Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A large response from firefighters was seen on Wednesday morning after vehicle caught fire near University Hospital.

No injuries were reported and there is no danger to the hospital, though a parking garage was closed, according to a Columbia Fire Department spokesperson.

The fire was put out quickly and the response was large because of its location, the spokesperson said.

Crews were dispatched at 10:29 a.m. and it took around three minutes to find the vehicle in the garage.

Check back for updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Inflation is easing, but living costs and bills remain high.

The annual rate in the U.S. has hovered around 2.6-2.7% in 2026. That’s down about 0.3 percentage points from 2024’s rate and significantly lower than the 8% peak recorded in 2022.

While inflation has cooled, cumulative inflation – prices over a specific period, rather than year-to-year change – tells a different story. From 2022 to 2026, cumulative inflation indicates that prices are about 10-11% higher, resulting in a reduction in purchasing power.

The value of what’s in your wallet has reduced.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, $100 in December of 2022 has the same buying power as $109.18 in December 2025. That more than 9% increase can add up over time.

Recent data shows more than a quarter of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

I worked to find ways to cut back on recurring bills to help offset high costs.

Through experience, I learned it often requires patience and sitting through elevator music, but the key to lowering bills is to talk to a real person – not a robot.

Though many companies’ customer service numbers will connect you with an automated voice, ask for a human rep. I spent about 30 minutes each on hold with her car insurance and phone company to reach a real person, but the payoff was worth the wait.

I started by calling Verizon. For a single line, you can expect to pay about $70 a month on your phone bill. That’s for the cheapest plan with a hotspot.

I was told $10 could be knocked off by signing up for automatic payments. If I were a first responder, nurse, teacher, student, or military member with a second line, Verizon said I would likely be able to negotiate another $25 off a month.

By simply making a call, I was able to make sure I was getting the lowest rate for my needs in just five minutes. 

But how much could 15 minutes save you? 15% or more?

With that slogan in mind, I gave Geico a call, looking for another way to economize.

The average full-coverage quote for Geico is about $141 a month. After a three-minute wait, I got hold of the first human representative.

After I said I was looking to lower a monthly bill, back to on-hold music for another 12 minutes to get in touch with the appropriate department.

As the slogan goes, if wait times were included, nothing could be saved in 15 minutes.

But be patient, and hang on for a real person. After about 17 minutes, I got through to another human.

And I had some questions prepared from her previous call with Verizon.

I asked if opting for automatic payments could discount bills.

The Geico rep said enrolling for electronic funds transfers could save up to $36 a year.

A quick Google search let me know that providers may offer discounts for having anti-theft devices. So I asked.

Geico said its rates are based on the safety features of your vehicle, and no discounts could be added for extra safety devices.

If you have a different car insurance provider, it’s worth asking.

But with Geico, safe driving cuts back costs. Completing a defensive driving course can save policyholders 10% for three years.

Online courses, like Driver Training Associates, Inc. and All Star Driver Education, cost about $20.

Most range from four to eight hours and can be taken at the student’s pace.

After repeatedly asking for various ways to drive down monthly costs, I was told to take a look at the discounts page on Geico’s website.

There were 23 discounts listed, based on factors like the policyholder’s occupation, driving history and habits. Savings range from 5-25% off.

What I learned from my efforts is that by being straightforward and negotiating, you can be sure you’re getting the best rate. Be upfront about what you need and be sure to talk with a human rep.

With just about half an hour of remaining patience, providers offered to put at least $150 back in my pocket for the year.

Tune in to ABC 17 News at 6 p.m. Wednesday for the special report.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was taken to the hospital after their car flipped after hitting a tree on Wednesday.

A Boone County Joint Communications alert was sent out at 8:42 a.m. about a crash on Smiley Lane at Rangeline St., asking drivers to avoid the area.

Columbia Police Department Sgt. Robert Fox said a woman was driving northbound on Rangeline St. when she went off the road. He said the driver hit a small tree near the top of the hill, causing the car to become airborne and flip onto its top.

The woman was the only person in the car. She was taken to University Hospital.

Police at the scene did not know the severity of her injuries.

Columbia Fire and Police responded to the scene.

The scene was clear at 9:45 a.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The National Weather Service office in St. Louis is warning of an elevated fire risk until Thusday evening due to breezy winds and dry conditions, leading officials to encourage people to avoid outdoor burning this week.

Cooper County Fire Protection District Chief David Gehm told ABC 17 News operations don’t change with the increased risk however, stations are staying prepared.

“We send notice out to all the stations, make sure all their trucks are filled up and all their equipment is fueled up and working properly,” Gehm said.

According to the Boone County Fire Protection District, Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be especially concerning, with conditions throughout the week not being favorable for outdoor burning.

Boone County Office of Emergency Management is coordinating with the Columbia Fire Department, Centralia Fire Department and the Boone County Fire Protection District to monitor conditions and ensure readiness.

ABC 17 News also spoke with the Cooper County Fire Protection District and Boonville Fire Department who have joined automatic mutual aid to help assist.

“Everybody’s limited on manpower, so with this new agreement, we share a lot of resources in certain areas that butt up to the city, butt to the county, so we try and be prepared in those ways with manpower,” Boonville Fire Chief Tim Cooper said.

Gehm, Cooper and Chief Chris Wilhoit with the Howard County Fire Protection District all also reported having tools like leaf blowers and rakes to help respond, with crews also trained in digging ditches or back burning to get ahead of any brush fires.

“Sometimes you’re limited on water supply, so you have to resort to old school tactics, manual tactics, raking, shoveling, digging lines, using leaf blowers to help get the fire to go in the direction you would like it to go,” Cooper said.

According to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team, warm, dry air will lead to less moisture, making vegetation, such as dry grass and branches, easy to catch fire. The breezy winds fan the flames, providing oxygen to the fire and carry embers to create new spot fires that can grow.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety says there are many ways people can help reduce the spread of fires.

When grilling, position the grill far away from siding, deck railing, and away from any leaves and overhanging branches. Do not add charcoal or starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited.

Be extra careful with fire pits and campfires. Consider the risks before lighting the fire, and if you do decide to light it, check the wind direction. Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.

Any controlled burns should be reported to local fire departments, including details of when, where and how long the burns will be.

“It’s a beautiful day to day. People want to burn their trash and that’s when it can run into problems,” Gehm said. “A lot of times they’ll try and take control of a fire with a garden hose. Something we ask them to call immediately to the fire department, call 911 and get the fire dispatch.”

The NWS advises against open burning leaves, brush or debris. Smokers should be extremely careful in extinguishing cigarette and cigar butts completely before disposal. Do not throw away cigarettes from moving vehicles.

Secure trailer chains to prevent them from dragging and creating sparks that could ignite dry grass. If you’re driving off-road, use caution as sparks from the vehicle or equipment could come in contact with dry grass and start a fire.

According to the Boone County Fire Protection District, fires that start in these conditions can behave unpredictably and move faster than expected.

People are encouraged to call 911 immediately to report smoke or fire.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Sanders

The Missouri Senate Education Committee held a hearing before a packed house Tuesday on a bill that would create a letter-grade report card system for public schools.

Supporters say it will help parents identify the best places for their kids and provide incentives for schools to improve. Critics say it will stigmatize some schools and does nothing to help struggling schools get better.

Do you think it’s a good idea? Let us know by voting in the poll.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The family of a woman who was killed in flooded waters in Boone County in 2024 claims the City of Columbia and Boone County were at fault.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed Friday in Boone County alleges the city and county “failed to use ordinary care to either prevent Gillespie Bridge Road from flooding or to warn motorists of the flooding.”

Iveta Thayer– who was 81 at the time– drowned after the vehicle she was in was swept away by Perche Creek floodwaters near Gillespie Bridge Road and Coats Lane on July 3, 2024.

Boone County Assistant Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp told ABC 17 News at the time that Thayer and her husband David were originally trapped in the vehicle after driving through floodwaters. Thayer’s body was recovered from the water two days later, after the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said the water level had receded enough for crews to attempt a rescue effort.

Two people were also rescued on July 3, 2024, from the floodwaters, including a landscaping worker who tried to save the couple.

Mid-Missouri had been dealing with flash flooding at the time of the drowning and the National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for much of the area that week. The lawsuit alleges the NWS had warned against the potential for heavy rainfall and claims the U.S. Geological Survey at the time showed Perche Creek’s water was rapidly rising at the time.

The lawsuit claims that David and Iveta Thayer left their home to go shopping around noon that day. The couple took Interstate 70 to Providence Road and were unaware of flooding in the area, court documents say.

About an hour and a half later, someone called 911 and warned them that Perche Creek had flooded and there was water on Gillespie Bridge Road. The caller stated vehicles were still driving through the road and closure signs were not up in the area, the lawsuit states.

ABC 17 News received audio files — from the plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Russell — of the 911 calls made that day, where a woman’s voice can be heard telling a dispatcher that the road had flooded and vehicles were still driving through it.

“I think there’s a lot of people that are still trying to cross it. I can see this going very bad, very fast,” the woman said.

The dispatcher can then be heard telling the woman that they were already aware of the flooding.

Boone County Road and Bridge was notified at 1:36 p.m. of the flooding, court documents claim. Audio files given to ABC 17 News also show a dispatcher telling someone with Road and Bridge about the flooding. The person responded by saying they were monitoring the road.

Just before 2 p.m, a Boone County Commissioner notified Boone County Office of Emergency Management about the flooding on Gillespie. Emails Russell sent to ABC 17 News show Boone County Southern District Commissioner Justin Aldred telling Jacob Waller with the Office of Emergency Management to call Rep. Adrian Plank (D-Columbia) about the flooding.

Shortly after 2 p.m, Waller asked Boone County Dispatch to notify Road and Bridge to close Gillespie Bridge Road, the lawsuit states. Around 2:30 p.m. it posted on Facebook stating the road was closed due to flooding.

The lawsuit claims that around the same time the post was made, the Thayers drove toward Gillespie Bridge Road and Perche Creek. The road closed signs were still chained to the street sign on Chapel Hill road, documents say. A white Boone County Road and Bridge vehicle also drove past the couple away from the road, according to documents.

At 2:36 p.m, another person called 911 to report that a vehicle was swept away by flood waters, documents say.

The lawsuit claims the couple believed it was safe to drive through the road because other vehicles in front of them had safely crossed and because road closed signs were not up yet.

“By the time the Thayers saw water on Gillespie Bridge Road, there was no safe place to turn around and there were several other vehicles in front of and behind them,” documents say.

The couple’s vehicle was lifted by the water and began to sink. A bystander was able to rescue David Thayer by pushing down on his window, but was unable to get Iveta out of the vehicle, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges before the couple’s vehicle was swept away, witnesses spoke with a Boone County employee who said he was supposed to put up the road closed signs, but had forgotten the keys to unlock them. Documents also claim that employee said his shift was over and that he was going home.

In body camera footage ABC 17 News obtained, a Boone County deputy’s voice can be heard stating witnesses told her a city employee had forgotten the keys to put the signs up.

Residents in the area called for action shortly after the incident, calling for more preventative measures. An employee for Boone County previously told ABC 17 News that people would frequently move the barriers in the area.

The lawsuit requests monetary compensation for the family, as well a a jury trial.

ABC 17 News reached out to the City of Columbia, Boone County, and Boone County Road and Bridge who declined to comment on pending litigation. ABC 17 News also reached out to the attorney for Boone County. Russell also declined an interview on Tuesday.

Wrongful death lawsuitDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved modifying a hiring incentive for police officers.

The council at its regular meeting upped the lateral transfer incentive from $10,000 to $15,000. Prior to this, the $10,00 lateral transfer was paired with a $5,000 hiring incentive for non-licensed academy recruits, according to meeting documents.

“This resolution would authorize the City Administrator to modify the incentive system to increase the lateral transfer incentive to $15,000 and discontinue the non-licensed hiring incentive, reallocating those funds to prioritize lateral recruitment,” the resolution says.

Meeting documents say the incentive would be paid out over four years and that the Jefferson City Police Department from fiscal years 2023-25 averaged $286,618.42 in surplus funding because of position vacancies.

911 facility study

The City Council also approved unanimously JCPD’s request for a 911 facility study. The study would use Community Development Block Grants to “evaluate retrofit options for the Jefferson City Police Department’s Communications facility and Cole County EMS Communications Division facility to better meet operational and staffing needs and evaluate the feasibility of constructing a new joint facility,” meeting documents say.

Cole County EMS headquarters was opened in late 2024.  

Meeting documents say a staffing analysis from 2024 determined that JCPD’s and Cole County EMS’ communication facilities were at capacity.

“The 911 Facility Study will evaluate whether the existing centers can be retrofitted- or whether a new joint facility is needed-to provide the space, redundancy, and hardened infrastructure necessary to maintain continuity of operations,” documents say.

The cost of the study has not yet been determined.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council is moving forward with its plans for a proposed 1% Public Safety Sales Tax it believes will help close a $156 million funding gap in the Columbia Police and Fire retirement fund.

The police pension has a $66 million funding gap with nearly $81 million currently in the account. While the fire department has a nearly $90 million funding gap with just under $144 million in its account.

The police and fire pension fund grew 50% fewer in fiscal year 2025 than it did in fiscal year 2024. The city believes the 1% sales tax would bring in an additional $38 million for public safety departments by fiscal 2028. That money would go into a separate and dedicated account; public safety departments would also still receive about $60 million in general revenue funds.

Matt Nichols, President of the Columbia Police Officers Association, claims the problem started in 2012, when the pension plan was last changed.

“By 2032 the goal is to have the pension funded to 80%,” Nichols said. “We are now 14 years into this plan and we have lost almost 20% of funding out of the police pension.”

Nichols said officers accepted fewer benefits up front with the promise of retirement stability.

“We are now eligible [to retire] at 25 years of service,” Nichols said. “Instead of receiving 60% of our salary, now we only receive 50% and our contribution has increased by almost 2%.”

Randy Minchew, a member of Columbia’s Finance and Audit Committee, claimed years of the city not properly funding the account’s deficit has snowballed the issue.

“The money that sits in that pool is supposed to be earning a certain amount of money and everything that it doesn’t earn the city is supposed to pay. The city got used to funding in a certain amount,” Minchew said. “We’re not putting enough funds in because surely this is going to turn around, surely we’ll get back to where we were, right? But we don’t and we’re not going and now and now it’s too low.

Columbia has the seventh-highest sales tax rate out of the most populated cities in the state, sitting at 7.975%. The new tax would make it the fourth-highest sales tax rate at 8.975%.

The tax increase would have to be passed with a vote by Columbia residents. If discussions go as hoped, the issue could be on the August ballot.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 21-year-old motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a Tuesday afternoon crash on Route W in Miller County, just east of Lighthouse Road, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the man rode his 2013 Harley Davidson 1200 Custom westbound when he crossed the centerline and hit the driver’s side of a 2023 Ford Expedition. The Ford was driven by a 67-year-old Lake Ozark man.

The Eldon man did not wear a helmet and was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance, the report says. The driver of the Ford wore a seatbelt and had no reported injuries.

The Harley was totaled, while the Ford had moderate damage, the report says.

MSHP reports do not list those involved in crashes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An out-of-state resident who was diagnosed with measles traveled through St. Louis Lambert International Airport earlier this month, according to a Tuesday press release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The release says the infected person was at the airport between 5-7 p.m. Feb. 7 and was at Terminal 2, baggage claim and road a shuttle to the parking area.

Everyone who may have come in contact with that individual should watch for symptoms for 21 days (in this case would be until Feb. 28), the release says.

This comes as measles outbreaks have occurred recently in South Carolina and Texas. Cases in North Carolina, Washington and California have been linked to the South Carolina outbreak, according to reporting from CNN.

The DHSS says measles is highly contagious and can “easily pass it on to 9 out of 10 people around them who are unvaccinated or do not have natural immunity.”

Click here to follow the original article.