Alfalfa board sets timeline to hire next fire chief

Spencer Sacks

ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Alfalfa Rural Fire District Board of Directors has established a hiring process to select a new fire chief following the departure of former Chief Chad LaValle nearly two months ago.

The district’s board approved a timeline during a recent meeting that establishes a six-person selection committee to evaluate candidates and recommend finalists.

The search will be conducted by a six-person hiring committee comprising three distinct groups. The panel will include two local fire chiefs from neighboring departments, such as Sunriver and Redmond, alongside two members of the board of directors and two recently named training officers.

Four candidates are seeking the position, originating from locations across Oregon including Bend, Eugene and Culver. The committee will meet over a two-week period to interview all four applicants before paring the field down to two finalists.

Local residents who spoke off-camera with KTVZ News reporter Spencer Sacks expressed their expectations for the department’s leadership as it navigates its future. Community members stated that their primary requirement for the next chief is hiring someone who is honest.

Following the committee’s two-week evaluation period, the full board of directors will hold a vote to select and hire the district’s next fire chief.

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Idaho group empowers Kenyan girls through sustainable skill building

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idahoans are making a difference far beyond our nation’s borders.

The Life Together Alliance has made it its mission to support girls in Kenya by teaching them sustainable life skills.

What began as a mission to distribute much-needed reusable feminine hygiene kits to these girls in need became a journey of teaching sewing and other sustainable skills to support them.

During their prior visit to Kisii, they distributed 200 of dignity kits. During this previous visit, they quadrupled the number of these kits. 75% of these kits were handmade by their sewing students.

“We brought with us again another 200 reusable feminine hygiene kits donated from Girls Matter Period in Arizona,” Laura Kelley, Life Together Alliance’s leader, said. “And our girls had sewn 600 reusable feminine hygiene kits. And so we did four events where we distributed 200 dignity kits at each event. when we did these events our girls kind of took the lead.”

Each Dignity Kit comes with:

10 reusable pads

2 waterproof holders

A washcloth

Soap

And a bag

The organization says these kits can last upwards of 5 years. Creating a dignity kit costs only $5 USD.

The kits aren’t the only thing making an impact, Laura has noticed a very positive change with the girls.

“These girls last year they didn’t have the confidence. They couldn’t look you in the eyes. They weren’t seen, they weren’t heard. They were invisible. And now they’ve been given the voice. They’ve been given the confidence; they are empowered. You see the difference in them, and you see them grow to become the queens that they are.”

As these girls continue to grow in their learning, they are also beginning to teach other young girls the art of the trade. Inspiring a more stable and sustainable community.

“They’re not only supplying the kits to help other girls,” Laura said. “They’re also training other girls to be, you know, be the heroes in their own story.”

The Life Together Alliance’s ultimate goal is to ensure this community of young women won’t have to rely on foreign aid someday. They want to give these women the much-needed hand-up to empower their community and all of the other women in it.

“Kenya is a very patriarchal society. And for a long time even, I think up until maybe last year, they weren’t even allowed to own land,” Laura said. “To be able to show girls their worth and that they have value and they matter and they are seen and they are heard and their voices matter. I don’t take lightly. I actually feel very honored to be able to do that.”

Laura doesn’t know when their next trip to Kenya will be, but they are extremely grateful for the local communities’ continued support of their mission. They could not have made the impact they have without the love and support.

“I just want to thank our community because like I have said, every dollar, every penny, everything goes directly to our programs.”

If you are interested in supporting their mission, here is their Linktree. If you are interested in purchasing a handmade bag, headband, or skirt made by the students to support their mission, they will be featured at area craft fairs, including the upcoming Boutique in mid-September.

Laura will also update their social media with more information on where to purchase.

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Advocates ask Idaho Supreme Court to revise Prop 1 ballot language

Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — In a continuing debate over Proposition 1, the group behind the ballot initiative is back in court to challenge the language that will appear on the November ballot.

Idahoans United for Women and Families asked the Idaho Supreme Court to review the wording that would appear on the ballot for Prop 1.

The group argues the proposed ‘yes’ and ‘no’ statements are biased and misleading, particularly the ‘no’ statement, which it says goes beyond a simple explanation and could influence voters.

The statement reads: “A no vote would make no change to Idaho’s current law, which protects the life of the unborn while allowing abortion in reported cases of rape or incest, or when necessary to protect the life of the mother.”

“We propose that a no vote statement that would be compliant would simply truncate the respondents’ proposed language. It would read: ‘A no vote would make no change to Idaho’s current law.’ Period.”

Attorneys defending the ballot language argued the wording complies with state law, which requires an explanation of a vote’s effect.

“The petitioners’ proposed language would reduce the effect statements to a little more than vote yes and if the proposition passes to vote no and the law will not change. That doesn’t tell voters anything. It tells them virtually nothing. It doesn’t tell them anything about what their vote will be. That cannot be what the legislature intended.”

The court did not indicate when it would issue a ruling.

Under federal and state law, ballot content must be finalized by September 11 to give county clerks enough time to meet absentee ballot mailing deadlines.

Attorney General Raul Labrador said in a written statement after the hearing, “Our duty under the law is straightforward: to provide a clear and concise statement of the effect of a vote on an initiative. We do not tell Idahoans how to vote; we tell them what their vote will do. The Yes statement reflects the sponsors’ own initiative language, and the No statement reflects Idaho law as it stands today. The sponsors are entitled to advocate for their initiative, but they are not entitled to dictate the official ballot language. Idaho voters deserve a fair description of both choices so they can decide for themselves. That is what we provided.”

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Yuma City Council meeting happening soon

Connor Emery

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council is holding a meeting Wednesday evening, taking on the topic of biosolids.

City Council members will discuss biosolids removal with a potential contract renewal at AgTech.

Biosolids has been a growing concern in the community, with some residents wanting AgTech to stop operating in Yuma.

Tyler Woodman, the owner of Lemon Grove, posted to social media, urging residents to attend the meeting to make their voices heard.

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El Paso Fire employee arrested for alleged fuel theft, abuse of work services

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso Fire Department employee allegedly took fuel from an EPFD vehicle to put into his personal vehicles, according to the El Paso County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4.

In a news release sent Wednesday, the constable’s office said 51-year-old Oscar Maldonado took the fuel from different City of El Paso fuel pump locations. Authorities arrested him Monday and charged him with theft and abuse of official capacity.

The constable’s office said Maldonado’s neighbor reported the alleged fuel theft.

Since the allegations involved possible public corruption offenses, the constable’s office requested assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

An investigation revealed video footage of Maldonado allegedly placing five-gallon fuel containers into various take-home vehicles with markings that indicated they belonged to EPFD, officials said.

Videos showed Maldonado allegedly dispensing the fuel into his family’s vehicles at his home in Anthony, New Mexico, documents said. His spouse or daughter also allegedly dispensed the fuel.

EPFD and the City of El Paso helped find other videos showing Maldonado allegedly using his fuel pump employee access to dispense fuel bought by the city meant for city vehicles. He allegedly filled fuel containers and used them to fill his own personal vehicles.

“Maldonado’s actions were intentional and were committed for his and his family’s personal benefit,” the constable’s office said. “Maldonado’s employment with the El Paso Fire Department granted him access to the fuel purchased by the City of El Paso for use by the City of El Paso for official governmental purposes.”

Authorities booked Maldonado into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $4,000 bond.

The City of El Paso issued the following statement:

“The El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) was notified that a civilian employee was the subject of a criminal investigation involving allegations related to theft of City property. The employee was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. 

On September 1, 2026, the EPFD was notified that the employee had been arrested in connection with the investigation. The EPFD is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies. As this remains an active criminal proceeding, the Department will not comment further. 

The EPFD remains committed to integrity, accountability, transparency, and professionalism and has taken appropriate action consistent with applicable laws and policies.”

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California among riskiest states for senior scams

Peter Daut

THOUSAND PALMS, CA (KESQ) – Seniors are increasingly being targeted by phishing, spoofing and other scams, with criminals using sophisticated tactics — including artificial intelligence.

The FBI recorded nearly 50,000 scam reports involving Americans 60 and older in 2025, with about $80 million in reported losses.

A new report ranks California as the fourth-riskiest state for senior scams, driven by the number of reports and significant financial losses.

Retirement Living says one of the biggest threats in California is business impersonation, where scammers pose as legitimate companies to steal money or personal information.

Jailyn Rodriguez, a Media Relations Specialist with Retirement Living, says unfamiliar calls or emails should immediately raise a red flag.

“If you aren’t familiar with the contact… that should be a little red flag to you. You should hesitate.”

California also has the second-highest rate of elder fraud losses, with about $160,000 lost for every 1,000 seniors.

Experts recommend slowing down, verifying unexpected requests and never providing personal or financial information to unfamiliar contacts.

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Las Cruces teen found guilty of gun store burglary

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of five felonies in connection with a gun shop burglary in Las Cruces, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

In November 2025, six teens used a stolen Kia Forte to smash through Strykers Shooting World, according to the district attorney’s office. They stole nine handguns, two rifles and a shot gun.

Surveillance cameras inside Strykers Shooting World captured images, including this one, of the suspects who broke into and burglarized the store.

After a three-day trial and seven-hour deliberation, a jury returned a mixed verdict for Adan Delgado, one of the involved teens.

The district attorney’s office said Delgado is guilty of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges. However, he’s acquitted of larceny and a separate vehicle theft charge.

The judge declared a mistrial for the two remaining felony counts of aggravated burglary and larceny.

Delgado never entered Strykers, but he planned the burglary, according to the district attorney’s office. It also said he helped facilitate the theft of a vehicle the group used during the break-in.

“Adan Delgado knew what he was doing,” said Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macias.  “He knew the intent and directly contributed to putting more guns into this community.”

Surveillance video showed the group leaving the store in another stolen car, a Kia Rio, the district attorney’s office said.

Police found a class schedule belonging to one of the involved teens, which helped investigators find and arrest them.

The group caused $20,000 in damage to the store and stole $15,000 worth of weapons. They also totaled one of the stolen cars — which cost an estimated $18,000 in damage, the district attorney’s office said. The debt went to the car’s owner.

“They couldn’t have done this without the help of Adan Delgado,” said Macias. “This is one step toward justice in this case. Our office intends to hold all the teenage defendants involved accountable.”

An amenability hearing will be scheduled before sentencing for Delgado.

Three other defendants are awaiting trial.

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First snow of the season arrives at Mt. Bachelor

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Winter is starting to make its first appearance at Mt. Bachelor.

The mountain received its first snowfall of the season Wednesday morning, dusting the slopes from mid-mountain to the summit.

With more storm activity in the forecast and summer operations scheduled to wrap up October 4, the first snow is giving skiers and snowboarders a preview of the season ahead.

Mt. Bachelor season passes are currently on sale, but prices increase after September 30. That is also the deadline to take advantage of the mountain’s Kids Ski Free offer.

Mt. Bachelor is also an Ikon Pass destination. Full Ikon Pass holders can ski or ride for seven days, while Ikon Base Pass holders receive five days. Ikon Session Pass holders can use two, three or four days, depending on their pass.

For more information on passes and the upcoming season, visit Mt. Bachelor’s website.

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YPD to conduct Labor Day impaired driving enforcement detail

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is conducting an impaired driving enforcement detail during the Labor Day weekend.

In a press release, the enforcement detail will take place from Friday, September 4, to Monday, September 7.

YPD said officers will be patrolling the streets of Yuma looking to stop and arrest drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In addition, YPD said they will “actively enforce traffic laws, get impaired drivers off the road, raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and” save more lives on the roadways.

YPD also recommends those celebrating Labor Day weekend to follow the following steps:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin!

Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.

If you’re impaired, use a taxi, Uber, or call a sober friend or family member.

If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911.

In addition, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

Labor Day DUI Detail 2026Download

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Several men arrested in Boone County child sex crime sting have cases moved up to federal court

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Eight men who were arrested during a week-long sting in Boone County over child sex crimes have had their cases moved up to federal court, the Western District of Missouri announced in a Wednesday press release.

Deputies arrested several men in June who attempted to meet with who they thought were minors for sexual contact. The accused men and their charges are as followed:

Daniel Walter Follet, 57, of Columbia: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking.

Rollie Howard Pogue, 30, of Moberly: Charged with attempted child enticement, attempted sex trafficking and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender.

Jose Alfredo Jimenez-Hernandez, 54, of Columbia: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking. He is described in the release as illegally residing in the U.S.

Rifat Hasan Apurba, 30, of Columbia: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking. He is also described as being a University of Missouri graduate assistant.

Ethan Schmidt Deimeke, 28, of Columbia: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking.

Brice Leslie Morris, 35, of Columbia: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking.

John Binu, 25, of Jefferson City: Charged with attempted child enticement and attempted sex trafficking.

David Allen Burres, 32, of Plattsburg: Charged with attempted child enticement and receipt of child sex abuse materials

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