Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An 80-year-old man has been charged with having child sex abuse materials in Pulaski County.

A warrant was ordered on Saturday for Lonnie Kinworthy, court filings show. A court date has not been scheduled.

The probable cause statement says someone noticed Kinworthy walking along the off-ramp of a highway and decided to give him a ride.

Kinworthy did not give the vehicle driver his name, but he did allegedly start talking about marrying a 10-year-old girl, but having to “wait until she was 18 years old.” The driver dropped off Kinworthy at his residence and called law enforcement.

When a Pulaski County deputy went to the home, he asked Kinworthy about the child and Kinworthy allegedly stated “that was a long time ago” and that no one else lived in the home, the statement says. No children were found in the home that day, according to court documents.

The deputy noted dolls being scattered around the residence and noted a few were “anatomically accurate.” The deputy found an album of pornography and Kinworthy allegedly said “they’re all over 18” in reference to the photos, the statement says.

The deputy ended up finding child sex abuse materials in the albums, the statement says.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 20-year-old Columbia man was charged with three felonies after authorities say he attacked a victim and dragged them into a wooded area on Saturday.

Carmine Cobb was charged on Monday with third-degree domestic assault, second-degree kidnapping and felony stealing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.

The probable cause statement says Carmine was upset with the victim and unexpectedly went up to the victim while they were walking up to their residence. Cobb allegedly dragged the victim by their hair to woods after he saw a police patrol vehicle, the statement says. Cobb allegedly told the victim he was afraid of being arrested and did not want to be caught, the statement says.  

Cobb was described as “beating” the victim in court documents. The victim allegedly told police they believed Cobb was going to kill them.

Cobb was also allegedly using the victim’s phone during the attack and someone – who was described as a witness – allegedly heard Cobb saying over the phone that he was going to continue to attack the victim if the victim kept screaming for help, court documents say.

“Witness One stated Carmine was the one who called [them] to have Victim One picked up as he did not want police to find out and was going to keep Victim Ones phone so Victim One could not call the police,” the probable cause statement says.

Police wrote they found Cobb with the victim’s phone when they detained him.

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Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After a weeks-long trial and months of court deliberations, appointments for medical abortions are now accessible in Missouri.

According to the ACLU, starting Monday, patients seeking an abortion can book their appointment online at plannedparenthood.org. Patients can also call 1-800-230-PLAN to schedule their appointments.

Columbia’s Planned Parenthood clinic plans to begin medical abortion appointments on Wednesday.

This restart comes after Jackson County Circuit Court judge Jerri Zhang ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood on Thursday evening.

“We opened up appointments end of last week and began seeing folks first thing this morning here in Saint Louis,” Margot Riphagen-Dunn, the CEO for Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, said. “I want to stress how quickly we have begun taking and seeing patients, it just shows how much folks want to get care where they live in their own state.”

“Since Missourians voted for abortion access in 2024, it has been impossible to access the full spectrum of abortion care in our own state. That ends today,” Margot Riphagen-Dunn, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, said Friday in a statement.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said in a Thursday press release that her office plans to appeal the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court.

“This radical decision gives abortion providers a free pass to police themselves,” Hanaway said in the statement, “None of this is what Missourians voted for.”

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe on Friday agreed with Hanaway’s statement and stood by the office’s decision to appeal the ruling.

“Yesterday’s ruling in Jackson County is disappointing, dangerous, and puts the safety of Missouri women in jeopardy,” Kehoe said in a statement.

According to Planned Parenthood, the abortion pill can be taken up to 12 weeks, while in-clinic procedures, which they have been providing, are available up to 18 weeks. The group maintains that the decision helps give people options, especially patients who may be uncomfortable with the abortion procedure.

“Some reasons for that may be that a patient wants to avoid a pelvic exam, they might have a history of trauma or sexual assault,” Dr. Selina Sandoval at Planned Parenthood Great Plains said. “Other patients might feel like they have comfort measures and stress relievers in their own home that can help them through this process.”

Abortion access was initially approved by voters back in November 2024 through Amendment 3, with Zhang temporarily blocking state abortion restrictions. Abortions were set to resume in February 2025.

The Missouri Supreme Court later overruled Zhang in May 2025, with Zhang blocking the ruling in July 2025, leading to January’s court proceedings.

During the trial, Planned Parenthood argued that the current state regulations were unreasonable and difficult to achieve, and unfairly unique to Missouri abortion clinics only. The state argued that Missouri laws were in place for the physical and mental health and safety of patients.

The Missouri General Assembly also wrote and passed several joint resolutions to repeal Amendment 3 in May 2025. The resolutions created a new Amendment 3 now with exceptions, only allowing abortions up to 12 weeks in cases of rape, incest and medical emergencies, and when there is a fetal anomaly. Voters are set to decide on the measure in November 2026.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly woman suffered serious injuries in a hit-and-run crash in Boone County Sunday evening.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 32-year-old Moberly woman was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt heading Northbound on U.S. 63 south of MO-763. The crash report states that an unknown vehicle hit the back of the woman’s car, causing her to travel off the right side of the road and hit a tree. The other vehicle then left the scene.

She was taken to University Hospital via Boone County ambulance.

The woman was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A St. James woman suffered serious injuries after she was ejected from an UTV in Maries County Sunday evening.

According to online crash reports, a 48-year-old St. James woman was in the passenger seat of a 2020 Polaris Ranger on Highway 68 and Highway H at 5:14 p.m. Sunday. The incident occurred when the woman opened the UTV door while it was moving, and she was ejected. She was not wearing a seatbelt.

The woman was airlifted to University Hospital by Phelps Air.

The UTV was not damaged in the incident.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is following the lead of other Missouri cities by implementing a median ordinance set to take effect July 1.

The City of Springfield put its median ordinance in place in January 2018. Both ordinances focus on medians in intersections with speed limits of 35 mph or higher, average daily traffic volumes of at least 15,000 vehicles, or medians narrower than 6 feet.

According to previous reporting, Maj. Eric Reece with the Springfield Police Department said the rule made a difference in the number of pedestrians at medians.

The City of Columbia’s ordinance also will:

Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.

Prohibit being on a median fewer than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.

Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.

Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.

Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.

The City of Creve Coeur, near St. Louis, adopted a similar ordinance in 2021 that prohibits pedestrians from standing in center medians unless they are actively crossing the road.

In Oklahoma City, a median ordinance has been in place since 2017 and applies to medians along streets with speed limits of 40 mph or greater.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in 2023 that pedestrian fatalities account for 18% of all crash deaths. It reported pedestrian deaths in 2023 increased 78% since reaching their lowest point in 2009.

Columbia’s ordinance was passed with a 5-2 vote in February. Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll and Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood voted against the ordinance. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was among those who voted in favor of the measure.

City leaders say the ordinance is intended to improve pedestrian safety and is not aimed at cracking down on panhandling in Columbia.

Check back Wednesday and watch ABC 17 News at 6 that day for a closer look at how police are educating pandhandlers about the new rules.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rocheport man found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and other charges in the February 2024 death of a woman is set to be sentenced Monday afternoon.

In May, Matthew Shilling was found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of second-degree assault and driving while suspended. He will be in the Boone County Courtroom at 2:30 p.m. Monday with Judge Jacobs.

Shilling was found guilty of causing a crash that killed Christina Mayfield, 32, on Feb. 2, 2024, on Business Loop 70 near Hathman Place.

Court documents in previous reporting say a motorcycle was rear-ended by Shilling’s SUV, sending it forward into another SUV and throwing the rider and Mayfield from the bike. Police said that video from a nearby business showed Shilling’s SUV traveling at high speeds.

Shilling settled with Mayfield’s family for $25,000 last year, according to previous reporting.

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Alison Patton

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the Fourth of July approaching in under two weeks, fireworks shops and tents are gearing up for more shoppers.

“We’re really excited this year to celebrate the 250th birthday of America,” Shawn Pettigrew, the owner of Freedom Fireworks in Fulton, said. “We’re hoping to have a great turnout. I’ve stocked up my tent with extra product and brought on some good sales.”

Pettigrew has two tents, one off of I-70 at the Kingdom City exit, and another located on Bluff Street. The Bluff Street location is decked out in America 250 banners and lots of America-themed fireworks. He said he bought 30% more fireworks this year than last.

The state fire marshal is also expecting an uptick in sales because of America 250 and FIFA World Cup.

“Because July 4th – the largest fireworks event each year – is also the 250th anniversary of American independence this year, we expect to see more gatherings and an uptick in the use of fireworks,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a press release. Bean resigned from his position Wednesday.

Legal, seasonal fireworks sales began Saturday and will run through July 10, according to the release.

Bob Peneston, the manager of Screamin’ Freedom Fireworks also in Fulton, said he expects most of his customers to start ringing up product soon at the tent on Bluff Street.

“I’ve got folks already coming in, budgeting themselves early, telling me they’re going to be here next Friday because it’s payday, and they’re going to be ready to buy a lot of stuff,” Peneston said.

He said he expects his tent to bring in about $20,000 to $30,000 more this year.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drivers out on the roads Sunday may have seen several flood notifications on their phones throughout the morning.

Heavy rain and severe storms moved through parts of Mid-Missouri throughout the day, prompting several flash flood warnings and raising concerns about dangerous travel conditions.

While driving to Sedalia Saturday afternoon, an ABC 17 News reporter encountered a powerful storm system that brought heavy rain, strong winds and significantly reduced visibility for about 30 minutes.

With flash flood warnings issued across the region, emergency officials are reminding residents to stay alert and avoid flooded areas.

“With the flood watch we have going on today, the key is to know your route, know where you’re going, and have an alternate route in mind,” said Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Chuck Doss. “There’s no destination that’s worth risking your life for.”

The Missouri Department of Public Safety advises residents not to wait if a flash flood warning is issued or if flooding begins to develop. Officials say people may only have seconds to react and should move to higher ground immediately.

Residents are encouraged to avoid low-lying areas that are more susceptible to flooding, including ditches, creek beds and other areas where water can rise quickly.

Doss said several roads in Boone County are known to flood during severe weather events.

“Gillespie Bridge Road, Blackfoot Road and Akeman Bridge Road are some common areas that flood on a regular basis,” Doss said.

Officials also urge drivers never to attempt to cross flooded roadways or drive through moving water. Even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.

According to Doss, the most recent flooding-related call Boone County Fire Protection District responded to occurred earlier this month. No injuries were reported.

Emergency officials are also reminding parents to keep children away from floodwaters, storm drains, and other areas where rising water can create dangerous conditions within minutes.

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was seriously hurt Saturday night after a crash sent him flying off his bike.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the 41-year-old was cycling west on Route VV in Boone County and crashed shortly before midnight at Highway 763.

He rode off onto the left side of the road and hit a curb attempting to travel back to the right side, the report says. The bike overturned, and the man was thrown from it.

He was taken to University Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries and was not reported to be wearing a helmet.

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