Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 73-year-old Columbia man was charged with four felonies after he allegedly threatened to kill a woman in front of a police officer on Friday.

Conrad Brown was charged with first-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and third-degree domestic assault. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court appearance was held on Monday.

The probable cause statement says Brown was upset about getting a traffic ticket and hit the victim with a bottle, which caused a cut inside her mouth. Brown then allegedly tried to hit the victim with his cane, but she was able to get away with her child and call the police, court documents say.

While a police officer was speaking with the victim, Brown allegedly walked outside while holding a knife, the statement says. Brown allegedly yelled that he was going to kill the victim, court documents say.

After police detained him, Brown allegedly made comments about “knowing people in New York to get him out of this,” court documents say.

The victim allegedly told police there was another incident where Brown tried to choke her, the statement says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The eight-days-before-election financial reports were due at 5 p.m. Monday to the Missouri Ethics Commission and all four candidates for the Columbia Board of Education submitted theirs on time.

Four people are running for three spots. Board President John Lyman, Vice President Paul Harper and Boardmember April Ferrao are trying to retain a spot on the board, while Dr. Keary Husain is looking to get on the board for the first time.

MEC filings show Lyman has raised $500 this election cycle and has $695 on hand heading into the home stretch. Harper has raised 1,473 this election and has $1,060.01 on hand, while Ferrao raised $1,612.99 and has $1,170. 25 on hand and Husain raised $690 this election while having $500 on hand.

For the city of Columbia council race, Don Waterman – who is running for the Fifth Ward seat – has raised $8,850 for this election cycle and has $2,866 on hand. The latest report for Christina Hartman, also running for the Fifth Ward, was not available as of Monday evening.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 7.

Check back for updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR’S NOTE: A date has been corrected.

After filing a lawsuit on Friday against the Missouri Heart Center, Boone Health announced on Monday that it is separating from the Columbia-based cardiology group.

According to a release from Boone Health, a select group of physicians from Missouri Heart notified Boone Health that it would be ending an more-than-decade-long partnership on Wednesday, May 6. 

“No cause was given when they sent us the notice that they wanted to end the relationship,” Boone Health CEO Brady Dubois said in a statement. “This is very disappointing because it’s clear that this is about nothing more than a desire to align with Venture Capital over our community hospital. Additionally, this is being driven by a small, select group of physician partners at Missouti Heart. It’s clear that not all the partners agree with this decision.”  

Boone Health estimated during a press conference on Monday that the split is expected to affect 20,000 patients.

Boone Health added that any active cardiology patients can connect with Missouri Heart until May 6 for prescriptions. After May 6, patients will have to contact their primary care provider for any necessary prescription refills. Boone Health is asking all patients without a primary care provider to contact 573-815-8000 or visit their website for help establishing a care provider. 

The separation comes after Boone Health filed a lawsuit accusing Missouri Heart of disclosing or misusing confidential information, including billing rates, reimbursement data, and strategic business details during its transition to new partnerships with outside organizations.

Boone Health alleges it entered into a professional services agreement with Missouri Heart in 2016, which included a conflict of interest and confidentiality provision. 

In January 2021, the two sides updated the agreement, saying Boone Health agreed to provide space and financial resources to Missouri Heart, while also giving them exclusive rights to staff Boone Health’s in-patient services and out-patient cardiology clinics. However, under the agreement, Boone Health owns all patient, business and financial records. 

In November 2025, Boone Health alleges that Missouri Heart sent a letter asking to terminate the agreement without cause. Boone Health claims after receiving the letter, it requested to extend the termination date and asked to meet with Missouri Heart to discuss a transition plan, a request that Missouri Heart did not respond to. 

On Jan. 27, Boone Health says it was sent a proposal from Missouri Heart’s legal counsel for a “Fourteenth Amendment” to the agreement, which stated that if Heart & Vascular Partners LLC or its affiliates acquire part or all of Missouri Heart’s ownership or assets, it would not count as a “Change of Control” under the agreement. However, the amendment clarifies that this acquisition wouldn’t release Missouri Heart from any of its existing obligations under the original contract.

Boone Health declined to sign, claiming that it questioned whether it’s confidentiality agreements with Missouri Heart had been shared with Heart & Vascular Partners, because “it seems unlikely HVP would consent to be added to an agreement they have not seen and nor have information of its value.” 

In February, Boone Health then claims it requested information from Missouri Heart that was necessary for the transition, which included a list of patients and access to its data, a request that Missouri Heart ignored. 

“We’ve asked for multiple meetings,  we’ve asked for multiple data.  They have absolutely refused to give it to us  or they have not replied at all.  They even instructed their I.T. director not to talk with us,” Boone Health spokesperson Christian Basi said during a press conference on Monday.

On March 9, Boone Health says it met with Missouri Heart representatives to discuss its demands. After the meeting, Boone Health said it was apparent they needed to begin to build their own cardiology department to ensure continuity of care for patients after May 9. 

On March 16, Missouri Heart sent a letter to Boone Health indicating it was planning to enter an agreement with a private equity firm to continue practicing in Columbia, something Boone Health believed was a violation of their agreement. 

A day later, Boone Health alleged it asked Missouri Heart to reconsider and offered a new agreement to allow the group to continue practicing in Columbia. 

According to court documents, a renewed agreement was signed in 2021 covering professional services and management of Boone Health’s cardiology operations, but it says Missouri Heart did not respond. 

On March 20, Boone Health said it received a “cease and desist letter” from Missouri Heart’s lawyers that stated it intended to enforce internal three-year, non-compete agreements with any Missouri Heart physicians who stay with Boone Health and threatened Boone Health with “legal liability” for “tortious interference with Missouri Heart contractual agreements.” 

Seven days later, Boone Health filed a lawsuit claiming that Missouri Heart violated its agreements by preparing to launch a competing cardiology practice in Columbia. The lawsuit also argues the planned venture would violate the noncompete’s geographic and time restrictions under Missouri law.

Dr. James T. Elliott of MO Heart disagreed with allegations in the lawsuit through a written statement sent to ABC 17 News on Friday. 

“For months, we have tried to meet with the leadership team at Boone Health to work constructively towards a new, collaborative arrangement that would preserve access to and expand high‑quality care for our patients and for the entire community. Unfortunately, Boone refused to engage with us in any meaningful way. Instead, we have been met with a series of escalating legal threats, culminating in today’s filing,” the statement reads.

“We disagree with the lawsuit’s allegations and believe those claims are both legally and factually incorrect. This litigation does not change our commitment to caring for patients.”

Boone Health denied these claims, writing in a statement: 

“Contrary to Missouri Heart’s posts on social media and statement to KMIZ, they made the decision to terminate the PSA and MSA and end their contractual relationship with Boone Health. In their letter, Missouri Heart said it was terminating the agreements “without cause”. The date Missouri Heart provided is May 6, 2026. They set this date.” 

ABC 17 News reached out to Missouri Heart for additional comment on Monday afternoon.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two women were charged with first-degree assault after they were accused of attacking someone Friday in a trailer court on Clark Lane.

Kennadie George, 18, and Trinity Carleton, 20, both of Columbia, are being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. They both had court appearances on Monday afternoon.

The probable cause statement says the victim and a witness were going to meet someone on Friday night referred to as a subject. The “subject” drove up to the victim and witness; and George and Carleton got out of the car and began assaulting the victim, the statement says.

The statement says George slammed the victim’s head into the pavement about 20 times before George and Carleton dragged the victim to a rock flower bed and slammed the victim’s head into rocks, the statement says. The victim had visible injuries, including bleeding, when officers arrived and had to be brought to University Hospital.

George allegedly admitted to part of the assault, but denied slamming the victim’s head into a flower bed, despite police noting blood was seen next to rocks where a witness described seeing the assault, the statement says.

A video allegedly showed part of the assault, court documents say.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The man who pleaded guilty last month to multiple felonies in the 2022 Columbia prowler case was sentenced on Monday afternoon.

Guillermo Vasquez Hernandez, 35, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts forgery. He received a 10-year prison sentence and will be given credit for time served.

His lawyer argued for the minimum sentence of 5 years. The defense said Vasquez had no prior felonies and that keeping him in a Missouri prison would be a burden to taxpayers, as Vasquez is in the country illegally.

On a search of his home is Oct. 2024, officers found a fake social security card and a green card with Vasquez’s picture on it, but a different name.

He was previously charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, two counts of forgery and a count of misdemeanor stealing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail. Jail records also indicate he is being held on an immigration detainer. He will be deported back to Mexico following the completion of his sentence.

According to court documents in previous reporting, Vasquez’s fingerprints have been connected to at least three cases of a man violating the privacy of multiple women.

One of his victims addressed the court today detailing the ways her life has changed due to Vasquez. Kelly Cook said she was taking a bath in her apartment on Aug. 9, 2022 when she made eye contact with Vasquez as he was walking down her hallway. She chased him out of her apartment through the window that he broke in through.

“Every small noise makes my heart race. I double check locks, sometimes 3 or 4 times and I still find myself lying awake with a pocket knife in my hand underneath my pillow wondering if that was enough to keep me safe,” Cook said.

Columbia police released the first statement asking for the community’s help in identifying a suspected prowler on Nov. 8, 2022. The victim’s ages ranged from 20-30 years old. Many of the incidents happened in south Columbia, with many occurring at apartments off of South Old 63.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was arrested on Friday after having a high-speed chase with law enforcement in the wrong lane of Highway 63 was charged on Monday.

Emily Berry, 48, of Columbia, was charged with aggravated fleeing and misdemeanor driving while revoked. A court appearance was held on Monday and she is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.

She is accused of driving away from a traffic stop in Ashland after an officer said she had warrants for her arrest, court documents say. She drove northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 63 and drove to Columbia at 105 miles per hour, the statement says.

Traffic began to slow down once she reached Columbia and law enforcement used spikes to try to stop her, the statement says. She eventually stopped when she was boxed in by a semi-truck, the statement says.  

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man is accused of putting another man in the emergency room after he allegedly assaulted him with a candle holder on March 25.

James Couch, 32, was charged on Monday with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Monday.

The probable cause statement says the victim’s ear “was nearly cut in half” and that he had “deep gouges” on his face when police saw him on Wednesday at University Hospital. The officer also noted other cuts on the victim’s body in the probable cause statement.

The victim claimed Couch attacked him from behind while he was at a residence on Highview Avenue, the statement says. The victim claimed it was “out of character for Couch, but there were drugs involved including Adderall, meth, marijuana and Xanax,” court documents say.

Police at the Highview Avenue residence found a pool of blood in the home and on the walls, as well as in the passenger seat of a vehicle, the statement says. Two people described seeing the attack, which allegedly involved a candle holder.

One of the witnesses allegedly told police that Couch told them he needed to go to a hospital “or he may kill somebody,” the statement says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two 13-year-old boys were accused of making threats against Camdenton Middle School, according to a Monday press release from the Camdenton Police Department.

CPD wrote that it received information at 8:15 p.m. Sunday about threats shared to a social media website “of an individual threatening to shoot up Camdenton Middle School.”

The name of the website was not identified by police, but the department wrote it was assisted by the website and the FBI during the investigation.

Police wrote that it identified two Camdenton Middle School students “as being responsible for the posting of the threats on social media.” The names of the boys were not released.

Police contacted the parents to do interviews with the boys and one of them allegedly admitted to posting the threats, but “both stated they had no intent to follow through,” the release says.

The release says charges were referred to the Camden County Juvenile Justice Center.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Camdenton School District on Monday morning.

Check back for updates.  

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man accused in the armed robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville last week will appear in court on Tuesday.

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, 21, of Columbia, is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail on a $1.3 million bond. His arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Cooper County Courthouse.

Hollis Vanleer Jr. 20, of Normal, Illinois, is still at-large. He was charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. The Missouri State Highway Patrol wrote in a Friday press release that Vanleer “should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who encounters Vanleer should immediately call 911 and not approach him.”

Court documents claim Charles and Vanleer took $1.28 million from the casino on Wednesday, March 25. A patron allegedly tackled one of the masked men, but the pair got away after one of the men hit the patron, court documents in previous reporting say.

The pair drove a 1998 Ford Taurus to Howard County and abandoned it before getting into a second vehicle, previous reporting indicates. Charles was identified from information found on a receipt in the Ford, court documents say.

The Missouri Gaming Commission on Thursday, March 26, identified Charles as a casino employee while he was on duty, court documents say. The money taken from the robbery has still not been located.

Charles allegedly told officials that the robbery had been planned for a month and that he bought homemade explosives from someone to use as a distraction, court documents say.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Deuce Pub and Pit is the first bar in Columbia to be approved for extended hours during the World Cup.

The Deuce so far is the only bar to apply for the extended hours, according to an email from Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau Megan McConachie.

A Missouri law would allow for bars to serve alcohol for 23 hours a day during the period when the World Cup is occurring this summer. However, Columbia opted to just extend bar hours by one hour on select dates when World Cup games are scheduled late.

Businesses may apply to make their closing times for 2:30 a.m. on:

June 14

June 17

June 20

June 21

June 23

June 27

July 3

The application fees to participate are $100.

Click here to follow the original article.