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Thieves broke into more than 20 vehicles in the last week in Columbia, and police expect more during the holiday shopping season.Officers told ABC 17 News burglars targeted 15 different areas around the city. They hit cars parked outside hotels, on residential streets and near shopping centers.Electronics and cash are the most common but now

A watch group is urging victims of molestation by priests to come forward and contact police in Columbia. Gerald Howard is convicted of sex crimes and currently under investigation in Boone County. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also called SNAP, said Monday there could be multiple victims in Boone County.Howard worked at

More people appear to be willing to shop this year as $13.7 billion has already been spent on holiday shopping this year. That is a 16 percent increase from last year.The stores are already saying this past weekend was the biggest shopping weekend on record. Clothing was the number one top seller, after that technology

On Cyber Monday as millions of people take to the web, criminals could be taking notice. The FBI says with increase sales is a growing risk of cyber scammers surfing for your information. If you missed Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday is your chance to save some cash and you can find online deals from

Prosecutors have charged Daniel E. Bredenkoetter, 64, of Columbia, with six counts of statutory rape and two counts of statutory sodomy in Warren County Circuit Court. He is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Bredenkoetter appeared in Warrenton Monday afternoon for his initial arraignment. His bond is set at $200,000 cash-only, and

Mounting money problems and a growing population sends Missouri Sheriffs to the State Capitol. Monday marked the beginning of two days of testimony in front of lawmakers. Sheriffs focused on jail operations and how they are becoming a drain on resources to kick off the meeting. Testimony will continue for about four hours on Tuesday.Currently

Lows dipped into the upper teens around most of Mid-Missouri Tuesday morning. Calm winds and a clear sky created the ideal conditions for temperatures to drop Monday night into Tuesday morning. Temperatures Tuesday morning were the coldest of the Fall and coldest since early February.Actual Low (Columbia): 17Record Low for Nov. 27 (Columbia): 11 (1955)Last

A car headed the wrong way on I-70 and crashed into a semi Tuesday morning.Police and fire crews were called out around 3 a.m. to I-70 near the Providence Road exit.Columbia police say the car was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it was hit by a tractor trailer going in the westbound lanes.One

***UPDATE 12 P.M.*** COLUMBIA (AP) — Like most football lifers, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is a creature of habit.So rather than linger over a disappointing SEC debut that saw the Tigers go 5-7 and break a seven-year streak of bowl appearances, the 60-year-old coach showed up ready for work on Monday, starting with his usual

COLUMBIA (AP) – The family of the man convicted of killing a Columbia editor is seeking information about a man allegedly at the scene of the 2001 murder.Ryan Ferguson is serving a 40-year sentence for the November 2001 murder of Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor Kent Heitholt. Ferguson was recently denied a request for a

Missouri’s State Auditor released an audit of the Missouri State Lottery Commission on Tuesday.Overall, the audit from Tom Schweich’s office showed the performance of the group was “Good.” However it did find “deficiencies in internal controls, noncompliance with legal provisions, and the need for improvement in management practices and procedures.”Among the finding, it showed the

***UPDATE 3 P.M.***According to Camdenton police, officers received a call around 11:35 a.m. stating there was a bomb at the high school that would detonate at 12 p.m. Officers say an alleged student’s father called police, saying he received a text message from the student.The school was evacuated and students and staff were sent to

A woman who participated in a kidnapping in February pleaded guilty to lesser charges in court Tuesday.Tracy Stodgell pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking and felonious restraint in court. The charges carry a maximum of 11 years in prison, however as part of her plea agreement, she will avoid additional jail time.Stodgell has been behind bars

A Columbia man is behind bar for allegedly assaulting two women Monday night.Jon. P. Washington, 26, was arrested on charges of third degree assault, second degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon.Boone County Sheriff’s Department detectives say Washington punched his girlfriend. During the disturbance, Washington then began to swing a baseball bat and

***UPDATE WEDNESDAY 12:45 P.M.***ABC 17 News contacted the University of Missouri and the Chancellor’s office for a statement regarding Mike Dixon’s suspension. The university would not comment on the issue, however, the News Bureau did provide the following statement, which has been abbreviated:”The university cannot comment on individual students records according to The Family Educational

Wednesday’s drawing for the record Powerball jackpot of $500 million has Missourians purchasing more tickets than usual.Missouri lottery officials say as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, Powerball ticket sales have topped $1 million for the day. That is more than half of the sales in a regular week.According to Susan Goedde of Missouri Lottery, the chances

Holiday shopping is in full swing and criminals are targeting shoppers’ cars and valuable. It’s a crime trend ABC 17 News has been following for days.Last week, thieves broke into more than 20 vehicles in Columbia and now law enforcement are urging residents to be vigilant to help curb the crime.During a trip to several

In a Public Safety Alert, emergency officials are warning of the fire risks due to live Christmas trees.”There are multiple fires that are related to Christmas tree fires,” said Lt. Brian Davison of the Columbia Fire Department. “Unfortunately there are multiple people that lose their lives from the holiday season because of it.”Davison says it’s

High temperatures will be near 50 Wednesday afternoon, which is several degrees warmer than the average high of 47. Lows Wednesday night will drop into the low 30s, which is near average. Temperatures will warm to around 60 for Thursday through Saturday. Highs will approach 70 for Sunday and next Monday.

***UPDATE WEDNESDAY 1 P.M.***Officers say the 67-year-old female victim was getting out of her car when the male suspect approached her from behind and demanded her purse.The suspect then fled from the scene on foot with the victim’s purse. A K-9 team was called to the scene but the dogs were unable to track the