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Articles by Ava Gough
No air conditioning? No electricity? Here's how to cope with the heat
Here's what to do: Open your windows at night to let cool air in and close them before sunrise to block out the sun. Close blinds and curtains during the day to keep the sun out. Wear lightweight and breathable clothing. Create an indoor breeze with a box fan or a handheld fan. Shower or splash yourself with cool water if you begin to feel too hot. Place cold rags to your neck, forehead or wrists. Avoid using your oven or stove and instead cook outside. Eat food with a high water percentage.
Elderly Texans especially at risk as temperatures soar
Older adults are more prone to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke because they have a harder time regulating their body temperature. Health professionals are especially concerned because of the high temperatures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Jessica Rangel is with the UNT Health Science Center. She says that it is best for older adults to stay in air conditioning and avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day.
Teen hoped to set Rubik's Cube record on ill-fated Titan sub, mom says
London — The father and son who were among the five people who died on the OceanGate Titan submersible as it dived to tour the Titanic wreckage couldn't wait for the excursion — and the teen had his eye on setting a world record, according to the wife and mother of the victims.
Silver Heart Inn in Independence preserves its past while charting its future
The Silver Heart Inn in Independence offers guests a look into the past inside an antebellum home and two themed cottages. Originally built in 1856 for Napoleon Bonaparte Stone and his family, the inn continues to maintain aspects of its history. The front of the home showcases its Greek Revival-style with its original windows, said Charles Kistler, one of the innkeepers.
The Avalon Cafe: American bistro-style fare rules in Weston
Located in an 1847 antebellum home built by a ship captain, the Avalon Cafe offers its guests a historic setting for dining. The home, located at 608 Main St. in Weston, maintains its original features, such as the white front porch that give it the nickname "White Lace." The home's old rooms are now used for dining, said David and Lisa Scott, owners and chefs at the cafe. The three rooms hold up to 25 guests during brunch, lunch and dinner. Brunch is offered only on Sundays.
Trolley wine tours in Excelsior Springs take guests on a whirlwind visit
The Excelsior Springs Trolley Wine Tours take visitors to four of the city's local wineries where they'll experience tastings, meals, music and more. The tours start at 10:30 a.m. and run until 5 p.m., said Lindsay Hall, the trolley coordinator. Each tour begins and ends in downtown Excelsior Springs at Willow Spring Mercantile where customers start with brunch and the first wine tasting.
Black Pony Brewing Co. in Maryville takes its cue from county horse history
Inspired by Maryville’s equestrian history, the Black Pony Brewing Co. pays tribute to the racehorses of Nodaway County through its craft beers, menu and merchandise. One of the four co-owners and founders of the brewery, Brandon Jensen, said several Triple Crown winners and a notable horse trainer came from the area. “Jimmy Jones was a big horse trainer in the 1950s to 1960s,” he said.
Big River Ranch has 2,000 acres of land and activities to explore this summer
The Big River Ranch near Lexington covers 2,100 acres of land to let guests camp, hunt, ride trails on horseback, schedule events and more. The ranch rents horses for trail rides at a cost of $60 per hour for up to two hours and offers the option of a tour guide for an additional $65. Melissa Madison, the ranch manager, said the guided tours highlight different ranch landmarks during an excursion. The ranch also lets guests bring their own horses for an individual day ride that costs $10.
CoMO Cubs: How dads passed a home-country love of cricket to their children
I was sued by my co-workers after announcing I’d won a $105m lottery – but there was an even stranger twist
CoMO Cubs: How dads passed a home-country love of cricket to their children
Two years ago, Mayukh Ghosh and other fathers with roots in India decided to introduce their children to the traditional British sport of cricket. The dads had played cricket growing up in their home country, where the sport was introduced in the 18th century when India belonged to the British empire. Cricket has since become India’s most popular sport; its players are celebrities, and the international rivalries are intense.
Rosann Geiser: A journey from nursing to healing through touch
When Rosann Geiser used an energy-healing therapy to remove the hives covering parts of her spouse’s body, she was hooked. The practice of Healing Touch promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. Geiser had just finished the first training of this form of therapy when her spouse began to break out in bumps at a work conference. She was new to the practice, but Geiser decided to trust her knowledge and put it to the test in an effort to relieve the symptoms of the outbreak.
5 local volunteer events to attend this spring
This spring, there are plenty of upcoming volunteer events with opportunities to serve and raise money for local organizations. Float Your Boat The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri is having its annual Float Your Boat event on April 29 at Bass Pro Shops Lake. Float Your Boat challenges teams to build a cardboard boat to race across the lake. Funds raised will help the Food Bank feed people in its 32-county service area.
6 food groups that benefit your bones
Bone mass begins to decrease at the age of 40, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, but there are ways to help keep them strong. First, incorporate foods rich in calcium and vitamin D into your diet. Calcium is a mineral that helps build and maintain bone strength, and vitamin D helps the intestine absorb it, so they’re most beneficial when paired together. 1. Vegetables Bok choy, collards and kale are a few leafy greens that are high in calcium.
Keep your mind as sharp as possible as you get older
Aging is one of the biggest factors in cognitive decline, said Ashish Sarangi, a geriatric psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at MU. People can’t stop aging, Sarangi notes, but they can add habits to their daily lives to keep their minds sharp for as long as possible. “There’s a lot of genetics involved in memory cognition, like a family history of memory issues, but there are ways to help your cognition,” Sarangi said.
Lori Stoll: How she's made Columbia a home for refugees
In 2010, Lori Stoll and her husband added five children to their family, growing from a family of six to a family of 11. Since then, they have expanded their larger “family” by more than several hundred members. Although Stoll’s immediate family includes only her husband and nine children, she considers the refugees she’s befriended that her nonprofit helps each year to be part of it.
What to do when your neighbors are in need of help
The population of unhoused individuals in Columbia is growing and in need of support, said Stephanie Yoakum, the director of operations at CoMo Mobile Aid Collective. The collective focuses on helping them where their needs aren’t met, and people are welcome to join in on their efforts, Yoakum said. CoMo Mobile Aid Collective fills those gaps in Columbia by connecting those without a home to services. “We’re concerned about people and what they might need within the next 24 hours,” she said.
Sophie Lietzen: A self-taught coder running her own program at 16
At 12, Sophie Lietzan taught herself how to code. Just six years later, she became director of an organization that teaches computer programming to students across the Midwest. Sophie founded Codivate Midwest in 2021 with the help of two friends and fellow students, Yogev and Zihao . The nonprofit, student-run organization works with kids from second grade to freshman year of high school.
Here's how to make reading a happy hobby for your kids
Reading doesn’t always start as a preferred pastime for children, but there are ways parents can help them find enjoyment in it. One of the best ways to turn reading into a practice for kids is to begin reading with them, said Kristy Toplikar, a youth services librarian at Daniel Boone Regional Library. “One of the most important ways is to pick a time every day where your family reads,” Toplikar said.
10 books that teach children how to be kind
Parents frequently look for books at the Columbia Public Library to teach the lessons they want their children to learn. The library reports that books about kindness are among the most popular. Here are 10 books that emphasize the importance of kindness through stories. All can be checked out from the Daniel Boone Regional Library system. 1. “I Am a Kindness Hero” “I Am a Kindness Hero” by Jennifer Adams follows a young boy as he spends his day spreading kindness through selfless actions.
Patrick Nkongoro: A Renaissance kid in the 11th grade Original
Patrick Nkongoro, a junior at Battle High School, could be considered a modern Renaissance kid, one who credits his accomplishments to his faith. He is a baseball player, a member of the school newspaper staff, a podcast host and active in several mission communities. Although he has a wide variety of interests, Patrick remains humble about his accomplishments. “You don’t have to try to be perfect,” he said.
MU professor builds a solar-powered trike for $500 to replace his car
Bin Wu, an engineering professor at MU, has only used his car twice in the past four months after putting together a tricycle that runs on solar power. He calls his solar-powered trike "a horse that doesn't need feeding." "It's literally and technically true because the motor that I have is 750 watts," Wu said.
MU professor builds a solar-powered trike for $500 to replace his car
Bin Wu, an engineering professor at MU, has only used his car twice in the past four months after putting together a tricycle that runs on solar power. He calls his solar-powered trike “a horse that doesn’t need feeding.” “It’s literally and technically true because the motor that I have is 750 watts,” Wu said.
Daylight saving time 2023: What it will look like in Missouri Original
Clocks will move an hour forward again on March 12, despite attempts to make daylight saving time permanent. Daylight saving time laws remain unchanged in Missouri There has been speculation surrounding whether or not clocks would change or remain permanent this year after the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to pass the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 in March 2022. The act would make daylight saving time permanent starting Nov. 5, 2023.
Daylight saving time 2023: What spring forward will look like in Missouri
Clocks will move an hour forward again on March 12, despite attempts to make daylight saving time permanent. Daylight saving time laws remain unchanged in Missouri There has been speculation surrounding whether or not clocks would change or remain permanent this year after the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to pass the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 in March 2022. The act would make daylight saving time permanent starting Nov. 5, 2023.
How to fish for free at Stephens Lake Park on March 14
The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a free fishing event on March 14 at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. Free Fishing Day is open to participants of all ages and will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m that day. The conservation department will provide supplies, including fishing poles, bait and tackle, but attendees can also bring their own. Instruction will also be available for free.
Construction on Guitar Building, Ninth Street building to finish by end of year
The Guitar Building and the downtown scaffolding located by El Rey Cocina and Cantina and The Rise apartments began in 2022 and will be coming to an end in 2023. Guitar Building A more permanent parapet wall replacement is expected to be installed sometime this year after a portion of the Guitar Building’s northeast corner failed last December.
Construction on Guitar Building, Ninth Street building to finish by end of year
The Guitar Building and the downtown scaffolding located by El Rey Cocina and Cantina and The Rise apartments began in 2022 and will be coming to an end in 2023. Guitar Building A more permanent parapet wall replacement is expected to be installed sometime this year after a portion of the Guitar Building’s northeast corner failed last December.
Columbia Housing Authority awarded $50,000 grant for development plans
The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) has received a $50,000 grant from the Veterans United Foundation that will go toward renovations for their Kinney Point Resource Center as part of their development plans. This funding comes after the CHA received previous grants for the construction of 24 housing units at their Kinney Point Affordable Housing Development, the CHA announced in a news release Tuesday. That housing development is adjacent to their resource center located at 7 E. Sexton Road.
Columbia Housing Authority awarded $50,000 grant for development plans
The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) has received a $50,000 grant from the Veterans United Foundation that will go toward renovations for their Kinney Point Resource Center as part of their development plans. This funding comes after the CHA received previous grants for the construction of 24 housing units at their Kinney Point Affordable Housing Development, the CHA announced in a news release Tuesday. That housing development is adjacent to their resource center located at 7 E. Sexton Road.
What’s on the menu for Christmas? A guide on restaurants, grocery stores open in Columbia
A majority of stores in Columbia will be closed around Christmas for the holiday, but there will still be some restaurants and grocery stores welcoming people over the holiday weekend. Restaurants The Dive Bar, located at 1116 Business Loop 70 E., will be open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. until midnight. It will be taking both reservations and walk-ins. Truman’s Bar and Grill will be open on Christmas Eve from 6 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. and will not be taking reservations.
What’s on the menu for Christmas? A guide on restaurants, grocery stores open in Columbia
A majority of stores in Columbia will be closed around Christmas for the holiday, but there will still be some restaurants and grocery stores welcoming people over the holiday weekend. Restaurants The Dive Bar, located at 1116 Business Loop 70 E., will be open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. until midnight. It will be taking both reservations and walk-ins. Truman's Bar and Grill will be open on Christmas Eve from 6 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. and will not be taking reservations.
High school drama, and a question of self-expression, at heart of Battle's 'Grease'
The musical “Grease,” showing Friday through Sunday at Battle High School, offers a trip back in time — to poodle skirts and leather jackets — at Rydell High. Oh, Sandy! Oh, Danny! Oh, the drama! “Grease” is one of three musicals at Columbia high schools this weekend. “Legally Blonde” is at Hickman High School, and “Little House on the Prairie” is at Rock Bridge High School, both through Saturday.
Students package over 50,000 meals for Serve-a-Thon fundraiser
Students at Christian Fellowship School packaged 50,012 meals Thursday that will be distributed to those in need as part of their annual fundraiser, Serve-a-Thon. The meals from the fundraiser will go to local food banks in the central Missouri area, including The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri and the St. Francis House. The meals will also be distributed to Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Springfield, that serves over 465,000 children in more than six countries.
Hickman's 'Legally Blonde' emphasizes empowerment of women
We know the story: Elle Woods, a shiny-blond sorority girl from California, enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. Instead, she develops a passion for the law while successfully defending a sister Delta Nu alumna in a murder trial.
Missouri voters approve legalizing recreational marijuana
Missouri’s Amendment 3 has successfully passed in Missouri. Individuals 21 years of age or older will be able to possess up to three ounces of recreational marijuana in the state. Lance Olena, secretary of the Missouri National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the amendment goes into effect on Dec. 8. “Individuals that are 21 or older will be able to possess marijuana no matter what,” Olena said.
Food Bank events prepare for holiday season
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, on average, has been serving 15,000 more people each month this year compared to 2021. Katie Adkins, The Food Bank's director of communication and marketing, said they believe the increase in food insecurity in general can be attributed to the rise in food prices and other living expenses. "Most people across the United States experienced at least a $10 increase on their grocery bill this year," Adkins said.
New businesses opening this fall, winter in Columbia
Columbia has a variety of new restaurants and businesses that aim to open in the next few months. MyHouse, Tacos 4 Life, Wendy's and Irene's BBQ are some of the businesses that plan to open soon. MyHouse MyHouse is officially reopening Friday at 2 p.m. at 119 S. Seventh St. after being shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calvary Episcopal Church moves annual bazaar to October with new fall theme
Calvary Episcopal Church will host its annual bazaar on Oct. 15, which will be the first time the event will not be Christmas-themed or held in December. The event, now called All Saints Bazaar in honor of All Saints Day at the end of the month, will no longer have a holiday theme but will be representative of the fall season. LeeAnn Ball, chief organizer of the bazaar, said that based on committee input, it was decided to hold the event earlier in the year to change the scope of the event.
Two days of Mid-Missouri PrideFest start Saturday with vendors, performers
Mid-Missouri PrideFest is back for another weekend dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Columbia. The festival will kick off at noon Saturday at Rose Music Hall, start at 1 p.m. Sunday and conclude Sunday night. Featured are drag performers Daya Betty, Laila McQueen and Aiden Zhane, all former contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race.
Two days of Mid-Missouri PrideFest start Saturday with vendors, performers
Mid-Missouri PrideFest is back for another weekend dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Columbia. The festival will kick off at noon Saturday at Rose Music Hall, start at 1 p.m. Sunday and conclude Sunday night. Featured are drag performers Daya Betty, Laila McQueen and Aiden Zhane, all former contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race.
Football fans gather for Lakeside Ashland's first watch party
Sights of fans cheering and children playing filled the parking lot of the new Lakeside Ashland event center on Saturday. Missouri football fans gathered at the entertainment complex to watch the Tigers play against Kansas State, which ended in a 40-12 loss for Missouri. The space — located at 5900 E. Log Providence Road — features a 70-foot wide amphitheater screen. It was Lakeside Ashland's first watch party for the Tigers after officially opening on Thursday.
Mizzou football vs. Kansas State: 11 a.m., how to watch on TV Original
The Missouri Tigers will play their next game against the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday. This will be the Tigers' second game of the year and their first away game. Missouri has not won its first two games since the 2018 season. The Tigers started off week one with a 52-24 win against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The Wildcats will also be entering this weekend with a win under their belt after beating the South Dakota Coyotes 34-0 earlier this month at home.
Mizzou football vs. Kansas State: Game time, how to watch on TV
The Missouri Tigers will play their next game against the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday. This will be the Tigers' second game of the year and their first away game. Missouri has not won its first two games since the 2018 season. The Tigers started off week one with a 52-24 win against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The Wildcats will also be entering this weekend with a win under their belt after beating the South Dakota Coyotes 34-0 earlier this month at home.
Federal judge rules in favor of CPS in retaliation case Original
A federal judge ruled in favor of Columbia Public Schools in a case in which an employee alleged retaliation for saying there were racial disparities in the district's gifted education program.
Two Columbia students attacked on Lange Middle school bus Tuesday morning
Two Lange Middle School students were assaulted on a school bus Tuesday morning, according to a letter from the school's principal, Dominique Falls, to families of students that ride the bus. The attack occurred on bus No. 228, shortly after 7 a.m. The attacker, a juvenile, was taken into custody, said Michelle Baumstark, district spokesperson for Columbia Public Schools. Baumstark said the attack was not done at random. "The individuals attacked were being sought by the attacker," Baumstark said.
U.S. 63 connector ramp in Jefferson City complete ahead of schedule
The U.S. 63 connector ramp to U.S. 54 in Jefferson City is complete a week ahead of schedule, according to a Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) news release Thursday. Initially, the construction was supposed to last two weeks but after an examination, repairs showed to be less drastic than predicted. The bridge construction was finished after just one week.
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