News Archives

Owner hopeful Boone County champion bur oak will survive lightning strike

October 23, 2020 10:21 AM ABC 17 News Team

Boone County crews were called out to a fire Friday morning after the tree in McBaine was struck by lightning.

New road construction projects begin Oct. 26 and Oct. 28

October 23, 2020 4:27 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Brief Route 54 Closure Planned as Part of Interchange Bridge Construction U.S. Route 54 traffic will be impacted in Lake Ozark as a contractor working for the Missouri Department of Transportation begins blasting rock to make way for the construction of a new eastbound Route 54 bridge. In order for crews to safely perform the

First medical marijuana dispensary in KC sells out in 2 days

October 23, 2020 3:35 PM Associated Press

It didn’t take long for the Kansas City area’s first medical marijuana dispensary to sell out. The Kansas City Star reports that Fresh Green dispensary in Lee’s Summit opened Monday and was sold out by the end of the day Tuesday. All told, the shop served about 500 customers. Bianca Sullivan, who owns the dispensary

Hospitalization data flawed in Missouri, perhaps elsewhere

October 23, 2020 3:33 PM Associated Press

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — With the number of coronavirus patients requiring hospitalization rising at alarming levels, Missouri and perhaps a handful of other states are unable to post accurate data on COVID-19 dashboards because of a flaw in the federal reporting system. Missouri’s health department says the number of hospitalized patients has been underreported since

Jefferson City man convicted of 2017 murder

October 23, 2020 8:30 AM Matt Ragsdale

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A jury convicted a Jefferson City man of second-degree murder linked to a 2017 killing on Thursday. The Cole County Prosecutor said a sentencing date has not yet been decided. Jeffery Millens was found guilty of murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm, Locke Thompson said. Millens is

University of Missouri internet outage started with power failure

October 23, 2020 1:24 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A short-lived power failure led to the internet outage that canceled classes Thursday on the University of Missouri campus, a spokeswoman said. MU spokeswoman Liz McCune said Friday that the early morning power outage led to “a series of technology failures that will take some time to fully diagnose.” However, MU is

Boone County clerk and post office team up for election event

October 23, 2020 1:08 PM Ben Fein

The clerk said over 17,000 people have already cast their ballot in Boone County.

SportsZone Football Friday game of the week preview: Jackson vs. Hickman

October 23, 2020 11:37 AM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The Hickman Kewpies will play in the final game of the regular season, as the Jackson Indians come to Columbia. You can watch the game live on KZOU over the air channel 17.3. Here is a look at other local listings: DirecTV – channel 18Dish Network – channel 32Mediacom – channel 12,

2 seriously hurt in separate Mid-Missouri wrecks

October 23, 2020 8:04 AM Matt Ragsdale

Two people were seriously hurt in separate crashes Thursday afternoon in separate Mid-Missouri counties.

Active cases nearly double as some students switch to virtual learning in Maries County

October 23, 2020 5:33 AM Brittany Wiley

The Vienna School District announced it would switch to virtual learning the same week active cases nearly doubled in Maries County.

Columbia Public Schools Foundation donates more than $59,000 for student school supply kits

October 22, 2020 11:02 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools Foundation donated more than $59,000 as part of its Kits for Kids campaign to give elementary student school supplies at Columbia Public Schools. The foundation and donors help raise the money so families that couldn’t purchase a pre-packaged school supply kit could still receive one. “The foundation is proud

Missouri Dept. of Conservation looking for Fulton poacher

October 22, 2020 9:41 PM Karl Wehmhoener

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Dept. of Conservation agents are investigating a poaching case after someone shot a large buck Monday in broad daylight near the Fulton YMCA and Fulton High School. Witnesses told investigator hearing the shot. If you have any information about this incident, please contact Callaway Conservation Agent Steve Kistner at (573) 239-8129,

Boone County commissioners ‘disavow’ fellow commissioner’s comments on health department

October 22, 2020 8:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Boone County commissioners rebuked their fellow official on Thursday over comments he made about the county’s health department director. A letter from Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill and District 2 Commissioner Janet Thompson to Columbia city manager John Glascock criticized District 1 Commissioner Fred Parry’s reaction to the ownership change at the

The state health department reported a record breaking rise in COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

THURSDAY UPDATES: Local school districts provide update on COVID-19

October 22, 2020 8:14 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates on the COVID-19.

Alleged leader, others plead guilty in marijuana operation tied to Columbia death

October 22, 2020 8:46 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A bevy of new defendants have pleaded guilty for taking part in a years-long marijuana-selling operation with ties to a Columbia killing. Five more people admitted on Tuesday to helping sell thousands of pounds of marijuana across the country, including mid-Missouri. That includes Craig D. Smith, Jr., the Oregon man federal

Columbia College gifted collection of photos by world-renowned photographer Bruce Davidson

October 22, 2020 8:09 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An anonymous donor recently gifted a collection of more than 360 photos taken by world-renowned photographer Bruce Davidson to Columbia College, with an appraised value of $1.2 million according to Penelope Dixon and Associates of New York. “This is truly a landmark gift for our institution, and we appreciate the generous donation

New road construction projects announced around mid-Missouri

October 22, 2020 8:05 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Bridge and Culvert Work Will Temporarily Impact Traffic in Audrain County in the Upcoming Weeks Weather permitting, MoDOT crews will be performing the following work in Audrain County. Please see the dates and locations below. Audrain County Route C – Oct. 26-29, road will be closed at Goodwater Creek, located between Audrain

State education leaders discuss process of finding a school district’s new superintendent

October 22, 2020 7:27 PM Amber Tabeling

State education leaders explain the process of finding a school district’s new superintendent, as Columbia Public Schools will soon start a search for its own.

JC Schools confident in staffing level as Missouri continues to battle substitute teacher shortage

October 22, 2020 7:22 PM Connor Hirsch

As Jefferson City Middle School students are set to return to their classrooms next week, Missouri is continuing to battle staffing issues forcing many districts to go virtual.

Columbia Public Schools superintendent says he’ll retire after school year

October 22, 2020 11:18 AM Matthew Sanders

Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Peter Stiepleman told the school board Thursday that he will retire at the end of the year.