Local News Archives

Three officers resign from Centralia police

October 7, 2021 4:43 PM Leila Mitchell

Three more Centralia police officers resigned Thursday after the Chief of Police Bob Bias resigned on Sept. 29 and took early retirement effective on Oct. 10.

Boonville’s DJ Wesolak charged after March incident

October 7, 2021 8:02 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Cooper County prosecutor has charged DJ Wesolak of first-degree harassment and four-degree assault.

Boone County Commission votes to move courthouse murals to ‘secure location’

October 7, 2021 3:51 AM Matthew Sanders

he Boone County Commission is set to meet Thursday and take action on murals in the Boone County Courthouse after lawyers called for them to be moved.

Police find vehicles hit by gunfire at Jefferson City park

October 7, 2021 9:46 AM Matthew Sanders

Officers found more than 16 spent casings after being sent at about 11 p.m. to McClung Park, the Jefferson City Police Department said in a news release. Police also found a .40-caliber handgun.

Centralia residents want more transparency after police chief resigns.

Centralia mayor’s son ticketed for alleged misdemeanor assault against grocery store employee

October 7, 2021 5:27 PM Matthew Sanders

Lt. Brian Leer said deputies issued a summons to Chad Cox, son of Mayor Chris Cox, for fourth-degree assault after a person said Cox confronted the Prenger Foods employee. The confrontation was allegedly over comments the person made to local media about turnover in the police department. The sheriff’s department was called to investigate to avoid any conflicts of interest, Leer said.

MU Faculty Council endorses indoor masking, coronavirus vaccine mandate

October 7, 2021 3:26 PM Hannah Falcon

One motion asks President Mun Choi, who is also the UM System president, to renew current requirements that include masks in classrooms but revise them to require everyone to wear masks indoors at all times. Another motion asks Choi to require vaccinations for students and staff.

Jefferson City man accused of fake active shooter call

October 7, 2021 3:48 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Jefferson City police responded to a report of an active shooter situation at apartment buildings Thursday at 8:49 a.m. after a caller alleged a shooter.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports two more coronavirus deaths; 50 new coronavirus cases

October 7, 2021 6:30 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services assistant director says outside counties are contributing to the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Boone.

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports 17 residents hospitalized; 42 new coronavirus cases

October 6, 2021 6:16 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Boonville police seek missing man

October 7, 2021 1:40 PM ABC 17 News Team

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) Boonville police say they’re looking for a 27-year-old man last seen Wednesday and who might be in danger. James C. Green was last seen “after being transported for medical treatment,” the Boonville Police Department said in a Facebook post. Green left the medical facility and has not been seen or heard from.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Did Facebook put profits ahead of people?

October 7, 2021 2:07 AM ABC 17 News Team

A whistleblower went public on 60 Minutes on Sunday, claiming social media giant Facebook knows that its product harms people.

Auxvasse man sentenced to jail after repeatedly calling 9-1-1

October 6, 2021 11:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

An Auxvasse man was sentenced to 175 days in county jail after being found guilty of five charges after repeatedly calling 9-1-1.

Kingdom City man pleads guilty to child molestation

October 6, 2021 10:42 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Kingdom City man has pleaded guilty to fourth-degree child molestation after admitting to touching a 14-year-old in a car.

Fire marshal: Test smoke alarms during fire prevention week

October 6, 2021 9:08 PM Hannah Falcon

The winter months are the busiest time for fire departments, and as temperatures drop, fire officials are reminding people to check if their smoke alarms are correctly installed and working.

University of Missouri researchers looking for children to participate in COVID-19 vaccine study

October 6, 2021 9:33 PM ABC 17 News Team

University of Missouri researchers are looking for children to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine study.

Kawasaki to create manufacturing plant at former Nordyne site in Boonville

October 6, 2021 12:57 PM Matthew Sanders

Boonville and Cooper County officials are expected to make an economic development announcement at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Workers seek health care jobs amid high demand for employees

October 6, 2021 3:14 PM Joushua Blount

The health care industry is in need of people, with many hospitals reporting staffing shortages that have become a familiar sight during the coronavirus pandemic.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Was justice served in the Ernest Johnson case?

October 6, 2021 10:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

Johnson had been convicted of the 1994 murders of Fred Jones, Mary Bratcher and Mable Scruggs in Columbia and had awaited execution for about 25 years.

Centralia man hurt after crash in Audrain County

October 6, 2021 8:24 AM Josie Anglin

AUDRAIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Centralia man was hurt after a crash in Audrain County on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 2:50 p.m. on Route D near Audrain Road 975. Troopers said a vehicle being towed with a chain behind an SUV crossed the center line and

Ameren Missouri customers can apply for a utility assistance program due to pandemic

October 5, 2021 5:15 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An additional $1.5 million is now available by Ameren Missouri for families struggling to pay their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ameren is directing $1.2 million to its Clean Slate program to support moderate-income customers who do not qualify for low-income programs. The company is also directing $300,000 to support