Category: kmiz-local-news

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Montgomery County Fire Protection District battled intense flames Saturday night to put out a hog barn fire on White Road, according to a Facebook post.

The press release says fire crews were called to the barn around 8:20 p.m. Since there were other barns nearby, crews focused on preventing the fire from spreading.

Some pigs died in the fire and the barn’s roof collapsed before crews arrived at the scene, the release states. No people were hurt.

MCFPD contained the fire with assistance from several emergency response crews, including the Wellsville, Middletown Community, Bellflower and New Florence Fire Protection Districts.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance reminded people of proper water safety in in lakes and rivers in a Facebook post Saturday. The group said it can take as little as one minute for an adult to drown.

According to Stop Drowning Now and the U.S. Fire Administration, drownings are preventable. Around 10 people in the U.S. drown each day, and drownings are the leading cause of death for children four and under.

Open water, such as lakes and rivers, also pose an additional threat due to strong currents, sharp rocks and hard-to-see bottoms that can be dangerous for people jumping in.

For children, it’s highly recommended to know how to float and to take swimming lessons. Formal lessons reportedly reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.

Parents are also encouraged to put down any distractions and stay alert when watching their child in water. Parents should be within an arm’s reach of any toddler in the water. It is recommended children wear a bright pink or orange swimsuit to make them easier to spot. Additionally, a Coast Guard-approved life vest is recommended for any open water.

The NDPA recommends always swimming with a partner, especially when a lifeguard isn’t present. Swimming under the influence also increases the risk of drowning due to substances causing disorientation.

Pool owners are encouraged to have a four-sided fence enclosing the pool to prevent children from falling in or swimming without adult supervision.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With temperatures heating things up across Mid-Missouri, ABC 17 News looked into how how pet owners can keep their furry friend cool.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking heat index values in the triple digits across the region through Tuesday.

The Humane Society of Missouri recommends on days when temperatures reach more than 90 degrees, to keep pets indoors as much as possible. However, Saturday’s high heat did not stop dog owners from getting out to Twin Lakes Dog Park in Columbia.

ABC 17 News spoke to dog owners about how they keep their dogs cool. Timothy Goretti, a dog owner, said a lot of water and swimming is key for his dog.

“If it’s a real hot day and he won’t even come out here, we’ll just spray the hose at him and he runs around it does his thing,” Goretti said. “If I know he’s going to be hot and out in public, we got water.”

Hannah McGrath, another dog owner, said on days when it’s extra hot she tries to keep her dogs outside for no more than 30 minutes at a time.

“She is a double coated dog because she’s mixed with a shepherd, so she gets extremely hot in the heat,” McGrath said.

McGrath also discussed the importance of grooming her dog in the warmer months due to its thick fur.

“Periodically, because she is a big swimmer, she gets a little musty smelling. So we typically take her to like, a dog wash and then I brush her myself with just like, undercoat, brushes and everything,” McGrath said.

According to the Humane Society of Missouri, if your pet is displaying symptoms of heat-related sickness, place a cool and wet towel around their neck. You can also pour cool water over their body.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dozens of people gathered Friday night at Cosmo Park in Columbia to honor a teenager who died in a shooting this past weekend.

Zarian Simpson died in a shooting on Sunday, June 15 during an armed robbery. Two juveniles were arrested, along with Steven Paden, 34.  

Friends and family started gathering at Cosmo Park around 7 p.m. Balloons were let go shortly before 10 p.m.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The public is invited to line East Broadway Saturday morning for Columbia’s annual Juneteenth parade at 9 a.m.

The parade will start at Columbia’s First Baptist Church on East Broadway and Waugh Street. The parade will then head down East Broadway and end at the Second Baptist Church on North 4th Street.

The event is for all ages and is expected to have music and dance performances.

According to emergency plan documents, law enforcement will be present at the parade. For cases involving lost children, suspicious bags, or medical emergencies, attendees can ask a volunteer for help. Volunteers will then locate the nearest officer and event organizer at the scene for further assistance.

In the case of a weather emergency or terroristic threat, guests will be told to head to a nearby shelter or shelter in their cars.

Traffic impacts are expected on East Broadway, and drivers are advised to be aware of an increased number of children and people in the area.

Other Saturday morning events include the 3×3 basketball tournament for kids grades 3-12 at Douglass Park and the St. Paul Juneteenth Legacy event at the St. Paul AME Church on Park Avenue. Both events start at 11 a.m.

Additional events can be found on the City of Columbia’s website.

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Ryan Shiner

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Smoke was seen Friday evening coming from a wooded area of Boone County that is north and east of Columbia.

Boone County firefighters were called near the intersection of Route HH and East O’Rear Road at 6:53 p.m., according to dispatch records.

Boone County Fire Protection District Chief Gale Blomenkamp said there is a homeless encampment in the area. Capt. Stephen McLane said at the scene around 8 p.m. that there “appears to be an unhoused community back there.”

No injuries have been reported and four firefighters responded in two trucks. The cause of the fire is under investigation. McLane said he expects the fire to burn for “awhile.”

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The two juveniles detained after a Columbia homicide will continue to be held in a juvenile center.

The suspects are 15 and 13 years old.

They’re accused of being involved in the armed robbery and fatal shooting of 18-year-old Zarian Simpson on Sunday.

They were detained along with 34-year-old Steven Paden earlier this week.

They are both due back in court at 9 a.m. Friday, June 27.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As Independence Day approaches, Missourians are lighting up the sky — and the nation’s spending charts.

Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers began on Friday, marking the start of one of the busiest and most-explosive stretches of the year.

According to U.S. trade data from Lending Tree, Missouri imported $85.7 million worth of fireworks in 2024, the most per capita in the country at $13.84 per resident. That’s well ahead of other fireworks-friendly states like Kansas ($8.79) and Nebraska ($7.02). Missouri also ranks ninth in the nation for fireworks exports, accounting for 1.7% of all U.S. shipments.

“Missouri has a reputation amongst all the states as being fireworks-friendly,” said Bob Gerau, who has ran Bob’s Fireworks since 2005 and has been in the industry since 1965. 

“When you get out of Missouri, because we have the competition here, the prices go through the roof,  things that I sell for $30 to $60,  500 grams, you get up in Indiana, you can’t buy in for less than $100,” he said  

Gerau said the fireworks business can be costly to run, with tent setups alone costing upwards of $10,000. That’s why he opts to operate a brick-and-mortar shop, allowing him to sell fireworks year-round.

Still, he says the payoff is about more than just profit.

“Kids come in this year, everybody gets a free frog (a type of firework),” Gerau said. “Dad can walk out with a hundred bucks worth of fireworks, but the kid’s got a frog and he is happier than what dad just bought because of his frog. And I love it. I just love to see that.” 

Missouri’s recently updated some of its firework regulations, but its relaxed laws compared to other states help fuel sales. The legal age to buy fireworks in the state is 16 years old, and seasonal sales are permitted between June 20-July 10. As of June 16, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety had issued 1,127 permits to seasonal fireworks retailers.

But with fireworks comes risk.

“Across the U.S., Independence Day is the busiest day of the year for fires, and we’re also entering the time of year when the vast majority of fireworks injuries occur,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a press release. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks, do so cautiously.”

In 2024, Missouri hospitals treated 328 people for fireworks-related injuries. Of those, 81% occurred between June 21-July 11. The majority were treated and released from the emergency room, but 37 people required in-patient care.

Nationwide, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that eight people died and 9,700 were treated for fireworks injuries in 2023. Children younger than 15 years old accounted for 31% of those injuries.

At Spirit of ‘76 Fireworks, assistant manager Rose Walker said business has stayed strong since a pandemic-era boom.

“We had the big boom in fireworks after COVID because people wanted to do something. So they came to the tent,” she said. “And from there, it’s just been something people love to do.”

Walker said artillery shells are among the store’s best-sellers—but she’s also seen what happens when customers aren’t careful.

“Fireworks are fun, but they are very dangerous as well,” she said. “A lot of people have a big ego going into fireworks until they blow their hand off… Safety is just a big thing for our brand. We want to sell cool products, but also keep our customers in mind.”

She said the biggest mistakes she sees involve improper setup.

“One of the biggest things I’ve seen is just not bracing your cakes or artillery shells,” Walker said. “Things can go wrong very badly, very quickly.”

To avoid injuries, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety recommends the following:

Only buy from licensed retailers and confirm fireworks are legal in your area.

Light fireworks in a cleared, open area away from flammable materials.

Supervise teenagers and never allow young children to handle fireworks.

Never consume alcohol while using fireworks.

Keep water nearby, light one firework at a time, and properly dispose of used fireworks.

“We encourage folks to take advantage of public fireworks displays,” Bean said. “But if you do choose to use consumer fireworks, follow the instructions and take safety seriously.”More safety tips can be found at dfs.dps.mo.gov/safetytips/fireworks-safety.php. For questions, contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia wrote that it could kill dogs for space reasons for the first time in more than 10 years.

CMHS wrote on its social media that it started Friday with no kennels available “and desperately need dogs to leave in order to avoid making space-based euthanasia decisions at the end of the day.”

CMHS closes at 6 p.m. CMHS is a no-kill shelter, which it typically means a shelter has a live-release rate of 90% or more. The shelter wrote in a Facebook comment that it currently has a 95% live release rate.

A link to the adoption process can be found here, while a foster application can be found here.

CMHS updated its post at 5:24 p.m. saying that more than 50 foster families have signed and freed up several kennels.

“At this time, we are likely looking for unicorn homes to help our more particular pups find placement. A unicorn home is going to be one without kids, cats, or dogs,” the post says. “We can always use foster homes, so please continue to sign up. However, at this time, non-unicorn homes may have a harder time finding the right pup for their situation. Thank you all again, we are incredibly grateful”

Check back for updates.

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Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Trump administration could declare the City of Columbia in violation of a federal executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, city leaders say.

Such a determination could result in the suspension of federal funding, termination of existing contracts and demands for repayment of previously awarded federal funds.

Fifth Ward Councilman Don Waterman said roughly $50 million in federal grants could be at risk.

“Some grants that we’ve previously received that we’ve already spent — they could come and ask for some of that back. It’s what’s called a clawback,” Waterman said.

“We are not able to say what grants specifically we might be required to pay back at this time,” city grant administrator Rachel Volmert wrote in response to questions. “This is an unprecedented situation, and the way the federal government is going to respond is not entirely clear … We are continuously evaluating how to continue providing services as cuts occur, and will keep customers or patients who may be impacted informed on any changes.”

If enforced, the move could leave taxpayers responsible for covering the budget gap.

The City’s Director of Finance said the matter has not been formally discussed at this time.

If the government chooses to stop funding, one of the first agencies to feel the effects would be the Columbia and Boone County Public Health and Human Services.

Almost $9 million in federal grant money goes toward the city’s health and Economic Development departments.

Local health department officials say they remain optimistic that funding won’t dry up. But state officials, who administer many federal grants, don’t have answers. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Senior Services told ABC 17 News on Friday that the department is unsure whether some federal grants that are frozen will be released.

The local Department of Public Health and Human Services receives federal funding across five key service areas: women’s and children’s health, violence prevention, mental health and substance use treatment, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and a range of additional public health programs.

The department’s funding loss for the 2025 fiscal year would be $5.4 million if grants remain frozen.

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