Plans move forward for Columbia Regional Airport runway expansion

A runway expansion project at Columbia Regional Airport would better serve planes that already use the airport and help attract larger planes from more airlines, Airport Manager Andrew Schneider said.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missouran

Proposition 2 passes, finances purchase of Columbia Energy Center

Proposition 2, a $49.5 million bond issue to finance the purchase of the Columbia Energy Center, was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday night. —-Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

Prop. 2 would approve the purchase of Columbia Energy Center

What is the Columbia Energy Center? It is a 144 megawatt electric generation facility fired with natural gas that was built in 2001. It’s located on Peabody Road near the city landfill, on the northeast side of town. The plant is connected to the Columbia transmission system. Columbia Water and Light currently has contractual agreements with Ameren Energy Marketing for 50 percent of the plant. In 2010, the city purchased 25 percent of the plant.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

Car hits bicyclist while making U-turn

A car hit a bicyclist when trying to make an U-turn on Sunday afternoon.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

 

Art in Bloom held at the Museum of Art and Archaeology

Works of art blossomed, and people gathered to see the colors of spring at the Museum of Art and Archaeology.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

REDI endorses city’s purchase of Columbia Energy Center

The Regional Economic Development Inc. board of directors has endorsed the city’s proposed purchase of a facility that uses natural gas to generate electricity.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

Columbia, Ameren moving forward with energy center deal

A looming deadline is forcing the city and Ameren Missouri to move forward with paperwork needed to complete the sale of Ameren’s share of the Columbia Energy Center, even though voters haven’t had the opportunity to approve the bond measure that would pay for it.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

City of Columbia replacing several hundred street name signs

Larger letters for aging eyes.

An aging population is one reason the city plans to enlarge the letters on street name signs as required by the federal government.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

Record snow removal costs $1.7 million; county seeks federal money

With the costs of the recent snowstorm totaling about $1.7 million so far, Columbia and Boone County are seeking reimbursement.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian

Homeless man stabbed at Methodist church

A verbal confrontation between two homeless men left one with minor injuries to his face Thursday night.—Yue Jiang, Columbia Missourian