Libby Sam and her family said they prayed to God for help when her 27-year-old roof started leaking this spring. Water spots showed through the... »
local government
Ligonier Borough Planning Commission finishing revisions to zoning
After nearly two years of work, the Ligonier Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend a 156-page revised zoning ordinance and new zoning map to borough council. The new ordinance alleviates confusion and ambiguities that were in the previous ordinance, planning commission Chairman Scott Lieb said. »
Outdoor cafe rule passes despite Ligonier mayor’s 1st-ever veto
Ligonier Borough Council on Thursday approved a much-discussed ordinance allowing for outdoor cafes in its business district. Council approved the ordinance at its last meeting, but Mayor Ormond "Butch" Bellas took unusual action and vetoed the ordinance. It was his first veto in eight years serving as Ligonier's mayor. "I usually agree with what they do,... »
Ligonier approves sidewalk cafe law
On a warm afternoon, Abigail's Coffeehouse patrons in Ligonier squeeze into two cafe tables and a bench outside. And after deliberation at Thursday's borough council meeting, they still can, with the blessing of borough officials. The sidewalk cafe ordinance passed 4-1, with Councilman Sam Banales voting against the proposal, saying it was too restrictive. Council... »
Ligonier Planning Commission continues ordinance overhaul
Plans for the proposed zoning ordinance are making progress but it's still too soon to send recommendation to council. »
Ligonier Borough Council approves curfew ordinance
Voices were raised at last Thursday's Borough Council meeting as participants and council members verbally sparred on two ordinances: one establishing a curfew for minors and another allowing for outdoor dining. »
Ligonier adopts curfew for teens
After much discussion — some of it heated — regarding a proposed curfew Thursday night, Ligonier Borough Council adopted an ordinance that prohibits anyone younger than 17 from being on public property between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. “When the police chief comes to me and tells me that this is something we need, I’m... »
Sewage project revisited
Residents in Laughlintown, Darlington and Laurel Mountain Borough will be transitioning from septic tanks to sewer lines in the coming years as a Ligonier Township Municipal Authority project moves forward. »
Supervisors table expansion request
A decision regarding the Fork's Inn tavern building expansion plan has been put off until at least August, after Ligonier Township supervisors discussed two unresolved issues at its Tuesday evening meeting. »
City manager Bill Watkins gets 2 percent raise
COLUMBIA — City Manager Bill Watkins received a 2 percent raise after City Council approved the increase at its meeting Monday night. Watkins' salary increased from $148,304 to about $151,270. »
Neighborhood church property rezoned to make way for mortuary
COLUMBIA — Despite contention among neighbors to the property, H.T. May and Son Funeral Home will open its fifth branch in Columbia this April, pending approval by the Missouri State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. »
Roper, Watkins dismiss blog reports of scheming
COLUMBIA — Some city officials are laughing at recent reports of a behind-the-scenes scheme to oust certain council members, and others are feeling perplexed. Either way, a Wednesday blog post by Columbia Heart Beat publisher Mike Martin has caused a stir. »
Two downtown projects to apply for tax breaks
COLUMBIA — The Tiger Hotel and the "District Village" at Tenth and Locust streets will be the first downtown redevelopment projects to apply for special tax breaks offered by the city for the first time. Columbia has requested proposals from the two projects, due Feb. 9, targeting them as developments that would benefit from tax-increment... »
CodeRED a pricey update
PEORIA — In the event of a missing person or a natural disaster, it's important to get information out fast. Keeping that in mind, the city of Peoria and Peoria County have updated their joint emergency notification system to CodeRED. It's faster than previous systems - with a calling rate of up to 50,000 calls... »
Sturtz, Ragtag director, seeks seat
Paul Sturtz, 43, once experienced a failure so miserable, he said it was life-altering. He recalled that on a cold, rainy day in the summer of ‘92, he realized that his Cook Street Open Market was a disaster. He created the market off of a busy street in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Portland, Ore.... »
First Ward candidates discuss issues
This past Saturday in the backroom of an old downtown church, two men and two women dressed in their Sunday best sat at a folding table covered in a birthday tablecloth. The candidates for the First Ward City Council seat passed a single microphone back and forth and answered questions from about 20 Columbia residents... »
Cameras to be installed in downtown garages
Columbia is cracking down on downtown parking-garage crime. The Columbia City Council unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to speed up the installation of additional security cameras in two downtown parking garages. Mayor Darwin Hindman and Second Ward Councilman Chris Janku were not at the meeting to cast their votes. »
Joiner elected Sturgeon mayor
After months of uncertainty, Sturgeon residents have finally selected a winner. Danny Joiner won Sturgeon’s runoff election by 29 votes Tuesday, after tying with incumbent Paul Heywood in the April 3 election. Tuesday’s election had seven more voters than the April 3 election, which ended in a 143-143 tie. On Tuesday, 161 people voted for Joiner... »
Election drama stirs up voters
Despite his failure to pay city taxes on time, Paul Heywood’s name will remain on the ballot for Sturgeon’s special mayoral election on Tuesday. The April 3 election resulted in a tie between Heywood, the incumbent, and former Mayor Danny Joiner, the challenger. Both candidates received 143 votes. While they could have settled the matter... »
Housing demolition put off
After almost two years of debate between Park Avenue residents and the Columbia Housing Authority, the agency has indefinitely postponed the proposed redevelopment and demolition of 70 public housing apartments. »
Experienced leader joins Housing Authority Board
No stranger to leadership positions, Richard Mendenhall will now become a member of the Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. »
Rezoning on Rock Quarry
The proposal for land west of Rock Quarry Road would create 26 new residences if passed. »
Study: residents want smoke-free businesses
A smoking ban for bars and restaurants in Columbia might encourage more people to patronize those establishments, according to a recent MU study. According to the study conducted by two MU professors, 93 percent of people would go to restaurants as much or more often if they were smoke-free. Eighty-five percent said the same for... »