Category: kmiz-local-news

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Regional Airport will be adding new flights to and from Florida with Allegiant Airlines.

According to Allegiant Airlines’ website, Columbia will be one of the airline’s new destinations starting in June 2026. It will have two destinations in Florida, to and from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport.

This announcement comes after a record number of passengers for COU, according to a press release. Total passenger traffic exceeded 28,000, with arrivals and departures combined.

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said that when people are not flying out of COU, they are losing people who would rather drive to the St. Louis Airport to get to vacation destinations like Florida.

“We know people are driving to Saint Louis to fly to Florida with the I-70 construction,” said Buffaloe. “I very much expect that we’ll see more people using COU because no one wants to drive down I-70 during those shoots. They would much rather be home safer.”

Vice President of Revenue and Planning for Allegiant Airlines Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, tells ABC 17 News that the airlines and COU have been trying for more than a decade to get this deal done in Columbia. “The fine folks of central Missouri are looking for nonstop flights for favorite leisure vacation destinations,” said Schilling-Gonzales. “And honestly, one of the more recent changes has been I’ve heard a lot about construction on I-70, making it a little more difficult”

The expansion of the airport parking lot continues with the west lot across from Airport Drive, which is expected to be finished by the start of December, and design for the north lot has begun. Airport Manager Mike Parks said that the airport restaurant will be finished around the time Allegiant starts its flight.

Travelers will have the opportunity to access the restaurant on both the public side and the secure side of the airport. “If you are flying out, you’re already past security, you could order a hamburger or a chicken sandwich or whatever that might be needed on the secure side,” said Parks. “But you could also have things on the public side. And I think this timing works out really, really well.”

In September, United Airlines returned to COU after four years with two daily flights to Chicago O’Hare and Denver. United plans to have three daily flights to Chicago O’Hare in December.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was arrested on Sunday evening after he allegedly threatened to stab the owner of Southside Pizza in Columbia and an employee at the business.

Danial Knott, 22, was charged in Boone County on Monday with second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Court filings say he is from St. Petersburg, Florida, while jail records say he is from Columbia. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says police were called at 10:24 p.m. Sunday to Southside Pizza on Peachtree Drive and when they arrived, saw Knott sitting inside the restaurant with blood on his shirt. Police were given a knife recovered by staff.

The statement says Knott walked into the bathroom and turned off the lights. When the owner of the business went to turn the lights back on, he saw Knott urinating on the floor and told him to leave, the statement says. The owner then grabbed Knott and Knott pulled out a knife, court documents say.

The owner allegedly had a cut on his thumb and told police he may have been cut by Knott, the statement says.

Two other people had saw Knott pull out a knife as the owner called police, court documents say. Two people allegedly saw Knott holding the knife while walking toward the counter of the business and he allegedly threatened to stab the owner and an employee if he did not receive a speaker, the statement says.

Knott allegedly slurred his speech while talking with police and claimed he pulled out a knife when someone tried to fight him, court documents say. Knott told police that the blood seen on his shirt was his own.

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Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 

The Jefferson City Council voted 7-2 in favor of a 48-unit apartment project on East Elm Street, which has received pushback from nearby residents. 

The proposal would be for a Preliminary Planned Unit Development Plan for property at 1740 East Elm St. The project calls for 12 apartment buildings, each containing four, one-bedroom units, that are each two-stories tall. 

Concerns raised by about a half-dozen opponents during the public comment portion of the meeting included increased traffic, roadway capacity, stormwater runoff, potential declines in nearby property values, resident demographics and the level of on-site supervision. Several commenters also questioned whether the project would function as low-income housing.

Brian McMillian, one of the project’s developers, told the council that although the area is busy, most future residents would not be driving, so increased traffic should not be an issue. He added the trees and vegetation planned for the site would make the property “barely visible” to nearby residents, addressing concerns about potential negative effects on the neighborhood’s character.

“It’s just a matter of time before one of these individuals gets killed by a car. I live on that road,” one man said during the public meeting in response. “There is a miles per hour speed limit,  a little bit less, 30 miles (per hour), I can tell you, I’ve come around late at night and there’s been a deer right in the middle of the road and I barely had time to stop.” 

The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal Oct. 9 and voted 6-0 to recommend approval.

The plan proposes one parking space per unit, fewer than the city’s standard requirement of 1.5 spaces per unit for apartment developments. Access would come from two driveway entrances on East Elm Street. According to planning documents, new tree rows along both sides of the development and the preservation of trees at the rear of the property would help buffer the site from surrounding homes.

“They said at the zoning meeting that they did they only anticipated staffing there during the weekdays,” one man said during Monday’s public hearing. We think that’s that’s also a concern if they would have a mental illness episode.” 

“I feel like this could be a detriment to our neighborhood if they refuse to take the medications,” another woman added during the hearing. “I appreciate the fact that low-income housing is important,  but my husband and I  have worked hard to get what we got, and we can’t afford for the property value to go down.” 

Andrea Cheung, a CJCA Development representative, said the organization has operated in Jefferson City for 50 years, serving people with mental health challenges, and many of their experienced managers have more than 20 years of experience working in the field.

“After five decades of serving in this community,  we’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to find quality one-bedroom units. For people, it’s just almost impossible,” Cheung said during the meeting. “We understand that change always brings anxiety and uncertainty, but we’re really confident that this will be an asset to Jefferson City.”

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A deal to end the federal government shutdown included a provision that limits how much THC can be legally contained in hemp-derived products.

Under the new rule, hemp products could contain no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Experts note that hemp generally has much lower levels of THC than marijuana under federal law and effectively bans most hemp-derived consumer products.

The 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp with up to a 0.3% of THC per serving by dry weight.

Last year, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services estimated 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops, and 1,800 food manufacturers, were selling products in Missouri that would be banned under the proposed regulations.

A report called “Missouri Hemp Hoax” analyzed 55 products purchases from unlicensed retailers across the state. Testing found that 53 of the 55 products exceeded the 0.3% THC threshold. It found most products contained total THC between 10%-80%. It also found 16 of the 55 products failed for dangerous contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents.

Ethan Jones, owner of MindRight Wellness in downtown Columbia, has sold hemp products for five years. He said his business would be significantly affected if the House passes the measure.

“I have dispensaries referring business to me because these are people that are going to look for relief, and they’re not selling it,” Jones said. “Enough to make a financial impact to my business, that’s for sure. But on top of that, even further, eliminate the chance for me to help people in a way that I’ve been helping people for many years now in a very safe and effective way,”

Jones’s most popular product is a full-spectrum CBD gummy that contains 0.3% THC per serving. He said he sells between 40-60 containers a month, accounting for about 6.6% of his monthly sales. He said the gummies help people sleep, anxiety, pain relief etc.

According to Jones, most of his customers are working adults and older adults.

He added the new restrictions would force customers to look elsewhere for a product they use for health-related reasons.

“It’s confusing to hear all of this change, as it would be someone who’s been buying the same product for five years and now having no option to buy that, or unless they’re going to get funneled into a dispensary and pay probably three or four times the actual price for the same exact product,” he said.

With hemp-derived products possibly containing .04% per container, Jones says it would nearly make all products illegal.

“As it stands right now within that language there would be really no hemp industry left. So I don’t, it sounds purposeful to me, that they did it that way. Right now, within the regulations, that .03% per serving has been extremely safe,” Jones said.

“If you really look into people benefiting from these types of products, so in reality it could even get to the point that people end up going down an even worse route for literally just not having a simple legal option available anymore,” he added.

The lower dose of THC in products, Jones says will take the whole purpose away of a hemp-derived product and it won’t have the affect it with the current level of THC allowed.

“They just don’t seem to have medicinal value to people again this is someone who helps people everyday and has for years and seeing the direct impact its having on people’s lives it doesn’t work as well,” Jones said.

Rep. Dave Hinman (R-O’Fallon) plans to refile a bill he proposed that would allow Missouri businesses to sell low-dose Hemp THC beverages and edibles. He says it would protect local businesses and farmers.

“I would prefer to move forward with the bill I was going to present that allowed the two carve outs to happen.” Hinman said. “That would be my preference if I was able to do something. I think this is really kind of extreme by now allowing anything but if that’s the direction the federal government’s going in we don’t have much of a choice,”

However, he believes regulations are needed, as products tend to have similar packaging that tend attract children.

“There’s a lot of bad actors out there, unfortunately, that are selling products that are really marketed toward kids,’ Hinman said. “I had a meeting in my office last week where a group of folks brought in, bags that looked exactly like Skittles, bags that looked exactly like Doritos and that’s the kind of stuff that’s really putting a bad name on hemp products out here, is people that are selling that kind of stuff in their stores that children then get ahold of,”

The law will go into effect Nov. 12 of next year.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after a garage caught fire Sunday afternoon at a home on Pleasant Valley Road in Roach, Missouri, according to a social media post from the Northwest Fire Protection District.

The post says firefighters were called around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, arrived within nine minutes and saw flames. Callers told dispatchers that a propane tank reportedly exploded.

“With the assistance of our mutual-aid partners, the fire was brought under control. Units remained on scene for several hours to ensure full extinguishment,” the post says. “At the time of this incident, Northwest firefighters were also managing three other emergency calls, including two natural cover fires and a medical emergency. In total, Northwest Fire has responded to six incidents today.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man pleaded guilty on Friday to a federal gun charge, according a press release from the Department of Justice.

Lajuan Martin, 31, pleaded guilty to being a felony with a gun. He is being held at the Cole County Jail and a sentencing hearing has not been announced.

The release says Martin was arrested by Columbia police for driving without a license and a gun and drugs were found on him when he was brought to the Columbia Police Department.

Martin has prior felony convictions and is not allowed to own a gun.  

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A fall severe thunderstorm dropped hail on Columbia on Monday afternoon.

A former National Weather Service employee reported 1-inch hail in the Columbia city limits, according to the NWS storm reports page.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State Rep. John Martin (R-Centralia) announced that he plans on running for reelection.

Martin announced his bid in a Monday afternoon press release. He represents Missouri’s 44th District in the state house and was first elected last year.

“My Christian faith and blue collar background drive me to lead with integrity,” Martin in the release. “I will always be a defender of our rights and freedoms, and a champion for prosperity in every zip code.”

The release says his campaign plans on focusing on infrastructure and tax reform. He is a member of the Boone County Farm Bureau. He is a former pastor who owns Pro Pumping & Hydrojetting LLC in Columbia, according to previous reporting.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia City Council members did not vote on a median ordinance as scheduled on Monday night.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample and Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman told ABC 17 News on Monday afternoon that many council members were seeking more information from commissions.

Council members on Monday night voted 6-1 to table the issue until Feb. 2, with Waterman being the sole “no” vote.

The ordinance would regulate the use of medians, road crossings and islands by both motorists and pedestrians at intersections with speeds of 35 miles per hour or greater, average daily traffic volumes of 15,000 vehicles or greater, or where the median width is fewer than 6 feet wide.

If adopted, the ordinance will:

Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.

Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.

Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.

Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.

Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.

The council voted to table the ordinance, noting that they need more clarification on the ordinance.

Roughly 30 residents packed Columbia City Hall for Monday’s meeting speaking out about the issue. Most who spoke were in opposition of the ordinance, saying it takes away free speech and doesn’t address saefty, while few said they supported it.

However, those against it, like Luke Fennewald say the ordinance doesn’t target safety but rather criminalizes homelessness and panhandling.

“Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and I don’t think people realize how close we are to being homeless,” Fennewald said. “It just takes one unfortunate tragedy and you might find yourself in those folks’ positions.”

Luke Jensen is also an activist in the city, who says he has a deep caring for the homeless population, but also believes if passed, the ordinance would also restrict people from voicing their opinions.

“A lot of protesters use those same medians to demonstrate their political beliefs, and we believe that if this is passed, then it will also be a crackdown on our First Amendment,” Jensen said.

Sample had previously requested to hear more from the Human Rights Commission, Disabilities Commission, Public Transit Advisory Commission and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission. Sample also said medians typically attract homeless people, and some residents worry where those people will move to next..

Sample told ABC 17 News on Monday that if the council were to vote on the issue Monday night, she would not support the ordinance.

“I don’t think we can effectively address pedestrian safety with a single ordinance, so this isn’t the right way to do it,” Sample said before the meeting. “We need to address pedestrian safety but I don’t feel that this particular ordinance in front of us is the way for us to do that.”

Waterman said on Monday afternoon while he understands some council members desire to receive more information from various commissions, he believes they will not hear anything much different from what they’ve already heard. He said he anticipates the vote among council members will be to table the issue, but he is ready to vote “yes.”

“I think it’s a safety issue. I know there’s a lot of sentiment that it’s not a safety issue but it is in fact a safety issue. (Columbia Fire Department) Chief Schaeffer has mentioned that it is a concern while they’re responding,” Waterman said. “God forbid it gets voted down and then two, three, four months later we have someone standing in a median that gets run over…then we’ll be circling back to it.”

Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood and Ward 4 Councilman Don Waterman also told ABC 17 News that they supported tabling the issue.

The city said it plans to open a survey for residents to submit input to.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced in a Monday press release that Columbia Regional Airport will announce new flights on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after Columbia Regional Airport had 14,202 passengers depart from its airport in October, which is a record for the location. Another press release on Monday says there were 28,810 arrivals and departures combined.

The airport has flights that operate daily to Chicago O’Hare, Denver and Dallas Fort Worth.

“These numbers reflect the confidence travelers have in choosing their local airport,” airport manager Michael Parks said in a news release. “United’s new service, combined with American Airlines existing routes, gives passengers access to hundreds of destinations around the world, while saving time and supporting our local economy.”

The airport is expecting more than 5,500 travelers during the week of Thanksgiving, the release says.

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