Local News Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Missouri’s gas tax increase be worth it?

July 14, 2021 1:34 AM ABC 17 News Team

Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday held ceremonial signings across the state of a law that will increase Missouri’s gas tax by 12.5 cents over five years.

The 300 block of East Burkhart Street in Moberly where a man was shot in the head.

Lawyer weighs in on eviction issues after fatal Moberly shooting

July 13, 2021 9:35 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A mid-Missouri attorney says many of her clients who are landlords are frustrated because an extended eviction moratorium bans most tenants from being evicted, even if they aren’t paying rent. Court documents we uncovered Monday detail an eviction dispute leading up to the fatal Thursday night Moberly shooting. “In my experience, courts

Supreme Court of Missouri considers future of Medicaid expansion

July 13, 2021 3:41 AM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri’s highest court will now decide on the future of Medicaid expansion in the state. The court’s seven judges heard arguments Tuesday morning in an appeal of a Cole County court decision ruling the voter-approved expansion unconstitutional. You can listen to the audio of arguments here. A Cole County judge ruled

Parson signs gas tax increase meant to boost transportation funding

July 13, 2021 3:27 PM Chanel Porter

The bill will provide about $500 million more each year to the Missouri Department of Transportation for roads and bridges by increasing the gas tax by 2.5 cents every year for a five-year period.

Mid-Missouri summer camps try to head off coronavirus infections as numbers rise

July 13, 2021 4:02 PM Leila Mitchell

A camp director for the Presser Performing Arts summer camp said the camp has been keeping track of the case numbers in Mexico, Missouri, and all personnel and staff were vaccinated before the start of camp.

Columbia man gets 16 years in prison for child molestation

July 13, 2021 5:23 PM Matthew Sanders

Cale Kliethermes pleaded guilty in April to first-degree child molestation, two counts of attempted child endangerment and one count of sexual misconduct involving a child under 15. Prosecutors dismissed another attempted child endangerment count as part of the plea deal.

Deadly Boone County hit-and-run crash draws 18-year prison sentence

July 13, 2021 3:18 PM Matthew Sanders

Amy Rievley pleaded guilty in a Boone County courtroom Monday to involuntary manslaughter with an enhanced punishment for being a persistent felony offender and leaving the scene of a crash that caused a death. She was sentenced to 15 years on the manslaughter charge and another three years on the leaving the scene charge. Those sentences will be served consecutively.

TUESDAY UPDATES: Boone County records 100-plus coronavirus cases for second straight day

July 13, 2021 7:35 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Electronic toy might have started house fire

July 13, 2021 12:06 PM Matthew Sanders

Firefighters were called to a house in the 900 block of Garfield Street on Monday afternoon and found a fire in a bedroom, according to a news release. The fire was put out quickly but the room suffered “significant” fire and heat damage. The rest of the home had major smoke damage, the department said.

Jefferson City police arrest shooting suspect

July 13, 2021 9:37 AM Matthew Sanders

Officers arrested Trey L. Garrett, 26, on Monday at a Jefferson City home, according to a release from the Jefferson City Police Department. Prosecutors charged Garrett last month with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and being a dangerous felon in possession of a gun. The shooting happened June 4 on Broadway. Garrett had left by the time officers arrived, police said.

Settlement approved in Waffle House shooting case

July 13, 2021 11:08 AM Matthew Sanders

Judge Jeff Harris approved the confidential settlement in Boone County court Monday, court records show. The terms of the settlement are confidential, but the motion filed last month by A.W. Smith, the lawyer for Anthony Warren’s family, notes that structured settlements are in place for Warren’s three children.

Traffic delayed on southbound Highway 63 in Columbia after crash

July 13, 2021 8:57 AM Molly Stawinoga

The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Stadium Boulevard project continues near Columbia Mall

July 13, 2021 5:49 AM Zola Crowder

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s project to improve the driving surface of Stadium Boulevard in Columbia has moved into its next phase this week.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should students younger than 12 have to wear masks indoors?

July 13, 2021 1:59 AM ABC 17 News Team

Columbia Public Schools on Monday began requiring students younger than 12 years old to wear masks indoors.

Jerry Fitzwater, 79, charged in Moberly shooting.

Prosecutor says new charges coming this week after Moberly shooting victim dies

July 12, 2021 11:09 AM Matthew Sanders

Randolph County prosecutor Stephanie Luntsford said new charges are expected against Jerry L. Fitzwater after the shooting victim’s death. Fitzwater allegedly shot Mitchell Nickerson, 49, in the head last Thursday. Moberly police said Monday that Nickerson had died.

Monroe County man sentenced to life in prison for fiancee’s death

July 12, 2021 5:59 AM Meghan Drakas

A Cole County judge sentenced James Addie to life in prison without parole plus 10 years for the 2018 death of Molly Watson. Addie was convicted in April of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was sentenced at that hearing to 20 years on the armed criminal action count, but sentencing for the murder conviction was delayed until Monday.

Some parents unhappy with new Columbia Public Schools COVID-19 rules; district hopes standards keep kids in classroom

July 12, 2021 5:15 PM Leila Mitchell

CPS on Monday updated its mask, contact tracing and quarantine guidelines for the rest of summer school, which ends July 23. Among the changes is that students 11 and younger are now required to wear masks indoors. The district made masks optional before regular classes ended in May.

The director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services on Thursday extended the current COVID-19 order, which had been set to expire Tuesday.

MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports 131 new coronavirus cases over weekend

July 12, 2021 8:48 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Columbia Board of Education met Monday to move forward with additions to virtual learning

July 12, 2021 4:20 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday, the Columbia Board of Education met to approve a template to a new virtual learning option, as well as renew hotspots. During the 2021-22 school year, Columbia Public Schools will offer CPS Virtual Elementary powered by Edgenuity for students in grades K-5. The district will consider offering the template to

Gunshots hit parked car in Mexico, Mo.

July 12, 2021 9:50 AM ABC 17 News Team

An argument led to shots fired outside a Mexico, Missouri, home late Saturday, police said.