Idaho State Police Sergeant to be honored at 2nd annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon

KIFI on January 26, 2026

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An Idaho State Police Officer is being honored for a career that defines “going above and beyond.”

On Thursday, February 5, ISP Sergeant Amanda Ward will be recognized with the MVP Award during the 2nd Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon. Hosted by the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation, the event celebrates the efforts of local law enforcement from the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and the ISP.

“Ward’s recognition highlights her exceptional commitment to service,” said ISP in a news release. “In addition to her work as a trooper, Ward is an active member of the Honor Guard and serves on the peer support team — roles that extend her impact well beyond traditional enforcement duties.”

The luncheon serves as a bridge between law enforcement and the citizens they protect. Members of the public are invited to attend, with all proceeds supporting ongoing community and law enforcement initiatives led by the Greater Idaho Falls Police.

The luncheon will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, at noon at Melaleuca Headquarters. For more information, click HERE.

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Chubbuck woman faces felony charges for allegedly stealing SUV with infant inside

KIFI on January 26, 2026

Seth Ratliff

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — A 37-year-old Idaho woman faces serious felony charges after allegedly stealing an SUV with a sleeping infant inside on Sunday night.

Rikki Johnson was arrested on January 25 by Chubbuck Police and charged with felony grand theft. She also faces charges related to an outstanding misdemeanor drug warrant. Additional charges are currently under review by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation began after a silver Kia Sorento was stolen from a Chubbuck residence at about 7:56 P.M. At the time of the theft, a one-year-old infant was asleep in the back seat.

Fortunately, police say a family member quickly found the abandoned SUV on Hiline Road. Chubbuck Police Department confirmed the child was still asleep in the vehicle and was unharmed during the ordeal.

Following a multi-agency search, officers identified and apprehended Johnson. She has been booked into the Bannock County Jail and is set to appear for a video arraignment on the drug charges later today, January 26, 2026.

“It’s important to point out that we’re a relatively safe community, and things like this don’t happen a lot,” said Chubbuck Police Chief Nick Sasser. “I think we can all say we’re glad it ended the way it did.”

Sasser emphasized that while the child was left in the vehicle for only a short period, and the incident occurred at a private residence, not a shopping center, it is still important for one parent to remain with children in a vehicle when possible.

“When you’re talking hypotheticals to people and you’re trying to explain to them that they shouldn’t leave a child in the vehicle, it’s a hypothetical situation, so it’s not real,” he said. “In this case, it was very real to this family.”

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AWC Foundation accepting Hall of Fame nominations

KYMA on January 26, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western Foundation (AWC) Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the AWC Hall of Fame.

According to a press release, the AWC Hall of Fame “honors alumni, faculty, and community leaders from Yuma and La Paz Counties who have made a significant contribution to the mission of the college or distinguished themselves in service to the larger world.”

AWC says their Hall of Fame currently has 33 honorees, including 2025 inductees Maria Chavoya and Moses Camarena.

“We are excited to announce the AWC Hall of Fame nomination window is open for 2026,” said AWC Foundation Development Director Gladys Anaya. “Each year, members of our community are invited to nominate individuals or teams whose lasting contributions have strengthened education and enriched our community. Yuma and La Paz Counties are filled with remarkable people devoted to making our region an exceptional place to live and learn. We encourage everyone to once again recognize these inspiring leaders by submitting a nomination.”

AWC says the nominations will accepted in four of the following categories:

Student (eligible after 3 years of separation from AWC)

Faculty or Staff (eligible 3 years after separation or after 10 years of active service)

Teams (academic or athletic teams who win a state or national championship)

Community Leader (eligible after three years of distinguished support or service to AWC)

The nomination window will be open until Saturday, March 14, 2026, and the Foundation will honor the 2026 inductees during the Schoolhouse Soiree later this year.

To submit a nomination, click here. To learn more about this, read the press release below.

AWC Foundation seeks Hall of Fame nominationsDownload

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Bend Police Department prepares for 42nd Community Academy, encourages citizen participation

KTVZ on January 26, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department’s 42nd Community Academy is slated to kick off once again this April, and the department is encouraging community members to participate.

According to the agency, the academy is designed to offer an inside look at policework and how BPD operates. The goal is to inform and educate participants about how our local police officers carry out their work.

Each class focuses on different aspects of law enforcement. Classes meet once a week for 11 consecutive weeks from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings beginning in April and ending in June.

There is no charge to participate. 40 students will be accepted per session with priority given to those who live within Bend city limits.

Those interested are asked to submit the Community Academy Application online by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27th. Click here to view the application and to learn more.

Read the full press release below:

“The Bend Police Department invites community members to apply for its 42nd Community Academy beginning in April.   

Community Academy will take place from April 7 through June 16, with 11 classroom dates and one range day on Saturday, May 9.

Our Community Academy is designed to offer an inside look at policework and how the Bend Police Department operates, with a goal of informing and educating participants about how local police officers carry out their work.  

Each class focuses on a different aspect of law enforcement, from patrol and investigations to nonsworn roles like records and evidence. During the Community Academy, participants will also learn about specialty assignments, including traffic, K9s, the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team. The program also offers a behind-the-scenes look at issues like mental health and officer survival. Classes are taught by officers and staff who have expertise in each specific area.  

The class will meet once a week for 11 consecutive weeks, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. The Community Academy can accommodate 40 students per session. There is no charge to participate in the Community Academy. Preference is given to those who live in Bend city limits.  

Learn more by visiting the Bend Police website.  

To participate, please complete and submit the Community Academy Application online. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 27.”

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New St. Joseph boutique coming in March, aims to collaborate with other local businesses

News-Press NOW on January 26, 2026

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new antique shop is coming to St. Joseph in the near future, with a vision to connect with businesses across the community.

Set to open later in March, Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall will feature a variety of different products such as furniture, handmade crafts, jams and jewelry.

As part of the business model, owners Erika Frieden and Ashton Burton will incorporate other local businesses with vendors set up in the building’s two upstairs areas and one downstair floor room.

“That’s what kind of separates us from any normal antique shop, because we have such a variety of items,” Frieden said. “We have a variety of vendors who all have different experiences. Some have been doing this for 20 years and others have never done this before at all. It’s been really neat to see them communicate, help each other and grow as businesses.”

Frieden and Burton, who are cousins, had been looking for a big enough space that would allow them to collaborate with multiple businesses, while also being in a familiar and prime location to residents in St. Joseph.

One the vendors banners set up at Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall on January 22, 2026.

“While searching for a space, we wanted to find somewhere to bring a bunch of small businesses, under one roof,” Burton said. “When you are Christmas shopping it can be hassle to go from one store and then have to drive all the way to another. I think it’s an attractive aspect for people to have lots of options in one place. It builds a good community.”

Located on 3603 Frederick Ave, the anticipated launch is March 21 with a soft launch planned for March 4.

As part of the store’s opening day occasion, the plan is to have food trucks and other pop up vendors to commemorate the event.

Vendors interested in partnering with Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall or those with questions can contact them on their Facebook Page or by calling 816-294-3794 and 816-262-1043.

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Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., Lamar Hunt, Jr. to speak at Prayer Breakfast

News-Press NOW on January 26, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Catholic Academy will host Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. and Lamar Hunt, Jr. at its annual Prayer Breakfast and Fundraiser Wednesday.

Doors open at 7 a.m., with the program starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at 4503 Frederick Ave.

The event aims to bring together community members, supporters of Catholic education and local leaders for a morning of prayer, fellowship and conversation.

Attendees will enjoy breakfast while learning more about the impact SJCA has on Catholic education.

“This event is more than a fundraiser,” said Natalie Newville, president of the St. Joseph Catholic Academy. “It is a celebration of faith, community and the shared mission of ensuring Catholic education remains strong and accessible for future generations.”

Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, including business sponsorships at $800 and Table Sponsorships at $500.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit sj-catholic.org.

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Vail ski lift “stopped operating” Sunday — Colorado guests evacuated by rope

CNN Newsource on January 26, 2026

By Brian Maass

Click here for updates on this story

    VAIL, Colorado (KCNC) — Vail Resorts confirmed Monday that one of the lifts at Vail, the Little Eagle chair, “stopped operating” Sunday at around noon, leading ski patrollers to perform an evacuation. An estimated 40 guests at the Colorado ski resort were helped from the lift using ropes.

“We apologize to our skiers and riders who were inconvenienced by this event,” wrote Michelle Dallal, senior communications specialist for Vail Resorts.

In a statement sent to CBS Colorado, Dallal wrote: “We place the highest value on the safety of our guests and will resolve the issue before reopening Little Eagle to the public. Until then, the lift will remain closed.”

Dallal did not answer questions from CBS Colorado on what caused the problem and if anyone was injured. Her statement said Vail Mountain Ski Patrol used ropes to get people off the chairs.

On social media, some commenters claimed they heard a loud noise and that a cable snapped, but Dallal did not respond to questions about those accounts.

She said it took ski patrol about 90 minutes to evacuate guests from the chairlift.

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.

St. Joseph fire crews battle structure fire in South End

News-Press NOW on January 26, 2026

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to a fire at a trailer in the 6200 block of SW Promenade Lane on Monday morning.

Multiple fire units, EMS and the Red Cross arrived on scene to find smoke engulfing the area.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

KQ2 will provide updates as they become available.

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One person seriously injured in Platte County crash

News-Press NOW on January 26, 2026

Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 42-year-old woman is seriously injured after being involved in a crash Friday evening.

The crash occurred after 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, as a 50-year-old male driver of a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, with the 42-year-old female passenger, lost control and struck a guardrail on Interstate 635 at Missouri Route 9.

The female occupant, who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, was transported to North Kansas City Hospital.

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Mexico home fire likely caused by overloaded electrial circuit

KMIZ on January 26, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Friday night house fire in Mexico, Missouri, was likely caused by an overloaded electrical circuit, according to a news release.

The fire led to heavy damage in the attic of a home in the 500 block of West Robinson Street, the Mexico Department of Public Safety wrote in the release. The call came in at about 11:35 p.m. Friday after the resident reported being awakened by smoke detectors.

The home had minor smoke damage throughout, in addition to the fire damage in the attic.

Mexico Public Safety said the fire was likely caused by multiple space heater plugged in and running that overloaded the electrical circuit.

MPSD Chief Brice Mesko told ABC 17 News the fire stirred up an important conversation around space heater safety, especially during the colder months of the year.

“Using an actual space heater is not something where you’re trying to convince people not to do,” Mesko said. “That being said, you should always use it in a way that it is supposed to be used and how it’s designed.”

Mesko said along with not overloading circuits in your home, it’s important to be mindful of using extension cords.

“Sometimes we’ll see people cover those cords up with rugs just so they don’t trip over them, or sometimes just throw household items on the cords or on the space heater and then that’s a fire risk,” Mesko said.

The Missouri Department of Fire Safety reports space heaters are responsible for about 80% of home heating fire deaths and about 1/3 of home heating fires.

Mesko said a safer option to keep your home warm this winter comes with some preparation ahead of time. 

“Put plastic over windows and stuff like that to kind of help the heat stay trapped in,” Mesko said.

Modern heating options also have special safety features in place to prevent fire hazards, according to Mesko.

“Some of the newer space heaters have a little switch inside them or on them some way where if it falls over it shuts off,” Mesko said. “Some space heaters also have maybe a timer where after they’ve run for a while they shut off, or if they get too hot they shut off.”

The official cause of the fire Friday is still under investigation.

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