Author: KMIZ

Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The future of a historic Columbia property could soon change.

The Columbia City Council is expected to consider a resolution Monday that would end the city’s lease agreement with Love Columbia for the property at 200 N. Garth Ave.

In April, the city approved an agreement allowing Love Columbia to rehabilitate the former home of Dr. Lee Roy McAllister into a single-family transitional housing residence for first-time homebuyers participating in the Homeowner Residential Program.

According to a City Council memo, Love Columbia requested the lease be terminated after meeting with community stakeholders and other interested parties occurred. The memo says it was determined the intended purpose “may not be the best use for the property.”

If approved, the city plans to develop a Request for Expression of Interest to allow organizations to submit proposals for potential uses of the property. The memo says staff expect that process will begin by this winter.

City spokesman Christopher Ave wrote in a statement that the city and Love Columbia jointly decided not to move forward with the lease and public input will help guide the property’s future.

“We look forward to engaging in a robust public engagement effort to explore any available options for the property. Ultimately, our decision will be guided by public input…”

Love Columbia declined to comment on Friday.

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Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: The number of cases has been updated in real time as the health department receives updated numbers.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County saw its diagnosed cases of cyclosporiasis increase to 22 on Friday, according to the county’s health department.

Cases in the county increased from nine to 13 between Wednesday and Thursday. The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services stated earlier this week that it was investigating if local cases were connected with the nationwide outbreak. Multiple hospitalizations have been reported.

The infections in the outbreak were linked to shredded iceberg lettuce used at Taco Bell in at least five states, which includes Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, according to the CDC.

Taylor Farms, Taco Bell’s lettuce provider, announced on its social media on Friday afternoon that it was pulling iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The company claims in it statement that its branded salads and kits have not been associated with the outbreak.

“While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which represents less than 1% of the U.S.’s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely,” the release says.

ABC 17 News contacted Cameron Dunafon, who owns a number of Taco Bell locations in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Dunafon deferred ABC 17 News to Taco Bell’s corporate media relations.

“Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states,” Taco Bell announced in a Thursday statement on its website. “The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.

ABC 17 News has reached out to multiple chain grocery stores on Friday. As of 5:30 p.m., the chains that replied back were Hy-Vee and Walmart.

Hy-Vee stated its lettuce is sourced from Dole and is not affected by the outbreak. Walmart, however, wrote in a statement that it is working with its suppliers.

“”The health and safety of our customers is a top priority. We are working with our suppliers as the cyclospora investigations continue and are monitoring any developments closely. Anyone experiencing symptoms is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider,” Walmart’s statement says.

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Gabrielle Teiner

HUNTSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the man shot by a Randolph County deputy Friday morning.

The shooting happened at a mobile home park off County Road JJ at around 7:40 a.m. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a deputy was involved, and that the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control would take over the investigation.

When ABC 17 News was on the scene, reporters saw a bullet hole in the side of one of the residences at Tallman’s Trailer Court. MSHP’s Troop B – which covers parts of Mid-Missouri and the northern part of the state – wrote in a social media post that deputies responded at 7:40 a.m. to the 300 block of Huntsville Avenue for a trespassing complaint.

Officer Involved Shooting Investigation – Huntsville, MO@MSHPTrooperDDCC pic.twitter.com/wlDvS5pJWa

— MSHP Troop B (@MSHPTrooperB) July 17, 2026

A statement released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Thomas D. Crewse Jr., 36, of Huntsville, was inside a camper on the property and had warrants for his arrest. According to the statement, deputies told Crewes to come out of the camper, but when he did, he had a gun and raised it toward law enforcement.

At that point, according to the MSHP statement, a deputy shot Crewse in his torso. He was taken to University Hospital, where as of Friday evening MU Health Care said he was in critical condition.

Crewse has a probation violation in a case where he pleaded guilty to resisting arrest by fleeing. He pleaded guilty to that Randolph County case on May 11 and was sentenced to five years of probation with a three-year suspended sentence.

A notice for a probation violation was filed in the case on June 9, according to court filings. A $10,000 bond was set.

ABC 17 News has reached out to the Randolph County prosecutor.

Neighbor Nancy Conley said she heard the sirens driving by her house around 8 a.m.

“I heard the sirens,” Conley said. “I was sitting in my sunroom.”

Conley said the last time a similar situation happened in her neighborhood was years ago.

“Several years ago, over on Grand Avenue, there was a shooting. I don’t remember what that was all about, but it’s been a long time,” Conley said. “It just seems odd that this all went on in this little town. It just seems very strange.

Because Conley was so close to the shooting, she said she was worried the altercation would make its way to her property.

“It is scary,” Conley said. “He could come over here. So we’re lucky. We’re real lucky.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ

A man who was arrested after a vehicle crashed into a garage on Thursday morning on West Ash Street in central Columbia has been charged with a misdemeanor and a felony.

Max Pope, 20, of Jefferson City, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and felony leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A motion to reduce his bond was filed on Friday during an arraignment.

The probable cause statement says Pope crashed his 2017 Chevrolet Silverado into a garage and parked vehicle in the 100 block of West Ash Street.

When someone described as a witness heard a loud bang, they contacted Pope and told him someone hit the residence, the statement says.

Pope allegedly told the witness, “Yeah that was me pull up,” the statement says. The witness then allegedly saw Pope urinating and Pope admitted he was drinking, the statement says. Pope then left the area and went inside a building, court documents say.

A hole was seen in the side of the garage and other damage was evident on a Honda Pilot, court documents say.

Police detained Pope shortly after arriving at 2:19 a.m. and was asked to take a breath test, the statement says.

“Due to an unknown circumstance, the Intox DMT had an interference so I was unable to obtain Popes blood alcohol content level,” the police officer wrote.

A breath test was eventually completed at 3:34 a.m. and Pope’s blood alcohol content was .205, the statement says.  

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Illinois man was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors after he allegedly assaulted someone in an Audrain County parking lot and set a comforter on fire on Thursday morning.

Edwin Javier Mejia-Espinosa, of Decatur, Illinois, was charged in Audrain County with knowingly burning or exploding, third-degree assault and three misdemeanors: Second-degree property damage, fourth-degree assault and second-degree tampering with property. He is being held without bond. A hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 8:15 a.m. Thursday to a Mexico hotel.

The owner allegedly told police that Mejia-Espinosa – who was a guest at the hotel – had set a comforter on fire in the hotel’s parking lot. The owner allegedly told Mejia-Espinosa that he would call police and Mejia-Espinosa took the victim’s phone and threw it on the ground before assaulting the victim, the statement says.

Mejia-Espinosa was then allegedly found at a nearby business after he stole a customer’s car keys, court documents allege.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon police detective pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated about a week after he was charged.

Luke Gatlin, of Kaiser, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Miller County and was ordered to pay a $640.50 fine and court costs. He was charged on July 9.

Court documents in previous reporting indicate Gatlin was pulled over on Feb. 14 in Osage Beach for driving without headlights, and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper smelled liquor on his breath.

Gatlin allegedly failed a field sobriety test and blew a .193 on a breath test at the scene, documents show. A second breath test at the Lake Ozark Police Department showed his blood alcohol concentration was .16, the probable cause statement says.

Gatlin has worked with the Eldon Police Department since 2015, previous reporting shows.

Check back for updates.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As voters prepare to choose Callaway County’s next presiding commissioner, one issue is already looming over whoever wins the race: A proposed data center development in northern Callaway County.

The project, which is in the early stages of development, has received support from state leaders, including Gov. Mike Kehoe. However, it has also raised concerns among residents about its long-term affects on the county.

ABC 17 News spoke with all three Republican candidates: Rob Barnes, Larry Robinson and former sheriff Clay Chism, about how they would lead the county as the project moves forward.

While the candidates hold different views on data centers, one topic repeatedly surfaced during the interviews: planning and zoning.

Barnes said the proposed data center has prompted him to question whether Callaway County should reconsider its longstanding lack of planning and zoning.

“The absence of planning and zoning, which, again, has existed in our county for a long, long time, I think is worthy of a conversation,” Barnes said. “Are there certain things that can come to a county that simply need to be controlled? I think, while we never fathomed, I don’t think, a data center coming to Callaway County, this might be one of those examples of not having anything. Is that the right thing?”

LINK: Full interview with Rob Barnes

Robinson also believes the county should explore ways to provide more oversight of large developments, but said he does not support implementing traditional planning and zoning, though he said he opposes data center developments.

“I’m not for planning and zoning, but if we had some type of restriction set up for X amount, the size of a building being built, that it would have to go through the commissioners to get permits.” Robinson said. “You can keep the restrictions and ordinances away from the planning and zoning, but you’d have to put it out in front of the voters to vote on it,”

LINK: Full interview with Larry Robinson

Chism, however, said he remains opposed to planning and zoning, arguing that voters across the county have consistently told him they do not want it. Though, on data centers, Chism is not in favor of the tax abatements that have been used for data centers in the state so far.

“I just cannot support planning and zoning,” Chism said. “People just have to realize it’s all or none. You can’t plan and zone one business, one area, one farm, one landowner. It just doesn’t work that way. Planning and zoning one area punishes everybody, literally everybody, in rural Callaway County.”

LINK: Full interview with Clay Chism

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Callaway County Sheriff who pleaded guilty in 2023 to driving while intoxicated is looking for another shot at public office.

Clay Chism first elected the sheriff of Callaway County in 2016 but was removed from office in June 2023 after his peace officer license was revoked. The action followed allegations that he drank alcohol and purchased alcohol while on duty.

Now, Chism said he is ready for a second chance as he runs in the Republican primary for the county’s presiding commissioner position. He is running against Rob Barnes and Larry Robinson.

In an interview with ABC 17 News on Wednesday, Chism spoke publicly about his sobriety, reflected on the mistakes that ended his law enforcement career and explained why he believes he is prepared to return to public office.

“I made mistakes. I don’t hide from it,” Chism said. “I’ve tried to use my mistakes to better my life, and I’ve also used my mistakes to try to educate and help others in the community.”

Chism was arrested on Oct. 6, 2022, a period he described as one of the darkest times in his life.

“There’s nothing I could say that takes away from what happened,” Chism said. “There’s other facts out there that weren’t publicized, but you know what? I don’t tell those facts because I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to make an excuse. So I just let it be and say I’m sorry. Mistakes were made, but I believe when you’re down, you get back up. It makes a better person, and I’m back.”

Chism said he does not believe he has a drinking problem and said he has remained sober for the past three years. During his recovery, he sought specialized treatment outside Missouri and said the experience helped him rebuild his life.

He believes those efforts have prepared him to serve the public again.

“Fortunately, the City of Auxvasse gave me an opportunity here a couple years ago, and that has blossomed,” Chism said. “I have excelled in that. I’ve enjoyed working with the community. I believe I’ve proven myself to many. I know there’s always going to be doubters, and I respect that.”

Chism said his campaign will focus on moving the county forward while acknowledging the past that continues to follow him.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A press release from The District states that it will hold off on presenting its letter supporting an “urban camping ordinance” to the Columbia City Council until Aug. 17.

A letter expressing support for the proposed ordinance was signed by nearly 70 downtown business owners and organizations. The District Executive Director Nickie Davis previously stated that it was expected to be presented at the July 20 meeting.

“This decision was made after thoughtful conversations with community partners and supporters. We believe allowing a few additional weeks will provide the best opportunity for this important conversation to receive the attention and consideration it deserves,” the Friday press release says.

The release claims it is being delayed until after the August election because the District “heard concerns that some members of the public may mistakenly connect” the ordinance and a proposed 1% public safety sales tax.

“We want to be clear that this request is not connected to the proposed sales tax and is not an effort to increase policing of homelessness,” the release says.

The length of Monday’s City Council agenda was also cited in the release, though there was no listing for The District or the ordinance on the agenda. It also states it would “like to allow several recently launched safety initiatives… to begin demonstrating their impact before adding another policy discussion to the conversation.”

The proposal has been met with criticism online, with some questioning the effectiveness of similar rules around the country.

A full list of the businesses in support of the ordinance can be viewed in the document below.

Letter of Support – UC SignaturesDownload

The letter can also be viewed below.

Letter of Support – Camping (2)Download

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Euphenie Andre

Three Republicans are competing in the August primary for Callaway County Presiding Commissioner. In contention is Rob Barnes, Larry Robinson and former Sheriff Clay Chism. ABC 17 News sat down one-on-one with each candidate to discuss their priorities for the county, the proposed data center in northern Callaway County, planning and zoning, government transparency, and why they believe they are the best choice for voters. Mike Conner is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Welcome, everybody, to ABC 17 News’ Your Voice, Your Vote segment for the Voters’ Guide of August 2026. I’m Euphenie Andre, and I’m here with Larry Robinson. Larry, thank you so much for being here today. Can you please start by introducing yourself and what you are running for?

LARRY ROBINSON: My name is Larry Robinson, and I’m running for Callaway County Presiding Commissioner for 2026.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Sounds good. So you’re trying to go back into office after trying to run for the Western District Commissioner back in 2024? Can you please tell me the different approach, if you made one, from 2024 to this year?

LARRY ROBINSON: Well, I learned a lot during that campaign, but I want to try to do my best, and you learn and you succeed from all that you can. The approach has been I go door-to-door. I still go door-to-door and talk to people.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: So both roles have been commissioner roles. Why is that so important for you to obtain that role?

LARRY ROBINSON: I grew up in Callaway County, and I’ve seen Callaway County at its best and at its worst, and I think that Callaway County can be built stronger for our future, for a younger generation coming up. I’d like to do my best to give back to the community that raised me.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: What are your three-top priorities if you are elected the next Callaway County Presiding Commissioner?

LARRY ROBINSON: I would like to see manufacturing or distribution work come back to Callaway County because we used to have it, and we lost it, and we’re stuck, well, we’re not stuck, but we are in between Cole County and Boone County, and everybody goes to these counties to work, and they spend their money there. If we could get a developer involved to see how we can entice companies to come to Callaway County and build and employ not just a handful of people, but three or four or five hundred people so that they can possibly move to Callaway County, build in Callaway County, live here, raise their family, and support their whole family. I’d say what they spend here also. We got downtown Fulton, and we got different places to go in Callaway County, Holt Summit, Auxvasse.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: What are your other two?

LARRY ROBINSON: A lot of people hasn’t hit this part, but I’m out and about. I have a dump truck business, and I talk to dozens of people every day. Not just one or two. Out in the county, people are worried about the infrastructure of Callaway County. Roads and bridges, and that’s one of my specialties anyway. Excavating and concrete work. The road boss that’s there now, he’s doing a real good job, but I think it could run a little bit smoother if you get people in there that has had experience and maintain stuff like that. Not just fixing it, but maintaining it. That’s a concern to a lot of people out in the rural part of the county, not so much in the towns. Another part is we got to give back to our youth and our communities. They are the future of Callaway County. In 15-to-20 years, it seems like a long way away, but it isn’t, and these children, young adults, a lot of them don’t know the life experience out here.

They got to know the technology that is out here now. They’re in front of their phones and iPads. They don’t leave the house often. They don’t even know what type of birds are in their front yard, and they’re 12- and 13-years-old. My wife is [at] the state-licensed day care in Fulton. I see these children grow up every day, and a lot of times I see, just walking around like in Walmart, parents give their kids, little kids, their phones just so they’ll be quiet. But we need to get something set up for our communities all through Callaway County, not just Fulton, but involve Holt Summit, New Bloomfield, Mokane and work with the schools and volunteers and get the youth out here. Get out of those and experiencing life as a child should. I’m for that because they are our future. They’re the ones that’s going to be taking all this over. So we got to build a Callaway County stronger and better for the future.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: If elected, do you see any similarities or differences from how the current commission is being run to how you would run it, if elected?

LARRY ROBINSON: Gary Jungermann, he’s done a real excellent job in his three terms. The commissioners right now, they’re doing their best. They have fought with the solar farm that came through Kingdom City, and now they’re dealing with the data center. The data center is a big subject in Callaway County right now, and the commissioners really don’t know a lot going on because there is no planning and zoning in Callaway County. They don’t even have to come to the courthouse to turn in a set of blueprints or talk to a commissioner. That’s private landowners selling to a private company. Since there is no planning and zoning, and I’m not for planning and zoning, but if we had some type of restriction set up for X amount, the size of a building being built, that it would have to go through the commissioners to get permits. Like if a business wanted to come in, they build a building, say 30,000 square feet, they need to get a permit through the commissioners and go through engineers’ blueprints so that everybody’s on board with everything.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: But isn’t that planning and zoning?

LARRY ROBINSON: You can keep the restrictions and ordinances away from the planning and zoning, but you’d have to put it out in front of the voters to vote on it. That would keep the planning and zoning part out of it. A lot of people want to say, “Well, that is part of it, planning and zoning.” No, it’s restricted to large buildings. It could be passed as a 50,000 square feet building like these data centers there in Kingdom City. There’s somewhere around 800,000 square feet, but if there was something like that set up, they’d have to go through the commissioners, being transparent so the public would know what’s going on. Nothing’s hidden, and they’re dealing with that right now, but they don’t know a lot going on. I can believe that because I’ve worked in towns and cities that have planning and zoning, and most people are always open about it.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Why are you against planning and zoning?

LARRY ROBINSON: It’s a rural community and farmers. They’re always having to make a quick fence for cattle, for horses, for whatever livestock they got. Planning and zoning, there was different parts of it, but they’d have to go get a permit before they could set up a fence to keep their livestock if a flood came through and it took out a big section of the fence, or just keep the cost down for people that’s doing repairs on their farm. But that’s what entice a lot of people to come to Callaway County, no planning and zoning.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Someone would say, with the lack of planning and zoning that Callaway County has, is a reason why the data center is being built there. We’ve seen Boone County has all these restrictions, so it’s not easy to come into Boone County and build a data center.

LARRY ROBINSON: Yes, I will agree to that. If we did have planning and zoning, it would be harder for them to come in, and if you look at the solar farms that came through, like Montgomery City, Callaway County, to me, it feels like it was just a step to see what they could get by with, and since there was restriction, I mean, people fought against a solar panel, but there isn’t nothing they can do about it. It’s an uphill battle, and I’ll be there to the end. If I’m elected, I will fight for the people out here, but it’s going to take more than just going to the county. It’s going to take going to the capital.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Are you in support of data centers?

LARRY ROBINSON: No, I oppose data centers. Yes, we need them, but on this larger scale and so fast, people don’t know what’s going on, and that’s what’s scaring people. If they had a total understanding of why, we’ve had the center since the 1940s. Here in the last few years, they have just supersized, and they’re eating up all our resources, electric. If we didn’t have electric in the power grid two years ago for the electric cars that were introduced, how can we have all this grid now? It’s coming hard and quick, and people are confused.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: They had their initial stages earlier this week. They had an open house yesterday in Callaway County about the data center, so it’s going to be in progress, and whoever is the next Callaway County presiding commissioner, that is a study that they are going to have to tackle. How can you ensure that you are transparent with the residents of Callaway County of what is going on each step of the way?

LARRY ROBINSON: Well, transparency, I’m open about everything. I think everybody should know what’s going on because you’re working for the people in the county. You’re not just pleasing yourself. You got to talk to communities, and at the courthouse, I know they give you a 24-hour notice when they have a meeting, but I think that needs to be up until like 40 hours so the working people can get up there because sometimes it’s hard to find a babysitter or your employer won’t let you take off. But if you’re given enough ample time, you can get off so you can go up there to listen to what’s going on. Even though it is recorded, you can listen to it and watch on the Internet, but I think it’s more informed if you’re there in person.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Do you think data centers provide any opportunities for Callaway County at all?

LARRY ROBINSON: Oh yeah, it will for part of the infrastructure and stuff to bring in taxes. The revenue, it could help drastically in different areas in the county that have shortfalls in it, like the emergency personnel, the 911 commission. I mean, stuff like that could be rebuilt, relocated. I don’t know if we could get a new hospital or not there in Fulton that everybody wants, a Callaway hospital, but I don’t know what the revenue would be coming in on it yet. I have to go through the figures when this was all finalized to see what can be done, but it could help Callaway County at the same time.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: The residents that are opposed to it, they say that it will increase electricity bills, that it will waste water, taxes will be upheld on them. Are those the same fears that you have as well?

LARRY ROBINSON: Yes, big, big corporations. Sometimes they tell you what you want to hear and not the truth, like the water usage. This one in Callaway County they’re proposing is smaller than the one in New Florence, and the proposed is 1.4 million gallons of water usage a year. Even though it’s a closed-loop water system, that still scares me with all the big data centers going on around here, and they draw down to our main aquifer. If there’s 10 of them and they’re using millions of gallons of water, it can start draining that and hurting the residential deep wells around here.

EUPHENIE ANDRE: Why should voters choose you over your opposing candidates?

LARRY ROBINSON: I had the experience, not so much in politics because I’m no politician, but I am a blue-collar working person. I get up every morning, go to work, come home every night, talk to the whole community every day, have the experience in the construction field, and work getting permits in different states, in different locations, talking to the public out here before you start a project because the neighbors want to know what’s going on and taking place also, so you got to inform them what you’re doing. So I know how to talk to the people out here and listen to their concerns, and I just want to get back to the community that gave it to me all my life.

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