Missing Ammon man found dead in Bingham County

KIFI on February 12, 2026

Abi Martin

UPDATE 2/13/2026 2:15 pm: AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office reported that Deric Gardner was found dead in the Sellars Creek area of Bingham County Friday morning.

Detectives from the Bingham County Sheriff’s office and the Bingham County Coroner’s office are working to determine if any other factors aside from exposure to the elements caused Gardner’s death.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s office began searching for Gardner on Tuesday evening when his white van was found in the area of Bone Road and Blackfoot Reservoir Road. Deputies followed footprints in the snow that ended a short distance away from the van and could not be picked up again in the terrain.

Gardner’s body was found about 5 miles from his van in the Sellar’s Creek area by a K9 search team.

The sheriff’s office said deputies, along with search-and-rescue volunteers from Bonneville and Bingham Counties, helped in search operations using drones and winter rescue equipment. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit, Bitterroot Search Dogs, and the Snake River Search Dogs also assisted, along with a number of Mr. Gardner’s friends and family. 

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are seeking the public’s help in locating 42-year-old Deric Gardner of Ammon.

His vehicle, a white van, was located on private property near the area of Bone Road and the Blackfoot Reservoir Road in Bonneville County yesterday. Deputies located foot tracks in the snow leading away from the vehicle, but did not locate Gardner. 

Deputies made contact with Gardner’s family at his residence, finding that he had not been seen or heard from since approximately 2:30 p.m. that day. Deputies, Drone Teams, and Search and Rescue volunteers searched the area throughout last night and today. 

Gardner is described as being six feet tall, approximately 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing a lighter flannel type jacket.  

 Deputies are asking anyone who may have information on Gardner’s whereabouts to contact the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office immediately through dispatch at 208-529-1200. 

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Public education and public dollars: Maintaining Idaho’s schools in an era of cuts

KIFI on February 12, 2026

David Pace

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – In a year of cuts, public education in Idaho has largely been spared from budget reductions.

Local News 8 spoke with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield about her task to request funding for public schools before the Idaho Legislature.

“We did not ask for any new dollars. In fact, back in December, I revised the budget to take new requests off and make some adjustments,” Critchfield said.

She expressed gratitude that public schools were exempted from previous cuts – including the one and two percent cuts requested Friday by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

“Having any type of cuts come mid-school year would be devastating,” Critchfield said. “But moving forward we want to have some consistency.”

She said schools require consistent funding to be able to operate and provide quality education.

The 2026-2027 total budget for public education is approximately $2.8 billion, IdahoEdNews.org reports.

“We want that public schools budget to maintain current funding levels,” Critchfield said. “The Constitution does direct that the Legislature shall fund public schools, and I support that and still believe in that.”

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Friend fears for detained Coachella Valley gardener, raises medication concerns at Adelanto ICE facility

KESQ on February 12, 2026

Shay Lawson

Update 2/22/26

Tim Parker said Francisco Torres-Osanaya is now receiving his medicine after repeated visits.

“They finally started giving Frank his medicine,” Parker said. “But he went more than 2 weeks without it, which is not good.”

He describes the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility conditions.

“They don’t let them go outside very often,” Parker said. “The place is overcrowded.”

Parker said 2 major hurdles remain, money for legal fees and finding Osanaya’s children.

Osanaya’s deportation hearing is scheduled for March 10th.

You can support Osanaya at this link.

Update 2/12/26

Statement from Consulate of Mexico in San Bernardino

In response to the report by News Channel 3 concerning a Mexican national currently held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, the Consulate of Mexico  in San Bernardino confirms that it is aware of the case and is actively providing  consular follow-up.

The Consulate has formally requested that facility authorities ensure the  individual receives appropriate and timely attention. Additionally, a  representative from the Consular Protection Department will conduct a visit at  the earliest opportunity to verify his condition, review his legal situation, and  confirm that his rights are fully respected in accordance with applicable laws and standards.

The Consulate remains committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of Mexican nationals within its jurisdiction and will continue to monitor  the case closely.

Press OfficeConsulate of Mexico in San BernardinoFebruary 12, 2026

Original Report 2/11/26

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Tim Parker, a Desert Hot Springs resident, said he fears his best friend could die inside the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility claiming the longtime Coachella Valley gardener has not received critical HIV medication while in custody.

“We’ve known each other maybe 15 years,” Parker said. “He’s my best friend in the world. I’ve never met a more selfless, more helpful person.”

He said Francisco Torres-Osanaya, known to friends as “Paco,” was detained last week.

“They had been pulled over by multiple White SUVs with the capital ICE emblem on them,” Parker said. “Francisco was taken away, and no information was provided as to where he was taken.”

Parker said it took him days of driving across Southern California and repeated calls to immigration authorities before he finally located him after 3 days in Adelanto.

“I drove blindly to Adelanto and discovered that he was being held there,” Parker said.

He said he doesn’t know Torres-Osanaya immigration status, but that he has lived in the U.S. for 35 years with no criminal record.

“He had his paperwork in order as recently as a couple of years ago,” Parker said. “I think he must have let it slip.”

Parker said his greatest concern is Torres-Osanaya’s health.

“I brought his HIV medication‘s, but was told he would not be allowed to receive them,” Parker said. “I informed them of his condition and they said that he would have received these medication‘s from a doctor at ICE upon his processing.”

He said he has not been given his prescribed daily medication.

“He’s told never skip a dose,” Parker said. “Well, now he’s missed 7 days and if it comes back, it’s going to be a mutated or a version that probably is not responsive to the drugs. It’s a death sentence for him.”

Parker said when he visited Torres-Osanaya, he told him he had received no medication.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking confirmation of Torres-Osanaya’s immigration status and whether he is receiving necessary medical care.

We’re still waiting for answers.

The station also contacted the office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, who sent Parker instructions to submit a signed privacy release form so the office can open a case and request information from federal authorities.

Ruiz’s office said it cannot influence enforcement decisions but may be able to help obtain answers.

Parker said he plans to return to the Adelanto facility on Thursday.

“They better take that medicine,” Parker said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

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COCC receives $224K grant for scholarships to help rural students in health care training programs

KTVZ on February 12, 2026

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 50 rural-based students enrolled in health care training programs at Central Oregon Community College — in areas like public health, nursing and behavioral health — will have their tuition fully or partly covered by a recently announced $224,532 grant from the Central Oregon Health Council.

In addition to providing scholarship support, the funding from COHC will be used to help expand health sciences programming at Jefferson County 509J high schools, and also pay for field placements, so COCC students can earn while they learn. The grant period opened last November and continues until November of 2030, COCC said in Wednesday’s news release, which continues in full below:

COHC’s funding reinforces a $300,000 grant from the Oregon Health Authority, received by COCC in early 2025 and designated for the same purpose; OHA funding continues until the end of June 2027. Scholarships from that grant are being awarded to COCC students — about 100 in all — in various health care specialties, such as public health, nursing, nursing assistant, medical assisting and addiction studies.

The need for health care workers in Oregon, particularly in rural areas, is significant. A 2025 state biennial health care workforce assessment — a recurring report that’s mandated by Oregon law — found that while Oregon’s health care and social assistance sector increased by more than 15,000 jobs in 2024, it had 18,800 position vacancies.

“With our newly expanded Madras campus, the timing of this funding is allowing more students from rural areas to work toward high-demand health care careers in the region,” said Zak Boone, vice president for college advancement and COCC Foundation executive director. “Central Oregon Health Council will change the trajectory of many lives with this support.”

Opened last month, the expanded college campus in Madras now offers complete degree and certificate trainings in the fields of nursing, nursing assistant and medical assisting.

Scholarship priority for the COHC and OHA grants is being given to students who have lived in, are attending or formerly attended school in, or intend to work in a Health Professional Shortage Area, which includes a large portion of Central Oregon and the Warm Springs Reservation. Awards range from $500 to $5,000.

Interested students can explore scholarship options and conditions at cocc.edu/departments/financial-aid. COCC’s spring term begins March 30.

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Deschutes County residents weigh in on natural hazards, emergency preparedness efforts

KTVZ on February 12, 2026

Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office released the results Wednesday of ithe Office of Emergency Management’s recent community-wide survey, which asked residents to share their experiences, concerns and priorities related to natural hazards and emergency preparedness.

The response to December’s survey was strong: 771 citizens participated in the Natural Hazards Survey, providing valuable insights that will help shape the 2026 Deschutes County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan .

The survey results show residents are most impacted by winter storms, wildfire, and extreme heat, and place the highest priority on safe evacuation routes, reliable utilities, clean water, trained emergency responders, and protection of critical facilities.

“This level of participation tells us people care deeply about preparedness and community safety,” said Ashley Volz, emergency services coordinator with the sheriff’s office. “We heard loud and clear that residents want clear information, practical tools, and planning that reflects the realities of living in Central Oregon.”

Key Survey Findings

The top hazards experienced and cited by survey participants:

Winter storms (62%)

Wildfire (58%)

Extreme heat (40%)

Preparedness actions: Many households have signed up for emergency alerts and created evacuation plans or supply kits, but fewer have documented property, built emergency savings, or completed more complex preparedness steps.

Barriers to preparedness: Time, cost, storage limitations, and lack of clear information were the most-cited challenges.

Trusted information sources: Emergency services were identified as the most trusted source for preparedness and safety information, followed by email newsletters, online news, and social media.

Next Steps

The county said survey results will directly inform the development of the 2026 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, which guides Deschutes County’s efforts to reduce risk, prioritize projects and pursue grant funding for hazard mitigation and preparedness. The Office of Emergency Management plans to complete the following:

Use survey feedback to guide planning discussions and mitigation priorities

Continue community outreach and education focused on practical, achievable preparedness steps

Share additional opportunities for public input as the planning process moves forward

Residents interested in learning more or staying involved are encouraged to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management at emergency.management@deschutes.org.

Survey results and key findings are available here: NHMP-Public-Survey-Key-Insights.pdf

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Columbia still exploring possibility of safety ambassadors downtown

KMIZ on February 12, 2026

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some of Columbia’s top leaders are looking into the possibility of implementing safety ambassadors in the downtown area.

According to records ABC 17 News obtained from the city, the idea was discussed during one of the meetings between city and University of Missouri leaders. The city began having the closed-door meetings after a Stephens College student was shot and killed downtown in September 2025.

Since then, the city has taken steps toward improving safety downtown.

According to downtown Executive Director Nickie Davis, the city began a proposal– called the “Block by Block” proposal in 2023. It is is made up of employees from the downtown district, who typically work cleaning the streets and sidewalks in the downtown area. One of their branches includes safety.

Davis said the district has seen a lot more interest in safety ambassadors since city leaders have increased their push for safety improvements downtown. Davis said the launch of the ambassadors are still in the works and needs to be approved by the Columbia City Council, but she’s hopeful they can be ready to go sometime in April. It does not appear on Monday’s council’s agenda.

Davis said the process can take a long time because it has to go through the university and the city’s legal teams. If approved, six ambassadors would be hired to work Thursday- Saturday from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. and would serve as an extra set eyes for the Columbia Police Department.

“They are unarmed people. We would not have them armed in any way but they would be there to let CPD know, ‘Hey there’s something going on in this corner. We need you guys down here,'” Davis said.

Davis said the ambassadors would have to go through intensive training. She also said they’ll work to ensure all street lights downtown are working properly and that all streets are lit. Davis said the city did a walkthrough with the vice president of “Block by Block” and found that 32 lights were out in the area. Those have all since been fixed, she said.

The ambassadors would also help with permitting for food trucks and carts that are in the downtown area.

“These are what I call nighttime managers of the downtown area. You know, as much as new officers that CPD has gotten which is wonderful, there is still a lot of Columbia that can’t be covered by all of CPD,” Davis said. “These guys will be the touchpoint– the direct go to for CPD should something start going on downtown.”

Davis said they’ll also work as touch points for bars and restaurants downtown, monitoring people who may become too drunk and ensuring they don’t go to another business and potentially start a fight.

“Seeing is believing. When you see people in uniform that are there to keep you safe, make sure that you’re getting into rides safely, then that’s going to be so wonderfully comforting to the people that are out at night,” Davis said.

Davis said the total program would cost roughly $300,000. The cost would be split up between The District, MU and the city. Davis said some of the funding from the CID was budgeted, while others are being taken from reserves.

Davis had previously told ABC 17 News The District was also considering getting businesses “No Trespassing” and “No Concealed Weapons” signs. She said that is currently in the design phase and hopes those will be completed in April and available to buy for any business downtown who may want them.

Records ABC 17 News obtained also show MU and Davis continue to send letters to downtown businesses asking them to sign letters of enforcement. Minutes from an October meeting show MU would work to encourage all 15 large downtown student housing apartment owners to complete the forms by Nov. 15, 2025 if they want to continue to be on the list of preferred housing options for students. December minutes show those letters were sent out.

A city spokesperson told ABC 17 News that the city will be pairing the renewal letters of enforcement with its business license renewal process. The first renewal letters will be sent out in May.

The university did not have additional information on that on Wednesday night.

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Driver alert: Guardrail and bridge work to slow Oregon Highway 126 traffic east of Powell Butte

KTVZ on February 12, 2026

Barney Lerten

(Update: Video Added)

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A road and bridge project will be slowing traffic for the next few weeks on Oregon Highway 126 just east of Powell Butte, ODOT said Thursday,

Crews will be replacing guardrail and widening the Central Oregon Irrigation District Canal Bridge at milepost 10 “to make traveling on OR 126 safer for everyone,” the department said. 

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane and controlled 24/7 by portable traffic signals installed at either end of the bridge.

Crews plan to start the work next Monday, and ODOT said drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes in both directions for about four weeks.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change, the agency said, urging motorists to check TripCheck for updated information.

This work is happening toward the end of a two-year, $13.8 million project that’s also included repaving of Highway 126 between Redmond and the Powell Butte Highway, as well as other improvements in Redmond.

Visit ODOT’s project website for more information or contact Meghan Blyth, community affairs coordinator.

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MU students take notice of license plate camera signs on campus

KMIZ on February 12, 2026

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri students are noticing new, bright-and-yellow signs popping up across campus and on high-traffic streets that are bringing attention to the school’s license-plate reading cameras.

The signs feature an image of a security camera and “High-Resolution License Plate Recognition In Use.”

An ABC 17 News reporter found several signs and what looks to be poles with traffic cameras on South Providence Road, College Avenue and University Avenue.

According to MUPD spokesperson Sarah Yoro-Massad, license plate readers have been in place on campus, with signs being added recently.

“The university maintains a number of cameras throughout the campus to enhance safety and security. The new signs are being installed to make the public aware of their use in locations where doing so can help deter crime,” Yoro-Massad said. “MUPD has access to license plate readers on campus. The cameras allow MUPD to identify motor vehicles that may be involved in criminal activity.”

Yoro-Massad aded the cameras are not Flock cameras, which is the brand used by the City of Columbia. Flock Safety cameras use automatic license plate readers to provide real-time alerts to law enforcement. Flock claims the cameras do not capture identifiable images of people or faces. All data is held for 30 days.

MUPD did not confirm if their cameras wipe data after a specific amount of time or when the cameras record. The department also did not disclose the number of cameras used due to security reasons.

Students shared mixed feelings towards the cameras, with some accepting potential privacy trade-offs for safety.

“I haven’t really noticed it, it’s not like it’s not that big a deal, there’s kind of cameras all over anyways,” MU student Miguel Pacheco said.

“Even if they were on 24/7, I’d personally be OK with that,” student Yule Yun said. “I guess individuals responsibility of driving and information being stored for a certain amount of time is less important than the safety and security of the campus that we have here for Mizzou.”

Other students voiced concern about personal comfort.

 “I do think it’s really odd having cameras watching you and your car where you should just feel free to just do what you can do, what you will,” student Sammy Besore said.

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Endangered Silver Advisory canceled after man found safe

KMIZ on February 12, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office has canceled an Endangered Silver Advisory after a missing man was found safe.

The initial advisory said Douglas Wayne Witmer, 73, left a job site at 403 Reynolds St. in Fayette around 3 p.m. Wednesday. The updated advisory saying Witmer was found safe was sent at 8:16 p.m. Wednesday.

Witmer is 5-feet, 10-inches tall, weighs 230 pounds, has gray hair, brown eyes and may be wearing a baseball hat, a gray hoodie, khaki work pants and tan boots.

The release says he is diagnosed with dementia.

Anyone who sees Witmer is asked to either call the Howard County Sheriff’s Office at 660-248-3605 or 911.

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Desert Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Role in Fatal Burglary

KESQ on February 12, 2026

Kade Atwood

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Nathan “Mason” Alger was sentenced Tuesday to 21 years in state prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a 2020 burglary that left his accomplice dead.

The 25-year-old entered the plea at the Larson Justice Center under an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. The deal avoids a retrial on a second-degree murder charge.

A Riverside County jury last June convicted Alger of assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and enhancements for aiding and abetting first-degree burglary and using a gun during a felony. Jurors hung on the murder charge and acquitted him of attempted murder.

Under the plea agreement, Alger admitted voluntary manslaughter and related counts. Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester dismissed the murder charge and imposed the agreed-upon 21-year sentence. Court minutes show one count was designated the principal term, another will run concurrently and sentencing on two counts was stayed.

The case stems from a Nov. 18, 2020 burglary in the 13700 block of Hacienda Heights Drive.

Prosecutors said Alger and a man identified in court documents as “Presley B.” planned to break into the home of an acquaintance who Presley believed owed him money. They thought the homeowner would be away.

They did not know a tenant, identified as “R.R.,” was inside playing video games.

Authorities said the pair kicked in the front door and went to the homeowner’s bedroom to search for money and valuables. R.R. armed himself with a semiautomatic handgun and confronted the masked intruders.

According to court documents, Presley turned and pointed a handgun at R.R., who then fired twice. After briefly retreating, R.R. saw Presley near the front door and fired once more. Presley was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found he was shot twice in the chest and suffered a superficial wound to his back.

Authorities said Alger retrieved a pump shotgun from a getaway vehicle and fired two rounds toward the house before fleeing. He was arrested several days later.

Court records show Alger had a prior burglary conviction.

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