Top Stories Archives

Two Columbia men charged with trafficking stolen identities, stealing more than $6,500 worth of items

October 16, 2024 7:58 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Two Columbia men were charged with several felonies on Wednesday. Jayqual Hayes-Sanders, 20, of Columbia, was charged with trafficking in stolen identities, five counts of stealing more than $750, two counts of stealing other property, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and sale/possession of equipment with altered identification numbers. He is being

Court ruling changes requirements for sex offenders on Halloween

October 16, 2024 12:44 PM Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A ruling from the Missouri State Supreme Court has changed the trick-or-treating landscape however experts say there is nothing to fear. Starting this year, registered sex offenders are no longer required to identify their homes with the sign, “No candy or treats at this residence.” Enacted in 2008, the initial law required

Eldon man pleads guilty to four felonies, sentenced to probation

October 16, 2024 6:57 PM Ryan Shiner

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) An Eldon man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to several felonies. David Eugene Wallace pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree assault and one count of resisting arrest. He was sentenced to five years of supervised probation, with a 10-year suspended sentence. According to previous reporting, Eldon police were called to a

No injuries reported in north Columbia garage fire, police tape seen

October 16, 2024 5:06 PM Ryan Shiner, Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) No injuries have been reported in a north Columbia garage fire that occurred on Wednesday. Columbia firefighters were dispatched at 3:41 p.m. to the 1800 block of Holly Avenue. Fire officials said a detached, two-car garage was engulfed in flames. Fire officials have not determined a cause for the fire yet. We

Boone County sheriff explains Amendment 6 would reinstate court fee to fund retirement benefits

October 16, 2024 11:50 AM Morgan Buresh

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri voters will decide in November whether to reinstate a $3 court fee to help fund retirement benefits for county sheriffs and prosecutors. The official ballot language states, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to provide that the administration of justice shall include the levying of costs and fees to support salaries

One Callaway County deputy who was shot released from hospital, other deputy in serious condition

October 16, 2024 4:28 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One of the two Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies who were shot on Monday morning during a traffic stop was released from University Hospital on Wednesday. Cpl. Justin Bax was released. He and Deputy Gardner Pottorff were shot in the westbound lane of Interstate 70 near mile marker 139. “Today was a good

More Missouri Task Force 1 members to come home this week

October 16, 2024 4:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Task Force 1 members who were deployed to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief will come home over the next few days, according to a Wednesday press release from the Boone County Fire Protection District. “Today, three Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 teams are expected to return to the Boone County

Boone Health lawsuit filed by MU professor claims Sunshine Law violation

October 16, 2024 3:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A lawsuit filed by a University of Missouri professor last week claims Boone Health violated the Missouri Sunshine Law. Mark Horvit — a professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and editor of the Columbia Missourian – filed the lawsuit on Oct. 10. A summons was issued on Tuesday for

Missouri’s Senate District 21 candidates discuss education, Amendment 2 impacts

October 16, 2024 3:13 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Democratic candidate Jim Bates and Republican state Rep. Kurtis Gregory will face off in the Missouri Senate District 21 race on Nov. 5. District 21 covers Cooper, Howard, Saline, Lafayette, Ray, and the northern portion of Clay County. Republican Kurtis Gregory has served as a Missouri House Representative for District 51 for

Las Vegas man killed in Cooper County tractor-trailer crash

October 16, 2024 9:36 AM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A truck driver from Las Vegas died Tuesday when his tractor-trailer went off the road on Interstate 70 in Cooper County. Vernon Hawthorne, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 8 a.m. after his Freightliner went off the road then back onto the road, overturned and hit a guard rail,

Tracking a warmer end to the week and little hope of rain next week

October 16, 2024 3:56 AM John Ross

TODAY: Wednesday starts near freezing, and with calm conditions and sunny skies, highs can be expected near 60. TONIGHT: A light southerly breeze returns this afternoon. Under clear skies, this keeps temperatures above freezing in most places, but some who are shielded from a south wind may have frost to contend with early Thursday. EXTENDED:

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you happy with the cooler fall temperatures?

October 16, 2024 2:51 AM Matthew Sanders

It took a while but fall weather is here. After seeing highs in the 90s well into October, the forecast took a turn this week. The air is so cool there could even be a freeze overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Are you happy with the cooldown? Let us know by voting in the poll.

More than 1,000 people have voted absentee in Boone County, clerk expects 70% voter turnout

October 15, 2024 8:57 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) More than 1,000 people have voted absentee as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon. With roughly three weeks until the Nov. 5 General Election, Lennon said absentee voting has been “popular,” and she expects a heavy voter turnout this year. Lennon said she predicts a 70% voter turnout,

Community group says Business Loop 70 study grant will ‘reinvigorate’ area

October 15, 2024 4:13 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council last week approved an agreement to receive a $2.13 million grant from the US Department of Transportation. USDOT announced in March press release that the city would receive the money to study Business Loop 70 between Stadium Boulevard and Eastland Circle to find ways to improve safety for

Local hearing scheduled in Ameren electric rate case

October 15, 2024 9:29 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Public Service Commission announced in a Tuesday press release that public hearings to hear Ameren customer comments will begin in January. In-person meetings will occur around the state and some will be virtual, the release says. “Ameren Missouri has filed a rate increase request with the PSC. The requested

Moberly woman charged with arson after allegedly setting basement on fire

October 15, 2024 8:30 PM Ryan Shiner

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Moberly woman was charged with first-degree arson after she allegedly set fire to the basement of a Moberly home. Racheal Wells, 46, is being held at the Randolph County Jail. A court date has not been set. According to the probable cause statement, police were called to a home on Myra

Ron Graves announces intent to run for Columbia’s Fourth Ward seat

October 15, 2024 7:53 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Ron Graves announced his bid for the Columbia City Council Fourth Ward seat on Tuesday night in a press release. Multiple seats on the Columbia City Council will be up for grabs in April, including Wards 3, 4 and the mayor’s seat. Nick Foster is the current Ward 4 councilman. In his

Business Loop 70 reopens after crash at Providence Road intersection

October 15, 2024 7:17 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Business Loop 70 in Columbia near the Providence Road intersection closed on Tuesday night after a crash. Cameras showed traffic was stalled in both directions. Eastbound traffic started moving again at 7:25 p.m. The scene cleared by 7:45 p.m. Boone County Joint Communications sent a

Think tank seeks to dispel Prop A ‘myths’ as business groups’ opposition continues

October 15, 2024 2:56 PM Marie Moyer

A Missouri policy think tank has released a study calling out what it says are myths about a proposal to increase Missouri’s minimum wage and require employers to provide paid leave.

Nonprofit identifies Callaway County deputies shot during traffic stop on I-70

October 15, 2024 9:41 AM Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A nonprofit foundation has set up donation funds for the two Callaway County deputies shot while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 70 on Monday morning. In a post on Facebook, the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation said the nonprofit is supporting Cpl. Justin Bax and Deputy Gardner Pottorff after they were shot