Lightning reported in area as small fire breaks out near Palm Springs mountainside

KESQ on September 24, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, CA (KESQ) – Reports of lightning strikes in the area preceded a small brush fire Thursday afternoon on the mountainside near Interstate 10 and Highway 111 near Palm Springs, above Snow Creek.

The fire was reported shortly after noon above Snow Creek Road, with smoke spotted coming from the south side of the mountain.

Palm Springs Fire Department initially responded to the incident before the response was transferred to CAL FIRE. Officials later determined the fire was burning on Forest Service land, placing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in charge of the primary response.

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management work to contain a small brush fire in Snow Creek, along the mountainside near Palm Springs

BLM personnel told News Channel 3 the fire was near the area where the Pacific Crest Trail climbs into the mountains.

Initial information indicated the fire was approximately 20 feet by 20 feet. Officials were investigating a possible lightning strike as the cause, although the cause had not been confirmed.

By Thursday afternoon, BLM officials told News Channel 3 that fire crews were on scene conducting mop-up operations. Officials said the fire was no longer showing flames or smoke.

Additional resources were sent to the area as a precaution, with crews staging near Snow Creek Road.

There were no reports Thursday afternoon of injuries, evacuations or damage to structures.

Hikers planning to travel in the area are advised to check current trail conditions and closure information before heading out, particularly as crews continue working in the vicinity of the fire.

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Arrests made after violent attack at Yucca Valley Sonic

KESQ on September 24, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Three people have been arrested following a violent attack on employees at a Sonic Drive-In in Yucca Valley, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to the restaurant at approximately 9:49 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, after receiving a 911 call reporting that several customers were assaulting employees inside the restaurant.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the incident began with an altercation at the drive-thru window. Three suspects then exited their vehicle and entered the restaurant, where they assaulted three employees.

One 21-year-old female employee was reportedly attacked by all three suspects and had her cell phone taken during the incident.

A 21-year-old male employee was assaulted by one of the male suspects and suffered serious injuries that required treatment at a local hospital. An 18-year-old male employee was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries.

The family of one of the employees spoke with News Channel 3 about what happened last week.

The suspects fled the restaurant in a vehicle before deputies arrived.

Investigators with the Morongo Basin Station assumed the case and used automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, along with law enforcement databases, to identify the suspect vehicle and develop investigative leads.

Authorities said the technology helped investigators identify all three suspects and obtain arrest warrants.

Investigators and deputies later served a search warrant at a residence in Joshua Tree. During the search, two adult suspects were located and arrested on suspicion of robbery under California Penal Code section 211.

One of the adult suspects, a 45-year-old woman from Desert Hot Springs, is being held without bail, according to the Sheriff’s Department. The second adult suspect is a 29-year-old woman from Joshua Tree.

Investigators later located the third suspect, a 17-year-old male from Desert Hot Springs. The juvenile was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery causing serious injuries under California Penal Code section 243(d) and booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall.

The attack was captured on video, which is now circulating on social media. News Channel 3 is not showing the video because no one has been charged in connection with the incident.

Social media posts also allege that the people involved were a family, including a juvenile who attends Desert Hot Springs High School.

News Channel 3 has also learned a Desert Hot Springs student athlete was absent from a recent football game. The student’s current status on the team is unclear.

Palm Springs Unified School District said it is aware of social media posts about the incident.

In a message to families, the district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and that any appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

The Sheriff’s Department said the investigation highlights the use of ALPR technology and law enforcement databases to identify suspect vehicles, develop leads and assist investigators.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip or by texting “REPORT” to (844) 909-3006.

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$13,000 No-Show: Local Moving Company Owner Faces Felony Theft Charge

KIFI on September 24, 2026

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A local moving company owner faces a felony grand theft charge after allegedly accepting over $13,000 to move a family’s belongings to California and failing to perform the job.

Golden Barrett, 44, owner of Premier Coordinators, was charged following an investigation by local law enforcement.

According to a criminal affidavit, an Idaho Falls woman hired Barrett in August 2025 to take her parents’ belongings from Idaho Falls to California. Court documents show she paid Barrett a total of $13,875 for the service, including a $1,500 deposit via Venmo and a $12,375 cashier’s check.

Barrett’s company was scheduled to complete the move to California on September 5 or 6, 2025, but the movers never arrived. After receiving multiple excuses from Barrett, the victim told police that he cut off all communication and stopped responding to her messages, according to the affidavit.

The woman filed a police report with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office on September 8, providing text message screenshots, a copy of the Venmo receipt, and a copy of the cashier’s check as evidence. The case was later transferred to the Idaho Falls Police Department.

On October 2, an IFPD investigator reached out to Barrett. According to court records, Barrett claimed he was hospitalized during the scheduled move date and that hospital staff had confiscated his cell phone.

“He claimed his employees were unaware of what to do in his absence and therefore failed to show up at the scheduled address,” court documents state. “Barrett further claimed his employees were not ‘trained’ on how to move furniture, so they ‘just didn’t show up.'”

During the recorded interview, Barrett argued the dispute was a civil matter rather than a criminal one, suggesting the client take him to civil court. However, when informed that law enforcement was investigating the incident as potential criminal fraud, court documents state Barrett became emotional and begged officers not to file charges.

Barrett claimed he intended to contact the victim directly to “make things right” and promised to hand-deliver a refund check. When the investigator asked why he could not issue a refund via Venmo, the same platform used for the deposit, Barrett claimed the State of Idaho had frozen and seized his bank accounts over unresolved tax issues.

In October, the woman contacted police to officially file charges against Barrett. A warrant for Barrett’s arrest was issued in late March. Barrett was held on a $20,000 bond and made his initial court appearance on Sept. 4. His arraignment has been set for Sept. 28th.

If convicted of felony grand theft, Barrett faces up to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charges and a criminal complaint merely contain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Habitat For Humanity Helps Carpinteria Family Replace An Aging Mobile Home

KEYT on September 24, 2026

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Facing a fierce winter weather forecast, a Carpinteria family is getting badly needed help with new housing from Habitat for Humanity for Southern Santa Barbara County.

The non-profit has a program to help those who own manufactured-type homes before 1976 that are in dangerously run down conditions.

Director of Philanthropy and External Affairs for Habitat for Humanity Susan Renehan said, “this is a brand new program for us which  is whole home replacement program for mobile homes.  The state of California understands that mobile homes are naturally affordable housing.”

One of the first changes will be in Carpinteria where the Gonzalez family has seven members under one leaking roof.

Barbara Gonzalez said, “the roof, two years ago, it fell and my brother, he does construction, and he fixed a part of the roof but he says  this is not going to last you guys.”

The new home comes at a critical time with harsh weather likely and safety, a risk.

Juan Gonzalez said, “we are a poor family  and we feeling good right now that we are getting a new home.” He thanked everyone who was able to put the program in place for their family.

The Habitat program was made available and they qualified. That also includes taking part in some of the moving parts that includes the move out and at times some of the improvements to finish off the new home.

The mobile home park where the current structure sits, is on Carpinteria Ave. and could be in a flooded area if the worst of the El Niño rains come all at once and during a higher tide from the ocean nearby.

Habitat says the new housing will meet current code standards and be elevated appropriately to be above any possible pooling rainwater.

Mike Davis is the Habitat for Humanity Construction Director. He said, “we are going to be placing the family safely in another location  while this is going on. This is going to take about six weeks. We will be pulling the home and doing site work as necessary to accept a new home.”

He said there would not be shared space for the kids sleeping and the living room space.

“To create a place for their kids to grow and for the family to thrive means the world to me,” he said.

Macy’s homes in Ventura County is assisting in the project with a specially built home that is simplified to make the collaboration work and provide the upgraded living for this family. It will also give them the room to add storage and other amenities that will work for their specific lifestyle.

Throughout Southern Santa Barbara County, Habitat says those in need can apply for assistance in home repairs and possible replacements where it can be worked out through financial assistance and the on going help of volunteers who take on these projects.

Renehan said, “if their looking around their home and saying I am not sure if  my home would qualify but it needs a lot of work  please keep in touch with us.”

Barbara Gonzalez said, the program is very possible for others. “If there is more family out there, like us they should apply and   don’t think twice. Just go for it .”

For more information go to: Habitat for Humanity.

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Santa Rosa Island Boat Ride Turns Into Front-Row Wildlife Show

KEYT on September 24, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A trip to Santa Rosa Island delivered more than an island view.

Warmer ocean conditions helped bring a colorful mix of marine life close to the surface during a recent Island Packers boat ride through the Channel Islands.

Passengers spotted a large sunfish glowing in the water along with pink jellyfish and flying fish darting near the boat.

Then came the biggest surprise.

Dozens of dolphins appeared alongside the vessel, racing through the waves and surrounding passengers on both sides.

The unexpected wildlife show gave those onboard a close-up look at the rich marine life surrounding the Channel Islands.

Island Packers crews regularly travel these waters and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, but conditions can make every crossing different.

For passengers on this trip, the journey to Santa Rosa Island became part of the adventure itself.

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September is Hunger Action Month

KYMA on September 24, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Started in September of 2007, Hunger Action Month aims to raise awareness about food insecurity, and to remind people to take action by donating to local food banks or volunteering.

Volunteers from the Imperial Valley Food Bank were at the Cattle Call Arena in Brawley Thursday, September 24, for a community food distribution.

“Hunger Action Month is just a rallying cry to help the public understand that this problem still exists in this country in a growing demanding way due to some cuts in programs including SNAP, where people are falling off of assistance and really needing more help getting through the month,” Sara Griffen, Imperial Valley Food Bank Director, told News 11.

Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez was on hand with his team volunteering and handing out information on state resources for assistance.

“Right now, Imperial Valley Food Bank in this line is gonna be able to feed 500 families for 1 week, but that’s only 1 week out of the year. One thing that the community can do is they can get involved at the Imperial Valley Food Bank by donating either food or resources, money, so that way they can buy protein. That’s one of the things that the food bank is missing is protein to help feed people,” the assemblyman said.

Federal data shows that general grocery inflation over the last year is hovering around 3% due to tariffs and higher fuel costs.

Specific items like tomatoes have risen 40% due to tariffs on Mexico, and the cost of beef has risen roughly 18% due to tighter cattle supply.

“Definitely we are seeing an increase with the cuts to SNAP benefits on the federal level,” Cari Augusta, Distribution Manager at the Imperial Valley Food Bank, explained.

“It has really come down to our level, and we don’t have as many big corporate donors as a lot of other food banks have, so we have to rely on our local donors, search for grants to help supplement what we’re receiving, and also we’re receiving less food in the warehouse from the USDA,” she said.

In addition to over 30 food distribution sites, the food bank also participates in the weekend backpack program for students, sending home meals for children over the weekend.

“The best way to help us is with monetary donations because we do buy all our food in bulk. You can kind of see here, some of this is pre-packed, but everything comes on a pallet. Food drives are not an effective way to feed 30,000 people. We really need to have everything palletized and purchase wholesale so that we’re able to make that dollar stretch further,” Griffen stated.

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A year after deadly downtown Columbia shooting, public safety push goes on

KMIZ on September 24, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Nearly a year has passed since a Stephens College student was shot and killed in downtown Columbia, and the police department still doesn’t have a unit dedicated to downtown — an area that has become a flashpoint between the city government and University of Missouri leadership.  

“I believe there is much more that we need to do, given the number of incidents that we’ve seen,” University of Missouri President Mun Choi told ABC 17 News in a recent interview. 

Following 21-year-old Aiyanna Williams’ death on Broadway last September, Choi started pushing the city to get crime under control. One month later, MU and the city put out a joint list of actions to do just that. 

One of those points was to increase law enforcement downtown, and throughout the past year, the idea of reinstating the Columbia Police Department’s downtown unit has come up multiple times. 

However, in an April interview with ABC 17 News, CPD Chief Jill Schlude said that wasn’t going to be possible until at least the fall because of staffing, but extra officers have been assigned to patrol downtown. 

Schlude declined an interview for this story. City spokesperson Christopher Ave said Schlude declined out of respect for the Williams family. 

Ave said in an email that CPD had 163 sworn police officers as of early September, but that number fluctuates because of attrition rates. He also said CPD is understaffed by 23 positions.

Although eight people will start in the police academy at the end of September, Ave said, they won’t be ready to be on the streets for about 10 months.

Choi said he likes the idea of bringing back the dedicated downtown CPD unit, which Ave said was formed over 15 years ago. It was disbanded in 2019 because of staffing.

The key to reviving the unit could be in the public safety sales tax the Columbia voters approved in August. The 1% sales tax would take effect on Jan. 1, and the city would start to receive the revenue generated in March.

The tax is expected to bring in $38 million. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said the police department estimates hiring 50 more police officers over four years with that funding, along with an updated building and higher pay for police.

“This will allow us to have a sustainable funding stream in addition to what we’re already giving from the general fund to the police and fire department,” Buffaloe said.

Choi said he supports CPD and its efforts to increase downtown safety, but still pushes the city to do more.

“When I believe something is very important like this, I will continue to advocate for it. And I’ll ask all members of our community to help support more police, the need for more police in downtown,” Choi said.

Williams’ death sparked Choi’s public advocacy, but constant violence in one area of downtown pushes him to continue.

Following a large street brawl and a shots-fired call over the summer, Choi sent emails to the city again, asking city leaders to revoke the liquor license for Reign Bar–-the establishment he believes is the cause of the fights and crime in the section of East Walnut Street that intersects with Eighth through Tenth Streets. 

He also warned students to stay away from that area at night.

“It’s probably not the only establishment that has caused this type of situation, but it is a very prominent bar in that location, Ninth and Walnut, where these violent incidents are occurring,” Choi said. 

Buffaloe agreed that something needs to be done.

“We want to make sure that people are safe, and we know that once it gets like after midnight or closer to bars close, people have been drinking and there’s a lot of young people downtown, and we want to figure out ways that we can try to proactively message about that,” Buffaloe said.

She mentioned that CPD met with bar owners to establish a line of communication. Schlude said after the meeting that many of the bar owners expressed concerns about CPD staffing and people tailgating in their cars.

A manager at Reign Bar told ABC 17 News that he believes the people who are involved in violence near the bar aren’t patrons, and the problem is the people who stay outside with open containers.

Last fall, CPD ramped up its enforcement efforts downtown to try to reduce violence. Between August 2025 and 2026, CPD issued 11 open-container citations and made 41 arrests. CPD also cracked down on jaywalking, and since August 2025, the department has issued 54 citations and made 16 arrests.

MU brings over 30,000 students to Columbia, and Choi said he feels responsible for their safety. 

“There are sections of downtown that are dangerous that I wouldn’t want my family to go to. As well as, I am responsible for the safety of thousands of students that live in downtown, that work in downtown establishments and those that visit downtown during weekend hours and so forth,” Choi said.

Choi said there are a few things that could help increase public safety downtown, including adding more CPD police officers, providing them moral support, allowing CPD to collectively work with the University of Missouri Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and getting the Columbia City Council to pass an urban camping ordinance.

Choi sees some of the activities of homeless people downtown as a potential safety hazard for students and their families.

Columbia’s Downtown Improvement District has already submitted a letter asking the Columbia City Council to consider and research an urban camping ordinance. It was signed by nearly 80 businesses.

However, the District has pushed back against Choi for his focus on Reign Bar, saying any crime issues downtown should not be pinned on a particular business.

CID Executive Director Nickie Davis said an urban camping ordinance would provide clarity on what to do when a homeless individual is sleeping, blocking or using the space in front of a business.

“Everything seems to be unclear. So really, we are looking for a clarification of what is and isn’t enforceable. Are they being enforced already? And what can we do to make things a little bit more clear for everybody?” Davis said.

The letter was submitted to the council Aug. 17. However, council members haven’t taken action on the proposal or asked the city administration to conduct research.

“We know this is something our businesses need. They are struggling,” Davis said. “So, we will continue to work for that until city council can give us an answer one way or another and/or put in the time and research on what this could look like.”

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Goleta’s Biggest Community Festival Returns for Citrusy Celebration

KEYT on September 24, 2026

Joey Vergilis

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – If life gives you lemons… you don’t just make lemonade, you throw a massive 2-day festival! 

The 33rd annual Goleta Lemon Festival is taking over Girsh park this weekend – Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 26th from 10am to 6pm – and the best part is the festival is completely free to attend and they have free parking! 

Citrus roots run deep in Goleta, the Lemon Festival honors the area’s citrus heritage that dates back to about 1875, when Sherman Patterson Stow of Rancho La Patera planted California’s first known commercial lemon orchard in Goleta.

The Goleta Lemon Festival hosted by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is the city’s biggest community event of the year and is expected to welcome more than 40,000 people over two days.

Festival Chairman, Tony Vallejo, joined your Morning News to preview the upcoming weekend that only grows bigger with every upcoming year.

“We’ve never seen anything bigger. It’s the biggest interactive safety street in the south coast. We’ll have first responders from all branches. They’ll all be there with their equipment. Along with the first responders themselves, and they get a chance to meet with the kids, anybody really. I go and play with the equipment too, and they will let them handle some of the equipment, and they’ll be there all weekend, so it’s a lot of fun,” said Vallejo.

For many of the 40 non-profits involved, this weekend is a major fundraiser, so every lemonade you buy supports the local Rotary Club.

There’s an endless amount of lemon-inspired food to wash down that lemonade or craft Lemon Beer including lemon churros, lemon tamales, and lemon meringue pie. You can also find standard festival favorites like BBQ and corn dogs.

The highlight of the weekend very well could be the lemon pie-eating contests that happen Saturday and Sunday at noon with local elected officials, T.V. and radio personalities and local celebrities judging the the light-hearted competition.

“I guess if I had any advice I would say be prepared to get a little bit of pie up your nose because they go face down in those things. Can’t use your hands, so it’s just dig in. So it’s a lot of fun.” 

Music will run all weekend with rock, country, blues, funk, and more. Area 51 plays the UCLA Health Stage on Saturday, and Goodlanders play on Sunday.

For all you Classic Car lovers be sure to check out the 19th Annual Goleta Fall Classic Saturday from 9 to 3. Along with corvettes, camaros, and trucks, this year it adds European and Japanese imports for the first time.

There’s plenty of activities and stations for kid’s including the largest interactive Safety Street on the South Coast where kids can meet first responders and get hands-on with the equipment. The Kids zone Also, with an all-inclusive wristband Kids can enjoy the Kids Zone with bounce houses, rides, games, bubble fun, euro bungee, mini golf, and the rock wall.

Wristbands are $30 online before Thursday, September 24, or $40 at the festival.

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Diablo Canyon & SLO Veterans Museum Partner To Restore Army Tank Display

KEYT on September 24, 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – A group of Diablo Canyon employees banded together to restore a military tank outside the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum in San Luis Obispo.

The volunteer effort saved the museum about $20,000.

A Diablo Canyon security supervisor who also serves as a National Guard tank commander spearheaded the volunteer effort.

“I’m one of the leaders of the veterans department at Diablo Canyon Power Plant within PG&E,” says Cody Smith, Diablo Canyon Power Plant security supervisor. “I met with the museum director, he gave me a list of projects And then as soon as I saw that the tank restoration was on that with my background in tanks, that was immediately top of my list.”

It included pressure washing and prepping, masking and priming, and applying the final coat.

“It’s very inspiring to watch it evolve from its previous state to its current state,” says Bryan Galvan, Diablo Canyon Power Plant risk manager.

The piece of equipment, an M60 battle tank model M60A3, weighs 53 tons and measures 22 feet long, 12 feet wide and 11 feet high.

“This tank is the generation before the Abrams tank,” says Smith. “So it’s the Vietnam era. And then the Abrams tank came out in the Gulf War. And I served on the third generation of that platform.”

Many of the Diablo Canyon employees who participated are military veterans.

“We had a volunteer group that contacted us that said they were interested in helping us here at the museum,” says Paul Provence, a volunteer at the Central Coast Veterans’ Museum. “The tank came up as a great project for them.”

Volunteers utilized two pressure washers connected to 350ft of hose. Five gallons of primer, six gallons of topcoat, 300ft² of aluminum foil and paper for masking and hand-cut stencils.

“I think it’s important to keep monuments alive and in whatever capacity or history they serve,” says Smith.

The volunteer work allowed the museum to avoid spending money on a contractor.

“PG&E, they have a formula where they identify volunteers and then the number of hours that the volunteers participate,” says Provence. “There’s some type of an equation. And we were able to get an additional $750 donation from PG&E.”

The tank was in military service from 1960 to 1991 and has been installed outside the museum since 2006.

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Imperial PD arrests suspect following school threats

KYMA on September 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Police Department (IPD) said they arrested a suspect after receiving information regarding a possible threat involving Frank Wright Middle School Thursday morning.

IPD said officers immediately began investigating the reported threat, leading them to identify and arrest a teen responsible for making the threat.

The teen, according to IPD, was taken into custody, with the matter being referred to the Imperial County Probation Department, and is facing a charge under California Penal Code 422.3, “which addresses threats involving a school or place of worship.”

IPD said there is no continuing threat to the school, and said they take any threat involving schools, students or staff “extremely seriously.”

“The safety of our students, school staff, and community remains a top priority of the Imperial Police Department. We appreciate the cooperation of Frank Wright Middle School staff and the Imperial Unified School District,” IPD said.

If anyone becomes aware of an immediate threat or emergency, call 911.

For Immediate Release_ IMPERIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTS SUSPECT FOLLOWING SCHOOL THREATSDownload

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