Local News Archives

Columbia Job Center to host special health care hiring event

October 6, 2021 4:44 AM Ben Fein

The Columbia Job Center is set to host a special health care hiring event from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release.

Helias Catholic High School changes masking requirements for students and staff starting Wednesday

October 6, 2021 5:27 AM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City is changing its masking requirements for students and staff on Wednesday. According to the high school’s website, the school will make changes to its COVID-19 protocols due to a drop in county and school case numbers compared to earlier in the school year. The

State executes Ernest Lee Johnson for Columbia triple murder; state releases last offender statement

October 5, 2021 11:08 AM Matthew Sanders

The state executed Ernest Lee Johnson on Tuesday, 25 years after he killed three gas station workers and following a last-ditch effort by his lawyers to save him, The Associated Press reported.

Rallies, vigils hope to stop Ernest Lee Johnson execution

October 5, 2021 11:52 AM Joushua Blount

Johnson is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at a state prison in Bonne Terre for the 1994 murders of Mary Bratcher, Fred Jones and Mable Scruggs at a Columbia gas station.

TUESDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports five new coronavirus-related deaths; 50 new cases

October 5, 2021 6:32 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

WATCH: Savannah Guthrie reports on Ernest Lee Johnson murders in 1994

October 5, 2021 3:54 PM ABC 17 News Team

These videos pulled from the ABC 17 News archive show the station’s original reporting in the aftermath of a 1994 triple murder at a Casey’s gas station.

Best Buy to close Jefferson City store

October 5, 2021 12:46 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Best Buy will not renew its lease and will close the Jefferson City store on Oct. 30. The closure is a part of the regular and ongoing review of stores and their lease renewals, according to Kevin Flanagan, a spokesperson with Best Buy. Flanagan said in a release, “The decision to

Two Columbia liquor stores robbed Monday night

October 5, 2021 9:49 AM Matthew Sanders

The first one hit was the new Arena Wine and Spirits at 515 S. Scott Blvd. at about 9:40 p.m. The second robbery happened at 10:25 p.m. at Arena Liquor, 208 Corporate Lake Drive.

Convicted Columbia murderer Ernest Lee Johnson set to be executed Tuesday

October 5, 2021 5:24 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Convicted Columbia murderer Ernest Lee Johnson is set to be executed Tuesday night in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Johnson was convicted of a triple murder at Casey’s General Store along Rice Road in Columbia in 1995. In February of 1994, Johnson robbed the convenience store after using drugs and hit, shot, and stabbed

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How did the Facebook outage affect you?

October 5, 2021 3:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

Many people spend hours each day on the social media platforms, while others are dependent on them for work. However, others eschew or limit their time on social media, citing the potential harm the services can cause.

Former CPD officer recounts murders 27 years later as governor confirms plans to execute Ernest Johnson

October 4, 2021 11:37 AM Leila Mitchell

Randy Boehm, a former Columbia police officer and chief, arrived at the Columbia Casey’s General Store 27 years ago, the morning after the horrific murders of three of the store’s employees.

Cox adds to medal count at World Wrestling Championship

October 4, 2021 2:10 PM ABC 17 News Team

Cox won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Wrestling Championship in Oslo, Norway, Team USA tweeted. He was competing in the 92 kilogram weight class.

Centralia residents say they want former police chief back

October 4, 2021 7:14 PM Joushua Blount

After not getting much information from the city on the matter, residents want answers to his unexpected leave.

Jefferson City Council votes to demolish four dilapidated buildings

October 4, 2021 12:00 PM Kennedy Miller

The city is looking to demolish properties at 410 E. Hess Way, 320 E. Miller St., 417 E. Capitol Ave. and 528 E. Capitol Ave/202 Marshall St.

MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports one coronavirus-related death; 92 new cases over the weekend

October 4, 2021 6:08 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Man charged with multiple crimes after alleged Jefferson City bomb threat

October 4, 2021 4:22 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Cole County prosecutor has charged a Minnesota man with multiple crimes after a Saturday morning incident where he allegedly had a bomb and was trying to get money he was owed.

Woman charged after allegedly setting cross on fire in Jefferson City church

October 4, 2021 3:38 PM Karl Wehmhoener

A Cole County prosecutor has charged a woman after she allegedly broke into a church, stole money, a musical instrument and a computer then set a cross on fire on June 1.

A timeline of events in the Ernest Lee Johnson case

October 4, 2021 10:50 AM Lucas Geisler

Ernest Lee Johnson’s path from a Casey’s General Store in northeast Columbia to an execution room in the Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Center in Bonne Terre took 27 years to travel.

Columbia City Council approves new alcohol code to include allowing to-go alcoholic drinks

October 4, 2021 6:37 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia City Council approved to-go drinks for businesses and also extended the hours when alcohol is allowed to be sold on Sundays. City Code Change for Liquor Codes The Columbia City Council voted in favor to bring the city’s code in line with state liquor laws. Those laws went into effect

WATCH: State health department talks COVID-19 vaccines ahead of last VIP drawing

October 4, 2021 2:50 AM Molly Stawinoga

Watch the interviews at this link.