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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
A Columbia Mexican restaurant had to deal with a range of violations last week during its inspection. Routine restaurant inspections happen two to three times per year based on priority and location of Columbia restaurants, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services previously has said. Follow-up inspections happen if a critical violation is found. Restaurants usually can correct noncritical violations by the next routine inspection.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
When Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, it meant this piece of the country's Black history could not be erased. That was a conclusion of Eileen Hatcher, who moved to Columbia two years ago from Chicago. "We can remember and move on, but we cannot let (that history) happen again," she said, referring to slavery and civil rights struggles. "Before anything else, we are human.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
The Columbia City Council voted to retain the original equity definition in the city's strategic plan. The council also voted to remove specific objectives, measures and actions from the plan, allowing city staff more flexibility in achieving high-level goals. This change is intended to mitigate the risk of federal funding loss, according to Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
A heat wave is expected to bring higher-than-average temperatures to Missouri through the weekend and into next week. Temperatures are forecasted to reach the low 90s on Friday, increasing to the low- to mid-90s by Sunday with heat indexes around 100 degrees. The heat wave is expected to last about a week, with continued higher-than-average temperatures predicted for the remainder of the summer.
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1 week ago | 
news-leader.com | Charles J. Dunlap
A heat wave is expected to bring higher-than-average temperatures to Missouri through the weekend and into next week. Temperatures are forecasted to reach the low 90s on Friday, increasing to the low- to mid-90s by Sunday with heat indexes around 100 degrees. The heat wave is expected to last about a week, with continued higher-than-average temperatures predicted for the remainder of the summer.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
Projects starting this week and next will impact motorists and those using parking garages in downtown Columbia. The Missouri Department of Transportation is starting a project Thursday, June 19 for pedestrian improvements along Route WW (East Broadway), from Brickton Road to S. Rolling Hills Road. Similar projects are planned:Route TT from Park de Ville Drive to Missouri Route 740;Missouri Route 163 from E.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
Vera Elwood received a unanimous endorsement from the Boone County Democratic Central Committee for the Ward 2 Columbia City Council special election. The special election will be held August 5, with Elwood facing Ken Rice. Elwood has also garnered endorsements from various organizations and individuals, including LiUNA 955 and former Ward 2 council members. One candidate for the Ward 2 special election for Columbia City Council continues to rake in endorsements.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
A Columbia teen was killed in a Sunday, June 15, shooting and a juvenile is in custody in connection to the death. Police responded at about 8 p.m. to the shots fired call in the area of Broadway and Old Highway 63, finding Zarian Simpson, 18, of Columbia, with a gunshot wound, the department reported. He was treated by EMS at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. Next of kin were notified.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
The Downtown Community Improvement District is exploring new safety bollards to enhance security at downtown events. Two types of heavy steel barriers were demonstrated: a chained gate and bar, and L-shaped barriers connected in sequence. The goal is to prevent vehicle ramming incidents into crowds during street closures. Collaboration with the city is underway, but acquisition may take six months to a year. The Downtown Community Improvement District aims to improve downtown event safety.
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1 week ago | 
columbiatribune.com | Charles J. Dunlap
The Columbia City Council will revisit proposed changes to the city's equity statement on Monday. An amendment may eliminate the proposed language, retaining the original equity statement. Federal and state executive orders barring DEI programs are impacting city funding. City departments, especially public health and transit, rely heavily on federal funds and could face significant cuts. The council will also discuss budget priorities for the 2026 fiscal year.
