The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has announced a burn ban for the South Yuba River Corridor, effective immediately as of June 25, 2026. The ban prohibits all open burning, including campfires, bonfires, and the use of charcoal grills, within the designated corridor area to reduce the risk of wildfires during the dry summer season.
Local authorities emphasize that the restriction applies to all unincorporated areas along the river, with exemptions only for gas stoves and propane grills used in designated campsites. Violators may face fines and legal penalties.
The ban will remain in effect until further notice, with updates provided by Nevada County OES. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution and to report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to emergency services.
This measure comes as part of broader wildfire prevention efforts in the region, which has experienced heightened fire danger due to dry conditions and low humidity.
Source: theunion.com

A suspect has been arrested in the 1999 cold case murder of Diane Ayres, a 23-year-old San Diego resident whose body was discovered in Balboa Park. The arrest comes more than two decades after the killing, following a renewed investigation that used advanced forensic evidence to identify the alleged perpetrator.
On December 4, 1999, golfers at the Balboa Park golf course discovered Ayres’ body in bushes along the 1800 block of Golf Course Drive. They immediately called for help, and the San Diego Police Department responded.
The Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Ayres had been strangled.
For years, the case remained unsolved. Cold case investigators from the San Diego Police Department re-examined forensic evidence, which ultimately led to the identification of Christopher Lynn Creek, 52, as the suspect.
The SDPD worked closely with the FBI and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.
Creek was located in a prison across the country. On June 16, he was arrested on the San Diego homicide warrant by the Laurens County Sheriff's Department and transferred from Dodge State Prison in Chester, Georgia, to the county jail.
He was set to be arraigned on Thursday in San Diego.
Source: timesofsandiego.com

Federal authorities have arrested a Palmdale man accused of blackmailing teenage girls and coercing them into producing sexual images, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Thursday. Kenneth Mellor, 20, of Palmdale, was taken into custody in Pennsylvania on Wednesday following an eight-month investigation.
The FBI said the investigation began in October 2025 after Mellor allegedly claimed to be in a relationship with a 12-year-old girl and forced her to create sexual content. After conducting a forensic review of digital devices seized from Mellor's home, investigators discovered that the suspect had communicated with numerous suspected victims.
According to the FBI, investigators have so far identified approximately 12 confirmed minor victims, with more than 10 additional victims yet to be identified. Mellor allegedly threatened, intimidated, and emotionally manipulated his young victims.
At least one of the minors may have attempted self-harm following Mellor's coercion. The complaint further alleges that Mellor frequently attempted to befriend and groom girls between the ages of 9 and 17 on various online platforms by misrepresenting his age.
He used multiple aliases on social media and gaming platforms, including Roblox, Discord, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and WePlay, to lure his victims. Authorities are asking the public to help identify additional victims.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips anonymously at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI warned parents and caregivers to remind children to be cautious when posting images online and to stress that images on the internet can exist forever.
They also advised that anything done via webcam or mobile device cameras can be recorded by a perpetrator without the victim's knowledge. If convicted on the charges, Mellor faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of 30 years.
The online aliases used by Mellor include Angelicdvorapss, Dvoraps69, Angel1cT0nes, Daddytentoesdeep, Beachyboyken1, YT_reaper, Yttr.eaper, Dantekingofall, Dantedemonking, Dantedemonking2, Demonlorddante, Demonlorddantes, Itachi_godoffire, Tidesgamingsnipes, Mr_Faded, and ThelastKeshin.
Source: nbclosangeles.com

Truckee High School’s varsity softball team made history this season by advancing to the regional playoffs for the first time in 25 years, ending a decades-long postseason drought. The Wolverines not only broke through to the playoffs but also finished the season ranked fourth in the state, a remarkable achievement for a program that has seen significant growth in recent years.
The milestone comes three years after Jason Borzello took over as head coach when his daughter joined the team as a freshman. "I always figured I’d be watching the games from the sidelines with the other parents," Borzello said.
"But this has been incredibly exciting. I can’t say enough about these young ladies.
They rebuilt the program, continued to show up, and believed in what they were doing."
In the regional playoffs, Truckee secured a thrilling 20-17 victory over South Lake Tahoe, a game Borzello described as one of the most memorable wins in program history. "It had to be one of the biggest wins for Truckee softball, one I will never forget," he said.
"We’re definitely trying to make state next year." While the Wolverines ultimately fell short of reaching the state championship tournament, the season marked a major step forward.
Much of the team's success is tied to the expansion of youth softball opportunities in the community. Truckee Little League added a softball program about two years ago, but many current varsity players joined the sport before those opportunities existed, meaning they had little or no softball experience before entering the program.
Despite this, the team excelled both on and off the field, maintaining an average GPA of approximately 3.7. Many players have aspirations of attending college, and several are pursuing opportunities to continue playing softball at the collegiate level.
"I’m super proud of these young ladies, their dedication, and the joy they bring to me as a coach," Borzello said. "I couldn’t do it without them."
The current varsity roster includes Azul Caratachea, Ella De la Torre, Jackie Garcia, Jessie Borzello, Jossie De la Torre, Melissa Herrera, Nayeli Santos, Olivia Kay, Reina Rosenblatt, Sophie Inis, Stephanie Diaz, and Zoe Featherstone. With most of the roster expected to return and youth participation continuing to grow, the Wolverines hope this season’s breakthrough is only the beginning of a new era for Truckee softball.
Source: sierrasun.com

The 131st Annual North San Juan Cherry Festival is set to take place this weekend, promising a delightful blend of community spirit, local traditions, and, of course, plenty of cherries. The event, a beloved staple in Nevada County, will run from Saturday through Sunday in the heart of North San Juan.
Organizers have lined up a full schedule of activities, including a cherry pit-spitting contest, live music performances, arts and crafts vendors, and a parade that will wind through the historic downtown area. Local farmers will showcase their finest cherry crops, offering fresh fruit, pies, jams, and other cherry-infused treats.
The festival also features a classic car show, a kids' zone with games and face painting, and a beer and wine garden for adults. Admission is free, and parking is available at designated lots with shuttle service to the festival grounds.
This year's event honors the region's agricultural heritage while providing a fun-filled weekend for families and visitors alike. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking and enjoy all the festivities.
The Cherry Festival has been a North San Juan tradition since 1895, drawing thousands of people from across Nevada County and beyond.
Source: theunion.com

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation has announced the awarding of scholarships to three outstanding graduating seniors from the region. The scholarships recognize academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership potential among local students.
Each recipient demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and extracurricular activities, making them stand out among their peers. The foundation, which supports the fairgrounds and community programs, aims to foster educational growth and future success for youth in Nevada County.
The scholarship funds will assist the students in pursuing higher education at colleges and universities of their choice. Foundation officials expressed pride in the recipients and emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.
The awards ceremony was held at the fairgrounds, with family, friends, and community members in attendance to celebrate the students' accomplishments.
Source: theunion.com