Tracy Lehr
VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Ventura held its fireworks on Friday night.
It could become a tradition.
The fireworks set off from the top of the downtown parking structure could be seen for miles around.
The show appeared to have plenty of red white and boom.
It seemed to boost business along California and Main.
Tracy Lehr
OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) People lined Harbor Blvd. to watch a parade go by on July 4th.
Children starred in the Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Family Parade.
But they had to wait for dozens of decorated golf carts to drive down the parade route first.
Kids rode on bikes, and in wagons and some roller skated.
The parade ended at the Marine Emporium in Oxnard.
Many people stuck around for the fireworks show that is launched annually from the nearby Navy base.
Tracy Lehr
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) One of the most popular Fourth of July celebrations along the coast takes place at West Beach in Santa Barbara.
John Palmenteri helped emcee the entertainment on the stage surrounded by sand.
He introduced a number of bands and plenty of dancers.
The area also included jolly jumpers to keep younger kids entertained.
Chrissy Sarvela said she is camping in Carpinteria and has watched the fireworks and entertainment on West Beach for two decades.
“We love it, we love this town, we love everything about the beach, about this energy,” said Sarvela.
Erwin Hernandez beamed with pride.
“This holiday means family, community, everyone gets together, my daughter is actually dancing tonight Penelope, so go Penelope,” said Hernandez.
Penelope is this year’s Junior Spirit of Fiesta and had lot of fans on the sand cheering following her performance.
Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramierez also danced in a patriotic gown.
Both will be busy dancing during Old Spanish Days from August 5-9.
People set up blankets and brought picnics or bought food from food trucks lining Cabrillo Blvd on the holiday.
It sprinked a bit, but that didn’t deter them from waiting to see the fireworks after dark.
Spencer Sacks
SEATTLE, WA. (KTVZ) — Outfielder Randy Arozarena has been selected to the American League roster for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced today. Arozarena was chosen via player balloting for the game, which will take place on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
This marks Arozarena’s third career All-Star selection, following his previous appearances in 2023 and 2025. He has made the Midsummer Classic in each of the last two seasons while playing for Seattle. This season, the 31-year-old outfielder is batting .287 (86×300) with 54 runs, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 walks and 19 stolen bases in 82 games. He holds a .376 on-base percentage, a .453 slugging percentage and an .829 OPS.
Arozarena is the 15th player in Seattle Mariners history to be named to multiple All-Star teams with the club. He joins a list that includes Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, Félix Hernández, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Canó, Nelson Cruz, Julio Rodríguez, Bret Boone, Freddy Garcia, Andrés Muñoz, Harold Reynolds and Kazuhiro Sasaki.
The Mantua, Cuba native is the 14th Cuban-born player in American League and National League history to make at least three All-Star Games. This group includes Hall of Famers Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva and Tony Pérez, along with Camilo Pascual, Mike Cuellar, Leo Cárdenas, Cookie Rojas, Luis Tiant, Bert Campaneris, Jose Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro. Fellow active players Aroldis Chapman and Yordan Alvarez are also on this list.
Arozarena is also one of two players, alongside Cleveland’s José Ramírez, to record at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of the last five seasons, from 2021 through 2025.
In 883 career games across eight Major League seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, the Tampa Bay Rays from 2020-24 and the Mariners since 2024, Arozarena has accumulated 19.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has a career .783 OPS, batting .254 (815×3212) with 506 runs scored, 181 doubles, 11 triples, 127 home runs, 431 RBI, 359 walks and 150 stolen bases. His career on-base percentage is .347 and his slugging percentage is .436.
The Mariners acquired Arozarena from Tampa Bay at the 2024 Trade Deadline on July 26, 2024. The trade involved minor leaguers Brody Hopkins, Aidan Smith and a player to be named later, Ty Cummings. Arozarena won the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year award with the Rays and performed well in the Postseason during the 2020-21 seasons. He hit 10 home runs during the 2020 playoffs and was named the American League Championship Series MVP that season.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia.
Olivia Hayes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
One person was saved by the Boone County Fire Protection District after being trapped in their car late Friday night.
According to a news release from the fire protection district, it was challenging technical rescue in the 9200 block of North Brown Station road.
The report said the car went off the side of the roadway and struck a tree trapping the driver. Firefighters reportedly had to remove portions of the car to safely access the occupant who was later taken to the hospital.
Columbia Fire Department also assisted in the rescue efforts.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Par Kermani
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An estimated crowd of over 220,000 spectators gathered along the Snake River on Saturday night to witness a historic, emotional, and beloved local tradition: the 33rd Annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.
Ranked as the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi River and the fifth largest in the country, this year’s event — coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary – marks what could be the final chapter of the event’s decade-long run at Snake River Landing.
To honor the nation’s semiquincentennial and say goodbye to the community, organizers delivered one of the largest fireworks displays in Idaho’s history, launching more than 18,500 shells over the riverbank. You can view highlights from this incredible milestone year in the gallery below, courtesy of Melaleuca. For more information, click HERE.
Courtesy Photos: Melaleuca
An Emotional Farewell to a Decade at Snake River Landing
In a pre-recorded message broadcast to the attendees, Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot expressed gratitude to the men and women who sacrificed for the United States, his sadness regarding the loss of the massive outdoor venue, and his great appreciation to the Idaho Falls community for making the celebration possible.
“We appreciate Ball Ventures making this wonderful venue available to us for the last ten years. I want to thank everyone in the community for the wonderful support we’ve had from you throughout the years, from all over southeastern Idaho,” said VanderSloot. “It warms my heart every time I hear of kids coming home to Idaho Falls from all over the country to be here on the 4th of July. The response from the community has been tremendous.”
The venue at Snake River Landing originally opened its doors to the celebration under a five-year agreement, which Ball Ventures ultimately extended to ten years to accommodate the incredibly popular event. To view the entire recorded fireworks celebration, click HERE.
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Watch a streaming-only edition of ABC 17 News at 6.
The newscast aired at 6 p.m., July 4.
Olivia Hayes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Severe storms Saturday afternoon have lead to the closure of Osage City to the public, according to Cole County Emergency Services.
CCES Chief Eric Hoy said the city will close down roads leading into the city for only people who live there because of debris in the road and damages to structures.
Following the afternoon storms, emergency services went around checking on people in the area. Hoy said there were no reported injuries.
Several area public safety agencies responded to a water rescue in the Osage River around 3:20 p.m., according to a press release. A boat was damaged during the storm, and the seven people on board abandoned the vessel and swam to a sandbar.
According to the release, all seven people declined medical treatment once safely rescued.
“We’ve had no reports of any injuries or folks that require assistance, but due to the damage, we’re taking our time to do a primary survey to make sure that there is nobody in need,” Hoy said.
Annie Willis, who lives just outside of Osage City, said the storm seemed to come out of nowhere.
“I couldn’t see anything at all for a few minutes. I looked out, and it was just white. And then I came out, and my barn was collapsed, and things torn up, but not my house. It seemed to spare my house,” Willis said.
Osage City is in Eastern Cole County and Cole County Emergency Services said its responding to the area along with other public safety partners.
Jefferson City Police also posted to social media that traffic was delayed in the area of Route J and Algoa Road due to debris.
The city of Versailles was also hit with storms. An ABC 17 News reporter saw multiple downed trees in the cemetery.
Carport in the driveway of a home on South Oak Street in Versailles.
Versailles Emergency Management coordinator Ashley Bland confirmed a carport hit the roof of a house on South Oak Street. The carport was blown from about a block away, and it also appeared to be tangled in wires attached to a utility pole.
Debbie Delph, a Versailles resident who was outside attending a booth at a flea market when the storm hit, said the storm was violent.
“We thought it was a tornado, we really did, because it was that strong. Between the storm coming through and the wind, it was more like a tornado,” she said.
Jonathan Ramont
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — All lanes are back open after a crash on Date Palm Drive left at least one man injured Saturday afternoon.
A two-car crash happened just before 4:00 p.m. at the intersection of Via Colusa and Date Palm Drive. The collision blocked all southbound lanes as crews worked to clear the scene.
Our crew on scene saw one man with an apparent head injury. He was able to exit his vehicle before being treated by paramedics.
Spencer Sacks
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The city of Redmond, held its annual Fourth of July parade, Saturday, through downtown, kicking off Independence Day celebrations in Central Oregon. The morning event featured more than 70 entries.
The parade brought together a diverse group of participants. Streets were packed with residents watching the procession, which included a 101-year-old World War II veteran. The celebration featured various vehicles and historical re-enactors.
John Pavlicek, a Vietnam veteran and resident of Redmond, called it “the best parade this city has ever had.” Pavlicek noted the event has “always been very patriotic.” He also shared his perspective on the significance of the day, stating, “Oh, it’s great because that’s what we fought for, you know, was to give people freedom and be able to live their life.”
The parade showcased a variety of attractions, including trucks, classic cars and horses pulling stagecoaches. Participants also marched in uniforms from different eras of American history, including American Revolution outfits, Civil War Union uniforms and modern day attire. Redmond residents Cortez Lawson and Kendrick Alverado anticipated specific parts of the parade; Lawson looked forward to “all the cool cars that are going to come through, the muscle cars, those are cool,” while Alverado said, “I’m looking forward to some candy too.”
When asked what it means to be an American, Pavlicek said, “I think it means you can accomplish whatever you would like to accomplish. You just have to remember that work is the stable dam and you got to work. Don’t expect anything for nothing. There has to be a fair exchange.” Alverado offered a concise response, saying “Liberty,” and Lawson added, “And its just a free country so I love it here.”
Multiple people spoke about their gratitude for living in America and having the freedom to choose, acknowledging the sacrifices made for this opportunity. Residents at the parade were celebrating what they called the 250th birthday of the United States.
