Month: October 2015

Columbia Public Schools is taking a look at future growth in the district and how to pay for it tonight. Officials are meeting at the Holiday Inn Executive Center Thursday night, where the superintendent said the district may need a new middle school. Dr. Peter Stiepleman said Gentry Middle School in particular is about 200

A Rolla man was found guilty Tuesday of rape, sodomy, burglary, and felonious restraint in a June 2014 hostage incident. Court documents said 37-year-old Jason Bruce broke into a Rolla home and took a woman hostage. Bruce apparently threatened her life if she made a noise before tying her up and raping her. After several

The newest drought monitor released October 22 reflects that moderate drought has spread across parts of Mid-Missouri. All of Mid-Missouri is still abnormally dry, with moderate drought extending into Howard, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe, Callaway, Audrain, Osage, Cole, Cooper, Pettis, Saline, Maries, and Gasconade counties. Only 1.22″ of rain has fallen since September 1 at the

Voters have a chance to decide on a half-cent sales tax this December, which will apply to stores on parts of the Business Loop in central Columbia. ABC 17 News confirmed the Business Loop Community Improvement District board voted on Thursday to set a special election for December 1, with a back-up date of December

A Mid-Missouri student gets a unique ‘Back to the Future’ treat, thanks to a Jefferson City teacher. Brent Whelan at the Nichols Career Center arranged for a ride in a real DeLorean for Trevor Campbell. The teenager is a film buff, and one of his favorites is “Back to the Future II.” Wednesday is “Back

Since September 1st we have only received 1.22″ rain in Columbia which is 5 inches below average and moderate drought continues to expand across Mid-Missouri. Much needed rain will move in Friday as tropical moisture moves in ahead of a cold front. Showers will move in from the west Thursday night, becoming likely west of

ABC 17 News confirmed a group of underage suspects was arrested early Wednesday after getting caught driving a stolen car in Columbia. According to investigators, the minors were driving on the Business Loop when they saw a Boone County Sheriff’s Department patrol car and tried to drive away. They stopped after a short pursuit and

Drivers should expect some lane closures along Route 50/63 in Jefferson City for most of the day Thursday. Starting at 8:30 a.m., MODOT will close the eastbound entrance ramp onto the highway at Lafayette Street. Crews will also shut down the auxiliary lane on Route 50/63 from Lafayette Street to the Clark Avenue exit. The

A Columbia man is charged with five felonies after allegedly beating up a woman and hurting a child. Police said Brandon Boone hit a woman in the face Tuesday. She fell on a curb and the 1-year-old she was holding hit her head on the ground. The woman tried putting the toddler into a car

The UM Board of Curators met Wednesday afternoon on University of Missouri campus. The meeting got underway at University Hall at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday and lasted for more than four hours. Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed showed up at the meeting in hopes of addressing the board. Senator Nasheed’s attendance came after speculation circulated online

One man is in custody after a short police chase Wednesday in Jefferson City. Capital Mall lost prevention officers were chasing him through the woods Wednesday morning after stealing from one of the vendors at the mall. Police eventually caught him, but other suspects have been identified.

ABC 17 News has confirmed the University of Missouri has allowed students in the School of Nursing to initiate individual short term agreements with Planned Parenthood in Columbia. MU officials told ABC 17 three students in the school expressed interest in doing clinical work with Planned Parenthood. MU emphasized that the three students will not

The Highway 54 bridge that passes over the Missouri River into Jefferson City is being repair by MODOT this month. Workers are performing scour mitigation repair to the piers that are nearest to the main channel of the river. The $1.2 million in repairs are necessary because of erosion at the underwater base of the

ABC 17 News has confirmed Tuesday that the Dixon City Marshal faces impeachment after being indicted on more than a dozen counts relating to stealing and covering up evidence in the police department. Michael Plummer was served with an impeachment charge and a suspension order from the Dixon Board of Aldermen Tuesday. The suspension order

A man claiming to be a Catholic monk, and accused of financially exploiting an elderly person, is facing new charges in Howard County tonight. 61-Year-old Ryan Gevlinger is now accused of assault on a law enforcement officer, property damage and a felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Gevlinger is

There is still a lot of unfinished business after Columbia leaders form a city task force on community violence. Monday night, the mayor’s task force gave the city council a progress report about what has been done after making their final recommendations last November. One question remains of who is responsible for implementing all the

A MoDOT project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday night on I-70 in Columbia. Crews are shutting down lanes in both directions to build temporary barriers overnight between Rangeline and Garth Avenue. A westbound lane is also closing from Garth to the Business Loop. Construction will stop over the weekend before it wraps up next

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents Tuesday after learning of two incidents where impostors pose as sheriff’s deputies to commit crimes. The department said the suspects have worn hooded sweatshirts with the word “sheriff” on the front, and used commands identifying themselves as “Sheriff’s Department” in the incidents. The first incident happened last

Columbia police searching for the suspect who allegedly fired shots on Quail Drive on Tuesday afternoon. A witness told ABC 17 News he was outside when a man walked into the street near a group of mailboxes and started shooting at a car, then took off on foot. He was last seen running north on

A Columbia woman is recovering Tuesday after reportedly being attacked over theweekend. Officers said it happened in the 900 block of Hope Place on Sunday night. A woman alleged she was choked and slammed to the ground by 39-year-old Frank Butler. Butler faces multiple assault charges and a felony probation and parole warrant violation on