Man in West Columbia Friday standoff accused of threatening to shoot woman who was walking dog

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was arrested following an hours-long standoff Friday at a West Columbia apartment complex has been charged with two felonies.

Michael Whited, 59, of Columbia, was charged with second-degree making a terroristic threat, resisting arrest and three counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

He was arrested on Friday and was brought to an area hospital for a precautionary screening, police said on Friday night. Court documents say he was placed on a 96-hour hold at University Hospital for a mental evaluation.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim told police that she was walking her dog around 6:50 a.m. Friday at Ash Street Apartments when Whited pulled out a rifle and threatened to shoot her and the dog. The victim claimed they never met or interacted with Whited prior to him pulling out the gun, court documents say.

The victim ducked away and hid for cover while Whited threatened to shoot, the statement says. Two people saw Whited point the gun and Whited then pointed it at another person who saw him, the statement says. Whited allegedly was looking into windows of vehicles in the parking lot of the complex, as well, the statement says.

Another person described as “SUBJECT 1” in court documents saw Whited go in and out of the building he resided and was contacted by several people about him having the gun, the statement says. That person was able to put together Whited was the man with the gun based on descriptions given by the victims, the statement says.

That person also stated in court documents that Whited was heard screaming through apartment walls the night before. That person also stated Whited went to the main office of the complex and screamed about wanting to kill his coworkers in February, the statement says.

Police went to Whited’s apartment around 9 a.m. and he allegedly refused to open the door and told them “come back later or you’re dead,“ court documents say. He also made references to “demons,” according to the statement.

A standoff then occurred for several hours. Once police entered the apartment, they found Whited barricaded in his bathroom and found a gun in the apartment.

Columbia police arrest man in reported stabbing

KMIZ on April 14, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police arrested a man Monday after a stabbing near an elementary school.

Arthur Hooks, 70, was arrested after a report of a stabbing in the 2900 block of Leeway Drive, near Blue Ridge Elementary School, the Columbia Police Department wrote in a news release. There was no indication in the release that the incident involved the school or that students were in danger.

Officers arrested Hooks on suspicion of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Charges had not been filed early Monday afternoon.

He is currently listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster and is being held without bond.

Scammers find new ways to take victims’ money

KIFI on April 14, 2025

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Scammers are putting in more effort to take money away from people.

Some are doing phone scams where they impersonate Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Deputies. These scams are similar to the ones where callers claim to be deputies and tell victims they are wanted for a missing court or jury hearing. 

This time, scammers are upping their game by sending the victims pictures of documents designed to look like Bench Warrants. These fake documents list charges and consequences the victims could face for missing these nonexistent hearings.

“The document also lists names of Seventh Judicial District Judges and Bonneville County Deputies, with obviously fake signatures,” says the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. “Additionally, the document is made to appear real with case numbers, codes to state statute, and the address to the Bonneville County Courthouse.”

The BCSO reminds the public there is never a situation where law enforcement or court personnel will ask to take your money to address legal process or court action.

“Even if you had a warrant or owed fine money, those are things that the person needs to go and present themselves in person at the courthouse to deal with,” said Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office PIO, Sergeant Bryan Lovell.

You can find more information about these scams here.

New outdoor fun: High Desert Museum’s E.L. Weigand Ponderosa Playscape set to open with a party

KTVZ on April 14, 2025

Tyson Beauchemin

(Update: Adding video and comments from Communication Director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The young and young at heart alike starting Saturday will enjoy an entirely new outdoor play experience at the High Desert Museum.

Years in the making, the E. L. Wiegand Ponderosa Playscape will open this Saturday, April 19. A Playscape Party to mark the occasion will take place that day from 10 a.m. to noon with hands-on activities for kids, cookies and beverages. The event is free with admission.

The E. L. Wiegand Ponderosa Playscape is made possible by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, with support from the Bend Sustainability Fund, a Visit Bend project. This new, permanent addition to the Museum engages children’s playful side while encouraging them to learn about the lifecycle of a ponderosa pine tree.

At every stage of the tree’s life—from cone to seed to adult—it plays an important role in the forest’s ecosystem. Even after the tree’s death, the pine tree remains in the forest as a snag or log and provides critical habitat for plants and animals.

A significant aspect of the Ponderosa Playscape is also its impressive scale, evoking a “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” feel for visitors amid features like 12-foot-tall pine needle bundles and a 12-foot-tall pinecone.

“The Ponderosa Playscape firmly fits into the Museum’s educational approach—through immersive experiences, we evoke wonder and awe to spark curiosity about the High Desert region,” says Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “We’re excited to see the joy of even the littlest kiddos playing and learning in this new, dynamic experience.”

“We know that children learn through play.” added Heidi Hagemeier, Director of Communications at the museum. “And we’re known here at the High Desert Museum for providing immersive, hands-on experiences. And the Ponderosa playscape really provides that wonderful intersection of fun and engagement, and also learning in the process about high desert landscapes and wildlife. “

The signature piece in the Playscape is the wood Pinecone Portal, a pinecone large enough for an adult to walk through, carved by Sisters artist J. Chester Armstrong. He is known for his detailed wood carvings and created the cone from logs sourced from the Museum’s 135 acres and donated by the Central Oregon Irrigation District. Armstrong also carved a dozen different forest creatures into another feature, the Discovery Snag. Visitors will be able to search for species ranging from raccoons to bats to mushrooms.

The giant Log Jam Jumble, also made of wood, will provide climbers an outlet. And there are four Pine Needle Climbers, each one in bunches of three, just like Ponderosa pine needles themselves.

The Seed Pod Stage and benches in the Playscape’s center will offer visitors, as well as Museum Kids Camps, school field trips and other programs a place for activities and play.

The Ponderosa Playscape has been several years in the making. It replaces the Dig, Crawl, Climb area and is the first significant renovation project at the Museum since the update of the Autzen Otter Exhibit in 2016. It’s located near the former Dig, Crawl, Climb location above the Autzen Otter Exhibit.

ABOUT THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert region. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

YMCA raises almost $29,000 with Pedal for the Pool

News-Press NOW on April 14, 2025

Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new indoor pool is closer to reality at the YMCA, thanks to a fundraiser held Monday morning.

Volunteers started biking at 5:30 a.m. Monday with a goal of raising $5,000 for the pool. That milestone was crushed early on, with callers continuing to donate throughout the event, which wrapped up at 11 a.m., eventually raising $28,929.

“It’s a great day. The momentum is amazing, and it is just really awesome,” YMCA CEO Tammy Killin said. “Not about the money, but it’s about community support, community engagement and to really make this thing happen.”

One of the many riders, Erin Creedy had a 75 mile goal when she arrived early Monday morning. She said she is passionate about the pool because all of her kids were swimmers and she believes in the sport.

“It doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t care if you’re nine months or your 90 years,” Creedy said. “Swimming is a lifetime activity.”

Joined alongside Creedy was Savannah summer rec swim coach Jenny Denney. She finished her morning after biking 65 miles. She hoped this event would put the word out for the pool and show that it is much needed for the community.

“We really need the facility we need the space for all the high school teams, Central and Savannah and then also the club team, bridging the gap,” Denney said. “Swim lessons, that’s the other thing. I know swim teams are big passion but if you don’t have the swim lessons you’re not going to have the swim teams.”

The YMCA currently sits slightly over $14.1 million and needs to reach $15 million before the end of the month.

Wyoming Department of Transportation announces brief traffic hold for bridge work

KIFI on April 14, 2025

Seth Ratliff

The following is a press release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation:

JACKSON, Wyoming (KIFI) – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will begin paving the new bridge deck on the Snake River Bridge on Wyoming State Highway 22, Tuesday, April 15. In order for a loader and concrete truck to access the area, crews will hold traffic at 10 a.m. for roughly 5-10 minutes near the bridge.

Crews are encouraging travelers to avoid the construction area during that time if possible, or expect delays around the morning hours and plan accordingly.  The brief closure should only last 5 to 10 minutes, but traffic could potentially see slower speeds following the closure.

Crews are continuing to work hard in order to hit the last major milestone in the project—pouring the other half of the new bridge deck—by the end of June. Crews will also be adding an epoxy overlay to the bridge, which will likely push the work past the completion date.

Unpredictable weather and other variables may necessitate last-minute changes to the plans. WYDOT remains committed to updating the public with timely information. For more information about the current work going on at the WYO 22/WYO 390 intersection and Snake River Bridge, visit https://wy22wilsonsrb.com.

The work is part of the Snake River Bridge and Intersection project, which was awarded in November of 2022. The work includes the replacement of the Snake River Bridge on WYO 22, the reconstruction of the intersection of WYO 22 and WYO 390, wildlife crossings and other work on approximately 1.80 miles of WYO 22 and WYO 390 in Teton County. The completion date for this project is June 30, 2025.

Daycare centers in Juárez closed for alleged sexual abuse cases

KVIA on April 14, 2025

Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Chihuahua state authorities have closed five daycare facilities south of the border due to allegations of child sexual abuse cases.

The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (FGE) announced on Friday that five childcare centers are under investigation.

During a news conference, the State Attorney General, César Jáuregui Moreno, and the Specialized Prosecutor for Women Victims of Gender-Based Crimes and the Family, Wendy Chávez, provided detailed information on the investigation files being conducted for suspected sexual abuse committed in daycare centers in Ciudad Juárez.

The head of the Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the investigations are very exhaustive and are being carried out following all protocols to clarify these events and find those responsible.

Prosecutor Wendy Chávez specified that five daycare centers are currently under investigation, including:

“Guardería mi mundo de colores,” located on Camino Viejo a San José Street in the Partido Doblado neighborhood, where the victims range in age from two to four. Following medical and psychological examinations of 107 children, 34 investigation files have been opened. Rosa Iveth V.G. and Sonia Yasmín C.L. have been identified as the probable perpetrators. One investigation is being prosecuted, linked to a lawsuit, with a precautionary measure of pretrial detention. The other investigation is being prosecuted, pending an initial hearing date (due to an injunction). The daycare center is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Loon,” located on Antonio J. Bermúdez Avenue in the Antonio J. Bermúdez Industrial Park, the victims range in age from two to four years old. 53 medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, 15 investigations have been opened, and the probable perpetrator, Lurdes Z. M., is in pretrial detention, and the daycare is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Niñito Jesús,” located on Suterm Street in the Puente Alto neighborhood, the victims range in age from one to three years old. Two medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, two investigations have been opened, and the daycare is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Mi Pequeño Tambor,” located on Tizoc Street in the Lino Vargas neighborhood, the victims range in age from two to four. Eight medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, two investigation files are open, and one judicial investigation with an executed arrest warrant has been executed against Teresa Johana T. R., whose legal status will be resolved next Monday. The daycare is provisionally closed.

“Guardería Ebdi # 32 (ISSSTE),” located on De la Américas Avenue in the Américas neighborhood, the victims range in age from two to four. Forty-eight medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, 18 investigation files are open, two files have been turned over to the Attorney General’s Office, and the daycare is provisionally closed.

Some of these daycares are affiliated with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and ISSSTE as well.

More updates in later newscasts.

Click here to follow the original article.

Multiple agencies combat Jefferson County wildland fire Thursday

KIFI on April 14, 2025

Seth Ratliff

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – A Wildland fire in Jefferson County caused quite the scene over the weekend. Fire crews responded to the fire shortly before 8 p.m. On Thursday.

Luckily, one side of the fire bordered an agricultural water canal, which helped slow it down, according to fire crews.

The Swan Valley Fire Department says they dug lines and were able to spray water to prevent the fire from moving further.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Last-minute taxes: What to do if you haven’t filed yet

KIFI on April 14, 2025

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Tuesday, April 15, marks the final day for Americans to file their taxes without an extension. If you’ve pushed taxes off to the last minute and feel like you’re scrambling, you still have time, but not much.

But, with many resources available, Idahoans who have put off filing should still be able to finalize their taxes before the cut-off.

Derek Barnes, a tax professional with Liberty Tax, says that if you can’t make the April 15th deadline, you should at least figure out if you’re going to owe money or get money back.

“If you do owe money, however, there are fees and penalties that will begin after the 15th of April,” said Barnes. “So, if you do believe you’re going to owe some money, I recommend making an estimated tax payment. As long as you paid as much taxes as you owed last year, you will not be subject to additional penalties for underestimated tax penalties.”

If you do owe money, tax experts say you can file an extension by tax day and make an estimated tax payment to avoid penalties.

Barnes says while it is possible to file last minute, the best way to prepare ahead of time is to meet with a tax professional at the end of the year.

“Filing close to the deadline just doesn’t give you much time to prepare for that tax payment,” said Barnes. “Come in January or February, or even do an end of the year… That way you can estimate what your income is going to be. It’s important to know where you’re at ahead of the time that you have to make that payment.”

If you’re worried about making that payment, Barnes says there are relief plans for both federal and state taxes.

“Both taxing agencies have relief and options for us as taxpayers because they want us to pay our tax,” said Barnes. “They understand that life gets crazy sometimes and our finances get really difficult. so we can actually do an income based payment plan as well… So there’s a lot of relief out there. The worst thing we can do is to ignore everything and not try to figure things out.”

Tax experts say that if you have a simple tax return, you’re probably ok to use a free online service like TurboTax. However, if you have a more complicated tax situation, for example, if you are self-employed or have kids, it might be a good option to meet with a tax professional to get the best return. 

Barnes tells Local News 8 that many accountants and tax professionals will make extra time for people who haven’t filed yet, especially on tax day. 

Downtown Palm Springs businesses react to low Coachella crowds

KESQ on April 14, 2025

Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – With Coachella Weekend One in the books, Palm Springs businesses could see an increase in foot traffic as festival goers leave the Valley on Monday, but many said the foot traffic never came.

“Oftentimes we do get some business,” Willie Rhine, owner of Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge said. “People don’t want to travel on the Monday, so we looked for that this weekend also, and unfortunately that isn’t really happening this year.”

April begins the decrease in Valley visitors and the end of the peak-season for tourists. As the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is held in Indio, Palm Springs does not see as much traffic as it could during the event itself.

But local businesses said this is to be expected with Coachella each year.

“Overall, the Coachella weekends for us are quieter than what people kind of think is the going standard, that it’s really crazy downtown,” Jeff Witthuhn, owner of Peepa’s said. “This year we’ve had a pretty good weekend.”

A “good weekend” during Coachella means a lot for local businesses, especially as the crowds are hard to predict.

“Foot traffic was kind of heavy Thursday and then Friday morning,” Witthuhn said. “And then Saturday and Sunday seemed to be more just regular folks that were here visiting and not so much the Coachella group.”

This Coachella group is in downtown Palm Springs, they just aren’t visiting store like other tourists. News Channel 3 spoke with festival visitors downtown, and they said they were mainly looking for food and a peaceful time to walk around after the festival.

While solutions are scarce, Rhine said he only has one that could possibly help them from an extended lull. With Coachella in April, Rhine and Witthuhn prepare earlier for the summer with reduced labor expenses and product inventory.

But businesses expect the summer to be a low economic time, meaning bringing the festival to those months could help them.

“If I had one wish or my dream would be for them to move Coachella into a different month,” Rhine said. “April is still the height of the season for local restaurants. It would be wonderful if they thought about doing Coachella in June…bringing that influx of Coachella attendees that might actually help us in those months.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for more from downtown Palm Springs businesses and Coachella visitors.