Big Bear bald eagle Jackie remains critically ill despite slight improvement

KESQ on August 9, 2026

KESQ News Team

OJAI, Calif. (KESQ) – The Ojai Raptor Center says Jackie, the bald eagle found at Big Bear Lake, remains in critical and unstable condition.

The center says Jackie’s packed cell volume (PCV) — a measure of the percentage of red blood cells in her blood — fell below 6% yesterday. Today, it increased to 9%.

While the increase is a small improvement, the center says Jackie’s PCV remains critically low and her overall condition is still extremely serious.

Her condition is being closely evaluated by a collaborative team that includes nine veterinarians, along with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The center says there is no additional medical information to share at this time, adding that the team’s focus remains on Jackie’s welfare and providing the care she needs.

Jackie has been receiving treatment after being found on the ground on Big Bear Lake following a confrontation with two other bald eagles.

The center revealed that the encounter with eagles likely left her grounded, but experts do not believe it is what caused her illness.

Officials say another update will be provided when there is meaningful new information about her condition.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Ventura Police arrest felon for possessing loaded firearm in public

KEYT on August 9, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Police arrested a felon for possessing a loaded firearm just past midnight Sunday morning.

A VPD officer noticed several people using inhalants illegally in an apartment complex parking lot at the 10000 block of Del Norte Street.

One person at the scene tried hiding his gun near a parked car as a VPD officer approached.

More VPD officers arrived and found out that a 32-year-old Ventura man had a loaded firearm and tried hiding it from the police.

The 32-year-old already had an active felony probation for firearms offenses and VPD officers arrested him on the following felony charges:

felon in possession of firearm felon in possession of ammunition carrying a loaded firearm in public

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Ventura Police investigating fatal shooting as homicide

KEYT on August 9, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Police are investigating a fatal shooting that killed a man on August 4 as a homicide.

The shooting happened just after 1:00 a.m. on August 4th near West Ramona and Riverside Streets, according to Ventura Police.

VPD officers did not find a suspect but later found and helped a man who had life-threatening injuries from the shooting to the Ventura County Medical Center.

The victim sadly passed from his injuries on the night of August 8 and no arrests have been made at this time, according to VPD officers.

VPD detectives believe the shooting is an isolated incident and there does not appear to be a community threat.

The investigation remains ongoing, but those with information on the shooting are asked to contact the following number.

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Palm Springs Police make arrest in Splash House assault

KESQ on August 9, 2026

KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)- UPDATE 8/14: Palm Springs police have arrested a suspect in connection with an assault that injured nine people during a Splash House event at the Palm Springs Air Museum on August 9.

Police said a dispute escalated when bottles were thrown into a crowd, injuring nine people. Detectives, working with the San Diego Police Department’s Violent Crime Task Force, identified a 35 year old man from El Cajon as the suspect, who later agreed to surrender.

The suspect turned himself in Friday, August 14, and was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon under California Penal Code Section 245(a)(1). He was booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Palm Springs police at 760-323-8136 or Javier.Carrillo@palmspringsca.gov.

Original article from August 9th

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department says nine people were injured after bottles were thrown into the crowd during a Splash House event at the Palm Springs Air Museum in the early hours Sunday morning.

At about 1:37 a.m. Sunday morning, officers working at the event were alerted to a reported assault. Additional officers responded and secured the area while the incident was investigated.

Their investigation determined that a dispute occurred, and ultimately escalated, with bottles being thrown into the crowd that injured a total of nine partygoers who were not involved in the initial dispute.

Two were treated at the scene, while seven others were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, some sustained from broken glass.

The incident occurred during Saturday night’s “After Hours at the Air Museum” event, which featured performances by The Chainsmokers and Ship Wrek.

Investigators are actively looking into the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-323-8116.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.

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Structure fire causes employee evacuation at Cafe Rio in Pocatello

KIFI on August 9, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Around noon on Sunday, August 9, employees evacuated the Cafe Rio in Pocatello when a small structure fire broke out on the side of the building. Emergency crews including Pocatello Fire and ambulances rushed to the scene.

Employees stated they smelled smoke inside the restaurant but could not see any flames. Fire crews arrived and found a section of the wall on the side entrance of the building in a blaze. Firefighters quickly put out the fire and contained it to a small area of the structure.

Pocatello Fire said they do not know the cause of the fire, but ruled out electrical. They said it could have been a variety of things, down to a flick of a cigarette butt in the direction of the Cafe Rio.

Within a half hour, emergency crews contained the fire and employees were let into the building to resume work. The Cafe Rio will remain open for their normal business hours as they work to clean up the fire residue and damages to the section of the building. The doors to the restuarant are also open with large fans blowing to air out the smoke smell.

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The Picklr’s Free Day of Play for National Pickleball Day

KEYT on August 9, 2026

Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – August 8th is National Pickleball Day, and lovers of the paddle game joined in on the fun, including right here on the Central Coast.

The Picklr just recently opened a location in Goleta, and it is the region’s first indoor pickleball facility. On Saturday, the Picklr hosted a ‘Courtside Bash,” offering free pickleball play all day. It gave newbies the chance to step foot on the court or for regulars to enjoy a free day of open play.

All day the game was in constant rotation, playing in teams of two, players put their paddles to the test against friends or even complete strangers. 

Club members say it was great to see how popular the sport has become. 

“Its very fun day. There’s so many different levels, and I think it’s so cool how everybody can come together, and I think it’s just gonna be a great day today. Lots of pickleball, lots of food and energy. It’ll be really fun,” said 14-year-old Madalena Flores.

Flores is a Santa Barbara native and Junior Pickleball State Champion, plus a partnered athlete with The Picklr.

“At first, when I heard pickleball I was like ‘I don’t wanna do this! I’m a big tennis player’ but once I did, it’s addicting. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover!” said Flores.

While every day can’t be free pickleball day, you can join The Pickler any time to join in on the fun.

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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Trailer fire in Winterhaven sparks wild brush fire

KYMA on August 9, 2026

Wesley Williamson

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) – Massive clouds of smoke were seen across the skies in Yuma County Sunday morning.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a call of a trailer fire in Winterhaven near the area of Foster and Arnold Road.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed the fire had expanded to nearby brush.

YFD was able to extinguish the initial trailer fire, but required more resources from nearby agencies.

The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also assisted in battling the fire.

Capt. Diego Galindo with ICFD says, “We were able to save the main residence, the structure, we did a defensive attack on that. It has spread to a near by brush. Right now, it’s about 50 acres burning from what they reported, we have a potential of about 100 acres.”

BLM has been assigned to extinguish the brush fire, which is currently under investigation.

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Smokey Bear celebrates 82nd birthday in Central Oregon with wildfire prevention message

KTVZ on August 9, 2026

Claire Elmer

(Update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians gathered at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Sunday to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday while learning how they can help prevent wildfires.

The party featured photo opportunities, cupcakes, and activities for children. The Deschutes National Forest co-hosted the event with Discover Your Northwest, a nonprofit organization that supports public lands and visitor education.

Despite the festivities, Smokey’s longstanding wildfire prevention message remained central to the celebration.

“I think he’s a symbol of the West and the history we have here in the West with wildfire and our relationship with it,” said Travis Surplus, a fire prevention technician with the Deschutes National Forest.

Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign began in 1944. Today, nearly nine in 10 unwanted wildfires are caused by people, making the campaign’s message especially relevant in Central Oregon.

“We’re celebrating Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday, and we’re using this opportunity to remind everyone that we are in public fire use restrictions right now — stage two,” Surplus said. “That means no campfires are allowed anywhere in the Deschutes National Forest, although propane is allowed.”

Officials urged visitors to check current restrictions before heading outdoors, secure tow chains so they do not drag, avoid parking on dry grass, and use outdoor equipment carefully.

Surplus also thanked the public for supporting crews during a busy wildfire season.

“Our firefighters are working extremely long hours away from their families right now, so having public support really makes a difference,” he said.

Organizers hope the event’s youngest guests will carry Smokey’s prevention message into his next 82 years.

Additional wildfire prevention tips are available at SmokeyBear.com⁠.

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Second Chicago facility shut down in connection to South Chicago Chapel investigation, sources say

CNN Newsource on August 9, 2026

By Marissa Sulek

Click here for updates on this story

    CHICAGO (WBBM) — The investigation by the state of Illinois into mishandled and decomposing bodies found at a Chicago funeral home has expanded to a second facility.

The Illinois State Comptroller, which regulates crematoriums, is now investigating Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematorium in connection to the South Chicago Chapel scandal and Morgan family, and has also been shut down, sources told CBS News Chicago.

Sources with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office also said that on top of the 56 decomposing bodies found at South Chicago Chapel, dozens of boxes of cremated remains were also uncovered.

The source told CBS News Chicago that the office is holding more than 50 boxes of ashes as a courtesy for Chicago police. A similar situation played out when the same owners had their Chicago Heights crematorium shut down last year.

Saturday contractors boarded up the windows and doors of South Chicago Chapel at 95th and Exchange. Some said the lingering gruesome smell made the job difficult.

In 2025, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office showed CBS News Chicago Investigator Dave Savini nearly 500 boxes of cremated remains confiscated from the Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, some of which were 16 years old. The state shut down Heights Crematory and took away owner Clark Morgan’s license. His wife, Johanna Morgan, owns the South Chicago Chapel and Clark Morgan’s name was listed as its president.

But since crematorium and funeral home licenses are regulated by different state agencies, Morgan was allowed to still care for the bodies of loved ones.

The ME’s office said they will reach out to families once they identify the bodies. The office said they will pay for the cremation or funerals for the families.

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.

Exhibit with 100 life-sized elephant sculptures arrives in Boston

CNN Newsource on August 9, 2026

By Brandon Truitt

Click here for updates on this story

    BOSTON (WBZ) — There is something new staking its claim in Boston. You might not have heard, but the elephants are here.

The Great Elephant Migration has officially arrived in the Back Bay. The wildlife conservation exhibition launched in Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 2024 and traveled across the United States. Heading south to Miami, Florida before migrating west to Beverly Hills.

Made of dried plant stems, the 100 life-sized elephants will be displayed freely down the mall of Commonwealth Avenue, starting at Farfield Street and heading toward the Boston Public Garden.

The elephants will be under 24/7 security and were already attracting thousands of onlookers before the exhibition officially opened. “It’s just very joyous,” said Back Bay resident Pat Romeo-Gilbert. “It is just so fun to see this.” Gilbert was one of the many people WBZ-TV spoke with who felt connected to the exhibition’s philanthropic mission of promoting coexistence of animals and humans.

To that point, there were some four-legged friends unsure of what to make of the large sculptures. Dogs up and down Commonwealth Avenue were having mixed reactions to their newest neighbors.

“She started staring at them super confused,” said Alejandro Estrelles of his dog, Mila. “She started barking at them a little like, ‘what are you doing here? This is my place. Why are you here?’ I was recording [the dog] because I knew she was going to have some kind of reaction. It was funny.”

The elephants are also available for purchase with proceeds going to the nonprofit.

The exhibition officially opens on Saturday and will be free and open to the public until it leaves on September 18.

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.