Top Stories Archives

Missouri continues battling opioid epidemic despite programs meant to help

December 6, 2019 5:27 PM Jasmine Ramirez

The opioid epidemic continues in Missouri despite initiatives focused on prevention, treatment and recovery.

Columbia P&Z recommends denying a drive-thru for Raising Cane’s

December 6, 2019 11:14 PM Matt Ragsdale

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia City Council will decide if the city’s proposed Raising Cane’s restaurant will get a drive-thru after the planning and zoning commission recommended denying the restaurant’s request. P&Z Commissioners decided on a 5-2 vote Thursday night. Raising Cane’s plan is to have the drive-thru lane enter and exit from the same entrance

Jefferson City man accused of having stolen gun

December 6, 2019 7:18 PM Matt Ragsdale

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A man faces several charges in Cole County after an altercation was reported near downtown Jefferson City. Terry Simms, 39, of Jefferson City was accused of displaying a gun during a verbal argument at the 700 block of Madison Street on Wednesday. Jefferson City officers with the department’s Community Action Team

Search for Mengqi Ji Elledge suspended until Tuesday

December 6, 2019 8:09 AM Zach Boetto

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. Divers will resume their search of the Lamine River for a missing Columbia woman on Tuesday. Columbia Police Department spokesman Jeff Pitts said authorities were pausing their search for the weekend as the sun set Friday. Friday was the fifth day divers were at the De Bourgmont Lamine River Access. Crews also

Firefighters sent to Boone County apartment complex

December 6, 2019 4:53 PM Matthew Sanders

Boone County firefighters were called to an apartment fire northeast of Columbia on Friday.

Police: Driver in deadly Columbia chase hit parked cars

December 6, 2019 3:07 AM Zara Barker

In a media release, police noted Hayden Holt, 17, struck several parked vehicles during the chase.

Battle for custody of missing woman’s child continues in Boone County

December 6, 2019 2:43 PM Joe McLean

A custody hearing began Friday to determine who will have temporary guardianship over the child of Joseph and Mengqi Ji Elledge. It comes nearly two months after Mengqi Ji was reported missing by her husband, Joseph Elledge, prompting a weeks-long search. Jean Elledge, Joseph Elledge’s mother, filed for guardianship of the couple’s child in late

Four injured in crash after Miller County chase

December 6, 2019 2:44 PM Matthew Sanders

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A passenger suffered serious injuries in a crash following a chase by Miller County deputies early Friday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The patrol’s online crash report says deputies were chasing a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero carrying four people a little before 3 a.m. on Cotton Road near Barnhart Drive

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

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