Local News Archives

Suspect in Hermann police killing charged with murder, assault

March 14, 2023 11:23 AM Matthew Sanders

A vigil will be held Tuesday for the Hermann police officer shot and killed late Sunday and he will be laid to rest over the weekend.

Understanding Blue Alerts

March 14, 2023 8:07 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Blue Alert is a message sent to devices alerting residents about a person who either killed, seriously injured or could be a threat to any law enforcement officer. The history of blue alerts dates back to 2014, when two New York City officers were killed in an ambush attack. Following the

Boone County fire crews put out mobile home fire north of Hallsville

March 14, 2023 6:13 PM Ryan Shiner

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A fire was reported before 4:30 at a mobile home Tuesday afternoon in the 16600 block of North Willet Road. Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp told ABC 17 News that fire on the outside of the building was handled quickly, but the inside was still engulfed. Fire

Lanes, on-ramp on I-70 reopen following crash

March 14, 2023 5:21 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Emergency crews responded to a crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 70 near Highway 63 in Columbia. The crash was near the on-ramp at exit 128-A. All lanes and the on-ramp reopened around 5:40 p.m. BCJC Urgent: Motor Vehicle Collision I-70 E & 63 Connector, road now open.— Boone County Joint Communications (@BCJC911)

Columbia man pleads guilty to trafficking meth

March 14, 2023 4:57 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possessing more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine that he received in the mail while he was on bond on an earlier federal indictment. David Lee Williams, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. In

Mexico man sentenced to 120 years for sex crimes

March 14, 2023 4:01 PM Ryan Shiner

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A Mexico, Missouri, man was sentenced Tuesday in the Audrain County Courthouse to a 120 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Gregory Saulnier, 36, was found guilty by a jury in February for first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, two counts of second-degree child molestation, two counts of child enticement, statutory sodomy and

Jefferson City, Russellville men dead after Cole County crash

March 14, 2023 9:31 AM Matthew Sanders

A crash blocked a state highway running into Russellville on Monday morning.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you worried about the banking system?

March 14, 2023 2:25 AM ABC 17 News Team

Investors and consumers seem to have jitters this week after two American banks — one in California and another in New York — shut down over the past few days.

Columbia Board of Education reviews DESE’s annual performance report

March 13, 2023 4:25 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education reviewed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Annual Performance report at its meeting Monday night. Columbia Public Schools received a 70% score on this year’s state education report card. “It includes the general performance of the district around the number of times including math, attendance,

Suspect in custody after Hermann officers shot, one fatally

March 12, 2023 9:48 PM Matthew Sanders

Police took a man into custody in Hermann on Monday afternoon, ending a standoff that lasted more than 12 hours after two officers were shot, one fatally, during an armed confrontation at a gas station.

Local businesses close following death of Hermann police sergeant

March 13, 2023 7:54 PM Nia Hinson

HERMANN, Mo. (KMIZ) Local businesses in the Downtown Hermann area are closed following a shooting that lead to the death of one police officer, and severely injured another Sunday night at a Casey’s gas station. Those officers were identified Monday as Sgt. Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup. Griffith, 34, died from his injuries. He

Jefferson City man gets life in prison for 2019 Thanksgiving murders

March 13, 2023 5:43 PM Matthew Sanders

A Jefferson City man was given two life sentences Monday in the shootings of a boy and a woman on Thanksgiving in 2019.

Rock Bridge High School student referred to authorities for threats

March 13, 2023 11:42 AM Matthew Sanders

The principal of Rock Bridge High School said Monday that a student had been referred to the juvenile justice system for making threats after an investigation into bathroom graffiti.

Police: Evidence of shots fired found in southwest Columbia

March 13, 2023 11:29 AM Matthew Sanders

Officers found a home damaged by gunfire early Saturday after a call to the Cherry Hill area of southeast Columbia.

Hearing Monday in hazing case as lawyer works with lawmakers to pass new hazing law

March 12, 2023 9:37 PM abc17news-Newsroom

By Isabella Roberts COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Monday, Thomas Schultz is scheduled to appear in court for his involvement in the Danny Santulli hazing incident that occurred in October of 2021. This comes as Danny’s Law was filed in the Missouri House of Representatives. Sponsored by Representative Travis Smith, Danny’s Law modifies the current offense of

Columbia Public Schools looks to renew agreement for bus services

March 12, 2023 5:02 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is looking to renew its contract agreement with Student Transportation of America, a bus company, for the 2023-2024 school year. In a school board meeting on Monday night, the Columbia School Board will present amendment three, which details a plan to recruit and maintain bus drivers in the area.

CANCELED: Endangered Person Advisory issued for missing Douglas County baby

March 12, 2023 2:49 PM abc17news-Newsroom

MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: Aneesa Williams was found safe by the Sheriff’s Department Saturday afternoon. ORIGINAL: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Endangered Person Advisory for Aneesa Williams, a 2-month-old girl. Williams was last seen in Mountain Grove at 11 a.m. on Friday. She is described as

No one hurt in fire at Margaritaville Sunday morning

March 12, 2023 3:15 PM abc17news-Newsroom

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ) No one was injured in a fire at the Margaritaville Resort early Sunday morning. Osage Beach Fire Protection District was dispatched to Margaritaville Resort on the Lake of the Ozarks shortly after midnight Sunday. Crews found smoke in the stairwell and coming from an air conditioning unit. Resort security was using

Miller County Sheriff’s Office searching for arson suspect

March 12, 2023 7:24 AM Erika McGuire

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Deputies in Miller County are on the hunt for an arson suspect. The Miller County Sheriff’s Office says they are looking for Jason Ekstam Jr. According to the sheriff’s office, Ekstam is wanted in connection to an arson investigation that happened Friday in Tuscumbia. Deputies say they have issued an arrest

Jefferson City man set to be sentenced for 2019 double murder

March 12, 2023 5:24 AM Joushua Blount

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Torry Upchurch, a man who pleaded guilty to killing two people on Thanksgiving in 2019 is scheduled to appear in Cole County court on Monday to learn how much time he will face for the crimes. According to online court records, Upchurch will be sentenced Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Cole County