MILITARY MATTERS: YPG fire chief retires after 36 years

KYMA on December 30, 2025

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a familiar face at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is stepping away after more than three decades.

YPG Fire Chief Gerald Ball has officially hung up his helmet after 36 years with the department.

During his retirement ceremony, according to YPG, Ball was praised by his colleagues for his calm leadership and unwavering commitment to his crew.

When asked to reflect about his career, Ball said, “It’s not been a job…It’s been an honor and a privilege.”

Ball officially retired on December 18.

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Court documents describe events leading up to Columbia police shooting arson, threat suspect

KMIZ on December 30, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Court documents filed on Monday, but were not available to the public until Tuesday morning, lay out what led up to police shooting an arson and assault suspect in Columbia on Christmas Day.

Marc Lucas faces seven crimes for a string of incidents across south and east Columbia on Christmas that led to officers Tasing and shooting him at a Break Time convenience store on East Stadium Boulevard.

. Lucas is charged with four felonies, including arson, armed criminal action and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He faces another three misdemeanors for trespassing and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

Court documents claim it all started at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Grindstone Parkway and Highway 63. Firefighters were called at 9:24 a.m. for a fire in a room rented to Lucas. Police wrote the fire marshal reported a couch was found on fire in the room, and a “torch styled lighter” was found near it. Investigators believe the scorches to the couch were intentionally set. Video surveillance allegedly showed Lucas leaving the hotel shortly before the fire call.

About 30 minutes later, police responded to the Holiday Inn Express, where Lucas allegedly tried to get another hotel room but was denied. Documents state he allegedly got into a fight with employees.

Police said a victim reported Lucas was acting erratically, according to documents.

“[Victim 1] heard Lucas repeating religious comments and speaking in a circular pattern, and did not answer any questions victim 2 asked Lucas,” documents state.

Investigators said this is when Lucas allegedly walked up to the front counter and pulled a black handled pocket knife and threatened the employees.

Court documents state Lucas was seen leaving the hotel and going to the Break Time gas station across the street.

The victim at the Holiday Inn saw police at the gas station, the statement said, and told them Lucas was behind the store. Lucas eventually came inside the store, and he allegedly blamed the victim for calling the police and pulled out the knife again. Police said the victim threw snacks at Lucas before running out of the store while police entered. The victim later told officers he heard a Taser and gunshots as he left the store.

Court documents do not provide additional details about the conversation between Lucas and officers.

Officers found a butane lighter torch outside the gas station, believed to have been left by Lucas, court documents allege.

ABC 17 News found that Lucas has a criminal record in the states of California and Montana.

Lucas is tied to five criminal cases in Sacramento County ranging from February 2024-August 2025. A case filed on July 3 is currently active. Charges for the cases are not provided, however, case records show Lucas has two instances of failing to appear in court and violating parole.

Lucas also has an active case in Helena, Montana. The case was filed on July 7, 2023, for criminal mischief pecuniary loss more than $1,500 at the Lewis and Clark County District Court. Lucas is also featured on City of Helena’s Arrest Warrants list, which was last updated on Dec. 17.

He is in the custody of the Columbia police at the hospital after undergoing surgery following the shooting. No bond was set for Lucas.

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Well-known Imperial Valley farmer to be extradited for Pinetop murder

KYMA on December 30, 2025

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A press conference began Monday morning after a well-known Imperial Valley farmer was arrested for murder.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) shared that 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti‘s nephew found the victim shot at her home in Pinetop, Arizona.

She was pronounced dead at Show Low Hospital in Navajo County.

NCSO released a timeline, explaining that investigators spent four days searching the home, interviewing family members and reviewing nearby surveillance video.

“We have a strong reason to believe that Mr. Abatti traveled from El Centro, California on November 20th to Pinetop, Arizona, committed the homicide and traveled back to California early that morning of the 21st,” said Sheriff David Clouse with NCSO.

Law enforcement says the victim had moved back to Pinetop, Arizona three years ago in the process of her separation from the suspect, Michael Abatti.

Abatti is currently being held at Imperial County Jail waiting to be extradited to Arizona. He is being charged with first-degree murder.

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12-year-old faces possible charges after sending threats to local soccer team’s group chat

KYMA on December 30, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A 12-year-old boy is facing possible charges after the Yuma Police Department (YPD) said he sent threatening text messages to a group chat for a local youth soccer team.

According to YPD, officers were notified Monday afternoon after messages suggested a possible incident planned at the Ray Kroc Athletic Complex.

As a precaution, parents canceled the soccer practice scheduled for that night. Police also patrolled the park and conducted security check in the area to ensure public safety.

Investigators later determined that the boy had been mistakenly added to the soccer team’s group chat and has no connection to the team.

YPD said the boy admitted to sending the messages and told officers he intended them as a joke, and said the case will be forwarded to the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center for review.

Clifton Bogie, a Yuma local, routinely walks the nearby fields says it’s sad to hear these threats being made.

“Well, I’m glad that nothing serious happened, but it’s pretty ridiculous that these kids nowadays make these threats, which is unsubstantiated,” Bogie says.

Threats 25-83098Download

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AGFest returns to Yuma in 2026

KYMA on December 30, 2025

Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A second annual event is returning to Yuma.

AGFest will be in Downtown Yuma on January 24, 2026 from 1 to 9 p.m.

More than just food is planned for the event, such as live performances, activity stations, a kids’ area and local vendors.

“AGFest is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a day of food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities,” said Special Events Coordinator Brissa Garcia. “We’re excited to welcome everyone to Downtown Yuma to celebrate our local agriculture.”

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What is the big holiday week project happening in SW Colorado Springs? Here’s what we’ve learned

KRDO on December 30, 2025

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Even neighbors who live near it didn’t know what was happening, and it took KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior parts of four days to find out, too.

Many passing drivers also wondered why a block of Cheyenne Road, north of Lake Avenue, had been closed on Friday, with a huge crane in place, a large excavation into the street, and crews working there under nighttime lights.

It wasn’t until late Monday morning that Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) confirmed that it was in charge of the project to expand a transmission vault.

Think of it as the electrical version of a water vault — similar to the underground structure to regulate water pressure that CSU built this summer at the Academy/Meadowland Boulevard intersection.

In the case of the transmission vault, CSU is expanding an existing vault containing a variety of electrical equipment.

The expansion will allow crews to perform maintenance work in one area while keeping a second area energized to continue supplying power to customers.

“This project was a part of our general maintenance fund,” said Cassie Melvin, a CSU spokesperson. “So, it just is part of our base rates that customers currently pay. It was identified as a project that needed to be completed in 2025.”

Officially, the closure extends five blocks, between Lake and Norwood avenues, because similar work is occurring at the Lake/Norwood intersection.

However, local traffic continues to travel between the two work sites on Lake.

CSU did not issue a press release in advance of the project, as it typically does for other projects — with the holiday week possibly a factor — but Melvin emphasized that the utility had notified neighbors ahead of time.

“We did notify people within a half-mile radius around the project that it was happening,” she explained. “We sent out text messages, phone calls, and emails to people in the area.”

Melvin said that the project should be finished and the street reopened on Saturday.

This has been an eventful year along the east end of Cheyenne Road, with extensive concrete infrastructure and drainage work between Lake and Southgate Road.

A Road Warrior post on Nextdoor seeking information about the project received nearly 2,000 views over the weekend.

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Bald eagle rescued from pig pen in New Mexico

CNN Newsource on December 30, 2025

By Vincent Rodriguez

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    SILVER CITY, New Mexico (KOAT) — A bald eagle was rescued from a pig pen in the Gila, after it was likely attacked by adult pigs while trying to capture a piglet.

The park’s official wildlife rescue said the bird must have tried to capture a piglet, prompting the adult pigs to turn on it. New Mexico Game and Fish officials rescued the eagle, but noticed it was unable to fly away.

The Gila Wildlife Rescue examined the bird and found no broken bones, only bruises and a stunned condition. The eagle will remain with the service until it fully heals.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Newest AdAmAn Club member, a third-generation inductee, to light fireworks above Pikes Peak

KRDO on December 30, 2025

Bradley Davis

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The 108th and newest AdAmAn Club member can trace his family history in Colorado Springs back further than the club’s first charter.

McReynolds “Mac” Sommers is the 2025 AdAmAn club inductee. His grandfather joined in 1963, followed by his dad in 1988. Mac’s 97-year-old grandmother, Elaine, has supported her AdAmAn family for over 60 years. For the first time, she’ll be able to see her grandson off as a full member.

“All of the memories are part of our family. We call it the AdAmAn Family,” Elaine said.

The organization is comprised of mountaineers who climb Barr Trail along Pikes Peak each year, beginning on Dec. 30 and reaching the summit on New Year’s Eve, to light off a fireworks show for the entire Colorado Springs community.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but the summit of Pikes Peak on New Year’s,” said Bob Sommers, Mac’s dad.

The AdAmAn club has commanded the New Years firework show on top of Pikes Peak since 1922. It has added a single member every year since, with just three exceptions: When two 1930 inductees didn’t want to be members, during WWII, and the club’s posthumous induction last year.

Its high criteria for membership and strict addition guidelines make for a pretty exclusive club. Every member since 1922, alive or passed, could easily fit in a small high school gymnasium.

“I thought it was normal growing up,” Mac said.

Mac grew up giving his dad the AdAmAn sendoff at the base of Barr Trail, and has climbed 10 times as his dad’s guest. For the first time, he’ll lead the pack as a full member.

“It’s been 30 years now since you’ve had two sommers members on the climb,” Mac said. “All the way to the top!”

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Deadline nears for candidates in Columbia school board, Jefferson City Council

KMIZ on December 30, 2025

Keriana Gamboa

Editor’s note, 12/30/2025: The story has corrected information on the Jefferson City School District’s candidate filing deadlines.

COLUMBIA, Mo.

Candidates for most local elections in April 2026 must file by 5 p.m. Tuesday, including races for the Columbia Board of Education and city council seats in Jefferson City.

In Columbia, filing is closing for the Board of Education, where three seats are available. Each position carries a three-year term.

Board President John Lyman and Vice President Paul Harper are both seeking reelection. Current board member April Ferrao has also filed to run again. Newcomer, Keary D. Husain, has entered the race and is running for one of the open seats. CPS offices will be open from 3 – 5 p.m. on Tuesday to accept candidate filings.

In Jefferson City, candidates have until Tuesday to file for half of the City Council seats that will be up for election in 2026.

In Ward 1, incumbent Randy W. Hoselton is seeking reelection and will face challenger George Bacon.In Wards 2, 3, and 4, incumbents Mike Lester, Dr. Treaka Young, and Chris Leuckel are all running again and are unopposed. In Ward 5, incumbent Mackenzie Job will be challenged by Rebekah L. Frost.

Jefferson City council members serve staggered two-year terms and are subject to a limit of eight consecutive years in office.

The Jefferson City School Board has several candidates filed to run for three open seats.

The board will continue accepting applications for the vacancy left by Erika Leonard’s resignation until January 7.

The Columbia City Council follows a separate filing schedule, with its filing period closing on January 13.

The municipal general election is scheduled for April 7, 2026.

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‘Moment of pure magic’: Oklahoma paramedics take detour to McDonald’s for 6-year-old cancer patient

CNN Newsource on December 30, 2025

By Jonathan Greco

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — An Oklahoma mother is praising paramedics who helped put a smile on her 6-year-old son’s face while on their way to a hospital.

Natalie McGee told KOCO 5 that her son was diagnosed with acute leukemia on Dec. 12. Recently, she said he was rushed to a local emergency room after he experienced chest pain and a very irregular heartbeat.

According to McGee, doctors decided that the boy needed to be taken to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health in Oklahoma City, where he receives his treatment.

While the paramedics prepared the 6-year-old to be transported, he asked them if they could stop at McDonald’s. Although McGee told him that the trip probably wasn’t going to happen, she said a paramedic told him that “you’re going to have to ask the boss man.”

Another paramedic walked in, and McGee’s son asked him the same question. The paramedic then spoke with the doctor, and they said they could stop for McDonald’s before heading to the hospital.

The ambulance went to a nearby McDonald’s, and the paramedics wheeled in the 6-year-old boy on a stretcher so he could order a cheeseburger Happy Meal with extra fries and a Sprite.

“He was completely stunned. He kept asking if it was real, if this was actually happening. That one small act of kindness turned one of the scariest nights of our lives into a moment of pure magic,” McGee told KOCO 5. “Those paramedics didn’t just transport my child—they gave him joy, dignity, and a memory we will carry forever. In the middle of cancer, sirens, and fear, they made space for childhood. I would love the opportunity to share this story as a reminder of the compassion and humanity our first responders bring to families during their darkest moments.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.