Month: November 2015

Boone County Fire Protection District crews responded to a fire around 1 a.m. this morning in the 6300 block of Old Village Road. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Boone County Fire Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp told ABC17 that nothing appears suspicious at this time. A woman and two dogs escaped

A man was arrested Thursday morning after Mexico police responded to a drive-by shooting that injured one man. Mexico police arrested DeMarko Walls, 24, of Mexico. Police tell us the shooting happened shortly before 2:00 a.m. in the 900 block of Carrico. Officers say they found the victim, 32-year-old Shawn Jackson in the roadway. Jackson

The Jefferson City Police Department increased traffic patrols Wednesday night on the lookout for those who may be drinking and driving. The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, according to Sgt. Doug Ruediger. In 2014, troopers arrested 92 people for drinking and driving during the Thanksgiving holiday period,

Violent crime in Columbia and Jefferson City is on the rise. According to the FBI, violent crime is defined as “a crime that involves force or threat of force.” Law enforcement agencies categorize violent crime as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. In Columbia, violent crime is up 53 from 2014. “Currently we have seen

THe Missouri State Highway Patrol is stepping up its enforcement. Troopers are bracing for a busy holiday weekend on state roadways. As part of the enforcement, a trooper will be stationed every 20 miles to enforce traffic laws. “A presence out here for people to see is a deterrent, and we hope to be a

U.S. traffic deaths have spiked eight percent since the first of the year–this according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The new estimate comes as nearly42 million Americans are expected to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA. The numbers are particularly alarming since traffic fatalities decreased in 2014, but with

The University of Missouri Police Department said it has handed over documents to prosecutors on its investigation into the MU communication professor who clashed with journalists. On Wednesday, Columbia City prosecutors confirmed MUPD had forwarded paperwork to the Columbia Municipal Prosecutor’s Office. ABC 17 News has checked with prosecutors daily since Assistant Professor Melissa Click

Wednesday is one of Amtrak’s busiest days of the year. Volunteers said they have tripled their usual staff for Wednesday and Sunday. ABC 17 News talked to Amtrak’s MoDOT liason about national travel advisories put in place earlier this week. She confirmed that extra security staff will be placed on each train over the weekend.

Osage County deputies responded to a home in the 300 block of East Walker Street in Freeburg Wednesday for a report of an assault. While at the home, deputies saw meth and drug paraphernalia on a coffee table in the living room. Highway Patrol troopers and members of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group responded

Many in Mid-Missouri are likely using St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport for holiday travel this year. The airport is expecting 60,000 people to depart from St. Louis in the coming days despite a travel alert over terrorist threats. ABC 17 News went to Lambert Airport on Wednesday morning to see if security was upgraded for

Those traveling through Mid-Missouri Wednesday night can expect to pay less at the pump. AAA reports more than half of all U.S. gas stations are selling gasoline for less than $2 per gallon Wednesday. Missouri is included in that group, averaging $1.86 per gallon. Experts said it’s the cheapest gasoline for this time of year

A slow moving cold front will send a band of moderate rain through Mid-Missouri Thursday evening through Friday morning. Rain will increase after 5 PM Thursday spreading southeast across the area through the night with pockets of heavy rain likely. The heaviest band of rain will shift to near I-44 by daybreak Friday but light

Free meals will be available for Thanksgiving on Thursday across Mid-Missouri. The late Almeta Crayton’s community program “Everybody Eats” will serve more than 500 people on Thanksgiving Day. Last year, the volunteers with the program roasted 68 turkeys and five hams. Volunteers will serve food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stamper Commons on

The Grainger branch in Columbia has officially closed its doors Wednesday. The Columbia branch on Vandiver Drive had three employees. The next closest branch is in Maryland Heights.

A man is now charged with making a terroristic threat after threatening to “shoot up” a Mid-Missouri high school. ABC 17 News obtained a probable cause statement that says 55-year-old Ronald Blackwell was leaving Mexico High School on November 5th when he made threatening statements toward faculty and officers. The documents say Blackwell became agitated

Two teenagers are charged with breaking into more cars, adding to the hundreds of vehicle break-ins police believe they are responsible for across the state. Boone County prosecutors said LaDarion Hunt and Michael Glasgow broke into multiple cars on the University of Missouri campus. Hunt and Glasgow are each charged with five felony counts of

In 2015 to date, there have been over 800 burglaries in Columbia, and while the holidays are a time of celebration for many, they also present an increased opportunity for criminals. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department said this is because thieves know people are traveling and they are aware that people have more items of

Polar air will run into tropical moisture for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, causing wintry weather across the Plains along with heavy rain from Texas through Missouri. WEDNESDAY: Travelers will encounter an increasing chance of rain heading north into Iowa and west into Kansas as rain will be likely ahead of a cold front. Thunderstorms

A strong El Nio continues as indicated by well above-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific ocean. A typical wind pattern associated with an El-Nino is expected for the start of winter. Tropical moisture will move into the southern states due to an extended and persistent pacific jet stream with the

Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing this weekend. And with cooler temperatures comes higher utility bills. Heating and cooling costs make up nearly 50 percent of the average household utility bills, according to Boone Electric Cooperative. “They need to start thinking about their heating system now,” Christi Miller with Boone Electric Cooperative said. “It’s