Author: KMIZ

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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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department announced in a Friday night social media post that officers arrested a man and a youth accused of robbing someone at gunpoint.

Police wrote Jordan Hunt, 19, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and stealing. Officers also arrested a boy accused of the same charges.

Hunt was listed on the Boone County Jail roster on Friday evening. Charges have yet to appear on Casenet.

Police say Hunt and the youth stole a gun from the victim after pulling out a gun of their own in the 600 block of Talon Road, a road that is south of Interstate 70 near East St. Charles Road.

Check back for updates.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office told ABC 17 News it had to dismiss its case against Fear Fest owner and operator Bill Schnell after being unable to locate him.

Columbia’s Fear Fest Haunted House made an official announcement on Halloween 2024 stating that it would not be opening for the season and that refunds would be “processed in bunches.” 

The attraction racked up 15 safety violations during its annual inspection by the Boone County Fire Protection District. The 2024 Halloween season marked the first time Fear Fest was unable to open in its more than 20-year history.

The Attorney General’s Office said it still has 25 complaints of people saying they still have not received a refund one year after Fear Fest’s unexpected closure. The AG’s office said it plans to refile the case again soon to force repayment.

In a statement to ABC 17 News, Michaela Payne said she purchased three tickets in October 2024 for the Fear Fest Haunted House, spending more than $100 and making the drive from Kansas City. It would have been her first visit to the attraction.

She said she was told to reach out for reimbursement, but after months of trying, she never received a response. She said she called, emailed and sent multiple Facebook messages.

She said following the situation she connected with a small community of others who were also impacted, all sharing the same experience of being ignored and left without resolution.

Payne said she reached out to the Attorney General’s office and filed a complaint. She said she was contacted for an interview, but nothing further happened.

“It’s truly disheartening,” Payne said in her statement. “Not just because we lost hundreds of dollars, but because we were simply trying to enjoy a fun night out and support a local favorite.”

John Peterson, a Lake of the Ozarks resident, said his family spent $265 on 2024 Fear Fest tickets.

“I’ve done Fear Fest for a long time, since I was a teenager,” Peterson said.

He said he found out Fear Fest was canceled through a Facebook post, but never saw any notice on the company’s website. After discovering the cancellation, he reached out for a refund.

“We sent a proof of our purchase and we never heard from them again,” Peterson said. “I’ve messaged them countless times, I mean countless times.”

Peterson also filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.

“The attorney general contacted me probably about three or four months later and asked if I’d be willing to testify. I told them, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’ And I haven’t heard from them since,” Peterson said.

Moving forward, he said he is not as interested in a refund of his money as much as he is in seeing justice served.

“Honestly, I would rather just see him prosecuted to the court of law, I mean to the fullest extent. Not only did you steal adult money, you stole money from little children,” Peterson said.

Missouri Nightmare, a new “haunted” attraction in Columbia, is hoping to fill the void by offering free admission next weekend to those who never got their money back from Fear Fest. Anyone who was never refunded for their fear fest ticket can get in for free on Oct. 30-Nov. 1 with proof of their ticket purchase from 2024.

“We care and we want to be here and be the Halloween experience for Columbia,” said Nicolas Palmer, owner and operator of Missouri Nightmare.

Payne said she most likely won’t utilize the offer, but Peterson said he’s considering going with his family.

Missouri Nightmare finalized contract negotiations with Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex during the July 4 weekend. Palmer believes the backlash and legal trouble Fear Fest is facing could have been easily avoided.

“You shouldn’t take a dime from anybody until you know you’re going to open,” Palmer said. “People care a lot about their money, they work hard for their money.”

Some of the actors apart of Missouri Nightmare previously worked for Fear Fest, according to Palmer.

“They were just heartbroken by the fact that it didn’t open,” Palmer said. “It’s like if you had a big friend group and all of a sudden that friend group was broken up and you weren’t able to be friends anymore.”

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ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Week 9 of the Missouri high school football season is tonight.

Scores from Mid-Missouri teams will be posted below.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

FEMA individual assistance was approved for 20 Missouri counties that were damaged in storms that took place from March 30-April 8, according to a Friday press release from SEMA.

Assistance is available to residents in Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cooper, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Vernon, Washington and Wayne counties

Residents can ask for assistance “for qualifying disaster-related expenses – including housing repairs, temporary housing, rental assistance, medical and funeral costs not covered by insurance or other aid programs, and replacement of damaged belongings and vehicles,” the release says.

Individuals can apply online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling at 1-800-621-3362.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 65-year-old woman from Columbia was seriously injured in a crash in the 4900 block of Route F in Callaway County on Thursday morning, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the 2016 Toyota Camry was heading west when it went off the right side of the road and hit a ditch. The woman was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the report.

She was brought to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries, the report says.

The Toyota had extensive damage. MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was found guilty on Friday of multiple child sex crimes in Osage County, according to a press release from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

Louis Galvan was found guilty of first-degree statutory sodomy, first-degree child molestation and second-degree child molestation. He was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child who was younger than 12 years old, the release says.

The trial last two days and the jury deliberated for two hours, according to the release. Galvan faces a possible sentence of 10-30 years. A sentencing date was not announced.

“This verdict belongs to the victim who never stopped fighting for justice,” Osage County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner said in the release. “Our community can be proud that she had the courage to face her abuser and tell her story. Working together with the Attorney General’s Office ensured we had the resources needed to present the strongest possible case, but it was her bravery that made this outcome possible.”

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