Category: kmiz-local-news

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly woman suffered serious injuries in a hit-and-run crash in Boone County Sunday evening.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 32-year-old Moberly woman was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt heading Northbound on U.S. 63 south of MO-763. The crash report states that an unknown vehicle hit the back of the woman’s car, causing her to travel off the right side of the road and hit a tree. The other vehicle then left the scene.

She was taken to University Hospital via Boone County ambulance.

The woman was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A St. James woman suffered serious injuries after she was ejected from an UTV in Maries County Sunday evening.

According to online crash reports, a 48-year-old St. James woman was in the passenger seat of a 2020 Polaris Ranger on Highway 68 and Highway H at 5:14 p.m. Sunday. The incident occurred when the woman opened the UTV door while it was moving, and she was ejected. She was not wearing a seatbelt.

The woman was airlifted to University Hospital by Phelps Air.

The UTV was not damaged in the incident.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is following the lead of other Missouri cities by implementing a median ordinance set to take effect July 1.

The City of Springfield put its median ordinance in place in January 2018. Both ordinances focus on medians in intersections with speed limits of 35 mph or higher, average daily traffic volumes of at least 15,000 vehicles, or medians narrower than 6 feet.

According to previous reporting, Maj. Eric Reece with the Springfield Police Department said the rule made a difference in the number of pedestrians at medians.

The City of Columbia’s ordinance also will:

Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.

Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.

Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.

Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.

Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.

The City of Creve Coeur, near St. Louis, adopted a similar ordinance in 2021 that prohibits pedestrians from standing in center medians unless they are actively crossing the road.

In Oklahoma City, a median ordinance has been in place since 2017 and applies to medians along streets with speed limits of 40 mph or greater.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in 2023 that pedestrian fatalities account for 18% of all crash deaths. It reported pedestrian deaths in 2023 increased 78% since reaching their lowest point in 2009.

Columbia’s ordinance was passed with a 5-2 vote in February. Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll and Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood voted against the ordinance. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was among those who voted in favor of the measure.

City leaders say the ordinance is intended to improve pedestrian safety and is not aimed at cracking down on panhandling in Columbia.

Check back Wednesday and watch ABC 17 News at 6 that day for a closer look at how police are educating pandhandlers about the new rules.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rocheport man found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and other charges in the February 2024 death of a woman is set to be sentenced Monday afternoon.

In May, Matthew Shilling was found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of second-degree assault and driving while suspended. He will be in the Boone County Courtroom at 2:30 p.m. Monday with Judge Jacobs.

Shilling was found guilty of causing a crash that killed Christina Mayfield, 32, on Feb. 2, 2024, on Business Loop 70 near Hathman Place.

Court documents in previous reporting say a motorcycle was rear-ended by Shilling’s SUV, sending it forward into another SUV and throwing the rider and Mayfield from the bike. Police said that video from a nearby business showed Shilling’s SUV traveling at high speeds.

Shilling settled with Mayfield’s family for $25,000 last year, according to previous reporting.

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Alison Patton

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the Fourth of July approaching in under two weeks, fireworks shops and tents are gearing up for more shoppers.

“We’re really excited this year to celebrate the 250th birthday of America,” Shawn Pettigrew, the owner of Freedom Fireworks in Fulton, said. “We’re hoping to have a great turnout. I’ve stocked up my tent with extra product and brought on some good sales.”

Pettigrew has two tents, one off of I-70 at the Kingdom City exit, and another located on Bluff Street. The Bluff Street location is decked out in America 250 banners and lots of America-themed fireworks. He said he bought 30% more fireworks this year than last.

The state fire marshal is also expecting an uptick in sales because of America 250 and FIFA World Cup.

“Because July 4th – the largest fireworks event each year – is also the 250th anniversary of American independence this year, we expect to see more gatherings and an uptick in the use of fireworks,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a press release. Bean resigned from his position Wednesday.

Legal, seasonal fireworks sales began Saturday and will run through July 10, according to the release.

Bob Peneston, the manager of Screamin’ Freedom Fireworks also in Fulton, said he expects most of his customers to start ringing up product soon at the tent on Bluff Street.

“I’ve got folks already coming in, budgeting themselves early, telling me they’re going to be here next Friday because it’s payday, and they’re going to be ready to buy a lot of stuff,” Peneston said.

He said he expects his tent to bring in about $20,000 to $30,000 more this year.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drivers out on the roads Sunday may have seen several flood notifications on their phones throughout the morning.

Heavy rain and severe storms moved through parts of Mid-Missouri throughout the day, prompting several flash flood warnings and raising concerns about dangerous travel conditions.

While driving to Sedalia Saturday afternoon, an ABC 17 News reporter encountered a powerful storm system that brought heavy rain, strong winds and significantly reduced visibility for about 30 minutes.

With flash flood warnings issued across the region, emergency officials are reminding residents to stay alert and avoid flooded areas.

“With the flood watch we have going on today, the key is to know your route, know where you’re going, and have an alternate route in mind,” said Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Chuck Doss. “There’s no destination that’s worth risking your life for.”

The Missouri Department of Public Safety advises residents not to wait if a flash flood warning is issued or if flooding begins to develop. Officials say people may only have seconds to react and should move to higher ground immediately.

Residents are encouraged to avoid low-lying areas that are more susceptible to flooding, including ditches, creek beds and other areas where water can rise quickly.

Doss said several roads in Boone County are known to flood during severe weather events.

“Gillespie Bridge Road, Blackfoot Road and Akeman Bridge Road are some common areas that flood on a regular basis,” Doss said.

Officials also urge drivers never to attempt to cross flooded roadways or drive through moving water. Even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.

According to Doss, the most recent flooding-related call Boone County Fire Protection District responded to occurred earlier this month. No injuries were reported.

Emergency officials are also reminding parents to keep children away from floodwaters, storm drains, and other areas where rising water can create dangerous conditions within minutes.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was seriously hurt Saturday night after a crash sent him flying off his bike.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the 41-year-old was cycling west on Route VV in Boone County and crashed shortly before midnight at Highway 763.

He rode off onto the left side of the road and hit a curb attempting to travel back to the right side, the report says. The bike overturned, and the man was thrown from it.

He was taken to University Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries and was not reported to be wearing a helmet.

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Euphenie Andre

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the second FIFA World Cup match of the week wrapped up Saturday, many fans were still taking extra precautions when traveling from the FIFA Fan Festival to Arrowhead Stadium after transportation issues earlier in the week left some supporters frustrated.

To see whether travel conditions had improved, an ABC 17 reporter made the trip from Fan Fest to the stadium five hours ahead of kickoff.

Among those waiting was an Ecuador supporter who said she got in line at noon because she did not want to risk missing kickoff.

“Because we have to be there in the stadium,” she said. “It’s our game. We’re fanatics. We were told to be here at least three hours before the game.”

The fan had already been waiting for two hours before volunteers began loading passengers onto buses. While shuttle boarding was originally scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m., officials began loading fans more than an hour early to help move crowds to the stadium.

By 2 p.m., hundreds of fans had already formed a line for the shuttle service, and the crowd continued to grow throughout the afternoon.

The shuttle ride itself takes about 25 minutes each way. From the time of arrival at Fan Fest to reaching the area outside the stadium gates, the entire trip takes nearly an hour. That includes waiting in line, boarding the bus and making the final walk toward the stadium. Because fans were arriving several hours before kickoff, lines remained manageable and moved generously.

One driver with Village Travel said the company had at least 20 buses rotating through the shuttle route. The driver estimated that more than 120 buses were operating overall to help transport fans to and from the stadium.

Even with improvements in shuttle operations, fans still faced a lengthy walk after being dropped off. The distance from the shuttle drop-off location to the stadium gates is more than a mile and could take about 25 minutes on foot.

Fans said reports of transportation delays during Tuesday’s Argentina match influenced their plans.

“We heard stories about Argentina and traffic problems and issues, so we thought we’d just get here early,” said Kansas resident Rod Hann.

More international visitors took the same approach. Alaxandre Den Ouden, traveled from Curaçao, said she arrived roughly two hours to the gates before kickoff to avoid any potential delays.

Stadium gates, originally scheduled to open at 4 p.m., opened about 15 minutes early, helping move fans into the stadium sooner.

A worker stationed at the stadium entrance told ABC 17 News that FIFA opted to continue to use just two entry points for Saturday’s match, compared to the eight gates typically opened during Kansas City Chiefs games.

Despite spending hours traveling and waiting in line, supporters said the opportunity to attend a World Cup match made the extra time and effort worthwhile.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The suspect who was found dead after a shooting in Osage County Friday has been identified as 77-year-old Lawrence David Scheppers.

According to a press release from the Osage County Sheriff’s office, at around 9:15 a.m. Friday, law enforcement was called to County Road 623 after receiving a call that Lawrence Scheppers shot his wife, 76-year-old Paula Scheppers, in their home.

On scene, deputies found Lawrence Scheppers dead from a gunshot wound and Paula Scheppers shot but still breathing. She was flown to the hospital for emergency medical treatment, and her condition has not been released at this time.

In a previous press release, officials reported that a woman had a single gunshot wound and another person was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

ABC 17 News has reached out to the Osage County Sheriff’s office for more information.

This is an ongoing story.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A shooting late Friday night in rural Sedalia left two people injured, one critically, according to a post from Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders.

Around 11:15 p.m., deputies responded to the 23000 block of Mather Road for a reported nuisance, the post says. A deputy was reportedly speaking with the property owner when gunshots were heard from another area of the property. This made bystanders flee.

Deputies found two people suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim had life-threatening face injuries. The other had injuries to the lower body. Both were flown to area hospitals, Anders wrote.

Detectives immediately launched an investigation at the scene.

According to the post, a juvenile male from the Sedalia area has been identified by investigators as a possible suspect and was not in custody as of Sunday morning.

In response to a comment on the post asking for a picture or description of the suspect, Anders said the sheriff’s office is verifying information on the suspect before releasing more details.

The investigation remains active, according to Anders. People with information regarding the incident are encouraged to call Pettis County Dispatch at (660) 826-8100 or the anonymous tips line at (660) 827-TIPS.

Check back for updates.

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