Category: kmiz-local-news

Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City plans to demolish the Madison Street Parking Garage in November instead of taking it down and rebuilding it with the new downtown conference center, according to city spokeswoman Molly Bryan.

“We were planning to have the demolition begin for this parking garage towards the end of 2025,” Bryan said. “Now, we’re trying to move that process quicker to get to that point.”

The city hired a consultant to take a look at the parking garage Thursday after city staff had noticed some safety concerns with the ramps.

“The structural engineers that looked at it agreed that the ramps were of concern,” said Dave Helmick, who is the city’s interim director for planning and protective services.

Ramps to get in between floors and stair cases are blocked off. Many parking spaces are unusable because the ramps are unsound, so the only available spaces are the few that are in front of an entrance.

Helmick said the parking garage isn’t in danger of collapsing.

“The big concern is the ramps that allow you access to those upper areas, driving over them, heavy vehicles, snow loads, further deterioration, things like that could compromise those ramps to the point of failure,” Helmick said.

Bryan said the city reached to permit holders for the Madison Street Parking Garage to notify them of the changes and posted “permit only” signs around the entrances.

The city is working with a company to figure out where people can park once the garage is completely shutdown in November.

For the city to go through with demolition, the City Council would have to pass a resolution Monday allowing the city to start considering bids from contractors, according to city documents. Bids would no longer be accepted after Oct. 17.

At the next council meeting, members will also consider entering an agreement with the developer of the downtown conference center, which is another step toward building.

Ward 2 Councilman Mike Lester said he expects that bill to pass.

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ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Week 6 of the Missouri high school football season is tonight.

Scores from Mid-Missouri teams will be posted below.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new “Ride Home” program aimed to get people back to their support system, will begin taking referrals from the City of Columbia on Monday.

The “Ride Home” initiative came about after the Columbia City Council agreed to amend its existing contract with First Last Mile in August. It will begin with referrals from Room At The Inn, Turning Point, DIVERT and 4AChange.

“I think its important for them to be able to have the partnership with the shelters, and to be able to bring us in because we’re already doing transportation and we’re probably doing transportation for some of those people who are part of those programs,” Jessica Jasinksi, administrator for First Last Mile, said.

“It’s important now because our local services are reaching capacity, we don’t have enough services to serve our local community, so being able to get people rom out of town back home frees up resources to focus on, all the folks that are here in Boone County,” Room At The Inn Diretor John Trapp said.

Individuals may also self-refer through Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.

The program is intended not only for those experiencing homelessness, but also for anyone who may have traveled to Columbia for things like a medical appointment but do not have a way to return home.

Jasinski said as long as a person qualifies for the program and the city gives permission, then First Last Mile will transport them within a three-hour radius from Columbia.

If it is beyond that distance, Jasinski said, that person will be transported to a greyhound bus station. Trapp said the program is also crucial for individuals and organizations.

“Currently, different organizations are buying bus tickets, so this will be a way to save those organizations budget,” Trapp said. “The Room At The Inn bought four bus tickets last month, so there are people needing to get home.”

To be eligible for the “Ride Home” program rider will need to have:

Verifiable support at the destination

Income at or below 200% of the current federal poverty limit

Referral from a provider or a photo ID

No outstanding warrants in Columbia/Boone County, which will be verified by PHHS staff

According to Jasinski, First Last Mile has five vehicles and seven drivers, with an eighth driver expected to be trained and ready to drive by next week. Jasinski said vans were chosen for their accessibility features, including sliding doors that make it easier for passengers to get in and out.

Funding for the program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to Jasinski.

First Last Mile is open Monday through Friday rom 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Jasinski said those who need a ride will need to call at least 24 hours ahead of time. If there is an influx of rides, Jasinski said she does not anticipate turning people away.

“I think it’s something that been needed in Boone County alone for a long time, people are just they’ve been shut in and they haven’t been able to get where they need to go,” Jasinski said.

First Last Mile also offers transportation for essential trips such as grocery store visits, medical appointments and commuting to and from work. The organization partners with several local employers including MFA Oil to help provide reliable transportation for their employees.

Since launching this part of the service, FLM has completed more than 5,000 rides in the past two years, according to Jansiki.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who is charged for his alleged role in a standoff on April 11 on West Ash Street has been committed to the Department of Mental Health.

A commitment order was filed on Tuesday for Michael Whited, 59. He is charged with second-degree making a terroristic threat, resisting arrest and three counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

He joins roughly 500 other people who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial who are waiting for a bed with the Department of Mental Health, according to previous reporting. The order says Whited should be evaluated within six months. He is currently listed on the Boone County Jail’s roster.

Whited allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot a woman and a dog at Ash Street Apartments earlier this year, according to court documents from previous reporting. White then allegedly pointed the gun at other people in the area before barricading himself in his apartment, previous reporting states.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Blair Oaks school district went on a “soft lockdown” on Friday after the district received a “suspicious” phone call.

Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler told ABC 17 News that the school received a “vague” phone call around 2 p.m. Law enforcement determined the threat was not credible and school continued as normal.

 “Out of an abundance of caution we went into a green lockdown until local law enforcement was able to investigate. It was NOT deemed a credible threat by local law enforcement. Therefore, the district dismissed school at normal time with no disruption. At no time were any students or staff in any danger,” an email from Blair Oaks Superintendent Ben Meldrum said.

Blair Oaks wasn’t the only district to experience this, with rumors at Hickman High School resulted in a student being detained and Rock Bridge High School addressed safety concerns on Thursday following a message made on social media.

Wheeler said the sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The 25th annual Mid-Missouri PrideFest is set to kick off Saturday afternoon, featuring live performances, food trucks, and more than 100 vendors and activity booths.

The two-day festival will take place at Rose Music Hall and take up a portion of Park Avenue. Attendees can enter through Park Avenue at the west end, as well as at St. James and Ash streets and Orr and Ash streets.

According to the event’s emergency plan, 20-25 staff members and 75 additional volunteers will be on site.

Organizers will be monitoring the weather at all times during the event and, in the case of extreme weather, will tell guests and event staff to take shelter at Rose Music Hall and in nearby parking garages and businesses, according to the emergency plan.

In a non-weather emergency scenario, event staff will alert guests if an evacuation is necessary over the festival’s intercom system.

All guests will also go through security checkpoints when entering the event, and all bags are subject to search.

The PrideFest Parade is set to start at Noon on Sunday. The parade begins at Ninth and Ash Street, heads south, and turns west on East Broadway, then north up Fifth Street. Fifth Street will also be a designated quiet zone for people who are sensitive to loud noise.

Festival President Janet Davis released a statement Friday addressing safety for the weekend.

“We always have a lot of security and safety measures in place. Whether you see them or not. We don’t feel that the general public, patrons or vendors need to see what is protecting them unless it’s needed. We are extraordinarily fortunate in this city to have never had an issue in 25 years! “

PrideFest gates open at Noon on Saturday and close at 10:30 p.m. both days. Parke Ave. will remain blocked during the day for the weekend, with through traffic expected to be open around midnight in the evenings.

Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the property. Due to space limits, blankets and chairs are not allowed inside Rose Music Hall after 6 p.m. Service animals are welcome.

The festival is free and family-friendly.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mid-Missouri PrideFest began on Saturday afternoon and will continue through Sunday, running from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The event will result in several road closures and potential traffic disruptions in downtown Columbia throughout the weekend.

According to the Mid-Missouri Pridefest Emergency Plan, each street entrance will be barricaded to ensure safety during the event. Road closure signs will be placed near Park & St. James.

President of PrideFest Janet Davis re-assured that there are plenty of parking spaces available for guests.

“We are lucky enough also that Columbia College doesn’t mind that we use their lot,” Davis said. “So, if you get in here, there’s a great spot on 10th street right outside of Columbia College with lots of parking, and then the parking lots and garages are free on the weekend anyway.”

The festival also has an emergency procedure plan in place featuring over 20 staff members ready to assist if any issues were to arise, with eight specifically dedicated to security.

“We’ve never had an incident in the 24 years we’ve been hosting Mid-Missouri PrideFest but with the current climate, the city wanted to ensure we had the extra help,” Davis said.

Additionally, two MU Health Care trucks and the festival’s own first aid tent are on hand for emergencies.

“We have an emergency plan in place if we need it, and we’ve never had to use it. Knock something, knock on wood, I guess but they’re there if we need them,” David said. “And, we have our own first aid tent as well with carts and people and we actually have you know, a doctor in there as well. So if something were to happen, everything is really close.”

However, Davis said two incidents reported during last year’s festival. One involving a protester and the other, dealing with the response to the protest.

Davis said the festival will continue regardless of the weather because scheduling during the fall season, especially with MU football in season, is challenging.

“Once we pick a date everything else in September and October fills up so quickly that we would have to move it to the next year anyway,” Davis said. “So,we aren’t afraid of a little rain so it’s okay as long as it’s not lightning.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Paul Boyd on Friday to become Montgomery County’s next prosecuting attorney, according to a Friday press release from the governor’s office.

The release says Boyd is the violent crimes team lead for the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and has previously served as a counterdrug coordinator and military judge for the Missouri National Guard.

He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars service organization, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Missouri Bar Association, according to the release. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southwest Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, the release says.

Benton County treasurer named

Kehoe also appointed Rebecca Minks, of Warsaw, Missouri, to become the Benton County treasurer, the release says.

She was a tax specialist at H&R Block in Warsaw before buying and managing the franchise location, the release says. She has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Central Missouri State University, the release says.  

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Jazsmin Halliburton

Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Interstate 70 between Range Line St. and the U.S. 63 Connector in Columbia will be down to one lane heading east until 6 a.m. Monday. All exit and on ramps will remain open during the lane closure.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, this closure will allow crews to safely build the new eastbound lanes near the Paris Road Bridge.

Improve I-70 Statewide Director Eric Kopinski told ABC 17 News that MoDoT had this work scheduled and has been trying to find a perfect time to do this project in the area.

“There never is a good time to close a lane on I-70, especially during the day,” said Kopinski. He said that MoDoT wanted to avoid doing this project on weekends when there’s a Mizzou football game and this was the best time due to the team having a bye week.

“We know there’s still going to be a lot of traffic going eastbound I-70. This was the best weekend that would least impact as many as possible,” said Kopinski.

Kopinski asks drivers to slow down, as speeding is their biggest challenge. He says that speeding occurs either when entering or exiting the work zone throughout the state.

“There isn’t one location that we’re seeing the most speeding occur, but we are having some really severe crashes that are taking place, and again, that’s statewide,” said Kopinski

This lane closure is part of the Improve I-70 project to make the interstate three lanes in each direction from Kansas City to St. Louis.

Drivers are asked to be patient with the work being done across the state. “Our message is keep trying to hang in there with us,” Kopinski said. “When this is all said and done, it’s going to be a game changer for Mid-Missouri, for the entire state. So we’re asking everyone to hang in there with us.”

MoDoT says drivers should expect delays and find an alternate route throughout the weekend.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The total number of fans ejected from Mizzou home games this football season is up to 63.

The Tigers are on bye this week and host Alabama on Oct. 11. All of Missouri’s games have been at home this season, and there were 31 total ejections heading into MU’s game against South Carolina on Sept. 20.

There were fewer ejections this year during the South Carolina game than there were in 2023, the last time the Tigers hosted the Gamecocks. There were 21 fans thrown out of the stadium on Sept. 20, far below 2023’s 41.

Seventeen of the ejections at this year’s game were alcohol-related, according to ejection cards. Seven of those were for sneaking in booze, while eight just had “alcohol” as a reason and three were thrown out for “intoxication.”

Two people were thrown out for vaping, one person was tossed for “pushing/shoving,” and another person was accused of urinating in public. The ejection card for the latter reason claims a man was “urinating on wall of medic room outside of security office.”

The annual homecoming game was held against UMass on Sept. 27 and saw 11 people thrown out of the stadium. Nine of those were alcohol-related, with four just listing “alcohol” as the reason, three were for intoxication/vomiting, one for minor in possession and one for sneaking in booze.

One person was thrown out for attempted theft, while another was accused of throwing something at the field.

The total ejections of fans by game this year are:

Aug. 28 vs. Central Arkansas – 4

Sept. 6 vs. Kansas – 24

Sept. 13 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette – 3

Sept. 20 vs. South Carolina – 21

Sept. 27 vs. UMass– 11

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