News

Work has officially started on a new $19 million elementary school in north Columbia. Columbia Public Schools leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon for the newest elementary school, which will be adjacent to Battle High School. The elementary school is part of a master plan for all future elementary schools in Columbia. School officials

Semi-Finals: Helias 2 v. Troy Buchanan 0 (1- 25, 21 ; 2: 25-15) Rock Bridge 2 v. Smith Cotton 1 (1- 23 – 15, 2- 25, 21 3-25-13) Championship- Helias 0 v. Rock Bridge 2 (1- 21. 25; 2-24-26)

Many Halloween costumes aren’t complete until a person dons a mask. But whether you bought your mask weeks ago or plan on a last minute purchase, have you ever wondered how many other people tried on the mask before you? ABC 17 News purchased three masks from costume stores in Columbia: a plastic skull mask,

Columbia police have identified the man hit and killed on Interstate 70. Authorities say Ennis Marquis Patrick, 36, of Columbia, was struck and killed while riding a bicycle on I-70 Saturday morning. Family members told ABC 17 News earlier this week Patrick was the victim in the crash, but police had to wait for DNA

St. Louis police have arrested a social media manager for allegedly making online terrorist threats invoking the Boston Marathon bombings as the Red Sox prepared to play at Busch Stadium in the World Series. A probable cause statement says Robert Metzinger’s former employer at a marketing firm alerted police last week to several threatening Twitter

Jefferson City Public School leaders met Wednesday for a daylong retreat focused on planning. At this meeting, leaders discussed their leadership role and the goals that they have for the district. Goals that kept coming up throughout the day were better communication with the district and community, and working to improve school facilities. “We need

The original McDonald’s in Columbia will reopen Thursday after a complete rebuild. The restaurant on Business Loop 70 near Providence Road is set to reopen at 5 a.m. after closing in August for reconstruction. McDonald’s is planning several grand reopening events, including giving a year’s worth of free sandwiches to the first 75 guests on

Charges have been filed against an Ashland woman accused of biting an officer during a struggle. Ashland officers responded to a report of a disturbance with a weapon around 5:22 p.m. Sunday on Morgan Drive. Officers say Dallas Denee’ Smith, 19, had made suicidal comments and allegedly fired a shotgun into the ground. As an

Police arrested a Columbia man Wednesday morning for allegedly harassing his ex-girlfriend. Officers arrested Nathaniel Cass, 24, after he allegedly sent threatening messages to his ex. Police say Cass sent more than 100 messages in 75 minutes to a woman, causing her to fear for her safety. Cass was arrested for harassment and third-degree domestic

Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) announced Wednesday he will seek reelection in 2014. Kehoe, who oversees the 6th District in the Missouri Senate, made the announcement during a “Flapjack Tour” breakfast in the capital city. His tour consisted of 11 stops, including Hermann, Eldon, California, Versailles, Owensville and Linn. “I don’t make decisions based upon

Mizzou Women’s Basketball team won its first exhibition match 79-53 over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. It was almost 40 years ago the first time these two teams met. It was also the first year the University of Missouri had a women’s basketball team. Bri Kulas and freshman Jordan Frericks

Columbia leaders held an open house Tuesday evening to discuss the second phase of the Scott Boulevard improvement project. Starting in early 2014, the Columbia Public Works Department will close Scott Blvd. from Bellview Drive to Vawter School Road to improve that section of the road. Crews will build a new bridge over Hinkson Creek

The Moberly business community remained on alert Tuesday night, despite an arrest in a months-long burglary ring. Robert Wright, 41, was arrested Friday at his Coates Street home on three burglary charges. Court documents obtained by ABC 17 News describe his possible involvement in 15 burglaries dating back to March 27. Investigators claimed they found

Columbia voters heading to the polls Nov. 5 will see a nearly $33 million sewer bond issue. The money will be used over the next five years to fix broken pipes, replace outdated lines and dig new manholes. This will help basements from flooding and toilets from backing up, which were problems some Columbia residences

They’re meant to scare you, but haunted houses could pose a real safety threat. Fires, falling, or even seizures have been reported at these frightful attractions across the country. Here in Mid-Missouri, these houses must pass an inspection before they are allowed to dim the lights and begin the scaring. FearFest is an attraction just

The new Ronald McDonald House will open its doors to guests this week. The home will welcome families starting Wednesday at its new location on Lansing Avenue, near the University of Missouri Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Ronald McDonald House officials say the location next to the hospital is a significant improvement since the home offers

A Jefferson City man was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges. According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Cyber Crimes Task Force, 27-year-old Johnathan Lee Cox was arrested for first-degree promoting child pornography. Investigators say they download child porn from a Jefferson City-area computer in August and traced the files to Cox’s home. On Tuesday,

Law enforcement in Jefferson City have identified the two men suspected of a burglary at Jefferson City High School. According to court documents, 23-year-old Dion Perry and 19-year-old Ryan Perry, both of Illinois, are the men responsible for breaking into lockers at the Weber Field House and stealing cell phones and money. In the documents,

One child was seriously injured in a Monday afternoon car crash near Mexico, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a head-on collision around 3:20 p.m. on County Road 820 near County Road 815. Troopers say Mary Carr, 35, of Mexico, failed to drive on the right side of the road and struck another

Two teenagers were injured in a crash in Osage County. Police were called to a rollover accident on Route A in Osage County Monday afternoon. Morgan Read, 18, of Columbia, and Eric Thomas, 19, of Maryland Heights, were seriously injured in the accident. Both had to be flown by helicopter to University Hospital for treatment.