News

The Columbia School Board approved the district’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The $266 million budget includes a planned excess in spending over revenues by nearly $3 million. Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says the deficit spending is intentional because of the Battle High School opening.

The Jefferson City Police Department cracks down on heroin usage once again, in the arrests of three alleged heroin distributors. This crack down is in conjunction with The Heroin Overdose Prevention And Education campaign that began last January. Steven Dennis, Tatum Carter, and Gregory Wright were arrested Sunday for distribution on the drug. The three

Police arrested three Chicago men for heroin distribution in the Capital City. 33-year-old Steven L. Dennis, 32-year-old Tatum Cater, and 23-year-old Gregory White were arrested earlier this week. Police say Dennis has been identified as a “relatively high level” heroin distributor and is also a suspect in recent cases of heroin overdoses. Dennis has been

The State Fire Marshal is investigating after Lawrence Flax, 41, was found dead inside a Macon apartment during a fire. According to the Macon Police Department, fire crews were called to a structure fire in the 100 block of N. Rollins Street just before 7 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters were able to evacuate an apartment in

After a rash of shootings in recent days, Columbia city leaders held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the crimes and crime prevention strategies. City Manager Mike Matthes, Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton and all City Council members attended the news conference in City Council chambers. Matthes began the meeting highlighting how public safety

Columbia police have made an arrest in the downtown shooting that happened on June 15. Officers arrested Eric Cravens, 20, of Columbia for the shooting that injured three people at the intersection of Broadway and 10th Street. Police made the arrest around 4 p.m. Wednesday after a “determined and methodical investigation.” Cravens was arrested after

The Columbia city manager, city council and police chief held a news conference Wednesday to address crime in Columbia and talk about new initiatives to curb crime. Police Chief Ken Burton said he plans to have a written proposal to the City Council in 30 days outlining a curfew law for Columbia. But not all

An iconic hotel in the capital city has a new owner. Columbia-based Puri Group purchased the hotel and conference center located off of Highway 54. The business had been on the market for several months. The Puri Group several hotels in Mid-Missouri. The group owns the Double Tree and two additional hotels in Jefferson City

A boil advisory has been issued for select customers in Boone County. Public Water Supply District No. 10 says due to a water main break, the boil advisory will be in effect until 3 p.m. Friday. Customers living on the following roads are affected: Barber Road Harper Road Rockhollow Road Ridge Trail Road Krause Road

A tractor trailer knocked down power lines on Rock Quarry Road in Columbia, causing emergency crews to shut down the road. The Columbia Fire Department says the truck was traveling northbound on Rock Quarry near Rolling Rock Drive around 2:30 p.m. and became entangled in power lines. The truck also broke a telephone pole. Crews

Police arrested a man Sunday after he allegedly assaulted an officer while carrying drugs on his person. Columbia police say Jesse Westcott approached officers while they were arresting two other people for liquor law violations at Bengal’s Bar and Grill. Despite warnings instructing him to stay back, Westcott continued to approach the officers. While an

A day care facility is out of business after a toddler was found wandering in the middle of the road. In a story ABC 17 News first reported Monday night, a 23-month-old child left the Kids Unlimited property for approximately 20 minutes on June 13 without the day care’s knowledge. “It scared me; you know

Boone County fire crews are investigating a mobile home fire in Sturgeon. It happened at a trailer park in the 600 block of Ogden Street just after midnight, Wednesday. Investigators say the fire was contained to the inside of one trailer and no one was injured. Firefighters don’t have a damage estimate and are still

Police are investigating a pair of armed robberies at gas stations in south Columbia. The first call went out shortly after 2 a.m. at the Midwest Petroleum gas station on Nifong Boulevard. The second call went out 15 minutes later at the Break Time gas station on Forum Boulevard. Police believe the same person was

Charges have been filed against the man accused of robbing a Jefferson City Break Time. The robbery happened Sunday at the Break Time on Clark Avenue. Prosecutors have charged Roy E. Dowdy of Jefferson City with robbery and armed criminal action in connection with the robbery. Dowdy has also been charged with burglary and resisting

Dozens of Columbia kids showed up Tuesday for the first night of Moonlight Hoops in Douglass Park. The program, now running more than 20 years, had been delayed this summer because of a lack of coaches. “We love Douglass Park,” said organizer Tracy Edwards. “Why have we been doing this 22-23 years? We all grew

Four shootings in a nine-day time period has residents demanding something be done. The Columbia City Council and Police Chief Ken Burton are holding a news conference Wednesday to give updates on the investigation into the shootings and talk about ways to prevent more crime. Community members told ABC 17 News they had some suggestions

An Ashland man is behind bars Tuesday night for allegedly raping a teenager. 62-year-old Donald W. Fisher was arrested by Columbia police and charged with second-degree statutory rape and second-degree statutory sodomy. According to court records, Fisher is barred from having contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 17. Fisher is being

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Columbia woman while serving a search warrant within city limits. According to Sgt. Britt Shea, deputies searched a home in the 400 block of W. Texas Avenue Tuesday afternoon after learning meth was being sold at the home. An investigation also showed several drug users with outstanding arrest

A Clifton Hill man was killed in a rollover crash on Highway 63 near Renick Tuesday afternoon. Randolph County Sheriff Mark Nichols said Roland Linneman, 64, lost control of his pickup truck and ran off the side of the road, causing the truck to overturn. Linneman was ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at