News

Boone County commissioners unanimously approved a cooperative agreement Tuesday morning between the county and Columbia Public Schools.The agreement is for construction projects near Battle High School, which the Columbia School Board agreed to in November.With the passage of the agreement, the county is now the official owner of Battle Avenue and the various road improvements

The former director of the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management has accepted a new job in Springfield, Missouri.Zim Schwartze, who headed the 911 center in Columbia and Boone County, will now head the Director of Emergency Communications in Springfield.Schwartze confirmed with ABC 17 News that she will manage the activities of the emergency communications

The federal government released a new report Tuesday about the harmful effects of synthetic drugs. The report states the fake drugs that mimic the effects of marijuana can produce damaging effects.K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs produce a high similar to smoking marijuana, but new data shows the fake post can be deadly. The drugs

Clark Lane in northeast Columbia has received more than $7 million in improvements, but some residents are worried it is not enough and that the road is still dangerous.Residents are concerned about a lack of shoulders and sidewalks on parts of Clark lane. The Missouri Department of Transportation added a roundabout, bike lanes and concrete

Columbia police plan to crack down on drunk drivers over the holidays.Police plan to increase next week as part of its “2012 Holiday DWI Enforcement” campaign.Drivers in the city can expect to see more officers between December 10th and 16th.

Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a sex offender who is wanted on four outstanding warrants.Deputies responded to a theft report around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday on Christina Lane in Fulton. Deputies say the suspect, 34-year-old John Holsman, left the residence in a blue Dodge Durango. Deputies tried to stop Holsman, but he fled on

Investigators found more than 50 videos and nearly 1,000 photos of child pornography on a Mid-Missouri man’s hard drive.Nathan Oawster of Jefferson City was charged Tuesday on child porn charges.Cole County deputies say they found pictures of a young girl naked on a sandy beach.Oawster reportedly told investigators that pictures were on pop-up advertisements and

A Columbia man accused of selling synthetic drugs is now under investigation by the federal government.Charges against Kevin Bay, the owner of Bocomo Bay, may have been dropped in Missouri. Court records for Bay’s charges in Stoddard County have now been closed to public. The prosecutor there could not confirm if the charges have been

Last year, Southeast Missouri trailed Mizzou by just two points at half. Frank Haith wishes it was that good Monday night. SEMO, thanks to an 8-for-15 effort from downtown in the first half, led the Tigers 45-35 after 20 minutes inside Mizzou Arena. Laurence Bowers helped rescue Mizzou in the second half, so the 12th-ranked

***UPDATE FRIDAY 2:00 P.M.***Columbia police recovered the stolen Ford Taurus Thursday at 4:53 p.m. at the intersection of High Quest Drive and Fenimore Drive. The vehicle was towed to a secure location for evidence processing. There have been no arrests made and the investigation continues.***ORIGINAL STORY***Columbia police are investigating an armed robbery and car theft

Temperatures have been well above average for this past winter, spring and summer (see stats below) along with drought conditions that set in during the summer. A cooler weather pattern developed in September and has persisted through the fall. -through Dec. 3, Columbia’s average temperature for the year so far is 61.3, which is the

An injury accident on Highway 63 near the Broadway overpass is slowing down traffic in the area. The backup is extending in southbound traffic to the I-70/63 connector. Approach with caution or avoid if possible.

Early Wednesday morning, Columbia police were called to an accident on Providence Road. While they found a car on its top, they did not find a driver or any passengers.The accident was called in around 1:40 a.m. It happened in the 5000 block of Providence Road.Police say they do not know if anyone was injured.They

***UPDATE 12 P.M.***In court Tuesday morning, Bruce Cole’s lawyer argued that Cole’s $500,000 bond is too high. The defense told Judge Mason Gebhardt that Cole is not a flight risk and has no prior criminal history. The state countered saying that Cole would immediately leave for California and that it would cost too much to

***UPDATE TUESDAY 4:45 P.M.***Morgan County Sheriff Jim Petty is expected to brief the media on the latest developments in the murder case on Thursday. Ronald Blowers, 25, of Stover was charged Wednesday for resisting arrest and creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death. Blowers is being held on $1 million dollars bond. Authorities

Columbia/Boone County emergency officials missed the monthly test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday.The test, which is scheduled to occur on the first Wednesday of the month at 12 p.m., did not happen as scheduled.The Office of Emergency Management released a statement at 1:38 p.m. that stated, “Due to an administrative oversight, the monthly

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has been appointed to the House Budget Committee beginning in January.The committee is responsible for developing the annual budget that determines the levels of spending in the fiscal year. The committee also sets the levels of revenue, deficit or surplus, and public debt expected to happen each year.”In the short time she

Boonville police are investigating a shooting that happened Saturday night.According to officers, a victim reported being shot in the arm by two people around 11:15 p.m. The victim was reportedly outside of his home in the 1200 block of Evergreen Circle at the time of the shooting.The victim is currently being treated in Columbia, however

Missouri’s prolonged drought is affecting this year’s crop of Christmas trees. Tree farm owners say they do have some concerns after the extremely dry conditions.One local farmer says he grows three different types of trees, but this year, he is only able to sell two of those types after the drought destroyed the third.Boone County

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon has been meeting with Missouri troops who are deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan and said their service for the state and nation is “inspiring.”The most recent visit is Nixon’s third Department of Defense trip to the war zone since he took office in 2009. The Democratic governor said