Kraken fire former Firebirds coach Dan Bylsma after one season in Seattle

KESQ on April 21, 2025

Jesus Reyes

SEATTLE (KESQ) – Former Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma is out in Seattle after one season, according to reports.

SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report on the coaching change. Reports also revealed the Kraken GM Ron Francis will be reassigned.

Wow. Wasn’t the best season for Seattle but thought he’d get another shot next year. I guess not. Former Firebirds head coach let go after one season with the Kraken. Wishing Dan the best during this time. @KESQ @SeattleKrakenPR @SeattleKraken @KenjiitoKESQ @Tarp1969 https://t.co/wGGJfc5kEl

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 21, 2025

In addition to a head coaching change with Dan Bylsma fired, there is no shortage of speculation in league circles that #SeaKraken GM Ron Francis will move to another front office position and assistant GM Jason Botterill will be promoted to GM.

We’ll see.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 21, 2025

The Kraken finished the season 35-41-6, second to last in the Pacific Division. Seattle missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season and the third time in the team’s four-year history. 

Bylsma was the team’s second ever head coach.

In two seasons with the Firebirds, Bylsma went 94-32-18 in the regular season and reached the Calder Cup Finals in the team’s first two years.

He is a former Stanley Cup Champion and has the second most wins in Pittsburgh Penguins history.

Bylsma joined the Firebirds’ NHL affiliate, the Seattle Kraken, in May 2024. A month later, Firebirds assistant coach Jessica Campbell joined his staff, making NHL history.

According to reports, Campbell will remain on the Kraken.

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National Weather Service confirms EF-2 tornado in Callaway County on Sunday

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado touched down in southern Callaway County on Sunday.

Severe storms caused damage and power outages throughout Mid-Missouri on Sunday, with many areas still feeling the effects on Monday.

The NWS wrote that the tornado developed northwest of New Bloomfield and moved northeast past Guthrie from 1:31-1:36 p.m. Sunday. The length went 2.7 miles with a width of 100 yards.

Emergency Management in Callaway County stated on Sunday that some outdoor warning sirens in Fulton were not operational because of technical malfunctions.

The sirens are now operational as of Monday afternoon and issues rose from a low battery, according to Callaway County Office of Emergency Management Director Michelle Kidwell.

“The vendor advised that even though it was showing low battery leading us to believe they may not work during the second storm, they likely would have continued to work.  They did work for the first round of storms (thankfully) it was the second round we were concerned and wanted to let the public know,” an email from Kidwell states.

Former Cooper County Jail employee accused of sexual misconduct with inmate

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was an employee at the Cooper County Jail has been indicted in Boone County for allegedly having sex with an inmate last year.

John Dillehay, 48, was indicted on Friday on two charges, including sexual conduct in the course of public duty and misdemeanor making a false report. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

He’s accused of having sexual misconduct with an inmate on Aug. 4, 2024. He is also charged in Cooper County with permitting escape and concealing a felony on the same day the sexual misconduct charges allegedly occurred, court filings indicate.

A trial setting for the Cooper County case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, May 23.

YPD and DEA team up to host National Take Back Day

KYMA on April 21, 2025

Miriam Ordonez

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Police Department (YPD) is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for National Take Back Day.

According to YPD, the event is a way to give the community a safe alternative to get rid of unwanted or expired prescription medication.

Yuma residents can drop them off this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the YPD headquarters on South First Avenue.

No ID is needed and the service is free and anonymous.

YPD says it is a way to help prevent drug misuse and keep old medications from ending up in the wrong hands.

However, they won’t be accepting liquids, needs or illegal drugs.

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release below.

DEA NTB April 2025Download

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Holts Summit man sentenced 91 years for rape, sodomy, domestic assault

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Holts Summit man was sentenced to 91 years in prison on Friday for several sex crimes.

Mitchell Dean Fox III, 28, was found guilty on Feb. 7 of three counts of first-degree sodomy one count of first-degree rape, one count of second-degree domestic assault, one count of third-degree domestic assault, one count of second-degree sodomy and unlawful use of a weapon.

Fox is also charged in Gasconade County with third-degree child molestation. He’s also charged in another case in Callaway County with misdemeanor violation of an order for protection and has a hearing set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1.

Fox was initially arrested for sex crimes on Dec. 8, 2022, according to a social media post from the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office. He will be required to register as a sex offender, if he is released.

He is currently being held at the Callaway County Jail, according to online records.

Yuma County residents react to Pope Francis’ passing

KYMA on April 21, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County are reacting to the passing of Pope Francis.

According to the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff died Monday following a series of health challenges in recent years.

In an Instagram post, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls wrote, “Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Mayor Nicholls, who also serves as a deacon, says each pope means something different to everyone, and says there is always a lot to learn from them.

“This pope has been really focused on the individual person, and the poor, the marginalized in society, so that was a great focus for us as a nation, as a state, just to know we need to be thinking beyond what’s right in front of us,” Nicholls explained.

Local leaders, like Timothy Kromer with Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, say his legacy reached far beyond the church.

“I feel like his legacy will be on of the need to help those in our society, the most vulnerable, the most in need,” Kromer shared.

His character inspired unbreakable bonds among Catholics, with Kromer adding, “I feel like a lot of Catholics has a very strong connection to him because of his pastoral nature, and because of his care.”

The papacy is more than just a single leader. It’s a part of a long tradition which continues to evolve through each generation.

“They’re balancing out the church, the spirituality, the theology, that comes throughout the centuries, so from that perspective, we look to glean from each pope, in each saint, different elements of spirituality and understanding,” Nichols expressed.

In Southern Arizona, Pope Francis’ legacy lives on in the people and organizations continuing his work of compassion and care.

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Columbia Police say witnesses of crimes coming forward could help bring answers to unsolved cases, but understands the risk

KMIZ on April 21, 2025

Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police say witnesses of crimes coming forward to authorities with information could help them unravel unsolved cases. But they also understand, there could be a risk.

“I think there’s a variety of reasons [why a person would not come forward to police],” CPD Lt. Matt Gremore said. “I don’t think anybody wanted to be labeled as a snitch. It’s a big part that we have to overcome.”

Gremore also said he can understand someone not coming forward to police over a family member being threatened.

“I can understand it, but it does not stop the violence by doing that,” Gremore said.

A witness intimidation guide written by Arizona State University outlines the different roles a witness may have within the community.

“Particularly in violent and gang-related crime, the same individual may, at different times, be a victim, a witness, and an offender,” according to the guide. “Historically, witness intimidation is most closely associated with organized crime and domestic violence.”

The guide says intimidation can include looks or gestures, threats of violence, physical violence, property damage or stalking.

Columbia Police are investigating multiple cases where they believe many witnesses saw a crime happen, but few people or none have come forward to authorities. A few of these cases include unsolved homicides.

On April 25, 2016, 24-year-old Garbrielle Rhodes was shot and killed at the Deerfield Apartment Complex on Sylvan Lane. At the time, neighbors told ABC 17 News, they saw “young people” running from the scene after shots were fired around 7:45 p.m.

Garbrielle Rhodes (credit: Serenity Memorial)

“I think that there was a group of people that were with Rhodes when he was shot,” Gremore said. “I think that those people know exactly what happened, and I think even the associates of those people would know exactly what happened based on having conversations about it.”

Police believe the Rhodes homicide was likely sparked by an earlier shooting that day, where two people were hurt near the Interstate 70/Highway 63 connector. The three suspects from that shooting were quickly arrested at the Rhodes homicide scene about five hours later.

“We have criminals that exist, and silence is what protects them,” Gremore said.

In 2021, Columbia Police Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter spoke to ABC 17 News about another unsolved homicide case. He said on Nov. 30, 2014, Columbia Police responded to the 1400 block of Illinois Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. More than 100 people were hanging out at an after-party.

“A fight ensued, a verbal argument ensued and everything, and soon after that, shots rang out and two people were hit, one being Rickie Dunn,” Hunter said.

Rickie Dunn (left) and his son Rickie Dunn (credit: Dunn Family)

Both the Rhodes and Dunn cases involved multiple witnesses, but police have not been able to arrest anyone for their murders.

If a person is arrested and charged with murder, the prosecution can also face additional hurdles with witnesses.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson said the prosecution of a criminal defendant can depend on witnesses being willing to testify in a case.

“Usually when the state isn’t able to obtain the results we would hope, it’s because of lacking available witnesses,” Johnson said. “A lot of people don’t realize that when we have a trial, we have to have witnesses we can physically put on the stand to testify about what happened.”

Watch the latest Mid-Missouri Cold Case Files featuring the Garbrielle Rhodes case at 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC 17 News.

Police officer involved in crash at intersection of North Carefree Circle and North Powers

KRDO on April 21, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirms one of their officers was involved in a crash on Monday afternoon. Crews are currently at the crash near North Carefree Circle and North Powers Boulevard.

CSPD says the crash has closed the intersection in all directions. Drivers should avoid the area.

CSPD says their officer was not hurt. There were other minor injuries reported from the other involved car, and they were taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.

CSPD does not have details on who was at fault at this time.

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Rural Road Repairs are on Santa Barbara County’s Radar

KEYT on April 21, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Officials are acknowledging the state of disrepair on some of the rural roads in the northern parts of Santa Barbara county.

You don’t have to drive more than six miles up Figueroa Mountain Road before encountering a bumpy ride.

Santa Barbara county Public Works has identified these increasing problem areas.

“This is what I’m getting mostly for my constituents is about roads, you know, and about how bad it is around their house and how it’s been 30 years since anybody’s ever, you know, showed up from the county,” says Bob Nelson, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

These roads are not highly trafficked, they wind through hills, and even forested areas, making visibility tricky.

“Roads aren’t sexy. You know, there’s no ribbon cutting when you’re out there with the pavement. But it’s it’s hugely important,” says Supervisor Nelson.

According to some constituents who live out in these areas, many of these roads have not been resurfaced in several years, to say nothing of the damages caused by recent wildfires.

“We would love to pave everything. But those ones, we have to be a little bit more careful and do them in segments versus like doing the whole thing,” says Public Works director Rick Sneddon.

County officials have scheduled these much needed repairs, but there are logistical concerns on these long stretches of mountain road that slow the process down.

“Figueroa Mountain, for example, is a very challenging road to maintain. It’s very long and it’s expensive to do so. He’s got many roads like that in his district and we try and we try and do everything so that we’re like making sure we’re paying attention to those roads too,” says Sneddon.

Due to the tricky nature of some of these routes, repairs will need to be done in sections, and residents will need to be notified ahead of time.

For additional details such as the roadmap and schedule for these repairs, you can visit the county’s website.

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‘Ranch to table’: Bend restaurant making waves in Central Oregon’s food scene

KTVZ on April 21, 2025

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here’s a story that’s sure to make you hungry, featuring a ‘modern cowboy steakhouse’ in Bend.

And if you’re a Food Network fan, you might recognize some of these names. 

At Hawkeye and Huckleberry, customers come for the food and drinks but stay for the service and atmosphere.

Hawkeye and Huckleberry PlatesHawkeye and Huckleberry plates

“This place consistently has such great energy!” Neil Connelly, a repeat customer, said in a recent interview with KTVZ News. “The cocktails are phenomenal! The food is always phenomenal and consistent. Every single person that works here just absolutely loves working here.”

“It’s like our local ‘Cheers’ bar,” said Tomi Connelly. “I had one of the steaks – it was so good. It was like buttery.”

Tomi and Neil

That’s the goal of one of Bend’s hottest food spots, created by chefs Brian Malarkey and Carlos Anthony — who you might have seen on Food Network.

Brian (left) and Carlos (right). Credit: @chefslivetv (YouTube)

“I have worked with Brian Malarkey, our owner, for the last 17 years. This is my 15th restaurant with him,” Chef Carlos told KTVZ. “I was so excited about the opening of this place, and I came out here for a couple of weeks to help open, and I fell in love with it. Not only the restaurant, but fell in love with Bend, with the people, with all the exciting things you can do.”

Chef Carlos originally planned on being in Bend short-term, to get the restaurant off the ground.

Cooking in the kitchen

But those plans quickly changed.

“(Bend) really took me on, and I fell in love with it. I recently married, so as soon as my wife decided she also loved it, we moved up here as soon as we could. I’ve come up here full-time, and I’ll never look back,” Chef Carlos said. “You have to be in here every day. You have to be listening to what people are coming in and talking about because it’s easy to be a flash in the pan. It’s hard to be something that lasts and that has substance. Really, I actually feel very privileged to be here.”

Now he’s focused on bringing fresh food to the table.

“We have this incredible access to the food we serve. Having our own ranch in Tumalo is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It’s ranch to table. And to be able to source something so connected to Central Oregon and then bring it directly to the restaurant, that’s a chef’s dream,” Chef Carlos said. “It’s not just from our ranch. There’s incredible farmers out here, incredible ranchers. We work with Rainshadow (Organics), an incredible farm down the road. I love how much Central Oregon has to offer!”

Chef Carlos

And he says he couldn’t do it without their incredible staff.

‘When you make a restaurant, it’s about 50% food, and the rest is who you hire. Having good people, good staff, good bartenders, and good servers that make that experience,” said Chef Carlos. “Listen, people will come to a restaurant for a celebrity chef, but they will come back for the service.”

“The staff here is incredible. Great energy. They bring a good time here,” Neil said.

You can check out the menu by clicking here, or head on down to Hawkeye and Huckleberry at 225 SW Century Drive.

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