News

The remains of a brain tumor may halt the execution of a convicted Columbia killer. Attorneys for Ernest Lee Johnson filed the complaint Thursday in Missouri’s federal Western District Court to stop the state’s lethal injection scheduled for November 3. A jury convicted Johnson of killing three people – Fred Jones, Mary Bratcher and Mable

Drivers might have noticed a popular mainstay is now missing from the side of the road, after vandals set it on fire in Jefferson City. MoDot’s 10-foot tall orange mascot, Barrel Bob, was burned earlier this week near Highway 50, and will be out of commission for at least two weeks. The safety feature was

Phone scammers have been calling customers of Three Rivers Electric Cooperative demanding payment of their electric bills, according to officials at the cooperative. “Several of our members have received telephone calls notifying them that their power would be disconnected if they did not pay their electric bill immediately,” said Thayne Barton, Manager of Administrative Services

Moisture is moving into Mid-Missouri ahead of an area of low pressure aloft which has been moving slowly east from the southwestern states. Showers will move into western Missouri after midnight, spreading east through the morning. The morning commute will be cool, wet and breezy as rain increases from daybreak through late morning. Showers will

Columbia police officers responded to a shots fired call in north Columbia late Wednesday night. It’s the tenth shooting in the city during the month of October, which averages out to police responding to a shooting every two days. Witnesses reported gunfire coming from at least one of two vehicles in the 4400 block of

An arrest near St. Louis led to the recovery of property from Mid-Missouri. Authorities in Wentzville arrested Joseph Dodson and Stephanie Yeager on October 7. During a search of their car, officers allegedly found items from three different burglaries in Boone County, including a gun and $30,000 worth of jewelry. Dodson later admitted to the

Columbia officials are trying to improve certain streets in central Columbia, and they’re asking for the public’s help. Officials are holding a neighborhood meeting this weekend near Garth and Sexton. The city is planning to buy several properties in the area, including Oak and Lynn Street. New parks might be added, along with playgrounds, local

A Boone County official with more than two decades of service is not seeking re-election. Southern district commissioner Karen Miller said after 24 years in county government, it’s time to move on. Miller said she wants to spend more time with her family and not feel like she’s neglecting county operations, but hopes younger residents

Three people were arrested Wednesday after apparently stealing from 8 stores at the outlet mall in Osage Beach. Police were called to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets for stealing, and were told the suspects left in a black Jeep SUV. A Lake Ozark Police officer saw the Jeep driving east on Highway 54 and was

MoDOT is urging drivers to observe safety rules in work zones in Jefferson City. Whether it’s road maintenance or construction projects, work zone crashes continue to be a big problem in the state. In the last 5 years, there have been 53 deaths and more than 3300 injuries in those kinds of accidents. MoDOT said

Columbia Public Schools is taking a look at future growth in the district and how to pay for it tonight. Officials are meeting at the Holiday Inn Executive Center Thursday night, where the superintendent said the district may need a new middle school. Dr. Peter Stiepleman said Gentry Middle School in particular is about 200

A Rolla man was found guilty Tuesday of rape, sodomy, burglary, and felonious restraint in a June 2014 hostage incident. Court documents said 37-year-old Jason Bruce broke into a Rolla home and took a woman hostage. Bruce apparently threatened her life if she made a noise before tying her up and raping her. After several

The newest drought monitor released October 22 reflects that moderate drought has spread across parts of Mid-Missouri. All of Mid-Missouri is still abnormally dry, with moderate drought extending into Howard, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe, Callaway, Audrain, Osage, Cole, Cooper, Pettis, Saline, Maries, and Gasconade counties. Only 1.22″ of rain has fallen since September 1 at the

Voters have a chance to decide on a half-cent sales tax this December, which will apply to stores on parts of the Business Loop in central Columbia. ABC 17 News confirmed the Business Loop Community Improvement District board voted on Thursday to set a special election for December 1, with a back-up date of December

A Mid-Missouri student gets a unique ‘Back to the Future’ treat, thanks to a Jefferson City teacher. Brent Whelan at the Nichols Career Center arranged for a ride in a real DeLorean for Trevor Campbell. The teenager is a film buff, and one of his favorites is “Back to the Future II.” Wednesday is “Back

Since September 1st we have only received 1.22″ rain in Columbia which is 5 inches below average and moderate drought continues to expand across Mid-Missouri. Much needed rain will move in Friday as tropical moisture moves in ahead of a cold front. Showers will move in from the west Thursday night, becoming likely west of

ABC 17 News confirmed a group of underage suspects was arrested early Wednesday after getting caught driving a stolen car in Columbia. According to investigators, the minors were driving on the Business Loop when they saw a Boone County Sheriff’s Department patrol car and tried to drive away. They stopped after a short pursuit and

Drivers should expect some lane closures along Route 50/63 in Jefferson City for most of the day Thursday. Starting at 8:30 a.m., MODOT will close the eastbound entrance ramp onto the highway at Lafayette Street. Crews will also shut down the auxiliary lane on Route 50/63 from Lafayette Street to the Clark Avenue exit. The

A Columbia man is charged with five felonies after allegedly beating up a woman and hurting a child. Police said Brandon Boone hit a woman in the face Tuesday. She fell on a curb and the 1-year-old she was holding hit her head on the ground. The woman tried putting the toddler into a car

The UM Board of Curators met Wednesday afternoon on University of Missouri campus. The meeting got underway at University Hall at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday and lasted for more than four hours. Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed showed up at the meeting in hopes of addressing the board. Senator Nasheed’s attendance came after speculation circulated online