Suspect in shooting near Yuma Civic Center read his formal charges

KYMA on February 6, 2026

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of trying to murder two people near the Yuma Civic Center was read his formal charges Thursday afternoon.

22-year-old Jonathan Garcia is facing four counts. This includes two counts of attempted first degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Garcia is accused of shooting at two victims in a car near the Yuma Civic Center Monday night.

Neither of the victims were hurt, but the car did take some damage.

Garcia was arrested Tuesday morning, and his bond remains at $250,000,000 cash only.

Garcia is scheduled to be back in court on February 13.

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St. Joseph native trades corporate life for community creativity  

News-Press NOW on February 6, 2026

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– St. Joseph native Jay Kerner spent years working for two Fortune 500 companies before realizing the corporate world just wasn’t his thing.  

These days, he’s the publisher of The Tenderloin Times — a path that looks very different from where he started. 

Along the way, he built a drive-in theater, co-founded The Regular Joe newspaper, launched the JoeStock Music Festival and even found time to write a few books — just to name a few things.  

“I have done a lot of things in my time. I always seemed to be going against the flow a little bit. I don’t know what’s next, I might get into eight-track tape repair business or something, who knows,” Kerner said.  

The Regular Joe ran for 12 years before shutting down just before the pandemic.  

Kerner said even though the world is flooded with digital content, there’s still something powerful about print.  

“At one time, there was lots of places you could find this, but nowadays everyone seems to put all their energy into the digital media, and that’s great, but I think there’s still a place for a piece of paper with a schedule on it,” Kerner said.  

Looking back, Kerner said he wishes he’d discovered his love for writing sooner.  

He’s written a biography, a couple of novels and spent 14 years writing columns — but didn’t really dive into it until his mid-50s.  

“But I didn’t start doing this until I was in my mid-fifties. So I wish I had considered that as a career much earlier,” Kerner said.  

Kerner mentioned there were a couple of things which he enjoyed about writing, “I lived in fraternity house in college and wrote a few papers for some for them who weren’t so gifted in the area,” Kerner said.  

His interest in writing started small. In college, he lived in a fraternity house and occasionally wrote papers for friends who weren’t exactly gifted writers.  

He also became known among family and friends for his annual Christmas letter, which helped him realize he had a knack for it.  

Eventually, Downtown business owners recruited him to help start The Regular Joe. Over time, Kerner took it over and ran it as the sole proprietor for about a decade. 

“This was to help them start The Regular Joe and that’s how we got into it in the first place, but over time I just got things over and was the sole proprietor, operating it for the last ten years or so,” Kerner said.  

Now, The Tenderloin Times will be published monthly and anyone interested in contributing can submit their work by the 20th of each month. 

Kerner said more information about where to read his publishing in The Tenderloin Times can be found on his Facebook account.

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Two Olympic medalists signing autographs at free ‘Winter Fest’ on Saturday

KRDO on February 6, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin (five-time medalist) and Paralympic alpine skier Danelle Umstead (three-time medalist) will greet guests at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum for autographs during Winter Fest on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Liukin was the all-around Olympic gold medalist in the 2008 games in Beijing. Her leotard is on display at the museum. Umstead competed in the Vancouver, Sochi and PyeongChang Paralympic Games, winning three bronze medals.

The museum will be free all day Saturday, with a jumbo TV set up outside with the Olympic games, along with sport demonstrations, live music, food vendors and more.

“That’s what I was when I was younger, it’s every kid’s dream to be in the Olympics, and so to just see everybody come together and support our athletes overseas, it’s so exciting,” said Sports Corp Communications Manager Lauren De Marco.

The Olympic museum is hosting a watch party for the opening ceremonies on Friday at 12:30 p.m. It will host a number of events throughout the Olympics, included in the standard cost for museum admission.

Hosted by Sports Corp, Saturday’s Winter Fest is the exception. After checking out the outdoor activities, participants can head into the museum and check out the exhibits for free.

Winter Fest starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

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‘A safe place’: The Juniper House, a sober living home for women in Bend, prepares to open

KTVZ on February 6, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new Central Oregon sober living home for women is preparing for its first residents.

Since 2020, New Each Morning has acted as a support group for women trying to break the cycle of addiction. While it offered peer support, there was one thing the women needed more than anything else: housing.

Now, it’s acquired a 3-bedroom ranch house, where women leaving treatment will be able to stay for up to a year. It’s called The Juniper House. 

New Each Morning says a sense of community is key to recovery.

“There’s a great quote by Johann Hari that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection. And that is so true because we are going to be providing that connection,” said Cathie Coe Sipe, the founding director of New Each Morning. “They are going to know someone is in their corner and that they are going to have a safe place here in this beautiful home and on this property.”

The house offers a safe, secure place to start a new chapter in life.

New Each Morning will begin accepting applications this month. The first residents could move into the The Juniper House sometime in March.

Click here to learn more about The Juniper House.

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Kansas man found guilty of child molestation stemming from 2001 incident in Buchanan County

News-Press NOW on February 6, 2026

Leah Rainwater

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A Buchanan County jury found a Kansas man guilty Thursday on one count of first-degree child molestation in a 25-year-old case coming to light.

According to court documents, Robert Haskin was babysitting a 8-year-old female child in 2001, when he got into bed with her, put his hand under her underwear and began touching her inappropriately.

The girl made numerous disclosures over the years to her parents, friends, family members and counselors. The interaction was also documented with Family Guidance, according to court documents.

The case began in early 2024 after a complaint was filed over the situation.

Haskin pleaded not guilty to the charge in July 2024.

Court documents also detail that the case is set for sentencing at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27, with Judge Daniel Kellogg.

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Man charged with 4 felonies after causing Morgan County R-2 schools to go on temporary lockdown Thursday

KMIZ on February 6, 2026

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person is in custody and charged with multiple felonies after the Morgan County R-2 in Versailles went on a temporary lockdown on Thursday evening.

Superintendent Bryan Pettengill said in a statement that the campus was put on lockdown Thursday evening after a report of a person trying to bring a gun on school property.

“Law enforcement was already on site when the individual arrived and took the person into custody without incident,” Pettengill said in a statement.

He added that no students or staff were in danger. The lockdown was lifted after confirmation from law enforcement.

Dalton Sidebottom, 35, of Versailles, was charged with two counts of third-degree domestic assault, two counts of misdemeanor second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of second-degree making a terroristic threat and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail without bond.

According to the probable cause statement, Sidebottom allegedly made threats to “shoot his family.” Sidebottom had allegedly routinely assaulted a female at his residence, including on Thursday, the statement says. The probable cause statement made a reference to someone coaching during an athletic event at the school district and that a caller was worried Sidebottom may hurt someone at the school.

Court documents say at least 10 students and several staff were at the building at the time of the lockdown.

A victim was at the school and met with law enforcement to discuss what happened, the statement says. Sidebottom allegedly made multiple threats to kill her and “nanny cams” at their residence had recorded multiple assaults that were later viewed by deputies.

The victim had also viewed Sidebottom’s laptop and he had allegedly been “researching bullets that would cause the most damage to the human body,” the statement says. Sidebottom allegedly made threats to “hunt down” the victim’s family and shoot them, the statement says.

Sidebottom’s truck was stopped by the high school’s main entrance and told law enforcement there was a gun in his vehicle’s floorboard, the statement says.

He then allegedly identified himself assaulting the victim in the “nanny cam” video while he was interviewed by law enforcement at the Morgan County Justice Center, the statement.

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Cole County judge dismisses case against Hawthorn Bank over farmland auction

KMIZ on February 6, 2026

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County Judge Joseph Shetler dismissed a lawsuit against Hawthorne Bank on Friday over a land auction.

An auction for a piece of land that several people have claimed was meant to become a county park.

Plaintiffs in the case claim to have a special interest in how the land is handled, according to court documents. Two of the plaintiffs, Mark Knapp and Gary Scheperle, were named in the Lawrence and Mary Renn Trust, which left 178 acres of land in Elston to Cole County.

The judge dismissed the case without prejudice on Friday, claiming the plaintiffs had a “lack of standing and a failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”

“I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut,” Knapp told an ABC 17 News reporter after Shetler dismissed the case. “Just really disappointed.”

Plaintiffs argue that the land was left to Cole County to be turned into a park, but the administrator of the trust, Hawthorn Bank, misled the county commissioners in how much money was left in the trust to turn it into a park.

Plaintiffs asked the judge to remove Hawthorn Bank as an administrator and appoint a new one, and cancel the land auction scheduled for Saturday. However, with the judge’s decision, the auction will continue as normal.

Knapp said the trust requires whatever the county receives from the land to go toward either student scholarships or a charitable organization.

The bank filed a motion to dismiss the case on Thursday. The bank had argued that the group had no standing and that the two people who were named in the trust — Knapp and Gary Scheperle – had received their money and are no longer considered beneficiaries. The judge agreed with that in his judgement.

“Plaintiffs Mark Knapp and Gary Scheperle are no longer beneficiaries of the Renn Trust, they are not owed any further fiduciary duties by the Trustee, and they do not have standing to bring this lawsuit as former beneficiaries,” Shetler wrote in his decision.

In the motion to dismiss, Hawthorn Bank’s attorney Micheal Schmid, asked the judge for relief and for the plaintiffs to pay the bank’s attorney fees.

The auction starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the VFW Post, located at 1003-105 Irwin Drive, Jefferson City. It will be sold in six different tracts.

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The School Buzz: Harrison D2 technician and manager transforming bus fleet

KRDO on February 6, 2026

Josh Helmuth

In light of “Love The Bus” Month, Harrison D2 is highlighting a bus technician and manager who is responsible for leading the charge in transforming their bus fleet.

Kyle Jackson is the district’s transportation fleet manager. He’s getting a lot of the credit for helping to transition from diesel-fueled buses to a much cleaner propane-fueled model. The district was also excited to install a new propane fueling station, which Kyle spearheaded.

His director says Kyle “consistently goes above and beyond in his role. He approaches every challenge with a strong work ethic,” said Josy Campbell.

Do you know someone remarkable at your school? Email us! SchoolBuzz@KRDO.com.

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Body believed to be Lil Jon’s missing son recovered in park pond, police say

CNN Newsource on February 6, 2026

By Dan Raby, Christopher Harris

Click here for updates on this story

    MILTON, Georgia (WUPA) — Milton police say the body believed to be that of Lil Jon’s missing son, Nathan Smith, was recovered Friday from a pond near his home, ending several days of intense searching but leaving questions unanswered.

Officers were first called to the Baldwin Drive area on the morning of Feb. 3 after receiving a report of a missing adult. Police determined that Smith had left his home under what they described as unusual circumstances and could not be located. Search efforts began immediately and expanded over several days with help from multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies.

As the search continued without success, investigators widened their efforts to include a pond at nearby Mayfield Park, close to Smith’s residence. On Feb. 6 at about 11:53 a.m., divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the water.

Authorities said the individual is believed to be Smith, pending official identification by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Based on the investigation so far, police said there is no indication of foul play. However, the Milton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division said the case remains open and active until the medical examiner determines the official cause and manner of death and all investigative leads are reviewed. During the search, dive teams and K-9 units were seen working around the pond. Shortly after noon Friday, a dive team was observed removing an object from the water, which was wrapped in a tarp and taken into a nearby tent.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time,” a spokesperson for the Milton Police Department said.

In a statement, Lil Jon said he and Smith’s mother, Nicole Smith, are “extremely heartbroken” and “devastated” by the news.

“Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted – he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest,” the statement read, in part. “He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”

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.

Making a Difference: Every Child Central Oregon urges you to give back to local foster children

KTVZ on February 6, 2026

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon’s youth through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships.

This month we’re spotlighting Every Child Central Oregon, which works to provide tangible items to anyone with an active child welfare case.

“2025 was a busy year for us like so many. Unfortunately, we saw an increase in the number of kids entering foster care in 2025. Thus increase in needs,” said Melissa Lovemark, the executive director at Every Child Central Oregon.

About 690 families receive assistance per year from the nonprofit—but in 2025, that number jumped to nearly 750.

“If you have the ability to give, now is a great time to do it because I don’t see this trend going in a different direction at this moment,” Melissa said. “And we need to pour more in, here, right now.”

Every Child Central Oregon aims to provide essential items to those navigating the foster care system. 

“Clothes, car seats, diapers. We do toys, birthday presents,” Melissa said. “We consider engagement (and) activities basic needs for children.”

The organization has a fundraiser coming up in May. 

“Every year, we do our foster appreciation event. And it is a huge carnival that we put on free for hundreds of families and kids,” Melissa said. “We are always looking for sponsors for that event, for volunteers. It takes about 300 people to put it on. We have bounce houses, food, carnival games. It is one of our favorite days.”

And there are plenty of other ways to help out. 

“I know that times are hard right now for so many people,” Melissa said. “What we have to remember is, kids coming into foster care aren’t making that choice. They didn’t choose to be in foster care. They are our most at-risk youth and we want to continue to bring more resources to them in this hard time.”

Click here to learn more about Every Child Central Oregon.

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