Boone Archives

Extradition hearing scheduled on Tuesday for Columbia murder suspect caught in Iowa

November 12, 2021 5:54 PM ABC 17 News Team

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department says an extradition hearing will be held on Tuesday in Iowa for Mark Achterberg.

Defense and prosecuting attorneys react to Joseph Elledge’s murder conviction

November 12, 2021 5:55 AM Ben Fein

A jury took until the early morning hours Friday to deliver a 28 year sentence recommendation, after Joseph Elledge was convicted of 2nd degree murder on Thursday.

Jury recommends 28-year prison sentence for Joseph Elledge

November 11, 2021 4:20 AM ABC 17 News Team

A jury recommended a 28-year prison sentence for Joseph Elledge after finding him guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mengqi Ji.

Possible murder weapon discovered during arrest in Boone County homicide

November 11, 2021 12:15 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo, (KMIZ) Iowa police believe they may have discovered the murder weapon in a motel room while arresting a Columbia man accused of homicide. A Columbia murder suspect was arrested Wednesday in Creston, Iowa in the shooting death of Justin W. Stidham. According to police, at 5:15 p.m the Iowa State Patrol, Creston Police

All lanes re-opened after multi-vehicle crash on I-70

November 11, 2021 5:36 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At least six vehicles were involved in a pile-up along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70. Two of the vehicles were tractor-trailers and one was a fuel hauler that was jackknifed. The wreck caused eastbound I-70 to be shut down for over an hour. The crash happened right before the Stadium Blvd.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Columbia Public Schools reports all elementary and middle schools affected by coronavirus

November 11, 2021 4:30 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Closing arguments begin Thursday in Joseph Elledge murder trial

November 10, 2021 5:42 AM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Closing arguments in the Joseph Elledge murder trial will start Thursday morning. The defense finished up its last piece of evidence just after 3 p.m. Both sides will now go over what charges jurors might consider convicting Elledge of. Elledge is charged with first-degree murder. That comes with just one penalty in

One person injured in Highway 63 crash

November 10, 2021 5:30 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Man hospitalized after crash on Highway 63 Wednesday afternoon.

Woman charged after firefighters find dogs in motel during fire call

November 10, 2021 9:29 PM ABC 17 News Team

Prosecutors charged a woman Tuesday after firefighters found malnourished dogs in a motel room while responding to a fire in September.

Murder suspect’s wife reacts after he’s captured in Iowa

November 10, 2021 12:18 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mark Achterberg was taken into custody Wednesday night in Creston, Iowa. Boone County prosecutors charged Achterberg on Tuesday with first degree murder in the shooting death of Justin W. Stidman. “This is such a sad and preventable situation,” said Kerra Prohaska, Achterberg’s wife. “My heart goes

A Missouri business helps veterans find jobs before leaving the military

November 10, 2021 11:32 AM Karl Wehmhoener

Multiple organizations are hosting hiring events and touting veteran workforce accomplishments ahead of Veterans Day.

Former state representative announces run for Boone County Commissioner

November 10, 2021 4:45 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Kip Kendrick announced he is running for Boone County Commissioner. Kendrick is currently the chief of staff for a state senator but has also held administrative positions with Boone County family resources, Columbia College, and the MU School of Journalism. Kendrick represented House District 45 from 2015-2020, including a large portion of

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports the largest coronavirus case increase since Oct. 25

November 10, 2021 6:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Joseph Elledge on the stand for nearly eight hours in his murder trial

November 9, 2021 5:31 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Joseph Elledge told jurors his version of what happened to his wife Mengqi Ji in 2019. Elledge has been on the stand for six hours now as his murder trial goes into its second week. Elledge took the stand and talked about what the defense called in opening statements a “tragic accident”

TUESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports active coronavirus cases remains below 250

November 9, 2021 6:12 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Police searching Eastgate apartment complex after reported shooting

November 9, 2021 2:25 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Mulitple police are at the Eastgate apartment complex searching for evidence after a reported shooting.

COVID-19 Vaccine will be available in Columbia Public Schools

November 9, 2021 8:15 AM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The vaccine against COVID-19 will be offered in Columbia Public Schools (CPS) for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services announced the vaccination clinics are scheduled for this fall and winter. Families of students are expected to be notified when a clinic is planned at

Columbia woman announces bid for Missouri House of Representatives

November 9, 2021 7:34 AM Zachary Farwell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman has announced her candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives. According to a press release, Chimene Schwach will run as a Democrat for the House District 46 seat. Chimene Schwach, of Columbia, announced plans this week to run for the Missouri House of Representatives. Schwach will challenge for the

Columbia Board of Education member will seek re-election

November 9, 2021 9:02 AM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia Board of Education member plans to run for re-election. According to a press release from the campaign for Blake Willoughby, he will seek a second term on the board of education. “I am committed to the value of community and this will be a campaign focused on how we can

Texts, photos between Elledge and Ji shown to start second week of trial

November 8, 2021 5:50 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) This morning the prosecution continued presenting their case against Joseph Elledge, he is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mengqi Ji who went missing in October of 2019. Both sides of the case spent hours going over the contents of Elledge and Ji’s electronic devices reviewed by State