St. Joseph man receives multiple life sentences for charges including rape of a child, sodomy

News-Press NOW on February 1, 2026

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A 33-year-old St. Joseph man received four life sentences in January for felony charges of child sex abuse that occurred for more than a year.

Johnathan Edward Sears received the maximum sentence of life in prison Jan. 26 in Buchanan County Court on four separate counts, including 1st degree rape and three counts of 1st degree sodomy against a child less than 12 years old.

Sears will serve the life sentences concurrently plus an additional 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after being found guilty by a jury on six felony charges last December, including two counts of 2nd degree child molestation, crimes that occurred between January of 2022 and February 2023.

Sears was arrested in March 2023 on a warrant for charges in the case and was denied bond after pleading not guilty. The case reportedly involved multiple children less than 12 years old.

Court records show Sears was denied a motion for a new trial on Jan. 12 prior to sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney’s Monica Morrey and Kristina Zeit.

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Kickstart into February with warm temperatures and clear skies

KIFI on February 1, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

We are starting off the month of romance with sunny skies and warm temperatures. High pressure will dominate our forecast for the remainder of this first Sunday of February and the foreseeable future. There is some patchy fog still looming around the horizon for the overnight and early morning hours. With this high-pressure system rebounding in from the West, we’ll also see warmer daytime temperatures this upcoming week, with highs climbing into the upper 40s and lower 50s.

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST MONDAY:

WHAT…Poor air quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant air near the surface, which will continue to trap pollutants.

WHERE…Franklin/Eastern Oneida Region and Lower Snake River Plain.

WHEN…Until noon MST Monday.

IMPACTS…Periods of air stagnation can lead to the buildup of pollutants near the surface.

We can expect partly sunny skies on Sunday, with high temperatures ranging from 45° to 50° across the Snake River Plain. No hazards or weather impacts are expected to reach our region as we close out the weekend. A light north wind blowing in will cause a slight chill. An overall pleasant weekend in the Snake River Plain and mountainous areas. We are going to see above-average temperatures & clear skies into the late week and beyond.

A shortwave of cooler temperatures will move over the area by Monday, bringing a slight chill to our lows and the possibility of flurries in the highlands. Slightly breezy winds will blow throughout the week, bringing a slight chill to the air. We will see a warming trend on Wednesday, quickly heat the area back up, with highs getting into the 50s by the end of next week.

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Local organization hosts Bull of the Desert 2026

KYMA on February 1, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA) – Caballeros de Yuma hosted the 2026 Bull of the Desert Strongman Competition over the weekend.

The annual competition took place Saturday at the Cocopah Resort & Casino at 9:00 a.m., and featured five of the following events:

Three-Leg Medley

Wagonwheel Axel Deadlift

Fingal Fingers

Vehicle Pull

The Atlas Stones

This year’s competition featured 43 participants from not only Yuma, but from Phoenix, California and Quantico, Virginia.

“I think any time that we can bring more people in that aren’t familiar with Yuma and what Yuma has to offer…with where Yuma is situated between Phoenix and San Diego, I think any time that we can bring people into that it’s gonna help us out as a community,” said Jacob Reeves, Chairman of the Bull of the Desert.

To see the results for this year’s competition, click here.

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Sunday Funday: Cacao Coyatoc

KVIA on February 1, 2026

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Cacao Coyatoc in El Paso brings a devotion to artisanal chocolate rooted in centuries-old techniques. 

Visitors embark on a sensory journey from the moment they taste the traditional Chiapas chocolate.

“I fell in love with teaching. But more so teaching about our traditions and the resilience that our people have had,” says co-owner of Cacao Coyatoc, Nancy Torres.

The business’ beans are sourced from Chiapas, Mexico, from the cacao plantation that has been in the owner’s family for generations. This, reflecting a sustainable, family-guided supply chain. 

The brand emphasizes cultural heritage, preserving traditional practices while inviting modern tasters to learn. Hands-on experiences through workshops teach guests how to make traditional chocolate, reinforcing the connection between process and flavor. 

By pairing education with culinary craft, Cacao Coyatoc blends storytelling with taste. Sustainability is woven into every step, from cultivation to packaging. 

Guests leave with a deeper appreciation for chocolate as a craft, not just a product.

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Volunteers clean up park in Palm Desert for National Public Lands Day

KESQ on February 1, 2026

Gavin Nguyen

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Volunteers gave their time to care for nature Sunday morning.

The City of Palm Desert and Friends of the Desert Mountains hosted a cleanup at Homme-Adams Park (72500 Thrush Road, Palm Desert, CA). The cleanup kicked off at 8:00 a.m.

Although National Public Lands Day traditionally happens in September, the city typically hosts the cleanup in November in favor of cooler temperatures. This year, though, they were forced to reschedule to February due to rain.

Volunteers assisted with trail cleanup and park maintenance, including removing dead plants, trimming bushes and trees, hauling debris and light grading. The event highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and caring for the Coachella Valley’s unique and fragile desert ecosystem.

One of three groups hikes to their cleanup spot at Homme-Adams Park

Executive Director of Friends of the Desert Mountains, Tammy Martin, said of the event, “You want to do the cleanup. You don’t want the trash choking out things. You just want your nature to to be able to breathe, not to be choked out by debris and all that kind of stuff. So just keeping it natural and beautiful is our goal.”

Dozens of volunteers were split into three groups. Many of them collected trash, including broken glass, old metal cans, construction debris, plastics, and chunks of concrete.

Before the cleanup started, a park bench was also dedicated to former Palm Desert Councilman Buford Crites, a longtime advocate for trails, parks, and open space.

Palm Desert Mayor, Evan Trubee, and Friends of the Desert Mountains Executive Director, Tammy Martin, lead a ceremony dedicating a bench to Buford Crites

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Cal Poly caps off big road week with win at Riverside

KEYT on February 1, 2026

Mike Klan

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KEYT) – Hamad Mousa scored 26 points as Cal Poly beat UC Riverside 94-87 on Saturday night.

Mousa had six rebounds and three steals for the Mustangs (9-14, 5-6 Big West Conference). Peter Bandelj scored 17 points and added five rebounds and six assists. Austin Goode finished with 16 points.

Cal Poly also won at Bakersfield earlier in the week.

Andrew Henderson led the Highlanders (8-15, 3-8) with 39 points and two blocks.

(Article courtesy of Associated Press).

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No one injured in Fayette fire Saturday

KMIZ on February 1, 2026

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Fayette Fire Department and Glasgow Fire District battled a house fire Saturday morning.

According to Fayette co-fire chief Steven Morrow, crews were called to the scene a little before 8 a.m. to a home on Lucky Street in Fayette. Crews took around 45 minutes to get the fire under control. Morrow adds that the fire was unoccupied and no injuries were reported.

In a post by the Glasgow Fire District, which assisted with the fire, flames reportedly were showing and crews went inside to search the building. Crews entered through the front door and back window, meeting inside during the search.

GFD reported cold temperatures caused issues with slick ice spots on the scene.

Morrow reported the damage was a total loss.

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Along came Jones again to beat UCSB in final second

KEYT on February 1, 2026

Mike Klan

FULLERTON, Calif. (KEYT) – Cristina Jones saved her best for last once again to beat the Gauchos.

Cristina Jones scored in the lane just before time ran out to lift Cal State Fullerton to a 62-60 home win over UCSB.

On New Year’s Day Jones scored a putback buzzer-beater to give the Titans a 61-60 win over the Gauchos.

UCSB also lost in the final seconds earlier this week on a late driving layup to UC San Diego.

The Gauchos are now 7-4 in the Big West and 15-5 overall.

Olivia Bradley scored 25 points and Zoe Borter added 19 points in their latest heartbreaking loss to Fullerton.

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Holts Summit man arrested after stolen truck chase in Callaway County

KMIZ on February 1, 2026

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Holts Summit man is in custody of the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office following a high-speed chase with law enforcement Saturday night.

According to a social media post, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Deputies were looking for a stolen truck from State Road OO west of Holts Summit. Deputies later found it on County Road 4031 east of Holts Summit.

The driver of the truck — 33-year-old Zachary Ryan Fewins — fled after deputies began a traffic stop. Deputies then chased him along multiple county roads including Highway 94 and Highway 63. Fewins reportedly reached speeds of up to 130 miles per hour.

Deputies were assisted by the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol, with law enforcement laying out spike strips and performing a tactical vehicle intervention or PIT maneuver to stop the suspect.

Fewins initially refused to get out of the truck, but later cooperated with law enforcement, later being transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.

A stolen pistol was found in the truck.

Fewins was arrested and charged Sunday with stealing a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, armed criminal action, first-degree trespassing and three counts of second-degree harassment.

He is being held in the Callaway County Jail without bond.

Court documents show Fewins was charged with similar felonies in the past for resisting arrest, stealing motor vehicles and trespassing in Callaway and Cole County.

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Vigil for hit-and-run victim held in Palm Springs

KESQ on February 1, 2026

Daniella Lake

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Friends and family members held a vigil this morning for Ricardo Marano, a 56-year-old man who was killed by a hit and run crash on January 18th on Vista Chino.

The vigil began on Hermosa before attendees walked to Ruth Hardy Park.

Marano was known in the community for taking walks in the neighborhood.

Loved ones have also set up a memorial along Vista Chino.

Police have seized a car matching the description of a suspect vehicle in Thousand Palms, but have not announced an arrest

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