City of California Police Department

06/01/2026

Moniteau Alert:

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 3:44AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
SVRLSX

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Boone County in central Missouri...
Southwestern Callaway County in central Missouri...
Cole County in central Missouri...
Eastern Moniteau County in central Missouri...
West Central Osage County in central Missouri...

* Until 430 AM CDT.

* At 344 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Centertown,
or 9 miles southeast of California, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
California, McGirk, Russellville, Jamestown, Centertown, Lohman,
St. Martins, Brazito, Marion, Easley, Hartsburg, Jefferson City,
Wardsville, Ashland, Holts Summit, Taos, Lake Mykee Town, Lake
Mykee, Westphalia and New Bloomfield.

This includes the following State Parks...
Clarks Hill/Norton Historic Site and Jefferson Landing Historic Site.
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

06/01/2026

Moniteau Alert:

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 3:39AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
SVRLSX

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Boone County in central Missouri...
Northeastern Moniteau County in central Missouri...

* Until 430 AM CDT.

* At 339 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Midway, or 10
miles northwest of Columbia, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Rocheport, Harrisburg, Midway, McBaine and Lupus.

This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 115 and 121.
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

06/01/2026

Moniteau Alert:

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 2:59AM CDT until June 1 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
SVRLSX

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Boone County in central Missouri...
Northeastern Moniteau County in central Missouri...

* Until 345 AM CDT.

* At 259 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northwest
of Rocheport, or 19 miles northwest of Columbia, moving southeast
at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Rocheport, Harrisburg, Midway, McBaine and Lupus.

This includes Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 115 and 121.
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

06/01/2026

Mid-afternoon on May 30th, Martin Ceballos Magana was arrested during a traffic stop by California Police Department Sgt. Brian Hazlett.

The Moniteau County Prosecuting Attorney, Derik Kinde, has charged Magaña with DWI-persistent offender, Driving Without a Valid License, and Resisting Arrest by fleeing. Magaña is being held in the Moniteau County Jail on a $5,000 cash only bond at the order of Judge Martin.

I will remind our community, we have a zero tolerance for driving impaired, on ANY substance. Removing impaired drivers from our roadways is the fastest and most effective way to save lives and have safer roadways. If you drive impaired in California, and we find you, you will be arrested for it. I promise you, we are persistently searching for impaired drivers too.

Great work Sgt. Hazlett!

Chief John

05/29/2026

Our prayers are with Trooper Daniels family and his Missouri State Highway Patrol family.

Please check in on your friends and family regularly and let them know how much they mean to you. This world can be heavy and we never know what someone is carrying emotionally.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Zmf2UG7i/?mibextid=wwXIfr

When Corporal Gary Daniels graduated from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy in 2015, he had established the first bond in a trooper’s career: He would forever be a member of the 101st Recruit Class. Decades later, troopers can name everyone in their recruit class. Recruits make it through the rigorous six-month bootcamp-style academy because they learn they are part of a team. A team in which they can rely on one another when their lives are on the line. Over the next decade, Gary established other immutable bonds within the Patrol – first in Troop C; then Troop A, where he could be closer to his family in Kansas; then part of the Patrol’s recruiting division; and, most recently, at the Patrol’s academy, where he could help shape the careers of young recruits.
Each current Patrol member and the larger Patrol family ache over the tragic loss of Corporal Gary Daniels. Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Mark James, a member of Patrol’s 48th Recruit Class, said, “Our troopers are hurting because Gary Daniels was a valued member of the Patrol family with a stellar career. He recruited and encouraged young men and women that they could succeed in our organization and, then in the academy, he helped shape the future of the Patrol. The Patrol and the entire DPS family mourn this terrible loss. Our thoughts are with Gary’s family and all who loved him.”
We will remember Gary Daniels for his selfless service to the public and for upholding the values of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He will forever be part of the Patrol team.
If you or someone you know is in mental health, su***de, or substance use crisis, help is available. Please reach out to the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online at 988 Lifeline. Services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

05/27/2026

Say what you want, but our California City employees love both their job and their country!

05/26/2026

On May 24, 2026, Crystal Badolato was arrested for Felony Property Destruction. Witnesses reported Badolato was walking down Oak Street destroying private property and breaking off flags set out for Memorial Day Weekend.

Officers transported her to the Moniteau County Jail where she currently is being held on a $1,000 cash only bond per order of Judge Martin.

05/23/2026

There is a turtle laying eggs in the sand at the volleyball court in Proctor Park.

Please avoid the area and DO NOT bother the turtle. Bothering animals at the park are against city ordinances.

05/21/2026

****PRESS RELEASE****

We are excited to announce that we have been designated as a Blue Shield City again in 2026!

What is a Blue Shield City? These are cities that are currently:
- Making investments into public safety funding
- Demonstrating effectiveness in reducing crime or have established programs to reduce crime
- Participating in regional anti-crime task forces
- Engaging in community policing initiatives
- Have a law enforcement recruitment and retention program
- Are compliant with reporting traffic stop data and crime reporting to the State of Missouri
- City leadership must have passed a resolution demonstrating their commitment to public safety, including to reduce violent crime

Not only does the City of California benefit from the results of these initiatives and the reduced crime in our city, but we also receive a portion of $10,000,000 in grant funds set aside in the annual budget by the State of Missouri dedicated solely to the improvement of local law enforcement capabilities across Missouri.

What did California receive in 2025? We were awarded $50,000 (the maximum amount) which was utilized to purchase and outfit a brand new Dodge Durango Pursuit in order to replace an 11 year old patrol car with over 14,000 engine hours and nearly 100,000 city miles. This entire patrol car and equipment cost the city of California exactly $0!!

Because our officers did almost all of the upfitting ourselves, we were able to have some remaining funds to order, which we should be receiving very soon, a digital radar awareness sign that we intend to utilize at the entrance to Proctor Park.

We are very grateful to the Mayor and our board of aldermen for their support in achieving this designation so that we can bring you the best possible trained and equipped police department.

We anticipate another round of Blue Shield grant funding to begin in July of 2026. What would you like to see the police department utilize these funds for? What equipment, capability, or program would you like to see brought to California? (Keep in mind, the grant funds can ONLY be used for equipment, training, and technology) Send us your thoughts in FB messenger or email to [email protected]

The police department came a long way in 2025 and we plan to continue that improvement in 2026!

Chief John

05/19/2026

Big thank you to the The 118 Foundation for thinking of us during National Police Week. The Thank You cards and VISA gift cards you left for each of the officers is greatly appreciated!!