Columbia Archives

Community leader James ‘Jim’ Whitt passes away

November 16, 2021 9:06 PM Joushua Blount

James Whitt (middle), Peter Stiepleman (left) and B.J. Hunter standing together (2014).

Columbia Job Center hosts free CDL training to combat truck driver shortage

November 16, 2021 11:11 AM Erika McGuire

The event will provide financial assistance in the training and placement for those looking to become truck drivers.

Columbia police investigate Sunday morning after an officer involved shooting leaves one dead outside of Vibez Lounge.

Leaders of Columbia and community members question whether security training should increase in Downtown Columbia

November 16, 2021 4:49 PM Chanel Porter

After eight shootings have happened in the Downtown Columbia area within the past two months, Columbia leaders and community members have begun conversations about if security training should increase in the area.

MU Health Care to move pediatric emergency services to University Hospital on Tuesday

November 16, 2021 5:46 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care will move its pediatric emergency services to University Hospital on Tuesday. Any child who needs pediatric emergency services will now need to visit University Hospital near Downtown Columbia. Matthew Robinson, an MU Health Care emergency physician, said in a press release the new location will still offer the same

COVID-19 long-hauler battling homelessness shares how virus caused financial hardships

November 15, 2021 9:13 PM Meghan Drakas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way nearly everything works and has impacted billions of lives worldwide. One Kansas City COVID-19 long-hauler has been battling homelessness due to the financial hardships the virus has caused her. Meet Amanda Finley Amanda Finley, COVID-19 Long-Hauler Amanda Finley is a Missourian who calls herself

Sister of man killed by police wants justice for brother’s death

November 15, 2021 9:42 PM Zach Boetto

A woman who identified herself as the sister of the man shot and killed by Columbia police Sunday morning wants more answers from police about what happened.

Two people were shot at a downtown Columbia nightclub.

Vibez in Downtown Columbia had previous citations

November 15, 2021 6:24 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The shooting that happened outside of Vibez is being called a mass casualty event by the Columbia Police Department.IT happened just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Bars in Columbia have to be closed by 1:30 a.m. According to the probable cause statement “T.W said she went to Vibez around 1:30 a.m. and

Police investigating Sunday robbery and carjacking in central Columbia

November 15, 2021 5:14 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police are investigating a reported robbery and carjacking Sunday afternoon on the 500 block of Mikel St. The victim told police that the suspect approached him with a gun while entering the victim’s residence before stealing items and a vehicle from the victim. The suspect was last seen heading west on

Man charged in connection with Sunday shooting in downtown Columbia

November 15, 2021 2:59 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Boone County prosecutor has charged a Columbia man after Sunday’s shooting at Vibez Lounge.

Columbia officials react after ‘mass casualty’ shooting at Vibez left one dead, five hurt

November 15, 2021 8:05 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is calling a downtown shooting early on Sunday morning, which left one person dead and five others hurt, a “mass casualty” event. “Our community has experienced multiple incidents of senseless gun violence over the past several weeks,” said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece. The shooting happened around 3 a.m.

Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones and the owner of Vibez address downtown violence issues after one man was killed

November 14, 2021 7:14 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After one man was killed during an officer involved shooting at Vibez Lounge in Downtown Columbia early Sunday morning, a community briefing was held where the owner of the Lounge exchanged words with CPD Police Chief Geoff Jones about the violence in the area. R’Velle Fair, owner of Vibez Lounge, said Sunday

Columbia mayor and police chief provide details about a fatal officer involved shooting and downtown violence

November 14, 2021 10:04 AM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mayor Brian Treece and Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones spoke at a community briefing at 11 a.m. regarding a fatal officer-involved shooting. Chieff Jones, says a 30-year-old black man is dead after a shooting at Vibez Lounge at North 5th St. and East Walnut St. just after 3:15 a.m. on Sunday. At least

One man dead after an officer involved shooting at Vibez on Sunday morning

November 14, 2021 4:07 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One man was killed in a shooting at Vibez Lounge early Sunday morning in an officer involved shooting. CPD police chief, Geoff Jones, says a 30-year-old black man is dead after a shooting at North 5th St. and East Walnut St. just after 3:15 a.m. on Sunday. Watch the replay of the

Long time Downtown Columbia restaurant set to close

November 13, 2021 3:27 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After 13 years of business in Downtown Columbia, Coley’s American Bistro is set to close Saturday night. According to a Facebook post from Coley’s, the closure is due to staff wanting to spend more time with their family. The post also says that throughout the pandemic, the restaurant has been strongly supported

Traffic impacts and cold weather expected for Mizzou Football game on Saturday

November 13, 2021 4:42 AM Ben Fein

Tens of thousands are expected to make their way to Faurot Field this morning as The Missouri Tigers are set to host The South Carolina Gamecocks for its annual military appreciation game at 4 p.m.

No one hurt following fire at Parkside Manor

November 13, 2021 7:36 AM Ben Fein

The Columbia Fire Department said no one was hurt following an early Saturday morning blaze at Parkside Manor.

Columbia police, MU and The District working together to share safety operations for downtown area

November 12, 2021 4:23 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is working with MU and The Community Improvement District to address violence in the downtown area. “Downtown is a vibrant, energetic gathering place, and it is imperative that our residents feel safe in the area,” Police Chief Geoff Jones said in a release. “Our officers will be taking

Prosecutor hopes Ji death raises awareness for domestic violence resources

November 12, 2021 5:50 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County prosecutor Dan Knight said he felt acquainted with Mengqi Ji after spending two years trying to get her justice. Knight said he watched several videos of Ji in the time he spent prosecuting her husband, Joseph Elledge, for killing her. Knight said it was clear Ji was a loving mother

Court documents reveal new details about two Columbia shootings

November 12, 2021 1:39 PM Zachary Farwell

The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office has charged two men after a shooting in Columbia late last month.

Joseph Elledge pleads not guilty to three felony charges.

What is next for Joseph Elledge

November 12, 2021 1:29 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A jury found Joseph Elledge guilty for second-degree murder in the death of his wife Mengqi Ji. The jury recommended a 28-year prison sentence for Elledge. A judge cannot sentence an offender anything more than what the jury recommends. Richard Simons of Kc Defense Counsel says, “generally a judge sides with the