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Articles by Zuofei Li
Julian Schmidt uses a level
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A solo paddler reaches the Jefferson City checkpoint
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Tolton girls soccer beats St. Charles Lutheran 1-0
Tolton Catholic girl's soccer won the last game of their regular season on Thursday at Tolton Catholic High School, beating St. Charles Lutheran 1-0. Senior Samantha Poehlmann scored a penalty kick with one minute left in the game, helping the Trail Blazers finish their regular season at 14-4. “It’s pretty good to have a win to go to district playoff,” Tolton’s head coach Chuck Register said after the game.
Balloons and burgers
A hot air ballon flies near the McDonald's on Nifong Boulevard on Thursday in Columbia. By Zephyrus Li
Documentary Journalism students showcase final films in the Stronger than Fiction festival
The Murray Center hosted the annual Stronger than Fiction Film Festival on Tuesday at Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater in Columbia. MU students majoring in Documentary Journalism brought the films to the premiere that they had been working on for a whole year. Twenty documentaries were divided among two days to be played Monday and Tuesday. Armaja LaRue-Hill won best film. Documentaries are available for viewing online through Sunday.
The Lamar Tigers hold up the Class 2 state championship trophy
The Lamar Tigers hold up the Class 2 state championship trophy on Friday at Blair Oaks Athletic Complex in Wardsville. They end their season with a 12-1 record, having won 10 games in a row. Zephyrus Li/Missourian
Caleb Pezold hugs Hunter Kistner
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Southern Boone cheerleaders hold Hailey Fleming in the air
With victories from the Capital City Cavaliers and the Southern Boone Eagles, and a loss from the Hickman Kewpies, our visual journalists present ‘Friday Night Sights’ — the magic and wonder of Friday night football.
Southern Boone running back Alex Switzer, left, and his girlfriend Katie Duncan talk after Switzer’s football game against the California Pintos
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The new MidwayUSA headquarters is still in the process of being built at its new location at Route J and U.S. 40 on Wednesday near Rocheport, Mo.
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PHOTO GALLERY: Volunteers finish work on nature play area at Derby Ridge Elementary
The Nature Play Area project at Derby Ridge Elementary resumed and finished Thursday. It used to be a lawn, but now it has been developed into a recreational area for students. This area contains a seesaw, log cabin and balance beam. About 20 volunteers arrived to help. Organizer Mike Szydlowski said the project was disrupted due to COVID-19, but he's glad so many people came together to build it today.
PHOTO GALLERY: Nature Play Area project at Derby Ridge Elementary resumes
The Nature Play Area project at Derby Ridge Elementary resumed and finished Thursday. It used to be a lawn, but now it has been developed into a recreational area for the children. This area contains a seesaw, log cabin and balance beam. About 20 volunteers arrived to help. Organizer Mike Szydlowski said the project was disrupted due to COVID-19, but he's glad so many people came together to build it today.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tigers begin to move in
MU freshmen have started to move on Wednesday into residential halls. Residential advisors set check-in sites outside halls and helped freshmen transport their things into their dorms. Due to COVID-19, all people, including students’ parents, were required to wear masks while on the MU campus. Matt Gamertsfelder stands in front of the Excellence residence hall Matt Gamertsfelder stands in front of the Excellence residence hall Wednesday while helping his daughter, Maddie, move into her room.
Band Camp
Hickman High School started their band camp July 22, with practice sessions being held on their field. Players were separated into several groups to maintain social distancing during the sessions.
PHOTO GALLERY: Missouri River 340 comes through Cooper's Landing and Jefferson City
This year's Missouri River 340 kayak race saw 350 boats participating. The race started at Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas, on Tuesday morning and will end Friday night in St. Charles. Participants passed by Cooper's Landing, designated as a paddlestop, and the Noren Access in Jefferson City, designated as a checkpoint, throughout Wednesday and early Thursday morning.
PHOTO GALLERY: Teachers protest as Columbia School Board meets
The Columbia School Board met Tuesday to discuss whether to reopen schools on schedule or delay in-person classes until after Labor Day. The board listened to medical experts who spoke and offered suggestions for reopening procedures. Meanwhile, two groups of protesters held silent and peaceful protests outside the meeting. Many of the protestors were teachers. One group, dressed in green, was in favor of in-person classes; the other group, who wore red, was against in-person classes.
PHOTO GALLERY: Columbia votes
Boone County voters headed to multiple polling locations Tuesday. The proposed expansion of Medicaid, on the ballot as Amendment 2, was one of the most important issues of the day. In addition to providing identification, voters were required to wear masks to enter the polling sites. John Fifield walks toward a voting station John Fifield walks toward a voting station Tuesday at the Roger B. Wilson Boone County Government Center.
PHOTO GALLERY: Seventy-five graduates leave Douglass
Frederick Douglass High School held the 2020 graduation ceremony Friday at Hickman High School auditorium. Seventy-five graduates attended the ceremony with their friends and family members. Due to the rain, the ceremony, originally planned to be held outdoors, was temporarily moved to the auditorium. Principal Eryca Neville gave a speech and then graduates stepped onto the stage one by one to take their diplomas and white roses and have a photo with Superintendent Peter Stiepleman.
Symone Langston, director of counselor, names graduates to stand in a line
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PHOTO GALLERY: Rock Bridge holds a new kind of graduation
Rock Bridge High School held its graduation ceremony while keeping social distancing guidelines intact Thursday at the school's gym. Around 60 students and their parents participated in one of four ceremonies. Students sat 6 feet apart and were asked to wear masks through the ceremony. Principal Jacob Sirna gave welcome remarks and recognized graduates with honors while student speeched were given via prerecorded videos.
PHOTO GALLERY: Strike up the marching band
Hickman High School started their summer band camp carefully under the guidelines of social distancing this week. Around 120 players practiced playing their instruments, as well as their marching and patterning skills. Due to COVID-19, the summer camp looks different this year. Players have to be separated into several groups based on their instruments, and all members must wear masks. Additionally, training time was reduced from 8 hours a day to less than 2 hours.
PHOTO GALLERY: Protesters march as Gov. Parson meets with Columbia city officials
Protesters gathered in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson discussed legislation related to violent crime Thursday in the Columbia City Council chambers. The protest march, organized by Peoples Defense, began at Flat Branch Park and was attended by more than 50 people. The protesters hummed songs and held signs as Parson held a press availability session.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mobility Worldwide moves across Columbia
Local nonprofit Mobility Worldwide moves into its new production plant Tuesday. The larger plant provides more space for the faith-based, volunteer-powered organization to assemble and store spare parts. Mobility Worldwide creates handmade wheelchairs and carts for seniors and victims of polio and landmines. According to its website, the organization has shipped mobility vehicles to over 100 countries around the world.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bruins at summer practice
The Rock Bridge football team practices Monday at Rock Bridge High School. The Bruins began their practice sessions in June, with players split into different groups with different practice times. The sessions have been taking place in the morning with no afternoon sessions to avoid the heat. Members of the Rock Bridge defense run blocking drills Members of the Rock Bridge defense run blocking drills Monday at Rock Bridge High School.
PHOTO GALLERY: Boone County Youth Livestock Expo shows off goats, sheep, pigs and more
The 2020 Boone County Youth Livestock Expo is open from Tuesday to Friday at the Centralia Fairgrounds. Children from 8 to 21 gather from mid-Missouri to show their livestock, including pigs, milk goats, sheep and cattle. Although the annual fair has already been cancelled due to COVID-19, this expo gives youth a chance to show their domestication results.
PHOTO GALLERY: Boone County Youth Livestock Expo shows off goats and pigs
The 2020 Boone County Youth Livestock Expo is open from Tuesday to Friday at the Centralia Fairgrounds. Children from 8 to 21 gather from mid-Missouri to show their livestock, including pigs, milk goats, sheep and cattle. Although the annual fair has already been cancelled due to COVID-19, this expo gives youth a chance to show their domestication results.
PHOTO GALLERY: A mule's paradise
The Missouri Mule Team is cared for by the Mule Club at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The club is composed of veterinary students who exercise, groom, and feed the mules. They also travel with the mules by truck and trailer to events throughout the state. The club is advised by Dr. John R. Dodam and Dr. James Thorne. Dr. John Dodam fondly looks at a mule Friday, July 10, 2020 Dr. John Dodam fondly looks at one of the MU Mule Club mules Friday.
PHOTO GALLERY: Battle and Rock Bridge duel on military appreciation night
Battle High School and Rock Bridge baseball played an exhibition game on Tuesday night. The game also served as a military appreciation night. Players and coaches laid a wreath during a break in the game and the two teams donated $1,840 to Central Mo. Honor Flight. Players from both Rock Bridge and Battle baseball lay a wreath Players from both Rock Bridge and Battle baseball lay a wreath during an exhibition game Tuesday.
PHOTO GALLERY: Columbians share opinions about wearing masks
A proposed ordinance requiring people to wear face masks in public and private settings may get passed by Columbia City Council next Monday. Today, we spoke to several Columbians to find out their thoughts about this ordinance. Michael Little, 72, wears a mask Michael Little, 72, wears a mask while starting up his car Friday in Columbia. He agrees with a mandatory mask ordinance. “I have no problem with it,” Little said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Volunteers raise flags before Independence Day
About 50 volunteers raised 497 flags Thursday for the annual Avenue of Flags at the Centralia City Cemetery, according to a news release. Participants recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sung the National Anthem before raising flags. Flags will be displayed through the Independence Day holiday and are to be lowered Monday. Bobby Evans raises the flag pole Thursday at the Centralia City Cemetery Bobby Evans raises the flag pole Thursday at the Centralia City Cemetery.
PHOTO GALLERY: A safe space for dogs
The Fourth of July is coming and so are the fireworks, but your pets may not be as excited as you are for the show. In fact, many dogs will react poorly to the loud booms and flashes of fireworks. Melody Whitworth, an employee at the Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue, will spend the holiday caring for stray dogs and protecting them from the anxiety fireworks may cause them. Melody Whitworth wraps a 'Thundershirt' on a dog who gets scared by fireworks Melody Whitworth wraps a “Thundershirt” on Jessie.
PHOTO GALLERY: Roundabouts under construction at West Nifong Boulevard
Two roundabouts on West Nifong Boulevard are under construction. Due to the construction work that started Monday, the flow of traffic has been slower in the area. Workers at a roundabout Workers are building a roundabout Tuesday at the intersection of West Nifong Boulevard and Old Mill Creek Road. The two new roundabouts are about 2,000 feet apart. Zephyrus Li/Missourian Excavated ground will be paved with new asphalt Excavated ground at West Nifong Boulevard will be paved with new asphalt.
PHOTO GALLERY: Peoples Defense protest marches to Stephens Lake Park
Around 100 protesters participated in a march Thursday from the Boone County Courthouse to Stephens Lake Park. This demonstration was organized by Peoples Defense as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. The route was chosen to bring the protest movement to a different part of Columbia than previous marches. Protesters march through Columbia Protesters march Thursday from the Boone County Courthouse to Stephens Lake Park. Around 100 people participated in the demonstration.
The new EatWell store
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PHOTO GALLERY: EatWell opens at former Lucky's Market site
EatWell opened for business Wednesday at the location of the former Lucky's Market. Similar to Lucky's Market, EatWell's selection focuses on natural and organic food. The store is owned by the Schnuck Markets brand. The new EatWell store The new EatWell store, from Schnucks, opened Wednesday on Providence Road. EatWell is located at the site of the former Lucky's Market and also focuses on selling natural and organic food items.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Bridge of Callaway County
Interstate 70 was closed Tuesday from Exit 155 to 161 for construction on a new bridge on Route D in Callaway County over the interstate. The bridge is one of 250 bridges in the state of Missouri to be repaired or replaced as part of the Focus on Bridges program. Motorists traveling through Williamsburg used alternate routes, including Route YY and Route D to bypass the construction work. Signs and road crews guided motorists through the detour route.
PHOTO GALLERY: Columbia celebrates Juneteenth at Douglass Park
A Juneteenth celebration was held Friday afternoon at Douglass Park for members of the Columbia public. Around 300 people joined in this afternoon. Some people performed rap live, some danced to the beat, while others sold their handmade products. This event is meant to remember the end of slavery in America. Kids bounce and play in a bouncy castle on Friday at Douglass Park. Kids bounce and play in a bouncy castle during the Juneteenth celebration Friday at Douglass Park.
PHOTO GALLERY: Protesters march in solidarity along MU's campus
A few MU health groups hosted an inaugural Solidarity Walk on Friday through MU's campus. Around 100 people marched from WG6 parking lot to Boone County Courthouse. This solidarity walk was meant to remember George Floyd as well as Juneteenth, the end of slavery in America. People march Friday on Tiger Avenue for Solidarity Walk People march Friday along Tiger Avenue during the Solidarity Walk. Protesters marched in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
PHOTO GALLERY: Juneteenth celebration held at Karis
Como Celebrates Juneteenth, hosted by A2D Events, was held Friday online and at Karis Church. The socially-distanced drive-up event celebrated what has long been an important, yet not nationally recognized, holiday in the black community. From 11 a.m. to noon, children and adults conversed among themselves, occasionally dancing in their cars and in the parking lots. Volunteers handed out food, as well as goody bags, to those who registered a spot in advance and attended the event.
Tera Eckerle clears weeds from her garden
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Persistence on creating change drives protesters
Cormack Smythe, 6, lies on his mother Kelsey Smythe’s back at Francis Quadrangle while protesters remembered George Floyd by laying on the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds on Wednesday. This is his third time they joined in the protests. “I think it’s awesome, and I will come back tomorrow,” Cormack said.
PHOTO GALLERY: MU workers protest job cuts on campus
A protest against the job cuts at MU was held Thursday afternoon at Jesse Hall. Protesters, who included MU faculty members and members of Laborers Local 955, marched around Jesse Hall first and then entered the building and shouted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down.” Around 50 people joined in and the protest lasted about 45 minutes. 1 of 5 Protesters enter Jesse Hall and shout calls and responses Thursday afternoon. Assistant Vice Chancellor Gary Ward asked protesters to be quiet.
PHOTO GALLERY: Lenoir Woods residents' grand day out
Lenoir Woods Senior Services held a drive-through parade for residents of the center on Wednesday morning. Relatives of some of the residents and some staff members decorated their cars and drove by them to show their care and love to the seniors. The parade was originally planned to be held last Wednesday, June 10, 2020, but was postponed due to poor weather.
PHOTO GALLERY: Demonstrations continue against police brutality
Demonstrations against police brutality continued on Wednesday around downtown Columbia. The march started at the Boone County Courthouse, headed toward the Columbia Public Library and ended at Francis Quadrangle. Around 50 people joined in the march Wednesday evening.
PHOTO GALLERY: Smaller protests continue with demands for City Council
Demonstrations against police brutality continued peacefully in Columbia on Tuesday. Around 50 people gathered around the courthouse, then marched to the Francis Quadrangle at MU. One of the leaders, Adam Scalin, said they will keep going until their proposals can be addressed by city council. Adam Scalin lays on the ground during a protest Adam Scalin, one of the leaders of the protest, shouts the slogan while laying on the ground in front of Francis Quadrangle on Tuesday.
PHOTO GALLERY: Artist creates oil paintings in quarantine
Anais Zhang is an oil painting artist from Shenzhen, China, currently living in Columbia. She came here to visit her husband's relatives in January and is now unable to return home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She now spends her time creating pieces of oil paintings. Anais Zhang paints in her drawing room Anais Zhang paints in her drawing room May 28 in Columbia. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in oil painting at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
Voices in Protest
Students from the MU School of Music gathered in support of the Black Lives Matter movement Thursday at Traditions Plaza. Students sang two songs and then knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Students and attendees were encouraged to register to vote before they left.
PHOTO GALLERY: Protesters march from the courthouse to MU
Protests against police brutality and racial injustice continued Wednesday in downtown Columbia. Around 100 people joined in the march from the Boone County Courthouse plaza to MU. Protesters with signs Protesters hold signs Wednesday in front of the Boone County Courthouse. The protest march ended near the Francis Quadrangle. Zephyrus Li/Missourian Protesters lie on the ground in front of the Francis Quadrangle Protesters lie on the ground in front of the Francis Quadrangle on Wednesday.
A 'road closed' sign
A “road closed” sign Tuesday sits along North Creasy Springs Road in Columbia. The road had been closed as a result of heavy rain overnight. The city received 2.75 inches of rain Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. *This caption has been updated to correct the location where the photo was taken. Zephyrus Li/Missourian
'It can't stop here.' Student-led protest calls for action after march
Kirubel Mesfin stood before the group gathered at Flat Branch Park and told the crowd about being tear-gassed at a Kansas City protest. “Do you know what kind of fear you have when you’re in a crowd of 10,000, and you came with five other people, and you don’t know where they are?” Mesfin asked.
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