Columbia Archives

WINTER WEATHER: Fire official details home safety tips for space heaters, frozen pipes amid bitter cold

January 11, 2024 4:50 PM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates about the winter storm.

Lake Ozark man accused of flashing women on MU’s campus in 2021

January 12, 2024 3:38 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Lake Ozark man was charged with a pair of felonies this week after court documents say he exposed himself to two women at the University of Missouri’s campus in 2021. Jacob Paul Bush, 26, was charged on Tuesday with two counts of first-degree harassment. Charges were amended from misdemeanor charges filed

Columbia Monday trash routes canceled this week, rest of routes delayed a day

January 12, 2024 2:21 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Monday routes for residential trash pickup in Columbia next week have been canceled and will resume on Monday, Jan. 22, according to a press release from the City of Columbia. Routes were initially delayed by one day because of observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The city wrote that the regular

Columbia Board of Education reviews annual performance report, addresses plans for improvement next year

January 11, 2024 7:35 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education reviewed its annual performance report, during its meeting Thursday night. The session was rescheduled from its original time on Friday due to inclement weather forecast. Columbia Public Schools canceled classes for Friday. The presentation shown during the meeting indicates that CPS showed improvement within the last

Ameren raises renewable energy charge

January 11, 2024 10:06 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Public Service Commission approved Ameren Missouri’s application to adjust the Renewable Energy Standard Rate Adjustment Mechanism charge that appears on the monthly bills, according to a Thursday press release. The charge appears as a separate item on the monthly electric bills of Ameren Missouri customers. For a residential customer using

Man charged after allegedly assaulting, kidnapping victim for $350 ransom at The Links

January 11, 2024 3:54 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man was charged on Thursday after he was accused of assaulting and holding another person against their will for a $350 ransom. Ralik Brooks, 31, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree domestic assault and tampering with a victim in a felony prosecution. He is currently being held at the Boone County

Early morning Columbia fire kills poultry

January 11, 2024 2:47 AM Erika McGuire, Matthew Sanders

One person was treated for injuries and several birds were found dead after a house fire early Thursday in north Columbia.

Police: No injuries reported after shots were fired in north Columbia

January 10, 2024 10:59 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect property damage being reported after police released more information. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Police say there were no injuries reported Wednesday night after shots were fired near Blue Ridge and Oakland Gravel roads. Columbia Police Sgt. Derek Moore told ABC 17 News that police responded to a shots-fired

Biden administration awards funding for 44 electric vehicle chargers in Columbia

January 11, 2024 10:56 AM Matthew Sanders

The City of Columbia is getting $3.6 million from the federal government to build 44 electric vehicle chargers.

Schlude talks policies, staffing during first Columbia Police Review Board meeting as chief of police

January 10, 2024 4:28 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Jill Schlude attended her first Columbia Police Review Board meeting as the city’s police chief on Wednesday evening. Schlude described being grateful to the board, adding that she feels it’s important for both parties to be able to collaboratively work on issues. During the meeting, board members asked Schlude various questions regarding

Columbia Parks and Rec to hold MLK Day walk; city offices closed Monday for holiday

January 10, 2024 9:54 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Parks and Recreation on Monday will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Walk and Memorial Celebration, according to a Wednesday release from the city. The candlelight walk will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Armory Sports Center, 701 East Ash Street. The release states participants should meet in the basement of the facility; the lower level

MU launches new campus safety app

January 10, 2024 8:55 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri has launched a new smartphone application for campus safety, according to a Wednesday press release Mizzou Safe, which includes features such as location sharing, push notifications, real-time reporting and text-to-911, is available for free in the iOS App and Google Play stores, the release states. The application provides communication between students

Arson case for Casa Maria’s owner moved to Butler County

January 10, 2024 8:03 PM Ryan Shiner

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) An owner of a Mexican restaurant in Columbia who has been accused of arson in Dunklin County had her case moved to Butler County on Wednesday. Crystal Umfress, 42, was charged with second-degree arson. Umfress is an owner of Casa Maria’s Restaurant in Columbia. Her lawyer had requested a change of venue

No numbers being shared surrounding MU Health Care-Capital Region integration

January 10, 2024 6:53 PM Morgan Buresh

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care and Capital Region Medial Center in Jefferson City completed the integration of its health systems last week, but leaders aren’t sharing any numbers related to the cost of the merger. A celebration event was held Wednesday in Jefferson City, but financial experts were not available. ABC 17 News

Two running for Columbia Ward 2 Council seat, Peters files for reelection in Ward 6

January 10, 2024 4:59 PM Ryan Shiner

Two people have filed to run for the Ward 2 Columbia City Council seat, according to an email from City Clerk Sheela Amin.

WHAT’S GOING AROUND: Doctors seeing respiratory illnesses, flu and COVID-19

January 10, 2024 11:14 AM Erika McGuire

Here is a roundup of the illnesses doctors say are spreading around Mid-Missouri.

Columbia Public Works preps for possible freezing on roads into Wednesday morning

January 9, 2024 7:51 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Works dispatched a 20-person crew starting on Tuesday night to treat priority roads into Wednesday morning, according to Public Works spokesman John Ogan. Temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 20’s into Wednesday morning, which Ogan said could bring about the possibility of ice on the roads. In order

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you agree with your school’s decision about Tuesday classes?

January 9, 2024 3:12 AM ABC 17 News Team

The first big winter storm of the season hit Mid-Missouri this week.

MSHP Troop F responds to 82 crashes during snow fall in Mid-Missouri

January 8, 2024 7:54 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Monday marked the first significant amount of snow fall of the season in Mid-Missouri, with certain areas expected to receive up to five inches of snow into Tuesday. However, road conditions caused crashes across the area. Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F — which covers much of the Mid-Missouri area — stated

Snow plow crews across Mid-Missouri tackle winter weather

January 8, 2024 9:07 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo., (KMIZ) Snow plow crews are preparing for more winter weather after Monday’s snow fall kept them busy. Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan said crews will be working 12-hour shifts along with an overnight crew. Columbia Public Works will be frequently updating its Facebook page. The department wrote on its social media on