Category: kmiz-local-news

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia’s Office of Violence Prevention is considering adding two “community navigation liaisons” to help defuse problems on the city’s public transit.

“What this program does is it puts individuals on the transit lines with the driver to de-escalate and to actually navigate folks to services so that they’re not, so the drivers can actually drive,” D’Markus Thomas-Brown, head of the Office of Violence Prevention, said during the office’s advisory committee meeting on Thursday.

The office plans to issue a request for qualifications, allowing companies to submit their bids for the contract. The office requires the liaisons to come in having already completed the required training. Those trainings include a peer support certification through the state and/or HEAT Training, which stands for Habilitation, Empowerment, Accountability and Therapy.

“We want agencies that actually have, they have peers in those HEAT-certified trainings and are willing to allow their peers to work directly with us in transit,” Thomas-Brown said.

Violence prevention officials also ask that the candidates have valid de-escalation training if they don’t have HEAT training and be well-versed in adult mental health first aid.

The Office of Violence Prevention wants these liaisons to work with management from Go COMO — the city’s public transit arm — and the task force to decide which bus lines need the most intervention. The City of Columbia runs six bus routes.

Matt Stephens, deputy chief of the Columbia Police Department, said in an interview after the meeting that the incidents officers respond to vary.

“We have occasionally … you have people that are fighting on the bus. You’ll have somebody that’s disruptive. I mean, some of it’s assaults, some of it’s just nuisance activity,” Stephens said.

He said responding officers treat all of the incidents with their standard department protocol.

Following the city’s request for qualification, the Columbia City Council will have to give the final approval at its Sept. 15 meeting. Thomas-Brown tells ABC 17 News the soonest that would be is at their Sept. 15th meeting. They are hoping to implement the liaisons on the bus lines starting in October.

The program’s cost is $99,360.

An ABC 17 News Investigates report in August 2024 detailed some of the issues reported on city buses, fights, threats and drunk passengers.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

President Donald Trump on Thursday morning on Truth Social praised Missouri Republicans for talking about redistricting.

No official plans have made yet, but a spokesperson from Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office said the governor and lawmakers are considering options for a special session. Kehoe had publicly backed the idea earlier this month.

“As these discussions continue, I am confident the Senate will be prepared to act when the time comes,” Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina) said.

Missouri has six Republicans and two Democratic representatives in the U.S. House.

Missouri Republicans, with the backing of the Trump Administration, want to redistrict the current congressional map, and split the Democratic pocket of Kansas City. Doing that would take a seat from the Democrats, leaving Missouri with a potential for up to seven Republicans representing the state in the house.

This one seat out of the 435 seats in the House might seem insignificant, but it could improve the Republican’s odds, said Charles Zug, who is a political science professor at the University of Missouri.

Republicans hold a slim majority in the House. Based on history, the incumbent party typically loses some seats during the next election, Zug said. The other element that gets added to this mix is other states redistricting.

Majority-Republican Texas and majority-Democratic California have advanced ideas of redrawing their districts. Zug indicated both states could see as many as five additional seats added to their majority party’s total.

If both states are successful, then the opposing parties are back at equilibrium, Zug said. Zug said he thinks Missouri will wait to see what happens between those two states before doing anything.

State Rep. Adrian Plank (D-Columbia) said he thinks Kehoe will wait until at least after the veto session on Sept. 10. Plank, and most Democrats, are opposed to redistricting.

“What happens with redistricting, especially in a way they’re trying to do it now, is they’re trying to pick their voters instead of the voters pick their representation,” Plank said.

A number of protesters voiced their opinions against redistricting at an event this past Saturday outside the Missouri Capitol. An ABC 17 News poll from Aug. 5 found 81% of respondents were against the idea.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Legion of Black Collegians claims the University of Missouri is trying to erase its presence, while administrators cite inclusivity concerns over a canceled event.

The Legion of Black Collegians stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday that its “Black 2 Class Block Party” was canceled after administrators took issue with the name.

University of Missouri President Mun Choi responded with a statement Wednesday, claiming the name was not inclusive.

“The University of Missouri fosters a non-discriminatory campus environment. When holding events using University facilities, student organizations must avoid excluding individuals based on race. The name of the ‘Black 2 Class Block Party’ proposed by LBC suggested such exclusivity. For that reason, the decision was made that the event as described would not be held on campus.”

The situation has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many students and alumni weighing in on the ongoing conflict.

Students say they are not surprised by the decision, pointing to similar conflict last year when the group’s “Welcome Black BBQ” was challenged by the university. In response, LBC created the new block party as an alternative. The “Welcome Black and Gold BBQ” will still be held on Aug. 29 at the Black Culture Center, but the LBC has withdrawn from participating, the group wrote.

MU junior Dorion Bailey, who was a part of the LBC executive board last year, said the organization had to carefully navigate wording in its events.

“We ran into the same kind of discrepancies last year with name changes and know that our organization is being looked at in terms of what kind of events we’re trying to put on and the language that we’re using within our programming,” Bailey said.

Despite the challenges, Bailey said last year’s event was a success.

“We had a very positive turnout, and I even noticed fleets of administrative leaders coming to the event and relishing in the festivities,” he recalled.

LBC accused the university of canceling the event without offering alternatives.

“These actions are a deliberate act of erasure. At every turn, we are shut down. Things as simple as putting “Black” in a name, results in consequences,” the statement read.

Incoming freshmen Delali Thompson and Lauryn Jackson said the decision left them discouraged.

“Being a Black student in a PWI [predominantly white institution], it’s natural for us to want to find each other, find connections, resources, and I don’t thin it’s fair fort he school to cancel an event just because we want to find out community,” Jackson said.

Thompson shared similar sentiments.

“I was really disappointed about that, especially being like a new black freshman, It just ruined my first impression of the school because I was ready toto meet some other people because this is a PWI.”

Students argue the university’s stance is inconsistent. Based on Mizzou Events Calender there is several events hosted for specific marginalized groups.

“I find that interesting in the way that the University chooses what kind of language to deem as acceptable and non-acceptable, because there’s nothing wrong with any culture, any kind of organization wanting to put on anything or the student body,” Bailey said. “So my thing is, when we do put an emphasis on black, do you want us to say African American?”

Following the cancellation, LBC is demanding that the university:

Release a campus-wide message addressing the decision

Hold a town hall within 60 days

Publicly condemn racial harassment

Choi also said in his statement that the school will not respond to demands, but university leaders will meet with the LBC “to continue this discussion.”

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Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

 Jefferson City officials introduced an $86.9 million spending plan Thursday that Mayor Ron Fitzwater described as a “bare bones budget to meet the needs of this city.”

The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, presented to the City Council’s first Budget Committee meeting, comes in close to last year’s approved total of $86.5 million. The city’s general fund, which covers basic operations, makes up $42.8 million of the plan, with public safety again being the largest expense.

Police spending accounts for $13.9 million, roughly 31% of the general fund, while fire services are budgeted at $10.7 million, or 25%. Public works is the next-largest department at $7.8 million. Personnel services overall make up nearly half the city’s general fund budget, totaling $43.4 million.

Fitzwater said budget priorities include “taking care of their people” through salaries and benefits, supporting public safety, and investing in infrastructure, particularly road improvements. 

His budget includes a 2.5% pay increase for city employees, as well as a 10% increase for health insurance and 5% for dental insurance. The mayor noted that departments submitted $49 million in requests, but only $42 million could be funded, leaving the original proposal $7 million over budget before adjustments.

The budget also proposes $14.3 million for wastewater services and $11.5 million for parks and recreation.

Revenue challenges and adjustments

In a letter to the council, Fitzwater said the city anticipates a slight dip in sales tax revenue, projecting $14.3 million, about 1% lower than last year’s receipts and the fiscal year 2025 budget.

A new revenue source has been added to the general fund: Gross receipts utility tax payments from the city’s wastewater system. The so-called PILOTS-GRUT revenue stream will transfer 6% of gross receipts from wastewater to the general fund, allocated for street improvements. City officials emphasized it will not affect consumer rates.

Key modifications

The budget sets aside money for several upcoming elections, including a November 2025 lodging tax vote, the April 2026 general election and an August 2026 capital improvement measure. Lodging tax revenue is expected to offset the cost of the special election.

Other notable changes include:

Funding for six new leased police vehicles.

Increased legal and human resources spending for union negotiations and an updated compensation study.

A buy-down of $1.05 million from the Capital Improvement Sales Tax to address HVAC issues at City Hall and the police facility.

Support for the Chamber Childcare Initiative Program and additional yard waste pickups.

The final budget, incorporating any amendments adopted during Budget Committee meetings, will be presented at a regular City Council meeting held at the end of the annual budget season.

Throughout the process, the City Council has the authority to propose and adopt further amendments until it is passed.  

The new fiscal year begins Nov. 1 for Jefferson City.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools is adapting to the evolution of artificial intelligence and its use throughout the district.

CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said the district has a group working to learn more about various aspects of AI. This effort is being led by Beth Winton under the direction of Adam Taylor, the district’s chief academic officer.

“AI is used in lots of ways for instructional purposes, realizing efficiencies and innovation. There are also different types of AI,” Baumstark wrote in a statement to ABC 17 News.

Baumstark said the district is not taking a stance that AI can never be used, but AI should not replace a student learning a needed skill. She said that AI can be used by students to “personalize learning and problem solving, but should not replace the student’s own original thinking.”

When people think of AI use in education, it tends to fall under the use of generative AI, the product of programs such as ChatGPT.

Baumstark said acceptable uses of AI for students include:     

Assisting students in better understanding of the curriculum or skill development. 

Aiding in classroom research tasks.

Individualizing tutoring, reviewing content and as a study aid.  

Baumstark said students are expected to provide transparency about external sources in their work, including generative AI. Teachers also may have syllabus instructions that include acceptable AI use specific to their classroom. Students must cite and explain the role the tool played in the creation of their work. 

The Columbia Board of Education approved the 2025 school year’s artificial intelligence use plan at its Jan. 27 meeting. The plan says students and employees may be disciplined, and employees may be terminated, for AI use that violates the policy or any related procedures.

Baumstark said students must comply with all district technology use, all statements in the CPS Student Handbook and school board policies on academic integrity.  

The district’s student handbook states that any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

“It shall be a violation of policy for students to take credit for work that is not their own. This would include, but not be limited to, the use of technologically generated writing, purchased papers, books, periodicals, interviews, and research abstracts without attribution,” the policy reads.

Students who cheat or plagiarize may face punishments including: no credit for the work, grade reduction, course failure or removal from extracurricular activities.

At least once per school year, the district’s policies on AI use for safety, data privacy, appropriateness and effectiveness will be reviewed and changed if needed. Employees and students may also submit requests or suggestions for new AI uses to the district.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. Justice Department has released transcripts of a deputy attorney general’s two-day interview with Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

The department posted transcripts from each day of the interview, along with 16 audio files, on the Justice website on Friday afternoon. Maxwell was transferred to a minimum security prison after her interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

ABC News reported on Friday that Maxwell provided no incriminating information about well-known people during the interview. She also told Blanche that she didn’t witness or hear of any inappropriate or criminal activity by President Donald Trump or former president Bill Clinton, ABC reported.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man charged with manslaughter has settled with the family of a woman who was killed in a crash in February 2024.

Court documents filed on Thursday show Matthew Shilling settled with the family of Christina Mayfield for $25,000 in her death.

Shilling is currently facing criminal charges in Boone County, including first-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of second-degree assault and a count of driving while revoked, a misdemeanor.

A pretrial conference is schedule for 9 a.m. Monday and a jury trial is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3. A motion to endorse was filed in the case on Thursday.

Shilling is accused of causing a crash that killed Mayfield, 32, on Feb. 2, 2024, on Business Loop 70 near Hathman Place. Court documents say a motorcycle driven by a person they have not identified was rear-ended by Shilling’s SUV, sending it forward into another SUV and throwing the driver and Mayfield from the bike. 

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boonville woman charged with incest in Benton County was arrested Thursday in Boone County.

Troopers arrested Kimberly D. Schnieders, 35, on a warrant for statutory sodomy, child endangerment involving sexual conduct and incest on Thursday afternoon, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol online arrest report.

Charges were filed against Schnieders on Aug. 1, and an arrest warrant was issued Aug. 6. She was booked into the Boone County Jail on Thursday on a $50,000 bond.

Schnieders was arrested at her Boone County workplace Thursday, a Boone County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said. She was released Friday morning to Benton County authorities.

The investigation began in December 2024 when a minor and the minor’s father reported to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office that the victim’s biological mother, Schnieders, had touched the victim inappropriately and shared sexual images with the minor, according to a probable cause statement.

In a follow-up interview, the victim told investigators that Schnieders forced sex on them in Benton County, the statement says.

Schnieders told investigators that she and the victim often had play wrestling matches or fights, according to the statement.

A search of the victim’s phone allegedly turned up several sexual photos of Schnieders, sent in May 2024. Schnieders admitted to taking the photos, but denied sending them to the victim, the probable cause statement says.

The court has denied Schnieders’ application for a public defender.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Contractors for the City of Columbia will conduct some pavement maintenance from Aug. 27-Sept. 12 on more than 30 streets around the city, a Friday press release from the city says.

The release says crews will use Onyx surface treatment on treats that previously used chip seal. Onyx is a thin, fast-drying protective seal made from asphalt emulsion and recycled materials, according to the release.

Crews will work each day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until the project is complete, with the exception of Sundays, and Aug. 30-Sept. 1 for Labor Day weekend, the release says.

Maintenance will occur on:

Prairie Lane from North Creasy Springs Road to concrete section near West Prairieview Drive

West Prairieview Drive from North Creasy Springs Road to Prairie Lane

Blue Ridge Road from North Garth Avenue to Piranha Court

Lovejoy Lane from Deer Run Court to Grace Ellen Drive

Lovejoy Lane from Blue Ridge Road to Deer Run Drive

Grace Ellen Drive from Oakland Gravel Road to Oakland Gravel Road

Parker Street from Vandiver Drive to the north end of the street

Topsail Drive from Parker Street to Grand Banks Drive

Burlington Street from Heriford Road to Vandiver Drive

Towne Drive from Whitegate Drive to Clark Lane

Hathman Place from Paris Road to Business Loop 70 East

Whitegate Drive from Paris Road to Sylvan Lane

Calvert Drive from Nelwood Drive to the end of the street

Nelwood Drive from Paris Road to Quail Drive

Spring Cress Drive from Mexico Gravel Road to Pineland Drive

Fern Flower Court from Spring Cress Drive to the end of the street

Thompson Road from North Wyatt Lane to Creve Coeur Drive

Thornwood Drive from Thompson Road to Beechwood Drive

Beechwood Drive from Thornwood Drive to Thompson Road

Daffodil Drive from Thornwood Drive to the concrete section

Pineland Drive from Beechwood Drive to the concrete section

Summit Road from Walther Court to South Fairview Road

Laurel Drive from Summit Road to South Fairview Road

Defoe Drive from Faurot Drive to Scott Boulevard

Brewer Drive from Defoe Drive to West Rollins Road

West Gillespie Bridge Road from Scott Boulevard to Chapel Hill Road

Oak Cliff Drive from Chapel Hill Road to the south end of the street

Katy Lane from Forum Boulevard to Limerick Lane

Katy Lane from Limerick Lane to Martinshire Drive

Misty Glen from Katy Lane to Valley Vista Drive

Westwinds Drive from West Boulevard South to the west end of the street

Royal Aberdeen Street from Glen Eagle Drive to Killarney Drive

Killarney Drive from Royal Aberdeen Street to the east end of the street

Sheffield Court from Forum Boulevard to the end of the street

Glencairn Court from Glencairn Drive to the end of the street

Stirling Court from Highlands Parkway to the end of the street

Stonehaven Road from Highlands Parkway to the west end of the street

Highlands Parkway from Glencairn Drive to Highlands Court

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A now-former Centralia police officer has been charged with seven felonies after he is accused of assaulting a woman over the course of several months.

Curtis Higby, of Mexico, Missouri, was charged on Thursday with two counts of first-degree domestic assault, a count of armed criminal action, tampering with evidence, third-degree domestic assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

He is being held at the Audrain County Jail without bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.

A court filing describes Higby as a Centralia police officer. A Centralia Board of Alderman meeting agenda shows Higby was appointed as a full-time officer on April 21. A Department of Public Safety spokesman told ABC 17 News in an email that Higby has a valid peace officer’s license, but is not currently commissioned by any law enforcement agency. Centralia officials confirmed he was fired on Friday.

The probable cause statement says at least three incidents occurred from Feb. 1-Aug. 9 and the victim spoke with law enforcement on Aug. 16.  

Court documents say Higby slammed the victim into a dresser on Feb. 1. During another assault in May, Higby allegedly held a gun to his head before pointing it at the victim before leaving the residence, the statement says. Higby allegedly came back to the residence and taunted the victim with the gun again, the statement says.

On Aug. 9, Higby was accused of pushing the victim and strangling her in front of a baby, the statement says. He then allegedly grabbed a gun and pushed it against the victim before pushing her out of the room, the statement says.

Higby allegedly denied pointing a gun at the victim, but claimed he hit the victim on Aug. 9 after he claimed the victim tried to smother the baby, the statement says.

Investigators learned that Higby has a camera in the room where the last assault allegedly occurred, but “gaps in recordings existed around that time period,” on Aug. 9, the statement says.

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