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Articles by Danielle Romero
Black community saw a rise in anxiety, depression following Floyd's death
COLUMBIA - Nearly a year ago, in the week after George Floyd's death, there was a spike in reported depression and anxiety for Black Americans. The National Center for Health Statistics partnered with the Census Bureau to conduct an experimental data survey. The household survey showed higher signs of depression and anxiety for 41% of Black people in the U.S., in the week of May 28 through June 2.
Boone County Sheriff's Department paid training program
BOONE COUNTY - The Boone County Sheriff's Department is offering a paid deputy sheriff training program to attract new hires. They find themselves short of applicants for the program, a common problem not just in law enforcement across mid-Missouri and the country. Captain Brian Leer says there could be a number of reasons. "I think there's several things that contribute to the fact that we see a decline in applicants," Captain Leer said.
Jefferson City businesses loosen their own restrictions as vaccinations increase
JEFFERSON CITY - Unlike Boone County, Cole County doesn't have any mandates or regulations that businesses have to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, businesses took it upon themselves to create their own. Sweet Smoke BBQ in downtown Jefferson City created its own regulations when the pandemic first hit in March 2020. Sweet Smoke BBQ took out half of its tables so customers could be socially distanced while eating.
Boone County Health Department working to start in-home vaccinations
COLUMBIA - Columbia/ Boone County Public Health and Human Services is working on providing in-home vaccinations for individuals who are homebound and not able to get to a mass vaccination clinic. PHHS says it is working to close the gaps and barriers for people who are running into problems with getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Doses from canceled mass vaccination events to be redistributed to hospitals
MISSOURI-- After the cancellation of the state's mass vaccination sites across all Missouri State Highway Patrol regions this week, vaccine doses will be redistributed to community hospitals with emergency generators.
Bakery selling special edition cookies to help make a girl's dream come true
COLUMBIA - WildFlour Bakery is selling special edition Black History Month cookies and all proceeds will go to a young 12-year-old girl to make her dream come true. WildFlour Bakery is an in-house bakery in Fulton. The owner, Krystle McKenzie, started the bakery in October and knew she wanted to do something special for Black History Month. "I wanted to celebrate the month in a different way," McKenzie said. While scrolling on Pinterest, she found her inspiration behind the cookies.
LOCAL LOOKOUT: A canned food drive to honor pastor who passed from Covid-19
JEFFERSON CITY - A drive-thru canned food drive was hosted on Monday to honor a community leader who passed away from COVID-19 in November. Kevin Kohler was a community leader in Jefferson City. He was a husband, a father, a Pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, executive director of Council for Drug Free Youth (CDFY), a basketball coach, and a teacher. Before his passing in November, Kohler set out to try and organize a food drive to help the community.
Salvation Army struggles to reach its holiday fundraising goal
COLUMBIA - With just two weeks before Christmas, the Salvation Army in Columbia and in Jefferson City are struggling to reach their holiday fundraising goal. So far, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign has only reached 25% of its holiday goal in Columbia and Jefferson City. The Regional Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Jefferson City and Columbia says they are worried about reaching their goal. "We're kind of holding our breath," Major Curtiss Hartley said.
Coyote Hill foster home set to open in Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY - Coyote Hill is opening a foster home with the help of members from West United Methodist Church in Jefferson City and community members. Coyote Hill is a ministry dedicated to providing safe homes for children in foster care that have been abused and neglected. It has provided this service for nearly 30 years in Harrisburg, where it has six foster homes.
LOCAL LOOKOUT: Auxvaase man handmakes stoves to help people in need
AUXVASSE - A local man is hand-making stoves to help people in need as temperatures are beginning to drop. Sylvester Mull came up with the idea of hand-making stoves after he saw homeless people sleeping in cold weather. He says he wanted to do anything he could to help, especially during this difficult time. "It is hard right now and some shelters are closed or have limited space, so you have more people sleeping outside," Mull said.
Columbia College hosts tree lighting event to honor veterans
COLUMBIA - On Wednesday afternoon, Columbia College hosted a tree lighting ceremony to honor veterans. The Military Service Tree was lit up with red, white and blue lights. This is the eighth year the college has hosted the ceremony. The event was virtual this year to the public and people were able to watch it on Facebook live. Senior Director of Military & Veterans Services, Keith Glindemann says he is happy the college was able to continue to honor the tradition.
Contact tracing delayed; woman called as isolation period ends
COLUMBIA - Monday marks 10 days since a Boone County woman tested positive for COVID-19 and she just received a contact tracing call for the first time. Jeannette Englert tested positive for COVID-19 on Halloween. She went to MU Hospital for her testing and received her results back on the same day. She thought that since her results came back so quickly, it wouldn't be long before she got a contact tracing call from the Boone County Health Department. She was wrong.
One victim released from hospital, JCPD looking for gunmen from Wednesday shooting
JEFFERSON CITY-- One of the four victims from Wednesday afternoon's shooting at the Linc has been released from the hospital, JCPD reports. No information identifying the victims will be released at this time. According to an update from JCPD, five vehicles were towed from the scene to recover evidence. No one is in custody at this time. Investigators continue to attempt to determine a motive.
UPDATE: Victim identified, suspect held in Cosmo Park homicide
Columbia police are holding a 15-year-old juvenile from for his involvement in Monday's homicide at Cosmopolitan Recreation Area Park, 1615 W. Business Loop. The victim has been identified as Jermaine Spain, 19, of Columbia. Police said the juvenile is being held on charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and delivery/possession of a controlled substance. He is in the custody of juvenile authorities.
One dead in shooting at Cosmo Park
COLUMBIA - The Columbia Police Department said one person is dead after a shooting at Cosmo Park. CPD received a shots fired call around 6 p.m. Monday night. Upon arrival at Cosmo Park, they found the victim and multiple shell casings. Emergency medical services pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Authorities said they do not have the suspect's name or any information on the suspect. They did not give out the name of the victim either.
Elementary school pick-up runs smoothly for the first snowfall
COLUMBIA - The first snowfall of the season came on Monday and elementary school pick-up ran relatively smoothly according to some parents. It has been exactly one week since the return of in-person classes for Columbia Public Schools elementary students. Protocols have changed for drop-off and pick-up to help maintain social distancing. Teachers have students wait inside the school while parents line up to pick up their kids.
Wilton Levee Association waiting for reimbursement after 2019 flood
View Story Comments COLUMBIA - The Columbia/Boone County Health Department released guidelines for trick or treating on Halloween. There are numerous activities... More >> 7 hours ago Wednesday, September 30 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Wednesday, September 30, 2020 5:47:00 PM CDT September 30, 2020 in News CENTRALIA - The sweet smells of lavender and grass hang heavily over Jason Lockwood's workshop. Lockwood and his wife...
Game night looks different for restaurants and bars
View Story Comments MEXICO, Mo. — The Mexico Public Safety Department responded to a report of a gunshot wound around 2 p.m. Monday.... More >> 2 hours ago Tuesday, September 29 2020 Sep 29, 2020 Tuesday, September 29, 2020 8:23:00 AM CDT September 29, 2020 in News COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia will resume utility disconnections on Monday, Oct. 5. This gives customers one week to...
LOCAL LOOKOUT: Two blessing boxes unveiled on Monday
View Story Comments COLE COUNTY- Osage Fire crews were called to a barn fire around 12:30 p.m. Monday in the 7700 block of... More >> 4 hours ago Monday, September 21 2020 Sep 21, 2020 Monday, September 21, 2020 5:08:00 PM CDT September 21, 2020 in News COLUMBIA- Columbia police responded to a report of a robbery around 11:45 p.m. Saturday in the 700 block of Seventh...
Goodwill Excel Center adjusts to online learning
View Story Comments COLUMBIA - Goodwill Excel Center is almost a month into its first term and students and faculty are adjusting to... More >> 29 minutes ago Wednesday, September 16 2020 Sep 16, 2020 Wednesday, September 16, 2020 5:25:00 PM CDT September 16, 2020 in News COLUMBIA - The number of remote workers has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the University of Missouri is attempting...
CPS provides Grab & Go meals for students
View Story Comments COLUMBIA - Columbia Public Schools are providing a Grab and Go meal bus program for students. The program began... More >> 56 minutes ago Monday, September 14 2020 Sep 14, 2020 Monday, September 14, 2020 5:11:00 PM CDT September 14, 2020 in News COLUMBIA - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offered free COVID-19 testing to Missouri residents Monday from noon...
CPS parents frustrated with iPad issues, technicians to update this week
View Story Comments COLUMBIA- Columbia Public Schools is set to begin virtual learning Tuesday, after the Board of Education voted 6 to 1... More >> 11 hours ago Monday, September 07 2020 Sep 7, 2020 Monday, September 07, 2020 10:47:00 AM CDT September 07, 2020 in News
Affordable learning pod options for families
View Story Comments WASHINGTON - Two additional caretakers of Carl Debrodie were sentenced to prison on Wednesday, one day after caretaker Sherry Paulo... More >> 16 minutes ago Wednesday, September 02 2020 Sep 2, 2020 Wednesday, September 02, 2020 7:31:00 PM CDT September 02, 2020 in News COLUMBIA - Over 400 MU student-athletes, supporters and students marched from the Francis Quadrangle to Memorial stadium Wednesday evening. ...
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