.26Download

Click here to follow the original article.

New ‘S.T.E.P.’ program empowers Imperial Valley residents with disabilities to become their own bosses

KYMA on July 11, 2026

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley is breaking down traditional employment barriers, helping individuals with disabilities achieve self-determination through entrepreneurship.

“Access to Thrive,” a local non-profit organization, recently celebrated the inaugural graduation of its S.T.E.P. (Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Pathways) program, marking a major milestone for inclusive business development in the region.

The first-ever graduating class consisted of 25 passionate individuals from across Imperial County. The cohort brought together individuals with disabilities, full-time caregivers and local community visionaries.

Over three months, the intensive program guided participants from initial concepts to formal business launches.

To set the new entrepreneurs up for long-term success, Access to Thrive provided each student with a free, brand-new laptop, operational artificial intelligence (AI) training, and essential business development tools.

Beyond that, the program set itself apart by offering comprehensive mental health and emotional support.

A dedicated psychologist worked alongside the students to help navigate the emotional toll of both systemic barriers and the anxiety of starting a business.

S.T.E.P. Program Director Ashley Contreras witnessed a dramatic shift in the participants over the course of the training.

“From day one when the students came in, a lot of them were depressed, lost, and unsure if they wanted to do this or not,” Contreras said. “At the end, it was just a complete 360. Everyone was motivated, dreaming, and feeling capable of accomplishing and starting a business.”

The impact of the program is already hitting the local market. Armed with legal business registrations and concrete operational plans, the graduates have officially launched a wide variety of localized ventures, including businesses in gardening, fashion design, and cosmetology.

Due to the overwhelming success of the first session, organizers say plans are already well underway for future S.T.E.P. cohorts.

Click here to follow the original article.

HESD named one of only seven in California to receive 2026 LEAD award

KYMA on July 11, 2026

Lynette Niebla

HEBER, Calif. (KYMA) – The Heber Elementary School District (HESD) is celebrating a major statewide honor after being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Latino/a Educational Advancement and Distinction (LEAD) Award.

The prestigious recognition, granted by the California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA), names HESD as one of only seven school districts across the entire state of California to receive the honor this year.

The LEAD Award honors district leadership that exemplify exceptional governance, innovation, and professionalism.

Specifically, the award recognizes an unwavering commitment to advancing educational opportunities and leveling the playing field for Latino/a and at-promise youth.

Heber was selected based on demonstrated excellence in educational equity, visionary systems leadership, and creating a positive, lasting impact within the local community.

According to district leaders, the accolade serves as a powerful reflection of what can be accomplished when an entire community unites around student success.

For district leadership, the statewide spotlight validates the daily, often unseen efforts of local classroom teachers and support staff.

“It validates the work of our team,” said HESD Superintendent Juan Cruz. “Our teachers and our staff work extremely hard, and…I’m proud to say that the staff here is not a staff that just gives a minimum. They go far above and beyond every single day, and it’s a validation that the work that they’re doing is paying off.”

The 2026 LEAD Awards will be officially presented next month during the annual CLSBA Unity Conference in San Jose.

Click here to follow the original article.