Cathedral City Fire Chief urges El Niño preparations now

KESQ on September 22, 2026

KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Fire officials said the lessons learned from Tropical Storm Hilary are already shaping their response plans for a potentially strong El Niño season. It’s not just our local leaders — the state is urging all Californians to prepare now.

On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency for the potentially historic El Niño season. The declaration enables agencies to stage flood-fighting equipment, accelerate permits, and mobilize the National Guard.

Cathedral City Fire says it’s important for residents to set up a plan before we even start seeing the impact.

“Preparation is going to be… if they wait until the storm comes, it’s going to be too late,” said Cathedral City Fire Dept. Chief Michael Contreras. “Make sure that you have an evacuation plan right now. If the rain is coming and you’re in a flooded area, make sure that you know where you’re going.”

Contreras added, “One of the things that I can’t say enough is if you see standing water, don’t drive through it.

Cathedral City was hit hard by Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023

Contreras said the department has spent the past year expanding its storm response capabilities.

More than two dozen firefighters are now certified in swift-water rescue thanks to a FEMA grant, and crews have been training on flood response, access points, and emergency operations.

The Palm Springs Fire Dept. is also part of stepping up swift-water rescue training as well.

Firefighters there also recently completed hands-on flood and river rescue exercises in the Coachella Canal, using real-world conditions to practice life-saving techniques and emergency response.

PSFD reminds residents to never drive or walk through flooded roadways or moving water.

For residents, you can sign up for Alert RivCo notifications to receive emergency warnings and evacuation information during severe weather events.

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Coachella expands business, entrepreneur resource center

KESQ on September 22, 2026

City News Service

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and the city of Coachella will expand services at the Coachella Community Business and Resource Center, giving local businesses and entrepreneurs greater access to training, workspace and other resources, it was announced today.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to take what we have traditionally done for the Coachella business community and build something much more comprehensive around it,” Brandon Marley, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a statement.

The Coachella City Council recently approved an annual $50,000 service agreement for the expanded program, officials said.

Once the program is implemented, the center will operate four days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer free access to shared desks and workspace, basic printing services, conference and meeting space and chamber staff who can provide business assistance and help connect users with resources.

“The goal is to make more of these services available locally, reducing the need for Coachella businesses to travel outside the city for assistance,” officials said.

Programming will focus on the needs of local businesses, with topics including marketing, workforce development, access to capital and technology, business growth, employment regulations and government contracting, officials said.

“The city of Coachella is excited to expand our partnership with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and provide our businesses and entrepreneurs with even greater access to resources in their own community,” Mayor Frank Figueroa said. “Creating a central location where businesses canreceive assistance, participate in training, connect with partners and have access to professional workspace strengthen(s) the support system available to both existing businesses and those looking to grow in Coachella.”

Officials said additional information about workspace availability, upcoming workshops and other resources will be announced later.

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18,000-pound War Memorial dedicated to Prisoners of War near Mud Lake

KIFI on September 22, 2026

David Pace

TERRETON, Idaho (KIFI) – A new 18,000-pound memorial dedicated to Prisoners of War has been erected in West Jefferson Cemetery by Terreton and Mud Lake.

The memorial consists of two massive pieces of travertine engraved with words honoring a local hero.

Ray Cope, a POW from Mud Lake, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Wake Island in December 1941 – enduring 44 months of torture, starvation rations, beatings and sickness.

On Saturday, Ray’s son John Cope led the dedication of a new war memorial to his father, those taken captive at the Battle of Wake Island and all prisoners of war.

However, the memorial isn’t just dedicated to Cope. It’s dedicated to those taken captive at the Battle of Wake Island and all prisoners of war.

Men like Lewis W. Shamel, who wrote about his experiences as a Japanese prisoner in four different prison camps on mainland China and in Japan.

His niece Nancy Shamel shared his story with me at the memorial’s dedication.

He preserved his memories in a book called “A Cup of Rice” about his experiences as a Japanese prisoner in four different P.O.W. camps on mainland China and in Japan.

“He was a prisoner of war for four years under the Japanese prison system. They were horrible, horrible conditions,” Nancy said. “When they first captured them, they made them all take off their clothes and sit on the airstrip for two days with just a little bit of water.”

Lewis was 21 when he left to serve in World War II, weighing 185 pounds. When he returned, he weighed 89. 

It is for these sacrifices that John Cope says we must remember and honor Prisoners of War.

“Always remember the sacrifices that the P.O.W. / MIAs (Missing in Action) have done for this country and this community,” Cope said. “When you put your name on the line to join the service, you’re committing to protecting our freedoms and following the Constitution of the United States.”

Construction of the memorial was a community effort led by Cope, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8893 and residents of Mud Lake and Terreton.

John Cope invites all to visit the new monument and reflect on the dedication of Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.

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Outage temporarily leaves over 1200 customers without power in Palm Desert

KESQ on September 22, 2026

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – More than 1,200 customers were left without power in Palm Desert Monday night.

According to the Imperial Irrigation District, as of 8:00 p.m., 1,232 customers are impacted from Sweetwater Drive to 38th Avenue.

IID’s map shows that the area includes the Avondale Golf Club and Palm Valley Country Club.

The outage was first reported just after 6:50 p.m. It was off the outage page by 9:00 p.m.

There was no word on a possible cause. We have reached out to IID for more information.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Columbia City Council passes $606 million budget

KMIZ on September 22, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council unanimously passed the fiscal year 2027 budget during its Monday night meeting.

The city will begin spending its allocated $606 million when the fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Documentation from the city shows the largest portion of spending is allocated to utilities at $304.8 million, while transportation will see $81.3, public safety receiving $68.4 million and “supporting activities” having $67.1 million.

Information about the budget on the city’s website did not appear to show potential money from the recently approved 1% public safety sales tax. That tax was narrowly approved by voters in August and will start on Jan. 1.

The city expected to have $581.5 million in revenue. Previous reporting states the city also anticipates $48.2 million in capital improvement projects that are not covered in operating expenditures. The city’s total operating expenditures are $558.4 million, per previous reporting.

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Injured Cline Butte mountain biker rescued

KTVZ on September 22, 2026

Gregory Deffenbaugh

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 73-year-old Bend man was airlifted to a hospital Sunday afternoon after sustaining injuries while mountain biking in the Cline Butte Recreational Area near Barr Road.

Deschutes County 9-1-1 received a call about the injured rider at 1:29 p.m. A Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Deputy contacted the man by phone and determined that a Search & Rescue team was necessary due to the location and reported injuries.

A response team consisting of one deputy and five Search & Rescue volunteers initially located the rider. After performing a medical evaluation, responders requested additional aid from Redmond Fire & Rescue, which used a side-by-side utility task vehicle to reach the location across rugged terrain.

AirLink launched a helicopter to assist based on the rider’s condition and concerns regarding serious injuries. Search & Rescue volunteers carried the man on a litter to the aircraft after it landed near the scene. AirLink then flew the patient to St. Charles-Bend for medical treatment.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, department officials acknowledged the work of Search & Rescue volunteers, 911 Dispatch and Redmond Fire & Rescue for their quick response during the rescue operation.

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‘Shine a Light’ Vigil in Drake Park

KTVZ on September 22, 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 24-hour mental health vigil titled “Shine a Light” will begin this Friday at 7 p.m. in Drake Park. Organized by Hearts Unknown Education and the National Alliance of Mental Illness, the event aims to support people struggling with mental health issues.

Organizers plan to light a flame at the start of the vigil and keep it burning continuously for 24 hours. The event centers on reminding community members that they are not alone in their mental health struggles.

Community members attending the event are invited to bring safe candles, flashlights and glow sticks to help illuminate the night. The vigil will be held at the Drake Park footbridge. Participants may sign up for scheduled shifts to hold the flame. They’re also invited to share their stories throughout gathering, coming and going as they choose.

The event will begin with presentations from Hearts Unknown Education staff and other mental health professionals. Following the opening talks, participants are invited to stay overnight in the park and watch the sunset, and then the sunrise together.

Nico Carpinelli is the founder of Hearts Unknown Education. His message is one of simple hope: “You know, to take mental health out of the darkness and shine a light on it and, come together as a community and sit by the river,” Carpinelli said. “You with your family, With your friends. If one person comes out of this feeling a little less heavy We’ve reached our goal.”

The vigil will end on Saturday at 7 p.m. with a party featuring live music at the Hearts Unknown Education campus.

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Keeping Bend accessible with curb ramps

KTVZ on September 22, 2026

Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend is undertaking an ongoing project to improve sidewalk accessibility across the community. One of the ways they’re doing this is the installation of ADA compliant curb ramps at cross walks.

Every time the city constructs or updates a street crossing, the work must comply with Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.

Curb ramp installations vary depending on the specific slope and size of the sidewalk. On average, installing a single curb ramp costs the city approximately $4,000.

Kassandra Kehoe serves as the equity and inclusion manager for the City of Bend. Kehoe is passionate about make sure everyone has the access they need. “Interacting in any capacity with our accessibility programs is fantastic. And by simply using a curb walk, you’re accessing things that weren’t accessible 20-plus years ago, right? I think about my own grandmother, who had polio and a curb ramp meant the difference between us being able to enjoy civic life and not right and that’s really what they represent,” Kehoe said.

Local residents can report accessibility barriers or issues preventing sidewalk access through a dedicated forum on the city’s Bend Works app and website. City staff are currently addressing about 35 outstanding accessibility reports, prioritizing work based on severity and community impact.

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Motorcycle rider dies in I-70 crash in Cooper County

KMIZ on September 22, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 48-year-old St. Joseph man died in a crash involving a motorcycle at around 7:30 p.m. Monday in Cooper County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that it was investigating a two-vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near mile marker 99.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek, driven by a 29-year-old woman from Seattle, Washington, was behind a 2014 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide driven by a 48-year-old man from St. Joseph when the motorcycle overturned.

The motorcyclist was ejected off the bike, and the woman hit the man. The Subaru came to a controlled stop in the right lane. The report states the man was pronounced dead at the scene just before 8 p.m.

According to the report, the man was wearing a DOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash.

The report states the woman was not hurt.

The Subaru had minor damage, while the motorcycle was totaled.

The Missouri Department of Transportation wrote on its Traveler Map that the crash was reported at 8 p.m. and the road was expected to be closed for about three hours in total.

MSHP wrote that traffic is backed up for about two miles, but the Traveler Map also showed traffic slowing down in the westbound lanes as vehicles approach the crash area.

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DUI arrest made after rollover car crash on Chapala

KEYT on September 22, 2026

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police arrested a 40-year-old woman for DUI after she crashed into two parked cars at the 1700 block of Chapala Street at 6:15 p.m. Monday.

SBPD officers found the woman and a child in a car seat after the car rolled over onto its side and got both of them out of the car safely.

SBPD officers and the Santa Barbara Fire Department helped both to Cottage Hospital for medical treatment.

SBPD officers then arrested the woman for felony DUI and felony child endangerment. Her bail is set at $100,000 and the investigation remains ongoing.

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