Month: March 2016

Airports and transit systems around the nation are heightening security after the terrorists attacks that happened in Belgium. New York City and Los Angeles announced this morning that both cities are increasing the visible presence of officers today. Columbia’s Regional Airport spoke with ABC 17 and said they adjust accordingly to situations. The airport couldn’t

A line of showers and t-storms will develop ahead of a cold front and sweep across Mid-Missouri Wednesday evening from 6 PM near HWY 65, heading east and out of the area by 1 AM. Some of the the storms could contain damaging wind of 60 mph or greater or large hail, close to the

The Columbia Neighborhood Watch and Columbia Police Department trained a group of residents how to prevent crime in their neighborhoods Tuesday. In 2015, there were more than 1,000 burglaries in Boone County. In those burglaries, nearly $1.8 million worth of property was stolen. Columbia police said having more residents actively involved in neighborhood watches across

A Cole County judge agreed to move the plea hearing for Vincent Smith. Smith is charged with murder, attempted robbery, burglary and armed criminal action for the shooting of Johnny Evans in 2015. He testified in the state’s case against Charles Thompson, the alleged triggerman, but the jury found Thompson innocent of the murder. Smith’s

All 16 University of Missouri Journalism students studying abroad in the Belgian capital of Brussels are safe Tuesday morning after terror attacks. ABC 17 News talked to Samantha Kummerer, a Missouri Journalism student interning at Reuters TV in Brussels. Kummerer tells us all 16 students in Brussels are accounted for and safe. There were at

The terror attack in Belgium on Tuesday is renewing questions and concerns about security in the U.S., especially at national and state sites, parks, and monuments. Security at Missouri buildings like the Capitol and the Truman building has raised questions in the past. Metal detectors were installed at the Capitol following the 9/11 terror attacks,

The investigation into the Brussels bombing is just beginning. Authorities have now released pictures of the suspected terrorists. ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadly attacks. Last week, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt called for the Obama administration to offer a definitive plan to defeat ISIS. Blunt said it’s a “national security imperative” and a “moral

A motorcyclist was injured in a crash in central Columbia Tuesday morning. It happened on Providence Road near Nebraska Avenue shortly before 10:30 a.m. The driver of the motorcycle was taken to a hospital, but the extent of his or her injuries is unknown.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department has identified the torso found at a rest stop along I-70 in 2004. The torso, which was headless, handless, and legless, was found by a maintenance worker trimming hedges at the rest stop near Wright City. Deputies say the torso belonged to Deanna D. Howland from Alton, Illinois. She had

A man on probation for exploiting the elderly has been sent to prison after prosecutors say he stole again. In July 2014, Shannon Beam from Rolla was sentenced to 18 years in prison for financial exploitation of the elderly. Instead of prison time, however, the court allowed him the opportunity to complete a drug treatment

Three people from Boonville have been charged on suspicion of spray-painting a famous tree in Boone County. “The Big Tree” is a centuries-old bur oak northwest of McBaine. It is the largest tree of its kind in the state, and is a popular site for tourists in Boone County. In December, the tree was vandalized

The Columbia City Council unanimously voted Monday to reconsider changes to rules governing pawn shops in the town. The group was scheduled to decide whether or not to introduce a host of rules for pawn shops, specific to Columbia, in an attempt to deter a decade-high number of burglaries. Along with taking down information about

Jefferson City council members passed a resolution to explore options for the Missouri State Penitentiary during Monday night’s city council meeting. The former prison closed in 2004. Five years later, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau starting giving history and haunted tours of the site. Since then, the popularity of the tours has grown

The Columbia city council approved sidewalk closures Monday night along Locust, 9th and 10th streets. The closures were approved from April 1 to August 20, 2017 This is where several buildings including Quinton’s Bar and Deli and Britches Clothing are set to be demolished. This comes after the Columbia City Council voted to approve the

The Highway 63, I-70 connector to many Mid Missourians is a vital intersection. The connector leads to Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks, and to the east side of town. With over 500 miles of streets in Columbia, lots of commuters find themselves in bumper to bumper traffic on any given day Monday thru Friday

Ariel Atkins scored 23 points while Texas outscored Missouri 38-10 in the paint, as Missouri fell to Texas 73-55 in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Tigers end the season with a 22-10 record. Missouri could not get inside penetration, taking only two shots in the paint. The Longhorns out rebounded

The hits just keep on coming for MoDot’s famous, 10-foot tall mascot, Barrel Bob. After getting set on fire by Halloween vandals last October, now ABC 17 News confirmed he is missing from his usual spot near Highway 50/63 in east Jefferson City. The agency thinks the popular roadside safety feature disappeared sometime overnight this

Quaker Windows hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new window and door production facility Monday afternoon. The new structure will house the entire vinyl and door manufacturing division. The company says the new facility is looking to fill fifty new jobs right now and then over one hundred later in the year. Construction on the

Ian Thomas, the 4th Ward councilman in Columbia, has filed an ethics complaint against Daryl Dudley, who is running against Thomas in next month’s election. In announcing the complaint Monday morning, Thomas’ campaign accused Dudley’s campaign committee of failing “to properly register the committee with the Ethics Commission, to report large contributions in a timely

An SUV caught fire north of Greenview in Camden County on Monday afternoon. The fire happened at a home on Velvet Antler Road shortly after 1:30 p.m. According to the Mid County Fire District, firefighters arrived to find an SUV on fire, and the surrounding grass burning. It took about 15 minutes to get the