Local News Archives

WINTER STORM UPDATES: Man dies after getting hit by semi early Monday on I-70

January 22, 2024 7:53 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the winter ice storm.

Curbside recycling in Columbia could resume by the end of February

January 22, 2024 3:51 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Curbside pickup for recycling in Columbia could resume as early as next month. The Columbia City Council and Solid Waste Utility held a work session on Monday and the topic of recycling was included on the agenda. According to the Utilities Director Dave Sorrell, staffing for the department needs to be at

Weathering the cold: Columbia, Boone County firefighters tackle surge in house fires

January 22, 2024 7:56 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Officials from the Columbia Fire Department and Boone County Fire Protection District say the amount of fires they respond to on any given week is random. However, the recent cold front that swept across Mid-Missouri may have played a role in a number of house fires that broke out. Columbia Fire and

Columbia murder, arson suspect appears in court

January 22, 2024 11:02 AM Matthew Sanders

A neighbor saw the suspect in a murder and arson moving things out of a southwest Columbia home the night of the fire, according to court documents.

Woman accused of stealing nearly $6,500 from employer in December

January 22, 2024 3:19 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman was charged on Friday in Boone County with stealing after she was accused of taking $6,400.55 from her employer in December. Bonita Foster, 61, was charged with two counts of stealing more than $750. A warrant for her arrest was requested and a $10,000 bond was set, according to

Missouri Democrats push to restore abortion access on anniversary of Roe v. Wade

January 22, 2024 2:59 PM Hannah Falcon

Monday was the 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country.

Troopers investigate deadly crash in Callaway County as ice coats roads

January 22, 2024 3:56 AM Erika McGuire, Marina Diaz

Both lanes on westbound I-70 were closed Monday morning while the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates a deadly crash in Callaway County.

Firefighters train for ice rescues during freezing weather

January 21, 2024 3:15 PM Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY , Mo. (KMIZ) Every winter, fire departments throughout central Missouri routinely handle ice rescues. Fire departments emphasize that most cases involve incidents where individuals attempt to rescue their pets that have fallen into the water. This often leads to a chain reaction, with the owner, and sometimes a bystander, getting into trouble. Correy

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you staying home on Monday because of freezing rain?

January 22, 2024 2:23 AM ABC 17 News Team

Schools started calling off Monday classes the day before, based on forecasts that freezing rain would coat Mid-Missouri in the morning.

Missouri Department of Transportation, Columbia Public Works prepare roads for freezing rain

January 21, 2024 8:21 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Parts of Mid-Missouri are expected to receive freezing rain Monday morning that could lead to slick road conditions, according to authorities. District Maintenance Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation Jason Shafer said the department began preparations Saturday night in anticipation of a dangerous Monday morning commute. Maintenance will continue through Monday,

Firefighters save pet cat at 12th structure fire this week

January 21, 2024 4:14 PM abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Firefighters were able to save a cat’s life at a house fire Sunday afternoon. Columbia Fire Department responded to the 1500 block of Citadel Drive around 2 p.m. Sunday for a house fire. According to dispatch records, this was the 12th structure fire in Boone County this week. Firefighters said the fire

Firefighter injured at one of three house fires Saturday

January 20, 2024 7:40 PM Hannah Falcon, Euphenie Andre, Gabrielle Teiner, Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Editor’s note: This article was updated to reflect new information ABC 17 learned after publishing. Firefighters put out three house fires on Saturday, and one firefighter was injured while responding. The first fire happened just before 1 p.m. in the 6400 block of Cobble Creek Drive. ABC 17 News has reached out

Jefferson City Room at the Inn looking for more volunteers

January 20, 2024 6:57 PM Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City overnight shelter is in need of more helping hands. Organizers of Jefferson City Room at the Inn express working with the homeless is rewarding, but it also involves facing challenges such as dealing with mental illness, addiction, and the diverse struggles and traumas that are connected to homelessness.

Water main break on Chapel Hill leads to boil water advisory for residents

January 20, 2024 5:00 PM abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Works crews were seen working on a water main in Columbia Saturday afternoon. The water main break is on Chapel Hill across the street from the Cedarhurst Assisted Living facility. ABC 17 crews observed several cars getting caught in the quickly-freezing water as drivers navigated the work zone. Customers in

Columbia man arrested in connection with deadly house fire

January 20, 2024 4:20 PM abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Police arrested a suspect in a deadly house fire Friday. Steven Martin Strumpf, 31, is in custody in the Boone County Jail after a deadly house fire in the 3900 block of Deerfoot Way. Strumpf is facing murder, arson and weapons charges, according to Columbia Police Department. Steven Martin Strumpf, 31Courtesy:

Experts recommend not warming up cars for too long before driving

January 20, 2024 3:39 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With the brutal cold hitting here in Mid-Missouri and across the country, it’s tempting to want to run your car to get the engine and interior warm before driving. However, experts say that can negatively impact your car and your wallet. AAA says it should only take from the time you get

Jefferson City Fire Department practices ice rescues while cold weather enters Mid-Missouri

January 19, 2024 10:44 PM ABC 17 News Team

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Practice makes perfect, and over the next few days, Jefferson City residents may see the city’s fire department practice ice rescues. The training is taking place at McKay Lake and the department stated Thursday on its social media that it would be testing out a thermal imaging camera that can take

Criminal investigation underway for Callaway County fire that killed two people

January 19, 2024 9:40 PM Ryan Shiner

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) A criminal investigation is underway for a fire that killed two people on Tuesday at Potawatomi Campgrounds, just outside of Fulton. Missouri Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike O’Connell confirmed to ABC 17 News in an email on Friday that the fire is listed as a criminal investigation being led by the

Boone Health COO to step down, will work as executive at St. Louis area health care provider

January 19, 2024 9:09 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone Health Chief Operating Officer Monica Smith will be stepping down, according to a Friday press release from Boone Health. Smith’s last day will be March 1, the release states. She has been with Boone Health for more than 17 years. Smith will be taking an executive position with another health care

Mexico superintendent to retire in June

January 19, 2024 8:28 PM Ryan Shiner

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) After working 19 years with the Mexico School District, Superintendent Melissa Chastain will retire in June, according to a social media post from the district. The Mexico Board of Education accepted Chastain’s retirement as a recent meeting, the post states. He last day will be June 30. “I have been so blessed