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JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – An incoming Missouri Democratic lawmaker is trying to stop “Black Friday” shopping from ruining the Thanksgiving dinners of workers.Jeff Roorda, of Barnhart, plans to file legislation that would prohibit retail stores from opening on Thanksgiving.He has dubbed it the “Thanksgiving Family Protection Act.” He says the holiday should be about families

Columbia police are connecting two recent burglary suspects to the break-in at Hollywood Theaters back in September.Early Monday, police were called out to a law alarm in the 4100 block of Paris Road at Tractor Supply.When police got there, two people were in the fenced-in area and one outside the fenced-in area of the store.

An elderly Columbia man was killed after being run over by a trailer Monday evening.According to Ashland Police Chief Anthony Consiglio, William Pingleton, 88, of Columbia was attempting to get around the trailer in the McDonald’s/FastLane parking lot on E. Broadway. The trailer, attached to a truck, knocked Pingleton down and rolled over him. Pingleton

The cause of last week’s devastating fire in Bevier is still undetermined.Thursday’s fire destroyed the historic Pear Tree restaurant and Black Diamond Museum.Missouri Division of Fire Safety spokesman Mike O’Connell says the fire will be classified as “undetermined” because of the extent of damage. O’Connell says since the roof collapsed, it is not out of

The Jefferson City Police Department SWAT team and MUSTANG Drug Task Force officers arrested three people while serving a search warrant Tuesday.Just before 9 a.m., the officers searched a home in the 1300 block of E. High Street and found a small quantity of heroin and items used for the packaging and distribution of drugs.Three

***UPDATE TUESDAY 8:20 P.M.***Morgan County Sheriff Jim Petty confirms 71-year-old Mae Wells and 82-year-old Wayne Wells were murdered in their Ivy Bend home. The Sheriff added that Wayne Well was wheelchair-bound.The bodies of the victims were removed from the home around 8 p.m. and will be transported to Jefferson City for an autopsy on Wednesday.At

University of Missouri football player Levi Copelin pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second degree trespassing.Copelin had been charged with possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana in October after being arrested in an MU parking lot behind Faurot Field. Copelin was arrested along with Dorial Green-Beckham and Torey Boozer.Copelin must pay a

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