Category: kmiz-local-news

Mitchell Kaminski

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two horses rescued from a muddy lagoon near Harrisburg on Wednesday night are recovering after being treated by veterinarians.

A friend of the horses’ owners said the animals were at the vet until about 3 a.m. to ensure they made it through the night. They are being treated with antibiotics to clear up any potential infections after getting stuck in a lagoon that was being drained.

The Boone County Fire Protection District responded to the 8400 block of Gray Road around 7:17 p.m. after the owners discovered the horses trapped in mud earlier in the day.

“This stuff here was like soup, so it was very, very sloppy,” Boone County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Clint Walker said. “We got dispatched at 7:17, arrived shortly after, and found two horses buried in mud up over their back, the only thing sticking out was their heads.”

Eighteen firefighters responded to the scene, with about half trained in large animal rescue through an optional 40-hour course offered by the department. Rescuing two animals at once added to the challenge.

“The multiple animals and being trapped at the same time, that added a different layer of complexity,” Lt. Joey Rimel said. “More often than not for the large animals, it’s often they’re stuck in mud or high water or ice or something like that. So that’s kind of our bread and butter rescue and that we deal with.”

Assistant Chief Norm Hinkle said large animal rescues fluctuate throughout the year, but tend to increase when weather conditions change.

“It definitely does fluctuate. We get at least a couple a year, it seems like; especially when the weather changes things like this, when it’s starting to thaw out,” he said. “We have those issues with the ice we had a couple of weeks ago, the cattle that fell through the ice.”

So far this year, the district has responded to three large animal incidents, two involving cattle and Wednesday night’s rescue involving the horses.

“There’s always some complexity to it when you’re dealing with agricultural and farm animals as far as getting to them, accessibility, you know, the mud, the muck, getting through fences, cows and horses get into places. Sometimes it’s hard for us to get into, especially access or with equipment and that type of thing,” Hinkle said.

The department offers a 40-hour large animal rescue course to its members each year.

“That course is something we’ve been doing for quite a long time, and it’s a bridge course that brings in fire personnel and it’s mainly the optional pieces for our members. Specifically, they have the option to sign up. We usually get ten or 15 a year that go to that class, which is pretty good. But then we fill the other half of that with the veterinarian school,” Rimel said.

Hinkle told ABC 17 News that only rescuers who have completed the large animal rescue course are allowed to make contact with the animals because they are trained to respond appropriately and properly apply straps and harnesses. Other responders without the specialized training assist with what Hinkle described as “mostly muscle,” using the basic rope techniques they received during standard firefighter training.

The district partners with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine for large animal rescues. Veterinarians were on scene Wednesday night to sedate the horses before crews pulled them from the mud.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Cass County) in a Thursday press release announced his intent to run for the newly drawn 5th District for the U.S. House.

Brattin was first elected to the Missouri Senate in 2020. Brattin refers to himself as a conservative and looks to support President Donald Trump.

“I am running because I believe in America — in her founding principles, her constitutional freedoms, and the opportunity she provides for every family willing to work hard and live responsibly. I will not stand by while Washington Democrats continue to obstruct, divide, and erode the values and liberties that have made our nation exceptional.  President Trump needs strong conservatives in Congress — not career politicians who seek compromise for its own sake, but leaders who will stand firm and advance the America First agenda,” Brattin said in the release. 

He grew up in Greenwood, graduated from Lee’s Summit High School and served in the Marine Corps, the release says. He served in the Missouri House for four terms from 2010-18 and was the Deputy Majority Whip. He also was a co-founder of the Conservative Caucus, the release says. He also served as the Cass County auditor.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Regional Airport in 2025 had its biggest year in the airport’s history for passengers traveled, according to a Thursday press release from the airport.

The release says the airport had 242,167 passengers in 2025, a 17% from the year prior. Since 2024, the airport has announced more flights to Chicago and Dallas, as well as new flights to Charlotte and Florida. It will also get 600 new parking spaces soon.

“2025 was a defining year for Columbia Regional Airport,” airport manager Michael Parks said in the release. “The community’s support has fueled this growth, and we’re proud to offer more choices, stronger connectivity and an even better travel experience for Mid-Missouri to destinations around the world.”

The release says 300,000 total seats are scheduled to depart from the airport in 2026.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Moniteau County commissioner who was charged with three felonies earlier this month will see his case moved to Morgan County.

Former Northern District Commissioner Doug Naros was charged on Feb. 13 in Moniteau County with forgery and two counts of stealing.  He resigned days before being charged.

The case was moved to Morgan County on Thursday, according to court filings.

Previous reporting shows the Moniteau County Sheriff’s Office requested on Jan. 28 for the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate stealing allegations made against an elected official.

Court documents in previous reporting claim Naros allegedly submitted multiple invoices to the county for his personal vehicle and his residence.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Callaway County Public Library in Fulton will close for about 90 days beginning on March 30 as repairs are made to the building, Daniel Boone Regional Library announced in a Thursday press release.

Contractors will be replacing the building’s HVAC system. A temporary location will open at 1855 North Bluff St. near Walmart, the release says.

The release says the opening date of the temporary location is dependent on how soon library materials can be moved.

Seating will be limited, public access computers will not be set up and passports cannot be processed at the temporary location, the release says. Classes and other events will be scheduled at other locations in Fulton, the release says.

The hours at the temporary location will remain the same as the current location.

Part of the cost of the project will be covered by a monetary gift from the Helen Forsee estate and the Keckeley Endowment.

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Ryan Shiner

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Firefighters were seen in a Boone County neighborhood east of Columbia on Thursday after a fire was reported.

At least a dozen Boone County Fire Protection District firefighters were seen on South Sonora Drive.

Smoke was seen coming from the back yard of a residence when an ABC 17 News reporter arrived. Firefighters pointed a hose at the siding of a home as smoke was seen.

BCFPD Assistant Chief Norman Hinke confirmed the shed was the source of the fire, however no injuries were reported. The homeowner wet the grass with a hose to help prevent it from spreading. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Check back for updates.  

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Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Police shot a man in Jefferson City on Thursday afternoon.

Details about the person’s condition were not available, but Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kyle Green confirmed an officer-involved shooting had occurred in the 800 block of Broadway Street.

MSHP Sgt. Bradley Germann told ABC 17 News that the Division of Drug and Crime Control is on scene to investigate. The Jefferson City Police Department had requested the highway patrol to investigate because the incident involved one of JCPD’s officers, Germann said.

Jefferson City police later wrote in a press release that a 40-year-old man was shot.

The release says officers were patrolling the area when someone ran from police at 4:16 p.m. Police shot a man two minutes later, the release says.

“A 40-year-old male suspect was struck by gunfire, and officers immediately rendered aid. The suspect was transported from the scene for medical treatment,” the release says. “The primary investigation into this incident has been turned over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Jefferson City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division.”

A neighbor shared a video recorded moments after the shooting with ABC 17 News. In the footage, a man is seen bleeding from his leg as first responders provide aid behind a nearby beauty salon.

Several neighbors told ABC 17 News they heard four to five gunshots. When they stepped outside to see what had happened, they said they saw a heavy police presence and numerous patrol vehicles lining the street.

The release does not list how many officers were involved in the shooting. The name of the man shot was not released.

Police cleared the scene and removed crime scene tape from the 800 block of Broadway Street around 9 p.m. Thursday, nearly five hours after the area was first shut down.

Just before officers removed the tape, an unmarked police SUV was towed from the scene. The vehicle’s driver-side window was shattered and covered in cracks, with what appeared to be a bullet hole near the lower corner of the glass. The SUV also had a flat tire.

ABC 17 News has asked spokespeople for the police department and city government for more details.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities claim he stole several e-bikes and scooters from the outside of several dorms on the University of Missouri’s campus.

Christopher Eubanks, 36, was charged with four counts of felony stealing.  He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An arraignment was held on Thursday, where a confined docket hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday and a preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. Thursday, March 26. A notice to a public defender was also filed on Thursday.

The probable cause statement claims Eubanks stole multiple e-bikes and scooters during a period from Feb. 6-9 at Defoe-Graham, Mark Twain, Bluford and Galena halls. The stolen items ranged from $200-$3,000.

Eubanks was allegedly seen on camera taking bikes with a woman multiple times, MUPD wrote in the statement. A vehicle seen during one of the thefts was pulled over on Feb. 9 and the owner of the vehicle claimed Eubanks and a woman had told them they needed to pick up a bike on Feb. 6, the statement says.

The driver was on probation and had an ankle monitor that showed police they were at Defoe-Graham Hall when that theft occurred, the statement says.

The driver dropped the couple off at a residence on Woodlawn Avenue, the statement says. A person who lived inside the home told police they kicked out the couple because they brought several stolen items to the residence, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia Utilities Department announced in a Thursday press release that it will soon resume utility disconnections as the area begins to enter a warm weather season.

City of Columbia Utilities does not disconnect electric customers when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to drop below 32 degrees during a 72-hour period, the release says. It also will not schedule disconnections when temperatures rise past 95 degrees or if the heat index is at 105 degrees over a 72-hour period, the release says.

A Water and Light spokesman told ABC 17 News that there are currently 1,572 accounts pending for disconnection because of nonpayment.

Data provided by the city shows that total number is down from Feb. 3, where 1,759 residential customers and 77 commercial customers were determined to be delinquent, resulting in the city being out $548,690.

There were 690 customers who experienced disconnection in October and November, right before the city halted disconnections for cold weather.

Utility customers must pay past-due balances to avoid being disconnected, the release says. Customers can check their account at MyUtilityBill.CoMo.gov or make payments at Pay.CoMo.gov.

City of Columbia Utilities customers who are in need of utility payment assistance can contact Utility Customer Service – 573-874-7380 — for more information, the release states. Information from the city shows 65 customers signed up for utility assistance in January.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County Joint Communications Director Christie Davis said Thursday that feedback has been positive in the first 90 days of community surveys on satisfaction with dispatchers.

The rate of positive responses is 93%, Davis said.

The survey was rolled out on Nov. 19 and sends two questions to a 911 or 311 caller after they get off the phone. Davis said BCJC has received 1,925 responses in the last 90 days.

The survey asks callers to score on a scale of 1 to 5.

“Then once you give that rating, it will ask you for any potential feedback on the call take, and we share that with our employees,” Davis said.

Davis said they use the application PowerEngage to send the alert; the program costs $11,000 annually. Davis said the application also provides internal alerts when a telecommunicator has taken a difficult or traumatic phone call, prompting a wellness check on the employee.

Davis said the community benefits from the survey because the immediate feedback allows BCJC to address concerns before they fester and become systemic issues.

Davis said most of the written feedback has been related to the first responders on scene instead of the call-taking process itself.

“Either they didn’t get a call back from the agency, or they weren’t happy about the response, whereas our response is looking just from the call taker from when they actually called in,” Davis said.

However, any negative feedback or poor rating related to the telecommunicators is reviewed. Regardless of their nature, all responses are made available to all dispatchers to learn from, according to Davis.

“We share that with them on a dashboard so they can actually see the responses that they get back from those citizens,” Davis said. “It comes up, and it shows the actual review that the caller provided, as well as the date and time that the call was made and who the call taker was.”

BCJC has 43 full-time and five part-time dispatchers. Davis said there are 12 dispatchers still in various stages of training, but four are not yet released to work solo because they are in their initial academy training.

Davis said the system won’t send the survey to callers who were in a traumatic situation. Callers will also not receive a survey between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. Those who get the survey can also call BCJC to provide more details on their experience with a dispatcher, Davis said.

She said BCJC will monitor the survey’s impact on improving dispatch response times in several areas over the coming months to see if they can recognize any patterns.

Joint communications is also working to install and integrate a new EZ Net fiber as a part of its Next Gen migration for 911 calls. Davis said this will improve their ability to take calls during power outages.

“When we have a fiber cut that happens between here and Jeff City, we can lose service for our number one system,” Davis said. “Right now we have a single point of failure. So that will increase our redundancy in the system. So we’re not reliant on Jefferson City to be able to pick up those calls when those cuts happen.”

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