News Archives

City, school district navigate public bid process after Jefferson City tornado

November 21, 2019 12:13 PM Joe McLean

The Jefferson City School District has shelled out $2,379,939 in property damage repairs as a result of the May 22 tornado.

The City of Columbia will look at an agreement for a COVID-19 vaccine education campaign during its meeting Monday night.

Second person submits petition in Columbia’s First Ward

November 21, 2019 5:19 PM Alec Pettus

Gregory Pierson submitted petition to run for Columbia’s First Ward council seat COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) First Ward voters could see a contested city council election on their April ballots. Columbia City Clerk Sheela Amin tells ABC 17 News that Gregory Pierson turned in a petition for a chance to represent Columbia’s First Ward. The election

Columbia Police hope to use app to communicate with neighborhoods

November 21, 2019 7:01 PM Sydney Olsen

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is looking at using the Neighbors app by Ring to alert communities about crime in their area. Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter says other departments have had success using the app. The police department would utilize what is called the neighbor portal on the app. “It allows people in

Some residents in support of Airbnb changes in Jefferson City

November 21, 2019 6:27 PM Jasmine Ramirez

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Jefferson City Council is considering making changes to the process residents must follow to rent out their home on Airbnb. Under current policy, residents must pay $500 to apply for a permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission and then get a final approval from city council. The city is

Riley Auto Group recovering after tornado

November 21, 2019 8:58 PM Ashley Strohmier

Riley Auto Group owners speak about their experience following destruction from an EF3 tornado Riley Auto Group took a hard hit the night of the May 22 tornado.The entire dealership ended up with tens of millions of dollars in damage that night. Owner Kevin Riley said talking about the storm is still hard, even six months later.

Bird pulls scooters from Columbia streets as city looks for more permanent deal

November 21, 2019 2:42 PM Zach Boetto

Electric scooter manufacturer Bird pulled its product from the streets of Columbia this week but says it is looking forward to working with the university and the city in the future.

Three Glasgow city officials announce resignation this week

November 21, 2019 6:01 PM Matt Ragsdale

GLASGOW, Mo. (KMIZ) Glasgow’s mayor, city collector and public works superintendent have resigned. The city’s attorney confirmed the city offices were vacated on Monday and Thursday morning. Randall Barron said the Glasgow mayor and public works superintendent announced their resignation at a meeting Monday. He also said the city’s collector resigned Thursday morning. According to

Salad product recall over E. coli bacteria impacts 22 states

November 21, 2019 5:12 PM Matthew Sanders

SWEDESBORO, N.J. (AP) The U.S. Department of Agriculture says thousands of pounds of salad products are being recalled due to a possible E. coli contamination. The department says Missa Bay, LLC from Swedesboro, New Jersey, is recalling more than 75,000 pounds (34,020 kilograms) of salad products that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce may

Missouri, voting rights groups settle address-change lawsuit

November 21, 2019 3:37 PM Associated Press

Missouri residents could soon find it easier to update their addresses for voter registration under a settlement that voter advocates reached Thursday with the state’s Revenue Department.

Rebuilding Mid-Missouri: A look back at the Jefferson City and Eldon tornado

November 21, 2019 7:00 PM ABC 17 News Team

The ABC 17 News team revisited the people and places affected by the May 22 tornado that hit Jefferson City and Eldon for a half-hour special.

Atlanta Democratic debate roundup

November 21, 2019 1:14 PM ABC 17 News Team

A look at what happened during the Democratic presidential debate Wednesday night in Atlanta.

CPS considers $20 million bond issue for facility improvements

November 21, 2019 1:00 PM Madison Fleck

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Public Schools Long-Range Facilities Committee discussed a possible $20 million bond issue at its meeting on Wednesday. The money, if approved by the school board and voters, will go toward continued growth, athletic facility improvements, building maintenance, accessibility, building renovations and safety and security needs, said CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark.

Ember from training starts fire at Missouri State Penitentiary

November 21, 2019 12:32 PM Matthew Sanders

The Jefferson City Fire Department said Thursday that an errant ember from an intentionally set fire on city property caused a blaze Wednesday on the roof of a Missouri State Penitentiary building.

Columbia man pleads guilty in Planned Parenthood arson

November 21, 2019 11:17 AM Connor Hirsch

A Columbia man pleaded guilty on Thursday morning in connection with a fire that was intentionally set to the Planned Parenthood in Columbia in February. Wesley B. Kaster, 42, pleaded guilty before to one count of maliciously using explosive materials to damage a building owned by an organization that receives federal financial assistance, and one

Impeachment hearings wrap up for the week as House hears from former aide

November 21, 2019 7:40 AM Associated Press

A former National Security Council aide will tell the House impeachment hearing that one of the central Republican talking points – that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 U.S. election – is a “fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services.” In prepared testimony Thursday, Fiona Hill stressed that she is

Firefighters battle fire at Missouri State Penitentiary

November 20, 2019 6:10 PM Katie Greathouse

Firefighters with the Jefferson City Fire Department and the Holts Summit Fire Department responded to a fire at the Missouri State Penitentiary on Wednesday afternoon. Crews arrived to the building on Capitol Avenue around 4:20 p.m. and as of 6:10 p.m., some units remained on scene. Officials said the cause of the fire is under

MU temporarily suspends fraternity for recent incident

November 20, 2019 10:38 PM Matt Ragsdale

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A University of Missouri spokesman said Wednesday the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was under a temporary suspension. MU spokesman Christian Basi said the university is looking into an incident reported recently. Basi also said the suspension could last a few days. According to Basi, the suspension of activities is normal procedure for

Columbia police follow up on leads in Cooper County in missing woman case

November 20, 2019 6:32 PM Katie Greathouse

A Columbia police source tells ABC 17 News detectives were in Cooper County on Wednesday to follow up on leads in the case of a missing Columbia woman. The police source would not specify the location being searched. Mengqi Ji Elledge, 28, went missing Oct. 8. Her husband, Joseph Elledge, reported her missing a day

Man faces federal charge after north Columbia chase

November 20, 2019 8:52 PM Matt Ragsdale

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Federal prosecutors charged a man with being a felon in possession of a firearm after a chase in north Columbia led to three arrests Tuesday. Joseph Luckett, 25, was charged Wednesday after federal investigators said he was investigated accused of selling heroin. A special agent with Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco said Luckett

Employees to return to Truman Building after battle with bed bugs

November 20, 2019 10:16 PM Katie Greathouse

Employees will return to work at the Harry S Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City on Thursday after a battle with bed bugs, according to the Office of Administration. ABC 17 News reported Wednesday that bed bugs were found in a second-floor office of the building. A spokesperson with the office said employees in four suites