Category: kmiz-local-news

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia’s leader of the office of violence prevention D’Markus Thomas-Brown says he supports continued efforts from Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude to keep the city safe.

That includes recent efforts announced by city leaders and the University of Missouri to target crime in the downtown area. Efforts include increasing staffing at the Columbia Police Department and MUPD, as well as increasing the amount of officers from both agencies who patrol on foot during “peak weekend hours.”

Thomas-Brown said those steps are important, but knows fighting crime doesn’t just take one plan.

“We got to take a multi-pronged approach. It’s not just policing,” Thomas-Brown said. “It’s services that are able to be given to families that have been generationally impoverished. We know poverty plays into criminal genic behavior, social determinants,” Thomas-Brown said.

The announcement comes after Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams was shot and killed downtown last weekend, prompting University of Missouri System President Mun Choi to call for action from the city.

Misael Covarrubias, 23, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, along with three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Thomas-Brown recently came from a trip with the city to Columbia, South Carolina, where he said he witnessed firsthand the importance of utilizing a collaborative approach to keep residents safe. He said the city had already been focusing on public safety before the shooting, not just downtown but throughout the city.

Saturday’s shooting helped the city double-down on its efforts, Thomas-Brown said but he said he thinks there’s a bigger crisis in America that needs to be addressed.

“We have to look at firearms and have common sense policies. If that individual did not have a firearm we would not be having this conversation,” Thomas-Brown said.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol have agreed to provide troopers and deputies to help patrol the area. ABC 17 News reached out to both agencies for information regarding how many troopers and deputies plan to help, as well as for the specific hours the patrols will occur.

Sgt. Kyle Green, of MSHP’s Troop F, told ABC 17 News via text that the agency does not put out specific numbers. Brian Leer, with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, also said via email that the department does not release the number of personnel or plans prior to them happening.

“The Sheriff will evaluate requests for each detail/operation and determine to what extent the Sheriff’s Office will participate.  I know you are looking for details, but we won’t be commenting on exactly what we will or will not be doing; however, I can say the Boone County Sheriff’s Office will support professional proactive law enforcement efforts to help maintain law, order, and safety,” Leer said.

MUPD spokeswoman Sarah Yoro also said for safety purposes, the department will not release patrol plans. Yoro said MUPD will continue to work closely with CPD to help support public safety and encourages people to remain aware of their surroundings.

Choi also invited city leaders to walk with him downtown Saturday night.

Choi told city leaders the walk would allow them to witness what business owners, students and parents have been experiencing, citing issues such as gun violence and harassment by homeless people. Choi also claimed University of Missouri students are often involved in the incidents.

The walk-through is expected to start at 11 p.m. Saturday and end at 3 a.m. Sunday.

A spokesman with MU declined to comment on how many people have RSVP’d for the walk and said no security for city or university leaders has been requested.

City leaders, including Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman and Ward 4 Councilman Nick Foster said on Wednesday that they did not plan on attending the walk. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said he planned to attend.

Thomas-Brown said while he understands the want to go on the walk and was invited, he trusts Schlude’s assessment.

Choi had also sent a letter to city and county leaders pushing for joint efforts after Saturday’s shooting.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude sat down with ABC 17 News on Friday to discuss changes the department is making to make downtown Columbia safer on the weekends.

On most Friday and Saturday nights, nearly half of CPD’s on-duty officers are placed downtown. Following a shooting last weekend on East Broadway, Schlude said the department is working with its law enforcement partners to up patrol presence.

“We do have some officers coming in on overtime and we requested assistance from the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, the MU Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and they are all sending resources to us as well,” Schlude said.

The City of Columbia and University of Missouri released an action plan earlier this week, which included assistance patrolling downtown from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and MUPD.

CPD reported that last weekend there were approximately 11 officers in the downtown area. This weekend there is no football game, but MidMO Pride Fest and Greekfest are taking place near Columbia’s downtown and campus area.

Schlud said the number of officers that are available to assist downtown can be subject to change as calls for service throughout the city come in and impact police resources.

“Over the years, Columbia has just added more and more activities and festivals, which is really positive,” Schlude said. “It just puts a little bit more stress on us. So we try to get as many people down here as we can knowing that we still have to be able to to staff police officers in the rest of the city.”

CPD is working on implementing designated pull-off and pick-up zones for ride-share programs like Uber and Lyft. Pull-off zones would be marked by temporarily blocked meter parking that were tested on Sept. 19 and 20, while the designated pick-up zones will be tested Oct. 10 and 11, according to CPD.

Schlude hopes this will assist with the traffic flow downtown throughout the weekend evenings, but especially during the peak hours.

“The traffic pinch points, especially like hitting 10th and Broadway, those places are getting really congested when ride share is trying to come in,” Schlude said. “But we don’t want to deter people from using ride share, so we’ve got to figure out a better way to make ride share pickup available, but not congest traffic so much.”

Schlude said if the pick-up and pull-off points are successful they could become permanent.

“I’m a big believer in consistency and if you’re really trying to get people that might be intoxicated to do something it would be a lot easier to make it consistent so they always know, oh, I can go to these zones” Schlude said.

CPD is also working with Columbia/Boone County Health Department to address crowd control issues related to late-night food vendors.

“When I worked downtown, we had a couple hotdog carts and that was about it. So with the addition of those vendors, it also increases foot traffic in certain places,” Schlude said.

Schlude said this weekend will focus on health department officials educating the food vendors in an attempt to curb any resulting crowd control issues, but if the vendors don’t make the necessary changes a citation could follow.

“They’re going to talk to them about where they can and can’t be. Make sure they have the proper permits, kind of educate them about all the rules, like you can’t have music emanating from a food truck, things of that nature. Make sure that they have proper signage, lighting, whatever the requirements are,” Schlude said.

CPD is redeveloping a full-time dedicated downtown unit, but Schlude said resources don’t allow for it until summer 2026.

“When we get all the folks that are currently in training in the academy out and functioning on the street, which isn’t until next May or June, that’s when we think we can reach staff a true full time downtown unit,” Schlude said.

In the meantime the department has temporarily reassigned a patrol sergeant to focus full-time on overnight downtown operations.

“We wanted a consistent person who would, in the meantime, try to organize operations between now and frankly, when it gets really cold in the winter,” Schlude said. “But having that consistent person who is aware of all the issues going on, being able to communicate with the business owners down there.”

She explained that during the colder months the department will look at the need for downtown weekend staffing on a week by week basis as the chilly weather brings a lot less people to the area.

Right now, CPD is working with downtown business owners to have them sign a ‘Letter of Enforcement’ to try and curb crime in the area. Schlude said the department has made the process easier by taking it from a paper form to digital in an attempt to get it out to more business owners.

“Basically authorizes the police department to enforce trespassing on private property without the person that controls the business being there,” Schlude said. “There’s a link at the very top of our web page where businesses can go on, fill out that form, it’s good for a year.”

CPD has also upped its enforcement of misdemeanor offenses downtown in an effort to reduce violent incidents.

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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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