Author: KMIZ

Mitchell Kaminski

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

For nearly seven decades, a pair of grain towers have loomed over Moberly’s downtown skyline, a familiar landmark for anyone driving through the Magic City. By this time next year, those towers are expected to be gone.

City officials plan to demolish the long-vacant towers after securing more than $320,000 in federal grant funding, clearing the way for improved safety and potential future development, though no plans are in place yet for what will replace them.

The City of Moberly was awarded a $321,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development on Jan. 6 to fund the demolition. The city will contribute a local match of $101,375, bringing the total project budget to about $422,375.

For longtime residents like Carley Pollard, who was born and raised in Moberly, the demolition will mark the end of a familiar sight.

“I’ve always seen those towers growing up. It’s never really been used since I lived here, as long as I could remember,” Pollard said. “But it’s going to be strange when it finally comes down just because I’m so used to seeing it.”

The towers, built in the late 1950s, were used for grain storage until the 1980s and have sat vacant for decades. According to Public Works Director Tom Sanders, discussions about removing them date back nearly 30 years.

“That has been a point of discussion to have a nice backdrop for the downtown, so there’s been on and off discussions over for years, but there really wasn’t a path forward as far as how to get those taken care of,” Sanders said.

Sanders said residents have mixed feelings about the towers, which sit near Reed Street at the edge of downtown.

“Most of your residents, I would say, have gotten used to them. It’s kind of been a piece of the community down there,” Sanders said. “But there’s been also a lot of expression, get rid of them as the backdrop of Reed Street.”

Throughout the years, multiple ideas were explored to repurpose the structures, including storage uses, communication towers, murals and even residential concepts. None proved financially viable.

“Some people have made the comments of living space. It’s just they’re not laid out like that internally. They’re not structured for that,” Sanders said. “I think even the historical groups have said they don’t like it because they like to see things saved, but they realize that there’s not a financial way to make it viable.” 

ABC 17 News toured the interior of the towers and saw extensive deterioration. Underground pits contain standing water and rusted debris. Doorways were unsecured, with city officials adding that locks were frequently cut. Electrical components are also scattered across floors, stripped over time for scrap.

Sanders described the interior as hazardous.

“This is probably one of the worst areas. The towers themselves are in not good condition,” he said. “We’ve been up on the floors. It looks like a chicken coop in there with all the levels of manure from the birds and things like that.”

He also pointed to structural issues that pose ongoing risks.

“You see all the holes left in the roof, and now the roof with the concrete and steel is collapsing in several places, which is why we have hard hats on here, because things can drop in here at any time,” Sanders said.

Vandalism has been a persistent problem.

“We have so much trouble with vandalism and breaking in. The locks keep getting cut off,” Sanders said.

With funding secured, the city will begin environmental reviews and put the project out to bid.

“The next step in this is to put out a bid. We’ll get the bids back and then we’ll make a decision as to what happens next with the tower demolition,” city spokesman Scott McGarvey said.

Sanders said demolition will be complex due to the height of the structures, which stand about 120-to-130 feet tall, but contractors have indicated the work is manageable. Once the towers are removed, the site will likely remain an empty lot for the time being. City officials say there have been no discussions yet about specific redevelopment plans.

“With the level of money that’s going to be invested in that, I mean, they probably would look to develop it to some point,” Sanders said. “But there’s nothing in the plans at this time.”

Pollard said while it is bittersweet to see the towers go, she hopes whatever comes next benefits downtown.

“It’s a little unfortunate to see old buildings that have been a staple here for a long time come down,” she said. “But I hope to see something that is going to help, you know, our, you know, businesses around here a little bit more.”

She said she would like to see future development focus on local businesses.

“I would really like to see maybe another restaurant or just maybe another nice shop that people can go visit and go see,” Pollard said.

Demolition is expected to begin later this year, with completion targeted well before the grant’s performance period ends in December 2028.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Police numbers, sidewalk improvements, homelessness and improved housing opportunities are the top priorities of more than 800 Columbia households that responded to the city’s annual Community Survey Findings Report.

2025 Columbia MO Survey ReportDownload

According to city documents, the survey was completed by 804 random households. Around 84% of survey respondents have lived in Columbia for six or more years.

Around 70% of respondents called Columbia an “excellent” or “good” place to live; while 63% said Columbia was an “excellent” or “good” place to raise a family.

When survey participants were asked to pick four issues for the city to focus on over the next two years, out of a list of 14 topics, the top four issues were:

59.1% want an increase in police,

49.4% want improvements in sidewalks

45.4% want better management of homelessness

34.2% want more or better quality housing opportunities.

The surveys sent out during the first week in November, around five weeks after the fatal shooting in downtown Columbia that left a Stephens College student dead and others injured. A variety of responses from local leaders persisted in the weeks following the shooting.

The survey indicates that 69% of respondents did not think Columbia has enough police officers and firefighters. Of that total, 55% said they would support a tax to increase the number of police officers and firefighters in the city.  

Additionally, city documents show that 66% of respondents who had an opinion were “very supportive” or “somewhat supportive” of the city having a voluntary “voluntary integration/sharing of privately owned cameras; while 54% supported using facial recognition technology. Discussions around surveillance have been a hot topic in recent years, with Flock cameras as license-plate readers being approved by the City Council in 2024. Another camera system, Fusus, was declined by the council in 2022.

When asked to pick three areas for improvement for the next two years from a list of 10 public safety topics, the top three issues were:

65.7% of people are concerned about overall gun violence

60.8% were concerned about juveniles being involved in criminal activity

42.3% were concerned with overall violent crime

58% of respondents felt unsafe in downtown Columbia in the evenings.

Of the City’s over 400 open-ended comments, around 10 mention guns or shootings, 25 mention panhandling and 100 mention homeless people.

2025 Columbia MO Survey – Open Ended CommentsDownload

The City Council is set to review the results of the survey on Tuesday during a pre-council meeting at 5 p.m.

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Lucas Geisler

UNION, Mo. (KMIZ)

Angela Koepke doesn’t see much difference in the work the Mason Griffith Foundation does compared to what its namesake did.

“He was just always finding a way to do exactly what the foundation is doing,” Koepke, the foundation’s director of daily operations, said. “If somebody needed something, he would find a way to get it donated and give it to that person. Basically, the foundation is just carrying on what he would normally be doing.”

Koepke was Griffith’s mother-in-law and helped start the foundation in the late Hermann police sergeant’s name following his death in March 2023. Kenneth Simpson is suspected of killing Griffith and wounding Officer Adam Sullentrup as the two tried to arrest Simpson on outstanding warrants at the Casey’s store in Hermann.

Simpson is set to go to trial Tuesday, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty in a case set to go three weeks long in Franklin County.

Since the shooting, Koepke said the foundation has raised $450,000 to help more than 50 families of first responders across the region between St. Louis and Columbia. That included help for former Boone County assistant fire chief Matt Tobben, who drowned during a water rescue in Columbia, and Osage Beach police officer Phylicia Carson, who died during a car chase with a suspect in 2024.

Koepke said she wants the foundation to be a continuing presence in the lives of first responder families who lose a loved one. She said Griffith would often try to help people long after their immediate need was over. Kopeke hopes the foundation can model that behavior in the future.

Koepke and foundation Vice President James Bartle said they hope to expand the foundation’s work more permanently into Mid-Missouri. That includes establishing a board of directors for the region of about five people with knowledge of the first responder community.

The two said the foundation would take a “back seat” in its work as the trial commences. Koepke said the family is preparing for the weeks ahead, and asked the community for grace and to reserve comments and judgment as the trial begins.

“We just want to let the justice system to do what it needs to do,” Koepke said.

A jury from Greene County, about 180 miles southwest of where the trial is taking place, will ultimately judge Simpson and the case. If the jury finds Simpson guilty of first-degree murder, the panel will then consider a death sentence or life in prison without parole.

Judge Craig Hellmann has placed several rules on courtroom behavior and crowd limitations. Law enforcement officers not testifying as part of the case are not allowed to wear their uniforms in the main courtroom. No video cameras or other recording devices are allowed in the courthouse during the trial.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three shootings in Columbia have left two people dead and three people hurt in the first 19 days of 2026. The shooters in two of the shootings have not been identified and arrested, police say.

According to Columbia police dispatch logs, officers responded to eight calls for shots fired and 16 calls for shots heard from Jan. 1 to Jan. 19, 2026.

A man was shot in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court in southwest Columbia around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday. Michael R. Burke, 42, of Columbia, later died at a local hospital.

On Thursday, a man was shot in the 2400 block of Nelwood Drive in north Columbia just after 11:30 p.m. His injuries were not life-threatening, and on door-camera video obtained by ABC 17 News, a man can be heard screaming, “I’m shot!” The victim replies, “In my leg!” after another person asked where he was shot. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.

The first weekend of 2026 was another violent one in the city. On Jan. 4, three people were shot off east Columbia’s Clark Lane at the Greens apartment complex around 9 p.m. Brianna Hawkins, 21, of Fulton, later died from her injuries at a nearby hospital.

James L. Caldwell Jr., 23, was arrested Sunday and charged Monday with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault. His address in jail records is listed as Fulton.

The night before the Clark Lane shooting, a 17-year-old Columbia teen was arrested for firing shots during a carjacking in the Shoppes at Stadium area. Officers were called to the area just after 7 p.m. for reports of an active assailant inside Dick’s Sporting Goods. No injuries were reported.

Police say the teen later ran away, stole a car and drove away on Interstate 70. Flock security cameras led troopers to find the stolen vehicle near Sedalia and initiate a traffic stop around 8:15 p.m. The teen attempted to flee, leading to a pursuit. The car crashed on Route V near Bahner Road, and the suspect was taken into custody just after 8:30 p.m.

The teen was arrested on suspicion of three counts of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree property damage, vehicle hijacking, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action.

Last January, Columbia also saw reports of gun violence.

On Jan. 19, 2025, police responded to reports of shots fired in the 2100 block of West Worley Street just before 5:30 p.m. No one was hurt, but they found multiple shell casings at the scene and later detained six juveniles in the 400 block of North Stadium Boulevard. Officers also recovered at least three guns, one of which was previously reported stolen.

One juvenile was detained on four counts of first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. A second juvenile was detained for unlawful possession of a firearm and trespassing, while a third was detained for unlawful possession of a gun. The fourth was detained for juvenile delinquency. Two were released without charges.

The increased gun violence comes as the Columbia City Council is set to look at gun violence at a $291,280 agreement with the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform for research, strategic planning and technical assistance professional services will be on the table for a vote.

If approved, the institute would provide the Columbia Office of Violence Prevention with a gun violence research and support in implementing tactics to reduce it.

A gun violence problem analysis will use detailed data provided by the city on deadly and non-deadly shootings in the past 12–24 months. The study will identify “the specific nature of gun violence in Columbia and the unique characteristics of groups and individuals at highest risk of being involved in gun violence,” according to city council documents. The institute will then make a report to help the city focus on interventions.

The contract includes a violence reduction landscape analysis that will provide a comprehensive portrait of Columbia’s existing community violence intervention, looking at both governmental and community-based resources, documents say. This research aims to identify possible service gaps and opportunities for increased coordination and collaboration.

Columbia officials met with Gov. Mike Kehoe on Jan. 5 to discuss public safety in the city.

“Historically, the state of Missouri is not necessarily looking to enforce any additional gun laws, but having that grey area when it comes to youth with guns, we can’t do anything until they pull the trigger,” Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News after the meeting. “So, what can we do as a city to help us advocate for this common-sense gun legislation that will help our officers do their job?”

Columbia City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said no other meetings with Kehoe had been scheduled as of Jan. 5.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou men’s basketball team will welcome Georgia to Mizzou Arena on Tuesday.

Tipoff is at 8 p.m.

The Tigers are continuing SEC play. Tuesday’s game follows a loss at LSU last Saturday.

Watch a news conference in the player.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

About a group of 30 people walked from the Armory Sports Center in Columbia to the St. Luke United Methodist Church holding candles, remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The walk was apart of the Columbia Parks and Recreation annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Walk and Memorial Celebration. That number doubled at the St. Luke United Methodist Church, where people sat and listened sang songs and listened to several speeches from pastors and public figures, including from Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.

The speeches quote from MLK and reminded people in attendance of his legacy. Those who spoke also highlighted recent violence in Columbia, calling for a change. Columbia has been off to a violent start to 2026, with at least five confirmed shootings– two of which left two people dead.

“I got faith that if we all come together, pray together and come on one accord, if we walk hand in hand, all of that violence will disappear,” the Rev. James Gray said to the crowd on Monday.

Speeches also included talks on recent violence across America and the need to put an end to it. Coordinator for the King Memorial Association Bill Thompson also reflected on recent action taken by President Donald Trump’s administration. Thompson read off a list of titles in the Civil Rights Act that he says are being infringed.

“At least a third of those things have been erased by this administration. They’ve turned back on civil rights. They eliminated the Civil Rights Commission,” Thompson told ABC 17 News after the memorial. “All of this stuff is happening but the bottom line is, I don’t think we’ve ever been in a position before where we didn’t know how to change this stuff because basically, we have no voice anymore.”

That’s something that Thompson said he’s hopeful will change, that people will stand for what they believe in and as a result, change will happen. Thompson also pointed out efforts made by the Trump administration to try and dismantle the Department of Education, as well as efforts to crack down on illegal immigration in the country.

ABC 17 News also spoke to Thompson about recent violence, including in Minnesota, where a woman was shot and killed by an ICE officer, and the tension that has followed since. Thompson said he believes what’s happening in the world are not a reflection of what MLK would want.

“He would be really heartbroken because basically, all of the blood and the tears to get all of these things …to watch these things being gradually taken away,” Thompson said.

ABC 17 News also spoke to Gray following Monday’s ceremony about the recent violence and tensions across the country. Gray said he thinks what’s happening mimics what was happening in the country years ago, particularly the fact that he says good people are being treated poorly.

“Let’s look at how many people they said they have mistreated only to find out that they were American. Let’s look at that. It’s taken us back. Doctor King had a dream that we all one day could come together, black, white, yellow, green, or blue it didn’t matter. We’re nowhere near that dream,” Gray said.

Gray said he thinks King would tell people to come together in a peaceful way, rather than riot if he were still here today.

All city offices in Jefferson City and Columbia were closed on Monday, in observance of the holiday.

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Matthew Sanders

The playoffs look a little different this year.

The Kansas City Chiefs are sitting at home for the first time in a long time, having finished the season at 6-11, only a few games better than the hapless Raiders.

But the teams that are playing are offering some excitement. The latest fireworks happened in yet another overtime game, with former Tiger Harrison Mevis kicking the game-winning field goal for the Los Angeles Rams.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Elverta, California man was seriously injured in a crash in Pulaski County on Sunday morning.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash occurred around 8 a.m. at the 150 mile marker on Interstate 44. The report says the 59-year-old was driving a 1998 Kenworth truck eastbound, when it crashed into the back of a 2021 Volvo.

The man was taken to Phelphs Health with serious injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle– a 25-year-old Brampton, Ontario man– was not injured in the crash.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

One person was shot in southwest Columbia Sunday night, according to Lt. Shawn Claypool with the Columbia Police Department.

Claypool said a suspect is not in custody and police are unsure of how many people were involved in the shooting.

Columbia Police later posted on social media saying police responded to the 1400 Block of Ridgemont Court around 8:15 p.m. and found a man with life-threatening injuries. The man was taken to a local hospital, the release says.

Police said a suspect is not in custody but claim there is no known active threat to the community.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw several Columbia Police Department vehicles and crime scene tape up near the area of Highridge Drive and Ridgemont Court around 8:30 p.m.

This is the fifth shooting this year.

ABC 17 News is working to learn more information.

Check back for updates.

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Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Madison Street parking garage in Jefferson City is closed off to the public as crews work to demolish it. As work begins on the garage, one business is worried it might throw off its normal flow.

Bones Restaurant and Lounge Manager Cindy McDaniel told ABC 17 News in October that she was worried construction would completely shut down Commercial Avenue, which is the alleyway where the Bones entrance is.

The city shut down the garage in late December and closed off the alley to vehicle traffic Jan. 5. People can still walk through portions of the alley, according to a city Facebook post.

An ABC 17 News reporter followed up with McDaniel on Saturday to see how Bones is doing as crews work on the garage. She said it’s too early to know if there will be any significant impacts to business, but there are already some challenges.

McDaniel said a section of the alley is closed off in the middle while crews are working, so people can only access Bones through one side of the alley. She said many people don’t want to walk around the block to the other side.

“We’re having people not happy that they can’t get in,” McDaniel said. “We have people that will not go around to the other way to come in if they can’t get through the way that’s convenient to them, which we knew would happen.”

Crews are preparing the garage for demolition and are working with utilities, according to the city’s website.

McDaniel said they shut off the gas for the restaurant for a portion of Friday, which delayed the kitchen staff from opening on time.

“The construction guys are usually pretty good, but this is the first time that we’ve sort of had an issue where they weren’t done working,” McDaniel said.

The alley will be closed until June, according to the city.

Sections of the parking garage are structurally sound, but the ramps can’t be used, according to previous reporting. Once the parking garage is down, the city can then start constructing a new conference center and hotel with a new parking garage as well.

ABC 17 News reached out to the City of Jefferson City.

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