Author: KMIZ

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was charged with driving while intoxicated in a weekend crash that killed a man in Jefferson City is now charged with manslaughter.

Prosecutors in Cole County filed an amended complaint on Wednesday that now charges Robert Roy Rackers Jr. with driving while intoxicated that caused the death of another, second-degree involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor reckless driving and driving without insurance.

Rackers, 36, of Mexico, Missouri, is accused of causing the crash that killed Richard Robben.

Robben died on Tuesday afternoon. He was 59. He rode an electric bike on Sunday in the 100 block of East Dunklin Street in downtown Jefferson City when he was hit by Rackers’ 1999 GMC Sonoma that was heading in the opposite direction, court documents in previous reporting say.

Robben was brought to a hospital in Columbia, where he was pronounced dead days later.

A Jefferson City police officer wrote in the probable cause statement that Rackers appeared to be under the influence of marijuana and was found with weed when he was arrested.

Rackers is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment was held on Wednesday and Rackers appeared by video from the jail, where he pleaded not guilty.

A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 and a preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Following testimonies from neighbors and her own children, 38-year-old murder suspect Heather Smith took to the witness stand Wednesday.

Smith is accused of the 2025 deadly shooting of 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025. She claims the shooting was in self-defense.

Smith faces charges of second-degree murder, child endangerment, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The trial is being held in Columbia on a change of venue.

The shooting allegedly came after an altercation between children who were family members of Smith and Dills while riding bikes in the parking lot of the apartment. It’s alleged that Smith, a resident of the apartments, confronted Dills’ mother, who was also a resident, twice about their children before the shooting. Several witnesses on Tuesday accused Smith of flashing a gun in the waistband of her shorts at Dills’ mother during this interaction.

Dill’s sister then allegedly confronted Smith after Smith’s first interaction with Dills’ mother.

While Smith confirmed on the stand that she had a gun the day of the shooting, she claims she did not flash it at Dills’ mother. She added that Dills’ family was verbally aggressive towards her during interactions about the children.

“I initially walked over to try to talk to them to know that the things that her mother was telling her were not true, that nobody had threatened her children,” Smith said. When [Dills’ sister] left, [Dills’ mother] started to yell things at me.”

Smith claimed during the second interaction with Dills’ mother, where Smith allegedly flashed a gun, she yelled, “I’m not scared of anybody.” Which prior witnesses have reported Smith saying.

“If it was just a defense mechanism and I hope that maybe they would back off, I felt that they were trying to intimidate me, so I didn’t want them to feel like they were getting what they wanted,” Smith said.

When Dills arrived at the apartments to confront Smith in the parking lot, Dills allegedly pistol-whipped Smith during the confrontation and walked away. When Dills hit Smith, the gun went off, grazing a man on his head. Smith then allegedly shot Dills in the stomach, killing her.

Dills’ boyfriend as well as Dills’ sister and nephew, were also in the parking lot during the main confrontation before the shooting. Dills’ nephew also allegedly tried to disarm Smith by jumping for the gun, but was unsuccessful.

Smith alleged Dills shoved her during the argument. Smith adds that while she did point her gun at Dills’ boyfriend, she felt threatened.

“I was so nervous and scared because I was surrounded by people bigger than me,” Smith said. “I think it was three carloads of people that had pulled in and then all of a sudden I was being rushed by five people.”

Other family members of Dills confirmed seeing Dills shove Smith; however, they also claimed Smith pointed the gun at several people in the group.

“She pointed it at me, she pointed out [Dills’ nephew], I mean, she pointed at the whole apartment complex,” Dills’ boyfriend Aireon Terrill said. “She said she was going to use it while she was pointing it right dead in my face.”

Terrill added he was not trying to be threatening in the situation.

“I am walking towards her because I’m not going to let nobody else get shot,” Terrill said. “My purpose was to deescalate the whole situation, I’m the biggest person out there and trying to deescalate the situation and it never worked that way.”

Video surveillance showed Smith threatening witnesses with a pistol in the parking lot. Smith allegedly pointed the gun at both Dills and Dills’ boyfriend in the parking lot before the shooting.

Both the state and defense rested on Wednesday. The court plans to reconvene on Thursday morning.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The minor accused of stabbing another youth Tuesday night in central Columbia is in custody, according to the Columbia Police Department.

CPD responded to the 200 block of Unity Drive around 5:30 p.m. and found a juvenile victim with a non-life-threatening stab wound, according to the post. The minor was arrested for alleged first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

The suspect had previously been trespassed from Columbia Housing Authority property, according to the agency’s director.

Columbia Housing Authority CEO Randy Cole said the suspect and victim are minors. Cole confirmed the minor suspected of the stabbing at Stuart Parker Apartments off Unity Drive had been given a no-trespassing order in 2024.

“There were no subsequent incidents that met the threshold for reissuing a trespass prior to last night’s incident,” Cole added in a written statement.

Cole said the victim has non-life-threatening injuries and is a resident of the apartment complex.

The online Columbia police dispatch log shows officers were dispatched at 5:58 p.m. on Tuesday to Unity Drive. Columbia Police Department Lt. Andy Muscato said one person was stabbed, but no weapon or suspects were found as of Tuesday night.

An ABC 17 News reporter spoke with the suspect’s dad Michael Clark, who confirmed she is 17 years old. He also said he turned her over to police custody around 11:30 p.m.

“Nobody died, you know what I’m saying. I feel sorry for that family, I feel sorry for my daughter, it should never have came to this,” Clark said.

One neighbor was granted anonymity for fear of retribution. She and a couple of other neighbors told ABC 17 News that a 17-year-old girl and a group of friends caused some trouble around the neighborhood.

Clark refuted some of those claims.

“There’s so many kids out here, I mean, kids [are] always in trouble doing something, that’s normal,” Clark said. “Nothing like this, though. She ain’t no bully. She’s just a good person.”

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Ryan Shiner

(Editor’s note, 4/22: The story has been corrected to reflect which agency recommended approval of the ordinance.)

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Centralia Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday night unanimously recommended approval of an ordinance that defines and places rules on potential data centers in the city.

Centralia Mayor Chris Cox told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that the proposed ordinance is meant to be proactive about data center development by establishing rules, though no one has come to the city to propose a project just yet.

The commission made some adjustments to the proposed ordinance. The board of aldermen are set to discuss and vote on the ordinance at its May 18 meeting.

Some of the rules around data centers includes them being subject to a conditional use permit and requiring them to be in permanent buildings.

The construction and use of data centers has come under fire around the country within the past year.

Data centers were proposed in Montgomery County, with residents pushing back over concerns of use of natural resources and energy. 

Ameren in November had announced an agreement that aims to put new rules on “large-load customers” such as data centers.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was stabbed on Tuesday in central Columbia.

Officers closed off Unity Drive, a short street in central Columbia in the middle of West Worley and Ash streets and McBaine Avenue and Oak Street.

The victim was identified by police, but they are not publicly releasing identifying information at this moment, according to Columbia Police Department Lt. Andy Muscato. The condition of the victim has not been released.

Muscato said no suspects have been detained. Officers have not found the weapon used. Police are still working to gather information from the scene.

ABC 17 News crews on scene spoke to a neighbor who believes that this incident was allegedly involving teenagers after she saw a large group of them run away shortly after the stabbing.

Neighbors shared with ABC 17 News that they know who the aggressor might be.

One neighbor tells ABC 17 News a teenage girl who doesn’t live on the street has a history of coming to the neighborhood, bullying and harassing people. Neighbors say that they have filed complaints with the Columbia Housing Authority about the girl’s behavior and asked for a trespassing order against her.

Columbia Police have yet to confirm this information.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw at least 10 Columbia Police Department patrol vehicles, a K-9 and a Columbia Fire Department vehicle on the crowded street. The reporter also saw Columbia Housing Authority officials.

The scene was cleared at 8:58 p.m.

According to the CPD crime map, this area has not seen many incidents involving police in the past month. Only one report of a car theft in the last 28 days.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man serving a life sentence at Jefferson City Correctional Center has been indicted on a murder charge.

Brandon Bibbs, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the June 27, 2024, death of a Jefferson City inmate. The name of the deceased inmate was not immediately named in court documents.

A probable cause statement was not available on Tuesday afternoon, but Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson confirmed to ABC 17 News that Bibbs is accused of killing another inmate at the Jefferson City prison.

Bibbs is accused of several crimes including first-degree sexual abuse at Potosi Correctional Center. He was sentenced.

He was found guilty of statutory rape and statutory sodomy in 2012 and was given a life sentence. He also pleaded guilty to forcible rape in 2006.  Bibbs had pleaded guilty to forgery in 2016 in Pulaski County.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Officials have confirmed that a man who was hit by an allegedly inebriated driver on Sunday in Jefferson City has died.

Richard Robben, 59, was on an electric bike when he was hit by Robert Roy Rackers Jr. in the 100 block of East Dunklin Drive after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Rackers, 36, of Mexico, Missouri, is charged with driving while intoxicated causing serious injury, misdemeanor reckless driving and not having insurance. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Cole County Circuit Court.

Robert Roy Rackers Jr.

The probable cause statement says that the crash occurred in the 100 block of East Dunklin Street after 5 p.m. Sunday. The statement says Rackers drove a 1999 GMC Sonoma westbound into the path of Robben, who was heading in the opposite direction.

Robben had life-threatening injuries and was brought to a hospital in Columbia, the statement says. He died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the crash.

Rackers also had injuries and was brought to a hospital that day by police and allegedly suffered minor injuries, court documents say.

A Jefferson City police officer wrote in the statement that Rackers appeared to be under the influence of marijuana and was found with weed when he was arrested.

Condolences shared

Tributes poured in for Robben on social media as news of his death began to spread.

Eat Smart Meals JCMO — who described Robben as a core member of their team in a GoFundMe page – was one of the first places to write about Robben on social media. The business wrote that it closed at 3 p.m. to

“Thank you for understanding. We will be back tomorrow. It’s going to take some time, but we will update on a fundraiser to help with funeral costs with his family,” the post reads. “Thank you all for the love and patience in this hard time.”

The post had more than 1,100 reactions at 8:20 p.m. and nearly 200 comments, which were filled with condolences and sympathy.

Similarly, The Mission, a well-known music venue in the city, shared Eat Smart’s post with its own comment.

“Our hearts are heavy. Rich, you’re missed and loved. Hug your loved ones tight,” the post reads.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

JEFFTran, Jefferson City’s public bus system, will being using an “alternating route schedule” beginning on Monday, May 4, according to a news release on the city’s website.

The city cites “an ongoing bus driver shortage and recent staff retirements” as the reason for the new schedule.

The release says fixed routes will operate during the early morning and late afternoon hours, while the Gold/Green and Red/Blue routes will alternate service from 8:40 a.m.-3:20 p.m.

Handi-Wheels will operate “under the same modified service levels that have been in place in recent months,” the release says.

The release says the changes will “remain in place for the foreseeable future as JeffTran works to recruit, hire, and train additional bus operators. Restoring full service remains a top priority.”

The full schedule can be found in the image below.

This caption shows the bus schedule in Jefferson City beginning on Monday, May 4, 2026. [Courtesy Jefferson City]

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

MU Health Care announced in a Tuesday press release that it will open a primary care clinic next month in Holts Summit.

The release says the clinic will open Tuesday, May 5 at 180 Northstar Dr. and will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays. Services include regular appointments, telehealth services and same-day sick care for patients 2 years old and older.

“This new primary care clinic in Holts Summit keeps care close to home for families who live nearby ensuring they receive the preventative services and routine care they need to stay healthy,” Stephanie Cordray, MU Health Care chief ambulatory officer, was quoted in the release. “Expanding access in rural communities like Holts Summit is a key part of MU Health Care’s mission and commitment to Missouri.” 

The clinic will also be a training ground for students from the MU Sinclair School of Nursing “where advanced practice providers working with students will collaborate with emergency medicine physicians to ensure patients receive the expert care they need,” the release says.

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Matthew Sanders

EDITOR’S NOTE: The date when the issue could appear on the ballot has been corrected.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A resolution to put a measure to eliminate the income tax and allow new sales taxes will appear before voters in August or November.

The Missouri House on Tuesday approved the measure with a 95-59 vote. The Senate passed the measure last week, known as House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174.

Supporters say eliminating the income tax will put more money back in Missourians pockets so they can decide how they want to spend it. Critics, however, have said the change would shift more of the state’s tax burden to poor and middle-class residents.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) spoke against the bill during debate, relaying the story of his grandmother, who lives on a fixed income.

“She is on a fixed income, and she’s not going to benefit from the elimination of sales tax,” Tyson Smith said. “Her groceries are going to go up.”

Some business groups also opposed the measure because it would add sales tax to services that aren’t currently taxed, such as medical visits and real estate transactions.

The issue was a key priority for Gov. Mike Kehoe, helping drive lawmakers to push the measure across the finish line with three weeks still remaining in the legislative session.

“In a time where politicians make all kinds of promises and very rarely deliver, here we are debating something that our governor said he was going to do or at least attempt to do,” Rep. Brad Banderman(R-Franklin) said on the House floor Tuesday. “And here we are debating it. So I want to thank our governor for his work, his leadership in this.”

Kehoe celebrated the bill’s passage in a social media post.

“HJR 173/174 has been truly agreed and finally passed, putting the choice to eliminate the state income tax where it belongs: in the hands of Missouri voters,” the statement reads. “This is the first step in keeping our promise to make Missouri more competitive, attract jobs and investment, and let families keep more of what they earn from the start. We look forward to continuing this important conversation with Missourians in every corner of our state.”

Supporters of phasing out the income tax say it would help Missouri grow and attract more businesses. 

If approved by voters, Missouri would become the tenth state to eliminated their state income tax, which includes neighboring Tennessee, which repealed its state income tax in 2021. 

“Do we want to continue to be in the middle of the pack, or do we want to lead? I look to our neighbor to the south,” Rep. George Hruza, R-St. Louis said.

Currently, income tax makes up about two-thirds of Missouri’s general revenue. 

“There is no universe in which we eliminate the income tax without drastically increasing sales taxes on every single Missourian,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Platte) said. “That means 80% of Missourians are going to end up paying more than they already do into the tax system here in Missouri.”

If ultimately approved by voters, it would mark the first major change to Missouri’s income tax since 2014, when the rate was lowered from 6% to 4.7%.

Gov. Kehoe has until May 22 to decide whether the measure will appear on the August primary ballot or the November general election.

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