News

The man who investigators say was the ringleader in a violent 2012 rape and kidnapping in Moberly was sentenced to 90 years on Friday. It is still unclear how long Sean Williams will spend in prison due to the nature of his offenses and his past convictions. Detectives say Williams kidnapped a woman last year

Jefferson City leaders will be breaking ground on a new $2.2 million fire station on Friday. Station No. 3 will be located on Highway 179 between West Main Street and Cherry Creek Court. Firefighters say it will help them cover this expanding area. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

The results are in for the most recent satisfaction survey of Columbia residents, and public safety tops the list. The survey results show dissatisfaction with police and concerns for safety downtown and in city parks. Ninety percent of survey respondents said public safety was one of the most important aspects within the city. More than

A Columbia man was charged on Friday for allegedly exposing himself and then running from police. The victim claims Thomas Higgs flashed her around 8 Wednesday night while he was sitting on a bench at the downtown Wabash bus station. And then on Thursday night Higgs took off running from officers. They also claim Higgs

This weekend Columbia council members start their annual retreat. A big focus for council will be the 2013 Citizen Survey. In the survey many said public safety is the most important service. Some said they don’t feel safe downtown and at city parks. This weekend council members will also focus on the city’s strategic priorities.

A Miller County man is dead after a single-car crash Thursday night. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Ryan J. Lekey, 24, of Dixon was killed after his car crossed the center line on Missouri Route 17, traveled off the road and struck a tree. Troopers say his car overturned and collided with another tree.

The Eldon community will work to help the family of a teen that drowned last week. Flash flooding is being blamed for the death of Donald Parker, 17. Parker fell in a culvert in Eldon last Friday. The Donald Parker Fundraiser starts at 9 a.m., Friday and lasts until 9 p.m. It will be held

Two developers hoping to get the green light on a multi-million dollar conference center presented their ideas to the Jefferson City council Thursday evening. The Ehrhardt group out of Hannibal and the Farmer Holding Company from Jefferson City both unveiled their plans. Drury hotels voluntarily pulled themselves out of the selection process earlier this week,

Thursday night, Columbia’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Collegiate Housing Partners project 7-2. The group wants to build a six-story student housing complex on Conley and Fifth Street. However, the final vote to officially approve the project will come from City Council. There is a chance that the council could send it back for

Four men are in the Boone County Jail Thursday night, accused of trying to rob a man near Douglass High School last night. The victim told police that five men stole his wallet and shortly after officers located the suspects in the area of Grand and Forest avenues in central Columbia. Walter Nash, Orlando Turner,

The recent rains are sparking concerns with Boone County health officials about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. Starting at midnight, a crew will be spraying for mosquitoes. Health officials say they want to be proactive before the problem gets worse. One crew will be out overnight in places like trails, parks, or sports fields. What

The 2013 NBA Finals are on ABC17. LeBron James. Tim Duncan. Dwyane Wade. Tony Parker. Spoelstra and Riley. Gregg Popovich. What’s not to love? 1) What does Popovich do with LeBron James? The first time Popovich’s team matched up with LeBron it was 2007. LeBron was only 22 years old, four years into his NBA

Authorities say one woman was arrested during a drug bust Wednesday night in Audrain County. The East Central Drug Task force was assisted by the Highway Patrol and Audrain County Sheriff’s Office while serving a search warrant in the 3000 block of Audrain Road 389. During the search officers found meth, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and

Recipients in a food assistance program could be abusing the system, according to Missouri’s state auditor. EBT abuse isn’t just an issue in Missouri. Massachusetts is the most recent state to release results of an EBT investigation. Horror stories from other states is one issue that prompted Missouri’s audit. A deputy state auditor told ABC

After a four-story building collapsed in Philadelphia, ABC 17 News questioned how buildings receive inspections in Mid-Missouri. A Jefferson City building inspector broke down the inspection process. The city only requires the inspection of every new building. The city inspector will evaluate the foundation, framing and overall structure. “We’ll go through all of our inspection

Receding flood waters start to show damage, but the biggest health concern remains unseen in homes across Mid-Missouri. Clean up crews across the area reported this week they were swamped with calls about leaks and mold in homes and businesses. Servicemaster of Columbia told ABC 17 News Wednesday it had multiple crews working overtime and

Officials revealed a new leader on Wednesday at Helias High School in Jefferson City. The Jefferson City diocese announced Reverend Stephen Jones will become the next president. Bishop John Gaydos praised Jones’ work with teens and thinks he is the perfect man for the job. Jones previously worked as director of Jefferson City youth ministries.

Ameren Missouri is recommending that non-conforming decks, patios, gazebos and similar structures be allowed to stay near central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. Controversy in recent years has focused on land around the lake formed by a hydroelectric project now operated by St. Louis-based Ameren. Land included within the project falls under the Federal Energy

Officials announced on Wednesday they are temporarily closing a beach at the Lake of the Ozarks because of high bacteria levels. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources closed the Grand Glaise Beach based on water samples from Monday. That means bacteria levels are higher than recommended for swimming. Officials also closed the Harry S. Truman

City leaders are one step closer to runway improvements at Columbia Regional Airport, a plan they hope leads to more development at the airport. ABC 17 News has been keeping track of an extensive list of proposed upgrades at the airport including a $33 million terminal. But before that happens, existing infrastructure needs to be