Boone Archives

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services assistant director says outside counties are contributing to the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Boone.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports three new coronavirus related deaths; 90 new cases

September 10, 2021 6:06 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Fingerprints, DNA taken from McLean in multi-state death investigation

September 10, 2021 1:12 PM Lucas Geisler

The Sioux City Police Department took the evidence from J.T. McLean’s body on Thursday, according to a search warrant obtained by ABC 17 News. The inventory lists just the fingerprints and DNA swabs.

South Dakota deputies serve warrants in J.T. McLean case

September 9, 2021 8:16 PM Lucas Geisler

ELK POINT, S.D. (KMIZ) Deputies found a white cord and rubber straps inside the truck a mid-Missouri murder suspect killed himself on Wednesday night. The evidence seized through a search warrant could be used in murder investigations in Boone and Miller counties. Deputies there are looking into the deaths of four people, including Allison Abitz,

Missouri Task Force 1 reflects on changes made to work since 9/11

September 9, 2021 8:58 PM Lucas Geisler

Doug Westhoff and Bryant Gladney had not seen the moment that changed the lives of Americans on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City. They both spent that day, however, packing bags and loading boxes onto an aircraft that would take them to the rubble left behind from two planes hitting the World Trade Center.

Miller County victims connected to homicide suspect by ex-wife

September 9, 2021 5:50 AM ABC 17 News Team

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, J.T. McLean, 45, was found in the area near Dakota Dunes late Wednesday night in a vehicle parked at a motel.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports over 600 active coronavirus cases

September 9, 2021 7:39 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting 107 new COVID-19 cases. There are currently 627 active cases in the county, an increase of 65 from Wednesday. The county now has a reported total number of 23,581 COVID-19 cases. The county reported 22,808 cases removed from isolation, an increase of 42. Boone County

Overnight road work to affect I-70 traffic in preparation for Rocheport Bridge construction

September 9, 2021 4:14 AM Ben Fein

The Missouri Department of Transportation is set to begin work on I-70 Thursday, in preparations for construction of the Rocheport Bridge.

Columbia Municipal Court offers warrant amnesty next week

September 8, 2021 11:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

The city of Columbia Municipal Court will offer warrant amnesty for individuals who wish to turn themselves into the court from Sept. 13-17.

Ironworker shares his 9/11 search and recovery experience

September 8, 2021 8:39 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Pete Herman, an ironworker, volunteered to help with search, rescue and recovery the day after Sept. 11, 2001. Herman like many others at ground zero risked his health and his life. Herman said when he heard about the attacks on the twin towers, he knew he needed to help. “All of a

Boone Electric Cooperative sends second crew to help with Hurricane Ida damage

September 8, 2021 9:16 PM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone Electric Cooperative will send a second ten-person crew to Louisiana Friday to help restore power in neighborhoods. The first crew is expected to arrive in Columbia Sunday afternoon. Crews will work 16-hour shifts for 10 consecutive days to try and restore power to homes. Meredith Hoenes, Boone Electric Cooperative Communications Specialist,

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: State of Missouri announces second round of MoVIP winners

September 8, 2021 6:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Parents of recent suicide victim call on the city of Columbia to make safety improvements at Fifth And Walnut garage

September 8, 2021 7:49 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several suicides of happened at the site of the Fifth and Walnut parking garage in the past decade. Parent’s of the recent victim, Haven Thomason, is shining light on the city of Columbia not taking appropriate steps to prevent this from continuing. Earl and Jenny Rebarchek said their daughter Haven was a

Boone County Sheriff’s Office looking for motorcycle connected to double homicide suspect

September 8, 2021 4:01 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Boone County Sheriff’s detectives got a tip that JT McLean had recently acquired a dark colored motorcycle and may have used that to leave the area.

Columbia and Boone County leaders to give COVID-19 update at Columbia City Hall Monday.

Columbia City Council holds public hearing on the 2022 Annual Budget

September 7, 2021 3:37 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The second of three public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Budget was held Tuesday in the council chambers to allow opportunities for public input on the many items covered by the budget process. There was also an organized rally held outside city hall before the meeting by “Rally to Invest

UTV hit storm drain in crash that injured Rock Bridge baseball players

September 7, 2021 11:14 AM Leila Mitchell

The crash happened at about 12:45 a.m. Saturday when the 2009 Polaris Ranger the boys were riding drifted and dropped off the curb before the driver overcorrected and hit the storm drain, Capt. Brian Leer of the sheriff’s office said. The driver and two passengers were thrown from the vehicle completely, one passenger was partially ejected and investigators don’t know if the fifth boy was thrown from the vehicle, Leer said.

Columbia police find missing woman

September 7, 2021 5:59 AM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: Columbia Police posted to Twitter on Tuesday morning that Ernestine Foster was located. No other details were released. ORIGINAL STORY: The Columbia Police Department needs help from the community to find a missing woman. According to a post made Monday night on the police department’s Facebook page, a family member last

Southern Boone High School closed Tuesday for a deep clean after student tests positive for COVID-19.

Southern Boone School District returns Tuesday with COVID-19 safety measures

September 7, 2021 4:00 AM Meghan Drakas

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) The Southern Boone School District is returning on Tuesday with an outlined plan of COVID-19 safety measures in place for students and staff. In the plan, the district says it has been consulting with the CDC and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services to make its safety plan

Columbia woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for a Feb. shooting

September 6, 2021 8:55 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday in a Feb. 2021 shooting. Elizabeth Dye received a 20-year prison sentence in the death of Maya Wootton. Police say Dye was homeless and living in a car, and shot Wootton in the basement of Wootton’s home on Orchard Court Lucas Harper pleaded guilty last

Missouri Task Force One returns from Ida search and rescue mission

September 6, 2021 4:56 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ) Missouri Task Force One returned safely Saturday to Columbia after being sent to Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, to assist in search, rescue and assessment efforts after Hurricane Ida. FEMA tapped Task Force One on Aug. 27, sending 80 men and women from across the state to Louisiana. Chuck Leake, assistant chief of the

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is on high alert as traffic increases across mid-Missouri roadways throughout Labor Day Weekend.

Troopers on high alert for Labor Day Weekend

September 5, 2021 5:05 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers are out on high alert as the organization expects more traffic on highways and waterways for the Labor Day weekend. “I think over the next several days there’s gonna be a significant increase in traffic on all the major highways and interstates throughout the state and throughout