Owner of home with several trash, vehicle complaints faces warrant for arrest

KMIZ on December 23, 2025

Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA MO.

A home in the 100 block of Sexton Road that caught fire about a year ago is now at the center of multiple city complaints surrounding trash and abandoned vehicles.

The home — owned by Carlos Alvino Lee Lawson — has a dumpster and other items outside of it that city officials say pose a health hazard.

Columbia Neighborhood Services Manager Leigh Kottwitz told ABC 17 News the city is familiar with the property and is working to clean it up.

“Notices have been sent from our office, and the court and our staff have talked with the owner in person,” Kottwitz said.

Charges have been filed against Lawson in municipal court, but he has not appeared for a hearing. As a result, a warrant for his arrest was issued earlier this month.

ABC 17 News reached out to the city’s prosecutors’ office, which said they do not have a comment on the case.

The city is also concerned about the condition of the house itself and is working to obtain a warrant to inspect it. Information gathered from the inspection could help determine whether the property needs to be demolished.

Officials are concerned people may be living in the home, though one neighbor told ABC 17 News they have not seeing anyone inside for a few days.

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Man accused of pointing gun at shoppers at Jefferson City Dollar General

KMIZ on December 23, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man has been charged with several felonies after he allegedly used a gun to threaten several people Sunday outside a Dollar General on Madison Street in Jefferson City.

Willie Banks, 28, was charged on Monday with unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action, a single count of illegal gun possession and a count of misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond.

Police were called at 11:35 a.m. Sunday after Banks allegedly pointed a gun at several people, the statement says. Officers found him while he was running away from the store, the statement says. Two witnesses allegedly told police they saw Banks outside the Dollar General with a gun, the statement says.

Police found a bag and with a 9 millimeter handgun and Banks’ ID, the statement says. Banks allegedly said the gun was a BB gun, police wrote.

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California to crack down on extreme speeding on highways

KESQ on December 23, 2025

Jesus Reyes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – In an effort to crack down on excessive speeding and prevent deadly vehicle collisions, the California State Transportation Agency announced a pilot program today to immediately review drivers cited for driving more than 100 mph.

The state transportation agency is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol on the initiative known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. It’s part of a statewide effort to reverse what state officials describe as an alarming rise in traffic fatalities.  

Under the pilot initiative, citations for excessive speeding will be automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch — no matter their prior record. The DMV will then review the case and the driver’s history to determine next steps, which could include suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.  

This administrative process can happen independently of any court conviction, according to CalSTA.

The pilot program builds on the DMV’s existing Driver Safety Branch enforcement and Negligent Operator Treatment System partnership with CHP.   

“The FAST pilot reflects our commitment to innovation, accountability and prevention — using real-time information to intervene before dangerous driving turns deadly,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said in a statement. “This is about protecting lives and delivering on our shared responsibilities to make our roads safer for everyone.”   

According to CalSTA, CHP officers issue about 1,600 citations per month to drivers caught speeding more than 100 mph. In 2024, CHP officers issued more than 18,000 of such citations.

The CHP recently deployed a new fleet of low-profile specifically marked patrol cars on the state’s busiest and high-risk roads, in part, to catch speeding drivers.

“We want to take immediate action against dangerous drivers before their carelessness leads to a deadly crash,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement. “We’re being proactive, and together with our CHP partners, we’re ready to put the brakes on this reckless behavior.”  

Speeding remains a major factor in traffic deaths statewide, contributing to 32% of all fatalities, according to CalSTA officials.   

The DMV will evaluate the program’s impact by comparing citation and outcome data to the same period in the previous year.

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ICE activity reported in Cathedral City Monday morning

KESQ on December 23, 2025

Kendall Flynn

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Reports of immigration enforcement in Cathedral City had local Hispanic communities reacting Monday. Multiple viewers reported ICE activity near the Target and Cardenas shopping centers.

Details remain limited; we’re working on getting additional information. Cathedral City issued a statement to News Channel 3:

“The City is not involved in any federal immigration enforcement activities and, in compliance with California state law, does not coordinate with, assist in, or receive advance notice of such operations.

The City of Cathedral City has been classified as a Sanctuary City since 2017, following a City Council vote that limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Cathedral City Police does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do officers ask about an individual’s immigration status when responding to calls for service. Our focus remains exclusively on local public safety.”

ICE has appeared to be very active in the Coachella Valley over the past week, with reports throughout cities including Palm Springs, La Quinta, and Indio.

On Friday, a crash scene a vehicle that was being followed by ICE agents crashed into a wall.

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Rolla man accused of pulling out knife while stealing 2 bags of Tyson chicken

KMIZ on December 22, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rolla man was charged in Phelps County after he was accused of pulling out a knife while trying to steal a couple of bags of Tyson chicken from a grocery store on Saturday.

Sean Wildhaber, 23, was charged on Monday with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. He is being held at the Phelps County Jail without bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says the manager of the store called police after 8 p.m. Saturday. The manager allegedly saw Wildhaber in the store and tried to confront him by asking for a receipt and Wildhaber started walking away faster, the statement says. Wildhaber allegedly claimed he was hungry and not going to pay for the two bags of chicken he was holding.

The manager allegedly claimed he would pay for the chicken, but Wildhaber pulled out a knife and then dropped it and ran away after a truck driver arrived to help the manager, the statement says. Other people at the store allegedly told police they also saw Wildhaber pull out a knife while holding the bags of chicken.

Wildhaber was arrested at his residence and allegedly told police he dropped the knife in order to “trade” it for the chicken, court documents say. Police wrote that intoxicants were smelled from Wildhaber’s breath.

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Local small business creates holiday gift baskets to honor Veterans

KYMA on December 22, 2025

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local small business is honoring our military heroes this holiday season with special multi-item gift baskets.

The Christmas baskets have 10-15 items supporting body, mind, and soul of military members and their families.

Small business “Lemonade Delsa” says they are passionate about creating them to show gratitude to Veterans, so they don’t feel forgotten during the holidays.

“It also comes from the concept of care baskets in a way because not only does it have the merchandise that they can wear, the hat that celebrates them, the shirt, the mug, but a customized dog tag which has inspirational statements, but it also has wellness products, so I’m taking care of the body, mind, and soul,” said Lemonade Delsa owner Delsa D. Dixon.

The baskets are sold at the “Cutest Store Collective” in Yuma near Inca lanes. The profits go toward four military based organizations including Yuma Young Marines, American Legion Auxiliary Post 19, Financial Coach For You, and House of Panama

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New maple trees planted along Messanie Street in honor of Tree City USA status

News-Press NOW on December 22, 2025

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new set of maple trees are now taking root along a major corridor in St. Joseph, offering a vibrant set of colors for decades to come with help from the local tree board.

Several members of the St. Joseph Tree Board and Parks Department gathered Saturday afternoon to help plant a new set of maple trees along Messanie Street by the Aquatic Park, completing a new tree corridor for the popular walking area in the process.

“We thought this corner needed a little love,” St. Joseph Tree Board Chairman Shelley White said. “We try to plant as many native trees as possible, because the native trees contribute to wildlife. Oak trees, for example, support all kinds of caterpillars. All kinds of bugs.”

A total of five new maple trees of varying species were planted — ranging from 5-to 7-feet-tall — including two sugar maples, two Crimson King Norway maples and one redpointe maple. The trees will largely stay dormant through the winter and wake up next spring.

A young redpointe maple tree is shown next to Messanie Street by the Aquatic Park on Saturday in St. Joseph.

Once mature, the trees will provide an array of vibrant colors to the area, particularly in the fall, from deep oranges and yellows and fiery and scarlet reds. The trees will take anywhere from 35 to 50 years to reach full size.

White said planting a younger tree allows it to take root and flourish better than a mature one, which can experience transplant shock in certain situations. Mulch was also added to the new maple trees on Friday to help support growth.

“The sugar maple is a native. They’re going to be slower growing and have a longer lifespan,” White said. “Most of the maples that are hybridized tend to grow fast and have beautiful colors.” 

The new trees were also planted in honor of the city’s new status as a “Tree City USA” city. Tree City USA is a national recognition program by the Arbor Day Foundation honoring towns and cities for effectively managing their public trees.

Recognition is given based on four core standards: a tree board/department, a tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

White said the tree board, which carries out tree-planting projects in different areas throughout the year, is always looking for volunteers to help with watering. She said the trees planted on Saturday will have to be watered at least once a week for the first year.

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MoWest offers statement in response to Chiefs planned relocation to Kansas

News-Press NOW on December 22, 2025

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs announcing plans to leave Arrowhead Stadium for a new domed stadium in Kansas in 2031, the home of Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph has provided a statement.

“We are beyond proud to have served as the Summer Training Camp home of the Kansas City Chiefs since 2010. Training camp has been a point of pride for our campus, our students, and the greater St. Joseph community. We will continue planning to make future training camps a great experience for the team and the fans,” a statement provided by Missouri Western on Monday reads.

The Chiefs reportedly signed a multi-year extension in 2025 with Missouri Western to continue hosting training camp in St. Joseph. Back in July, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt expressed his appreciation of continuing the partnership with Missouri Western.

“It’s great for the organization to be able to extend our relationship going forward,” Hunt said. “We do believe it’s been a key part of helping us win a few championships.”

It’s unclear exactly how the Chiefs announcement will impact those plans, but the latest statement from Missouri Western indicates planning will continue for training camp in St. Joseph.

For the past 15 years, Missouri Western State University has hosted the annual Chiefs training camp, bringing in thousands of tourists each year from across the country.

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Columbia College names new president

KMIZ on December 22, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia College announced in a Monday press release that its Board of Trustees have named Toby Arquette as its next president.

Arquette will become the school’s 19th president on March 1, succeeding David Russell, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

The release says Arquette is currently at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, as the school’s vice president for strategic growth, marketing and digital transformation. He also has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Wayne State University, a master of arts degree in communication studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in communication from Northwestern University, according to the release.

He also worked for 15 at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, the release says. He was selected from a field of more than 100 applicants, according to the release.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be entrusted with the privilege of serving Columbia College at such a meaningful moment in its history,” Arquette said in the release. “As we approach our 175th anniversary in 2026, we have an opportunity to both celebrate a remarkable legacy and lean into the spirit of innovation that has defined this institution from the beginning. I am humbled by the trust the Board of Trustees has placed in me, and I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside everyone as we write the next chapter together.”

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Columbia legislator prefiles bill to expand dog-breeding requirements after woman is charged with 29 counts of animal abuse

KMIZ on December 22, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia state representative on Monday prefiled a bill for the upcoming legislative session that aims to expand rules on dog-breeding facilities.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) prefiled the “Animal Care Facilities Act,” which would expand violations pertaining to commercial and noncommercial breeders. Provisions include requiring adequate food, water and housing for animals at facilities.

This comes after a Boone County dog breeder was indicted in 29 felony counts of animal abuse on Friday.

Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia, is being held at the Phelps County Jail without bond, though she is still listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster. She pleaded not guilty at an arraignment for the new set of charges on Monday.

Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a number of dead dogs, including a dozen dog skulls, were found at the property of the business when law enforcement served a search warrant, according to court documents in previous reporting. Several malnourished dogs were also found at the property.

Tyson Smith had announced his intent to prefile the bill last month after Sanders was initially arrested and charged with three felonies and 15 misdemeanors.

“It is long overdue that we close the loophole allowing certain breeders to avoid licensure and inspections. We need to take all reasonable steps to eliminate animal cruelty in our State,” Tyson Smith wrote in a statement to ABC 17 News.

Sanders has a hearing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.

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