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I have observed that the “haves” seem to be the only people who do not realize that they live in a different world from the “have nots.” To say that this makes for a confused situation really is an understatement. I think those of us who read daily newspapers understand that. We can begin on page one, for example, with a story about how much better self-regulation would work in businesses like telemarketing firms or in industries which cause an impact on the environment or in insurance companies dealing with health-care management. We are supposed to glean from this that we would all be much better served if we let these people regulate themselves. We will learn that the ineffective and ineffectual “mean old” federal government will simply make a mess of it all because obviously, this is not a government of the people, but one that is comprised of people who come from another planet and don’t understand how we do things here.

From page two on, we will read stories about how often married couples cheat on their spouses, how many corporate officers have been caught stealing from their investors, how many civil servants have been caught selling classified information to the enemy, how many families have been caught stealing cable television, how many kids are illegally downloading music from the Internet and how many men have been intercepted while trafficking in child pornography. Rational thinkers will, of course, pause at this point and ask themselves where are these stellar persons of sterling character who will join hands and regulate their industries to operate in the public interest? At that time, conventional wisdom will suggest that government regulation will involve legal restrictions, which means that people found in violation will be arrested and put in jail. Self-regulation will lead to a round of wrist-slapping and some promises to do better.

Columbia College’s new $4 million, 24,000-square-foot Atkins-Holman Student Commons is the first building to go up on the campus for eight years, but its construction has prompted mixed reactions from students.

Shawn Riley, a senior, thinks the commons will change the campus’ focus and bring in new students.

Changes in Columbia’s panhandling ordinance could take cues from the Rockies.

“Denver is a model that a lot of other downtowns look to,” said Carrie Gartner, director of the Downtown Columbia Associations.

In the summer of 1934, two college women, Alice Prey and Pearl Snavely became roommates. Aspiring teachers at Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, they soon became best friends. After graduation, however, they drifted apart.

Almost 70 years went by, and neither woman expected to see the other ever again — until a twist of fate caused their paths to cross once more. Just as they were brought together by chance in the 1930s, the women have found themselves again living together at the Terrace Retirement Community in Columbia.

A group of citizens is proposing an ordinance that would hold owners of rental property ultimately responsible for nuisance complaints filed against their tenants.

Under the proposed ordinance, property would be deemed a “chronic nuisance” after three reports of alleged criminal activity. A judge could close the property if the owners do not take action to eliminate the alleged nuisance. The proposed new law was drafted by John G. Clark, president of the North Central Columbia Neighborhood Association, with the help of citizens from various neighborhoods.

Missouri’s abortion rights advocates hope their lawsuit to overturn a new 24-hour waiting period for abortions will follow recent successful cases in other states.

Groups such as Planned Parenthood have successfully challenged 24-hour waiting periods in four states when courts ruled that such requirements were irrelevant or unconstitutional.

A panel of judges sat expectantly as 15-year-olds China McCoy, Angel Wade and Nali Holmes circled around the black M on the floor of Hearnes Center. The rows of seats usually filled with fans were empty except for a cluster of silent singers. They raised their microphones and a moment later “The Star-Spangled Banner” filled the arena.

The girls traveled from St. Louis to audition to sing the national anthem for MU men’s or women’s basketball games.

Until Saturday morning, Rita Moseley had never fired a handgun.

By Saturday night, however, the California, Mo., resident had qualified to apply for a concealed-carry permit.

John and Shalloh Crandall got up early, dressed their 4-month-old son Joshua, and headed out to collect their final pay checks before filing for unemployment benefits.

The Crandalls lost their jobs on Tuesday along with 58 other employees who worked for Gannett Telemarketing Inc. They were told by the company two weeks ago that the new national do-not-call list approved by Congress would not affect their jobs, but the closure notice taped on the front door of the office told another story.

The NAACP has begun an investigation into concerns that a black man was the victim of a racially motivated crime in Columbia.

Mary Ratliff, president of the Columbia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said she has already gathered preliminary information for the NAACP’s investigation into the injuries Bill Donnell, 46, allegedly received during a fight with two white men on Sept. 28.

As of Monday, Columbia residents might know if they’re getting another Wal-Mart.

For the third time in two months, the City Council is set to rule on the 53-acre Grindstone Plaza development that would put a Wal-Mart Supercenter along Grindstone Parkway in south Columbia. Along the way, plans have been adjusted to respond to concerns of council members and neighbors.

Rodney Griffin’s family has been waiting more than 30 years for him to come home. At the age of 21, he left Centralia for Vietnam. He’d be 55 now, but he’s never aged in the memory of his brothers. They still hope and dream for the return of a young man.

Rodney was drafted in 1969 and sent to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood. Afterward, he came home and married a girl he had dated in high school. He didn’t know that a week later he would receive his orders to leave for Vietnam. His family didn’t know this would be the last time they would see him.

Through the double doors of Forum Boulevard Christian Church, there is a sign-up center for visitors on the right and a brightly colored map of the world on the left — on the one hand welcoming newcomers and on the other displaying the church’s mission outreach beyond Columbia.

Sixteen flags from around the world decorate the walls of the church’s eight-sided sanctuary, where every Sunday an average of 800 congregants over three services listen to the Rev. Max Jennings.

Sue Bruenderman places her fingers on Bailey’s face and scrunches it up like putty. Not only does 12-year-old Bailey not mind, she’s completely relaxed and seems to enjoy the massage.

  “This is a massage I invented,” Sue says. “All dogs seem to love to have their whole face squished. If you’ve had someone do it to you, you know it feels great. Your face holds a lot of tension.”

I never realized that I was a collector until my husband told me to stop. And looking around my house, I think he told me a little too late. I never had a collection of anything as a child. I liked variety. But somehow, throughout the years, I took up the hobby without really knowing it. Now I have a dozen different collections, and I don’t know what to do with them. My husband said it’s time to start thinking about downsizing (No, we’re not selling the house). He says there’s no place left to display a thing. So he wants me to get rid of the stuff I don’t collect anymore.

Starting in the attic, I have box after box of crafts that were made by my children and grandchildren. Throwing these priceless pieces of art away is akin to burning the flag. It’s almost sacrilegious. I also have kept letter jackets, military uniforms and all the term papers (at least the ones that had passing grades), certificates and assorted junk that my kids neglected to take when they left home.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is considering creating a trophy area for flathead catfish in a stretch of the Missouri river from Glasgow to Jefferson City.

The department first proposed making anglers throw back any flatheads smaller than 30 inches caught in that area, which includes Columbia. But after a public debate in Columbia on Thursday, state officials say they might consider trading a less stringent length regulation for an increase in the area the regulation would affect.

The road through the river bottoms near Hartsburg passes rows of dried cornstalks and soybean plants. Amid the expanse of crops that suffered through the summer drought are fields of green dotted with bright orange.

Six weeks ago, Jo and Norlan “Hack” Hackman worried that their pumpkin crop also would suffer. There was a lot riding on the outcome: This year, the Hackmans became the sole providers of pumpkins for the annual Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors.

Planned Parenthood executives expect to request an injunction today to block Missouri’s new law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions.

In addition, Planned Parenthood officials expect lawyers to file a federal lawsuit in Jefferson City challenging the law after the Missouri Senate overrode Gov. Bob Holden’s veto of the measure last month.

After 24 years of service to the city, Water and Light Director Richard Malon has decided to retire, effective Jan. 9.

“I’m 65, and it is time to retire,” Malon said Thursday. “But it’s a good time to make a change. The utilities are in good shape, and I feel good that whoever is going to come in to take over will be able to keep on very nicely.”

A growth watchdog group is challenging the city’s plan to spend millions of dollars to extend sewer lines into new areas, arguing it promotes urban sprawl.

The money to improve and extend the sewer lines — $18.5 million — would come from one of two bond issues to be included on the Nov. 4 ballot. The other is a $28.3 million bond for water projects.