Hayden Homes gives $10,000 match to Mountain View Community Development for Safe Parking, Microshelters program

KTVZ

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes have announced a $10,000 match for donations to Mountain View Community Development, a nonprofit that operates Central Oregon’s largest Safe Parking and Microshelters Program for unhoused people. 

Mountain View Community Development has sites in Redmond and Bend where people can either legally stay in their RVs or a small garden shed-sized structure with heating and cooling. Participants work with case managers to create a path back to permanent housing. And the safe parking program is working. MVCD is close to rehousing its 100th person, Hayden Homes said in a news release Monday that continues in full below: 

The matching gift from Hayden Homes comes at an opportune time, said Rick Russell, the nonprofit’s executive director. Mountain View Community Development is facing a $237,500 loss of funding from the state of Oregon. The nonprofit is currently running a year-end fundraising campaign with a goal of $25,000. Having a match will make every donor’s contribution go further, he said. 

“We appreciate Hayden Homes’ generosity and ongoing support,” Russell added. “Simplicity by Hayden Homes continues to be an incredible partner in the development of our permanent supportive housing village, and this gift from Simplicity and Hayden Homes goes above and beyond. 

“Both of our organizations are committed to housing solutions, at different points along the spectrum of need, and it is encouraging to see a local company that genuinely cares about our neighbors and wants to build a strong community, just like we do.” 

Just in time for Giving Tuesday (December 2), individual and corporate donors can make their dollars go further thanks to the matching Hayden Homes gift by donating at http://safeparkingworks.org

“Most of us will never experience homelessness and living outside without heat during the holiday season,” said Deborah Flagan, VP of Community Engagement for Hayden Homes.

“By supporting Mountain View Community Development there is a legal option for our unhoused neighbors to safely park and live in their vehicles and RVs with staff support to help connect to essential services.  Hayden Homes and Simplicity’s $10,000 match is meant to inspire our community to support this safe and reliable option while they search for permanent housing.” 

Safe parking and microshelters are an essential and extremely cost-effective alternative to traditional dorm-style shelters. For domestic violence and assault survivors, as well as individuals with children or pets, MVCD offers much-needed safety, privacy, and autonomy.   

“The assistance I’ve gained from Safe Parking has been emotional and spiritual, right along with a safe place to put my trailer,” said Jon Stoneman, a former Safe Parking participant now in his own apartment.  

“It’s allowed us to have security,” added Dino Antonucci, a current Safe Parking participant. “Because of what Safe Parking is doing for us, we can still live our lives.”  

Hayden Homes was founded in 1989 in Redmond, where the company remains headquartered today. The largest privately owned home builder in the Northwest, Hayden Homes has contributed more than $80 million in charitable donations, including through its flagship nonprofit, First Story.  

Mountain View Community Development is a nonprofit organization that empowers people to leave homelessness by providing safe community, personalized case management, and pathways to permanent housing. 

For more information and to donate, go to http://safeparkingworks.org

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Deschutes County to conduct pile burning southwest of Bend in coming weeks

KTVZ

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Natural Resources will conduct winter pile burning near the Seventh Mountain Resort and Points West communities, about six miles southwest of Bend. Burning will occur for a few days between December and February.  

The county plans to burn piles on up to 24 acres. Ignitions will occur on weekdays when weather, fuel moisture and air quality meet the criteria for safe and effective operations. Crews will avoid burning on weekends and holidays when possible, the county said in Monday’s announcement, which continues below: 

Crews will be burning leftover limbs and brush from fuel-reduction work, which helps restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk. The debris cannot be turned into usable products like mulch. Burning it in the winter helps decrease fuel buildup and protects nearby communities from wildfire.  

What residents can expect 

Smoke is likely to impact air quality overnight and in the early morning. Residents are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed during those times.  

Smoke may be visible from Century Drive, Bend and the surrounding area. 

Piles may smolder for several days. Crews will monitor them until they are fully out. Please do not call 911 to report these ignitions.  

For more information, please contact Deschutes County Natural Resources at 541-322-7117 or forester@deschutes.org

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MSHP: 3 die on Missouri roads over Thanksgiving weekend  

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people died on Missouri roads over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend counting period, according to a Monday press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

MSHP’s data counted from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday night. Preliminary data shows in addition to the three fatalities, there were 304 crashes, 82 people injured and 87 arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Preliminary data indicates that the number is significantly lower from last year’s holiday counting period, where six people were killed, troopers responded to 462 crashes, 158 people were injured in those crashes and 106 people were arrested by troopers for DWI, the release says. The release says in addition to MSHP responses last year, there were 11 total people killed in crashes, 571 people injured and 1,664 crashes reported.

One of the deadly crashes this year occurred in Cooper County on Thursday. A 40-year-old Branson woman crashed at the intersection of Highway 135 and Lang Road, according to the release and previous reporting.

Another fatal crash occurred Thursday when a 44-year-old woman from Union was killed after he vehicle skid in Atchison County, the release says. An 11-year-old girl died in a Friday crash in St. Charles County, according to the release.

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Scattered snow showers for Tuesday with more rain/snow showers expected Friday

Michael Coats

EASTERN IDAHO (KIFI) – A round of light snow is moving into the region tonight and will continue into Tuesday evening, marking the start of a wintry stretch of weather. The heaviest snowfall is expected across the Island Park and the Snake Highlands, while most locations throughout the Snake River Plain will see only a dusting to under an inch.

Tonight’s system will bring scattered snow showers after about 7 p.m., with skies remaining cloudy. Temperatures will gradually rise to around 30° overnight as light south-southwest winds near 5 mph move through the region. Snow totals will remain light, generally under half an inch.

Snow becomes more likely Tuesday, especially after late morning, as another surge of moisture spreads across eastern Idaho. Daytime highs will reach about 35°, with southwest winds around 10 mph and gusts near 20 mph. Most lower-elevation areas will see only light accumulations, while higher terrain picks up more persistent snowfall. Skies will remain mostly cloudy Tuesday night, with temperatures dropping to around 15° and winds becoming calm.

Conditions improve by midweek. Wednesday will bring mostly sunny skies and a high near 40°, accompanied by a gentle north-northeast breeze around 5 mph. Clouds return Thursday with a high near 30°, and a slight chance of snow Thursday night as lows fall to the lower 20s.

Another storm arrives Friday, bringing mountain snow and a mix of rain and snow to the valleys. Highs will reach the upper 30s, with a 30% chance of snow developing after midday. This system may lead to more widespread impacts heading into Friday night.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 11 p.m. tonight through 11 p.m. Tuesday for the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains. These areas are expected to receive 6 to 10 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Elsewhere in the advisory zone, 2 to 6 inches are possible. Travel over Teton Pass may become difficult, and both the morning and evening commutes on Tuesday could be impacted by blowing snow and reduced visibility.

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Holiday Helpers: United Way seeks volunteers to assemble 3,000 meal kits this December

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local nonprofit is enlisting the help of the St. Joseph community this holiday season to support thousands of households facing food insecurity.

United Way of Greater St. Joseph is asking residents to lend a helping hand as part of a volunteer “blitz” event beginning Dec. 9 and leading right up to Christmas, a multi-day series with 10 opportunities to volunteer.

Over the course of 10 sessions from Dec. 9 through Dec. 22, volunteers will help assemble 3,000 meal kits to support local households experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season, part of United Way’s Caring Connection volunteer program.

Meal kits assembled this December will be distributed through partner agencies, schools, and local organizations to ensure families have access to nutritious food during the holidays — a time when many resources are stretched thin. A total of 15 hours will be spent assembling meal kits to ensure enough are available.

The large-scale effort to support local families was made possible thanks to a grant from Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation. With the help of the grant, United Way is able to expand its Caring Connection volunteer program to meet continued needs within the community.

10 Days of Caring Connection Crew: Holiday Helpers Sessions

(All sessions take place at United Way of Greater St. Joseph, 118 South 5th Street.)

Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday, Dec.12 | 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13 | 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 15 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18 | 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 | 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Sessions are open to individuals, families, workplace groups, and volunteers of all ages. Tasks include sorting, assembling, and packaging Meal Kits—hands-on work that has an immediate and direct impact for neighbors in need.

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Jefferson City man sentenced to life in prison for woman’s stabbing death

Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man who was found guilty of stabbing the mother of his child to death has been sentenced to life in prison.

Sergio Sayles, 39, was found guilty last month in a bench trial for first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in the death of Jasmine King. He was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without parole. He is currently being held at the Cole County Jail.

Police found King dead from stab wounds to her head, face, neck, torso and back in her home in the 300 block of West Ashley Street in April 2023, according to a probable cause statement in previous reporting.

King had previously reported harassment and stalking by Sayles, including a complaint in 2021 where she alleged that Sayles threatened to shoot her.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson told ABC 17 News in a text message that Sayles claimed he was framed on Monday during a closed court session.

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Jefferson City woman accused of disseminating nude photo of victim

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City woman was accused of sending a nude photograph of another woman without their permission.

Emalee Murdock was charged in Cole County with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. A warrant was issued on Monday and a $2,500 bond was set.

The probable cause statement says the victim reported to law enforcement that Murdock sent an explicit photo of the victim to the victim on July 3.

The victim believes Murdock would have obtained the photo from a mutual acquaintance’s phone without that person knowing, the statement says.

“An investigative subpoena for the VOIP phone number used was obtained and served to the cell service provider,” court documents say. “The return data indicated that Defendant was the user of that number at the time. Additionally, the return data provided an email address associated with the account. The last login date according to the investigative subpoena was 07/04/2025, a day after the image was sent.”

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Vandalia man accused of molesting, sodomizing child

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Vandalia, Missouri, man has been accused of repeatedly molesting and sodomizing a young child.

Anthony Holtkamp was charged in Audrain County on Monday with two counts of first-degree child molestation, one count of statutory sodomy of a child younger than 12 years old and a count of sexually exploiting a minor. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Audrain County Courthouse.

The probable cause statement says a witness on Sunday saw an explicit photograph of a youth on Holtkamp’s phone. The adult then asked a young child about it and the child allegedly told them details that described sexual abuse by Holtkamp.

Holtkamp allegedly admitted to molesting the child repeatedly over the course of “a couple of months,” the statement says.

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Nova Home Loans donates $1,000 to Yuma Community Food Bank

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Nova Home Loans made a donation to the Yuma Community Food Bank Monday.

The local business donated $1,000, which is equal to 5,000 meals.

They have also partnered with YCAT for the 2025 Food Drive. This is a part of YCAT’s holiday donation partnering with sponsors.

Dustin Craig with Nova Home Loans shares why it’s so important to give back to the local community.

“This is a place where I have grown up, it is a beautiful community, I love it very much, and we just want to help out the less fortunate, and really take care of this place,” Craig shared.

For a full list of where to donate, see below:

Walmart Supercenter, Ave B, Yuma, Nov. 20-Dec. 1 (Lerner and Rowe Accident Attorneys)

Walmart Supercenter, Pacific, Yuma, Dec. 1-8 (Todd Craig Nova Home Loans)

Walmart Supercenter, San Luis, Dec. 4-15 (Rafi Law Group)

Walmart Neighborhood Market, Yuma (Chapman Chevrolet, GMC)

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Volunteers need to help honor fallen service members in Yuma

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wreaths Across America Day is coming up and volunteers are needed to help honor our fallen veterans in Yuma.

On Saturday, December 13, remembrance wreaths will be placed on the graves of fallen service members at Sunset Vista Cemetery in the Foothills.

Each Veteran’s name will be said aloud before their wreath is laid.

Organizers fundraise year-round to make this tribute possible. If you’d like to volunteer to lay a wreath, click here to learn more.

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