Columbia Archives

City of Columbia considers solutions to collecting yard waste as fall arrives

September 22, 2021 11:47 AM Zach Boetto

The Columbia City Council addressed the change in seasons Monday, searching for a solution to disposing leaves under the city’s new trash program.

College students helping some Columbia businesses staffing issues as others remain in search of employees

September 22, 2021 6:14 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Thursday marks one month since Mizzou students returned to campus for the school year. Some businesses in Columbia say students have helped with the staffing shortage they were experiencing, while others have received few applications. Jeff Spencer, the owner of Just Jeff’s, said they have received over 100 applications over the past

One person taken to hospital after wreck on Paris Road

September 22, 2021 4:42 PM ABC 17 News Team

A person was taken away in a Boone Hospital ambulance after a car crash on Paris Road in Columbia.

Roots N Blues Festival brings music, money to Columbia

September 22, 2021 4:15 PM Hannah Falcon

The popular Roots N Blues music festival returns to Columbia Sept. 24 through Sept. 26, and with it comes a large boom to the local economy.

Roots N Blues returns to Columbia, requires vaccination or proof of negative test to attend

September 22, 2021 5:14 AM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Roots N Blues is scheduled to kick off Friday, with the festival making its return after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year according to the festival’s website, attendees will be required to either submit proof of vaccination or of a negative test in order to attend. The

A CPS student was hit walking to the school bus Wednesday morning.

Columbia woman sentenced to probation on charge of hitting child with vehicle

September 22, 2021 9:40 AM Zachary Farwell

Judge Kimberly Shaw sentenced Nancy Metz on Thursday to two years of unsupervised probation for a misdemeanor charge of failure to stop for a school bus that’s receiving or dropping off students. She pleaded guilty to the charge last week.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you going to the Roots N Blues festival?

September 22, 2021 1:56 AM ABC 17 News Team

This year concert promoters are requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination or a negative test to get in.

Retired teacher: Low pay, pandemic main reasons for substitute shortage

September 21, 2021 8:34 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The need for substitute teachers across several Mid-Missouri school districts continues to grow causing teachers to work overtime and combine classes. Trish Foley, a retired teacher who spent 30 years in classrooms, said the low salary many school districts offers for substitute teachers is one of the main reasons for the shortage.

Local health officials say information scarce on coronavirus booster shot as promised date arrives

September 21, 2021 3:21 PM Hannah Falcon

Confusion amounts because booster doses are still unavailable to the public with little clarity or explanation on the timeline.

State representative criticizes Columbia Public Schools over music video use in class

September 21, 2021 12:25 PM Lucas Geisler

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) said parents complained to him about a U.S. studies course using the video for “This is America” by Childish Gambino in class. Basye said the video features “gun violence, murder, inappropriate use of firearms and drug use.” Basye said superintendent Brian Yearwood and CPS had not done enough to address concerns he’s heard from parents.

Hearing set for next week in state’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools mask mandate

September 21, 2021 5:06 PM Matthew Sanders

Judge Brouck Jacobs will hear motions in the case on Sept. 28.

Boone County auditor retiring after 32 years

September 21, 2021 4:33 PM Matthew Sanders

Auditor June Pitchford said in a news release that her current term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022, will be her last. Pitchford, a Democrat, was first elected in 1990 and has served eight terms without a challenge to her office.

CPS sees highest need for substitute teachers since start of school year

September 21, 2021 5:29 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School District has seen its highest need for substitute teachers since the start of the school year according to CPS dashboard data. CPS started the school year on Aug. 24. The week of Aug. 23 – 27, it filled 81 of the 122 substitute teacher spots, which equates to 66.5%.

University of Missouri student shares story of drugging, rape

September 20, 2021 9:05 PM Leila Mitchell

The student decided to share her story as the University of Missouri continues to receive reports of drinks being spiked as a means of sexual assault. She hopes that talking will help other people feel confident to share their stories.

Destructive TikTok trend seen in Columbia Public Schools

September 20, 2021 11:59 AM Joushua Blount

But a school spokeswoman says the problem here isn’t as severe as it has been elsewhere.

Joseph Elledge pleads not guilty to three felony charges.

Defense asks for delay in Joseph Elledge trial

September 20, 2021 5:04 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Defense attorneys want a delay in Joseph Elledge’s upcoming murder trial. Attorney Scott Rosenblum asked Judge Brouck Jacobs to consider pushing back the start of the Nov. 1 trial in Boone County. Rosenblum said “voluminous” records sent to them by prosecutor Dan Knight give them more work to do to vet the

Safety precautions in place to keep Downtown Columbia safe after Saturday shooting

September 20, 2021 3:55 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a recent shooting in Downtown Columbia early Saturday morning, leaders of the area are reassuring the public that additional safety measures are coming to the area. Nickie Davis with the district downtown said the district paid the city $30,000 earlier this year for new lights to be installed in the area

Car crashes into house in Columbia

September 20, 2021 5:08 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A car crashed into a house in Columbia just before 1:45 a.m. on Monday. Three Columbia Fire Department trucks and at least one Columbia Police Department car responded to the scene along East Ash Street. According to CPD on scene, the driver lost control of the car and crashed into the house.

Columbia City Council set to approve budget of $474 million

September 20, 2021 6:27 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday night, the Columbia City Council is set to approve the fiscal year 2022 budget for the city which is approximately $474 million dollars. Monday’s meeting will be the third and final public hearing for the budget. Jobs Due to the pandemic, the city previously cut 78.5 full time positions. In

Heritage Festival back in full swing after Covid-19 canceled last years events

September 19, 2021 7:26 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The 43rd annual Heritage festival was back in full swing this year after being canceled due to COVID-19 last year. The event took place Sept. 18 and 19 at Nifong Park. Cassie Brandt, Recreation Activist with the Columbia Parks and Recreation said the city felt like it was in a better place