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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri utility regulators have approved a $260 million rate increase for electric customers of Ameren Missouri.The rate increase approved Wednesday could mean an extra $10 a month on an average residential bill when it takes effect in January.It’s intended to cover such things as the utility’s rising fuel costs, infrastructure

A Columbia man is facing federal charges for a home invasion that led to a triple-homicide in Independence.Clayton Deardorff, 30, is one of 11 people listed on a federal indictment. Prosecutors say a group agreed to rob a home of money and a large amount of methamphetamine. Three people inside the home were killed. Some

Columbia police are warning students and others leaving town for vacations to protect themselves against burglaries.Police released a report showing burglaries over the past few years have gone up.”In 2009, we had 70 burglaries over winter break. In 2010, we had 73 burglaries and last year we had 74,” Columbia police officer Latisha Stroer said,

There are new developments in Columbia’s efforts to get an enhanced enterprise zone established.A group once pushing for the EEZ is changing its position. The Regional Economic Development Incorporated’s board of directors voted Wednesday to ask the city to rescind the EEZ Ordinance. In a press release, leaders said its time to shift focus. Board

A major multimillion dollar road project wrapped up in Jefferson City Wednesday morning. It opened up a stretch of East McCarty that’s been closed for more than a year and caused headaches for residents and businesses.The hope now is the new roads and sidewalks will make the area safer and more business friendly.A complete makeover

***UPDATE 1:20 P.M.***Columbia police have released video stills of the suspects involved in the St. Charles Road Petro Mart robbery earlier this morning. No surveillance photos of the Stadium Boulevard Petro Mart robbery have been released yet.***UPDATE 9:45 A.M.***Police say there were two suspects in the St. Charles Road Petro Mart robbery. The first suspect

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Benton County from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Due to strong southerly winds and very low humidity, there is an increased fire risk. While the warning is only for Benton County, the elevated fire danger exists for all of Mid-Missouri through the afternoon. Outdoor

Scattered showers and isolated storms are expected to move into Mid-Missouri late Friday night ahead of our next cold front. The showers will continue through the morning hours on Saturday before ending by midday. Forecasted rainfall totals will be near a tenth of an inch to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts north

Boone County leaders are working to solve the problems at Joint Communications and the 911 Dispatch Center. On Thursday, the Blue Ribbon Panel provided a recommendation as to what the improvements should include.The first recommendation is to put a general sales tax initiative on the April ballot to pay for the improvements. Also, that Boone

Three armed men broke into Columbia student housing Wednesday night. The suspects forced their way into an apartment in the downtown Brookside development off 10th Street. The men were wearing masks, and police claim the victims are being less than cooperative.ABC 17 News spoke with one of the victims, who said the robber held a

A man was buried up to his chest at a construction site in Columbia Thursday afternoon.It happened at the Brookside lots by Locust and Hitt near downtown. It is still not clear if the man was inside the trench as it was being filled, or if he fell in.Crews managed to pull him out using

A local Mid-Missouri event is getting a big change.Officials announced on Thursday the popular Roots N Blues N BBQ festival is moving next year. Its new home will now be Stephen’s Lake Park off Broadway and Old Highway 63.Organizers are promising to fix several problems, including shorter lines, better parking, and less taxpayer money.

As more people speak up about potential crimes against children, Missouri state’s child abuse and neglect hotline is receiving more calls. The state’s child advocate, Kelly Schultz, believes that’s a positive sign. Calls have steadily increased from 2008 to 2011, according to data collected by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) and other state

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) – An investigation into the drowning of an 18-year-old freshman on Northern Michigan University’s varsity women’s soccer team confirms that no one saw or heard her in distress in the water.The school released preliminary information Thursday from its investigation into the Nov. 30 death of Arianna Alioto at the school’s Physical Education

The suspects behind a violent home invasion and attempted robbery are on the run and it may not be their first. Police describe the suspects as three black men wearing masks. The same suspect description of a dozen other home invasions here in Columbia since August.Wednesday night’s happened downtown at the Brookside Apartments off of

The Voluntary Action Center has been struggling to receive donations this year for their annual Christmas Program.Ron Schmidt is the Project Director for the Voluntary Action Center. He says families had to wait to get help.”Our goal is to always get those families sponsored, but it took a little longer this year than usual.”The Adopt

***UPDATE 5:22 P.M.***NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) – A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation of the Connecticut school massacre says the brother of the gunman has been “extremely cooperative” and is not under arrest.The official tells The Associated Press that Ryan Lanza, of Hoboken, N.J., is still be being questioned but is not in custody

Boone County deputies arrest a woman on multiple warrants during a traffic stop.A member of the pro-active unit pulled over Maressa Price, 34, near Highway 63 and Golden Bear Drive just before midnight Friday.Prince had three arrest warrants from around Missouri.Investigators say Prince gave them a fake identify, so she was also taken into custody

***UPDATE 6:15 P.M.***From what investigators say, they say there was no indication of any foul play involved. But finding the exact cause may be a challenge.Fire crews were on the scene for hours trying to knock the flames down and prevent them from spreading to even more buildings. They say there was heavy smoke coming

***UPDATE 6:35 P.M***Jefferson City has now become part of Train Town U.S.A. Union Pacific doesn’t just honor everyone according to Ben Jones, the Union Pacific Public Affairs Director. Less than 100 train stations are part of the honorary program.Due to the celebration, Union Pacific officals donated $10,000 to the Central Missouri Food Bank. The Food