Gerry Tritz

Aur bids fare well to Helias seniors

Helias Catholic High School’s chaplain urged the school’s 186 graduates to continue to be open to the gift of the Holy Spirit and to ask themselves how they can better use the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Graduation days

Jefferson City High School’s 2013 class valedictorian, Hughes Lee, urged his fellow classmates at Sunday’s graduation to “dream big, but think small.”

JCHS seniors, families pack Miller Center for annual baccalaureate

At Sunday’s Jefferson City High School baccalaureate service, a pastor told members of the graduating class that his faith wasn’t always solid — especially about the time he graduated from high school.

Wal-Mart confirms Sam's Club plans for JC

A company spokeswoman now confirms it. Sam’s Club is planning to open one of its bulk retail stores in Jefferson City in less than two years.

Number of businesses with unpaid taxes rises

In both Cole County and in Missouri, the number of businesses not paying their taxes to the state have increased since January 2012, while the collective amounts they owe have shrunk.

A sigh of relief — for now

Last week’s spike in water levels at the Missouri River raised the eyebrows of area farmers, city employees and others who have a stake in keeping the river confined to its boundaries.

JC’s only B&B reopening with new owners

Jefferson City’s historic Cliff Manor, which housed Jefferson City’s only bed & breakfast until it closed last November, will reopen around June 1 under new ownership.

Freebie offers lessen sting of Tax Day

A few businesses in Jefferson City are pledging to lessen the financial sting from Uncle Sam on Monday. For example, Sonic is offering half-price drinks and slushes all day.

3 young girls donate their locks with love

Lynzee Green, 7, has heard her mom, a registered nurse, talk about cancer patients who lose their hair. And she recalls her cousin in Ohio donating her hair when her grandmother had cancer.

BizBeat: DeLong’s hoists record-size project

Steel fabricator’s expansion made job a possibility

An expansion project completed at Delong’s last summer has enabled the steel fabricator to take on bigger jobs and avoid layoffs in a down economy.

Storm dumps up to 7 inches of snow in JC; hundred without power

Last week saw the first day of spring and the Runge Center’s native plant sale.

BizBeat: Potential employees, customers misunderstand escort business

Jefferson City’s only licensed escort service is struggling to open. Not because it’s a shady operation, but because it isn’t. It's a companion service, not about sex, the owner says.

BizBeat: Fresh look for Schulte’s Fresh Foods

Schulte’s Fresh Foods in Jefferson City is nearly finished with an interior facelift that includes new paint, signs, floors and lighting.

Let the work begin

About 200 supporters of Calvary Lutheran High School attended a ground-breaking ceremony Sunday for a $2.1 million project that will add an auditorium, gym and classrooms to the school.

BizBeat: Shrunken subs or frivolously filed lawsuits?

Top legal minds are hard at work solving one of the most pressing questions of the day: Are Subway’s footlong sandwiches really 12 inches long? Our reporter's totally anecdotal research says yes.

BizBeat: B.K Bakery taking a day of rest

You might have to stick with church doughnuts on Sundays — B.K. Bakery is making it a day of rest. The Jefferson City pastry shop recently expanded, but has decided to close on Sundays.

Runge featuring artist’s work

Jefferson City artist Tom Bose’s work is the featured exhibit at the Runge Conservation Center during March and April. Bose has 32 paintings on display, and all but two are watercolors.

Cheering for cheers

Capital City Cheer supporters packed the JC Penney’s wing of Capital Mall Sunday afternoon to watch girls of all ages put on a show.

WOWing the crowd

Women flocked to this weekend’s first WOW (Women’s Official Weekend) Expo to get pampered and browse among the 67 vendors.

Who proposes to build a conference center for Jefferson City?

Three developers have different backgrounds, approaches

Three private developers — from Jefferson City, Hannibal and St. Louis — are vying to operate a conference center and accompanying hotel in Jefferson City.

Murder trial could wrap up today

Brandon Chase charged in drug deal turned fatal robbery

Brandon Chase set up a deal to buy marijuana, but whether he also knew about and planned a robbery — which led to a killing — was a theme of the first day of his murder trial on Tuesday.

TV station KRCG to be sold

KRCG-TV 13 will be sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group as part of a $370 million package deal, pending regulatory approval.

Hope is gone: Driskill voted off ‘Survivor’

Jefferson City’s Hope Driskill survived through three episodes of “Survivor: Caramoan,” but was voted off the island during Wednesday night’s episode. The 2011 Miss Missouri USA was narrowly voted off.

Burger King sued over unpaid franchise fees

Jefferson City’s Burger King is one of seven in Missouri that hasn’t paid its franchise fees and should cease operating, a lawsuit filed by the Burger King Corporation (BKC) alleges.

FAFSA frenzy

Jefferson City High School senior Cassidi Surface wants to go on to earn a degree in political science.

BizBeat: Small Business Day set for Thursday

NFIB/Missouri and Associated Industries of Missouri’s annual Small Business Day will be at the Capitol in Jefferson City from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday. Call 866-782-6390.

BizBeat: Mediacom doubles broadband speeds

It's $100 a month, but if you’ve got the need for 105 Mbps of download speed, Mediacom’s got the Internet service for you: Ultra 105.

BizBeat: Earnings report says Capital Mall sold for $11M

Price per square foot considerably lower than other properties

General Growth Properties’ most recent quarterly earnings report lists the selling price of Capital Mall at $11 million. GGP sold the mall to F&F Development in December but price wasn't disclosed then.

Business becomes focus of photographer’s passion

City issues 27 business licenses in December

After earning a pair of business degrees, Lindsey Pantaleo has turned her passion for photography into a moneymaking venture. She’s one of 27 businesses that Jefferson City issued business licenses to in December.

CVB hopes to borrow MSP-related artifacts for museum

The Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau is asking the public for help in finding artifacts and memorabilia from the old Missouri State Penitentiary which they can loan to the new MSP Museum.

New ‘Survivor’ offers Hope

Jefferson City’s Hope Driskill is about to be in the national spotlight again. The 2011 Miss Missouri USA is a contestant on the new “Survivor” show beginning next month.

Barbecue was smokin’ at Missouri Showcase

It was a barbecue lover’s dream: three of the top barbecue joints in Missouri — heck, the nation — all serving up dishes of their best stuff at the same place. For free.

Jellyweek starts to gel for entrepreneurs

If you’re a business person seeking collaboration with other business types, consider attending this week’s "Jelly" event. From 8-5 this Wednesday through Friday, a handful of local entrepreneurs will gather at Start Up Jefferson City’s office, 411 Madison St.

Escort service granted business license

Jefferson City has licensed an escort service, perhaps the city’s first. But two phone numbers associated with Lonely Heart Companion Services, which has a web page, don’t work.

ABB: Wind energy tax credit will help indirectly

When Congress recently passed legislation to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” it also continued a tax credit for wind energy that could give an indirect boost to Jefferson City’s ABB plant.

Winery reopening under new ownership

The former Summit Lake Winery will reopen as Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant around March 1, sporting a full-service, American-style restaurant and expanded bar.

City’s first tattoo shop has closed

Jefferson City’s first tattoo shop to open is now the first to close. Cadillac Ink, 301 Ash St., which opened shortly after the city lifted a ban on the businesses nearly 3 years ago, recently closed its doors.

Capital Mall has new owner

General Growth Properties (GGP) has sold Jefferson City’s Capital Mall, and it now is being managed by a Chicago-based property management group that says the mall will stay open and become “bigger and better.”

Business owners pleased with East McCarty work

But progress came at a cost, they add

For more than a year, Jefferson City business owners along a stretch of East McCarty Street have put up with being penned in from one side or the other. A sampling of owners reveals they're generally satisfied with the final result, but believe the street closures may have cost them business.

Hibachi Grill: Go big or go home

When Ryan’s Steakhouse closed earlier this year, it left a mega-buffet void in Jefferson City. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet brings us a 300-item, mostly Chinese-style buffet in its place, thanks to the owner's investment to transform the inside of the building.

BizBeat: Chains redefining seasonal kiosks

For years, seasonal kiosks have popped up at Capital Mall, but lately Jefferson City is starting to see the same thing with chains. Halloween City sets up shop in October near Best Buy, and, for the first time, Toys R Us has an express location at the mall.

Man jailed after taunting deputies

Maries County deputies arrested a St. Clair man after he challenged them to a race in a stolen car, then led them on a chase through Vienna going faster than 90 mph.

Gift cards more popular than ever

Gift cards can be a savior for busy holiday shoppers as well as a way for recipients to avoid facing another plaid tie under the tree.

Steady stream of voters head to polls

Polls close at 7 p.m. today

Of a handful of local voters polled in Jefferson City this morning, many said President Obama is starting to turn the country around and deserves another four years at the helm.

City food inspections conducted year-round

To help ensure that the food you eat at restaurants and other food establishments is safe, Jefferson City operates a year-round inspection program which cites food providers for violations and works with them to stay in compliance. In rare cases, it shuts down food services that don’t comply.

Local pizza restaurant expanding

While some other local restaurants are struggling in a still-shaky economy, Arris Pizza Palace in downtown Jefferson City is expanding its seating.

Bottled water flies off Jefferson City store shelves

Stores were struggling to keep bottled water on the shelves Tuesday as customers loaded their carts, unsure when their tap water would be safe again. Some customers had 10 or more 24-pack cases — enough to seemingly last well beyond the Dec. 21st prediction for the end of the world.

Stories by Gerry