Columbia Archives

Lawmakers, pope ask Missouri governor to halt execution

October 4, 2021 11:13 AM Associated Press

By JIM SALTER Associated Press Pope Francis has joined the chorus of people calling on Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency to a death row inmate who is set to be executed for killing three people during a 1994 convenience store robbery. Ernest Johnson is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday

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

Thousands call for clemency ahead of a Columbia mans execution

October 3, 2021 7:13 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State leaders and concerned citizens have called on Governor Mike Parson at one last attempt to halt Ernest Lee Johnson’s execution. Johnson was convicted in 1995 for killing three people while robbing a Columbia convenience store in 1994. His execution date is set for Tuesday, 27 years after committing his crimes. His

Mizzou kicks off Homecoming week on Sunday with a new tradition

October 3, 2021 7:31 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mizzou’s Homecoming week events started Sunday with a banner competition and a dome lighting concert. A banner competition took place Sunday at 5 p.m. at Carnahan Quad between Cornell Hall and Strickland Hall. This year also marks the first year of the dome lighting tradition. This event happened Sunday night at 7:15

The Columbia Senior Center celebrated its 25th anniversary after being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19

October 3, 2021 2:56 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Senior Center’s 25th anniversary of being at its current location was in October 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebrations took place one year later. There was an open house from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, with a short program at 2:30 p.m. at the location on Business

University of Missouri Homecoming festivities to kick off Sunday

October 3, 2021 5:13 AM Ben Fein

The University of Missouri is hosting its 110th Homecoming in 2021, with events set to kick off Sunday both on and off campus.

The MU community and local businesses prepare for Mizzou’s homecoming week

October 2, 2021 11:19 PM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) Local businesses in Columbia and the University are preparing for a busy homecoming week. This is Mizzou’s 110th homecoming celebration and this year’s theme is “A Reason to Roar.” Michelle Dillard is the owner of Tiger Sprit in Downtown Columbia. She tells me that she is ready for what the foot traffic

Rally for reproductive rights held Saturday in Columbia

October 2, 2021 4:57 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A rally was held Saturday at the Boone County Courthouse for reproductive rights. Women’s March and more than 90 other organizations were at the rally to defend reproductive rights ahead of the Supreme Court reconvening on Monday. Organizers from CoMo for Progress, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, and Planned Parenthood called on the community to

MU Health Care holds second week of a drive-thru flu clinic

October 2, 2021 8:11 AM Ben Fein

MU Health Care is administering flu vaccines again Saturday after the clinic opened last week.

One person arrested following a disturbance in downtown Columbia

October 2, 2021 4:39 AM Ben Fein

One person has been arrested according to CPD, after police were originally called to South 9th St. around 2:30 a.m. Saturday for reports of a disturbance.

University of Missouri announces federal funding for students in need

October 1, 2021 1:46 PM Zach Boetto

The Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III grants are part of American Rescue Plan funding tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

Car crashes into attached garage in west Columbia

October 1, 2021 8:24 AM Zachary Farwell

Boone County dispatchers sent a public alert at 7:55 a.m. saying crews are working a crash at West Ash Street and Clinkscales Road. An ABC 17 News reporter saw a car partially covered with a tarp that had crashed into an attached garage.

State ethics commission orders Columbia mayor to end campaign committee

October 1, 2021 3:42 PM Lucas Geisler

The Missouri Ethics Commission told Mayor Brian Treece to dissolve his campaign committee in a Friday order. Once dissolved, the commission promised to take no further action against him.

FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports one coronavirus-related death; 42 new cases

October 1, 2021 6:16 AM ABC 17 News Team

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

Columbia Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas will not seek reelection

October 1, 2021 4:28 PM Matthew Sanders

Ian Thomas told constituents in his newsletter but did not provide a reason. Thomas was first elected in 2013 and reelected in 2016 and 2019. The councilman established a reputation of pushing for development that encouraged less automobile traffic and for affordable housing, among other causes.