Category: kmiz-local-news

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Fulton man was charged with several felonies after he allegedly raped and assaulted a woman on Oct. 16.

Joseph Mazella, 39, was charged in Callaway County with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, second-degree domestic assault, third-degree domestic assault and misdemeanor fourth-degree domestic assault. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond.

The probable cause statement says police were called to a residence on Saturday about a sexual assault that occurred two days prior.

The statement says Mazella had first assaulted the victim by slamming them into a door, choking the victim and making them fall and hit their head, the statement says. A witness also described the assault and police noted the victim had visible injuries. Police wrote an argument preceded the assault.

Mazella then allegedly raped the victim, the statement says. Mazella allegedly admitted to having an argument and the first assault, but claimed the sex was consensual, the statement says.

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Dan Kite

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Camdenton man is facing a pair of felonies following an incident at a Lake Ozark bar on Friday.

Jordan T. Cardwell was charged Saturday in Miller County with first-degree making a terrorist threat and resisting arrest on a felony charge.

According to a probable cause statement, officers with the Lake Ozark Police Department were called to Rock Island Bar in the 1200 block of Bagnell Dam Boulevard for a disturbance call. Cardwell was identified as trying to fight multiple patrons after being “cut off” by bar staff, according to witnesses.

One witness alleged that Cardwell threatened to “shoot up the bar” as he was being escorted out of the bar, a statement that was reportedly confirmed by several of the nearly 20 patrons at the bar, according to the statement. He was later arrested outside the bar.

Once in custody, he reportedly injured himself by banging his head on glass in the patrol car, then attempted escape multiple times after being let out of the car. He was taken to a Lake-area hospital where he allegedly attempted to escape again.

He was booked on a $25,000 but is no longer in the Miller County Jail.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man from the Kansas City area was charged with a felony after authorities say he exposed himself to a child at a hotel in Columbia on Sunday.

Kyle Baranowski, 39, of Independence, was charged on Monday with sexual misconduct involving a child younger than 15 years old and misdemeanor trespassing. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An arraignment was held on Monday.

Court documents do not name the hotel or location of the building. The probable cause statement says a manager at the hotel told Baranowski to leave between 8-9 a.m. that day after Baranowski allegedly exposed himself to a youth.

Baranowski was not staying at the hotel, the statement says. He allegedly went back to the building, was told to leave again and he allegedly told the manager “No,” the statement says. Police saw Baranowski at a stairwell of the hotel and detained him.

The child victim allegedly told police that they saw Baranowski urinate on a bush outside the hotel. The victim then claimed that they were later with adults who told Baranowski to leave and Baranowski allegedly responded by putting up his middle fingers and pulling down his pants, the statement says.

Court records show Baranowski has pleaded guilty in several cases for first-degree trespassing in Boone County since December 2024.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police confirmed a man is dead after he was hit by a dump truck on Monday afternoon near the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Range Line Street.

Columbia Police Department Lt. Scott Alpers told ABC 17 News at the scene that it is still unclear how the crash occurred and officers are still working with witnesses.

Police later announced in a press release that the victim is Roger Bone, 56, of Jefferson City. The driver of the dump truck was not injured, police wrote.

The dump truck pulled over near a motel on Range Line Street. An ABC 17 News reporter saw police tape placed around the truck and the front of the motel. Police later wrote in a press release that the victim rode a bicycle and that he died at the scene.

Boone County Joint Communications sent a notification at 2:18 p.m. indicating a motor vehicle crash was reported at the intersection. A second notification was sent nine minutes later stating that first responders had closed the road.

A reporter saw first responders bring out a white tarp at 2:30 p.m. The victim’s body was transported from the scene at 3:28 p.m. The northbound lanes of Range Line Street reopened at 3:46 p.m. A tow truck arrived at the hotel around the same time.

An audit on the road is being conducted to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. It prioritizes safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, motorcyclists and school-aged children. The City of Columbia and traffic experts conducted walk-throughs of the road last week and noted several improvements were needed.

Some of those included adjusting traffic signals in the area, filling in gaps on sidewalks and adding more crosswalks. The city also said last week that the audit should be completed by spring 2026.

Research from CBB Transportation Solution also found that more than 60% of fatal and serious injuries along the corridor involve people outside of vehicles, according to previous reporting.

McKenzie Ortiz, of the city’s Bike and Pedestrian Commission, said after hearing about Monday’s deadly crash that she’s hopeful both city and state leaders will make the changes to the road a priority.

“I’ve experienced near misses myself so many times,” Ortiz said. “I mean even today, I almost got hit at an intersection and that’s just the reality of being a vulnerable road user in Columbia; whether you’re on a motorcycle, a bicycle or you’re walking. People just either don’t pay attention or there’s just not enough separation between you and the cars.”

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Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia has suggested an ordinance that would make panhandling illegal at high-traffic intersections.

“They’re calling it a pedestrian safety measure, but in reality it’s a getting the homeless out of the median ordinance,” said John Trapp, Executive Director for Columbia’s Room at the Inn.

The ordinance would regulate the use of medians, road crossings and islands by both motorists and pedestrians at intersections with speeds of 35 mph or greater, average daily traffic volumes of 15,000vehicles or greater, or where the median width is fewer than 6 feet wide.

The City hired George L. Crawford & Associates to conduct a street and intersection pedestriansafety study. The study identified 47 pedestrian crash areas that meet the criteria.

Mike Burden, CEO of Local Motion, says the ordinance would restrict behavior without providing additional safety precautions.

“Columbia already regulates unsafe crossings through its existing ordinances and effective improvements come from redesigning high speed corridors, lowering speeds, making intersections more accessible for all users,” Burden said.

Street and Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study (Draft)Download

The study recommends guiding pedestrians to crosswalks and designated areas to enhance safety. This measure also aligns with the city’s Vision Zero plan that focuses on safety measures to protect all road users.

If adopted, the ordinance 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 less 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 intersection.

Trapp said he understands the city’s approach, but it could have unintended consequences.

“It is unsafe for them to be out there, but there’s a good chance that they will just relocate elsewhere to where they have a First Amendment right to panhandle,” Trapp said. “Most likely downtown.”

Map GraphicsDownload

The rules would not apply to police, rescue personnel, people who have vehicle breakdowns, public employees, workers with a valid permit or people distributing items with valid permits, or people entering stopped vehicles in passenger loading zones, such as bus stops.

The city would start a public education campaign for drivers and pedestrians if the ordinance passes.

Sydney Olsen, with the City of Columbia, said they plan to introduce the ordinance at Monday nights meeting. If the council agrees to table the discussion then they will hear a report from staff and discuss the content at their second meeting in November.

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Jazsmin Halliburton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Attorney General Cathrine Hanaway was publicly sworn-in on Monday at the Capitol.

She is the state’s 45th attorney general and the first woman to hold the position.

Hanaway was appointed by Repulican Gov. Mike Kehoe in August to fill the rest of Andrew Bailey’s term. Bailey is taking a job as co-deputy director of the FBI. Hanaway was sworn-in during a private ceremony in the Missouri Supreme Court in September.

Hanaway was a Republican House Speaker from 2003-05, the only woman to hold the post. During her time in the Missouri House, Hanaway was one of the main sponsors of a 2003 concealed carry bill. The bill was initially vetoed by then-Governor Bob Holden and later overruled by the General Assembly.

She has also been a federal prosecutor.

Hanaway was also lead counsel for the Grain Belt project while she worked at law firm Husch Blackwell. Many Missouri conservatives oppose the project, which would build a wind energy line across the state.

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Matthew Sanders

Protesters were out again in force across the country this weekend under the banner of No Kings.

Events in Columbia and Jefferson City drew large crowds of people who gathered to speak their disapproval of the Trump administration. Photos and videos from major cities showed giant crowds at their protests.

President Donald Trump and his Republican supporters have labeled the protests as paid agitation, calling the events “hate America rallies.”

Do you agree with the message of the No Kings protests? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Nia Hinson

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Lake Ozark man was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash in Camden County on Sunday evening.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a 56-year-old Osage Beach woman was driving an SUV on Bagnell Dam Boulevard around 6:30 p.m, when she swerved to avoid a stopped vehicle in the road. The women’s vehicle then crashed into a 2020 Ford F-550, which was stationary in the center turn lane, the report says.

Two passengers in the truck– a 21-year-old Lake Of the Ozarks man– and a 43-year-old Sullivan, Missouri man were injured in the crash. The 21-year-old suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital. The 43-year-old’s injuries are minor.

The woman suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital, according to the report.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Willie’s/Fieldhouse bar in downtown Columbia held its annual staff training on Sunday with SAFE Bar Network on how to recognize and de-escalate situations that could potentially turn dangerous.

“We focus on skills to recognize uncomfortable and unsafe behavior, interrupt in a way that’s effective and de-escalate and then provide each other support,” SAFE Bar Network Executive Director Haleigh Harrold said.

The national organization works closely with Willie’s/Fieldhouse to train bar staff twice a year. Willies is the only downtown bar that receives training through the SAFE Bar Network.

The training came three weeks after a deadly downtown shooting killed Stephens College student Aiyanna Williams and injured two others. Since then, University of Missouri and city leaders have been cracking down on crime downtown.

Willie’s/Fieldhouse server Shelby Truitt said reducing crime in Columbia starts inside the bar, and includes being mindful of overconsumption of alcohol.

“Having people leave here with a better state of mind, I feel like will help the streets in general because who knows if it’s a college student that’s starting a mess or if it is someone just on the streets,” Truitt said.

Harrold showed Willie’s/Fieldhouse team members how to de-escalate situations that could become dangerous.

She said the de-escalation tools team members learned, can potentially reduce crime in the city.

“It’s absolutely possible if folks are working on de-escalation and being mindful not to over serve that we can reduce more intense forms of violence that might happen outside of the venue,” Harrold said.

Willie’s/Fieldhouse Manager Myles Robinson said he worries about his staff and customers and wants to make sure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the night.

“Pretty much anything that we can do to make sure that people are coming in the venue, leaving the venue safe and having a good time while here, without scaring them or being for real, like ‘hey, just walk with somebody’,” Robinson said.

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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Millions of Americans could lose access to essential food assistance in November as the federal shutdown drags on. That number includes more than 700,000 Missourians.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has directed state agencies to pause the distribution of November SNAP benefits, which are fully funded by the federal government. However, the Missouri Department of Social Services said it will continue to accept and process new SNAP applications, reported changes and mid-certifications as normal, according to its website.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the food stamp program will run out in two weeks.

“So you’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” Rollins said in a CNN report.

SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, has a contingency fund of roughly $6 billion, short of the $8 billion needed to cover November benefits. The USDA’s shutdown plan states that multi-year contingency funds are available to help provide benefits during a funding lapse.

According to Missouri Department of Social Service, Missouri households receive $1.7 billion in food assistance annually, with an average of 717,668 monthly recipients.

About 35% of Columbia residents live in low-income households. This group includes many working individuals whose earnings are above the poverty line but still not enough to cover basic needs, leaving them reliant on social services for support.

Many are also college students.

About 14% of Columbia residents live in extreme poverty, meaning their household income is less than half of the federal poverty line, according to a 2021 report from the City of Columbia.

Cheryl Landry, a Columbia resident of 15 years, said the shutdown is already affecting her. Landry is on several federal government assistance programs.

“I’m a senior citizen, I’m a cancer patient and by cutting all these personnel, especially the CDC and the Department of Health, they’re taking away hope from cancer patients,” Landry said.

Landry said on top of the added stress, the cut to SNAP is worrisome to think about.

“I literally won’t be able to live if I lose my SNAP benefits,” Landry. “They don’t care they’re billionaires and from the look of them, they’re not missing a meal.”

For now, Landry said she plans to rely on food she has stored in her pantry and freezer, which should last about a month and a half, before turning to her church and family for help.

Another Columbia resident, Jekheisia Cole, said the shutdown has put a strain on her household as well.

“Financially, it’s affecting us. Organizations that can normally help are unable to help, so that affects us. My mother is disabled, so a lot of the places that normally help aren’t given the help,” Cole said. “So, it’s harder on everyone because I look out for her and as a result, the state, or normally the government will look out for her but there’s nobody to do that now so it’ a little harder.”

Feeding Missouri’s spokesperson Kim Buckman previously told ABC 17 News that families would start to feel disruptions

“The concern is, if it stretches into November, when the USDA can’t obligate new funds, that’s when families could start to feel the disruptions. That’s when food banks will start to see more demand and overflow,” Buckman said.

According to the City of Columbia’s 2025 fiscal year budget report, there are 2,131 families in poverty in the city, 3,068 in Boone County and 131,020 families in the state.

Jennifer Shedosky, a Columbia resident who works in the medical field, said she is already seeing patients worry about their future.

“I see a lot of people being confused about their health care and not having a place to go. Many workers are unable to answer the question of people that have issues that need to be dealt with today,” Shedosky said.

She added that the potential loss of food assistance could be devastating.

“I think that’s horrific,” Shedosky said. “There’s people struggling hard enough as it is. We’ve barely made it out of COVID and now we’ve got all of this hitting us, and I think it’s a lot of broken promises on the part of our government leaving people suffering.”

According to the Department of Social Services, the USDA will continue to share updates with Missouri as new information emerges.

Meanwhile, residents are simply hoping the shutdown ends soon.

“My hope is that Trump gets off his high horse and treats us like we’re humans instead of you know a number. We’re humans, we’re not numbers,” Cole said.

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