Category: kmiz-local-news

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sentencing has been delayed for a Hartsburg man who pleaded guilty to killing his father in 2022.

Collin Knight, 25, appeared in Boone County court via Webex on Friday for a sentencing hearing. Knight had previously agreed to a plea deal that would see him serve life in prison for second-degree murder and 15 years for a parole violation.

Notes in the electronic court record state Knight told Judge Joshua Devine he “does not wish to be sentenced today.” Devine delayed the hearing at the defense’s request.

The stabbing death occurred in September 2022 in the 18000 block of South Old Route A in Ashland. According to court documents, Knight’s father died after being stabbed more than 15 times. Deputies found Knight in the garage of a neighboring home after he called dispatchers and allegedly admitted to the killing at the scene.

Former Cole County Prosecutor Bill Tackett said pulling back on a plea deal at this stage can complicate matters for both the court and the defense.

“The whole idea is to avoid a trial if possible and if during sentencing, they suddenly want to blow up the deal, they can do that,” Tackett said. “The problem they’ve got is then they have to go to trial.”

Tackett said that while withdrawing a guilty plea is not uncommon, stopping sentencing after a deal has been made is more rare.

“Defense counsel, cut the best deal possible, got the client to do the plea of guilty. Trying to undo the sentencing at the last minute is a defense attorney’s nightmare because now you’re going to blow the whole thing up,” he said. “You go back to zero and likely have to go to trial, which should be worse for the defendant.”

“Asking to withdraw a guilty plea is not that uncommon. Asking to stop the sentencing — that’s pretty uncommon,” Tackett said. “Because that’s the deal that got cut. And if you’re trying to change that after the guilty plea, the whole thing has to go away. You have to start all over again.”

Columbia attorney Dan Viets said the judge ultimately has discretion in whether to proceed with sentencing or accept the guilty plea.

“It’s not common, but it’s not unprecedented. It’s in the discretion of the judge whether that judge is going to allow the defendant to maintain his guilty plea or not,” Viets said. “If the judge thinks the defendant is equivocating, is not really admitting that he is guilty, then judges do often reject guilty pleas under those circumstances.”

A status hearing in Knight’s case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

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Keriana Gamboa

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The annual Show-Me State Games kicks off Friday and is expected to bring thousands of athletes and their families to Columbia.

Columbia city leaders say they expect the games to generate millions of dollars over the course of the two weekends.

The City of Columbia is expecting the games to boost tourist activity in the city. City leaders authorized $20,000 from the Tourism Development Fund for the 2025 Missouri Senior Games and Show-Me State Games.

According to a city council memo, the thousands of people coming to Columbia will result in significant tourist activity. Overnight stays, restaurant visits and shopping would mark a positive economic boost for the City of Columbia.

Megan McConachie, Communications & Outreach Supervisor for the City of Columbia, says they areanticipating 8,000-10,000 people visit Columbia during the event.

“They’re paying that local sales tax. And so that goes into city services, whether it’s fixing our streets, whether it’s improving other infrastructure. So when tourists come to Columbia, they spend their money, and that helps support services that we as residents get to enjoy all year long,” McConachie said.

Dustin Conner and Bryan Bradley — who are dads of some of the participants from Urich, Missouri — traveled to Boone County for the games.

“It’s a long time ago when I was over here. S  it’s really grown a lot. A lot. There’s always more and more people that come every year. They get more and more teams. Not to mention we’re both diehard Missouri fans, so it makes it easy coming to Columbia whenever we can,” Connor said.

They say they’ve been coming since they were young and are now bringing their daughters.

“This is an awesome experience for our girls to be a part of,” Bradley said.

“Just to see our daughters and all these kids light up. It’s well worth it. I spend any amount of money, it wouldn’t matter to me,” Conner said.

The games are expected to bring around 15,000 athletes and their families to participate in more than 40 sports. In 2024, about 40,000 people attended the games.

The $20,000 spent by the city is going toward medals, advertising, officials and site fees for where the games will be played.

According to city documents, more than 5,000 hotel rooms were booked for the 2024 SMSG.

Mizzou Arena was the site of the games’ opening ceremony. Activities will continue Saturday.

Baseball: 8 am Rainbow Complex

Basketball: 8 am Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, Columba College, Mizzou Rec Center

Cycling: 19mile/28mile 8: a.m./10:15am Hatton McCredie Elementary

Golf: Parent-Child 8 a.m. A.L. Gustin

Soccer: 8 a.m. Cosmo Park

Softball, Fast Pitch: 8 a.m. Antimi

Rugby 8 a.m. Gans Creek

Track and Field: 8 a.m. Battle High School

Wrestling: 8 a.m. Hearnes Center

Tennis Adult Singles/Doubles: 8:30 a.m. Cosmo Bethel Park

Volleyball: 8:30 a.m. Battle High School

Mini Golf: 9 a.m.-noon Midway Golf Complex

Fencing: 9 a.m. Smithton Middle School

Shooting Sport Clays/ 5 Stand 9:00am Prairie Grove Shotgun Sports

Judo: 10:30 a.m. Lange Middle School

Mini Golf: Noon-9 p.m. Midway Golf Complex

Shooting Youth Small Rifle: Noon Ammo Alley

Heat Safety

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for extreme heat from July 19-24, people will want to be made aware of some heat-related risks during the SMSG.

According to Mayo Clinic, Heat-borne illness can take effect within 15 minutes, with common symptoms including nausea, a high heart rate and feeling faint or dizzy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should drink water and seek shelter indoors.

Heat stroke, which can be fatal, also includes symptoms of a high body temperature over 100 degrees, no sweating and a headache. 911 should be called immediately, and the person should be moved to a cooler area until help arrives.

Ways to avoid heat-borne illnesses include wearing light clothing, drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities outside during peak temperatures. It’s also recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

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Matthew Sanders

The talk hasn’t progressed to the point of action, but Boone County’s top prosecutor told ABC 17 News this week that officials have discussed imposing curfews as one way to curb youth violence.

“We’ve been talking with some people in the community about the possibility of having a curfew, and especially in some areas where there are high levels of trouble. But that’s an ongoing conversation,” Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said.

The jury is out on the effectiveness of curfews, but they have their supporters. St. Louis police have employed the tactic.

Do you think Columbia should consider curfews? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Events were held in several Mid-Missouri locations for the John Lewis Day of Action on Thursday.

A vigil with speakers outside the Boone County Courthouse capped the day’s events in Columbia.

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Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia leaders have discussed the possibility of implementing a juvenile curfew as part of ongoing efforts to address youth violence, though city officials say no formal proposals have been made.

“We’ve been talking with some people in the community about the possibility of having a curfew, and especially in some areas where there are high levels of trouble. But that’s an ongoing conversation,” Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said.

The discussions come as violent crime is down in Columbia through the first six months of the year. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol data, Columbia Police have reported 186 violent crimes so far in 2025 — on pace to fall below the 470 reported in 2024. Gun-related violent crimes have been cut nearly in half compared to the same period last year, with 69 so far in 2025 compared to 112 through June 2024.

Through the first six months of this year, there have been two murder cases cleared compared to 10 at the same point in 2024. Nonfatal gun-related crimes have declined as well, falling from 339 total in 2024 to 131 so far this year.

“I wouldn’t really say it’s a dangerous area,” Seth Thomas, a Columbia resident, said.

While curfews are often considered as a tool to reduce juvenile crime, research on their effectiveness is inconclusive. A 2016 study from the National Library of Medicine found that some juvenile curfew laws were associated with reductions in youth victimization and crime, but the report emphasized that more research is needed.

Conversely, a 2016 analysis by the Campbell Collaboration, a nonprofit criminal justice research group, concluded that curfews do not reduce crime or victimization. Columbia City Council members say no formal curfew proposal is under consideration.

“As best I know there is no discussion about curfews,” Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters wrote in an email. “There is always conversation looking at what other cities are doing and what we might be able to do in Columbia. But no serious discussion that I know of regarding curfews.”

Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman said safety remains a top priority for city leaders, but said more details — such as curfew hours and age restrictions — would be needed before he could support the idea.

“As far as priorities go, safety is still one of our top priorities,” Waterman said. “We’re getting close to filling all the authorized positions on the police department. I think the investments that we’ve made with the flock [camera system] and the NIMB system, from what I am hearing anecdotally, are beginning to help the police.”

Residents are split on whether a curfew is needed.

“I feel very safe. People are very friendly so it’s definitely a good environment,” Columbia resident Brian Consiglio said. “I think as long as people are having fun they should be allowed to stay out as long as they want.”

Boone County resident Jack Thompson suggested that if there is a curfew, it should be closer to bar closing hours.

“1 or 2 [a.m.],” Thompson said when asked what an ideal curfew time would be. “Cause everybody is leaving the bars then.”

City officials said conversations about additional violence-prevention measures, including curfews, remain in the early stages as Columbia’s Office of Violence Prevention and its advisory committee continue reviewing strategies to keep crime trending downward.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Richland, Missouri, man was charged with involuntary manslaughter in a fatal crash that occurred on April 28 on Highway 133 in Pulaski County.

William Sivell II, 19, was charged on Tuesday with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors: Failing to drive on the right side of the road, reckless driving and driving on the left side of the road while view was obstructed. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday and a $5,000 bond was set. A court date was not scheduled.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says that a 54-year-old man from Richland was killed in the crash. His name was not released in court documents.

The report says that a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado – driven by Sivell – was heading northbound on Highway 133 when it crossed the centerline and hit a 2015 Toyata Tacoma – driven by a 67-year-old man from Dixon.

The Chevy then hit a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country that was driven by the 54-year-old trees, the report says. The Chevy and the Chrysler went off the left side of the road and the Chrysler hit multiple trees, the report says. The Chevy hit a tree, came back to the road way and went off the right side of the road, the report says.

Sivell allegedly told law enforcement that he tried to pass the Chrysler and claimed it hit him, the probable cause statement says.

The statement says a witness allegedly told troopers that Sivell’s vehicle and the Chrysler were heading north when Sivell tried to pass it, but tried to avoid the Toyota and hit both vehicles, the statement says.

Everyone in the crash wore seatbelts, the report says. The Chevy and the Chrysler were totaled while the Toyota had minor damage.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The family of a man killed in a 2023 plane crash in Camden County claims their son died as a result of the pilot acting negligently.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday by Gary and Penny Vandiver alleges the pilot of the plane — Hayden Ritchhart, who also died in the crash — failed to exercise “ordinary care” as a pilot should. An order filed on Thursday lists Timothy McDuffey as the defendant ad litem on behalf of Ritchhart.

Evan Vandiver, 19 and Rittchart, 22 were both killed in the July 13 crash at the Lake of the Ozarks. Gary Vandiver also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The lawsuit claims Ritchhart invited Gary and Evan Vandiver on a sightseeing flight from the Gland Glaze Beach Airport in Osage Beach. During takeoff, the plane slowed down and eventually crashed around a half-mile from where it departed, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit alleges Ritchhart was negligent, careless and failed to perform preflight inspections, including setting the elevator trim tab to neutral and setting the trim tab to the right position.

It also claims he didn’t figure out why the plane was sluggish as it climbed and failed to recover when the plane stalled to avoid the crash. Gary Vandiver also suffered several broken bones and internal injuries as a result of the crash, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit asks for $25,000 to cover funeral, medical expenses and loss of money from Gary Vandiver’s employment during his recovery.

A park ranger found the plane in a treeline at the old golf course between Route KK and Highway 54 near the Grand Glaize Airport, according to previous reporting. A preliminary report from The National Transportation Safety Board did not find any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the plane’s frame or engine that would interfere with its operations.

The attorney for the Vandivers declined to comment. ABC 17 News reached out to McDuffey.

A final report conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board ruled the accident was caused by the pilot failing to set the stabilator trim before takeoff. That resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff, the report says.

The report also states Greg Vandiver said the plane did not appear to be climbing as well as it should have during takeoff and believed Ritchhart was “fighting the flight controls.” Shortly after taking off, the plane made a sharp right, and appeared to go straight down, according to the report.

“Setting the trim ensures that before the takeoff begins, because you might add or subtract trim during the flight, that the trim is set for a takeoff configuration and you’re good to fly,” Mid-Missouri pilot and flight instructor Braden Tyrer said. “It sounded like in the report there was too much up trim, so the aircraft became airborne at a lower than predicted air speed and the pilot responded confused to the controls.”

The aerodynamic spin that happened as a result meant the plane could no longer fly and broke, which at a low altitude is not recoverable, according to Tyrer.

The report also states the pilot did not ask the two passengers of the plane for their weights before taking off and did not go over a safety briefing. The passengers did not wear a seatbelt during the flight and Greg Vandiver said he did not know if Richhart used a checklist after they boarded, the report says.

Vandiver also reportedly said he heard Richhart use an expletive during takeoff, which was followed by the plane making the sharp turn and going down.

Tyrer said the tragedy serves as a reminder to people in the field.

“Anytime we come to the airplane, we’re gonna make sure we’re loading it in accordance with how the manufacturer tells us to. We’re following our duties, checking the weather,” Tyrer said. “It’s a reminder that anyone in our area who’s looking up to us trying to become a professional pilot every day you gotta bring it.”

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Calls to Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have risen significantly each year since the hotline launched three years ago, according to data from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

The free, three-digit hotline launched on July 16, 2022, connecting users to crisis call centers across Missouri. It provides support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, mental health crises, or other forms of emotional distress. Help is available via phone, text, or online chat 24/7.

On Thursday, the Trump administration ended the 988 hotline service tailored for LGBTQ+youth. The service was available by pressing 3 and replying “Pride” via text.

Federal data show that from 988’s launch in 2022 until May 1, 2025, there were about 1.5 million LGBTQ+ calls to 988.

From June 2024 to June 2025, there were 102,090 calls to Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — an average of 8,508 calls per month.

That marks an increase of 2,881 calls compared to the previous year.

In the first six months of 2025, there were over 48,000 calls to the crisis hotline, with April having the most at 8,507. That is up from April 2024, which had 6,340 calls.

Department of Mental Health crisis services coordinator Casey Muckler said the increase in calls is likely due to growing awareness of 988 in the state.

“It’s really hard to say exactly what’s directly driving the 988 volume,” Muckler said. “However, I do think a big driver in our 988 volume is that awareness, more people are learning that 988 is available, so they are reaching out. We have 988 billboards across the state, we have signage at sporting events, we have posters in schools making sure students are aware of 988, we have handouts.”

Muckler said the types of calls 988 receives vary.

“Some people call because they are feeling suicidal, some people call because they are struggling with substances and they’re struggling with substance use, some people are calling because they are feeling lonely and just want someone to talk to,” she said.

While the number of calls to Missouri’s 988 hotline has increased, the average answer rate has remained steady over the past two years at 93.5%, an improvement from the hotline’s first year, which had an average answer rate of 91%.

The average speed to answer from July 2024 to June 2025 was approximately 15 seconds, consistent with the previous year. June marked the fastest response time during that period, with calls answered in an average of just 12 seconds.

Muckler said the national standard for 988 is to answer 90% or more of all calls, texts and chats.

“Here in Missouri, we are consistently answering between 94 and 96% percent of calls that come into the state,” Mucker added. “Missouri is also consistently ranking among the top five states for our in-state answer rate and volume.”

Having seven 988 centers, including six call centers and one dedicated to text and chat, helps maintain consistent answer speeds.

“There is a statewide backup system that answers calls that weren’t able to be answered on the first ring,” Muckler said.

Last year, Muckler told ABC 17 News that 988 was working to route calls based on a caller’s physical location rather than the area code tied to their phone number. She says significant progress has now been made.

“Geo-routing with the three largest carriers, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, they have adopted geo-routing, which basically means if you are calling 988, your call is going to route to the center based on the closest cell tower to you instead of your area code,” Muckler said. “It’s more accurate call routing”

As for staffing, Muckler said that hasn’t been a concern.

“Our 988 centers are fully staffed, so we’re very thankful that we have 988 crisis specialists in Missouri. They are amazing. It’s a very hard job, and we’re really thankful we don’t have any staffing shortages for 988,” Mucker said.

If anyone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they can get in contact with a trained crisis professional by calling or texting 988, chatting with 988 or using a video phone.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City woman has been charged with two felonies after she allegedly tried to stab a man with a steak knife on Thursday morning.

Jessica Taylor, 32, was charged on Thursday with first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action. She is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A court date has not been set and a mugshot was not available on Thursday afternoon.

According to the probable cause statement, police were called at 4:40 a.m. for a report of a woman trying to stab a man at a home.

The victim allegedly told police that Taylor called him while crying hysterically, the statement says. When the victim got back home, he saw Taylor destroying a room, the statement says.

Taylor then allegedly grabbed a knife and first threatened to kill herself before turning her attention to the victim and threatened to kill him, court documents say. The man hit Taylor with a chair to defend himself and she threw a paint can at him, the statement says.

A witness allegedly gave the same details of the story to police, court documents say. Taylor allegedly denied the allegations, but a Jefferson City police officer wrote that “efforts to obtain a coherent statement from the Defendant were unsuccessful,” court documents say.

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