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Columbia Public Schools chief financial officer Heather McArthur said the 2018-19 budget prioritizes employee pay and benefits. McArthur outlined the budget during a special Columbia Board of Education meeting on Wednesday. The $224 million operating budget expects a $6.5 million increase in teacher salary, which constitutes 43 percent of the district’s budget. McArthur said the

According to the city of Columbia, this year, aquatic staffing of certified lifeguards has been the lowest in the last five years. The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department said that, as of Friday, it had 76 lifeguards at outdoor pools. Last year, there were 93 lifeguards. The department said money is not the reason why

Columbia Water and Light officials are encouraging residents in certain southwest Columbia neighborhoods to follow an irrigation schedule this summer after water pressure dropped in that area in 2016, risking water contamination and unsafe firefighting. “The reason we had the pressure drop in 2016 was because irrigation systems in the southwest were all set to

Columbia Police arrested two men Saturday for a string of car break-ins. Josephus Howard and Courtney Wright were arrested on five counts of felony stealing, fraudulent use of a credit card device and property damage. Wright posted a $20,000 bond and is not out of jail. 19-year-old Howard is still in Boone County Jail with

UPDATE 6/6 5:30 p.m.: ABC 17 News confirmed the Missouri Division of Fire Safety is investigating Tuesday night’s fire at the Thirsty Hog Saloon. The agency confirms the establishment was closed at the time of the fire and it is not considered to be suspicious. The Callaway County Health Department said local public health departments

Congratulations to the winner of the The Little Theatre Night Out contest – Nichole Benke

According to Twitter, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash with injuries on I-70 westbound at the 31 mile marker in Lafayette County on Wednesday. The crash involved two tractor-trailers. One of the drivers in the crash was taken to a local hospital and later died. The Major Crash Investigation Unit is still

TONIGHT: It will be a mild and humid night across Mid-Missouri, as temperatures bottom out in the upper 60s. Mostly clear skies are expected, however thicker clouds look likely north of Hwy 24 where a few spot storms are possible by daybreak. Overall, it will be a quiet and humid night with winds out of

THIS EVENING: We remain clear throughout this afternoon into the evening commute as temperatures continue to remain well above average. We’re watching increasing humidity as well, as southerly flow returns to Mid-Missouri. TONIGHT: Temperatures will remain in the upper 60s tonight with winds out of the south from 3-5 mph making for a bit of

A Columbia man was arrested for making a terroristic threat on Friday after he allegedly said he was going to shoot everyone at Gates Rubber. Rafe Phipps was at the business located at 3015 Lemone Industrial Boulevard, when officers were told he made the threat. Phipps was arrested on Saturday at 3 Hospital Drive and

A Callaway County grand jury indicted five defendants in the death of Carl DeBrodie. The indictments were filed on March 30 and including the following counts: Sherry K. Paulo, 53, of Fulton, who was indicted for the following offenses: Count I – the class D felony of client neglect, Count II – the class C

WEDNESDAY: Sunny skies and a light southerly breeze will up to 8 mph will boost temperatures to near 90 in the afternoon. It will start to feel a bit humid as dew points climb into the lower 60s. TONIGHT: Temperatures will remain in the upper 60s tonight with winds out of the south from 3-5

Fulton police found 21-year-old Brandon Hughes while responding to a trespassing call at a Walmart just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. “During their contact with Brandon Hughes, officers located several controlled substances including methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia,” the department said in a statement. Hughes was taken to the Callaway County Jail on suspicion of distribution or

In a letter to the office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who dropped a criminal charge against former Gov. Eric Greitens on the condition he resign, Attorney General Josh Hawley’s office said the agreement between the two parties should be accessible under the state’s Sunshine Law. Only a redacted version of a portion

Police are now investigating after getting a rough description of a suspect who hit the side of a garage Tuesday night and took off in northwest Columbia. People were inside the home on Westwind Drive off I-70 Drive just west of the mall. The car damaged the side of the garage door around 10:30 p.m.

Democratic state Rep. Lauren Arthur has won a state Senate seat in Missouri’s first special election since former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens resigned. Arthur beat Republican state Rep. Kevin Corlew Tuesday night. She will represent District 17 in Clay County. The seat was previously held by Republican Ryan Silvey, who stepped down in January. According

Police are investigating after a vehicle hit a utility pole in Columbia Tuesday night. The Columbia Police Department and the Columbia Fire Department responded to the crash in the 800 block of 8th Street around 10:15 p.m. Police said no one was injured in the crash. ABC 17 News crews on scene saw minor damage

UPDATE: Columbia Police said two people were taken into custody in connection with the crash on I-70. According to investigators, the vehicle involved was determined to be stolen. Police said a third person who was extricated from the vehicle was taken to the hospital with injuries. ORIGINAL: The Columbia Fire Department responded to a crash

The founder and CEO of a Columbia-based supported living facility is speaking out after five people were charged in connection to the death of Carl DeBrodie. “My reaction was relief,” Julie Walden, founder and CEO of Boone Supported Living told ABC 17 News Tuesday. “I think a lot of people were anxiously awaiting for something

Mary Martin, the former guardian of Carl DeBrodie, said Tuesday morning she is absolutely thrilled there have been arrests made in the case, but is hoping for more charges on those recently arrested. Martin tells ABC 17 News she’s happy that the ball is rolling, but at this point, she just wants to know why.