Category: kmiz-local-news

Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council held a special session on Thursday to review plans for the new downtown conference center.

A design report outlined the 189,420-square-foot facility, which would be built between Madison and Monroe streets, with the main entrance on East Capitol Avenue.

The project includes a 200-room hotel, bar, conference room, grand ballroom, restaurant, coffee shop, and 526 parking spaces. City officials said the design aims to attract more visitors downtown and boost local business activity.

Designers are in talks with hotel brands including Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, though Jefferson City will make the final decision on which brand is selected. The hotel will operate year-round, 24 hours a day, on behalf of the city.

The center is projected to generate a $584 million economic impact in its first decade, along with 372 jobs and $14 million in new local tax revenue, according to the report. City leaders hope the development will drive traffic to nearby restaurants, cafés, and shops, spurring further economic growth.

This is despite the project losing $20 million that was supposed to help pay for the center after state lawmakers cut the funds during its special session in May. During the planning process, hotel rooms were cut down from 250 to 200, but will not dip below 200, according to representatives of Looney and Associates, an interior design firm working on the project. 

As part of the construction of the center, the capital city will also lose out on 400 parking spaces due to the demolition of the Madison Street parking garage. During the meeting, Councilman Aaron Mealy raised constituent concerns about parking, noting that businesses fear the demolition of the Madison Street garage will make it harder to find spaces.

The city has hired a parking operator, Parking Concepts Inc., to look into figuring out a ratio that will allow for the space to be used in the most efficient way. 

Project designers said the conference center will provide one parking space per hotel room, leaving 326 spaces available. Looney and Associates added that most conference events are scheduled in the evening, outside normal business hours, which could help ease parking concerns.

Jefferson Center Mayor Ron Fitzwater told ABC 17 News in July that the center is slated to cost $130 million, but could change throughout the design phase of the project. He also said the city is considering other ways to make up for the loss, including “squeezing the project” to try and close the gap, or having good luck with interest rates falling over the next few years.

The project began in 2024 with planning and research. This year, the city moved forward with final design and construction plans. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion expected in 2028.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Shelby County woman was seriously injured in a crash Thursday morning near the intersection of Westbound Highway 54 and Route TT in Callaway County, a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says.

The report says a 2021 Peterbilt 579 – driven by a 59-year-old Russellville man – was trying to cross westbound Highway 54 when it was hit by a 2012 Nissan Juke, which was heading westbound. The Nissan was driven by a 34-year-old Emden, Missouri, woman.

The woman had serious injuries and was brought to University Hospital by ambulance, the report says. Both people in the crash wore their seatbelts, according to the report.

The Nissan was totaled while the Peterbilt had minor damage. MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was accused of soliciting prostitution from an undercover police officer was allegedly found with 29 grams of fentanyl in July.

Amy Hill, 47, of Columbia, was charged on Thursday in Boone County with second-degree drug trafficking, misdemeanor prostitution, two counts of felony drug possession and a single count of delivery of a controlled substance. She is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date has not been scheduled.

Two probable cause statements were filed in the case. The first document says an undercover Columbia police officer found a website on July 24 where Hill allegedly advertised “adult services,” for a listed price.

The officer allegedly contacted Hill with a phone number that was listed on the website to set up a meeting at an Airbnb, the statement says. The officer met Hill in the 800 block of East Broadway in downtown Columbia and discussed a price, documents say. The officer allegedly asked if he could pay a larger amount than the originally listed price, court documents say.

She was then taken into custody and was allegedly found with 29 grams of fentanyl and about a gram of methamphetamine in her purse, the statement says. The DEA’s website says 2 milligrams can be a lethal dose.

A second probable cause statement says the Boone County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a motel room on Business Loop 70 on Sept. 9, which was occupied by Hill. Law enforcement allegedly found 29 grams of meth and 4 grams of cocaine, along with a scale and baggies, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman was charged with a felony in Macon County on Thursday after authorities claim she stole $4,000 from her employer’s safe last month and fled to Alabama.

Ashlynn Ross was charged with felony stealing. A warrant was issued on Thursday and a $10,000 bond was set. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says Ross is accused of taking $4,000 from the victim’s safe on Aug. 2, a day when the business was closed. Video footage allegedly showed the victim accessing the safe that day while holding a bank bag and concealing something in her shirt after making “erratic movements,” the statement says.

Ross allegedly then went to the office at 8:40 a.m. Aug. 7, left at 10:58 a.m. and never came back, the statement says. Ross then called in sick to work the next day and traveled to Alabama, court documents say.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign the new congressional map within the state into law this Sunday, according to a Thursday press release from the governor’s office.

The new congressional map – named the “Missouri First” map – was approved during a special session earlier this month. The new map has faced criticism for occurring outside of the 10-year census, which is the period it is typically done. Multiple lawsuits were filed in response to the bill.

President Donald Trump gave praise to Missouri Republicans last month for considering the move as Republicans seek to maintain control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms. Texas, California and other states have also considered redrawing their district boundaries.

The new map splits Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Fifth District and is likely to give an edge to Republicans during the next election cycle.

“After a thorough bill review process with our team, I am prepared to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law,” Kehoe said in Thursday’s release. “Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that. We appreciate the work of legislators in the General Assembly in getting this bill to my desk, as well as passing critically needed IP reform to give Missouri voters the opportunity to protect our Constitution at the ballot box.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A crash that caused a couple of lanes to close on Wednesday evening on the Missouri River bridge in Jefferson City led to one person having minor injuries, according to a crash report from the Jefferson City Police Department.

The report says three vehicles were heading northbound. The driver of a 2015 Nissan Frontier made a lane change and ended up hitting a 2024 Buick Encore, the report says. The Encore then hit the wall of the bridge, the report says.

Another vehicle – a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage — was hit by debris that came off the trailer being towed by the Nissan, the report says. The Nissan had extensive damage, while the Buick had moderate damage and the Mitsubishi had minor damage, according to the report.

The driver of the Nissan — a 61-year-old woman from Columbia – had minor damage and was brought to an area hospital by ambulance. A Missouri Department of Transportation camera showed multiple first responders arriving in the area.

A RAVE alert was issued at 9:21 p.m. for the crash and traffic was back to normal by 10 p.m. Two lanes were closed during that period.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people were injured – one seriously – in a crash Wednesday evening on Route Z in Benton County, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the crash occurred as a 2011 Ford Edge – driven by a 32-year-old man from Warsaw, Missouri – was heading westbound as a 2017 Ford Transit Van was heading in the other direction. The van was driven by a 38-year-old woman from Warsaw.

The report says the driver of the Ford Edge tried to avoid a vehicle and ended up hitting the van head-on.

The 32-year-old man was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered serious injuries, the report says. He was brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance.

The driver of the van wore a seatbelt and had minor injuries, the report says. A passenger in the van – a 43-year-old Warsaw man – wore a seatbelt and had moderate injuries, the report says. The driver was brought to Golden Valley Memorial by a private vehicle, while the man was brought to Golden Valley Memorial by ambulance, according to the report.

Both vehicles were totaled. MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was detained by law enforcement on Tuesday after another person was found with a gunshot wound in the 200 block of North Wood Street in Brunswick, according to a social media post from the Chariton County Sheriff’s Office.

The post says first responders were called at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday for a reported shooting. The victim was brought to a hospital in Columbia for treatment.

Identities of the victim and the detained person were not released by law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office told ABC 17 News on Thursday that it is still working with the county’s prosecutor to determine the best course of action.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Regional Airport and city leaders celebrated the long-awaited return of United Airlines Thursday afternoon.

At a press conference speakers highlighted the positive impact United’s expansion is expected to bring to Mid-Missouri. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was unable to attend, but Council Member, Nick Foster the city. Leaders from Jefferson City, the University of Missouri, Boone County, and United Airlines also spoke, with Governor Mike Kehoe closing out the event.

Thursday marked the first United flight from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago-O’Hare. United will operate one daily flight to Denver and two daily flights to Chicago on upgraded planes.

“Certainly that’s what this new terminal represents not only the opportunities we have with our fantastic university in Columbia, but also with Jefferson City manufacturing, state government, and all the way to the lake. This is a great sign for how our region can grow. To United, thank you so much for investing back into us,” Kehoe said.

United Airlines said Thursday also marked the first time since the pandemic that Chicago has recorded 600 daily departures nationwide and Columbia now accounts for two of them.

Boone County Commissioner Kip Kendrick said the expansion will create jobs and economic growth.

“United expanded flights here will lead to more jobs,” Kendrick said. “They will lead to more business. It will improve the lives of current residents and will continue to grow our population for years to come.”

Passengers arriving on United’s first flight were greeted with refreshments and gift bags. Many travelers said the biggest benefit is saving time by flying out of Columbia rather than driving to St. Louis or Kansas City.

“I think it’s great. Very accessible for the university, and typically we had to fly into Kansas City or St. Louis. Now it’s much faster and more convenient. With direct flights to Denver, we plan on coming here far more often,” a member from the Nimber family said.

Local business owners and community members share the same excitement.

“I have already looked for flights for 2025 out of Columbia to Denver instead of St. Louis. It saves me the travel time on I-70, which is under construction right now. It’ll save me all that grief on the highway,” Adonica Coleman, Owner of COMO 411 said.

Fifth Ward Councilmember Don Waterman agreed, saying, “It’s always good to have more options.”

Demand is already high. The governor jokingly admitting he couldn’t get a seat.

“The Chicago flights are great. The Denver flights, they’re already booked. I tried to get on one the other day, but they were booked both ways,” Kehoe said.

MU Chief Financial Officer Ryan Rapp even joked with United’s Sam Levy that one flight from Denver isn’t enough. For now, Columbia is taking what it can get.

United Airlines flights to Denver will resume for the first time in four years, following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced travelers. According to Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Denver was one of Columbia’s most underserved business markets.

A 2025 community summit report from the city found Denver was the top choice for a new direct flight from Columbia Regional Airport. Denver received 28 of the 89 total votes, leading a list of destinations that included New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston and Washington D.C.

In November, Columbia received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to resume flight service to Denver. 

Starting in December, United will add another connection to Chicago bringing the total to three daily flights.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 150 people showed up to a meeting on Wednesday at the University of Missouri’s chapter for Turning Point USA.

The meeting was the first the group held since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the national group’s founder. Kirk was killed in a shooting on Sept. 10 at an event at a college in Utah.

The MU chapter held a vigil for Kirk the night the shooting occurred. That vigil was held at Traditions Plaza.

Wednesday’s meeting was held at Memorial Union near Hitt Street on MU’s campus. Officers of the club introduced themselves and discussed upcoming events. Group members held a tribute for Kirk with a moment of silence and signing a poster for Kirk’s family.

“What makes me so proud is getting more people involved, you know, a lot of young people were never into politics before and now because of Charlie, a lot of people are involved and people are talking. That’s what we need in our country. People were silent before and because of people like Charlie Kirk, now everybody’s talking. We need people to talk,” said Nathan Vass, who is the social media coordinator for the MU chapter.

Vigils, memorials and similar events have been held for Kirk around Mid-Missouri since his death two weeks ago, including a vigil held at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on Sept. 18

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