Madison County Man dies in hospital following Bonneville County deputy-involved shooting

KIFI on December 24, 2025

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Madison County man has died following an officer-involved shooting incident with law enforcement last week. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Landon Smith. He was officially declared deceased on December 22, several days after the incident on North County Line Road left him with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

Medical staff at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center declared Smith brain dead on Sunday, Dec. 21, following the Wednesday morning shooting.

The Shooting and Investigation

On Wednesday, December 17th, Smith was the subject of a multi-county search after being linked to a domestic disturbance and vehicle theft earlier that evening in Madison County. According to initial police reports, authorities believed that Smith was likely armed and had expressed an intent to commit “suicide by cop.”

RELATED: Armed suspect hospitalized after deputy-involved shooting in Bonneville County

Over the course of the search, Bonneville County Deputies spotted Smith in an allegedly stolen vehicle and tried to stop him multiple times from 11 PM Tuesday to 5:30 AM Wednesday, noting he drove recklessly in the area.

A Bonneville County Deputy was able to execute a PIT maneuver on North County Line Road, which turned Smith’s vehicle off the side of the road and into the gutter.

As his car came to a stop, BCSO says Smith immediately began firing at officers, and two deputies returned fire. Smith suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound, but BCSO says whether or not the driver was struck by his own fired rounds or rounds from a deputy is under investigation.

Sheriff’s Office Response

Smith was treated on scene by Deputies and taken by Ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. On Sunday, Dec. 21st, Smith was declared brain dead by medical staff, and officially declared deceased on Monday, Dec. 22nd.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those involved,” states BCSO PIO Sgt. Bryan Lovell. “This investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released at a later time.”

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Big Daddy & Sons BBQ opening second restaurant next March on St. Joseph Avenue

News-Press NOW on December 24, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Northside residents will soon be able to enjoy the taste of a fan-favorite BBQ restaurant on St. Joseph Avenue beginning next spring.

Big Daddy & Sons BBQ has confirmed plans to open a second restaurant at 2022 St. Joseph Avenue next to the Brown Bear Tavern and adjacent to First Ward, a busy area for drivers and foot traffic on the avenue.

A Big Daddy & Sons flag is shown inside the window at 2022 St. Joseph Avenue next to the Brown Bear Tavern on Tuesday in St. Joseph. The restaurant confirmed it will open a second location at the store in March.

Owner and operator Malkaam Muhammad said the goal is to have the store open in early March just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and the increase in holiday foot traffic.

“I just want to take advantage of the Avenue. We want to have a grand opening event on top of it, making it a big deal. I know tons of people will be out,” he said enthusiastically.

The plan is for the second restaurant to feature a slightly different schedule of hours to align with evening and late night customers, especially those at nearby bars.

The new location marks the latest step for the fast-growing restaurant which opened its first official storefront in Midtown last year at 2121 Francis St. The business started 25 years ago as a food truck, amassing a loyal and passionate fanbase of customers in the time since.

“It feels good seeing where we started and seeing where we are now, and just growing along the way,” Muhammad said. “We hope to have continuous support from the community to continue to grow.”

The renovated dining area at Big Daddy & Sons BBQ is shown at 2121 Francis St. on Monday in St. Joseph. The restaurant will be opening a second location on St. Joseph Avenue in March.

The announcement of a second location comes as the restaurant celebrates the completion of a new-look dine-in setting for their Francis Street restaurant, which now has the capacity to seat up to 40 customers.

Big Daddy & Sons completed a wide range of significant renovations in recent months to prepare the interior for dining, including new booths, painting and a large TV for sports and event viewing. The restaurant also includes a drive-thru.

“We did renovations to everything in there. Got the permits and what not. We designed it to have that old school at home feeling and to serve up some good barbecue,” Muhammad said.

Muhammad said the restaurant will continue to offer catering for businesses and events moving forward, as well as their mobile food truck for certain occasions.

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17th Street businesses reopen after excavator strikes gas line

KIFI on December 23, 2025

Stephanie Lucas

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — All is clear after a natural gas leak forced fire crews to evacuate the Red Robin and Wells Fargo Bank on East 17th Street earlier today, Dec. 23.

According to the Idaho Falls Fire Department, the leak was caused by an excavator operated by a private company, which struck a 4-inch gas line. As a precaution, IFFD evacuated the nearby businesses and temporarily closed eastbound traffic on East 17th Street at Ashment Street.

Within 20 minutes of the initial call, crews with Intermountain Gas arrived on the scene and quickly pinched off the damaged pipe, stopping the leak. IFFD confirms the gas line has since been secured and all roadways are now open.

In a press release, the Idaho Falls Fire Department thanked Intermountain Gas, Idaho Falls Power, and the Idaho Falls Police Department for their swift response and coordination, which helped minimize impacts and ensure public safety.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A gas leak is causing road closures near the intersection of 17th and Hitt in Idaho Falls near Red Robin. Eastbound traffic is blocked from Ashment to S 25th E (Hitt Road) while the leak is being fixed.

Red Robin and Wells Fargo have been evacuated as a precaution. No other businesses in the area are currently affected.

Drivers should plan for delays in this area and find alternate routes.

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Power outage affects 100 IID customers in Indio

KESQ on December 23, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A power outage left 100 Imperial Irrigation District customers without electricity today in Indio.   

The outage was reported at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday in the area of John Nobles Avenue, Padua Circle, Rubidoux Street, Olivera Way and Chia Circle, according to IID.

There was no immediate estimate on when service would be restored.   

The cause of the outage was under investigation.

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Shelley family escapes “Fast and Furious” early morning trailer fire

KIFI on December 23, 2025

Ariel Jensen

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A local family is picking up the pieces after their trailer home went up in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The Shelley-Firth Fire District was called to the blaze around midnight. While the home was a total loss, the three people inside escaped without injury.

Fast and Furious

Manuel Alvarez, one of the three residents, says he was asleep when the fire broke out. Speaking in Spanish through a neighbor who assisted with translation, Alvarez described a terrifying scene that escalated in seconds.

“In the night when we were sleeping, I saw flames coming from the back side of the refrigerator,” Alvarez said. “Like fast and furious, it just started to spread through the house.”

Alvarez was told by fire crews on the scene that the fire appeared to be accidental, likely sparked by a space heater. While Local News 8 has reached out to the Shelley-Firth Fire District for official confirmation, they have not yet returned a request for comment.

Community Spirit Amid Heartbreaking Loss

The devastation of the fire spread beyond the Alvarez property. Cindy Jarquin, who lives next door, watched as the heat and flames charred her family’s most recent sacrifice: a brand-new car intended as a surprise Christmas gift for her daughter, Alyssa.

“We actually bought it for her for Christmas,” Cindy said. “She goes to college in Arizona. Since she can’t afford it herself, we took the last dime we had to purchase it for her.”

For Alyssa, the surprise was revealed under the worst possible circumstances. “She didn’t know about it until now,” Cindy added. “She found out the hard way that her gift just went up in flames.”

Despite the loss of her Christmas surprise, Alyssa says some things are more important than a car.

“It’s truly heartbreaking, especially since I am going back to college,” Alyssa said. “But I’m more worried about my neighbors because they lost their home and their cars. I feel terribly sorry for them.”

Because the Alvarez family lost their phones and personal belongings in the fire, Alyssa is currently setting up a GoFundMe page to help them cover immediate expenses. Local News 8 will provide the link to the GoFundMe campaign as soon as it becomes available. Check back here for updates on how you can support the Alvarez family during this difficult time.

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Jefferson City man admits to setting mother’s bed on fire, police say

KMIZ on December 23, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged Monday with arson, burglary and attempted assault for allegedly setting a fire in an apartment where his brother and mother live.

Kyan P. Pious, 20, was in the Cole County Jail on Tuesday without bond on charges of first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted assault and armed criminal action, all felonies. An arraignment is set for Monday.

Police and firefighters were sent to the apartment at 3400 N. 10 Mile Drive on Friday, where Pious’ brother told investigators that he had put out a fire in his mother’s bed, according to a probable cause statement.

Pious’ family members told police that they had kicked him out after a “disturbance” on Dec. 14, the statement says, and they felt the fire was a targeted attack.

Investigators found a “Molotov cocktail type device” in the bedroom and determined that cooking oil had been used to set the fire, the statement says. Wires had also been ripped out of the apartment’s utility box and a bedroom window and been broken out, with blood left behind.

Pious was arrested and interrogated Monday and allegedly admitted to breaking into the apartment and setting the fire because he had been kicked out.

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Trio accused of firing at crowded Thermal home plead not guilty to charges

KESQ on December 23, 2025

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Three young men accused of opening fire on a crowded Thermal home, unleashing numerous rounds in a drive-by attack that continued even after sheriff’s deputies arrived to investigate, pleaded not guilty today to multiple counts of attempted murder and other offenses.

Eric Orozco Diaz, Guillermo Alexander Martinez and Gustavo Isbojet Barrera Pena, all 18 and from the eastern Coachella Valley, were arrested earlier this month following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Office investigation.   

The defendants are charged with just over two dozen offenses, including premeditated attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, reckless gunfire, discharging a gun from a moving vehicle and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a firearm — a “ghost gun” — in the commission of a felony.  

There were no specific charges related to the trio’s alleged targeting of patrol deputies, even though investigators initially booked them on suspicion of shooting at them.

They were arraigned Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Feb. 10 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Each defendant is being held on $5 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

The victims at the Thermal property — nine men and five women — were identified only by their first names or initials in the criminal complaint — A.G.C., D.S., “Jackie,” J.A.C., J.C., J.D.C., J.J.O., J.O.C., “Jocelyn,” L.O., M.F., M.M., P.J. and S.A.   

Sheriff’s Sgt. Jarred Bishop alleged that shortly before 10 p.m. on Dec. 5, the defendants drove to a house in the 88000 block of Avenue 70, near Fillmore Street, and cut loose with a volley of gunshots at the property, not hitting anyone inside.

The victims called 911, and several patrol units reached the location a short time later, Bishop said.

“While on scene, a vehicle drove onto the street, and an occupant fired multiple rounds in the direction of deputies, striking one of the patrol vehicles,” the sergeant said. “No deputies were injured.”  

They also didn’t shoot back, but instead gave chase as the vehicle sped away.

“Deputies pursued the suspect vehicle but lost sight of it,” Bishop said. “A short time later, they located an abandoned vehicle matching the suspect vehicle, (which was parked) in the 63000 block of Landon Lane.”

That’s roughly 10 miles northwest of where the alleged shooting occurred.   

Bishop said a search of the location after midnight on Dec. 6 resulted in contact with Pena, who tried to run away but was quickly apprehended without further incident.   

Two days later, Diaz and Martinez were also taken into custody after they were summoned and questioned at the sheriff’s station on Airport Boulevard in Thermal.

A possible motive for the alleged attack wasn’t disclosed.   

The defendants have no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County adult court.

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St. Joseph and Savannah students nominated for military service academies by Rep. Graves

News-Press NOW on December 23, 2025

Danielle Bailey

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Students from St. Joseph, Savannah and Maryville were honored with nominations to military service academies, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) has announced.

Members of Congress are tasked with selecting qualified students from their districts to attend one of America’s prestigious military academies each year. Nominations are very competitive as various military service academies have extremely selective admission standards.

The following students received nominations from Rep. Graves:

Jaxon Limle — U.S. Naval Academy (Central High School)

Jarett Brooner — U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Savannah High School)

Zechariah Compton – U.S. Air Force Academy (Savannah High School)

Benjamin Jaster — U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Maryville High School)

Rep. Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board to help with the nomination process, consisting of military service academy graduates, veterans and citizens of the Sixth District. All applicants were interviewed and reviewed before final recommendations were sent to Rep. Graves.

Students interested in learning more about being appointed to military service academies are encouraged to contact Graves’ district office in Kansas City or visit graves.house.gov, particularly early in their high school career.

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Palm Springs film festival announces Book to Screen program lineup

KESQ on December 23, 2025

City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Film Festival unveiled the lineup Tuesday for the return of its Book to Screen program slated for next month.

Deadline’s Matt Grobar will moderate Q&As with directors and screenwriters responsible for bringing written stories to life on the big screen.

The first event will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 with Winnie Holzman, a screenwriter for :Wicked: For Good.” The film concludes the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in the land of Oz.

On Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m., Grobar will talk with James Vanderbilt, the director and screenwriter for “Nuremburg.” Based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist,” the film follows the story of chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), tasked with ensuring the Nazi regime answers for the horrors of the Holocaust during the Nuremberg Trials.

The last event will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Jan .9 with “Train Dreams” director and screenwriter Clint Bentley and screenwriter Greg Kwedar.   

Based on the Denis Johnson’s novella of the same name, Netflix’s “Train Dreams” tells the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a logger in the early 20th century America, and his search for meaning.

The festival will run from Jan. 2-12. Watch our live coverage of the Film Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. on CBS Local 2.

More information can be found at psfilmfest.org.

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Skaith fifth grade teacher honored as Teacher of the Month by Green Hills

News-Press NOW on December 23, 2025

Danielle Bailey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Skaith Elementary School is proud to announce one of its own was recognized as the Green Hills Teacher of the Month.

Kaitlyn Hofmeister, a fifth grade teacher, was presented with the honor in December. She’s taught at Skaith for three years.

To nominate a teacher, visit https://www.newspressnow.com/category/play/contests/.

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