Family of Palm Springs hit-and-run victim calls for justice after major injury crash

KESQ on July 24, 2026

Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of 80-year-old Henrietta Ruiz is speaking out after she was hit by a car while walking along Vista Chino and Hermosa Drive last week.

The crash was reported July 15 around 6:30 p.m., when Palm Springs Police say Ruiz was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene shortly after.

The suspect vehicle was believed to be a white Ford F-150, possibly a model year around 2000, driven by a Hispanic man in his 60s with a scruffy white beard, police said.

“She was actually in a crosswalk and a white truck came in and hit her and briefly stopped and then took off. Good Samaritans came out and were able to call 911 immediately, and got her to the hospital as fast as they could,” her daughter Raquelle Martinez said.

Martinez claims her mother has vivid memories of the accident, and her first words were ‘white truck,’ when she woke up.

Now, her family says she’s fighting for her life at Desert Regional Medical Center, and has since undergone multiple surgeries while remaining in critical condition.

“Her scalp was de-gloved. She had an open arm fracture, a hip fracture, multiple facial fractures. She has injuries like a vascular injury with her arm. She’s already had abdominal surgery for bleeding,” Martinez said.

The family says they’re shocked by the accident, especially since Ruiz spoke with News Channel 3 just months ago about the dangers of walking along Vista Chino.

“The speed that everybody drives down Vista Chino is pretty, pretty fast, so I don’t think they’re going the speed limit,” Ruiz told News Channel 3’s Luis Avila back in January.

Her family says she was an avid walker, even while they warned her to be careful along the road.

Now, they’re holding out hope that justice will be served in time for Henrietta.

“We have no hate or anger towards the person who did it. I know it’s an older gentleman, but it’s just a tragedy. Just sad that just to leave someone on the road, so basically, just come in, fess up and apologize,” Martinez said.

If you’d like to assist the family and Ruiz’s medical journey, visit: Help Our Mother Recover After Hit-and-Run.

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Sisters businesses offer help to firefighters and evacuees

KTVZ on July 24, 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The community of Sisters is rallying to support firefighters and residents affected by nearby fires. Local businesses Lucky’s Woodsman and Sisters Athletic Club are offering free services to those protecting the area and anyone displaced from their homes.

These community efforts come as fires in the region are getting closer to the town of Sisters. Lucky’s Woodsman has activated its “Hold the Line” fund, a charity established last year to feed firefighters. This year, it has expanded its services this year to include fire evacuees.

Lucky’s Woodsman is providing free food and drinks to any firefighter or individual displaced by evacuations. Jackson Higdon, Owner of Lucky’s Woodsman, is very passionate about the supporting wildfire fighters. “I think it’s the utmost importance that we do whatever we can to support the people that keep our forest green, keep our trails open, our campsites going and ultimately keep our community strong during a distressed time,” Higdon said.

To further support the “Hold the Line” initiative, a pig roast fundraiser is scheduled for today, Friday, at 3 p.m. at Lazy Z Ranch. All residents of Sisters are invited to the event. First responders and those affected by the fires will be served meals first. Every meal purchased will contribute to the fund and attendees will also have the opportunity to make donations and meet the firefighters.

The Sisters Athletic Club has also opened its doors to both firefighters and evacuees. The club serves as a safe, cool place for individuals to escape the smoke and charge their cellphones.

Firefighters have been making use of the club’s showers. Some of them even hit weight room to decompress.

Tate Metcalf, owner of Sisters Athletic Club, expressed the club’s generous support for those in need. “They just have come to come in, we’re not going to ask questions,” Metcalf said. “We’re not going to. You know, question where they live. You know, this is time. People are distraught. They need some help. They just need some kindness. So come in, tell us that you got evacuated. We’ll take care of you the best that we can.” Additionally, members of the athletic club have inquired about how they can help and the club may be able to connect individuals with further resources if asked.

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Templeton man pleads guilty to vandalism after harassing neighbor

KEYT on July 24, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

TEMPLETON, Calif. (KEYT) – David Allen Leader, 71, pleaded guilty to felony vandalism and seven misdemeanor counts of disobeying court orders related to harassing his Templeton neighbors.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office announced charges against Leader, stemming from incidents that began in October 2024 from eight neighbors on Orchard Road in Templeton.

Leader damaged personal property exceeding $400 on Oct. 17, 2024 and repeatedly disobeyed a restraining order that came two months after the incident.

Source: SLOCDAO

More violations included Leader revving his engine loudly, driving on the wrong side of the road past speed limits, staring and making hand gestures at neighbors, slowing and stopping across from their homes, and shining lights at homes and cameras during the night, according to the SLOCDAO.

Leader pled guilty to the felony vandalism charge on Wednesday alongside the seven misdemeanors of disobeying a court order, according to the SLOCDAO.

A judge ordered Leader to spend 30 days in county jail and placed him on two years of formal felony probation. If Leader violates his probation, he could face up to two years in county jail.

Leader also agreed not to seek early termination of his probation and agreed that he would not drive an ATV, quad, or motorcycle on Orchard Road for the entire two-year term.

A court also ordered Leader to pay $684 of restitution to two individuals and more restitution for other parties, if necessary, who have yet to be determined.

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YFD and YPD respond to house fire on W. 15th Street

KYMA on July 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire (YFD) and Police Departments (YPD) are responding to a house fire Thursday evening.

According to our reporter at the scene, it is happening in the area of W. 15th Street and S. 11th Avenue, near S. Avenue A.

Our reporter at the scene spoke with the homeowner, who said their grill exploded, causing the fire.

At the time of this writing, YFD and YPD are still on scene as the fire is still active, and News 11 will have the latest details on this developing story.

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Camden County prosecutor candidate held in contempt

KMIZ on July 24, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A candidate in the Camden County Prosecutor Republican primary was recently held in contempt in court by a judge.

Lynne Brand is running for the prosecutor’s seat in the Aug. 4 primary against incumbent Richelle Grosvenor. Brand is listed as a defendant in a Sunshine Law case along with the county’s sheriff’s office.

A filing in the case says a motion for civil contempt – filed by the plaintiff’s lawyer Dave Roland – was granted on Tuesday, court filings show.

The judge in the case is holding Brand in contempt, but is holding off on a punishment as long as she sits for deposition.

Roland told ABC 17 News in a message that the plaintiff’s side asked the judge to make Brand to pay the money paid to the court reporter and videographer for a July 13 hearing she did not attend. Roland said Brand will not have to pay the $1,000 penalty if they attend the scheduled deposition.

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Riverside County duck sanctuary founder charged with animal cruelty

KESQ on July 24, 2026

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The man behind a Riverside County duck sanctuary accused of neglect after hundreds of birds were rescued has been officially charged with animal cruelty.

Howard Berkowitz has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty and four counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Thursday.

Berkowitz first came into the spotlight in April after Riverside County took nearly 500 ducks from his property in Anza. Officials said the situation at the animal sanctuary got out of control, resulting in overcrowding and poor living conditions for the ducks.

Berkowitz was in trouble again last week when San Diego County animal services seized more than 800 birds and two dogs from a Valley Center property following a tip from Riverside County. Berkowitz was initially arrested on a Ramy warrant, but he wasn’t immediately charged.

The District Attorney’s office said all charges are specific to the alleged crimes committed in Riverside County only. The DA’s office said authorities are awaiting Berkowitz to turn himself in, where he will then be held on $10,000 bail. An arraignment date is currently unknown.

Berkowitz told News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle in April that he is not an animal hoarder, insisting the animals in his care were fed and watered and that he turned animals away when he could not support them.

“I am not a duck hoarder,” he said. “I don’t go out and solicit for these ducks.”

Check Out: Dispute over Anza duck sanctuary deepens as co-buyer describes disturbing conditions

County records obtained by News Channel 3 show that Riverside County Code Enforcement opened a zoning case at the Bautista Canyon Road property in November 2024, documenting more than 1,000 birds on a 4.78-acre parcel zoned for no more than 20 animals.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services documented 29 separate visits to the Anza property between October 2024 and October 2025. A formal warning was not issued until August 2025, ten months into that process.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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2 hospitalized after head-on crash involving Border Patrol, DOW in Santa Teresa

KVIA on July 24, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (10:08 p.m.) — One Border Patrol agent and two Department of War personnel were involved in Thursday’s crash, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the three have minor injuries, and New Mexico State Police took the lead on the investigation.

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — One person was airlifted to a hospital and another was taken by ambulance after a head-on crash in Santa Teresa Thursday, according to Doña Ana County Fire.

Just before 4 p.m., Doña Ana Fire Rescue went to a side road off Highway 9 in Santa Teresa and found two vehicles in a head-on crash, officials said.

New Mexico State Police is now investigating what happened, according to Doña Ana County Fire.

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Gas prices in Arizona and California rise

KYMA on July 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gas prices across the states of Arizona and California are on the rise again.

AAA says the average for a gallon of regular gasoline in Arizona is up 18 cents from last week, sitting $4.30.

The report also says Yuma has gas prices at $4.25, which is $1.23 higher compared to the same time last year.

Over in California, AAA says the average of regular gasoline is up 17 cents from last week, sitting at $5.57, with El Centro having gas prices at $5.37, which is $1.13 higher compared to the same time last year.

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New mile markers on Gasconade River expected to reduce emergency response times

KMIZ on July 24, 2026

Demetra Alarcon

VIENNA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new mile-marker system along the Gasconade River aims to reduce emergency response times and help first responders locate people needing help.

The Maries County Sheriff’s Office and the Vienna Fire Protection District teamed up together to get this completed.

The initiative started when Sheriff Mark Morgan saw that Pulaski County, which borders Maries County, had put up mile markers along the same river. Now, if you are in Pulaski County and go into Maries County on the river, all of the mile markers will be in order and look the same, county officials say.

To cover the costs, the Maries County Sheriff’s Office funded the mile markers by creating and selling department calendars, Morgan said.

Volunteers and employees put up the mile markers. Vienna Fire Protection District Capt. Carson Hayes said he knows of several instances in which the markers would have been helpful.

“People are trying to describe landmarks, and that can be very difficult to figure out which ramp we need to put in at or anything like that,” Hayes said.

The Gasconade River is around 36 miles through Maries County. Some areas of the river bank go through private property and Morgan asked residents’ permission to hang the markers.

“I didn’t get any pushback at all from any of the property owners,” Morgan said. “Everybody was extremely receptive to it. It’s been extremely well received by the community.”

The location of each mile marker can be viewed on online GIS systems. Maries County’s system allows you to select a layer to view them.

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El Paso ISD launches school bus tracking app ahead of new school year

KVIA on July 24, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Parents whose children attend the El Paso Independent School District can track school buses in real time with a new app, the district announced Thursday.

Tracking will be available for the 2026-27 school year.

Stopfinder is a free, secure app that lets parents view their child’s bus stop information, get transportation updates and track bus locations during morning and afternoon routes — all from their mobile device, EPISD said.

EPISD said the app safely shares bus schedules and tracking access with approved caregivers or family members. Additionally, users can communicate with transportation staff through the app.

Families and guardians of students who ride the district buses will get an email inviting them to activate an account on Stopfinder, the district said.

“At El Paso ISD, we’re committed to providing exceptional service to our families,” said EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk. “Stopfinder is an important step forward in improving communication and giving parents real-time access to their child’s transportation information.”

The district invited families to provide feedback on the app since it’s new. You can send feedback here.

More information on how to download the app can be found here.

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