Osage Beach mayor, business named in New York civil lawsuit

KMIZ on March 24, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Osage Beach Mayor Michael Harmison and his business Harmy’s Cheese Store and More have been named in a civil suit out of the state of New York.

The lawsuit was filed in Monroe County, New York on March 17, but documents were dated March 13. The complaint claims Favo Funding LLC went into a futures contract worth $79,365 that it bought for $55,500.

The petition claims Favo Funding was authorized to collect payment through an ACH account, but claims Harmison’s business changed the account and placed a “stop payment” on Sept. 16, 2025.

The lawsuit claims it Favo Funding is still owed $22,641.99.

Osage Beach gave a brief comment regarding the case in a Tuesday press release.

“The Mayor and Board of Aldermen are aware of civil litigation recently filed against Mayor Harmison’s business and will continue to evaluate information as it becomes available,” the release says. “Because this matter concerns the private business activities of a City official and not City operations, the City has no further comment at this time.”

Harmison also commented on the litigation on his social media on Tuesday.

“As the City has clarified, this is a civil matter involving private business activities—not city operations. Nothing Illegal or Unethical: This has zero connection to my role as your Mayor, your tax dollars, or the ethical standards of our city,” Harmison wrote on his Facebook page.

“Interestingly, I first learned about this filing on Facebook—just 1 hour and 29 minutes after it was submitted to the court. As of right now, I have still not even been officially served. It is disappointing that a private business matter is being weaponized on social media in the final days of a campaign before the legal process has even begun. I’ll let the voters of Osage Beach decide why the ‘Facebook critics’ knew about this before I did.”

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The long journey home: Second-oldest American returns to the Gem State to be laid to rest

KIFI on March 24, 2026

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — One of the oldest women in the world is making one final journey back to Idaho, where she’ll be laid to rest.

Bonita Gibson, who passed away in Canton, Michigan, on March 10 at the remarkable age of 114, is returning to the state where her family tilled the earth and farmed potatoes for over three decades. At the time of her passing, Gibson was the oldest living person in Michigan, the second-oldest in the United States, and the seventh-oldest person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

Witness to a Century

Long before she became a supercentenarian, Bonita lived through some of the pivotal moments of American history.

She was born on July 4, 1911, to John Franklin and Ella Mabel Spear, 6 years before the United States entered the First World War. In April 1930, she married Kenneth Gibson in Oregon, Missouri. Two years later, at the height of the Great Depression, the young couple migrated west to the Gem State to join Kenneth’s uncle in the wheat business.

Eventually, the couple settled in Newdale, where Kenneth transitioned into the potato industry. Following the end of World War II in 1946, the Gibsons moved to Idaho Falls. Bonita remained a fixture of the community until Kenneth’s passing in October 2003, after 72 years of marriage, according to her obituary.

The Secret to 114 Years

Bonita’s deep connection to Idaho went beyond her 70+ years living in the Gem State; Up until she was 109 bonita would keep a fridge bottom drawer full of Idaho potatoes for cooking in her retirement home apartment, reports WXYZ-TV in Michigan.

Last summer, the Idaho Potato Commission helped her celebrate her milestone birthday in style, driving the famous 72-foot fiberglass “Great Big Idaho Potato” to her retirement home in Michigan.

Courtesy, WXYZ-TV

While she spent her final years in the Midwest, Bonita’s final resting place will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

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Utahn arrested after allegedly posting viral video of him riding hood of car on I-215

KIFI on March 24, 2026

CNN Newsource

Originally Published: 24 MAR 26 17:39 ET

By Pat Reavy

Click here for updates on this story

    MIDVALE (KSL) — A joyride on the hood of a car on I-215 — apparently all for social media hits that had reached 9 million views as of Tuesday morning — caught the attention of more than just the man’s followers.

After the Utah Highway Patrol saw the video, they tracked the 20-year-old man down and arrested him.

About 7:30 p.m. on March 14, a West Valley man — who describes himself as a “digital creator” on Facebook — posted a video of himself riding on the hood of a moving vehicle on eastbound I-215 between about State Street and Union Park Avenue. The edited video shows the man sitting on the hood, then kneeling with flowers and a ring as if he’s proposing to someone, and lying on the hood while talking on the phone.

His actions are recorded by a camera inside the vehicle.

UHP troopers were made aware of the video on the morning of March 15.

“Based on the recklessness of the male on the hood of the vehicle, troopers believed if he fell off, he could have caused serious injury to others or himself. Troopers then began conducting an investigation into the reckless incident,” a police booking affidavit states.

“Troopers went to the area of 230 East on I-215 South eastbound and located multiple red/orange/yellow flowers that matched the flowers used in the video,” according to the affidavit. They then tracked down the man whose name was on the Facebook profile where the video was posted.

Monday, troopers went to the man’s home and placed him into custody.

“While transporting (the man) to the Salt Lake County Jail, he (said) he made a dumb decision and that riding on the hood was a terrifying situation,” the affidavit alleges.

The man’s car, which had an expired registration, was impounded after troopers “located containers with nicotine pouches inside, an open container of an alcoholic beverage with alcohol inside in the center console, and two unopened alcoholic beverages in the trunk,” the affidavit says.

The man was booked into jail for investigation of several misdemeanor crimes, including reckless endangerment, aggravated disorderly conduct on the highway, having an expired registration, having an open container of alcohol in the car, and being a person under 21 and possessing alcohol.

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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.

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2 shepherd-mix puppies looking for forever home on National Adoption Week

KVIA on March 24, 2026

Nicole Ardila

This week, the Humane Society of El Paso will be taking animals to PetSmart locations all over El Paso.

Customers will have the opportunity to meet and fall in love with the animals while making triple the impact.

Not only are they giving their new pet a home, but they’re also helping another animal who will take over that pet’s kennel and PetSmart will donate grant money to the shelter with every adoption.

On Tuesday, Emma and Charlotte joined ABC-7 at Noon to show off their cuteness.

They will be available for adoption from 3:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m. at PetSmart on Montana.

Emma and Charlotte are 8-week-old shepherd mix puppies who have been under HSEP’s care for 4 weeks.

They are playful, cuddly, and ready to go to a forever home.

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City of El Centro to host Easter Eggstravaganza

KYMA on March 24, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro is hosting their annual Easter Eggstravaganza this weekend.

The event is taking place at Bucklin Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and will feature more than 12,000 Easter eggs.

“This is one of the most joyful events we host each year,” El Centro Mayor Mike Crankshaw said. “Seeing families come together, children running across fields in excitement and our community celebrating side by side truly shows what makes El Centro special.”

In addition to the egg hunt, there will also be a kids zone, food vendors, a photo booth, a hay ride and an appearance from the Easter Bunny.

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, call the Parks and Recreation office at (760) 337-4555.

To learn more about the upcoming event, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

EasterEggstravaganzaPREngDownload

EasterEggstravaganzaPRSpaDownload

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PIE Fest 2026: $69,000 donated to Central Oregon nonprofits by business members

KTVZ on March 24, 2026

Silas Moreau

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The business membership program Purpose in Expenses distributed nearly $69,000 to Central Oregon nonprofits during a community celebration on March 13 in Bend. The event, known as PIE Fest 2026, brought together business owners and nonprofit leaders for live check presentations.

The gathering marked the sixth year of the program’s partnership model, which connects local businesses with community organizations to turn operating expenses into charitable donations. Through this system, the program has generated more than $250,000 in global donations over the last two years.

Pahlisch Homes provided the largest single contribution of the evening, donating $21,925 to the Bend LaPine Education Foundation CTE Programs. The funds are designated to support career and technical education for students in the local school district.

Subaru of Bend contributed a total of $12,000, which was distributed equally among three organizations. Oregon Adaptive Sports, FAN Prineville and the Bend LaPine Education Foundation CTE Programs each received $4,000 from the dealership.

Beaver Coach Sales presented a check for $10,476 to Oregon FFA. The donation is intended to support the development of agricultural leaders through the state’s branch of the National FFA Organization.

The Boys and Girls Club of Bend received $7,000 through the “I Like PIE” community fundraising run, which included contributions from various program members. Additionally, the Tower Theatre Foundation received $5,000 through the PIE direct giving program.

Other local businesses participated in the live check presentations to their designated nonprofit partners. Team Hyundai of Bend presented a check to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, while Sebastian’s Seafood provided funding for the High Desert Museum. Happy Danes Auto Repair made two separate contributions to Ronald McDonald House Oregon.

Further donations were presented by Shift Naturals and ThAiPas to the Central Oregon Trail Alliance. Tim Kia of Bend supported the Neighbor Impact Head Start Program, Kirby Nagelhout presented to the Deschutes Children’s Foundation, RUMPL donated to Central Oregon Landwatch and Second Wind Sports provided funding for Protect Our Winters. The Latino Community Association received a check from PIE in partnership with BBSI. Family Access Network, also known as FAN, received donations from Ruffwear and Embark.

The invitation-only event featured a curated dinner with home-cooked tapas prepared by PIE co-founder Cristina Morales and Thai cuisine from ThAiPas. Entertainment for the evening included live piano music performed by Paula Dreyer.

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Lead poisoning threat to local raptors as eagle recovers

KTVZ on March 24, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An adult bald eagle is recovering at a Bend wildlife hospital after being found grounded and unable to fly in Prineville. The bird, identified as Bald Eagle 26-54, spent more than 24 hours in a field before being rescued and transported to Think Wild for urgent care.

Upon intake, the veterinary team diagnosed the eagle with multiple traumatic injuries. These included a scapular luxation, or shoulder injury, pulmonary contusions, and a maxillary beak fracture with blood present in the mouth. The bird also showed signs of wobbling and ataxia at the time of its rescue.

The eagle has shown signs of improvement while receiving pain management, fluids, and assisted feeding. The bird was recently moved to a larger raptor enclosure. Staff report the eagle is beginning to perch well, reach higher spaces, and hold its wings with more symmetry. Currently, the bird still requires supportive feeding and ongoing evaluation of its strength.

While the eagle recovers from physical trauma, the facility also monitors for lead poisoning, a common issue for local raptors. Sally Compton serves as the executive director for Think Wild. Compton explained that most poisonings occur when birds eat the carcasses of animals killed by lead ammunition. When lead ammunition enters an animal, it can splinter up to 12 inches, infecting the carcass with lead.

Compton described how the toxin affects the birds as it enters the bloodstream. “As it permeates through their system, gets to their brain, gets to their internal organs, that’s when they start to really feel those symptoms,” Compton said. While the results for this specific bald eagle were positive, Compton noted that for most animals, the poisoning is fatal.

Think Wild has treated 85 animals for lead poisoning over the years. Of those cases, three have been bald eagles. Almost all of the animals brought in with the illness have died. The facility is supported by donations for food, medical supplies, and staff time, which can be sent to their Erickson Road location in Bend.

If the bird’s progress continues, the next step in its rehabilitation will be the introduction of gentle flight therapy. The team will continue to monitor the eagle’s ability to regain strength for an eventual return to flight.

The Problem Solvers have spoken to hunters and outdoorsmen about the benefits and downsides of using lead while hunting. Find that story here.

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Public safety taxes among a slew of April ballot issues in Mid-Missouri

KMIZ on March 24, 2026

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

This April election will be a busy one for schools, ambulance and fire districts and 911 centers.

Ballots in Mid-Missouri are packed with issues that ask voters to raise or extend taxes to keep public safety operations funded. Such taxes are on the ballot in counties that include Callaway, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Morgan, Osage and Randolph.

Schools also feature prominently this spring. In addition to board of education races across the area, school tax levies and bond issues are on ballots in counties such as Boone, Morgan and Randolph. A few counties are also asking voters whether to approve property tax relief for seniors.

Boone County

Boone County April 2026Download

The Harrisburg School District is asking its voters for more funding.

The district has a 50-cent increase to the property tax levy on the ballot. If approved, the levy would increase from $3.948 to $4.448 per $100 of the assessed value of a home or personal property. The measure would also eliminate the district’s Prop C tax rollback. Harrisburg says it needs the extra money the tax will bring in to pay for qualified staff and better programs and facilities

Harrisburg’s levy had a Prop C rollback for the 2025-2026 school year. Increasing rollbacks have the potential to put a dent in the operating levy income the district would take in from the increase, according to school board documents.

The Southern Boone School District wants its voters to approve $4 million to work on school buildings, parking lots, roofs and an HVAC system, among other costs. The district serves Ashland and the surrounding areas, which have experienced a surge of enrollment as more people move to that area. Approval would leave the debt service levy unchanged at $1.7423 per $100 of assessed value.

In the county’s northern limits, Sturgeon schools want to borrow $2.8 million in bonds for facilities work. The debt service tax levy will remain the same.

Cole County

Cole County April 2026Download

Every voter in Cole County will get a chance to help decide whether to extend the county’s half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.

The tax money goes to fund work on roads and bridges, including construction, repairs and updates. The county sales tax rate, including the half-cent that was approved in 2021, is 5.6%.

Callaway County

Public safety-related tax questions will be on many ballots in Callaway County.

The biggest, in terms of area, is the Callaway County Ambulance District’s ask to implement a use tax at a rate equal to the district’s sales tax of 6.725%.

The Holts Summit Fire Protection District is also hoping for more funding. The district wants voters to approve $8 million in bonds that it says it will use to reduce response times by purchasing equipment, acquiring land and constructing new buildings.

The City of New Bloomfield wants voters to OK a half-cent sales tax that would fund public safety, including police department equipment, salaries and facilities.

Cooper County

Cooper County April 26Download

The Cooper County ambulance district also wants more funding. The district wants voters to approve an extra half-cent sales tax, to make the total district levy three-quarters of a cent. A “yes” vote would also approve a three-quarter-cent use tax countywide.

County leaders also want funding from a three-eighths-cent sales tax to pay for 911 operations.

The total sales tax within ambulance district boundaries is 6.225% before the election.

The City of Pilot Grove seeks not just one, but two sales tax extensions on this April’s ballot. The town hopes that voters will extend two half-cent sales taxes — one for transportation projects and another for capital improvements. The extensions would be good for five years, pushing back the taxes’ sunset date to 2031.

The Village of Windsor Place wants approval for a use tax that would equal the village’s 8.725% sales tax rate.

Two Cooper County-based school districts also feature tax questions on their ballots: A request from the Pilot Grove School District to make permanent a temporary, $0.6892 tax levy and a $3.5 million bond issue in the Smithton School District that would raise the debt service tax to 45 cents from its current level — zero.

Howard County

Howard County April 2026Download

The Howard County Ambulance District is seeking a change to how its pays for operations.

The ambulance district is asking voters to reduce the property tax levy and instead impose a 1-cent sales tax countywide to help pay for ambulance operations. The property tax would be reduced each year pegged to sales tax revenue.

The Fayette School District is asking for a $2 million bond issue to build and equip school facilities, including the athletic stadium, its bathrooms and concession area. The bond issue would leave the district debt service levy unchanged at $0.7762.

Conlidated Public Water Supply District No. 1 also has a bond issue on the ballot. The water district wants to borrow $9 million to extend and improve the water system. The debt would be repaid through user fees.

Randolph County

Randolph-aprilDownload

The largest dollar-value item on the ballot in Randolph County is in the Moberly School District, where administrators are seeking voter approval to borrow $11.5 million to construct new facilities, renovate the middle school and elementary schools, and build a storm shelter. The district’s debt-service levy would remain the same if the measure is approved.

The Randolph County Ambulance District wants voters to approve a use tax equal to its sales tax — 5.975%.

The Renick School District wants voters to approve a continuation of its 47-cent temporary operating tax levy. The district says it needs the money to retain and recruit quality staff, along with paying for daily operations.

The Northeast Randolph County School District also features a tax levy question on its ballot. The district wants voters to approve a 75-cent increase to the district’s operating tax levy, for a rate of $4.6101 per $100 of assessed value. Money from operationing levies go to pay for salaries, benefits and day-to-day school operations.

The Higbee Area Fire District is seeking about $1.6 million in voter-approved bonds to upgrade its facilities and equipment.

Audrain County

Audrain County April 2026Download

Audrain County is one of many counties around the area that will ask if they should implement property tax relief programs. State law requires counties to put the question on the ballot whether property taxes should be frozen for senior homeowners.

The Community R-VI School District is seeking a $1.625 million bond issue from its voters to pay for a long list of facilities upgrades, including a new entrance for the Old Gym.

Van-Far School District wants $4 million to make upgrades, including safety and security fixes at multiple buildings.

The debt service levy would remain at the same level at each district if the bond issues pass.

Moniteau County

Moniteau County April 2026Download

The Moniteau County R-I School District is asking for $10.3 million for a slate of work it is calling Proposition Safe. The work list includes additions to the high school that would enhance student safety. The district’s debt service levy will remain the same if the issue is approved.

The City of California wants a half-cent sales tax to pay for firefighting operations.

Miller County

Miller County April 2026Download

The Miller County ambulance district is one of many around Mid-Missouri that is asking the public to give it more funding. This April, ambulance district leaders are asking for a half-cent sales tax on top of the district’s already existing half-cent sales tax, for a total of a full cent.

The Miller County R-II School District is asking to borrow $500,000 for multiple facility improvements without a change to the debt service tax.

Morgan County

Morgan Co. sample ballotDownload

Two Morgan County political subdivisions are asking for more money to help fund public safety.

The Versailles Rural Fire District is asking voters to OK a half-cent sales tax. Those who pay property taxes would then get relief based on the amount of sales tax collected.

The City of Laurie is also asking for a half-cent sales tax, but this one would pay for police operations inside the city. Laurie also has a half-cent sales tax for parks on the April ballot.

Maries County

Maries Notice of Election Municipal 2026Download

Voters across Maries County will have one question atop their ballots this April — whether to continue a half-cent sales tax. The tax pays for roads, public safety and county operations and would remain in place for 10 years if approved.

The Maries County R-1 School District is asking for permission to borrow $1 million in bonds to upgrade facilities, with no change to the debt service levy.

The Maries-Osage Ambulance District proposition will appear on Maries County ballots, asking voters to approve an additional half-cent sales tax to add to the district’s current half-cent sales tax. It would also impose a use tax.

The City of Belle wants voter approval for a half-cent public safety sales tax.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County SampleDownload

Montgomery is one of many counties around Mid-Missouri that are asking voters whether to approve property tax relief, which was made possible by a recently-passed state law.

The small town of Jonesburg wants to bring in some revenue from hospitality, asking voters to approve a 5% lodging tax.

The Wellsville Special Road District wants to extend a property tax levy of 30 cents for four years.

Osage County

Osage Co Sample BallotDownload

Osage County voters will see two property tax relief questions on their April ballots.

One question is broad, asking if certain “eligible” property owners should be protected from increases on their primary residences. The second asks specifically whether senior citizens should have their tax rates frozen.

Chariton County

Chariton 040726 PublicationDownload

Chariton joins other rural Mid-Missouri counties in having the general property tax relief question on its April ballots.

Two major public safety questions will appear on the ballot for some Chariton County residents. They are: to form a new Salisbury Fire Protection District and whether to impose a 30-cent property tax levy to fund it.

The New Brunswick School District has a $4.2 million bond issue on the ballot to pay for a list of upgrades from elementary to high school. The debt service levy would remain the same.

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Bend’s Downtown Library to close for remodel, Central Library to fill gap

KTVZ on March 24, 2026

Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Downtown Bend Library will close for a comprehensive remodel on April 10, 2026, marking the first major renovation in the building’s nearly 30-year history. The closure coincides with the opening of the new Central Library, which began offering drive-thru services on March 23, 2026.

The downtown facility is expected to remain closed until spring 2027 to allow for expanded public spaces and updated amenities. During this period, the new Central Library at 61956 SE Santorini Street will serve the community through a phased opening, with full public access scheduled to begin in May 2026.

Construction renderings.

Rendering of upgrades.

The Central Library drive-thru, located at 61956 SE Santorini Street in Bend, provides holds pick-up from noon to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Patrons can return books, DVDs and magazines 24 hours a day at the drive-thru book drop. To use the pick-up service, visitors must select “Central DRIVE-THRU” as their location in the library’s online catalog. When a hold is ready, drivers enter the lane near the east entrance and ring a bell at the window for assistance from staff.

The automated return system requires users to hold their items near a sensor on the chute to unlock it before placing materials in the return slot. This drive-thru facility is limited to standard library materials. Larger items, including curriculum crates, book club kits and materials from the “Library of Things,” cannot be accepted at the drive-thru. These items must be returned inside the Central Library building once it opens to the public in May.

Drive-thru return.

The Downtown Bend Library remodel is the first comprehensive update for the facility since it opened nearly 30 years ago. Once the construction is finished, the building will feature more public space and updated amenities. Library officials have set up a dedicated section on their website to answer frequently asked questions regarding the temporary closure and the specific changes planned for the downtown location.

Renderings of the upgardes library.

The Central Library is scheduled to fully open to the public on May 11, 2026. The Downtown Bend Library remodel is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

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Man accused of pointing gun at woman’s head, threatening to shoot cat

KMIZ on March 24, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon man was charged on Monday after authorities claim he threatened to shoot a cat and pointed a gun at a woman’s head.

Robert Russell, 18, was charged in Miller County with second-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He was released from the Miller County Jail on Tuesday morning after posting a $25,000 bond.

The probable cause statement says Russell threatened to shoot a cat on Sunday after a “memorial for his father” was broken. The victim recorded an argument between Russell and her when he mentioned him planning to kill the cat and assault the victim, the statement says.

Russell allegedly held a gun during the 18-minute recording, the statement says. The victim wrote in a statement that Russell held a Glock at that back of her head during the during argument.

The victim also allegedly told deputies that Russell had choked her during a March 17 assault, the statement says.

The victim also “emailed more audio recordings and photos of bruising on her hand, leg, thigh, rib area, and forearm from previous altercations with Robert,” court documents say.

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