El Paso Water celebrates water released into Rio Grande

Rishi Oza

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Water from Elephant Butte made its way to the Rio Grande in El Paso. El Paso Water celebrated the release and said it will use the river water throughout the summer.

“In addition to having this additional source of water, it’s all about saving the aquifer. And when we have the river water available, there’s really nothing more important than that,” said Gilbert Trejo, the Vice President of Operations for El Paso Water.

Trejo said the utility will integrate the river water into tanks for customers to use for the summer instead of ground water.

The water will go through a treatment process. The goal is to save ground water usage for the winter months when the river is dry.

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16-year-old charged with murder indicted by Boone County grand jury

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 16-year-old boy who is charged as an adult in connection with a 2025 shooting death was indicted by a Boone County grand jury on Friday.

Deshawn D. Brown, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and second-degree murder in the death of Zarian Simpson.

Another 16-year-old, Rodney Moore Jr., is also accused in the shooting and is charged with the same felonies as Brown. Steven Paden IV, 35, of Columbia, is also charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and felony murder.

All three people are listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster without bond. An arraignment for Brown is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. Moore had a hearing on Monday, June 1.

Paden has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24 and his jury trial is scheduled to begin 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Officers were called to the Eastgate Apartments at Old 63 and Broadway on June 15, 2025, when police found Simpson with a gunshot wound.

Dispatchers heard gunfire while Simpson was on the phone with them during a chase. He went silent after the shots rang out, and his car crashed into an apartment complex near Stephens Lake Park, previous reporting shows.

Moore allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he fired a gun at Simpson’s vehicle and that Brown was a part of the robbery, court documents in previous reporting show.

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Years long Madison County drug investigation leads to major seizure

Par Kermani

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A years-long drug trafficking investigation in Madison County has led to the seizure of thousands of THC products, multiple firearms and other illegal drugs, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said detectives recovered more than 1,600 THC cartridges containing more than 6 pounds of THC, along with 79 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 2.8 pounds of marijuana, 180 grams of THC wax, 56 grams of THC honey, 81 grams of THC edibles and 6 grams of heroin.

Investigators also seized 11 firearms and multiple vehicles.

The sheriff’s office said the operation involved several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and was aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into area communities.

“The operation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the investigators and partner agencies involved,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on their social media page.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional updates may be released as the case progresses.

Agencies assisting with the investigation included the Rexburg Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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Third man pleads guilty to assault in January 2025 shooting, sentenced to 4 years in prison

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A third Columbia man has pleaded guilty to a felony in a January 2025 shooting that occurred on Providence Road in Columbia.

Ataveon Gordon pleaded guilty on Friday to second-degree assault. He was sentenced to four years in prison. He was given credit for time served.

Jared Britt Jr., 20, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on March 23 to the same charge and received the same sentence. He is being held at the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center, according to records from the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Justin Lumley Jr., 18, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on March 11 to second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree property damage. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and is being held at Farmington Correctional Center.

Court documents from previous reporting in the Jan. 27, 2025, shooting – which occurred near North Providence Road and Nebraska Avenue —

 say one person was injured after being shot at and one of the two people shot at recognized Britt and Gordon.

Police found a Chevrolet Malibu with multiple bullet holes and shot-out windows. One of the victims was brought to University Hospital.

Gordon allegedly told police that he and one of the victims allegedly messaged each other prior before Gordon picked them up, previous reporting indicates.

Lumlely and another person approached one of the victims and Lumley shot at the victim’s vehicle from the front passenger side of Gordon’s vehicle as the victims drove away, previous reporting shows.

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Man accused of murder 2022 J. Pfenny’s shooting gets new judge

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man accused of shooting and killing two people in 2022 at a Jefferson City bar will see a new judge in his murder case.

Damien Davis, 39, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of illegal gun possession in the shooting death of 26-year-old Skylar Smock and 43-year-old Corey Thames on Nov. 26, 2022, at J. Pfenny’s Sports Grill and Pub.

Judge Brian Stumpe recused himself on Thursday, citing a “court restructuring of case load,” court filings show. Judge Christopher Limbaugh was assigned to the case.

According to previous reporting, Smock tried to break up a fight and remove Thames from the business when Davis started firing shots, according to investigators.

Police say Davis admitted to firing shots at Thames but says he unintentionally shot Smock. Previous reporting indicates that Davis had said “I was saving my life” during his arraignment in November 2022.

Court documents claim Davis’ statement to police that night did not match the evidence at the scene, including the location of shell casings or the video evidence captured by the bar’s cameras.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in 2023.

Davis is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, June 22.

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Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office kicks off 2026 career camp

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Today was the first day of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Career Camp. Students got a firsthand look at what it takes to work in law enforcement through hands-on activities.

The program began with students introducing themselves and giving a two-minute speech about a randomly selected item.

Participants also tested their coordination by riding tricycles while wearing “drunk goggles” and attempting a mock field sobriety test. Students learned how drones are used in law enforcement investigations, including search-and-rescue missions, and watched officers demonstrate how a PIT maneuver can safely stop a dangerous driver during a pursuit. They also got a close-up look at a mock crime scene and participated in a SWAT room-clearing simulation.

“This program is designed for kids who want to potentially work in law enforcement when they grow up or who have an interest in law enforcement,” Sgt. Daniel Sperry said. “Maybe they have a family member in law enforcement. This gives them the opportunity to learn about a career.”

Another highlight of the camp was rappelling with Bonneville County Search and Rescue.

“To be able to step off the edge, that’s quite frightening for many people,” Lovell said. “When they’re supported by their peers and by deputies through the different things that we do, watching them grow is my favorite part.”

Aside from recruiting future law enforcement officers, organizers say one of their biggest goals is helping students build confidence by pushing them outside their comfort zones.

“My favorite part is watching the kids grow. We intentionally put them in groups with people they don’t know. We take them out of their comfort zone,” Sperry said.

Lily De La Cruz said having family members in law enforcement inspired her to attend the career camp and consider a future career in the field. This is her second year attending.

“Before, I was a little hesitant about it,” De La Cruz said. “But being here and meeting all of the officers and all the amazing people who are also considering it really made me fall in love with it even more and want to pursue a career in it.”

The camp continues through the rest of the week, with a second session scheduled to begin June 15.

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New Sugar City museum project aims to preserve local history

Kaelyn Blessinger

SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) — To reflect on and remember the Teton Dam flood, as well as the unity shown by those who came together in its aftermath, Sugar City will host its Flood 50 event June 5-6 at Madison Junior High School.

The event will feature an exhibit highlighting the history of the flood and its impact on the community.

Organizers will also offer a walking tour of Sugar City, showcasing 30 locations that existed before the flood destroyed many of the area’s buildings. Plans are also underway to reconstruct a train depot that stood in the city before the flood.

On June 6, the event will showcase local talent, with nearly 100 participants expected to perform in a celebration of the community’s resilience and unity.

The Sugar City Museum

An unused portion of the former Sugar City Hardware building is being transformed into a new museum.

The Sugar City Area Historical Society has been working to establish a museum dedicated to preserving the city’s history. However, legal issues involving the original property delayed the project.

The Sugar City Hardware building later offered the historical society temporary space for a museum while efforts continue to secure a permanent location.

If you are interested in supporting the museum, here is a link to their website

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18-year-old charged for owning 3D-printed gun, firing shots at Scenic Drive

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police arrested an 18-year-old for allegedly owning an illegal 3D-printed gun and shooting a gun at Scenic Drive, EPPD said Monday.

On May 29, police were patrolling near Scenic Drive when they heard gunfire coming from the overlook. Officers came across an SUV on Wheeling Avenue near Scenic Drive and went up to the driver, Raul Paez.

Police found an AR pistol in the SUV and learned he had an illegal 3D-printed handgun. Police allege Paez fired the shots at Scenic Drive.

They arrested and charged him with unlawful carrying of a weapon and discharge of a firearm. He also had traffic warrants at the time of his arrest, police said.

Police booked Paez into the county detention facility.

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Yuma non-profit launches hygiene kit drive to support local Veterans

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local nonprofit is calling on the community to help support Veterans in need through a countywide hygiene kit drive aimed at providing essential personal care items to those experiencing hardship.

Right Turn for Yuma Veterans, an organization dedicated to assisting Veterans facing homelessness and other challenges, is collecting donations to assemble hygiene care kits for distribution across the Yuma area.

Organizers say the goal is to build 1,200 kits filled with everyday necessities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and other hygiene products.

Monetary donations are also being accepted to help cover additional supplies and support distribution efforts.

Drop-off locations have been set up throughout Yuma County in partnership with local businesses and community supporters to make donating as accessible as possible.

Organizers encourage residents to contribute full-size or travel-size items to help meet the growing need.

In addition to helping Veterans, the drive also includes a community incentive. Donors can enter a raffle for a chance to win one of two televisions by taking a photo of their donation, posting it on Facebook, and tagging Right Turn for Yuma Veterans.

The hygiene kit drive runs through June 17.

Drop off locations include Z93, Chapman Chevy, NOVA, WaFd Bank (Foothills), RE/MAX, ALLO, and Foothills Bank.

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Central Oregon water levels remain low despite recent rain, officials warn

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Despite recent rain and even some late-season snow, Central Oregon’s water outlook remains concerning as the region heads into summer.

According to the Water Master, as of Monday, the upper Deschutes basin sits at 0% on snowpack and 78% of yearly precipitation for this date — a sign that recent storms have done little to improve long-term conditions.

Deschutes County Water Master Jeremy Giffin says the region is still feeling the impacts of a dry winter.

“This year, though, we’re in bad shape due to last winter,” Giffin said. “We were very low on our overall precipitation for the winter as well as the snowpack. And so while this last week’s thunderstorms helped, it’s really just a drop in the bucket. What we really need is more snowpack throughout the winter months.”

While recent storms briefly boosted streams and rivers, those gains were short-lived, and water levels have since returned to below-normal conditions.

That ongoing shortage could soon impact water users across the region.

“We do anticipate shut offs in local irrigation districts, depending on their priority date,” Giffin said.

At Dillon Falls, visitors say the difference in water levels is already noticeable.

“We have,” said Cheryl and Brad Emerson. “I mean, it’s still incredibly impressive to see all the water going down, but you can tell when you look at the rocks that the water level is down. It’s not quite as much as it usually is.”

Water managers say conservation will be key as Central Oregon moves into the drier summer months, urging residents to use water carefully as supplies remain limited.

If you’re interested in tracking current and past snowpack levels, head over to the USDA’s website.

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