Columbia Archives

Workers seek health care jobs amid high demand for employees

October 6, 2021 3:14 PM Joushua Blount

The health care industry is in need of people, with many hospitals reporting staffing shortages that have become a familiar sight during the coronavirus pandemic.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Was justice served in the Ernest Johnson case?

October 6, 2021 10:18 AM ABC 17 News Team

Johnson had been convicted of the 1994 murders of Fred Jones, Mary Bratcher and Mable Scruggs in Columbia and had awaited execution for about 25 years.

Ameren Missouri customers can apply for a utility assistance program due to pandemic

October 5, 2021 5:15 PM Chanel Porter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An additional $1.5 million is now available by Ameren Missouri for families struggling to pay their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ameren is directing $1.2 million to its Clean Slate program to support moderate-income customers who do not qualify for low-income programs. The company is also directing $300,000 to support

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.

No charges in deadly south Columbia officer-involved shooting

October 6, 2021 7:04 AM Zachary Farwell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A special prosecutor will not file charges against three Columbia police officers involved in a deadly shooting. According to the Columbia Police Department, Callaway County Prosecutor Christopher D. Wilson told the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a letter on Oct. 1 the officers acted lawfully in their use of deadly force. Special

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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