Category: kmiz-local-news

Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Commission says it will move quickly to expand a property tax break for seniors that voters approved Tuesday.

Northern Boone County Commissioner Janet Thompson told ABC 17 News that it will implement a new the new policy at the next meeting on Tuesday.

Officials promise a smooth transition for property owners.

“As stated throughout the election cycle, the Commission intends to ensure no disruption for the thousands of seniors already participating in the program,” the three-member commission wrote in a statement Tuesday.

Boone County voters have approved an extension of the senior property tax freeze under Proposition 1. The measure allows homeowners aged 62 and older to maintain current property tax rates by preventing increases in tax rates related to government debt.

The approval means qualifying senior homeowners won’t see their tax burden increase to pay off debt carried by school districts and other local governments. Proponents say the measure provides more financial stability for aging residents on fixed incomes.

The policy change will go into effect immediately after the vote.

Debt levies are portions of property taxes designated to repay loans for large projects, such as new school buildings or public infrastructure. These levies are typically approved by voters through bond issues.

Currently, all debt levies in Boone County are held by school districts and fire districts.

Thompson says Boone County School and fire districts are impacted by this change and could potentially take legal action.

“If we are sued by an entity that is impacted by this, if a court finds that to be unconstitutional, then we have to go back to the program that we have currently,” Thompson said.

Boone County Fire Assistant Chief Gale Bloomenkamp says they are not expecting to see much change.

“Unless we’re planning on increasing our tax rate, we are not going to see any effect of this whatsoever. It’s not that it freezes the amount of assets evaluation that’s being taxed. It actually just freezes the tax rate itself,” Bloomenkamp said.

He says taking legal action against the commission is not on their agenda.

Harrisburg School Superintendent Steve Combs told ABC 17 News that he voted in favor of the proposition but expects the district will begin to see a loss in revenue in the coming years.

Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick told ABC 17 News last month that the expansion could create legal uncertainty.

In 2024, Boone County voters approved a measure to freeze property taxes for homeowners aged 62 and older. However, county commissioners carved out two exceptions: the blind pension fund and existing debt levies.

Over 70 percent of voters approved the senior tax freeze extension.

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Olivia Hayes

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

City of Sedalia officials evaluated a building along the city’s Main Street to develop a demolition plan for two of the units.

The City of Sedalia entered 209 W. Main St. on Wednesday under a search warrant to assess the structures ties to 207 W. Main St. and test for asbestos. The city is looking to demolish 207 and 209 W. Main, which have been declared dangerous buildings due to severe deterioration.

“It’s far beyond repair. Water has been leaking into the roof for several years. We had a structural engineer come, he looked over the building and decided that it did for sure need to come down. There was no saving the building,” said Jessica Hoffman, City of Sedalia’s spokesperson, regarding the buildings condition.

The city said its staff walked through with a different certified structural engineer and a licensed environmental technician during Wednesday’s inspection. The information gathered will be used by Miller Structural & Forensic Engineers to develop a demolition plan.

Demolition can also put surrounding buildings at risk. The city stated in a news release that city administrator Matthew Wirt has also coordinated with the owners of Main Street Logo, located at 217 W. Main St. While city officials say the building is structurally sound, its proximity to 207 and 209 increases the need for stabilization and preservation.

Mike Ingram, Main Street Logo’s owner, tells ABC 17 News his business received the Paul Braun Historic Revitalization Grant to help restore and preserve his storefront’s structure. Even though the grant was approved in May of 2024, Ingram said he still has not seen a cent.

Hoffman said that Sedalia’s Mayor sent a letter to state officials to try and expedite the proccess.

“So the quicker we can get the finances to them, the quicker that they can shore up all of their building before we come in and have to do the demolition,” Hoffman said.

Scruffy 2 Fluffy Dog Grooming, across the street from, 207 W. Main has had to board up its windows to protect from damage. Employees tell ABC 17 News that during a recent storm bricks and shingles from 207 W. Main flew across the road at their storefront.

“We’ve had to post some things on Facebook saying that our windows are boarded up but we are open,” said Ashley Williams, a dog groomer at Scruffy 2 Fluffy.

Not only has the situation caused confusion to their customers, its also caused problems for the dogs they service.

“A lot of people will just stand out here and just stand here and take pictures. When we’re grooming dog and they can see you from the table and they get excited and they want to come outside,” Williams said.

Many worry the building’s demolition will take away a piece of the town’s history, but Williams believes there so much more to Sedalia.

“Growth is also something that’s needed in a town. So whether the growth be in the downtown or not, we still have all these historic buildings. We have so many historic buildings down here that if it’s a danger then I feel like it just should be taken out,” Williams said.

The City anticipates receiving a report from Wednesday’s inspection within one week. That report will help them put together a plan for demolition which the city hopes to get done by the end of August.

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Ryan Shiner

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man with ties to Boone County and the Lake of the Ozarks area has a history of repeated run-ins with the law.

Alexander E. Nolan, 26, was arrested after a more than two-hour standoff occurred Tuesday night at an Ashland duplex on James Court.

According to a Facebook post from the Ashland Police Department, officers tried to contact Nolan in the 900 block of James Court around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, because he had a full extradition no-bond probation violation warrant.

Ashland Police informed Nolan they were there to serve him a warrant for his arrest; however, he refused to come out, the post states. According to online court records, Nolan is charged with aggravated fleeing from a traffic stop from an incident back in November.

More than a dozen law enforcement officers – which included Ashland police and Boone County deputies – were at the scene. An Ashland police officer said someone had a warrant out of Camden County.

Nolan walked out of the home and was detained by police just before midnight. Law enforcement used a loudspeaker to convince Nolan to come out of the home. He was taken into custody.

Law enforcement at the scene said Nolan is also from Camden County, but did not give any additional identifying information about him.

Police had put up tape around 11:30 p.m.

A man was seen walking out of a home Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, on James Court in Ashland after a standoff lasted roughly two hours.

Nolan has had a record of several traffic and drug-related charges across multiple counties. Nolan was previously charged in November 2024 for aggravated fleeing a stop in Osage Beach.

Court documents report that a passenger was seen leaving a Casey’s with a case of beer and entering Nolan’s white truck. An Osage Beach Police Officer followed Nolan to monitor his driving when Nolan sped up and drove down the middle of the road.

The officer turned on his lights to begin a traffic stop and Nolan sped off, running a stop sign at the intersection of Beach Parkway and Redbud Road and later running a stoplight at the intersection of Osage Beach Parkway and Passover Road.

Nolan hit a roundabout and a mailbox. Nolan abandoned the truck and jumped a fence to hide in a nearby apartment, where he later surrendered to officers. Empty alcohol containers were also found in the car.

Nolan was later arrested and released on bond several times. A recent bond order from April 15 required him to use a breathalyzer to monitor his alcohol consumption, which Nolan allegedly failed to follow on July 20. The courts revoked his bond on July 24 and issued an arrest warrant, leading to Nolan’s arrest on Tuesday.

Nolan is being held in the Boone County Jail on no bond.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County voters overwhelmingly approved expanding the county’s senior property tax freeze on Tuesday.

Voters approved the measure with 77.7% of the vote. “Yes” votes garnered 12,233 votes compared to 3,506 for “no.” Last year, Boone County voters approved an initial tax exemption that seniors have to apply for each year. This new measure seeks to do a “full freeze” that includes bond levies.

Columbia Ward 2 voters also chose to make Vera Elwood the ward’s representative on the City Council. Elwood bested Ken Rice 1,480 votes to 1,130. A special election was held after former Councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced her resignation earlier this year.

Voter turnout in Boone County exceeded the county clerk’s expectation with 12.58%. County Clerk Brianna Lennon previously told ABC 17 News that she expected around a 7-8% turnout.

There were 2,709 absentee ballots filled out.

Voters in the Harrisburg School District area also rejected a measure asked by the school on Tuesday. A question for the Harrisburg R-8 School District asked voters to eliminate the Prop C Sales Tax Rollback in its operating levy and increase its levy by 50 cents. Voters rejected the measure 275 votes to 216.

Higbee voters approve fire protection district bond

Higbee voters once again approved a proposition question for the Higbee Area Fire Protection District. The measure passed with 111 votes in favor and 18 against.

Voters in Higbee approved a bond measure in August 2024 that included the wrong amount. In May, the state auditor’s office determined the August and November elections for this measure did not comply with state law because sample ballots were not published.

The $1.6 million bond will be used to buy essential equipment, according to previous reporting.

There was a 10.71% voter turnout in that election.

Audrain County

Voters decided they wanted to be incorporated into the Van Far Fire Protection District with a 327-52 decision. A tax levy to fund the department was also approved 303 votes to 78.

Five people were selected to the fire protection district’s board of directors: Heather Williams (315 votes), Dean Middleton (302 votes), Marvin Yager (297 votes), Justin Hopke (276 votes) and Mark Woodward (272 votes).

The Vandalia Fire Protection District wrote on its Facebook page that Williams was picked to a six-year term, while Middleton and Yager earned four-year terms and Hopke and Woodward earned two-year terms.

There were 390 total ballots cast to lead to an 18.29% voter turnout.

Callaway County

New Bloomfield voters are deciding on a $3 million bond for its fire protection district.

Previous reporting indicates the money will be used for a new fire station and other improvements.

Initial counts posted at 7:43 p.m. by the Callaway County clerk showed “YES” leading 126 votes to 27.

Additional results from around Mid-Missouri will be added as the night continues.

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Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is moving into the next phase of its bridge rehabilitation project along Highway 54 over Missouri Boulevard, with new traffic changes and ramp closures set to begin Tuesday evening.

Crews will begin work on the right-hand lanes of U.S. 54 over Business Route 50, forcing both eastbound and westbound traffic into the left-hand passing lanes. The shift will come with three ramp closures, including one not previously affected:

Westbound Highway 54 off-ramp to Missouri Boulevard. (Which is new during this phase.) 

Eastbound Highway 50 off-ramp to westbound Highway 54. (Closed during Phase 1.) 

Missouri Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound Highway 54. (Closed during Phase 1.) 

The ramp closures are expected to remain in place through early October. MoDOT officials say the work — part of a larger plan to rehabilitate 11 bridges and remove one out-of-use structure — was designed in-house and does not require additional right of way.

MoDOT has already completed work on eight of the 11 bridges in the first phase of the project. 

Chris Brownell, MoDOT’s resident engineer for the Central District, said the project is necessary to address wear and tear on aging infrastructure.

“We’re putting back on all these structures a latex modified wearing surface, which we’re hoping a 30-year surface. Plus, it seals up the water to keep from getting down in the concrete because water and calcium is what tears up your bridge the most,” Brownell said.

Construction in the evenings which has reduced the effect on the extreme heat seen across Mid-Missouri in recent weeks. 

“Obviously, the human element, it takes a little toll with the heat but as far as construction goes. It’s plowed ahead, good dry weather, they’re going to be able to work,” Brownell said. “The wearing surface, it kind of needs more of less sun so they usually do all that work at night because the sun rays will affect how that cures.” 

The project is already ahead of schedule. Incentives built into the contract for each day the project finishes ahead of schedule helped accelerate the completion of the first five bridges.

“It does incentivize a contractor to work overtime, pull in an extra crew. It’s an important corridor and affects a lot of people,” Brownell said. The incentive is placed in there to try to get a contractor to mobilize his forces, to get in and out and do good quality work.” 

Despite the lane reductions, Brownell said traffic is generally flowing with minimal backups.

“What you see now in town over the Missouri Boulevard it’s a one-lane bridge. We’re not seeing significant backups. You know, weekends, we’re having some issues with capacity and traffic. For the most part. I think traffic is able to work around that where they can,” Brownell said. 

A number of Jefferson City residents, who were downtown on Tuesday afternoon, told ABC 17 News they haven’t experienced any major inconveniences from the project.

“We’re trying to get in and out as soon as we can,” Brownell said. “It’s just a good situation to have to have the funding to do the projects we need to do in a timely fashion,” Brownell added. “The main thing is to watch for signs, watch for slow and back traffic and just be careful as you get through the 54 corridor.”

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Vera Elwood will be the next person to represent Columbia’s second ward.

Second Ward voters picked Elwood over Ken Rice in Tuesday’s special election, giving her 56.6% of the vote. She garnered 1,480 votes compared to Rice’s 1,130. Two write-in ballots were also cast. Boone County saw a 12.58% total voter turnout.

Elwood said she’s looking forward to getting to work.

“The first thing I want to do, and I’ve said it since the beginning of the campaign, is I’d really love to see a full report, a full audit of the outsourcing in Colombia’s budget. I’d really love to see where that money is going, what it’s costing us item by item,” Elwood said.

Both candidates spent their final hours leading into Election Night speaking with voters and casting their own ballots.

The election was held after former Ward 2 Councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced her resignation.

Elwood works as a librarian and ran a campaign focused on “A Columbia for all.” The campaign focused on fully staffing city departments, expanding public infrastructure and making streets within the city more accessible for all.

Elwood spent the final weekend of the campaign knocking on doors and having conversations with ward 2 residents, according to her campaign manager Rachel Stallings.

“I believe strongly in the power and importance of local government and encourage everyone to vote today so your voice can be heard through the greatest form of civic participation,” Elwood said.

Ken Rice (left) poses for a photo — with his wife Rebecca and son Brandon — while the election for Columbia’s Ward 2 seat is underway on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Rice works as the chief operating officer of Pickleman’s Franchising and ran a campaign focused on “less talk, more action.” He pushed for fully staffing police and emergency services within the city, investing in safer neighborhoods and allowing residents to be more involved in decision-making processes.

Rice said he spent Tuesday reminding people to vote by text and via social media. He also took to polling places, working to speak with voters and answer last minute questions.

“My message of being ‘the people’s voice’ and ‘less talk, more action’ truly resonated with the voters and we will do very well tonight,” Rice said.

The latest Missouri Ethics Commission report showed Elwood more than doubled Rice’ campaign finance total.

Rice was endorsed by former Councilwoman Lisa Meyer. Meyer told ABC 17 News Tuesday that she feels the City Council needs objectivity, which prompted her decision to support him.

“We don’t need somebody else on the council who’s just going to vote like everyone else votes,” Meyer said. “Ken is going to do his homework. He’s not going to show up and not know what he’s talking about and he’s going to ask really good questions.”

Elwood received endorsements from LiUNA Local 955, and former Ward 2 Councilmembers Andrea Waner and Mike Trapp, Rep. Gregg Bush (District 50), Rep. Adrian Plank (District 47) and Columbia Professional Firefighters.

Rice held a watch party Tuesday night at Sports Zone at Wyndham Hotel and Resorts at 6:30 p.m.. Elwood hosted a watch party at IAFF Union Hall in Columbia at 7 p.m.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Animal Shelter may receive a $7,000 ASPCA grant to help with operational costs following a large animal abuse investigation in July.

Court documents reported that four people, Casey Logsdon, Jessica Morgan, Ashley Ousley and Henry Ousley Jr. were charged were charged July 24 with 19 counts of accessory to animal abuse.

Previous reporting indicates the four were arrested last month after Cole County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a mobile home on July 15 for a wellness check, where they were told about the animals.

On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Randy Allen Morgan in connection with the July 15 investigation. According to court documents, Randy was the roommate of Jessica Morgan.

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler reported deputies found 19 dogs, three puppies and two cats. During a later visit, they found two dogs, one cat, a gerbil, a lizard, two rabbits and some chickens.

“It was quite a few animals that we took to the shelter to drop off,” Wheeler said. “That’s a lot of work you’re pushing down on the shelter.”

Wheeler added that it costs the shelter around $4,000 for veterinary services for 19 animals. The sheriff’s office estimated it would cost $3,000 for the additional animals.

“My animal control officer found out that there was a possible grant through the ASPCA that could help offset some of those costs,” Wheeler said.

The Cole County Commission also approved the replacement of the Cole County Jail’s radio system. Wheeler said that the system is around 11 years old and helps staff communicate with each other inside the jail and across the street at the courthouse.

The repairs cost around $20,400.

“It’s getting where we can’t find parts for it,” Wheeler said. “It’s working pretty good right now, but like I said, what I don’t want to do is wait until it finally dies the last time and then we’re out because this could be a month or a month and a half turnaround.”

Logsdon and Jessica Morgan are scheduled for a council status hearing on Aug. 12, while Ousley and Ousley Jr. are set to make their first court appearances on Aug. 26. All four suspects have bonded out of jail.

Check back for updates.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An advisory that was issued for a missing St. Louis-area man with dementia has been canceled, according to an updated email from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Francis L. Lewis, 77, of Rock Hill, was found safe, according to the release.

Lewis is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has gray hair and hazel eyes. He was seen driving westbound on Highway 50 from the Gasconade River in Osage County.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia teenager who was found guilty of three felonies last month for a July 2024 shooting.

Jeremiah Johnson, 19, was found guilty by a Boone County jury on July 3 of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently being held at the Boone County Jail.

A man was shot at 1 a.m. July 10, 2024, in the 200 block of Lincoln Drive. Court documents in previous reporting show that shell casings were also found in the 400 block of McBaine Avenue and a gun was found near a Jeep Compass that was registered to Johnson.

Johnson allegedly told police that he was shot at and fired back, court documents in previous reporting say.

According to a probable cause statement in previous reporting, a woman heard banging on her front door around 2:30 p.m. the day before and saw Johnson and a woman who she didn’t know. The woman had apparently wanted to fight the woman at the residence, the statement says.

Johnson then allegedly sat in his vehicle, held a gun, but did not fire it then, the statement says. A witness also allegedly told police that she saw Johnson hold the gun while in the vehicle. One of the women was allegedly able to show police a photo from Johnson’s Instagram account that showed the gun, the statement says.

The witness allegedly told police that Johnson threatened to come back to the area and “shoot this place,” according to the statement.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An active-duty soldier at Fort Leonard Wood has been charged in Pulaski County with multiple child sex crimes.

Juan Cabrer-Matias, of St. Robert, was charged on Monday with second-degree statutory rape, sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old and fourth-degree child molestation. A warrant was served and a $75,000 bond was set. An arraignment was held on Tuesday.

A counsel status hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The probable cause statement says the 14-year-old girl was reported missing from Independence, Missouri, on May 9. On Aug. 3, St. Robert police and investigators from Fort Leonard Wood were trying to find the girl and eventually found her and Cabrer-Matias in a vehicle, the statement says.

The victim allegedly told police that she was in a “relationship” with Cabrer-Matias, but initially told Cabrer-Matias she was 18 years old. However, sexual contact continued after she disclosed her real age, the statement says. Text messages recovered by investigators allegedly showed that Cabrer-Matias knew of her real age in May, the statement says.

The victim had allegedly been living with Cabrer-Matias since she ran away, the statement says.

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