Man accused of threatening to stab owner, employee at Southside Pizza

KMIZ on November 18, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was arrested on Sunday evening after he allegedly threatened to stab the owner of Southside Pizza in Columbia and an employee at the business.

Danial Knott, 22, was charged in Boone County on Monday with second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Court filings say he is from St. Petersburg, Florida, while jail records say he is from Columbia. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 10:24 p.m. Sunday to Southside Pizza on Peachtree Drive and when they arrived, saw Knott sitting inside the restaurant with blood on his shirt. Police were given a knife recovered by staff.

The statement says Knott walked into the bathroom and turned off the lights. When the owner of the business went to turn the lights back on, he saw Knott urinating on the floor and told him to leave, the statement says. The owner then grabbed Knott and Knott pulled out a knife, court documents say.

The owner allegedly had a cut on his thumb and told police he may have been cut by Knott, the statement says.

Two other people had saw Knott pull out a knife as the owner called police, court documents say. Two people allegedly saw Knott holding the knife while walking toward the counter of the business and he allegedly threatened to stab the owner and an employee if he did not receive a speaker, the statement says.

Knott allegedly slurred his speech while talking with police and claimed he pulled out a knife when someone tried to fight him, court documents say. Knott told police that the blood seen on his shirt was his own.

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Benton students show up big as SJSD nears vote on high school plans

News-Press NOW on November 18, 2025

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education held another special work session Monday night, as board members continued debating Plan 2R — a revised version of Plan 2B and the plan to keep Lafayette and Central as the district’s two high schools. 

This special work session had a noticeable twist… A large group of Benton High School students showed up carrying posters, quietly filling the room to show their support for keeping Benton open as a high school moving forward. 

Even though public comment wasn’t allowed, their presence sent a clear message. 

Board President LaTonya Williams said she understands how draining this process has been for families, staff and students — and she wants it to end soon.

Williams says she’s pushing for the board to make a final decision by Monday, Nov. 24.  

“I think that we had to put everybody through enough. The admin, kids and the community. If the board is not able to do the job that we are elected to do, then we should just ‘okay, we put a pause on it,’” Williams said.  

At the last meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, four board members expressed support for Plan 2B. The remaining three members favored Plan 7B — a model aimed to merge Benton with Hyde and keep Central as the second high school.  

“I mean, logically, when you’re talking about closing schools, in my opinion, there are no winners. It’s only losers. Everybody will lose,” Williams said.  

She also acknowledged that from the outside, the board’s process can look confusing — and sometimes even scattered.  

But she stressed that nothing should be happening behind closed doors and that every step of the process needs to remain transparent to the public.  

“Finally, make a decision. And if we’re not able to come to a consensus, and do nothing. We probably will. I looked at the agenda earlier today, and it is on the agenda because we’re supposed to have a vote. Because this evening it’s only a discussion, not a vote,” Williams said.  

The board will meet again at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Troester Media Center. This time, the public will have an opportunity to speak before the board moves into another work session. 

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Griffon soccer earns No. 5-seed in NCAA tourney, draws Washburn in opening round

News-Press NOW on November 18, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Griffon soccer team will march into the NCAA Tournament against a familiar foe in the opening round.

The Missouri Western soccer team, fresh of a dramatic victory in Saturday’s MIAA Championship, was named the No. 5 seed in the Central Region of the NCAA Tournament during Monday’s selection show, matching up with MIAA-rival and No. 4 Washburn University.

The Griffons (12-2-7) will face off against the Ichabods (11-3-5) on Friday at 10 a.m. in Mankato, Minnesota.

The Griffons are coming off their first MIAA Tournament Championship in program history, defeating Central Oklahoma 2-1 in overtime on Saturday after wins over rival No. 5-seed Northwest Missouri State and No. 8-seed Northeastern State to make the final.

Tournament Breakdown

The first round of the single-elimination tournament begins on Thursday, Nov. 20.

The two finalists in each region will advance to the third-round competition to be played Nov. 30. Regional champions will meet in the quarterfinal-round to be played Saturday, Dec. 6.

The semifinal and championship games will take place Dec. 11 and 13 at Switchbacks FC Stadium hosted by Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Tournament dates:

Second round: Sunday, Nov. 23

Third Round: Sunday, Nov. 30

Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 6

Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Final: Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. ET

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Palm Desert man warns of car scam where Craigslist buyers faked blown engine

KESQ on November 18, 2025

Shay Lawson

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ)  – It’s a scam where buyers distract you, slip oil into the hood of your car to make the engine look “blown,” then pressure you to sell your car for a fraction of what it’s worth.

Mark Haye, Palm Desert part-time resident, said 2 men tried it on him — but he caught on before they could cost him thousands.

“I didn’t fall for it,” Haye said. “Came home and we Googled it and sure enough, found out that it was a legitimate scam that was going on around the world.”

Haye, a retired security professional, said he listed his Mercedes for sale on Craigslist and quickly heard from a prospective buyer who claimed he was from Bosnia and wanted the car for his wife.

“I met him at a public space,” Haye said. “They ended up being 40 minutes late. Turns out that was intentional. Because they wanted my car to cool down.”

He said they met on Sunday, in the Sprouts parking lot in Indian Wells.

The buyer and another man — who claimed to be a Mercedes mechanic — began the inspection.

“They asked me to pop the hood,” Haye said. “The buyer takes me down the other side of the car and he wants to look in the trunk. While we were in the back of the car, his buddy comes back up here, squirts oil on the engine and takes the cap off of the coolant and puts some oil in that, shuts the hood and then says let’s take it for a ride.”

That’s when Haye got behind the wheel for a short test drive.

“By the time we’re pulling back into the public market area, the car is smoking,” Haye said.

He said the buyers then insisted the engine was “blown” and claimed the car was now only worth a few thousand dollars.

“Instead of paying me $13,500 for the car, they say they’ll buy it for 4 because the buddy can put the new engine in,” Haye said.

But something didn’t sit right with Haye.

When he checked the coolant himself, he said he realized the oil was only floating on top.

“I just said no, I’m not selling it,” Haye said.

Leslie, Haye’s wife, said she later searched online and found identical scams in videos.

“It just blew our minds,” she said.

A spokesperson from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said they’re “unaware of any increase in scams related to car buying/selling in the Coachella Valley.”

They provided safety advice for those thinking about buying/selling a vehicle:

Meet in public places when possible.

Have a friend or family member assist in keeping watch while you are distracted with the potential buyer.

Always get a vehicle history report.  There are various services available that can provide you with history on the vehicle, including accidents, Title issues, Odometer discrepancies and number of owners.

Inspect the vehicle in daylight and good weather. Look for paint inconsistencies, rust, uneven tire wear and leaks beneath the vehicle.

Take a thorough test drive and check for acceleration and braking issues, transmission behavior and strange noises or vibrations. Test electronic components in the vehicle, such as the air conditioning, infotainment system, windows, lights, wipers, etc.

Have the vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic. Their expertise will often help reveal problems that are not obvious.

Haye said he’s relieved he caught the scam before turning over the title — and hopes speaking out prevents someone else from losing money.

“I hate to see people getting ripped off,” Haye said. “I’m glad it happened to me and not somebody else.”

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Six Central Oregon teachers among dozens awarded Creative Educator Grants by SELCO Credit Union

KTVZ on November 18, 2025

KTVZ

Update: Adding video

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — SELCO Community Credit Union has awarded more than $80,000 to 40 Oregon educators, including six programs from Central Oregon, as part of SELCO’s Creative Educator Grants program.  

Creative Educator Grants—which provide as much as $2,500 per recipient—are designed for K-12 educators with creative classroom ideas who need funding to get those projects off the ground. This year, SELCO awarded $80,268 in grants to teachers representing 38 schools across the state.   

To better support educators who increasingly dip into their own pockets to pay for classroom-related expenses, Creative Educator Grants have more than doubled in value since the program was revamped as part of SELCO’s Steps Up initiative, which launched in 2024. As a result, SELCO received 281 applications for this year’s grants, with recipients from 14 different Oregon counties, the most in program history.  

Grant recipients represent a wide range of programs, from an entrepreneurial dog treat project at Pacific Crest Elementary in Bend to a community water testing lab at Junction City High School that will teach students how to be citizen scientists. Other projects include a “Sauvie Island Cookbook,” which will connect students at Sauvie Island School northwest of Portland with the traditions and history of the island’s people. 

“Through Creative Educator Grants, we aim to support teachers who are continually trying to reach students in unique and interesting ways,” said Craig Carpenter, SELCO’s senior vice president of lending and business banking. “Year after year, we’re amazed by the wealth of innovative ideas. As a credit union founded by educators, SELCO will remain committed to helping these passionate teachers make learning meaningful and fun.” 

This year’s recipients include six educators from Central Oregon: 

Create in 3D — Natalie Richards, Tom McCall Elementary, Bend 

Equitable Student Government & Live Student Podcast — Brettney Bryant, High Desert Middle School, Bend 

Golden Eagle Kitchen to Career — Christina Holler, Pacific Crest Middle School, Bend 

Adaptive Play Equipment — Marnie Freilinger, Rosland Elementary School, La Pine 

Cardio Drumming — Michelle Holliday, Powell Butte Community Charter School, Powell Butte 

First Grade CKLA Curriculum Enrichment — Aurora Smith, Sage Elementary School, Redmond 

Literacy Without Limits: Dyslexia Book Project — Susan Gotshall, John Tuck Elementary, Redmond 

A complete list of recipients and project descriptions can be found HERE.  

To choose the recipients of this year’s grants, a selection panel scored applications based on project originality, proposal clarity, number of students affected, and potential for skill development. 

As a grant recipient in 2024, Jenifer Gerlach, the music instructor at Prairie Mountain School in Eugene, purchased ukuleles for her classroom. 

“When a student can play an instrument, it creates neuropathway connections that they will use the rest of their lives,” Gerlach said. “If I can get more neuropathways created just through having fun with ukuleles, that’s a win.” 

SELCO will also soon announce the winners of three Regional Classroom Makeovers, a program that launched in 2024 and awards as much as $15,000 to each recipient to transform their learning environments.  

For more information about Creative Educator Grants, past grant recipients, or SELCO’s student and educator support programs, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/. Images of past winners can be FOUND HERE. 

About SELCO Steps Up: 

The SELCO Steps Up program aims to create positive, innovative, lasting change through volunteerism, resource support, and collaboration with community partners. In 2024, SELCO reinvested nearly $415,000 in the communities it serves through educator grants, scholarships, and impact-driven sponsorships. SELCO staff also committed nearly 1,400 volunteer hours last year alone. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a focus on removing barriers to financial literacy. By empowering individuals and families to achieve financial well-being, SELCO strives to build a strong foundation for all its members and neighbors. Learn more at www.selco.org/steps-up. 

About SELCO Community Credit Union: 

Founded nearly 90 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.8 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483. 

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Recent rain storms brings only minor impacts to Santa Maria

KEYT on November 18, 2025

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Despite receiving an unseasonably large amount of rain over the past four days, the City of Santa Maria experienced only a few minor impacts during the recent rain storms.

“Things are looking good,” said Brett Fulgoni, Santa Maria Public Works Director. “It was definitely a good sized storm. We’ve had a lot of rain over the weekend, but things are holding up. In general, we’re looking pretty good.”

As of 8:00 a.m. Monday, Santa Barbara County reported Santa Maria had received 3.65 inches of rain over the past four days, which did not include the heavy amount of rain that fell throughout much of Monday morning.

“The latest totals I saw, and these will go up, puts us about 460% of average today,” said Fulgoni. “This has got to be one of wettest Novembers that we’ve had. It’d be interesting to see the data on that.”

As the rain fell throughout most of Monday morning, Santa Maria workers were active responding to storm-related issues.

“The rain, it’s been steady,” said Julian Ruiz, Santa Maria Public Works Street Supervisor. “We have a crews out there patrolling, making sure everything’s safe and the roads are safe. We have some potholes all over the streets so we are pot hole patrolling. We’re also making sure there’s no standing water on the roads.” 

Black Road, on the far western edge of the city, was closed for a time as typically happens during times of heavy rain.

By Monday afternoon, the busy roadway that connects Highway 166/West Main Street to the north and West Betteravia Road to the south was open to through traffic.

Other issues that cropped up were relatively minor, including a clogged storm drain on South Bradley Road, near In-N-Out Burger.

“We’ve had typical localized flooding where the drainage inlets are getting flooded, things like that,” said Fulgoni. “We’re starting to see our basins fill up in the area because of the prolonged period of rain and so that’s something that we’re keeping an eye on with Flood Control.”

While the amount of rain that fell over the city since Friday caught some by surprise, Fulgoni was breathing a sigh of relief the rain began to taper off early Monday afternoon.”

“The good news is that was spread out over a few days,” said Fulgoni. “If we had another couple inches on the heels of this storm, we would be looking at some more serious impacts.”

One impact that will be felt for a few days is the immediate closure of two of the city’s most popular and busiest recreational areas: Crossroads Basin and Adam Basin.

The two parks are active daily hosting mostly soccer players of all ages, who use the grassy areas for practices and games.

However, both facilities double as basins and collect massive amounts of water that runs out from storm drains and spills onto the fields during times of heavy rain.

“It’ll take a few days for the water to flow out of those basins, but they are doing exactly what they’re designed to do, and that is to control the flows of water from the east side of Santa Maria out to the river,” said Alex Posada, Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Director. “The rain is great to have and it helps us out in our parks. This will help our parks turn green again.”

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Jury seated for trial of ex-deputy accused of abduction, other offenses

KESQ on November 18, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated today for the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy accused of harassing and abducting a former girlfriend, as well as possessing child pornography.

Alexander Ravy Vanny, 34, of Hemet, was arrested last year following an investigation by the sheriff’s department’s Special Victims Unit.   

Vanny is charged with kidnapping, stalking, possession of child porn, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade a person’s privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic control device and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail.

Jury selection spanned a week at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where Superior Court Judge James Hawkins swore in a panel on Monday. He directed the prosecution and defense to present opening statements Tuesday morning.  

Vanny is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.   

According to a post-preliminary hearing summary filed after the defendant was held to answer in May, Vanny was obsessed with an ex-girlfriend and allegedly engaged in a series of criminal acts last year while trying to get her back and prevent her from seeing other men.

The woman had been residing with the defendant at his Menifee home but moved out when she deemed the relationship no longer workable, according to court papers.

Among the most serious alleged offenses was his following her in the summer of 2024 to Chappies Bar in Hemet and demanding that she “leave and come home with him,” the prosecution said.

When she declined, Vanny “forcibly threw her into his truck,” according to documents.

“The defendant then drove her, without her consent, to his home … some 17 miles and 30 minutes,” the prosecution stated. “All this travel was after forcing her into his truck and doing so without her consent and without her permission.”

The victim was ultimately able to get away from him uninjured.   

The woman further alleged instances in which Vanny forced his way in her Hemet apartment, challenging men she was dating to fights and chasing them away, according to the prosecution.

Investigators discovered that Vanny had installed “tracker devices” on her vehicle to keep constant tabs on where she was day and night, prosecutors alleged. After he sneaked into her apartment one night, the ex-girlfriend became irate, “telling him she was calling 911,” according to documents.

“The defendant took her phone from her, preventing her from calling law enforcement,” according to the narrative, adding that he damaged the device.

There were instances of Vanny allegedly using the FLOCK law enforcement camera system deployed by the sheriff’s department and other agencies to procure license plate information from vehicles belonging to men visiting the victim, prosecutors said.

“On Nov. 29, 2024, the defendant secretly recorded the sounds of [the ex-girlfriend] being intimate with another man through her bedroom window,” court papers alleged.

Vanny’s alleged encounters with a sheriff’s volunteer landed him in trouble prior to the conflicts with his ex-girlfriend. In one visit with the volunteer in the spring of 2024, the defendant allegedly showed her a porn video involving underage victims, telling her “he would like her to participate in those activities with him,” according to the prosecution.   

Vanny was first arrested on June 22, 2024.   

He was booked into the Banning jail but posted a $1 million bond and was released. He was initially placed on paid administrative leave, but within a few months, he was fired from the department, according to sheriff’s officials.

While he was on bail, Vanny was separately charged in connection with the alleged offenses against the ex-girlfriend.  

He had been a sworn peace officer since he was hired by the sheriff’s department in 2016.

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Mexican actress Vanessa Guzmán says shooting at her El Paso home was an accident

KVIA on November 18, 2025

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Longtime Mexican actress and fitness figure Vanessa Guzmán held a news conference today to clarify the incident that occurred at her home earlier this month.

Guzmán said the shooting did damage her apartment, but it was determined to be an accident. She added that the bullet that hit her apartment came from her neighbor’s side.

She states her neighbor, who works in law enforcement, was cleaning a firearm when it accidentally discharged; no one was hurt.

Her 17-year-old son was the one who reported the incident to the police. Now Guzmán says she does not plan to file a lawsuit or pursue legal action against her neighbor since it was an accident.

She wasn’t in El Paso at the time of the incident; she was in Mexico City competing for an award.

“We have personal things and issues to resolve first, and just want to wait until things are a little calmer, because in the end, it’s a very hard experience to go through,” said Guzmán. “We don’t have anything to say but thanks god that we all are safe, that he’s (her son) alive and that my neighbor’s family is safe as well,” Guzmán said.

ABC-7 obtained the police report, which said the department presented what happened to the district attorney’s office, which declined the case. 

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Jefferson City Council approves East Elm Street project despite pushback from residents

KMIZ on November 18, 2025

Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 

The Jefferson City Council voted 7-2 in favor of a 48-unit apartment project on East Elm Street, which has received pushback from nearby residents. 

The proposal would be for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development Plan for property at 1740 East Elm St. The project calls for 12 apartment buildings, each containing four, one-bedroom units, that are each two-stories tall. 

Concerns raised by about a half-dozen opponents during the public comment portion of the meeting included increased traffic, roadway capacity, stormwater runoff, potential declines in nearby property values, resident demographics and the level of on-site supervision. Several commenters also questioned whether the project would function as low-income housing.

Brian McMillian, one of the project’s developers, told the council that although the area is busy, most future residents would not be driving, so increased traffic should not be an issue. He added the trees and vegetation planned for the site would make the property “barely visible” to nearby residents, addressing concerns about potential negative effects on the neighborhood’s character.

“It’s just a matter of time before one of these individuals gets killed by a car. I live on that road,” one man said during the public meeting in response. “There is a miles per hour speed limit,  a little bit less, 30 miles (per hour), I can tell you, I’ve come around late at night and there’s been a deer right in the middle of the road and I barely had time to stop.” 

The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal Oct. 9 and voted 6-0 to recommend approval.

The plan proposes one parking space per unit, fewer than the city’s standard requirement of 1.5 spaces per unit for apartment developments. Access would come from two driveway entrances on East Elm Street. According to planning documents, new tree rows along both sides of the development and the preservation of trees at the rear of the property would help buffer the site from surrounding homes.

“They said at the zoning meeting that they did they only anticipated staffing there during the weekdays,” one man said during Monday’s public hearing. We think that’s that’s also a concern if they would have a mental illness episode.” 

“I feel like this could be a detriment to our neighborhood if they refuse to take the medications,” another woman added during the hearing. “I appreciate the fact that low-income housing is important,  but my husband and I  have worked hard to get what we got, and we can’t afford for the property value to go down.” 

Andrea Cheung, a CJCA Development representative, said the organization has operated in Jefferson City for 50 years, serving people with mental health challenges, and many of their experienced managers have more than 20 years of experience working in the field.

“After five decades of serving in this community,  we’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to find quality one-bedroom units. For people, it’s just almost impossible,” Cheung said during the meeting. “We understand that change always brings anxiety and uncertainty, but we’re really confident that this will be an asset to Jefferson City.”

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Magic of Lights holiday display to open Tuesday in Indio

KESQ on November 18, 2025

City News Service

INDIO (KESQ) – The Empire Polo Club in Indio will transform into a drive-through holiday light display for the fourth annual “Magic of Lights” beginning Tuesday.

The event, sponsored by PNC Bank and produced by Family Entertainment Holdings, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays starting Nov. 18 through Dec. 31 at 81-800 51st Ave.

“Magic of Lights has become a beloved holiday tradition for families right here in the Coachella Valley,” CEO of Family Entertainment Live Ken Hudgens said in a statement. “We’re proud to return to the Empire Polo Club and continue spreading the joy, wonder and togetherness that make this season so special in our community.”  

Attendees will be able to experience numerous holiday-themed displays, including the debut of a 750-foot palm tree tunnel, Toyland, Winter Wonderland, 12 Days of Christmas, festive Elves, a 32-foot-tall animated Christmas Barbie and the 200-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights.

In addition, Imperial Irrigation District will power Holiday Village, a walk-though attraction filled with holiday activities.   

“IID is please to be a new sponsor of the Coachella Valley’s dazzling Magic of Lights holiday tradition, where we will proudly be powering up the special Holiday Village that follows the wonderful drive through light display,” said Gina Dockstader, IID Board Chairwoman.

“Magic of Lights” will feature more than 2 million lights, 12.6 miles of light cord and 10 miles of LED lighting.   

“We’re thrilled to once again host the Coachella Valley’s beloved holiday tradition, Magic of Lights,” said Mark Girton, VP/GM of Empire Polo Club/Empire Grand Oasis. “Each holiday season, Magic of Lights brings joy and wonder to the community, and we’re proud to be part of a tradition that hasbecome a must-see (and do!) on everyone’s list.”

To learn more, or to purchase tickets visit https://magicoflights.com/locations/coachella-valley-ca/.

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