DNR sets deadline, threatens penalties for Columbia, Boone County for failing to address encampment waste

KMIZ on October 2, 2025

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is not satisfied with the revised stormwater management plan the City of Columbia submitted in August to reduce waste from homeless encampments entering public waters.

In a letter Thursday to Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Boone County Commissioner Kip Kendrick, the department set a Nov. 15 deadline for the city to submit new draft ordinance language or regulations. The agency cited a “lack of urgency to act on the part of the city and county” in addressing human health and environmental concerns.

City Utilities spokesman Jason West had told ABC 17 News in a message that the department received the letter Thursday.

This letter comes as the city, county and the University of Missouri are trying to renew a joint-operating permit. The permit is issued under an EPA program aimed at preventing contaminants, such as sewage and chemicals, from polluting local water sources. The DNR said in a May 30 letter that it needed more information and clarity from the city.

The DNR wrote Columbia and Boone County’s existing stormwater and stream ordinances are “overly broad and do not address the prohibition of non-stormwater discharges from encampment activities, nor do they set appropriate protections around streams within the city and county.”

According to the DNR, Hinkson Creek, Grindstone Creek and Hominy Branch contain E. coli from human waste from homeless encampments near the streams, posing significant risks to Columbia’s water quality and public health.

The agency requested “tangible actions” from the city on Feb. 28 and met with city and county leaders on July 21 and Sept. 26 to discuss proactive measures to keep solid waste from polluting local streams.

DNR Columbia stormwater update 10-2Download

Columbia, Boone County, and the University of Missouri outlined a coordinated plan in August to address illegal encampments and prevent waste from entering local waterways. The plan emphasizes compliance with city and county stormwater regulations, the Missouri Clean Water Law and federal pollution laws, while tracking complaints and cleanup efforts.

Under the plan, the city’s Office of Neighborhood Services investigates complaints and oversees cleanups, while the Columbia Police Department helps enforce trespassing laws and connects individuals to social services. City crews prioritize removals in floodplains and along streams, with private property owners expected to comply or face enforcement.

Boone County monitors complaints through an online platform, issues notices to property owners and coordinates with the sheriff’s office for public property removals. The county also tracks cleanup efforts for annual reporting. On campus, MU police enforce trespassing rules and campus facilities handle cleanup, with camping generally restricted except in designated areas or with permits.

SWMP_2025_DRAFT_8-26-2025Download

The plan was not deemed satisfactory by the DNR. In the letter, the department added it provided examples of stream protection measures used in San Jose, California, and Bozeman, Montana, as examples. However, the department said in its letter that the city and county ignored those suggestions.

The DNR warned that future investigations finding human waste near streams in violation of the Missouri Clean Water Law could lead to penalties, potentially affecting the city and county’s eligibility for state and federal grants.

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Field specialist gives tips about grain bin safety

News-Press NOW on October 2, 2025

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With harvest season upon us, residents in Northwest Missouri might frequently see big, silver units while driving down the highway.

Grain bins are used to store grains, corn, soybeans and wheat. At the center of a grain bin is a hole through which the grain goes.

Wayne Flanary, a field specialist in Agronomy with MU Extension, said farmers may be in a hurry during harvest season, but it’s important to still be safe.

“So one of the dangers during this period of time is everybody’s in such a hurry, so we need to be very safe about how we go about putting the grain into the grain bin and removing it or taking it to market,” he said.

Flanary expressed that the most important tip to be safe around grain bins is to make sure no children are around.

“Kids are curious, and sometimes a tragedy occurs whenever a child accidentally wanders into the grain as it’s being filled into the grain bin or whenever grain is being pulled out,” said Flanary.

According to a Purdue University study, the 34 fatal and non-fatal grain entrapment cases documented in 2024 represented a 25.9% increase from the 27 recorded in 2023 and were slightly above the 5-year average (33.2 cases/year).

The long-term average has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, showing a slight increase in frequency.

Another tip Flaneary gives to farmers is to make sure all equipment is shut down and to have two people present during operations for effective communication.

“You need to have a person on the outside and to be able to communicate carefully because there’s been situations where someone heard something and thought that they said, ‘Okay, turn the equipment on, no wrong thing,’ and then somebody gets hurt,” said Flanary.

The last tip, Flanary gives about grain bins, is to never get near an auger.

“Always be careful,” Flanary said. “Electric motors that things like your clothing doesn’t get caught into those and pull you into the equipment. The equipment is much stronger than what you are and it can happen so fast you don’t have time to get away from it.”

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No injuries reported after combine catches fire in Randolph County

KMIZ on October 2, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after a combine caught fire Wednesday evening in Randolph County, according to a social media post from the Eastern Randolph County Fire Protection District.

The post says Eastern District firefighters assisted the Northeast R-4 Rural Fire Protection District. The Westran Fire Protection District wrote in a separate post that it also responded with two tankers and five personnel.

“With heavy fire conditions and the amount of fuel, we had to apply foam to bring the fire under control. Our hearts go out to the farmer to this devastating loss during harvest time,” the Westran Fire Protection District wrote.

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Yuma man pleads guilty to murdering pregnant woman

KYMA on October 2, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – 29-year-old Alexander Delcid has pled guilty to second degree murder.

He was charged with killing a pregnant woman, Alexis Rodriguez, in 2023. Delcid faces 17 years in prison.

Delcid was originally facing 14 counts, with two counts of murder and attempted murder.

He is set to be sentenced in court on October 14.

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Idaho Supreme Court to hold traveling session in Bingham County and Pocatello Oct. 8-9

KIFI on October 2, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho Supreme Court:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Supreme Court will hear cases in two eastern Idaho cities next week.

Idaho’s highest court is a traveling court. The Constitution and state law require the Supreme Court to travel periodically to communities across the state to hear cases outside Boise. These sessions not only fulfill the Court’s duty under the law, but also provide Idahoans with an opportunity to see the judicial process firsthand.

The Court’s schedule includes three cases on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Bingham County Courthouse in Blackfoot. Justices will hear three more cases on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Idaho State University’s Stephens Performing Arts Center in Pocatello. Oral arguments begin each day at 8:50 a.m. MT.

The Court will continue its focus on providing opportunities through travel for the public to learn about our court system. It will host local students at its hearings each day, including eighth-graders from a Blackfoot charter school and ISU students.

“Bringing the Court into Idaho’s communities helps ensure that justice remains open and accessible to the people we serve,” said Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan. “These visits also educate our public about their courts, and we are excited for the chance to do so.”

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings, which are open to all. For information on attending court and on the cases to be heard, visit isc.idaho.gov.

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Dozens of poodles rescued from alleged Alfalfa puppy mill are going up for adoption; here’s what you need to know

KTVZ on October 2, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Alfalfa-area woman accused of running a puppy mill from her home has surrendered over 40 poodles seized from the property, and the first group of dogs will be up for adoption starting Friday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Humane Society of Central Oregon said Thursday.

On September 5, deputies and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant at the home of Lorinda Maxwell, 62, on Elk Lane near Alfalfa. Maxwell was arrested on 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

Deputies rescued 44 dogs and three cats from the property, and Maxwell initially refused to surrender them voluntarily, Carr said.

A civil forfeiture hearing regarding the dogs was scheduled for Friday, October 10. However, Carr said the sheriff’s office learned from the district attorney’s iffice last week that Maxwell agreed to surrender ownership of all the poodles to HSCO, allowing for adoptions to move forward.

Maxwell was granted conditional release as her case moved forward. Her arraignment on an indictment is scheduled for October 16.

The dogs, ranging from young puppies to seniors, came to HSCO in very poor condition, Director of Philanthropy and Communications Bekka Austin told us.

Many were emaciated, severely matted, dirty, and suffering from untreated medical issues. Since their arrival, HSCO’s veterinary and shelter teams have provided daily, intensive care, including medical treatment, specialized diets, and safe housing. Staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to stabilize the animals, provide socialization, and begin the process of rehabilitation.

HSCO Executive Director Amber Kostoff said, “Seeing these dogs when they first arrived was difficult. Many were very thin, matted, and in need of care. Over the last month, our team has worked tirelessly to provide medical treatment, good nutrition, and comfort. Now, we’re grateful to be able to begin placing some of them into loving homes.”

Adoption Protocols

First adoptions begin Friday, October 3, 2025, starting with at least a dozen of the poodles, Austin said.

Additional poodles will become available in the coming weeks as they are medically cleared. While some poodles are now ready for adoption, more than a dozen remain under veterinary care and will not yet be available.

Adoption fees: Puppies under 6 months are $500; Dogs 6 months to 9 years are $300; Dogs 10 years and older are $150.

To ensure fairness and safety, potential adopters may line up outside the shelter. Numbers will be distributed just prior to the shelter opening at 10 a.m. and small groups will be admitted in order of arrival.

All Poodles will be adopted out on a first come, first served basis.

Special hours: On Saturday, October 4, HSCO will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. only.

Caring for such a large group of animals has placed a significant strain on HSCO’s space and resources, which are already stretched beyond capacity. The community can help by adopting animals who are ready for homes, fostering those still in recovery, or donating to offset the extraordinary medical costs of their care.

HSCO extends its gratitude to Deschutes County Animal Control and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this case, which made it possible for these animals to begin new lives.

“Some of these poodles are ready to take their next steps beyond the shelter, while many others still need time and care here with us,” said Kostoff. “It’s been a big effort to get them this far, and I know our community will continue to show up, as they always do, to make sure every one of these dogs has the chance to heal and find a family.”

Many of the animals will need ongoing medical treatment and care requiring significant funding. Secure donations can be made directly at hsco.org/donate.

Carr added, “The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanks the community for its patience, support, and generosity during this case.”

# # #

About the Humane Society of Central Oregon:Founded in 1961, the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) is a full-service animal shelter located at 61170 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR. As a Socially Conscious Shelter, HSCO is dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes for all animals under its care. In the past year, HSCO found homes for more than 2,200 animals and reunited 659 pets with their families. Our community outreach includes accessible veterinary care and the HOPE pet food bank, which support the needs of pet owners in Central Oregon. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information, visit hsco.org or call 541-382-3537.

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POW/MIA Accounting Agency closes fiscal year with record-breaking milestone

News-Press NOW on October 2, 2025

News-Press NOW

WASHINGTON (News-Press NOW) — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced it closed its 2025 fiscal year with a record-breaking 231 identifications.

The announcement, from a Facebook Post, shares that the feat was made possible by civilian and military researchers, field teams, laboratory experts, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner and DNA Identification Laboratory and the Service Casualty Offices.

One of the 231 identifications included Army Sgt. Simon Garelick, who died at 22 years old. Garelick is a St. Joseph Native and was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WWII.

Garelick was identified in October 2024 and was recently returned to Missouri on Tuesday, Sept. 30. He will be laid to rest alongside his mother and other relatives on Sunday, Oct. 5.

A photo shows a young Simon Garelick. Courtesy of the POW/MIA.

Across all military branches, 120 of the identifications were from WWII, eight were from the Vietnam War and 48 were from the Korean War.

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Pocatello launches new mobile app for city services and reporting

KIFI on October 2, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The city of Pocatello is making it easier to connect with City Hall, right from your phone.

Available now for both iOS and Android users, the app replaces the previous “Poky Connect” app. The main improvement is the introduction of a new service request system powered by SeeClickFix.

“We’re proud to offer a more modern, user-friendly platform that helps residents quickly report concerns and access City services,” said Mayor Brian Blad. “This is another step toward strengthening communication and accessibility in our community.”

The new app allows residents to quickly report a range of issues directly to the appropriate City department, including potholes, clogged storm drains, overgrown weeds, and missing street signs. Users can also attach photos or videos directly from their phone.

Beyond issue reporting, the City of Pocatello says the app will serve as an all-in-one resource hub for accessing key City functions. Residents can use the app to:

Pay utility bills

Apply for City job openings

Register for Parks & Recreation programs

Access other essential City resources

To download the new platform, residents can search for “Pocatello – The One and Only” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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Woman charged with murder indicted for allegedly assaulting deputy

KMIZ on October 2, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who is charged with first-degree murder in Cole County has been indicted in another case.

Rejeane Redmon, 29, of Jefferson City was charged in 2023 with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in the death of 80-year-old Melvin Callahan.

She is being held in the Cole County Jail and has a case management conference scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Redmon was indicted on Thursday in another case where she is accused of assaulting a Cole County deputy on Aug. 16.

Her charge in that case has been upgraded from misdemeanor fourth-degree assault to second-degree assault, a felony.

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New state-of-the-art ‘Truck 1’ to bolster Pocatello fire protection

KIFI on October 2, 2025

News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello is proud to announce the arrival of a brand-new aerial apparatus to the Pocatello Fire Department. The new apparatus will enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies and protect the community.

On September 30, 2025, crews welcomed Truck 1, a state-of-the-art tractor-drawn aerial, also known as a “Tiller Truck,” to the department’s fleet.

Truck 1 features a 107-foot aerial ladder, state-of-the-art technology, and enhanced maneuverability provided by its tiller steering system. The tiller has a separate cab and steering wheel with a driver in the back.  Unlike standard ladder trucks, the aerial tiller allows for greater precision in navigating tight city streets, alleys, and challenging rural roads. 

“This is more than just a fire truck, it’s an investment in safety, efficiency, and the future of our department,” said Chief Ryan O’Hearn. “The tiller truck expands our operational capabilities and ensures our firefighters have the best tools available to protect lives and property.”

Truck 1 will replace the 23-year-old Tower truck that has served the department since 2000. Over the coming weeks firefighters will be undergoing specialized training to ensure they are fully prepared to operate the new apparatus safely and efficiently. Truck 1 was approved by City Council and ordered in 2022 for $1.8 million.

The City of Pocatello continues to invest in modernizing equipment and strengthening emergency response. The acquisition reflects the City’s continued commitment to public safety.

For more information about the Pocatello Fire Department and its services, visit pocatello.gov/fire or call 208-234-6201.

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