News Archives

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Missouri’s COVID-19 public health dashboard updated for first time since Saturday

October 14, 2020 11:02 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Bridge now open at Smith Branch on Missouri Route 161 in Montgomery County

October 14, 2020 5:35 PM Karl Wehmhoener

MACON, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Route 161 in Montgomery County is now back open to traffic at Smith Branch, located 3.4 miles south of Missouri Route 19 near Danville.The road was closed on July 27 for a bridge replacement. The new bridge is 28 feet wide, which is 8 feet wider than the old bridge. This

More and more SEC football programs dealing with COVID-19

October 14, 2020 5:13 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Mizzou and Vanderbilt was the first SEC matchup to get postponed due to COVID-19, as a result of the Commodores not meeting the minimum number of scholarship players available. However, on Wednesday, more and more schools within the conference announced their own troubles with COVID-19. The SEC decided to postpone Florida’s meeting

Jefferson City Police looking for gas station shooting suspect

October 14, 2020 4:43 AM Molly Stawinoga

SWAT officers detained one person at an apartment complex across the street from where the shooting happened.

First lady: Barron Trump positive for COVID, no symptoms

October 14, 2020 3:30 PM Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump says her 14-year-old son, Barron, has tested positive for the coronavirus but has no symptoms. The White House initially said he had tested negative, after both of his parents tested positive earlier this month. The first lady said Wednesday that subsequent testing showed Barron had also come down with COVID-19.

Some Columbia Public Schools teachers prepare for the switch to in-person learning

October 14, 2020 12:10 PM Zola Crowder

Ariel Schwarting, a third grade teacher at Grant Elementary, is setting up a system for her students to keep supplies separate in the classroom.

CMCA launches Boone Cares utility assistance program

October 14, 2020 11:58 AM Riane Cleveland

Eligible Boone County residents are now able to apply for support to pay past-due utility bills through CMCA’s Boone Cares utility assistance program.

Red Flag Warning takes effect at noon

October 14, 2020 11:48 AM Kevin Schneider

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for much of the viewing area that will be in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

St. Louis couple who waved guns at protest plead not guilty

October 14, 2020 10:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

ST. LOUIS (AP) A St. Louis couple celebrated in some circles and vilified in others for waving guns at protesters near their home have pleaded not guilty to two felony charges. Mark and Patricia McCloskey appeared during a brief hearing Wednesday. The McCloskeys, who are both attorneys in their early 60s, have been charged with

Failing grades increase as CPS students learn online

October 13, 2020 8:22 PM Amber Tabeling

Online learning continues to show it’s challenges within Columbia Public Schools as data shows failing grades are significantly up this year as students learn online.

Last stretch of search for missing Columbia mother will be on land

October 13, 2020 7:49 PM Sydney Olsen

Columbia police have been searching for Mengqi Ji in the Lamine River outside of Boonville for more than one year.

Jefferson City Correctional Center inmate charged with attacking inmate

October 13, 2020 10:53 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City Correctional Center inmate is charged with violence to an employee of Department of Corrections or to an inmate by an inmate for a Feb. 13, 2018 incident. According to a probable cause statement, Steven Wallace allegedly assaulted another inmate for smiling at him. In court documents, corrections officers reported

Columbia man charged with child molestation

October 13, 2020 9:24 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man was arrested Friday for Child Molestation – 1st Degree. According to a probable cause statement, Miguel Torres-Ramos allegedly molested the victim on Sept. 30 this year. The victim told law enforcement that Torres-Ramos did this multiple time but the most recent was Sept. 30 according to court documents. According

Report: Border War postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19

October 13, 2020 1:35 PM Andrew Kauffman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Mizzou and Kansas will have to wait another year to resume the Border War rivalry on the hardwood due to COVID-19, according to a report from the Kansas City Star. An MU spokesman would not confirm the report, but he said head coach Cuonzo Martin will address the originally scheduled Dec.

Columbia woman accused of trying to mail drugs into Boone County Jail

October 13, 2020 8:47 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly trying to mail drugs into the Boone County Jail earlier this month. According to the probable cause statement, Boone County Jail staff intercepted two strips of Suboxone in the mail for someone in custody. Suboxone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance.

Cole County to grant Jefferson City $900,000 in CARES Act funds, asking for top priorities

October 13, 2020 6:42 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) As the end of the year grows closer, the Cole County Commission is still working on getting out CARES Act dollars to several entities including Jefferson City. At the commission’s meeting on Tuesday, leaders decided that Jefferson City would be eligible for about $900,000 of the nearly $9 million given to

Columbia police search Lamine River for remains of Mengqi Ji

October 13, 2020 8:42 AM Matt Ragsdale

On Tuesday morning, Columbia police restarted the search for remains of missing mom, Mengqi Ji.

Kentucky woman arrested after traffic stop leads to marijuana seizure

October 13, 2020 6:55 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A traffic stop in Cooper County leads to a seizure of 152 pounds of marijuana. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver was pulled over for a lane violation. After a consent to search was denied, a K-9 was brought in and the K-9 had a positive alert according

Mexico man pleads guilty to possessing stolen firearms from Columbia Pawn Shop

October 13, 2020 6:21 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A Mexico man pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing stolen firearms taken during the burglary of Tiger Pawn Shop in Columbia, Mo. Tyler Andrew Hilderman, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing stolen firearms and one count of stealing firearms from a licensed firearms dealer. Co-defendant Alexander Mears, 21, of

Missouri police chief warns: Drugs that look like kids’ vitamins

October 13, 2020 5:24 PM Associated Press

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — The police chief in a small eastern Missouri town is warning that illegal drugs found on the street look like candy or children’s vitamins. KTVI-TV reports that officers in Potosi recently seized the drugs during a traffic stop. Potosi Police Chief Michael Gum posted photos of the drugs on the department’s