Columbia Archives

Stephens Lake Amphitheater summer concert season begins

June 20, 2021 7:55 PM Ben Fein

Columbia Parks and Recreation hosted the first of many scheduled concerts at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia Sunday.

Humane Society shares guidance on how to keep pets safe amid the heat

June 19, 2021 6:47 PM Ben Fein

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Michelle Casey, Associate Director with The Central Missouri Humane Society, said it’s important to pay attention to your pets in the heat, as they can dehydrate just as quickly as humans. Casey says the humidity in Missouri adds just another level of complexity to the heat, which can also have an impact

Sporting events continue through the near-record high temperatures in Mid-Missouri

June 18, 2021 8:22 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Sporting events continue to play through the extreme heat while making sure it’s being done in a safe way. Little League Baseball games are happening Friday night at both Cosmo Park and with Daniel Boone Little League. When the heat index reaches 90 degrees, the National Weather Service advises individuals to use

FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports the highest number of coronavirus cases since April 30

June 18, 2021 4:51 AM ABC 17 News Team

Get updates about the COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri.

Boone Electric dealing with power spikes amid extreme heat, but says no need to worry

June 18, 2021 2:47 PM Ben Fein

Boone Electric Cooperative in Columbia said while they’ve seen some pretty high spikes in usage, it isn’t completely out of the normal for the summer months.

Fire officials warn of the dangers of controlled burns and fireworks during dry time

June 18, 2021 5:47 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Fire officials are warning people of the dangers of controlled burns and fireworks during dry periods. According to Assistant Chief of the Boone County Fire Protection District, Gale Blomenkamp, it’s safer to avoid controlled burns during these dry times. “This time of year right now we’re in, what we would call a

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you had discolored water?

June 17, 2021 5:22 PM ABC 17 News Team

More than 200 Columbia Water and Light customers had complained about discolored water by Thursday afternoon.

Columbia Water and Light: Discolored water investigation continues

June 17, 2021 12:07 PM Matthew Sanders

The utility says it has received several reports of discolored water from its customers. The discoloration is often caused by sediment in water mains that is stirred up when water pressure or flow changes, Water and Light said in a news release.

Columbia police investigating shots fired in east Columbia

June 17, 2021 11:12 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police are investigating a report of shots fired in east Columbia near Godas & Valley Creek Ln. According police on scene, one person is in custody after police found evidence of shots fired. Officials say there is no property damage and no injuries reported.

Syringe being filled with coronavirus vaccine

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone Health moving COVID-19 vaccinations to Boone Medical Group primary care clinics

June 17, 2021 7:33 AM ABC 17 News Team

Boone Health is moving their coronavirus vaccination locations to Boone Medical Group primary care clinics. Officials report that appointments are required. To locate the nearest clinic and schedule an appointment, please visit www.boone.health/primarycare. Boone Health thanks the Columbia Mall and Veteran’s United Home Loans for their help with the mass vaccination clinics. Boone County reports

Triple digit temperatures hitting mid-Missouri this weekend.

City of Columbia makes cooling centers available to the public

June 17, 2021 6:56 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Due to the high summer heat, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) is reminding residents about the resources available to assist community members seeking relief from the weather and the health risks involved with extreme heat. Cooling centers are available to the general public during the building’s normal business hours.

Heat precautions being advised during outdoor events as temperatures near record highs

June 17, 2021 5:15 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Temperatures are near record high making outdoor event coordinators advise people attending to make sure they are taking heat safety precautions. In Downtown Jefferson City, an outdoor concert series and street party is taking place Thursday night. The event takes place in the 200 block of High Street from 7:00 p.m. to

COVID-19 test numbers dropping in Missouri

June 17, 2021 4:12 PM Lucas Geisler

The number of COVID-19 tests done in recent weeks in Missouri has steadily dropped, according to a review of the numbers by ABC 17 News.

Mid-Missouri heat, humidity reaching potentially dangerous levels this week

June 17, 2021 11:48 AM Ben Fein

Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s Thursday and Friday over much of the area, leading to possible heat indexes of 100 degrees or more.

Health officials stress the importance of taking precautions in extreme heat

June 17, 2021 6:22 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Health officials want to stress the importance of taking proper precautions in the extreme heat, especially when temperatures near the triple digits. MU Health Care Emergency Medicine Physician Christopher Sampson says it’s important to drink plenty of water when out in hot weather. “Proper precautions to take when it’s really really hot

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is Columbia’s trash bag voucher system working well?

June 17, 2021 2:05 AM ABC 17 News Team

The city provides vouchers for a limited number per year, with vouchers for 26 for each household going out this week. Customers have to pay more for extra bags.

Local businesses and residents report discolored water; Columbia Water and Light continues to investigate

June 16, 2021 10:34 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several Columbia homes and businesses continue to report discolored water. Columbia Water and Light says the discoloration is because of stirred calcium bicarbonate after a water main break on north Stadium near I-70. City officials say the water is safe to drink and are recommending people let the water run for several

Boone County Fire official stresses water safety as summer heats up

June 16, 2021 9:38 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Temperatures are expected to reach the triple digits this week and fire officials are stressing the importance of water safety. “It’s important that people don’t go out there alone,” said Gale Blomenkamp, the Boone County Fire Protection District assistant chief. “Make sure that somebody knows what you’re doing, where you’re going to

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Audrain County Health Department hosting Johnson and Johnson Vaccine events

June 16, 2021 4:27 AM ABC 17 News Team

Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Stephens College to establish paid work holiday for Juneteenth

June 16, 2021 7:42 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Stephens College will establish Juneteenth as a paid work holiday for its employees beginning next year. Since June 19, 2022, falls on a Sunday, the paid holiday will occur on Monday, June 20, 2022. Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the southern United States that had