Columbia’s popular Johnston Paint and Decorating will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The company was founded in 1925 by Columbia businessman LD Johnston and his sons, Paul and Lennie. It started across from what’s now the Blue Note and has had four locations in the past 99 years: the original spot, where CJ’s is now on Broadway, at 7th and Ash and where it’s currently located on Buttonwood. Current co-owner Blair “Murph” Murphy joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” to discuss the upcoming 100th anniversary and Mr. Murphy’s perspective on Columbia’s homebuilding and remodeling business at this time. They also discussed what Columbia business leaders can do to improve Columbia:
Two nine-year-old mid-Missouri children donate $2,800 for toys for underprivileged children
The sheriff in mid-Missouri’s Moniteau County is praising all of the businesses, organizations and citizens who donated to this week’s Shop with a Cop event at the Jefferson City Target.
Sheriff Tony Wheatley tells 939 the Eagle that they raised about $9,500. That includes the $2,800 raised by Tipton nine-year-olds Owen Crane and Ryder Bracht with their annual lemonade stand fundraiser. This is third straight year that Crane and Bracht have been involved in the event with their lemonade stand.
Sheriff Wheatley says the 23 children who participated were selected by each school district in Moniteau County. Sheriff Wheatley’s office then contacts the parents of the selected children and receives permission for them to attend. Moniteau County Shop with a cop helps purchase toys for less fortunate children in several areas, including California, High Point and Latham. Tuesday night’s event began at the Moniteau County Courthouse, where each child was assigned to a law enforcement officer or first responder. Sheriff Wheatley says the children enjoy riding in the patrol cars and playing with the lights and sirens as they drive through town. The children were then taken to Jefferson City’s Target, where they shopped for family members and themselves.
Eight law enforcement agencies participated: Moniteau County Sheriff’s deputies, California Police, Tipton and Jamestown Police, Moniteau County emergency dispatch, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation and the mid-Missouri drug task force.
Two nine-year-old mid-Missouri children donate $2,800 for toys for underprivileged children
The sheriff in mid-Missouri’s Moniteau County is praising all of the businesses, organizations and citizens who donated to this week’s Shop with a Cop event at the Jefferson City Target.
Sheriff Tony Wheatley tells 939 the Eagle that they raised about $9,500. That includes the $2,800 raised by Tipton nine-year-olds Owen Crane and Ryder Bracht with their annual lemonade stand fundraiser. This is third straight year that Crane and Bracht have been involved in the event with their lemonade stand.
Sheriff Wheatley says the 23 children who participated were selected by each school district in Moniteau County. Sheriff Wheatley’s office then contacts the parents of the selected children and receives permission for them to attend. Moniteau County Shop with a cop helps purchase toys for less fortunate children in several areas, including California, High Point and Latham. Tuesday night’s event began at the Moniteau County Courthouse, where each child was assigned to a law enforcement officer or first responder. Sheriff Wheatley says the children enjoy riding in the patrol cars and playing with the lights and sirens as they drive through town. The children were then taken to Jefferson City’s Target, where they shopped for family members and themselves.
Eight law enforcement agencies participated: Moniteau County Sheriff’s deputies, California Police, Tipton and Jamestown Police, Moniteau County emergency dispatch, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation and the mid-Missouri drug task force.
(LISTEN): Murder victim’s mother, Columbia EMT treasure shop with a hero event
A Columbia woman whose daughter was murdered in 2019 helped select the 12 Columbia and Boone County families who participated in the recent “Shop with a hero” event at the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway.
Shaunda Hamilton founded Boone County Community Against Violence after her daughter’s murder. Ms. Hamilton tells 939 the Eagle that the 12 families have suffered trauma from gun violence, domestic violence or suicide, and that it was good to put smiles on their faces for a few hours.
“But also I think it was important for them to shop with a hero because the heroes are the first people on the scenes. And I think a lot of times we do appreciate that, we don’t always show that. But they got a chance to walk with different heroes: police officers, EMT, fire department. And so to get a chance to just kind of talk and kind of get to know each other,” Hamilton says.
Ms. Hamilton’s 18-year-old daughter, Nadria Wright, was shot to death in 2019 after leaving McDonald’s on the Business Loop, where she had picked up a milk shake.
Meantime, a local EMT from Columbia’s MU Health Care describes the recent Shop with a Hero event at the Walmart as a humbling experience. Paige Kovnesky volunteered to participate that evening, along with about 40 other first responders. Ms. Kovnesky, a former Mizzou gymnast, spoke to 939 the Eagle at Walmart.
“We serve our community everyday but we don’t get to really interact with them. Hearing their stories was so humbling and so prideful to just be there and get them the Christmas gifts that they want for whoever they’re buying for was such a cool experience”
The 12 Columbia and Boone County families who were selected have been impacted by gun violence, suicide or domestic violence. Columbia-based First Responder Support (FRS) hosted the event.
(LISTEN): CPOA says Columbia police officers have been impacted by compression
Columbia’s mayor says the city council supports and appreciates Columbia police officers.
Mayor Barbara Buffaloe notes the council approved a budget in September that contains a six percent across-the-board increase in pay and a ten percent increase in the starting salary for police officers. Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) president Matt Nichols tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that while he appreciate the raises, inflation and compression have impacted police officers.
“In 2019 I had a 20-year detective who has since retired. A 20-year detective made 26 cents an hour more than a brand-new person starting on the street. And here’s the reality: that brand-new person when they went to midnight shift, they made more than that 20-year detective,” Nichols tells listeners.
Mr. Nichols has called on the council to allocate some federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars as premium/hazard pay for law enforcement officers and other essential workers who were unable to work from home during the COVID pandemic.
You can listen to the full “Wake Up” interview with Mr. Nichols here.
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