ABC 17 News Investigates Archives

DEFENDERS: Don’t abbreviate 2020 on documents

January 6, 2020 10:17 PM Deborah Kendrick

Consumer advocates are warning you not to abbreviate the new year on official documents because it can be easily changed.

REPORT: Officer involved in Fulton shooting was responding to drug investigation

January 6, 2020 4:33 PM Joe McLean

The incident report obtained by ABC 17 News reveals new information about an officer-involved shooting on Dec. 30.

End of year Boone County food inspections find few violations

January 1, 2020 12:00 PM Joe McLean

In the final week of 2019, 20 restaurants, one caterer, one grocery store and a food processing facility were inspected by Boone County staff.

DEFENDERS: BBB warns of potential scam involving FTC

December 30, 2019 8:27 PM Zara Barker

Con artists have claimed to be from the IRS, Medicare and even the Social Security Administration. Now the Federal Trade Commission is on the list. The Better Business Bureau issued a warning that potential scammers are sending people threatening letters and making calls that appear to be from the FTC. The BBB says anyone who

DEFENDERS: Kids using Amazon’s Alexa to order gifts

December 24, 2019 8:15 AM Deborah Kendrick

Amazon’s Alexa is obeying orders, this time from kids ordering their own Christmas gifts. According to a recent report, gifts are arriving at home thanks to kids ordering them though voice assistants, or other devices. One parent reportedly told The Wall Street Journal her daughter ordered $300 in items from her Alexa device. Parents that

A food bank in Columbia is experiencing delays in deliveries due to winter weather and hazardous road conditions.

Recent inspections show Food Bank is squeaky clean

December 18, 2019 1:09 PM Zara Barker

Dozens of people donate food to pantries across Mid-Missouri, while some also donate their time.

Behind the Kitchen Door: Mall food court subject to same inspections as restaurants

December 11, 2019 6:00 PM Zara Barker

Holiday shopping season is in full swing, which means many people will make their way to the Columbia Mall and work up an appetite.

CPS: No evidence of wrongdoing during Jackson football game

December 10, 2019 4:41 PM Barry Mangold

An investigation into student conduct at a high school football game found no sign of misconduct, according to Columbia Public Schools.

DEFENDERS: Your TV might be spying on you

December 9, 2019 11:22 AM Deborah Kendrick

If you just bought a smart TV or are planning on buying one for the holidays, the FBI wants to warn you about potential hacking.

WASTEBUSTERS: Cole County Assessor denied reimbursement for ‘abuse of county funds’

December 5, 2019 10:00 PM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) When Assessor Chris Estes asked the Cole County Commission to reimburse the expenses he accrued during a trip to Camden County, one member called his request “an abuse of county funds.” “That’s just a disservice to the people of Cole County and we’re just not going to pay for those kinds

Minor health code violations found in Jefferson City public school kitchens

December 4, 2019 11:54 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Health inspectors found only minor violations in the kitchens of Jefferson City’s public schools in October and November, according to inspection reports. October and November health inspection reports included the results from 19 kitchens in Jefferson City education establishments. Inspectors visited 10 Jefferson City School District buildings in October and November:

BBB warns of scams on Cyber Monday

December 2, 2019 10:23 AM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Monday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest online shopping days, with millions filling up their virtual carts. According to research from Finder, 86 percent of Americans planned to spend money on pre-Christmas sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday last year broke the online sales record with

Report: Unsecured child seats contributed to five fatality crash on Missouri highway

November 27, 2019 5:51 PM Barry Mangold

Emergency responders with decades of experience said it was one of the most severe crashes they had ever seen. “I’ve been in law enforcement for 24 years and this is the first time I’ve gone to a one-vehicle, five-person fatality,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott White. White was one of many who responded

Columbia donut shop plans to open 2 stores after lightning struck its original shop

November 27, 2019 11:50 AM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia donut shop is expected to reopen after lightning struck its electrical box. However, the owners are also going to open another location in Columbia. From one, to zero, and now two locations, it’s been anything but a sweet ride for Donut D-Light owners Cindy and Kevin Hicks. In August, the

New adult abuse reporting system expected to lower number of hotline calls

November 26, 2019 7:20 PM Jasmine Ramirez

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Department of Health and Senior Services is rolling out a new adult abuse and neglect online reporting system. Missourians can submit reports of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation online 24/7 as an alternative to calling the hotline. “There’s an aging population and a lot more awareness about the issue of

Missouri man’s death prompts questions, changes for Miller County coroner

November 25, 2019 10:00 PM Lucas Geisler

ODESSA, Mo. (KMIZ) Joy Chance fondly remembers May 24. Her husband, Dustin, surprised her with a weekend camping trip to Majestic Oaks Campground in Miller County. It was their favorite hobby — staying nights out in the wilderness, fishing, hiking and sitting around a campfire. Those memories are framed as photos around Joy’s home in

DEFENDERS: How to avoid holiday gift card scams

November 25, 2019 5:04 PM Deborah Kendrick

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The holiday season is among us and gift cards are an easy, and wanted, gift for many. With that comes scammers ready to take advantage. One of the more popular ways scammers are getting to your gift card before you is by gaining access to the pin number. Here’s how it works:

Inspectors go Behind the Kitchen Door of Zara Barker’s home

November 24, 2019 10:00 PM Zara Barker

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) ABC 17 News has gone Behind the Kitchen Door at restaurants, bars, football stadiums and schools. This time ABC 17 News invited Kala Wekenborg-Tomka, the environmental public health supervisor for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services to inspect the kitchen of ABC 17’s Zara Barker. Wekenborg-Tomka started the inspection in the pantry.

More than $170 million worth of insurance claims made from Jefferson City tornado damage

November 22, 2019 7:42 AM Lucas Geisler

Jefferson City residents made more than $170 million worth of insurance claims following the May 22 tornado.

Health department offers advice on keeping food safe for Thanksgiving

November 20, 2019 1:23 PM Zara Barker

Thanksgiving dinner means turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casseroles and tons of food, usually sitting out for hours.