Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has been denied her requests for a change of venue and a bond.

Melissa Sanders, 26, on Dec. 29 had asked a judge to give her a bond and to change the venue of her case. Judge Joshua Devine declined both requests on Wednesday. Sanders has a hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. She is being held at the Phelps County Jail.

Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a number of dead dogs, including a dozen dog skulls, were found at the property of the business when law enforcement served a search warrant, according to court documents in previous reporting. Several malnourished dogs were also found at the property.

Court documents say at least two living dogs that were found were on the brink of death.

The living dogs were turned over to the Central Missouri Humane Society after Sanders was arrested. A number of the dogs have been returned to their owners, while others are being fostered.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies Thursday — the same subsidies that led to the longest-ever government shutdown last year.

The House passed the legislation 230-196, with many Republican members defecting to join Democrats to approve the bill. Not among them was Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raytown), who represents parts of Mid-Missouri, including areas of Columbia and Boone County.

“Extending this broken system without reforms would cost taxpayers more than $90 billion while hiding the true cost of Obamacare at a time when the U.S. government already spends more per capita on health care than any other developed nation,” Alford wrote in a statement posted on social media. “Instead of continuing to enrich insurance companies at the expense of patient care, we should fix what’s broken and lowering care costs instead of expanding wasteful government spending.”

The issue was forced to the floor after members signed a petition to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to put the bill to a vote. It now goes to the Senate.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would increase the country’s deficit by about $80 billion over a decade, but would provide insurance coverage for millions of people.

None of Missouri’s six Republican House members voted for the bill.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Eldon man was charged on Wednesday in Miller County after he allegedly sent revenge porn to his ex-wife.

Brad Hulsey, 51, was charged with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. He was arrested on Wednesday and bonded out of jail at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, according to Miller County Jail records. An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The probable cause statement says the woman went to the Eldon Police Department on Monday and claimed Hulsey was sending her pornographic images from a new phone. Court documents claim Hulsey had threatened to send the images of the woman to members or her family.

The next day, the woman dropped off a thumb drive that had several messages from Hulsey that were allegedly related to him sending the photos, the statement says.

Hulsey was interviewed by police on Wednesday and allegedly claimed that he sent the images because he was mad that he could not see his child, the statement says. Police wrote they had to restrain Hulsey at some point during the interview.

Police then wrote that they have responded to “multiple calls for service in reference” to Hulsey having a dispute with the victim.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with a felony on Thursday after he led authorities on a chase Wednesday between Columbia and Hallsville, court documents say.

Anthony Orourke, 52, was charged with aggravated fleeing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond and a court date has not been scheduled.

He was sentenced to five years of probation in 2023 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of felony stealing. A probation violation was reported in December and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The probable cause statement says a Flock camera had detected Orourke’s vehicle near Ballenger Lane and Clark Lane. Orourke stopped at a Casey’s location on Clark Lane and while Orourke went back to his vehicle, police told him to stop, the statement says. Orourke allegedly told the cop he had a gun and the officer tried to pull open the driver’s side door of the vehicle while Orourke was in the driver’s seat, the statement says.

The officer then wrote that he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Orourke while he gave commands, but Orourke drove away, the statement says.

The chase went up to Hallsville and back toward Columbia before Orourke drove into a field, court documents say. The statement says a K-9 bit Orourke before Orourke was taken into custody.

Click here to follow the original article.

Euphenie Andre

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Carlos Graham is the newest member of the Jefferson City Board of Education.

Graham was unanimously picked by the board to take the open seat left by former board President Erika Leonard. The board made its decision by a public vote during its Thursday night meeting.

Graham was sworn in immediately following the vote and wasted no time stepping into his new role. Moments after taking the oath, he took his seat at the board table, officially beginning his service.

“I just really want to work with the current board members and see what issues are out there, if any,” Graham said. “And make sure that our students are prepared to go to the next level.”

Leonard retired in December, saying she wanted to dedicate more time to her family and career. Following her resignation, the board opened the application process to fill the vacant seat from Dec. 11 through Jan. 7. Two candidates applied during that period: Graham and Ryan Towner.

Towner congratulated Graham following the decision.

“I’ve worked with Carlos on a couple other city commissions. He’s great. He’ll do a great job, and I congratulate him for winning,” Towner said.

Towner is also running for a seat in the April election.

“I think it is important that Jefferson City is distinguished from other schools. I think it’s important that everybody that grows up here returns and continues to give back, especially those that live here,” Towner said.

Graham has two daughters who graduated from Jefferson City High School. He has worked at Lincoln University in roles that include residential life director and interim chief of staff.

“I think our role is to make sure that our school district is promoting students who are ready to prepare for college,” Graham said. “Our teachers do a great job, and it’s about providing the support they need to help students get to that next level.”

Graham is also involved in local public service organizations and was recently awarded the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award in 2024.

“I’m just very excited to be a part of this,” Graham said. “I want to thank the school board members for having the faith and confidence in me. I promise to do the best of my ability while serving in this role.”

Although Towner was not selected for the vacant school board seat Thursday, his application showed extensive professional and community experience.

Towner is the owner and the president of Towner Communication Systems Inc. He holds degrees in psychology and philosophy and a master’s degree in business administration. He has been on the city’s Transportation and Traffic Commission and the United Way’s fund allocation committee. He has also spent time of the advisory boards of the Nichols Career Center, State Tech, the Salvation Army and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

“Being a product of public school, I’d like for my kids and other kids to have the same positive experience I did,” Towner wrote in his application. “[Two] of my five kids are new to public school and I want to help educate others about how amazing JC schools are today. I believe the district is moving in the right direction and I want to help further that with all kids. I believe my experience will help me in assisting the district.”

Trent Vallandingham, who is running for the Jefferson City School Board in April, was also in attendance at Thursday night’s meeting. Vallandingham said he is seeking a seat in the spring election because he wants to serve his community.

“I went to Jeff City schools from all the way from elementary through high school.” Vallandingham said. “Both my parents were teachers. My dad was a coach in the district as well under Pete Atkins. So, you know, just really want to get back to the district,”

Graham will serve the rest of Leonard’s term, which runs through April 2027.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hundreds of Ameren Missouri customers in the Osage County area lost power Thursday afternoon after a wave of strong thunderstorms moved through.

An Ameren Missouri spokesperson said the outages were because of the weather. About 500 meters were dark in the Loose Creek and Westphalia area early Thursday afternoon.

More than 200 Gasconade Electric Cooperative members in Pulaski County were also without power at about 2 p.m.

Wind gusts of more than 20 mph were recorded at the Columbia Regional Airport on Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon.

More storms are possible Thursday afternoon.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County jury found a Fayette woman guilty of murder and other charges in an 8-month-old girl’s death from 2021.

Jennifer Johnson, 49, was found guilty on Thursday of felony murder in the second degree and two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child in the April 2021 death of Hannah Kent. She will be held at the Boone County Jail until her sentencing, which should occur within six weeks.

According to court documents, Hannah’s mother, Lanetta Hill, found the child about 8:30 a.m. unresponsive and cool to the touch after returning home and immediately noticed bruising. Hill took the infant to Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Testimony during the first two days of the trial detailed Hannah’s condition after being left in Johnson’s care. Police and medical witnesses described bruising and brain injuries consistent with recent trauma.

Hill testified she had been friends with Johnson for more than a decade and had previously trusted her to watch her children, though it was the first time Johnson had cared for Hannah.

Hannah’s sister, Jynasha Hill, testified that the baby appeared normal before she left the house that evening, but said Johnson was in the bathroom when she departed.

Jurors also heard recorded statements in which Johnson denied any knowledge of what had happened. Phone records, however, showed messages sent from her phone about drugs during hours she said she was asleep.

Investigators testified they found baby formula on Johnson’s clothing, and testing showed blood on the shirt belonged to Hannah. Johnson told police she had changed clothes after showering.

The state called its final witnesses Thursday, including a Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab employee who testified that residue found on a bag among Johnson’s belongings tested positive for methamphetamine.

Johnson told the judge Thursday that she would not testify in her own defense. The defense then rested without calling any witnesses. The move followed the defense’s decision to reserve its opening statement on Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cole County commissioners approved a 2026 budget burdened by lower-than-expected tax revenue on Thursday.

The county ended 2025 with $56.4 million in reserves and is expected to bring in $64.4 million in 2026. However, commissioners anticipate spending $92.9 million throughout the year, which includes $32.8 million in capital projects.

Cole County Auditor Jay Moore said the county needs to watch its spending this year, now that federal stimulus funds from the COVID-19 pandemic are running dry.

“Governments have a tendency, when they receive big funds of money, to maybe overspend,” Moore said. “Well, those days have come to an end. So, we’re having to cut back on our spending, watch everything we do.”

Capital improvement sales tax ended the year with only a 0.6% increase in revenue, when it was projected to grow by 2%. Moore said sales tax is one of the main streams of revenue for the county, and the new budget doesn’t project an increase — it stays flat.

“Sales tax is lagging, not growing like it could or should,” Commissioner Harry Otto said. “That may be due to too many of us buying on Amazon rather than going down to the mortar and brick store.”

There is one way the sales tax could grow, but it depends on Governor Mike Kehoe’s tax plan, which he plans to announce Tuesday at the State of the State Adress.

Kehoe has been open about his intent to eliminate income tax, and there are two ways to make that happen. The governor can either expand what is taxable to include services or increase the sales tax rate.

Otto said an expansion of the sales tax base would benefit the county because that would increase the amount of tax-eligible products and services.

The county also has a use tax for online purchases, which Moore said is bringing in more money.

The commissioners also approved a resolution to renew the capital improvement sales tax for 2027, which will need voter approval in April. If approved by voters, the sales tax will be in effect for 10 years and start in January 2027.

Cole County has a self-insurance plan and stop-gap policy, so when any county employee files a claim with their insurance that is more than $80,000, the county pays that claim and is reimbursed from the insurance, Moore said.

The county saw more people filing claims about the $80,000 line in 2025, and also saw a 20% increase in health insurance premiums for 2026, Moore said. The rising cost of claims and frequency at which people are filing them could cause the county to look at alternative insurance options.

“This will be a fund that I will continue to monitor into 2026 to see if we can continue to be self-insured going forward,” Moore said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two men accused of a 2022 murder in Columbia pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon, just days before going to trial.

They’ll likely serve nearly two decades in prison per the terms of the plea agreement.

Oscar Ashford and Samarion Robins entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said the state agreed to 18 years in prison for each man. Sentencing is set for Monday.

The two were charged in the death of 15-year-old Aubry Doxley in 2022 on McKee Street.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped one count of armed criminal action.

Ashford and Robins were set for a joint trial to start on Monday. A pretrial conference was held hours before the guilty pleas were entered.

At the pretrial conference, prosecutors revealed cell phone data that they said showed Robins and Ashford in the area of McKee Street when the shooting happened that left Doxley dead and two others hurt.

One of those hurt included Tavan Williams-Patrick. Court documents placed him in the back seat of the car during the shooting. Charges were dropped against Williams-Patrick in Aug.

Prosecutors said cell phone data also placed Ashford and Robins at an area hospital following the shooting, when Williams-Patrick was dropped off.

A final disposition and sentencing hearing for Robins and Ashford is set for Monday afternoon.

Charges are still active against another defendant, Daniel Ayers. Court documents say he allegedly told Doxley’s cousin, Coriana Simmons, what had happened. Ayers claimed Ashford was driving the car while Robins fired shots out of the passenger window. Ayers told Smith he did not fire any shots.

However, the state believes the shooting was retaliation for a shooting Ayers was involved in days prior, along with conflicts dating back to 2020.

Ayers is set to go to trial in April for his charges of second-degree muder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Eldon held a town-hall meeting on Wednesday night at the city’s community center to discuss a recent boil order.

The area was under a boil order from the Department of Natural Resources for three weeks until this past Tuesday.

City officials on Wednesday night gave a time line on the water tests that led to the boil order, and the next steps to improve the city’s water infrastructure. The city says it plans to flush the water system and gradually chlorinate the water over the next week. The flushing will be carried out by the Missouri Rural Water Association. The project is expected to cost between $8,000-$20,000 and will begin Thursday morning.

About 60 residents attended Wednesday night’s meeting, voiced their concerns and gave suggestions on how the city can do better. 

“I think it went very well. I think that a lot of our citizens were here in support of our community and the work that has been done,” City Administrator Mandy Asbury said. “We always have opportunities to learn during times like this. And so I think that any time something like this happens, in the future we know what to do a little better.”

Click here to follow the original article.