Columbia Archives

State awards $261 million through Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program; Socket to receive more than $2.5 million

January 23, 2023 3:14 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Parson announced in a Monday press release that the Department of Economic Development awarded $261 million through the American Rescue Plan Act Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program to 60 recipients for projects. It is expected to help expand and improve internet access statewide. Socket Telecom, LLC, in Columbia received $2,557,930. The

Columbia Public Schools sends letter to governor about drag performance

January 22, 2023 2:53 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) In response to statewide backlash, Columbia Public Schools superintendent sent an open letter to Gov. Mike Parson about a field trip some students attended that included a drag performance. Parson is among several Republican Missouri politicians who spoke out Friday about CPS’s field trip to Columbia’s Annual “Columbia Values Diversity” Breakfast. The

Firefighters respond to garage fire in Columbia

January 22, 2023 10:46 AM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Fire Department is investigating a garage fire that happened central Columbia. Firefighters were called to 401 West Worley Street for a report of a structure fire. The department said in a tweet that flames were coming from a detached garage when crews arrived. No one was hurt in the fire, according

Car crashes into Columbia house Saturday morning

January 21, 2023 3:30 PM abc17news-Newsroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) At 11:12 Saturday morning, Columbia Fire and Police were dispatched to a car into a house. The house in the 1200 block of Clemens Drive had damage to the garage. Columbia Fire told ABC 17 there were no injuries. The owner of the car has not been released at the time of

Columbia Values Diversity Celebration facing backlash over performers in drag; attorney general warns CPS; CPS issues statement

January 20, 2023 11:47 AM Marina Diaz

An annual event hosted by the City of Columbia since 1994 is facing backlash for hosting an LGBTQIA+ group featuring three drag queens.

Columbia police looks to identify burglary suspect

January 20, 2023 8:47 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department is asking the public to help identify a burglary suspect. CPD tweeted that someone entered a home at 1:30 a.m. Friday in the Cascades subdivision. The individual allegedly attempted to enter another residence before leaving the area in a black car. (1) We're asking for your help to

Indictment filed on man accused of November shooting on Clark Lane, hearing set for Monday

January 20, 2023 6:48 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A grand jury indictment was filed Friday for a man accused of a Nov. 2 shooting on Clark Lane. in Columbia. Noah Solbrekken, 23, of Columbia, is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. He is charged with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed-criminal action. A hearing is

Boone County clerk asks to intervene in Basye-CPS case

January 20, 2023 4:39 PM Ryan Shiner

Boone County’s top election official is asking the court to let her join a former state representative’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Chuck Basye’s name be added to the Columbia School Board ballot?

January 20, 2023 12:10 AM ABC 17 News Team

Former state lawmaker Chuck Basye will be in court Monday, when his lawyer will try to convince a judge to force Columbia Public Schools to add his name to the April ballot.

Columbia begins accepting proposals for ARPA funding

January 19, 2023 9:34 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is accepting initial project proposals applicable for American Rescue Plan Act funding, the city said in a press release on Thursday. Columbia was awarded $25.2 million in ARPA funds. The Columbia City Council previously identified four areas it would like to prioritize with the first half of the

Funeral services scheduled for MU student found dead in fire pit

January 19, 2023 8:44 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A funeral has been announced for the University of Missouri student who was found dead last week in a fire pit behind a house in north Columbia. Samuel Clemons, 21, was identified by police earlier this week. Clemons was a sophomore studying biological sciences, UM System President Mun Choi said in a

Parson prioritizes maternal mortality during address

January 19, 2023 7:34 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After Gov. Mike Parson announced maternal mortality would be a priority for this year, one Missouri mother felt relieved, but still wonders if it’s enough. In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Parson said he’s requesting $4.3 million go towards the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop a

Boone County Commission approves marijuana sales tax question for April ballot

January 19, 2023 6:59 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Commission on Thursday approved its own sales tax question involving recreational marijuana. Boone County joins other area counties and cities – including the City of Columbia, Jefferson City and Cole County – that will have a sales tax question on the April 4 ballot. Like those other entities, the

Basye asks judge to add name to April Columbia School Board ballot

January 19, 2023 4:23 PM Ryan Shiner

A former state legislator will try to convince a judge that he should force Columbia Public Schools to add Basye’s name to the April election ballot.

Police: Child detained, released after threat at Gentry Middle School

January 19, 2023 5:24 PM Matthew Sanders

Columbia police said Thursday that they detained a child after investigating a threat at Gentry Middle School.

Man accused in Paris Road gas station shooting is in Boone County Jail, has court hearing

January 19, 2023 3:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man who was allegedly involved in a Dec. 19 shooting at a gas station on Paris Road in Columbia is now in the Boone County Jail. Terrance A. Johnson Jr., 27, is charged with first-degree assault, armed-criminal action and shooting a gun at a motor vehicle/person. Johnson was arrested in St. Louis last week.

Pre-trial conference scheduled for man who confessed to killing his wife in 2006

January 19, 2023 5:47 AM Kennedy Miller

BOONE COUNTY Mo. (KMIZ) On Thursday, a pre-trial conference is scheduled for a Columbia man who admitted to killing his wife back in 2006. Comfort first reported his wife as missing after he allegedly killed her in 2006. After 13 years, Comfort finally confessed to killing his wife, Megan Shultz after she allegedly told him she was

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the state pay $859 million to expand I-70?

January 19, 2023 12:20 AM ABC 17 News Team

Gov. Mike Parson’s budget, unveiled during his State of the State address Wednesday, includes $859 million for upgrading Interstate 70 to three lanes in some places.

Basye files lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools, Columbia School Board

January 18, 2023 9:08 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Former Missouri State Rep. Chuck Basye is filing a lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools, the Columbia School Board and its members. Verified-Petition-Basye-v.-Columbia-Public-Schools-1.18.23-FINALDownload Basye told ABC 17 News that he filed the petition around 6 p.m. Wednesday. His lawyer, Brent Haden, confirmed on Wednesday evening that he’s filing it. Basye said in December

Swift Prepared Foods postpones hiring until March

January 17, 2023 8:13 PM Ryan Shiner

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated following the announcement on Wednesday. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Swift Prepared Foods is postponing all hiring until at least March, according to a Wednesday press release. The release states the company still plans on hiring 100 people for its Columbia plant on Paris Road. The company originally said in a