Category: kmiz-local-news

Demetra Alarcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 35-year-old man was charged Monday on accusations that he tried to pay one or more teenagers for sex at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

Boone County prosecutors charged Colton Cranford on Monday with a single count of patronizing prostitution with a person between the ages of 15 and 18.

In a probable cause statement, Missouri Department of Natural Resources state park rangers wrote that they were notified of a man texting a reporting party about taking videos of children performing sex acts and soliciting sex from a minor for money.

Court records state that Cranford has an address in Columbia that is not known. Jail records state that he is from Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The report states that Cranford said he would “pay 2K each,” referring to the children.

Cranford was denied bond. The state argued that he should stay in jail because he is a danger to the community.

Cranford’s initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, where Cranford will appear on video.

According to a motion to set bond, Cranford appears to have no Missouri criminal history.

A new law that went into effect on Friday made patronizing prostitution of a person younger than 18 years old but older than 15 a Class D felony. Before, it was a Class E felony.

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Ellyse Edwards

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Nearly 20 adoption applications were submitted within the first 30 minutes of applications opening for more than 70 farm animals found abandoned at a Boone County property, according to the Central Missouri Humane Society.

Columbia/Boone County Animal Control Supervisor Kevin Meyers said his department received a call July 29 about livestock believed to have been abandoned at a property on North Dozier Station Road, east of Columbia.

Meyers said the people who lived at the property had been evicted. An animal control officer found an eviction notice posted at the property, along with sheep, goats, lambs and kids that appeared to have been left without food or water.

Some animals were found dead at the property. Meyers said many of the surviving animals were underweight and dirty.

Animal Control obtained a search-and-seizure warrant to remove the animals. The group included 24 sheep, goats and lambs, 45 chickens and two turkeys.

The sheep, goats and young livestock were temporarily housed at the former Boone County Fairgrounds. Meyers said Animal Control officers cared for them three times a day with help from the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and the Boone County Fair Board.

The chickens and turkeys were placed in foster care.

Meyers said the animals were held for 30 days before a disposition hearing. The owner had the opportunity to pay a bond of more than $19,000 to retain custody of the animals but did not have the means to pay it.

A judge ruled that the animals would be turned over to the Central Missouri Humane Society. Meyers said the former owner was issued citations and that it is now up to the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to determine what happens next.

The Humane Society is now working to find homes for the animals. The shelter began accepting applications Monday and plans to hold meet-and-greets throughout the week.

The Humane Society has operated from its current building since 1976 and does not routinely house livestock. Shelter staff used a large fenced-in field behind the building to give the animals space to graze.

“We have obviously outgrown the space,” a Humane Society representative said. “So every day is kind of an improvise, adapt, overcome when it comes to situations like this.”

All of the animals have received care from a livestock veterinarian.

People interested in adopting must make sure they are legally allowed to keep the species on their property and have appropriate housing, fencing, space and resources. Adopters will also be responsible for transporting the animals and providing their future food, supplies and veterinary care.

People who plan to keep livestock within Columbia city limits must follow the city’s livestock ordinances. Columbia generally requires an enclosure, outbuilding or pasture to have at least one-half acre for each livestock animal.

The outside boundary of the enclosure must also be at least 100 feet from another person’s home, a church, school or business unless written consent is provided.

Columbia residents may keep up to six chickens, but only hens are allowed. Roosters are prohibited within city limits.

Those interested in adopting can complete the Humane Society’s Barnyard Adoption Interest Survey. Shelter employees will contact applicants to schedule a meet-and-greet.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Patients and visitors to University Hospital in Columbia are being encouraged to allow extra time due to construction at the main entrance.

MU Health Care shared on Facebook that the main entrance and circle drive will be closed until the end of September for construction starting Monday. This includes both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The post states patients and visitors to the main hospital and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center will need to use the entrance at the Children’s Hospital.

Anyone using the Patient and Visitor Garage will still have access from the structure.

Staff and signs will be posted to assist as needed, according to the post.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man charged in a deadly 2020 Columbia shooting will not have his bond revoked after arguments in Monday morning’s pre-trial hearing.

Curtis Allen Lewis is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with a shooting that killed Tershawn Kitchen. Kitchen was a security guard at Vibez nightclub at the time of the shooting in Feb. 2020 in downtown Columbia, according to previous reporting.

Prosecutors looked to revoke Lewis’ bond Monday ahead of his trial due to an alleged domestic assault incident involving Lewis. Judge Devine denied the prosecution’s request due to inconsistencies.

There is a warrant out for Lewis’ arrest for new charges filed due to the domestic assault and the bond is set for $5,000.

On the night of the shooting, Lewis told officers he was the shooter and handed them a loaded handgun, according to the PC statement. He also allegedly told officers he was punched right before the shooting. A woman was also shot in the face, but she survived.

According to court documents, the Columbia Police Department sent Lewis’ gun to the FBI for ballistics testing while Lewis was in custody. Due to staffing shortages, the FBI never completed the tests, according to the motion to set bond.  Court documents claim the FBI still gave expected completion dates.

The case was dismissed because the FBI did not complete the ballistics test and was in possession of the gun, according to the motion to set bond in 2023.

“The FBI has returned all evidentiary items to the Columbia Police Department and this case can now proceed to trial,” the motion to set bond says.

In a letter Lewis sent to the judge, he states his concerns about his case, his ability to communicate with his lawyer, and his constitutional right to a fair and timely trial.

Lewis’ four-day jury trial is set to begin Sept. 29 with another pre-trial scheduled for Sept 18 at 3:30 p.m.

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Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ).

The Columbia Public Schools Policy Committee will continue its discussions around changes to the district’s bullying policy, with new revisions giving employees a more hands-on role.

The policy would give school employees a more active role in prevention methods when it comes to bullying. Not only are they required to report it, but the policy would expect teachers to intervene when bullying is witnessed.

“School employees, substitutes, educational contractors that work directly with students, and or volunteers are expected to intervene to prevent bullying, appropriately address the situation as allowed in their capacity in the district, assist the victim and report the incident to the building principal or designee for further investigation and action,” stated in the proposed policy.

Under the proposed policy, principals will designate at least two other teachers or administrators to receive and investigate bullying reports during the principal’s absence or at their discretion.

There is also adjustments being proposed to the timeline for handling reports. Principals or their designated employees would be required to start an investigation into the bullying incident within two school days of receiving a report. Investigations would need to be completed within 10 school days unless there is a cause for an extension.

Parents or guardians of the victim and accused student would need to be notified of a reported incident as soon as possible, and no later than two school days after a report is received; exceptions to this are outlined in the policy.

The proposal also outlines more supportive meausres for students who report bullying. Those measures listed as “no-contact agreements, extensions on deadlines, changes in schedules and accessto counseling,” as stated in the policy.

The policy also states that “appropriate district staff will educate students who are victims of bullying about how to overcome the negative effects of bullying,” as stated in the policy.

Reports of bullying will also not be subjected to just during the school year, “Online Bullying Report Forms may be submitted year-round,” according to the policy documents.

The draft also asks for bullying reports and final determinations to be documented and included in reports to the Board of Education.

The meeting will be held in the Aslin Administration Building starting at 4:45 p.m. on Monday.

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Olivia Hayes

SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ)

Officials believe a me mechanical malfunction cause a boat fire at a popular Lake of the Ozarks beachfront bar on Saturday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop F posted the aftermath of the fire to its social media. The post said it happened at Frank and Louies Beachfront Bar and Grill.

🔥Lake of the Ozarks Boat Fire🔥

Trooper Dylan Green and Corporal Brian Geier responded to Franky and Louie’s for a boat fire.

With the help of the Sunrise Beach & Rocky Mount Fire Protection Districts, the fire was extinguished. The cause remains unknown.

Nobody was injured. pic.twitter.com/NZcVlCrQIs

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) August 30, 2026

The Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District and the Rocky Mountain Fire Protection District helped to put the blaze out.

The boat is considered a total loss. No one is reported to be hurt.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A high-speed boat crash Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout left one person with serious injuries, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol post.

MSHP said the boat “Dirty Duck” got some air time while traveling at 200 miles per hour during the 38th annual boat race for charity.

The 45-year-old driver of the boat was seriously injured, the post says. The 39-year-old throttleman was not hurt.

🚤200 M.P.H. Race Boat Crashes🚤

The Dirty Duck experienced some airtime during the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.

Troopers responded to the scene to find the 45 year old driver suffering serious injuries. The 39 year old throttleman was not injured. pic.twitter.com/A8vsgylrAQ

— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) August 30, 2026

Video attached to the MSHP post shows the boat going down the lake before lifting up and flipping backward, then landing in the water, bouncing twice.

The second and final day of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Glaize Arm.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A juvenile was arrested after an armed robbery in south Columbia on Saturday evening.

According to a news release from the Columbia Police Department, officers were called to the 400 block of Maple Grove Way around 6:45 p.m.

A youth victim allegedly told police that the suspect threatened them with a gun during the incident. No injuries were reported, the release says.

An ABC 17 News reporter on scene saw at least five police vehicles and a K-9 unit.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.

Check back for updates.

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Melissa Houston

MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A celebration of life was held for Cheryl Gravitt, 57, who was the victim of a shooting on Sunday, August 23.

Gravitt’s family held a celebration in Gravitt’s honor at 4 p.m. on Saturday and invited community members to attend. The event was held at Rothwell Park, and according to the nephew, Jacob Gravitt, the event was filled with laughter and memories of Cheryl Gravitt.

Jacob Gravitt gave a speech during the celebration and said he was happy with the turnout for the event and how many lives his Aunt C touched.

“My aunt is happy; she’s not sick anymore,” said Gravitt. She loved everyone, whether you’re blood,  whether you’re a friend or family member. She loved every one of y’all deeply.”

The man charged with allegedly shooting Gravitt is Christopher Viley, 51, who was taken into custody on Thursday after a standoff with Moberly Police.

Viley is facing charges of first-degree murder, and his initial hearing is set for Monday at 1:30 p.m.

On Sunday night, the Moberly Police Department responded to a shots-fired call. When they arrived on scene, they found Gravitt lying in the driveway of her house with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. She was taken to the hospital, and officials report she was pronounced dead in the ambulance.

ABC spoke with the nephew of Gravitt, in previous reporting, who said his family was overwhelmed with justice and sadness when his aunt’s suspect was arrested.

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Alison Patton

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Cattlemen Days Rodeo parade kicks off the second and final day of the Ashland rodeo. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, but traffic impacts start as early as 8 a.m., with road closures.

The Ashland Police Department posted the parade route on Facebook, noting the road closures and asking people to find an alternate route.

According to the Cattlemen Days Rodeo, the parade route will start at the Optimist Building, located at 511 Optimist Drive, go south on Henry Clay Boulevard, then turn onto East Broadway heading west, then go north on Main Street, and east on Ash Street, before heading back to the start on Henry Clay Boulevard.

APD expects traffic to be restricted between 8-10:30 a.m., and asks people not to move any barricades, cones or pass through traffic control points.

Closed roads will reopen as the last float passes by.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw APD officers opening roads at the end of the parade around 9:30 a.m. There were about 20 parade participants.

Many of the participants were on horseback, including co-chair of the Cattlemen Days Rodeo Chase Thomas.

Saturday is the last day of the annual event, and the last rodeo is at 8 p.m. at the Ashland Cedar Valley Riders Arena. Thomas said tickets were running low, but it’s worthwhile because all proceeds go back to the community.

“All the money that gets brought up here, we give back to the Ashland Optimists and the [Cedar Valley Riders] Saddle Club, and they do good things with it, pushing it back out to youth sports and community programs,” Thomas said.

He also said the rodeo is recognized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

“So all that means is we’re the NFL of the rodeo world. It’s a professional-level event, and there’s not very many of them in Missouri,” Thomas said.

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