Man accused of attacking woman with cane in Columbia

KMIZ on August 6, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man is sitting in jail after authorities claim he assaulted a woman with a cane on Monday evening in Columbia.

Daren Hart, 57, of Columbia, was charged on Wednesday with second-degree assault and armed criminal action. Court filings show he is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says the victim in the case flagged down police around 7:30 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of Lakeview Avenue. Police wrote the woman was bleeding from her head and had other injuries.

The woman allegedly told police that she and Hart were in an argument near a creek when he started punching her in her face, the statement says. He then allegedly picked up a cane and started hitting her, the statement says. The victim allegedly had issues talking because of her injuries, the statement says.

The victim pointed out Hart to police when he walked out of a wooded area while holding a cane, the statement says.  

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Bonneville County Coroner identifies driver in suspected street racing crash

KIFI on August 6, 2025

News Team

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County authorities have now identified the man killed in Tuesday’s late-night crash that may have involved street racing. Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez has identified the driver as 27-year-old Brady Merriweather of Idaho Falls.

“At this time, our office is extending our deepest condolences to the family of this young individual,” said Sanchez in an email.

The incident occurred on August 5 at a gas station parking lot near the 400 block of West 17th Street, where police found Merriweather’s car, a 2018 Infiniti Q50, had crashed into a concrete wall separating the gas station from the Spider’s Web tattoo parlor. The 27-year-old was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, but died from his injuries this morning despite the best efforts of EMS and medical personnel.

Witnesses reported that a 2018 Infiniti Q50, driven by the man, appeared to be racing a light-colored truck. The two vehicles were reportedly traveling east from Pancheri Drive onto 17th Street.

The Idaho Falls Police Department is continuing to investigate and is asking to speak with the driver of the truck to better understand the events leading to the crash. Anyone with information about the truck or its driver is encouraged to contact the IFPD. For more information or the non-emergency dispatch line, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 27-year-old Idaho Falls man is dead following a late-night crash that may have involved street racing. The incident occurred last night, August 5, at a gas station parking lot near the 400 block of West 17th Street.

According to a press release from the Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD), first responders were called to the scene at 10:46 p.m. Witnesses reported that a 2018 Infiniti Q50, driven by the man, appeared to be racing a light-colored truck. The two vehicles were reportedly traveling east from Pancheri Drive onto 17th Street.

At this time, police believe the man lost control of his Infiniti, which left the roadway and crashed into a concrete wall separating the gas station from a neighboring business, Spiders Web.

Upon arrival, Idaho Falls Police and EMS personnel worked to extricate the driver from the wreckage and provide life-saving care. He was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, but died from his injuries this morning despite the best efforts of EMS and medical personnel.

The Idaho Falls Police Department is continuing to investigate and is asking to speak with the driver of the truck to better understand the events leading to the crash. Anyone with information about the truck or its driver is encouraged to contact the IFPD. For more information or the non-emergency dispatch line, click HERE.

The department extended its condolences, stating, “The Idaho Falls Police Department offers our sincere condolences to the family and friends who are grieving the loss of their loved one today.”

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Deschutes County commissioners hail Central Oregon legislative wins, from youth mental health facility to juniper removal

KTVZ on August 6, 2025

Barney Lerten

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners is celebrating several legislative victories for Central Oregon following an end-of-session report on the 2025 Oregon Legislature presented during its meeting on Monday.

Here are the details outlined in a news release KTVZ News received on Wednesday:

Throughout the 158-day legislative session, commissioners and county staff actively engaged with state legislators, offering support for bills benefiting Deschutes County and the Central Oregon region. The Board’s legislative priorities included a path forward for wildfire funding, building a mental health facility for youth, securing funding for juniper remediation projects, continuing the development of a CORE3 emergency operations center, and advocating for a transportation funding package.

One of the top successes celebrated by the Board is the legislature’s approval of $3.1 million to establish a mental health facility for youth in Central Oregon. Currently, there are no psychiatric beds available for young people in the region. In addition to the funding approved by state lawmakers, the Oregon Health Authority will provide matching funds, and the Central Oregon Health Council will contribute a $750,000 grant to have the facility built by the fall of 2026.

“When we met with Rep. Emerson Levy and Sen. Anthony Broadman last year to discuss the need for a youth-centered mental health facility, they became dedicated supporters of the initiative,” said Commissioner Phil Chang. “Through this facility, healthcare providers and families will be able to meet both acute and respite care needs for young people across Eastern Oregon.”

Juniper removal and water restoration initiatives received a boost with the allocation of $5.2 million in funding, focusing on areas of more than 100 acres (HB 3135). Juniper removal activities help preserve water and reduce wildfire risk. The funds will be distributed in varying amounts to seven counties in Eastern and Southern Oregon, including Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, and Wheeler.

“I want to give special thanks to Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson and Rep. Emerson Levy for pushing this bill forward,” said Commissioner Patti Adair. “This legislation plays a critical role in reducing the wildfire risks for thousands of high-risk properties in Deschutes County and significantly enhances our community’s safety and resilience.”

Another highlight from the 2025 legislative session is the $10 million allocated for the CORE3 project, an emergency response and training facility to be used by local, state and federal public safety and emergency management personnel.

“The CORE3 facilities are designated for first responder training and for providing a multi-agency emergency operations center in support of large-scale emergencies,” said Commissioner Chair Tony DeBone. “We greatly appreciate legislators including this essential facility in the Capital Construction funding, which will allow us to move the project forward.”

One of the major issues of the legislative session was wildfire funding. While lawmakers did not pass a single comprehensive funding package, the BOCC acknowledges the measures passed by state lawmakers that aim to reduce the risk and cover the cost of wildfires in Central Oregon and across the state.

During the final week of the legislative session, lawmakers established a tax on oral nicotine products, with an estimated biennial revenue of $60 million going toward wildfire mitigation. Legislators also voted to repeal the controversial wildfire hazard map, which classified more than 21,000 properties within Deschutes County’s wildland-urban interface as high hazard (SB 83).   

While state legislators failed to pass a transportation funding package before the session ended, the BOCC is awaiting the outcome of the upcoming special session, starting Friday, Aug. 29. The hope is that legislators will find ways to adequately fund critical operations and maintenance programs, as well as public safety improvements along key targeted areas like U.S. Highway 97.    

These legislative achievements, along with others, reflect the Board of County Commissioners’ commitment to advancing the health, safety, and infrastructure of Deschutes County, while ensuring our growing community is resilient and continues to thrive for years to come.

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YWCA St. Joseph collecting school supplies to support shelter kids

News-Press NOW on August 6, 2025

Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) –The YWCA of St. Joseph is collecting school supplies through Thursday, Aug. 14 to help provide confidence and excitement to children staying in its shelter and heading to school.

The organization is seeking donations of fun, colorful items designed to boost students’ confidence and help them feel proud and prepared on their first day of school.

Suggested supplies include themed backpacks, glitter pens, bright folders, bold notebooks, silly erasers and cool lunchboxes.

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the St. Joseph YWCA, located at 304 N. 8th St.

Organizers said creativity is welcome, and items that bring joy—such as fun stickers, character folders, unique pencil cases or even encouraging notes tucked inside backpacks—can make a big difference.

The goal is to remind each child that their community supports them and that school can be a celebration.

For more information, visit the YWCA St. Joseph website at ywcasj.org or its social media pages.

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St. Joseph program is building homes and futures

News-Press NOW on August 6, 2025

Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — Young adults with the YouthBuild program at Youth Alliance are continuing their work to turn a St. Joseph structure into a home.

Back in December of last year, News-Press NOW interviewed a group of young adults striving for a better life, using construction and teamwork as a way to make improvements in St. Joseph.

Nine months later, what was once just bones and frames is now one step closer to becoming an affordable home for a buyer by August of next year.

Ben Girard, YouthBuild Construction Supervisor, said it’s always rewarding to help the younger generation find purpose.

“Whenever young people find their way and you help them find their way, that feels good, right?” Girard said. “I mean, at the end of the day, that is why we’re all here.”

The home, located at 2522 S. 11th St., is one of the featured homes in the Housing Improvement Initiative.

For the young adults involved, this project is more than just construction, it’s a path to success and purpose. Every six months, a new group of adults joins the program. For Andrew Fields and Michael, this opportunity is helping push their careers and lives in a positive direction.

“It’s not just construction, it’s not just building a house, it’s a whole lot more than that,” Fields said. “I’m starting my own lawn service business, ‘Fields Care,’ and it’s a no-brainer to enter this program.”

“I took my big step and did it, and you know, it’s been amazing so far,” Michael said. “I’ve had no problems or anything.”

The home is projected to be finished by August 2026, and News-Press NOW will continue to provide the community with updates on its progress.

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Neurodivergent art and poetry contest for new Art Labbé gallery in Santa Barbara Funk Zone

KEYT on August 6, 2025

Scott Hennessee

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A new art gallery is opening soon in Santa Barbara that will feature works from neurodivergent artists.

“We’re calling all neurodiverse and special needs artists to submit an entry,” Art Labbé Santa Barbara Executive Director, Nathaniel Grotenhuis said. “This year’s theme is called, ‘This is Me.’ It’s a self-reflection, a self-portrait or a poem that speaks about who you are. All of those works will be displayed here in our gallery.”

The call for entries is open until August 22nd. 

Art Labbé Santa Barbara is set to open on September 18th at 111 Santa Barbara Street in the Funk Zone, joining their existing galleries in Santiago, Chile and Coral Gables, Florida.

The Art Labbe Foundation currently provides free weekly art and music sessions to people with special needs. They plan to expand opportunities for people with special needs to create art in and around the new gallery space.

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Jefferson City puts hotel tax extension on November ballot

KMIZ on August 6, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City voters will decide in November whether to extend the city’s 7% lodging sales tax for 25 more years.

The tax pays to promote tourism in Jefferson City and charges 7% on all hotel and motel rooms and short-term rentals. Most of the tax receipts — four-sevenths of the money — are devoted to developing a conference center, according to Jefferson City Council documents. The other part funds the operations of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city council approved putting the tax on the November ballot with a unanimous vote at its Monday meeting.

The tax brought in about $1.5 million in the last fiscal year, according to city records.

The election will be held Nov. 4.

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Forest Service to open gate on Forest Road 370 to Broken Top trailhead, but advises of ‘very rough’ conditions

KTVZ on August 6, 2025

Barney Lerten

 On Friday, August 8, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District on the Deschutes National Forest will open the gate at Todd Lake to Forest Service Road (FSR) 370, which provides driving access to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads.

Forest Service Road 370 is a very rough road, with sections through which low-clearance vehicles cannot travel. The Forest Service does not maintain FSR 370 for passenger cars and recommends high-clearance vehicles. Several washouts occurred on the road during winter and spring making conditions extremely rough.

Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are now available for overnight and day use for Broken Top and Crater Ditch Trailheads. Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are required for overnight and day use entry into the Three Sisters Wilderness from these two trailheads. Visitors can reserve permits through Recreation.gov.

For more information or questions, please contact the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District at (541) 383-5300.

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Doctor accused of rape found guilty in separate case

KMIZ on August 6, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia doctor who is charged with rape has been found guilty of a pair of misdemeanors in a separate case.

A jury found Travis Birkhead guilty on Wednesday of two counts of violating a restraining order. He was found not guilty of first-degree harassment. He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. Birkhead is still charged in another case with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

Court documents say Birkhead violated the order of protection by driving by the victim’s residence on Sept. 9 and 15, 2022. He was not allowed to be within 500 feet of the home, the probable cause statement says of the order for protection. Birkhead allegedly denied being within 500 feet of the victim, but allegedly told officers he drove by the home to drop off someone, the statement says.

In his rape case, court documents in previous reporting claim Birkhead took a woman behind a bar on East Business Loop 70 on Oct. 22, 2022, and sexually assaulted her in the woods behind the bar.

Columbia police said surveillance video showed the woman having difficulty standing up while the two went out of view. Columbia police claim Birkhead texted another person that he had sex with the alleged victim behind the bar.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, and a jury trial is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

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Jefferson City man accused of sexually abusing disabled woman

KMIZ on August 6, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged with two felonies after he allegedly sexually abused a disabled woman at her home on Monday.

Demon Tyrone Johnson Sr., 40, was charged on Wednesday with first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree burglary. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says police were called to a home on Tuesday for a reported sexual assault that occurred the day before. The victim claimed Johnson does landscaping work at her home because she cannot any more, the statement says. The victim was not satisfied with recent work and told Johnson’s boss, the statement says.

Johnson then allegedly showed up to the residence around 9 p.m. and confronted the victim before demanding to see her breasts, the statement says. He then allegedly groped her for several minutes while the victim tried to get away, court documents say.

Johnson allegedly admitted to sexually abusing the victim to police, court documents say.

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