ICFD gets much needed funding

KYMA on August 26, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Board of Supervisors approved additional funding for the Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Several members of the public and the firefighters union spoke during public comments, urging the board to take action and vote on more funding for the department.

The firefighters will now have additional funding they need for more staff and equipment to the tune of over $1.2 million total for overtime.

Before the vote, the firefighters pled their case.

“How are we still talking and doing the same process over and over again?” asked Timothy Morales, a firefighter with ICFD. The department had been fighting for more staff and funding for several years.

“It’s like bad business. It’s like we haven’t learned from the mechanic that tells us our car’s fixed, but we keep on going back to the same mechanic because it keeps breaking down,” he said.

Following the meeting, members of the department shared they were grateful they now have funding to fill 14 vacant positions.

“So all of us are really excited. We’re happy,” said Daniel Martinez, President of the Imperial County Firefighter’s Association.

“We need the workforce to grow and get back to our normal level, which is gonna give us the relief and the rest that we need. So I know a lot of them are happy about that,” Martinez said.

He added, “I was informed by one of the supervisors that our hiring process is gonna be expedited. It’s normally a five-month process, but since we’re so low in numbers, it’s gonna be expedited.”

The board also approved funding for PPE, clothing, and necessities for the firefighters, who say relief is in sight.

“It’s gonna take us a couple of months to get to that point where we know for sure that we’re gonna be going home after every shift. Right now, it’s important for us to keep each other motivated and just know that we do have a a light at the end of the tunnel,” Martinez explained.

The supervisors reiterated their support for the firefighters who put their lives on the line every day.

Supervisor John Hawk said, “I would just say that I think that all of us as supervisors stand with the fire department.”

“The seven-and-a-half years that I humbly served on this board, I’ve supported the department 100%,” Supervisor Jesus Escobar said.

Ryan Kelley spoke, stating, “I would like to see us give full attention that we need to to the fire department.”

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Officials identify citrus disease symptoms and in Imperial County

KYMA on August 26, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County officials confirmed the first local case of huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive bacterial citrus disease, following a state-verified sample in late July.

Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Rachel Garewal and Deputy Nelson Perez explain that the disease causes asymmetrical yellowing of leaves and poor fruit development.

“It’s going to be an asymmetrical yellowing or an asymmetrical modeling of across the leaves,” Garewal said. “Later symptoms are going to be kind of just general yellowing, like all of the new shoots are going to come out yellow. You’re going to get thickened veins, irregularly shaped fruit. The fruit will be kind of asymmetrical.”

Perez said that they are surveying a two-mile buffer zone near the Mexican border to monitor for infected trees.

“We survey two miles from the border with Mexico, two miles into the U.S., and we check all the sites that have citrus hosts,” he said.

“I would say that we’re somewhat surrounded by the disease and by insects too. I would say Mexico has had it in the past. Some of the other counties around us have HLB and HCP. San Diego and LA, Orange, Riverside, all those counties around us have it,” Perez said.

To prevent further spread, authorities are implementing a 250-meter survey radius around the infected site while urging residents to manage the Asian citrus psyllid insect.

The state CDFA will be coming around and doing treatments in the Calexico area soon. But if a homeowner wanted to do their own  insecticidal treatments, they could do so as long as they were doing so safely with products that they purchased legally.

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Investigation involving Hope and Anchor bar, deadly crash closed over lack of evidence

KVIA on August 26, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said it closed an investigation involving the Hope and Anchor bar in West El Paso. The investigation started after a 19-year-old driver allegedly drank at the bar before a deadly crash in April.

TABC said the investigation closed in July due to a “lack of substantiating evidence.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Ambar Chavira drank at Hope and Anchor with her “sugar daddy.” While driving back home, she allegedly rear-ended 56-year-old Jaime Andrade at a high rate of speed.

Andrade later died at the hospital, police said.

April 9, the TABC confirmed with ABC-7 that it opened an investigation involving the bar. The bar stayed open during the investigation because it didn’t present a clear danger to the public or pose a risk to investigators.

“Businesses found to have sold alcohol to minors could face a temporary suspension of their license to sell alcohol along with a civil fine,” TABC told ABC-7. “Additionally, the individual employee who sold the alcohol could face a Class A misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in county jail and a $4,000 fine.”

The Hope and Anchor bar said Chavira provided a fake ID.

“Hope and Anchor requires ID checks for all guests who appear to be under thirty. When a guest presents what appears to be a valid, government-issued ID, Texas law considers that due diligence fulfilled. Hope and Anchor was presented with such an ID on the evening of April 6,” the bar said.

According to an arrest affidavit, Chavira’s mother told authorities that Chavira left the crash site without calling 911. Court records said she was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and collision involving death. When they found her, they noticed signs of intoxication, according to documents.

Ambar Chavira’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

According to jail records, Chavira posted a $100,000 surety bond.

An attorney for Cesar Ornelas Injury Law said the firm is seeking information about the unidentified adult male who was allegedly with Chavira at the bar.

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Police say 15-year-old boy suspected in Columbia shooting

KMIZ on August 26, 2026

Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police say a 15-year-old boy is the suspect in a shooting that left another youth with critical injuries Tuesday.

Columbia Police Department officers responded to a shots-fired call on Tuesday in the 5700 block of Canaveral Drive. According to a news release, officers responded to the call around 5:16 p.m.

Officers reported they located a youth suffering from a gunshot wound, and they were transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

The suspect was found near the scene and detained. Boone County Juvenile Officer Angie Bezoni wrote in an email to ABC 17 News that the suspect is a 15-year-old male.

The suspect will have a detention hearing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

A neighbor, Raymond Owusu, said he was outside with his kids when he heard gunshots and the crash.

Owusu said he rushed outside and saw a woman calling for help near the crashed car. Owusu went to help the gunshot victim, who appeared to have a wound to his head, dragged the youth out of the car to assist him, and waited until first responders arrived on scene.

This is the first time Owusu has seen a crime of this nature in his neighborhood, and he said it raises concerns since this incident happened with his kids outside. Owusu said if it were to happen again, he would rethink living in that neighborhood due to safety concerns.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime statistics, from January to June of 2026, there have been 92 violent crime arrests of juveniles between the ages of 10 and 17. This is a decrease from last year’s statistics for the same time frame, when 105 children were taken into custody between the ages of 10 and 17.

This age category is currently the 3rd highest among all ages this year, following behind the highest of ages 25 and 34, and second highest of ages 18 and 24.

These statistics are in line with the suspect linked to the shooting, who was confirmed to be 15 years old.

CPD says the investigation is ongoing.

Check back for updates.

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Thousands of Discounted Items Await DIYers & Builders at the Habitat ReStore

KEYT on August 26, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The new Habitat ReStore has opened with everything from furnishings to tools and yes, even kitchen sinks.

During the last few months, the location on the corner of Gutierrez Street and State Street has been taking in donations.  

The team has been sorting, tagging, and displaying it all in an orderly way.

When the ribbon snapped at a morning ceremony, city and downtown leaders said it will be a way to generate more foot traffic in the 400 block of State Street and help to recharge the area.    

Robin Elander is the Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association. She was checking out the deals and sharing how the store is a good fit. “The retail mix with restaurants a lot of new developments  is going to go a long way to the revitalization of downtown district.”

Elander says it will be a draw for local residents and those from out of the area.

Deals were being brought up to the counter within minutes including doors, desks, light fixtures, chairs, art pieces, appliances and hand tools as low as $1.00.

Chief Executive Officer Jessica de L’Arbre says it will be a place for donations, a place for affordable purchases and a financial stream for the Habitat for Humanity home projects throughout the area.

For those dropping off items, “it could be you are doing a kitchen remodel or you have an old tool,” she said. For buyers, “there’s some high quality stuff.”

The plan took time to sort out but the desire was very high.

“I don’t have the words to describe the level of enthusiasm for this store, from the donors who can’t wait to donate or who have been following up asking when they can shop,” said de L’Arbre.

Many customers picked up items at a fraction of the cost of a major retail or hardware store. By the afternoon numerous items were sold and plans were underway to restock from the many other donations that have come in.

At the counter Liam Murphy with the Hayes Commercial Group had a sturdy work shop light. “It was $15.00. I would guess it would be $70-75 dollars somewhere else.” He had a good feel for the shopping space in the large building. “I did enjoy walking into the back half where they had more tools and building supplies  that smelled like a do it with your hands garage style, which is fun.”

Another shopper said she had a plastic drawer organizer she would share with her dad for his small items. Casandra McCambridge has many beads she works with. “My craft room is very disorganized at the moment and I saw this and thought, this is the time to get organized.”

The ReStore was previously located in Goleta but closed there in 2020.

The store at 400 State Street is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

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Migrant deaths rise in Arizona desert despite fewer border crossings

KYMA on August 26, 2026

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Fewer migrants are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, but migrant deaths in the Arizona desert are increasing.

According to data tracked by Humane Borders, 73 migrants have died in Arizona so far this year, including 19 in July.

Humane Borders Executive Director Octavio Fontes says increased border enforcement has pushed some migrants into more remote areas, where extreme heat and other desert conditions can become deadly.

Fontes says monsoon season can also create additional dangers, including flooding and changing desert washes that can cause people to become lost.

Humane Borders’ map shows 4,505 migrant deaths recorded in Arizona since 2000. Fontes says the actual number could be higher because some people who die in the desert are never found.

The organization expects the number of deaths this year could reach about 120.

Fontes says he hopes policymakers look beyond the statistics and consider the human lives behind the numbers.

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Local Red Cross supports wildfire relief

KYMA on August 26, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – More than two and a half million acres have now burned in the Cascades region of Oregon, and one local woman was there helping with disaster operations.

Jillian Attaway, the Community Disaster Program Specialist for the Yuma-La Paz County American Red Cross, spent two weeks in Bend, Oregon.

During her deployment, she worked with the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and the Umatilla Tribe. She helped provide a safe place for local tribes affected by the fires.

“Each day, I worked with emergency managers from each tribal entity, making sure they had everything they needed to be supported by the Red Cross and also to be able to open shelters if needed independently. We did a lot of supply drops to make sure people with pets had support, as well as people with intellectual disabilities,” Attaway said.

The American Red Cross says it opened 25 shelters, provided over 1,400 overnight stays and served over 14,000 meals and snacks in 16 different cities impacted by the western wildfires.

Attaway says the most rewarding part of her deployment was building strong relationships with local staff and volunteers.

“We knew that we were leaving the region, the local staff, and volunteers really healthy relationships that we had worked really hard on the two weeks that we were there making sure they had the appropriate contacts, they knew who to call if there was another wildfire, and making sure they had what they needed to continue on,” Attaway said.

From Yuma to Oregon, Attaway says the mission was the same, helping communities stay safe, supported, and ready in the face of disaster.

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Former Grace Lutheran In Santa Maria To Be CommUnify’s Latest Head Start Preschool

KEYT on August 26, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – CommUnify and its board announced the acquisition of a Santa Maria property that will house a new preschool and childcare center.

It’s a new type of acquisition for the real estate firm representing the non-profit.

The sixty-year-old non-profit purchased the former Grace Lutheran Preschool building on East Fesler Street, with plans to transform it into a Head Start preschool.

“The facility that we’ve just purchased will be our 19th Head Start facility here in Santa Barbara County,” says Patricia Keelean, CommUnify’s Chief Executive Officer.

This child care and early education center will serve up to 70 local low-income children and their families. 

“We’re extremely excited about being in Santa Maria and this location in particular,” says Jennifer MacDonald, CommUnify’s Children Services Director.

It will be upgraded with four classrooms, a commercial  kitchen, outdoor  learning space, and two play yards.

“They’ll be renovating what is now a courtyard,” says MacDonald. “We plan on having that be a toddler yard. And in the back of one of these classrooms will have an infant yard as well. And then redevelop the preschool yard. So there’ll be three outdoor classrooms.”

The four indoor classrooms will be divided among infants and toddlers.

“Two preschool classrooms for children, 3 to 5 and two infant toddler classrooms for children three months to three years of age,” says MacDonald.

CommUnify bought the vacant property from Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Santa Maria for $950,000 in a sale that closed at the end of last month.

“At Radius, a lot of the times we’re working with profit driven investors,” says Jack Gilbert, senior associate for Radius Commercial Real Estate working with the Golis team. “And so I think this transaction was a little bit unique in the sense that we’re working with a nonprofit.”

CommUnify is funding the project with a $1.3 million infrastructure grant from the California Department of Social Services, along with a loan from the Low-Income Investment Fund.

“There are still needs that we need to address in order to prepare this site for licensure,” says Keelean.

The organization also plans to  launch a capital campaign this fall.

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Day of Hope takes place to help support Central Coast cancer patients

KEYT on August 26, 2026

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 13th Annual Day of Hope fundraiser was held Wednesday across several locations in Northern Santa Barbara County and South San Luis Obispo County.

Starting at 7 a.m., dozens of volunteer teams wearing bright orange vests were seen at numerous intersections, parking lots, and other gathering places to sell special edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers.

All of the proceeds brought in during the fundraiser will directly benefit patient services and programs at Mission Hope, which operates two centers – its flagship facility in Santa Maria, and in Arroyo Grande inside the Matthew Will Memorial Medical Center.

“We really appreciate everybody who comes by and donates for Day of Hope,” said past Mission Hope patient James Stoddard, while selling papers for The Rotary Club of Santa Maria. “Those dollars go to work in our local community helping those who are battling cancer.”

Since it was first held in 2014, the Day of Hope has raised over $3.1 million, including $473,000 last year.

“It means a lot,” said cancer survivor Joan Miers, who was also selling papers for The Rotary Club. “It’s very touching. It’s actually very humbling how many people come out. They give money. It’s amazing!”

Teams included volunteers who represented loved ones or friends fighting cancer, businesses, schools, organizations, government, and other various groups.

“It’s awesome,” said Phillip Solis with Team Fidelity at the intersection of Broadway and Betteravia Raod. “It’s part of a huge community event. Unfortunately, we all know somebody that’s been affected by cancer, either personally or through a friend or family member, so it’s great to be out here representing the community, and kind of just helping out with that cause.”

Most of the paper sales took place in Santa Maria and Orcutt, while other locations were in Lompoc, Guadalupe, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Pismo Beach.

Dignity Health said this year, 12,000 newspapers were printed and sold throughout all the locations.

Donations to the 13th Annual Day of Hope can be made online through Sept. 18 by clicking here to access the official Day of Hope website.

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Court hearings set for Bryan Kohberger’s bid to withdraw guilty plea

KIFI on August 26, 2026

Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Bryan Kohberger will get two court hearings next year as he seeks an effort to withdraw his guilty plea. The plea led to his conviction in the University of Idaho student murders.

Judge Steven Hippler has scheduled a status conference for June 3, 2027, and an evidentiary hearing for June 17, 2027. Prosecutors had asked the court to dismiss Kohberger’s post-conviction relief petition without holding a hearing, according to a report from Fox News.

Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the killings of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The plea agreement spared him from a possible death sentence and resulted in four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 10 years.

Kohberger filed a handwritten petition in July 2026 seeking post-conviction relief and claiming he was persuaded to falsely confess to the crimes. He also alleged that his former attorneys failed to inform him about potentially exculpatory evidence related to hair recovered at the crime scene.

Investigators previously said DNA recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene linked Kohberger to the killings. Authorities also cited cellphone and vehicle evidence they said connected him to the area around the time of the November 2022 murders.

Fox News reported that Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said after the petition was filed that his office was “ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure justice is fully carried out.”

Although Kohberger waived his right to appeal as part of his plea agreement, Idaho law still allows him to pursue post-conviction relief, a process that could potentially lead to additional court proceedings.

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