Politics

The Columbia City Council passed a six month ordinance making illuminated LED signs in store windows illegal.

The ordinance applies to signs installed after Oct. 1. Second Ward Councilman Michael Trapp said the signs are distracting to drivers.

“Our human visual field is attracted to movement so I think there’s safety issues," Trapp said.

Curtis Bohl is the Chief Pixel Pusher for the display and scoreboard systems for Mizzou. He said he believes this is a step backwards for Columbia.

The Columbia City Council was scheduled to vote Monday on a rezoning request that would allow a Break Time convenience store to be built at Rock Quarry Road and Grindstone Parkway, but MFA Oil withdrew the request.

MFA Oil withdrew its rezoning plan because neighbors in the area signed a petition against it. Phebe Lamar, an attorney for MFA Oil, said it soon became clear the City Council wouldn’t approve the plan.

Lamar said MFA Oil has done a lot to address the concerns of neighboring residents.

New reports show Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon entered the final month before the November elections with three times as much campaign cash as his Republican challenger.

Finance figures released Monday show the Democratic governor had $4.9 million in his campaign account at the start of October, compared with $1.5 million for St. Louis businessman Dave Spence.

Jefferson City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed noise ordinance today.