News

Mid-Missouri crops and livestock suffered last year because of a severe drought reaching from Texas to Canada. Local USDA officials said the state is not in a drought yet. But one local farmer said his crops are already being damaged from the excessive rain, to no rain for weeks and high temperatures. Farmers are facing

It has been a month since someone fired multiple shots in downtown Columbia. Since then, there have been an additional five shootings, including a murder. That recent violence has kept police officers busy, but is there enough money in the budget for police to keep the public safe? Right now, Columbia’s budget is about $413

City and Boone County officials met with Columbia Public Schools leaders Thursday to discuss several issues, including the lack of school resource officers. The decreasing number of school resource officers is due to budget cuts and has been an ongoing problem for several years, according to Superintendent Dr. Chris Belcher. “When I first came here

Columbia police say social media is a game changer in solving crimes nowadays. For example, the video one man took of the downtown Columbia shooting last month not only prompted witnesses to come forward, it helped catch a suspect. Capt. Jill Schlude says the Columbia Police Departmentuses social media to prevent crimes, solve crimes, andgive

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team served two search warrants in the county Thursday and arrested two men. In the first search in the 4500 block of West Bellview Drive, deputies found marijuana and a stolen .38 caliber handgun. Law enforcement did not arrest anyone in the home, but said they do have suspects

Columbia police are investigating two burglaries that happened on the same street just minutes apart. Officers were called to the first burglary on Huntridge Drive in south Columbia just before midnight Wednesday. The victims told police they came to home and found two black men running out of their house. Just 20 minutes later, a

Two Cole County men were arrested after a raid by the SWAT team Thursday morning. Around 9:50 a.m., the Cole County SWAT team searched a home in the 7500 block of Helias Spur Road after a burglary investigation. The Cole County Sheriff’s Department has been investigating the burglary in the 4000 block of Route CC

The state’s Highways and Transportation Commission approved the Missouri Department of Transportation’s statewide construction program this week. The $700 million transportation improvement program lists all projects planned for a five-year period, from 2014 to 2018. The largest project in Mid-Missouri will be a new interchange at Route 50 and Lafayette Street in Jefferson City. MODOT

Jefferson City is planning on adding three new roundabouts to cut back on traffic congestion on US Highway 54 and Stadium Boulevard. This $3 million project is expected to dramatically cut back on congestion that can go on for blocks during the school year. The city is calling this a safety project because of three

Two red panda cubs were recently born at the Kansas City Zoo. Zoo officials said the male cubs were both born on June 26, according to affiliate KMBC. Adult red pandas can grow to about the size of a house cat. The cubs are currently smaller than a can of soup. The babies are staying

Two red panda cubs were born at the Kansas City Zoo recently. Zoo officials said the male cubs were born on June 26. Adult red pandas can grow to about the size of a house cat. These cubs are currently smaller than a can of soup. The babies are staying close to their mom and

Missouri’s only state-funded, two-year technical college is getting a new name. Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Thursday that will change the name of Linn State Technical College to the State Technical College of Missouri. The name change for the central Missouri school will take effect July 1, 2014. The college offers certificates and associate degrees

As gang crime spills into the community, frustrated family members of those involved say police aren’t listening. One mother took her concerns to the Columbia’s Citizen’s Police Review Board Wednesday night. Andrea Brookins is the mother of a teenager driving one of the cars involved in a car wreck after a car chase and shooting

The state has reached a deal with a Jefferson City day care after it lost a child twice. Kids Unlimited on Fairgrounds Road was closed last month after two incidents involving a child getting out of a gate. A passerby found the child in the street the first time and called police. State documents showed

A public swimming area at the Lake of the Ozarks reopened after closing for E.coli. On Wednesday, officials at the Department of Natural Resources confirmed the weekly test taken Monday came back with acceptable levels. Authorities closed Grand Glaize Beach for three weeks in a row due to high bacteria. Public Beach No. 1 remained

The man who crashed into a Columbia home last week turned himself into police Tuesday. Arthur Evans, 74, turned himself into authorities at the request of the Traffic Unit officer who worked at the scene. Evans was arrested for driving while intoxicated, a repeat offense, and careless and imprudent driving. The morning of July 2,

The Columbia Fire Department ruled a weekend house fire was arson. Investigators say the Saturday fire in the 800 block of West Boulevard was intentionally set. Columbia’s fire marshal says the arson started with a dispute. Officials say there was apparently an argument between another person and someone inside the home, but investigators have not

Two men were arrested Wednesday morning after a high-speed chase in Mid-Missouri. Around 8:15 a.m., Jefferson City police informed Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies of a stolen pickup truck traveling eastbound on Highway 54. Law enforcement followed the truck on Highway 54 toward Kingdom City until the truck crossed over the median and started to head

A woman who had been missing since tubing on the Gasconade River Monday has been found alive. The Maries County Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Penny D. Curtner was found Wednesday. She was able to walk to a campground after being lost in the woods. “I’ll be honest, I was water searching when dispatch contacted me

Local law enforcement has received several complaints of door-to-door salespeople from Columbia residents over the last several weeks. Residents say they are concerned the salespeople have more dangerous motives than just making sales; they believe they are casing homes, or worse, trying to abduct children. Boone County Sheriff’s Detective Tom O’Sullivan says that most of