Purina awards $25K grant to Friends of the Animal Shelter for veterinary care

News-Press NOW on December 18, 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Noel Hardin

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Construction of St. Joseph’s new animal shelter on South Belt Highway is advancing smoothly, marking a significant milestone for the Friends of the Animal Shelter after overcoming numerous early hurdles.

The project recently received a major boost through a $25,000 grant from Purina.

The grant was awarded in support of the partnership between the organization and the pet care company, with funds specifically designated for the new shelter’s veterinary clinic to support the well-being of the animals in their care.

“We’re thrilled to be here today to be able to submit a $25,000 check to the Friends of the Animal Shelter,” said Angie Broadric, factory manager at Purina. “We’ve had a long-term partnership with them, which dates back years. This expansion for them will help share the same passion for pets that we have.”

According to Broadric, the funds will enhance real-time medical care for the animals, directly improving their health and overall well-being once the facility opens.

After a challenging path to break ground, organizers said construction is now progressing well.

The new shelter is on schedule to be completed in the summer of 2026.

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Adopt-A-Family Gift Room officially open, program still in need of adopters

News-Press NOW on December 17, 2025

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– The Adopt-a-Family opened its gift room for families on Wednesday morning.

The gift room is larger this year, offering more space for families to find gifts for their loved ones. About a third of the families in the program will use the gift room.

Nichi Seckinger, AFL-CIO Community Services executive director, said that they are excited about the first day of the gift room.

“We’ve got our volunteers in-house, and they’re ready. It’s a little different this year because there’s a lot more room for people to shop in. So we’re really hoping that it makes it easier for them and more enjoyable, and easier to find things for their household,” she said.

One person gets to shop for their entire household. Each household gets a certain number of items for each person in the home.

Seckinger said there are gifts available in the gift room for people of all ages.

“We have clothing items, we have household items for the adults and we have toys and all kinds of things like that,” she said. “We have items for the teens. We have stocking stuffers for each child, oranges and mints.”

80 families will be going through the gift room on Wednesday. Seckinger said that they are trying get 8 to 10 families an hour through the gift room.

“Really, it will depend on their avalibity and if they can make it in today. We’ll countinue to do that until we have everyone served that hasn’t been adopted,” she said.

Seckinger said that they have enough volunteers, but adopters have slowed down.

“Yesterday, we only put one adoption in the system. If people can adopt, we will love to have them. There’s still time for Christmas, and it’s getting close,” she said. “For a small family, it really takes a couple hours to go out and get items for them. If they don’t have time to shop, they can donate gift cards, or they can purchase gift cards from the agency, and we can let those families go shop for their household. There are ways to adopt families, and we can really use the help.”

Seckinger said they are a little behind on monetary donations.

“This year were treading $40,000 behind where we were last year. Were a little nervous, but I’m gonna stay postivie it will show up when it needs to,” she said.

Seckingner said watching the families go through the gift room is a fun time, but there are some anxious parents.

“We get a lot of calls in these days, leading up to when the gift room opens, because they’re afraid that their kids are not gonna get taken care of. Anxious parents and they call and see what is going on,” she said. “We understand that anxiety, it’s close to Christmas, and they are afarid and if we are not gonna help them, they don’t know what they are going to do. Being able to get them in here really matters, and it matters to us because it gives us a sense of relief, the same sense of relief it gives them.”

Seckinger said without this community, these folks wouldn’t be able to have Christmas.

“That’s the thing that really matters the most to us, and so were grateful. For the people that step up and help us with this program,” she said.

There are 881 families in the program, and 575 have been adopted. There are 22 families on the waitlist for the gift room.

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Another dog rescued after falling through ice

KMIZ on December 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Another dog that fell through ice was rescued by firefighters on Wednesday, according to a social media post from the Boone County Fire Protection District.

The district wrote that crews were called to East Walnut Drive, north of Hallsville, for a report of a dog in the water. Firefighters found a beagle about 20 feet from the shore and were able to successfully rescue it.

“Members of the Boone County Fire Protection District train annually for ice rescue incidents involving both people and companion animals,” the post says. “As temperatures fluctuate like we experienced today, ice can weaken as it thaws during the day and refreezes overnight. Please remember: never venture onto ice unless it is at least four inches thick, and always have someone with you.”

This is the second dog in as many days to be rescued from the ice. Columbia firefighters on Tuesday saved a chow chow that fell through the ice of a pond in the 2000 block of Osage Drive. CFD gave an update on the dog on Wednesday, saying it had been returned to its owners.

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Three rural GOP lawmakers urge ODOT to seek emergency funding for safe winter roads in wake of voter referral

KTVZ on December 17, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding Democrats’ reaction, GOP call to fund health care)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three Central and Eastern Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday urged the Oregon Department of Transportation to seek emergency funding from lawmakers to keep roads safe this winter, in the wake of a delay in a funding package that a petition effort apparently will send to voters next year.

In a joint statement, state Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane), Sen. Mike McLane (R-Powell Butte), and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) said that across Oregon, rainstorms and years of deferred maintenance have led to worsening road conditions, including potholes, failing shoulders, damaged guardrails, and drainage problems.

With winter approaching, the lawmakers warned that conditions will quickly become more dangerous without immediate action. They said a request for emergency funding “aligns directly with ODOT’s core mission,” which prioritizes safety as one of the primary values of the agency.”  

Owens said safe roads are basic infrastructure people rely on every day, especially in rural Oregon, where state highways are lifelines. Without adequate funding, the state risks more accidents, vehicle damage, and higher long-term costs. 

Breese-Iverson pointed to the everyday safety impacts for Oregon families and communities, noting that winter driving is already challenging in many parts of the state. She said poorly maintained roads increase risks for families, school buses, and emergency responders and require ODOT to be ready to act quickly if funding falls short. 

McLane said the issue affects every corner of Oregon and that winter weather will quickly worsen existing problems, making it responsible to be prepared to seek Emergency Board funding to protect public safety and avoid higher repair costs later. 

The legislators said they appreciate the work ODOT crews do every day, often in difficult and dangerous conditions, and emphasized that crews need adequate resources to do that work safely and effectively this winter. 

They said they stand ready to support an Emergency Board request and will work with ODOT to ensure roads remain safe and passable throughout the winter. 

House Democrats were quick to respond, saying the Republicans’ statement comes “less than a week after their colleagues turned in signatures to strip funding for ODOT and after all three members of the legislature voted against a comprehensive transportation package back in September.” 

Here’s statements from several House Democrats:

Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro)

“My Republican colleagues’ request is as impractical as it is unsustainable. Are they going to ask for emergency funds for the rest of 2026 as well when they strip funding as part of their ballot measure to defund ODOT? It is simply not realistic.”

Rep. Dacia Grayber (D-SW Portland & E Beaverton)

“In the last week, we’ve seen historic flooding and unpredictable weather in both Oregon and Washington. Every day it becomes clearer that the decision to fund ODOT is literally one of life or death. This is about the survival of whole communities, let alone individuals. Oregonians love our wild weather and gorgeous geography, but to live here means we need reliable transportation infrastructure and service, and I’m heartened that my fellow Republicans agree. Funding emergencies one at a time is not smart or sustainable. Unfortunately, because of funds stripped away by the Trump administration, we can’t just pull down dollars— which is why House Democrats passed legislation to avoid this problem back in September.”

Rep. Travis Nelson (N & NE Portland)

“It’s rich to see Republicans suddenly discover that safe roads require money. The very lawmakers now urging ODOT to seek emergency funding were happy to support referring stable transportation funding to the ballot, putting road maintenance on ice for years. Praising ODOT crews while starving the agency of resources doesn’t fix potholes, guardrails, or landslides created by the recent storms. We will need money to repair roads. That’s just how it works.”

Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis)

“The landslide that cut off the Siletz community is exactly the kind of emergency ODOT is supposed to be funded to respond to. While I’m relieved no one was hurt and grateful to ODOT crews for acting quickly, the reality is that putting ODOT funding on hold leaves the agency without the resources to deal with disasters of this scale—forcing communities to wait and lawmakers to scramble for one-off fixes instead of investing in a stable, bipartisan solution.”

The three GOP lawmakers on Wednesday also urged the Oregon Health Authority to submit an Emergency Board funding request to stabilize rural health care providers and prevent further closures across Oregon. 

Here’s the Republicans’ statement on that issue:

Rural communities are already losing access to essential health services. Assisted living and long-term care facilities in Lakeview have closed. Labor and delivery services in Baker County are no longer available. Mental and behavioral health providers in Eastern Oregon are warning that funding instability could force additional closures. 

Many rural providers operate on thin margins while serving high numbers of Oregon Health Plan, Medicaid, Medicare, and senior patients. When reimbursements don’t cover costs, losses can’t be absorbed. Services are cut or eliminated, and sometimes facilities close entirely. These closures are not isolated and reflect a systemic breakdown in rural health funding. Once lost, local care is hard to replace, forcing patients to travel long distances or delay treatment. 

Owens, Breese-Iverson, and McLane are asking OHA to bring forward an Emergency Board request focused on keeping existing providers open while longer-term solutions are developed. They said the request should prioritize: 

Stabilizing rural hospitals and clinics at risk of closure 

Preserving maternity and labor and delivery services 

Supporting hospice, long-term care, and primary care providers 

Maintaining access to mental and behavioral health services in rural Oregon 

“Access to health care should not depend on geography,” the legislators said. “Rural families, seniors, and OHP members rely on local providers for timely, safe care. Without immediate action, more communities risk losing services they cannot easily replace.” 

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Teen’s Columbia homicide remains unsolved after five years

KMIZ on December 17, 2025

Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Oct. 25, 2020, Columbia Police responded to 300 W. Brookside Lane around 1 a.m. for a report of shots heard. When police arrived, they found 17-year-old Bryant Wilks II had been shot multiple times and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It was chaotic, there was a lot of people,” Columbia Police Lt. Matt Gremore said. “There was not a lot of information at the initial scene, so officers had to do a lot of work to preserve evidence, put up tape and make sure nobody contaminated the crime scene.”

Wilks’ family hopes someone who was at the party that night will come forward to speak with police.

“The amount of people that saw what happened that have not come forward to the police is what really hurts us and hurts the family,” Gremore said. “It hurts the investigation.”

Police say they found property damage to vehicles and buildings in the area, but no one else was hurt. Police say they collected multiple shell casings. Video of the crime scene shows at least 18 evidence markers.

Gremore wouldn’t go into detail about the types of evidence collected, but said some of it was clothing. He said the murder weapon was not there. Gremore said police don’t really know how many guns were fired.

The morning of Oct. 25, 2020, a neighbor in the area told ABC 17 News that she was awakened by the gunshots. She recorded some of the shots and shared the audio with ABC 17 News. Approximately 16 shots can be heard within 6 seconds.

Wilks’ older sister Desiree said that night, her brother went to a college party at Brookside Townhomes. Gremore estimates that between 20 and 30 people saw what happened and says a lot of those people were teenagers or in their 20s.

“We want to interview as many people as we absolutely can,” Gremore said. “And there was not a lot of witnesses that came forward in this case, which is probably one of the reasons that we’re where we’re at with it.”

Remembering Bryant Wilks II

“We never, every expected this to ever happen in our family or in our life,” Desiree Wilks said.

Bryant Wilks had three full siblings and a half-brother. Desiree Wilks says her younger brother was just months away from graduating from Hickman High School when his life was taken.

“He had huge dreams and huge goals, and he [reached] all those goals,” Desiree Wilks said. “So I know that that was just a milestone right in his life, but he would have done so much.”

She says her brother was the “goofiest person you’d ever meet” and loved making jokes. But the family said he also had an entrepreneurial spirit and started saving money at a young age.

“He taught himself how to cut hair by watching YouTube,” Bryant’s mother, Rochelle Hawkins, said. “He would cut people hair for free the first time, and then when they would come back again, they would pay.”

Bryant Wilks also had an interest in the stock market and investing. Desiree Wilks says her brother once lent her a few hundred dollars, and instead of making her pay the money back, he encouraged her to research stocks and invest her money.

His mother and sister said his entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a manager at the Dairy Queen on Forum Boulevard. The night before he was killed, Desiree and her half-brother visited Bryant at work.

“I went there and gave him a huge hug, and we said ‘I love you’ to each other,” Desiree Wilks said. “That’s a good memory to hold on to. The last words we said to each other were that we loved each other.”

Where the case stands today

In the past five years, Gremore said police have received some helpful tips through CrimeStoppers. He said police have heard varying versions of what happened that night, but “there’s also consistencies in those versions.”

Gremore said police have “persons of interest in the case.” But at the time of publication, no arrests have been made for the murder of Bryant Wilks II.

Wilks’ family remembers the joy he brought to others.

“Bryant loved to make people laugh, so a lot of my memories are surrounded by laughter and just the good times we had,” Desiree Wilks said. “Even if it was just in the house, or if it was going out or visiting relatives.”

Desiree Wilks said Bryant was loyal to his friends and his family. His mother says they are keeping her son’s memory alive.

“We do various things like Bryant wanted to do,” Hawkins said. “We are trying to keep my son’s name alive. We’re trying to find the good out of this awful, horrible situation.”

His family says they also provide buddy packs and comfort packs to families who have experienced a sudden traumatic loss, similar to what they went through.

While keeping Bryant’s memory alive, the family is still searching for answers as to what happened that night and who killed their loved one.

“We’re hearing this, and we’re hearing that, so it’s hard to really know the truth,” Desiree Wilks said. “It’s hard to read between the lines and come up with the truth.”

His mother says she leans on her faith, and she misses her son every single day.

“I miss hugging him and hearing him say, ‘Mom’. I miss everything about him,” Hawkins said. “I lean towards my faith, and that’s what’s been keeping me strong and keeping me moving forward is my faith, and I know that God knows and he sees all and he will take care of it.”

Wilks’ family is asking the Columbia community for help in finding out what happened to the teen who called the city his home since he was 3 years old. They believe someone knows something and are encouraging people to share what they know about what happened that night.

“There’s always gonna be a empty spot in all of our hearts that nothing can fill,” Desiree Wilks said. “But having somebody who is taken into custody for his murder, finding out who did it, and being held accountable for their actions, would bring some sense of relief.”

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.

Antonio Houston and Danielle Marine

Michael Walker Jr. & Jeffery Jones

Garbrielle Rhodes

George Showalter

Virginia ‘Ginger’ Davis

Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr.

Jamar Hicks

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Kimberly Barraza appointed president of Healthcare District Board

KESQ on December 17, 2025

Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Kimberly Barraza was appointed the new president of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board.

“It is an exciting time for the Healthcare District, as we enter 2026 and continue our strategic planning process which will help determine our Board and staff priorities for the next several years,” Christensen said. “We look forward to supporting President Barraza and the entire Board as we work together to advance community wellness in the Coachella Valley.”

Barraza joined the Board in November 2022, elected to a four-year term by Coachella Valley voters. She is a resident of the District’s zone six, which encompasses a majority of Indio and Coachella.

She currently serves on the Program Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and as chairperson of the Legislative Policy Committee. One of her first duties as president will be to appoint fellow Board Directors to various committees.

“I am honored to serve as Board President of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation,” President Barraza said in a written statement. “Our region continues to face significant health challenges, and this role comes with a responsibility to lead with transparency, collaboration, and a deep commitment to equity. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members, staff, and community partners to strengthen access to care, invest in prevention, and ensure our resources are used in ways that truly improve health outcomes for the residents of the Coachella Valley.”

Completing the Board leadership for 2026, Directors Greg Rodriguez (zone one) and Dr. Daniel Logsdon (zone three) will continue as vice-president and treasurer, respectively. Director Leticia DeLara (zone seven), a former Board president, will serve as secretary.

The seven-member Board also includes Carole Rogers (zone two) and Evett PerezGil (zone four).

Following the resignation of Director Arthur Shorr on November 30, the Board’s zone five seat is currently vacant. However, applicants are being accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 5. (See the zone boundaries by visiting our interactive Hummingbird map.)

Interested residents are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé to Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO Chris Christensen to be considered for the Board seat. Applications may be submitted by email to info@dhcd.org. Interviews will be conducted by the Board at a special public meeting with the possible appointment of a new Director on Jan. 8.

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Columbia Regional Airport adds flights to Charlotte, N.C.

KMIZ on December 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Tickets for flights from Columbia to Charlotte, N.C., will be available next week.

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said during a news conference at Columbia Regional Airport on Thursday that tickets for those flights will go on sale Monday. The American Airlines flights to Charlotte begin June 4.

Last month, the airport announced new flights to and from Florida with Allegiant Airlines beginning next year, including Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport.

In September, United Airlines returned to COU after four years with two daily flights to Chicago O’Hare and Denver. United plans to have three daily flights to Chicago O’Hare in December. American Airlines also has flights to Chicago and Dallas-Forth Worth.

COU had 14,202 passengers depart from its airport in October, which is a record for the location, according to a news release.

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Mother of a Yuma hit-and-run victim looking for answers during investigation

KYMA on December 17, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Daniela Rubio, the mother of a local young woman killed in a fatal hit and run, is looking for answers following her daughter’s death.

21-year-old Mariella Acosta was hit and killed on the morning of December 6 on South Avenue B and West County 14th Street near Somerton.

A man turned himself in and was in court, but he was released because no charges were filed.

The prosecution says it’s an ongoing investigation.

Rubio is at a loss for words and says she is growing impatient.

“I believe that in this moment there is no justice, honestly, after I left the courtroom and I found out that the suspect was free, that just finished me even more,” says Rubio.

She says it’s difficult to keep going, but she’s trying to stay strong for her other children.

“I have my other daughters, and I have to continue being a mother, I have to get up every day, even though I don’t want to, even when I don’t have the motivation, I have to do it for them,” Rubio explains.

The grieving mother describes the kind of person her daughter was.

“She was very caring, she cared about her sisters lot, she was good with kids, she loved to do make up,” Rubio says.

The Yuma County Attorney’s Office can still file charges within the next seven years.

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Former Jefferson City mayor forms campaign committee for state House seat

KMIZ on December 17, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin filed to form a campaign committee on Tuesday for a potential 2026 state house run.

Tergin served two terms as Jefferson City’s mayor from 2015-23 and was unable to run again because of the city’s term-limit rules. Filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission show she filed a committee on Tuesday in the Missouri House District 59 race and plans to run as a Republican.

The primary in the race is set for Aug. 4, 2026, and candidates can begin filing on Feb. 24.

Republicans Jacob Munson and Victor Rackers filed to create campaign committees for the same seat earlier this year.

The District 59 seat is currently held by Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville), who will be unable to run again because of term limits.

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New ’80s-themed arcade brings unique family fun to Savannah  

News-Press NOW on December 17, 2025

Prajukta Ghosh

SAVANNAH, Mo. (KQTV)– A passion for video games helped shape the direction of a new 1980s-themed arcade in Savannah.

Level Up, owned by Mathew Svoboda, officially opened its doors the first weekend of October.  

Svoboda said the business wasn’t originally intended to become an arcade, but thought it would be a fun addition to the city.

“We thought it would be fun to bring people in the square and open up an old school, ’80s-themed arcade in town,” said Svoboda.

Currently, Level Up is open on weekends due to school being in session, but Svoboda said he plans to expand the arcade hours to seven days a week once summer arrives.  

Admission costs $7 per person, allowing guests to play unlimited games throughout the day.  

“Our first night open, we had a family of four stay in the backroom, playing an old school video game for what seemed to be like a couple of hours,” Svoboda said.  

During extended breaks, such as Christmas vacation, the arcade plans to add additional operating days, including Mondays.  

Svoboda said he is working closely with community members to bring more weekday evening gaming opportunities and host tournaments in the future. 

“We are always trying to get more feedback of the people in the community because when we moved here five years ago, everyone was welcoming and friendly and always so nice,” Svoboda said.  

Level Up also hosts birthday parties and special events. Svoboda also said the business is always open to new ideas, which create unique experiences for local families.  

Guests are encouraged to join the arcade’s Facebook page to stay updated on upcoming events, promotions and arcade challenges.  

“These platforms allow us to communicate directly with our community and keep everyone informed on what’s happening at the arcade,” Svoboda said.  

Svoboda hopes Level Up will continue to be a place where people can relax, have fun with loved ones and feel comfortable and included.  

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