City of Columbia

Columbia bartenders and store clerks who sell alcohol have to complete a training course and obtain certification required under a new city ordinance.

The Columbia health department is issuing new server photo IDs under the ordinance approved by the Columbia City Council last November. The measure requires every liquor store clerk, grocery store checker, bartender and waiter in Columbia to complete the online training by Jan. 1.

The city says it's issued about 400 certificates and expects many more people to take the course in the coming weeks.

The city of Columbia has found a new way to replace damaged murals painted downtown.

In 2012, nine artists in the Columbia area painted murals on sidewalks behind storm drains.  The project was collaboration with the Roots N’ Blues Festival.  The artists chose imagery that promotes a cleaner environment and serve as reminders to viewers that what enters the storm drain systems flows directly into local creeks and streams.

Columbia’s city council adopted the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Monday.

The program allows the Public Works Department to work with residents to fix problems in their neighborhood and aims to help calm traffic on residential streets. A neighborhood can make a request to fix traffic and a study will be performed to see if the issue is of legitimate concern.

“It’s great to have some kind of uniform strategy for handling questions that come up from neighborhood residents and neighborhood leaders,” said Community Development Director Tim Teddy.

In a rapidly growing city like Columbia, it can be hard for everyone to find adequate housing to meet their needs. That's why Columbia organizations are coming together -- to formulate how they can help people understand their rights and secure safe housing.

Voter turnout in Columbia was low today as residents decide on a $32.3 million bond measure for the city’s sewer system.

Around noon, only about 2,400 people had voted.  Boone County Clerk Wendy Noren said she isn’t quite sure why there has been such the low turnout.

The proposal comes because the city’s need for major sewer improvements. With the bond the city would be able to complete major maintenance on the existing sewer system due to rainwater getting in the system and old pipes.

Golf balls, beer cans, plastic bottles and caps. 

The list goes on and on.

These are just a few of the popular items volunteers removed from local streams during the City of Columbia’s annual Hinkson Clean Sweep project on Saturday.  The City of Columbia’s Stormwater Education and Outreach Program has put on the event for the past 10 years. 

Volunteers were stationed at five different local streams in Columbia, all of which flow into the Hinkson Creek. 

Speaking before a crowded conference room at City Hall, Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid opened his press this morning conference bluntly.

"Columbia has too much crime," he said, as a slide behind him read the same.  "Nobody here disputes that."

Crime in Columbia has been a growing concern among residents and government officials – so much so that McDavid has come up with a six-point plan he thinks could lessen violent crime in Columbia.

The Columbia Police Department is continuing to investigate a shooting in downtown Columbia Saturday night.  Shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, three young men were shot near the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway.  While the incident has some concerned about the safety of Columbia’s downtown area, a video of the shooting captured by a bystander has sparked a reaction from many residents.