Author: KMIZ

Haley Swaino

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sedalia city officials are seeking to demolish a 95-year-old downtown building as it continues to deteriorate since a storm rolled through the area Thursday.

In support of public understanding and being transparent, the city released documents about the property at 207 W. Main Street.

The city said it’s received many inquiries about the ongoing situation.

“We understand the concern,” the city said in a social media post Tuesday. “This property raises important questions about safety, accountability, and preservation.”

A hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday and summons were issued for the building’s owners, Dana Melton and Travis Dixon.

The city filed a petition to have a court declare the vacant property an immediate danger and requested to have it demolished on July 23, according to previous reporting.

The city said in the post that the process to demolish it dates back to 2012, when the neighboring building was demolished.

After the former interior wall of 207 West Main St. was exposed, the city paid to have a coating applied to protect the masonry, according to the city.

In 2017, the city said early warnings of failing masonry, water infiltration, and other structural red flags by Wallace Engineering were ignored.

Wallace Assessment Report 2017Download

“Their report called for further evaluation, but the necessary repairs never came,” the city stated.

Three years later, an old coal shaft was discovered during a sidewalk replacement project outside the property. Documents state the shaft is located beneath the front of the already unstable building.

Credit: City of Sedalia

Credit: City of Sedalia

Credit: City of Sedalia

“Construction paused while engineers developed a stabilization plan,” documents state. “The city and its contractors took time to properly fill and reinforce the area to ensure safety. Despite these efforts, no repairs were initiated by the property owners themselves.”

It is stated that the condition of the building had visibly continued to deteriorate by 2023.

“Missing bricks, crumbling mortar, and structural separation at the foundation and parapet were noted in official violation notices,” the city said. “Still, no substantial action was taken.”

Code Violations 69-108Download

Records show 207 West Main St. was transferred to Dana Melton and David Dixon in October 2024. The property was transferred to new owners despite an active code case and an open violation notice.

“According to City Ordinance 10-460, it is illegal to transfer a property deemed dangerous unless violations are first corrected or a formal compliance agreement is in place,” the city said. “Neither condition was met.”

The city said it issued a “fresh” round of notices and tried to work with Melton and Dixon to get the property into compliance. The condition of the building continued to worsen and suffered more damage after a storm in June 2024.

Currently, the City of Sedalia says it’s committed to transparency and safety when it comes to how to move forward with 207 West Main St.

“The City of Sedalia understands that building demolitions–especially downtown–come with emotion, history, and concern,” the city said in a post Tuesday. “The City’s preference, from the beginning, was for the building to be repaired. Code Enforcement staff worked for years to prompt action and provide opportunities for compliance. But no amount of reminders, warnings, or engineering reports can substitute for responsible ownership.”

The city said it is now unavoidable that the building must be demolished.

Court proceedings are scheduled to resume Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Judge Jeff Mittelhauser has asked the city to provide additional information.

ABC 17 News has reached out to the attorney representing Melton and Dixon.

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Erika McGuire

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time, the New Bloomfield Fire Protection District is asking district voters for assistance on Aug. 5.

The district is asking voters to approve general obligation bonds for $3 million that would be used for a new fire station and other improvements.

The ballot question reads: “Shall the New Bloomfield Fire Protection District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $3,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring real property; constructing, furnishing and equipping a new fire station; renovating, improving and expanding existing fire station; and acquiring fire trucks, vehicles and other firefighting emergency apparatus and equipment?”

In a Facebook Post earlier this month, the fire district clarified that the planned project will be less than $3 million.

“The cost of our new building and expansion of our existing station to be significantly lower. We are asking for $3,000,000 so we can plan for the next decade (or two) for the equipment needs. Our repayment will be only on the amount we borrow,” the post said.

The project would be funded through a general obligation bond, which the district says allows it to borrow money at the lowest possible interest rate. While the district can borrow funds without voter approval, doing so would come at a higher cost, officials say.

If approved, the bond would be repaid through a property tax levy of about 11¢.

The fire district estimates that, for the average homeowner, approval of the bond measure would increase property taxes by about 8 a day, which is about $2.30 a month.

According to the district, the funding would allow for expanded and updated facilities, along with the purchase of new emergency equipment, enhancing firefighter safety, improving response times, and strengthening protection in the New Bloomfield community.

Callaway sample ballotDownload

This is the only question on the special election ballot in Callaway County.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Donations continue to come in for both of Columbia’s candidates in the Second Ward special election.

Election Day is Aug. 5 and both candidates have filed their eight-day-before-the-election report. Elwood’s has totaled $19,245.54 in donations this election and currently has $7,306.21 on hand; while Rice raised $7,519.30 this election and currently has $2,747.12 on hand.

This most-recent round of donations for Elwood includes a $3,976.75 sum from 955 PAC, who has given Elwood’s campaign a total of $5,476.75 so far. Rice’s campaign has garnered mostly small-dollar amounts during this most-recent round of reporting.

The July 15 quarterly report showed Elwood received $2,500 from the Missouri and Kansas Laborers PAC and $1,000 from Columbia Professional Fire; while Citizen for a Safe Columbia gave $2,500 to Rice’s campaign.

Donations for both candidates can be viewed in the documents below.

Vera Elwood MEC 7-28-25Download

Ken Rice MEC 7-28-25Download

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A one-page note found in the pocket of the man who opened fire in a New York office on Monday claimed he suffered from CTE — or chronic traumatic encephalopathy — and appeared to be targeting the NFL headquarters, according to reporting from national outlets. 

According to ABC News, Shane Tamura, 27, fatally shot and killed four people — including a New York police officer — and injured another at the building on Monday that houses the NFL’s headquarters.

Tamura played high school football and had a three-page note in his pocket accusing the NFL of hiding the dangers of playing football to boost profits. Tamura claimed in the note that he suffered from CTE due to playing football and asked that his brain be studied. The Chief Medical Examiner from the New York City Office said Tamura’s brain will be examined as part of his autopsy. 

While Tamura never played professionally, a 2023 study from the National Institute of Health found that the pathology of CTE starts early, with CTE being reported in people as young as 17. The study examined 152 brains from contact sports players who died before reaching 30. Of those brains, more than 40% had CTE.  

In high school sports, more than two out of three concussions result from collisions among athletes. CDC data from a 2024 study shows contact sports — which includes football, basketball and soccer — are associated with 45% of all sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries for children ages 17 and younger. 

The two sports with the highest concussion rates included tackle football and girls soccer, with the concussion rates in girls soccer being even higher than boys soccer, ice hockey, wrestling and lacrosse. 

Tackling was responsible for 63% of high school football concussions, while roughly a third of concussions suffered during girls soccer were the result of heading. 

According to the University of Kansas Health System, the U.S. Soccer Concussion Initiative recommends limiting children 10 years old and younger from hitting a soccer ball with their head. U.S. club soccer gives a lists of rules on its website.

According to Dr. Carolyn Quinsey, a neurosurgeon at MU Health Care, many young athletes return to sports too soon, unaware that high-level brain functions—like balance and hand-eye coordination—are still affected. Symptoms such as headaches often resurface during play, signaling unresolved issues that can be treated more effectively with early identification and targeted therapy.

“Concussions are a little bit like snowflakes,” Quinsey said.  “There aren’t any two that are perfectly alike. And so it’s important to keep that in mind that we tailor the treatment to the patient itself and then how their symptoms are. So probably the biggest guideline I can give you is that no one should be returning to full physical or mental activity if they’re still having symptoms.” 

The Missouri State High School Activities Association has a five-step policy for an athlete to return to the field after a concussion after being cleared for progression by a neuropsychologist. 

The five steps include: 

Step 1: Light cardiovascular exercise.

 Step 2: Running in the gym or on the field. No helmet or other equipment. 

Step 3: Noncontact training drills in full equipment. Weight training can begin. 

Step 4: Full, normal practice or training (a walk-through practice does not count as a full, normal practice). 

Step 5: Full participation. Must be cleared by MD/DO/PAC/LAT/ARNP/Neuropsychologist before returning to play.

However, that progression is determined on a case-by-case basis according to each school’s policies and procedures. 

During the past decade, some high schools across the state have introduced safety measures in football, including tackling rings to improve form and soft-shell helmet covers designed to provide added protection during practice. But the CDC warns that there is no “concussion-proof helmet.”

Suffering multiple concussions can result in permanent brain damage that has long-lasting effects, especially if they are not cared for properly. 

According to Quinsey, a common pattern with delayed concussions in children involves initial headaches that subside after a few days, followed by lingering symptoms tied to eye coordination or vestibular issues. 

“In patients that do have multiple concussions, particularly if they haven’t even healed from the first one,  they definitely can have permanent intellectual deficit and lower IQ,” Qinsely said.  “We really want to make sure that kids in particular, are really healing from their injury.”

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Keriana Gamboa

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City is set to have negotiation talks with a third-party vendor to operate the city’s parking lots and structures.

Some city council members have raised concerns that when a city service or the management of the city service is privatized, prices increase for the citizens served.

The Jefferson City Council voted to move forward with contract negotiations with PCI Municipal Services LLC, following a 7-3 vote at its meeting two weeks ago.

3 city council members voted not in favor of the privatization, Ward 2 Councilman Aaron Mealy, Ward 3 Councilman Derek Thomas, and Ward 5 Councilwoman Mackenzie Job.

Council member Derek Thomas told ABC 17 News that because of the demolition of the Madison Street parking garage for the building of the new proposed conference center, the City staff did not feel like Parking Services had the skills to manage the 400 spaces going missing for the next 2 years.

The city initially issued a request for proposals to parking management companies nationwide as part of its effort to explore third-party oversight of Jefferson City’s parking services.

Four companies responded, and after a review process by a group of people selected by the city, PCI Municipal Services LLC was selected

“The stage right now is really just negotiating with Pcci to understand what they will and won’t do what we do and don’t need what we’re willing to pay for and what we’re not willing to pay for. So all the details have to come together,” Thomas said.

Brian Kern President at PCI Municipal Services, told the city council last week that they are “bringing new ideas that are operations, types of operations that we see in other contracts and other cities.”

Ward 2 Councilman Aaron Mealy told ABC 17 News in a statement that many of his constituents believe the city should retain control over its services and how they are managed.

“Almost always, when a city service or the management of the city service is privatized, prices increase for the citizens served,” Mealy said.

Councilwoman Mackenzie Job Ward 5 told ABC 17 News in a statement her reasoning for her vote.

“My ‘no’ vote is because I have reservations about turning over responsibility for a city asset to a third party, and those are based off reading several case studies from other communities who have chosen to take that route,” Job said.

The changes could potentially include higher parking meter rates or the installation of new meters on streets that currently do not have them. High Street in downtown Jefferson City has been without parking meters since 2003.

“Whether we raise the rates or it happens in conjunction with was turning parking over to an organization to manage it.  It’s it really needs to happen one way or another. So  I can’t apologize for rate increases,” Thomas said.

The resolution, approved by the council, formally authorizes city officials to begin discussions on the terms of a potential agreement with the private company.

Thomas also told ABC 17 News that if an agreement is reached, it will return to the city council for final approval. He expects that it could happen before the planned demolition of the parking garage, which is scheduled for September or October.

Thomas also said he expects more details and a specific timeline to be released following a city council work session scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The session will focus on reviewing financing plans for the proposed conference center.

ABC 17 News has reached out to Council member Mike Lester, the sponsor of the resolution, for comment on the new negotiation talks.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters in Boone County have taken advantage of in-person no-excuse absentee voting ahead of the Aug. 5 special election.

In-person, no-excuse absentee voting began on July 22 and Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said turnout has been steady so far.

“In-person that have come in the office to vote we’ve had almost 900,” Lennon said. “If you include the people who have already voted by mail or submitted an absentee ballot by mail thats another 800,”

By the time Election Day wraps up, Lennon expects voter turnout to fall between 8-9%.

Boone County election judge Trynton Roberts said turnout has been consistent each day, with voters showing up for a particular issue on the ballot.

“About 100 voters each day, it seems that Proposition 1 has been the biggest drive for voters to show up,” Roberts said.

Boone County began in-person no-excuse absentee voting in November 2022 and Lennon said over the years it has grown in popularity,

“We’ve seen a shift as we’ve gotten no-excuse absentee voting to be more a common place for voters we’ve seen more people choosing to cast their ballots earlier,” Lennon said. “So there’s not much of a relationship between basing turnout on what we’ve seen from no-excuse absentee. It’s just people choose to vote before Election Day more often than they used to,”

Lennon says, the November 2024 election marked the highest used of no-excuse absentee voting so far.

“Smaller elections like April elections and things that has shrunk down a little bit more to 15% of our overall turnout comes from absentee but that’s still triple what our absentee turnout used to be,” Lennon said. “We’re not seeing it affect overall turnout numbers we’re just seeing people that would have voted anyway are just taking advantage of the convince of being able to vote before election day,”

Boone County resident Susan Devaney has done in-person, no-excuse absentee voting and said it’s a good option for retirees.

“Convenient, you can put it on your calendar and you have a whole rang of time you can come,” Devaney said. “Its always busier on election and people wake up and all of a sudden think oh I have to go vote today,”

Every voter in Boone County will see Proposition 1 on their ballot, which proposes an expansion of the senior property tax freeze.

In April of last year, voters approved an exemption for senior citizens from certain property tax increases, which they have to apply to use each year.

Residents of Columbia’s Second Ward will vote to elect a new representative in a special election. The Columbia City Council called the election to fill the vacant Ward 2 seat after Lisa Meyer resigned earlier this year. The candidates on the ballot to fill the seat are Ken Rice and Vera Elwood.

Polls for in-person no-excuse absentee voting are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Boone County Government Center.

This Saturday, voters can cast their ballots at two additional locations: the Parkade Elementary School gymnasium from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the Columbia/Boone County Health Department from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Voters are required to bring a valid photo ID to vote. Accepted forms include a Missouri driver’s license, U.S. passport or military ID.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will close a portion of Highway 5 on Wednesday between New Franklin and Fayette to replace a culvert, according to a Tuesday press release.

A stretch of highway between County Roads 426 and 320 will be closed from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The work is related to a sinkhole that formed on Sunday, according to MoDOT spokeswoman Marcia Johnson. She said the hole formed after a culvert broke.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol had warned travelers of the sinkhole in the roadway on Sunday afternoon.

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Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: Woodard’s name has been corrected. Her employment history with MU Health Care was added on Wednesday.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Oklahoma woman who worked as a nurse at University Hospital was charged on Friday after she was accused of stealing fentanyl from the hospital earlier this year.

Amanda Woodard, of Sperry, Oklahoma, was charged with stealing. She is not listed on the Boone County Jail roster, but an entrance of appearance was filed on Tuesday, where she pleaded not guilty. A motion to set a $10,000 bond was filed, but Woodard filed an objection for the request on Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says that Woodard stole the drug for personal use by giving the proper dose to her patients and then using a syringe to take the remaining amount of the vial for herself. Security had flagged an incident to law enforcement on June 13.

Woodard allegedly told hospital security that she stole roughly 266 milliliters of fentanyl from 133 partially used vials during a period from January through May.

MU Health Care confirmed on Wednesday that Woodard began working as a contract agency nurse on Nov. 18, 2024, and was employed by MU Health Care from May 18-June 19.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman was charged with two felonies on Tuesday after authorities claim she fraudulently obtained welfare benefits.

Peggy Worstell, of Columbia, was charged with unlawfully receiving EBT cards and stealing more than $750. A warrant will not be issued.

The probable cause statement alleges Worstell misrepresented her household income by not declaring her husband or his income on applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid benefits from September 2018-August 2024.

Court documents say she received $28,710.94 in public assistance.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

Columbia Ward 2 candidates talked Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices in the city on Tuesday.

The Columbia NAACP hosted an election forum at Second Baptist Church downtown. Ken Rice and Vera Elwood are both vying for the seat, after former councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced her resignation in May.

The special election for the open seat is Aug. 5. Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon told ABC 17 News Tuesday morning that roughly 900 people had already cast their ballot in person, while another 800 had returned a mailed absentee ballot.

Lennon said she’s expecting between 8-9% turnout.

Community members were invited to ask questions to each candidate during Tuesday night’s forum. One of those questions was centered around DEI practices in the city. The Columbia City Council voted to keep its mission and vision statements intact during its June 16 meeting.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched an investigation into the City of Columbia’s practices related to DEI. The investigation will focus on “decision-making in city programs, hiring and funding,” according to previous reporting.

Bailey also submitted a request for public records and electronic communication for terms related to DEI.

City spokeswoman Sydney Olsen told ABC 17 News via text Tuesday afternoon that the city is still working to provide those documents.

“We sent an initial cost estimate for the original request. Following that, their office narrowed the scope of their request. We’ve sent an updated cost estimate which has been paid. We’re now working to provide documents responsive to their revised request,” Olsen said.

According to Olsen, the original estimated cost was $964.24. The revised estimate was $131.49.

Vera told residents Tuesday night that she would have voted “yes” to keep the DEI policy as it stood, if she was the ward 2 leader at the time the vote occurred.

“The language that it was utilizing wasn’t just randomly invented here in Colombia. It is the standard DEI language that is used by the National Association of Counties that they were relying upon,” Vera said. “I would absolutely uphold that. I would also hope to do further work to see that policy actually come to action, to see more work, to watch the strategic plan and the indicators that they’re using to see more significant change.”

Rice told ABC 17 News ahead of Tuesday’s forum that he doesn’t believe anything will come out of the investigation.

“We have a statement that’s performative,” Rice said. “It means nothing. We talk about we want to do stuff for DEI, we hired a DEI director but there’s no significant show of outcomes that have made any significant community better because of that statement or the hiring of the DEI person.”

Bailey has also threatened to sue the City of Columbia if found in violation DEI compliance and take it to the White House. Pamela Hardin is the president of the Columbia NAACP and moderated Tuesday night’s forum.

Hardin said she doesn’t believe the investigation is unneccesary.

“I think they’re digging in a place that they don’t need to dig. The city is happy with the way things are going here. We are happy being inclusive. We’re happy with our equity and our diversity,” Hardin said. “I just think it’s a waste of time, funds, money, ability, people and resources for him to launch this investigation to find nothing but to look for something because they’re not happy with the choices that the constituents actually have made in this town.”

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