Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Fulton man who is accused of killing his classmate in 1991 has asked for his case to be dismissed.

William “Chris” Niemet, of Fulton, is accused of killing his classmate, Greg Jones, in April 1991 in Russellville. Jones was 14. Niemet also would have been 14 at the time. Niemet was charged in 2020 with first-degree murder.

The trial has been delayed multiple times.

Niemet’s lawyer filed a motion for dismissal with prejudice on Wednesday over an accusation of a lack of evidence.

The motion claims that there is no date or location listed for the victim’s death and alleges there’s no weapon or ammunition traced to the crime.

A hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 25.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2026; while a trial is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 20, 2026.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people have been charged with felonies after a man allegedly raped a teenager in Morgan County.

Trevaughn Jones, 29, of Independence, was charged with two counts of second-degree statutory rape and one count of second-degree statutory sodomy. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Kayla Arnone, 38, of Excelsior Springs, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. She is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Arraignments for both people are scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.  

According to the probable cause statement, deputies were called to a residence after Arnone claimed her roommate assaulted her. She then allegedly told deputies that Jones, the roommate and a 15-year-old girl left the area and that Jones was in a “sexual relationship” with the youth, the statement says.

Deputies found the two walking on Route WW and the girl allegedly denied the “relationship.” Jones allegedly admitted it to deputies and described multiple sexual encounters, the statement says.

Arnone allegedly told deputies that she thought Jones was 18, still thought the “relationship” was inappropriate, but didn’t tell law enforcement because she was unsure of the law, the statement says.

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Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

An attorney for Ryan Ferguson hopes to get $1 million more in his eight-figure lawsuit against an insurance company.

Attorney Michael Berry asked Cole County Judge Cotton Walker on Friday to add at least $1.3 million to the $43.8 million judgment he awarded on Monday. Berry said Walker did not properly add 129 days’ interest on the award.

A Cole County jury sided with Ferguson and six former Columbia police detectives in November in their lawsuit against Travelers Insurance. They claimed Travelers refused to pay out the remaining $2.9 million of a more than $11 million settlement Ferguson and the detectives inked over his reversed murder conviction for sports editor Kent Heitholt’s death in the Columbia Daily Tribune parking lot and decade-long incarceration. The jury awarded him $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $35 million in punitive damages.

Ferguson attorney Kathleen Zellner said the $43.8 million judgment and the money already collected from the settlement make the case the largest court award for a wrongful conviction in U.S. history.

Ryan Ferguson post judgement briefDownload

Walker determined the amount of annual interest added to the award from Jan. 16, 2008, to Feb. 7, 2025. Berry argued that interest should run through June 16’s final award, adding another 129 days, or $1.3 million more. That would also affect how much money Travelers would be expected to pay in post-judgment interest.

Berry also said he planned to challenge Walker’s cap on the total amount of punitive damages awarded. Walker applied a state law to the award that caps punitive damages in a lawsuit at five times the “net judgment,” or compensatory damages and prejudgment interest on compensatory damages.

Walker put that total at $24.2 million, less than the $35 million the jury called for.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Beginning Monday, June 23, a contractor is scheduled to start treating the first of 39 residential streets, according to a Friday press release from the City of Columbia.

Work begins at 7 a.m. Monday and will continue on weekdays through July until all street have been treated with Reclamite, an asphalt rejuvenating treatment, the release says. “No parking” signs will be posted about 24 hours in advance, the release says. Vehicles in “no parking” zones may be towed.

Streets receiving treatment include:

Luan Court from Hulen Drive to the end of the street

Hulen Drive from West Rollins Road to Summit Road

Mission Court from Concordia Drive to the end of the street

Concordia Drive from Bourn Avenue to Martin Drive

Wee Wynd from Thistledown Drive to the end of the street

Thistledown Drive from West Broadway to Highland Drive

Dundee Drive from West Broadway to Highland Drive

Heather Lane from West Broadway to Highland Drive

Heather Lane from Highland Drive to Braemore Road

Balow Wynd from Highland Drive to Highland Drive

Highland Drive from West Broadway to Braemore Road

Loch Lane from Highland Drive to Concordia Drive

Skye Wynd from Braemore Road to the end of the street

Braemore Road from Highland Drive to Loch Lane

Braemore Road from West Broadway to Highland Drive

Longwell Drive from English Drive to Bray Avenue

English Drive from Jake Lane to Cunningham Road

Highridge Drive from Ridgemont to Mills Drive

Ridgemont from Highridge Circle to the bridge

Shannon Place from Highridge Drive to Mills Drive

Ridgemont Court from Highridge Drive to the end of the street

Highridge Circle from Mills Drive to Mills Drive

Wayne Road from Bingham Road to Brandon Road

Westmount Avenue from West Lathrop Road to the south end of the street

Crestmere Avenue from South Garth Avenue to East Parkway Drive

Lyon Street from North Fifth Street to North Eighth Street

Circus Avenue from Rogers Street to the south end of the street

Hickman Avenue from North Fifth Street to North Eighth Street

Alton Avenue from North Seventh Street to North Eighth Street

Florence Avenue from West Worley Street to Donnely Avenue

Dean Street from McBaine Avenue to Banks Avenue

Mikel Street from West Sexton Road to Orange Street

Parkade Boulevard from Business Loop 70 West to the north end of the street

Starlight Drive from Lamp Lane to the south end of the street

Lightview from Lamp Lane to the south end of the street

Lamp Lane from Starlight Drive to Boyd Lane

Boyd Lane from Rice Road to a point 70 feet north of Ria Street

Barberry Avenue from Hibiscus Drive to Mayberry Drive

Bernadette Drive from North Stadium Boulevard to West Worley Street

West Worley Street from North Fairview Road to the concrete area

North Keene Street from the north roundabout to East Broadway

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Olivia Hayes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City officials say a use tax could generate nearly $70 million in additional revenue at a time when traditional sales tax is waning.

Jefferson City’s June sales tax report shows the city was short nearly $400,000 of its projected revenue for the fiscal year. The city’s projected 10-year budget showed a need for just over $200 million, but the projected revenue sat just under $80 million. That’s a deficit of more than $120 million.

With use tax, Jefferson City would tax extra on purchases made outside of the city, like online storefronts. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the state use tax rate is 4.225%. Use tax does not apply if the purchase is from a Missouri retailer and is subject to Missouri sales tax.

Supporters of use taxes have championed it as a way to recapture revenue lost to increasing internet commerce. They also claim the taxes can level the playing field for local businesses, which must pay sales taxes.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week released a study showing a sharp rise in unintentional fall deaths among older adults.

The report found that from 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls increased by more than 79% for adults aged 65 to 74. For those ages 75 to 84, the rate jumped more than 75%, and it more than doubled for adults 85 and older.

In Missouri, the CDC found a fall death rate of 64.3 per 100,000 people ages 65 and older in 2023, slightly below the national average of 69.9. The CDC found more than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023.

The report does not include why there is an increase in falls.

The Columbia Fire Department says it has responded to 677 fall-related calls so far this year. That’s compared to 1,290 calls in 2024 and 1,319 in 2023.

However those numbers show all falls not just falls among the elderly. But the department says most calls are amongst seniors.

Columbia Fire Department spokesperson Katherine Rodgriuez says fall related calls are at the top of medical calls the department responds to.

“The Columbia Fire Department regularly responds  to fall related calls especially involving older adults and they are the most common medical calls we receive,” Rodgriuez said.

Falls can happen anytime, anywhere but Rodgruiez says many happen in bathrooms and staircases where medications are needed.

“Poor lighting, cluttered spaces or like grab bars or hand rails not being installed in places where you’re like to fall or trip,” She added.

Health conditions also contribute to falls.

“Mobility and balance issues, side effects from medications can cause folks to be off kilter with their balance,’ Rodgriuez said.

However, the Mayo Clinic recommends several ways to prevent falls.

Review medications with a doctor to check for side effects or interactions that may cause dizziness.

Stay active to maintain strength, balance, and coordination.

Wear sensible shoes with nonslip soles and good support.

Remove home hazards like boxes, loose rugs and electrical cords.

Light up your living space with brighter bulbs and night lights in hallways and bathrooms.

Use assistive devices such as handrails on stairways, grab bars in bathrooms and a sturdy plastic seat for showering.

“Double check there is no clutter in the homes, we encourage residents to have proper lighting in the homes, install grab bars in the bathrooms and check on the adults in your lives make sure they have regular vision and balance checks.” Rodgriuez said.

Smart911 is also a helpful tool. It’s a free app that allows users to create a safety profile, including health history, medications, mobility limitations, home address, and more. The app helps first responders act more quickly and effectively in an emergency.

“It’s for any type of call, not just medical,” Rodriguez said. “We utilize it as a way to get a brief background and context on what’s happening with the resident or patient,”

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Fire Protection District, along with many other first-responder agencies and health officials, are reminding the public to be aware of the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as a heat advisory has been issued for Boone County through Tuesday evening.

According to Mayo Clinic, Heat-borne illness can take effect within 15 minutes, with common symptoms including nausea, a high heart rate and feeling faint or dizzy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should drink water and seek shelter indoors.

Heat stroke, which can be fatal, also includes symptoms of a high body temperature over 100 degrees, no sweating and a headache. 911 should be called immediately, and the person should be moved to a cooler area until help arrives.

Ways to avoid heat-borne illnesses include wearing light clothing, drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities outside during peak temperatures. It’s also recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

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Matthew Sanders

The possibility of American military action in Iran has become very real.

President Donald Trump has said he will make a decision on whether to strike the Islamic dictatorship sometime in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Iran and Israel continue to trade missile attacks.

Israel opened up the exchange last week with strikes targeting Iran’s military and its uranium enrichment program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the regime in Iran is close to building a nuclear bomb.

Do you think the U.S. will attack Iran? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Realtors will hold a candidate forum next month with the two people running for the open Ward 2 seat on the Columbia City Council.

A press release from the board says that the forum will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 at the Board of Realtors on 311 Bernadette Drive.

A livestream of the event will be available on YouTube and Facebook.

Vera Elwood and Ken Rice are vying for the seat. The election will be held on Aug. 5.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Four vehicles were involved in a crash Thursday morning on Interstate 70 near Millersburg, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the crash occurred as a 2015 Mazda CX5, 2021 Ford Explorer and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado were slowing down in the eastbound lane for congested traffic when a 2016 Peterbilt 389 rear-ended the Chevrolet.

The Chevrolet then hit the Ford, which hit the Mazda, the report says. The semi-truck was driven by a 53-year-old man from St. Joseph, Missouri. He had no reported injuries. Everyone involved in the crash wore seatbelts, the report says.

The driver of the Chevrolet – a 46-year-old man from Hallsville – had minor injuries and was brought to Boone Hospital by a private vehicle, the report says.

The driver of the Ford – a 55-year-old Columbia woman – had moderate injuries and was brought to University Hospital by ambulance, the report says. Her passengers – a 64-year-old Columbia man, 32-year-old St. Louis man and a 4-year-old boy from St. Louis – all had minor injuries and were brought to University Hospital by ambulance, the report says.

The report says the Ford and Chevy had extensive damage, while the Mazda and Peterbilt had moderate damage.

MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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