Category: kmiz-local-news

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police found more than a pound of fentanyl and three handguns while serving a search warrant Monday.

Frazier D. Pratt Jr., 61, was charged Monday with first-degree drug trafficking and two counts each of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon after a search Monday at his Huntridge Drive home.

According to a probable cause statement, officers found 26 grams of fentanyl in separate baggies along with more than $2,000 in cash when they searched Pratt and his Jeep during a traffic stop on East St. Charles Road. When they searched his residence, they found 1.43 pounds of fentanyl, two 9mm handguns and a .40-caliber handgun, the statement says.

Pratt allegedly admitted to police that he was trafficking fentanyl and that he was a felon who illegally possessed guns.

He remained in the Boone County Jail on Tuesday on no bond.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Investigators claim that a Columbia man stole more than $26,000 from his employer between October 2021 and June 2024.

William A. Sheets was charged with one count of stealing $25,000 or more on Monday. A probable cause statement alleges Sheets used his access to Show-Me Shortline’s finances to divert money to a bank account associated with his Apple Card.

Show-Me Shortline is a farm equipment wholesaler in Centralia.

An investigation uncovered more than $5,000 in “reimbursed expenses” without supporting documentation. Another $21,000 was moved into his bank account, the statement says, in transfers ranging from about $120 to $5,000.

A warrant was issued for Sheets’ arrest with a $10,000 bond. He was not in the Boone County Jail on Tuesday afternoon.

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Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office started scanning and counting more than 305,000 signatures on a petition to put a new congressional map to a vote. The group People Not Politicians delivered the signatures Tuesday after collecting them over several months.

If approved, the signatures would put Missouri’s new congressional map on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval.

“Missourians resorted to a right to a referendum that we have had as part of our Constitution for over 150 years,” Richard von Glahn, executive director for People Not Politicians said.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the elections division has two weeks to review signatures before sending them to local election authorities for verification. The final deadline for local authorities is set for this summer.

The new map was initially signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe in September. The maps are typically redrawn every decade after the census, but the White House has pushed for Republicans in several states to redraw maps now to give them an electoral advantage.

The map splits Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Fifth District in Kansas City into three. This will merge it with more rural and Republican areas, likely removing Cleaver’s seat and giving the Republican Party a boost in the next election.

The signature submission comes as a federal judge on Monday dismissed the Missouri attorney general’s lawsuit against People Not Politicians and other groups who claimed the referendum is unconstitutional and infringes on lawmakers’ constitutional right to draw the congressional map.

“All a referendum does is allow people to be the final deciders on the issue,” von Glahn said. “What seems very clear to me is the proponents of this map, our opponents on this campaign, what they fear the most is the voters’ verdict.”

The judge ruled that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins can reject the referendum during post-submission review.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office said in a statement that the judge’s decision won’t stop them from filing the lawsuit again if the referendum makes it onto the ballot.

“The Attorney General looks forward to an orderly review process to determine whether the proposed referendum can qualify for a vote,” the office said in a statement.

Until Hoskins certifies the signatures as sufficient or insufficient, the new district map remains frozen. The Secretary of State’s Office declined to comment on litigation.

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Josie Anglin

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

 

A climate survey from Columbia Public Schools shows some students are worried about equality.

About 65% of students who completed the survey say bullying is not tolerated, but that enforcement was not consistent. That opinion came up again in the discipline category.

Only 53% of students feel that the district’s rules are fair, and would like enforcement to be more consistent. And 63% of the students said their school atmosphere was mostly encouraging, but would like more inclusiveness and fairness.

According to the survey, 86% said they have opportunities to succeed and 66% said they get help when they are struggling. 

Staff satisfaction fell in a couple of categories: the percentage who say the district makes classrooms a positive learning environment fell from about 78% to 74%, and the number saying students were well-behaved fell from 54% to 51%

The Columbia Board of Education heard the results of the survey Monday night.

 

cps surveyDownload

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state asking the judge to reject the referendum that would put Missouri’s new congressional map on the ballot.

The state sued “People Not Politicians” in an effort to prevent the group from getting a question about a redrawn congressional map on the ballot. Lawmakers recently pushed forward a map that would redraw lines determining who would represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to Judge Zachary Bluestone’s decision, the lawsuit doesn’t have standing in federal court, noting that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins can reject the referendum during post-submission review.

 “Critically, PNP concedes that Plaintiff Denny Hoskins has the authority as Secretary of State to reject their petition as unconstitutional during postsubmission review and to defend that decision based on the very same constitutional arguments the State advances in this case,” Bluestone wrote in his decision. “Moreover, PNP agrees that, absent a successful court challenge, this determination would obviate the need for signature verification, publication, or a vote, and it also would prevent the displacement of the new map—the only redressable harms the State identifies.”

Once People Not Politicians — the group backing the referendum — submits its final petition, Hoskins must review the legality and verify signatures, Bluestone writes. If approved, Hoskins will have to hold a public hearing and take comments, prepare the ballot initiative and publicize the referendum.

Bluestone also wrote in his decision that the governor’s “Missouri First” Map is frozen until after the referendum, “which could significantly disrupt the 2026 elections.”

This decision also comes three days before the deadline for People Not Politicians to submit signatures.

Republican lawmakers had suggested redrawing lines sooner than the state’s typical period of every 10 years after it was requested by President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Critics of the map have called it gerrymandering and it is expected to give Republicans an additional lawmaker to represent the state. The area at the center of the discussion is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver.

This comes hours after a Cole County judge heard arguments in another court case People Not Politicians filed against the state. The group argues the state violated Sunshine Law because Hoskins didn’t approve the referendum for circulation until after the governor signed it.

107112395944Download

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman recently spent $60 on lottery tickets and ended up taking home a $2 million prize.

A press release from the Missouri Lottery says the scratcher ticket was bought at the Casey’s location at 326 Morely St. in Moberly.

The lottery winner – who was not named in the release – won $60 on a scratcher previously and used that money to buy the winning ticket.

She played the ticket while in her vehicle at the station and brought it back into the store to have the cashier double-check if she did win, the release says.

“He turned the screen around and showed me the $2 million, and I just started shaking and crying!” the unidentified winner was quoted in the release.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council during a Monday work session called into question the value of recent public safety meetings with University of Missouri System President Mun Choi.

During the discussion, City Council officials confirmed meeting with Choi in two prior meetings. However, members voiced concerns at the meeting structure that barred the public and limited contact with the council to only a few members.

Members also allege that leaders from Stephens and Columbia College have also not been at the meetings. Choi also met with Gov. Mike Kehoe last week to discuss public safety and a number of city leaders noted they were not invited.  

“They are at the beck and call of Mun Choi, we aren’t able to make them open, we aren’t able to have counsel there, which means the vast majority of us have no idea what’s going on,” Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood said. “He is making claims about my ward and then I’m not getting an invite to the table.”

Tensions over public safety in Columbia began after Choi started asked city leaders to crack down on crime after a Stephens College student was shot and killed in late September. With Choi then sent an 11-step action plan to officials.

City officials during Monday’s meeting added that no council action has been made to adopt the 11 suggestions.

“They are things that have been happening for a long time and now there is suddenly an idea that it’s only happening because he stepped into the conversation,” Elwood said. “That power is being taken away from our staff and the efforts that they’re putting into it.”

“We need to find a way to get him in our circle and be collaborative, but he’s not reciprocating that,” Ward 3 Council Member Jacque Sample said.

According to City Manager De’Carlon Seewood, public safety has been the highest priority for the city with more than 50% of the city’s general fund going to police and fire operations. The city will also fully staff the Columbia Police Department at the graduation of the upcoming class.

“We have additional police officers downtown, in addition to that, they’re doing more proactive work,” Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said. “We have more officers issuing like Class B misdemeanors citations for things.”

The Columbia Police Department’s Crime Trends Dashboard has reported crime has gone up by nearly 50% since 2024, however the city says the upward trend is due to heavier police police presence and not increased offenses.

“We start driving the doggone bus instead of it being driven over us, because that’s (what) I think (is) three-quarters of the frustration in this room, because we feel like somebody else is driving the bus,” Ward 5 Councilman Donald Waterman said.

Other public safety suggestions brought up Monday include closing off major streets to traffic and parking and implementing metal detectors on Friday and Saturday nights, banning sales of $1 alcohol shots and implementing a curfew.

Seewood added that the alcohol restrictions were something the city could do. Members of the city as said CPD Chief Jill Schlude was opposed to a curfew.

“She couldn’t enforce it, there’s no way to enforce it, I mean the kids aren’t willing to do it and the parents aren’t willing to support it,” Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters said.

During the meeting, the city leaders shared that Choi voiced interest in a January meeting but no formal request has been made. Buffaloe is also scheduled to meet with Kehoe in January.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Fire Department responded to three fires in three days over the weekend, two of which have not yet had their cause determined.

Mores Boulevard barn fire

Firefighters started off their weekend responding to a fire in the 1600 block of Mores Boulevard on Saturday. CFD received calls from people in the area around 1 p.m. who reported seeing a large amount of smoke in the area. Chief Brian Schaeffer told ABC 17 News on Monday that firefighters were unsure of what was on fire when they arrived on scene.

Schaeffer said they eventually determined it was an older, unoccupied barn with historic value that had already burned down and was beginning to spread into the woods. Crews were able to contain the fire from expanding, but the barn is considered a total loss.

No injuries were reported in the fire and the cause is undetermined. Schaeffer also said there were not any witnesses of the fire that he is aware of.

The burning of the historical barn has sparked outrage and calls for more answers from some in the community on social media, including from Columbia resident and mayoral candidate, Tanya Heath.

“The fact that it survived the civil war, the depression, World War II, and Vitenam and it burnt on a Saturday morning in the winter time, is just very sad,” Heath told ABC 17 News on Monday. “It’s sad for the family. It’s sad for the community and it’s sad for the historic nature of the barn.”

A Columbia firetruck at the scene of a fire on Mores Boulevard on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. [KMIZ]

StorageMart fire damages 14 units

The following day, firefighters were called at 12:30 p.m. to a structure fire in the 2500 block of West Worley Street.

Schaeffer said there was a large amount of smoke in the area that initially appeared to be coming from the Dick’s Sporting Goods. However, it was determined the fire was coming from the StorageMart facility behind the store.

According to Schaeffer, there were 30 units within the building that had caught fire. However, firefighters were able to contain damage to 14 of those.

“There were a lot of tactical challenges for us. The site was very secure, so our truck companies had to force entry and we laid about a little over 1000 feet, four inch large diameter supply line which when it’s charged is extremely heavy,” Schaeffer said.

No one was injured in the fire and the Columbia Police Department is handling the investigation, which Schaeffer said is standard.

“We’re focused clearly on the cause of the fire and where the fire originated. The police department is responsible for the criminal investigation. They assume everything is criminal until it’s determined not to be so,” Schaeffer said. “The video footage, the access logs, any interviews that may have taken place, that’s the responsibility of the police department….in this case, our cause and origin has already been completed.”

Schaeffer said the two agencies will continue working together to determine the cause, which could potentially take weeks to nail down.

In a statement sent to ABC 17 News via email on Monday afternoon, Senior Vice President of Marketing Sarah Little said the fire affected approximately 20 units. Little said all of the affect customers have been contacted.

Little said the business is cooperating with the fire department who is working to determine the cause.

According to Little, the fire began shortly after a tenant briefly visited their unit to retrieve their items. However, that person was no longer at the property when their unit caught fire.

“We never expect accidents to happen, but are prepared in the event they do. StorageMart offers supplemental coverage, and those who were enrolled in that program may submit a claim by contacting our property manager at 573-556-8423,” Little wrote. “We also encourage customers to review their homeowner or renter insurance policies for potential off-site coverage.”

Worley Street fire deemed accidental

The final fire occurred early Monday in the 1400 block of West Worley Street, and shut down the road for about an hour.

Schaeffer said firefighters received calls from residents who said they smelled smoke just after 4 a.m. Crews found fire coming from the attic of the home and were able to put the fire out within 10 minutes. The fire was ruled an accidental electrical fire.

“Firefighters aggressively searched and determined that occupants were present and met us outside and they worked with our partners to keep them warm while we removed some of the ceiling, went in and extinguished the fire that was in the attic,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer said the home is not considered a total loss, but the ceiling sustained significant damage.

One person was evaluated on scene, but denied medical care.

Firefighters on the scene of a house fire on West Worley Street on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.

Fire officials urge caution during colder months

The No. 1 cause of fires in Columbia remains cooking fires, but firefighters say during colder months, they start to see an increase in other kinds of fires.

One of those includes people using portable heaters to try and heat their homes as temperatures drop. However, problems can occur when people use these too close to combustibles. Schaeffer said he encourages people to ensure their heaters are at least three feet clear in all directions.

People should also opt to buy heaters that turn off automatically when they are knocked over, especially if they have larger dogs. Schaeffer also said they tend to see more children and dogs receive burns from heaters during colder months.

Schaeffer also encourages people to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected, as crews tend to respond to chimney fires as the temperatures drop as well.

“It doesn’t take very long for that carbon monoxide to accumulate and carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and can truly kill kids and families very quickly,” Schaeffer said. “Make sure that your alarms work and that includes smoke alarms outside of every living space on every floor and then the carbon monoxide to be that second set of eyes and nose for you.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Danville man was charged with 10 felonies after he allegedly tried to attack his family on Sunday in Montgomery County.

Trysten Jones, 20, was charged with three counts of first-degree domestic assault, one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action. He is being held without bond, though a mugshot was not immediately available. A bond review is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says law enforcement was called at 6:53 p.m. Sunday for a report of an attack with a knife. Jones allegedly tried to break down the door of a room where three victims, including a 6-year-old, were hiding.

Jones had run away from the residence by the time law enforcement arrived and deputies found a knife stabbed into a kitchen island, the statement says.  

One of the victims told deputies that Jones had been asleep on a couch, woke up and yelled at and shoved the 6-year-old before grabbing the knife, the statement says. One of the adult victims then grabbed the child and barricaded themselves in one of the bedrooms while Jones tried to break down the door, the statement says.

Jones apparently stabbed a hole in the door, the statement says. Jones left when he heard one of the victims call law enforcement, the statement says. The family came out of the room after one of the victims looked through the hole in door and saw Jones leave the home, the statement says.

Deputies learned Jones ran to another family member’s home and a short standoff occurred before deputies were able to make an arrest, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Stover woman was charged in Morgan County after she was accused of choking a youth on Friday morning.

Stacy Jackson, 52, was charged with child abuse and giving marijuana to a child.  She is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $150,000 bond. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The probable cause statement says Jackson choked a child on Friday morning after multiple youth in a residence were not ready for school.

Jackson seemingly admitted to putting her hands on the victim’s neck and throwing them to the ground and claimed it was a “disciplinary action,” according to the statement.

Jackson was then accused of repeatedly giving marijuana to youth in the residence, court documents say.

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