Category: kmiz-local-news

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

City of Columbia officials will conduct their own walk around downtown Columbia, but they won’t announce the date and time in advance, a city spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Sydney Olsen said Mayor Barabare Buffaloe and city leaders are planning their own walk-through of downtown that will not be publicized in advance. Officials want to “organically review the environment without drawing attention with a large crowd,” Olsen said.

University of Missouri President Mun Choi walked through downtown this past weekend — an off weekend for Missouri football — after a shooting the week before that injured two and killed one. Columbia Police pledged to step up patrols to help stop the violence.

A spokesperson with the Columbia Police Department said this past weekend went well, and extra patrols will continue.

Capt. Brian Leer said the Boone County Sheriff’s Office has assigned four deputies to assist CPD officers on Friday and Saturday nights.

“They patrolled the downtown area to assist CPD as needed.  I think they made a couple of traffic stops, checked a couple of subjects, and backed CPD on various incidents,” Leer said.

Leer said the department’s regular patrols were not impacted as this was an additional detail of deputies placed in downtown.

Sarah Yoro-Massad, a spokesperson for the University of Missouri’s Police Department, said MUPD officers made arrests over the weekend in downtown.

On Friday and Saturday nights between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. MUPD data shows officers responded to four liquor law offenses, an assault and a traffic offense.

CPD dispatch logs on Friday and Saturday nights, also between the hours of 9 p.m.-6 a.m., CPD officers made nearly 50 traffic stops and had more than 50 check subject calls. Officers were sent to five calls for reports of a disturbance, one call specific to a peace disturbance and six calls to assist a citizen in the downtown area.

Officers were also dispatched eight times for a foot patrol and called to assist another officer or first responding agency five times.

The extra officers did not go un noticed by locals in the area. Janine Daniels, a manager at Tellers, told ABC 17 News she saw more officers on foot patrolling the area and on the streets pulling cars over.

Daniels said she often works at night downtown and the extra officers make her feel safer. She explained that Tellers has started locking its doors earlier at night because of the recent safety concerns. Staff also walks in groups to their cars during the late night hours.

She appreciated the other proactive crime efforts of CPD, like ticketing people for jaywalking, but she claims people loitering and the lack of action toward people who have open containers is influencing Columbia’s crime problem more than jay walking.

CPD’s Street Crimes Unit arrested a man with a gun during a traffic stop Friday night at Eighth and Cherry streets, according to a CPD news release. Damion Hunt was arrested on suspicion of illegal gun possession, the release says. Hunt was convicted of second-degree assault in connection with a 2019 downtown shooting, making him a felon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol had troopers assisting operations as well. Sgt. Kyle Green said the highway patrol will not release manpower numbers for downtown patrol operations.

No city leaders were present at Saturday’s walkthrough.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Camden County’s presiding commissioner pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor after being charged with stealing a license plate reader.

Todd Isaac “Ike” Skelton pleaded guilty to the Class B misdemeanor of obstructing a government operation, according to online court records. He was originally charged with felony stealing and tampering with a service in addition to the government obstruction charge.

Skelton was charged with taking a license plate camera on New Year’s Eve on Highway 54 in Camden County. Nick Komoroski was appointed as prosecutor over the case.

Skelton said in a news release Monday that the camera was unauthorized. Skelton asserted that no law gives the Missouri Department of Public Safety or any contractor authority to operate these cameras.

“To eliminate prolonged cost and distraction for taxpayers and his family,” Skelton agreed to resolve the case with a guilty plea, the release states. Skelton labeled the use of a license plate camera an “illegal government operation.”

Judge Aaron Martin ordered Skelton to pay a $500 fine and court costs.

Skelton continues to push that license plate reading technology is a violation of the Constitution.

“Considering the circumstances, this is an outcome that I was obviously willing to accept, I believe that we still were in the right, but everything being considered, this was a much more responsible thing to do,” Skelton said. “They are absolutely an affront to your liberty and your freedom to move about the country without being tracked. Every single where you go.”

Skelton, a Republican, was last elected in 2022 after running unopposed.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman accused of shooting at another woman in the parking lot of the Conley Road Walmart pleaded guilty to six counts Monday.

Whitney Nevels-McKee, 37, is accused of shooting a gun in May 2024 outside the store. A witness told ABC 17 News that he saw a woman with a gun acting erratically and that she tried to carjack a vehicle.

A reporter saw gunshot damage to a car in the parking lot. No injuries were reported.

Nevels-McKee was charged with crimes, including carjacking, armed criminal action and stealing a gun. The state dropped an unlawful use of a weapon charge in exchange for a guilty plea.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 24.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia leaders will discuss several topics at Monday night’s City Council meeting, including the city’s strategic plan and updates from the Office of Violence Prevention.

The first item on the council’s agenda is the city’s strategic plan. This comes after city leaders voted to keep Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion language in the plan in June, following months of proposed changes. The following month, then Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced an investigation into the city’s decision-making practices.

The city will also be hearing an update from the Office of Violence Prevention with plans for growth, initiatives and objectives. Members are set to approve the city’s legislative priorities for 2026, which include amending the state law to match federal law on minors possessing handguns.

Council members will also discuss an agreement with Federal Recycling for the city to get 50% of the net value of the material after processing and baling costs. The city will not need to make payments to Federal International Recycling and Waste Solutions even if the material value is zero.

The city will discuss renovations at the Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center. Four million dollars for upgrades includes the plumbing and mechanical systems, the addition of an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant zero-depth entry pool, new water features, expanded shade structures and updates to the diving boards and ADA pool chair lift.

A $616,000 contract to build a sidewalk on Broadway between Maplewood Drive and West Boulevard is also on the agenda. According to the agenda, the Missouri Department of Transportation will pay for more than $400k of this to fill a sidewalk gap along Broadway in Columbia.

The pre-council meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday to discuss the city’s strategic plan. The regular council meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

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Matthew Sanders

The Missouri Tigers had a great weekend without lifting a finger.

The Tigers were on bye, but still hopped five spots in the AP Top 25 rankings thanks to chaos above them to land at No. 14. Mizzou is undefeated at 5-0 on the season, including a conference win over South Carolina, and the Tigers’ running attack is vaunted. As is quarterback Beau Pribula.

But Mizzou, famously, always has its doubters, especially in the “just means more” SEC.

A major test is coming up Saturday, when Alabama comes to Columbia.

Do you think these Tigers are a top-15 team at this point in the season?

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drivers traveling along eastbound Interstate 70 near Range Line Street can expect some relief beginning Monday morning.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said Sunday night marks the final night of lane closures in the area, as crews complete ongoing paving and striping work.

Over the weekend, one lane of eastbound I-70 between Range Line Street and U.S. 63 was closed around the clock. MoDOT crews have been working continuously since Friday to construct new eastbound lanes near Paris Road, part of a major infrastructure improvement project.

“Just leave ahead of time. That is key,” driver Damian Dean, who frequently travels through the construction zone said. “Normally, I leave early enough that it doesn’t bother me, but when you forget about it, or when traffic backs up near Stadium Boulevard, that becomes a problem.”

All ramps in the area remain open, though MoDOT is encouraging people to drive with caution tonight as crews finish the final phase of this weekend’s work.

The department expects the road to fully reopen by 6 a.m. Monday.

“That’s good for traffic flow, especially after the weekend travel,” Dean said. “And then people with the new amount of travelers coming through i-70 from all the trucks and all.”

The closure is part of the state’s Improve I-70 Program, a $405 million initiative focused on expanding the highway from Columbia to Kingdom City. The project includes adding a third lane in each direction and making major interchange upgrades at Routes 63 and 54. Once complete, MoDOT said drivers can expect safer and more efficient travel across mid-Missouri.

MoDOT continues to urge drivers to remain alert in active work zones by slowing down, putting phones away, and following all posted signage.

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Alison Patton

KINGDOM CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Matthew Tobben, Boone County Fire Protection District assistant fire chief, was honored Saturday at a memorial service for fallen fighters. A total of 10 firefighters who died while on duty were honored at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri.

Tobben died last July during a water rescue while trying to save two people from flooding in Columbia’s Bear Creek.

Before coming to Boone County in May 2024, the 42-year-old served with Missouri Task Force 1 for 12 years and was previously with the fire department in Union, Missouri, for 19 years.

Brian Zinanni, Supporting Heroes survivor outreach cooridinator, works directly with families who lost a familiy member in the line of duty. He worked with all 10 families who had someone honored Saturday.

Zinanni said families told him the memorial service is a heavy day.

“They always want to know that their loved one’s not been forgotten, yet it’s another reminder of what happened. So, it’s mixed emotions many times for them,” Zinanni said.

Chris Shafer lost his son to a post traumatic stress disorder incident after Matthew Shafer worked his last shift with the Lawson Fire-Rescue Protection District in 2021.

Chris said the service brings up a mix of emotions.

“Everyday is really hard. You know, it’s a hole in your heart that never goes away, but I’m proud of my boy,” Chris said.

Chris told ABC 17 his son is the first PTSD-related on-duty death that has been nationally recognized.

The Johnson County Fire Protection District lost Captain Vernon Collett in March. Collett had a medical emergency while putting out a controlled burn that went out of control, according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Safety.

Fire Chief Larry Jennings said his whole team felt the loss.

“We’ve had several meetings, and we’ve had the opportunity to talk through it and deal with it. We have collectively, I think, mourned,” Jennings said.

The memorial service follows a candlelight vigil Saturday honoring Missouri’s fallen firefighters.

“Missourians are indebted to the members of the fire service who courageously gave their lives in the line of duty,” Governor Mike Kehoe was quoted in the press release. “They acted as true heroes, shielding others from harm and protecting homes and businesses.”

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 57-year-old man from Gravois Mills had to be flown to University Hospital on Saturday night after he was seriously injured in a crash, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred on Bluffs Drive, near Lake Trail Lane, in Morgan County.

The report says the crash happened as the 2019 Polaris General 999cc – driven by the man – was heading northbound around 9:30 p.m. The vehicle went off the right side of the road and overturned.

The man was not wearing a helmet, the report says. The vehicle had moderate damage.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Jefferson City on Saturday morning, according to a crash release from the Jefferson City Police Department.

Just before 9 a.m., officers responded to a scene in the eastbound lanes of Highway 54, near Route 179, where a 1976 Triumph T140V motorcycle had overturned.

The 73-year-old rider failed to make a curve, lost control, and was thrown from the bike, the release says. He was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Traffic was delayed for about 90 minutes Saturday morning while JCPD’s Traffic Unit investigated, according to the release.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Joined by local business owners, City of Columbia residents, and Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi got a glimpse of the downtown Columbia nightlife scene in a walkthrough of the city late Saturday night.

Choi initially proposed the idea to Columbia and Boone County leaders on Tuesday, with the goal of providing leaders with an eyewitness account of potential public safety issues in the area.

The walkthrough came a week after a deadly homecoming weekend shooting in September that led to the death of Stephen’s College student Aiyanna Williams.

Since Williams’ death, the City of Columbia and the University of Missouri released a joint list of actions they plan to take to tackle public safety downtown. The list included discussing federal programs for public safety, conducting reviews of downtown operations and crowd control, and increasing staffing downtown during weekend hours. Columbia and University of Missouri police departments, as well as extra Missouri State Highway Patrol and Boone County Sheriff’s deputies, were seen patrolling the streets on Saturday night.

“They’ve all sent people in to help us, but they’re really just trying to make a statement that we’re going to be down here making sure people are safe and enforcing laws,” Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude said.

During the walkthrough, Choi met with local business owners and stopped to talk with students and Columbia residents about what they see during the weekends, as well as issues people may have with homeless people during the day.

“Living downtown these past two years has been iffy,” University of Missouri student Payton Duncan said. “I really don’t want to walk on Broadway past midnight, but it’s felt a lot safer the past two nights, especially since that call to action.”

Several passersby told ABC 17 News that a common issue downtown is large groups gathering in front of businesses after bars close. One Columbia resident said he’s seen “street parties” that sometimes block access to apartments and even ambulances and first responders trying to reach people in need of help.

“There’s definitely a problem, and I really appreciate that our president is making efforts to make it better,” University of Missouri student Grace Gedhart said.

No city leaders were present at Saturday’s walkthrough; however, the city tells ABC 17 News leaders are working on setting up an evening downtown walkthrough on their own.

Ward 3 Council Member Jacque Sample, who was not in attendance Saturday, said in a statement Wednesday that community violence is a complex issue and can’t be solved just through law enforcement departments.

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson walked with Choi Saturday night.

“He’s [Choi’s] focused, I think, in addition to violent crime downtown, on crime related to mental health issues, that’s something that we’ve been working on and struggling with for several years,” Johnson said. “I’m just very hopeful that with the university and more people paying attention to the issue, we can make some progress on something that’s been just a tremendous challenge.”

Choi acknowledged the complexity of improving public safety at the walk, but said that he was pleased with the law enforcement presence he saw during the walkthrough.

“At the same time, while we are addressing those issues, we have to address the law enforcement aspect and keeping our community safe,” Choi said. “It’s not an ‘either-or,’ it’s an ‘and.'”

Choi plans to walk through downtown Columbia again.

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