Category: kmiz-local-news

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The man who robbed a northeast Columbia business early Wednesday remained at large by afternoon.

Police say a man wearing black clothing went into the business in the 1600 block of Towne Drive, put a pink drawstring bag on the counter and demanded money. He displayed a pistol tucked into his waistband and then jumped over the counter, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

Police did not name the business.

The man got away and was still free on Wednesday afternoon, the release says.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The destruction of suspected killer Sergio Sayles’ car was out of the Jefferson City Police Department’s hands, officers testified Wednesday during the bench trial for the murder of Jasmine King.

Sayles’ car, which was also his home at the time of King’s killing, has been a point of contention throughout the trial.

Before the trial began on Monday, the defense renewed a request to dismiss the case, arguing that Sayles’ car, evidence in the case, was destroyed after his arrest, but the judge denied this motion.

JCDP detective Lt. Steve Weaver testified Wednesday that police searched the car after it was transported to the station’s garage. Police were on the lookout for any items that could have been related to the case, like potential weapons or items with blood.

Weaver said DNA swabs and fingerprints were taken from the car.

JCPD detective Andrew Rogers also searched the car, taking photos of both the exterior and interior and any notable items that were pulled from the car.

“It contained a lot of stuff, very cluttered,” Rogers said.

Police ended up confiscating two pairs of jeans with possible stains and three pairs of shoes. Rogers added that the search felt “normal.”

When questioned about the destruction of the car, Weaver said the JCPD has no protocol or practice to notify the owner of a confiscated vehicle. Sayles’ car was removed by a towing company after Jeremy Bowman, the former JCPD detective who led Sayles’ case, deemed it that it was no evidence.

Weaver added that the towing company ultimately decides whether a vehicle is destroyed. The defense questioned Weaver about his knowledge of Sayles’ family contacting JCPD for Sayles’ car, to which he said he was not aware of the communication.

“It’s a case-by-case,” Weaver said. “To my knowledge, there is no policy about that, there is no practice about that.”

The defense also questioned detectives on the validity of a ring that connected Sayles to the crime. Bowman alleged Tuesday that the ring was collected from Sayles by an officer at the station when he was interrogated on April 10.

JCPD Evidence Technician Teresa Weaver later testified on Wednesday that the ring was recorded as evidence property on April 17, a week after it was allegedly collected.

Following Wednesday’s hearing, the defense motioned to dismiss the case, specifically for Sayles’ charge of first-degree murder, claiming the state did not have enough evidence of premeditation to prove Sayles was guilty.

The motion was later denied.

In April 2023, police found Jasmine King dead from multiple stab wounds in her home on West Ashley Street. Witness statements and surveillance video reportedly connected Sayles to the crime scene, and police recovered the murder weapon and some of Sayles’ belongings in a trash bag at McClung Park.

King had previously reported harassment and stalking by Sayles, including a complaint in 2021 where she alleged that Sayles threatened to shoot her.

Closing statements and Judge Brouck Jacobs’ decision are expected on Thursday.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite no flurries in Wednesday’s forecast, Columbia residents might have seen snowplow trucks traveling across the city.

Columbia’s Public Works Department held its annual Dry Snow Run training exercise on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming winter season.

This winter, the department will add five new snow-capable trucks to its fleet to improve reliability and efficiency.

Public Works engineering and operations manager Richard Stone, who is in charge of snow response on city streets, told ABC 17 News in October that the department has about 30 vehicles that it uses for regular snow maintenance.

He said the new trucks will replace aging snow removal equipment. Two are expected to arrive in November and three in January.

The dry snow run began at the Grissum Building on Lakeview Avenue around 10 a.m., with snowplow drivers and staff from multiple city departments reviewing safety procedures and practicing designated snow routes.

Stone said it’s also an opportunity to get new drivers behind the wheel alongside more experienced drivers for training.

“We do have some some newer drivers, so we try to pair those up with veteran drivers, give them a chance to look at the equipment, understand the operations of the equipment,” Stone said. “We’ll also do some some individual training sessions with those drivers beyond the dry snow run.”

The exercise helps every driver familiarize themselves with routes, identify new traffic patterns or construction zones, and ensure equipment is ready before the first snowfall.

“[Drivers] look for medians, speed humps, anything that could provide difficulty during winter weather, get used to the intersections that are there,” Stone said. “Also, take a look at some of the cul-de-sacs, try to figure out where you would put snow within a cul-de-sac, because there’s generally driveways, mailboxes, inlets that you have to avoid. And then there could be parked car.”

Columbia’s Street Division maintains about 1,465 lane miles of roads and 1,100 cul-de-sacs each winter, with priority routes covering more than 691 lane miles.

When snowfall is less than 4 inches, crews focus on clearing priority routes and may address neighborhood streets during regular business hours if conditions allow. When snowfall exceeds 4 inches, crews operate around the clock to restore near-normal conditions on major roads before moving into residential areas. The city deems streets passable when a front-wheel-drive vehicle can safely travel one lane below the posted speed limit.

For more information on Columbia’s snow operations and response priorities, visit CoMoSnow.com.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The family of the man killed in a shooting in Jefferson City demanded answers from law enforcement in a news conference Wednesday morning.

On the steps of the Cole County Courthouse, the family of Erik Spencer II spoke to the public regarding the investigation into his death. The family is asking for transparency and accountability, along with answers.

Jefferson City police revealed Spencer’s name Tuesday after he was killed Saturday night in a parking lot near the Old Navy on Missouri Boulevard. Spencer was a graduate of Lincoln University. However, the Jefferson City Police Department has not released the shooter’s name pending a decision from the prosecutor on whether charges will be filed.

ABC 17 News obtained the incident report from Saturday night. The report begins with a call to 911 at 7:52 p.m.. The caller told dispatch they witnessed a male assaulting a female in a red car. The caller and operator noted they were able to hear screaming coming from the car. The report then says the caller saw the woman try to leave the car while the screaming continued.

At 7:54 p.m., a gunshot is listed in the report, with the caller yelling “gun.” Seconds later, the caller tells the dispatcher a man had been shot and that the windows of the Old Navy store had also been shot out.

The report says the gunshot victim, later confirmed to be Spencer, was still breathing at 7:57 p.m. and that a licensed nurse was on scene trying to help. At 7:58 p.m., EMS arrived, and law enforcement secured a gun at the scene. At 8:02 p.m., CPR was in progress, and EMS was evaluating life-saving measures. Spencer’s time of death was not listed in the report, but police said he died at the scene.

A Buick sedan and a Hyundai sedan were towed from the scene. A black Audi was also secured and searched at the Jefferson City Police Department. Police recovered one gun from the scene.

According to police, the suspected shooter is cooperating with the investigation.

Redacted incident reportDownload

ABC 17 News has confirmed that a state employee was questioned by police regarding the incident and released. That person is currently on administrative leave and has not been detained. No charges have been filed in the case.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson, who has been in Boone County this week trying a murder case, said he will get a full briefing on the case Thursday. From there, Thompson said he will evaluate any other leads that may need to be followed. He said the “complexities” of the investigation could stall a decision.

In a social media post, Spencer’s family said they are frustrated by the lack of information from the Jefferson City Police Department.

Lincoln University acknowledged Spencer’s death in a Wednesday social media post.

“Unfortunately, Erik Spencer II, a former student, tragically lost his life in an incident off campus. We offer our condolences to Erik’s family and friends,” the post reads. “We encourage those in our campus community to utilize the resources available to students and employees as you deal with grief and other emotions following this tragedy.”

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hallsville voters approved a number of measures on Tuesday.

There was a 25% voter turnout for this election, according to information from the county clerk’s office.

Voters overwhelmingly approved to stay with the four-day school week students have been doing the past few years. “Yes” took home 75% of the vote.

Voters once again approved a proposition that allows the district to borrow $6.5 million to improve buildings and infrastructure, including a multi-use sports field. Voters approved the same bond issueback in April, but State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick refused to certify the result, citing issues with how the notice of election was posted. The measure passed this time with 75% of the vote.

 “These results show that our community believes in our direction,” Superintendent Tyler Walker said in a statement. “The passage of both measures allows us to focus on what matters most, safe facilities, excellent staff, and opportunities that improve lives through learning.”

Fayette voters keep police marshal elected position

Several local elections are being held around Mid-Missouri on Tuesday.

Among the early results include the Fayette election, which asked voters if they city should convert the police marshal – which is an elected position – to an appointed police chief.

Voters rejected the measure 169 votes to 134.

Additional races

Pettis, Morgan, Cooper and Benton counties voted on State Fair Community College asking to increase its operating tax levy by 10 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Voters in all four counties rejected the measure with 3,172 “no” votes vs. 1,656 votes that were in favor.

Macks Creek voters approved a $1.5 million bond issue to pay for repairs and renovations at their school district with 85.6% of the vote.

The Morgan County R-1 school district’s proposed operating tax levy failed with 67.7% of voters saying “no.”

The City of Marceline in Linn County had its $30 million bond approved by 75.9% of voters. The bond will be used to improve the combined water and sewer system. There were 126 voters who approved it, compared to 40 who voted against. Three voters were eligible in Chariton County, but none cast a ballot.

Maries County voters will decide whether to implement a 1-cent sales tax to pay for emergency dispatching. The tax would replace a 15% tax on landline phones. At 8:20 p.m., 90% of the vote was in, and “Yes” led 502 votes to 257.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A portion of both eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 closed on Tuesday night after a crash was reported.

The crash was reported at 7 p.m. in the eastbound lane, according to a Boone County Joint Communications notification. Joint Communications later reported that both eastbound lanes were closed at mile marker 130.

Information from the Missouri Department of Transportation indicated that the closure could last roughly an hour.

Joint Communications wrote at 7:46 p.m. that one lane was reopened, and another update was sent at 7:51 p.m. stating that both lanes were open.

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Olivia Hayes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City residents voted Tuesday on whether the city’s lodging tax will be extended an additional 25 years.

Voters approved the measure with 53.9% of the vote. There was a 15.61% voter turnout this election. There were 4,397 total votes cast, with 2,371 in favor and 2,026 against.

The lodging tax is a 7% tax paid by visitors staying in hotel and motel rooms, as well as short-term rentals. Voters first approved the tax in 2011, lasting until 2035. The tax was extended through 2060.

The city uses 3% of the tax to fund its Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the other 4% goes into the city’s Conference Center Fund. Since 2011, the tax has brought in around $13 million to the Conference Center Fund.

At the end of October, the Jefferson City Lodging Association filed a lawsuit against the city over the tax saying it violates Missouri law. In response, an attorney for the city filed a motion to dismiss the case saying the association doesn’t have standing to sue.

Check back for updates.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is continuing to look at next steps for improving east-to-west travel within the city.

With the Improve I-70 project from Paris Road to Rocheport expected to break ground in spring 2026, Public Works spokesman John Ogan said the city is waiting on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s project recommendations before it moves forward with the Ash Street Improvement Project.

The project that would widen West Ash Street to include bike lanes and expand sidewalks, which has faced some pushback from residents. Some Columbia residents who live in the neighborhood along West Ash Street protested against the project in April.

MoDOT is expected to release its plans for the next portion of the Improve I-70 project in December, according to Ogan. The department has floated outer roads that go to Midway, and some different collector roads.

“But those roads would go naturally, along with I-70 in the east-to-west direction. West Ash Street also goes in the east-to-west direction,” Ogan said. “So what we’re looking at is pausing the Ash Street project until MoDOT can make their recommendations and let us know what their plans are for I-70 and the east to west corridor and Columbia.”

Ogan said Columbia will possibly have a study done after MoDOT releases its plans.

The study would be with the Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization and help identify what east-to-west travel would look like in the area moving forward.

“If they [MoDOT] build a transportation network that facilitates easy east-to-west travel north of Ash Street, fewer people may use Ash Street to travel east to west. They may travel there more, in which case that would change people’s travel behaviors,” Ogan said.

He said waiting to see what MoDOT plans first will ensure a more accurate study and be important in deciding next steps for possible West Ash Street improvements.

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ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council on Monday night reallocated $25,000 from recent bicentennial events to make security upgrades to city hall.

City staff said they want to buy portable security scanners and the city’s finance director is working with the Jefferson City Police Department to determine their options.

No decision has been made on the type of scanner, or the number of scanners that could be purchased.

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Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge will review another redistricting lawsuit Dec. 15, following what was supposed to be the first redistricting trial Monday.

The NAACP filed its redistricting lawsuit at the start of the special session in September against Gov. Mike Kehoe, the former attorney general, the House speaker and the Senate president pro tem.

In the lawsuit, the NAACP asked a Cole County judge to stop the legislature from meeting, arguing a special session on redistricting without an updated census is unconstitutional, according to court documents.

On Friday, a judge denied the NAACP’s request for a preliminary injunction, and the court is considering a motion to dismiss the case filed by the state. The attorneys on each side and the judge met Tuesday for a case review, where the trial date was set.

A Nov. 12 trial date has been set in two other lawsuits challenging the new map.

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