Articles

Plans are in the works for a new downtown plaza that would also serve as the “front door” to Columbia city government.

On its surface, Columbia is the prototypical college town — a city that sets its cultural clock to the ebb and flow of young adults enrolled at MU, Stephens College and Columbia College.

The University of Missouri Board of Curators could consider a proposal to name MU’s General Classroom Building after Arvarh E. Strickland, a professor emeritus of history and MU’s first full-time black faculty member, at its January meeting.

Despite weather that led to the cancellation of two scheduled fireworks displays, organizers said that First Night — Columbia’s alcohol-free, all-ages event to ring in the New Year — was a success.

As a child, bites of green bean casserole, brussels sprouts in cream and broccoli-rice souffle were dutifully swallowed, unmasticated in the hope of being untasted, with a large mouthful of milk. This was the practice of my brother and every other child I knew. It worked for nasty things like peas, liver, onions, cooked carrots and asparagus.

In the works for four years, the ordinance is intended to protect water quality and habitat and to control flooding and erosion.

MU fraternities and sororities will be required to install sprinkler systems in their houses now that the Columbia City Council voted to adopt the 2006 International Fire Code.

If Missouri (10-2) is going to enter the Big 12 Conference season with momentum, they will have to play a better first half against Mississippi State than it did on Saturday against Southern.

KANSAS CITY — Angrier than he’d ever appeared when addressing the Kansas City media, Herman Edwards lashed out Monday at anybody who says his Chiefs lucked into the playoffs.

Gary Sharp’s garage workshop is filled with drawers of glass eyeballs, shelves of paint and walls mounted with yellow Styrofoam mannequins in the shape of deer heads. Everything has its place. There is an island countertop in the middle of the room where Sharp works with animal skins 20 to 30 hours a week.

A Columbia man suffered minor burns early Monday after a futon he was sleeping on caught fire from a lit cigarette.

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Matt Blunt calls it an innovative way to finance the buildings where the college students of the future will be taught. Skeptics fear it could make it more difficult for those future students to find affordable loans.

A stream-buffer bill that’s been in the works for four years will be up for final approval by the Columbia City Council tonight, but at least one of the people who drafted the bill believes it’s already out of date.

Ken Pearson entered the room at the Boone County Government Center and immediately began making his way around, shaking hands and talking with anyone he could. Then he stood at the doorway, coat still in hand, and greeted others as they made their way inside.

Gerry Lisby is a supervisor for the Columbia Public Works Department in the Sanitary Sewer Maintenance section, at least during the week.

Some families spend the holidays eating food by the bucket-load and sitting around a television watching football or movies. Other families go for a run.

KANSAS CITY — Sometimes teams that enter the final game of the season needing half a dozen things to break their way get their wish.

MINNEAPOLIS — Steven Jackson and the St. Louis Rams played like contenders with a promising performance. The Minnesota Vikings still have plenty of work remaining on their reconstruction project.

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri lawmakers will convene Wednesday for their annual session. But this year, there is a new uncertainty: Will they convene once, or twice?

The MU School of Music is singing its praises of alumna Isobel “Robin” Degnan. The pianist recently announced her plans to give $1 million to the school from her estate when she dies.