Category: kmiz-local-news

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Office of Emergency Management is reminding residents about extreme weather safety as Mid-Missouri is forecasted to be hit with high winds, heavy rain, and risks for hail and tornadoes on Easter weekend.

In a Facebook post Friday, the BCOEM reminds drivers to avoid driving through moving and high water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also advises people not to walk or swim through flood waters and to stay off bridges with fast-moving water in case of flooding.

According to FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer, the City of Columbia has risks of flooding around many creeks and streams in the area, like Hinkson and Bear Creek.

The National Weather Service has a flood warning in effect for Hinkson Creek, Petite Saline Creek and Moreau River.

FEMA also reminds people to have an emergency shelter plan, ideally located in a windowless basement or at the lowest level of a building. The shelter should be stocked with food, water and medical supplies.

If a tornado touches down, people should seek shelter immediately. Drivers should exit their vehicles and find a place low or dug into the ground to lie in. It’s also recommended to avoid bridges and underpasses during a tornado.

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Sedalia man suffered moderate injuries in a crash on Friday in Morgan County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The crash happened at 10 p.m. on Highway 50 near Route 135.

The report says that a 2016 Ford Mustang – driven by a 23-year-old man from Sedalia, Missouri – was heading westbound when the driver crossed the center of the roadway and struck a 2016 Peterbilt 579 heading eastbound, driven by a 36-year-old man from Carson, California.

The Mustang rotated and stopped facing east off the north side of the roadway, the report says. The driver was taken by ambulance to Bothwell Regional Health Center with moderate injuries. The semi-truck driver was not injured.

The driver of the car was not wearing a seatbelt, the driver of the semi-truck was, according to the report. The car was totaled and the semi had extensive damage.

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri and the City of Columbia are stepping up efforts to keep students and community members safe following a violent weekend where five people were shot.

Both MU and the Columbia Police Department said they’re working together to increase patrols in, and around downtown in response to growing safety concerns.

An ABC 17 News reporter observed CPD officers making rounds downtown and MU police officers patrolling near campus on Saturday night.

For many students, weekends downtown are typically a time to relax and connect with friends.

“It’s a very great nightlife, though. There’s a lot of things to do a lot of like kind of walking around, meeting with a bunch of different friend groups, that sort of thing,” MU student Connor Stuart said.

However, last week’s shooting— that left two men injured has made some students think twice before heading out.

“There is normally a lot of cops out, so I would feel safe. But with all the shootings happening, I’m kind of like reluctant to go out. Like, we have started to Uber more just because of it, instead of walking around,” MU student Madison Holmes said.

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News previously that she met with the Columbia Police Department and the University of Missouri to discuss long-term safety strategies.

One of the steps being taken is increasing the number of patrols downtown.

“I live right here on Broadway, and so it’s definitely a little scary kind of (shootings) being right outside my door,” Stuart said. “But, I do feel a lot more comfortable with a lot more cops kind of starting the patrol especially when it gets dark out in the night.”

But not everything aimed at safety is bringing peace of mind. Some students said MU’s alert system sent to students warning of potential crimes can sometimes create more panic, than clarity.

MU sent out alerts over the weekend of the shootings and the initial one had an error and did not have the location. University of Missouri President Mun Choi said during a press conference earlier this week that the university is re-evaluating how it sends out campus alerts.

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As Mid-Missouri faces rainy conditions Saturday and Sunday, Easter celebrations are still on the calendar.

The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation is hosting two egg hunts Saturday. The events will take place at Douglass Park from Noon to 1:15 p.m. and Indian Hills Park from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

“We’re here for the Easter egg hunt,” attendee Harlow Worley said. “And I want the candy, every single candy,” attendee Amira Eghbali said.

The events will also have crafts and a bunny sack race. Columbia Parks and Rec has not shared any alternative weather plans on its Facebook page.

Jefferson City is hosting its 38th annual Easter egg hunt at Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Jefferson City Jaycees shared in a Facebook post that they planned to monitor the weather. The hunt was held under the park’s pavilion.

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 73-year-old Osage Beach man suffered moderate injuries in a crash on Friday in Camden County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to the report, the crash occurred at the intersection of Route KK and Oak Creek Road shortly before 11:30 a.m.

The report says that a 2017 Range Rover – driven by a 20-year-old man from Osage Beach, Missouri – was heading westbound when the driver turned left into the path of a 2017 Harley Davidson Wideglide. This caused the right side of the motorcycle to hit the Range Rover, the report says.

The 73-year-old man was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries, the report says. The bike and SUV had moderate damage.

The driver was wearing a seatbelt and the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, according to the report.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri on Friday broke ground on the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory.

The facility – named after former Republican Gov. Mike Parson – is projected to open in 2026. According to the university, the lab will further enhance the capabilities of the nationally regarded college of agriculture, food and natural resources.

“This has been a dream for Missouri agriculture. I think I heard earlier today for the last 15 years, so it was a focus on bringing value added production to Missouri, and it’s, it’s a tremendous day,” said Christopher Daubert, who is the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Daubert announced additional funding for the project from Burgers’ Smokehouse.

A press release sent on Friday states that the new facility will update and consolidate the abattoir and Don Naumann Muscle Foods Processing Laboratory, also known as the Mizzou Meat Market.

Friday also marked the completion of the first phase of the veterinary medical diagnostic laboratory expansion, which added more than 34,000 feet to the building. A ceremony was held for the groundbreaking of Phase 2. The $73 million was by paid for by mutliple groups including private donors.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 16-year-old boy who is charged as an adult after he was accused of shooting at a vehicle filled with people in January has been indicted by a grand jury.   

Samiyon Myers, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree assault, delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of shooting at a car and second-degree drug trafficking.

He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An arraignment for the new set of charges is set for 9 a.m. Monday.

The probable cause statement says that police were called around 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 for a shots-fired call in the 2100 block of West Worley Street. Witnesses claimed the suspects ran to the McDonald’s at 415 North Stadium Blvd. Six juveniles were taken into custody, according to the probable cause statement. Half of the juveniles were released to their parents.

A gun was found in a bag near Myers and video from the Columbia Mall allegedly showed Myers firing the gun at a vehicle, the probable cause statement says. Police saw bullet holes in the vehicle and were able to identify Myers by the color of his underwear, which was seen on video and was the only person wearing red, the statement indicates.

Myers was also allegedly found with 206 Oxycodone pills. The gun was allegedly stolen and police found additional guns in a garbage bin, the statement says.