Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the Columbia Public Schools mask mandate remain in effect?

October 12, 2021 2:00 AM ABC 17 News Team

Some Mid-Missouri schools have rolled back their mandates as the delta-driven wave of new coronavirus cases has slowed.

Centralia Mayor Chris Cox sits in the council chambers ahead of a Monday night Board of Aldermen meeting.

City of Centralia appoints interim police chief

October 11, 2021 4:11 PM Zach Boetto

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Centralia Board of Alderman appointed a new interim police chief and approved a law firm to serve as a special legal counsel. The board appointed Corporal Nat Stoebe to take over as interim police chief until the city finds a more long term solution. “My whole objective, moving forward from here

Columbia closes top of Fifth and Walnut parking garage during safety improvement project

October 11, 2021 3:38 PM Joushua Blount

The structure has been a frequent site of suicides.

Columbia Board of Education voted to raise wages for school bus drivers and keep COVID-19 plan in place

October 11, 2021 8:07 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education voted Monday to raise wages for school bus drivers after the administration asked them to a current contract agreement with the company that CPS contracts with to bus students to and from buildings. According to the school district’s website, drivers are currently starting at $16.25/per hour, but this

Columbia Board of Education to reevaluate COVID-19 safety plan and raises for school bus drivers

October 11, 2021 7:03 AM Meghan Drakas

At the Monday night board meeting, the Columbia Board of Education is set to review agenda items that include its COVID-19 safety plan and potential raises for school bus drivers.

MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports two new coronavirus-related deaths; 83 new cases

October 11, 2021 6:48 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Insider Blog: Tracking another round of storms and a cooler, fall-like end to the week

October 11, 2021 5:01 PM Jessica Hafner

After a hot weekend in Mid-Missouri, we’ve started off the week on a wet note with a strong low pressure working its way through the Plains and Midwest over the last 24 hours. We’ll continue to be cool overnight in its wake, as lows Monday night drop into the low 50s. Clouds clear out and

Columbia state rep will not seek reelection

October 11, 2021 10:07 AM Matthew Sanders

Democratic state Rep. Martha Stevens announced her decision via news release. She is ending her third term in office and was first elected in 2016 and would have been term-limited after another term. Her district includes parts of south and west Columbia.

Former Columbia city official running for mayor

October 11, 2021 11:35 AM Matthew Sanders

Barbara Buffaloe announced her intent to run in the April election in a Facebook post on a new campaign page. Buffaloe is entering a race with no incumbent after Mayor Brian Treece said last month that he will not seek reelection. Treece is the only person with a campaign committee for the mayor’s race registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Two people hurt after motorcycle crash in Miller County

October 11, 2021 6:19 AM Zachary Farwell

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people were hurt after a motorcycle crash in Miller County early Sunday morning. The single-vehicle crash happened just before 5 a.m. on northbound Highway U south of Barton School Road. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Tretch L. Lawrence, 45, of Kaiser, Missouri was thrown from the motorcycle after

Police investigate shooting in east Columbia on Saturday

October 11, 2021 8:19 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department confirmed a shooting happened in east Columbia on Saturday morning. According to CPD, police responded to a shots heard call around 12:15 a.m. in the 5300 block of Godas Circle. Police said officers found some property was damaged by gunfire, but no one was hurt. At last check,

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is Homecoming fun or a hassle?

October 8, 2021 5:38 PM ABC 17 News Team

The weekend brings a big boost for local businesses, with hotels, restaurants and bars filling up. For locals, that means more traffic on the roads and bigger crowds at their favorite restaurants, nightlife spots and shops.

UPDATE: Police respond to armed robbery at a South Columbia gas station

October 10, 2021 7:47 AM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: The Columbia Police department says the suspect is a man in the armed robbery and demanded money while displaying a handgun. The employees of the gas station gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash. According to CPD, the suspect is approximately 5’8” and was wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt and

Columbia Police officers are investigating the scene of an overnight shooting near the corner of Ninth and Locust Streets in downtown Columbia.

UPDATE: Two people shot in downtown Columbia following Mizzou’s homecoming game

October 10, 2021 1:25 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: In a press release, the Columbia Police Department identified the two victims in the shooting as a 31-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman. Both victims were in stable condition when EMS arrived on scene. Two people were shot in downtown Columbia early Sunday morning following the University of Missouri’s homecoming game.

Sunday morning apartment fire in Jefferson City

October 10, 2021 8:25 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Fire Department responded to an apartment fire along the 500 block of East Elm Street on Sunday morning. The department responded to the fire just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. According to the release, multiple people were evacuated and fire crews rescued one pet from the building.

Second early morning shooting confirmed in downtown Columbia

October 10, 2021 5:48 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department has confirmed a second shooting in downtown Columbia early Sunday morning. CPD told ABC 17 News crews on scene that around 10 shots were fired in the area of Walnut and 5th Street around 5 a.m. The department said at this time no injuries are reported. Tune into

Man flown to University Hospital after motorcycle crash in Cooper County

October 10, 2021 7:25 AM Meghan Drakas

COOPER, Co. (KMIZ) One man was flown to University Hospital after being involved in a motorcycle crash on Saturday night in Cooper County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 69-year-old Ronald Mock was turning left in his motorcycle along MO 5 near Route E, when another driver on a motorcycle was following too

Two children injured in crash on Highway 63

October 9, 2021 11:45 PM Zach Boetto

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Saturday afternoon car crash injured two children ages 8 and 12. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Report, the children were riding with 33-year-old Emma McAdams around 1 p.m. going east on Highway 63 near Route A. As McAdams tried to cross over Highway 63, she pulled into

Mizzou Homecoming parade returns after a year off due to COVID-19

October 9, 2021 4:28 AM Ben Fein

The University of Missouri is set to bring back its homecoming parade in full swing, after being canceled in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic.

One man seriously injured in Cooper County crash

October 9, 2021 7:26 AM Meghan Drakas

COOPER Co. (KMIZ) One man was seriously injured in a crash in Cooper County on Friday night. 23-year-old Lane Mize was driving a Silverado along Highway 135 near Cheyenne Drive, when it went off the right side of the road. Mize then overcorrected and the truck overturned in a ditch. Mize was taken by ambulance