Month: March 2015

Columbia’s Neighborhood Watch program is having an impact on high crime areas in the city, according to the program’s organizers. The president of Neighborhood Watch said having resources now that it didn’t have a year ago has been a huge factor. “A year ago when we last talked, we had four members on the board

Colder air will move into Mid-Missouri Tuesday night with temperatures dropping to the upper teens and lower 20s by morning. At the same time, moisture will continue to move in from the southwest, riding over the cold air. Rain will continue to develop south of I-70 and move south through the night, changing to freezing

A massive drug and prostitution bust in Mid-Missouri has already netted two guilty pleas four months after the initial round-up. ABC 17 News was there in November when federal investigators announced details from the 18-month long investigation. The crime operation had several major players. One of them was Ryan Wright from Springfield. Officials say Wright

Several state leaders gathered Tuesday in Clayton to remember late Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich. Funeral services got underway at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael and St. George Episcopal Church, where Schweich was a member. Governor Jay Nixon, Attorney General Chris Koster, Senator Claire McCaskill, and many state lawmakers were in attendance. Hundreds attended the service,

Boone County’s new outdoor warning sirens were tested as part of a statewide tornado drill Tuesday afternoon. The sirens went off across Mid-Missouri at 1:30 p.m. Boone County was recently divided into northern, central, and southern zone where sirens were individually tested. The University of Missouri also tested its mass alert and warning system at

Columbia city leaders met with residents several times last month to discuss how the city operates its trash service. They’re hoping to get more people to recycle while also helping the trash collectors themselves. Public Works said it spends thousands of dollars every year on workers compensation claims. The department said it has spent $300,000

Police are searching for more suspects responsible for a string of vandalism in downtown Columbia. Last week, police arrested Nicholas Clayborn, 25, and Henry Crossland, 19, for spray-paining multiple buildings. According to police, there have been more than 30 new spots of graffiti showing up in the downtown district since Feb. 25. And more than

All 30 sirens in Jefferson City sounded properly Tuesday along with the 14 sirens in Cole County. The director of Emergency Management in Cole County said the reason for the drill is for the entire community to be prepared for severe weather. Schools, churches, and government buildings in Cole County got their first dose of

Candidates for Jefferson City mayor are coming together for the first time Tuesday night at a forum hosted by Lincoln University. ABC 17’s Daniel Winn is moderating the forum for all six candidates starting at 6:00 p.m. Last fall Mayor Eric Struemph said he’s not seeking another term citing a recent health scare and his

Columbia Police leaders said their force is still young and learning, but they think most officers practice restraint. ABC 17 reported Monday about the latest numbers explaining how many times police used force in 2014. They had a total of 308 cases last year, meaning officers used force more than 6% of the time during

A Mexico man was arrested Monday after he was found with cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Mexico Police, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and members of the East Central Drug Task Force searched a home in the 600 block of Quisenberry Street. 43-year-old James Price Jennings was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,

A Holts Summit man was arrested Tuesday for manufacturing marijuana. Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies and the MUSTANG Drug Task Force searched a home at 1511 Summit View Drive for drugs. Investigators took 38 marijuana plants that were in separate pots. They also found grow lights, light timers, cords, potting soil, plant food, and drug paraphernalia.

A Springfield man and woman pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to selling crack cocaine and cocaine and promoting prostitution in Boone County. 39-year-old Ryan Wright and 25-year-old Courtnie Goins appeared in federal court last week to plead guilty to the charges in a November 2014 indictment. Wright admitted he sold crack cocaine and cocaine

For now, some stores will keep the plastic bags they give to customers. The Columbia City Council voted unanimously to withdraw an ordinance to ban plastic bags given by grocery and convenience stores. The ordinance would also charge shoppers ten cents for each paper bag they give. City Manager Mike Matthes originally recommended the council

The tow truck driver beaten, stabbed, and robbed while trying to help a car stopped along I-70 is finally having his luck turn around, thanks to a lot of help from the community. Just last Friday, Al Baker was worried about his struggling business after missing weeks of work because he was recovering in the

The Columbia Police Department has released its annual report detailing the number of times officers used force in 2014. Last year, Columbia police officers responded to 153, 784 incidents with people. 4,704 arrests stemmed from those incidents. Out of those arrests, police had to use force 308 times. Some of the incidents involved multiple people

A Columbia man was arrested over the weekend after threatening to kill his family, and having meth with the intent to sell it. Officers were called Sunday afternoon to the 200 block of Jackal Drive where Ross Day allegedly arrived angry and under the influence of drugs to tell his family they were dead to

An Ashland woman was arrested Monday following a drug search warrant. Ashland Police and Boone County deputies searched a trailer at 111 Eastside Drive Monday morning and found items that were reported stolen to police. They also found drug paraphernalia at 23-year-old Brooke Wright’s home. Deputies found Wright at Motel 6 in Columbia, where she

The Heart of Missouri United Way announced Monday it has appointed an interim executive director. Peggy Kirkpatrick will start as the organization’s leader on Wednesday. Kirkpatrick served as the executive director of the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri for 22 years before retiring in December. Current United Way Director Tim Rich will step

A two-alarm fire remains under investigation in Jefferson City. Just after 10:00 p.m. Sunday, crews were called out to Cohen Auto Sale on St. Louis Road. Firefighters first on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the center of the building and heavy fire conditions. The fire spread from the center of the garage area into