Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office says no one was hurt after a home in the 4200 block of Santa Barbara Drive was hit by gunfire on Tuesday morning.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Brian Leer told ABC 17 News that deputies responded to multiple calls about shots being fire at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. A home was hit and no one is in custody.

Leer stated several shell casings were found in the area.

Law enforcement was called to the same street – which is in a neighborhood east of Boone County – on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Two vehicles and several homes were damaged in that shooting.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A cabinetry manufacturer has opened a new facility in Glasgow, Missouri.

Heritage Wood Mills invested $925,000 into the facility and created 30 new jobs, according to a Wednesday press release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The release says Heritage Wood Mills will benefit from the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. It may also get assistance from Missouri One Start, which helps eligible businesses with recruitment and training, the release says.

“Heritage Wood Mills is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Missouri strong,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in the release. “By choosing to invest and grow in Glasgow, they’re creating good-paying jobs, strengthening the local economy, and supporting our state’s proud tradition of forestry and manufacturing. We celebrate their grand opening and look forward to the impact they will have in this community for generations to come.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with three felonies after he allegedly locked a woman in a room at a gym and sexually abused her on Tuesday.

Daniel Melendez, 37, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Wednesday and a public defender was appointed.

The heavily redacted probable cause statement says Melendez is a transient who had been sleeping in trees outside the business and had been coming into the business since July. The location and part of the name of the business were redacted.

The victim allegedly tried helping a customer into a tanning booth and walked to another room to clean a separate machine, but was followed by Melendez, the statement says. Melendez allegedly closed the door, locked it and sexually assaulted the victim after she told him he was not allowed in the area and asked him to leave, the statement says.

Police arrested Melendez outside the business.

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Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several parents of University of Missouri students are growing worried about sending their children off to school in Columbia, records show.

Email records obtained by ABC 17 News show several parents have reached out to UM System President Mun Choi in the wake of a deadly downtown shooting. Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams was killed after she was shot on Sept. 27.

Parents’ concerns also follow an email Choi sent to several city leaders— including Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson– calling for action to address crime.

Choi also sent that email to the Board of Curators, DNR director Kurt Schaefer and business leaders Jim Yankee and Erica Pefferman, among other.

Two days after the shooting, records show a parent and alumni of the university reached out to Buffaloe, Seewood and Choi regarding a concern for safety in the city. The parent’s name is redacted in the email.

The parent wrote that their child is a junior at the university, but recent violence and the homicide that occurred the day prior to the email has left the parent “deeply concerned.”

“Columbia has long been known as a safe and welcoming community, yet the increase in violent incidents undermines that reputation and, more importantly, threatens the well-being of its citizens and students,” the email states.

The parent also wrote that they are equally concerned about the growing homeless population in the downtown area, claiming the concentration of encampments and homeless people creates an unsafe environment. The email urges leaders to address the issues with urgency and create a plan of action to address violence and homelessness.

Another parent wrote in an email on Sept. 29 that they had a child graduate from the university recently and were torn about whether or not they should send their second child, due to violence over the years. The parent wrote that regret sending their second child and will not be sending their third.

The parent wrote they frequently receive alerts from the university about shootings and called the university’s reputation “tarnished.”

“Students getting injured and now killed by gun violence is horrifying and I cannot understand why the city lets this go on,” the email states. “I hope you are not waiting for more students to get shot.”

Records also show a parent reached out to president Choi in April, claiming they were in Columbia the weekend prior when multiple alerts were sent out by the university for shootings. Two men were shot the weekend prior, according to previous reporting.

The university responded, asking the parent for a phone call.

The same parent wrote again following Williams’ death, writing the fear of something like that happening was the reason she had written to Choi in April. The parent called the violence unacceptable, and called for change, saying Choi’s emailed response was too late.

“I have read your email this morning. I feel it’s too little, too late. We were screaming from the rooftops last April and now someone is dead,” the email says.

According to emails exchanged between Choi and Boone County Northern District Commissioner Janet Thompson, the two had discussed efforts to help curb crime and issues within the city before the shooting. Records show Thompson sent an email to Choi about data sharing platforms the university and county could get involved.

Thompson wrote the platform is being used in Johnson County and could be used as a possible solution to issues Boone County faces. Thompson said the county had been “touting the My Resource Connection that Johnson County built out and shared with Douglas County for some time now” and thanked Choi for advocating for the platform.

Choi responded and asked Thompson to share more information about the platform that he later forwarded to colleagues. Thompson noted the county has been working with the Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Sheriff’s Association and other agencies.

Thompson told ABC 17 News on Wednesday the data sharing would address multiple issues, including crime. She said University Health Care and their law enforcement are key players and that she Choi have spoken about the platform since the deadly shooting.

“We think Dr. Choi’s help at this point will be able to move this project forward as Dr. Choi understands the need for everybody to be working together across systems and across agencies,” Thompson said.

Records also show Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick had sent an email to MU CFO Ryan Rapp following the deadly shooting, indicating he did not plan to go on a planned trip to South Carolina in the wake of the shooting.

Kendrick told ABC 17 News via email that after several conversations, including a meeting at the university last week, he decided to go.

“Much of the conversations in Columbia, South Carolina, revolved around public safety, law enforcement, and downtown safety. President Choi ended up sending Chief Weimer on the trip as well to be part of the conversations. I’m glad that I went,” Kendrick said.

ABC 17 News reached out to MU.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Schnucks announced in a Wednesday press release that it is recalling smoked mozzarella penne salad because of a possible listeria contamination.

The recall was announced for stores in Missouri, Indiana and Illinois. Schnucks has three locations in Columbia and one store in Jefferson City.

Affected products have the UPC code 21287100000 and would have been purchased on or after Aug. 29. It also applies to the same product purchased in bulk from the deli case, the release says.

Customers should either throw out the food or bring it back for a refund.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people have died from West Nile virus in Missouri this year, according to data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The DHSS also says there’s been an increase in human cases of the virus this year with 16, compared to 15 reported last year. There was one fatality reported in the state in 2024. There have been 15 hospitalizations from the virus this year compared to 13 last year.

One fatality this year was reported in St. Louis County, while the other two were reported in Grundy and St. Charles counties, respectively. All of the people who died had contracted the virus from within the state in August, the data shows.

A Wednesday press release from the DHSS says, “West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States. This infection often causes no symptoms, but about 1 in 5 people may develop a flu-like illness with fever, headache, and/or body aches. In rare cases, especially in older adults or people with weakened immune systems, it can cause serious problems like swelling of the brain or spinal cord and/or paralysis.”

The release says residents can protect themselves by:

Using insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or IR3535;

Wearing long sleeves and pants;

Getting rid of standing water;

Making sure windows and door screens “are in good repair to keep mosquitoes out;” and

Reporting dead birds to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Monday night approved its $86,836,166budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Revenue for the city is expected to match expenditures.

The total budget decreased by nearly $10 million from the 2025 “actual” budget, though it’s a very similar number to the adopted 2025 budget, according to information from the city.

The city is seeing a roughly $6 million increase from the “actual 2025 budget,” a $700,000 increase in materials and supplies and a roughly $5.4 million decrease in contractual services.

The 2026 budget also does not have “Other Non-Operating Expenses” described, compared to 2025’s $833,196.

There was also a $1.3 million decrease in capital purchases, while capital projects is expected to have a more than $11 million decrease.

The city’s police department is seeing a roughly $800,000 increase ($9.7 million) from the 2025 budget ($8.9 million). Personnel services makes up the bulk of the increase, with 2026’s budget seeing $8.5 million compared to 2025’s actual budget of $7.5 million, though it’s similar to the adopted budget from 2025. More than half of that total comes from salaries.

The city is also spending roughly $100,000 more on a school resource officer in 2026 ($988,101 compared to 2025’s $885,864).

The fire department is also expected to get about $800,000 more in 2026 ($10.7 million) than it did in 2025 ($9.9 million), with a bulk of the increase also coming from salaries.

Courtesy of Jefferson City.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Employment and education center Job Point hopes to establish a charter school in Boone County.

The organization has submitted a letter of intent to the state-run Missouri Charter Public School Commission, which will be voted on Thursday.

If approved, Job Point will be invited to apply to establish a charter school.

Job Point has been in operation since 1965 and provides services like affordable housing, disability services and job assistance. The center helps connect people to certification and technical skill programs.

Losing federal funds is Job Point’s YouthBuild program, which provides on-site construction training to at-risk and low-income youth aged 16 to 24.

“This would be doing what we’re doing, just finding a way to keep it going,” Job Point President and CEO John Scalise said.

According to Job Point, YouthBuild has nationally served over 200,000 young people who have built over 36,000 affordable housing units. The organization claims 75% of U.S. YouthBuild participants have reported earning a diploma or credential, and 45% reported transitioning to jobs or postsecondary education.

Scalise adds that the program has sees around 80 students annually. Job Point also partners with Hallsville, Southern Boone and Columbia Public Schools through the program.

“A lot of the youth that we’re working with may be dealing with some significant adult life situations, even though they’re still youth, and don’t have the time to spend in school,” Scalise said.

Scalise said in an email to ABC 17 News that operating as a charter school would be a viable option for continuing the program because of federal funding issues through the Department of Labor.

“The grant funds are in the last cycle and will be used by 2028,” Scalise said. “There presently are no funded future grants for YouthBuild. We see this change as an opportunity to pursue opening the Charter School.”

According to Job Point’s letter of intent, the YouthBuild Workforce Charter School of Columbia will “pair YouthBuild’s existing vocational training and educational programs with the Missouri Option Program (MO-Options) for high school graduation.”

YouthBuild will help provide vocational and construction training, while MO-Options helps students navigate high school diploma and career guidance.

The letter states that students who are at-risk or have dropped out of high school will be the focus of enrollment. During its first five years of operation, the school will serve students in grades 9 through 12, with plans to eventually offer technical school apprenticeships for individuals beyond high school once it reaches full capacity. The charter school will also continue its current partnership with local public schools.

“What they have told us so far shows us that it is worth our time to take a look at a proposal from them, and we don’t do that with everybody,” MCPSC spokesperson Jeff Rainford said.

Job Point expects to have an enrollment of 45 students in the first year, 95 in the fifth year of operation, and over 200 students when at capacity.

YouthBuild has also partnered with charter schools in other states, including California, where it operates 18 school sites.

According to Job Point, the YouthBuild program has a $600,000 annual budget. The organization expects operating costs to increase when partnering with MO-Options.

YouthBuild Workforce Charter School is currently the only application submitted from the Columbia/Boone County area.

The charter school commission sponsors 21 charter schools in the state, primarily in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. Six schools have an approved letter of intent and are in various stages of the application process.

Democratic Representative Kathy Steinhoff of Columbia is supportive of Job Point’s work but hopes the center works with Columbia Public Schools to be a sponsor.

“When the school district is the sponsor, the locally elected school board continues to make the decisions about local funds and is accountable to the public,” Steinhoff said.

The YouthBuild charter school would open for the 2027 school year.

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Olivia Hayes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man accused in a domestic shooting was denied bond Wednesday.

Michael Anthony Davis, 40, will remain in the Cole County Jail after Cole County Judge Joseph Shetler ruled against allowing him out on bond. Davis is charged with first-degree domestic assault, three counts of armed criminal action and one count each of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

The probable cause statement says Jefferson City police were investigating a crash in the 1800 block of Highway 50/63 East when they heard multiple shots being fired nearby.

Two women with life-threatening gunshot wounds were found in a vehicle in a wooded area in the 110 block of Cordell St., the statement says. They were brought to University Hospital in Columbia.

A witness described seeing a woman arguing with Davis, and Davis allegedly pulled out a long gun, the statement says. The witness did not see shots being fired, but they heard several shots in a row, the statement says. Police found roughly 30 shell casings in the 900 block of Harding Street, and Davis was arrested shortly after.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson confirmed one of the woman was the wife of Davis, the other woman was her friend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that there have been more than 200 victims of domestic violence in Jefferson City in 2025 so far, 75% of those victims were women.

Thompson said cases of domestic abuse can come with their own type of challenges.

“You’ll have individuals in those cases who are caught up in the cycle of domestic violence. There’s a certain type of manipulation that goes on by the defendant and that can make it very difficult sometimes,” Thompson said.

He explained the different ways the prosecutor’s office could approach a domestic assault case.

“We do the best we can. We try to, when we may not have a cooperative victim, go with evidence based prosecution. Photographs of injuries, witness statements, things like that,” Thompson said.

Lori Haney, Executive Director for Citizens Against Spousal Abuse – Sedalia, says the cycle of domestic abuse starts with emotional abuse.

“Trying to control what the victim wears, where they may go, who they communicate with, losing resources, losing their job, losing access to transportation, access to money,” Haney said.

She explained how things can escalate even further from there.

“Then, you have that explosive phase where that abuse incident or incidents occurs and then there’s kind of a calming down period where an abuser may even feel remorseful and apologetic,” Haney said.

Haney said that have a safety plan is the first step to getting away from an abusive situation.

“Legal documents and identification are your first and foremost priority,” Haney said. “From there, where is going to be a safe place to go and I really have to highly recommend contacting victim service agencies in and around your area.”

Thompson said the prosecutors office has resources for those experiencing domestic abuse. He said local and county law enforcement in the area can also help victims find available resources.

Davis appeared through video call from Cole County Jail Wednesday and was read his charges. Davis did not have an attorney present.

Judge Joseph Shetler said Davis was a danger to the community due to the nature of the charges. Davis is scheduled for another bond review on Friday and a hearing on Oct. 30.

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