Month: March 2026

Nia Hinson

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two horses that were pulled out of mud near Harrisburg in late February are now back home, according to a social media post from the Boone County Fire Protection District.

The post states firefighters involved in the rescue visited the farm and horses on Sunday.

“It was a great opportunity to reconnect with the owners and see firsthand the positive outcome of the rescue,” the post says.

The horses were rescued from the 8400 block of Gray Road near Harrisburg in what was formerly an animal lagoon on Feb. 25. Firefighters worked for several hours in the conditions to save the horses.

The horses were being treated at the MU Veterinary Clinic for pneumonia, complications for hypothermia and ulcers, according to previous reporting.

The horses’ owner was working on setting up a GoFundMe to help with the vet bills.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No people were injured after a trailer caught fire in north Columbia on Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Columbia Fire Department.

The release says crews were called to the 1500 block of Vandiver Drive just after 8 a.m. Crews arrived and found heavy fire in the interior of the trailer and put out the flames within five minutes.

One person home at the time was able to safely evacuate the trailer before CFD arrived, the release says.

A cat was found inside of the trailer with smoke inhalation injuries and was treated on scene before being taken to an animal hospital.

The fire was ruled an accident.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Members of the Columbia Tenants Union rallied outside City Hall on Sunday, stating problems with their landlord have continued despite raising concerns publicly a month ago.

Tenants said not only have their complaints gone unresolved, but some believe the situation has gotten worse.

“I wish the mayor and the people in this building would wake up to what’s happening in Columbia, Missouri,” tenant Bruce Ross said.

Tenants hoped city leaders could help address their concerns. However, the city’s Neighborhood Services department said its authority is limited.

According to the department’s website, Neighborhood Services focuses on code enforcement and strengthening neighborhoods.

The department’s manager, Leigh Kottwitz said, “The City does not take action on civil matters, including rent increases…We also have no authority for the relationship between the manager and the occupants.”

In response, Columbia Tenants Union spokeswoman Vee Sanchez said she believes the community can help in other ways.

“There’s more than one way to support tenants who are fighting back,” Sanchez said. “We do want absolutely all of the community support as they go up against a large corporation,”

Last week, marked the end of a 14-day period tenants gave their landlord to respond to their concerns. Tenants said the response they received did not resolve the issues.

“The only thing we got was one email that basically told us we weren’t allowed to talk to our neighbors,” tenant Logan Moore said.

The email tenants received from Regal Communities stated:

“Recently, many tenants have expressed concerns about tenants or guests trespassing, soliciting, or otherwise disrupting the quiet of communities. We want to remind you that if you invite guests to the community, they are to abide by the applicable community rules and guidelines, including no soliciting. If your guest violates those rules or regulations, or bothers the quiet of the community, they may be asked to leave or be escorted from the community.”

The message also addressed questions residents had about lease and account information.

“We want to remind you that if you have any questions or would like to request certain information about your lot, lease, rent, charges, utilities, or account generally, you can submit your questions or requests by visiting the Regal Communities website,” the email stated. “You should also have access to certain information concerning your lease and ledger through your resident portal in Rent Café.”

Some tenants said they are now facing additional financial pressure.

Columbia Tenants Union spokeswoman Vee Sanchez said new fees were added just before rent was due.

“She [Robin Bealler, project manager] decided to add fees just the day before rent was due. Didn’t even send notices, just emailed people the day before. Hundreds of dollars,” Sanchez said. “Most people can’t just come up with 3 or $400 dollars in one day.”

One resident shared an email exchange with ABC 17 News showing messages from property management.

In one email, management told residents their rent deadline had been extended to Feb. 15. However, another message sent days later stated payment had to be made by 5 p.m. on Feb. 12, that same day or the tenant could face eviction.

Tenants said the situation has left many residents feeling frustrated and uncertain.

“Here we are struggling to make our rent,” Ross said.

Under Missouri law, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without a court order. However, eviction proceedings can begin if a tenant fails to pay rent, damages property or violates the terms of a lease.

If an eviction lawsuit is filed, tenants must receive notice and have the opportunity to appear in court before any eviction takes place.

ABC 17 News reached out to Regal Communities.

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