Columbia Archives

Unlicensed daycare operator charged in baby’s death makes first court appearance

July 11, 2023 2:50 PM Erika McGuire

A Columbia private daycare owner charged in relation to a baby’s death made her initial court appearance Tuesday.

Heavy storms drive up insurance premiums as materials costs increase

July 11, 2023 11:43 AM Avery Roehler

A line of storms will move into Mid-Missouri on Wednesday, producing potential for damaging wind and hail.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you had trouble parking in Downtown Columbia?

July 11, 2023 2:46 AM ABC 17 News Team

A downtown merchants’ group is asking its members to have their employees not park on the street to keep spots open for customers. People ABC 17 News spoke with Monday said finding parking downtown has been difficult.

Boone County Fire Protection District: Two Task Force 1 members being sent to Vermont

July 10, 2023 9:30 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Fire Protection District announced on its social media Monday night that two members of Missouri Task Force 1 are headed to Vermont to give assistance after recent flooding in the region. “According to the Vermont State Police, serious, life-threatening flooding is occurring today across much of Vermont,” the Boone

MU Health Care hosts tour for new children’s hospital

July 10, 2023 7:54 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday afternoon, MU Health Care held a tour to show the progress made on the new children’s hospital coming to Virginia Avenue. The facility is on track to open in June 2024, and will feature 146 private patient rooms. There were empty rooms and lots filled with dirt, while construction continued

Columbia Water & Light proposes Community Solar Program

July 10, 2023 7:17 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Water and Light has proposed a Community Solar Program for the city. The program would expand access to solar energy for Columbia residents who do not own property. Those who choose to participate in the program would not have to install solar panels. James Owen, of Renew, Missouri, said the energy

Downtown Columbia business group asks workers not to park in front of stores

July 10, 2023 11:39 AM Avery Roehler

A Downtown Columbia merchants’ organization is asking its members to have their employees park somewhere else.

Columbia man arrested, charged after allegedly exposing himself outside of Shakespeare’s

July 10, 2023 3:51 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was arrested Friday after police say he exposed himself in front of child outside of Shakespeare’s Pizza in Downtown Columbia and caused damage to a truck. Deandra Buchanan Jr., 28, is charged with sexual misconduct involving a child, first-degree sexual misconduct, first-degree property damage and two counts of fourth-degree

Columbia Water and Light hopes Thornbrook water issues solved

July 9, 2023 9:24 PM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia’s Water and Light Advisory Board heard Monday from city officials who say they hope low water pressure issues in the city’s southwest neighborhoods is no longer a problem. This comes after the Thornbrook neighborhood had three boil water advisories since June. According to Thornbrook resident Julie Ryan, this has been a

Man accused of murdering woman on bridge has motion hearing Aug. 2

July 7, 2023 7:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A motion hearing for a man accused of pushing a woman off a bridge and killing her in October is set for Aug. 2. Jessie Williams, 32, is accused of pushing Kaylen Schmit off the Highway 63 bridge near Clark Lane and killing her on Oct. 4. Schmit, 24, fell 38 feet into a wooded area and

Three men charged in Dove Drive shooting indicted

July 7, 2023 5:00 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Three men who were arrested and charged in relation to a shooting death in the 3200 block of Dove Drive last month were indicted by a Boone County grand jury on Friday. Bryton Allen, 19, and Jajuan Crockett, 21, and Damarkus Williams, 18, are charged with with second-degree murder, armed criminal and

Overnight pavement work scheduled for Downtown Columbia next week

July 7, 2023 3:51 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Contractors for the City of Columbia Public Works are scheduled to perform roadwork on several Downtown streets, according to a Friday press release from the City. 7 p.m. Monday- 7 a.m. Tuesday: East Walnut Street from North Garth Avenue to North Providence Road; Locust Street from South College Avenue to Hitt Street7

No one injured after police called to unstable Columbia fire scene

July 7, 2023 12:06 PM Mitchell Kaminski

An apartment was damaged but no one was hurt when police were called in to help firefighters at a north Columbia scene Friday morning.

Columbia Police Department names interim chief

July 7, 2023 11:34 AM Isabella Roberts

Columbia officials said Friday that Matt Stephens will serve as the interim police chief for the Columbia Police Department beginning July 31.

Columbia nonprofit to host Veteran Resource Fair

July 7, 2023 5:28 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture on Friday will host a Veterans Resource Fair at Columbia’s Agriculture Park under the MU Health Care Pavilion located at 1769 W. Ash Street. The event is scheduled to take place from 5-7 p.m. and will be free to all attending. The event is focused on helping veterans. Organizers

Columbia man accused of throwing a woman off bridge in 2022 set to appear in court

July 7, 2023 5:45 AM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Friday morning, Jessie Williams is set to have a hearing. He is charged with first degree murder for allegedly pushing 24-year-old Kaylen Schmit off the Highway 63 bridge near Clark Ln. According to court documents, a witness saw Schmit and Williams at a nearby homeless camp arguing over Williams’ belongings. Witnesses then said the two were walking

Man found guilty of illegal gun possession, not guilty of other charges in Columbia murder trial

July 6, 2023 11:19 AM Mitchell Kaminski

Thursday marked the second day of 52-year-old Leo Robinson Jr.’s trial for his alleged involvement in a 2021 murder outside of Waffle House on Vandiver Drive in north Columbia.

Thefts in Columbia this year on pace to match 2022 total, CPD says

July 6, 2023 7:52 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Within the past month, the Columbia Police Department has shown several thefts on its social media pages, asking for the public’s help in identifying the people responsible. CPD detective Brandon Baden said a number of the social media posts refer to people stealing from cars. “If you leave like your wallet in

Two charged in Dove Drive shooting appear in court Thursday

July 6, 2023 6:48 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Columbia men accused in a June 26 homicide on Dove Drive appeared in court Thursday. Bryton Allen, 19, and Jajuan Crockett, 21 had a confined docket hearing scheduled Thursday at the Boone County Courthouse. A preliminary hearing for Allen is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 20, and Crockett’s is scheduled

Voluntary Action Center drops ask for federal funding for homeless center over conflict-of-interest concerns

July 6, 2023 5:24 PM Lucas Geisler

Questions over federal conflict-of-interest rules caused a Columbia nonprofit to pull its funding requests for a homelessness resource center.