Columbia Archives

Hearing set for next week in state’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools mask mandate

September 21, 2021 5:06 PM Matthew Sanders

Judge Brouck Jacobs will hear motions in the case on Sept. 28.

Boone County auditor retiring after 32 years

September 21, 2021 4:33 PM Matthew Sanders

Auditor June Pitchford said in a news release that her current term, which expires Dec. 31, 2022, will be her last. Pitchford, a Democrat, was first elected in 1990 and has served eight terms without a challenge to her office.

CPS sees highest need for substitute teachers since start of school year

September 21, 2021 5:29 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public School District has seen its highest need for substitute teachers since the start of the school year according to CPS dashboard data. CPS started the school year on Aug. 24. The week of Aug. 23 – 27, it filled 81 of the 122 substitute teacher spots, which equates to 66.5%.

University of Missouri student shares story of drugging, rape

September 20, 2021 9:05 PM Leila Mitchell

The student decided to share her story as the University of Missouri continues to receive reports of drinks being spiked as a means of sexual assault. She hopes that talking will help other people feel confident to share their stories.

Destructive TikTok trend seen in Columbia Public Schools

September 20, 2021 11:59 AM Joushua Blount

But a school spokeswoman says the problem here isn’t as severe as it has been elsewhere.

Joseph Elledge pleads not guilty to three felony charges.

Defense asks for delay in Joseph Elledge trial

September 20, 2021 5:04 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Defense attorneys want a delay in Joseph Elledge’s upcoming murder trial. Attorney Scott Rosenblum asked Judge Brouck Jacobs to consider pushing back the start of the Nov. 1 trial in Boone County. Rosenblum said “voluminous” records sent to them by prosecutor Dan Knight give them more work to do to vet the

Safety precautions in place to keep Downtown Columbia safe after Saturday shooting

September 20, 2021 3:55 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After a recent shooting in Downtown Columbia early Saturday morning, leaders of the area are reassuring the public that additional safety measures are coming to the area. Nickie Davis with the district downtown said the district paid the city $30,000 earlier this year for new lights to be installed in the area

Car crashes into house in Columbia

September 20, 2021 5:08 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A car crashed into a house in Columbia just before 1:45 a.m. on Monday. Three Columbia Fire Department trucks and at least one Columbia Police Department car responded to the scene along East Ash Street. According to CPD on scene, the driver lost control of the car and crashed into the house.

Columbia City Council set to approve budget of $474 million

September 20, 2021 6:27 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday night, the Columbia City Council is set to approve the fiscal year 2022 budget for the city which is approximately $474 million dollars. Monday’s meeting will be the third and final public hearing for the budget. Jobs Due to the pandemic, the city previously cut 78.5 full time positions. In

Heritage Festival back in full swing after Covid-19 canceled last years events

September 19, 2021 7:26 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The 43rd annual Heritage festival was back in full swing this year after being canceled due to COVID-19 last year. The event took place Sept. 18 and 19 at Nifong Park. Cassie Brandt, Recreation Activist with the Columbia Parks and Recreation said the city felt like it was in a better place

CROP Hunger Walk held Sunday in Columbia

September 19, 2021 3:30 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia CROP Hunger Walk was held Sunday at the MU Health Care Pavillion. This is a community-wide effort working to help end hunger one step at a time for 26 years. The group, Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, is sponsored by Church World Service and organized by the Columbia CROP Walk

Columbia’s Heritage Festival back after being canceled last year due to COVID-19

September 19, 2021 5:20 AM Ben Fein

Columbia’s Heritage Festival is back after being canceled last year due to COVID-19, with events scheduled throughout the day on Sunday.

Man flown to University Hospital after motorcycle crash in Camden County

September 19, 2021 5:52 AM Ben Fein

One man was flown to the hospital after Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers say he failed to negotiate a turn, traveled off the left side of the road and overturned.

UPDATE: Lanes at Clark Lane and Connector back open

September 18, 2021 9:35 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) UPDATE: Lanes are back open as of 9:46 p.m. Eastbound Clark Lane at the Connector is shut down due to an accident. ABC 17 news crews on scene say the crash involved two vehicles and one victim has been loaded into an ambulance. Boone County Joint Communication is advising drivers to use

Columbia nonprofit teaches life skills to keep kids off the streets

September 18, 2021 8:46 PM Hannah Falcon

Dream Tree, a nonprofit in Columbia, teaches about 25 children life skills such as mental health responses, trade skills and financial literacy to help them open doors in the future.

CPD holds recruitment event as staffing continues to be an issue

September 18, 2021 6:23 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department held a recruitment event Saturday at the Molly Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center. Sgt. Kim German told ABC 17 News crews that CPD currently has 14 police officer openings. German says the department goes around the state to job fairs, police academies, and colleges/universities to find new recruits. According

Two people shot in downtown Columbia early Saturday morning

September 18, 2021 3:22 AM Meghan Drakas

The Columbia Police Department has confirmed two people were shot at 5th and Walnut St. in downtown Columbia on Saturday morning.

Reports of drinks being drugged at Mizzou

September 17, 2021 9:41 PM Zach Boetto

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The University of Missouri announced Friday it has received multiple reports alleging drinks are being drugged around campus. “The university has received multiple reports from individuals that suspected they may have been the victims of drugs in their drinks,” said Christian Basi, a University of Missouri spokesperson. Basi says the university wanted

Attorney general seeks to add more schools to mask lawsuit against CPS

September 17, 2021 4:33 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wants to add more schools to the lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools and its mask policy.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece announces he won’t run for reelection

September 17, 2021 2:35 PM Zach Boetto

City of Columbia Mayor Brian Treece announced Friday afternoon he will not run for reelection in 2022.