Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man is in the Boone County Jail after investigators claim he molested a child at a Bonnie View Park in Columbia on Sept. 14.

Matthew McCoy, 30, of Columbia, is charged in Boone County with second-degree child molestation of a youth younger than 12 years old. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A hearing was held on Monday.

The probable cause statement says the victim was riding their bike at the park after 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 when McCoy went up to them, put his arm around the victim and molested them. The victim yelled out for a friend who was riding bikes with them and McCoy allegedly tried to say he “fell,” the statement says.

McCoy had allegedly been staring at the victim just prior to the attack. The victim alleged then ran to a soccer goal to hide from McCoy, the statement says.

The mother of the victim told police they saw McCoy back at the park on Thursday, Sept. 17 and had received a photo of him, the statement says. The mother told police residents and parents in the area had shared information through a Facebook group chat.

McCoy was allegedly seen at the Columbia library on the day of the attack, police wrote. The victim was able to identify McCoy from a photo lineup provided by police.

Police wrote in the statement that McCoy had been reported before in April 2025 for following someone at Fairview Park and he allegedly chased someone at Bonnie View Park on June 11.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An employee at a Jefferson City Walgreen’s has been charged after she allegedly stole $7,822.61 from the business over multiple months.

DeBreana Daniels, of Jefferson City, was charged in Cole County with stealing more than $750. She posted a $5,000 bond on Aug. 11. A criminal summons was issued for Daniels on Thursday and a court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The probable cause statement says Daniels worked at the Walgreens on Eastland Drive as an evening lead shift. She was responsible for the nightly deposit that went into the safe in the manager’s office and allegedly “shorted” the deposit from May 18-July 26.

A loss-prevention agent determined cash shortages only occurred when Daniels worked, the statement says. Management asked Daniels to show up for an interview on Aug. 6 and she allegedly never showed, court documents state.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia teenager already being prosecuted for evidence tampering in a separate shooting has been charged with four felonies in an August shooting on the Interstate 70/Highway 63 connector.

Chase D. Ricketts, 19, was charged Friday with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action for the Aug. 2 daylight shooting on the busy interchange.

Mechoal L. Lewis, 52, of Columbia, was charged a few days after the shooting with first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of illegal gun possession and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.

Both men were in the Boone County Jail without bond Monday.

A motion to deny Ricketts bond states that he shot a gun from a vehicle into another vehicle, injuring the victim.

Ricketts was riding in the back seat while Lewis drove the day of the shooting, according to a probable cause statement. Police arrested him last week after serving a search warrant at Lakewood Apartments.

Ricketts is charged in a separate June 2026 shooting with felony evidence tampering for allegedly disposing of a gun.

Initial hearings in both cases were set for Monday afternoon.

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Haley Swaino

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Monday rejected rezoning for a homeless shelter on Monday night.

The Jefferson City Room at the Inn was hoping to move forward with possible next steps toward expanding into a vacant building for a new resource center and emergency shelter. The council rejected the measure 6-3.

“No” votes consisted of Ward 1 Councilmen Randy Hoselton and Jeff Ahlers, Ward 2 Councilman Cody Holt, Ward 3 Councilman Hal Dulle and Ward 4 Councilmembers Chris Leuckel and Julie Allen.

Ward 2 Councilman Mike Lester, Ward 3 Councilwoman Treaka Young and Ward 5 Couniclwoman Mackenzie Job voted in support, while Ward 5 Councilman Shane Kampeter abstained from voting.

Public comment and discussion lasted roughly an hour and a half, with slightly more residents appearing to have spoken in favor of the project.

“Do we want Jeff City to look better, or to BE better? This will make our city better for all of its citizens, including its unhoused citizens, including its unhoused citizens,” one person said during the impassioned public comment portion of the meeting.

The proposed location — 107 Adams St. — is a block from the current JCRATI location at the First Baptist Church at 107 Monroe St.

The homeless housing group Housing the Community Jefferson City announced its intent to purchase the Adams Street building in May. Scott Johnston, president of the organization’s board of directors, said the hope was to fill the second floor with 30 beds and turn the first floor into a resource center with showers, bathrooms and recreational space.

The 0.44-acre property is zoned Planned Unit Development, which can allow standard zoning rules to be bypassed for mixed housing types. To acquire the building, Housing the Community had to submit a zoning application to the city. In June, the Jefferson City Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 not to recommend the zoning change to the City Council.

After that vote, JCRATI Chair Sarah Hamilton told ABC 17 News that there was no explanation for the vote. More than 53 people had sent in letters of support, compared to 17 community members who were against the zoning change.

A public hearing was scheduled for Aug. 3, but Housing the Community requested it be delayed to allow time for more conversations between the city and community.

Johnston said the delay also allowed time for regrouping and refining of the proposal.

“Primarily issues that were raised [were] concerning our organization’s ability to sustain operations of a program like we’ve proposed and our capacity to operate that,” Johnston said.

The nonprofit is almost entirely volunteer based, according to Johnston.

“But we do have five years of experience running an emergency shelter with some limited, part-time staff. And we have also been engaged with Project Homeless Connect, which is under our umbrella, for over ten years,” Johnston said.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Bunnie Trickey Cotten, who voted in support of RATI in June, previously told ABC 17 News that the council isn’t required to follow the commission’s recommendation.

A pending bill to allow for rezoning of 107 Adams St. is set to be discussed at Monday’s city council meeting at 6 p.m. Residents are invited to the public hearing at City Hall, located at 320 E. McCarty St.

If the zoning application is approved, work will then begin to hopefully open by winter 2027.

“We have a very busy work schedule ahead of us in terms of fundraising, planning renovations, and planning to move our operations into this building,” Johnston said.

Johnston gave $1 million as a rough estimate for moving into and renovating the building, though that price tag would be contingent on estimates not yet given.

According to council documents, building renovation plans are included in the application materials. The building would undergo two renovation phases — first the first-floor day center, then the second-floor shelter. A screened outdoor area is also proposed at the back of the building.

If the council votes down rezoning the building for a new shelter and resource center, Johnston said nowhere else in the city compares.

“The other facilities we’ve looked at just didn’t match up to 107 Adams [St.] for a variety of reasons. They were either too remote, in a residential, near a residential area, or required too much renovation or too limiting,” Johnston said.

He added that the property proposed was located in the heart of where it is most needed. Going back to the drawing board, it would be difficult to find somewhere that would provide the same support for those facing hardship and homelessness in Jefferson City.

“Whatever different location we find, and hopefully with some assistance from the city and the community, that it will not have as big an impact on the unhoused in the downtown area. Particularly around the convention center, the new hotel and the library. Because this is where the unhoused people are and that’s why this location is so unique,” Johnston said.

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Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Pettis County Sunday night.

According to a MSHP press release, deputies with the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the 3300 block of Route TT at 11:45 p.m. for a woman who was believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers learned the woman allegedly shot herself in the leg.

Three deputies arrived at the scene and made contact with the woman in the driveway of the home and gave her commands. She then held up a rifle and raised it toward the deputies, according to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the deputies shot the woman. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The release states the deputies were not injured and a pellet rifle was found at the scene.

Officer Involved Shooting – Pettis County, MO

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s @MSHPTrooperDDCC is investigating an officer involved shooting involving the PCSO. A suspect is in custody at a local hospital in stable condition. No deputies were injured. See below for more. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MUtaDx7ZZc

— MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) September 21, 2026

Sheriff Brad Anders said they are requesting the prosecutor file charges of unlawful use of a weapon and assault on law enforcement.

According to Anders, the DDCC is investigating the officer-involved shooting while the sheriff’s office investigates the unlawful use and assault charges.

ABC 17 reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control for an interview, but they declined due to the ongoing investigation and referred to the press release.

ABC 17 reached out to Sheriff Anders but received no response.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of killing his girlfriend was ordered to take a mental exam by a judge for the defense to present battered spouse syndrome evidence.

Isaiah Goins, 27, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action after shooting his girlfriend, identified as M.G. in court documents, in July 2025.

In July 2025, Goins saw M.G. after she had been out of town and accused her of being unfaithful, according to investigators.

Goins met M.G. and got into her car Saturday night before pulling out a gun on Lake of the Woods Road and demanding that M.G. let him out, the statement says. When M.G. pulled onto Geyser Road and stopped, Goins allegedly shot her during an argument and ran from the scene.

A deputy later found the car next to a house, where it had rolled to a stop, but it did not hit the building, the statement says.

Goins’ defense is expected to present evidence of battered spouse syndrome, described as acting in self-defense or in defense of another.

A status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 8:30 a.m.

For evidence of battered spouse syndrome to be presented, the judge will order a psychiatric exam for Goins.

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Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council will meet Monday to discuss a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration that will help to fund a reconstruction project along 1.32 miles of Clark Lane.

Approval will authorize the city manager to execute a $8.4 million federal grant awarded through the 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.

City documents show the estimated total cost of the project is $10,520,310. Federal funds from the SS4A grant will cover 80% or $8,416,248

The remaining 20% will be a local match of $2,104,062, funded through the City of Columbia’s Capitol Improvement Sales tax.

Long-term fiscal impacts of the project are the maintenance costs for the facilities of $30,000 per year.

The project plans to enhance accessibility along Clark Lane, which stretches from Highway 63 to Ballenger Lane, according to the city council memos.

Planned infrastructure improvements include:

Reduced speed limits to 35 mph. Addition of four speed limit signs. Improved street lighting at intersections and signals. Continuous sidewalks on both sides of roadways: a six-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side and a 10-foot mixed-use trail on the south side. East and West bicycle lanes. Four vehicle lanes.

The reason for this renovation project is the ongoing safety concerns on the roadway, according to Columbia’s Vision Zero. The city documents state that the “Clark Lane Corridor is a critical transportation route for the local underserved and disadvantaged communities,” and that stretch of road is “identified as one of the deadliest corridors in the area.” Columbia’s Vision Zero initiative, adopted in December 2016, aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

According to data in the city memos, 115 people have been involved in crashes on Clark Lane between 2017 and 2021, one of which ended in a fatality.

In the city documents, design work is underway, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2028 and continue through 2030.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Monday at city hall.

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Alison Patton

EDITOR’S NOTE: Changes were made to reflect the cost of capital improvement projects, the increase in public safety funds and to clarify the Columbia Police Department’s proposed budget.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council is set to vote Monday on the proposed $606.7 million city budget for fiscal year 2027 following millions of dollars in cuts to the proposed budget.

According to a city document that includes council-approved amendments, the proposed budget is 0.2% lower than what the council approved for the previous financial year. If the budget is approved, it will start when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

The budget has undergone amendments. Before it went to council, the Columbia Police Department was asked to cut its proposed budget totaling millions of dollars. Public safety is projected to receive about $68.3 million, which is about a tenth of the budget. City spokesperson Christopher Ave said public safety received an increase in funding, compared to $65.8 million the fund was allocated last year.

About half of the budget is allocated to utilities, which is about $304.8 million, an increase of 6.5% for FY 2027.

The budget is also broken down into categories, and under the proposed budget, the city will spend the most on personnel services, about $179.4 million.

The city expects to receive about $581.5 million in revenue, which is about 4% more than last year.

However, the city also anticipates $48.2 million in capital improvement projects that are not covered in operating expenditures, according to the city’s finance director, Matthew Lue. The cost of capital improvement projects is included in total expenditures, which total $606.7 million.

The city’s total operating expenditures are $558.4 million.

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Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Flu season is approaching, and MU Health is offering Columbia residents pharmacy appointments, drive-thru and evening events, and extended-hour clinics to get their flu shots.

MU Health is offering several vaccine events in Columbia from September through October:

Sept. 21 at the Battle Avenue Medical Building from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the South Providence Medical Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the South Providence Medical Building – Pediatric Clinic from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Family Medicine Clinic – Keene Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Woodrail Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Clinic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Columbia Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Smiley Lane Family Medicine Clinic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will also be available vaccine events outside of Columbia:

Sept. 30 at the Ashland Family Medicine Clinic from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Madison Street Medical Building from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Mexico Family Medicine Clinic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Fayette Family Medicine Clinic from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Jackson Road Family Medicine Clinic from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MU Health had its first drive-thru vaccine event of the season on Saturday at Fulton Family Health. According to a spokesperson with MU Health, a total of 151 individual patients came through the event, and 247 vaccines were administered.

These events will offer both Flu and COVID-19 vaccines. No appointment is needed for the vaccine events, but patients must be at least 6 months old to receive a flu and COVID-19 vaccine at evening vaccine events. For drive-thru events, patients must be at least 12 years old to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

MU Health is asking patients to bring their photo ID and insurance card to the events.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Boone County has reported 46 combined cases of Influenza A and B from August 30 through September 12. This is roughly a 64 percent increase in reported cases compared with 2025 during the same time period, when 28 cases of both Influenza A and B were reported.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 60-year-old Kansas City man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Friday.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened at around 5:13 p.m. at the intersection of Route MM and Shawnee Four Drive.

The man was driving a 2007 Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Springer eastbound on Route MM when he crossed the center of the road and hit a 2018 Chevy Silverado being driven westbound by a 31-year-old man from Phoenix, Arizona.

The motorcycle then drove off of the roadway. The driver of the motorcycle was taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Silverado had minor injuries.

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