Columbia Archives

Phase 2 of Missouri’s vaccine plan set to open Monday

March 28, 2021 8:31 AM Ben Fein

Missouri’s phased approach to vaccination in the Show Me State is set to once again expand on Monday.

Deputies were called around 11:30 Saturday night to the 4400 block of West Millbrook Drive for reports of shots heard.

Nobody injured after West Columbia shooting

March 28, 2021 1:09 AM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Nobody is injured after a shooting late Saturday night in West Columbia. Deputies were called out around 11:30 p.m. to the 4400 block of West Millbrook Drive for reports of shots heard. Upon arrival, Boone County deputies found a man under the influence of narcotics having a seizure. The man regained consciousnesses

One person hospitalized after multiple car pile up on Bernadette Drive near 1-70

March 27, 2021 6:21 PM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One person was taken to the hospital after a multiple car pile up on Bernadette Dr. near Interstate 70 Saturday night. Columbia Police said three cars were involved in the crash. Drivers involved in the crash told ABC 17 crews they were idling when a truck hit them from behind and smashed

Spring break begins for MU students as COVID-19 cases remain low

March 27, 2021 5:42 AM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Spring break started Saturday for students at the University of Missouri. The university will not require students living on campus to be tested when they return, like the school did for winter break. MU spokesman Christian Basi said low case numbers and timing were some of the factors that played a role

City of Columbia reminds residents of the risks of illegal dumping

March 26, 2021 8:15 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) City of Columbia officials is reminding residents of the risks of illegal dumping. City officials say they have seen this happening more frequently at recycling centers and say the illegal dumping poses a threat to public health. Some of the problems the city has noticed is people dropping off large items that

Jefferson City chase ends south of Columbia

March 26, 2021 7:17 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri State Highway Patrol report a chase that began in the city has ended south of Columbia on US 63. According to Corporal Green, a chase began after an incident at a Kohl’s in Jefferson City. The department’s helicopter was used to follow the vehicle before it was spike. Three people are

FRIDAY UPDATES: Columbia Public Schools Foundation donates 100,000 child-size masks for students

March 26, 2021 9:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shifting the focus in the death of Mengqi Ji to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

March 26, 2021 5:25 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department announced Thursday it believes remains found at Rock Bridge State Park belong to Mengqi Ji. Since October 2019, the Columbia Police Department has been investigating the disappearance of Mengqi Ji, who was reported missing by her husband Joseph Elledge. Elledge is the key suspect in the disappearance of his wife

New evidence ‘changes the entire course’ of missing mom case

March 26, 2021 3:16 PM Zola Crowder

After finding human remains at Rock Bridge State Park Thursday afternoon, police are working to identify the body.

MoDOT to close lanes for sign work near a major intersection

March 26, 2021 4:23 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be working on repairing and installing signs on U.S. Route 63 near the Interstate 70 connector Sunday night and early Monday morning. Crews will close northbound Route 63 and the northbound exit ramp from Route 63 to the Interstate 70 connector. The northbound lanes of Route

Hallsville man accused of abandoning corpse after drug overdose death

March 26, 2021 2:58 PM Matthew Sanders

A Hallsville man was charged Friday with abandoning a corpse and tampering with evidence after a woman was found dead from a drug overdose in a Columbia hotel.

Police believed to have found Mengqi Ji’s body: a timeline of her disappearance

March 26, 2021 4:33 AM Ben Fein

Police are waiting for the remains found Thursday to go through DNA testing and/or confirmation with dental records to verify the identity.

Boone County Sheriff’s Dept. continue to investigate after reports of multiple shots fired

March 25, 2021 10:40 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a report of shots fired on the 800 block of Demaret Dr. late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning. Callers reported hearing multiple shots fired (anywhere from 6 to up 40 shots fired). Deputies reported finding multiple shell casing in the area. A day later, residents

Columbia police looking to verify human remains found as Mengqi Ji

March 25, 2021 4:30 PM Matthew Sanders

Columbia police are investigating a death at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park near Columbia.

ABC 17 News COVID-19 roundtable discussion with MU Chancellor and Columbia Chamber of Commerce president

March 25, 2021 9:25 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) You’ve heard this week from local businesses in Columbia after some COVID-19 restrictions. Tonight the Columbia Chamber of Commerce president Matt McCormick spoke about the return to the business as usual. The University of Missouri is also about a day away from the start of its spring break. MU Chancellor Mun Choi

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports 85th coronavirus related death, 27th this year

March 25, 2021 9:01 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homeless can receive access to stimulus payments

March 25, 2021 3:36 PM Victoria Bragg

COLUMBIA, MO (KMIZ) The homeless population has the ability to receive stimulus checks. The IRS offers a free tax filing tool on its website allowing for unhoused people who make less than $72,000 annually to file easily. The department also offers free tax prep help for those in need, which will provide options for tax

Missouri launches ‘Get a Ride’ page to increase access to vaccines

March 25, 2021 4:37 AM Ben Fein

Get a Ride’s website connects residents with several free and low-cost transportation, both statewide and by region.

Bird Scooters are heading back to Columbia as soon as April 1st

March 24, 2021 3:57 PM Connor Hirsch

The Columbia City Council approved an agreement with Bird Ride, Inc. and the University of Missouri to bring the dockless scooters back to the city on March 15.

Boone County Sheriff’s Department looking for stolen vehicle suspect that led to chase

March 24, 2021 8:05 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Sheriff’s department is looking for a suspect in a stolen vehicle case after an afternoon chase on Business Loop 70. A Deputy stopped the stolen Ford Taurus at 1:13 p.m. but the driver of the Taurus drove off. Officials report a chase began but ended due to safety concerns.