Tick season is in full swing, here is how to stay safe

News-Press NOW on July 18, 2025

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — Tick season has been in full force for the past few weeks, and experts warn that the risk will remain high through the summer.

In Northwest Missouri, tick activity typically peaks from April through September, coinciding with the height of outdoor recreation.

With more people hiking, camping, and enjoying nature, the chances of encountering a tick rise significantly.

Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that belong to the same family as spiders and mites. While tiny, they can carry serious illnesses such as Lyme disease.

There are three common types of ticks in Missouri:

The lone star tick is the most aggressive and can be identified by the white dot on the back of adult females.

The American dog tick is larger and brown with white or gray markings.

The deer tick, also known as the Blacklegged tick, is smaller and darker, with female ticks sometimes showing a reddish-orange shield on their back.

Ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas, tall grass and brushy fields. Contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t jump or fly. Instead, they perch on the edges of grass and leaves, waiting to latch onto a passing animal or person.

Once attached, they crawl to a warm, moist area of the body and begin feeding.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recommends wearing long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and using insect repellent.

Once back indoors, a full-body tick check is essential. Showering within two hours can also help dislodge ticks before they attach.

“The biggest safety thing really is just a full, thorough tick check,” said Erin Woodiel, media specialist with the MDC. “Checking all your nooks, crannies, and creases is key to making sure no ticks are burrowed into your skin.”

Pet safety is also important. Woodiel recommends keeping pets on a leash and away from tall vegetation. Once back home, carefully inspect pets—especially around the ears, under the collar, and between their toes.

Even with all precautions, ticks can still attach. That’s why doing a final, careful check after outdoor activities is your best line of defense.

If you find a tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, clean the area with soap and water, and monitor for symptoms like rash, fever, or fatigue in the days that follow.

For more information on ticks and how to stay safe outdoors, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation at: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ticks

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“Be safe on the water,” urges Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

KIFI on July 18, 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is issuing a warning to all water enthusiasts, urging them to “be safe on the water.” In a recent press release, Sgt. Bryan Lovell highlighted a concerning trend, highlighting how deputies have responded to at least six water rescue events in just the past week.

Local News 8 has covered several of these incidents, including a rescue where a Utah family’s minivan plunged into the Snake River near the Fall Creek Campground. Only a day later, on July 15, first responders safely rescued two men whose boat overturned in the Snake River just below the falls near downtown Idaho Falls. Fortunately, all individuals involved in these specific incidents escaped with only minor injuries.

However, the Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that some of these six cases involved not only individuals new to water recreation but also highly experienced boat operators. While emergency responses from BCSO and its partner agencies have led to successful rescues without serious injury or fatality, some were “very close calls” that could have had tragic outcomes.

“With Palisades and Ririe Reservoirs and the Snake River being very busy this time of year, it’s important to plan for emergencies and safety before you recreate,” the release stated. “Idaho waters and weather conditions can change quickly, catching the unprepared by surprise.”

They’re reminding water enthusiasts that warm temperatures and sunny skies don’t eliminate the risk of cold water exposure, or excuse you from wearing a life jacket.

“Too often, BCSO Deputies rescue people who ignored basic safety practices because they were confident in their abilities, but suddenly (find) themselves underprepared in an unexpected emergency,” stated the release.

Before you head out on the water, BCSO is asking that you take a moment to:

Ensure you have proper safety gear and equipment.

Know the weather and water conditions beforehand.

Operate within your skill level.

Do not underestimate potential hazards both on and just below the water’s surface.

Be courteous to others using the waterways, whether from a boat or the bank.

Inform family and loved ones of your planned location and estimated return time.

For more safety and outdoor information across Idaho, including resources for safe recreation, click HERE.

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City sets ribbon-cutting ceremony in August for new Corby Pond upgrades

News-Press NOW on July 18, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Parks and Recreation is set to unveil a host of new features to a centerpiece of the city’s parkway system next month.

Officials with the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at Corby Pond on Monday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. to celebrate infrastructure upgrades nearing completion for the popular walking and fishing destination.

Upgrades include a new 20-by-40 foot pavilion for gatherings and events, an all-new restroom facility as well as new sidewalks to boost foot traffic for the park.

The new pavilion will look similar to pavilions/shelters at Bartlett Park and Patee Park and will be furnished with picnic tables, benches, trash cans and grills.

“We’re going to do something at night in conjunction with the Department of Conservation event that they were wanting to have,” Parks Director Jeff Atkins said.

Funds for pavilion construction were made possible thanks to a $202,641 Outdoor Recreation Grant awarded to the city from the Missouri Department of Conservation, which manages water quality maintenance and fish stocking for the pond.

The restroom facility was constructed using $320,000 in Capital Improvements Project funds.

Once installed, park supporters will see the pavilion located on the opposite side of the parkway as the pond, closer to North 22nd Street and by the new unisex restroom facility. The facility includes a 7-by-9-foot storage room.

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Motorcyclist run over by SUV in Boone County dies from injuries

KMIZ on July 18, 2025

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A motorcyclist who was run over by an SUV in McBaine on Monday has died from his injuries.

Family members, including the daughter of Jeffrie W. Cash, confirmed with ABC 17 News on Friday morning that he died Thursday.

Donald J. Legleiter, 36, was charged Monday with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and leaving the scene of a crash. He was jailed without bond.

As of Friday evening, court documents do not show that the charges have been upgraded. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said his office had not received official confirmation of Cash’s death.

Legleiter is accused of hitting Cash at about 5:30 p.m. Monday on Allen Street in McBaine.

Paramedics were working to keep the victim alive when the deputy arrived at the scene, according to a probable cause statement. Cash had serious injuries to his head and upper body. His daughter, Makayla Cash said his injuries were so severe he broke eve bone in his face and skull.

“He had two arteries that weren’t supplying enough blood to his brain, he had two brain bleeds, a broken collar bone and his lungs were punctured,” Makayla Cash said.

Doctors told Makayla that even if her father miraculously survived, he would be dependent on others for the rest of his life — a life she says he wouldn’t have wanted.

“I know my dad wouldn’t want to live like that, so my sister and I made the decision to take him off the ventilator,” Makayla Cash said.

Witnesses told deputies that Legleiter had backed up in his SUV and run over the motorcycle while Jeffrie Cash was on it, the statement says. Legleiter allegedly drove from the scene and abandoned the 2024 Toyota Highlander in a bean field.

Makayla Cash said it all started with her father defending a woman from being hit by Legletier.

She said he left and came back about 10 minutes later with a woman and then things escalated.

“She was screaming run him over run him over and Donald like I guess stepped out of the vehicle and was like who wants to die today and got back in and reverse over him,” Makayla Cash said.

Jefferie Cash was a father of three who died just one day before his youngest daughter’s first birthday. Makayla Cash said he had a deep love for motorcycles and riding was his escape from stress.

“I wish he was here to see his daughter turn one today,” Makayla Cash said “He had a lot of struggles in life but he had the biggest heart if he cared about you you knew it and he would do anything for just about anybody,”

Legleiter allegedly told deputies that he wanted to destroy Cash’s motorcycle.

Makayla Cash has set up a GoFundMe page to cover bills.

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Sentencing delayed after Boone County murder suspect balks at deal

KMIZ on July 18, 2025

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sentencing has been delayed for a Hartsburg man who pleaded guilty to killing his father in 2022.

Collin Knight, 25, appeared in Boone County court via Webex on Friday for a sentencing hearing. Knight had previously agreed to a plea deal that would see him serve life in prison for second-degree murder and 15 years for a parole violation.

Notes in the electronic court record state Knight told Judge Joshua Devine he “does not wish to be sentenced today.” Devine delayed the hearing at the defense’s request.

The stabbing death occurred in September 2022 in the 18000 block of South Old Route A in Ashland. According to court documents, Knight’s father died after being stabbed more than 15 times. Deputies found Knight in the garage of a neighboring home after he called dispatchers and allegedly admitted to the killing at the scene.

Former Cole County Prosecutor Bill Tackett said pulling back on a plea deal at this stage can complicate matters for both the court and the defense.

“The whole idea is to avoid a trial if possible and if during sentencing, they suddenly want to blow up the deal, they can do that,” Tackett said. “The problem they’ve got is then they have to go to trial.”

Tackett said that while withdrawing a guilty plea is not uncommon, stopping sentencing after a deal has been made is more rare.

“Defense counsel, cut the best deal possible, got the client to do the plea of guilty. Trying to undo the sentencing at the last minute is a defense attorney’s nightmare because now you’re going to blow the whole thing up,” he said. “You go back to zero and likely have to go to trial, which should be worse for the defendant.”

“Asking to withdraw a guilty plea is not that uncommon. Asking to stop the sentencing — that’s pretty uncommon,” Tackett said. “Because that’s the deal that got cut. And if you’re trying to change that after the guilty plea, the whole thing has to go away. You have to start all over again.”

Columbia attorney Dan Viets said the judge ultimately has discretion in whether to proceed with sentencing or accept the guilty plea.

“It’s not common, but it’s not unprecedented. It’s in the discretion of the judge whether that judge is going to allow the defendant to maintain his guilty plea or not,” Viets said. “If the judge thinks the defendant is equivocating, is not really admitting that he is guilty, then judges do often reject guilty pleas under those circumstances.”

A status hearing in Knight’s case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

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Take aim for a cause! Paintballing RC Planes with the Desert Eagles RC Club

KIFI on July 18, 2025

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Southeast Idaho’s Desert Eagles RC Club is inviting you to a unique fundraiser this Saturday, July 19th, where you can aim a paintball gun at their model radio-controlled airplanes for a good cause.

For just $3, you’ll get 10 shots to test your accuracy on RC planes in flight. All proceeds will go to the Veterans Mobility Corp, an organization that refurbishes electric wheelchairs and donates them to deserving disabled veterans right here in Southeast Idaho.

There will also be flight demonstrations, a remote control airshow, a drawing for RC planes, and the grand prize: A chance to ride in a full-sized Stearman donated by James Hoff.

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the RC Club field, located just north of Andrus Trucking headquarters, directly off I-15 at Exit 113.

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SJPD conducts focused traffic enforcement operation

News-Press NOW on July 18, 2025

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In response to citizen concerns regarding roadway safety, the St. Joseph Police Department’s Traffic Unit conducted a focused traffic enforcement operation on the Belt Highway on Thursday, July 17.

Officers made 61 traffic stops, issuing 40 citations and 22 warnings. SJPD also issued 23 tickets for expired or improperly displayed state license plates, and eight drivers were cited for operating a vehicle without valid insurance.

“The safety of our roadways is a top priority, and we take community concerns seriously,” said SJPD Police Chief Paul Luster in a Facebook post on Friday. “Enforcement projects like this help ensure all motorists are in compliance with laws designed to protect everyone on the road.”

The effort of the operation was aimed at improving compliance with traffic laws and promoting safer behaviors throughout the community.

SJPD also said that vehicles operated on public roadways must be properly licensed and insured.

The department noted, it will continue to prioritize hazardous moving violations and distracted driving, working to reduce crashes and improve public safety for all citizens.

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First-ever Summer Celebration kicks off today on the Idaho Falls Riverwalk

KIFI on July 18, 2025

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Get ready for a day of excitement, delicious food, and incredible local talent! The first-ever Summer Celebration at the Falls Event is happening today, July 18, on the downtown Idaho Falls Riverwalk.

Put on by the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and Visit Idaho, the event organizers promise a full day of fun under the summer sun. Attendees can look forward to a fantastic lineup including:

The Chamber enthusiastically shared on Facebook, “We have a variety of vendors, a rib special from our friends at Snow Eagle, live music with performances from a selection of local singer-songwriters, and fun games for all ages.”

The Summer Celebration goes until 6 PM.

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Local high school band to perform at National Night Out in St. Joseph 

News-Press NOW on July 18, 2025

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local high school band is preparing to take the big stage at the annual National Night Out event at Civic Center Park in Downtown St. Joseph.

Sponsored by Target and the St. Joseph Goats, the event will feature free food, fun activities for children, including opportunities to explore and interact with various emergency vehicles and plenty more for the entire community to enjoy. 

National Night Out events across the country bring neighbors and local law enforcement together each year to build strong community ties and promote safer, more welcoming environments. 

“National Night Out is primarily a night out against crime,” said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. “Each year, the goal for me has been to try and make it bigger, better and more of a community buy-in to get more people out to our event and bring people together.” 

SJPD said they couldn’t think of a better way to energize this year’s audience than by inviting local high school students, who perform under the band name The Arsonists!, to take the stage. 

The band consists of six members: 

Solomon Goodman, vocalist 

Michael Werner, guitarist and backing vocals 

Lucy Goodman, drummer 

Izzy Luce, bassist 

Karson Wilmes, guitarist 

Ava Kay, drummer 

Guitarist Michael Werner said he’s honored to perform at the upcoming event, especially as a tribute to his father, Jeff Werner, who is a local firefighter. 

The band is especially excited for their first outdoor performance in the city of St. Joseph. 

“We’ve never been down to City Hall before,” said vocalist Solomon Goodman. “We’ve only performed at indoor venues, so this is something unique and exciting for us. Since the very beginning, my favorite part of performing has been seeing the smiles in the crowd and watching people forget their troubles for a while and just lose themselves in the music. This is something we’re really looking forward to.”

SJPD is encouraging the community to come out for a unique opportunity to engage with law enforcement and emergency personnel in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. 

The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Civic Center Park.

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ABC-7 at 4: Child Crisis Center of El Paso is celebrating 45 years

KVIA on July 18, 2025

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—The Child Crisis Center of El Paso is celebrating 45 years of protecting children and supporting families in crisis. This celebration honors the community, staff, and partners who have contributed to the organization’s growth. The free, family-friendly birthday celebration and open house will take place on Friday, July 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Crisis Center.

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