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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.

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.

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

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.

Troopers arrest driver for DWI after crash in Camden County

October 4, 2021 7:46 AM Josie Anglin

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Camdenton, Missouri man has serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The crash report said Mathew Littleworth, 21, totaled a 1995 Jeep Wrangler just before 11:25 p.m. on North Highway 5 near Wading Bird Road. Littleworth reportedly drove off of the

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you save receipts to get reimbursed for gas tax?

October 4, 2021 1:49 AM ABC 17 News Team

The tax could raise close to $500 million per year for transportation projects. But the law authorizing the tax also allows drivers to be reimbursed for the amount they pay under the new tax. They have to save receipts and fill out paperwork.

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 fires defensive line coach following loss to Tennessee

October 3, 2021 3:14 PM Nathalie Jones

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Jethro Franklin is out as Mizzou’s defensive line coach, according to a release from the team on Sunday. “After a careful review, I believe a change in direction at the defensive line coach was needed,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “Jethro is a professional and man of high character, and we wish

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