Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Waynesville Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying remains discovered on Jan. 9, 2023, according to a Wednesday social media post from the department.

Skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near St. Robert, the release says. A sketch was used to create a possible recreation of the man’s face, the release shows.

The release says that the man was white, between 5 feet, 7 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches and was between the ages of 55-80.

The release says that there may be differences between the sketch and his real face. It’s not known if the man wore glasses.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The company planning to build a high-voltage transmission line for wind energy across Missouri has asked the courts to stop the attorney general’s demands for documents.

Grant Belt Express filed a petition in Cole County Circuit Court on Wednesday, asking a judge to kill Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s civil investigative demand against the energy company. Bailey said in a release that he had issued the demand — similar to a subpoena — on July 2.

Bailey claims Grain Belt has misled consumers, overpromising on the energy it will deliver. He also criticized the company’s use of eminent domain to seize land for the transmission line.

The Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates private utilities, has already approved the project.

“The Attorney General has no authority to interfere with the Missouri Public Service Commission or its final approval of this project,” Catherine Hanaway, lead counsel for Grain Belt, said in a written statement. “Grain Belt Express seeks to bring an end to the AG’s unlawful and politically motivated investigation.”

Wednesday’s petition states the Missouri Supreme Court denied review of the PSC’s approval in January and that the PSC’s order cannot be appealed because the deadline has expired.

Petition to Quash and Set Aside Civil Investigation Demand No. 25-37Download

The petition says the PSC confirmed at a public meeting Wednesday that it does not have the authority to revoke the project’s authorization.

The project will cross Missouri to deliver power from western wind fields to Illinois. The route will run through Mid-Missouri and a connection is planned from north of Centralia to near Kingdom City. That route includes land in Monroe, Audrain and Callaway counties, according to the Grain Belt website.

The main line will also run through Chariton and Randolph counties.

Grain Belt’s parent company, Invenergy, also inked a supply chain deal with Centralia’s Hubbell Power Systems.

The project has contracts with 39 municipal utilities in Missouri, including Columbia Water and Light. Project leaders say Grain Belt could save Missouri energy consumers billions of dollars.

The first eminent domain lawsuit was filed in Callaway County, according to reporting in the Missouri Independent.

Grain Belt’s website says construction on Phase 1 is expected to start next year.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Realtors hosted a forum for the candidates for Columbia’s Second Ward on Wednesday.

Candidates Ken Rice and Vera Elwood each took questions. The special election for the vacant Ward 2 seat will be held Aug. 5.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper has been arrested after he allegedly took THC gummies and punched a Jefferson City police officer on Wednesday morning.

Collin Stosberg, 52, of Columbia, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of third-degree assault, misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and felony resisting arrest. He is being held at the Cole County Jail on a $10,000 bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

MSHP spokesman Kyle Green told ABC 17 News in an email that Stoserg retired from the patrol about six months ago. A 2020 press release indicated his rank at the time was a lieutenant and joined the patrol’s public information and education division. He was first appointed to the patrol in 1997, the 2020 release says.

The probable cause statement says that paramedics in Jefferson City requested assistance from police at 2:10 a.m. for someone who was having a “severe adverse reaction to THC-infused gummies.”

Stosberg allegedly told police that he was “freaking out” after eating an unknown amount of gummies, the statement says.

Stosberg allegedly hit a paramedic’s laptop while law enforcement spoke with his wife, court documents say. An officer allegedly told him to stop before Stosberg punched him in the face two times, court documents say.

He then started pushing a paramedic before punching another. Police had to use a Taser to subdue Stosberg, the statement says.

Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy told ABC 17 News in an email that paramedics declined to be evaluated.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexican national who was living in Sedalia was sentenced Wednesday to 14 months in federal prison, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.

Jesus Mendoza Cortes, 35, pleaded guilty on Feb. 20 to illegally reentering the country after being previously deported, the release says.  

Mendoza Cortes had previously been removed from the country 11 times dating back to 2006, the release says. More recently, he returned in 2018 before getting arrested by Pettis County deputies on June 1, 2024, the release says.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said in a July 26, 2024, statement that Mendoza-Cortes was arrested at a motel after he allegedly pulled a machete out at another man and threatened him.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Overnight roadwork for a number of downtown Columbia streets and roads near the University of Missouri’s that was set to begin Thursday will now be moved to Monday, according to a Wednesday press release from the City of Columbia.

Work begins 5 p.m. Monday. Crews will mill and overlay pavement for about three weeks, with an expected completion set for 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, the release says. Vehicles parked in in working areas may be towed. Parking garages in the city are free from 6 p.m.-8 a.m.

The release says that work will begin near campus and move north. The list of affected streets includes:

Rogers Street from Rangeline Street to North College Avenue

East Broadway from Tenth Street to Hitt Street

Cherry Street from Hitt Street to South Seventh Street

Locust Street from South Providence Road to South Fifth Street

University Avenue from South Ninth Street to South College Avenue

Hamilton Way from Hitt Street to Waugh Street

South Fifth Street from Turner Avenue to East Stewart Road

South Fifth Street from Cherry Street to Ash Street

South Seventh Street from Park Avenue to Locust Street

South Eighth Street from Park Avenue to Elm Street

South Ninth Street from Park Avenue to East Broadway

South Ninth Street from Cherry Street to Conley Avenue

South Tenth Street from Rogers Street to Elm Street

Conley Avenue from South Fifth Street to the concrete west of Tiger Avenue

Conley Avenue from South Ninth Street to the concrete east of Tiger Avenue

Tiger Avenue from Conley Avenue to Kentucky Boulevard

Richmond Avenue from Rollins Street to Kentucky Boulevard

Rollins Street from South College Avenue to Hitt Street

Rollins Street from Hitt Street to Tiger Avenue

Hitt Street from Rollins Street to Lake Street

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An associate pastor at Broadway Christian Church who was accused of stealing campaign signs during the mayoral election has had his charges dropped.

The Rev. Andrew Lawrence Taylor-Peck, 46, of Columbia, was originally charged with misdemeanor stealing. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News in an email that the case was resolved through a deferred prosecution agreement.

Johnson wrote Taylor-Peck waives statute of limitation defenses and must comply with specific conditions for three years. If Taylor-Peck fails to comply with the conditions, the prosecution picks up again, Johnson wrote.

ABC 17 News reached out to Taylor-Peck’s attorney to learn the conditions he must comply with, but were told the attorney needs to speak with his client first before sharing any details.

Johnson wrote that the victim in the case did not want the charges to move forward and that Taylor-Peck allegedly apologized to the victim.

“Between the public nature of the case and the personal amends made, he felt the defendant had been held accountable. Our office is ultimately responsible for deciding how to resolve cases, and sometimes we proceed even where the victim asks for charges to be dismissed,” Johnson wrote. “But based on the defendant’s lack of criminal history, taking responsibility for his actions, and making meaningful amends to the satisfaction of the victim, we believe this was the most appropriate and just resolution.”

Taylor-Peck at the time was suspended by the church after he was charged.

Court documents in previous reporting say that deputies were called around 5:30 p.m. April 4 to Coastal Electric in the 3600 block of Scott Boulevard for a reported theft. Someone at the location told law enforcement that they saw a man take off with a “Vote For Murph” campaign sign, the statement says.

Taylor-Peck was arrested and allegedly admitted to taking five signs between Gillespie Bridge Road and Vawter School Road, court documents in previous reporting say. He then allegedly admitted to dumping the signs in two trash cans on Mesa Drive, court documents say.

ABC 17 News has reached out to Broadway Christian Church.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri House of Representatives will begin a series of informational hearings on property tax reform on Wednesday, which will be held statewide.

The Special Interim Committee will be holding these statewide meetings and encourages Missourians to attend to share their thoughts and perspectives on property tax reform.

The first of six hearings will be taking place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the State Capitol in House Hearing Room 3. The other hearings will continue across the state.

July 30 — 5:30 p.m. Wallace Center, 325 Harwood Ave, Lebanon, MO

August 13 — 5:30 p.m. Board Room at Union Station, 30 W Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO

August 20 — 5:30 p.m. Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave, Clayton, MO

August 27 — 5:30 p.m. Macon Comfort Inn, 1821 N Missouri, Macon, MO

September 3 — 11:00 AM State Capitol, House Hearing Room 3, Jefferson City, MO

According to the Chair of the Special Interim Committee, Rep. Tim Taylor, the committee wants to hear directly from citizens, local officials and stakeholders about how to improve the property tax system, according to a press release.

“The goal of this committee is to work together to find common-sense reforms and solutions that protect homeowners, promote economic stability, and ensure accountability to benefit all citizens of our state,” said Taylor.

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Matthew Sanders

SEC Media Days kicked off in Atlanta on Tuesday.

The multi-day event is a chance for the powerhouse SEC to show off its football programs, including the Mizzou Tigers.

And this year, the Tigers are gunning for their third straight 10-win season. It would be the first time the program has accomplished the feat.

Do you think they can do it? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Lucas Geisler

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

One man was injured Tuesday night after an apparent drive-by shooting in Boone County.

The man was shot while in a car near Santa Anna Drive and El Chapparal Avenue, according to Captain Brian Leer with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

Leer told ABC 17 News in a text that someone in another car shot the man, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury.

Leer said the information provided to them was “limited at best.”

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