Mid-Missouri News 3 | 98.3 The Dove

(LISTEN): MoDOT links Missouri’s traffic fatality increase to cell phone use

September 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director is warning about the increasing number of traffic fatalities in Missouri, linking it to cell phone use while driving.

The agency says traffic fatalities have increased by 15 percent in the past five years. MoDOT director Patrick McKenna tells 939 the Eagle that’s unacceptable.

“When you consider how much safer the vehicles are becoming, to have that happen in light of the safety features that are in the vehicles, that’s really astounding. And I believe it points directly to cell phone use while driving,” Director McKenna says.

Texting while driving has been a topic at this week’s Missouri highway safety and traffic conference in Columbia, which wraps up today at around noon. The event is being hosted by MoDOT and by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. A record 520 transportation professionals, law enforcement officers and safety advocates are at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for the conference. The 520 participants are from every part of Missouri.

MoDOT also says that 15 people were killed in Missouri work zones in 2022. Director McKenna is frustrated, telling 939 the Eagle that 34 percent of all serious injuries in crashes are caused by distracted driving.

“When you pair distraction with other things like speed or impairment, it really becomes a fatal mix,” says McKenna.

MoDOT also says wrong-way deaths in Missouri have jumped by 59 percent since 2018. The agency also says the number of fatalities involving motorcycles has increased since the helmet law was repealed by state lawmakers.

(LISTEN): Southwest Columbia’s new $4.5 million fire station opens

September 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Fast-growing southwest Columbia has a brand-new fire station, thanks to the voter-approved 2015 capital improvement sales tax extension.

About 200 people turned out in the blazing sun for Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Scott Boulevard. City manager De’Carlon Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that it’s one of the fastest-growing areas in Columbia.

“And not to have proper fire service does a disservice to our residents. So this fire house will be an exemplary process that will allow our residents to be safe to make sure that if there is a health emergency or if there is a fire emergency, we can respond quickly,” Mr. Seewood says.

The 10,000 square feet fire station cost $4.5 million to build. It has three apparatus bays, a training room, multiple restrooms and a workout area. The new fire station is located in a residential neighborhood on Scott Boulevard in southwest Columbia. City voters approved the project as part of the 2015 capital improvement sales tax extension. Mr. Seewood says the project was impacted by inflation.

“When we put it in the budget ten years ago, we budgeted two-and-a-half million (dollars). Inflation happens, so it cost us four-and-a-half (million) to actually get it built,” says Seewood.

Mr. Seewood, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, fire chief Clayton Farr and Councilman Donald Waterman were among the speakers at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle the 12 firefighters to staff fire station 11 have been hired and are ready to start.

Court documents: Columbia murder suspect urged witness “not to tell on him”

September 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A Columbia man charged with shooting and killing a three-year-old child Sunday afternoon remains jailed without bond this (Wednesday) morning.

A Boone County circuit judge describes 28-year-old Larry Brownlee Jr. as a flight risk and a danger to the community. Boone County prosecutors have charged Brownlee with second degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.

939 the Eagle News has obtained the Columbia Police Department’s heavily-redacted two-page probable cause statement against Brownlee, which indicates the child’s mother told CPD detectives conflicting stories about what happened on Sunday. She’s quoted as originally telling police that the child was shot as they were returning from grocery shopping, but later told police she was in the kitchen when she heard a “pop” in the bedroom and saw the child shot in the stomach.

The mother is quoted by CPD investigators as saying Brownlee asked her multiple times “not to tell on him.”

Boone County Circuit Judge Jeff Harris has denied bond for the suspect, describing him as a danger to the community. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson has filed a two-page motion for no bond, saying Brownlee shot the child in the stomach. Prosecutor Johnson’s motion also notes Brownlee has several previous convictions, including for assault and domestic assault.

UPDATE: Columbia murder suspect to be arraigned at 1

September 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A Columbia man charged with Sunday’s shooting death of a three-year-old child will be arraigned this afternoon at the Boone County Courthouse.

Boone County prosecutor Roger Johnson has charged 28-year-old Larry Brownlee Jr. with second degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Brownlee’s initial appearance is set for 1 pm, before Judge Stephanie Morrell. He’ll be arraigned via video from the Boone County jail. He’s jailed without bond.

Columbia Police say the three-year-old was shot in the torso Sunday afternoon, and later died at an area hospital.

(LISTEN): Missouri Chamber of Commerce touting I-70 expansion plan

September 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s largest business organization is praising the state’s $2.8 billion plan to rebuild and six-lane I-70 from Wentzville to Blue Springs. Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dan Mehan tells 939 the Eagle that it’s historic.

“I-70 is the beltway for the country and it started in Missouri and it’s been far too long since we invested back in it,” Mehan says.

The I-70 project will start in Boone County. Chamber president Mehan says the project will have major economic benefits. He’s praising state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for supporting the bill, and praises GOP Governor Mike Parson for signing it.

“When the Legislature did that, they put a mark for Missouri for the rest of the country saying we will be the logistics and distribution center for not just the region but for the nation and for the continent,” says Mehan.

Numerous state lawmakers from across Missouri joined the governor at the August Columbia bill-signing ceremony. GOP State Reps. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville), Kent Haden (R-Mexico) and Tim Taylor (R-Speed) attended, along with House Assistant Minority Floor Leader Richard Brown (D-Kansas City) Democratic State Reps. Doug Mann, David Tyson Smith and Kathy Steinhoff (all D-Columbia).