Local Government

Collegiate Housing Partners, based in St. Louis, submitted plans last week to develop a six-story student housing building on 1.25 acres south of Conley Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets.

Karen Miller, Janet Thompson and Dan Atwill's mile-long walk on Friday was a test-run for a new workout, which the commissioners hope to do once a week.

The courthouse was the fourth and final leg of the commission's appreciation breakfasts. Earlier in the week, they served food at the Boone County Government Center, Public Works and the sheriff's office.

Gov. Jay Nixon  visited Rock Bridge Memorial State Park to praise the program, which is accepting applications for summer jobs.

Missouri weather is so unpredictable that different weather models could show different projections, and city governments don't know which ones to use.

It is estimated that nearly 2,569 pounds of unwanted or expired medications — close to 911,000 pills —  have been collected in Boone County since June 2010.

The city of Columbia provides statistics on the number of traffic and parking violations issued each year.

The 2014 draft of the city's capital improvement plan calls for two additional  police station facilities and a new police headquarters. Construction would begin in 2015 on the north facility, and it would cost an estimated $14.5 million.

Passenger numbers on flights to Chicago and Dallas continue to run high, the city said.

The project will result in reconstruction of the sidewalk along Providence Road and installation of wrought iron fencing, landscaping and turf improvements in front of the school.

Some neighbors are unhappy, but a city official says that power lines are threatened and that the homeowner is OK with the plan.

In six months, a half-cent tax on downtown retail sales has outstripped revenue estimates and generated a $50,000 surplus.

Students asked U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler questions about her stances on gun control, marijuana legalization, national security and national debt.

Here's a look at some of the actions taken by the Columbia City Council at its Monday meeting.

The proposal from MFA Oil Co. and 8 Ball Commercial to rezone 2.05 acres of land from agricultural to planned commercial property originally was met by heavy opposition from area residents. Some changed their minds after MFA made concessions. The council voted 5-2 to deny the rezoning.

The costs of the project and destruction of eight homes was cited by several councilmembers as the reasons for rescinding their vote. A new plan, Option 8a, estimated at $2.1 million, combines several alternative plans for improving the roadway.

A rezoning request to accommodate plans for the convenience store at Grindstone Parkway and Rock Quarry Road appears on the Monday City Council agenda.

Residents who plan on mailing their tax returns will have to get to the post office by close at 7 p.m. for returns to be postmarked April 15.

The Boone County clerk's website provides information about upcoming elections, as well as results from previous elections.

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to hear public input and vote on both proposals during it's regular meeting on Monday night.