Gov. Kehoe scheduled to visit St. Joe Christian next week

News-Press NOW on November 20, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The governor of Missouri is scheduled to make his way to St. Joseph next Monday for a tour of a local school.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe will travel to St. Joseph on Monday to participate in a campus tour and speak with students at St. Joseph Christian School.

The governor will speak to the secondary student body on topics that may include his personal faith journey, leadership, education and public service. 

A tour of the facility will begin at 9:30 a.m. before an assembly takes place with secondary students at 10:15 a.m. The visit will conclude with a discussion with St. Joseph Christian’s senior class.

The visit comes as the school nears the finish line on a significant $10 million expansion project to add a new 23,000-square foot facility to the existing building.

The new facility is headlined by a new 1,100-seat gymnasium to pair with an existing 650-seat gym. The gym will be supported with new locker rooms, a commons area, concessions and five new classrooms, including a music room.

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Tyson Smith plans to prefile legislation on dog-breeding facilities; woman appears in court for Columbia animal abuse care

KMIZ on November 20, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A representative for Columbia in Missouri’s state house plans on prefiling legislation about dog-breeding facilities.

Democratic State Rep. David Tyson Smith wrote on his social media on Thursday that he plans on prefiling a bill that would require regular inspections at dog-breeding facilities.

The announcement comes after Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia, was charged last week with three counts of felony animal abuse and 15 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. Sanders runs Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a large number of dogs were found either dead or in poor condition when officers served a search warrant last week.

“Based on the events in recent weeks surrounding the local dog breeding facility, I am planning on filing legislation requiring regular and thorough inspections of all classifications of dog breeding facilities,” Tyson Smith wrote on his social media.

Tyson Smith made the announcement to prefile the bill, an hour after ABC 17 News anchor Meghan Drakas spoke to him about viewer concerns surrounding the case.

The probable cause statement stated that Animal Control had previously asked Sanders about doing a “walkthrough” of the facility, but claimed Sanders was hesitant. Officers found the dogs while serving a search warrant.

Sanders appeared in court on Thursday by video from the jail. The defense argued her bond should be reduced to $5,000 because she’s not a flight risk, but that motion was denied. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. A preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30.

“The issue of animal cruelty is something for which the people in Missouri have absolutely zero tolerance. It is time to pass legislation that will require transparency from all animal breeders regardless of how big or small,” Tyson Smith wrote in a text message to ABC 17 News.

The Central Missouri Humane Society announced on Wednesday that it could not accept any more dogs and it was looking for more foster families after several dogs from the case were brought to the facility.

The prefiling deadline in the Missouri Legislature is Dec. 1.

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Riverside County Department of Animal Services flies 36 dogs to east coast

KESQ on November 20, 2025

Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – As Riverside County continues to deal with overcrowded shelters, the Department of Animal Services partnered with Wings of Rescue to send 36 dogs to New York and Maine on a lifesaving flight.

Officials said the plane took off just after midnight Saturday morning despite the rainy weather in Southern California. A total of 109 dogs from other rescue and shelter organizations in the region were on the flight.

“These flights demonstrate our dedication, teamwork and drive to saving more lives in our community and partnering with groups who share our goal is a win for all,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We need to keep the momentum going, and we need the community to open their homes to homeless pets in Riverside County.”

As RCDAS continues to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs, adoption fees are waived at all shelter locations for the month of November to encourage community members to help save lives.

“Whether pets leave the shelter on a cross-country flight or in the back of their new family’s car, our goal is always the same: to help every animal we possibly can,” said RCDAS Manager Daylin Valencia. “Our teams show up every day with compassion and commitment, and we’re hopeful that our community will continue to show up for them too, through adopting, fostering, sharing, or simply spreading the word.”  

All fee-waived adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, microchips, vaccinations, and an engraved ID tag. With almost 1,000 dogs in the shelter there are hundreds of breeds, ages, sizes and personalities to choose from.

“Giving a dog a home for the holidays is the ultimate gift,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “RivCo pets deserve our best efforts, and this is the season to give a shelter pet a chance.”

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Bend man arrested on charges of possessing child sex abuse material; police release his photo, seek to learn of any local victims

KTVZ on November 20, 2025

KTVZ

(Update: Kramer makes first court appearance; bail set at $500,000)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 22-year-old Bend man has been charged with a dozen counts of possessing child sex abuse material, and police released his photo Thursday to learn if any local victims are associated with the case.

The arrest of Kyler Ashton Kramer stemmed from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTip Bend that detectives received on Oct. 10, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Detectives investigated the tip and identified Kramer as the person who had accessed the material and disseminated the images online, Miller said.  

On Wednesday at around 9:40 a.m., officers served search warrants and raided Kramer’s home in the 200 block of Northwest Broadway Street.

Kramer was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on 10 counts each of first-degree and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse. 

Kramer was held without bail until his arraignment by video from jail Thursday afternoon on 12 initial formal charges: 10 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, a Class B felony, and two second-degree counts, a Class C felony. All are alleged to have occurred in late July.

Circuit Judge Randy Miller agreed to a prosecutor’s request that bail be set at $500,000. If he’s able to post 10% and be released, the judge set conditions, including that Kramer have no contact with minors or places they gather, and not to access the Internet or access or possess any Internet-capable devices.

Kramer is due back in court on Nov. 28 for arraignment on an expected formal grand jury indictment.

Sheila Miller said Bend Police are releasing Kramer’s image to the public to determine whether there may be any local victims associated with this case.  

If you believe your child may have experienced unwanted contact with Kramer, you’re asked to contact nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911, reference Case No. 2025-00061261, and ask to speak with Detective Trevor Roberts.   

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Missouri sees below-average deer harvest for opening weekend of hunting season

News-Press NOW on November 20, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — More than 70,000 deer were harvested by Missouri hunters in the opening weekend of firearms season, an increase from last year but sharply lower than average totals from the previous five years.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reported Monday that 70,173 deer were harvested during the opening of the November portion of firearms season on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

The top harvest counties were Franklin with 1,761 deer, followed by Howell with 1,269 and Wayne with 1,232.

While the number of harvested deer surpassed the 68,057 recorded during the opening weekend of 2024, totals were significantly lower compared with years prior.

The state regularly averaged between 89,000 and 90,000 deer, reaching as high as 99,470 harvested in 2018. Conservation officials told state media outlets that warm temperatures likely factored into the state’s low deer totals this year.

Previous opening weekend deer harvest totals:

2025: 70,173

2024: 68,057

2023: 90,253

2022: 93,355

2021: 89,939

2019: 88,760

2018: 99,470

More harvest data can be found at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

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Jefferson City man faces child porn charges

KMIZ on November 20, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was arrested and charged after authorities claimed he possessed and sent child pornography.

Nathaniel Devalle, 19, was charged in Cole County with first-degree promoting child pornography and two counts of child porn possession. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force received Cyber Tips about child porn being uploaded to multiple platforms from accounts belonging to Devalle.

Jefferson City police began investigating and found a number of images of child porn associated with the accounts and saw Devalle’s account shared child porn with another account, the statement says. A search warrant was conducted at Devalle’s residence on Wednesday and more files were found on his electronic devices, the statement says.

The statement also claims Devalle was accused of having child porn in 2022.

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PS Cultural Center to launch certified farmers market to Desert Hot Springs

KESQ on November 20, 2025

City News Service

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Hot Springs residents will have access to fresh, healthy and affordable food options with the arrival of a farmers market provided by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, slated to debut this weekend, officials announced today.

Opening day will be open to the public and will held from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Sunday at 66120 Pierson Boulevard, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m.

Participating speakers will include Mayor Scott Matas, Executive Director of Palm Springs Cultural Center Michael Green and  Farmers Market Manager Lindsay Jordan.

“This certified farmers market is more than a place to buy produce — it’s an investment in the health and well-being of our community. Families in Desert Hot Springs deserve access to fresh, local and affordable food close to home, and now they’ll have it right here on The BLVD,” Matas said.

The market will offer locally grown produce, including fresh fruit and vegetables, pantry essentials, prepared foods, artisan goods, community resources and nutrition information.

It will take place every Sunday that follows Desert Nights on The BLVD — whether it is a DJ night or a concert.   

The market will accept EBT/SNAP and will offer SNAP incentive programs when available. Officials said the market was designed to bring resources to support households in the community who have historically faced limited access to fresh food options, including low-income families, seniors and SNAP/CalFresh recipients.   

“Thank you to our sponsors, the Barker Foundation and the City of Desert Hot Springs, for recognizing the need and stepping forward to support the project. Their partnership reinforces the power of community-driven solution and ensures that this market takes root where it’s needed most,” Green said.  

The Cultural Center will host a book giveaway featuring “Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil as part of the opening ceremony, which was funded through the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program.

“I have deep roots in Desert Hot Springs — I was born and raised here — and opening this market has long been a dream of mine,” Jordan said.

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Colorado Springs tea shop fails health inspection, walls caked in debris

KRDO on November 20, 2025

Julia Donovan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – A local tea shop failed its routine health inspection, according to inspection records. We also have an update on a previous low-scoring restaurant that was temporarily closed. Meanwhile, a pasta shop has noodled its way to a top-scoring spot in this week’s Restaurant Roundup!

Kung Fu Tea on N Academy Boulevard recently failed its routine health inspection with 12 violations.

An employee reportedly told the health inspector they don’t sanitize their food equipment.

The inspector also noted that milk and yogurt were too warm, one employee had their hair down in the kitchen, and walls were caked in food debris!

When we stopped by, the man working the counter said the walls were cleaned after the inspection, but he wouldn’t let us in the kitchen to see without permission from the manager who had just left.

We left a message with contact information, asking the manager to get in touch. We’re still waiting to hear back.

In other news, you might remember The Hot Spot at the Citadel Mall was temporarily closed with 27 violations a few weeks back.

It’s open again, but back in the hot seat after failing another health inspection with 12 violations.

Now to this week’s high scores: Taco Express on S Circle Drive, Dad’s Donuts on Interquest Parkway, and Happy Eats Pasta on S Nevada with a perfect score.

“My philosophy is I’m not going to serve any food to anybody here that I wouldn’t serve to my mom,” the owner, Darby, told KRDO13.

Darby is very easygoing, except when it comes to cleanliness! 

He says he pretty much lets customers do whatever they want with an extremely customizable menu. You can choose your noodle type, combine sauces; they even have celiac-friendly options.

Restaurant Roundup high and low scores are based on recent routine health inspections conducted by the El Paso County Department of Public Health.

Keep an eye out for the Restaurant Roundup awards at your favorite restaurant to know the kitchen inside is clean.

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Savannah father diagnosed with Parkinson’s receives more than $7,000 for specialized wheelchair

News-Press NOW on November 20, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In just two days time, a Savannah man battling Parkinson’s Disease has seen the community rally around him with a flood of more than $7,200 in GoFundMe donations for a critical medical device.

Jay Freerksen, a 59-year-old resident and father from Savannah, Missouri, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease on his 50th birthday and has seen his condition deteriorate faster than anticipated according to a GoFundMe page set up on Nov. 18, to the point now where he has extreme difficulties walking and talking.

Despite two successful brain surgeries within a six-month period in 2023 for the man with six children and four grandchildren — surgeries that reduced his tremors by as much as 90% — the procedures do not stop the progression.

A GoFundMe page set up for Freerksen on Nov. 18 has already raised $7,270 of the $8,424 needed in just two days for a specialized power wheelchair and lift to allow him to move around his home safely and independently. Insurance is expected to cover the remaining 80% of the total $17,500.

“I would be able to go back to church and do other things that would make me more independent,” the GoFundMe page reads. “I am truly thankful for each one of you!”

Thus far, 35 donations have come in for the wheelchair/lift, ranging from $25 and $50 to $100, $500 and even $1000, including a large $1,500 donation from Victory Chevrolet GMC.

“Whatever donations are over the amount requested will go towards a ramp that I will need to get in and out of the house. And if there is still donations left over, then I will put that towards future repairs or upgrades to the chair.”

According to a 2022 study from the Parkinson’s Foundation, close to 90,000 people in the U.S. each year are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative brain disorder. More than 1.1 million people in total are affected by the disease each year in the U.S..  

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Five people arrested with connection to multiple crimes across the Midwest

News-Press NOW on November 20, 2025

Leah Rainwater

FAUCETT, Mo. (KQTV) — Five people were arrested Tuesday after being wanted in connection with multiple crimes, which spanned several states across the Midwest.

Members of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division assigned to the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force Interdiction Unit located three vehicles at Pilot Travel Center, located at 1307 SE Grand DD Highway in Faucett, Missouri.

The Northwest Missouri Task Force, consisting of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Career Criminal Unit and Drug Strike Force, St. Joseph Police Department Street Crimes Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, took the five subjects- four males and one female- into custody, and seized three vehicles.

The five arrested suspects were found to be citizens of Venezuela, and due to the significance of their alleged criminal activity, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified, according to a press release from the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

All five subjects were transported to the Buchanan County Jail, where further investigation was conducted. The subjects were then transferred into ICE custody.

The investigation is ongoing with the Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, as well as federal agencies.

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