Articles

Cardinals from around the world have begun to gather in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope John Paul II and to take part in the election of a new pope, a process known as the conclave.

The historic series of events began with the verification of John Paul’s death, at 9:37 p.m. Rome time, by the cardinal carmelengo, Eduardo Martinez Somalo. The carmelengo then sealed the papal apartment and arranged for the fisherman’s ring, the official seal of the pope, to be broken, beginning an official nine-day period of mourning known as the novemdiales.

Amy Kay Pavlovich first heard the call of God as a child. When she was 14, she began telling others that she planned to become a pastor —news that didn’t exactly thrill her parents.

“I’m from a farm family that does not favor women in the ministry,” said Pavlovich, 28, an associate pastor at First Christian Church.

There are more ways to create a masterpiece than stroking a paintbrush across a canvas.

In MU art instructor Sabine Gruffat’s introduction to 3D animation class, students sit in front of desktop computers instead of easels and storyboards, adding color and texture to multi-dimensional images using a software program called MAYA.

Beyond Vatican City and the sanctuaries of 1 billion Catholics around the world, Pope John Paul II will be remembered not only as an advocate for his church’s moral beliefs, but also as an eloquent voice for Christian unity.

Local religious leaders, scholars and adherents of various faiths all point to significant moments in the papal legacy that have improved interfaith relations.

A district official and school board candidates are concerned that a new school funding formula for the state would not be fully funded, but they also said that it’s hard to tell how the formula would affect Columbia Public Schools.

The school funding formula has been said to be under-funded and has received criticism for its inequitable distribution of money to school districts across the state.

First-time school board candidate Darin Preis raised and spent $3,652 for his campaign — a figure far greater than any other candidate for Tuesday’s elections and several hundred more than his own goal of $3,000.

The new computer areas and closed-off stairwells of MU’s Ellis Library show a building under renovation and in the midst of progress. Plastic sheets block off the old in preparation for the new. But, despite the renovations, the library might be on the sharp end of a cut that could hinder its technological progress.

Last month, Gov. Matt Blunt suggested $240 million in cuts to the state budget. If approved, funding for the Missouri Bibliographic Information User System, commonly known as MOBIUS, would be eliminated. The cut of almost $650,000 would be MOBIUS’ entire state appropriation for the service that links the four University of Missouri campuses, along with St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis and 54 others. It would additionally force fee increases by at least 40 percent.

Representing Columbia’s most impoverished community brings no rewards, says First Ward City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton, but she is used to challenges.

“I’ve been poor all my life, so I know what poor people need. I do this to give a voice to families like mine,” said Crayton, a 45-year-old single mother.

Know anything about the soil around the Senegal River? Don’t worry; Smithton Middle School seventh-grader Alan Hatfield had trouble with that one, too.

Hatfield and five other Columbia students were among the 100 who competed at the state geography bee Friday at MU’s Memorial Union.

Having seen him, three priests feel they knew John Paul II.

The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest existing institution in the world. But before the traditions and regalia, before Christianity became the state religion of Rome, before Catholicism with a capital “C,” there was a pope.

John Paul II was the 264th pope, a position unique among public and historical figures. In 1870, during the first Vatican Council under Pope Pius IX, the Catholic Church established a doctrine of papal infallibility and defined the pope as the “supreme judge of the faithful.”

RHONDA GARLAND

Legistlative assistant and CEO of Joyous Journey, 40

Rhonda Garland has a degree in administration of justice from El Camino College in Torrence, Calif. Garland has a daughter, Reenua, 5, and has been a Columbia resident since 2004.

Ashland

Board of aldermen: David Thomas is running unopposed for a two-year term as Ward One alderman. Jim Fasciotti is running against John Sutherland for a two-year term as Ward Two alderman. Incumbent Carl Long is running against Kristopher Dolle for a two-year term as Ward Three alderman.

When Missouri relief pitcher Michael Cole entered the game Friday night in the eighth inning, he knew Missouri starting pitcher Max Scherzer had pitched a solid seven innings.

It wasn't until Cole completed the final two innings that he realized he and Scherzer had just combined on a no-hitter.

The Hickman baseball team continued its recent dominance with an all-parts sound 10-0 home win against Camdenton on Friday.

For the second game in a row, the Hickman goalkeepers were very lonely.

The Hickman offense kept the ball on the offensive side of the field for the majority of its 5-0 win against the Moberly Spartans at Cosmopolitan Park Friday night. Superior speed, footwork and passing vaulted the Kewpies (3-1) past their tired opponents.

Pope John Paul II, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years, died Saturday night at age 84.

Normal circumstances don’t call for the Linda Ronstadt song “Blue Bayou” to be played on the public address system at University Field.

But Missouri softball assistant coach Tom Royder does.