Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Central Missouri Humane Society is out of space to take in new dogs after it saw an influx of canines from a Columbia animal abuse case.

Last week, dog breeder Melissa Sanders, 26, was charged with three counts of felony animal abuse and 15 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. Sanders runs Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a large number of dogs were found either dead or in poor condition when officers served a search warrant.

CMHS wrote on its social media that it is out of space to take in new dogs and that they are holding several of the dogs until the case is over. A CMHS spokesperson wrote in an email that the dogs were saved from Sanders’ business.

“Recently, we took in a large group of dogs that have to be held until their court case is over. This has significantly reduced the number of open kennels at CMHS, and we now need your help. We are out of space, and we desperately need dogs to leave so we can continue helping the pups of Boone County!” the social media post says.

Michelle Casey, of CMHS, wrote in an email that the shelter has more than 30 dogs available for foster care, including four from Sanders’ case. Some other dogs from the case have been placed in foster homes, Casey wrote.

Information about fostering or adoption can be found on CMHS’ website and social media.

Sanders is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Click here to follow the original article.

Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Supreme Court convened Wednesday to hear arguments on two appeals related to voter laws.

Both suits were filed by the NAACP and League of Women Voters in 2022 following the passage of House Bill No. 1878, which changed state rules related to elections, including sections dealing with voter registration, absentee voting and voter identification.

The first suit has the NAACP and League of Women Voters appealing a previous ruling in favor of the state that deemed HB 1878 was constitutional. One of HB 1878’s rules requires voters to provide a current government-issued photo ID at the polls, making alternative IDs such as a Missouri student ID, voter registration cards, and utility or bank statements, which were previously accepted, invalid.

Voters who show up on Election Day without a valid photo ID can only cast a provisional ballot, which will count if they return later that day with proper ID or if their signature matches the one on file. But in-person absentee voters who lack a valid ID are not allowed to cast a provisional ballot at all.

The groups argued that the tighter restrictions on voter IDs violated the Missouri Constitution’s equal protection clause, which guarantees a right to vote, claiming several Missouri voters in 2022 sued the state after having issues getting a valid ID, either due to disabilities or other difficulties.

“These burdens can be financial, they can be bureaucratic in nature, they can be simply practical hurdles, such as the difficulties for disabled Missourians to get into a license office, the cost and time of child care, or even missed work to gather the documents,” Representative for the Missouri NAACP and League of Women Voters of Missouri Jason Orr said.

The state won the initial ruling, arguing that the voters who sued with the groups were ultimately able to vote, that provisional ballots are commonly counted and that potential voters can easily access state resources to get a valid ID.

“The law is now tremendously easy to comply with because voters can easily obtain free IDs, join the permanently disabled voters list, or cast provisional ballots — which are almost always counted,” according to the State’s brief.

During a press conference following the hearing, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway voiced support for the state’s voter ID laws.

“The goal here is to make sure that every Missourian who wants to vote gets to vote, but any Missouri and or anyone from outside Missouri who wants to cheat can’t cheat,” Hanaway said.

The second suit has the state appealing a court ruling in favor of the NAACP and League of Women Voters. House Bill No. 1878 tightened rules surrounding people who solicit voter registrations.

This included ending payment for solicitors and requiring solicitors to be at least 18 years old and registered Missouri voters. The rule also banned solicitors from encouraging voters to get an absentee ballot application by making the action a Class 1 election offense that could result in jail time.

The groups argued that the statute’s use of the term “solicitor” is overly broad, potentially applying to anyone who encourages or assists with voter registration. They argued that this vagueness exposes volunteers to criminal penalties and places unconstitutional restrictions on political speech.

“Solicitation is characteristically intertwined informative and persuasive speech in the reality that without solicitation, the flow of such information and advocacy would likely cease,” Representative for the Missouri NAACP and League of Women Voters of Missouri Kristen Mulvey said.

The state argues that the definition of “solicitor” in the statute only applies to someone who provides voters with registration or absentee-ballot applications and then collects the completed documents for submission to a local election.

“The type of solicitation that it is talking about is activity that involves procuring applications,” Representative for the state Michael Patton said. “The court can remove nearly all of the harms that the plaintiffs allege simply by issuing an authoritative interpretation of solicit and challenge statutes and in reading the challenged statutes narrowly.”

Several judges pushed back against the state’s argument, saying the definition is too narrow.

“Don’t you think the trial court’s reading of the solicited sessions is fair? I mean, if someone comes knocking on my door and wants to put gutters up and I decide, ‘no, I don’t want gutters,’ would we consider that solicitation?” Chief Justice Brent Powell said.

‘I’m just saying the definition of solicit is a request which may result in the receipt of what’s being solicited, but it doesn’t have to,” Judge Paul Wilson said. “Should we apply that in soliciting sex cases? That if it doesn’t result in a completed transaction, then it isn’t a crime?”

The Missouri Supreme Court has not yet ruled on either appeal.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State High school Activities Association in a Wednesday press release says it does not discriminate.

The release comes after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in Tuesday press release that it would investigate MSHSAA after claims of racial and sex discrimination. A person described as a whistleblower alleged in emails that they were denied a position on MSHSHAA’s board of directors because they are a white male.

An article in MSHSHAA’s constitution “does not serve as a blanket disqualification preventing administrators from running for or serving on the Board of Directors. Rather, the eligibility requirements are tied to specific seats, and by design they ensure balanced representation across both geographic regions and demographic groups.”

MSHSAA’s response on Wednesday says the provision was put in place more than 20 years ago.

“This provision adapts to the Board’s changing composition, ensuring that perspectives which may be missing at a given time can be included. The provision expands access rather than restricts it. All qualified individuals remain fully eligible to serve through the eight geographically elected seats that make up the majority of the Board. The at-large positions simply provide another avenue for service within a longstanding, member-driven governance structure,” the release says.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman accused of embezzling nearly $50,000 from a Boonville nonprofit has now been charged with a similar crime in Boone County.

Jennifer Waibel, 52, of Boonville, was charged last week in Cooper County with stealing more than $50,000. Her bond in that case was reduced and she is no longer listed on the Cooper County Jail’s online roster. A hearing in that case is set for 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

She was charged on Wednesday in Boone County with stealing more than $750 and two counts of fraudulently using credit cards. A motion to file a $13,650 cash only bond was filed on Wednesday.

The probable cause statement from the new case alleges she spent $13,650 on gift cards while using 10 company credit cards from Impact Support Services, located on Chapel Hill Road in Columbia.

The statement says she spent that amount from March 15-31. When Waibel was interviewed about the charges, the statement says she allegedly said “Can I just pay you back?”

Waibel worked as the chief program officer for Impact Support Services from March 2024-April 2025, according to Chief Operating Officer Julie Allen.

“We immediately reported the theft to CPD and asked them to investigate and press charges. We are cooperating with the prosecutors office,” an email from Allen says.

Waibel earlier this month was accused of stealing roughly $50,000 from Unlimited Opportunities Inc.

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Hayes

PARIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

The state has requested more time for evidence discovery in its case against Patty and Lois Armour.

Lois Armour, 78, and Patty Armour, 51, both of Paris, are charged with second-degree murder and hindering a felony prosecution.

The state was expected to present its case against Lois Armour on Wednesday in a preliminary hearing in front of a Monroe County judge. Patty Armour was set for a bond hearing. Both women have been held in the Randolph County jail on no bond since their arrests.

The two women will now face a judge at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 for a preliminary hearing.

Monroe County does not have a grand jury, so the preliminary hearing is done to make the state establish probable cause to move to a jury trial. The state will present evidence, and witnesses are expected to take the stand. The defense can also cross-examine during the hearing.

Lois and Patty Armour are accused of hiding Charles Armour’s from law enforcement officers on a day he got into a shootout with law enforcement.

Charles Armour, 57, was killed in a shootout last month with law enforcement after he was identified as a person of interest in a Ralls County homicide investigation.

Charles Armour is accused of killing Jonathan Floyd, 55, of Perry, Missouri.

A Randolph County deputy was hit by gunfire and flown to a hospital. Boggs wrote that the deputy is expected to make a full recovery after several surgeries.

Click here to follow the original article.

Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team is getting ready for a Wednesday night home tipoff.

The Tigers will host South Dakota at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers remain undefeated as they continue through the easiest part of the schedule.

Watch Coach Dennis Gates take questions about the preparation in the media player.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri ranks 37 out of 52, which includes the 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, for preterm birth rate, according to the 2025 March of Dimes report.

Missouri had an 11% preterm rate in 2024, which is the same as in 2023.

St. Louis had the highest preterm birth rate at 12.8%, according to the report. The March of Dimes calls this an “F” rating, although St. Louis did improve from the previous year.

Jackson and St. Charles counties both worsened, standing at a “D” rating, according to the report. Jackson County was at 11.1% and St. Charles County was 10.9%.

Katie Goodlet works in the Boone Health hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit as a physical therapist with premature and ill babies.

She said parents have to leave their baby in the NICU, and it can be overwhelming for some.

“You’re giving your baby to someone else, and you’re trusting somebody else to make the right decisions for your baby,” Goodlet said.

A premature baby is born before 37 weeks and hasn’t had the time to develop the skills needed to be out of the womb.

“That impacts everything, like how you’re developing, because if you’re supposed to be nice and tucked and then you’re developing out here and gravity’s not being your friend, it makes it harder,” Goodlet said.

Goodlet said premature babies need help with feeding cues and motor development.

She said this is a stressful, but empowering time for parents.

“The mom’s been here all this time, and now they’re getting ready to go home,” Goodlet said. “They have watched their baby develop outside of the womb, and they’re excellent parents.”

According to the report, smoking, hypertension, unhealthy weight and diabetes in pregnancy can contribute to a preterm birth.

The report also says paid family leave and mental health checks are crucial to improving maternal and infant health in Missouri; however, the report indicates that the state does not have these policies.

The report also cites Medicaid extension and expansion, doula care reimbursement and maternal mortality review as programs or policies in Missouri that are improving maternal and infant care.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A truck full of food donations from America250 arrived in Mid-Missouri on Wednesday morning, carrying 40,000 pounds of food.

The thousands of pounds of food was delivered to The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri on Vandiver Drive with 40,000 pounds of food will be donated to Mid-Missouri communities.

The President and CEO of the food bank, Lindsay Lopez, told ABC 17 News that the food bank serves 32 counties and will work with partners to help distribute the food across Mid-Missouri. “We provide food to distribution partners, partner agencies in those 32 counties, 145 partner agencies that we work with, and 200 schools,” said Lopez. “So this food that is very nutritious will be utilized here in Boone County. And, potentially to partners outside of Boone County as well.”

Missouri is one of the first five states to receive the truckloads of food, along with Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas and Texas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a food donation campaign with 250 truckloads of food that will be delivered to communities across all 50 states.

The LDS initiated the national humanitarian initiative to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

According to the LDS website, each truck will include canned fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta, flour, pancake mix and dried milk. Most of the food provided is produced by the church or funded by members.

Harvey James of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told ABC 17 that the church produces most of the food. “(The church) has an extensive food production operation,” said James. “It has farms that can feed enough other facilities.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be delivering the 250 trucks to all 50 states between November and July 4.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The driver of a Sunderland Truck involved in a deadly crash on Business Loop 70 in Columbia last month claims he was on the phone at the time of the crash, but used Bluetooth.

The Columbia Police Department said Roger Bone, 56, of Jefferson City was killed in the crash on Oct. 20 at the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Range Line Street. Police said he was riding his bike, when he was hit. He died at the scene.

A police report detailing what led up to crash says the driver– listed as Conner McMillan– told police he was driving west on Business Loop 70, when he began to turn north onto Range Line Street. McMillan allegedly said he “felt something” and looked into his mirror as he turned north.

The report states McMillan told police he saw Bone and his bike laying in the middle of the road, pulled over and ran back to the man. The dump truck pulled over near a motel on Range Line Street, according to previous reporting.

The report lists Sunderland Trucking as the truck involved in the crash.

McMillan allegedly told police he was on the phone with his wife, but said he was using the Bluetooth connected to the truck and claims the phone was in the cupholder at the time.

According to the report, police spoke to at least two witnesses on scene. One witness allegedly told police he saw McMillan turn right from Business Loop 70 onto Range Line Street. The witness claims as the truck was turning, Bone’s bicycle collided with the side of it and Bone ended up underneath the truck.

The witness claimed they did not see McMillan use his turn signal.

A second witness allegedly told police that they did not see Bone before the crash happened, but saw Bone collide with the middle of the truck while the truck was halfway into turning. The witness also told police he saw the rear wheels of the truck run Bone over, the report says.

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News via email on Tuesday afternoon that his office had not received any referrals.

Jason Norris said he recently became homeless and walks the area near where the crash happened roughly five to 10 times per day. He said while he didn’t personally know Bone or the specific details of what happened in the crash, he knows from walking the road just how dangerous it can be.

Norris said the road can be scary to walk on, and thinks the intersection should be made a priority and the city could benefit from putting more sidewalks in the area.

“You know how the DMV says the bikers got the right of way and they push that to the limit sometimes, and it can be deadly or very harmful?” Norris said. “You got drivers that come through here just hauling butt, trying to beat something and somebody gets hit it can be very dangerous.”

Bone’s daughter Alexis Hurst previously told ABC 17 News that she is hoping to raise awareness about the need for safety improvements along Business Loop 70 after the deadly crash. Bone told ABC 17 News via text message on Tuesday that she had spoken with a witness after the crash who told her they did not see McMillan use his turn signal during the crash.

Hurst said she was told by police that they could not obtain anything off of the black box in the truck because the impact occurred on the side of the truck and did not detect a crash.

She said her goal remains on bringing justice for her father and pushing for improvements to the road.

“I understand accidents happen but this was avoidable, absolutely avoidable between the lack of safety measures and whatever was going on with the truck driver. My dad’s loss of life was unneccassary. I wouldn’t wish this grief and pain onto anyone. Everyone I have spoken to has said kind things about my dad and I just want justice,” Hurst wrote.

The City of Columbia conducted an audit for safety improvements to Business Loop 70. The final audit is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

ABC 17 News reached out to Sunderland Trucking.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mitchell Kaminski

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ) 

The Southern Boone School District held a community forum at Southern Boone High School on Tuesday night to discuss a possible shift to a four-day school week beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.

More than 50 people attended the event, where school board members responded to pre-submitted questions from community members, followed by a live discussion at the end. 

“That’s really the intent of this is to really get the community feedback. We did try to attempt to do the Q&A in order to keep a structured component,  but that is really what we were trying to dispel,” Board President Amy Begemann told ABC 17 News. “The gentleman brought up how it seems like a decision has already been made when, in all essence, it has not.” 

Under the proposal, students would attend school 7:50 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, extending each day by 30-40 minutes. The district would eliminate the current early-release Wednesdays, and one Monday each month would be set aside for staff professional development. Remaining Mondays would function as off-days, allowing families to schedule appointments without students missing class.

The school board claims the biggest reason for a potential switch would be to help recruit and retain quality teachers as it tries to compete with larger districts like Columbia Public Schools. 

“Having the most appropriate and most qualified teachers, obviously has a greater impact on the student learning,” Begemann said. “So, really student first, but what are the components that are impacting that? Of course, one being that more qualified teachers and retaining those folks.” 

District leaders added the four-day schedule could boost attendance, increase instructional time and offer families and students more flexibility. However, several questions arose about how parents would handle child care for younger students on Mondays. 

School Board member Heather Brown said during the meeting that the district could look to increase work with other childcare providers, such as the YMCA, with whom they are already partnered. However, Brown added it will ultimately be up to parents to figure it out. 

Other concerns raised during the forum included whether students would be overwhelmed by longer school days and how those involved in extracurricular activities would manage homework if practices and sporting events pushed them home later in the evening.

The Southern Boone School District achieved a 95.9% on the Annual Performance Report conducted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, placing the district 10th in the state overall. 

One parent said the quality schools in Ashland were one of the reasons they moved to the area, but added they would not have moved here if there were a four-day school week in place. Another parent said her child wanted to change districts if Southern Boone changed the schedule. 

Begemann said nothing has been decided at this point and no options are off the table. 

If the proposal is not approved, the district is looking at several other options to help attract and retain teachers. One option the Southern Boone finance committee discussed was scheduled salaries for teachers. Two other ideas the district floated were raising taxes or increasing class sizes; however, officials noted that both ideas would be unpopular. 

Conversations about a schedule change began in May. A survey was distributed to parents and staff in June, and a committee formed to study the issue held its first meeting in August.

The results of the survey are expected later this week. However, Brown acknowledged during the meeting that some of the survey questions were poorly worded and did not produce the intended feedback, adding the process has been a learning experience for everyone involved.

Click here to follow the original article.