Category: kmiz-local-news

Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Central Missouri Honor Flight (CMHF) is preparing for its final flight Monday, marking the end of a 16-year tradition of taking Mid-Missouri veterans to Washington, D.C. The organization was founded by Mary Paulsell, her brother Steve and his wife Sharon, along with Sarah Hill, Barbara Brueggeman, and Scott Schaefer.

“Central Missouri honor flight, founded with a bunch of people getting together who had a heart for veterans,” Hill said. “Back in the day, I was a television news reporter. We did a bunch of stories about these veterans who weren’t able to physically travel to see the memorials in Washington D.C and through the magic of honor flight, they’re physically able to be there,”

Steve shared his thoughts on the beginning stages of the organization.

“We thought we’d do one, maybe two flights that year hopefully get enough veterans, enough money to do that and that would be the end. That’s what we thought,” Steve Paulsell said.

The non-profit announced in a news release that after Honor Flight #71 departs, no additional trips will be scheduled.

“We are approaching this flight like we approached every flight. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got. I doubt anything on that flight will be said about it being the last flight,” Paulsell said.

Organizers said the number of veterans applying for the trips has dropped in recent years.

“The applications from especially Vietnam veterans has really slowed down,” Paulsell said.

Jean Butler served three years in the Army, including 13 months in Korea, 11 months in Germany, and 5 months in Pennsylvania. He had planned to make the trip last year but was sidelined by a heart attack. Now feeling much stronger, Butler is finally able to go and even brought along a fellow veteran friend from the Air Force. The two will experience their first Honor Flight together. Butler said it’s disappointing to see Central Missouri Honor Flight come to an end.

“I’m so disappointed that people are not taking advantage of this. It’s absolutely free to veterans that were honorably discharged and often time kind of ignored when we came home,” Butler said.

Organizers said in addition to a lack of applicants, rising costs also played a role in the decision.

“In our first year, first or second year, we’d sit and wait and watch the bank account and say, okay, okay, we’ve got enough money to go for another flight and then we’d go,” Paulsell said. “But after several of that, we started out… you know, the knowledge and understanding of what our flight does increased, and so did the revenue.”

On Monday, 70 Vietnam veterans and one Korean War veteran will travel to Washington, D.C., for a final day of reflection at the nation’s memorials. The group will gather at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Columbia on Sunday night before departing at 1:45 a.m. Monday for a charter flight out of St. Louis.

Organizers are inviting the community to join in welcoming the veterans home. They’re asking people to gather at the Courtyard Marriott on Monday at 9:15 p.m. to greet the group’s return.

“Bring your kids. This is something they’ll never get to see again. And it’s actually the homecoming that the Vietnam veterans never got,” Paulsell said.

While this will be the final flight organized by CMHF, Paulsell encourages veterans still interested in traveling on an Honor Flight to reach out. The organization can help connect them with surrounding chapters. For veterans unable to make the trip due to health concerns or other limitations, a virtual Honor Flight experience is available online.

The organization said the people of Central Missouri have been overwhelmingly generous in supporting the non-profit. Paulsell also thanked local law enforcement and first responders who have assisted with the flights over the years. Since launching in 2009, Central Missouri Honor Flight has carried more than 5,500 veterans to the nation’s capital.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in Camden County on Saturday, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. It happened on Cup Tree Road just south of Cup Tree Drive.

The report says the driver of a 2008 Yamaha Roadliner – a 70-year-old Poplar Bluff man – was headed north around 12:20 p.m. when he drove off the road and was thrown off the motorcycle.

He was flown to University Hospital with serious injuries and was not wearing a helmet, the report says.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mokane teenager was seriously injured in a crash Sunday in Callaway County on Route C near Julie Street, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the driver of a 1994 Jeep Wrangler – a 17-year-old Mokane teen – was headed south around 1:40 a.m. when he drove off the right side of the road and overturned.

Another passenger in the car, a 20-year-old Fulton man, was moderately injured in the crash.

Both were taken to University Hospital by ambulance, and neither was wearing a seatbelt, the report says. The car was totaled.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One man and one woman were seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Saturday in Morgan County on Route W just south of Old Barn Road, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says that the driver of a 2007 Harley Davidson Electra Glide – a 58-year-old Williamsfield, Illinois man – was heading south when he drove off the left side of the road, overturned, and was thrown from the motorcycle around 9:40 a.m.

The passenger, a 62-year-old woman from Williamsfield, Illinois, was also thrown from the bike. The man was flown to University Hospital, and the woman was taken to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance. Neither was wearing a helmet, the report says.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people were injured – two seriously – in a crash on Route MM near Shawnee Four Drive in Camden County Saturday, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The report says a 2014 Harley Davidson FLHXS – driven by a 45-year-old Sioux Falls, South Dakota man – was heading west just before 4 p.m. when it crossed the middle of the road at a curve and hit a 2009 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic that was heading east.

The South Dakota man was flown to University Hospital with serious injuries.

The eastbound bike was driven by a 47-year-old Washington, Missouri, man, who suffered moderate injuries. His passenger, a 44-year-old Washington, Missouri woman, was seriously injured in the crash. Both were brought to Lake Regional Hospital by ambulance, the report says.

Neither driver involved in the crash was wearing a helmet, according to the report. The passenger was wearing a helmet.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia’s 2026 fiscal year budget is expected to be finalized and passed on Monday, following months of planning and public hearings.

According to city documents, the total budget sits at around $560 million in total revenue and around $544 million in operations. There are also around $64 million in expected Capital Improvement Projects. According to previous reporting, Capital Improvement projects often fluctuate between budgets due to large one-year purchases.

In the General Fund for daily operations, the costs are in the red, with revenue expected to be around $132 million and expenses expected to be around $135 million. This came after expected tax revenue fell by around 3% last year. City plans also expect the budget to dip into the city’s available cash.

Major changes in the budget include utilities, expected to see around 12% increase in funds, around $200 thousand, and capital seeing an almost 127% increase, around $1 million. Intragovernment costs also saw a decrease of around 20%, around $2 million.

General fund changes by departments stayed relatively similar from 2025. However, supporting activities, which manage community relations and facility management, are expected to have a 9% decrease, approximately $500,000.

Monday’s City Council Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou Tigers moved today’s kickoff against Louisiana Lafayette three hours earlier in an effort to spare fans and players from extreme heat. Despite the switch, many in Faurot Field still found themselves battling sweltering conditions.

“Yeah, it’s hot out here it’s really hot,” one fan told ABC 17 as temperatures and full sun made the afternoon feel relentless. Coach Eli Drinkwitz said the turf reached a blistering 176 degrees.

Fans arrived prepared with water, handheld fans, and sunscreen, but the heat still took a toll. By halftime, nearly half the stadium had emptied.

“It’s just too hot for me,” said Mizzou fan Jennifer McNew. “I got overheated, so I came out to cool off.”

Others were spotted balancing alcohol and water, a combination health officials say increases the risk of heat-related illness. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jon Carney said it is dangerous to drink alcohol in high temperatures.

“I know some people like to consume alcohol during the football games,” Carney said. “Alcohol there’s almost nothing worse you can put in your body in these kinds of hot temperatures.”

Nurse Practitioner Jackie Beshear, who spoke with ABC 17 earlier in the week, stressed the importance of water, light clothing, sunscreen, and hats. She also underscored the risks of heat exhaustion.

“It can be extremely dangerous,” Beshear said. “They can have heat exhaustion. They can pass out, they can have cramping, they can lose consciousness.”

First responders were busy throughout the afternoon. ABC 17 witnessed one mother collapse from heat exhaustion before being treated and stabilized on scene. ABC 17 has reached out to MU Health for the number of patients treated for heat-related illness during the game and is awaiting a response.

Separately, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Kyle Green confirmed troopers issued 25 ejection cards at last week’s game against Kansas.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 41-year-old New Franklin man died Friday night in an ATV crash on Route P in Howard County, north of County Road 451, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The report says the man drove the 2005 Arctic Cat off the road and was ejected from the vehicle after it overturned. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by the Howard County coroner, the report says.

He was not wearing a helmet, according to the report. His body was brought to Howard-Millard Funeral Home, according to the report.

The vehicle had minor damage. MSHP reports do not name those involved in crashes.

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Alison Patton

Editor’s note: A spelling error has been corrected.

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

When Heather Overstreet heard about Charlie Kirk’s death, she knew she had to gather the community.

“I think Charlie once said that once society stops having conversations between each other, that’s when bad things happen,” Overstreet said.

Kirk was a conservative political activist and the founder of Turning Point USA. He was shot and killed while speaking at an event on the Utah Valley University campus Wednesday.

22-year-old Tyler Robinson allegedly shot Kirk and is in custody, according to an ABC News report.

Overstreet and about eleven other people set up the Cooper County Fairgrounds to be a space where people can connect with each other, despite the circumstances. She organized the event within 48 hours and roughly 50 people attended.

Overstreet gave a speech at the start of the event, along with state Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Bunceton). Taylor was in his office at the Capitol trying to work through the noise of hundreds of protesters, who were protesting the special session, when he got the news of Kirk’s death.

Taylor said he isn’t afraid of political violence.

“I’ve been in the military, I’ve been in emergency services, I’ve seen scary stuff,” Taylor said. “It does definitely make me remember that I need to be aware of my surroundings and aware of what’s going on.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) is pausing public appearances in light of Kirk’s death.

Susie Thoma is a member of the Cooper County Republicans. She attended Saturday’s event to support her community and carry on Kirk’s commitment to having a conversation.

“It’s heartbreaking that we had a soldier of the Lord taken from us too early,” Thoma said. “We must stand for what he stood for.”

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Thousands of fans are expected to return to Memorial Stadium Saturday as the Mizzou Tigers are set to face the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns at noon.

Mizzou Athletics announced Thursday that the game, originally scheduled to start at 3 p.m., would be moved up to noon to avoid the worst of the extreme heat forecast this weekend.

Due to the heat, fans are allowed to bring one sealed disposable water bottle. Refill stations will be open inside the stadium.

To help promote safety and a positive game day experience, Mizzou Athletics asks fans to be responsible and follow tailgating rules.

Any tents or canopies cannot be bigger than 10 feet by 10 feet and are not allowed to block sidewalks or driving lanes. Both gas and charcoal grills are not allowed in the grass. Fire pits are not allowed in tailgate lots.

At each lot, parking attendants will have free blue recycling bags that fans are encouraged to use. There are also designated hot coal bins at the entrances of every lot to prevent fires. All hot coals that are used for grilling must be completely put out and thrown away.

Generators are prohibited from campus parking garages and must have a muffler to keep noise down.

Personal drones are not allowed on Mizzou property and all animals must be leashed and cleaned up after.

Noisemakers, pets and any signs larger than two feet by three feet are not allowed inside the stadium.

When entering the stadium, fans are asked to avoid bringing a bag into the stadium. However, small clutches and large plastic bags are allowed.

Any bags that are larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches must be clear and not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. This can be a standard clear tote or a one-gallon plastic freezer bag.

Popular bags like backpacks, fanny packs, and cinched bags are not allowed.

Every fan is allowed one bag and can also put extra items on their person in their pockets or around their neck. In the case of needing a non-approved bag for medical reasons, fans are encouraged to call ahead to verify if they qualify. Fans with medical exceptions also need to go through special screening at gates 2W and 2E.

The university asks fans to remain respectful and to report any dangerous or disruptive behavior to a university official.

Fans are also reminded to follow the new stadium entry rules to help with foot traffic during construction. This requires all fans to enter the venue on the same side of the stadium as their seats for the remainder of the 2025 season. Ticket scanners will not grant access to fans who attempt to enter from the incorrect side.

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