The WATCHWORD

• CDD 12/8: Development strategy approved for area near new school

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 12/8 Development strategy approved for area near new school (CM) The Columbia City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt the first large-scale joint planning project between city and county planning and zoning officials. The Northeast Area Plan will not set policy but will serve as a guide [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 3:04pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 12/7: Proposed downtown safety cameras up for City Council discussion

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 12/7 Proposed downtown police cameras up for City Council discussion (CM) Mayor Darwin Hindman said he supports the proposal, which he said would “extend the eyes of the police.” City Council to vote on Northeast Columbia Area Plan (CM) The area plan is intended to guide future planning and [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 1:06pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• Statehouse News: Nov. 30 to Dec. 4

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Missouri’s governor calls for mandated autism coverage — Gov. [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 11:34pm EST
  by joelwalsh15

• Keep Columbia Safe downtown camera petition certified by city

  Number of comments: 1
  The petition to install surveillance cameras in the Special Business District to deter crime and help identify suspects was certified by City Clerk Sheila Amin and County Clerk Wendy Noren last month. Since the petition had enough signatures, it forces the Columbia City Council to either pass the ordinance on the [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 5:28pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/4: Police chief fires veteran officer after arrest for DWI

  Police chief fires veteran officer after arrest for DWI (CT) Officer Ted Anderson, an 18-year-veteran of the Columbia Police Department, was fired by Chief Ken Burton on Friday in the aftermath of a driving while intoxicated arrest last week, according to a news release from Deputy Chief Tom Dresner. Landlords discuss [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 1:34pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 12/03: Horace Johnson found guilty of second-degree murder of son

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 12/03 Horace Johnson found guilty of second-degree murder of son (CM) He faces 10 years to life in prison. His sentencing is set for Feb. 1. Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper crashes, totals patrol car (CM) Trooper Derek Sullivan lost control of his 2008 Ford Crown Victoria on Missouri [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 7:07pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 12/01: Voluntary Action Center matches individuals, families with Christmas sponsors

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 12/2 Voluntary Action Center matches individuals, families with Christmas sponsors (CM) Sponsors signed up earlier than usual for the Voluntary Action Center’s Christmas program. The center matched more than 1,000 Boone County families and individuals with sponsors from the community. Trial begins for second parent in death of 2-year-old [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 1:58pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/30: Former Columbia utility director charged with murdering wife, daughters

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/30 Former Columbia utility director charged with murdering wife, daughters (CM) James Kraig Kahler, the former director of Columbia Water and Light, was charged with capital murder in Kansas in the shooting deaths of his estranged wife and two teenage daughters. Deadline for sending military care packages nears (CM) [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 6:05pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• Statehouse News: Nov. 16 to 20

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Governor announces tuition freeze — Gov. Jay Nixon announced [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 4:14pm EST
  by joelwalsh15

• Applications are being accepted for Columbia’s Vision Commission

  The City Clerk’s office is accepting applications to fill two vacancies on Columbia’s Vision Commission. The commission helps monitor the city’s visioning process, conducts periodic reviews and issues an annual report on how development in Columbia is aligning with a vision created for it. One applicant must be a qualified voter [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:22pm EST
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 11/18: GetAbout update: What’s finished , what’s been dropped and what’s pending?

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/18 GetAbout update: What’s finished, what’s been dropped and what’s pending? (CM) It’s time to take stock of what GetAbout Columbia has accomplished so far and explore what the organization plans to do with what’s left of its $22 million federal grant. City officials unveil north Providence Road extension [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:36pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/17: Sidewalk projects on tap for Columbia

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/17 Sidewalk projects on tap for Columbia (CM) The Columbia City Council approved new sidewalk projects during its meeting Monday. Plans for city discussed in pre-council meeting (CM) The Columbia City Council discussed applications it received for a Comprehensive Plan Task Force, Columbia’s snow removal policy and its priorities [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:59pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• The most excited I’ve been all semester

  Number of comments: 1
  One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Marlyn Schwartz’s A Southern Belle Primer: Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma: “Never serve pink lemonade at a picnic. It has communist overtones.” In addition to being a useful tip to keep in mind the next time you’re hosting [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 11:43pm EST
  by Casey Smith

• Kit Bond to follow Columbia jobs discussion with book signing

  Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., will be at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce this morning to talk about job creation, health care and cap-and-trade. After that, he’ll be at the MU Bookstore at 911 E. Rollins Road to sign copies of his new book, The Next Front: Southeast Asia and the Road [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 9:07am EST
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 11/12: Suspect in Doisy murder released on bond

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/12 Suspect in Doisy murder released on bond (CM) Johnny Wright, who was arrested in Georgia in September and is charged with second-degree murder, is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 11. One in 50 million: Small business employee ’scared to death’ without health insurance (CM) Since she [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 11:22am EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/11: Humane Society considers alternative operating models

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/11 Humane Society considers alternative operating models (CM) Four alternative business models were proposed at Tuesday’s meeting, including serving a smaller area, to address budget deficits. Columbia celebrates veterans (CM) The city is recognizing Veterans Day with a variety of events, including a parade down Eighth Street, a ceremony [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 12:45pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/10: UPDATE: Police find no hostages in Jefferson City office building

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/10 UPDATE: Police find no hostages in Jefferson City office building (CM) Police received a call from an alarm company around 10 a.m. today. Post offices, state offices closed for Veterans Day (CM) No mail delivery or retail services will be offered by Columbia post offices on Veterans Day. [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 3:18pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/6: Damon Williams found guilty of murdering Nathaniel Bentley

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/6 Damon Williams found guilty of murdering Nathaniel Bentley (CM) A jury found Damon A. Williams guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in the June 2008 shooting death of Nathaniel Bentley. Heller Road property recommended for industrial rezoning (CM) The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 12:17pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 11/5: Update: Man, convicted of robbery, testifies in Williams’ murder trial

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/5/09 Update: Man convicted of robbery, testifies in Williams’ murder trial (CM) A man who has admitted involvement in the robbery that led to the shooting death of Nathaniel Bentley testified Wednesday in the trial of Damon A. Williams, who is accused of pulling the trigger. Bus route altered [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 11:42am EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• City infrastructure poised and ready for new subdivisions

  The City Council followed Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations to add three new neighborhood collector streets in the Scott Boulevard area to the city’s major roadway plan. The streets were first included in the Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization Major Roadway Plan, but the city’s plan is the operational document. Still, [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:19am EST
  by Casey Smith

• CDD 11/03: Council announces Citizens Police Review Board members

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 11/03: News from the Columbia City Council meeting Council announces Citizens Police Review Board members (CM) The new members of the Citizens Police Review Board will be tasked with reviewing cases of actual or perceived police misconduct with the goal of increasing police accountability and community trust in [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 2:53pm EST
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• Covering city council race

  As a journalist, one of the most frustrating things about the job can be getting out-scooped. In a city the size of Columbia, with so many media outlets, it unfortunately happens more than I’d like. So when my editor came to me saying a local blogger had posted possible City Council [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 7:35pm EDT
  by Chelsea Arnold

• Statehouse News: Oct. 26 to 30

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Governor announces deeper budget cuts — Gov. Jay Nixon [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 10/30: Tests show lower levels of drinking water contaminant

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/30 Tests show lower levels of drinking water contaminant (CM) Levels of trihalomethanes in the city’s drinking water declined after chloramine was added to the treatment process, but other options to lower THM levels remain on the table. Columbia City Council to interview Citizens Police Review Board applicants (CM) [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 3:15pm EDT
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• Boone County Commission Work Session 10/27

  On Tuesday afternoon the Boone County Commission had a work session with Derin Campbell and Stan Shawver from the county’s Public Works division. Here is some of what was discussed: MoDOT’s planned construction on the Midway bridge deck over I-70. District I Commissioner Karen Miller raised concerns that while work is [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 3:31pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Statehouse News: Oct. 19 to 24

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Heavy rains have affected some pumpkin crops — Heavy [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 9:14pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 10/23: Bonds, property and achievement gap discussed at School Board meeting

  Bonds, property and achievement gap discussed at School Board meeting (CM) The Columbia School Board discussed academic achievement gaps, a possible 2010 bond issue vote for the second phase for a new high school and the status of the Van Horn, Bethel Street and Field Elementary School properties Thursday morning. Two Fire [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 11:28am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Paratransit Informational Meeting Gave Overview of Services

  An informational meeting about Columbia Para-transit services was held Oct. 20. The meeting consisted of a short video followed by a question-and-answer session. Two previous meetings have been held on para-transit services, one in 2007 and another in 2003. The video gave basic information on services. Usually five para-transit buses operate from Monday [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 7:15pm EDT
  by Chelsea Arnold

• Ethics Commission announces campaign finance training

  Number of comments: 1
  The Missouri Ethics Commission announced a training program Thursday to cover campaign finance record keeping and reporting. Committee treasurers and candidates are encouraged to attend. The first sessions will be held in Jefferson City on Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.  Two sessions will be held each day from 9:30 a.m to [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 4:24pm EDT
  by ccanipe

• CDD 10/22: Sid Sullivan announces his intention to run for Columbia mayor

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/22 Sid Sullivan announces his intention to run for Columbia mayor (CM) Sid Sullivan, who most recently ran for the Boone County Commission in 2008, announced Wednesday that he would be joining the race for mayor. Scott Olsen selected as Boone County Fire Protection District chief (CM) Wednesday’s [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:29am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• More about property tax rates

  Commenter John Schultz brought up a good point in this story. He said: The problem with demanding a county-wide reassessment is that my understanding is the school districts and other taxing entities are allowed by state law to not see a dip in their tax receipts due to a dip in [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 6:08pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• ‘Keys to the City’ event to engage residents

  A ‘Keys to the City’ event is aimed at providing Columbia residents with information on city government and access to city officials. The event is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Stephens Lake Park, Riechmann Pavilion, 2300 E. Walnut St. Residents may meet with Columbia City Council members and staff [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 11:47am EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 10/21: Campaigns and legislation target texting drivers

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/21 Campaigns and legislation target texting drivers (CM) Most mothers share baby pictures of their children. Maureen Benedict flashes photos of her daughter’s totaled car. Group asks FSA to suspend loans to specialized facilities (CM) A Missouri grassroots farm organization is part of a group asking the federal Farm [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 11:22am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Applications open for some boards and commissions

  The City of Columbia has opened applications for some boards and commissions. See more below the jump. Board of Mechanical Examiners Vacancies: one Term expires: June 17, 2011 Requirements: The member must be a general contractor not in the HVACR business and a resident of the city of Columbia. Duties: The board gives examinations for [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 6:57pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• Secretary of State approves abortion, stem cell ballot petitions

  Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has approved two ballot petitions. To get on the 2010 ballot, petitions need to receive 230,222 signatures from six congressional districts. Here are the petitions: From Missouri Roundtable for Life: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to make it illegal for the legislature or state or local [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 12:53pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 10/20: City Council coverage

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/20 Columbia City Council adds pedestrians, wheelchairs to bike law (CM) Pedestrians and wheelchair users under Columbia law will now command the same respect from motorists as bicyclists do. Columbia City Council approves airport improvement plan (CM) A planning document that outlines possible improvement projects at Columbia Regional Airport [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 11:38am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 10/19: Columbia city council to vote on proposed airport expansion

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/19 Columbia city council to vote on proposed airport expansion (CM) A plan outlining major projects and improvements for Columbia Regional Airport will go before the Columbia City Council on Monday evening. The Airport Master Plan proposes $64 million worth of projects over the next 20 years and [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 11:19am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Grand Cru restaurant unhappy with potential address change

  About a month ago I wrote an article about potential name changes on the Providence Outer Road system. While putting the story together I called as many businesses and residences as I could that would have their addresses changed. Though I got some good feedback from the owners of two [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Statehouse News: Oct 12 to 16

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Investigation of Natural Resources Department finds other [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 10/16: DNR director’s suspension extended to Friday

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/16 DNR director’s suspension extended to Friday (CM) The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will conclude its internal E. coli investigation by Friday, department spokesman Travis Ford said. Medicare Advantage cited as a culprit in rising health care costs (CM) Four years ago, Dixon Rogers, who lives in Fayette, [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:48pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• City Council to vote on cyclist harassment amendment

  COLUMBIA — An amendment that would add pedestrians and wheelchair users to an ordinance that protects bicyclists from harassment will be up for a vote by the Columbia City Council on Monday. The council in June passed the original ordinance, which makes harassment of a bicyclist a Class A misdemeanor punishable [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:42pm EDT
  by maggiesquires

• Northeast Area Plan to go before city council

  A planning document intended to guide development near the future site of the new Columbia high school will go to the Columbia City Council. At a joint meeting, Columbia and Boone County officials heard public testimony about a final draft of the plan, which suggests zoning and land use for the [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 7:52pm EDT
  by ccanipe

• CDD 10/14: Boone County receives first shipment of H1N1 vaccines

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/14 Boone County receives first shipment of H1N1 vaccines (CM) Children, pregnant women and health care workers will be among the first to receive Boone County’s first H1N1 vaccines, which arrived Tuesday. The shipment contains 900 doses of the nasal spray vaccine FluMist. Questions raised over preliminary floodplain map [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 10:16am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 10/13: Boone County picks finalists in stormwater logo contest

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/13 Boone County picks finalists in stormwater logo contest (CM) Ten of the 30 entries that Boone County received in its contest to create a logo for its stormwater management program have been chosen as finalists. Columbia School Board approves new curriculum (CM) The room at the Columbia [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 12:29pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 10/12: City council members visit MKT Trail bridges recommended to be replaced

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/12 City council members visit MKT Trail bridges recommended to be replaced (CM) A tour of two bridges identified as in need of replacement by the Parks and Recreation Department was conducted for Columbia City Council members on Oct. 9. City holds ceremonies for two neighborhood parks (CM) Mayor [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 1:23pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Statehouse News: Oct. 5 to Oct. 9

  Number of comments: 1
  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior at the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Missouri to receive 20,000 doses of Swine Flu vaccine [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 10:52pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• Reminder: county and state offices closed Monday

  County and state offices will be closed, although city offices will not. [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 2:53pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 10/9: Boone County IT department receives digital government award

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/9 Boone County IT department receives digital government award (CM) Technology is rapidly evolving, and county government had better keep up. That was the message Cathilea Robinett of the Center for Digital Government brought to Boone County officials Tuesday. State borrows $150 million from budget reserve fund (AP via [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 11:37am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Mid Missouri Animal Legislation to host Saturday panel

  Number of comments: 1
  In previous years, the Mid-Missouri Animal Legislation hosted small-scale public forums regarding animal welfare. But for the upcoming Plate Palate and Ballot, they have expanded the talking points, adding food, health and environmental stewardship to the discussion. “Sustainable farming, local food sourcing and health are interlinked with animal welfare,” said Daria [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
  by elsqm9

• Missouri Department of Natural Resources introduces online environmental emergency database

  The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently updated a database that shows reported environmental emergencies. The new and improved Missouri Environmental Emergency Response Tracking System is now available on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Web site. An environmental emergency is an incident that can harm the environment, including human, animal and [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 2:25pm EDT
  by aleequick

• CDD 10/8: New roof extends life on Hickman pool

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/8 New roof extends life of Hickman pool (CM) A $126,500 repair of the roof over the Hickman High School swimming pool will extend its life by another five to 10 years, but city and school officials are wondering what to do after that.Early voting initiative petition approved [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 11:55am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• City Council doesn’t do its reading, votes anyway

  At its meeting on Monday night, the City Council took Tim Teddy’s word for it. The council voted unanimously to adopt the Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development 2010-2014. But council members hadn’t actually read the city’s long-range strategy and five-year investment plan for community development, housing and homeless services [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 4:51pm EDT
  by Casey Smith

• Check out our News You Can Use

  If you look at the links at the top of the page above our banner, you’ll see one for News You Can Use. That’s a feature of the blog that the Public Life team has started updating every day to let you know what’s happening in the City of Columbia. What [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 12:58pm EDT
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• Reporter leaves comfort zone for Gans Creek story

  My recent story on the Gans Creek Recreation Area required a lot more hands-on interaction with the outdoors than I am used to.  Growing up in suburban St. Louis, I didn’t really spend much time interacting with nature beyond my backyard or one of those fields that subdivisions designate “common [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:40am EDT
  by catherinemartin88

• CDD 10/7: Planning restarts for Bonnie View Park

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/7 Planning restarts for Bonnie View Park (CM) The possible elimination of a 4.5-acre lake from the proposed master plan for the 89.5-acre Bonnie View Park, also known as the Russell property, will be one of the major issues discussed as the Parks and Recreation Department reopens the [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 10:16am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Agreement Approved to Make Structural Repairs on Tenth and Cherry Streets Parking Garage

  The Columbia City Council adopted an agreement with Walker Restoration Consultants to work on repairs on the Tenth and Cherry streets parking garage. The council voted unanimously in its Oct. 5 meeting.  The parking garage was constructed in 1995. Fixes were previously made on the garage five years ago but “were [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 5:52pm EDT
  by Chelsea Arnold

• TIFs, TDDs and CIDs — a primer

  Panelists in a Wednesday night forum will discuss the merits of tax increment financing, transportation development districts and community improvement districts. A preview is in tomorrow’s Missourian. The forum is at 7 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library. Here’s a primer on these arrangements. Tax Increment Financing This tax incentive [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
  by Elliot Njus

• City seeks nominations for Columbia Values Diversity Awards

  The city is looking for one individual or family and one group or organization to give a diversity award at the 2010 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration. More information here. [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 11:41am EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 10/6: City Council approves The Tiger Hotel plan

  City Council approves The Tiger Hotel plan (CM) The Columbia City Council gave final, unanimous approval to The Tiger Hotel’s project Monday, voting in favor of an agreement that will govern the tax increment finance arrangement between the city and the hotel’s owners. City Council approves bike boulevard on Winsdor and [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 11:35am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Council approves bicycle boulevard pilot project

  The Columbia City Council approved a bicycle boulevard on Ash Street and Windsor Street between Tenth and Ann streets at its meeting Monday night. The pilot project would include adding a “pedestrian safety island” in the middle of College Avenue that would prevent left-hand turns going any direction at the [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:17pm EDT
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• County collector seeing more unpaid taxes

  Boone County Southern District Commissioner Karen Miller praised Collector Patricia Lensmeyer today in a budget work session for collecting on unpaid taxes. “It showed. It was significant,” Miller said. Lensmeyer also said that 494 parcels of land were delinquent on taxes, which was more than double than previous years. Often, she said, [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 6:43pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• Three-Year One-Fifth Cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax experiences less of shortfall than expected

  County Auditor June Pitchford reviewed the 3-year one-fifth cent capital improvement sales tax ballot in a meeting with the county on Oct. 5. The projected sales tax shortfall is $620,000, which is an improvement from when shortfall was projected to be up to one million. The two pending items on the [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 5:44pm EDT
  by maggiesquires

• County assessor’s budget to absorb some general IT

  At a Boone County budget work session, Assessor Tom Schauwecker and Auditor June Pitchford told the commissioners that the assessment fund will pick up about $60,000 in IT costs for the county government. “We’re able to pick up some slack in a very lean year,” Schauwecker said. Schauwecker also asked commissioners for [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 4:58pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 10/5: Homebuyers take advantage of incentives

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/5 Homebuyers take advantage of incentives (CM) The parents of 20-month-old Kolton Carmichael say he likes to watch the construction workers and machinery build the house on the adjoining lot while he plays in his new backyard. Kris and Heather Carmichael like that their son has a backyard [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:45am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Statehouse News: Sept. 28 to Oct. 2

  The following headlines are compiled each week by Sarah D. Wire, a senior in the Missouri School of Journalism. The weekly newsletter — drawn from stories by student-reporters with Missouri Digital News — is dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. – Nixon suspends DNR director over Lake of the Ozarks [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• 25 submit stormwater logos

  Number of comments: 2
  As of Friday afternoon, Nicki Brown, stormwater educator, had received 25 submissions for the stormwater logo contest. The deadline was 5 p.m., Friday. The effort is part of the “outreach and education” aspect of the stormwater program.  It aims at educating the public on the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement to prevent [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 5:35pm EDT
  by dsm8r3

• County recorder looking at redaction software, site passwords

  Number of comments: 1
  At a Boone County Commission budget work session today, Recorder Bettie Johnson told the commission that even in a recession, her office is making more money than expected. They also spoke about two budget items that would change the way the public gets information her office. Much like County Assessor Tom Schauwecker’s [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 4:57pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 10/2: Grass-roots rallies support for public option health care

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/2 Grass-roots rallies support for public option health care (CM) Everybody has a health care story to tell, but those might need to reach the elected representatives to make sure the public option doesn’t get defeated. Columbia’s Gans park open to public (CM) It’s near sunset at the [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 1:39pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 10/1: Hominy Branch Trail on track despite concerns

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 10/1 Graphic of the Day Hominy Branch Trail on trak despite concerns (CM) Despite a recent funding scare, the $3.1 million Hominy Branch Trail is proceeding as planned with a target completion date of summer 2010. Boone County fire district files lawsuit over unpaid rent (CM) After a year [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 9:52am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Parks and Rec Photo Contest

  The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a photo contest in celebration of the department’s 60th anniversary. All photographers 18 years and older are invited to share their best original photos taken at any Columbia Parks and Recreation facility, event, sport, program or class. The department is seeking high resolution photos that best represent [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 1:26pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• CDD 9/30: County assessor: Property values will be stagnant

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/30 Graphic of the Day County assessor: Property values will be stagnant (CM) Property taxes for Columbia residents are rising a bit this year, but Boone County Assessor Tom Schauwecker said valuations will remain the same. Funding proposal for Missouri Internet coverage raises questions (CM) Missouri Rep. Belinda Harris, D-Hillsboro, [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 10:31am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/29: Columbia opts out of regional planning commission

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/29 Columbia opts out of regional planning commission (CM) Columbia will save about $30,000 in fiscal 2010 by dropping its membership in the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission. The decision, however, deals a blow to the group because Columbia is the biggest city in the region and was the [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 10:31am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Boone County to get state funding for petition counts

  At a Boone County budget work session, Clerk Wendy Noren said today that the state has given the county a grant that will go, in part, toward counting petition signatures. Noren listed about $115,000 in grants from the state on the proposed 2010 budget. About $14,500 of that would go toward [...]
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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 6:24pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 9/28: City employees work hard to make traces of festival disappear

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/28 City employees work hard to make traces of festival disappear (CM) The Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ festival provided plenty of entertainment this weekend, but it also provided Columbia with tons of trash. Government, private sector argue about emergency control of Internet (AP via CM) There’s no kill [...]
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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 11:24am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/25: Housing Authority hopes to enhance residents’ computer skills

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/25 Housing Authority hopes to enhance residents’ computer skills (CM) Job experience only goes so far for those who lack computer skills. Paquin Tower to upgrade boilers, pipes with stimulus funds (CM) When the weather is coldest outside, it can get pretty hot inside Paquin Tower. Moberly plans on leasing [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 11:30am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/24: City Hall scheduled to open in January 2010

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/24 City Hall addition scheduled to open in January 2010 (CM) Hard hats won’t be needed much longer in the new city hall addition. City, county aim to close stormwater loophole (CM) City and county leaders are trying to close a potential loophole in the county’s proposed stormwater [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2009, 11:50am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Parks and Recreation finish public hearings, still soliciting comments for new park area

  The plan for A. Perry Philips Park and Gans Creek Recreation Area — next to Rock Bridge State Park — is still getting tweaked, and the city Parks and Recreation Department seeks your input. The department held the second and final of this round of meetings Wednesday night. Few people commented, [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2009, 7:42pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• Voluntary Action Center runs out of free Roots ‘N’ Blues tickets

  The Voluntary Action Center gave away all of the free tickets they had been given to distribute for the Roots ‘N’ Blues ‘N’ BBQ Festival. The last tickets were distributed this morning at the center, where there was a rush of people asking for them. The center distributed 244 tickets today, [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2009, 11:53am EDT
  by jamespatrickschmidt

• CDD 9/23: Columbia, Boone County present plans for area near new high school

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/23 Columbia, Boone County present plans for area near new high school (CM) At a Tuesday night meeting concerning development northeast of Columbia, attendees heard that, like it or not, the city is coming. Columbia trails will receive federal funding (CM) GetAbout Columbia planners who were facing the loss [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2009, 10:02am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/22: Columbia City Council approves $403 million budget for 2010

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/22 Columbia City Council approves $403 million budget for 2010 (CM) In front of a packed house Monday night, the Columbia City Council approved a budget for fiscal year 2010. Stormwater ordinance in Boone County could benefit environment, developers pay (CM) Rock Bridge Memorial State Park had a voice [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2009, 1:03pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Why do you have to sign in to the county assessor site?

  Unlike any other part of the Boone County Web site, assessor Tom Schauwecker’s site requires a free password to access certain information, including names and addresses of property owners. The county recorder, Bettie Johnson, doesn’t require a password for similar information, and neither does Patricia Lensmeyer, the collector. In an interview Friday, [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 11:48am EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 9/21: Columbia council’s budget amendments focus on social services

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/21 Columbia council’s budget amendments focus on social services (CM) Members of the Columbia City Council got the message loud and clear: Cutting grants for social services is a bad idea in tough economic times. New alternative school gives second chance to Ashland students (CM) Kaylee Silvers dropped out [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 9:39am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/20: City plans to add new department in 2010

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/20 City plans to add new department in 2010 (CM) Neighborhoods might soon see a more efficient response to complaints about too-tall grass, trash in yards and peeling paint. Health care overhaul bill comes to comittee vote Tuesday (AP via CM) The Baucus plan would require all Americans [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 11:46am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Send in photos of your kids, get cash

  The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a contest wherein people can submit photos taken at department events and win money and gift certificates. The categories are as follows: Parks and Recreation Facilities Trails Recreation Programs, Sports, Events and Classes Faces and Activities Landscape, Wildlife and Nature Good luck! [...]
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  Posted: September 18, 2009, 11:29am EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• CDD 9/18: Boone County Commission votes not to increase property tax

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/18 Boone County Commission votes not to increase property tax (CM) The Boone County Commission voted unanimously not to increase property taxes this year, opting instead to use reserve money to cover a projected shortfall for 2009. But county officials cautioned they could face the same decision next [...]
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  Posted: September 18, 2009, 9:48am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CDD 9/17: Looser noise ordinance rules proposed for downtown

  Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/17 Looser noise ordinance rules proposed for downtown (CM) A proposed change in the city’s noise ordinance would greatly loosen the restrictions on loud music and yelling in the downtown area. Missouri not yet applying for federal grants (CM) The state is declining to apply for $100 million in [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 11:03am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Lisa Ling Lecture

  This evening attended the Lisa Ling lecture at Jesse Hall, which is the first event I have attended in a while that I was not writing an article on. It was nice to be able to listen to a speech and take in the atmosphere of event without having to [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 10:50pm EDT
  by catherinemartin88

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/16

  Columbia councilman to run for mayor in 2010 (CM) A bid to become mayor of Columbia is a gambit for Jerry Wade, who will have to give up his seat as Fourth Ward councilman to run for the city’s highest office. Residents speak out against Boone County property tax hike (CM) [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 10:28am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• City Manager’s news conference Friday

  Columbia City Manager Bill Watkins will update the public on city activities and will review the City Council agenda for Monday, Sept. 21. The news conference is in the council chambers, on the fourth floor of the Daniel Boone City Building, 701 E. Broadway. Residents may also view Watkins’ statements [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 10:00am EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/15

  City plans to hire sustainability manager (CM) The city of Columbia is hiring. That is, if agreement on a job description can be reached. Council members question license plate readers, fear invasion of privacy (CM) A Columbia police proposal to buy a high-tech device that can scan license plates and gather data [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:21am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/14

  Columbia Parks and Recreation seeks public opinion for park upgrade (CM) An ambitious new master plan for A. Perry Philips Park and Gans Creek Recreation Area includes an indoor sports complex, an indoor ice rink, shelters, playgrounds and ball fields while still preserving much of the natural character of the [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 10:21am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Statehouse News — Sept. 7 to 11

  The following news items are compiled each week by MU senior Sarah D. Wire and dispatched to members of the Missouri Press Association. They are based on stories from MU journalism students working for Missouri Digital News in Jefferson City. – Cool weather could affect the taste of fall vegetables Tomatoes will be [...]
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  Posted: September 12, 2009, 5:38pm EDT
  by joelwalsh15

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/11

  Urban chicken ordinance draft dies during Board of Health discussions (CM) The Columbia Board of Health, after months of discussion and deliberation, failed to agree upon a recommendation to City Council on the proposed urban chicken ordinance. Boone County’s budget for indigent burials runs dry (CM) The man’s corpse was discovered [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 9:17am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/10

  Columbia City Council approves Roots’N'Blues’BBQ agreement (CM) The third annual Roots ‘N’ Blues ‘N’ BBQ Festival is officially ready to rock following Tuesday’s Columbia City Council meeting. Boone and Columbia budgets call for frees at STD clinic (CM) Boone County residents who visit the Columbia-Boone County clinic for sexually transmitted diseases' [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• CNN to highlight local consignment sale

  CNN and CNN’s Headline News will feature consignment events in Columbia and Rolla put on by Just Between Friends in a segment called “How We Got Started.” The segment airs 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday on CNN or 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Headline News. It will also [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 10:32am EDT
  by cpa7wb

• City Council news

  Here are the Missourian stories about last night’s City Council meeting: Columbia laborers propose alternate budget cuts Central Missouri Humane Society funding remains in question Columbia City Council approves Rocky Creek rezoning Columbia utility increases could cost residents $8.70 a month Columbia City Council worried about safety of bike boulevard Council to interview final candidates for [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 10:00am EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• Cave regulations aim to protect bats

  This post is from Missourian reporter Catherine O’Neill: To prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is enforcing new guidelines for its caves. Although the cause of white-nose syndrome remains a mystery, park staff is taking precautions to prevent the spread of the disease through new [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
  by Roseann Moring

• Columbia Water and Light director resigns

  Kraig Kahler, Columbia Water and Light Director, has turned in his resignation after being asked to do so by Columbia City Manager Bill Watkins. [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 3:55pm EDT
  by ccanipe

• Columbia’s Daily Dish 9/8

  Not a news story, but just another reminder that due to the Labor Day holiday yesterday the city council meeting will be tonight, Sept. 8. Congress weighs landmark change in Web ad privacy (AP via CM) Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 10:21am EDT
  by Greg Mitchell

• Reminder: city offices closed on Labor Day

  All city offices will be closed Monday for Labor Day. The City Council will meet Tuesday instead. [...]
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  Posted: September 06, 2009, 8:00am EDT
  by Roseann Moring