Category: kmiz-local-news

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says former Randolph County Sheriff Aaron Wilson needs to be prosecuted for the misappropriation and misuse of funds.

More than $224,000 improperly spent from February 2023 to October 2024 has given the sheriff’s office the lowest audit rating of “poor,” according to the report Fitzpatrick released Tuesday.

Wilson is responsible for at least $222,605 in county funds that were misappropriated or improperly used, along with nearly $2,000 that is still missing, Fitzapatrick found. He recommended that the Randolph County Commission work with law enforcement to pursue criminal prosecution.

Within hours of the audit’s release, Randolph County Sheriff Andy Boggs, in cooperation with county commissioners, requested a criminal investigation.

The report found that the former sheriff made 11 unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $47,500 and improperly cashed two checks totaling $9,000. Wilson claimed that he withdrew cash for things like purchasing children’s toys and reimbursing deputies for training expenses. However, the report says there was little to no documentation to support his claims or to explain why he did not follow county disbursement procedures, which require the use of checks.

Wilson could also not provide documentation after improperly cashing a $4,000 check from the City of Huntsville and a $5,000 check from the annual advertising calendar vendor, the report states. These funds were not deposited into a sheriff’s account, according to Fitzpatrick.

Randolph County audit reportDownload

Another $166,105 in improper and unsupported disbursements from the benevolent fund and commissary accounts were also reported. Fitzpatrick says that although some of these may have been justified, Wilson authorized them outside of typical purchasing procedures, bypassing essential county purchasing controls, including oversight from the county commission.

For instance, Wilson withdrew $500 from an ATM at a casino in Lewis County, the report states.

Wilson claimed that he gave the cash to an employee as an advance for meals during an out-of-state training trip a few weeks later. While the employee was able to produce receipts for part of the expenses, there was no clear explanation why the reimbursement happened outside of standard county procedure, the auditor’s office reported.

During his time as sheriff, Wilson purchased eight vehicles and a trailer for a combined $78,650. He made those purchases through the commissary account, which allowed him to bypass the standard county purchasing review and approval procedures. Wilson then failed to solicit bids for five of the vehicles, contrary to state law.

The auditor also claims Wilson disguised part of nearly $16,000 in bonuses for 20 jailers as a uniform allowance. The report says Wilson also violated the state constitution by using public money to make private donations, including to a private school his child attended.

“It is outrageous that the chief law enforcement officer for the county engaged in apparent criminal conduct as he abused his authority by funneling money to accounts outside of the county treasury and then potentially misused tens of thousands of these dollars for his personal benefit,” Fitzpatrick said in a news release Tuesday. “It’s clear he had no regard for the law and saw county funds as being his personal piggy bank.”

The report further details how Wilson was allegedly able to misdirect county receipts collected by his office to accounts that were improperly managed outside of the county treasury. The report mentions there is no legal authority that allows the sheriff to maintain these accounts outside the county treasury.

The Randolph County Commission was granted a temporary restraining order to prevent Wilson from accessing a bank account last October, according to previous reporting. Court documents say he made an unauthorized withdrawal of $7,000 at the time and was ordered to return the money and transfer all accounts to the general revenue fund.

Wilson was defeated in the August Republican primary for Randolph County sheriff, losing to Andy Boggs, who took 61% of the vote. Boggs was elected sheriff in November.

“Thankfully, the Sheriff’s Office is now in more competent hands and officials are working to put our recommendations in place so such an egregious breach of public trust cannot happen again,” Fitzpatrick said in the release. “When you take this report in combination with our previous report on the other aspects of Randolph County government, it’s clear county officials have a lot of work to do to regain the confidence of the people.”

After the report was released, the sheriff’s office and county commission released a joint statement on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.

“The findings in this report are serious and merit close attention. As a governing body, we have a responsibility to ensure that county operations are conducted in a manner consistent with the law, sound financial practices, and the expectations of the public we serve. While the Sheriff is an independently elected official, the County Commission is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance throughout all areas of county government.”

Both parties said they plan to fully cooperate with state and federal authorities during the investigation and are dedicated to restoring confidence in their systems and processes.

The investigation has been forwarded to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

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Matthew Sanders

The 2-0 Missouri Tigers are coming off a big win against rival Kansas.

Now the Tigers will host Louisiana at home on Saturday. Coach Eli Drinkwitz and select players took questions Tuesday.

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri House has sent the Senate a new congressional map that could eliminate a safe Democratic seat.

The House approved the new map, which carves up U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Fifth District, on a 90-65 vote early Tuesday afternoon. Earlier in the morning, the House also sent a plan to reform the state’s ballot measure process to the Senate.

The House gave initial approval to the bills on Monday. The initiative reform bill was taken back up on Tuesday morning and passed by a vote of 98-58.

The new map, called “Missouri First” by Gov. Mike Kehoe, came about after the White House said Missouri should redraw its map — a process that usually takes place only after the census.

House members debated the legality of redrawing the map between censuses, as well as whether the new districts were fair to Missourians.

House Republican leadership wants to reform the state’s initiative petition process by requiring a ballot question to win support of a majority of voters statewide and in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.

House members spent hours debating the bills before their final votes.

Democrats held a press conference after Republicans voted to pass both issues.

“Today’s a pretty sad day in Missouri,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) said. “It’s a pretty sad day for our democracy.”

Aune said she anticipates a citizen referendum to repeal Gov. Kehoe’s Missouri First Map, should H.B. 1 pass.

The minority leader also said she is talking with Democrats in the Senate.

“As hard as it is, we are going to be handing over this fight to them,” Aune said. “I look forward to seeing what the fight looks like on that side of the building.”

The Senate will take up both proposed bills Wednesday after the veto session, which starts at noon.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Kaiser, Missouri, man was seriously injured Monday afternoon in a crash on Highway 52, about a half mile south of Eldon, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The report says a 2005 Cadillac SRX – driven by the 37-year-old man – was heading westbound when it went off the left side of the road and hit a tree. The man had serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital, the report says.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes. The Cadillac was totaled. The report says the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man found not guilty of murder by a jury was sentenced to 10 years with credit for time served Tuesday morning at the Boone County Courthouse for another charge after his involvement in a deadly shooting at a Columbia club in 2023.

Kimo Spivey was sentenced for illegal gun possession in connection with the deadly shooting at Plush Lounge in May 2023 that killed Melvin Hooker III.

The 10-year sentence was the sentencing recommendation made by the state. The state argued Spivey’s previous convictions — including assault and driving with a suspended license — show a level of danger and that he is reckless.

“In his life he’s had exactly 10 misdemeanor convictions and four felony convictions,” said Tony Gonzalez, assistant Boone County prosecuting attorney

Spivey’s lawyer requested a seven-year sentence plus time served. He argued Spivey acknowledges the part he played in the May 2023 shooting and knows he had to face a punishment for it.

“Anytime he picks up a gun, he is in the wrong. He knows that his relationship with firearms is over and he’s been reflecting on that for 854 days. He’s also been reflecting on Mr. Hooker for 854 days,” Joe Flees, Spivey’s lawyer, said.

Flees said they hoped for a better outcome Tuesday, but they came prepared .

“We kind of thought that this was going to go, with the higher end. He just hopes to move past this at the end of the day and hopes everybody that’s involved can can move forward,” Flees said.

In June, the jury deliberated for about six hours and found Spivey not guilty of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. However, the jury did find him guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon because he is a felon.

Spivey was a manager at Plush Lounge at the time of the shooting and was told of a disturbance involving guns in the parking lot. According to witness statements during the trial, Hooker was hitting his girlfriend when security stepped in, causing a fight.

In Spivey’s testimony, he told the jury that he went outside and saw Hooker reach into his car for a gun and eventually pointed it towards him. Spivey said he shot back because he feared for his life.

Surveillance video showed Spivey retreating after the shooting to receive care because he had been shot. Spivey’s defense reminded jurors that many of the witnesses who took the stand throughout the trial were not able to identify who fired the deadly shot that killed Hooker.

Columbia man Samuel Moss Jr. pleaded guilty in April 2024 to unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement. Justin Lamar Simpson, 42, was charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of armed criminal action and illegal gun possession. He is not in police custody.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education on Monday evening approved the calendar for next school year.

The first day of the 2026-27 school year will be Tuesday, Aug. 25. Winter break for students begins on Dec. 23, 2026, and students would return to class on Jan. 5, 2027, the calendar shows.

Spring break begins on March 29 and students return to class on April 5, the calendar shows. The tentative last day of school is scheduled for May 27, 2027.

Douglass High School and Rock Bridge High School will have its graduations scheduled for May 21, 2027, while Hickman and Battle high schools will have its graduations on May 22, 2027. The summer session is scheduled to begin June 3, 2027.

The board also approved a contract to install security film “on an as-needed basis throughout the District” with Iron Badger Defense in Jefferson City. The contract runs through June 30, 2026.

Columbia 2026-27Download

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

SEC Network is in Columbia ahead of one of the most highly anticipated Mizzou football games of the season in a renewed rivalry against the University of Kansas on Saturday.

SEC Network will air a total of three shows in Traditions Plaza on the University of Missouri’s quad between Friday and Saturday. The Paul Finebaum Show will kick things off on Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Marty and McGee will be live on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by SEC Nation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Laura Rutledge will host SEC Nation, and she will be joined by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow.

If you want to stand in the pit area close to the stage, it is on a first-come, first-served basis for all fans. Students in the pit area are encouraged to wear school colors and gear.

If fans would like to go to the quad to watch during the SEC Nation shows, there are a few items that will not be allowed:

Bags of any kind

Food or drinks

Pens, pencils, markers or dry-erase boards

Throwing objects

If you plan to bring a sign on a stick, it will be inspected before you enter and must abide by ESPN’s sign policy. For those with signs, vulgar language, websites, political or religious signs will not be allowed.

Ahead of the start of the 2025 football season, the University of Missouri reminds people that students and fans will ‘no longer be rushing the field’ after big victories at Faurot Field.

“We’re not going to storm the field,” says University President Mun Choi. “Beating Kansas should not be a big deal. Now they’re a good team or a much better team. And, we’re not just going to beat them. We’re going to crush them, but we’re going to treat their fans with respect. And there’s no storming the field. We don’t want to give money to Kansas, and we have to keep that in mind.”

In a letter sent to students before the game against Central Arkansas, he warned that the university will be fined $500,00 and that money goes directly to the opponent.

 Perpetrators will be held to account. They may be trespassed from campus, fined, suspended or expelled. 

Kick-off against Kansas will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field on ESPN.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was previously charged with murder in an overdose death from December 2021 is no longer facing felony charges.

Boone County prosecutors dismissed the case against Nicholas Gratwohl on Aug. 26 “because of developments in the evidence,” according to an email from Prosecutor Roger Johnson. Gratwohl was originally charged with second-degree murder and drug distribution.

Cases are still pending for Jeanne Hovis and Jonathan Shelley. Both were originally charged with second-degree murder and drug distribution. Hovis had her murder charge dropped, but is still facing the drug charge and has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

Court documents in previous reporting say Shelley was with the overdose victim, whom police found lying unresponsive in a bathtub. Another statement says Hovis arranged the purchase of crack cocaine and fentanyl, which was delivered by Grathwohl, the night of the overdose.

Nathaniel Cross was also charged in the case, but has since died, Johnson wrote.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMIBA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fans heading east of Columbia after Saturday’s football game should be prepared for traffic.

The Missouri Department of Transportation wrote in a Friday morning press release that eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in a portion of Callaway County. The release says the lane reduction will occur between the Route M exit and the exit at Highway 54 in Kingdom City.

The lane reduction will begin at 8 p.m. that night.

Kickoff for Mizzou’s game against the Kansas Jayhawks is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No injuries were reported after a fire was reported Friday in the basement of a Moberly home in the 800 block of South Williams Street.

A social media post from the Moberly Fire Department says firefighters were called at 9:49 a.m. and arrived a minute later. They found a fire in the basement involving a dryer with smoke and flames showing, the post says.

“Approximately 8 firefighters responded and worked quickly to bring the fire under control despite the heavy smoke conditions. Crews were able to contain most of the damage to the laundry room located in the basement area, preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the home,” the post says.

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