Month: August 2015

A strong cold front will move through Missouri by daybreak Wednesday, followed by unseasonably cool air. Temperatures will start off near 60 and only reach near 70 in the afternoon as skies remain mostly cloudy. The coolest high temperature for August 19th since 1890 in Columbia is 67 in 1963. Wednesday’s high will only reach

Tuesday is the first day of the 2015-16 school year for Columbia Public Schools. Students in grades 1-12 had the first day of classes Tuesday; kindergarten students won’t begin until Thursday. It was also the first school day for the new bus company, Student Transportation of America. STA replaces First Student as the main transportation

Workers are repairing a number of sinkholes that opened up on Jefferson city streets this week. The public works department is blaming the problem on outdated, underground storm water pipes, many of which are more than 50 years old. “We have an old storm water system and it’s aging and as a result, we we

A task force created new recommendations for interns at the state Capitol, but it appears that the dress code will not change. House Speaker Todd Richardson issued a statement thanking the members of the force for their work. Richardson said they did not recommend changing the students’ dress code, because there is already one in

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District on Tuesday unanimously affirmed Sandra Plunkett’s murder conviction. The 41-year-old Plunkett, of Holts Summit, was convicted in 2014 in Callaway County of first degree murder and armed criminal action. She was sentenced to life in prison, and is currently incarcerated in Vandalia. The appeals court heard oral arguments

Columbia Police Monday night destroyed a device “capable of damage,” and it has been rendered safe. Columbia Police have confirmed the explosive device was found near the Red Roof Inn. After the bomb squad detonated the device, a second sweep was performed in each room to make sure nothing else remained. On Tuesday, the man

The Columbia Police Department on Monday tested several local businesses for alcohol compliance. Seven Columbia businesses that were checked did not sell alcohol to minors. Those were: Petro Mart, 500 N. College I-70 Eagle Stop, 1704 N. Providence Breaktime #3115, 1000 Smiley Lane Casey’s General Store, 2520 Rangeline St. Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store, 25

A boating safety program is set to take place in Mid-Missouri next month. On Tuesday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced they will hold a certified boating safety program in Jefferson City. The course will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on September 12 at Troop F headquarters. The class is free to

Columbia City Manager Mike Matthes backed off comments he made last week about supporting future police funding, but rebuffed rebukes against the police union’s director. Late at Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting, Matthes addressed the ongoing feud between he and Columbia Police Officer Association Executive Director Dale Roberts. Last Sunday, Roberts posted on the police

A Columbia man was sentenced Monday for his role in a August 2014 Randolph Co. bank robbery. Clarence Lamont Williams was sentenced to 7 and a half months in prison for the armed robbery of Bank Midwest in Moberly. Williams and his accomplice, Daniel Rudroff, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of bank

While we’ve had the rain and storms, temperatures have been relatively cooler compared to our past 5 summers. Take a look at 2012. In the month of July that year, we had 15 days with highs in the 100s, and only 1 day in the upper 80s. The total number over 90 degree days was

Columbia City Council members will get a first look at a bill that proposes changing the speed limit on Route K south of the city. The proposal is the result of a speed study done by MoDOT. MoDOT looked at the section of Route K starting at Coneflower Avenue. Providence Road, which is in the

On Monday ABC 17 News confirmed with a Lake of the Ozarks restaurant and bar night their dance floor dropped in the middle of a concert over the weekend. Fire officials said the stage fell about one foot late Saturday night. A member of the band performing at Shady Gators this weekend sent ABC 17

Some Lincoln University workers could soon have to re-apply to keep their jobs. A university spokesperson confirmed to ABC 17 News Monday that the Board of Curators will soon hear a proposal to outsource buildings and grounds services. The decision would impact 41 workers and 46 positions total if approved. In a statement, a university

A woman is in custody and a man is still on the run following a chase through Columbia and in Boone County Sunday night. Several law enforcement agencies were at Farrar Road near Route VV north of Columbia. Authorities have identified the man as Ralph Richmond, 41, of Kansas City. Corporal Scott White with the

The Pittsburgh-based United Steelworkers Union said a lockout involving three Mid-Missouri A.P. Green plants is over, after members of Local 790 voted Monday morning to ratify a deal. USW spokeswoman Lynne Hancock told ABC 17 News there was a union meeting Monday morning, and that 91 of the 93 affected employees attended. She says the

A suspect is in custody after a shooting Fulton Monday afternoon. A 34-year-old man was shot in the leg in the 300 block of West Chestnut before 1:30 p.m. Fulton Police arrested 20-year-old Cyrus Coy for domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action. Police said Coy and Morgan Patton, the victim,

The Missouri Department of Transportation is looking to hire more workers for the winter season. MoDOT said it relies on extra help during the winter months to keep roads plowed and treated. It hopes to have an estimated 400 workers ready to plow if a snow storm hits the area. MoDOT said hiring the seasonal

The federal trial for a Columbia man indicted for distributing heroin has been continued until October. Jon Patrick Washington, also known as “Doom,” is charged for allegedly renting a room at the Providence Inn and Suites in Columbia to manufacture, distribute, and use heroin. Washington is also charged with distributing heroin to a 16-year-old girl,

There will be a public hearing next week in Jefferson City to discuss the gross receipts utility tax. Mayor Carrie Tergin tells ABC 17 News she did not propose a change to the current 5. 65 percent rate. Mayor Tergin was our guest on Friday (8.14) for “This Week.” This is a transcript of the