Mid-Missouri food banks prepare for increased demand amid government shutdown
As the government shutdown enters its second week, food banks across the country are preparing for increased demand.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are Columbia city officials doing the right things to reduce violent crime?
The issue of violent crime is again dominating public conversation in Columbia this fall. A Stephens College student from Columbia was killed last month as a random bystander in a shooting. The suspected killer used a handgun and allegedly fired 11 shots at innocent people. Since then, University of Missouri President Mun Choi has called
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Columbia police chief calls number of legal guns being carried downtown ‘shocking’
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude called the number of legal guns being carried downtown “shocking” in her statement to Columbia city leaders at Monday night’s council meeting. “Two of my assistant chiefs worked downtown over the weekend, and the remark that they made to me after the first night was they were
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Columbia no longer putting together task force for downtown crime, will continue meetings with groups tackling issue
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News that she is no longer putting together a task force that addresses downtown crime. She announced the task force after it was requested by University of Missouri System President Mun Choi after a Stephens College student, Aiyanna Williams, was shot and killed in downtown
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Police use new NIBIN system to identify suspect in April downtown shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A police interrogation, pictures on a cellphone and the use of new bullet technology helped Columbia police identify a possible suspect in an April downtown shooting. Newly released court documents lay out the case against Travis A. Jones Jr., 22, for a shooting at Broadway and Ninth Street on April 13.
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Prominent St. Louis attorney to represent downtown Columbia shooting suspect
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A well-known St. Louis attorney will handle the murder case of a man accused of killing a Stephens College student downtown. Attorney Scott Rosenblum’s firm will represent Misael Covarrubias in his case. Covarrubias is being held without bond for allegedly killing Aiyanna Williams on September 29 and hurting two others in
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Columbia Solid Waste Utility to discuss construction for new recycling facility at open house event
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Solid Waste Utility will be hosting an open house Tuesday to discuss the construction of a new Material Recycling Facility. The open house will be at the ARC on W. Ash St. from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is a “come and go” event with no formal presentation, according to
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Columbia, Boone County to take closer look at stormwater management plan after DNR sets November deadline
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is planning to take a second look at its stormwater management plan’s language. It comes after the Department of Natural Resources set a Nov. 15 deadline for the city to submit new draft ordinance language. DNR sent a letter to Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Boone County Commissioner Kip
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Renovations underway at Cooper’s Landing general store
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Cooper’s Landing’s website says its general store is now under renovation. This new building will have an upper level with indoor seating, a new restroom facility and showers for campers. The website says preparations to tear down the current building are being done on Monday. This renovation is expected to continue through the
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Columbia city officials to conduct their own downtown night walk without advance notice
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) City of Columbia officials will conduct their own walk around downtown Columbia, but they won’t announce the date and time in advance, a city spokesperson said Monday. Spokesperson Sydney Olsen said Mayor Barabare Buffaloe and city leaders are planning their own walk-through of downtown that will not be publicized in advance. Officials want
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Boone County judge will not seek reelection in 2026
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Associate Circuit Judge Tracy Gonzalez will not seek reelection in 2026, according to a press release from the 13th Judicial Circuit. Gonzalez has served in the role since Jan. 1, 2019, and her term ends on Dec. 31, 2026. She has focused mostly on juvenile and family matters. She plans
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Liquor store owner accused of selling beer without license
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The owner of a Boone County liquor store has been charged with a misdemeanor for an alleged sale that occurred in July. Jashiben Patel, of Columbia, was charged on Monday with selling alcohol without a proper license. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Previous reporting shows the state
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Man accused of stealing trailer, bike after threatening to shoot victim
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man was charged with two felonies after he allegedly stole a trailer and a bike after threatening to shoot someone. Robert Crowley, 41, of Columbia, was charged with first-degree robbery and illegal gun possession. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court appearance was held on
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Accused Columbia carjacker pleads guilty
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman accused of shooting at another woman in the parking lot of the Conley Road Walmart pleaded guilty to six counts Monday. Whitney Nevels-McKee, 37, is accused of shooting a gun in May 2024 outside the store. A witness told ABC 17 News that he saw a woman with a
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Columbia city leaders to discuss several items including strategic plan and violence prevention
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia leaders will discuss several topics at Monday night’s City Council meeting, including the city’s strategic plan and updates from the Office of Violence Prevention. The first item on the council’s agenda is the city’s strategic plan. This comes after city leaders voted to keep Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion language in the
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Tobben, nine others honored in fallen firefighter memorial service Sunday
A memorial service for fallen Missouri firefighters is set to take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Ten firefighters who died in the line of duty will be honored during the service.
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Sunday marks final night of lane closures on I-70 in Columbia near Range Line Street
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Drivers traveling along eastbound Interstate 70 near Range Line Street can expect some relief beginning Monday morning. The Missouri Department of Transportation said Sunday night marks the final night of lane closures in the area, as crews complete ongoing paving and striping work. Over the weekend, one lane of eastbound I-70 between
Continue Reading Mun Choi pleased with increased police presence downtown after Saturday night walk
Joined by local business owners, City of Columbia residents, and Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi got a glimpse of the downtown Columbia nightlife scene in a walkthrough of the city late Saturday night.
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Candlelight vigil held to honor fallen firefighters in Missouri
KINGDOM CITY, Mo (KMIZ) Governor Mike Kehoe has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine red from sunset on Saturday through sunrise Sunday in honor of Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty. A candlelight vigil is was held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Firefighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City.
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Fentanyl awareness event brings connection, resources to community
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Heather Brinker lost her son to fentanyl poisoning over two years ago. “He had no idea what he was taking. He thought he was taking a Percocet,” Brinker said. “It took us a couple days before we found out what had happened.” She started Connor’s Avengers after his death to spread awareness
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