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***UPDATE 8:50 P.M.***Despite the boil advisory, Jefferson City Public Schools will be back in session and state office buildings will reopen.When asked about possible upgrades to the nearly century-old water system, Missouri American Water says the company has spent nearly $12 million on upgrades in 2011 and has plans for steady upgrades over the next

COLUMBIA (AP) – The Missouri athletics department is tightening employee use of school-issued credit cards after an audit found a series of improper purchases, including bills for more than $7,600 from a Las Vegas strip club.Department spokesman Chad Moller said Tuesday that director of video operations Michael Schumacher had repaid $7,605.50 for two credit charges

***UPDATE WEDNESDAY 5 P.M.***Officers arrested 18-year-old Ladane Smith and 17-year-old Martinez Jackson for the incident that locked down Jefferson Junior High School on Tuesday.Smith was arrested for first degree trespass and unlawful use of a weapon with a bond of $5,000. Jackson was arrested for first degree trespass and third degree assault with a $5,000

Parts of the key leadership at the Columbia Police Department are changing after Chief Ken Burton promoted Captain Dianne Bernhard to deputy chief and Sergeant Jill Schlude to captain.A report released earlier this year showed that the police department had a “toxic” environment and was plagued by distrust among officers.Both Columbia’s city manager and police

***UPDATE WEDNESDAY 4:45 P.M.***Columbia police have confirmed the victim is a 5-year-old child.The investigation is still ongoing.***ORIGINAL STORY***Columbia police are investigating a sexual assault at an elementary school.According to police, a mother told cops her son was inappropriately touched while attending summer school at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary.A spokesperson for Columbia Public Schools tells ABC

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District will soon hear an argument about why a convicted murderer’s sentence should be revoked.Travis Midgyett, 33, was convicted of second degree murder and attempted robbery in November 2007 in Boone County. Prosecutors say Midgyett and three other men went to a Columbia home in March 2006 to rob

Central Missouri’s Red Cross chapter is trying to find $90,000 after it lost United Way funding for next year. The United Way recently announced which community charities it would support in its upcoming budget and the Red Cross, along with six other community organizations, was not one of them.The Heart of Missouri Red Cross chapter

Rep. Todd Akin made a campaign stop in Moberly to talk with supporters about why he will win the election.Akin told ABC 17 News he will be able to win if voters focus on the candidates’ different voting records. He says he and Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill are complete opposites in the fact he voted

The fire marshal is now investigating a house fire in Callaway County as a possible arson.The fire broke out just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, near the 140 mile marker on I-70.Several fire departments were called to the scene, including units from Callaway and Millersburg. When crews arrived, they saw flames showing from the home, but

After a warm morning start, temperatures will reach the mid 80s for afternoon highs Wednesday. The record high for Columbia is 86 degrees, which dates back to 1940. The average high for Wednesday is 64 degrees and the average low is 43 degrees. Much cooler air will move in for Friday and the weekend with

***UPDATE 1 P.M.***(AP) An auction of assets left from a failed artificial sweetener factory in Moberly is drawing curious onlookers but few big buyers.The auction of Mamtek U.S. property drew more than 20 prospective bidders Wednesday morning to a Moberly hotel ballroom, joined by online participants.Buyers sought deals on individual pieces of equipment owned by

***UPDATE 4:50 P.M.***Columbia City Manager Mike Matthes says a meeting with Delta Airlines was successful Wednesday.Matthes says city and airline are in active discussions, which will continue next week when another meeting via telephone is planned.***ORIGINAL STORY***Columbia officials are meeting with Delta executives.They are trying to mend the relationship with the current carrier, after signing

***UPDATE 11:30 A.M***All roads are now open and emergency personnel are allowing people to return to their homes and businesses.***UPDATE 11:25 A.M.***Gas has been shut off from the broken main in Ashland. The superintentant says schools have been checked, and students from both the Middle and High Schools are back in class now. Roads are

***UPDATE THURSDAY 1:20 P.M.***Jeffrey Shelton was arraigned in Butler County Circuity Court Thursday on charges of child kidnapping, felonious restraint, second degree domestic assault and burglary.The judge ordered Shelton be jailed without bond. A preliminary hearing has been schedule for November 15th.Officials say security in the courtroom was very tight for Thursday morning’s arraignment.***UPDATE 4:20

The mother of an 18-month-old baby found dead in July has been charged with murder.Lydia Iliff, 32, of Sedalia has been charged with two counts of second degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and tampering with a motor vehicle in Saline County Circuit Court.In July, searchers found the baby near the Blackwater River

American Airlines released its new flight schedules for Columbia Regional Airport.The airline will begin servicing Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth on February 14, 2013.The daily Chicago flight on an Embraer 145 aircraft will depart Columbia at 1:55 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 3:20 p.m. The returning flight will leave Chicago at 3:55 p.m. and arrive

A Moberly woman charged with the death of her newborn appeared in Randolph County Circuit Court Wednesday.Cassidy King, 26, of Moberly is charged with second degree murder. She’s accused of killing her newborn baby in 2011.In court Wednesday, King waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty.King’s attorney, John Roodhouse, requested a change of judge and

Columbia police are looking for a man connected to a kidnapping attempt in August.Officers are searching for 23-year-old Alex T. Williams, who they believe tried to kidnap a Jimmy John’s delivery driver. Police say Williams used an electronic stunning device on the victim, who was delivering a sandwich to an apartment at Kelly’s Ridge apartment

***UPDATE 9 P.M.***The boil water advisory for customers in the Missouri American Water Jefferson City service area has been lifted.According to officials, all water samples passed quality tests. It is no longer necessary for customers to boil their water before drinking or cooking.***ORIGINAL STORY***Jefferson City officials are awaiting test results for the city’s water after

A man wanted in connection with a Columbia shooting remains on the loose.27-year-old Christopher Dwayne Brown is wanted for a shooting in September on North Gregory Drive. On September 21st, Brown allegedly shot three people when he opened fire on a group. Ever since, he has been on the run.Detectives believe Brown is currently in