Two men charged in 2017 homicide appear in court

KMIZ on August 15, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two Columbia men charged in the 2017 murder of Augustus Roberts appeared in front of a Boone County judge Friday.

Roberts is the son of a former Northeast Missouri judge.

David C. Adams, 44, of Columbia, was arrested Thursday and charged Friday with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree murder and illegal gun possession, all felonies. Julius A. Cureton, 37, of Columbia, was also arrested Thursday. He was charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree murder.

A probable cause statement says Adams changed his name from McClain in 2020 — three years after the Dec. 11, 2017, murder of Roberts in east Columbia’s Old Hawthorne subdivision.

Police said Roberts was targeted and killed during a home invasion in the 1900 block of Lasso Circle. A Drug Enforcement Administration investigation alleged in 2019 that the homicide was tied to a drug trafficking scheme and that Roberts was selling “high-grade marijuana.” 

A witness allegedly told police in 2017 that three masked men tried robbing the home in 2017. Police say the witness told them they escaped the home during the robbery and heard gunshots as they ran away.

Adams and Cureton appeared by zoom from the Boone County Jail on Friday afternoon.

Judge Jayne Pearman read Adams and Cureton their rights and charges. Neither man had legal representation present at the hearing.

Both men are being held at the Boone County Jail on no bond. A bond hearing for Adams is set for Aug. 21 and Aug. 19 for Cureton.

Jeffrey McWilliams, 33, is also a suspect in the case. In 2021, prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Online court records indicate that he has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 2.

McWilliams allegedly told police during a “proffer interview” last December that Adams and Cureton were with him the night of the killing and that Adams killed Roberts. A proffer interview could mean McWilliams is working on a plea deal with prosecutors.

The probable cause statement in Adams’ case states that investigators found a shirt with tan paint from the crime scene and McWilliams’ DNA on it after the shooting. They also found boxes of marijuana, vape pens and other items inside a U-Haul truck.

Click here to follow the original article.

The School Buzz: D-60 elementary school debuts new innovation lab next week

KRDO on August 15, 2025

Josh Helmuth

Risley International Academy of Innovation will start the new school year with some serious new “rizz.”

The D-60 elementary school will cut the ribbon on a federally funded new innovation lab next week when students start the fall semester. Staff says it’s where project-based learning will come to life.

Creative design? Students can make professional posters and t-shirts.

Computers and video games? Students will program and code.

Travel? Students will have access to virtual reality.

Drew Hirshon works at the school. He says this lab will be a jump-start toward so many careers.

“We’re incorporating some engineering pathways for them, robotics, designing and modeling, there are some opportunities for app creation, so the cyber security side. I mean really giving students gateways to different career paths at the middle school level. So when they do get to high school they’ve been exposed. They’re ready,” he said.

Is there something or someone remarkable at your school? Tell Josh all about it: SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

Portion of River Road in South Monterey County closed after power lines knocked down

KION on August 15, 2025

Victor Guzman

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — CHP Monterey says power lines are down along 600 River Road, forcing the CHP to shut down the road in the area.

This portion of River Road’s nearest cross street is Parker Road.

The CHP says PG&E is working on repairs but there’s no estimated time to reopen the area.

Anyone trying to travel in and out of 600 River Road is asked to avoid it for now.

This is a developing story

Click here to follow the original article.

Good Vibes Only: K-9 trades police responsibilities for retirement

KVIA on August 15, 2025

Rosemary Montañez

CANUTILLO, Texas (KVIA)— Thursday marked the end of the chapter at Canutillo ISD. The police department’s very first K-9 retired.

Officer Alis, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, had been with the district for the past seven years. She specialized in detecting weapons and narcotics.

The officer has become like an extended family member for many within the police department.

“She’s like one of our officers. She brings comfort to us every time everybody sees her. You know, we all love on her. We all, we all want to hug her. But when she’s got to go to work, just like the officers, she goes to work,” said Canutillo ISD Police Chief Fernando Hernandez.

The chief also said Officer Alis performs her duties exceptionally well.

Alis has worked tirelessly with Canutillo ISD’s safety and security team, visiting the district’s 10 schools regularly.

“She helps us keep our kids safe, our community safe, here in our schools. Our ten campuses that we have, when it comes to narcotics, when it comes to weapons, you know, searching the building and searching the parking lots, after-school activities, football games,” the chief added.

Officer Alis has created a unique bond with her handler, Sgt. Andres Hernandez. He only became her handler two years ago, but their bond was strong from the very beginning.

“She right away acknowledged me. We became good partners, by the way. She was eager to work. I mean, she didn’t give me no issues. And when I give her the command, she was looking for the drugs on the school. So we made a good, I guess, team together,” Hernandez said.

Many students have grown to love Officer Alis. She has grown up with many students.

The district said Alis has been very involved in student outreach, helping children with social anxiety feel comfortable in the school setting.

“And she loves doing her job. I mean, she’s always in the hallways. She’s always checking the restrooms. Students love her,” said Hernandez.

As Officer Alis steps away from her duties, she will be in good hands with Sgt. Hernandez. And she’ll be in good company with five other dogs at home.

“She’s going to be living at home with me. You know, she’s going to be now a pet. So she’s going to have to get used to that.”

Her retirement ceremony was marked with full honors and even a ceremonial radio send-off.

Officer Hernandez also said she would like to train Alis to become an emotional support dog.

Canutillo ISD is in the early stages of finding a new K-9 officer.

If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, please e-mail news@kvia.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

D-49 charter school in Colorado Springs area receives safety benefits from summer repaving project by El Paso County

KRDO on August 15, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Rocky Mountain Classical Academy, finishing its second week back to school, has a new crosswalk and other safety upgrades provided by a summer resurfacing project on the street in front of the school.

Crews repaved a mile of Antelope Ridge Drive — just west of Marksheffel Road, on the eastern border of Colorado Springs — between North Carefree Circle and Barnes Road.

A county spokesman said that workers patched potholes and sealed pavement cracks before applying a slurry-seal treatment to smooth the road, as well as modifying pavement striping and installing school zone lights.

Traffic at the start and end of the school day, however, still backs up along the two-lane road leading to the District 49 school.

Some parents told KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior that they have mixed feelings about whether the upgrades have made a significant difference in pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

“The traffic is worse than it ever was,” said Janella Prather, who lives in the neighborhood east of the school. “Parents who drop their kids off are completely inconsiderate. If I had known this would be turned into a school zone, I wouldn’t have bought a house here. And we were given no notification about this.”

Tom Vaupel, a homeowner on Lost Pony Place in a residential area a block south of the school, said that the project hasn’t solved the longstanding problem of traffic congestion caused by parents dropping off and picking up their kids to avoid congestion in front of the school.

“It’s been an issue since I moved here in 2016,” he explained. “We have people blocking driveways, parking in front of fire hydrants and stop signs, even parking their cars to walk to the school. There have been quite a few confrontations because of it. I wish the school would do something about it.”

The Road Warrior has reached out to the school administration for comment and is awaiting a response.

The paving project included several pull-over areas near the front of the school — for quick and convenient student pickup and drop-off — but some parents said that either they’re not used enough, or there aren’t enough of them to make a difference.

“If people actually use the school zone the way that they’re supposed to, we wouldn’t have this problem,” said Holly Dumyahn, who drives her kids to and from school. “We just saw somebody do a U-turn in the school zone. People are always in a hurry. They should leave earlier. I leave 20 minutes early, and I only live ten minutes away. People should be more patient.”

Another neighbor, Anthony Carrera, wants a stronger law enforcement presence.

“To combat speeding and illegal U-turns,” he said. “We also need a crosswalk at the intersection of Antelope Ridge and Lost Pony because that’s where most of the kids and parents cross the street to go to the school.”

Mike Rossi, who drives his child to school, describes the safety improvements as positive.

“I think (the county) did a really good job, although they may have to modify it a little bit,” he said. “But right now, I think it’s really good.”

It’s possible that with school only in its second week back in session, drivers and neighbors may simply need more time to adjust to the changes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Janelle Bynum speaks at Oregon Nurses Association town hall focusing on rural health care

KTVZ on August 15, 2025

Spencer Sacks

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Rural health care was the topic of discussion at a town hall meeting Thursday night in Madras. It was a packed house at the Madras Performing Arts Center.

The Oregon Nurses Association hosted the event to address concerns about the president’s recently passed big beautiful bill. Oregon’s 5th District Democrat Rep. Janelle Bynum was the featured speaker, where she talked about Medicaid, Medicare and what could possibly happen in the future while emphasizing the challenges rural health care faces.

Janelle Bynum told KTVZ News, “Well, we want to make sure that hospitals, particularly rural hospitals, are protected. When I first came here, I was told very clearly that this was not the place to have a nervous breakdown, and it wasn’t the place to have a baby, because there was not enough care, there was not enough coverage.”

Oregon’s 2nd District Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz was invited, but as expected, he did not attend.

Click here to follow the original article.

Family and friends hold night vigil for Cathedral City teen killed in shooting

KESQ on August 15, 2025

KESQ News Team

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A nighttime vigil was held late Thursday night following the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy, identified as Alan Martinez by family, also known as Reuben.

Loved ones gathering around 9:00 p.m. at the site of the attack, near the intersection of Whispering Palms Trail and Mission Indian Trail, south of Ramon Rd.

A small memorial was crafted by those that new him, constructed of crosses, candles, and other items brought by about 40 visitors that joined the remembrance.

Martinez’s mother, Bernize Manrriquez, said the gathering was meant to promote unity, and as a call for action to bring violence in the community to an end.

Martinez was shot by a group people in a car following a confrontation, which then sped off.

Investigators have not announced the arrest of any suspects.

Click here to follow the original article.

Chesluk leads San Marcos flag football to win over Westlake

KEYT on August 15, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Rio Chesluk showed off all of her offensive talents as San Marcos cruised by Westlake 31-7 to win their home opener in girls flag football.

(Chesluk scored three touchdowns and threw for another TD, all in the second quarter).

The senior captain Chesluk ran for two touchdowns, threw for a TD and caught a touchdown all in the second quarter to lead the Royals to a 2-0 start to the season.

Early in the second quarter Victoria Aldana optioned the football to Chesluk for a short touchdown run for the first points of the game.

On the Royals next possession Aldana pitched to Chesluk who stopped and threw downfield to freshman Maya Llewellyn who caught the ball in the end zone.

Later in the second quarter on fourth-and-goal inside the one yard-line, Chesluk took the handoff and just got into the end zone to put the Royals up 18-0.

Chesluk capped off her big quarter by catching a short touchdown pass from Aldana with less than 30 seconds left in the first half.

(Aldana directs the Royals offense her passing and running ability. Entenza Design).

Click here to follow the original article.

Jefferson County fire chief talks to KTVZ News about agricultural burns that sparked concern; more planned Friday, Saturday

KTVZ on August 15, 2025

Triton Notary

(Update: More burns planned the next couple of days)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With these warm and dry conditions, wildfire concern is top of mind. KTVZ News received several calls and emails Thursday from residents seeing smoke plumes and worried about new fires.

Meanwhile, there were at least two sanctioned agriculture burns in central Jefferson County. On a warm and dry day, seeing the smoke plumes could be concerning.

Jefferson County Smoke Management advised of more field burns planned for Friday and Saturday.

KTVZ News spoke to Jefferson County Fire and EMS Chief Jeff Blake, who said the farmers take several precautions.

“Our farmers do a great job prepping their fields, making sure that they have fire breaks around, making sure that they do everything safe,” he said. “Because they want to protect the crops that they’re burning next to, but they also want to protect this program, because it is so valuable to the agricultural industry.”

Click here to follow the original article.

LMU scores late to spoil season opener for UCSB

KEYT on August 15, 2025

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For the third consecutive season, UC Santa Barbara and LMU opened their seasons against each other. Similar to 2024, the Lions came out on top 2-1, scoring the game-winner in the 89th minute.

From Head Coach Paul Stumpf”That is a team that is very comfortable defending in a low block. They are best on counters and set pieces, and they scored on both,” Stumpf said. “The realist in me is disappointed about the result; the optimist in me is thankful it’s match one.”

How It HappenedJust moments after the opening kickoff, the Lions struck first. In the sixth minute, a corner kick from the near side landed in the box and bounced around after a failed clear attempt by UC Santa Barbara. The ball found the foot of an LMU player, whose shot deflected off a defender and beat Maddie Buckley in net for an early lead.

After the goal, both teams settled in. Santa Barbara countered a few times but could not find the back of the net. Shots by Isabella Ong, Emma Corcoran, Chayse Yu and Devin Greer were either blocked or sent wide. In the 34th minute, Kate Killer took a shot that was deflected, and the ball found Caitlyn Simons on a run in the 18-yard box. Simons fired a shot to the low left side, beating the keeper for her first collegiate goal to tie the match.

A few more chances by the Gauchos had the Lions on their heels, but the teams went into halftime tied 1-1. Out of the break, UCSB kept the pressure on, possessing the ball for most of the second half. Several good looks at the net followed, but the Gauchos couldn’t convert.

In the 89th minute, a misplayed ball just outside the box led to an LMU counter. A Lions attacker outran three Gaucho defenders from near midfield and scored, sealing the 2-1 victory.

Up NextUC Santa Barbara will have a week to prepare for California Baptist. The Gauchos and Lancers play Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Harder Stadium.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics).

Click here to follow the original article.