Columbia Archives

Columbia’s winter shelter opens as temperatures plummet

October 30, 2023 11:30 AM Jazsmin Halliburton

People made use of the new, permanent location of Columbia’s Room at the Inn homeless shelter as the temperature plunged overnight Sunday.

Room At The Inn announces winter shelter will not have closing date for first time in 16 years

October 29, 2023 7:46 PM Grace Pankey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Sunday Room At The Inn’s winter shelter opened its doors and will remain open every night of the year. According to a press release, this is the first year in which there is no closing date since the shelter first opened 16 years ago. Room At The Inn is an emergency

As temperatures drop, Ameren offers safety tips for heating your home

October 29, 2023 5:07 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As colder months are quickly approaching, more people are turning on the heat to keep their homes warm. Ameren says it is important to know how to maintain and operate any heating devices used in homes, and to be aware of signs that indicate a gas leak. “If they’re ever smelling the

Last MU Health Care drive-thru vaccination clinic held Saturday; 1,679 updated COVID-19 vaccines given so far

October 27, 2023 6:58 PM Ryan Shiner, Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The final of three MU Health Care drive-thru vaccine clinics began at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at South Providence Medical Park. At the event, patients were able to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine. According to an email from MU Health spokesman Eric Slusher, at the previous two

Mother of 3-year-old shot and killed drops wrongful death lawsuit

October 27, 2023 5:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The mother of a 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed in September has dropped her wrongful death lawsuit against the man accused of shooting him. Gabrielle Harris filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Thursday against Larry Brownlee Jr. Harris’ lawyer, Jill Harper, filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice

Columbia man sentenced in federal court to 19 years for illegal gun possession after chase

October 27, 2023 4:12 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man who was found guilty in federal court last year for illegal gun possession was sentenced on Friday, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Cecil Jason Robinson, 44, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 13, 2022,

Columbia marijuana dispensary settles labor disputes with union, workers to get backpay

October 27, 2023 3:06 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Ten people that say they lost their jobs at a marijuana dispensary while trying to organize a union will get money back after settling their labor cases. The National Labor Relations Board said the owners of Shangri-La South and workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 resolved their

Report: True/False office fire cause unknown; microwave is a possibility

October 27, 2023 10:53 AM Matthew Sanders

The fire that burned the office of the True/False Film Fest in downtown Columbia was accidental and might have started with a malfunctioning microwave, according to an official report.

Six homicides in Columbia this year; fewer than 2022 so far

October 27, 2023 4:24 AM Gabrielle Teiner

Six people have died by homicide in Columbia in 2023, according to a review of city news releases by ABC 17 News.

Columbia man charged with murder after allegedly killing father Thursday morning

October 26, 2023 2:28 AM Ryan Shiner, Erika McGuire, Gabrielle Teiner, Mitchell Kaminski

One person was found dead at a home in north Columbia early Thursday morning, police said.

McBaine Water Treatment Plant improvement project takes a step forward

October 26, 2023 11:23 AM Morgan Buresh

Columbia Water and Light customers could soon see their monthly base charge increase to help fund the city’s McBaine Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project.

Wayne Sells’ lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools dismissed

October 26, 2023 6:46 PM Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Wayne Sells’ lawsuit involving the renaming of Rock Bridge’s football field was dismissed without prejudice on Wednesday. Lawyers for Sells and CPS have argued since 2021 if Columbia Public Schools had a legal contract with Sells after he provided Rock Bridge High School a $100,000 donation. That donation was used for improvements

Jury trial scheduled for Columbia man accused of December 2022 killing

October 26, 2023 5:09 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Jury trial dates were scheduled on Thursday for a Columbia man accused of murder. Corey Blueitt, 44, was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and third-degree assault. He is accused of shooting and killing Aaron Badolato, 34, in December 2022 in the 2000 block of Newtown Drive in north Columbia. Blueitt is being

Mother files wrongful death lawsuit against man accused of shooting 3-year-old

October 26, 2023 4:18 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The mother of a 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed in September is suing the man accused of shooting him. An attorney for Gabrielle Harris filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Thursday against Larry Brownlee Jr. A summons was issued for Brownlee on Thursday. Brownlee, 28, of Columbia, was charged in

Columbia firefighters work to remove person trapped in car

October 26, 2023 12:03 PM Matthew Sanders

Columbia firefighters were called Thursday to remove a person from a car after their vehicle overturned at Paris Road and Highway 63.

MUPD reports another sextortion case, marks fourth blackmail case of semester

October 25, 2023 7:45 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A records request acquired by ABC 17 News found that the University of Missouri Police Department is investigating a sextortion case that occurred sometime during the week of Sep. 29. The incident report outlines that MUPD was made aware of the case on Oct. 5 after an anonymous tip was submitted to

Election petitions for Columbia City Council available next week

October 25, 2023 8:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia announced in a Wednesday press release that election petitions for two City Council seats are available to be picked up next week. Would-be candidates can begin filing for the April 2 election on Tuesday, Oct. 31, and file no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. There will

Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns

October 25, 2023 7:29 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) announced in a Wednesday press release that he will not seek reelection for his seat next year. The release states he will forgo a reelection bid “due to lingering mental health concerns.” Mann has suffered from “chronic treatment-resistant depression for years,” according to the release. The release

Columbia Utilities says water main near University of Missouri is repaired

October 25, 2023 10:47 AM Erika McGuire, Madison Stuerman, Morgan Buresh

A contractor will work to repair the parking lot, Christian Basi said it could take up to two weeks before the lot is fully repaired.

Man charged with drug trafficking, stealing guns after two found dead of suspected overdose

October 25, 2023 6:26 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man who was charged with drug trafficking and other felonies was booked into the Boone County Jail on Tuesday night. Devin Weakley, 22, of Columbia was charged with second-degree drug trafficking, three counts of stealing a gun and four counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held