Palm Springs Fire and Police departments go head-to-head for blood drive

KESQ on July 7, 2026

Kiera McKinney

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- Blood donations are at a historic low and the Palm Springs Police and Fire department are teaming up for a friendly competition for the first time.

According to the American Red Cross, the number of donors has dropped by roughly 40% over the last two decades. This marks the lowest level of national blood donors in 20 years.

This period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is considered “trauma season,” when hospitals often see more serious injuries from car crashes, ATV accidents, sports injuries, and other summer activities which would raising the need for blood.

The blood drive is July 9th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m at O’Donnell Golf Club, 301 N. Belardo Road.

Tempe Essell, the president of the Red Cross Riverside County, said “This is a critical time for blood donations because a lot of our blood comes from high school students. High schools being out. We have nowhere to go. And we are blessed that the Palm Springs Fire Department and Police Department have joined with us to do this. Every time you give blood, one pint of blood, you save three people.”

“We’re trying to create some friendly rivalry, but, the true winners are going to be the people that need this blood” said Gustavo Araiza, Captain from Palm Springs Police.

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Sheriff’s office: Father accidentally fired gun in fatal Plano shooting; Case sent to Prosecutor

KIFI on July 7, 2026

Seth Ratliff

PLANO, Idaho (KIFI) —The late June shooting that claimed the life of a 49-year-old Plano woman has been determined an accident after her father unintentionally fired the gun, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced in an update Tuesday.

Investigators confirmed that Scott Perrenoud was performing maintenance on a weapon on June 28 when it discharged, striking his daughter, Lesa Perrenoud. Other family members inside the home witnessed the shooting, according to deputies.

On June 28, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a residence located at 4021 N. 5725 E. Upon arrival, emergency responders found Lesa Perrenoud, 49, unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound, and immediately began lifesaving efforts.

Perrenoud was flown by air ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, where she later died from her injuries.

The Sheriff’s Office has now confirmed that its investigation is complete. The case file will be forwarded to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office for review to determine if any legal action is appropriate.

“The Madison County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Lesa Perrenoud during this difficult time,” the agency said in the release.

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Todd Rundgren to perform at Abraham Chavez Theater November

KVIA on July 7, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Todd Rundgren, known for “Bang the Drum All Day” and “Hello It’s Me,” will perform at the Abraham Chavez Theater in El Paso come November, according to a news release Tuesday.

Hardin’s Music Saloon said tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. for the Nov. 7 concert. El Paso Live’s website said there will also be a pre-sale Thursday at 10 a.m.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Rundgren will play at 7:30 p.m.

The 78-year-old singer-songwriter rose to fame in the late 1960s when he was in the psychadelic pop band Nazz.

His El Paso show is part of his “Damned If I Do” tour — and is the only stop scheduled in Texas so far.

You can find tickets here.

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Jefferson City sees 18% more expired meter tickets after parking fine rate change

KMIZ on July 7, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City has issued about 18% more parking tickets for expired meters through the first half of 2026 than it did during the same period last year, the first year the city has contracted with a private company to manage parking enforcement.

Records obtained by ABC 17 News show the city issued 4,674 expired meter citations between Jan. 6-June 30, compared with 3,963 during the same period in 2025. 

The increase comes after Jefferson City contracted with PCI Municipal Services LLC to provide parking management and enforcement beginning this year. The City Council also increased the fine for expired meters from $6 to $25 to help cover the cost of the contract.

“The City did contract with PCI to provide professional parking management and enforcement, and as the data reflects, there has been an increase in parking enforcement activity compared to the previous year under the City’s prior model,” city spokesperson Molly Bryan said in an email to ABC 17 News.

Ticket totals were higher early in the year before gradually declining each month. The city issued 998 expired meter tickets in January; 1,020 in February; 840 in March; 696 in April; 635 in May and 485 in June.

During the same months in 2025, the city issued 182 tickets in January; 639 in February; 1,110 in March; 889 in April; 546 in May and 597 in June.

ABC 17 News also requested records showing how much revenue the city or PCI has collected from parking citations this year. Bryan said those records are not immediately available.

The increase in enforcement comes as downtown parking has become a point of frustration for some residents following the demolition of the Madison Street parking garage to make way for the city’s new conference center. The garage’s closure, combined with higher parking rates and increased fines, has drawn criticism from some downtown visitors.

ABC 17 News spoke with a dozen people downtown Tuesday. Five said they were visiting Jefferson City and were unfamiliar with the parking changes. One couple said they do not live in the city, while another person said she uses public transportation and does not own a vehicle. Two others declined interviews but said they were unhappy with the combination of fewer parking options and higher parking costs.

Jefferson City resident Stephanie Gladbach, who has lived in the city since 2000, said finding parking downtown has become increasingly difficult.

“Parking downtown is terrible,” Gladbach said. “They took down the garage because of political nonsense that no one wants to deal with anymore. The current City Council seems determined to remove as many parking options as possible and increase parking rates.”

Gladbach said city leaders often point to the total number of parking spaces available downtown, but she believes many are too far from where people need to go.

“If you talk to anyone on the council about it, they say, ‘Oh, there’s 1,500 spots downtown,’ except downtown extends from Lafayette all the way to Highway 50. I’m not parking at Lafayette to go to the Truman Building. And I’m not parking at the Truman Building to go to the library, especially not when we’re in the middle of a heat wave and it’s 95 degrees outside,” she said.

While Gladbach said she understands why the city increased parking rates, she said she disagrees with the decision.

“I know we’re in a budget crisis and get all that, but it’s only hurting downtown businesses when it’s hard to park downtown. When rates are up downtown, you are harming the people whose livelihood depends on people coming downtown. You’re only going to hurt us in the long run, especially because downtown is one of our best spots to come see in Jeff City. You make it harder to be downtown. You’re only hurting everyone,” Gladbach said.

ABC 17 News has submitted a Sunshine Law request seeking records showing how much revenue the city has collected from parking citations since PCI began managing parking enforcement.

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Carpinteria Surf Camp Sells Out as Demand Reaches Record Levels

KEYT on July 7, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of Santa Barbara County’s longest-running surf camps is seeing its busiest start in 27 years as families sign up earlier than ever for summer sessions.

Surf Happens, based at Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, opened its 27th summer season with a sold-out first week.

Founder and owner Chris Keet believes the camp’s popularity comes from the connection it gives children to the ocean, nature and one another.

The program is also drawing young surfers from across the country.

“I’m coming all the way from Florida to kill some waves,” said Logan Lovergine, who traveled from Florida to attend the camp.

Sam Hale made the trip from San Francisco and said the experience has been worth it.

“I came here to surf and it’s going great,” Hale said.

Beyond learning how to ride waves, campers spend time developing water safety skills, ocean awareness and confidence in the water.

“I’m learning how to catch a wave by myself and paddle into the wave,” camper Harrison Bobek said.

Another camper, Bodhi Raymond, said surfing has become part of his daily life.

“I like surfing. I surf mostly every day,” he said.

Camp leaders encourage families interested in the remaining summer sessions to register early as space continues to fill.

As for the young surfers, they’ll keep building skills that reach far beyond the shoreline.

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Local non-profit helping feed people in need through Santa Barbara County Fair livestock donations

KEYT on July 7, 2026

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A local nonprofit organization is helping feed people in need throughout the Central Coast with the purchase of livestock at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

For the past five years, the 37th District Buyers Coalition has provided financial support to 261 youth exhibitors and donate 80,000 pounds of protein.

“We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises money to purchase animals from the Santa Barbara County Fair from 4-H, FFA and Grange exhibitors,” said Renli Pope, 37th District Buyers Coalition President. “We process the meat from all those animals and donate it to local charities here on the Central Coast.”

Through community donations, coalition funds will be directed towards the purchase of animal projects during the fair auction, helping ensure that students who apply for coalition help will potentially have their animal bought.

To qualify for coalition consideration, each junior exhibitor must submit at least five letters to potential buyers that serve as invitations to attend their livestock auction.

“When we when we support an exhibit here at the Santa Barbara County Fair, we’re not just buying an animal, we’re investing in a work ethic and a family and the future of agriculture,” said Pope. “In 2024, 30% of the exhibitors that sold their animals here lost money on their projects, so it’s very important to us that we try to bolster that auction support by having these people invited into the auction and hopefully they can help bring those prices up a little bit.”

Once an animal is purchased the coalition, it is later processed and the meat is donated to any one of several different local nonprofit organizations.

“There is a lot of charities here in our community that are really struggling to afford high quality protein for their their meal programs,” said Pope. “We’ve got this new nutritious, locally raised protein that we’re able to donate to these organizations, like Good Samaritan Shelter. We do Meals that Connect. We’re reaching out to the Buellton Senior Center. We do a lot of food pantries, Welcome Home Military Heroes, Central Coast Athletic Foundation, 17 Strong. We’re very diverse. It’s not just the kids that we’re we’re supporting here with their animals, it’s also seniors, the housebound, elderly, the homeless. The list goes on and on. It just makes everybody feel good to be able to be a part of it.”

The Junior Livestock Auction is scheduled to begin on Friday at 12 p.m. with rabbits, broiler meat pens, and turkeys up for bid, followed by replacement heifers starting at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the auction concludes beginning at 8 a.m. with swine, sheep, beef and. goals on the block.

The Santa Barbara County Fair runs through Sunday, July 12.

For more information about the 37th District Buyers Coalition, click here to visit the official website.

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Santa Maria City Council To Finalize Language On Sales Tax Measure For November Ballot

KEYT on July 7, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria City Council held their monthly meeting this evening at City Hall.

They finalized the language for a new sales tax measure, due for voter approval this November.

In May, the City Council approved adding the measure to this November’s ballots.

“We are faced with a budget deficit, a structural deficit,” says Santa Maria’s city manager David Rowlands. “The City Council made a phenomenal job reducing our structural deficit from 25 million down to 13 million so far. So we’re doing our part right now. So right now we’re really hoping to work together with our residents to get this sales tax approved.”

If voters approve the measure in November, a one-half cent transaction & use tax will immediately go into effect.

“Sales tax,” says Rowlands. “Go to restaurants, go to Costco, get gas in your car, buy a vehicle, that’s where we’ll see the tax.”

The ordinance is similar to but separate from Measure U from 2012, which is focused on law enforcement and public safety.

“It’s going to be additional programing for seniors and youth programing, we’ll be able to keep open the Aquatic Center year round and increase our library hours,” says Rowlands.

This measure will ensure continuity of a wide range of city services including but not limited to road repairs and maintaining public facilities.

“You know, attack the potholes on a regular basis,” says Rowlands. “There are some of the general items right there.”

Annual revenue is expected at around $13 million.

Officials say the ordinance has been dubbed “Measure C,” and stands for community.

“I think the most important thing is, the community right now, we have beautiful parks,” says Rowlands. “We have great programing for our youth, our library is a world class library. If we don’t receive this revenue, those are the items are going to be on the chopping block next fiscal year.”

In addition to the sales tax measure this November, Santa Maria voters will be electing a total of three new members of their city council, and a one-month nomination period begins on Monday.

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Jefferson City Council approves plans for new conference center

KMIZ on July 7, 2026

Melissa Houston

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council approved plans for the budget and construction of the new Jefferson City Conference Center during a special meeting Monday.

The conference center will be located in the “heart of Jefferson City,” according to Mayor Ron Fitzwater, on the corner of Madison Street and East Capitol Avenue.

Fitzwater said the council now has about 90 days to approve the needed documents.

Fitzwater said construction should pivot from tearing down the parking garage to building the $145.9 million conference center in October.

“We’re looking at the beginning of October to the middle of October for construction to start heading in the other direction instead of tearing down on that property, seeing something come out of the ground, and get ready for the facility,” Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater said the city will post updates throughout construction.

“It’s an exciting project. I think the community is really getting excited now that they’re starting to see some very positive movement,” Fitzwater said.

The city received a key piece of funding for the project when Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a budget last month that included $15 million for the conference center.

“We thank Governor Kehoe and the legislature and certainly our local legislative delegation for helping us to provide that funding,” Fitzwater said.

There is no exact date set for when this project will be completed, but Fitzwater said it is estimated to take 24 to 27 months and hopes the completion is done by the beginning of 2029 in time for the next legislative session.

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Las Cruces Public Schools opens survey for new 6-12 school ideas

KVIA on July 7, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces Public Schools scheduled a new school for grades 6-12 to open in the fall of 2027. Monday, the district asked students, families staff and community members to share ideas for the new campus.

LCPS said the new school will be smaller since it’s only serving middle and high school grades, which is intended to better support students. It said by getting rid of the transition from middle to high school, students will build stronger relationships.

The district is gathering public feedback and ideas through a survey. Questions focus on student opportunities and values.

Participants can take the survey until July 30, according to LCPS.

The district said it will also host meetings about the new school, but haven’t shared a schedule yet.

You can take the survey by clicking here.

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Young Carpinterian Leads a Year-Round Beach Clean Up Effort With Yellow Basket Racks

KEYT on July 7, 2026

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – An easy way for the public to help with beach clean ups in Carpinteria has come together with an idea from a 14-year-old Carpinteria resident, Elias Sprague.

He is spending part of his summer in Junior Lifeguards as part of his love of the ocean and waterfront, but before the summer started, he worked with the city on the effort he hopes other kids and families join in on. City leaders say there is a growing interest among local youth and families in environmental stewardship and this is one of the ways they can take part either as an individual or with others.

Sprague is working with Carpinteria Beautiful and Relic Coastal Collaborative.

On the side of the Ash Avenue lifeguard tower there is a special rack with yellow baskets for a grab-and-go process. Nearby there is a special trash to toss the debris or small items that were picked up.

Recently Sprague was with the group Tidy Seas and fellow Junior Lifeguards for a cleanup that is a part of that program. His effort is throughout the year.

City leaders say it is a beneficial addition to the beach access point where some residents come and walk daily, often at day break. They can be the first to do a clean up sweep.

Sprague described the process in front of a stack of six baskets. “This is a way people pick up a basket like this and pick up trash and dump it in a dumpster right over there,” he said. Some of the items found Tuesday included plastic lids, cups, a sock, a discarded toy, and many remnants from illegal fireworks from the 4th of July.

Carpinteria Environmental Program Specialist Tatianna Suriel, “instead of saying maybe  that is a great idea we can think about it, we said how can we make this happen?” It included permits and approvals that came through with the city of a fast track.

When you are done, there is a QR code for you to comment on your trash pick up effort.”You write in what  you picked up,  thoughts about the station and ideas to improve it . We just want as much data about it as possible,” said Sprague.

He is also working with Santa Barbara County Supervisor Roy Lee, a former City Councilman, on expanding the basket locations to other areas of the South Coast. Another possible nearby location is at Linden Ave. which gives access to the state beach site to the east, often filled to capacity during the summer months.

The Carpinteria City beach is also known as “The World’s Safest Beach.”

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