Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Law enforcement searched and found a pair of escapees from the Juvenile Justice Center in the Prathersville area in northern Boone County on Friday night.

Boone County Joint Communications received a report around 7:15 p.m. that two 16-year-old boys had escaped from the center, according to a news release. Initial information said the youths were being detained for charges of first-degree assault and murder.

Law enforcement was searching the area as early as 7:30 p.m.

Multiple law enforcement vehicles were in the 1500 block of East Prathersville Road. An ambulance was also seen in the area. Drones were deployed and a K-9 unit was on the scene.

More than 30 law enforcement officers from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in locating the juveniles, the release says. A drone provided by the Boone County Fire Protection District and a helicopter provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol searched wooded areas and fields.

The first youth was caught at 7:50 p.m. Shortly before 10:30 pm, the second youth — who was being held in relation to a homicide — was located by aircraft in a heavily wooded area southwest of Tower Drive and North Prairie Drive. He was detained at 10:35 p.m.

Both boys were released back into the custody of the juvenile authorities. The release states their identities will not be released and no additional information will be provided due to the age of the suspects.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A registered sex offender in Morgan County was charged with illegal gun possession while authorities were investigating a child pornography case.

William Ernest Conn, 85, of Rocky Mount, was released from the Morgan County Jail at 10:30 p.m. Thursday. A court date has not been set.

The probable cause statement says local law enforcement was assigned a cyber tip on March 26 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for an image of child porn that was uploaded to Bing on Dec. 24.

The IP address linked to the user was leased by Conn at his Morgan County residence, the statement says.

While law enforcement searched Conn’s residence on Thursday, they found a rifle. Conn is a convicted felon and is not allowed to have a gun. Law enforcement seized several electronic devices from Conn’s residence while executing the search warrant.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Chamois man was charged with a pair of felonies after he allegedly took money for work he did not complete.

Curtis McCarty was charged on Friday in Audrain County with stealing more than $750 and committing deceptive business practices. A criminal summons was issued for McCarty on Friday. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27.   

The probable cause statement says McCarty was already being investigated in a possible elderly exploitation incident when information about this case was found. The victim allegedly contracted McCarty in August 2023 to construct an “outbuilding” on an already existing concrete foundation, the statement says.

The victim allegedly paid $8,000 to McCarty for materials and additional costs were expected after work was complete, the statement says. The work was still not completed by Feb. 5, 2025, and McCarty supposedly was dodging small claims court appearances for similar cases, court documents say.

Court documents say he has failure-to-appear warrants in associated cases.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Sedalia has announced that it is taking applications for its open Ward 1 City Council seat.

Tom Oldham stepped down from his position last week after “serious allegations” were brought against him, the City of Sedalia wrote in a social media post. The city did not elaborate on the allegations in the post or in communications with ABC 17 News.

Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders told ABC 17 News in emails that his office is investigating Oldham. The criminal investigation includes the possible sexual harassment of a youth. Oldham was recently reelected to his seat in the April 8 race.

The city had stated last week that it would follow state statutes, allowing the mayor to make an appointment to the council, with council approval. The city wrote in a post that this process is “going beyond state requirements.”

“We want this process to reflect the values of our city—honesty, inclusion, and public service,” Mayor Andrew Dawson was quoted in the post. “If you live in the First Ward and care about where we’re headed, I encourage you to apply. Your voice matters, and your perspective could help shape Sedalia’s future.”

The post says first ward residents “who’s interested in local government and community improvement is encouraged to apply.”

Applications are available online on the city’s website or can be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office. Completed application to the City Clerk’s Office at jmyers@sedalia.com.

Applicants who are moving to the next phase will be interviewed in-person in the council chambers, the post says. Interviews will be streamed online and will be available for later viewings, the post says.

Dawson will pick a candidate for approval afterwards. However, “if no clear fit emerges, the process will remain open until the right person steps forward,” the post says. A timeline for the process was not stated in the post.

“At this time, there’s no fixed deadline for the appointment. Our priority is not speed, it’s making sure we find the right person to represent Ward 1. The process will remain open as long as needed to ensure thoughtful review, community involvement, and a candidate who truly reflects the values of the ward,” city spokesperson Jessica Hoffman wrote in a Friday afternoon email to ABC 17 News.

First_Ward_Council_Application_2025Download

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

 A man who ran Gene Matlock Construction in Rolla has been charged with two felonies in Maries County.

Gene Matlock, of St. James, was charged on Friday with committing deceptive business practices and stealing more than $25,000. A warrant was issued on Friday. A court date has not been set.

The probable cause statement says that Matlock met with the victim on Jan. 2 in St. James about remodeling a home. The victim paid Matlock $75,475 for work that was not completed and materials were not provided, the statement says. Matlock also did not refund the money, the statement says.

Court documents say that the money was deposited into an account maintained by Matlock, and that a review of records showed the money was used for personal reasons.  

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A roundabout near Boone Hospital will undergo concrete repairs next week, according to a Friday press release from the City of Columbia.

A portion of the roundabout at South William Street and Bass Avenue will be closed while crews dig up and replace damaged concrete, the release says. Work will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday and the roundabout is expected to be full reopened by 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Northbound travel through the roundabout on South William Street will be restricted, while southbound traffic will remain open, the release says. Sidewalks will stay open.

The release says that Go COMO’s green route will not stop at the South William Street bus stop at Boone Hospital while work is being done. Riders can use nearby stops at East Broadway and South Ann Street or East Broadway and Fyfer Place, the release says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Friday press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation says it is requesting the “attention and cooperation of the traveling public” to keep a ramp open for a bridge rehabilitation project.

The release says that MoDOT previously announced that contractors would narrow a portion of Highway 54 in Jefferson City on Monday, south of Missouri Boulevard and close three ramps for construction: Madison Street to westbound Highway 54, Christy Drive to eastbound Highway 54, and Missouri Boulevard to westbound Highway 54.

“MoDOT and the contractor are working to restructure the work zone to leave the ramp from Missouri Boulevard ramp open,” the release says. Drivers will have to merge from Missouri Boulevard into a single lane of traffic on westbound Highway 54. Ramps at Madison Street and Christy Drive will remain closed.

This traffic pattern is expected to remain in place through mid-October, the release says.

“Those who drive U.S. Route 54 between Missouri Boulevard and Stadium Boulevard as part of their daily commute are advised to avoid peak hours and plan for extra travel time,” the release says.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No one was hurt, but an onlooker said some cats were rescued from a fire at a north Columbia apartment building Friday.

Firefighters found a small fire in an empty apartment in the 2900 block of Northland Drive a little before 11 a.m. Friday, according to a Columbia Fire Department news release. The fire was quickly put out and the damage was limited to the apartment.

Residents got out before firefighters arrived thanks to smoke alarms, the release says. Six companies with 18 firefighters responded.

The cause was accidental from combustible items on a stove that was accidentally turned on, the release says.

An onlooker said firefighters pulled two cats from the building before ABC 17 News arrived.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A first-term member of the Columbia City Council is resigning, nearly two years before the term is up.

Second Ward Councilwoman Lisa Meyer said in her resignation letter that she was leaving to focus on her health and family. “When I ran and started serving, I had no idea what was ahead regarding my health,” Meyer wrote.

Her last day will be May 16.

During her campaign, Meyer said she wanted to serve as a bridge from residents whose voices might not be heard and City Hall.

Meyer has been open about surviving head and neck cancer after a diagnosis in 2009. Her letter did not reference any specific health condition.

Meyer won a three-way race for the seat in April 2024, taking 54% of the vote.

It was not immediately clear how or when the seat will be filled.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sen. Eric Schmitt says he will introduce legislation to enhance penalties for crimes against first responders after the stabbing death of a Kansas City paramedic.

Early Sunday, Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman, 29, died in the line of duty after he was attacked while treating a patient. He was laid to rest Friday afternoon.

Shanetta Bossell’s charges include first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Hoffman’s death, according to news station KMBC.

In a news release Friday, Schmitt said he will introduce legislation to increase federal penalties for those who murder first responders in the line of duty.

“First responders put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe. It’s time we stand up to ensure they are protected from those who wish to do them harm. This legislation, in honor of Graham, will help ensure our nation does just that,” Schmitt said.

Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy says their staff are required to complete four hours of operations/safety continuing education every two years to maintain their National Certification.

Staff are trained on physical restraint but it is a last rector to protect from harm.

“Our personnel are trained to administer medication to facilitate patient care on patient care on patients who present a direct harm to themselves or others,” Hoy said.

However, if a scene becomes unsafe Cole County EMS is trained to retreat from the area and await law enforcement to secure the scene.

“We’re reliant on our law enforcement partners and having really good communication, working with them closely to make sure any hazards are removed before people are put into the ambulance,” Hoy said.

A possible violent interaction with a patient can be hard to prepare for. Cole County Paramedic Dirk Protzmam has been with Cole County EMS said it comes down to paying attention to the signs.

“A lot of though experience, noticing people’s behaviors and mannerisms, if they won’t allow you to check in certain areas where typical weapons could be held thats a defiant indicator,” Protzmam said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control in 2020 ,16,900 EMS workers were treated for injuries on the job, with 3,000 due to violence.

“Sometimes that violence is driven from a mental illness or something a patient doesn’t have control over while we always welcome stiffer penalties and protections for out first responders, it also highlights the need for appropriate mental health services in our communities as well,” Hoy said.

Cole County EMS are issued ballistic vests, they are required to utilize them whenever responding to a call involving a weapon, However, they do not wear them for routine operations.

Staff are also not allowed to carry a weapon. .

Gov. Mike Kehoe ordered the Capitol dome and the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial to shine blue at sunset on Friday and continue until sunrise on Sunday.

“The Missouri Capitol dome will shine blue this weekend as we honor and remember the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kehoe said. “It takes great courage, strength, and commitment for law enforcement officers to put on their uniform each day knowing that their duty requires them to run toward the dangers that others flee. We have a responsibility to honor the fallen and ensure they are never forgotten.”

Annual ceremonies honoring fallen Missouri law enforcement officers will be held at the Missouri Law Enforcement Officers memorial on the north side of the Capitol.

A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, and a memorial service will take place on Saturday.

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