Category: kmiz-local-news

Sam Roe

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Tunnel to Towers “Never Forget” mobile exhibit arrived in Jefferson City on Wednesday for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

The exhibit travels around the country in a tractor-trailer, featuring artifacts from 9/11 and is ran by New York City firefighters who responded to the attack. The exhibit is designed to give visitors an idea of what it felt like to be in New York City on that day.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is named in honor of firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed in the South Tower on 9/11.

Siller was on his way out of town on 9/11, but returned to New York upon hearing the news. By the time he arrived, however, the bridges into town had been closed. The only way into the city was through underground tunnels.

“He put on his bunker coat, his pants, his boots, his helmet, and he ran about 2.5 miles through the tunnel, which is about a 2-mile tunnel to the Trade Center,” said John Bruckner, who is a retired New York firefighter. “And unfortunately, when the South Tower collapsed, Steven was killed, as were all the members of his company.”

Siller’s older brothers established the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which puts on annual runs through the tunnels of New York City as well as raising funds to provide housing assistance for first responders.

The exhibit will be at the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol until Sunday.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The wife of a man who was charged with manslaughter last month in a fatal crash that occurred on St. Charles Road has been charged.

Sandra Sharp, 55, of Columbia, was formally charged on Tuesday with hindering a felony prosecution, resisting arrest and fourth-degree assault. She was arrested with 53-year-old Shunta Bohanon on Aug. 16, but was able to post a $3,500 bond.

Bohanon is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence in the Aug. 14 crash death of Mark Hunter, 47, of Columbia, on St. Charles Road.

The probable cause statement says Sharp was seen driving the Jeep used in the crash the next afternoon. When police approached the vehicle, Sharp allegedly “barely cracked” the window, the statement says. She also allegedly refused to get out of the Jeep when she was told to by police, the statement says.

An officer broke one of the windows of the vehicle and Sharp allegedly tried to bite the officer and kick him, the statement says.

Sharp has a court appearance scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Bohanon has a hearing set for 9 a.m. the same day.

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Results from a trial run of expanded rideshare parking spaces in downtown Columbia last year showed promise in making the area safer.

On Tuesday night, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will block off 32 more parking spaces to designate for taxis and rideshare services in downtown, making 66 spots total.

The start time for the rideshare stands also moved to 9 p.m., two hours earlier than the previous 11 p.m. start time. The stands will continue operating until 2 a.m.

The designated areas would include parking spaces along Broadway, Cherry, Ninth, Tenth and Walnut streets.

When asked if the changes could help to curb crimes motivated by loitering and tailgating, city spokesman Christopher Ave said it could be “a possibility.” Ave went on to write in a statement that the city would welcome the development, but only time will tell.

City documents show that Columbia Police reported an increase in overnight traffic congestion connected to rideshare operators and customers violating traffic laws in August 2025. The city said those problems stemmed from a lack of designated places for operators and customers to use rideshare services.

In response, the Columbia Police Department ramped up enforcement of misdemeanor offenses downtown like jaywalking. Between Aug. 15-17, 2025, CPD handed out 21 citations as part of the new enforcement strategy. This included eight tickets for jaywalking or disobeying traffic signals. Eleven were for parking violations, while the other two included indecent exposure and an uninsured driver.

The city tested a rideshare pull-off zone last September by temporarily blocking metered parking. In October 2025, after the shooting death of Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams, metered parking was temporarily blocked off again to test designated pickup/drop off zones with Uber and Lyft.

CPD reported that the results of both of these pilot weekends saw a dramatic reduction in traffic violations and an overall improvement in pedestrian safety. Rideshare drivers also reported that the designated zones felt safer.

A request from the Downtown Community Improvement District on Aug. 18 asked for parking meters to be bagged Aug. 21-22 between Eighth and Tenth streets.

The request asked that the meters be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in an effort to address large crowds and loitering.

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi has called the area a “danger zone” in a series of emails to city leaders in light of multiple large scenes during the summer months. One incident was a brawl that led to seven arrests on July 26, and another was a shots-fired incident at the beginning of August that led to felony charges.

Emails show Choi put his backing behind request from the District on Aug. 19.

In his response to Choi, City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said the issue needs to be studied across downtown before the city acts on a single street.

“To determine how widespread the problem is, we would like to sit down with you, The District and CPD to discuss all instances of overnight tailgating downtown and exchange ideas on how best to address the issue,” Seewood wrote.

Choi called Seewood’s response “continued inaction” and described it as deeply concerning. He also addressed Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.

“We do not need additional studies. De’Carlon and his team should have been evaluating and addressing this issue since the first instance of violence in this section of Walnut Street,” Choi wrote. “If there are legitimate public safety concerns associated with overnight tailgating and activities that contribute to violence, then address them. This is precisely why the public has become so frustrated with city leaders. Problems that call for action result in further study and delay.”

Ave said city code does not allow the city to ban parking for the reason given in the request. Ave said CPD also advised that no “emergency” exists that would legally allow the suspension of parking in the requested area as the basis for the city’s denial.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced in a Wednesday press release that a Missouri resident who contracted measles boarded a train in Sedalia on Aug. 27.  

The release says the resident is not from Pettis County “and was only traveling through the Sedalia train station enroute to their intended destination.”

Train 318 was headed to Chicago. Details about the possible measles exposure are limited, per the release.

The DHSS says those who may have been exposed should look for symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure. People who think they may have measles should contact their healthcare provider.

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Melissa Houston

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Forum Boulevard Improvement Project was supposed to take place years ago, but faced delays due to the cost and size of the project.

The project was first proposed in August 2015 and was supposed to start in the summer of 2026. However, the project has been pushed back to the summer or spring of 2027.

Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan said the city is currently working to secure easements needed for the project. Once easements are acquired and the bidding process is complete, Ogan said the city will be able to determine when construction can begin.

“An easement is part of the process the city takes in order to acquire part of the city property in order to provide infrastructure along that route,” Ward 5 Councilwoman Christina Hartman said. “It’s the city’s way of asking for additional space in order to provide that public transit area.”

The improvement project runs through both Wards 4 and 5. Hartman said the project is an opportunity to improve infrastructure as well as the safety of the area.

“What they’re going to be doing is improving the traffic flow and reducing some of the issues that occur along that road, along with widening the road and making it safer for not only cars but pedestrians as well,” said Hartman.

Ogan said several things can delay the start date even further; those include changes to the original plan, delays in securing easements, or delays in the bidding process.

Once the project starts it is estimated to take roughly one year to complete. The project’s estimated cost has also increased to $13.5 million; data from July 2026 previously estimated it at $12.3 million.

According to a city memo citing July 2026 data, the project will make the road a four-lane section, with lanes in both directions. Construction will take place for a new bridge over Hinkson Creek. Two roundabouts will be added at Katy Lane and Woodrail/Crestwood. Bike lanes and sidewalks will also be added.

The city’s website does state that medians will be added to locations of the roads that experience higher accident rates. Ogan said that because the project features are still in the preliminary phase, he could not confirm any specific features that will be added.

Hartman said potential features of the project would help keep drivers of that area as safe as possible.

“The goal is to reduce that potential for collision as much as possible,” Hartman said.

This project runs through the 2900 block of Forum Boulevard, near Wilson’s Fitness Center, where a fatal crash occurred Aug. 22.

ABC 17 News obtained a crash report on Wednesday through a prior records request.

The report shows 46-year-old Darrin Stokes, of Columbia, died in the crash. The report says Stokes was traveling north in his 2010 Chevrolet Malibu when he crossed the center line and hit a 2012 Chevrolet Impala head-on.

Stokes was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver – Mary Schlenk, 78, of Columbia, — had serious injuries and was brought to an area hospital, the report says. The report claims neither driver wore a seatbelt.

On that specific stretch of Forum Boulevard, this improvement project would potentially add a raised median.

Hartman said community members she has spoken to have expressed their concerns for the road and the safety of it.

“The people that I spoke to along Forum, they are definitely want this project to go through,” Hartman said. “They have had concerns for this area for quite some time. And so, having that project come to fruition is going to be really important for the community.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who is accused of demanding money from a victim during an armed robbery on Monday has been arrested and charged.

Wayneshia Woods, 34, of Columbia, was charged on Wednesday in Boone County with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of armed criminal action, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree drug trafficking and drug possession.

She was booked into the Boone County Jail on Tuesday night and is being held without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

She’s accused along with Royce Kemp in the robbery. Kemp was charged on Tuesday with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping. He is not listed on a jail roster and a no-bond warrant was ordered.

The probable cause statement claims Kemp went to the victim’s residence, was let in by the victim and then left. He then allegedly returned with Woods minutes later and Woods asked the victim change for $50, the statement says.

Kemp allegedly then hit the victim in the back of their head with a gun and took roughly $1,800, the statement says. He then allegedly pointed the barrel to the back of the victim’s head while they were on the ground, the statement says.

A second probable cause statement says police served a search warrant at Woods’ residence on Tuesday afternoon and allegedly found fentanyl, cocaine and a gun. Woods allegedly arrived at the residence while police were searching it, the statement says.

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Demetra Alarcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation start setting girders Friday on the new flyover ramp connecting northbound Highway 63 to westbound Interstate 70.

Work will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, just as the University of Missouri football team kicks off at Kansas.

Westbound I-70 will narrow to one lane, and no active traffic will flow under the new ramp while the girders are set. Traffic will be directed up and over ramps at the connector, exit 128.

There will be no access over I-70 through the I-70 and Highway 63 connector; there will also be no access to or from westbound I-70 from the south end of the connector, and no access to or from eastbound I-70 from the north end of the connector.

Eastbound I-70 will not be affected.

In a media event Wednesday morning, MoDOT officials said they have coordinated with emergency services ahead of the weekend.

“We recognize this is a major impact in preparation for this work. We’ve held coordination meetings with local police, fire, and EMS agencies,” said Nicole Samern, director for the Columbia to Kingdom City Improve I-70 project. “These first responders have been critical partners throughout the course of the project and are ready to respond in the event of an incident.”

Two girders will be placed over the weekend, impacting traffic, with one remaining that will not impact traffic.

Courtesy of MODOT Courtesy of MODOT

Construction is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Monday.

After the girders are set, the next step will be to start forming the deck. MoDOT says the ramp should be open to traffic by the end of the year.

MODOT advises drivers to expect delays of up to an hour and to be cautious when driving through the area. Drivers are asked to follow the construction speed limit and watch out for crews.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from Texas who is charged in Boone County with child sex crimes was booked into the Boone County Jail on Tuesday.

Michael Moya, 33, of Austin, Texas, was charged on Aug. 26 with child enticement, misrepresenting his age while soliciting a minor, sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old and misdemeanor giving pornographic material to a minor.

He is being held without bond. An arraignment was held on Wednesday and a public defender was appointed. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The probable cause statement says Moya presented himself on Xbox Live chat as a 15-year-old and he had allegedly posted an open message asking for people of certain ages to message him.

Moya and the young victim allegedly exchanged illicit images and videos repeatedly from Feb. 9-March 17, the statement says.

Law enforcement wrote that more than 3,000 messages were sent between Moya and the victim during that time period and more than a hundred of videos and images sent. The messages were sexual in nature, according to court documents.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 100 World Trade Center first responders and survivors in Missouri are enrolled in a program that offers health care for problems related to the 9/11 terror attack and its aftermath.

Since the attacks, several programs and research initiatives have been established to monitor, treat and comprehend the long-term health effects the toxic and hazardous materials had on first responders.

One of the most significant is the World Trade Center Health Program that was established 10 years later on Jan. 2, 2011, when former President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 into law.

The program offers free medical monitoring, treatment and mental health services to first responders and survivors who were in the disaster area on 9/11 or in the months following, for the duration of their lives.

The program is authorized and funded through October 1, 2090, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

More than 95,000 first responders were enrolled in the program as of June 30, up from about 56,000 when the program was created in 2011.

As of July 2025, 117 first responders and survivors were enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program in Missouri.

Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The World Trade Center Health Program reports that it has identified 68 different forms of cancer linked to 9/11.

The top 15 most common are:

Non-melanoma skin cancer Prostate cancer Melanoma Lymphoma Thyroid cancer Kidney cancer Lung/bronchus cancer Leukemia Bladder cancer Colon cancer Female breast cancer Myeloma Oropharynx cancer Rectal cancer Neuroendocrine cancer

Researchers who studied the toxins released into the air on 9/11 have identified over 70 different deadly carcinogens, according to the World Trade Center Health Program. Some cancers caused by 9/11-related asbestos exposure can take 20 years to develop.

The organization says the dust and smoke from when the buildings collapsed contained jet fuel, lead, soot, concrete, metals, glass fibers and more.

As of June 30, responders and survivors accounted for 42,372 certifications for chronic rhinosinusitis, 39,190 for gastroesophageal reflux disease, 23,137 for asthma and 18,321 for post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

Since the attacks, the World Trade Center Health Program has recorded 57,044 WTC-related cancer certifications among responders and survivors, according to program data through June 30. The total includes 28,131 certifications among responders and 28,913 among survivors.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo.  (KMIZ)

A Columbia businesswoman who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and not paying payroll taxes was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison.

Kathryn L. Cunningham pleaded guilty in May 2025 and was previously charged with 38 felonies.

Cunningham is the former owner and CEO of payroll company Moresource, which had about 140 clients when it closed in 2020, according to previous reporting.

Cunningham was accused of embezzling from the payroll account that was held for the company’s clients. Cunningham stole about $1.5 million for her personal benefit and to run her company, previous reporting indicates.

Court documents also claim she gambled away payroll deposits at Isle of Capri Casino.

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