COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Nearly a year has passed since a Stephens College student was shot and killed in downtown Columbia, and the police department still doesn’t have a unit dedicated to downtown — an area that has become a flashpoint between the city government and University of Missouri leadership. “I believe there is much
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Downtown Community Improvement District issued a statement Wednesday criticizing officials who have labeled a downtown bar a “public nuisance.” The statement was issued in response to a letter from Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent to Reign Bar between Walnut and Ninth Street, addressing the “nuisance conditions.” Downtown CID Director Nickie Davis
Continue Reading
University of Missouri President Mun Choi has been applying pressure on city leaders on downtown crime issues for weeks. During that pressure campaign, one bar in particular has drawn a direct callout — Reign. Now the state’s top law enforcement official is applying pressure of her own. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said Tuesday that her
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council directed city staff Monday night to examine whether the city can legally delay demolition permits involving properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The council unanimously approved a motion requesting a staff memo or short report on the legality of creating an administrative delay. Staff members
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council unanimously passed the fiscal year 2027 budget during its Monday night meeting. The city will begin spending its allocated $606 million when the fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Documentation from the city shows the largest portion of spending is allocated to utilities at $304.8 million, while transportation will
Continue Reading
The Columbia City Council is set to vote Monday on the proposed $606.7 million city budget for fiscal year 2027 following millions of dollars in cuts to the proposed budget.
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A plan to buy a property of a former animal hospital will be introduced at the next Columbia City Council meeting. The city and Boone County will propose to buy the former site of Columbia Animal Hospital at 1300 East Boone Industrial Dr. The Columbia Animal Hospital closed in March. The property
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Armory Sports and Recreation Center in downtown Columbia will close for a few months beginning in October for HVAC repairs. Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington told ABC 17 News in an email that the Armory will be closed from Monday, Oct. 5 through the first week of January. City documents
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s No Mow Zones will undergo maintenance starting next week and for the 30 days following that under a new contract. The City of Columbia initially planned maintenance on the zones in July, but spokesperson John Ogan said the contract had lapsed and the City focused on conducting maintenance locally. He wanted
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Fire Department is receiving an additional $60,000 for fuel purchases as diesel prices reach record levels in Missouri and nationwide. The Columbia City Council approved the money as part of the city’s fourth-quarter adjustments to its fiscal 2026 budget. The one-time funding will come from the city’s general fund balance.
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A former Boone County commissioner and magazine publisher is working to save the historic Katy Station from demolition in downtown Columbia. Former Boone County Southern District Commissioner Fred Parry launched an effort on Facebook to try to save the building, arguing the historic structure is an integral part of Columbia’s history. “I think
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s City Council passed a motion on Tuesday to hold a public hearing to discuss Flock cameras. The public hearing will allow officials and the public to speak about Flock cameras and the city’s contract with Flock, which ends in March 2027. Ward 5 Councilwoman Christina Hartman first brought up the idea
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is giving residents a new way to help neighbors struggling to pay their utility bills. The city announced Wednesday that customers can now donate through their monthly utility bills by rounding their payment up to the nearest dollar. The average donation is expected to be about 50 cents
Continue Reading
University of Missouri President Mun Choi continued his campaign for the City of Columbia to do more to address issues of crime and homelessness downtown on Wednesday at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Choi urged the business leaders there to contact city officials and to demand results. And in emails obtained by ABC 17 News,
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Results from a trial run of expanded rideshare parking spaces in downtown Columbia last year showed promise in making the area safer. On Tuesday night, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will block off 32 more parking spaces to designate for taxis and rideshare services in downtown, making 66
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Forum Boulevard Improvement Project was supposed to take place years ago, but faced delays due to the cost and size of the project. The project was first proposed in August 2015 and was supposed to start in the summer of 2026. However, the project has been pushed back to the summer
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that will nearly double the number of downtown parking spaces designated for taxis and rideshare services. The proposal expands the downtown taxi and rideshare footprint from 34 spaces to 66. It would expand the start time to 9 p.m., two hours
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of South Fairview Road and Chapel Hill Road began Tuesday. According to a news release from the City of Columbia, the project is intended to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection. The construction also includes stormwater improvements, along with sidewalk improvements along the
Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia has hired a Texas-based law company to help hire its next city attorney. City documents show the city hired Strategic Government Resources, Inc. for the recruitment project. Documents say the pricing cannot exceed $30,419, with $ 25,919 being used for consultant services and $4,500 for ad placements. The
Continue Reading
University of Missouri President Mun Choi started off the school year with a message to students. Buried in it was a red flag to students: a warning about the dangers of a two-block stretch of downtown after dark. Choi has been at odds with City of Columbia and Boone County leaders about what he sees as
Continue Reading