News Archives

Former Columbia police chief pleads guilty to excessive blood alcohol

December 6, 2019 11:20 AM Matthew Sanders

Columbia’s former police chief pleaded guilty Friday to driving with excessive blood-alcohol content, his attorney said.

Authorities investigate shooting in Boone County

December 6, 2019 10:36 AM Madison Fleck

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a Thursday night shooting after a fight allegedly broke out at a home.

WASTEBUSTERS: Cole County Assessor denied reimbursement for ‘abuse of county funds’

December 5, 2019 10:00 PM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) When Assessor Chris Estes asked the Cole County Commission to reimburse the expenses he accrued during a trip to Camden County, one member called his request “an abuse of county funds.” “That’s just a disservice to the people of Cole County and we’re just not going to pay for those kinds

Burton attorney says off-duty officer tipped off CPD prior to DWI arrest

December 5, 2019 9:10 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An off-duty Columbia police officer told his co-workers he saw former police chief Ken Burton drinking prior to officers pulling Burton over and ticketing him. Defense attorney Andrew Popplewell disclosed some of the details of Burton’s arrest in a motion to suppress evidence in the case. Burton faces one count of driving

Man accused of armed robbery at Marshall business

December 6, 2019 8:38 AM Madison Fleck

MARSHALL, Mo. (KMIZ) A Marshall man was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly entered a business and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at employees. The Marshall Police Department said Michael K. Bohdan, 30, entered Title Cash in the 1100 block of South Odell Avenue at about 4:20 p.m. on Thursday. Employees at the business said Bohdan

Boone County plans to transfer fairgrounds to city of Columbia

December 5, 2019 2:10 PM Sydney Olsen

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The city of Columbia could take over ownership of the Central Missouri Events Center, formerly known as the Boone County Fairgrounds, under an agreement unveiled Thursday at a joint news conference. City and county leaders gathered at City Hall to announce the transfer of ownership of 135.9 acres to the city, according

Complete effort leads to win for Mizzou women’s basketball

December 5, 2019 10:50 PM Tyler Murry

The Mizzou women’s basketball team smoked St. Louis in a win it had to have. The Tigers defeated the Billikens 83-58. The true freshmen, Aijha Blackwell and Hayley Frank, led the way for the Tigers. Both started and combined for 33 points and seven rebounds. Amber Smith added 14 points as well for Mizzou. Mizzou

Camden County man charged with multiple counts of child pornography

December 5, 2019 10:36 PM Alec Pettus

Prosecutors charged a man in Camden County with child pornography after an anonymous letter was sent to the Camden County Children’s Division, according to court documents. The letter contained a micro SD card that showed images of child pornography. The images were then traced to Jason Medeiros of Camdenton, court documents say. Investigators executed a

Columbia fire chief finalists meet with public

December 5, 2019 8:46 PM Katie Greathouse

The public had the opportunity to meet with the three finalists for the Columbia Fire Chief position on Thursday. Maria Beermann-Foat, Christopher Riley and Andy Woody met with the community at REDI from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. ABC 17 News asked each candidate what his or her priorities would be if selected for the job.

Change of judge granted in Elledge child abuse case

December 5, 2019 6:17 PM Matthew Sanders

Lawyers for a Columbia man accused of child abuse and suspected in his wife’s disappearance have asked for a change of judge.

Mayor’s task force for the USS Columbia reacts to news of Pearl Harbor shooter

December 5, 2019 5:26 PM Connor Hirsch

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Navy submarine USS Columbia holds a special place in the hearts of many in Columbia, making the news of the deadly shooting at Pearl Harbor hard to hear. The US sailor who killed two civilian workers and injured another before killing himself Wednesday at Pearl Harbor was a part of the

Jefferson City murder suspect moved from Cole County Jail to prison

December 5, 2019 7:36 PM Katie Greathouse

A man accused of killing two people in Jefferson City on Thanksgiving is in prison, according to Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler. Wheeler said Torry Upchurch, 27, is no longer in Cole County’s custody. He is now back in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections because of a parole warrant, Wheeler said. According

Blighted Capitol Avenue buildings reopen to potential developers

December 5, 2019 11:12 AM Joe McLean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Housing Authority opened several properties on Capitol Avenue, and one on Jackson Street, to developers in hopes of refurbishing the crumbling buildings. Staff will be leading open house inspections of 500, 501, 507, 511, and 513 E. Capitol Ave. and 101 Jackson St. on Thursday. The buildings will

Zim Schwartze named Missouri Capitol Police Chief

December 5, 2019 6:33 PM Katie Greathouse

A public safety leader who previously served in Columbia will be the next Missouri Capitol Police Chief. Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten announced Thursday that Zim Schwartze would start the position Jan. 6. “Zim Schwartze is a proven public safety leader with experience in community policing, emergency management, emergency communications, and law enforcement

Autopsy: 2 Moberly inmates died from overdose

December 5, 2019 12:41 PM Associated Press

A medical examiner says drug overdoses killed two inmates who died within hours of each other in early October at the Moberly Correctional Center.

Mizzou wide receiver Maurice Massey has surgery on torn meniscus

December 5, 2019 3:52 PM Tyler Murry

A member of Mizzou Athletics confirmed to ABC 17 that wide receiver Maurice Massey underwent successful surgery on his torn meniscus in his right knee. Massey suffered the injury this season, and the team spokesperson said the team hopes to have Massey back, healthy, for camp in the spring. However, this has not been determined

Teen arrested, charged in alleged sexual assault on MU campus

December 5, 2019 12:15 PM Madison Fleck

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri Police Department was investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred in an MU residence hall. Justin C. Clark, 19, of St. Charles, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree sodomy. Police were originally alerted to the incident on Wednesday, but the assault allegedly happened early Tuesday morning

Dive teams enter third day of search for missing Columbia woman

December 4, 2019 10:24 AM Zach Boetto

Divers continued their search of the Lamine River for a missing Columbia woman on Wednesday.

Five hurt in Jefferson City school bus crash

December 5, 2019 11:13 AM Madison Fleck

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Five adults were hurt on Wednesday afternoon after a car failed to stop at a stop sign on East Capitol Avenue in Jefferson City and hit a school bus. A Nissan driven by Michael L. Bruso, 36, of Jefferson City, was traveling on Adams Street and did not stop at the

$1.1 million worth of THC cartridges found in Cooper County traffic stop

December 5, 2019 8:05 AM Madison Fleck

EDITOR’S NOTE: The article has been changed to note charges against one man were dropped. COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri State Highway Patrol said it found about $1.1 million worth of THC vaping cartridges during a traffic stop in Cooper County on Wednesday. An SUV was stopped for crossing the centerline on I-70 last