Memphis man accused of raping woman at Lincoln University

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from Memphis, Tennessee, is accused of raping a woman on Lincoln University’s campus on Oct. 23.

Tyshawn Tate was charged on Monday in Cole County with second-degree rape. A warrant was issued and no bond was set. Court documents claim Tate has moved back to Memphis, Tennessee.

The probable cause statement from LUPD says Tate allegedly raped a woman who went to his room to watch a movie. Court documents say Tate forced himself on the woman after she said “I’m not here for that.”

The statement says Tate prevented the alleged victim from leaving the room while he was awake, but the victim eventually got away after the assault after Tate fell asleep.

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Foothills Cruisers Car Club donates teddy bears to ECH Yuma

KYMA on March 17, 2026

Abraham Retana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A Yuma car club continues its journey of putting smiles on the faces of local children and special patients.

The Foothills Cruiser Car Club dropped off more than 400 teddy bears and stuffed animals to Exceptional Community Hospital (ECH) Yuma.

The toys not only give comfort to kids but also to some elderly patients as well.

“These are real important events because we’re getting teddy bears over to the children and also, they help out some of the folks with Alzheimer’s. They give teddy bears as well, which was kind of a surprise. I learned that last year,” said Richard Craig, Public Affairs for Foothills Cruisers.

“When you come to the hospital, one, you’re not feeling good, but if you have something to take a little comfort into, I think it really makes a difference, especially the nurses can use them as a tool to let the kids know, ‘This is what I’m gonna do to you. Let’s do it to your stuffy first.’ I think it just builds a little trust between us and the patients,” said Amanda Oliver, Front Desk Registration Manager for ECH Yuma.

The Foothills Cruisers also dropped off more than 400 stuffed animals to the San Luis Police Department.

Earlier this month, the club donated 1,000 teddy bears and stuffed animals to Onvida Health.

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Crook County Democrats to host congressional candidate forum in Prineville

KTVZ on March 17, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County Democrats will host a forum next month featuring candidates running in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, offering Central Oregon voters a chance to hear directly from those seeking to challenge Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz.

The event is scheduled for April 11 at 2 p.m. at the Pine Theater in downtown Prineville. Organizers say the forum is aimed at giving residents in Crook County and surrounding communities an opportunity to ask questions and learn where candidates stand on issues affecting rural Oregon.

The 2nd Congressional District spans much of Southern and Eastern Oregon, including Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties, making it one of the largest congressional districts in the country.

Candidates expected to participate include Mary Doyle, Rebecca Mueller, Peter Quince, Dawn Rasmussen and Patty Snow. The winner of the May 19 Democratic primary will face Bentz in the November general election.

Laura Craska Cooper will moderate the forum.

In a statement announcing the event, Crook County Democrats said the race carries significant implications for rural communities, including economic development, health care access and public lands policy. The group also criticized Bentz’s record, arguing his positions have negatively affected democratic institutions, environmental protections and social programs. Bentz, a Republican from Ontario, has represented the district since 2021.

Organizers say the forum is open to the public and encourage residents from across Central Oregon to attend.

Crook County Democrats said their organization focuses on supporting Democratic candidates and engaging voters at the local, state and national levels.

For more information, organizers encourage the public to contact the group through its communications director.

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Widespread Panic to play two nights in Bend this summer

KTVZ on March 17, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic is set to return to Central Oregon for a two-night run at Hayden Homes Amphitheater this summer, bringing one of the genre’s most dedicated touring acts back to a venue that regularly draws national headliners to Bend.

The shows are scheduled for Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11. Tickets for both nights, along with two-day passes, go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster.

The announcement adds to an already busy summer concert lineup along the Deschutes River, where Hayden Homes Amphitheater has become a key stop for major touring acts and a significant driver of Bend’s seasonal tourism economy. Local businesses, including restaurants, hotels and outdoor recreation outfitters, often see increased traffic tied to large concert weekends.

Widespread Panic, formed in the mid-1980s in Athens, Georgia, has built a reputation as a “road warrior” band with a devoted fan base that frequently travels city to city. The group was founded by vocalist and guitarist John Bell, bassist Dave Schools and late guitarist Michael Houser, later expanding to include drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo Ortiz and keyboardist John Hermann. The current lineup features guitarist Jimmy Herring and drummer Duane Trucks.

Over more than three decades, the band has become known for marathon live shows and repeat sellouts at major venues, including 60 consecutive performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. They have also headlined major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

Widespread Panic has sold more than 3 million albums and 4 million downloads and continues to release live recordings through its ongoing archive series. The band was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

With Bend’s growing reputation as a premier outdoor concert destination, the July shows are expected to draw both local fans and traveling audiences, continuing the city’s trend of hosting nationally recognized touring acts during the peak summer season.

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Columbia prepares for World Cup crowds with strategic emergency plans

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Nate Splater

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than half a million fans are expected to travel to Kansas City this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local and state emergency management agencies are coordinating to establish public safety plans to accommodate the high volume of international travelers.

Jacob Waller of Boone Emergency Management is working with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau to coordinate the arrival of fans. Waller said his office is responsible for the strategic alignment of various first responder groups, including fire departments, law enforcement and ambulance services.

“The way I like to describe it is it’s like a high-level playbook,” Waller said. “They all know what to do tactically. We’re responsible for the higher-level strategic view. And just kind of making sure that everyone’s cooperating and coordinating together.”

Megan McConachie, spokeswoman for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the city is applying its standard safety protocols to the upcoming festivities. This process involves evaluating events held on city property or in local parks to ensure partners are prioritizing public safety.

“We will go into our normal special event process, whether it’s in a park or on other city property, and really make sure that that partner, you know, is taking safety into consideration,” McConachie said.

The State Emergency Management Agency is also providing oversight in both Kansas City and Jefferson City to manage the logistical demands of the tournament. The agency recently completed an exercise that involved more than 25 partner agencies and 100 participants.

“SEMA hosted a successful World Cup Activation Functional Exercise,” the agency said in a statement. “We look forward to continued coordination as we approach upcoming festivities involving the World Cup.”

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau plans to host community events throughout the World Cup. Updated information regarding logistics and community initiatives will be posted to the “Kick it in CoMo” website as the tournament approaches.

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Police use Taser on naked man who was seen at several east Columbia businesses, court docs say

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police had to use a stun gun on man on March 11 who was naked in public in eastern Columbia, according to court documents.

Michael Mueller, 30, of Columbia, was charged on Tuesday with first-degree harassment and two misdemeanors: Resisting arrest and first-degree sexual misconduct. He is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $50,000 bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Boone County Court house.

The probable cause statement says officers were called to the area of Trimble Road and Broadway Bluffs Drive after 14 people called to report seeing a naked man in public. Police found Mueller nude outside Quest Diagnostics, the statement says.

Police gave Mueller commands to put his hands on his head and Mueller allegedly responded with “stop in the name of the Lord,” the statement says. Mueller then allegedly walked toward officers after ignoring their orders and police had to use a stun gun to detain him, the statement says.

Police spoke with several people that saw Mueller enter several businesses in the area, including the Conley Road Hy-Vee, Crumbl Cookies and the parking lots of Slim Chickens and Walk-On’s, the statement says.

Mueller allegedly yelled at a female victim at Crumbl Cookies before running at her, the statement sys. Mueller allegedly stood in the doorway of the business until staff convinced him to leave, court documents say. Court documents later describe the situation as Mueller trying to “hug” two youths.

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Deschutes County to host free shred events across region in 2026

KTVZ on March 17, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Residents across Central Oregon will have several shredding events this year, to safely dispose of sensitive documents, unused medications and worn American flags during a series of free community shred events.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Republic Services, announced four events scheduled between March and September at locations throughout the county, including Bend, La Pine, Sisters and Terrebonne.

The first event is set for March 21 at the sheriff’s main office on U.S. Highway 20 west of Bend. Additional events will take place June 13 in La Pine, July 18 in Sisters and Sept. 19 in Terrebonne. Each runs from 10 a.m. to noon, or until the shred truck reaches capacity.

The program is aimed at helping local residents protect personal information while also providing safe disposal options for medications that might otherwise pose a risk if left in homes.

Organizers say the service is limited to residential use and is not intended for businesses. Participants may bring up to four boxes of documents per household. Paper clips and staples are allowed, but plastic bags and three-ring binders will not be accepted.

In addition to shredding, each event will include medication disposal. Accepted items include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and pet medications. Items such as sharps, inhalers and pressurized containers will not be accepted.

Community members can also drop off worn or damaged American flags for proper retirement, and donate nonperishable food items that will go to local food banks.

Those with larger amounts of material are encouraged to contact Republic Services for additional disposal options.

The sheriff’s office says the events are designed to make it easy for residents across Deschutes County to securely clear out unwanted items while supporting the broader community.

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Columbia spends more than $420,000 in civil asset forfeiture money in fiscal 2025

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Matthew Sanders

EDITOR’S NOTE: The total spent has been updated to reflect funds provided by the Treasury Department.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department spent more than $420,000 gained from seized property in the last fiscal year, according to a report from the state auditor’s office.

The department spent $280,142.57 in funds from the Justice Department for the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2025, the report issued Tuesday states. The department took in more than $143,000 from seized property during the fiscal year. But CPD began the year with about $280,000 in the account.

The department also spent about $140,000 it had on hand from Treasury Department funds.

CPD spokesman Brian McNeill said the department spent close to apiece $210,000 for a machine that analyzes ballistic evidence from crime scenes and on Axon Technology, the company that provides the department’s body cameras and video software.

Annual Missouri civil asset forfeiture reportDownload

The Jefferson City Police Department received nearly $93,000 in seized property, but didn’t spend any in the last fiscal year.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office did not sign up to receive any funds last fiscal year.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol had the third-biggest haul — nearly $1.3 million — behind Kansas City and St. Louis.

Federal asset forfeiture is a federal program under which local and state police agencies can receive money seized in investigations or proceeds from the sale of seized property.

More than 80% of police agencies in the state do not participate in the program.

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Idaho AG: Idaho Falls teacher charged with child sexual exploitation following ICAC investigation

KIFI on March 17, 2026

Seth Ratliff

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A 34-year-old Idaho Falls school teacher is facing multiple felony charges after an investigation by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Benjamin Simms was arrested on Thursday, March 12, following allegations that he recorded videos of himself molesting a 4-year-old child.

Simms has been charged with 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and 1 count of Lewd Conduct with a Child Under 16.

At the time of his arrest, Simms was a K-3 music teacher at American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls. Local News 8 has reached out to American Heritage for comment and will provide more details as we receive a response.

However, investigators and Idaho AG Raúl Labrador emphasize that the charges are not connected to his work at the school, and they’ve found no evidence that any students were victimized.

“Last week, investigators in my ICAC Unit arrested a man employed with a charter school in Idaho Falls. At this time, we have found no evidence of any student victims,” said Attorney General Labrador. “I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners across eastern Idaho who helped with this arrest and share our commitment to keeping Idaho families safe.”

Investigation Background

The investigation began in early January after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a “cybertip” from Snapchat. The social media platform flagged an account for uploading 15 files containing suspected child pornography.

According to court documents, five videos involved an adult man molesting a child later identified as 4-years-old.

Investigators traced the IP addresses used by the account to a local medical facility and Simms’ residence in Shelley, Idaho. Detectives then used social media and law enforcement databases to identify Simms as the man in the illicit videos.

On March 12, ICAC investigators, working in partnership with several local law enforcement agencies, obtained a search warrant for Simms’ home and took him into custody. While in custody, Simms admitted to investigators that he had created lewd videos of the child, according to court documents.

Simms was subsequently charged and booked into the Bingham County Jail. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 26, 2026, at 8:30 AM.

Parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.

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Man accused of carjacking at Fulton gas station

KMIZ on March 17, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was charged on Monday in Callaway County after authorities claim he stole a pickup truck from someone at a Fulton gas station.

Zachary Seay, of Fulton, was charged with carjacking, first-degree tampering with a vehicle and fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Court records show a hearing was held on Monday and that Seay appeared by video from the Callaway County Jail. He will apply for a public defender.

He is being held without bond, though his information does not appear on the Callaway County Jail’s online roster. A bond appearance hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The probable cause statement says police were called to a business on Friday in the 500 block of Amerihost Drive in Fulton.

Court documents say the victim went to give Seay gas money. Seay assaulted them and sped off with the victim’s Chevrolet Silverado, the statement says.

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