Columbia Archives

Murphy’s campaign eclipses quarter-million dollars in Columbia mayoral race; Buffaloe lags behind at $70k

April 1, 2025 3:16 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A couple of Columbia’s mayoral candidates have garnered more donations in what has turned out to be a high-dollar election. Challenger Blair Murphy’s campaign eclipsed a quarter-million dollars in contributions, according to his eight-day campaign finance report submitted to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Eight-day reports had a closing date of March 27

Columbia minor charged with six felonies for 2024 shooting

April 1, 2025 1:16 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A 17-year-old from Columbia was charged Tuesday with six felonies in connection with a November 2024 shooting. Ja’Mez Thompson-Bey was in the Boone County Jail without bond on two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and single counts of unlawful use of a weapon and armed robbery. Thompson-Bey

‘Large emergency response’ does not disrupt classes at Rock Bridge High School, district says

April 1, 2025 12:11 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A person who needed help outside Rock Bridge High School in south Columbia prompted what the district says was a “large emergency response” outside the school Tuesday. Columbia Public Schools alerted families via text message at about noon that an “individual needing assistance outside of RBHS” led to the emergency response. The

Applications for Boone County senior tax relief opens Tuesday

March 31, 2025 3:47 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County seniors can apply for real estate tax relief on Tuesday, according to a Monday press release from the Boone County Commission. Applications are available on the Boone County collector’s website and at the Boone County Government Center. The deadline to apply is June 30, the release says. Eligible taxpayers include

Suspect in weekend Columbia shooting had stolen gun, police say

March 31, 2025 12:10 PM Matthew Sanders, Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The man who allegedly fired shots early Sunday toward a vehicle in Downtown Columbia did so with a stolen gun, according to police. Steven M. Harris, 45, of Columbia, was charged Monday with four felonies: unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, illegal gun possession and stealing a gun, according to

Anthem, MU Health Care fail to reach deal; MU Health will be out-of-network for Anthem customers on Tuesday

March 31, 2025 2:45 PM Ryan Shiner, Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care failed to reach a deal on Monday, according to a Monday news release from MU Health Care. The two sides had been in contentious negotiations for months with the intent to reach an agreement by Monday’s deadline. MU Health Care will no longer

Man charged after shooting himself while pulling up his pants, throwing stolen gun on roof

March 31, 2025 3:28 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who accidentally shot himself in a north Columbia gas station on Friday was charged with a felony on Monday. Brandon Shelton, 30, of Columbia, was charged with stealing a gun. He is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $15,000 bond. He appeared in court on Monday by

Trial set for September for truck driver charged in deadly I-70 crash

March 31, 2025 5:49 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A trial date has been scheduled for the truck driver charged with manslaughter in an August 2024 crash on Interstate 70 that killed two women. Walter Montejo, 27, of South Gate, California, is charged with two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault, misdemeanor driving while revoked and misdemeanor

More than 1,100 Boone County residents cast ballots during no-excuse absentee voting

March 30, 2025 7:54 PM Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) About 320 people cast their ballots over the weekend during no-excuse absentee voting for April elections in Boone County. Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said that since no-excuse absentee voting began Tuesday, more than 1,100 people have voted. For many voters, casting their ballots early provides peace of mind. Lauren Williams, who

Suspect from Columbia shooting Sunday morning identified

March 30, 2025 2:18 AM Haley Swaino, Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The suspect in a shooting in downtown Columbia Sunday morning has been identified as a 45-year-old Columbia man Steven Harris. According to a press release from the Columbia Police Department, Harris was arrested on charges of stealing, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and armed criminal action. The

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services transfers more than $23 million in funds to agencies

March 29, 2025 9:50 PM Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services transferred more than $23 million in funds generated by Missouri’s adult use marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission and DHSS. The funds will be used to support veteran families, strengthen overdose prevention education, and expand access to drug addiction treatment programs, according to

Trailgoers unfazed after human remains found at Rocky Fork Conservation area

March 28, 2025 7:40 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is still actively investigating after human remains were found at Rocky Forks Conservation Area this week. Human remains were found Saturday at Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area in Boone County, according to a Thursday press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. However, the exact location where

Police: Man has ‘very minor injury’ after gun in his pocket goes off at Columbia gas station

March 28, 2025 8:04 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Police say a man had “very minor injuries” after a gun in his pocket was discharged on Friday night at a north Columbia gas station. Columbia Police Department Lt. Derek Moore said the man had a gun in his pocket that accidentally went off while he was at the I-70 Eagle Stop

Man accused of pulling out gun in road rage incident while driving work van

March 28, 2025 5:06 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An Audrain County man has been charged with a pair of felonies after he allegedly pulled out a gun during a road rage incident on Friday morning while driving through Columbia. Jarrod Whelchel, of Mexico, Missouri, was charged in Boone County with unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. A

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you happy with your health insurance coverage?

March 28, 2025 4:02 AM Matthew Sanders

A change could be on the way for locals who are customers of Missouri’s biggest health insurer. MU Health Care is telling patients with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to be ready to go out-of-network at the end of the month. That’s when the current contract between MU Health and the insurer expires. The

One year later: Columbia Board of Education candidates reflect on weapons detection system as district plans safety initiatives

March 27, 2025 7:27 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is approaching one year since installing a weapons detection system to enhance school safety. Now, the district is considering a public service announcement on safe firearm storage, a board resolution and further discussions on educating families about gun safety. CPS purchased 15 weapon detection systems from Communications Technologies Inc.

Boone Health prepares for possible influx of patients as MU Health Care-Anthem negotiation deadline looms

March 27, 2025 7:38 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thousands of MU Health Care patients insured through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield could soon be forced to find new doctors as contract negotiations remain unresolved. Anthem’s contract with MU Health Care is set to expire on March 31. If a deal is not reached, MU Health Care will be considered out-of-network

Human remains found at Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation area on Saturday

March 27, 2025 4:47 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Human remains were found Saturday at Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area in Boone County, according to a Thursday press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The remains were brought to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and to determine the cause of death, the release says. The Boone County

I-70 lane closure in Kingdom City moved to next week

March 27, 2025 3:50 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A scheduled lane closure on Interstate 70 in Kingdom City that was supposed to occur this weekend has been moved, a Thursday press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation says. The closure will now begin at 7 p.m. Friday, April 4 and last through 6 a.m. Sunday, April 6. Crews are

Columbia Board of Education candidate interview: Erica Dickson

March 27, 2025 2:58 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA Mo, (KMIZ) ABC 17 News is speaking with candidates for the April 8 election. Three people are running for a pair of seats on the Columbia Board of Education: Board President Suzette Waters, Erica Dickson and Ken Rice. Reporter Mitchell Kaminski spoke with each candidate about a number of topics. View the interview with