Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Camdenton man was charged with four counts of driving while intoxicated in connection with a crash on May 16 that led to two people having serious injuries.

Phillip Peterson, 54, was charged on Friday with two counts of DWI causing serious injuries and a pair of counts of DWI causing injuries. He was booked into the Camden County Jail at 1:16 p.m. and was released at 2:15 p.m., according to online jail records. He had a $100,000 bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report shows that the three-vehicle crash occurred at 3:25 p.m. May 16 on Highway 54 near Sunny Slope Road.

The report claims a 2010 BMW 335I – driven by Peterson – tried exiting from Cedar Heights and pulled into the path of a 2023 Ford F250 – driven by a 26-year-old Urbana, Missouri, man — that was heading westbound and hit it head-on. The Ford then hit a 2022 Toyota Rav4 head-on, the report says. The Toyota was driven by a 59-year-old Plato, Missouri, woman.

Peterson and the driver and passenger of the Ford had minor injuries, the report says. Peterson was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance, while the other two were brought to Dallas County Family Medical Center in a private vehicle, the report says.

The driver of the Toyota and her passenger – a 46-year-old woman from Richland, Missouri – had serious injuries, the report says. The driver was flown to University Hospital, while the passenger was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance, the report says.

Everyone involved in the crash except the driver of the Ford wore seatbelts, according to the report. All three vehicles were totaled.

The probable cause statement says that Peterson allegedly told troopers that he was looking in the opposite direction and didn’t see the Ford coming. He allegedly said he was tired, but not impaired, the statement says. Court documents say that a breath test was done at the scene and his blood alcohol content was .10, which is above the legal limit to drive.

Peterson allegedly denied drinking that day, but claimed he drank “a lot” the day before, the statement says.

The statement also says that a witness saw the BMW pull in front of the Ford, causing the crash.

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Katie Greathouse

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors charged a Columbia man Friday in connection with a shots fired incident and for having a stolen gun.

Z’Kardia Williams, 19, was charged with two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, shooting at a building, resisting arrest and stealing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A hearing has not been scheduled. Court documents allege the charges stem from multiple incidents.

The first incident happened on May 11. Investigators wrote in a probable cause statement that Williams pointed a gun at someone after that person asked him to leave a home. Williams also allegedly threatened to “shoot the house up,” court documents say.

The second incident happened early Thursday morning, according to another probable cause statement. Williams is accused of firing a round through a wall at an apartment complex on Clark Lane. Investigators wrote that they found what appeared to be multiple bullet holes at the scene. Two of the bullet holes were in a bathroom of the home and a shell casing was found in a trash bag, the statement says.

Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud “boom,” court documents say. A person described as a witness allegedly kicked Williams out of their apartment and showed law enforcement a conversation from a messaging app where Williams and the witness discussed him shooting the gun, the statement says. Williams alleged in the messages that the gun was broke, court documents say.

According to court documents, officers went to arrest Williams just before 2 p.m. that same day at a home in the 4600 block of Alan Lane. Police said Williams jumped out of a window on the second floor. An officer pointed a gun at Williams, and it took multiple officers to handcuff him as he resisted, the statement says.

Police wrote in a probable cause statement that Williams told a detective he had cleared the pistol six times before pointing it at a mirror and firing it once. He said he left the home immediately after.

According to a probable cause statement, investigators served a search warrant at the home on Alan Lane. Officers found a gun in the garage that had been reported stolen in Columbia in April. Police wrote the weapon had ammunition that matched the evidence found at the shooting scene.

Online court records show Williams is currently on probation for previously being found with a stolen gun.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 500 Three Rivers Electric Cooperative customers were without power on Friday afternoon.

The Co-op serves parts of seven counties, including Cole, Franklin, Gasconade, Maries, Miller, Moniteau and Osage. Its outage map showed 544 customers without power, primarily in Maries County, but the outage included parts of Osage and Miller counties.

The outage was resolved before 4:30 p.m. and was first reported at 1:28 p.m.

Three Rivers wrote on its social medial that was aware of the outage.

“We’re aware that several members are currently without power. Our crews are assigned and working hard to safely restore service as quickly as possible,” the post reads.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Multiple events are planned in Mid-Missouri on Friday to honor the soldiers who lost their lives 81 years ago on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

In front of the Boone County Courthouse, the United States Exercise Tiger Foundation will host a ceremony to commemorate the 81st anniversary of D-Day.

United States Navy Recruits will place 200 flags in the lawn of the courthouse; 137 flags for the names on the Memorial wall, 48 Missourians killed on D-Day and 15 US Coast Guard sailors who lost their lives as well. Several Mid-Missouri veterans will be honored and every veteran who attends will receive a medal.

In preparation for the weather, the event will be moved inside if it starts to rain.

A D-Day Veteran’s rally will be taking place at the State Capitol in Jefferson City from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the south steps. According to a press release, this rally will honor the heroes of D-Day and all veterans who sacrificed everything to defeat fascism abroad. This rally will also serve as a peaceful protest against fascism and in solidarity with the D-Day rally scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.

There will also be a Unite for Veterans and America’s Communities rally in Platte City from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on State Route 92 and Kentucky Ave.

Free donuts will be given to veterans, military, family and staff at the Truman VA Hospital from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday.

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Matthew Sanders

After a little dry patch, Mid-Missouri has seen all the rain it could ask for.

This week has soaked the region. On Tuesday, 2 inches of rain fell in Columbia in about six hours.

Showers have continued to sputter around the area for much of the time since then. And more are expected on Friday and Saturday.

Mid-Missouri needed rain, but this has been a bit more than enough. Are you tired of it? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Fulton man was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after witnesses claimed he shot at another man several times during a property exchange between a divorced couple.

Isaiah Freise, 24, was charged Thursday in Miller County with unlawful use of a weapon, tampering with evidence, first-degree property damage and armed criminal action. He is being held at the Miller County Jail on a $150,000 bond. A court date has not been set.

The probable cause statement says the victim arrived to Miller County to pick up a truck, trailer and four-wheeler from his ex-wife. The ex-wife’s boyfriend was present, as was Freise, the statement says.

Court documents say the victim forgot to bring a doll box and sent the wrong amount of money through a banking phone application. The statement then says the victim and witnesses told law enforcement that Freise pulled out his gun without being provoked and began firing.

More than $750 worth of damage was observed by law enforcement and seven shell casings were found, the statement says. Freise allegedly dropped off the witnesses at a residence before driving back to Callaway County, where he was arrested, the statement says.

Freise allegedly admitted to shooting at the victim, the statement says.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Just four days after short-term rentals in Columbia had to start complying with an ordinance put into place earlier this year, the Planning and Zoning Commission is set to hold five public hearings on short-term rental applications.

The ordinance was approved by the City Council, which added several amendments before passing the measure last July. Property owners had to comply by June 1.

Since taking effect in February, Columbia has received 75 short-term rental applications, with five being withdrawn, according to Development Services manager Patrick Zenner.

Under the ordinance, short-term rental owners must obtain a business license and a certificate of compliance. Depending on the type and location of the rental, some owners may also be required to apply for a conditional use permit. Additionally, all owners are responsible for paying the applicable nightly accommodation taxes to the City of Columbia.

One family who attended Thursday night’s hearing but wished to remain anynomous due to potential pushback from neighbors, called the application process “frustrating”. The family recently moved out of Columbia and were looking to rent out their home year round, however they were also surprised to learn that all of their neighbors received mailed notices about their rental plans before the hearing.

Airbnb owners ABC 17 News spoke with last March were split on the new ordinance.

Matt Ryan — who owns four Airbnb locations in Columbia — said at the time the rules could cost the city and local businesses money.

“It’s going to force people to operate outside the city limits with these properties and force guests to go outside of Columbia instead of spending their own money here in town,” Ryan said in 2024. “People who want to visit Columbia, are going to find that difficult to find an area to accommodate a bigger family.”

However, Melissa Menard — who has owned Airbnb’s for four years, which includes a property in Columbia — told ABC 17 News in March 2024 that she was unbothered by the ordinance.

“I think it’s a good thing for the city to know how many Airbnbs there are and where they are and to be able to decide what saturation they want,” Menard said in 2024. “I also know that it’s really important that there be enough rental stock, enough affordable rental stock for people. So we’re actually scheduled to stop ours in July of 2025. That’s the end of our reservations and then we’ll make it a rental because it’s necessary for Columbia’s well-being.”

Below are additional highlights from the ordinance listed on the city’s website: 

The ordinance defines three tiers of short-term rentals with maximum rental night limitations.

A dwelling unit occupied by the same individual for a period of greater than 30 consecutive days, under a signed lease, is considered a long-term rental and is not subject to the short-term rental ordinance.

Short-term rentals will have a maximum of eight occupants.

The ordinance sets a limit of one short-term rental license per owner.

Short-term rentals will require registration and inspection.

A designated agent, located within Boone County, shall be available to respond to complaints 24 hours a day, seven days a week when the operator is not available.

Short-term rentals must have the following information posted in the unit:

Certificate of compliance

Contact information for the registrant, owner and that of the designated agent representing the dwelling unit in the absence of the registrant.

Contact information for emergency services and the City’s Community Development department.

Occupancy limit as stated on certificate of short-term rental compliance.

An emergency evacuation route map

If a property has an accessory dwelling unit, only one dwelling can be used for a short-term rental.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

State Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville) is intending to run for a state senate seat next year.  

Veit was elected to represent the 59th district in 2018 and will be at the limit of his terms in the House. He will seek the District 6 seat in the Missouri Senate in the Aug. 4, 2026, Republican primary. Veit confirmed his intention to run to ABC 17 News on Thursday.

The District 6 seat is currently held by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City), who is also not able to run for the same seat because of term limits.

Veit won his most-recent reelection bid in November in an unopposed contest.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman charged with murder in the death of a 4-year-old girl in Benton County will have her case moved to another court.

Kourtney Aumen ,25, of Lincoln, Missouri, is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of first-degree assault. She and three other people were accused in the beating and killing of 4-year-old Jessica Mast in December 2020.

Aumen is being held at the Benton County Jail. Her case was ordered to be transferred to Webster County on Wednesday.

Jessica Mast’s parents – Mary Mast and James Mast – pleaded guilty to a number of crimes. Mary Mast pleaded guilty in January 2023 first-degree child endangerment, though she has a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6.

James Mast had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in November, but he filed a motion to strike multiple felonies in the case last month and filed a motion to set aside his guilty plea on May 29.

Mast is charged with second-degree felony murder, three counts of armed criminal action, one count of child abuse, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and a single count of first-degree assault. He filed a motion on May 28 to strike the armed criminal action charges, alleging that the charges do not specific a “dangerous instrument” used, court documents say.

Ethan Mast had pleaded guilty to second-degree felony murder and first-degree assault in February 2022.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would freeze property taxes, which could affect how school districts across the state are funded.

Senate Bill 3 is under discussion during a special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe that began this week. The proposal would expand a property tax credit program currently available to seniors, allowing more homeowners to apply to have their property taxes frozen at a certain level.

Counties would have the option to adopt the program or let voters decide. The bill applies to dozens of Missouri’s 115 counties including Cooper, Saline, Audrain, Monroe, Macon, Randolph, Callaway, Montgomery, Osage and Gasconade. Boone and Cole counties are not on the list.

While the bill is aimed at providing relief for homeowners, it raises concerns about a possible lack of funding for public schools and other essential local services that rely on property taxes.

The bill states eligible taxpayers are defined as residents who:

Are the owner of record of or have a legal or equitable interest in a homestead

Are liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.

The property tax credit would cover the difference between what you owe now and what you owed when you first qualified. It would hold property tax increases under 5% in some counties and flat in others.

President of the Columbia Missouri National Education Association Noelle Gilzow said school districts in the counties could face significant funding challenges

“Putting a cap on property tax or the ability to raise funds through property tax would have a negative impact on their overall budget,” Gilzow said.

While Columbia Public Schools won’t be directly impacted right now, Gilzow said CPS relies on property taxes for 50% of its total budget and larger school districts often depend on them even more.

She says without proper funding, staffing would likely take the first hit.

“If you have fewer teachers then class sizes get bigger and the ability to have one on one relationships and provide individualized attention gets reduced,” Gilzow said.

“Roughly 80% of the budget goes to personnel and salaries so I’m assuming that fraction being so large that would be the part that would be hurt first,” Gilzow added.

Gilzow says the impact wouldn’t just be felt in large districts.

“The smaller districts that may be impacted even if it isn’t as big of a piece of their budget pie and their budget are smaller any impact can have devastating impacts on the operation of a school,” Gilzow said.

Over time, this could create a funding gap with the cost of inflation, building needs and more. Gilzow said if the measure passes alternative funding would be needed but it’s unclear where it would come from.

Counties with increases frozen at 5% under bill

Butler

Carter

Dunklin

Mississippi

New Madrid

Oregon

Pemiscot

Ripley

Stoddard

Wayne

Andrew

Atchison

Caldwell

Carroll

Chariton

Clinton

Daviess

Dekalb

Gentry

Grundy

Harrison

Holt

Linn

Livingston

Mercer

Nodaway

Sullivan

Worth

Benton

Cedar

Dallas

Henry

Hickory

Pettis

Polk

St. Clair

Vernon

Cooper

Saline

Lafayette

Ray

Crawford

St. Francois

Ste. Genevieve

Washington

Platte

Buchanan

Adair

Audrain

Clark

Knox

Lewis

Macon

Marion

Monroe

Putnam

Ralls

Randolph

Schuyler

Scotland

Shelby

Jasper

Newton

Bollinger

Cape Girardeau

Iron

Madison

Perry

Reynolds

Scott

Bates

Callaway

Lincoln

Montgomery

Pike

Counties with 0% increases under bill

Cass

Johnson

Franklin

Gasconade

Osage

Warren

Jefferson

Douglas

Howell

Ozark

Shannon

Stone

Taney

Texas

Barry

Christian

Lawrence

McDonald

St. Charles

Barton

Dade

Webster

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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