New Images and Timeline Shared in Missing Melodee Buzzard Case

KEYT on October 24, 2025

Alissa Orozco

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – A small development in the case of Melodee Buzzard happened Friday as Sheriff’s detectives shared an updated timeline and images of the missing nine-year-old.

On Oct.14th, a school administrator reported that Melodee had been missing from school for some time and when deputies arrived at Melodee’s mother’s home in the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village, the nine-year-old was not there and, “no clear explanation was provided for her whereabouts” stated a press release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday.

Concern over the welfare of the young girl has grown both locally and nationally as it was revealed that Melodee’s mother Ashlee rented a white Chevrolet Malibu and drove Melodee outside of Santa Barbara county, possibly as far away as the state of Nebraska.

New surveillance images captures Melodee at a local car rental business on October 7th, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and likely a wig, “that is darker and straighter than her natural hair,” according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance, and Ashlee is known to wear wigs herself.

Previously shared photos of Melodee were at least two-years-old.

Detectives confirmed Ashlee returned to their Lompoc residence on October 10th in the same rental car, but without Melodee – narrowing down the critical timeline to between October 7th and October 10th.

The two’s three-day roadtrip went from Lompoc to the Nebraska area, with the return trip including the state of Kansas. Detectives say they are now focused on determining where Melodee was during those three days and where she may be now.

Sheriff Bill Brown said, “Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “We remain determined to bring her home safely.”

Melodee Buzzard is described as a 9-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

The department asks the public to not conduct their own independent searches or investigations to not interfere with law enforcement efforts.

A community prayer vigil for Melodee’s safety is being hosted tonight by her paternal family in Vandenberg Village.

Detectives are asking anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office through one of the following methods:

· Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150

· Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171 · Online Tips: SBSheriff.org

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Boone County out $2.2 million from senior property tax freeze

KMIZ on October 24, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A senior property tax exemption that went into effect last year will result in Boone County issuing more than $2.2 million in tax credits to seniors.

Eligible seniors are able to apply for an exemption by each summer and voters in August approved decided to expand the law to apply to levies.

Boone County Collector Brian McCollum told ABC 17 News in an email on Thursday that the total credits to eligible taxpayers’ bill is $2,219,785.05. McCollum wrote that “taxpayers will see any eligible credit stated on the face of their real estate tax bill for their primary residence.  They will need remit the balance due by December 31, 2025, to avoid any delinquent charges.”

The law to allow the freeze was approved by state lawmakers in 2023 and Boone County voters OK’d it last year.

To be eligible taxpayers must be:

62 years old or older by Jan. 1 of the initial credit year;

An owner of record of their primary residence or has a legal or equitable interest in such primary residence as evidenced by a written instrument; and

Liable for the payment of real property taxes on the homestead.

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No injuries reported in Fulton building fire

KMIZ on October 24, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No one was injured after a building caught fire Thursday night at 3100 Dogwood Dr. in Fulton, according to a Friday press release from the Fulton Fire Department.

The release says crews were called to the address of Monet Desauw at 10:41 p.m. and saw flames going through the roof. The fire was brought under control by 11:28 p.m., the release says.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Columbia man accused of repeatedly raping child in Callaway County

KMIZ on October 24, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with several sex crimes after he was accused of repeatedly raping and sodomizing a child over the course of several years.

Zackary Ray, 27, was charged with two counts of first-degree rape of a child younger than 12 years old, one count of first-degree sodomy of a child younger than 12 years old and a count of first-degree child molestation. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The victim’s father reported to law enforcement in June that the youth told him they were sexually abused for years when they were younger, the statement says. The assaults began when the victim was 10 or 11 years old and that Ray would assault them after the child’s mother left for work, the statement says.

The victim gave graphic details to law enforcement during an interview, and claimed that Ray threatened to kill the victim’s mother and grandmother if they came forward with information, the statement says.

Ray initially denied the allegations but eventually claimed “if this happened, I don’t remember it,” while talking with law enforcement, court documents say. Ray and others who spoke with deputies talked about his repeated drug use during the time, court documents show.

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Jefferson County deputies investigating unsafe target shooting; bullets crossed canyon, landed near worker

KTVZ on October 24, 2025

KTVZ

CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Jefferson County authorities are investigating an incident in which gunfire from apparent target shooting crossed a canyon and struck near a worker in the Opal Springs area southwest of Culver, according to Sheriff Jason Pollock.

Pollock said in a Facebook post late Thursday that deputies were called on Tuesday to a report of shots fired in the canyon between Crooked River Ranch and Culver. An employee of Deschutes Valley Water reported hearing rounds hitting the gravel close to a building where he was working.

Map of shots fired investigation.

Deputies and detectives responded and determined the shots came from the Crooked River Ranch side of the canyon, on Bureau of Land Management property near the far north end of the ranch, Pollock said.

The sheriff said evidence indicates someone had been target shooting at an old garbage can about 30 yards from the canyon rim — apparently unable to see what was beyond their target.

Because of the steep elevation drop separating the two sides of the canyon, bullets that passed through the target continued across the canyon and landed near the worker’s location, Pollock said, adding that no one was injured.

Pollock said the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate and is reminding recreational shooters to always be sure of their backstop – and to know what lies beyond the area they are shooting toward.

Anyone with information about what happened is being asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 541‑475‑6520 and ask for Deputy Brandon Talbott.

Pollock told KTVZ News on Friday that he had no new information to share about the investigation.

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Creepy Krug’s Dead of Night Tour moves 2025 location due to renovations

News-Press NOW on October 24, 2025

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Creepy Krug’s Dead of Night Tour is back, but not at its normal stomping grounds.

Instead of taking place a Krug Park, Creepy Krug will now run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Oct. 25, Sunday, Oct.26, and Friday, Oct. 31 at the Muchenberger Bros building, located at 701 Olive St.

The event will take place indoors while Krug Park undergoes construction.

Admission is $10 a ticket and will be available for anyone 13 years of age or older, unless accompanied by a guardian.

For more information, visit the Creepy Krug Facebook account.

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85-year-old man from Arizona dead after crashing pickup truck, camper shell on I-25

KRDO on October 24, 2025

Alexander Brunet

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) – One man is dead following a single-vehicle crash on northbound I-25 near the CanAm Highway exit, according to Colorado State Patrol.

Trooper Hunter Matthews with Colorado State Patrol (CSP) tells KRDO13 that a driver in a truck traveling northbound on I-25 rolled into the center median. The truck is described as having a “camper shell” and a small trailer attached.

CSP says the driver, an 85-year-old man from Arizona, lost control of his pickup truck. CSP says they believe he began to exit the roadway, overcorrected, and rolled the vehicle. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene.

State patrol says they do not believe speed or alcohol was a factor in the crash.

CSP says the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, and he was ejected from the pickup truck.

The crash caused major delays on both sides of I-25, but as of 10:40 a.m., both southbound lanes of the highway have reopened.

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Community Prayer Vigil For Melodee’s Safety Held In Vandenberg Village

KEYT on October 24, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The story of Melodee Buzzard is gripping the Lompoc Valley and much of the nation.

The case of the missing 9-year-old girl continues with no resolution as her mother Ashlee is not cooperating with law enforcement. 

The community gathered for a prayer vigil on Friday night.

Investigators have released newer photos of the little girl.

The community prayer vigil outside the home of Melodee Buzzard Friday was organized by the young girl’s grandmother Lilly Denes, who works with your News Channel.

And these more recent images are adding a note of hope to a case that has many in the neighborhood and the nation holding their breath and continuing to pray.

New details have surfaced on Ashlee driving Melodee out of Santa Barbara county in a rental car, as far away as Nebraska. 

Deputies now say this road trip took three days and included a stop in Kansas before Ashlee returned to Lompoc without her daughter.

Surveillance images from October 7th when Ashlee rented a white Chevy Malibu have yielded the most recent photos of Melodee, and deputies say the little girl appears to be wearing a wig.

They also note that Ashlee is known to wear wigs herself.

At tonight’s prayer vigil, relatives have a message for the missing girl.

“Melodee,” says the girl’s aunt, sister to Melodee’s late father Rubiell Meza. “Melodee, we love you. We miss you, and we’re praying for you, that you’re well, that you’re okay. You know, just hang in there. No matter what’s going on, you’re going to be home soon and we’ll be able to see you. So we love you. And we missed you very much.”

Investigators with both Santa Barbara county and the FBI continue to ask for the public’s help in locating Melodee.

If you have seen Melodee or have any information, you can call the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division (805) 681-4150. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.

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What to know to stay healthy during cold and flu season

KIFI on October 24, 2025

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Now that temperatures are going down outside, fevers might be going up during cold and flu season.

When it’s colder outside, we tend to stay indoors more often. That can lead to our immune systems being more vulnerable, making it easier of us to get sick. That’s why cold and flu season usually starts in October and ends in the spring. Eastern Idaho Public Health says the most flu and cold cases are seen in December and January.

“We just encourage people to stay home when they’re sick, get vaccinated, cover your coughs and sneezes, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and you can wear a mask if that’s your preference,” said EIPH Nurse Manager, Esmy Quintero.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, and cough. If you think you have the flu, EIPH recommends talking with your primary health care provider to make sure. 

You can avoid spreading germs by coughing into your elbows instead of your hands. If you have kids, make sure they wash their hands when they get home from school or daycare.

Eastern Idaho Public Health encourages people to get vaccinated for the flu. People can get the vaccine as early as 6 months old.

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Missouri Association of Counties selling hearses, limos, other cars found in old Jefferson City funeral home

KMIZ on October 24, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Association of Counties is looking for buyers of 10 old cars, including four hearses and two limousines, as it continues to convert the former Buescher Funeral Home into offices.

The vehicles were discovered as crews were clearing out junk from the building. The lineup comprises four hearses, a station wagon, two limos and three four-door sedans. Bids are being accepted until Nov. 1.

MAC deputy director David Owen said the cars were found in the building’s basement/garage area. A timeline for the renovation is not yet clear as cleanup continues, he said.

The oldest vehicle is a 1954 Packard-Henney. Several Cadillac sedans are among the cars up for bid.

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