SportsZone Football Friday highlights and scores: Week 8
ABC 17 News Team
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Week 8 of the Missouri high school football season is tonight.
Scores from Mid-Missouri teams will be posted below.
Columbia man accused of threatening to stab man at bus stop; damaging cop car, jail property
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man was charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly threatened to stab someone after they arrived at a bus stop on Thursday.
Eddie Blackshire, 43, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and first-degree property damage. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Friday.
The probable cause statement says police were called to the Food Bank on Business Loop 70 around 8:10 a.m. and the victim stated Blackshire had a knife. Blackshire allegedly pulled out a knife when the victim arrived at the bus stop and threatened to stab the man, the statement says.
A witness allegedly told police they saw Blackshire walk to the side of the Food Bank and place a black object in a pest control box, the statement says. Officers eventually found a black pocket knife in the box.
After Blackshire was detained, he started kicking the door window and frame, causing it to bend, the statement says. Court documents say it would take $1,000 to repair.
Blackshire was then charged with first-degree property damage, damaging jail property and fourth-degree assault after he allegedly ripped a camera off a wall in the jail and shattered it, another probable cause statement indicates. He also allegedly damaged the light source in his cell. The total damage to the cell cost $3,000-$4,000, the statement says.
Jefferson City man charged with first-degree rape, sodomy
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City man was charged with sex crimes after authorities claim he sexually assaulted a teenager on Thursday.
Augustus Armstead Jr., born in 1988, was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. He was not listed on the Cole County Jail roster on Friday afternoon. A warrant was issued and no bond was set. A hearing has not been scheduled.
The probable cause statement says the victim stayed home from school because they were sick and when the victim’s father arrived back at the residence, he heard noises coming from the victim’s room and saw Armstead with the child.
Armstead allegedly gave the father a fake name and phone number before leaving, and allegedly claimed the 14-year-old victim told him she was 18 years old and had a child, the statement says. The victim allegedly accepted a friend request from Armstead on the social media app Snapchat and told him she was 17 with a child, the statement says the victim told law enforcement.
Armstead allegedly asked the victim to record the intercourse and the victim gave the recording to police, the statement says. Police wrote that Armstead claimed he had no contact with the victim and was in Columbia at the time.
ABC 17 family shares personal connections to Alzheimer’s disease
Meghan Drakas
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
ABC 17 News Anchor Meghan Drakas is sharing her family’s experience and other members of the ABC 17 family with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the leadup to Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, but has been canceled due to impending weather. The organization will hold another event in December.
Barbara Early was born in 1938 in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, secretary and life of the party.
Undated photo of Barbara Early [Drakas Family]
“She was one of those people that, she walked into the room and she just kind of lit up the room,” said her daughter, Susan Drakas.
Barbara was one of the millions of Americans to experience Alzheimer’s firsthand. Today, more than 7 million Americans and 122,000 Missourians live with the disease — a number expected to hit nearly 30 million in another 25 years. The costs of long-term dementia care will reach nearly $1 trillion by 2050.
Join ABC 17 News at the Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday at Dwight T. Reed Stadium on Lincoln University’s campus. ABC 17 Stormtrack Chief Meteorologist Jessica Hafner will emcee this year’s walk. Last year, the Jefferson City Walk raised over $65,000. This year, the walk has a goal of $90,000.
As of Thursday, the Jefferson City walk had raised over $64,000, and the Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised over $154,000 with a goal of $160,000. Donations will be accepted until the end of the year.
Barbara Early
Susan Drakas described her caring mother as a great cook who always made the holidays special for the family.
“It was a happy home,” Susan said. “She kept a beautiful, happy home. Her family was her priority.”
Robert Early, Susan Early, Barbara Early, Eugene Early, Susan Drakas and Joe Drakas in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 14, 2016. [The Drakas Family]
Her son, Robert Early recalled his mother’s laugh, which sparked joy to everyone around her.
“It was kind of infectious,” he said. “Where others would pick up on that and enjoy themselves even more, I think.”
He noted that growing up, he was not always on his best behavior and was reminded to remember his manners.
“If she said it once, she probably said it ten million times,” Robert said. “She was a very loving mom and always wanted us to be on our best behavior, but of course, I always used to test the limits.”
Years later, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013, when she was 75 years old. She spent the last nine years of her life battling the disease.
“The last couple years, you know, it’s like she was not really there,” Susan said. “She was there, but she wasn’t there because of this horrible disease; it was a long goodbye.”
On Jan. 14, 2021, she lost her battle to the disease at her home in Souderton, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her loved ones.
Barbara was married to her husband, Eugene Early, for 58 years. They were set up by mutual friends on a blind date and met in 1961. They got engaged on Christmas Eve in 1962 and were married in October 1963.
Eugene and Barbara Early at Robert Early’s wedding in May 1997. [The Drakas Family]
“There’s a lot of memories, like any marriage, you had your ups and downs, but we had more ups than downs,” Eugene Early said.
He touched on the difficulties of seeing his partner in life going through the gradual decline with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It wasn’t pleasant seeing her suffer the way she did,” Eugene said. “It was rough.”
Going through this journey with his wife of nearly six decades, he reinforced an important life lesson.
“You take life one day at a time, and enjoy it while you have it because it goes by so fast,” Eugene said.
Edwin Kammerich
ABC 17 News creative services director Mark Kammerich lost his father, Edwin, to Alzheimer’s in 2016. Mark remembers his father as always being there to help out when he needed advice.
Edwin, Mark and Joan Kammerich [Submitted by Mark Kammerich]
Kammerich said his dad helped others by sharing his time and talent for a variety of repairs, including appliances such as small engines and clocks. In addition, Kammerich said his father volunteered his time for Meals on Wheels, The Steam Engine Association and as a 4-H leader.
Sarah Carpenter
Production assistant Jerry Handley lost his grandmother, Sarah, to dementia in 1979. Handley said he remembers his grandmother as loving and always keeping her hands busy while making quilts. He said he cherishes a quilt made by his grandmother, which he still has today. He added that she loved to care for all of her grandchildren.
Jerry Handley’s grandmother, Sarah Carpenter, pictured with Jerry’s niece, Marsha. [Submitted by Jerry Handley]
Handley said when he was in college, he would sometimes have lunch with his grandmother. He said that during that time, she was showing signs of dementia. He recalled a traumatic story that she would share from roughly five decades prior in West Virginia, where she lived with her family along Rock Creek. Because of flash flooding, her family had to evacuate their home and watch it float downstream.
Yvonne Hayes
ABC 17 reporter Olivia Hayes lost her grandmother in 2020 to dementia. She says her grandmother dealt with dementia for years, but saw the biggest change after her Paw Paw died.
Natalie Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Yvonne Hayes and Olivia Hayes in 2020 [Submitted by Olivia Hayes]
This photo of Olivia, her two siblings and Maw Maw was taken the last time they saw her. Olivia Hayes said on this trip, her grandmother shared the most vivid memories of her young life. She said each day they saw their Maw Maw, she had the biggest smile on her face.
Helen Miller and Patricia ‘Patty’ Kempf
Business analyst/HR coordinator Donna Farmer lost her grandmother, Helen Miller, to Alzheimer’s on Dec. 31, 2004. Farmer says she battled the disease for over seven years. She said her grandmother lost her husband in World Ward II, when Farmer’s mother was 5 years old, and she raised her two daughters by herself.
Undated photo of Helen Miller [Submitted by Donna Farmer]
Farmer lost her mother, Patricia ‘Patty’ Kempf, on April 14, 2025. She says her mother was diagnosed with advanced dementia but was able to live at home with her father until she died. Farmer says her family believes her mother was Patrick Mahomes’ biggest fan, and she enjoyed watching game shows and sports.
Undated photo of Patricia Kempf [Submitted by Donna Farmer]
Farmer says her grandmother and mother were remarkable women who cared for their families. She says both women treated their families with respect and admiration. Farmer said this illness takes a toll on loved ones caring for them, and it takes a lot of patience and understanding.
Joseph Drakas, Susan Drakas and ABC 17 News Anchor Meghan Drakas at the Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 4, 2025
Second ‘No Kings’ protests happening Saturday around Mid-Missouri
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Protesters plan to gather across Mid-Missouri as part of the national “No Kings” protest in opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration.
This is the second such protest in Columbia, with the first taking place in June.
Mid-Missouri Peaceworks will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Boone County Courthouse. Organizers are expecting about 200 people to attend, according to documents filed with the county.
Peacework’s Sustainability Coordinator Laura Wacker said in an interview Friday afternoon, there could 1,000-3,000 people in attendance, but it all depends on the weather.
The organization plans to have 10 trained volunteers to help with security.
“In the unlikely event that we need to evacuate the area, we would simply encourage participants to walk away in an orderly fashion, and would assist any with mobility issues,” Peaceworks wrote.
Cpt. Brian Leer, of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, said the last protest was peaceful and he hopes Saturday’s will be the same.
“We don’t have any intel that leads us to anticipate there will be any problems at the event,” Leer wrote in an email. “We understand there is always a possibility that an incident could occur, so we will monitor the event and have personnel on standby to respond if needed.”
Some Facebook posts suggested counter-protesting could occur. Wacker said they’re welcome to use their First Amendment right at the No Kings protest.
“We’re not going to shut anyone down for speaking against things that we necessarily might not believe in, but everyone in America should be heard,” Wacker said.
Boone County Republican Central Committee Chair Lisa Gore wrote that county Republican’s don’t plan on counter-protesting. MU’s chapter of Turning Point USA also stated it would not stage a counter protest.
According to a press release from We Stand United, Missouri has nearly 50 peaceful protests planned and more than 2,200 events nationwide.
People are also gathering at the Capitol in Jefferson City on Saturday, starting at noon. State Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs (D-St. Louis) plans to give a speech.
Protests are also happening at the Boonville County Courthouse and Fulton City Hall, both start at 11 a.m.
Jefferson City man accused of killing two women pleads not guilty
Olivia Hayes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City man accused of shooting and killing two women last week pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance since being indicted by a grand jury on Thursday.
Michael Davis, 40, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and a single count of unlawful use of a weapon in the deaths of his wife, Shawna Davis, 39, and her friend, Sofie Mulcahey, 31.
Davis appeared in court on Friday via video call, as being held at the Cole County Jail without bond.
Court documents say Jefferson City police were investigating a crash in the early morning hours of Oct. 7 when they heard multiple shots being fired nearby.
Officers responded and found two women with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle in a wooded area in the 1100 block of Cordell Street, along with 30 shell casings nearby. They had life-threatening injuries and were brought to University Hospital, where they later died.
Witnesses recall hearing Davis and Shawna arguing that morning and Davis allegedly pulled out a long gun, according to previous reporting.
Davis allegedly told police that he does not like Mulcahey, cited in court documents as “Victim 2”. He got into an argument with Mulcahey when she arrived at the home, but did not enter it, according to court documents.
Police wrote that Davis said he thought Shawna, referred to in court documents as “Victim 1”, was being forced into a vehicle by the Mulcahey and fired several rounds at the car.
Davis’s next hearing is set for Nov. 10.
Columbia man sentenced to probation after completing shock program for sorority house break-in
Madison Stuerman
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man who pleaded guilty to forcing his way into a University of Missouri sorority house was released on probation.
According to court records, Jeffrey Wheeland Jr. pleaded guilty to amended charges in July. He was sentenced to seven years concurrent, seven for second-degree burglary and four years for exhibiting an unlawful use of a weapon.
As part of a plea agreement, a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault was dropped. An original charge of second-degree kidnapping was also amended to unlawful use of a weapon.
As part of his sentencing, Wheeland was given probation on Oct. 14 after completing a 120-day shock program at the Department of Corrections, according to court records.
Wheeland will be on supervised probation for five years once he is released from Department of Corrections custody on Nov. 12, according to online records.
Court documents state that Wheeland forced his way into the Sigma Kappa Sorority house on Feb. 4 and locked himself in a study room occupied by a student.
Police said Wheeland was in the basement study room in the house while he was holding multiple chef knives with the door locked and blocked by a chair. Police wrote that Wheeland listened to officers when told to open the door, and he was taken into custody without incident.
Columbia man sentenced to life in prison for deadly 2022 shooting
Jazsmin Halliburton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man found guilty of a deadly 2022 shooting was sentenced to life in prison on Friday afternoon.
Boone County Judge Jacobs decided in court that Isaac Bryant, 38, will serve life in prison and will have the possibility for parole after 30 years. Bryant was also given 10 years for armed criminal action, he will serve the sentences consecutively with credit for time served.
In August, Isaac Bryant was found guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Demetrius Ware in May of 2022.
Prosecutors allege Bryant killed Ware, 37, in the 800 block of Grand Avenue. Police said Bryant drove by the home and shot Ware. Ware was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
At the time of the trial, the state showed the jury a map of three areas where Bryant’s phone pinged. The prosecution argued the path led him to the home where the shooting occurred, in a blue Impala that they believe he drove.
Text messages were also brought as evidence between Bryant and the state’s eyewitness that he was planning to be in the area where the shooting took place. Prosecutors claim that Bryant shot Ware after becoming jealous that he was there.
Bryant’s attorneys filed a motion for a new trial in September and made their argument in the courtroom Friday. They cited issues with cell phone data the prosecution used during the trial to place Bryant on or around Grand Avenue at the time of the 2022 shooting.
Jacobs ultimately denied their motion.
Ware’s mother and sister also shared victim-impact statements in the courtroom. His mother detailed the night her son was shot and how she found out about what happened to him. She told Bryant his actions were the result of jealousy, personal hatred and greed.
Ware’s sister read from a book Demetrius wrote when he was 9 years old about getting hit by a car and seriously hurt. At the end of the book, Demetrius talked about being grateful to be alive because his family would miss him.
Following court Friday, his sister spoke to ABC 17 News and said that feeling could be more true after his passing.
“We miss Demetrius,” Ware’s sister Kimberly Jordan-Sheley said. “Every Mother’s Day we are constantly reminded of the death, the loss, the shooting that just made a very powerful impact on our on our life.”
No friends or family were present for Bryant in the courtroom Friday, or during trial proceedings.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should school and law enforcement active shooter drills be required by law?
Matthew Sanders
The threat of active shooters is a reality of life in modern America.
Attacks have been perpetrated in a variety of settings, but schools have been a favorite target of mass shooters in the 21st century.
That has spurred most states, including Missouri, to pass laws requiring active shooter drills in schools. The requirement won’t go into effect until fall 2026.
Meanwhile, only one state requires law enforcement to hold drills — Texas, where 19 students and two teachers were gunned down in 2022 in Uvalde.
Do you think laws should require both schools and law enforcement to conduct active shooter drills? Let us know by voting in the poll.
Man sentenced to probation in 2023 Jefferson City park shooting
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who was charged in connection with a 2023 shooting at McClung Park in Jefferson City pleaded guilty this week to a felony.
Syvonn Byrd, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation. He was previously charged with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
One witness had identified Byrd, according to the probable cause statement described in previous reporting. The witness allegedly told police that Byrd took out a gun from his waistband on Oct. 5, pointed it at several people at a party and shot, court documents in previous reporting say. Court documents say the witness’ account lined up with video recordings seen by law enforcement.
Other people accused in the shooting — that injured two people – took plea deals. Laquan Boose, of Jefferson City, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9 to accessory to unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation.
He was previously charged with accessory to first-degree assault, accessory to unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and accessory to resisting arrest.
Raymond White-Murry, of Fulton, pleaded guilty in 2024 to aiding and abetting a shooting and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation. He originally faced that charge and armed criminal action.
Dayjuan Crossland is currently charged with accessory to first-degree assault, accessory to unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. He has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
Previous reporting says Crossland was injured in the shooting, but was accused of pulling a gun and firing during an argument at a party with about 100 people at McClung Park. Police found at three least calibers of ammunition at the park.