Men’s reentry program fills recovery gap in mid-Missouri

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than a month after opening its doors, one of Jefferson City’s only accredited sober living homes for men is already full, with six more people waiting for a bed.

Landmark Recovery’s Men’s Sober Living Home opened on June 1 helps men with reentry into the workforce. Residents include men who may have been unhoused, recently incarcerated or are recovering from addiction. The group accepts referrals from state and local agencies, local programs and even self-referrals.

The home fits up to eight men, ages 18 and older. Nine men in total have been served since the start of the sober house program.

 “This house essentially provides a safe home, but it also gives them structure,” Landmark Recovery Director Jerica Bowman said. “They have access to all of the services that Landmark offers, free of charge, we work on addressing the domains of recovery, including social support, family support, employment, mental health, physical health, and practical needs for food or clothing.”

The program also hosts events for residents, including cookouts, outdoor activites and a planned skydiving trip Saturday.

Landmark Recovery is funded primarily by the Department of Mental Health State Opioid Response Funds, with the remainder coming from local and county contracts that use the program as a recovery service provider, such as Callaway County.

According to the Missouri Accountability Portal, the group received around $325,000 by the department in 2026 and $310,000 in 2025. 

“That’s what enables us to be able to provide these services to our residents. We can very easily refer our guys to the services that we already offer here, thanks to our funding from DMH,” Bowman said. “That pays for our staff to be able to provide the peer support that they do and the care coordination as well as transportation.”

Once in the home, residents also pay for their housing, with a weekly fee of $130 per week and $200 worth of smaller fees that can either be paid as an initial deposit or throughout the program.

The home is rented by Landmark Recovery, with the home’s property owner updating the interior with new outlets to accommodate additional fridges for food storage and bedrooms to accommodate two people.

“It’s so hard to find second-chance housing that’s willing to overlook a background ,or overlook credit score, or overlook poor rental history, so there is a dramatic need in our area for housing,” Bowman said.

According to the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers, there are only two state-funded recovery programs in Jefferson City: The Healing House and New Beginnings, Inc., with five women’s-only homes, and Landmark Recovery.

MCRSP-Accredited-Recovery-Houses-07-01-2026-1Download

There are 12 recovery programs in Mid-Missouri in total, with 64 available homes. 55 of the homes are located in Columbia.

The cities of Macks Creek, Marshall, Hannibal, Warrensburg, Fulton and Sedalia all have at most three recovery homes in each location, totaling to 13 homes.

“Every single month at Landmark Recovery Center, our office here in town, we refer over 40 people to either housing programs or treatment programs around the state,” Bowman said. “It really shows that right here in our county, people are struggling to find accommodating housing, but because there are no options here, we’re having to take them outside of the county.”

Bowman adds that she hopes for the program to grow, including homes for independent living.

“Our discouragement comes from a lack of housing, independent housing for our men that when they leave this program, we have to find somewhere for them to go next to be able to reunify with their children or to be able to gain independence,” Bowman said. “if we dream really big, I would love to open more houses like the one we have now.”

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Sorrell leads in fundraising for Columbia’s Fourth Ward race

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The July quarterly reports for the Missouri Ethics Commission shows that former Columbia Utilities Director David Sorrell is leading in donations given to campaigns.

Committees needed to submit their reports by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Sorrell leads funding this cycle with $15,041.70 raised and $4,060.50 on-hand. Attorney and lobbyist Sharon Jones follows Sorrell with $ 6,555.00 raised and $3,288.98 on-hand. Attorney Ryan King raised $1,275 and has $1,025.12 -hand.

Some notable donations to Sorrell’s campaign includes Brian Toohey of the Board of Realtors, which recently endorsed Sorrell, gave $260.73. Plumber Russell Duker gave $2,000. MM II LLC gave $ 1,500; M M III LLC gave $ 1,000; while THM Staffing, Construction and Investments gave $1,000 apiece. Jeanne Locklear, and HR specialist with the city, contributed $ 1,041.98.

Notable names in Jones’ contributions include Former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece, who openly criticized Sorrell when filing opened. Treece gave $200. Former Ward 2 Councilwoman Andrea Waner contributed $50, State Rep. Adrian Plank (D-Columbia) gave $40 and Boone County Recorder of Deeds Robert Nolte gave $100.

Ronald Leone, who is listed on the documents as a lobbyist for the Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association, contributed $350.

Ryan King’s top donor was himself at $1,000.

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Columbia urges residents to use less power after ‘Energy Emergency Alert’ issued

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An “Energy Emergency Alert Level 2” was issued for the City of Columbia from 4- 8 p.m. Wednesday by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, a press release from the city says.

“This means the central and north regions of MISO (including the Columbia area) are currently experiencing large system loads and reserves are tight,” the release says.

All generation sources for the city are “up and running” and the electric grid for the city is “stable,” the release says. “Neighbors and other states within MISO” in the grid are under strain, the release says.

The city is asking residents to reduce electric usage by:

Setting the thermostat as high as possible “while maintaining reasonable levels”

Leave shads down over south and west-facing windows

Turnoff unneeded lights and unplug appliances not in use.

Use the oven, dishwasher or other appliance that produce heat after 8 p.m.

MISO’s coverage area includes Minnesota, Iowa, portions of Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Alerts go up to “Energy Emergency Alert 3,” according to MISO’s website.

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The Valley’s Forgotten: Can AI help solve a cold case?

Jessamyn Dodd

EDITOR’S NOTE: For part one of The Valley’s Forgotten, click HERE. For part two of The Valley’s Forgotten, click HERE.

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Can advances in technology help solve a cold case murder?

“With the rise of AI, it may be even helpful to look into those kind of things that are helpful to reconstruct crime scenes. So those kind of things we’re looking into and that might be a possibility,” Imperial Police Deprtment Detective Daniel told KYMA.

We asked Imperial County’s District Attorney George Marquez about AI, and he said his office is currently in the process of purchasing new AI technology.

“So the advantage that’s going to have, for example, in cold cases, when we have maybe a mountain of evidence and maybe there’s something that we missed, it’s going to be able to analyze it for us, it’s going to be able to summarize it for us, and it’s going to be able to tell if a suspect, that a person’s lying,” he explained.

The family of Josue Arviso Lopez is still searching for answers. Lopez was murdered on September 20, 2020 in Brawley. He was shot near the cross streets of Leonard and South 11th Streets.

There have been no leads, no arrests, and no reward.

“No justice has been served for him,” Melanie Saiza, the mother of Lopez’s children told KYMA.

Lopez leaves behind a grieving family and two children.

“He was a good father. I mean, his, that’s all he ever talked about was his kids,” she reflected.

“Everybody loved him. He would help anybody out. And I just feel like justice should be served for him,” Saiza added.

Right now, there are still no answers, and the case remains unsolved. If you have any information about this case please contact the City of Brawley Police Department and the office of the District Attorney.

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City of El Centro to temporarily close Bark Park for annual maintenance

Dillon Fuhrman

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro says they are temporarily closing Bark Park next month.

The closure, taking place Monday, August 3, 2026 through Monday, August 24, 2026, is for annual maintenance.

This will include installing a water fountain in the small dog area, grass reseeding, allow turf time to grow and recover, insect-control spraying and other routine maintenance.

Courtesy: Google Maps

The closure will also allow “staff to complete the work safely while giving the grass sufficient time toestablish without foot or pet traffic,” the City said.

In addition, the maintenance efforts is to help “preserve the park’s landscaping and provide a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment for pets and their owners.”

Bark Park is set to reopen Tuesday, August 25, 2026. To learn more about the closure, read the press release, written in English and Spanish, below.

BarkParkMaintenancePREngDownload

BarkParkMaintenancePRSpaDownload

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Las Cruces Public Schools announces new K-12 statewide online school

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces Public Schools announced a new online school open to all of New Mexico Wednesday.

The virtual school, Aspire Online School, serves grades kindergarten through 12th grade, according to a news release.

LCPS said the online school complements the district’s Virtual Learning Academy (VLA), which serves LCPS students in grades three-12. VLA primarily serves students in the Las Cruces area, and Aspire broadens access to eligible students across the state.

The first day of classes on Aspire is July 27, according to LCPS. July 24, there will be a transition day for students starting kindergarten, middle school (sixth grade) and high school (ninth grade).

Additionally, students at Aspire will get a laptop and enhanced Wi-Fi, LCPS said.

The virtual school’s teachers have state certifications, according to a news release. There is also a 24/7 tutoring service, an IT help desk and academic support staff.

“Online learning doesn’t mean learning alone,” Ruiz said. “Every Aspire student will have access to a team of educators and support professionals dedicated to helping them thrive. Whether a family is new to virtual education or has previous experience learning from home, we’re ready to provide the resources, instruction, and personal support students need to succeed,” LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz said.

Students ages 5-21 and live in New Mexico may be eligible to enroll, LCPS said.

The enrollment process is available at https://www.aspirenewmexico.com/  or 575-680-1370. 

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Some Ysleta ISD campuses will have free breakfast, lunch for the school year

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Ysleta Independent School District shared a list of campuses giving free breakfast and lunch meals for the upcoming school year, which starts Aug. 3.

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), nearly 90% of YISD campuses will provide free lunch, according to the district.

Here is a list of CEP campuses by grade level, according to YISD:

Elementary School

Alicia Chacon International 

Capistrano

Del Valle

Desertaire

Dolphin Terrace

East Point

Eastwood Heights

Eastwood Knolls International

Edgemere International

Glen Cove 

Lancaster

Loma Terrace

Mission Valley

North Loop International

North Star

Parkland 

Pasodale

Pebble Hills

Presa

Ramona

REL Washington Int’l

Riverside

Sageland

Scotsdale

Thomas Manor

Tierra Del Sol

Vista Hills

Ysleta 

Middle School

Bel Air

Del Valle

Eastwood 

Hanks 

Parkland

Riverside

Ysleta

High School

Riverside

Ysleta

Pre-K Centers

Parkland Pre-K

Ysleta Pre-K

Other Campuses

Cesar Chavez Academy

Thrive Academy

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Valle Verde Early College High School

Parents whose children attend a CEP school don’t have to fill out a lunch application, according to YISD.

According to YISD, high school students at Bel Air, Del Valle, Eastwood, Hanks and Parkland who qualify for reduce-priced lunch will instead get lunch meals for free. The district credited state funding under the General Appropriations Act. However, parents have to fill out a lunch application, which can be found here.

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Idaho attorney general warns renters about fake listings and deposit scams

Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning renters to watch for fraudulent property listings and demands for upfront payments as competition for housing remains high across the state.

The Attorney General’s Office said scammers often copy legitimate rental advertisements or create fake listings offering below-market prices.

The scammers may then demand a deposit or other payment before allowing a renter to see the property. The schemes can especially target people moving from out of state who may not be able to tour a home in person.

“Idaho’s growth has made us a target for these types of scams, and criminals are exploiting families desperate for housing in a tight market,” Labrador said. “Before you send a dollar, verify the listing and see the property in person or through someone you trust.”

Officials said scammers may claim there is no time to visit the property or pressure renters to pay immediately before the supposed deal disappears.

Another warning sign is a landlord who only accepts payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Those payment methods can be difficult to trace or recover after money is sent.

The Attorney General’s Office recommends searching the rental address online before making a payment. If the same property appears under a different landlord or price, it may be fraudulent.

Renters should also tour the property in person when possible. Those moving from outside the area can ask someone they trust to visit the property or confirm that it matches the advertisement.

More scam prevention information and a consumer complaint form are available through the Idaho Attorney General’s Office at ReportScamsIdaho.com.

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California Mid-State Fair kicks off with ‘Back to the 80s’ theme

Dave Alley

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – The California Mid-State Fair (CMSF) opens its much-anticipated 12-day run at the Paso Robles Event Center Wednesday afternoon.

The popular event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and the same is expected this year through July 26.

Themed “Back to the 80s” this year, the fair will feature a number of activities related to the iconic decade, such as a brand-new free mini roller rink, retro arcade games, mullet contest and dress-up days.

Other attractions debuting this year includes a daily “Happy Hour” promotion that features $5 food and beverage deals, nightly line dancing lessons, enhanced directional signage on the midway, a “Kindness Corner” quiet area, new hydration station in Frontier Town, an expanded schedule of demonstrations and classes, several new food and menu items, plus an webpage to help guests plan their visit and maximize value.

As always, the CMSF will feature headline entertainment in its Michelob ULTRA Concert Series that includes Old Dominion, Ice Cube with Warren G, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Phil Wickham, Megadeth, Howard Jones, Willie Nelson & Family, Treaty Oak Revival, and Three Dog Night.

The CMSF will be held at the Paso Robles Event Center from July 15-26 and will open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon on Friday through Sunday.

The fair will close daily at midnight.

Daily admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and kids are $10.

For more information about the California Mid-State Fair, click here.

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Update Report On Homelessness Trends Presented To Board Of Supervisors

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors received an update on homelessness during yesterday’s monthly meeting in Santa Maria.

Recent statistics show what’s working and what’s not.

The prevalence of people experiencing homelessness over the last 2 years appears to be sustaining at levels improved from 3 to 5 years previous.

“It’s not growing and it’s, you know, it’s not dropping as quickly as we’d like,” says Joe Dzvonik, Santa Barbara County’s Housing And Community Development director. “It’s kind of stable, not only overall but even regionally.”

Homelessness saw peak levels during the 2023 studies.

“During the pandemic, emergency funding and eviction moratoriums acted as a dam, keeping vulnerable households stabilized,” said Jett Black-Maertz, with Santa Barbara County Homeless Assistance, from the podium on Tuesday. “When those supports ended, there was an influx of people falling out of housing and entering the system for the first time.”

Then in 2024, governor Newsom ordered encampments to be cleaned out statewide.

“We got homelessness stabilized to a certain extent, perhaps we’ve hit a plateau, so to speak,” says Dzvonik.

The data presented at Tuesday’s meeting reflects mentionable improvements in the homelessness response system, and notes areas where improvements are still needed.

“It’s an annual update,” says Dzvonik. “We try to basically update the board on like multiple issues dealing to kind of deal with homelessness from a variety of viewpoints.”

The subject of vehicular homelessness received significant discussion at Tuesday’s meeting acknowledging that, while strictly prohibited in Santa Barbara County, many are choosing to live in their cars due to unaffordable housing.

“The folks that answered the question, ‘Do you want to get into housing again?’ Some of them said, ‘No, I am fully committed to just remaining in my vehicle because I’ve adjusted to it.’” says Dzvonik. “We’re not equipped to handle that answer.”

Future efforts are being centralized under the county’s new Homelessness Alliance: Response And Prevention (HARP) initiative.

“We just wanted to kind of get a sense of, do they think we were heading in the right direction with something like HARP, and I think the answer was resoundingly yes,” says Dzvonik. “We’re just determined to make sure that we don’t meet a status quo, you know, that we’re satisfied with. We know there’s a lower level of homelessness in our community that we can reach. It just hasn’t occurred to us how to do that yet. But it’s starting to.”

HARP is developing a centralized data hub so separate agencies and departments can better coordinate homelessness response.

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