Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you seen the proposals for the Interstate 70/Highway 63 interchange?

May 18, 2023 2:30 AM ABC 17 News Team

You’d have a hard time finding anyone who enjoys driving where Interstate 70 and Highway 63 meet in Columbia.

Survey reveals desire for building and maintaining affordable housing in Columbia

May 17, 2023 6:14 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Housing and Community Development Commission met Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Included on the roster for Wednesday’s meeting– the results from a survey issued by the city in February. Residents were invited to fill out 11 questions asking about housing and development needs in the community. After 358

Columbia man accused of mutilating dog found guilty of animal abuse

May 17, 2023 10:19 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A 38-year-old Columbia man who was accused of mutilating his dog in 2022 was found guilty for animal abuse Wednesday. A jury found Brandon Harris guilty of animal abuse. His sentencing is expected to occur in June, according to Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Susan Boresi. He is being held at the

Lincoln University to use grant funding to provide students laptops

May 17, 2023 8:02 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Lincoln University Board of Curators has approved funding to give laptops to its students. Roughly 1,300 laptops — Lenovo ThinkPadE14’s — will be given to students enrolled in at least 12 credit hours. It will cost $812,500 and the university is using a grant through the National Telecommunications and Information

Chariton County judge allows employee cases to be combined in deadly train derailment lawsuits

May 17, 2023 11:11 AM Hannah Falcon

A Chariton County judge on Wednesday will hear arguments from Amtrak and railroad company BNSF that the many lawsuits against them for a deadly June 2022 crash should be combined or go through arbitration.

Man accused of running over Mexico officer found guilty of fourth-degree assault

May 17, 2023 7:17 PM Ryan Shiner

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A Mexico, Missouri, man who was accused of running over a Mexico Public Safety officer in 2022 received a verdict Tuesday. Demarko Walls, 31, was found guilty of fourth-degree assault and not guilty of armed-criminal action on Tuesday at the Audrain County Courthouse. A sentencing hearing is set for 1:15 p.m. Monday,

Grand jury indictment results in more charges for man accused of child sex crimes

May 17, 2023 7:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A grand jury indictment on Friday resulted in more charges being filed against a Columbia man who was already accused of statutory rape. William Lee Nichols, 51, is now charged with child enticement, three counts of child pornography possession, three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and two counts of statutory rape. Nichols

Boone County announces online marriage license application

May 17, 2023 6:05 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County has announced a new online service for couples wishing to apply for a marriage license, according to a press release. Couples can now fill out an online application prior to visiting the Recorder’s office to complete the application process. Previously, all applications were completed in person. Couples can apply for

Columbia makes ARPA application records more transparent

May 17, 2023 12:43 PM Mitchell Kaminski

The City of Columbia is moving to make the application process for American Rescue Plan Act money more open after a city council vote.

Cole County Sheriff’s Office to increase salary and benefits to reduce staffing shortages

May 17, 2023 11:52 AM Avery Roehler

Cole County deputies are getting a pay bump after the Cole County Commission voted unanimously for salary increases this week.

Salute To America in Jefferson City schedule announced; will be one day this year

May 17, 2023 4:49 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Salute To America festival in Jefferson City has announced its schedule for this year’s celebration on its website. This year’s celebration will be held just one day: Tuesday, July 4. Previous entries of the celebration lasted two days. Salute to America is a 501c3, self-supporting corporation, funded by support from

Jefferson City fire chief named interim city administrator

May 16, 2023 4:32 PM Ryan Shiner

Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield was approved at the Monday City Council meeting to serve as the interim city administrator as the city continues to search for a full-time replacement, according to a press release.

Cole County Prosecutor: No charges filed for person who shot Michael Burns in January

May 17, 2023 3:46 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson said in a Wednesday press release that no charges will be filed in the Jan. 14 shooting death of Michael Burns. The email stated investigators with the Jefferson City Police Department learned that Burns initiated a fight with another individual in the 300 block of

Columbia household hazardous waste collection canceled June 3; May 20 and June 17 still on as scheduled

May 17, 2023 3:07 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Solid Waste has canceled its household hazardous waste drop-off event set for June 3, according to a press release from the City. Household Hazardous Waste collections set for May 20 and June 17 will still be held. The press release stated the event was canceled so staff could focus on residential

Silver advisory canceled after missing Jefferson City woman found safe

May 17, 2023 4:19 AM Meghan Drakas

Jefferson City police said Wednesday that they don’t believe a missing, elderly woman is in danger but they don’t know where she is.

Fired workers picket Shangri-La dispensary in south Columbia

May 16, 2023 6:09 PM Avery Roehler

Fired Shangri-La employees were on the picket line Tuesday.

Two people recovering from injuries following crash in Camden County

May 17, 2023 8:19 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two men are recovering from injuries following a crash Tuesday evening in Camden County on Lowell Williams Rd. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, 26-year-old Conner White and the driver, 26-year-old Matthew Martin, both suffered injuries and were taken to the Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. Troopers say

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did CPD officers use excessive force against Lee Martin?

May 17, 2023 2:35 AM ABC 17 News Team

Columbia police have been dealing with the fallout from a video that shows officers using force while arresting a man outside a downtown bar.

Kehoe to prioritize crime prevention in 2024 gubernatorial campaign

May 16, 2023 4:48 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) While Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe kicked off his 2024 campaign for governor Tuesday at the Capitol Bluff Event Center, he announced his focus on crime and working together, and responded to accusations from other candidates. Kehoe previously announced he was running in April 2022. The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5,

Columbia Solid Waste addresses canceled recycling routes last week, overflowed bins at meeting

May 16, 2023 5:46 AM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.) On Tuesday night, the City of Columbia Solid Waste met to discuss a recycling study and gave an update on its Recycling and Waste Diversion program. This came right after recycling pick-up was put on hold twice last week. The City says it had to cancel recycling pickup on Wednesday and Friday because of a staffing