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California nudist ranch neighbor charged with murder in couple's disappearances

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California nudist ranch neighbor charged with murder in couple's disappearances

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A resident at a California nudist resort where two of his neighbors disappeared last month has been charged with murder after he was taken into custody during a dramatic standoff with police where he attempted to harm himself with a rifle.

Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was charged with two felony counts of murder in connection to the deaths of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73, who were last seen on Aug. 25, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said at a Tuesday press briefing. 

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Sparks was arrested at his home at the Olive Dell Ranch in Colton on Thursday, the same day that the remains of two people were found underneath his property, which is adjacent to the Menards’ home. The resort is located in the 26000 block of Keissel Road, off Reche Canyon Road, about 13 miles southeast of Downtown San Bernardino.

CALIFORNIA NUDIST RESORT NEIGHBOR CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER COUPLE DISAPPEARS

Michael Sparks, 62, has been charged with the murder of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73. (Redlands Police Deparment)

Police say the remains are being examined by the local coroner’s office and are believed to be Dan and Stephanie Menard. Redlands Chief of Police Rachel Tolber said at the press conference that there is no reason to believe the bodies belong to anyone else. 

A cause of death has not been revealed. Police say they also removed bags of evidence from the scene in a search which was completed Monday.

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The couple’s dog, named Cuddles, is also missing. 

Sparks’ arrest was dramatic and followed numerous attempts to contact him.

Redlands police obtained a search warrant to enter Sparks’ property aided by a drone while SWAT teams tore down the front of his home, which led to significant damage and forced operations to pause at one stage as the space showed signs of potential collapse, police say. 

Eventually, search teams found Sparks armed with a rifle hiding in a subterranean basement of his home and he attempted to harm himself. However, the weapon misfired and eventually he was taken into custody that evening, Tolber said. 

MOUNTAIN LION ATTACKS 5-YEAR-OLD PICNICKING WITH FAMILY AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PARK

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Olive Dell Ranch in Colton entrance and sign

The entrance to the Olive Dell Ranch in Colton where the couple vanished. (Google Maps)

Sparks became a suspect after a family member reportedly told police that he confessed to being involved in the couple’s disappearance and also killing the couple, Tolber said. The family member also reported Sparks was threatening suicide.

Sparks was also charged with two counts of allegations of special circumstances of more than one murder in the first or second degree.

“We know they’re dead and we know there’s two victims and so the special allegation that we filed is multiple victims in a murder case,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said.

“You don’t get a free murder. We believe in this case we can go forward and prove that Mr. Sparks is responsible for both.” 

Missing California couple

The Menards were last seen on Saturday, Aug. 24, police say.  (Redlands Police Department)

 

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Neighbors told Fox 11 that on multiple occasions, Sparks said he “hated” the couple who had lived at the property for decades.

One neighbor said there was bad blood between Sparks and the couple after parts of their tree grew onto Sparks’ property. 

Menards dog

The Redlands Police Department says the Menards’ dog, Cuddles, has not been found. (Redlands Police Department)

Sparks’ arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.

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Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray agrees to four-year, $208 million maximum extension, per reports

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Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray agrees to four-year, 8 million maximum extension, per reports


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Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is staying in the Mile High City.

The Nuggets and Murray agreed to a four-year, $208 million maximum contract extension, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Saturday. The new deal locks down Murray, who was set to enter free agency next summer.

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Murray averaged a career high 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and a career-high 6.5 assists in 59 games last season, his eighth season in Denver after being drafted out of the University of Kentucky with the No. 7 overall pick in 2016. Murray missed the entire 2021-22 NBA season after tearing his ACL, but he helped the Nuggets claim their first ever NBA championship the next season alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Murray has had a busy summer. The Ontario native represented the Canadian men’s national basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team Canada, which also featured the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks, advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the host country France and finishing in fifth place.

Murray averaged six points, three rebounds and 3.8 assists in four Olympic Games.  



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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks Elevate Pair of Veteran DBs From Practice Squad For Season Opener

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Seattle Seahawks Elevate Pair of Veteran DBs From Practice Squad For Season Opener


Prioritizing depth in the secondary for their season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks announced veteran cornerback Artie Burns and safety Marquise Blair have been elevated from the practice squad and will be available to suit up in Week 1.

For most of the offseason program and training camp, Burns rotated in with the first-team defense in the slot when starting cornerback Devon Witherspoon slid back outside and looked to be a lock to make the 53-man roster as a rotational reserve and special teams contributor. However, he exited Seattle’s preseason finale on a cart with a toe injury and ultimately, as a vested veteran who avoided waivers, the team was able to release him and quickly re-sign him to the practice squad.

Coming off an injury-marred 2022 season where he only played in three games, Burns gave the Seahawks quality reps in a reserve role last season while logging extensive action in the slot for the first time in his NFL career. Stepping up with Coby Bryant and Witherspoon banged up at different times during the course of the season, per Pro Football Focus, he allowed less than 10 yards per reception and no touchdowns while producing a pair of pass breakups in eight games where he saw defensive snaps.

By choosing to elevate Burns for Week 1, coach Mike Macdonald and his staff will have a bit more flexibility moving Witherspoon to different positions, as the Seahawks only have five cornerbacks currently on the 53-man roster and none of the other four players have NFL experience in the slot. When in nickel and dime packages on Sunday, depending on where Witherspoon lines up, he could see plenty of playing time rotating in as a situational slot defender.

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Formerly a second-round pick by Seattle back in 2019, Blair’s once-promising career has been derailed by injuries over the past several seasons. A torn ACL limited him to two games in 2020, and after making a lengthy recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, he fractured his knee cap after playing just six games in 2021 and missed the rest of the season.

Unable to stand out in a deep safety group in training camp in 2022, the Seahawks released Blair and he spent a brief cup of tea with the Panthers that season, playing in three games with a single tackle. He didn’t play at all last season after tearing his Achilles during offseason training, putting his career on the ropes.

However, Blair once again worked his way back from a significant injury and Seattle brought him in for a workout last month. Impressed by what they saw, the team signed him to a one-year, veteran minimum contract and he wound up playing in all three preseason games, producing nine tackles, a quarterback pressure, and a pass breakup.

Though Blair didn’t make the Seahawks initial roster, Macdonald and his staff thought enough of his performance last month to warrant retaining him on the practice squad. Now, more than two years after the team let him go, he will have a chance to make an impact on special teams and will provide extra depth at strong safety with starter Rayshawn Jenkins coming back from a calf injury, bringing his career full circle.



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San Diego, CA

Cal Fire crews battle brush fire in Campo

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Cal Fire crews battle brush fire in Campo


Cal Fire crews are working to put out a brush fire named “Church 2 Fire,” that broke out Saturday afternoon around 11:30 a.m. on Church Road and Golden Acorn Way in Campo.

However, crews have been able to stop the forward rate of spread.

An evacuation order is in place with the Temporary Evacuation Point located at the Bingo Hall of Golden Acorn Casino 1800 Golden Acorn Way:

For an interactive map, follow here: GenasysProtect.

This is a developing story, check back for the latest updates.

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