Month: March 2013

A Columbia woman is urging city leaders to completely ban fake drugs after her son overdosed and almost died. ABC 17 News has been reporting for several years about the growing dangers of synthetic marijuana and efforts to stop it; however the problem is staying a step ahead of cops.Laura Cornelison spoke at the Columbia

Columbia police were investigating two armed robberies at convenience stores Monday night. Officers were initially called to the Phillips 66 Petromart on West Ash Street around 10:30 p.m. The Highway Patrol and Boone County Sherriff’s Department were also at the scene with the K-9 unit investigating. Sergeants at the scene confirmed to ABC 17 News

Jefferson City council members voted not to cut funding for JCTV, but have capped the funding at $110,000. The council also passed a $1.6 million dollar budget resolution to balance the city’s 2013 budget, and spent more than an hour discussing a new conference center. Members heard from an architect they may choose to use

A fire in Jefferson City remains under investigation.The home on McKinley Street is considered a total loss. The fire happened Monday afternoon.Children were home at the time and called 911. No one was injured.The Red Cross has been called in to assist the family.

Mid-Missouri authorities arrested a man on Tuesday for felony child sex charges.Craig Long is wanted by police in Kansas City, Kansas, but living near Williamsburg, about 20 minutes east of Kingdom City. The victim is now in protective custody.In January, Callaway County deputies and a Kansas detective uncovered evidence in a home while serving a

We are tracking our next storm system that will move in Thursday into early Friday. The system’s forecast track will be across Oklahoma and Arkansas, putting Mid-Missouri on the cold side of the system with the highest snowfall amounts likely near the Ozarks. Currently, 2-5″ of snow will be possible from Sedalia to Rolla. Areas

Mid-Missouri law enforcement agencies have released the results of a special alcohol enforcement.Between March 14th-17th, the Columbia Police Department took part in a statewide impaired driving crackdown. During that time period, six intoxicated drivers were arrested.On the 16th, a sobriety checkpoint was set up in the 4300 block of Clark Lane. During the checkpoint, 368

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich is questioning millions of dollars of welfare payments made to low-income residents.Schweich released an annual audit Tuesday examining Missouri’s use of $12.7 billion of federal funds during the 2012 budget. He raised concerns about $68 million of expenses, mainly through programs run by the Department of

Columbia police are investigating an armed robbery at Columbia Coin & Stamp.Around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the store off Bernadette Dr. for a report of an armed robbery.According to police, three black men carrying silver handguns entered the store and demanded money. Two of the suspects wore ski masks over their faces. The

Cold air is settling over the region for the next few days and the start of spring will be chilly in Mid-Missouri. Temperatures will start off in the mid 20s only climbing to the upper 30s in the afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Northwesterly winds 15 to 20 mph will produce wind chills in the

Half the schools in the Columbia Public School District have ramped up on security by installing a buzzer system at their the front doors.Tuesday marked the first day Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School had the new buzzer system. When someone tries to come into the school, a sign directs the person to a side door

A missing Missouri woman police thought was in danger, was arrested early Tuesday morning and is accused of making the entire story up.Law enforcement from across the state were looking for Rachel Koechner and her four year old daughter for almost a week. She had told family members she needed help and was with her

The city of Columbia is pouring millions of dollars into a road to make it safer.Scott Boulevard in southwest Columbia will be expanded this fall.City leaders say the change is necessary at a meeting Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Public Works Director John Glascock said this may prevent people from speeding and passing other cars

***UPDATE 6:31 P.M.***ABC 17 News talked with the Director of Missouri’s Department of Corrections (D.O.C.), George Lombardi. He worked with Clements for many years and says this is tough right now and the entire department is shocked at the news.D.O.C workers tell us Clements was a leader, hard worker, and very creative at his job.

In 2012, Spring Break break-ins were up 33 percent for both homes and student housing complexes.”Spring break can be a time where we see a spike in burglaries and property theft,” said Boone County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tom O’Sullivan.The key to keeping burglars out of your home is to make it appear someone is there.

The Columbia Police Department wants to make an expensive purchase to increase safety; however some people question whether it’s necessary. CPD said it needs to buy a new Armored Personnel Carrier to be used in highly dangerous situations. Officers said the truck they currently use is too rundown. It is 30-years-old and has caused the

A Holts Summit man was killed a single car crash in Callaway County Wednesday afternoon.Missouri State Highway Patrol says 23-year-old Brandon Higgins was driving on County Road 4037 just north of Highway 94 when he went around a curve too fast.Troopers say he lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway, causing the car

Tests have come back, confirming a wild Gray, or Timber, wolf was found near Boonville last October.A bow hunter killed the animal near the Franklin Island Conservation Area last year. On Wednesday, the state’s Conservation Department confirmed it was a wolf and not a coyote.Experts believe the wolf is from the Great Lakes region, possibly

A storm system passing to our south will bring some snow to western and southwestern Missouri Thursday through Friday morning. A band of snow will move in to far western Missouri Thursday morning, sliding east and southeast through the afternoon. There will be a sharp drop off in precipitation to the north and east of

An ex-con from Columbia will now spend the next five years in prison after police caught him with a gun.James Cheek, 31, was sentenced Wednesday on federal weapons charges. Police say he fell asleep outside a convenience store in a vehicle that was also partially parked in somebody’s yard in March 2012. Officers also found