Columbia Archives

Cave discovered during bridge construction near Bonne Femme Creek

April 28, 2023 10:04 PM ABC 17 News Team

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A cave was discovered earlier this month during construction of the bridge on Highway 163 over the Bonne Femme Creek. Missouri Department of Transportation workers were excavating for the foundation of the new bridge on April 11 when they encountered an opening in the surface. “These underground voids were not encountered when MoDOT did our initial investigative borings that are part of our bridge design process, so

Columbia police arrest juvenile in relation to 2020 shooting death at Cosmo Park

April 28, 2023 6:26 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police have arrested a juvenile in relation to the 2020 shooting death of Jermaine Spain, according to a press release from the Columbia Police Department. The youth was arrested in relation to a shooting at Cosmo Park on Nov. 2, 2020. The person who was arrested was not identified. The press

Columbia City Council agenda includes position to address homelessness

April 28, 2023 11:40 AM Mitchell Kaminski

The Columbia City Council could vote Monday to add a position in the Public Health and Human Services Department dedicated to helping the homelessness problem.

CPD to host community meetings May 10-11 to address safety concerns

April 28, 2023 4:30 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department announced in a Friday press release that it will host a pair of public meetings to discuss crime trends and safety concerns with community members. The two meetings scheduled are: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 at the Community Room at the Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center at

Over 300 students to graduate from Columbia College Saturday during commencement

April 28, 2023 7:39 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Graduation season is here and Columbia College is starting its graduation activities Friday ahead of their commencement ceremonies Saturday. Columbia College will first hold its Ivy Chain Ceremony at Bass Commons on the main campus at 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. Graduating students will stand in a circle on Bass Commons with faux ivy

Local law enforcement works together amid recent uptick of gun violence in Boone County

April 27, 2023 7:29 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department routinely shares information with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office to investigate shootings. Both departments are actively investigating multiple shootings over the past week, including one that killed a 31-year-old man and injured a 5-year-old girl. Recent shootings and shots-fired incidents include: Saturday night: The Boone County Sheriff’s Office

Wildcat Materials workers end strike, get pay raise

April 27, 2023 4:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) LiUNA Local 955 members at Wildcat Materials, Inc. announced in a Thursday press release their strike is over after ratifying their new contract. The union announced the strike in April 16 press release. Workers approved the new contract Thursday morning and returned to work, the release stated. The contract includes the following

Two Boone County homes hit by gunfire early Thursday

April 27, 2023 6:40 AM Joushua Blount

Homes east and southwest of Columbia were hit by bullets early Thursday, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said.

Fire rips through west Columbia house

April 27, 2023 1:00 PM Matthew Sanders

Fire caused heavy damage to a house Thursday morning in west Columbia, causing a pet to need medical treatment.

Large police presence seen in central Columbia following shots-fired call

April 26, 2023 9:34 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: This story was updated to say police gathered in central Columbia. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police were seen Wednesday night in central Columbia near Pendleton Street for a shots-fired call. There were no reported injuries. Property damage was observed. Police began arriving before 9 p.m. The scene was cleared shortly after 10 p.m.

Rock Bridge High School students walk out, protest transgender medical restrictions

April 26, 2023 11:15 AM Nia Hinson

Rock Bridge High School students are planning to walk out of school Wednesday to protest restrictions that would make it harder for transgender people to get medical treatment.

Conversations ongoing about bringing more airlines to Columbia as flight use increases

April 26, 2023 6:59 PM Avery Roehler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ). As of March, there was a 24% increase from the same point in 2022 in Columbia Regional Airport’s ability to fill seats on its planes, according to the airport’s 2023 passenger load factors. Typically, five flights fly out of the airport each day. “We continue talking to American (Airlines) and additional airlines.

More than 50 people involved in injury crashes along Highway 63 in the last year

April 26, 2023 11:11 AM Ethan Heinz

More than 50 people have been involved in injuries crashes along Highway 63 in Boone and Cole counties, including a crash that claimed a woman’s life Tuesday.

Fraternity member in Santulli case pleads guilty to misdemeanors

April 26, 2023 3:19 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One of the University of Missouri fraternity members accused in the Danny Santulli case pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanors Tuesday. Alec Bradley Wetzler, 21, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to supplying liquor to a minor and buying liquor as a minor, both misdemeanors. A sentencing hearing is set for 9

Victim in weekend Boone County shooting dies

April 26, 2023 12:30 PM Matthew Sanders

The man shot over the weekend in a neighborhood just outside southwest Columbia has died, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

Resources available for youth as anxiety and depression increase nationwide

April 25, 2023 10:32 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As reports continue to show an increase in anxiety and depression among Missouri children, an official at Burrell Behavioral Health said it’s important for parents to be able to spot warning signs. Alexa Summers, director of youth services with Burrell Behavioral Health, said 50% of children struggling with mental health will show warning signs. Those

Houses sold in Boone County down 15% in March 2023 compared to same time last year

April 25, 2023 7:53 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A monthly sales statistic released this week by the Columbia Board of Realtors shows the amount of houses sold in Boone County in March of this year was down 15% compared to March 2022. In March 2022, 359 homes were sold compared to 143 in March 2023 sold. ReeceNichols broker associate Chris

City of Columbia estimates 20 people lived in homeless camp cleaned out on Monday

April 25, 2023 5:00 PM Ethan Heinz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) About 20 people were living in the homeless camp that was cleaned out on Monday, City of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen told ABC 17 News in a Tuesday email. The homeless camp was located near Hinkson Creek, just north of the Interstate 70/Highway 63 Interchange. The cleanup occurred after the city received a

Columbia Advisory Board to recommend rate structure for electricity

April 25, 2023 5:55 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ.) On Tuesday night, Columbia’s Climate and Environment Commission is set to discuss the rate structure for electricity. The Water and Light Board is pushing the city to pass a recent proposal to adjust utility rates so that it’s more affordable for customers. The board says moving forward the first priority in keeping rates affordable

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Does Columbia have enough resources for homeless people?

April 25, 2023 2:34 AM ABC 17 News Team

The camp was cleared after a warning from the state about pollution flowing into nearby Hinkson Creek. After the eviction, it’s unknown where the people living there will end up.