Author: KMIZ

Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Callaway County has sued three property owners for alleged violation of the county’s floodplain rules.

The county commission sued T&T Pallet and Farmer Companies, or Farmer Holding Inc., as well as one residential homeowner.

According to court documents, Callaway County is included in FEMA’s National Flood Plain Insurance Program that provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses. Due to the properties not complying with county floodplain ordinances, FEMA gave the county until Nov. 29, 2025 to bring the properties into compliance.

In court documents, “Callaway County has been informed that all property owners of Callaway County must be in compliance with the Callaway County Floodplain Ordinance, or else Callaway County, in its entirety, will be removed from the NFIP.”

Callaway County’s representative Travis Elliott adds that the deadline is not a hard date. However, the County plans for a restraining order on the properties from the judge to help make some progress.

“That is the main reason why the county is taking this additional step, because of the requirements that property owners comply with the floodplain ordinance of the county, which is overseen by SEMA and delegated that authority from FEMA,” said Callaway County’s representative Travis Elliott said.

First Street found that Callaway County is at moderate risk for flooding, with over 2,800 or around 11% of properties at risk over the next 30 years.

According to court documents, T&T Pallet’s pallets post a hazard if lost in a flood, and the county ordered the property owners to either remove the pallets or tie them down and secure them. T&T Pallet was contacted five times by the National Floodplain Insurance Program and county officials, but the company did not respond.

Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent InjunctionDownload

The county was able to get in contact with Farmer Holding, which was asked to submit plans to obtain the proper permits. However, the company was allegedly unable to provide documentation that it followed through.

Farmer Holding declined to comment for this story.

Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction (1)Download

The homeowner was found in violation of county ordinances due to a manufactured home being in a flood hazard area. The homeowners were asked to submit the appropriate permits and certificates but did not follow through.

“The issues are pretty straightforward,” Elliott said. “The counties had a flood plain ordinance in effect for a very long time, and the county has attempted to communicate with these property owners, and so I think that it’s pretty straightforward as far as what the requirements are.”

The judge has not ruled yet on the county’s restraining order.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 19-year-old Columbia man has been charged with three felonies in connection with a reported armed robbery in east Columbia.

Prosecutors charged Jordan Hunt on Monday with first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. He remained in the Boone County Jail on Monday afternoon on no bond.

A probable cause statement says Hunt and an unnamed minor robbed the victim at gunpoint while riding in a car at about 1 p.m. Friday. The robbery happened while the vehicle was parked in front of 605 Talon Road, the statement says.

The victim said Hunt asked to see his pistol, and he agreed. The minor took the gun and pointed it at the victim while Hunt pulled out his own gun and trained it on the victim, the statement says. The victim then got out of Hunt’s vehicle, according to the statement.

The victim has known Hunt for years and identified him to the police, the statement says. Hunt and the minor were arrested at Hunt’s mother’s home, the statement says. Police say they found the victim’s stolen gun in a bathroom at the home.

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Matthew Sanders

Editor’s note: The lede of this story was corrected to reflect the crash occurred in 2024.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An 18-year-old man from Macon pleaded guilty Monday to four counts, including manslaughter, in a 2024 crash in southern Columbia.

Ty Frey pleaded guilty in Boone County before Judge Ben Miller to first-degree involuntary manslaughter, careless and imprudent driving, drunken driving and being an intoxicated minor. Sentencing is set for Jan. 5, 2026.

According to the Columbia Police Department, Killian Walker, 18, of Macon, was killed when the car he was in crashed around 2 a.m. Oct. 4, 2024, in the 800 block of West Old Plank Road. Frey, who was driving, and two other passengers suffered minor injuries.

Police said Frey drove off the road and hit a tree.

Court documents state that police found an empty 750 mL bottle of Hennessy in the car. Police said a breath test showed Frey’s blood alcohol was 0.070%.

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Matthew Sanders

Venezuela has become a big target for the Trump administration.

The American military has been building its presence in the area for weeks. Images of deadly strikes of alleged drug boats — and the possible legal implications of those strikes — have been seen around the world.

President Donald Trump is speaking publicly about strikes on drug infrastructure in Venezuelan territory.

The Trump administration says these deadly strikes are necessary to stop drugs from killing Americans. Critics say the strikes aren’t really effective and might be responsible for the deaths of innocent people.

Do you think the U.S. should ramp up its activity in Venezuela? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Nia Hinson

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boonville man was seriously injured when his minivan was crashed into head-on on Sunday.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. on Route B at Doyle Road. The report states a 29-year-old man from Rocheport was driving a 2021 Ford F-150, when his truck crossed the center of the road to avoid a vehicle not involved in the crash.

His truck crashed head-on into a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country, driven by a 67-year-old man from Boonville.

The man in the minivan was taken to University Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries and refused treatment.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts when the crash occurred, the report says.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR’s NOTE: a reference to a person being shot has been removed.

Columbia Police confirmed a person was injured after shots were fired in central Columbia Sunday night on Lincoln Drive.

A police lieutenant on scene told ABC 17 News the building in the 200 block of Lincoln Drive was shot at, and one person inside the home was injured. The person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

Police said they do not have any suspect information.

An ABC 17 News reporter on scene saw several CPD vehicles and crime scene tape up in the area.

Check back for updates.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Governor Mike Kehoe is asking Missourians to support their “neighbors” by donating to local food pantries while the government remains shut down and Congress is gridlocked on a funding bill.

Hundreds of thousands of SNAP users won’t receive their November benefits and according to Gov. Kehoe, an estimated 56,000 federal workers won’t receive their paychecks during the government shutdown.

With food insecurity rising, here are food pantries in Boone County that people can donate to or access free food.

The Food Bank Market, located at 705 Business Loop 70, Columbia.

Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.-2p.m.

Annie Fisher Food Pantry, 1201 Paquin St., Columbia.

Wednesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The City of Columbia has an extensive list of food pantries in network with the Food Bank for Central Missouri, which includes pantries in Hallsville, Centralia, Sturgeon and Ashland.

The Food Bank also has a food locator on its website.

Columbia has three free pantries that are registered on the Mini Pantry Movement, which is a grassroots movement designed for neighbors helping neighbors.

Columbia Meals on Wheels is expanding its hot meal service to people who lost their SNAP benefits, according to a Facebook post. Under regular circumstances, when the government is properly funded, Meals on Wheels delivers free hot meals to people 65 years old or older.

In its Facebook post, the organization said it’s opening meal plan applications on Wednesday. ABC 17 reached out to the organization’s director.

The Food Bank is working with Boone County Commissioners to receive additional funding to keep its shelves stocked across its pantry partners as the need increases.

About 656,600 Missourians received SNAP benefits in 2024, and households received an average of $332 a month in 2022, according to a January report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As Mid-Missouri begins cooling to fall temperatures, the Boone County Fire Protection District is reminding residents to follow home heating safety precautions before using space heaters or fireplaces.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, about a third of fires between 2019 and 2023 were caused by heating devices. About 8% of fires during that time were also caused by fireplaces.

The BCFPD reminds residents to look for space heaters with a “tip-over” switch that automatically turns the device off when it is knocked over. Heaters should be plugged into the wall and never into an extension cord or power strip. All homes should also be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector for both gas heaters and general safety.

Fireplaces should be professionally cleaned and inspected for cracks and seams. When lit, an improperly cleaned chimney may cause heat to spread through the cracks of the fireplace and into a home’s attic. Fireplaces should be equipped with a metal screen to catch loose embers and sparks. Ashes should also be kept in a metal container to be thrown out when cool.

Pets, people, and furniture should be kept at least three feet away from heaters and fireplaces. Heaters should also be turned off or fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.

The BCFPD also reminds people to make sure their smoke detectors are in good working order for the fall and winter seasons. The NFPA found that fires are most common from November to March.

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Alison Patton

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Saturday marked one year since Fulton man, Dominique Ford was shot and killed in his apartment.

Ford’s family and friends held a one-year remembrance vigil for him Saturday at the Fulton High School football field.

Ford was shot in his apartment and died from his injuries Oct. 25, 2024, according to previous reporting. He was 27 years old when he died. The investigation and the family’s search for answers is on going.

Ford’s mom, Tacia Brandt said she can’t believe it’s already been a year.

“I hoped they would have an arrest or something at this point. Doesn’t mean it makes it better. I won’t get Dominique back,” Tacia said.

Ford’s cousin Shakir Brandt said “Dommo” is more like a brother to him, and not knowing what happened to him is difficult.

“It’s hard not knowing exactly who did this or why,” Shakir said. “We may never figure out that answer, but I know that God willing, he’s going to bring my cousin justice.”

In April, police said that the investigation into the homicide had moved forward some, but they were still waiting on a few key pieces on information. Police also said at the time that they had not yet heard back from Virginia, a place where evidence in the case was sent to help with the investigation.

Tacia announced the vigil on her Facebook page.

Ford’s friends and family gathered on the Fulton High School football field, where Ford used to play, to share stories about him.

“Dominique was number seven forever, so I just saw it fitting a year that I want to have more of a football evening for him,” Tacia said. “When I walked into this football field that I just could feel Dominique.”

The Fulton Police Department released surveillance video about a month after Ford’s death of a person believed to be a suspect in the case.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Fulton Police Department or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several law enforcement agencies across Mid-Missouri are accepting unused and expired prescription drugs Saturday for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s national Drug Take Back Day.

According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, around 230,000 Missourians misused prescription drugs in the past year, leading to addiction and overdose death.

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics describes prescription drug abuse and misuse as a person taking medicine more or differently than prescribed and taking medicine that has expired or wasn’t prescribed to the patient. It also found that about 13.8 million or 4.8% of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescriptions in a year. That is around 4.4% less than in 2023, when 14.4 million people were reported to have misused prescriptions.

Drop-off locations will be open across Mid-Missouri from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday:

Harry S. Truman VA Hospital – Columbia

MU Student Center – Columbia

Rock Bridge High School – Columbia

Hickman High School – Columbia

Kilgore’s Pharmacy – Ashland

Hallsville Police Department – Hallsville

Fulton Fire Department Station 1 – Fulton

Centralia Police Department – Centralia

Boonville Police Department – Boonville

Jefferson City Police Department evidence room – Jefferson City

Sedalia Walmart – Sedalia

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office – Versailles

Drop-offs will not accept syringes or illicit drugs. Liquid medications, like cough syrup, can stay in the original containers.

In October 2024, a little under 4,500 law enforcement agencies participated in Drug Take Back Day across the nation. Around 314 tons of medications were collected.

Select locations are open for year-round drop-offs.

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