Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sidewalk closures have been announced for next week in downtown Columbia, the city announced in a Friday press release.

The release says crews will begin painting the roofline of the Gentry Building at 1 South Seventh St.

The nearby sidewalks along East Broadway and Seventh Street will close from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day beginning Monday through Friday, Oct. 30.

Signs will be placed in the area and barricades will be removed at the end of each work day, the release says.

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Camryn Payne

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was taken to the hospital after a crash in west Columbia on Friday afternoon.

The Columbia Fire Department told ABC 17 News that firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of West Broadway and Park De Ville Drive at 12:37 p.m. for reports of a crash. A Boone County Joint Communications alert sent at 12:52 p.m. said the intersection was blocked.

The Columbia Police Department said the crash involved three vehicles, and EMS took one person to the hospital.

The scene was cleared at 1:21 p.m.

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Stephi Smith

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia officials are considering whether to give historic buildings more time to be saved from demolition as the city’s Historic Preservation Commission develops a broader plan to strengthen preservation rules.

The Columbia City Council will review a staff report Monday outlining options for temporarily delaying demolition permits for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The council requested the report in September. No action is expected Monday, according to a council memo.

The action comes as community members rally to save Katy Station, a former rail passenger depot for the MKT Railroad built in 1909. Supporters are trying to save the building and move it as a new owner takes over the property.

State law allows the city to temporarily delay demolition permits to give officials time to study additional historic preservation measures, the memo states. Any ordinance would need to identify which properties qualify, establish a specific time frame and outline exceptions for circumstances such as dangerous buildings or substantial economic hardship.

The National Register of Historic Places is a federal list of properties recognized for their historical significance. Listing can provide access to rehabilitation tax credits but does not automatically protect a building from demolition.

Columbia has 33 individual properties listed on the National Register.

Columbia historic building demo delay memoDownload

The city’s Historic Preservation Commission currently reviews demolition applications, including for structures more than 50 years old and properties within historic survey areas or National Register districts. The review period lasts up to 45 days, but the commission cannot prohibit demolition through this process.

Columbia also has five properties with a local Historic Preservation Overlay zoning designation. Owners of those properties must obtain approval before making certain alterations or demolishing a structure. The commission can deny that approval, preventing the city from issuing the relevant permit, according to the memo.

In 2016, the city established a temporary administrative delay for demolition permits involving structures at least 50 years old in the downtown area.

The Historic Preservation Commission is finalizing a broader preservation plan that includes recommendations to expand demolition review requirements. The memo states the plan is expected to reach the City Council for consideration in January or February 2027.

Carrie Gartner, a member of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, said the current 45-day review period does not give property owners and historic preservation advocates enough time to negotiate alternatives to demolition.

The commission wants to extend the delay to six months, Gartner said, giving stakeholders more time to find solutions that preserve historic buildings while addressing property owners’ interests.

“We need at least six months delay on the demolition to give people time to maybe reach a compromise, maybe find a different solution,” Gartner said. 

Gartner cited Katy Station, located at 402 E. Broadway and currently home to Shiloh’s Bar and Grill, as an example of the need for additional time. The building originally served as a depot for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Earlier this year, the building’s owner announced plans to demolish it and replace it with apartment units. Local historic preservation advocates and the incoming owner are discussing options to relocate the structure and preserve it.

James Roark-Gruender, a member of the Save Katy Station steering committee, said additional time has allowed the committee to work with the current and incoming owners to explore alternatives to demolition.

Roark-Gruender said he is unsure whether six months is the exact right amount of time but he believes the current 45-day period is too short for meaningful negotiations.

He said a longer review period could encourage developers to discuss their plans earlier and give community members more time to find solutions without preventing development.

“We’re not trying to stop the development. We’re working with the people who are buying it and working out a plan to move the station and have a win-win for both people,” Roark-Gruender said.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released a new survey Thursday examining the state’s cannabis market over the past year, with the study reporting room for growth.

The study, conducted by New York-based Cannabis Public Policy Consulting LLC, used data from 1,200 cannabis consumers over the past 35 months to observe market dynamics, purchasing behaviors and demand.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, medical cannabis sales have been on a slow decline as recreational use continues to increase. September sales for 2026 were a little over $119 million dollars, around $14 million dollars more than last year.

“Missouri’s success in capturing more than 90% of cannabis spending within the regulated market in just three years is a significant accomplishment,” CPPC Chief Executive Officer Mackenzie Slade said in a statement.

missouri_cannabis_market_study_report_202610Download

According to the study, they found Congressional District 5, which largely covers the Kansas City area, greatly outpaced the state’s other congressional districts annually since 2023 by at least 5 million dollars. The lowest congressional district by the end of 2025 was District 1 at nearly $132 million that year. On average, each district made a little over $189 million in 2025.

The group found that around 93% of consumers participate in the legal marijuana market. The group also found that consumers tend to prioritize price and potency of the cannabis over the legal status of the seller. Medical cannabis patients also tended to spend more than other customers.

In their recommendations for future policy and to increase market competition, the group suggests removing cannabis licensing requirements by population and instead having licenses be given by consumer demand. The group also recommends tracking market concentration by ownership, rather than individual dispensary licenses both actions are meant to increase or better measure competition in an area.

“Increasing competition will continuously be a priority for all cannabis markets where consumers are prioritized, even if the market is effectively meeting demand,” Slade said. “A competitive market benefits consumers by encouraging businesses to continuously improve the products and services they offer.”

The group also recommends that cannabis alternatives like CBD and THCA be monitored. Due to low demand, legislative action isn’t suggested.

The group also suggests grants, tax breaks and faster permitting to encourage cannabis businesses to open in underserved communities. The group adds, however, that the state should be aware of potential negative effects of development on a community’s public health or environment.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A substitute teacher and cross-country coach in the Macks Creek School District who is also the Hickory County treasurer was charged this week in federal court with distributing child sex abuse material.

Kenneth S. Ratliff, 51, appeared Thursday in federal court in Jefferson City on one criminal count. The federal complaint alleges Ratliff was part of a chat group used to trade photos of children, including some men who identified themselves as fathers.

The complaint alleges that Ratliff appeared in the chat as “badad03” and shared a photo of a clothed girl, taken from behind, in the chat with undercover agents. An FFA seal in a classroom in the background of the picture helped investigators identify the school where it was taken as Macks Creek, the complaint states.

Ratliff is accused of sharing a video depicting sex with an 8-year-old girl, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Ratliff also came up in another child sex abuse material investigation.

Macks Creek Superintendent Josh Phillips wrote in an email to ABC 17 News that Ratliff was fired immediately after the district received the information.

“Student safety is our highest priority, and the District does not tolerate the employment of any individual accused of crimes involving minors,” Phillips wrote. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, law enforcement has directed the District to avoid the disclosure of any additional information at this time. The District will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as needed regarding its investigation.”

The Hickory County Treasurer’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

Ratliff remained in federal custody after his initial hearing on the charge Thursday in Jefferson City. A detention hearing is set for Tuesday.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The fight to end Alzheimer’s disease continues Saturday as Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s aims to raise $195,000 for research and support for the more than 7 million Americans living with the disease.

Saturday’s walk will be held at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. with the walk to follow.

In Missouri, 122,000 people 65 years old and older are living with the disease, with one-in-three seniors dying from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia across the country, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Missouri Alzheimer’s Association fundraising manager Alaina Ballance says the annual walk brings together families affected by the disease and provides a sense of community as they work toward finding a cure.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a great community event that brings people and families together who are battling the disease and looking for a cure,” Ballance said. “it’s a great community building event to see others are in the same situation, is unique community event for people to come together and fight against this horrible disease,”

Each year a goal it set to raise a certain amount of money to help fund research for the disease that kills about 116,022 people annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Ballance said the money raised stays in the Show-Me State.

“A lot of the money stays local which is great, it helps research, a bunch of research comes out of Washington University in St. Louis,” she said. “Then, a lot money also stays local to localized programs in education and support groups for families who may be starting or going through the journey of a loved one of themselves battling the disease of Alzheimer’s or other dementia.”

No cure has been found, but treatments have been made available has research has continued year after year. The Food and Drug Administration has approved treatments that may change the disease’s progression, and drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms.

Lecanemab, marketed under the brand name Leqembi, was approved by the FDA in 2023 to treat early stage Alzheimer’s disease. The antibody treatment targets and reduces beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with the disease, and has been shown to slow cognitive decline in eligible patients.

Donanemab was also approved by the FDA. The treatment is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous infusion therapy that is given every four weeks. It has received traditional approval from the FDA to treat early Alzheimer’s, including people living with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

“For the first time we have treatments that can change the course of Alzheimer’s, it’s a tremendous step forward. Our work is far from done. There’s not a cure yet, there’s just FDA treatments approved so we won’t rest until we find a cure but there are current treatments in place that people can use if they have been diagnosed.” Ballance said.

The cost of finding a cure is vital as the Alzheimer’s Association says in 2026, Alzheimer’s and other dementias were projected to cost the U.S. $409 billion.

Money raised can also help caretakers and caregivers as there are more than 300,000 caregivers helping people with Alzeheimer’s across the state.

“There’s more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. So that doesn’t just include them, it includes our friends and family and those caretakers and caregivers who step up and help that person navigate through the journey,” Ballance said. “I think something that I would love for all people to know is it’s not just a battle for the person living with the disease but it impacts everyone around them and the community around them,”

The money raised also helps the Alzheimer’s Association provide a free 24/7 hotline (1-800-272-3900), offering resources, support, assistance and information for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Lodging Association has filed an appeal in its case against the city.

The lodging association filed a lawsuit in 2025 against the city, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It alleges that lodging tax funds collected for the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau violates the Missouri Constitution.

“Therefore, for the reasons stated herein, the Court finds that Rule 74.04 requires the Court to rule on Defendants’ fully briefed summary judgment motion. And because Defendants have shown there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on all counts in Plaintiff’s First Amended Petition, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of Defendants on all counts,” the judgement filed in August says.

The appeal this week argues that ruling “disregards the General Assembly’s own distinction between promoting tourism and building tourism facilities as described” Missouri law.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia Public Works is considering a roundabout at East Green Meadows Road and East Nifong Boulevard in an effort to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes on the city’s south side.

The Public Works Department hosted its first public open house Thursday evening to give residents a look at the proposed project. About five residents signed in at the event.

The project has an estimated budget of $2.1 million, which would be funded through the city’s quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax.

According to the department, 26 crashes involving 53 vehicles and nine injuries were reported in the area from 2021-25.

The proposed project would replace the existing two-way stop-controlled intersection with a roundabout.

Assistant Public Works Director Lee White said the department believes a roundabout is the safest option for the intersection.

“There’s less of the sideswipe collisions. That can be present. More of just your rear end type of collisions are present with the reduced conflict points as well as the efficiency within the intersection,” White said.

The project would also include pavement maintenance, new asphalt and pavement improvements, and sidewalk replacements. The department has completed pavement surface and subsurface investigations.

According to materials provided to residents, construction could begin in summer 2028 if the project is approved by the City Council.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo.  (KMIZ)

Columbia’s public hearing on Flock cameras is expected to be held Monday, Nov. 9, according to city documents.

The City Council’s agenda for Monday shows the council is voting on holding the public hearing. A first read was held last month. The measure is listed on the consent agenda.

The Flock camera system was first approved in October 2024. In August, Pulaski County terminated its contract with Flock after holding a community forum to receive feedback on Flock. Jefferson City renewed its own agreement in August.

This hearing comes as more communities nationwide have been ending their contracts with Flock over concerns of its use. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill last month targeting the technology.

FLOCK MEMODownload

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 1,300 City of Columbia electric customers were without power on Thursday evening.

The city’s outage map shows 1,336 customers in southwest Columbia were without power in neighborhoods near Scott Boulevard. An outage was reported near Rainbow Trout Drive at 6:57 p.m., according to the map.

Residents in the neighborhood south of Fairview Elementary School were without power. An ABC 17 News reporter saw power was lost at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Stadium and Broadway.

A neighbor on Kenwood Drive told the reporter they saw branches fall from a tree and hit a transformer. Utilities spokesman Jason West told similar details to ABC 17 News, saying a tree branch fell on a distribution line.

The transformer let out a bright green “explosion” that occurred multiple times, the neighbor said.

Columbia Water and Light wrote on its social media that the outage was caused by “an open circuit due to a transformer that caught on fire.”

A firetruck was on the scene while the reporter was there. The outage map showed power appeared to be restored around 8:15 p.m.

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