Columbia City Council considers advisory council made of college students

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR’S NOTE: AI was used to help research the background for this story.

The City of Columbia could vote Monday to create a Collegiate Advisory Council to engage college students in local policy issues affecting students.

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi proposed the council after the Sept. 27 shooting death of Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams in downtown Columbia.

According to city documents, the advisory council would provide input to the City Council on policy issues affecting student residents, including safety, housing and transportation. It aims to strengthen partnerships between the city and local higher education institutions.

The advisory council would consist of nine student members, three representing the University of Missouri, two for Columbia College, two for Stephens College and two for the Moberly Area Community College Columbia campus. The City would appoint members following an application process.

Missouri Students Association President Logan Kuykendall said that he is excited for the council, adding that it helps give students a more direct line of communication with the city, compared to public comments or ward meetings.

“I think really making sure we have a formal procedure is going to make sure we can ensure it is equitable going forward.”

Kuykendall adds that MSA plans to help the University with picking student representatives. He plans to focus on picking students who may see direct impact from city issues like housing or food insecurity.

“We’re just going to be focusing on the University of Missouri and then trying to appoint representatives of marginalized groups who face these problems here on campus to make sure that we are uplifting as much of the voices that are being impacted by our community,” Kuykendall said.

Columbia College student Gabrielle Nielsen agrees that the need for student-city communication is present in the student body, adding that many students have voiced concern over local rent and downtown safety.

“I would love to see actual, not only active listening and a genuine consideration, but a change made,” Nielsen said. “To actually see changes made of just listening, it’s not just performative posturing type, wanting to make people feel heard and not actually doing anything about it.”

The council would meet monthly during the academic year, with subcommittee meetings as needed. It would have an elected chair and vice chair, and a staff liaison from the City Manager’s Office would provide support.

The initiative builds on the success of the Youth Advisory Council, established in 2015, which involved high school students in civic engagement. The Collegiate Advisory Council aims to extend this model to university and college students.

The item is currently up for a second read and vote on the City Council’s agenda, meaning the council can discuss and also choose not to vote on the item.

The Columbia City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Click here to follow the original article.

Phelps County man charged with first-degree murder in brother’s shooting death

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Matthew Sanders

EDITOR’S NOTE: The spelling of the suspect’s last name has been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Newberg man was charged Monday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action after his brother died in a shooting.

Eric D. Colgrove, 55, was arrested Sunday night after a woman called 911, saying her sons were shooting at each other. The victim was pronounced dead a few hours later from gunshot wounds. The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department identified him Monday afternoon as Keith Colgrove, 48.

The woman told investigators that Colgrove and his brother had been in an argument over fixing her coffee pot, which escalated into the deadly shooting, a probable cause statement says. Colgrove went to his home during the argument and got a gun, followed his brother inside his home, then started shooting, a witness reportedly told deputies.

Deputies found a gun in Colgrove’s truck.

Colgrove was in the Phelps County Jail without bond on Monday.

Click here to follow the original article.

WATCH: Mizzou women’s basketball prepares to host SIU

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou Tigers women’s basketball team is looking to get back into the win column after losing a close game to Kansas on Saturday in Kansas City.

The women now turn their attention to Southern Illinois, which comes to Mizzou Arena for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff on Tuesday. Watch a news conference with coach Kellie Harper in the media player.

Click here to follow the original article.

Challis man sentenced to 20 years in Custer County murder case

KIFI on November 17, 2025

Ariel Jensen

UPDATED:

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – New details are available about the sentencing of the man charged with killing Patrick Shelton, 47, of Custer County.

Alan Douglas Bruce, 70, of Challis, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 years fixed.

Bruce tried to withdraw his original plea at today’s sentencing, but was denied, and the sentencing proceeded.

Bruce listened to two witness impact statements from the two daughters of the victim, Patrick Shelton. One daughter revealed during her statement some disturbing letters that Bruce sent to the family, explaining that he felt he did them a favor by dismembering the body so they wouldn’t have to pay for funeral expenses.

Bruce was allowed to make a statement of his own. He said he acted in self-defense, that he and Patrick were friends, and that he was trying to protect himself.

The court indicated it did not believe Bruce’s actions were self-defense, pointing out that Bruce had gone out of his way to get a gun and purchase night vision goggles.

ORIGINAL STORY:

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – The man charged with killing Patrick Shelton, 47, of Custer County, was sentenced to prison on Monday afternoon.

Alan Douglas Bruce, 70, of Challis, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 years fixed.

He was arrested in May on felony charges of murder and destruction of evidence related to Shelton’s disappearance. According to court documents, Bruce told investigators that he admitted to dismembering and burning Shelton’s body and scattering the remains in the Salmon River. 

The Custer County Sheriff’s office reported DNA and skull fragments were found in Shelton’s truck in May, but the rest of his remains still haven’t been found, even after a lengthy search by Custer County Search and Rescue.  

Bruce entered an Alford Plea on October 23, 2025. By entering an Alford plea, Bruce admits that the evidence in the case is sufficient to prove his guilt, but he does not admit to committing the crime. The court will still sentence him as if he had pleaded guilty. 

Judge Stevan Thompson also issued a no-contact order prohibiting Bruce from contacting the family. Thompson explained that he considered Bruce’s age and poor health, noting that he had a pacemaker when setting the sentence.

Click here to follow the original article.

Plan 2B or Not Plan 2B? SJSD School Board to iron out potential plan in work session

News-Press NOW on November 17, 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Chris Roush, News Director

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Plan 2B or not Plan 2B? That is the question the St Joseph School District’s Board of Education now has to answer.

For the last several weeks, the board has been in a constant debate regarding the future of the school district.

“I’m trying, before we make a motion and direct the admin for the umpteen time to do some work on a request, I’m trying to feel the board out for what are we going to get behind?” SJSD Board member Mike Moore said. “Because that’s what I am about.”

Ever since the April 2025 bond issue failed at the polls, it has been quite the issue for the Board of Education. What plan for the district-wide model will they choose?

“Population is going down, staffing is becoming more and more difficult, and our money is going down as well,” Board member Whitney Lanning said.

When the voters decided to go against the April bond issue and the plan to build a new high school south of US 36. The plan, on paper, appeared to be for Central and Lafayette to become the two high-school models moving forward, if that bond failed.

Although the bond did fail, plans changed, with the board asking school district administrators to come up with several potential options for the high school model, the number of middle schools and the feeder patterns from the elementary schools. 

Public hearings have been held at each high school. Different plans have been tweaked and also trashed.

Plan E, a community-based plan to keep all three high schools, while still fixing the feeder patterns and right-sizing the district, was a big contender for the St. Joseph community and the school board.

Once directed to make the plan work, district administration said the plan had some good pieces to it, but it didn’t help with right-sizing, staffing or finances.

The board spent hours last week debating the next step.

“I do think if we can’t come together today (Wednesday), and we can’t agree,” Board member Jennifer Kerns said. “I think we deserve to pause this. I don’t think that’s mindless. I don’t think that’s not responsible. I think it is responsible. I think we owe it to everybody to make a decision.”

During Wednesday night’s meeting, each board member talked about their thoughts and concerns about the potential plans.

“I really do want us to move forward,” Board member Ronda Chesney said. “And progress creates pain. It creates discomfort. But here’s what I know in my personal life, when I’ve been through pain and discomfort, and I work through that pain and discomfort on the other side, I’m a better person.”

Another Board member, Kim Miller, said that she wasn’t ready to make a decision on Wednesday about which plan she agrees with.

“I do agree we have to move in one direction or not, and at this moment, I can’t tell you what that is for me, but I know there has to be movement,” Miller said. “You’ve (district administrators) done so much work that we have to give you direction by the end of the night.”

On Wednesday, it appeared at least four board members supported the plan to use Central and Lafayette as the high schools for a variety of reasons, including the financial savings; however, the Board still has work to do if it wants to get all members on board.

The district model and feeder system issue is not new. It’s been handed down from Board to Board for several years.

“In the past, every year, it’s a pause,” Board president LaTonya Williams said. “And the reason being, is because it’s hard.”

This group of seven all agree, to an extent, that the district must change. But the question remains, though, can they all agree, or at least the majority agree, to a decision next Monday, Nov. 24?

The date has already become the self-imposed decision day.

“Not everyone in the community is going to like every single part, but we as a board and administration, don’t just nod our heads, don’t just cave in or have a four to three vote, but as much as possible, we have a unanimous consensus that says this is what we’re going to do, and we’re going to do it to the best of our ability,” Board member Tom Richmond said.

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Troester Media Center, located at 3401 Renick St., for a special work session.

Click here to follow the original article.

BLM to conduct prescribed burning at Senator Wash North Shore

KYMA on November 17, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District says they are conducting a prescribed burning at the Senator Wash North Shore recreation area.

According to a press release, they will burn piles of vegetation to reduce the “threat and spread of wildfires” as well as improve access to outdoor recreation.

BLM says the prescribed burnings may occur multiple times to eliminate piles of vegetation collected during thinning treatments in and around the Senator Wash area.

To ensure visitors’ safety, BLM says workers will burn the piles “when weather conditions are conducive,” and says access to the burn area will be temporarily restricted.

BLM says this will go until the end of the year.

Click here to follow the original article.

Boone County dog breeder charged with animal abuse pleads not guilty, seeks no-bond release

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County dog breeder charged with several counts of animal abuse is asking a judge to let her out of jail without bond.

Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia, faced a Boone County judge for the first time Monday. She pleaded not guilty and had a bond hearing set for 1 p.m. Thursday.

If a bond is necessary, her attorney wrote in a court filing, it should be “reasonable.”

Sanders has been charged with three counts of felony animal abuse and 15 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. She remains at the Boone County Jail without bond. 

Sanders owns Magnum Opus German Shepherds. Animal control, assisted by Boone County sheriff’s deputies, found 17 living but severely malnourished dogs, with two on the brink of death, according to court documents. Five “intact” dead dogs were found in black garbage bags along with about a dozen dog skulls.

Authorities also found four dead dogs outside the building.

Animal Control said it was called to the business after two different dog owners brought their dead dogs to a veterinarian for an autopsy after they died in Sanders care. The autopsy determined one dog died from strangulation and the other from starvation. Both dogs were boarded at the business at the time of its death, according to court documents.

Animal control was previously called to the business for reports of dogs dying in their care. Animal control officers had spoken to Sanders in the past about doing a walkthrough of the residence, but she was hesitant, court documents say.

Head of Boone County Animal Control Kevin Meyers tells ABC 17 News the previous visits were in June and September 2025. During those visits Meyers said the responding officer found no signs of animal abuse.

He said without hard visible evidence their power to act can be limited.

“We can approach the owner, let them know the complaint that we received and ask to see the animals in their living conditions,” Meyers said. “It’s totally up to them if they allow us in to do that, or what they allow us to see. By law, we can’t make them let us in without a warrant to search the property.”

Breeders have to register with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Sanders was registered with the department as a ‘hobby or show breeder’. A registered property can only be checked if a complaint is filed. MoDAG said it has no history of Sanders property being inspected.

A disposition hearing will be held next Wednesday where Sander’s lawyers will argue why the dogs should be returned to her custody. Animal control will argue to the judge why the animals should be relinquished to the Central Missouri Humane Society for them to work out reconnecting the animals with their owners.

Click here to follow the original article.

Man seriously hurt after Tuscumbia Fire District vehicle crash

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 40-year-old Eldon man was badly hurt in a crash in a Tuscumbia Fire District brush truck in Miller County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The report states that the man was driving the truck east on Route A just east of Highway 17 just after 2 p.m. Sunday. The driver made a wide right turn, overcorrected and began to skid. The truck went off the left side of the road and rolled onto its top, the report states.

The 40-year-old Eldon man was flown to University Hospital with serious injuries, according to the report.

The brush truck was totaled. The man was wearing a seatbelt.

Click here to follow the original article.

Oregon Guard welcomes home soldiers with demobilization ceremony following one-year deployment

KTVZ on November 17, 2025

Kelsey Merison

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon National Guard formally welcomed home approximately 230 members on Sunday in Forest Grove following a year-long deployment.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment were mobilized in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and returned from eight separate geographically dispersed sites in the Middle East countries of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria.

Welcome home, soldiers.

Read more about the ceremony and the soldier’s mission below:

“The Oregon National Guard formally welcomed home Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment during a formal demobilization ceremony on Nov. 16, 2025, held at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove, Oregon.

The 2-218th mobilized approximately 230 members in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, bearing the designation Task Force Defender, while conducting Short Range Air Defense operations at eight separate geographically dispersed sites in the Middle East countries of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria during their year-long deployment.

“On behalf of Governor Kotek and the entire Oregon National Guard, it is my honor and privilege to officially say, ‘Welcome Home,’” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard. “During Task Force Defender, you took on one of the most demanding and technically complex missions in modern warfare. Every single day, American forces, coalition partners, and local populations relied on you for their protection.”

Their mission was to provide capabilities for countering rockets, artillery, and mortars, as well as combating unmanned aerial systems using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, all while offering warnings of incoming threats.

Before deploying overseas, the Soldiers underwent specialized training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This training aimed to enhance their skills in operating the equipment and systems essential for their role as primary air defenders, which American and Coalition partners rely on for force protection.

The 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment has a long history of answering the State and Nation’s call for service. In the post 9/11 era, they have deployed to the Middle East to support Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Spartan Shield, and now Task Force Defender.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Holts Summit fire under investigation after home loss

KMIZ on November 17, 2025

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A trailer home in Holts Summit is considered a total loss after a fire on Sunday afternoon.

The fire happened in the 11000 block of County Road 391 around 3:40 p.m. in Holts Summit.

The Holts Summit Fire Department said in a release that crews found heavy smoke and flames showing from the front of the house.

Neighbors told firefighters a juvenile and multiple animals were inside the home, according to the release.

The juvenile, along with three dogs, safely exited the home, according to the department. One dog died in the fire.

The release states the fire took 45 minutes to bring under control, but crews remained on scene for several hours.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Click here to follow the original article.