Columbia Archives

Car crashes into fire hydrant, sending water flowing down Columbia street

February 22, 2026 10:27 AM Marie Moyer

No one was reported to be injured in after a car crashed into a fire hydrant in southeast Columbia on Sunday morning.

Coalition Against Community Violence hosts first town hall, sees low turnout

February 21, 2026 6:53 PM Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Coalition Against Community Violence held its first town hall meeting Saturday, aiming to address violence in the city and open dialogue with residents. Community members gathered to discuss what can be done collectively to improve the social determinants impacting children and families. While organizers hoped for a larger crowd, only three

Heart health event in Columbia offers free screenings, disease prevention advice

February 21, 2026 4:29 AM Marie Moyer

MU Health Care is inviting people to stop by the Columbia Activity and Recreation Center on Saturday morning to check on their heart health.

Attendees will have access to free screenings and information on heart disease prevention.

Health inspector sees repeat violations at KFC in Columbia

February 20, 2026 4:21 PM Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The KFC restaurant on Clark Lane is at risk of getting fined by Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services. A health inspection report shows a health inspector saw two violations at the fast food restaurant during a routine inspection on Monday. The inspector wrote that employees were stacking pans and trays

Family of woman who died from overdose in 2023 sues Columbia hotel

February 20, 2026 4:17 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The family of a woman who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2023 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an extended stay hotel in Columbia. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Boone County by Stacy Thomas, the mother of Brianna Surface. Surface, 21, died from an overdose on Aug. 7,

Final day to submit bids for downtown Columbia redevelopment consulting

February 20, 2026 5:41 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Commercial real estate firms have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit bids to the City of Columbia for downtown economic development and redevelopment consulting. The city is seeking proposals from firms to provide the Economic Development Department with business retention, expansion and attraction services. The firms must have a broad range of

Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission recommends definition for ‘data center’

February 19, 2026 9:38 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday night recommended a definition of “data center” to the City Council. The Commission unanimously recommended to revise definitions in the Unified Development Code to include “data center.” The building and inclusion of data centers have been highly contested around the country, including Mid-Missouri. Amazon

City of Columbia, University of Missouri leaders meet behind closed doors on crime for fourth time

February 19, 2026 1:13 PM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) City of Columbia and University of Missouri leaders on Thursday held their fourth public safety meeting since the university president called on Columbia to crack down on crime. An ABC 17 News reporter saw University President Mun Choi, Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick, Fifth Ward Councilman Don Waterman and Columbia Police

CPD still on track to relaunch full-time downtown unit by the summer

February 19, 2026 6:03 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is still on track to relaunch its full-time dedicated downtown unit this summer. Police Chief Jill Schlude told ABC 17 News back in October that once the January 2026 academy graduates completed field training, the department would have staffing levels to support the unit. Lt. Clint Sinclair said

Applebee’s in west Columbia closes

February 19, 2026 2:07 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Applebee’s location near Stadium Boulevard in west Columbia has closed. The corporation confirmed to ABC 17 News in a Thursday email that the location on Interstate 70 Drive Southwest closed for good on Wednesday. “Our Applebee’s restaurant in Columbia, MO (I-70 Drive SW) closed on Wednesday, February 18. We greatly appreciate

Sidewalk ramp reconstruction to close sidewalk, relocate bus stop on East Broadway in Columbia

February 19, 2026 2:49 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The reconstruction of a sidewalk ramp will require a sidewalk to be closed and a bus stop to be temporarily moved in Columbia, according to a Thursday press release from the city. Contractors are reconstructing the sidewalk ramp at the corner of East Broadway and South Second Street, the release says. Work

NOCAP works to launch trauma training as northeast Columbia residents’ concerns grow

February 18, 2026 7:14 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Crime in northeast Columbia isn’t slowing down, according to one resident of Ward 3. Demetria Stephens told the Columbia City Council on Monday night that crime in Columbia’s Ward 3 is urgent, and warned city leaders that if they didn’t take steps to intervene, it’s going to continue to get worse. Stephens

Columbia considers $100,000 improvements to Field Park

February 18, 2026 11:53 AM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Columbia Parks and Recreation had its first public comment on Wednesday regarding improvements to Field Park, located at 900 Range Line St. The improvements would include two new pickleball courts, for which Columbia College has reportedly agreed to chip in $40,000, according to the capital improvement project search. That’s along with updates

Statewide measles vaccination rates down, religious exemptions rise for fifth year in a row

February 18, 2026 2:34 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service reports a drop in statewide measles MMR vaccination rates, while religious vaccination exemptions rise for the fifth year in a row. This comes as measles outbreaks have occurred recently in South Carolina and Texas. DHSS requires students to receive two doses total, with the first

Class action lawsuit accuses Veterans United of deceiving homebuyers

February 18, 2026 6:07 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A class action lawsuit was filed on Thursday against one of Columbia’s biggest employers. A complaint was filed in the Western District Court of Missouri against Veterans United Home Loans. The plaintiffs in the class –which includes Christian Payton, Salem Zahn and Ernest Easter – are seeking at least a $5 million

Casa Maria’s owner pleads guilty to misdemeanor, is given credit for time served

February 18, 2026 3:00 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman who owned a Mexican restaurant in south Columbia pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Tuesday in Butler County. Crystal Umfress pleaded guilty to making a false affidavit, a misdemeanor, according to the deputy clerk in Butler County. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail, but was given credit for time

Columbia man accused in drunken crash allegedly had BAC nearly 4 times the legal limit to drive

February 18, 2026 12:53 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man who was charged with a felony and four misdemeanors in an alleged drunken driving crash on Monday allegedly had a blood alcohol content nearly four times the legal limit to drive. Maurice Robinson, 40, was charged on Tuesday with driving while intoxicated – causing physical injury and four misdemeanors:

No injuries reported in vehicle fire near University Hospital

February 18, 2026 11:27 AM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A large response from firefighters was seen on Wednesday morning after vehicle caught fire near University Hospital. No injuries were reported and there is no danger to the hospital, though a parking garage was closed, according to a Columbia Fire Department spokesperson. The fire was put out quickly and the response was

A couple of calls can cut back on monthly payments

February 18, 2026 11:00 AM Haley Swaino

Inflation is easing, but living costs and bills remain high.

The annual rate in the U.S. has hovered around 2.6-2.7% in 2026. That’s down about 0.3 percentage points from 2024’s rate and significantly lower than the 8% peak recorded in 2022.

Car flips after hitting tree, driver hospitalized

February 18, 2026 9:52 AM Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One person was taken to the hospital after their car flipped after hitting a tree on Wednesday. A Boone County Joint Communications alert was sent out at 8:42 a.m. about a crash on Smiley Lane at Rangeline St., asking drivers to avoid the area. Columbia Police Department Sgt. Robert Fox said a