Local News Archives

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.

Damage reported after shooting in Columbia Sunday night

July 12, 2021 9:17 AM Molly Stawinoga

Officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of Rice Road shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday night for several reports of shots fired.

Report of water over Highway 50 in Moniteau County

July 12, 2021 8:07 AM Molly Stawinoga

Dispatchers told ABC 17 News the highway was not blocked off yet.

Columbia Public Schools new mask guidelines to go into effect Monday

July 12, 2021 5:32 AM Zola Crowder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools updated its mask, contact tracing, and quarantine guidelines for the remainder of summer school. Starting Monday, Students 11 years-old and younger will be required to wear a mask when indoors and on school buses. However, students will not be required to wear a mask when outdoors. Masks are still strongly encouraged

Local Representatives react to now deleted Missouri State Highway Patrol Tweet

July 11, 2021 5:44 PM Ben Fein

State Representatives across Missouri are responding to a now deleted tweet sent out by Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Missouri’s seven day positivity rate continues to rise

July 11, 2021 6:50 PM Chanel Porter

The state now has a seven day positivity rate of 12.5% on Sunday. The increase in positivity comes along with additional confirmed cases bringing the total to 534,646 since the start of pandemic. In total, 98,046 probable cases of COVID-19 were discovered through antigen testing. DHSS has recorded a total of 9,387 deaths in the

WEATHER ALERT DAY: Severe storms possible this afternoon

July 8, 2021 4:19 PM Maddie Est

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: Rain will continue moving through around noon, with more strong to severe storms possible later today. Flooding will also be a concern all day with a Flash Flood Watch in effect for many until Sunday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch that includes areas along and north

Boone County emergency officials give safety advice ahead of possible severe storms

July 10, 2021 5:00 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Another round of storms are expected to roll through Mid-Missouri Saturday night and emergency officials want to make sure residents are prepared. Before the storms hit, it is best to put together an emergency kit. Sharon Watson with the American Red Cross, said this should include things like a flashlight, battery-operated radio,

Police investigate shots fired in Columbia early Saturday morning

July 10, 2021 2:25 AM Ben Fein

The Columbia Police Department along with the Crime Scene Investigation team were seen investigating after a shots fired call.

Suspect charged in Moberly shooting

July 9, 2021 12:48 PM Zach Boetto

The Randolph County prosecutor filed charges Friday morning against a Moberly man in connection with a Thursday night shooting.

Missouri Department of Conservation reports floodwaters caused natural fish kill along the Missouri River near Columbia

July 9, 2021 6:46 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) investigated reports of a large fish kill event just west of Columbia, along Interstate 70 and the Missouri River floodplain. MDC determined receding floodwaters caused the large fish kill of mostly nonnative, invasive silver carp. “As floodwaters receded, many fish did not return to the river,

CPS returns to requiring some students to wear masks as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

July 9, 2021 5:22 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools notified families Friday that the district will require students 11-years-old and younger to wear masks inside and on buses during the summer session. This decision comes as the district has continued to monitor Covid-19 cases. The 14-Day Tracker for CPS shows that the district entered back into the red

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services assistant director says outside counties are contributing to the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Boone.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County active coronavirus cases and hospitalizations drop

July 9, 2021 8:31 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Hospitalization concerns grow as state health leaders meet to discuss coronavirus surge

July 9, 2021 12:51 PM Ben Fein

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hosted a virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the Show Me State.