Man who stole rifle at Jefferson County Fair, tried to fire it several times and was shot gets 10-year prison term in plea deal

KTVZ on August 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A man who stole a rifle from a pickup at the 2022 Jefferson County Fair and tried to fire it several times at pursuing officers and others before being shot by police has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rafael Gomez, now 33, signed a plea petition late last month, agreeing to plead guilty to three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, court records show. He was due to go on trial on August 11 on 16 felony charges, including five counts of attempted aggravated murder; an earlier trial ended in a mistrial after a juror’s misconduct involving improper investigation of the case.

Gomez, identified in initial court documents as a fugitive from San Diego, was accused of trying to shoot eight people, including Sheriff Jason Pollock.

District Attorney Steve Leriche found Madras police and sheriff’s deputies were justified in using deadly force to stop Gomez, who aimed the stolen AR-15 at citizens and pursuing officers, but was unable to fire because two rounds were jammed in the chamber.

The DA said law enforcement kept ordering Gomez to drop the gun, which he did not, and was trying to keep Gomez from entering the Madras Cinema 5 or Kentucky Fried Chicken or being able to clear a double feed from his rifle.

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Shoshone-Bannock Tribes celebrate 60 years of tradition at Annual Indian Festival

KIFI on August 5, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes:

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s a celebration 60 years in the making. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes warmly welcome visitors from near and far to the Annual Indian Festival, taking place Thursday, August 7, through Sunday, August 10. This year’s theme is, “Celebrating and Continuing 60 Years of Strength and History.”

“For six decades, our Festival has been a cherished tradition, uniting generations through culture, community, and celebration,” said Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson. “We honor those who came before us and continue to carry forward the spirit and resilience of our people.”

First-time Festival Coordinator, Leah Tindore added, “Every year when the Festival comes around, it feels like my soul lights up. It’s more than just a celebration, it’s a reminder of who we are and where we come from

I’ve grown up watching my community pour their hearts into this weekend, and now I get to be a part of that magic – I hope everyone who joins us feels the beauty of it all, like they’re part of something timeless.”

The Festival will feature a variety of events and entertainment for all ages. At the heart of the celebration is the competitive powwow at the Delbert Farmer Festival Arbor, featuring champion dancers and drum groups from across Indian Country. Grand Entry for the Children’s Powwow is at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Grand Entry times for the main powwow are 7 p.m. on Friday, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Annual Festival Parade is at 10 a.m. on Thursday and starts at the east end of Agency Road. It will be led by Adult Grand Marshal Belma Truchot Colter, the first Miss Shoshone-Bannock, and Youth Grand Marshal Keanna Conrad, a two-time High School State Champion wrestler and positive example to youth.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy softball and golf tournaments, Indian relay races at the home of the sport, Handgames in the new arbor, Horseshoe tournament, an All-Indian Art Show, the Junior and INFR Rodeos, a Fun Run/Walk, a Traditional Salmon and Buffalo Feast, Skate Jam, Hip-Hop Bash, numerous arts and crafts vendors, food booths and more.

One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend is the crowning of Miss ShoshoneBannock, who is a prestigious role model in the community who serves as a dedicated ambassador of the people. Four outstanding young women — Jasmine Coby, Myke Moore, Danella Murphy and Scarlette Stagner are vying for the title. The new royalty will be crowned following the Friday night Grand Entry, with a special honoring to follow for past titleholders and current Miss Shoshone-Bannock, Dystnee Rope.

For a full schedule of events, attendees may purchase the Sho-Ban News Festival Edition, which includes a special newspaper and magazine featuring head staff profiles, royalty welcomes and stories highlighting talented Shoshone-Bannock artists. Festival Editions are available at ShoBan News stand on the Festival Grounds and at T.P. Gas, Trading Post Grocery Store, Donzia Gift Shop, Blue Corner Store, Fort Hall Museum, Sage Hill Travel Center, and Bannock Peak Truck Stop.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes extend their heartfelt appreciation to all past, present, and future dancers, drum groups, volunteers, staff, sponsors, vendors, and community members who have helped make the Festival possible year after year. Their support ensures that our culture, language, and traditions remain strong for future generations. For more information, visit www.shobanfestival.com or follow the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival Facebook page.

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Pocatello vs. Chubbuck: first responders battle it out in rib-eating contest for charity

KIFI on August 5, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– First responders representing Teams Pocatello and Chubbuck went head-to-head at a speed rib-eating competition at Texas Roadhouse on Monday, August 4, for a chance to benefit the winning team’s chosen charity.

The rib-eating challenge kicked off the evening’s Dine to Donate Fundraiser, in partnership with Texas Roadhouse, where a percentage of the restaurant’s proceeds is donated to a charitable organization.

“It’s a good time for our first responders to give them something not an emergency and just give back to the community,” said Kim Flores, store marketer for the Pocatello Texas Roadhouse.

Team Pocatello duked it out for a chance to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Idaho; Team Chubbuck chose to fight for the Bright Tomorrow’s Child Advocacy Center.

In the end, Team Pocatello came out victorious after the five-man team of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics each downed an entire rack of ribs in a relay-style race in under 30 minutes.

After Texas Roadhouse totals the amount raised from the Dine to Donate Fundraiser, the money will be sent to the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Idaho.

“It was amazing, but we’re glad Pocatello won,” said Mona Mannan, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Idaho. “It was a great event, a great, great show from the community, and we’re happy to be here to see the support.”

Mannan said the donation from the night will be used to fund their local after-school programs, STEM-centered activities, and child mental health programs.

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Marshall Public Library collecting school supplies for local students until September

KIFI on August 5, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Marshall Public Library is hosting its annual School Supplies and Hygiene Products Drive to be donated to the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 supply pantry for the upcoming school year.

The library is looking for donations of common school supplies like notebooks, folders, and pencils, as well as toiletry items like soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and toothbrushes.

“We recognized that there was a need in our community, that there are families that might not be able to get all of the school supplies that their kids need,” said Trina Bonman, associate director of the Marshall Public Library. “We just figured we’d be a good drop-off location or a good central location that we could collect the supplies, and then we coordinate with the school district to get them where they need to go.”

The Marshall Public Library will accept school supply donations at the first floor checkout desk until September 13. For more information and to see a full list of needed donations, you can visit the City of Pocatello website.

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Portland man wins over $52,000 jackpot at Indian Head Casino

KTVZ on August 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — A lucky guest from Portland hit it big recently at Indian Head Casino, taking home a Wide Area Progressive Jackpot of $52,172.54 while playing The Dollar Storm Pirate Machine. 

Eldar M., visiting from Portland, won the jackpot on Tuesday, July 29, with a $2 bet at $20 a spin. The popular Dollar Storm series is known for its fast-paced play and life-changing payouts — and this jackpot certainly delivered. 

“We love celebrating big wins with our guests,” said Shawn McDaniel, the general manager of Indian Head Casino. “Seeing someone take home over $50,000 on a single spin is a great reminder of how much fun and excitement there is on our casino floor. Congratulations to Eldar!” 

Indian Head Casino, located in Warm Springs, features a dynamic mix of slot machines, Blackjack, and the recently added Craps and Roulette. The casino also hosts outdoor summer concerts, with the final show of the season featuring Original KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley on August 9. 

For more information about Indian Head Casino, gaming, and upcoming events, visit www.indianheadcasino.com. 

About Indian Head Casino Indian Head Casino is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Located in Warm Springs, Oregon, the casino offers exciting gaming with slot machines, table games including Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette, plus dining, and seasonal outdoor concerts. Learn more at www.indianheadcasino.com. 

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Central Coast Train Passengers Reverted to Bus Rides to Avoid Massive Bridge Project

KEYT on August 5, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The popular coastal train rides through Santa Barbara County have a summer detour, with passengers in some cases getting on a bus.

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® service, says north of Goleta train service is suspended from August 1 through August 16, 2025, due to the La Cañada Honda Bridge Replacement Project. This is on Vandenberg Space Force base property.

Alternative bus transportation is now moving regularly to assist passengers.

The 16-day closure clears the area for the La Cañada Honda Bridge to get rebuilt. It is a 127-year-old steel viaduct over Honda Creek. The bridge is a critical piece on the 351-mile LOSSAN Rail Corridor, which supports passenger rail and freight service through Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

The work is coordinated by the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and funded by LOSSAN through grants from the State of California and UPRR.

A full environmental review of the area was conducted to make sure the bridge work did not significantly disrupt the habitat in the area.

Passengers at the Santa Barbara train station Tuesday morning said they were aware of the changes and had made alternative plans. That included staying on the bus plan to get to another train stop or having someone pick them up in Santa Barbara to complete their trip. That was the case for a Grover Beach woman who met her mom after she got off the train in Santa Barbara, then headed back up.

Lillian Adams said, “Yes. I normally go all the straight through to Grover Beach.”

Her daughter Denise Leesom drove down 80 miles. “Luckily I am a bus driver myself.  Yes!”

One passenger going from Vandenberg to Seattle where he lives had to make his re-routing plans very early in the morning. Robert Donovan said, “I took a commuter bus into Goleta and then a city bus into Santa Barbara, had breakfast at D’Angelos and spent the morning at Stearns Wharf.  Now I take an Amtrak bus to Bakersfield, another one to Sacramento and then I finally get on the train and continue in the sleeper car.” He could have flown but loves trains and bus rides. On his return, it will be a drive in his car as he relocates to Santa Barbara County.

This project will provide long-term service reliability for rail passengers. It will also improve efficiency on this critical route for coastal ridership through the Central Coast and up to Seattle on both the Pacific Surfliner and the Coast Starlight trains, as well as the Union Pacific Freight service.

Once finished it will improve reliability and contribute to lower emissions.

LOSSAN SERVICE CHANGES

August 1 through August 16, 2025: 

Track Closure: The bridge replacement requires closure of the rail corridor between Goleta and San Luis Obispo, resulting in the suspension of train service from Friday, August 1 through Saturday, August 16, 2025. All trains will terminate or originate in Goleta during this period, with normal service resuming on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Passengers traveling north of Goleta must disembark at the Santa Barbara Train Station and board an available bus connection. All bus connections will be through the Santa Barbara Train Station.

Bus Connections: Alternative bus transportation will be provided between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Bus connections will be available for southbound trains 774 and 794 from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and for northbound trains 761 and 779 from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. The buses will follow Route 17 between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, with stops in UC Santa Barbara, Solvang, Buellton, Santa Maria, and Grover Beach. In addition to these bus connections, Route 17 will operate on its normal schedule and route. 

Visit the Pacific Surfliner website for additional information.

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Voters pick Elwood for Ward 2 Columbia City Council seat

KMIZ on August 5, 2025

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Vera Elwood will be the next person to represent Columbia’s second ward.

Second Ward voters picked Elwood over Ken Rice in Tuesday’s special election, giving her 56.6% of the vote. She garnered 1,480 votes compared to Rice’s 1,130. Two write-in ballots were also cast. Boone County saw a 12.58% total voter turnout.

Elwood said she’s looking forward to getting to work.

“The first thing I want to do, and I’ve said it since the beginning of the campaign, is I’d really love to see a full report, a full audit of the outsourcing in Colombia’s budget. I’d really love to see where that money is going, what it’s costing us item by item,” Elwood said.

Both candidates spent their final hours leading into Election Night speaking with voters and casting their own ballots.

The election was held after former Ward 2 Councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced her resignation.

Elwood works as a librarian and ran a campaign focused on “A Columbia for all.” The campaign focused on fully staffing city departments, expanding public infrastructure and making streets within the city more accessible for all.

Elwood spent the final weekend of the campaign knocking on doors and having conversations with ward 2 residents, according to her campaign manager Rachel Stallings.

“I believe strongly in the power and importance of local government and encourage everyone to vote today so your voice can be heard through the greatest form of civic participation,” Elwood said.

Ken Rice (left) poses for a photo — with his wife Rebecca and son Brandon — while the election for Columbia’s Ward 2 seat is underway on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Rice works as the chief operating officer of Pickleman’s Franchising and ran a campaign focused on “less talk, more action.” He pushed for fully staffing police and emergency services within the city, investing in safer neighborhoods and allowing residents to be more involved in decision-making processes.

Rice said he spent Tuesday reminding people to vote by text and via social media. He also took to polling places, working to speak with voters and answer last minute questions.

“My message of being ‘the people’s voice’ and ‘less talk, more action’ truly resonated with the voters and we will do very well tonight,” Rice said.

The latest Missouri Ethics Commission report showed Elwood more than doubled Rice’ campaign finance total.

Rice was endorsed by former Councilwoman Lisa Meyer. Meyer told ABC 17 News Tuesday that she feels the City Council needs objectivity, which prompted her decision to support him.

“We don’t need somebody else on the council who’s just going to vote like everyone else votes,” Meyer said. “Ken is going to do his homework. He’s not going to show up and not know what he’s talking about and he’s going to ask really good questions.”

Elwood received endorsements from LiUNA Local 955, and former Ward 2 Councilmembers Andrea Waner and Mike Trapp, Rep. Gregg Bush (District 50), Rep. Adrian Plank (District 47) and Columbia Professional Firefighters.

Rice held a watch party Tuesday night at Sports Zone at Wyndham Hotel and Resorts at 6:30 p.m.. Elwood hosted a watch party at IAFF Union Hall in Columbia at 7 p.m.

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Cole County Commission approves ASPCA grant application, Cole County Jail improvements

KMIZ on August 5, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Animal Shelter may receive a $7,000 ASPCA grant to help with operational costs following a large animal abuse investigation in July.

Court documents reported that four people, Casey Logsdon, Jessica Morgan, Ashley Ousley and Henry Ousley Jr. were charged were charged July 24 with 19 counts of accessory to animal abuse.

Previous reporting indicates the four were arrested last month after Cole County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a mobile home on July 15 for a wellness check, where they were told about the animals.

On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Randy Allen Morgan in connection with the July 15 investigation. According to court documents, Randy was the roommate of Jessica Morgan.

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler reported deputies found 19 dogs, three puppies and two cats. During a later visit, they found two dogs, one cat, a gerbil, a lizard, two rabbits and some chickens.

“It was quite a few animals that we took to the shelter to drop off,” Wheeler said. “That’s a lot of work you’re pushing down on the shelter.”

Wheeler added that it costs the shelter around $4,000 for veterinary services for 19 animals. The sheriff’s office estimated it would cost $3,000 for the additional animals.

“My animal control officer found out that there was a possible grant through the ASPCA that could help offset some of those costs,” Wheeler said.

The Cole County Commission also approved the replacement of the Cole County Jail’s radio system. Wheeler said that the system is around 11 years old and helps staff communicate with each other inside the jail and across the street at the courthouse.

The repairs cost around $20,400.

“It’s getting where we can’t find parts for it,” Wheeler said. “It’s working pretty good right now, but like I said, what I don’t want to do is wait until it finally dies the last time and then we’re out because this could be a month or a month and a half turnaround.”

Logsdon and Jessica Morgan are scheduled for a council status hearing on Aug. 12, while Ousley and Ousley Jr. are set to make their first court appearances on Aug. 26. All four suspects have bonded out of jail.

Check back for updates.

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Vitalant provides results of the Yuma Life Savers Blood Drive

KYMA on August 5, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Vitalant has provided results of last week’s Yuma Life Savers Blood Drive Tuesday.

The three-day blood drive, which took place from Thursday, July 31 to Saturday, August 2, collected 84 units of blood from 81 donors, which is enough to impact up to 252 lives in Arizona.

News 11, ABC 5 and Telemundo 3 sponsored the blood drive.

Vitalant previously held a blood drive in last winter, which collected enough blood to impact over 300 lives.

KYMA and Vitalant will team up again for another blood drive happening in December.

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Cedar Fire near Mackay reaches 731 acres, 16% contained

KIFI on August 5, 2025

News Team

BUTTE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Cedar Fire near Mackay, sparked by a lightning strike on July 29, has grown to an estimated 731 acres. As of this morning, fire crews have achieved 16% containment.

According to the Pocatello Fire Department, which has a team in the area, crews are diligently working to thin fire fuels to slow its spread and mitigate risks. A specific timeline for full containment is not yet available.

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