Local News Archives

Police arrest suspect in Columbia storage fire

December 20, 2023 4:16 PM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia woman has been charged with setting a fire that ripped through a storage unit last week.

Doyle picked as new Fulton director of administration

December 20, 2023 2:31 PM Ryan Shiner

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Courtney Doyle is the City of Fulton’s new director of administration, according to a Wednesday press release from the city. The release states that Doyle was appointed to the position by the Fulton City Council during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Doyle was named the interim director in July after Renee Tyler was fired

Crane says he won’t seek reelection as circuit judge; Republican Osete enters race

December 20, 2023 12:38 PM Matthew Sanders

Crane, who sits on Division 3 of the 13th Judicial Circuit, was elected Boone County prosecuting attorney in 1993 before winning election as judge in 2006. He has sat on the bench ever since.

Five Missouri children poisoned by lead in applesauce pouches

December 20, 2023 10:48 AM Matthew Sanders

The department didn’t identify the children but said the cases were found as part of the FDA’s investigation that started Nov. 2.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should more workers have paid family and medical leave?

December 20, 2023 3:27 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Columbia City Council voted Monday to give its employees six weeks of paid medical and family leave.

Salvation Army of Columbia holds toy-distribution event

December 19, 2023 9:29 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Salvation Army in Columbia held its annual toy-store event on Tuesday. This was the third year families were able pick which toys or clothes they would like, instead of it being pre-chosen for them. A spokesperson for the organization estimates nearly 300 families will be helped this year. “Our goal in this event

Two men accused of stealing more than $40,000 worth of items from Sedalia storage units

December 19, 2023 8:24 PM Ryan Shiner

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two men were accused of stealing more than $40,000 worth of items from a Sedalia storage unit earlier this month. One of the men — Jordon Durland, 23, of Sedalia – was arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree burglary. He is being held at the Pettis County Jail on a

DBRL Board approves agreement with union after initially asking for amendment on wages

December 19, 2023 7:07 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The Daniel Boone Regional Library Board of Trustees approved an agreement with union workers on Tuesday after holding a public vote over Zoom. The agreement is the same one the DBRL Board returned on Friday. The Board had requested an amendment to the section of the contract regarding wages. The vote officially

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in second year of scoring model

December 19, 2023 6:51 PM Morgan Buresh

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released its 2023 Annual Performance Report of Missouri schools on Monday. DESE uses the Missouri School Improvement Program to grade school districts on their performance and determine accreditation. Columbia Public Schools scored a 70.1% and Jefferson City School District scored 76.7%. A district’s Annual

Recall petition for Columbia Councilman Nick Knoth submitted to city

December 19, 2023 6:42 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia received a recall petition from residents for Ward 1 Councilman Nick Knoth, according to an email from City Clerk Sheela Amin. Amin told ABC 17 News that the petition is being reviewed to determine if it is sufficient for a recall. Residents in Columbia’s first ward started collecting

Columbia City Council approves paid family and medical leave for city employees

December 19, 2023 3:11 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

Columbia City Council members on Monday approved paid family and medical leave for city employees. As a benefit, the 30-day waiting period for new employees to use sick leave will be removed.

Family of man who died in Jefferson City Correctional Center asks for video

December 19, 2023 11:06 AM Hannah Falcon

The family of a man who died this month in the Jefferson City Correctional Center has hired legal representation to gather information for a lawsuit.

Performance gains fuel Jefferson City Schools’ progress on annual review

December 19, 2023 11:22 AM Morgan Buresh

Gains in academic scores helped the Jefferson City School District gain nearly six points on the state’s annual review of schools.

Warrant ordered for Casa Maria’s owner accused of arson

December 19, 2023 4:44 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A warrant was ordered in Dunklin County on Tuesday for an owner of a Mexican restaurant in Columbia who was accused of arson. According to court records, a warrant was ordered for Crystal Umfress for failing to abide a judge’s order. Court records say Umfress, 40, violated the terms of her bond

Columbia Airport to lease space to MACC for aviation technology program

December 19, 2023 3:56 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council on Monday approved an agreement with Moberly Area Community College to lease space from Columbia Regional Airport for an aviation technology program, according to a Tuesday release from the city. The release states that the program will be a Federal Aviation Administration-certified program that can lead to an

Dozens of Columbia households at risk for eviction getting to stay in their homes for the holidays

December 19, 2023 3:32 PM Meghan Drakas

Love Columbia Program Director Conrad Hake says his organization has served 48 households with assistance from a recent campaign, which equals around $45,000. That campaign was launched on the first of the month and is based around “Roof over your Head Day” which falls on Dec. 3.

Columbia man charged with assaulting nurse

December 19, 2023 3:28 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was charged with third-degree assault on Tuesday after allegedly assaulting a nurse at University Hospital. Cody Alan Douglass, 38, is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date has not been set. According to the probable cause statement, police saw video footage of Douglass running