Wetmore evacuees forced to leave home in a matter of minutes

KRDO on July 2, 2026

Bradley Davis

FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) – As the smoke started to settle around their house in the unincorporated community of Wetmore, Ron Fridz thought he had more time.

“Looking at the smoke in the sky, I was thinking we have plenty of time. Three hours, four hours,” Ron said.

→ All updates, links to latest evacuation orders and continuous coverage on the Aspen Acres wildfire

Instead of hours, one small shift in the weather pattern afforded Ron and his family mere minutes to leave home.

 “The wind changed all of the sudden, and the smoke started coming over us, and that’s when we got the mandatory evacuation,” Ron said.

“If you’re walking around outside, you can feel the smoke in your lungs, and the smoke is just everywhere, and you can see the flames,” Ron’s wife, Elizabeth Fridz, said.

A sheriff knocked on their door to break the evacuation news. Fortunately, they had already packed up for a Fourth of July camping trip that had already been canceled by a different wildfire raging in another part of the state.

As of Thursday afternoon, the flames had yet to engulf Wetmore, but they’re just a few short miles away, and anxiety is high.

“I’d just thank all the firefighters for all their hard work and hope they save the town of Wetmore,” Elizabeth said.

Thursday afternoon, all roads leading into Wetmore were closed to all except residents, who are being cautioned to turn around.

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Data center developer and activists appear in court for civil lawsuit hearing

KYMA on July 2, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Sebastian Rucci, the developer behind a planned data center in the City of Imperial, is suing several local activists. The parties appeared for a hearing at the courthouse in El Centro Thursday.

Rucci filed a civil defamation lawsuit in April against Mt. Signal Media’s Jake Tison, Jose Luis Olmeda Velez, the executive director of Comite Civico del Valle, and also against Comite Civico del Valle, a local nonprofit.

According to the complaint, Rucci and his company, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, allege that statements Tison and others made were false and defamatory. He also alleges harassment.

Comite Civico says this lawsuit is an attempt to silence critics of the data center, and their attorney, Beverly Grossman Palmer, says the claims don’t have any merit.

“We are looking forward to coming back and presenting our anti-SLAPP case to the court and having a ruling that this case was meritless and deserves to be immediately dismissed,” Grossman Palmer told KYMA outside the courthouse.

The hearing has been continued to July 16, with a separate hearing set for August 16.

Outside the courthouse, Rucci said with these types of cases, you never know how hearings are going to go.

“When you go to court, you have ideas, but you don’t know how things are gonna turn out, so you go forward. The judge is an amazing judge; the courtroom’s been great,” Rucci told our reporter.

“Defamation is defamation, and threats and violence…those aren’t acceptable,” he added.

This is one of several lawsuits surrounding the data center.

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Former EPISD special education teacher indicted on 16 counts of injury to a child

KVIA on July 2, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A former special education teacher at a West El Paso elementary school faces 16 counts of injury to a child, according to documents ABC-7 obtained Thursday. Rachel Lucas, who worked at Charles Murphree School, allegedly injured students with special needs.

According to the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the case was indicted April 1.

ABC-7 obtained affidavits that alleged Lucas injured six students. Arrest affidavits referenced camera footage that showed Lucas allegedly injuring the students in May 2025.

Lucas allegedly grabbed and forcibly moved a student and hit them on the head with what appeared to be a phone while the student was in a kneeling position, according to documents.

In another incident, she allegedly kicked a chair at a student, causing them to fall and cry, according to documents.

She also allegedly threw toy animals at a student and said, “I’ll hit you too,” documents said. The student tried to get away from Lucas several times. Documents alleged Lucas threw the toys while the child appeared to lay on the floor.

Lucas later allegedly yelled at a student to “get out” of a play area and “that is not your bed, damn it,” according to documents. She then allegedly forcibly tossed the student to the floor.

Another document said Lucas allegedly pushed a child to the floor after telling him to “go sit down.” Video reportedly showed the child crying after.

Documents alleged Lucas hit a student with a broom on the back of his head.

A spokesperson from the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said a contemporary court will determine if Lucas is “competent” to stand trial.

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Santa Barbara County Fair to kick off with new format, expanded schedule

KEYT on July 2, 2026

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The reimagined Santa Barbara County Fair is all set to open its gates on Friday and begin its all new eight-day split schedule.

For more than 25 years, the fair has been held over a five-day period in mid-July, beginning on a Wednesday and finishing the following Sunday.

This year, the fair will begin on Friday, July 3rd and run three days through Sunday, July 5th, then will be closed to the public on Monday, July 6th and Tuesday, July 7th, and will reopen for five more days from Wednesday July 8th through Sunday, July 12th.

“We’re excited,” said Todd Ventura, Santa Maria Fairpark Interim CEO. “There’s a lot of excitement for this year for the fair with the new format over two weekends. It really adds an interesting dynamic.”

In addition to a its new longer schedule, Ventura pointed out the fair will also feature an array of format changes and other new concepts.

“In every turn at every corner something will be different,” said Ventura. “Nothing is in the same spot. There are buildings and things that you cannot move. Those will be in the same spots, but the programing inside them totally different in every building and in every area. Nothing will be in exactly the same place. The carnival is spread out over the entire 33 acres. Food booths are in different spots. Everything is absolutely different in every dimension.”

Another significant change will be a new parking lot and additional gate entrance for the public to use.

“We have a whole new parking lot that we have created that fairgoers will be able to park in,” said Ventura. “Now to make things easier to get here, we have a new gate that we opened up on the back side of the property off of Depot Street called Gate 6. It’s adjacent to our new parking lot so people can enter that way.”

To help ensure the safety of the fairgoers who park in the new Depot Street parking lot, the stretch of Depot Street that runs between West Stowell Road and West Morrison Avenue will be closed to traffic.

A major enhancement to the fair this year will be an expanded carnival that will once again be operated by longtime entertainment provider Helm and Sons Amusements.

“We have a larger footprint of rides and games than we ever have had before,” said Steven Wilkins, Helm and Sons Amusements Head Head of Entertainment Head. “With over 50 attractions bigger and better this year, brand new rides, there’s more than five brand new rides that have never been here before as well too, so we encourage everybody to come on out and check it out.” 

Wilkins also wanted the public to know there will be a number of special deals fairgoers can take advantage of that will help stretch out their budget.

“We have some of the best deals that the Santa Barbara County Fair has ever had,” said Wilkins. “Pre-sale is live right now. It’s going to end tonight at 11:59 p.m., so make sure to get yours before the night ends, but tomorrow on opening day, we open at 2 p.m. We are doing a $20 gate that gets everybody inside the gate and on the rides for free. On Saturday, $4 admission and buy one get one free wristbands, and then next Wednesday we are having $5 admission before 5 p.m., so there’s plenty of ways for everybody out there to save on not only just rides, but games and food as well too.”

While there are several changes in store for the Santa Barbara County Fair this year, Ventura also added its heart and soul event will remain in place, albeit with many new features as well.

“The core of what we’re doing is agriculture, said Ventura. “We’re going to have a very traditional fair, a great livestock show. We have one of the best livestock shows in the nation really, and we have a great livestock auction with all of our supporters, o some of those traditions will not change and they’ll still be here. I will say that the programing and the livestock area is completely different. The buildings have been in many cases remodeled and revamped. We’ve created new areas for the exhibitors to sort of flourish in. We have a new food court for them and their parents and the guests that want to come watch the shows. We have a new “Showman Square” and a new livestock office, so there’s a lot of change built around the traditions that the fair always has.”

The Santa Barbara County Fair will open at noon during the weekends and at 2 p.m. on weekdays and close each night at 10 p.m.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here to visit the official website.

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Another Mid-MO fireworks show involving AM Pyrotechnics canceled

KMIZ on July 2, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The list of canceled or delayed Fourth of July fireworks shows involving AM Pyrotechnics continues to grow.

The Mexico Noon Lions announced that its show this weekend that was supposed to be put on by the Buffalo, Missouri, company has been canceled. The Lions club confirmed to ABC 17 News in a message that AM Pyrotechnics was the company that was hired.

“Unfortunately, the Mexico Noon Lions Fireworks Show has to be cancelled. We received notice from the company we have been using for years that they have filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and will not be able to follow through with our contract,” a social media post from the Lions clubs says. The post was reshared by the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

Noon Lions Treasurer Susan Paden told ABC 17 News that the group learned of the cancelation late Wednesday. It is not known yet if the group will be refunded. Paden said the first check for the event was sent to AM Pyrotechnics in January.

Several fireworks displays involving the company have been either canceled or rescheduled.

Lake Valley Golf Club in Camdenton wrote on its Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon that AM Pyrotechnics told the club “us they are unable to fulfill their obligation to provide this year’s display. With only days remaining before July 4, and with the display already prepaid, Lake Valley is unfortunately unable to secure another fireworks show in time.”

The City of Osage Beach announced on Tuesday that it would delay its Independence Day celebration to July 11 after AM Pyrotechnics “stopped communicating despite multiple efforts to reach them by phone, email, and text.”

KY3 reported on Monday that a Fourth of July fireworks show in Mountain Home, Arkansas, was affected after the same company stopped communicating with Mountain Home’s chamber of commerce.

The company told ABC 17 News in a statement on Wednesday that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“The company is also operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which is a legal process intended to preserve operations, protect creditors, and allow the business to complete as much work as possible,” a statement sent to ABC 17 News in an email says. “We have continued using available resources to support operations, maintain required insurance and licensing, pay crews, secure fireworks, and complete the displays we are able to perform safely and professionally.”

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Horizon house fire under investigation

KVIA on July 2, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, the Horizon City Police Department said its officers found a house on fire in a neighborhood near Eastlake Boulevard and Horizon Mesa Boulevard.

On a Facebook post, HPD said it received calls reporting the fire at 2:45 a.m. Officers went to a house, which was on the 700 block of Desert Silver Drive.

HPD said everyone in the house, including a cat, safely evacuated before first responders got there. No injuries have been reported.

The fire has been put out and the area is secured, according to police.

HPD said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Santa Maria’s Safe & Sane Fireworks Sales Benefit Non-Profits Like Youth Athletics

KEYT on July 2, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The sales of ‘safe and sane’ fireworks in Santa Maria are directly helping local non-profits.

Inflation may force some folks to think about which booth to buy from.

There are 23 non-profit organizations running fireworks booths within the city limits of Santa Maria.

“It’s no lie, everything is going up,” says Vlad Cruz with Central Coast Surf Soccer Club. “So what used to cost less a couple years ago is more expensive now.”

Each non-profit has their own unique mission in the community, and a purchase at their booth makes a contribution toward their goals.

“This money goes towards the players,” says Cruz. “It goes in the form of uniforms, registrations, fields, which is one of the major things right now.”

For example, the Central Coast Surf Soccer Club sells TNT fireworks and facilitates soccer game play for all ages of communities from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.

“We’re giving away the biggest firework that we actually have,” says Cruz. “It’s called ‘The Big Bang,’ $799. We’re giving that away with every purchase of $100. So for example, you purchase $200, you get two tickets. Raffle is on July 4th at 2 p.m. through our Instagram account.

Only a few feet away in the same parking lot on broadway, the Chee-Hoo Foundation is partnered with Phantom fireworks, and they support athletics programs specifically for Pacific Islanders.

“It helps the future generation, and Polynesian generation or who else, students who want to go play up in the next level,” says Mark Taito with the Chee-Hoo Foundation.

Fireworks booth operators say choosing which booth to buy from is not necessarily a decision many people think very hard about, but they might be this year due to inflation.

“Shout out to every Samoan in Santa Maria,” says Taito. “Everyone back home in American Samoa. Come by some Chee-Hoo fireworks here and let’s enjoy the 4th of July.”

Two primary fireworks companies, Phantom and TNT, provide the products to the non-profits.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Santa Barbara County Promotes 4th of July Drone Shows For Pollution-Free Celebration

KEYT on July 2, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is warning residents about the risks of respiratory issues from fireworks. 

Personal fireworks release particulate matter, including soot and ash.

Historically, the district has seen spikes in air pollution before and after the 4th of July.

The district is sponsoring Goleta’s second annual July 4th Drone Show to promote celebrations without pollution.

Santa Maria’s ‘Downtown Fridays’ will celebrate with a drone show of its own, on McClelland street by City Hall and the Library Friday night at 8:30.

“It’s a very exciting 4th of July with the 250th anniversary,” says Lyz Bantilan, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s Public Information Officer. “And you know, hope everyone has happy, healthy holiday with their family and friends. If you do have a sensitive group in your family, I would encourage you to check the air quality on APCD’s website. We have air quality ratings 24/7, and it would also be a good time to turn your air purifier on if you have one, because it can help keep the air in your home clean.”

The county fire department has also released information on the safety benefits associated with these community events.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Doctors urge men to prioritize prostate cancer screening

KESQ on July 2, 2026

Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Health experts are encouraging men to get screened for prostate cancer as cases continue to rise nationwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among American men, behind lung cancer. Nearly 300,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year.

Doctors recommend men ages 55 to 69 talk with their healthcare provider about a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.

Dr. Amir Lavaf, a radiation oncologist at Desert Regional Medical Center, says while a healthy diet and regular exercise support overall health, there is no proven way to prevent prostate cancer.

The average age at diagnosis is 67. Doctors say early detection through screening can improve treatment options and outcomes.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more updates.

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A special desk and sheep tell the story of Harriton House

CNN Newsource on July 2, 2026

By Kim Hudson

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    MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KYW) — The celebration of America’s 250th anniversary continued with a look at historic sites in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, including an estate that is more than 300 years old, which houses an iconic desk and a special line of sheep.

“Harriton House has hundreds of stories,” Harriton Association Executive Director Laura Carpenter said.

Carpenter was excited to share the history of Harriton House, completed in 1704 by a Welsh settler. That man first called the house Bryn Mawr, meaning “big hill.”

“About 1719, 1720, he sold the property to Richard Harrison, who was Hannah Harrison-Thompson’s father,” Carpenter said.

The Harrisons then changed the name of the estate to “Harriton.” Carpenter said that before the house was built, the land was first cleared by employees. However, slaves eventually worked in the former tobacco plantation and inside the home.

“Prior to 1789, when this kitchen was built,” Carpenter said. “The original kitchen in the house would have been staffed by probably an enslaved person, particularly during the time of Richard Harrison’s occupancy.”

Richard’s daughter, Hannah, later married Charles Thompson, who lived in the home and used a special artifact that Harriton House Visitor Services Associate Stephen Pierce showed was still at the home to this day.

“This is Charles Thompson’s personal travel desk. He probably got this close to around the time he was voted in to be secretary to the Continental Congress on Sept. 5, 1774,” Pierce said. “I cannot confirm nor deny what went through here, but a lot of great pieces.”

The stories also lived on in the newest generation of sheep still living at Harriton House and whose ancestors came all the way from Tunisia.

“Yeah, we don’t know exactly how,” Pierce said. “But, we believe that Charles Thompson was really good friends with Richard Peters, who got kind of the first type of flock from George Washington after he passed.”

With a story this rich, Harriton House has even more planned. Harriton was just one of several sites where visitors could hear the Declaration of Independence read over the Fourth of July weekend.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.