Callaway Archives

Missouri State Highway Patrol Vehicle parked with its lights on.

Fatal crashes over Labor Day weekend lower compared to last year

September 7, 2021 11:12 AM Karl Wehmhoener

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the preliminary statistics for the holiday weekend from 6 p.m. Friday, through 11:59 p.m. Monday in a release Tuesday.

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

Woman killed in crash in Callaway County

September 5, 2021 10:30 AM Meghan Drakas

CALLAWAY, Co. (KMIZ) One woman was killed in a crash on Saturday night in Callaway County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Report, 47-year-old Renee Honor was driving on I-70 eastbound along mile marker 146, when her car went off the right side of the road. The GMC Acadia then hit an embankment and

Auxvasse man pleads guilty to growing marijuana and owning illegal guns

August 31, 2021 5:36 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Darrin Dale Smithee, 55, of Auxvasse, faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to one count of manufacturing marijuana and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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

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.

Fulton man arrested after motorcycle crash in Callaway County

August 25, 2021 8:02 PM ABC 17 News Team

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Fulton man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a motorcycle crash Tuesday night in Callaway County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash occurred on Robbies Road south of County Road 428. 27-year-old Jess Murrell was driving south on Robbies Road when he lost control

Boyfriend suspected in double killing of teacher and her daughter

August 25, 2021 6:13 PM Matthew Sanders

Boone County prosecutors charged JT McLean with two counts of first-degree murder Wednesday, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The release said McLean was the last person to be in contact with Allison Abitz, 43, and her daughter Jozee Abitz, 11. The two were found dead in their home just south of Columbia on Sunday night.

Candlelight vigil to be held in honor of murdered Fulton teacher, daughter

August 25, 2021 4:32 PM Hannah Falcon

A candlelight vigil will be held in honor of Allison and Jozee Abitz, who were found dead in their home Sunday night.

Fulton Public Schools community coming together after killing of teacher and student

August 24, 2021 2:09 PM Meghan Drakas

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office was called Sunday night to the 7500 block of Lavender Drive, where deputies found the bodies of 43-year-old Allison Abitz and her 11-year-old daughter Jozee Abitz.

New Bloomfield man dies after a wreck on Highway 54 Friday morning

August 20, 2021 7:12 PM Karl Wehmhoener

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F is reporting a 40-year-old man is dead after a Friday morning wreck on Highway 54 in Callaway County. According to the crash report, Gabriel Lloyd was driving a 2019 Ford F250 when it traveled off the side of the road. Officials say Lloyd overcorrected

Jefferson City School District to decide on mask requirement on Monday

August 16, 2021 4:19 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) According to the Jefferson City School District website, the district is set to decide on whether or not to require masks for the upcoming school year on Monday. The district previously released its return to school plan in early August but chose to hold off on a final decision on masks

One transported to hospital after UTV crash in Callaway County

August 14, 2021 7:34 AM Ben Fein

ollowing a UTV crash early Saturday morning.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Nearly 500,000 entered the Missouri Vaccine Incentive Program

August 13, 2021 10:36 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

West Ash street and West Boulevard flooding.

Missouri requests federal disaster declaration for late June storms

August 13, 2021 3:34 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Parson has requested federal assistance after severe storms and flooding in late June caused damage in 21 Missouri counties. “Due to extremely heavy rains and significant flash flooding in late June, Missouri experienced nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone,” Governor Parson said. “The joint preliminary

The director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services on Thursday extended the current COVID-19 order, which had been set to expire Tuesday.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Active coronavirus cases drop for the second day in a row in Boone County

August 6, 2021 8:05 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Back-to-school sales tax holiday underway in Missouri

August 6, 2021 5:10 AM Ben Fein

Missouri’s sales tax holiday is underway in the Show-Me State, as the holiday by state law is set to begin the first Friday of August and run through the following Sunday.

Health officials reminding residents of value of vaccines as Callaway County under hotspot advisory

August 6, 2021 5:57 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Callaway County is the latest addition to the growing list of counties under hotspot advisories in Mid-Missouri. Health officials are reminding residents of the value of vaccines as cases increase in the county. Currently 33.5% of residents in Callaway County are fully vaccinated, but experts say at least 70% to 80% of

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County active COVID-19 cases drop over 200, coronavirus related deaths increases to 123

August 5, 2021 8:12 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Multiple tax increases approved in Mid-Missouri special elections

August 4, 2021 4:59 AM Ben Fein

Camden, Cole and Callaway Counties all held special elections Tuesday, allowing voters to decide on various tax increases throughout the districts.