Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A traffic shift has been scheduled next week as crews are in the final stages of building a new bridge on Highway 63 just north of Broadway in Columbia and rehabbing an overpass at Interstate 70, a Thursday Missouri Department of Transportation press release says.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, head-to-head traffic will shift from the southbound lanes to the northbound lanes so crews can work on rehabbing the southbound overpass over I-70, the release says.

“Those who travel this area frequently, particularly northbound motorists, will see little change as entering and exiting the work zone will remain the same. All exit and entrance ramps for U.S. Route 63 are expected to remain open,” the release says.

This latest change is expected to last through September, the release says.

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Erika McGuire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City School District opened its new Early Childhood Center on Thursday.

The new facility, located at 1840 E. McCarty St., doubles the number of students served from 150 to 300 out of the district’s approximately 600 annual early childhood graduates, according to school officials.

Construction was paid for with proceeds from a bond issue that passed with 68% voter approval in April 2024. The district borrowed $85 million in total, with $22.5 million budgeted to pay for the Early Childhood Center’s construction.

District leaders emphasize the long-term benefits of early childhood education, noting that students who attend preschool are more likely to succeed academically, graduate high school, attend college and avoid unemployment.

Several organizations including, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Workforce Coalition, C&S Employment Services and other organizations across the community and state are a part of the development of a new pilot program called “Child Care Works.”

The program is designed to help employers cover the cost of child care costs for employees.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has approved $107 million to support timely payments based on enrollment for child care provides, $10 million for child care innovation grants to improve child care supply and $2.5 million to launch the program.

President of C&S Employment Solutions, Paula Benne says Missouri families feel the burden of expensive child care costa and the goal of the program is to make it more affordable.

“If a business puts in 30% of an employees child care expense the state will match up to 40% of that childcare expense,” Benne said.

The program has been in the works for five years, Benne said, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the child care industry hard.

An analysis done this year by Chile Care Aware found 97% of Missouri counties are infant and toddler child care deserts, and families spend at least 14% of their income on care.

The analysis found one-third of infants and toddlers in Cole County lack access to licensed care and 20% of pre-kindergarten children remain unserved.

The Child Care Works Program aims to change that.

“If you’re  talking an average child care $12,000 a year and you get that families expenses down to $3,600 thats huge,” Benne added.

The pandemic forced child care centers across the country to close, limiting access to care. But Benne says this program could also help the centers themselves.

“It’s going to attract staff for our child care centers, which will open up more rooms and more availability for families,” she said.

Child Care Teacher Melissa Small, has worked in child care for years and says the lack of facilities and employees is something she sees first hand.

“I believe it’s just not many people who want to work in childcare anymore  so we’re losing a lot of child care employees burnout is a thing,” Benne said.

The program, Benne says it also a win for businesses.

“Small business federal tax credit that they can get up to 50% federal tax credit large businesses can get up to 40% federal tax credit so that cuts it in half their contribution to this program,” Benne said.

Benne said about 10 businesses, including child care centers have signed up for the program.

The pilot is texted to launch Oct. 1 or mid October in Cole, Moniteau, Osage and Callaway counties.

Benne says they’ll evaluate its impact early next year, with hopes to expand it statewide.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Maple Meadows Drive will be closed next week at West Route K while crews install a water main, according to a Thursday press release from the City of Columbia.

The closure is expected to last from 7 a.m. Monday through the morning of Friday, Aug. 15, according to the release. Concrete pouring, which is the second phase of the project, will occur in September, according to the release.

Drivers should use Vermillion Drive to get to Route K, according to the release.

The work for this project is part of the Route K roundabout construction, the release says. Work is expected to be completed by early winter, the release says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly man has been charged after he was accused of sexually assaulting a man he knew had “cognitive deficits.”

Tomy Morgan, 55, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse. He was not listed on the Randolph County Jail roster on Thursday afternoon, but a $40,000 bond was issued on Wednesday, according to court filings. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says Moberly police were called to a Casey’s location about a peace disturbance, where a woman confronted Morgan about sexually assaulting an autistic man.

The victim allegedly confided to the woman, upon seeing his vehicle, that he was sexually assaulted by Morgan in July, court documents say. The man allegedly told police that Morgan tricked him into removing clothing and began sexually abusing him, the statement says.

Morgan allegedly told police it occurred consensually, but stopped when told to stop, though the actions Morgan described did not match the victim’s account, according to the statement.

The statement says it is “apparent” that the victim has “cognitive deficits, and has a low level of maturity.

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Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The north side of West Capitol Avenue in Jefferson City will be closed next week for resurfacing and painting, according to a press release from Jefferson City Public Works.

Work will start at 7 a.m. Monday and is expected to be done by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, the release says.

Road closure signs will be posted and drivers are urged to use caution and avoid the area, the release says.

The road surrounds the Missouri Capitol.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia teenager who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his alleged role in a July 2024 shooting is appealing his case.

Jeremiah Johnson, 19, was found guilty by a Boone County jury on July 3 of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently being held at the Boone County Jail. A notice of appeal was filed on Wednesday.

A man was shot at 1 a.m. July 10, 2024, in the 200 block of Lincoln Drive. Court documents in previous reporting show that shell casings were also found in the 400 block of McBaine Avenue and a gun was found near a Jeep Compass that was registered to Johnson.

Johnson allegedly told police that he was shot at and fired back, court documents in previous reporting say.

According to a probable cause statement in previous reporting, a woman heard banging on her front door around 2:30 p.m. the day before and saw Johnson and a woman who she didn’t know. The woman had apparently wanted to fight the woman at the residence, the statement says.

Johnson then allegedly sat in his vehicle, held a gun, but did not fire it then, the statement says. A witness also allegedly told police that she saw Johnson hold the gun while in the vehicle. One of the women was allegedly able to show police a photo from Johnson’s Instagram account that showed the gun, the statement says.

The witness allegedly told police that Johnson threatened to come back to the area and “shoot this place,” according to the statement.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia restaurant whose owner is accused of arson had its lease terminated last month, according to court documents filed on Wednesday.

Grindstone Plaza Development filed a petition in Boone County indicating Casa Maria’s owes $60,316.50 in unpaid rent and other costs. The document accuses Crystal Umfress and Marion Spence of unlawful detainer and breaching their contract.

Court documents say Grindstone Plaza Development issued Umfress and Spence a notice of default on June 18 and a notice to terminate the lease on July 24. Documents show the landlord declared the lease terminated the next day. The monthly rent is $9,038.66, according to the petition. A motion for a special process server was issued on Wednesday.

The restaurant at 1305 Grindstone Parkway had an “open” sign lit up on Thursday and appeared to be serving customers when ABC 17 News went to location on Thursday afternoon.

Umfress is charged with felonies in two cases. The first of which she is charged with second-degree arson after she was accused of hiring Kerry Raymond to burn down Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant in 2023 in Dunklin County.

In another case, she is charged with two counts of filing false documents and three counts of forgery after she was accused of impersonating county officials and restaurant owners.

A trial for both cases is set for Feb. 2, 2026.

Raymond is charged with second-degree arson. A case review is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 6, 2026. Court filings in Raymond’s case from earlier this year indicate he will testify in Umfress’ case.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed onto a barge on the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

The crash happened in Alton, Illinois. St. Louis-area media say Alton authorities told them the helicopter was involved in utility line work.

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Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Homeowners living near the site of a planned subdivision in east Columbia are raising concerns about traffic and other issues.

Troy Miller Properties LLC is asking the City of Columbia to approve a development plan for 77 new housing units on 24.13 acres off East Broadway near the Brooks subdivision.

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously decided to table the item at a meeting on Thursday night.

Brooks resident Aleece Rhinehart told ABC 17 News the property owner had expressed interest in further discussions with neighbors about the project. However, she noted that no meetings have been scheduled, and the community remains uncertain about how their concerns will be addressed.

Community members submitted more than 90 pages of comments about the project, according to correspondence provided by the city.

The proposed development will be located at the north end of Sagemoor Drive. Each building in the proposed development will have up to three housing units.

Traffic appears to be the primary concern, particularly on the neighborhood’s two main roads. In response to these concerns, the City of Columbia plans to extend El Chaparral Avenue as part of the new development. Additionally, Columbia Public Works will consider traffic calming devices on Hoylake Drive to help address safety concerns.

Brooks resident Holly McCoy says her main concerns center on Sagemoor Street, where she lives.

“My concern is the use of the street in front of our house as the main entrance into a high density living arrangement. These are single-family dwellings, and  I would,  you know,  have that concern of high traffic on this road,” McCoy said.

City Planner David Kunz said the city conducted a 2017 traffic study that evaluated developments larger than the one currently proposed and found no significant impact on Sagemoor Street.

The first construction phase will include 23 buildings; the second phase will be 36 buildings; and the third phase will include 18 residential buildings and improvements to Sagemoor and El Chaparral Avenue. Each building will have three units included.

Steve Smith and his wife live next to the proposed development on the north end of the street. Steve said they are a part of their neighborhood’s homeowners association, and are also concerned about the long-term effects on property values.

“Our properties are held to a certain standard to be maintained, and not knowing if the new development going in next door is going to be held to that same standard, we sort of wonder how that’s going to affect our property values,” Smith said.

ABC 17 News has reached out to the developers for comment.

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Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) 

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to redraw congressional boundaries during a press conference on Thursday.

Missouri is one of several states where Republican lawmakers are pushing for new congressional maps, aimed at gaining an edge in the U.S House of Representatives during the mid-term elections. With Republicans holding a slim 219–212 majority, both parties view the U.S. House as a battleground heading into the 2026 elections.

“This is a disgusting, shameful, power-grab that has never, ever been seen in modern American politics,” Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair Michael Johnson (D-Kansas City) said. 

Gov. Mike Kehoe took questions from reporters after speaking during the opening of the Missouri State Fair on Thursday morning in Sedalia. A Kehoe spokesperson told ABC 17 News this week the governor has had several conversations with the Trump administration about Missouri redistricting.

“As I’ve told everybody, the way the maps have been drawn have been talked about since we drew them or the House and Senate drew them four years ago,” Kehoe said of the state’s current House district, which were drawn after the 2020 census. “Nobody’s been exactly happy with it, so looking at how that might be more compact and contingent, making sure that America’s voice matches Missouri’s values, and Missouri is a great conservative, Christian-value state, and I think we’re always going to try to make sure that we support [Republican House Speak Mike Johnson] and that we don’t have an alternative.”

State lawmakers traditionally redraw district maps based on census data every 10 years. The last redistricting took place in 2022. Because of this, state Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) called the gerrymandering efforts unconstitutional. 

“It is shameful that this idea would be floated,” Tyson Smith said. “This is not constitutional.  The Missouri Constitution does not allow for redistricting unless there is an immediate census, and that has not happened.  This is nothing but a power grab, a power grab by the Trump administration to maintain control of the House.” 

Missouri Democrats contend the Trump administration feels threatened by a surge of rallies across Missouri and the rest of the country.

Missouri currently has six Republicans and two Democrats in the U.S. House. While no redrawn map has been released, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City), who has served since 2005,  would likely be the main target. Cleaver’s district currently has a high population of black and Hispanic residents. 

“Congressman Clever does an excellent job working across the aisle, so for his seat to be under attack like it is, is an offense not only to him but to our community because he’s effective,” state Rep. Yolonda Fountain-Henderson (D-St. Louis) said. 

Tyson Smith claimed Trump has no plans to leave the White House, citing newly released merchandise suggesting he intends to remain in power through 2028.

“This is his attempt to keep control of the House because that is the only body that can stop them at this point. We cannot allow him to do that, and this power grab is unconscionable. This is outrageous. We haven’t seen these times in the last 50, 60, 70 years of America,” Smith said. 

Democratic-led states like California have responded by threatening to conduct their own redistricting. When asked if Missouri Democrats would consider the same tactic if they controlled the Legislature, they said yes. However, they currently lack the votes to block the plan. Democrats are instead aiming to mobilize voters statewide and potentially challenge the move in court.

State Rep. Marlon Anderson (D-St. Louis) accused Republicans of undermining the will of Missourians with their redistricting efforts. Anderson made references to the Missouri GOP rolling back voter-approved sick leave and attempts to challenge the legal status of abortion, which was also approved by voters.  

“The Republicans of this state, time after time, undermine the will of Missourians. From Amendment 3 to Prop A and now the Missouri Congressional maps, the majority of whom believe that their voices are larger than Missouri. This is yet another attempt to further their agenda, while completely disregarding the will of Missouri,” Anderson said.

Kehoe said Thursday that he’s interested in “making sure America’s voice matches Missouri’s values” in Congress as the debate continues over whether Republican-heavy states should redraw their U.S. House maps. Kehoe claimed Democrats do not represent Missouri’s values.

The Trump administration has spoken with leaders in red states about redrawing their congressional districts to add more Republican-friendly seats to the U.S. House.

Several Missouri Republicans have expressed support for redrawing the maps, including state Senate leaders and the Missouri Freedom Caucus. However, Johnson claims not every Republican is on board. 

“There are some Republicans, some of our  Republican colleagues in this building,  that don’t want to see this happen,” Johnson said. “And I know that for a fact.”

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