Jefferson City Archives

Two companies want to redevelop a portion of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary

December 10, 2019 4:30 PM Connor Hirsch

Jefferson City has narrowed the field down to two potential companies to redevelop part of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary.

Jefferson City Schools considering two new buildings to address overcrowding

December 9, 2019 10:35 PM Barry Mangold

Seven middle and elementary school buildings in the Jefferson City School District will use trailers next year to fit every student comfortably, which is not ideal, according to Superintendent Larry Linthacum. “(A trailer) can be a learning environment, but it’s not part of ours to become a premier school district in the state,” Linthacum said

Jefferson City couple accused of keeping child in closet

December 9, 2019 9:40 PM Matt Ragsdale

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Cole County prosecutors charged a couple with a felony count each linked to a Cole County Sheriff’s Department investigation into child abuse. Joseph Ciavarella, 52, and Loretta Wilhelm, 34, of Jefferson City were charged Saturday after court documents say deputies started their investigation on Jan. 1, 2018. Ciavarella faces a charge

‘Agreement in the works’ between owners of crippled High Street buildings

December 9, 2019 5:17 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A potential agreement is “in the works” between the owners of 202 and 200 E. High St., as Monday’s city-imposed deadline arrives for the owners to have a solution for the crumbling buildings. Rueben Wieberg, owner of 202 E. High St., told ABC17 News the owners’ lawyers are working on an

Amtrak working on temporary station

December 9, 2019 5:17 PM Matt Ragsdale

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Workers with Amtrak, Jefferson City and state offices are coming together to open a temporary station. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is providing a trailer for the city to use as a temporary train station. A Jefferson City Department of Public Works spokeswoman said the city hopes to have the

Missouri continues battling opioid epidemic despite programs meant to help

December 6, 2019 5:27 PM Jasmine Ramirez

The opioid epidemic continues in Missouri despite initiatives focused on prevention, treatment and recovery.

Jefferson City man accused of having stolen gun

December 6, 2019 7:18 PM Matt Ragsdale

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A man faces several charges in Cole County after an altercation was reported near downtown Jefferson City. Terry Simms, 39, of Jefferson City was accused of displaying a gun during a verbal argument at the 700 block of Madison Street on Wednesday. Jefferson City officers with the department’s Community Action Team

Jefferson City murder suspect moved from Cole County Jail to prison

December 5, 2019 7:36 PM Katie Greathouse

A man accused of killing two people in Jefferson City on Thanksgiving is in prison, according to Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler. Wheeler said Torry Upchurch, 27, is no longer in Cole County’s custody. He is now back in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections because of a parole warrant, Wheeler said. According

Blighted Capitol Avenue buildings reopen to potential developers

December 5, 2019 11:12 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Housing Authority opened several properties on Capitol Avenue, and one on Jackson Street, to developers in hopes of refurbishing the crumbling buildings. Staff will be leading open house inspections of 500, 501, 507, 511, and 513 E. Capitol Ave. and 101 Jackson St. on Thursday. The buildings will

Zim Schwartze named Missouri Capitol Police Chief

December 5, 2019 6:33 PM Katie Greathouse

A public safety leader who previously served in Columbia will be the next Missouri Capitol Police Chief. Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten announced Thursday that Zim Schwartze would start the position Jan. 6. “Zim Schwartze is a proven public safety leader with experience in community policing, emergency management, emergency communications, and law enforcement

Five hurt in Jefferson City school bus crash

December 5, 2019 11:13 AM Madison Fleck

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Five adults were hurt on Wednesday afternoon after a car failed to stop at a stop sign on East Capitol Avenue in Jefferson City and hit a school bus. A Nissan driven by Michael L. Bruso, 36, of Jefferson City, was traveling on Adams Street and did not stop at the

Jefferson City schools prepared to roll out anti-overdose drug

December 4, 2019 7:47 PM Barry Mangold

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) School health officials in Jefferson City are ready to equip every middle and high school with an anti-opioid overdose medication. “Whenever you have kids that have access to medications at home, you have to be prepared,” said Chad Sooter, the director of health services for the Jefferson City School District. At

Minor health code violations found in Jefferson City public school kitchens

December 4, 2019 11:54 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Health inspectors found only minor violations in the kitchens of Jefferson City’s public schools in October and November, according to inspection reports. October and November health inspection reports included the results from 19 kitchens in Jefferson City education establishments. Inspectors visited 10 Jefferson City School District buildings in October and November:

Fire chief speaks about difficulty of dive search for missing woman

December 3, 2019 7:00 PM Sydney Olsen

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Divers with the Mid-Missouri Sheriff’s Dive Team continued their search for missing Columbia woman Mengqi Elledge Tuesday. They have been searching the Lamine River in Cooper County. They first searched the area on Nov. 26. Jack Brade is chief of the Regional West Fire Protection District. He did not assist in the

Section of West Dunklin Street reopens as work continues

December 3, 2019 7:16 PM Alec Pettus

300 and 500 blocks of West Dunklin Street open to traffic in Jefferson City The 300 and 500 blocks of West Dunklin Street in Jefferson City are open to traffic, according to the city’s public works department. Officials are still asking drivers to use caution in the area as construction continues. They also warn delays

State Board of Education ironing out legislative plans

December 3, 2019 7:14 PM Molly Stawinoga

The State Board of Education discussed legislative priorities for the next session. Increases to teachers’ salaries dominated the conversation in Tuesday’s meeting. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education held a “Missouri Teacher Table” to establish a teacher salary proposal. They reported the results Tuesday. The proposal would increase the salary of all Missouri teachers

Jefferson City Council relaxes short-term rental rules

December 3, 2019 12:09 PM Matthew Sanders

The Jefferson City Council approved relaxed restrictions on short-term rentals in a split vote Monday.

City council sets aside $300,000 for demolition of two downtown buildings

December 2, 2019 8:28 PM Barry Mangold

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The city’s efforts to demolish two downtown buildings moved forward on Monday but it’s unclear when construction crews could get started. The Jefferson City council unanimously approved using about $300,000 from the city’s general fund for the project, but it did not approve a proposed demolition contract with ARSI Inc. Before

Fewer criminal shooting deaths in Jefferson City this year compared to 2018

November 29, 2019 6:02 PM Jasmine Ramirez

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Police Department has investigated four shooting deaths in 2019 compared to six shooting deaths in 2018, according to police records. A Jefferson City man is accused of two Thanksgiving killings. Torry A. Upchurch, 27, went to the police station wearing bloody clothes and admitted that he knew he

Jefferson City man charged in Thanksgiving night killings

November 29, 2019 5:43 AM Brittany Wiley

Charges have been filed against a man accused in two Jefferson City shooting.