Cellphone location testimony will not be part of Jefferson City murder trial

KMIZ on August 12, 2025

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City Police Department detective will not be allowed to testify at a murder trial about what the suspect’s cellphone said about his whereabouts the day of the crime.

The defense for Sergio Sayles, 39, has filed the motion to exclude the detective’s testimony. A hearing was held on Tuesday morning.

Sayles was charged in 2023 with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence, misdemeanor second-degree stalking and misdemeanor second-degree harassment. Sayles is accused of killing Jasmine King in April 2023. Police found King dead from stab wounds to her head, face, neck, torso and back in her home in the 300 block of West Ashley Street in Jefferson City.

Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty, but in April, Sayles waived his right to a jury trial in exchange for the state dropping the death penalty.

According to online court records, Sayles’ defense lawyer filed multiple motions in that same month:

Motion to suppress statements Sayles made during interrogations after he requested an attorney.

Motion to exclude cellphone testimony.

Motion to dismiss the indictment against Sayles based on prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings.

Motion to dismiss and for other sanctions for destroying Sayles’ car.

Motion for disclosure of plea agreement and/or inducements to prosecution witnesses.

The exclusion of cellphone testimony was sustained; the state will call another witness to replace what was previously going to be a Jefferson City Police Department detective’s testimony regarding cell location.

Arguments for the other motions were ongoing Tuesday morning.

A bench trial is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 3 in the Boone County Courthouse in front of Judge Brouck Jacobs.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support activating the National Guard to fight crime in D.C.?

KMIZ on August 12, 2025

Matthew Sanders

President Donald Trump on Monday pledged to clean up crime in the nation’s capital, announcing the federal takeover of Washington, D.C., police and the activation of the National Guard.

Trump said one of the first moves will be to clear homeless encampments.

Critics pointed out lower violent crime numbers in official statistics and said the president’s actions were not necessary.

Do you support activating the National Guard in D.C.? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Splash House bring boost to local businesses after Weekend One

KESQ on August 12, 2025

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– Each and every year Splash House brings in thousands of music lovers to the Coachella Valley for two weekends of fun and house music.

But the festival doesn’t only bring in out-of-towners, it also brings in a boost to the local economy as tourists visit small businesses.

News Channel Three’s Tori King is speaking with business owners to hear how much of an impact these visitors make. Stay tuned for her coverage at 4, 5, and 6.

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AI is booming, and coming to a small business near you

KIFI on August 12, 2025

Chris Nestman

Artificial intelligence is rapidly growing in use and focus around the country and we are no exception here in Idaho. What once was reserved for large corporations and the tech industry, is being used more and more by small businesses.

“AI uses such strong computing power, it’s able to do millions of processes almost simultaneously,” said Ryan Smith, an AI expert and founder of Teton AI Solutions. “And so it’s it’s much more efficient and much faster in many tasks.”

Smith’s company Teton AI Solutions exclusively uses AI to create programs and processes that help other companies run smoother.

“A lot of businesses are using what we call AI receptionists. These are essentially AI that answers your phone calls,” said Smith. “So let’s say you a business owner is interacting with a customer and someone calls your business. AI actually answers the call, talks to them just like you would, and its able to get the customer’s information, answer calls, book appointments, etc., for you.”

Such tools help small business owners to meet the demands of customers even when they have limited staff or employees on hand.

Another example of AI in the workplace is in research and networking.

“So the other day I actually came up with this, what we call a business card reader,” said Smith. “So if someone would give you a business card, all you have to do is take a picture of it. AI scans the card, understands the card, checks out their website, understands how your business can help their business, and drafts a whole email on that process.”

“All you have to do is read it, say ‘yeah that’s good’ and send it,” said Smith.

Over the next few years, Smith expects AI to become more and more integrated into a variety of industries and fields of study.

“What we’re going to get to soon is what we call AGI or General Intelligence. And that’s where it’s going to be so specific to each industry that every industry is going to have their own type of AI helping them.” said Smith

With the rapid growth of AI tech, Smith recommends the best thing to do is to get familiarized with it.

“A lot of people are saying AI is going to take some jobs and it will, but what the best thing you can do is to be that person that knows how to use AI,” said Smith. “AI is here, and if you know how to use it, if you know how to adapt with it, you’ll grow just fine.”

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Semester begins at Ventura County Community Colleges

KEYT on August 12, 2025

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College welcomed freshmen and returning students back for the first day of the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 11.

They are all part of the Ventura County Community College District, which now offers bachelor’s degrees in some majors.

In addition to being the first day of school, Ventura College is celebrating its 100th anniversary and Oxnard College is celebrating its 50th. Moorpark College marked its 50th back in 2017.

After classes on Monday, some students bought new and used books. One math textbook was in the $200 range.

Plenty of students lined up to check out financial aid.

Isaac Morales chose to wear a suit and tie for his first day of classes.

“I always like to dress, obviously,” said Morales. “I’m going to school to be a lawyer.”

The college offers pre-law courses.

Ventura College’s Director of Marketing and Outreach, Vanessa Stotler, wants students to know there is still time to enroll.

“We have classes that start later in the semester, and so every single month we have classes, so it is really meant to fit somebody’s schedule,” said Stotler.

It’s too soon to tell if enrollment — about 14,500 last year — is up. She said it has been rather flat.

Educators want students concerned about the political climate to know they are here for them.

“It is a very big thing at the forefront of us welcoming students back, so we are being very careful about just being cautious of what is out there, right, and we do have signage posted on our doors to make sure that we are keeping ICE out and our students safe,” said MESA Program Coordinator Mayte Ipatzi Guevara.

The Hueneme High and UCLA graduate was the first in her family to graduate college, and now she helps others through the MESA Program.

MESA stands for Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement.

Signs on campus that read “Everyone is welcome here except ICE” encourage students to know their rights, including the right to remain silent.

One of the perks at Ventura College is the library terrace, which has an ocean view on clear days.

Thanks to the ocean breeze, students and educators said smoke from the Canyon Fire in Ventura County and the Gifford Fires in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties has not been an issue.

That’s good news for student-athletes who are already on the soccer, football, and baseball fields practicing.

Matthew Ramirez, who went to Moorpark High, is a member of the Ventura College Pirates baseball team.

“I’m excited to start the year. I was a freshman here last year, so it is always exciting seeing new guys on the baseball field, also starting class. Teachers are great here, so I am just really excited,” said Ramirez.

Since students start so early, they also graduate early — in mid-April.

For more information visit https://vcccd.edu

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CVUSD presents new North Shore Elementary School at Grand Opening

KESQ on August 12, 2025

Cynthia White

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Unified School District officials were on hand Monday morning to welcome students and families as they celebrated the Grand Opening of the district’s much awaited and anticipated new school, North Shore Elementary.

Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza, CVUSD Board President Jocelyn Vargas and North Shore’s new Principal Elisa Gentry along with other district officials joined everyone in the multipurpose room for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Dr. Esparza told attendees, “As the Superintendent, I’m honored to say that North Shore parents, advocates, and the entire community will be welcoming our new school and you all made it happen. . . I would also like to take a moment to thank many individuals who helped turn this long standing dream into a reality.”

The dream to build the new elementary school in the North Shore community near the Salton Sea started as far back as 2008, then CVUSD was finally able to unveil plans for the site in December, 2021.

Plans for North Shore Elementary moved ahead as the district broke ground the following year.

Up until now, students who live in North Shore went to Saul Martinez Elementary School in Mecca, about five and a half miles away.

Now they will be able to attend school much closer to home. North Shore Elementary is located at 96100 70th Avenue in Mecca at the corner of Arthur Street. The first round of kids at North Shore Elementary will start their school year on August 20th.

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Jury seated in trial of Samson Garner, accused of planning 2023 mass shooting at Smith Rock

KTVZ on August 12, 2025

Barney Lerten

UPDATE: On Tuesday, a jury was seated in the Samson Garner trial. A jury of 7 men and 8 women were seated. Twelve jurors were sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, along with three alternates. Opening statements are set to begin on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ – August 11) — A Portland man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Smith Rock climbing event nearly two years ago appeared in court Monday, a week before his 17-day jury trial on 26 felony charges is set to begin. 

Samson Zebturiah Garner, now 41, took part in the hearing by video from the Deschutes County Jail, where he’s been held on $10 million bail since his arrest in late October 2023, accused of bringing several guns and numerous rounds of ammunition to Central Oregon and planning the attack the the popular climbing area. 

Authorities allege Garner was planning to shoot several climbers participating the Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic. Portland police alerted Deschutes County authorities about his plans, and they worked together to locate him. 

Last fall, five days before the original trial date, Garner’s defense attorneys asked to delay the proceedings so they could review a large amount of evidence in the case and to consult with expert witnesses about such items as Garner’s recorded phone and video calls from jail and videos of the test-firing of Garner’s guns.  

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson agreed to the request and delayed the trial until August 18 of this year. Another hearing is planned Friday afternoon on pre-trial issues. Emerson has set out a trial schedule that would have the proceedings conclude around Sept. 11. 

Deputy District Attorney Stacy Neil told the judge they may need to discuss at the motion hearing the relevance for jurors of a term Garner used in one email, in which he was “calling himself a psychopathic monster.” She said the defense wants to call a mental health provider or psychologist to testify about the term and how it pertains to the allegations. 

Emerson asked that the pre-trial motions and responses be filed no later than Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, so she can review them before Friday’s hearing. Other issues that may be discussed relate to jury instructions, a piece of evidence and redactions that defense attorneys want on some trial exhibits. 

The judge also plans to discuss on Friday what restraints Garner must wear when in the courtroom for his trial. Emerson said she plans to empanel three alternate jurors, since the trial is expected to take four weeks. 

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Some downtown Bend businesses may be feeling the pinch from President Trump’s tariffs 

KTVZ on August 12, 2025

Tracee Tuesday

Local business owners say the added costs on items like jewelry, clothing, and specialty goods may lead to higher prices for customers — or slimmer profit margin for their business.   Jennifer Lovejoy, Owner of Nashelle said, her business has seen some changes due to President Trump’s tariffs.  

“I would say, you know, so we’ve seen a little bit of uncertainty and i think everyone’s been just slightly nervous in the jewelry world. but i would say that, we’ve also seen a huge amount of demand for like, other alternatives, such as lab grown diamonds versus natural diamonds, and that’s been something that has been really strong for us right now.”  

Clothing boutiques such as Jack + Millie, carry a number of American-made brands, meaning import tariffs have a smaller impact on their bottom line.   

Jack + Millie Store Manager Sydney Verbrugge says, it not only helps avoid rising costs on overseas goods but also supports domestic manufacturing. still, they’re keeping an eye on trade policy changes, knowing even USA-based suppliers can be affected by shifting global markets.  

Howabout the locations that sell comics, board games and books.   

Here’s what Duncan Mcgeary, the owner of Pegasus Books had to say.   

“I have owned the store for 42 years. it’s been in existence for 45 years.” 

Tracee: Even with some of the tariffs that have been implemented, that you feel that business is still, the same?  

“I haven’t noticed anything. i don’t think it’s affected anything at all, at least when it comes to us,” said McGeary.  

KTVZ News also spoke with some consumers who say they’ve noticed price hikes which meant they’ve had to spend less. 

For now, Central Oregon businesses say they hope trade policies will stabilize, but until then, they’re bracing for more adjustments. 

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The Pueblo West football team cares about one thing, playing football

KRDO on August 12, 2025

Rob Namnoum

The players on Pueblo West care about one thing, “Ball means everything,” says Pueblo West safety Grant Hribar. Ball means everything, especially for the senior class. They’re trying to leave a legacy, “We want to win and we want to  want to have that ring on our finger. Where where  we have that for the rest of our lives. We could show our kids,” says Pueblo West linebacker, Joren Flores.

P-Dub hopes to continue to go in the direction that took them to the class for a semifinal game last season, “Breaking in a lot of new faces and  a lot of baby faces. But they’re good kids and they’re here to work. And that’s that’s what’s most important,” says Pueblo West head coach Clint Buderus.

As the season is set to begin. The players reflect on how losing to Montrose motivated them this summer, “That sticks with me every single night,” says Hribar.

Flores is equally motivated, “I think about it every night. That really broke us down. But as a group of seniors, we really got together and we were like, Hey, we need to set the culture right. We need to set things straight and we need to focus up and we need to get. We need to beat them.”

Buderus adds, “At some point. We’ll talk about  the last couple of years with Montrose and that rivalry we’ve got going with them.  I guess it’s only a rivalry if you beat them every once in a while. But  yeah, they definitely circle that one on the calendar for sure.”

That game is a long ways away, Halloween night.  For now, these players say all they think about is ball  24 seven.

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Inside look at D’Coffee Bouteaque’s new location a year after arson fire

KESQ on August 12, 2025

Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – A community favorite has reopened its doors a year after a devastating arson fire.

D’Coffee Bouteaque is back at a new location at 36901 Cook st. Suite 8, Palm Desert, California 92211.

Miriam Rodriguez, owner, said getting to this point wasn’t easy.

“We lost absolutely everything,” Rodriguez said. “At one point, we almost lost our house.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for a look inside the new space and how other impacted businesses are doing at 10 and 11 p.m.

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