Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the second time in roughly a month, Gov. Mike Kehoe has requested FEMA to participate in joint preliminary damage assessments for counties that were damaged by storms and flooding, according to a Friday afternoon press release from the governor’s office.

An EF-2 tornado ravaged Pilot Grove in Cooper County on April 2, but storms and flooding impacted several counties days before and after.

“Missouri has again been battered by severe storms and significant flooding, causing widespread destruction and disrupting the lives of many families and businesses across the state,” Kehoe was quoted in the release. “The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local emergency management officials have been working tirelessly to assess impacts, and we believe the extent of the damage clearly meets the threshold for FEMA to again participate in joint damage assessments.”

The joint preliminary assessment was requested for Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Cooper, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Iron Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Vernon, Washington and Wayne counties.

Assessments will begin on Tuesday, April 15, the release says. Teams will survey and verify documented damage to determine if individual assistance can be requested through FEMA.

Kehoe previously made the same request for storms that impacted Missouri on March 14 and 15.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No criminal charges will be filed in an August 2024 overdose death that occurred at the Boone County Jail.

William Gipson, 43, of Ashland, died in custody at the Boone County Jail. The Boone County Medical Examiner determined that his death was the result of an accidental methamphetamine overdose.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson wrote in a letter “The actions of the deputies, officers, and jail staff involved were lawful,” based on a review from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which included photographs, videos and the examiner’s report.

“As the involved personnel acted within the bounds of the law and the cause of death was unrelated to any criminal conduct by those individuals, no further legal action will be taken,” the letter says.

The examiner’s report in previous reporting stated that a peak blood concentration of meth of 20 ng/mL was reported after 2.5 hours after taking 12.5 mg orally. Gipson’s blood had 3700 ng/mL, 125 times that amount.

The autopsy report stated Gipson had several blunt-force injuries including small cuts on his left cheek, upper back, right wrist and left leg. He also had a fracture due to resuscitative attempts, according to the report. There were also defibrillator electrodes on his chest at the time of the exam.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Credit Union has legally merged with the River Region Credit Union, according a post on the Missouri Credit Union’s website.

“Now that we’re legally merged, the work to combine our systems and services takes center stage. This marks an exciting time for us to make good on our promise of increased access and benefits,” Rick Nichols, president and CEO of the combined union was quoted on the website.

The National Credit Union Association approved a merger between the two credit unions in February, which had to be approved by members.

Missouri Credit Union’s website states that a new name for the merged credit union will be decided in the summer and will officially change on Nov. 1.

The combined credit union looks to be fully operational by November.

Matthew Sanders

The Improve I-70 Project, which will make Interstate 70 at least three lanes statewide, is in full swing.

A lot of that work has been taking place in Mid-Missouri, where the existing road is being widened from two lanes to three. Part of that project is eliminating the exit ramp onto Business Loop 70 from westbound I-70.

The ramp has been closed for some time now. But this weekend, crews will remove it. Since the ramp crosses over the eastbound side of the interstate, that’s where the worst traffic impacts will be.

This is merely one of scores of traffic headaches Mid-Missouri drivers will deal with during the long project. But for many, the results will be worth it.

Are you one of them? Let us know by voting in the poll.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police arrested a man on Friday who is accused of posing as a youth to get child pornography from underage victims, the Columbia Police Department wrote in a press release.

Steven Greathouse, 30, was charged on Friday in Boone County with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, first-degree promoting child pornography and possessing child porn. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date has not been set.

The release says that CPD received a tip from New Jersey State Police about Greathouse allegedly communicating with youth in New Jersey.

The probable cause statement says New Jersey law enforcement had been investigating the situation since November. Greathouse supposedly portrayed himself as a 14-year-old to get photos from a 12-year-old girl.

New Jersey law enforcement found the accounts associated in the social media conversations belonged to Greathouse, the statement says.

Columbia police conducted a traffic stop on Greathouse’s vehicle near the intersection of West Vawter School Road and South Scott Boulevard. He was the only person in the vehicle, the statement says.

Police searched his phone and allegedly found explicit conversations on the social media application SnapChat, in addition to photos and videos, the statement says.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Central Missouri Humane Society employee had to be saved by firefighters after they became trapped in a food storage trailer that tipped over on Friday morning.

CMHS wrote in a press release that hundreds of pounds of food fell around the employee. No injuries were reported and firefighters were able to pull the woman free.

“This was a very scary situation. We are just grateful that no one was hurt,” CMHS Executive Director Julie Aber said in the release. “The reality is our shelter has been degrading for years. It’s not safe for our animals, our staff, or members of the public. We have to raise the funds for a new facility, and we have to do it now.”

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man was charged on Friday with possessing child pornography in Cole County.

Nathan Kent, 31, is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been set.

The probable cause statement says law enforcement received report in May 2024 of someone storing child pornography to an online platform. The report included an email address and IP address that were located in Jefferson City, court documents say.  

Law enforcement received more data on Dec. 30 from a search warrant, which allegedly showed and child porn files were sent from the user to another person in April, the statement says. One of the accounts had a photo of Kent, the statement says.

A search warrant was executed at Kent’s residence on Thursday. Kent was found after trying to grab a gun while resisting arrest, court documents say.

Kent allegedly referred to himself as a “monster,” after he was detained, the statement says. Court documents say that police saw messaging that showed Kent sending child porn to other users and discussing about wanting to sexually assault a toddler, the statement says.