January 15, 2008

Court upholds death sentence, says defense must prove retardation

By CHRIS BLANK/Associated Press The state Supreme Court on Tuesday narrowly upheld the death sentence of a man convicted of a Columbia triple murder who had claimed in his latest appeal that he was mentally retarded.

Key issues from Nixon's response to the state address

By Missourian staff Attorney General Jay Nixon responds to Gov. Matt Blunt's address and outlines other proposals.

Plans for new high school revealed

By CHIARA DELLA CAVA Plans for the third comprehensive Columbia high school feature a two-story building with core classrooms, resource centers for students, teacher planning centers, commons areas, a competition gym and an auditorium.

Woman seriously injured in single-vehicle U.S. 63 accident

By PHOEBE SEXTON A female driver who sustained possible life-threatening head injuries in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 63 South on Tuesday afternoon is at the Level I Trauma Center at University Hospital, according to a news release from the Columbia Fire Department.

Education tops Blunt's priority list

By AJA J. JUNIOR and PHILIP PROUHET Missouri education topped the list of Gov. Matt Blunt’s priorities in his State of the State Address in front of the General Assembly on Tuesday night. If the General Assembly approves his proposed budget this year, Blunt said he will have provided an additional $1.2 billion for education over a four-year period.

Text of the State of the State Address

By Matt Blunt Missourians want and deserve government that reflects Missouri values, government which rewards work and responsibility, encourages creativity, protects law-abiding citizens, spends tax dollars wisely, and helps those who cannot help themselves.

OATS driver retires after 34 years

By JEANETTE BENOIT Loretta Brauner of California, Mo., retired from her position as an OATS driver. In her 34 years, she never wrecked a bus or got a ticket but coworkers say her compassion made her a model for future drivers.

Democratic response to the State of the State Address

By Jay Nixon We are a great state with great potential. But like you, I am concerned that we are not moving in the right direction. It is frustrating to see Missouri—with all our promise—falling further and further behind our neighbors. And we are all left wondering why.

Poll workers still needed for the Missouri Primary on Feb. 5

By BETH SUDA Poll workers are still needed for the upcoming primary in Boone County, and County Clerk Wendy Noren said Republican workers are in especially high demand.

Chef will demonstrate cooking with local ingredients

By VALERIE MOSLEY With farmers markets closed for the season, eating local foods can be difficult this time of year. Chef Mark Sulltrop has managed to meet the challenge by gathering local ingredients he will use at a cooking demonstration at 12:30 p.m. Saturday sponsored by the Columbia/Boone County Health Department.

MU fraternity house burglarized

By LAURA CHAPUIS An Xbox, games and DVDs were stolen from the Kappa Sigma fraternity house at about 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, said Sgt. Ken Hammond of the Columbia Police Department.

Annual diversity celebration sold out

By Phoebe Sexton The Columbia Values Diversity Celebration, which is slated for Thursday, is sold out, said Steve Hollis, manager of Columbia’s Office of Community Services.

Citizen Oversight Committee Task Force to meet Thursday

By Aja J. Junior The Citizen Oversight Committee Task Force will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Mezzanine Conference Room of the Daniel Boone City Building, 701 E. Broadway.

Legislators want results from State of the State address

By CHIARA DELLA CAVA The governor's State of the State address will air on several Columbia radio and television stations.

January 14, 2008

School board unanimously approves tax levy proposal

By PHILIP PROUHET and CHIARA DELLA CAVA Facing a $10.3 million budget shortfall, the Columbia School Board gave the go-ahead to putting a property-tax levy increase before voters this April.

Chefs bring their best pork to Columbia

By TARYN DAMERON Versatility may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of pork, but it was the word on everyone’s lips at the Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance banquet at the Holiday Inn Select Exposition Center in Columbia on Monday

Panel OKs extra money for meth fight, energy aid for the poor

By CHRIS BLANK/The Associated Press A House committee on Monday approved almost $20 million in extra spending for police, the poor and the Conservation Department.

Columbia Regional Hospital opts to stop sending birth announcements

By SARAH JACKSON Columbia Regional Hospital has chosen to stop sending out birth announcements as a matter of patient security and safety. Boone Hospital requires that parents give the hospital permission to release the information to the media.

Rocheport man wins $100,000 playing lottery

By Robyn Seale A Rocheport man won $100,000 on Wednesday playing the Missouri Lottery’s “Mega Fortune” Scratchers game.

Woman seriously injured after Providence Road traffic accident

By ROBYN SEALE A traffic accident on Providence Road near Turner Avenue on Monday morning left a woman seriously injured, police said.