Columbia Archives

Columbia City Council to hear ordinance proposal on gaming machines

February 15, 2026 4:39 AM Marie Moyer

The City of Columbia is looking to crack down on unregulated gaming machines with a new ordinance set to be presented Monday.

“Gray machines” or “no-chance machines” are similar to randomized slot machines but feature skill elements or sometimes the ability to show the outcome of the next roll. This requires the player to make a decision or skill-based action to play, making the legality of the games murky.

The ordinance was initially requested by the city council in October 2025 to address concerns about gaming machines. According to city documents, more than a dozen businesses operate a gaming machine.

The ordinance would make it illegal to offer the use of an electronic gaming machine, with violations being punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days jail time.

The ordinance will be on first reading at Monday’s city council meeting. The law requires that an ordinance be read three times for public notice before the Council votes on it, according to the city’s website.

The memo adds that if approved, CPD may need to adjust arrest and processing procedures, and enforcement of the rule may be delayed.

On Feb. 10, 2026, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway also focused on unregulated gaming enforcement by suing five businesses with gaming machines in Dunklin County.

The Columbia City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.

Columbia Police identify suspect in custody after downtown robbery

February 14, 2026 3:36 PM Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department identified the suspect in custody after an armed robbery at a bank in downtown Columbia on Saturday morning. Police arrested 71-year-old Basil Kyles, of Columbia, on charges of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence in

Work crews say fire at former Fear Fest Haunted House is a controlled burn

February 14, 2026 10:34 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A work crew on scene of the former Fear Fest Haunted House tells ABC 17 News that a fire at the former attraction site in the 6300 block of West Highway 40 is a controlled burn. Boone County Fire Spokesman Gale Blomenkamp also confirmed to ABC 17 News that it was a

Local salon to honor veterans on Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2026 4:33 AM Marie Moyer

The United States Exercise Tiger Foundation is set to break a personal record Saturday at the group’s 5th annual Valentine’s for Veterans event.

MU student starts petition to keep Memorial Stadium name

February 13, 2026 9:05 PM Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A student at the University of Missouri has started a petition to try and keep the current name of the school’s football stadium. MU announced on Feb. 10 it would sell corporate naming rights for Memorial Stadium. Once the university finds a buyer, that will mean that the ‘Memorial’ could be removed from the

Agreement details compensation, naming partner limitations for Memorial Stadium

February 13, 2026 8:15 PM Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The contract between the University of Missouri and the company that will help find a corporate sponsor for naming the school’s football stadium includes a list of which industries are “prohibited” from a naming partnership. MU announced on Feb. 10 it would sell corporate naming rights for Memorial Stadium. Once the university

Columbia city council to hear proposal for sales tax increase to fund public safety

February 13, 2026 6:37 PM Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia city council members will hear a presentation on Monday proposing a one-percent sales use tax to help generate funds for fire and police services. A presentation scheduled for a pre-council meeting on Monday showed the tax would generate an estimated $38 million in additional revenue for the city. According to the

One person hurt in southeast Columbia crash

February 13, 2026 9:48 AM Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) One person was hurt after a crash in Southeast Columbia on Friday morning. Columbia police confirmed the crash happened at 8:20 a.m. on Southbound Highway 63. A Boone County Joint Communication alert went out minutes later that Highway 63 southbound at the Discovery Parkway onramp was closed due to the crash. ABC

Columbia man deported to Netherlands details poor conditions, abuse and homicide incidents at El Paso ICE facility

February 12, 2026 7:44 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia, Missouri, man who was deported to the Netherlands after more than four months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody says he endured overcrowded, unsanitary and inhumane conditions at the Camp East Montana detention facility in El Paso, Texas — a place he described as “the most horrific” he has

Parents share concerns over 45% tuition hike at Columbia child care center for children with disabilities

February 12, 2026 7:51 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Parents are raising concerns after the United Way’s United Cerebral Palsy Heartland approved a 45% tuition increase at its Columbia Child Development Center over the next two years. According to a letter from UCP Heartland shared to ABC 17 News by a parent, who wishes to stay anonymous to avoid impacts to

City of Columbia takes public comment on proposed COLT Railroad railbanking project

February 12, 2026 7:09 PM Sam Roe

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia took public comment on the proposed railbanking of the COLT railroad in a series of meetings on Thursday. Members of the public gave feedback and asked questions about the proposal, which would preserve 2.5 miles of out-of-service railroad from Rogers Street to Brown Station Road. Railbanking is a

Shots heard call puts five Columbia Public Schools buildings on secure status, no evidence found

February 12, 2026 12:59 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A report of shots being heard put five Columbia Public Schools buildings on secure status Thursday in south Columbia. Columbia police spokesperson Colin Imhoff told ABC 17 News that officers responded to a report of shots heard around 12:30 p.m. around Southampton Drive. Officers did not find evidence of any gunshots being

Columbia man accused of meeting 13-year-old for sex in Illinois

February 12, 2026 11:48 AM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A 24-year-old Columbia man arrested this week in Boone County is wanted for meeting a 13-year-old girl at an Illinois hotel for sex. Clayton Newlon, 24, was charged Wednesday in Boone County with being a fugitive from out of state. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. Deputy

Columbia still exploring possibility of safety ambassadors downtown

February 11, 2026 7:44 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Some of Columbia’s top leaders are looking into the possibility of implementing safety ambassadors in the downtown area. According to records ABC 17 News obtained from the city, the idea was discussed during one of the meetings between city and University of Missouri leaders. The city began having the closed-door meetings after

MU students take notice of license plate camera signs on campus

February 11, 2026 7:23 PM Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) University of Missouri students are noticing new, bright-and-yellow signs popping up across campus and on high-traffic streets that are bringing attention to the school’s license-plate reading cameras. The signs feature an image of a security camera and “High-Resolution License Plate Recognition In Use.” An ABC 17 News reporter found several signs and

Man wanted for Illinois sex crimes arrested in Columbia

February 11, 2026 5:38 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who was wanted for several sex crimes in Illinois has been arrested and charged in Columbia. Clayton Newlon, 24, was charged Wednesday in Boone County with being a fugitive from out of state. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A mugshot was not available on

Woman who got probation in baby’s death accused of stealing from Conley Road Sam’s Club

February 11, 2026 3:49 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman who was sentenced to probation in 2024 in an infant’s 2019 death is facing a felony charge in a new case. Lavosha Daniels, of St. Louis, was charged on Monday in Boone County with felony stealing. A warrant was ordered on Monday and a $10,000 bond was set. She was

Columbia utility board recommends Vawter School Road route for new electric transmission line

February 11, 2026 9:46 AM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A Columbia citizen utility board recommended the city consider building a high-voltage electric transmission line through the southern part of the city. The Water and Light Advisory Board made the decision at its Wednesday meeting. The board wants the Columbia City Council to consider a route across Nifong Boulevard, Vawter School

Man sees murder charge upgraded to first-degree after grand jury indictment

February 10, 2026 7:25 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who was charged with murder in a northeast Columbia shooting that occurred earlier this year was indicted by a grand jury on Friday. James Caldwell Jr., 24, was charged with first-degree-murder, three counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault. He is being held at the Boone

Columbia discusses funding for new southside electrical line

February 10, 2026 7:09 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia will decide which route it will take for a new high voltage electrical line across south Columbia. Columbia Water and Light has proposed two pathways: One that runs along West Nifong Boulevard, Vawter School Road and Scott Boulevard. The second runs from Grindstone Parkway to the Hinkson Creek