Jury selection starts for trial of parolee accused of killing man after crash

KESQ on September 29, 2026

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – More than a decade after he was arrested and charged, jury selection began today in the trial of a parolee accused of gunning down a man after the victim crashed into the defendant’s Porsche SUV in Indio.

James “Chip” Milton Nathaniel, 39, of Beaumont, allegedly killed 35- year-old Apolonio Carranza in 2015.

Nathaniel is charged with first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, witness intimidation, spousal abuse and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Pretrial motions started last week, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling summoned multiple panels of prospective jurors to the Larson Justice Center in Indio Monday for screening as to their availability and qualifications.

Opening statements are expected Thursday. Nathaniel is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center.

The People v. Nathaniel, which ranks among the county court system’s oldest unresolved murder cases, has been plagued by repeated delays, attributable to the defendant’s changes in counsel, ongoing requests for dismissals, hearings to access law enforcement officers’ confidential records and some of her matters not specified in court records going back to his arrest in May 2015.

The defendant was less than a year out of prison when the confrontation occurred with Carranza.

According to the Indio Police Department, the two men, along with multiple other people, had been visiting a house in the 43000 block of Kenya Drive in the predawn hours of April 19, 2015.

Witnesses later told police an argument erupted between Nathaniel and Carranza for reasons not altogether clear at the time.

According to a police arrest warrant declaration, one witness said Carranza challenged Nathaniel to race him for the “pink slips” to their respective SUVs, then he rammed Nathaniel’s Porsche.

The enraged defendant allegedly pulled a handgun and opened fire on the victim as he sat behind the wheel of his Nissan Murano, the affidavit said.

A dozen shots were fired at close range, killing Carranza on the spot, police alleged.

Nathaniel then allegedly got into his SUV and drove away. Witnesses called 911, and patrol officers arrived less than 10 minutes later.

The defendant’s identity was publicized four days after the shooting. He was taken into custody without incident in San Bernardino on May 21, 2015.

Nathaniel had been released from prison in the early spring of 2014 after completing a sentence stemming from a 2005 attack in which a motorist was shot in Indio, according to court records.

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Somerton Adult Education Program receives top state honor

KYMA on September 29, 2026

Abigahil Padilla

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local adult education program has received a top state honor for the second year in a row.

The Somerton Adult Education Program was recognized as a Top Adult Education Program in Arizona.

The award recognized the program’s work providing English-language instruction and learning opportunities for adult students preparing for further education and employment.

Educators Andrea Fletes, Claudia Rubio and Jose Isla were also recognized for their participating in the Arise Program, which promotes evidence-based reading instruction in adult education classrooms.

“It’s a vindication of all the hard work that the entire staff does, from the secretaries and the instructional aides in the office, to the teachers in the classroom, to be selected to get this excelling award out of all the programs in the state, when there’s just so many locations throughout all of Arizona,” said Brandon Onisko, Director/Coordinator for the Somerton Adult Education Program.

The recognition was presented by the Arizona Department of Education.

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City of Calexico seeks funds to create resilience center

KYMA on September 29, 2026

Carolina Garcia

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of Calexico is seeking state funding to create a center where people can go during a natural disaster or an emergency.

The building would be located at Heber Park, right next to the future community center.

To determine whether residents support the project, the City is currently conducting community surveys.

The surveys are part of the process to qualify for up to $10 million in state funding to build the facility.

“It’s one of the requirements to apply for this center…and what we’re trying to do is incorporate new components to the Highway Recreation Project,” said Laura Bowen, Grants Manager for the City of Calexico. “We are trying to bring a kitchen like a food area, shading areas, a generator just in case of an outreach outage. What’s going to be…in case of an emergency. We have a safe place to go to.”

The City expects to find out if it has been selected for the project next spring.

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Work on demolishing Moberly grain towers begins

KMIZ on September 28, 2026

Ryan Shiner

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prep work to demolish the Stamper Grain Towers in Moberly started on Monday.

The city had announced in January that the grain towers would be demolished. Previous reporting shows the project will cost $422,375, with $321,000 coming from a Community Development Block Grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The city wrote in a Sunday social media post that the project is expected to take “multiple weeks.”

“The crew will utilize high-reach excavator arms to ‘nibble’ away at the towers,” the post says. “Once the structure is below a level where it could pose an impact to the RR tracks or associated power lines, they may employ other measures.”

The rebar and steel from the building will be recycled and the concrete will be “ground into gravel” and is expected to be used in other projects, the posts says.

The demolition will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

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Solvang City Workers remain on strike

KEYT on September 28, 2026

Tracy Lehr

SOLVANG, Calif. (KEYT) – The Solvang City Council met in closed session with labor negotiators on Monday evening but they did not resolve the issues that led to a worker strike.

When council members returned to council chambers, a staff member said the negotiator spoke with the union on Friday and offered to meet with the union this week and provide a date for a meeting and said the city council has directed its negotiatiing team to hold dates open for a meeting.

Teamster Union Local 986 Business Representative Jeff Lee said he did not recall being offered a meeting on Friday.

Lee said that means they well be back on picket line Tuesday to being a third calendar week of picketing

“We are a little unclear with the reporting that came out of closed session we have not set any kind of dates with the city formal or informal for bargaining, ” said Lee ” We are optimistic that this means we will get to set some dates with them, we are going to continue to stand by and wait until we hear from them if they reach out to set some dates in the meanwhile we are going to continue picketing as we have and hopefully they made some good decision in closed session that will allow us to get back to the table and get these folks and deal and get them back to work.”

During Monday’s picket at Solvang Park they heard supporters honk their horns.

The strike began the Tuesday before Danish Days, one of the community’s biggest weekends of the year.

About 30 workers and community members have been walking a picket line from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to raise awareness.

The union has been keeping many afloat by sustaining them with some funds, but it isn’t enough to cover all their expenses.

“It is across the board wages, I mean, I think we are really close. I think if the council is willing to take a closure look at the situation and provide something that the members can accept, I think that they are eager to go back to work and I think the city is eager to have them back to work, it is just a matter of closing the gap and getting to where both sides can get a contract they can agree on,” said Lee.

“It is tough, we want to get back to work, we want a fair contract on the table, um and yeah, we are still out here, we are staying strong as a team but I think everyone is ready to strike up a deal and get back to work,” said Public Works Supervisor Johnathon Flynn.

City workers haven’t taken down Danish Days signs yet or cleared gutters for Fall weather.

Some local business, including Copenhagen Liquor, are showing their support for the workers by posting union signs in their windows.

Parks and Recreation workers said they should be gearing up for upcoming events.

“We need to get back to work. We have a lot of events coming up and I need to get back at it so I am excited to do that and hopefully we can come to an agreement,” said Solvang Marketing and Events Coordinator Candice Libera.

Upcoming events including The Viking Car Classic, Taste of Santa Ynez Class, Harvest Haunts and Happening that includes a spooky movie night.

Workers said department heads recently received pay increases ranging fo 25-40 percent .

They would like to see more money in their pockets, too.

Mayor David Brown chose not to comment before and after closed session, but in the past he has said the city would not to comment on the negotiations.

Your News Channel have more on the strike on the news tonight.

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Family asks for anyone with information to come forward in deadly Labor Day weekend hit-and-run

KMIZ on September 28, 2026

Ellyse Edwards

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Zach Williams, 23, was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Camdenton over Labor Day weekend on Sunday, Sept. 6.

His cousin, Kelsey Trower, is asking anyone with information to contact investigators.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a vehicle struck a pedestrian on westbound U.S. Highway 54 near Cedar Heights Drive, just west of Camdenton, and the driver left the scene. The driver has not been identified.

Trower told ABC 17 that Williams was dropped off around 11 p.m. Sept. 6 near the entrance to the Cedar Heights condominiums, off Highway 54. She said investigators are looking at the time between 11 p.m. Sept. 6-4:15 a.m. Sept. 7.

Trower said Williams had been on his way home from Camdenton and got out of the vehicle after a dispute. She said investigators are reviewing nearby camera footage, including Flock cameras and a camera at a golf course across the road.

“Zachary was a light. I mean, he smiled, and he just lit up the room,” Trower said.

She said Williams was loving and devoted to his two daughters.

“He had two little girls, which were his world,” she said. “Zach was a good dad. They have to grow up without a dad now.”

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kyle Green told ABC 17 that the investigation is active and the Highway Patrol cannot release any information at this time. He said any statement, if one is released, will be posted on X, but no statement is expected soon.

“Any information is helpful at this point because we don’t have a lot to go on,” Trower said.

The family is asking anyone who saw something in the area or noticed new damage to a vehicle around that time to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

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Indio names Maria Aliotti as new assistant city manager

KESQ on September 28, 2026

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A longtime local government administrator has been appointed Indio’s new assistant city manager and will begin work Oct. 5, city officials announced Monday.

Maria Aliotti, who has more than three decades of experience in local government, was selected following a recruitment process that drew 111 applicants, according to the city.

“As Indio continues to grow and advance major priorities across the organization, Maria will be a tremendous addition to our executive team and an important partner in continuing to deliver high quality services to our residents, businesses and employees,” City Manager Jonathan Nicks said in a statement.

In her new role, Aliotti will work with Nicks and the city’s executive leadership team on citywide operations, City Council and strategic plan priorities, coordination among departments and other major initiatives, officials said.

Aliotti’s previous positions include assistant city manager, director of community services and redevelopment manager for the city of Pittsburg in Northern California.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Saint Mary’s College of California.

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Bonneville Grid Kid Gold Team donates 104 blankets to EIRMC’s Ronald McDonald Family Room

KIFI on September 28, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– The Seventh Grade Bonneville Grid Kid Gold Team donated 104 blankets to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, giving families a little extra warmth and comfort while they spend time at the hospital.

The blanket drive is part of the team’s annual service project, giving the players a chance to make a difference off the field.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC says they provide about 60 blankets each month to parents and children who have extended stays at the hospital, so their donation will go a long way.

“Having 104 new blankets to put out for them to choose from is going to be fantastic,” Family Room Manager Lori Priest said, “It’s going to bring a lot of warmth and comfort to families that are at the hospital here.”

For one player, the donation was very close to his heart. Lincoln Braithwaite remembers when his little sister had a ruptured appendix and his family spent time at the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

He remembers the toys and other items that helped brighten a difficult time for his family.

“I was really, really scared,” Braithwaite said, “And seeing her cheer up, it made me feel happy.”

The team’s coaches say the lessons they’re learning extends beyond football.

“These boys are awesome. They’re great young men,” assistant coach Kyler Arave said, “There’s more to life than just winning a football game. It’s about being good young men and being able to serve the community.”

And for the players, they hope to give back to a community that always shows up for them.

“My team and the community is very important to me. It always has been,” player Zedidiah Hansen said.

Their coaches want them to take what they learn on the field into the community.

“Our coach is hoping to get us to be good men, be good to the community, and help others when they need it,” player Rulon Morgan said.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room is located at EIRMC’s East Falls Clinic on the south end of the hospital and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

Those interested in donating, volunteering or providing a meal can find more information HERE.

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Safety remains key as Idaho hunters prepare for upcoming seasons

KIFI on September 28, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Hunting is underway across Idaho, and the season’s early days are already putting people in the woods and on the range. As hunters gear up to bag a buck, hunter safety is the first thing to lock in, and not an afterthought once you’re miles from the truck.

Although not all locations are open for every form of hunting just yet, archery is giving many hunters a solid start.

“Populations for most species are pretty abundant and fairly easy to find,” James Brower, regional communications manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Upper Snake region, said. “I’ve already heard of a lot of archery hunters who are having some pretty good success, and finding animals and having fun.”

That early success is exactly when habits matter. Brower and Fish and Game stress the basics that keep hunters and others in the outdoors safe:

Wearing an orange hat or vest (hunter orange is highly recommended in Idaho and required in some upland/pheasant and sponsored-hunt settings) Properly maintaining firearms Sharing your hunting plan Packing emergency essentials

Safety courses are required for many hunting licenses. Even if you already have your license, Brower says it never hurts to brush up on these lessons before heading out.

“We teach a lot about first aid and preparedness, but we do focus on firearm safety,” Brower said. “So make sure that you’re pointing that muzzle in a safe direction. Only shooting at the target that you intend to shoot.”

Children as young as 9 can take the courses and join family hunts once they’re certified and licensed as required.

“That’s one of my favorite things to see is when a 12-year-old boy or girl can look up at mom and dad and say, ‘hey, I learned this in hunter safety class, and we need to point that muzzle in a safe direction at all times, or use the safety or whatever it is’,” Brower said.

For more information on classes, click HERE.

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Redmond Airport will host TSA PreCheck enrollment event Oct. 20-23

KTVZ on September 28, 2026

Felicity Desuasido

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Municipal Airport will host a TSA PreCheck enrollment event from Oct. 20 through Oct. 23. The event is organized in collaboration with IDEMIA, an authorized enrollment provider for the program.

The enrollment event offers local travelers the chance to apply for or renew membership in the security program. IDEMIA charges an application fee of $76.75, which covers a five-year membership upon approval.

The enrollment event will take place in the terminal conference room across from baggage claim at 2252 Jesse Butler Circle in Redmond. Applicants are required to provide identity and citizenship documents, submit fingerprints, have a photo taken and pay the application fee during their in-person appointment.

Airport officials recommend completing the application online beforehand to speed up the process. Approved applicants typically receive their Known Traveler Number in three to five days, which must be added to airline reservations to receive screening benefits.

Interim Airport Director Jason Neff noted that the event comes ahead of major upcoming travel periods.

“With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday travel season approaching, TSA PreCheck® is one of the easiest ways for passengers to speed up their trip—especially when connecting through larger airports with busy security lines,” Neff said. “We’ve extended appointment hours for this enrollment event from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and we encourage travelers to take advantage of this convenient opportunity before the next event in 2027.”

The TSA PreCheck program was created in October 2011 to provide streamlined security screening for low-risk passengers. Participating members have access to dedicated screening lanes at more than 200 airports nationwide, with 99% of members waiting 10 minutes or less in line. PreCheck travelers do not need to remove shoes, belts or light jackets and can leave laptops in their carry-on bags.

Travelers who cannot attend the Redmond event can complete an online application and schedule an appointment at any of IDEMIA’s enrollment centers operating nationwide.

The next TSA PreCheck enrollment event at Redmond Municipal Airport will take place in 2027.

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