Top Stories Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you satisfied with your school’s coronavirus plan?

August 24, 2021 2:10 AM ABC 17 News Team

Some schools are requiring masks indoors at all times, while others are only requiring them in limited settings or not at all.

One person dies after carbon monoxide poisoning exposure on a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks

August 23, 2021 11:45 PM Karl Wehmhoener

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) One person has died and four others were injured after a carbon monoxide poisoning Saturday night on a boat that was at the Lake of the Ozarks near Big Niangua Tonka Springs Cove. The Missouri State Highway Patrol report states Steven Sutton, 66, of St. Charles died after a leak inside

Firefighters put out residential structure fire in north Columbia

August 23, 2021 10:29 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia firefighters put out a residential structure fire in the 2000 block of Quail Drive. The Columbia Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire just before 9 p.m. Monday. Firefighters arriving on the scene five minutes later reported smoke and flames shows from the house. Officials with the fire department report

Centralia mother battles COVID-19 during pregnancy

August 23, 2021 3:58 PM Zach Boetto

At 31 weeks pregnant, 24-year-old Madeline Sweezer of Centralia tested positive for COVID-19.

Teachers, parents and students prepare for the first day of school in Columbia

August 23, 2021 8:36 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School students and parents are getting ready to return to learn Tuesday. A couple of school parents in Columbia say they feel safe knowing everyone has to wear masks at school buildings right now however a new school brings new challenges. Mackenzie Blakeman’s daughter starts sixth grade at Warner Middle

Columbia police investigating a shooting at Douglass Park

August 23, 2021 9:01 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police are investigating a shooting at Douglass Park. Watch a replay of the scene in the player below. A Columbia police source confirmed the shooting just before 9 p.m. Columbia police crime scene investigators were on the scene. Columbia Police responded to an information request by stating that officers are still

Warrensburg man drown Sunday night at Lake of the Ozarks

August 23, 2021 8:49 PM ABC 17 News Team

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) Troopers are investigating after a Warrensburg man drowned at the Lake of the Ozarks. It happened Sunday night in the Darby Hollow Cove of the Osage arm. Troopers say 32-year-old Kegri Ilu died after he slipped on a dock and fell into the lake. He died at the scene just before

Pfizer Vaccine at Sturgeon vaccination clinic

Universities and hospitals will not mandate vaccines amid FDA approval

August 23, 2021 5:58 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) U.S. health officials are hopeful the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer “Comirnaty” vaccine will encourage more people to get vaccinated and mandate vaccines. Some local Mid-Missouri universities and hospitals have no plans to mandate employee and student vaccines amid the approval. Universities University leaders told KMIZ they will continue to encourage vaccination

MONDAY UPDATES: Second “MO VIP” drawing entry deadline is Wednesday

August 23, 2021 10:05 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Southern Boone School District holds COVID-19 plan meeting

August 23, 2021 4:55 PM ABC 17 News Team

Officials will answer questions about Southern Boone School District’s COVID-19 plan at a meeting Monday.

Enrollment up as University of Missouri begins fall semester

August 23, 2021 3:24 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With the fall semester starting at the University of Missouri, officials are reporting enrollment is up almost one percent to 31,121 compared to last year. Undergraduate enrollment at the university is up more than 1% with 23,533 students and transfer student enrollment is up over one percent from last year. “I’m thrilled

Fulton teacher, daughter killed; Boone County sheriff investigating

August 23, 2021 1:55 PM Matthew Sanders

Deputies found Allison Abitz and Jozee Abitz dead in the 7500 block of Lavender Court just south of Columbia after getting a call from a concerned family member late Sunday, the sheriff’s department said in a Facebook post.

FDA grants full approval to Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, opening door to more vaccine mandates

August 23, 2021 8:47 AM CNN Newsource

The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for people age 16 and older. This is the first coronavirus vaccine approved by the FDA, and is expected to open the door to more vaccine mandates.

Vehicle, home hit by gunfire in central Columbia

August 23, 2021 10:44 AM ABC 17 News Team

No one was injured after someone fired shots in the 700 block of Washington Avenue at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, the Columbia Police Department said in a news release. Police released no other details but said more information might be released later.

Warrensburg man drowns in Lake of the Ozarks

August 23, 2021 7:39 AM Molly Stawinoga

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s crash report, Kegri Ilu was walking on a dock in the Darby Hollow Cove when he slipped and fell into the water.

Jefferson City School District returns to the classroom Monday with COVID-19 protocols in place

August 23, 2021 5:29 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City School District returns to the classroom on Monday with COVID-19 protocols and precautions in place. In the district’s return plan for the school year, JC Schools outlined the importance of social distancing, hand-washing, staying home when sick, and the importance of wearing a mask and getting vaccinated. Watch

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you feel safe going to concerts during a coronavirus surge?

August 23, 2021 12:56 AM ABC 17 News Team

The moves are reminiscent of last year, when most public gatherings were shut down as the pandemic gained strength. However, many venues are pushing ahead with events. Some require proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test for entry.

Columbia Public Schools buses lined up as students and teachers return to full time in person classes.

Pandemic heightens Mid-Missouri substitute teacher shortage

August 22, 2021 6:52 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Substitute teachers are needed throughout several Mid-Missouri school districts as students head back to in person classes this week. Kerri Stith, Columbia Missouri State Teachers Association (CMSTA) President, said many teachers left their job due to the stress of the pandemic. Districts are asking that staff and faculty stay home even if

SUNDAY UPDATES: Missouri Covid-19 cases start to trend downward

August 22, 2021 4:47 PM Chanel Porter

The state now has a seven day positivity rate of 13.7% on Sunday. The change in positivity comes along with 1,453 additional confirmed cases bringing the total to 614,939 since the start of pandemic. Health officials also recorded 380 new probable cases with a total number of 123,086 antigen test results being positive. Seventeen new

Man seriously injured after crash in Camden County

August 22, 2021 2:15 PM Chanel Porter

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Missouri man was seriously injured in a Camden County crash Saturday just before 9 p.m. Thomas Montgomery, 22 of Preston, was traveling westbound on US Highway 54 when he failed to navigate a curve. Montgomery then crossed the center line, and traveled off the left side of the road. He