St. Joseph sees economic boost with rise in championship sporting events this year

News-Press NOW on December 15, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — From state football championships to Division I women’s basketball, St. Joseph is solidifying its reputation this December as a hub for high-profile sporting events, a boost for the local economy.

Within the last two months alone, St. Joseph has played host to the MSHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, MSHSAA Football State Championships, MIAA Volleyball Championship Tournament and an SEC vs Big 12 basketball showdown Dec. 7 between Ole Miss and Kansas State, to name a few.

With St. Joseph’s Civic Arena and Missouri Western’s Spratt Stadium seeing strong crowds with multi-day tournaments drawing dozens of teams, coaches, alumni and families here from across the state — some schools with upwards of six buses worth of fans — St. Joseph was the center of postseason sports.

A huge crowd of fans and parents with Blair Oaks High school out of Wardsville, Missouri, smile as their team wins the Class 2 State Championship on Dec. 6 at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.

“We knew these championship events would draw great crowds and bring lots of new visitors to St. Joseph and Buchanan County. Which in looking at the data, that certainly proved to be the case,” said Brett Esely, executive director for the St. Joseph, MO Sports Commission. “Whereas the sports commission is proud to play our part in securing, developing and executing the championship experience, the true winners are our city and county especially at a time of year where tourism tends to slow down a bit from summertime traffic.”

According to data from the St. Joseph Sports Commission, the MSHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships saw 300 athletes (20 teams consisting of 15 players each) along with 40 MSHSAA staff and officials. Over the course of the tournament, 8,418 spectators were in attendance, with roughly 50% of the participants staying at least one night in St. Joseph.

Total business sales over the course of the volleyball tournament (including sales leading up to and after the event) came out to $4,765,048 over the span of four days.

The Sports Commission also gathered data from the MSHSAA Football State Championships, which saw 963 athletes (14 teams) and 60 MSHSAA staff and officials. The estimated number of spectators was 19,500 across all seven state championship games.

Roughly 30% of fans stayed at least one night in St. Joseph. Over the course of the three-day championship event, total business sales amounted to $7,707,350.

One hotel that saw a wave of visitors booking rooms for all of the events was the Stoney Creek Hotel.

“When you have events like the high school football championships, not only do the teams come to town, but also family members and anybody else supporting the team,” Eaton said. “It increases revenue at the hotel because of the quick turnaround. People will make last minute reservations online and usually when teams win.”

The economic boost of sporting events for St. Joseph is set to continue as the MSHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships will be held in St. Joseph for the next two years (2026-2027) as well as the MSHSAA Football State Championships from 2026 to 2028.

In the realm of college basketball, St. Joseph is also set to welcome a multi-day postseason tournament for the first time beginning in 2027.

The St. Joseph Sports Commission and officials with the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced in October the GLVC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournaments will be moving to St. Joseph, Missouri, from 2027 to 2029, an event that will draw dozens of teams and thousands of spectators over a multi-day period.

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Convicted Cole County rapist committed to sexually violent offender program

KMIZ on December 15, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was convicted of rape in Cole County nearly 20 years ago has been committed to the Department of Mental Health after he was classified as a sexually violent predator on Nov. 20, according to a Monday press release from the Attorney General’s Office.

Calvin Lamar Miller, 58, of Farmington, was convicted of forcible rape by a Cole County jury on May 14, 1999, according to court filings. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 14, 1999. He is currently being held at Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Missouri, according to information from the Department of Corrections.

The press release says Miller was accused of raping a woman who taught at the Department of Corrections in 1998.

A psychologist during the recent trial claimed “Miller has a present diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, which is a mental abnormality that makes him more likely than not to commit future predatory acts of sexual violence if not confined to a secure facility,” the release says.

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Former Idaho American Legion Commander, Charles Abrahamson, indicted for embezzling over $1.4 Million

KIFI on December 15, 2025

Seth Ratliff

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI) — The high-profile embezzlement case against a former commander of the Idaho American Legion accused of embezzling over a million dollars from the non-profit is heading to trial. Charles Thomas Abrahamson, a former commander of the Idaho American Legion, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on charges of wire fraud and tax fraud, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced Monday.

The indictment alleges that Abrahamson used his position within the organization to steal more than $1,454,025 over seven years. Abramson was employed by the Idaho American Legion from approximately 2017 to April 2024. During that time, he served in various leadership capacities, including adjutant and commander, which gave him direct access to and control over the nonprofit’s financial accounts.

Starting around 2018 and continuing until his suspension in April 2024, Abrahamson is accused of knowingly devising a scheme to defraud the American Legion and another individual. Abrahamson allegedly made unauthorized transfers directly to his personal financial accounts, paying off his personal credit cards, charging unauthorized expenses, and making ATM withdrawals from the organization’s accounts, all for his personal use and gain.

His alleged criminal conduct came to light around April 2024. According to reports by the Idaho Statesman, Abrahamson was suspended from his position at the Idaho American Legion that month, and two days later, the Idaho State Police executed a search warrant on his home, recovering a variety of American Legion property.

Beyond the embezzlement, Abrahamson is also charged with three counts of tax fraud for filing false federal tax returns for the years 2020, 2022, and 2023, which falsified his total income.

The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation, seeking to recover at least $1,454,025 in property traceable to the wire fraud charges.

If convicted, Abrahamson faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud charges and up to three years for each count of tax fraud. He also faces an order of restitution for the losses incurred by the victims of the scheme.

In his release, U.S. Attorney Davis commended the excellent investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, which led to the charges. A federal district court judge will ultimately determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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Heart of Oregon Corps receives $300,000 Ford Family Foundation grant toward new Redmond campus

KTVZ on December 15, 2025

KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ)) — Heart of Oregon Corps announced Monday a “transformative” $300,000 grant from The Ford Family Foundation in support of developing our region’s first youth workforce development campus.

The campus is currently under construction in Redmond and slated to open in the fall of 2026, according to a news release from HoC that continues below:  

“Strong rural communities don’t emerge overnight—they grow from stewarding resources in support of organizations like Heart of Oregon, who are already providing solutions to local and regional issues,” said Kelly Warner, associate program officer at The Ford Family Foundation. “We are proud to walk alongside Heart of Oregon as they remove barriers to opportunity, and the young people they serve can help their communities thrive.”

Each year, Heart of Oregon hires and trains more than 200 young people ages 16–24, and 67% of them come from rural communities throughout Central Oregon. The new campus will serve as a central hub where these young people can access consistent instruction, hands-on training, supportive services, and career exploration—all under one roof.

To ensure that opportunity remains within reach of the most geographically isolated youth, Heart of Oregon will continue operating satellite sites and coordinated transportation options.

The Foundation’s grant contributes to an overall construction budget of $7.3 million. Since October, Heart of Oregon has led a focused fall fund drive for the Legacy 25 capital campaign, with mailings and four phone banks culminating on Giving Tuesday, which alone raised nearly $35,000. Thanks to the generosity of major and individual donors, the remaining funding gap now stands at $1.25 million. Donors are invited to visit www.hoccampus.org to learn more, schedule a hard hat tour, and make a contribution by December 31 to help close this gap and bring this project to completion.

“We are deeply grateful for The Ford Family Foundation’s support of our efforts to re-engage youth and young adults in education and to prepare them for meaningful careers,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “Their investment creates a profound ripple effect in our rural communities. Our graduates go on to become leaders, strengthening their communities and contributing to the vitality of our regional economy.”

This investment comes at a pivotal time. Across Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, 33% of young adults ages 16–24 are not currently in the labor force, and 11.6% of those remain unemployed. Many face barriers including generational poverty, housing instability, substance abuse, and limited access to mentors or family support. 

The new campus will address these challenges head-on by providing equitable access to education, skills training, and wraparound support—laying the groundwork for a more resilient future workforce and stronger rural communities.

Heart of Oregon is grateful to the major donors to the project including The Autzen Foundation, The Bend Foundation, The Clark Family Legacy Foundation, The Collins Foundation, The Crevier Family Foundation, Deschutes County, First Interstate Bank Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Hayden Homes, Healy Foundation, Joseph and Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation, Les Schwab, The Max and Marie Anna Richter Family Fund of OCF, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, PGE Foundation, R&H Construction, The Rosendin Foundation, The Roundhouse Foundation, The State of Oregon, and Tykeson Family Foundation.  

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Outgoing Pocatello Mayor Blad to deliver State of the City address on December 18

KIFI on December 15, 2025

News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello will reflect on Fiscal Year 2025 during the annual State of the City address at the City Council meeting December 18.

Mayor Brian Blad will introduce the State of the City address, which is scheduled as the final agenda item of the evening. The presentation will highlight accomplishments and progress made by City departments throughout the past fiscal year. Mayor Blad will conclude the address with remarks focused on priorities and expectations for the year ahead.

The City Council meeting December 18 is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 911 North 7th Avenue.

Following the presentation, the State of the City will be made available on the City of Pocatello’s website at pocatello.gov.

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‘Museo Juan Gabriel’ in Juárez happy with recent documentary release

KVIA on December 15, 2025

Heriberto Perez Lara

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — ‘Museo Juan Gabriel’ opened its doors over a year ago, where local and international residents could experience how the late Juan Gabriel used to live just south of the border in Ciudad Juárez.

Now, after a Netflix documentary was released this year, the museum’s director says they are happy to know that “JuanGa’s” memory is still alive. Since the museum opened in August of this year, its director says they have received visitors not only from Juárez and El Paso, but also from all across Mexico and other parts of the U.S., such as California, Chicago, Texas, New York, as well as other Central and South American countries.

“We are very grateful for the great affection that you continue to express to our beloved artist Juan Gabriel and especially for your interest in coming to Ciudad Juárez to learn about Juan Gabriel’s city,” said Felipe Rojas, director of the Juan Gabriel Foundation.

“Well, the truth is that Juan Gabriel never ceases to amaze us, especially because it’s a very special documentary, because he himself tells his story,” director Rojas said. “Of course, the great work done by the documentary’s director and her team, María José Cuevas, is very important, but we’re talking about archives film that were built from videos that Alberto Aguilera Valadez (Juan Gabriel) himself recorded since he was 17 years old.”

The newest Netflix documentary was released on October 30th, and director Rojas says visits to the museum have increased since then.

“We’re talking about him having a vision for the future, wanting to tell his story. He already knew or foresaw that his story was going to be important, and he documented all these videos at a time when having a camera wasn’t as easy as it is today, like carrying one on your cell phone or recording yourself in different ways, right?” director Rojas added.

The Juan Gabriel museum south of the border advises anyone wanting to go and visit to book in advance because they already have several very busy days, with many visitors arriving right at tour times, and our tours are already full.

The museum recommends booking in advance on its website. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with the first tour at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 6:00 p.m.; tours last approximately two hours.

Full story in later newscasts.

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Columbia’s youth gun crime numbers dropping, but violence remains priority for city office

KMIZ on December 15, 2025

Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia has long said it is working to curb violence and gun crimes, especially crimes involving youth, even as stories of young people and guns seem to be a regular occurrence.

Part of that policy push has been the creation of the Office of Violence Prevention, whose onset has seen a drop in youth gun violence.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol data, as of Dec. 10, Columbia gun crimes involving youth offenders this year have dropped by more than 50% from 2024. The number of youth gun crime victims also dropped by more than 50% as well.

MSHP gun-related crimes

Gun crimes involving youth (10 to 17 years old)

2025: 33

2024: 71

Age group with the most offenders

2025: Age 18-24 with 81 gun crimes

2024: Age 18-24 with 84 gun crimes

Gun crimes by sex

2025: 88% male

2024: 83% male

Youth victims of gun crimes (10 to 17 years old)

2025: 32 victims

2024: 70 victims

In the last year, the City of Columbia created its Office of Violence Prevention. Administrator D’Markus Thomas-Brown is the first person to lead the office and stepped into the role on March 31, 2025.

“My duties in the role are really to coordinate and collaborate with community-based organizations and the place of intervention and prevention,” Thomas-Brown said. “[We’re] educating the public on what that is and what the different lanes of prevention and intervention are.”

He says the office aims to develop community-based organizations that can be run locally. Thomas-Brown says multiple organizations such as Job Point, Flourish Initiative, Columbia Supreme, P.E.A.C.E. and H.O.P.E. Center for Youth, Powerhouse Community Development Corporation and Connections to Success, provide examples.

“There’s a couple of programs or initiatives that are looking to identify this age range and those kids that tend to be most at risk,” Thomas-Brown said.

But he said a big gap in these programs is that parents have to have some involvement and motivate the children. “But we’re missing the shooters,” he said. “We’re missing those who are actually the ones most at risk of being shot or shooting someone.”

He said the group of children who are missing from these programs are “already kind of removed from school,” so getting these intervention measures in front of this missing group is something the office needs to focus on.

Thomas-Brown said the access juveniles have to assault rifles is very surprising.

“It’s just wild seeing juveniles with that access to those weapons. I think that’s been kind of not a norm in years prior.”

This fall and winter have seen multiple shootings involving youth shooters and victims:

December

A Columbia teenager was charged with allegedly threatening a family with an AR-15.

On Dec. 2, a 15-year-old was shot in the face while inside a Boone County home on North Parkview Court. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said the shots came from outside the home.

November

17-year-old Anthony K. Marine was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Police say Marine shot and killed a person with the initials Z.N. in May.

Police arrested a 16-year-old boy who allegedly robbed a Phillips 66 on Paris Road. Police say this teen was linked to other robberies in the Columbia area.

October

Police arrested 19-year-old Jordan Hunt and a juvenile for allegedly robbing a person at gunpoint on Talon Road.

Thomas-Brown says he wants to break the barrier of access the younger group and also get parents involved.

On Dec. 9, Thomas-Brown sat down with Columbia’s Youth Advisory Council to explain his work in the Office of Violence Prevention. At the meeting, he said giving kids in the community a voice to tell people what is going on in the area is crucial.

“Starting out in this office, I made it a point that I want CPS to be recipients of what we do at this office,” Thomas-Brown said. “Thanks to Dr. Klein and some of the administrative staff there, we are getting closer partnerships with them, with one of their admin being on the advisory committee for the Office of Violence Prevention.”

Thomas-Brown stressed the importance of kids having a good role model in their lives and how this can create a major difference in the path a child takes in life.

Columbia Police Lt. Matt Gremore said he has seen the same effect.

“One of the most important things you can have is a good role model, whether that be a parent or a guardian,” Gremore said. “That is a full-time, all-day and night job. That’s not just a meeting with someone or a one-time basketball game or something, it’s got to be consistent.”

In the next year, Thomas-Brown said he would love to see a rapid response team to get individuals in front of people who have been shot or shot at. He also said he wants community organizations to collaborate more, so groups can play to their strengths and stretch funding and available resources.

Thomas-Brown says the office has applied to the Department of Justice for a grant that would add at least three full-time employees. He said the DOJ did not provide a date when a decision would be made on the funding, and the office is still waiting to hear back on a decision.

Unsolved youth shooting: Bryant Wilks II

On Oct. 25, 2020, Columbia Police responded to the 300 block of West Brookside Lane at around 1 a.m. for a report of shots heard.

They found 17-year-old Bryant Wilks II had been shot, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was hurt. Police say there was a party in the area involving teens and young adults.

Bryant Wilks II

CPD is investigating 17 unsolved homicide cases with 19 victims dating back to 1985. ABC 17 News has covered seven cases in our ‘Mid-Missouri’s Cold Case Files’ reporting.

Michael Walker Jr. & Jeffery Jones

Garbrielle Rhodes

George Showalter

Virginia ‘Ginger’ Davis

Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr.

Jamar Hicks

Antonio Houston and Danielle Marine

Watch the latest “Mid-Missouri’s Cold Case Files: The Case of Bryant Wilks II” at 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC 17 News.

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Local reaction to Rob Reiner’s death

KESQ on December 15, 2025

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The sudden death of director Rob Reiner has left the Palm Springs community in shock. Reiner, who starred as “Meathead” on the sitcom All in the Family and directed beloved films such as When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, was set to speak at the Plaza Theatre Tuesday, December 16.

Many stopped to pay their respects, while others took photos of a flyer displaying the month’s lineup, with Reiner’s name prominently listed.

“I was devastated by the news that he had been killed. I remember him when he was meathead. I watched that program when it first aired.”

Susan Skora, Whitewater Resident

“I saw that yesterday and it was a shock. Very upsetting especially with his wife and in his own home.”

Natalie, Visitor

Reiner had been scheduled to kick off the Palm Springs Speaks series, which brings influential voices and conversations to the valley. Jeannie Kays, event organizer, described the news as especially difficult.

“This was going to be our kick off for the season and what a great kickoff it was going to be and we’re just extremely saddened that we’re getting off to such a icky start.”

Jeannie Kays, Palm Springs Public Library & Palm Springs Speaks

In response to the cancellation, Kays confirmed that the Plaza Theatre is issuing full refunds to all ticket holders.

Organizers say the outpouring of support underscores the profound impact Reiner had on both Hollywood and the communities he touched.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Rock climber rescued after 40-foot fall in Joshua Tree National Park

KESQ on December 15, 2025

Jesus Reyes

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (KESQ) – A rock climber was rescued after falling 40 feet in the Indian Cove area at Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park—San Bernardino County Fire crews responded to the scene on Sunday. Crews found the patient suffering from severe injuries after the fall.

Firefighter paramedics immediately began advanced medical treatment to stabilize the patient on the treacherous rock face. Crews coordinated with a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s helicopter for a hoist operation to safely extract the patient from the remote location.

The patient was successfully hoisted and transported directly to a local trauma center.

San Bernardino County Fire reminds outdoor enthusiasts to climb within your abilities, use proper safety equipment, and always climb with a partner.

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FBI arrests four people it says were planning to detonate pipe bombs on New Year’s Eve in California

KESQ on December 15, 2025

CNN

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills was part of a news conference Monday morning with the FBI and DOJ. Mills said PSPD was in a supportive role for the operation, making sure the FBI had what it needed.

Mills expanded on that in an interview with News Channel 3, adding that Palm Springs police played a logistical role in the arrests — PSPD’s station was a command post for the FBI ahead of the arrests.

“We had over 100 FBI agents and analysts and operators here in our building for the week and as they were putting together a massive operation, we are mostly in a logistical support role and happy to help our fellow. Law enforcement officers out as they were taking down a significant terror network that wanted to do damage to our nation and to our way of living,” Mills told News Channel 3’s Gavin Nguyen.

Mills reiterated that neither Palm Springs nor the rest of the Coachella Valley were targeted.

Originally Published: 15 DEC 25 11:41 ETUpdated: 15 DEC 25 12:42 ETBy Casey Gannon, CNN

(CNN) — The Justice Department on Monday said it has arrested four people in the Los Angeles area for allegedly working together on a bomb plot that was set to take place around the city on New Year’s Eve.

The four people arrested – Audrey Ilene Carroll, Dante Garfield, Zachary Aaron Page, and Tina Lai – were identified as members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which according to the Justice Department and FBI, has an anti-government ideology.

A federal court complaint alleges that three members would plant “backpacks with ieds at different points along their assigned buildings,” adding that the “ieds” would be “complex pipe bombs.”

The plan also had outlined all of the security precautions the members should take while executing the plan, including using burner phones, de-clothing locations, and setting up long movies to stream at home to serve as an alibi, DOJ said. The documents also allegedly included a step-by-step process for crafting a pipe bomb.

“The subjects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology. They were allegedly planning coordinated IED bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve, targeting five separate locations across Los Angeles,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement on X.

The members planning to carry out the attack were using the encrypted messaging platform, Signal, the FBI alleges in the complaint. Carroll, the document says, “provided a list that identified components, chemicals, and tools along with prices which would be required to create the pipe bombs needed to go through with the planned attack.”

The Signal group chat was titled “Order of the Black Lotus,” according to the Justice Department.

On December 12, the group allegedly went to the Mojave Desert to construct and test the explosive devices.

“Based on an FBI Bomb Technician’s review of the materials found at the co-conspirators’ campsite, the FBI Bomb Technician determined that the components could likely be used to build both (1) improvised explosive devices and (2) Molotov cocktail devices, and that the components were readily assemblable,” the complaint says.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli tied the arrests to a push by the Trump administration “to extinguishing the far-left-terror threats,” in the US.

“This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalized Antifa-like groups pose to people public safety and the rule of law,” Essayli said during a press conference. The complaint against the group does not name Antifa specifically.

Essayli said that the group was targeting “US companies” with their bombs, but he did not elaborate on the companies they were targeting. The bombs were set to blow up at the same time on New Year’s Eve.

The complaint also alleges that the four involved in the plot were not attempting to kill people, and if they saw anyone in the area of their bombs, they would try and warn them.

The four defendants are expected to make their initial appearance in federal court Monday afternoon in Los Angeles.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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