Local Politics Archives

City leaders discuss difficult road to short-term rental regulations

February 3, 2020 7:48 PM Sydney Olsen

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to vote on several ordinances on short term rentals at Monday’s meeting.

Sheriff: Whistleblower complaint launched Moniteau County assessor investigation

January 31, 2020 12:55 PM Matthew Sanders

Prosecutors on Thursday charged the former Moniteau County assessor with three felonies and a misdemeanor on allegations that she misappropriated public funds.

Three candidates vying for Jefferson City’s Second Ward seat

January 30, 2020 1:12 PM Joe McLean

One council position is contested in Jefferson City’s municipal election on April 7.

Cooper County clerk says office will likely go over budget after spat with commission

January 30, 2020 2:24 PM Connor Hirsch

After Cooper County commissioners approved the 2020 budget Thursday, the county clerk said her office will likely go over budget.

City leaders weigh in on unopposed council races

January 16, 2020 8:25 PM Sydney Olsen

Several Columbia City Council members have run for the position unopposed in the past few years. Ian Thomas and Karl Skala both ran unopposed om 2019. Betsy Peters ran unopposed in 2018.

Charge dropped against Columbia councilman Thomas

January 10, 2020 4:31 PM Matthew Sanders

The lawyer for a Columbia councilman accused of misusing his office says a prosecutor has dropped charges.

Local leaders look to state legislature to combat gun violence

January 7, 2020 10:44 PM Sydney Olsen

The City of Columbia recently expanded the Violent Crime Task Force in an effort to combat gun violence, but city leaders are still searching for more ways to reduce violence, including state legislature.

Western District Cole County Commissioner Kris Scheperle

Commissioner votes ‘no’ on Cole County budget over pre-trial services funding

January 6, 2020 9:30 PM Joe McLean

Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle told ABC 17 News on Monday he plans to cast a vote against the FY2020 spending plan Tuesday, marking the current commission’s first dissent in a budget vote.

Moniteau County Commission appoints interim assessor

January 3, 2020 3:31 PM Matt Ragsdale

The Moniteau County Commission approved Bill Figgins to run the assessor’s office after the previous assessor resigned.

Boone County leaders sign refugee resettlement consent letter

January 2, 2020 12:25 PM Amber Tabeling

The Boone County Commission on Thursday plans to sign a letter allowing refugees to resettle in Boone County.

Fire board president fined for no-bid payments to husband’s company

December 20, 2019 4:04 PM Matthew Sanders

The president of the board for a Miller County fire district has admitted to self-dealing after an investigation found she helped approve no-bid payments to a company her husband owns.

State approves medical marijuana testing labs in Fayette, Kingdom City

December 19, 2019 5:28 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The state health department approved business licenses for two mid-Missouri facilities to test medical marijuana products. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offered licenses to ClearWater Sciences, LLC of Kingdom City and Inovatia AgriTesting Services of Fayette. They make up two of the ten facilities offered business licenses to

Audit: City of Sturgeon improperly managed cemetery money

December 17, 2019 12:06 PM Matthew Sanders

A state audit has found Sturgeon city officials improperly managed money from a cemetery fund, according to State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s office.

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

Boone commission holds public hearing on possible tax increase

December 3, 2019 4:58 PM Barry Mangold

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) – Residents of Boone County had an opportunity to comment on a proposed tax increase for the 2020 budget. The county commission held a public hearing on the 2020 budget at its Monday meeting, which started at 7 p.m. in the county government center at 801 E. Walnut St. in Columbia.

Jefferson City Councilman Mihalevich running for county commission

November 26, 2019 1:19 PM Alec Pettus

Jefferson City Second Ward Councilman J. Rick Mihalevich, announces bid for Eastern district Cole County Commission JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Jefferson City Councilman Rick Mahalevich announced his candidacy Tuesday to represent eastern Cole County on the county commission. Mihalevich has lived in Cole County for more than 26 years, growing up in rural Crocker. In

Boone County planning and zoning denies MidwayUSA rezoning request

November 22, 2019 6:02 PM Matt Ragsdale

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission denied a request to rezone land for a MidwayUSA facility between Rocheport and Columbia on Thursday. Stan Shawver, county director of resource management, said planning and zoning commissioners had concerns the new MidwayUSA headquarters would change the character of the neighborhood and that it could

Boone County anti-vaping campaign continues amid statewide efforts

November 18, 2019 5:27 PM Molly Stawinoga

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As the state of Missouri begins a public awareness campaign aimed at educating youth about the dangers of vaping, a Boone County campaign is in its third week. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services joined with public schools to run advertisements on various social media platforms to deter

Hallville residents vote to sell city’s sewer system

November 5, 2019 3:04 PM Sydney Olsen

HALLSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ) Hallsville residents voted Tuesday to sell the city’s sewer system. Voters cast 133 ballots in favor of the sale and 63 against it, according to unofficial election results posted on the Boone County clerk’s website. City Administrator Kenyetta Ridgway-Sample said the city’s current rates are not high enough to keep up with

LIVE UPDATES: Callaway voters OK sales taxes; lake area hikes go down

November 5, 2019 7:29 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE 8:50 p.m.: Callaway County voters turned out at about a 15 percent clip Tuesday to approve two sales tax increases to pay for law enforcement. Voters approved Proposition 1, a half-cent increase to pay for sheriff’s department staffing and salary raises, 3,099-1,129, or about 72 percent in favor. They approved Proposition