News

*** UPDATE 10:17 P.M. ***Jefferson City held what was suppose to be a primary election Tuesday for its open City Council spot. However, ABC 17 News checked in with the county clerk’s office who said instead, they have a clear winner.James Branch will be the new first ward councilman for the Capital City. The county

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s vice president announced that President Hugo Chavez died on Tuesday, ending 14 years of rule by the firebrand socialist but leaving his party firmly in control of the nation.Vice President Nicolas Maduro said that Chavez died “after battling a tough illness for nearly two years.”The death apparently sets up a

Emergency management officials throughout Missouri prepare for spring storms by activating tornado sirens. We wanted to know if a tornado were to hit Boone County, would officials be able to react because the county has no official emergency management director right now. The 911 center is also undermanned.They tell ABC 17 News they’re constantly updating

The Chamois power power plant will be closed this coming fall. The decision comes after weeks of deliberation by the Central Electric Power Co-Op. Officials says there are six reasons they voted to close the Chamois plant this September. Increased rates from the EPA and higher railroad costs would make things financially difficult to keep

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – The Missouri Senate is taking action in response to the state Highway Patrol’s purchase of a $5.6 million airplane.The patrol bought the plane in December with money from a fund designated for purchases of motor vehicles, boats and aircraft.Senators gave first-round approval Tuesday to a bill requiring the patrol to seek

Laurence Bowers had 24 points and 11 rebounds in his final home game, contributing to a rough evening for old coach Mike Anderson’s first appearance as a visitor and helping Missouri finish unbeaten at home with a 93-63 rout over Arkansas on Tuesday night.Sophomore Jabari Brown helped finish off the Razorbacks early with 13 of

Tornado sirens blared across the entire state Tuesday as officials prepared for severe weather season. Now emergency experts are using severe weather awareness week to spread the word about people being prepared.ABC 17 News crews met with an emergency expert to find out how to stay safe in unsafe conditions and they said all starts

Highs will only reach the mid-to-upper 30s with a chilly northwest breeze and lingering clouds Wednesday. Clouds will gradually clear out through the day, leaving a mostly clear sky Wednesday night and lows in the low 20s.Thursday will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 40s. Friday and Saturday will be warmer with highs

A $1.66 million deficit in Jefferson City will mean cuts across several departments. This week, the city staff released a document with questions about possible cuts in city government. The document was nearly 20 pages. Twelve of those pages were from the police department’s possible cuts. ABC 17 News talked to several city council members

One man was arrested after Boone County Deputies served a search warrant at a local hotel.It was served at Candlewood Suites on Wingate Court around 9:30 Tuesday night.Deputies were led there on a tip. Inside a room they found two people and numerous items that led them to believe meth was being used.Timothy Hyde, 39,

(AP) – Lawyers for Missouri’s governor and auditor are battling before the state Supreme Court over the governor’s power to make spending cuts.The Supreme Court was to hear arguments Wednesday on the constitutionality of about $170 million of budget cuts announced by Gov. Jay Nixon in June 2011 and challenged by Auditor Tom Schweich.The case

Columbia Public School officials say a school bus was involved in a crash, but say no kids were on board at the time.The accident happened near West Boulevard and Worley at around 7:55 Wednesday morning.According to school officials a car turned into the bus.

Congressman Ike Skelton sat on the armed services committee for more than three decades and knows first hand the importance of military to our national security.But recent budget cuts causes him to fear that quality will deteriorate.The Congressman spoke before a crowd on the MU campus today focusing on the history of nation’s military and

A man was arrested late Wednesday afternoon after running from police in Columbia by Providence Road and Vandiver Drive.Officers said they were on Garth Avenue when they recognized the driver, who allegedly had a suspended license. But when they tried pulling him over, he did not stop.Police think he put the car into drive after

Boone County law enforcement continues to impact crime with aggressive enforcement in the Columbia city limits.Sheriff’s deputies arrested Timothy Hyde around 9:30 Tuesday night after getting tips meth was being used in a room at the Candlewood Suites on Wingate Court.We’ve been reporting since the beginning of year, deputies are working to cut down on

***UPDATE 6:35 P.M.***Federal funding cuts could cause a domino affect that ends air service in Columbia. Airport leaders found out Wednesday some airlines don’t like to fly into places with empty control towers. The airlines point to safety concerns that could cause a disaster.Imagine a scenario where something is on the runway at Columbia Regional

When we think of everyday appliances that start house fires, most of us think of faulty space heaters or unattended stove tops. But clothes dryers? Columbia Fire Battalion Chief Brad Frazier says it’s more common than you think. Firefighters extinguished a dryer fire in central Columbia on Wednesday, at a former councilwoman’s home. Almeta Crayton

***UPDATE, THURSDAY 9:44 A.M.***(AP) – A milk processing plant in Monett will close later this year, costing 86 people their jobs.Officials with the Dairy Farmers of America notified employees on Tuesday that the plant would close in September because it is losing money.Larry Purdom, a member of the DFA Board of Directors, says the high

The transportation security administration lessening some security measures at all airports. Small knives are now allowed on airplanes and some passengers now worry their safety is at risk.On 9/11, terrorists used small weapons like box cutters to take over planes. Starting in april certain items will be on thr approved list including small pocket knives.Knives

Some melting of the snow in Mid-Missouri is now helping to improve drought conditions. None of the area is considered to be in severe drought any more as most locations improved to be now in moderate drought status. Areas of abnormally dry conditions (lowest level of drought) have expanded in southeastern parts of Mid-Missouri, which