Boone Archives

MONDAY UPDATES: Missouri DHSS adds 137 coronavirus related deaths after analyzing death certificates

August 30, 2021 11:00 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Missouri hate crimes in 2020 highest since 2011

August 30, 2021 9:14 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The FBI released new hate crime statistics for 2020 on Monday, showing Missouri reported it’s most since 2011. The state of Missouri, in 2020, reported 115 hate crimes, up compared to the 89 in 2019. Here is how the numbers break down for the last 10 years: 2020: 1152019: 892018: 662017: 1042016:

Coronavirus quarantines rise as students return to classrooms

August 30, 2021 11:58 AM Lucas Geisler

Quarantines have gone up in school districts due to people testing positive for COVID-19 or for exposure to it. Columbia Public Schools reported 117 students and five workers in either isolation or quarantine on Monday. Jefferson City School District reported seven active student cases and four active staff cases, with a close contact in each category.

Court documents unsealed in Boone County double murder case

August 30, 2021 4:29 PM Matthew Sanders

In documents detailing the two first-degree murder charges against JT McLean, police say a witness, a supermarket receipt and neighborhood surveillance videos connect McLean to the scene where Allison Abitz, 43, and her daughter, Jozee Abitz, 11, were found dead in their home just south of Columbia on Aug. 22.

Columbia Red Cross team responding to Louisiana for Hurricane Ida

August 30, 2021 5:13 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The American Red Cross of Missouri-Arkansas is sending multiple response teams to Louisiana to help residents of the state recovering from Hurricane Ida. The Columbia Red Cross is sending one team of two drivers with a vehicle filled with food and emergency supplies to communities in Louisiana. Two crews will also depart

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support the Missouri AG’s lawsuit against school mask mandates?

August 30, 2021 3:55 AM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has named Columbia Public Schools in a class-action lawsuit meant to ban districts’ mask mandates statewide.

Bridge work continues in Boone County, I-70 traffic delays expected

August 29, 2021 4:59 AM Ben Fein

Ongoing rehabilitation work of the Perche Creek Bridges in Boone County is expected to cause lane closures this week.

Police issue a Silver Alert for missing 71-year-old woman

August 28, 2021 11:54 PM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: As of a little after 8 a.m. on Sunday, the University of Missouri Police Department released Theresa Antoine-Mitchell had been found and is safe. The University of Missouri Police Department has issued an Endangered Silver Advisory for a missing woman last seen on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. Police are searching

New laws set to go into place in Missouri to limit health orders, allow college athletes to be compensated

August 28, 2021 3:50 AM Ben Fein

ultiple new laws are set to take effect on Saturday, including compensation for student athletes, limits on health orders, multiple relating to law enforcement and others.

Columbia police: Stolen catalytic converters cases as cost of metals rise

August 28, 2021 12:01 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is reporting a rise in stolen catalytic converters in the area. According to a report, there was a total of 78 catalytic converters stolen in 2020 and 96 so far for this year. Thieves steal the catalytic converter because of the precious metals in them. Converters contain platinum,

Sturgeon school district warns parents of a man following a mother to school

August 27, 2021 4:00 PM Karl Wehmhoener

STURGEON, Mo. (KMIZ) Sturgeon Superintendent Dr. Melia Franklin sent out a warning Friday morning after a man followed a parent to the elementary school from Casey’s gas station. The superintendent says the mother alerted the teachers on duty about the man. An administrator approached the man, and the man became belligerent and menacing but left,

Columbia murder suspect released on bond

August 27, 2021 3:57 PM Matthew Sanders

Jeffrey McWilliams is suspected in the death of Augustus Roberts, who died at a home in the 1900 block of Lasso Circle on Dec. 11, 2017. He is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

Police: Columbia suspect said girls were ‘flaunting themselves’ after bus stop confrontation

August 27, 2021 12:58 PM Matthew Sanders

Mark L. Martin, 57, of Columbia was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree harassment, a felony. Police in a news release Thursday said a girl reported Martin trying to lure her into his truck at a bus stop at Hyde Park Avenue and Cooper Drive in south Columbia.

Southern Boone school board adjusts coronavirus plan after public input sessions

August 26, 2021 4:37 PM Matthew Sanders

The Southern Boone Board of Education will review the district’s coronavirus plan after holding another public input session Thursday.

MSHSAA talks COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Friday Night Football

August 27, 2021 4:51 AM Ben Fein

The Missouri State High School Activities Association released guidance ahead of fall sports and activities beginning for high schools across the state.

Dozens gather for Abitz vigil in Fulton

August 26, 2021 11:24 PM Lucas Geisler

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Mourners gathered in Fulton to remember the lives of two people killed over the weekend in Boone County. Cars filled the parking lots of Southside Baptist Church as people gathered for Allison and Jozee Abitz. Church officials did not allow ABC 17 News into the vigil, saying it wanted to respect the

Neighbors ‘shocked’ after Columbia man is arrested for kidnapping allegations

August 26, 2021 4:50 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The Columbia police arrested a man Thursday after an attempted kidnapping in the area of Hyde Park Avenue and Cooper Drive.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports Mid-Missouri leading 137th coronavirus death; 4th death this week

August 26, 2021 4:04 PM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Double murder suspect previously ordered to stay away from ex-wife and child, court documents say

August 26, 2021 11:29 AM Molly Stawinoga

The man accused of murdering a Fulton teacher and her daughter not only has previous run-ins with the law, but also previous familial disputes, including threats of violence.

Ex-wife of Fulton murder suspect says she’s ‘not surprised’ by charges against him

August 25, 2021 9:41 PM Leila Mitchell

Boone County prosecutors charged JT McLean with two counts of first-degree murder Wednesday in the deaths of his girlfriend, Allison Abitz, 43, and her daughter, Jozee Abitz, 11, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The sheriff’s office said McLean was the last person to see them alive but released no other details about the investigation.