Author: KMIZ

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is set to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning for the St. Charles Road bridge over I-70 in Columbia.

The ribbon-cutting will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the St. Charles Road bridge. Guests are encouraged to park at the shopping center on the north side of the bridge and walk to the ceremony. MoDOT staff will help guests cross the bridge safely.

According to a press release, the new bridge is not anticipated to open immediately after the ceremony but is on track to open ahead of schedule. An estimated date for when drivers can use the bridge is Aug 14, according to previous reporting.

The East St. Charles Road bridge has been under construction since mid-April and was expected to open back in late September.

The original bridge was built in 1957 and was not wide enough to accommodate the Improve I-70 Project, which will expand the interstate to three lanes in each direction.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Editor’s Note: The word downtown has been removed from the headline, as the incident occurred closer to Business Loop 70, about a mile from Downtown Columbia.

Columbia Police arrested a 38-year-old man for a downtown burglary Sunday morning.

A social media post by the department said officers responded to a business in the 1200 block of Seventh St. around 11:45 a.m. for reports of a burglary.

Multiple witnesses identified the suspect as Joshua Allen Patrick. Police claim Patrick stole a fire extinguisher and used it to break the front-door glass and enter the building.

Patrick was arrested outside of the building.

Police have referred charges of second-degree burglary and stealing to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office.

No one is reported to have been hurt.

Check back for updates.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man is back in custody after police said he fired shots in downtown Columbia early Sunday morning.

The Columbia Police Department identified the alleged gunman as 20-year-old Tavan Eric Williams-Patrick.

Police claim Williams-Patrick was seen holding a gun and attempting to place it on a sidewalk before officers arrested him.

The gunfire drew large crowds from nearby bars and clubs.

Christopher Woods, who has lived in Columbia for nearly 20 years and downtown for the past two, said he was out downtown until about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Woods said he did not see the shooting or witness the scene that happened early Sunday morning.

However, before he left, Woods said he saw several groups of people gathered downtown.

“There was a lot of conflict. There was a lot of attitude. You had two or three- I don’t know exactly what was going on- but it had drawn two or three different crowds down here that you normally don’t see,” Woods said.

Woods said Sunday morning’s shooting also fits what he believes is a pattern of gun violence downtown.

“The one last night, I feel like I almost jinxed it because we talked down here about we’re due for another one. They happen about every three months at a minimum is the rhythm,” Woods said.

Sunday’s arrest comes about a year after prosecutors dropped murder charges against Williams-Patrick in connection with the death of 15-year-old Aubrey Doxley last Aug.

In 2022, Boone County prosecutors accused Williams-Patrick, who was 16 at the time, and three other teenagers of taking part in a shooting that killed Doxley on McKee Street.

Prosecutors initially charged Williams-Patrick as an adult with felony counts of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with Doxley’s death.

Prosecutors dropped those charges last year when Williams-Patrick was 19. At the time, prosecutors said they planned to refile the charges at a later date.

Around 1 a.m. Sunday, police taped off several blocks of East Walnut Street after multiple gunshots were reported. Columbia Police Lt. Anthony Bowne said officers arrested Williams-Patrick shortly after.

The incident drew large crowds from nearby bars and clubs. Police said there were no reported injuries and no damage to nearby cars or buildings.

A source close to Williams-Patrick’s family, who did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation, told ABC 17 that someone attempted to shoot at Williams-Patrick, but the person’s gun reportedly jammed.

Police have not confirmed that claim.

Police referred charges against Williams-Patrick of fourth-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm to prosecutors.

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Marie Moyer

EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline was updated to accurately reflect the incident.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department has identified 20-year-old Tavan Eric Williams-Patrick of Columbia as the suspect who allegedly fired shots in downtown Columbia early Sunday morning.

According to a CPD press release, officers on foot heard shots being fired in the 800 block of Walnut Street and saw Williams-Patrick holding a gun and attempting to place it down on the sidewalk.

Williams-Patrick was arrested while trying to run away from the scene on charges of fourth-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Columbia Police Department Lieutenant Anthony Bowne said on scene the suspect was found with a handgun and was taken into custody. He also reported that no one was injured and no property was damaged, but evidence of shots fired was found.

An ABC 17 News reporter on scene observed police taping off several blocks of E Walnut Street from 8th Street to 9th Street at around 1:20 a.m.

At least nine evidence markers were placed on the sidewalk, and officers putting items in brown paper bags were seen in the area during the police investigation.

A Boone County Joint Communication and a University of Missouri Alert were also sent off at around 1:20 a.m., notifying residents of police activity and an investigation in the area.

“Police are investigating the reports of gunshots at/near Ninth and Walnut. Please stay away from the area,” according to an MU Alert.

Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Missouri Police Department and at least 10 Columbia Police Department cruisers were seen responding.

Police tape came down at around 2:15 a.m.

Check back for updates.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico, Missouri man is in serious condition after hitting a deer on his motorcycle Saturday afternoon.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash happened just after 2:15 p.m. when the motorist was driving northbound on Route C when the deer ran into the road.

The 63-year-old man hit the deer and was ejected off his motorcycle just .2 miles south of Audrain County road 132, according to the report.

The motorcycle slid off the right side of the road and came to a stop in the southbound lane, the report says.

MSHP Troop F does not name the victims in their reports.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kyle Green confirmed Saturday that one person died after a crash involving a truck and two motorcycles on U.S. Highway 63 in Osage County today.

Troop F reported in an update to social media Saturday night that the person killed was a 61-year-old Hartsburg man.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, Troop F posted on social media that a crash on Highway 63 at County Road 512 in Osage County near Westphalia had blocked the roadway. It also stated that the crash had resulted in injuries.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the man was riding on one of the motorcycles when the Chevy truck crossed the center line and hit him head on.

The man went off the right side of the road and overturned, ejecting him and his female passenger. The woman is in serious condition, according to the report.

Debris from the impact hit the second motorcycle driver and caused them to overturn in the road, the report says.

🚨Westphalia Crash Blocking U.S. 63 🚨

Troopers are investigating a multiple vehicle crash with injuries on U.S. 63, at County Road 512, in Osage County.

A helicopter is en route for two patients.

The roadway is blocked. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/ZQQvpWxZmo

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) August 8, 2026

The post said a helicopter was on its was for two of the patients, but did not say if any other people involved in the crash were hurt or how many cars were involved in total.

This is Troop F’s fourth fatality for the month of Aug. and 40th for 2026.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters approved a 1% public safety sales tax in Columbia’s Tuesday election, and now city leaders are working to determine how the new revenue will be incorporated into the city’s budget.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said 75 additional ballots were counted during Friday’s certification process. That includes two military and overseas ballots, 18 previously uncounted ballots and 55 provisional ballots.

Lennon said the final step before the election can be certified is a post-election test of the voting equipment, which is scheduled to be completed Monday.

The city expects the tax to generate about $38 million annually, with the money designated for public safety.

Ward 5 Council Member Christina Hartman said the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget does not yet include revenue from the newly approved sales tax.

The city’s budget is divided into five different fund types:

General Fund

Enterprise Funds

Internal Service Funds

Special Revenue Funds

Debt Service Funds

The General Fund is the city’s main source of flexible funding and pays for many of the everyday services residents rely on.

Hartman said the city plans to use some General Fund money to help establish the new public safety fund.

“They do plan to pull some of the General Fund to seed the public safety fund, to kind of keep it to establish the fund,” Hartman said. “Which is pretty typical for what they’ve done for all the other dedicated funds.”

The tax is expected to take effect in January, with the first round of revenue expected to come in March. The city will monitor the first three months of revenue to see whether collections are meeting expectations.

If the tax brings in less money than projected, Hartman said the city will have to reevaluate its expectations for the new public safety fund.

“If it doesn’t, then I think that means we just have to look at what our expectations of the fund will be,” Hartman said. “There’s really not room in the General Fund to increase that spending, so it really will have to come from that dedicated funding source.”

Zachary Privette, president of the Columbia Professional Firefighters Union, tells ABC 17 that the plan is to move about $60 million annually from the General Fund into public safety, in addition to the money expected from the new sales tax.

That raises questions about whether the city will continue funding police and fire through the General Fund at the same level in the future now that voters have approved a dedicated public safety tax.

Hartman said no final decision has been made.

Hartman said it is possible the city could decrease the amount of General Fund money going toward police and fire.

“I do think that it is possible because there’s not a stipulation in the law that says that they can’t decrease it,” Hartman said. “But it’s really up to the council and how the city staff brings, like, what their priorities are and the council.”

Transparency was one of the key priorities Hartman emphasized while campaigning for her current position.

Four months into office, she said she believes the city has been transparent with residents. However, she also wants the city to establish clear metrics to measure how the new tax affects the community.

Hartman said the city should monitor the impact of the tax on the local economy and residents who are paying it.

“We need to be responsible in making sure that as we’ve put this tax out there forever, that we’re actually taking measure of what is happening in our economy, what’s happening with the people that are paying for this, and making sure that it is something that is affordable for everyone,” Hartman said.

Hartman said council members are expected to work toward finalizing the remaining budget items at the city’s next meeting.

The city’s public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Aug. 17.

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Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ).

Missouri’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is underway, waiving state and local sales taxes on qualifying clothing, school supplies and technology through Sunday at midnight.

The three-day holiday weekend begins annually on the first Friday in August at 12:01 a.m. To qualify for the tax exception, purchases must be for personal use; this includes teachers purchasing classroom supplies with their own personal funds. Missouri residents and out-of-state shoppers all qualify for this tax break on in-store and online shopping.

The Missouri Department of Revenue’s website specifies items eligible with price limitations and definitions for the items:

Clothing: Wearing apparel intended to be worn on or about the human body, with a taxable value of $100 or less per item. Qualifying items include general apparel, shoes, boots, diapers, and materials used for school uniforms. Items sold in pairs, such as shoes, can not be split to qualify.

School Supplies: Classroom items priced at $50 or less per purchase. Eligible items include textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, backpacks, book bags, lunch boxes, rulers, scissors, USB flash drives, and musical instruments. Graphic calculators are included in the tax break if the price does not exceed $150.

Technology: Software for personal use with a taxable value of $350 or less included. Laptops, desktops, tower systems, tablets, and secondary devices such as keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, scanners, and external drives are all priced at $1,500 or less.

Certain items do not qualify for the tax exemption regardless of price:

Accessories: Watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, and belt buckles are excluded.

Technology and equipment: Headphones, radios, CD players, digital cameras, MP3 players, desktop or portable telephones, copiers and sporting equipment are excluded.

Furniture and office items: Furniture, fixtures, bulletin boards, briefcases and general office supplies excluded.

The sales tax holiday will end on August 9 at midnight.

Lululemon assistant general manager Spenser Crum said this is the second time her store has participated in the tax-free weekend, and there has been a strong turnout.

“Tax-free weekend is, it’s a holiday for us for sure,” Crum said.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after an accidental electrical fire occurred Friday at a lab in the 4000 block of Discovery Parkway, a Columbia Fire Department social media post says.

Firefighters were called at 4:58 p.m. to a fire inside the building. Employees were evacuating when firefighters arrived. Smoke was seen coming from the building.

The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes, the post says.

The post says damage was limited to “to a device inside a single laboratory room.”

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri schools are finally starting to see money from the state’s sports betting industry, which was legalized in December.

According to Liz Hoffman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, $1.084 million was transferred to the Sports Wagering Education Fund on June 9, marking the first distribution to education since sports betting was legalized.

An additional $2.129 million was transferred Thursday, bringing the total amount allocated to education to $3.213 million during the 2026 fiscal year.

After seeing a drop in sports wagering in January, Missouri Gaming Commission Commissioner Mike Leara told ABC 17 News in March the state was expecting to see a wagering spike during the World Cup.

Recent figures from the Missouri Gaming Commission show sportsbooks accepted $258.3 million in wagers in June, which included the World Cup and NBA Finals.

Of that total, $21 million came from soccer wagers, a roughly 900% increase from May. Overall wagering increased from $252.5 million in May, but June still marked the second-lowest monthly total since sports betting was legalized.

Despite the increase in wagering, taxable revenue fell sharply. Missouri generated $20 million in taxable revenue in May, compared with $13.6 million in June after $244.5 million was deducted for player winnings, promotional wagers and federal taxes.

However, Ryan Butler, a senior news analyst at Covers.com, said promotional and free World Cup bets were not the only reason taxable revenue declined in June. Financial disclosures also showed bettors had a particularly strong month on DraftKings and FanDuel, as several heavy favorites, including Argentina, England, France and Spain, advanced to the semifinals.

“The bettors did very well. A lot of favorites did very well. The U.S., especially we’re talking June before the collapse, but everyone just bet on the U.S. No one bet against them. So them winning helped a lot, especially when they played so well early on. And then just favorites kept on winning, which is a huge deal,” Butler said. “Traditionally and almost always, when favorites and overs hit, that is bad for the sportsbooks good for the bettors. Bettors just love to bet on favorites and they love to bet overs.”

Butler added the NBA Finals also worked against sportsbooks, particularly with the New York Knicks attracting significant betting interest.

“We also had the NBA Finals, and you have the Knicks, now maybe not as big a deal in Missouri, but still there’s more Knicks fans than Spurs fans. A lot of people are betting on the Knicks. Them, winning absolutely hurts as well,” he said.

DraftKings accounted for the largest share of wagering volume, with $103.4 million in gross revenue in June. The sportsbook generated $5.7 million of the state’s $13.6 million in taxable revenue.

When sports betting appeared on the ballot in Missouri, one of its most-vocal supporters was the group Winning for Missouri Education. The group estimated the measure would generate about $100 million in tax revenue over five years.

Under the amendment, a 10% tax is applied to sports betting revenue and directed toward education. However, operators are allowed to deduct certain expenses and must also contribute to the compulsive gambling prevention fund before taxable revenue is calculated. The ballot language also allows for the possibility that no money would go to schools if taxable revenue is too low.

Butler warned that the final months of summer will likely bring some of the lowest sports betting volume of the year. However, he said Missouri could see a smaller drop than other states with legal sports betting because of the state’s two MLB teams.

While Butler expects betting volume to dip in July and August, he projects Missouri could see some of its highest numbers to date beginning in the fall.

“Football is going to be huge. September will be the biggest month ever for Missouri sports betting, besides maybe December, which is a little bit of an abnormality because of all the launches. September is going to be absolutely huge,” Butler said. “October is going to be even bigger. November, December will also be big. Again, December 2025 will always be an outlier. But in those four months coming up September, October, November, December will be the four-biggest months for betting in Missouri history.”

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