Warrant arrest sparks brief police incident, shelter-in-place on W. Elswood Drive Tuesday afternoon

KIFI on May 26, 2026

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for a local neighborhood after an attempt to serve a warrant led to a brief police incident on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office issued an “all-clear” for the area surrounding W. Elswood Drive after an Idaho Falls Police Department operation concluded safely.

Idaho Falls Police and the United States Marshals Task Force responded after Gustavo Chavez “barricaded himself inside the home,” said IFPD Interim Spokesperson Lt. Dustin Howell.

In the end, officers took Chavez into custody without incident.

He was wanted on several felony charges, including felony eluding and probation violations, according to Lt. Howell.

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CASA Auto commits $1 million for future Deck Plaza dog park

KVIA on May 26, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The future Deck Plaza project received its first private donation of $1 million from CASA Auto Group, the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation said Tuesday.

The money will go toward the future “Casa Auto Group Dog Park.” Large and small dogs will be able to enjoy their own space, the foundation said.

“My hope is that this is a space for all El Pasoans, and I know that it’s going to create economic development and improve quality of life,” CASA Auto CEO Ronnie Lowenfield said.

CASA Auto employees, their dogs and Chico the Chihuahua made a special appearance at the investment announcement.

The foundation said the project could generate nearly $1 billion over 30 years. The foundation has been trying to raise at least $35 million in private funding to add spaces like an amphitheater and playgrounds, it said.

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Man arrested, charged for allegedly stalking with a drone

KVIA on May 26, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged for allegedly using a drone to stalk someone, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

On May 23, deputies went to the 500 block of Paseo Modesto Drive near Darrington Road in Far East El Paso for a family violence call.

EPCSO said a victim reported Cristobal Gonzalez for allegedly following them to their house, damaged property and “caused them to fear for their safety due to prior incidents.”

Surveillance video showed Gonzales used a drone to watch the home, EPCSO said.

Deputies found Gonzalez at the 13000 block of Powick Drive near Bob Hope Drive and took him into custody, EPCSO said.

Detectives found a drone and controller in his car after executing a search warrant.

Deputies booked Gonzalez into the county detention facility on stalking, theft and trespassing charges. His bond totaled $27,000, EPCSO said.

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CPD reports department short 21 uniformed officers, but violent crime down since 2021

KMIZ on May 26, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department on Tuesday released its annual report for 2025, which shows violent crime trending down in the city for the fourth year in a row.

CPD defined violent crime as a criminal act that involves a force or threat of force against a person. It may consist of murder or manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault or rape. The department counts one crime for each victim.

In 2021, CPD reported 652 violent crimes and in 2025 only 470 violent crimes were reported. Violent crime reports only dropped by six from 2024 to 2025.

Guns were the most common weapon used in violent crimes, with 169 reports. There were 140 reports for aggravated assault with a gun. However, murders involving guns were down nearly 70% from 2024, with only four reported in 2025.

In 2026, Columbia has already reached last year’s peak with four people dead across multiple shootings. One girl was killed in a shooting at the Greens apartment complex on Jan. 4. A man was shot to death on Ridgemont Court in a deadly Facebook marketplace meetup less than two weeks later on Jan. 18. Another man was killed on North Garth Avenue on Feb. 7. Another man was killed in a drive-by shootout on Allen Street on March 4.

Violent crime in ColumbiaInfogram

The report also states that CPD is short 21 full-time uniformed officer positions. The report cites 91 total full-time officer positions, with 70 filled.

In April, Police Chief Jill Schlude said the department would no longer be able to field a dedicated downtown police unit, originally set to launch in May, due to the staffing strain. Schlude introduced the idea of bringing the unit back in an October 2025 interview, following the death of a Stephens College student in downtown Columbia at the end of September.

In 2025, CPD had 41,432 calls for service with 10,042 police reports filed. Officers also made 16,127 traffic stops and 4,401 arrests. The department also reported a 100% clearance rate for homicides in 2025.

The highest arrest rates were for those ages 10-17 and 25-34.

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Columbia man accused of dumping woman’s body in creek has hearing set for next week

KMIZ on May 26, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLIMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who was accused of dumping a woman’s body in a trash bin in Perche Creek earlier this month appeared in court on Tuesday.

Andrew Acton, 53, is charged with abandoning a corpse and tampering with evidence. He still does not have an attorney. The judge set his next hearing for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

The victim’s body was found in a city roll cart on Sunday, May 17 in Perche Creek. A boater found the bin at the Providence Landing on Old Plank Road, reporting a smell of decomposition, court documents in previous reporting say. The victim has not been publicly identified.

An autopsy was ordered last week, but it has not been completed, according to an update to a Sunshine Law request made by ABC 17 News to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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Two wanted individuals arrested after Sunday traffic stop, foot chase near 17th and Holmes

KIFI on May 26, 2026

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two wanted individuals are behind bars following a Sunday afternoon traffic stop that escalated into a brief foot chase near a busy local intersection.

Matthew Phillips, 35, and Tamya Louise King, 28, were arrested around 3:40 p.m. in the Albertsons parking lot near 17th Street and Holmes Avenue.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when a deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle, citing multiple traffic violations. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Phillips—who had been lying down in the backseat—jumped out and attempted to run away on foot, discarding a fanny pack in the process.

The deputy recognized Phillips, knowing he was wanted on multiple felony warrants and had already eluded law enforcement in a vehicle earlier that same day.

According to police, Phillips ran toward a nearby McDonald’s, ignoring the deputy’s commands to stop. This forced the deputy to tase Phillips, who fell on the ground, cutting his face above the eye. After the deputy subdued him, BCSO says Phillips was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

During the chase, more deputies and Idaho Falls Police officers arrived to secure the scene, where they detained the male driver and a female passenger, later identified as King.

Investigators learned that King had active felony probation warrants out of both Madison and Bonneville counties. She was arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail.

According to a BCSO press release, King later admitted to deputies that she had used illegal drugs earlier that day and told them that Phillips had panicked when police pulled behind them, stating he “couldn’t go back to jail” as he tried to hide in the back.

After searching the scene, the deputies retrieved the fanny pack Phillips threw as he attempted to run, which contained drug paraphernalia and just over 2 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in the back seat where Phillips had been sitting. Later, during the jail booking process, deputies found another small baggie in Phillips’ pocket containing just over 1 gram of methamphetamine.

King was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on her outstanding warrants.

Phillips was booked on an active Bonneville County warrant for felony eluding, as well as felony warrants from the Idaho Department of Corrections and the Utah Board of Pardons. He faces new felony charges for possession of methamphetamine and destruction of evidence, alongside misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, Phillips has also been charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a motor vehicle. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Deputies are continuing to investigate, and further charges related to Phillips’ actions before the traffic stop are pending.

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Resurfacing of US-20 between Idaho Falls and Rigby begins tonight

KIFI on May 26, 2026

News Release

IDAHO FALLS – Work to resurface all lanes of U.S. Highway 20 between Idaho Falls and Rigby begins tonight, promising a smoother ride and extending the lifespan of the roadway.

To minimize the headache for daytime commuters, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced that crews will work overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will work intermittently this week to remove asphalt in sections, then repave the roadway the same night so both lanes of travel are open during peak hours.

From Sunday to Thursday nights, travel will be reduced to a single lane in active work areas overnight. Nighttime restrictions will stretch from just north of Exit 309 (Science Center Drive) in Idaho Falls up to Exit 320 in Rigby.

ITD is asking drivers to be aware of staged equipment off the road during the day.

Weather permitting, ITD expects the resurfacing project to be fully completed by late July.

For further information and updates, click HERE.

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Zen Fire Containment Grows as Crews Make Progress on Suppression Efforts

KTVZ on May 26, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

Update: Central Oregon Fire Information is reporting the Zen Fire is now 40% contained, with the fire burning 1,500 acres. According to the latest reports, crews are continuing with suppression efforts.

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Fire crews are reporting steady progress on a wildfire burning in a remote, hard-to-access area, with improved weather conditions helping slow its spread.

Officials say the fire is holding at about 1,500 acres and is roughly 3% contained, with no new growth reported. Recent rain has played a key role in moderating fire behavior after strong wind gusts — reaching up to 49 miles per hour — helped drive rapid spread when the fire first ignited.

“Anytime you have wind, dryness and heat, that’s a recipe for a fire,” said Suzannah Burke, Public Information Officer for Central Oregon Fire Management Service, noting crews were prepared for the conditions and responded quickly.

The terrain remains one of the biggest challenges. Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged areas with limited access, making it difficult for crews to fully map the fire perimeter and establish containment lines. Firefighters are relying on a mix of ground crews, air resources and specialized teams to navigate cliffs and narrow canyon areas.

Despite those challenges, suppression efforts are ongoing, with crews working toward full containment as conditions allow.

Looking ahead, officials say cooler temperatures and lighter winds are expected to continue in the coming days, with the possibility of additional rain. While moisture is helping current fire conditions, crews are also watching for lightning associated with storms.

Lightning can create delayed fire starts, smoldering for days before igniting under warmer, drier conditions.

“We do want to monitor if we do have rain for lightning,” Burke said. “Lightning can often lead to a new start. It can smolder for a few days, and then once things warm up, that’s when you can see a fire start.”

As of now, there are no road closures, evacuations or public access restrictions tied to the fire.

Fire officials are also emphasizing prevention as fire season ramps up, noting that more than half of wildfires in Oregon are caused by human activity. They urge the public to follow restrictions and avoid activities like fireworks or open burning.

For the latest updates on wildfires in Central Oregon, visit Central Oregon Fire Info.

Reported on at 1:00 pm, May 26, 2026

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The ZEN Fire is burning south of Clarno in Wasco County and remains at 0% containment as crews continue to monitor and respond to the blaze.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will have a full update on the ZEN Fire, including the fire’s current behavior and what is driving its spread, how crews are working to contain it, and what weather conditions firefighters are watching most closely in the next 12 to 24 hours.

We’ll also ask fire personnel whether any road closures, evacuations, or public access restrictions could be coming if conditions worsen.

Tune into KTVZ News at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on our FOX affiliate for the latest.

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Columbia man accused of drunkenly firing shot at mobile home park

KMIZ on May 26, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was arrested and charged after he allegedly fired a gun in a mobile home park while he was drunk on Monday evening.

Phillip Etheridge, 36, was charged on Tuesday with unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Boone County Jail and the state has requested his bond be set at $10,000.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 7:16 p.m. to a mobile home park on New Haven Road after one of the victims heard gun shots while they were doing yard work. Etheridge allegedly was seen swinging his arms while he was holding a gun, the statement says. He allegedly walked by the residence multiple times while saying “I hope you don’t look my way,” the statement says.

A second victim heard gunshots after seeing Etheridge pull a gun from his pants and waive it, court documents say. That victim allegedly said she heard Etheridge make a threat, the statement says.

Etheridge allegedly told police that he became mad after one of the victims called him something insulting, the statement says. He allegedly admitted to firing one shot.

The police officer noted in the probable cause statement that Etheridge appeared to be intoxicated and had two small bottles of Fireball on him when he was detained.

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El Paso Sector Border Patrol arrests 2 suspected Tren de Aragua members

KVIA on May 26, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Tuesday, the El Paso Sector Border Patrol said its Targeting Unit, Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two alleged Tren de Aragua Members.

On X, El Paso Sector Border Patrol said the agencies had a targeted operation that led to the two arrests. The members were in the U.S. illegally, the post said.

The post included a video of the arrest, which took place at a home.

Courtesy: El Paso Sector Border Patrol on X (@USBPChiefEPT)

The Border Patrol sector said the suspects will be removed from the country.

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