Haley Lehman

Fairbanks

General Assignment Reporter at Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

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Articles

Fatal shooting trial begins: 'He ruined the defendant’s life, so the defendant ended his'

1 day ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

A Fairbanks man accused of gunning down a former accomplice in what prosecutors call a revenge killing went on trial Wednesday, with the defense claiming he acted in panic, not malice. Kevin Morese Robinson Jr., 24, is charged with felony first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Robert Rones on May 27, 2022. Assistant Public Advocate Rachel Duvlea is representing Robinson.
Driver of stolen truck arrested following police chase

1 day ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

A Fairbanks man was arrested early Tuesday morning near Walmart following a car chase through downtown Fairbanks. Fairbanks police were on patrol near Wendell Avenue and Noble Street when they saw a black truck speed past them, according to charging documents. Officers recognized the vehicle as one recently reported stolen. Police activated their lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver initially pulled into the Gas Line station at 4 College Road, off the Steese Highway.
Pearl Creek charter advocates appeal decision

1 day ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

Parents and advocates involved in the proposed Pearl Creek S.T.E.A.M. Charter School are appealing the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s April decision to deny the charter school application. School District Superintendent Luke Meinert issued the district’s response to the charter school application on April 10, writing that the district will not process the February 2025 application at this time.
Man arrested for alleged sexual abuse of teen

1 day ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

A North Pole man was arrested Saturday for allegedly sexually abusing a teenager. According to a criminal complaint, North Pole police received an anonymous tip on April 4 that a teenager girl was sneaking out of her house to have sex with 47-year-old Larry Lepeer Thoms. Jr.Thoms reportedly sexually abused the girl 20 times between October 2024 and March 2025 at his Marquette Loop house. The teenager watched Thoms’ dog and brought him food.
Appeals Court hears DNA privacy arguments in UAF cold case murder conviction

2 days ago | alaskapublic.org | Haley Lehman

The Alaska Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Monday in the case of a 50-year-old Maine man convicted of the 1993 rape and murder of a University of Alaska Fairbanks student. Steven Harris Downs was convicted in 2022 of the rape and murder of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie and sentenced to 75 years in prison. Investigators cracked the cold case in 2019 after a relative submitted her DNA to a genealogy website that matched DNA from the crime scene.
Appeals Court hears DNA privacy arguments in UAF cold case murder conviction

2 days ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

The Alaska Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Monday in the case of a 50-year-old Maine man convicted of the 1993 rape and murder of a University of Alaska Fairbanks student. Steven Harris Downs was convicted in 2022 of the rape and murder of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie and sentenced to 75 years in prison. Investigators cracked the cold case in 2019 after a relative submitted her DNA to a genealogy website that matched DNA from the crime scene.
Second man pleads guilty in connection with 2023 mining business burglary

2 days ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

A second man pleaded guilty Monday in connection with the December 2023 burglary of Northwest Mining. Bradley Paul Moody, 36, pleaded guilty to felony coercion and received a sentence of two years with two years suspended. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor third-degree theft — a reduced charge from felony second-degree theft — and received one year with one year suspended. For misdemeanor violation of bail conditions, he received credit for time served.
Troopers chase an ATV driver through North Pole

4 days ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

An ATV driver was arrested in North Pole Thursday after leading Alaska State Troopers on a four-mile chase. Troopers were patrolling Holmes Road around 5 p.m. Thursday when they saw a yellow ATV speeding, according to court documents. Troopers turned on their lights and sirens as the ATV approached Dennis Road. Troopers saw the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Jake Daniel Pluard, look back at the troopers and speed away onto Dennis Road.
Judge sets April 2026 trial date for woman connected to three stabbings

4 days ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

A Fairbanks judge has scheduled the trial of a woman accused of stabbing three people in November 2017 to begin in April 2026. Lindsey Lee Daly, formerly Preshaw, faces felony murder charges for allegedly stabbing 57-year-old Jeanette Elaine Miller at the Alaska Motor Inn on Nov. 27, 2017, and for allegedly stabbing John Thomas Preshaw III — Daly’s stepbrother, fiancé and father of her children — to death on Nov.
'You hear it in your sleep': Alaska dispatchers juggle crisis and connection

4 days ago | newsminer.com | Haley Lehman

At the Northern Dispatch Center, decorations, snacks, and flowers filled the space during the second week of April to celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. “It’s the Valentine’s Day of dispatchers,” said Rhonda Phillips, emergency dispatch supervisor, on April 14. Phillips worked for Mat-Com Dispatch in Wasilla for 17 years before transferring to the Northern Dispatch Center in June 2024.