Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Power was reported to be fully restored Saturday after storms left hundreds of Mid-Missourians experiencing outages.

Saturday morning, Cooper County crews were working to restore power to more than 400 Ameren customers.

The number of those without power started to rise again around 10:30 p.m. on Friday night.

Storms began entering the area earlier in the day, leading to a tornado watch being issued in the western part of our viewing area and a number of counties being put in a severe thunderstorm warning.

There were 475 Ameren customers without power in Cooper County around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. That number was down to 103 by 11:30 p.m., but jumped to 1,016 just hours later. By 10 a.m. Saturday, 405 were without power.

The cause of the outages was equipment damage from overnight storms and power and mainly reported in Boonville. According to Ameren’s outage map, power should be restored by 1 p.m.

The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ map showed 142 people Laclede Electric Cooperative customers in Pulaski County without power at 8 a.m. Power was reported to be back on for all by 9 a.m.

At 10:35 p.m. Friday, the map showed 114 Co-Mo Electric Cooperative customers in Morgan County without power. Another 46 customers from the same company had no reported power in Moniteau County.

By 12 a.m. Saturday, the map showed power was fully restored in Morgan County, and 38 members were reported to be without power in Moniteau County. No outages were reported in Moniteau County by 2 a.m.

Callaway County saw 213 residences without power at 11:30 p.m., nearly all of those being customers of Callaway Electric Cooperative. That number was down to 85 by midnight. Consolidated Electric Co-op in Callaway County reported 21 customers experiencing outages around 2 a.m., bringing the total to 106 without power. No outages were reported by 6 a.m. in Callaway County.

The Callaway Electric Cooperative also reported outages in Montgomery County, where 67 customers were without power at 6 a.m. Saturday. No customers were experiencing outages by 9 a.m.

There were nearly 300 Boone Electric Cooperative customers without power on Friday night.

Boone Electric showed five outages were affecting 283 customers around 9 p.m. Most of the outages were reported around the Hallsville area.

For most, power was restored by 9:30 p.m. Three outages were affecting seven members at 11:45 p.m. By 2:30 a.m., only one customer was reportedly without power. More than 50 of Ameren’s Boone County customers were without power as of 10 a.m.

ABC 17 News reached out to find out the cause for some ongoing outages.

No outages have been reported for those living within Columbia city limits.

A handful of outages were sporadically reported around the rest of the area.

Click here to follow the original article.

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Organizers of the annual True/False Film Fest said extensive safety measures are in place this weekend as thousands of people gather in downtown Columbia.

To host the festival, the Ragtag Film Society was required to submit a detailed safety plan to the city outlining procedures for medical emergencies, severe weather, power outages and other potential issues.

Despite expected rainy conditions Friday, the festival’s March March parade continued as planned, with volunteers stationed throughout downtown to help manage crowds and road closures.

According to the festival’s safety plan, several measures are in place to protect crowds from potential vehicle threats. At key access points: Ninth and Elm streets, Ninth and Locust streets, and the west alley off Ninth Street, organizers installed 8-foot barricades. Two vehicles are positioned directly behind each barricade to create an additional protective barrier.

Volunteers stationed at those checkpoints have keys to the vehicles so they can quickly move them if emergency responders need access to the area. Volunteers Josh Loeza, Chris Gadsen and Nathan Boyack were in charge of helping direct festivalgoers, monitoring barricades and ensuring emergency vehicles can pass if necessary.

“I’m working the parade. I’m moving barricades when it’s necessary for emergency vehicles to get through, or if volunteers need to move their cars, and just informing people,” Loeza said.

Festival organizers said volunteers received safety training before the event began. Volunteer Lily Lusk said that training included guidance on how to respond to emergencies.

“They have a super extensive sort of like what to do in case of any emergency, they gave us in our orientation. Kind of like a QR code to read over. So everybody’s prepared for anything,” Lusk said.

According to the safety plan, volunteers are instructed to call 911 if a medical emergency occurs and are not allowed to perform any actions they are not trained to handle.

The plan also outlines procedures in the event of severe weather. Volunteers would direct festivalgoers to the nearest shelter and help keep people away from doors and windows until conditions improve.

Volunteers are also prepared to assist if a power outage occurs during a screening or event. In that situation, they would use flashlights to help guide attendees and ask them to remain in their seats while organizers work to restore power.

Organizers and volunteers said large crowds are expected throughout the weekend.

“Very congested, but to be expected with the parade,” Boyack said.

The Columbia Police Department said the department does not plan to have additional officers assigned specifically for the festival in the downtown area this weekend.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man has been charged in Cole County with first-degree statutory rape and statutory sodomy of a child younger than 14 years old.

Greggery Marshall, 44, of Jefferson City, is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement claims the Boone County Department of Family Services contacted the Jefferson City Police Department on Feb. 19 about alleged abuse Marshall did against a child victim. Family Services was tipped off by a mental health professional who was told about the assaults by the child, the statement says.

The victim allegedly described a series of assaults to the Child Advocacy Center that occurred from 2020-24 committed by Marshall, the statement says.

Marshall was also accused of sexually abuse a family member of the victim and a friend of the victim, the statement says. He allegedly denied the allegations to police.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was shot by Columbia police on Christmas Day was indicted by a Boone County grand jury on Friday.

Marc Lucas, 31, of the state of California, was charged with first-degree arson, misdemeanor first-degree trespassing, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, a single count of armed criminal action and two counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail. An arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Court documents in previous reporting say Lucas allegedly set a couch on fire at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Grindstone Parkway and Highway 63. He then got into a fight with Holiday Inn Express employees after he was denied a room at that hotel, previous reporting indicates. He had also allegedly pulled out a knife during some point in the encounter.

Lucas then allegedly walked to a nearby Break Time gas station, pulled out the knife and threatened to assault someone while officers were there, the statement says.

Officers allegedly tried to use a stun gun while detaining Lucas, but Lucas then allegedly tried to attack one of the officers with a knife and he was shot, police wrote in a December press release.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County judge denied a bond amendment Friday for the first man arrested in connection with a deadly Columbia shooting earlier this week.

Damarius Kavanaugh, 19, of Columbia, was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, illegal gun possession and tampering with physical evidence after William Riechers, 20, of Columbia, was found shot dead in the area of Allen and Bryant streets.

Kavanaugh appeared via video from the Boone County Jail. He was read his charges, and a future hearing to discuss his bond issue was set for 1 p.m. Tuesday.

A second suspect, Landen L. Jackson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, illegal gun possession and unlawful use of a weapon. No court date has been set for Jackson. Court documents filed alongside Jackson’s charges state police believe Jackson to be the person who fatally shot Riechers.

Riechers and Kavanaugh were walking to a nearby convenience store from Riechers’ home on Lincoln Avenue when a light-colored SUV is seen pulling up to them on video footage as they approached the Bryant and Allen Street intersection, according to a probable cause statement.

Gunshots are heard seconds later, the statement says.

Kavanaugh allegedly “gave conflicting statements” about whether someone in the vehicle had shot first. He also told officers he didn’t know if Reichers or someone in the SUV shot first, the statement says.

Kavanaugh allegedly told police that his gun jammed after firing, but that he was eventually able to get two more shots off before throwing it in a nearby wooded area. Officers later found the 9 mm gun in a bag with a clip.

Kavanaugh just completed a 120-day prison program for unlawful use of a weapon and felony motor vehicle tampering, along with misdemeanor resisting arrest, last month.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was wanted for murder in Kansas City was arrested Thursday in Columbia, according to Friday social media post from the Columbia Police Department.

La’Relle Dennis, 24, of Lee’s Summit, was charged in Jackson County on Feb. 28 with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and a count of unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held at the Boone County Jail. A no-bond warrant was issued last week in Jackson County.

CPD’s social media post says officers were serving a search warrant on Thursday for an unrelated investigation in the 2600 block of Quail Drive when they found Dennis. He tried to run away from officers, but was caught, the release says.

The release says Dennis is accused of an August 2024 homicide for a man who was found shot to death in a vehicle on East 82nd Street in Kansas City.

The probable cause statement in the homicide case says the victim was found with a gunshot wound to their head in a damaged vehicle. The victim in the shooting was allegedly romantically involved with Dennis’ ex-girlfriend, the statement says.  Dennis’ vehicle was allegedly seen on video around the time of the shooting on Aug. 25, 2024, police wrote.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency for severe storms expected on Friday.

An ABC17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day has been issued for expected severe thunderstorms on Friday night.

This order activates the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions.

Kehoe said in a news release that the state’s emergency operation center will be activated Friday afternoon to support the coordination between local agencies.

“This Executive Order is a proactive step to ensure our emergency management teams are fully prepared should these storms warrant immediate action to protect Missourians,” Kehoe said in a statement.

Mid-Missouri is in the 2/5 on the severe weather outlook from the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service says there is a chance of strong winds, hail and tornadoes across the state. In Mid-Missouri, there is a greater threat of damaging winds, but the threat for all hazards is possible.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also reminding drivers to be careful while driving. The agency added that drivers should never try to go through floodwaters, even if shallow.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Department of Transportation crews plan to permanently close a portion of the North Jefferson City Recreation Area on March 13, according to a Thursday press release.

Crews will close the paved parking lot and playground for tree removal. The trees must be cleared by March 31 because of environmental concerns, the release says.

The playground will be relocated to Green Berry Acres Park, the release says. MoDOT will cover the cost. Fourth Street, the northern sports fields, gravel lots and the commuter parking lot off Hibernia Road will remain open, the release says.

The release says the area where the paved parking lot and playground are currently at “will be repurposed for a new ramp” from Route W to westbound Highway 54, the release says. The change is part of a project that will widen Highway 54 between Highway 63 and the Missouri River Bridge.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department is asking the city for an additional $70,000 to extend a targeted media campaign aimed at recruiting for the department. 

The request comes as the City of Columbia makes its quarterly adjustments to the current fiscal year budget. According to a March 2 council memo, Finance Director Matthew Lue certified the city has sufficient funds to cover roughly $9.4 million in adjustments requested by multiple departments.

If approved, the police department’s $70,000 request would be paid from the city’s general fund reserves. 

City employees and public safety were highlighted as two of Columbia’s priorities in the fiscal year 2026 budget. In the approved budget, city staff wrote Columbia has been grappling with employee shortages, most notably within the police department, leading to longer response times for non-emergency calls and fewer opportunities for officers to engage with residents outside of emergency situations.

As of July 9, 2025, the city reported CPD’s vacancy rate is at 8%, which represented 16 sworn officer vacancies. To remedy the situation, the city has spent the past three years working to lead the market by offering competitive salaries and benefits, and launching a targeted media campaign. 

According to CPD, the department has spent a combined $186,050 in ads over fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The campaign has included television, radio and streaming advertisements all aimed at recruiting for the department. 

So far, the department has produced six video advertisements, two radio ads and photographs and social media content. 

“The department considered the past campaign successful in bringing in quality applicants, which is why we are seeking additional funds to continue the success,” CPD spokesman Colin Imhoff told ABC 17 News in an email. 

Since launching the campaign, the city reported hiring and retaining 24 officers in 2024 and 28 new officers in 2025.

Check back for updates.

Click here to follow the original article.