Jefferson City man charged with second-degree statutory rape

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged on Tuesday with second-degree statutory rape in Cole County.

Page Guss, 22, is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

The probable cause statement says the victim’s mother called Columbia police on May 16 to say their 16-year-old daughter had “sexual relations” with Guss at a Jefferson City hotel.

Guss allegedly picked up the girl from her parents’ residence and the mother called the victim’s phone and allegedly told Guss the girl was not an adult, the statement says. Guss allegedly said curse words at the mother and hung up the phone, the statement says.

Guss and the minor were unable to get a hotel room in Columbia, but were able to in Jefferson City, the statement says.

The victim allegedly told police Guss added her on the social media application Snapchat on May 15 and that they had sex in a Jefferson City hotel room the next day, the statement says.

Guss allegedly told police that after the phone call with the victim’s mother, the victim allegedly told him the mother lied and claimed she was 19 years old, court documents say.

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Fort Yuma Quechan Fashion Show happening next month

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Fort Yuma Quechan Fashion Show is happening next month, and the Yuma community is invited to attend.

The fashion show, happening Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Paradise Event Center, located at 450 Quechan Drive in Yuma, at noon.

Courtesy: Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe

During the event, there will be food and drink vendors, raffles, designer showcases, live music and entertainment and more.

The fashion show will go until 5 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, see attached image below.

Courtesy: Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe

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Mental Health Awareness Walk to be held in Winterhaven

Marcos Icahuate

WINTERHAVEN, Calif. (KYMA) – A walk to bring awareness is planned to be held locally.

The 1st Annual Mental Health is Real Awareness Walk will be on May 27 at Quechan Diabetes Walking Park (401-483 Quechan Road).

Hosted by grief coach Kelley Hammond and clinical counselor Sarah Chavez, the event is meant to bring awareness about mental health.

The free event will also include free food and raffles.

The walk is planned to last one mile.

Sign ups start at 5:30 p.m.

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ICSO finds body in Salton City

Dillon Fuhrman

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) has conducted an investigation after finding a body in Salton City.

According to a press release, ICSO was called to the area of Plaza and Panorama Avenue Sunday before 8 a.m.

Upon arrival, ICSO says deputies found the body and “noted the scene to be suspicious in nature,” prompting them to call their Investigations, Scientific Investigations and Coroner’s Units, who then took over the investigation.

ICSO says the victim was identified as 34-year-old Pedro Montes Jr. of Salton City, and says next of kin was notified.

The investigation is ongoing, and ICSO says no further information will be shared at this time “to ensure the integrity of the case.”

If anyone has information regarding the case, call 442-265-2046.

ICSO_Press Release_Homicide InvestigationDownload

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Justice Department holds event to announce Raul Castro indictment

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Justice Department on Thursday unveiled an indictment against former Cuban leader Raul Castro and five others at Miami’s Freedom Tower.

The charges are related to a 1996 incident in which two planes carrying humanitarian aid were shot down.

Watch the full news conference announcing the charges.

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Questions grow over EPISD’s $52 Million budget deficit

Ilyhanee Robles

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – El Paso ISD is facing a projected $52.8 million budget shortfall, prompting concerns about possible staffing cuts, school consolidations, and financial oversight within the district.

District leaders said declining enrollment, rising costs, and payroll overruns contributed to the deficit. Officials reported nearly 900 fewer students than projected, reducing state funding by an estimated $6.1 million.

Consultants also recommended EPISD consider declaring “financial exigency,” a rare designation similar to bankruptcy for educational institutions.

The district’s former chief financial officer, Martha Aguirre, resigned earlier this month amid the district’s financial struggles.

EPISD leaders say they are now working on a financial stabilization plan while parents and teachers question what impacts the budget crisis could have on students and schools moving forward.

Below is a financial analysis looking into EPISD’s executive budget.

EL PASO ISD Board Brief (1)Download

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Parents react to El Paso ISD’s plan to ‘stabilize financial standing’

Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Following the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night that detailed a plan to recover from a budget deficit of $52 million, parents share concerns of how their students stand to be directly impacted from any resulting school closures or staff cuts.

A group of parents addressed the board during Tuesday’s meeting with concerns about future campus closures to stabilize the district’s finances.

ABC-7 is asking parents if they feel confident the board will make the correct decisions for the district as well as their children.

ABC-7 has also reached out to the district’s teachers association seeking their input on proposed cuts in spending affecting the amount of teachers in schools.

This is a developing story. ABC-7 will continue to provide updates as more information is received.

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Singer and actress Cher turns 80-years-old

NBC News

(NBC, KYMA) – Oscar-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Cher turns 80-years-old Wednesday.

Cher was born Cheryl Sarkisian in El Centro, California in 1946. She left school and home at age 16, taking acting classes and dancing in nightclubs for money.

Cher became a star through her singing, ultimately recording number one hits in seven different decades, with songs like “I Got You Babe,” “Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves,” “Strong Enough,” “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Believe.”

She then lit up the silver screen, winning an Oscar for her performance in 1987’s “Moonstruck,” where she co-starred with Nicolas Cage.

On TV, Cher hosted a popular variety show with her then-husband Sonny Bono called the “Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” that ran for three years in the 1960s, earning her a Golden Globe Award.

With all her accomplishments, Cher has become an American icon like unlike any other.

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Raising walls and spirits: Non-profit and future homeowner spread message of hope in Bend

Claire Elmer

(update: adding video, comments from future homeowner, First Story director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A local family’s dream of homeownership took a major step forward Wednesday, as First Story, volunteers, and community leaders raised the first walls of their new home in Bend.

First Story, a nonprofit founded by Hayden Homes, helps families build long-term financial security through attainable, affordable homeownership. It supports those living at or below 80-percent of area median income.

“First Story was founded back in 1998 by Hayden Homes as a way to build stability and wealth and end generational poverty through affordable homeownership opportunities,” said Claire Duncan, executive director of First Story.

For future homeowner Kimberly Hammons, the wall-raising represented more than the start of construction — it was the result of a decade of working toward homeownership by saving money, building credit, and staying connected with local resources.

“This means more than I can even articulate in words,” Hammons said. “This represents safety and security, a fresh start and a foundation to be able to build up. And the sky’s the limit.”

The home is being built with support from Hayden Homes, donors, and local partners.

State Rep. Emerson Levy, who attended the wall-raising, said the project reflects a broader need across Central Oregon and the state.

“We know we have a housing crisis in Central Oregon and throughout the state,” Levy said. “But mostly I just want to welcome you to your house, and I hope it is a beautiful story for your family.”

Duncan said First Story wants families who may not think homeownership is possible to keep believing in that goal.

“If there are families who haven’t dared to dream of homeownership, please, please start dreaming,” Duncan said. “With just hope and perseverance, you will get there.”

Hammons said sharing her story is part of the point. While the process can feel daunting, she hopes others in similar situations see what is possible.

“I would like to speak out to other people that are kind of in similar situations as me and just kind of give a little bit of hope,” Hammons said. “Something will transpire and you could be standing here like I’m standing here.”

For First Story and the partners involved, the hope is that other Central Oregonians see more than a house taking shape — they see a reason to keep dreaming.

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Against the odds, Jensen’s Grove will have water for early Summer 2026

Seth Ratliff

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — In a welcoming turn of events for locals, Jensen’s Grove will have water for the first part of the summer despite lingering concerns over regional drought conditions.

The City of Blackfoot announced on Wednesday on Facebook that water is officially being redirected back into the grove. The sudden turnaround comes after the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) adjusted the regional water priority date to 1913, temporarily loosening restrictions.

“While we don’t yet know how long the water will be allowed to flow, we’re grateful for the opportunity while it’s here,” the city stated in its social media post. “Jensen’s Grove plays an important role not only as a beautiful place for recreation and gathering, but also as a key area for aquifer recharge, helping support our local water system.”

The outlook for the popular recreation spot was grim just a few weeks ago. In late April, Blackfoot Mayor Scott Stufflebeam expressed serious doubts that Mother Nature would cooperate enough to allow the city to fill the basin.

RELATED: ‘Mother Nature Said Not This Year’: Jensen Grove to remain dry despite infrastructure repairs

Today, Mayor Stufflebeam said he’s “cautiously optimistic.”

“I know it’ll get cut off. There’s no question that it will or it won’t. This year, I would be surprised [if] we would be allowed to have water after mid-June,” explained Mayor Stufflebeam. “We realize the situation, We realize we’re in severe drought, and we’re going to try to enjoy it while we can and take advantage of it.”

Those doubts followed a state-ordered cutoff of all water rights junior to 1898, aside from those who’d joined an approved mitigation agreement.

Idaho follows the prior appropriation system, which gives priority to older, or “senior,” water rights during times of shortage. When supplies are limited or in a drought year, newer, or “junior,” rights can be reduced or cut off to prioritize senior holders.

The city’s water right dates back to 1900. As a result, the city was ordered to shut its floodgates.

With the water now flowing, city officials are urging residents to make the most of the unexpected good news.

“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this time—get outside, enjoy the space, and appreciate this special resource right here in Blackfoot!”

“We’re supposed to be in the mid 80s for the first part of June. So that’s a perfect time to be out there, especially if we have water,” adds Stufflebeam.

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