Jeff Haldiman

Cole County zoning report on tap

Several items are on the Cole County Commission’s agenda for tomorrow including a report on county zoning. A draft plan should be completed by May and presented at public meetings around the county through November, possibly longer.

Family's campaign aims to save Saturday postal delivery

A Jefferson City woman and her family have launched a national campaign to remind people of the experience of personal correspondence via the mail. They ask everyone to mail a letter Saturday.

Path to county zoning mapped

If all would go according to plan, the earliest a vote on zoning in Cole County could take place would be April 2014.

Maries sheriff frustrated by execution delays

Fifteen years after Susan Brouk and her two children were murdered at a pond, a short distance from their home in a rural area near Vichy, Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman expressed frustration that ongoing legal battles have prevented the state from executing the man sentenced to death for those crimes.

Commissioners to hold Monday night meeting

Officials: Time change designed to increase public input

In hopes of increasing public input, Cole County commissioners are holding a rare night meeting at 6pm Monday at the courthouse annex. Public works projects and zoning are agenda items.

Cole County Commission votes to suspend false-alarm rule

The Cole County Commission voted 2-1 to suspend for 60 days a county rule that allows the county to bill landowners for false alarms involving ambulances. The suspension only applies to the Jefferson City Housing Authority, which will study how to improve the situation.

Businessman declares candidacy for county post

The election for Cole County presiding commissioner may be next year, but one person - Sam Bushman, owner of Samuel’s Tuxedo and Gifts - has already announced his intention to run.

Spring-like storm smacks Cole County

Straight-line winds Tuesday afternoon snapped about a half-dozen utility poles, interrupted electrical power to about 200 customers and uprooted a tree that blocked U.S. 50 and Business 50 in the Apache Flats/St. Martin’s area.

Grand jury rips courthouse condition

The Cole County Commission plans to ask for bids on several improvement projects at county facilities, including sealing the exterior of the county courthouse, following a grand jury report suggesting what should be done.

Cole County to begin billing for false alarms

The Cole County Commission voted 2-1 to step up enforcement of a rule already in place that allows the county to bill landlords or property owners when county ambulances are called out on false alarms.

Training keeps Red Cross working

Evie White currently serves as logistics specialist for the Heart of Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross making sure training equipment is in the right place, instructors have the information they need and maintaining records for the six training sites in the chapter.

Cole County OKs budget, pay increase

The Cole County Commission on Tuesday approved a $57.2 million budget for 2013 with a 1.5 percent pay increase for county employees.

Hosier murder trial postponed

Court unable to seat jury in Clay County

The trial of a Jefferson City man, accused of killing a couple in September 2009, will not take place this week.

All bundled up

Low temperatures chill turnout for parade

The crowds were small Monday due to the cold weather. But those who came out to the 2013 Governor’s Inaugural Parade seemed to enjoy the festivities.

Jury convicts St. Louis man of two Jefferson City rapes

A Cole County jury found a St. Louis man guilty Friday of seven criminal counts in two 2011 rape cases. The jury returned its verdict Friday against Johnny Rucker, 44.

County officials ask for more funds

The Cole County Commission is scheduled to vote on the 2013 budget next week.

Reward money to target illegal guns

A program offering rewards to get guns out of the hands of convicted felons has begun in Cole County and may be the first program of its kind in Missouri. “We’re about to find out how a big of problem there is,” said Sheriff Greg White.

Assessor's computer service restored

A temporary restraining order has been granted allowing computer services to be restored at the Cole County Assessor’s Office.

Trial set for man accused of killing couple

After more than three years, the murder trial of a Jefferson City man accused of killing a couple in September 2009 is on schedule to take place. The trial of David Hosier, 57, will begin the week of Jan. 14.

Dispute leaves assessor without computer service

The Cole County Commission plans a closed session today to discuss possible legal actions involving the county assessor’s office computer services. The office was without service Wednesday following a disagreement between Assessor Chris Estes and the commission over a bill for this service.

Chase ends with prison term

A Jefferson City man has been sentenced to 2 years in prison after leading police on a vehicle and foot chase in August. Leroy Spinks, 26, of 413 Hess Way, was charged with resisting arrest.

New Cole County officials sworn in

Cole County office holders who won their elections in November were sworn into office during ceremonies, Monday, at the county courthouse.

Traffic snarls in first serious storm of winter

A winter storm that went from New Year’s Eve into early New Year’s Day left between 2-3 inches of snow in most parts of Central Missouri.

Mid-America Wireless bought by Red Skye

After 22 years in the wireless industry, Mid-America Wireless is selling its 10 AT&T authorized retailer locations to Red Skye Wireless, based in Maryland Heights. The company opened its first location in Jefferson City in 1990.

2012 was warmest year on record

According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, 2012 was the warmest year on record in Jefferson City. For 2012 at the city airport, the average daily temperature was 60.5 degrees.

Conceal-carry applications on rise in Cole County

Sheriff: Fears over law’s impact never borne out; more school resource officers still needed

The number of applications for conceal and carry gun permits continues to rise in Cole County. Nearly 3,200 applications have been processed so far this year at the sheriff’s department.

Property taxes due Monday

Vincent says collections up

The end of the year is always busy at the Cole County Collector’s Office as people rush to pay off their property taxes.

Work on second bridge on schedule

Work to build a second railroad bridge over the Osage River is still on schedule to be completed by the end of next year. The 1,200-foot bridge and related work is estimated to cost $20 million.

Missouri River level nears 50-year low mark

Although the current level of the Missouri River is near a 50-year low mark, forecasters said Thursday we shouldn’t see levels dip to the all-time low.

Examining campaign finance reports

In his successful re-election bid, state Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, was the fundraising leader among Cole County’s candidates in last month’s general elections, raising nearly 10 times that of his Democratic opponent.

Operation TOYS rides again

Law enforcement officers take time to make sure kids have a merry Christmas

Saturday morning marked this year's opportunity for Jefferson City youngsters who may not otherwise have a chance to have a Christmas to go shopping with area public safety officers as Operation TOYS (Take Our Youth Shopping) took place at the east Walmart.

Autopsies performed in Morgan County murder probe

Authorities said Wednesday they didn’t know how long it might be before they get the results of autopsies performed on Wayne Louis Wells and Mable Irene Wells of Morgan County, believed to have been murdered Monday evening at their home in Ivy Bend.

Local man faces child porn charges

A Jefferson City man has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography for being in possession of pornographic images of a person under the age of 18. Nathaniel Oawster, 28, is scheduled to be in court next week.

Mike Dusenberg: Man on the move

In his job as a project manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation, Mike Dusenberg works to make sure all the parts come together to make a highway project successful. Currently, Dusenberg is involved with 20-30 projects.

No specifics offered to explain Internet outage

A day after a multi-state outage of Internet and voicemail service occurred, CenturyLink officials still didn’t offer a clear reason about the cause.

Internet outage affects CenturyLink customers

CenturyLink customers in the Jefferson City area and parts of at least six states were without Internet and voicemail service Wednesday night after a widespread outage. Service began to be restored shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday.

Show me the money: Record jackpot brings out occasional players

Jefferson City residents have been making their way to convenience and grocery stores to buy Powerball tickets even though many don’t believe they have a good chance of winning the record prize.

Sentence will hinge on man’s PTSD treatment

A Crocker man has been ordered to complete a program at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, after he was sentenced Tuesday on charges in connection with a fatal automobile accident in September 2011 that claimed the life of two women, one from Jefferson City. John D. Mazurek, 25, an Iraq war veteran, had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault.

New water rates set for Eugene

Starting Jan. 1, new rates will take effect for customers on the Eugene water system. The Cole County Commission on Tuesday approved a rate that starts with customers paying $26 for the first 2,000 gallons of water they use, plus $6 for each additional 1,000 gallons used.

Lawmen step up enforcement for holiday

The Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally the most traveled holiday period of the year and historically is one of the deadliest. In an effort to make the holiday a bit safer, area law enforcement agencies are stepping up their patrols for speeding, driving under the influence and the use of seat belts.

Council approves RFP for conference center

After making changes to the document, the Jefferson City Council has approved a draft request for proposals on a conference center.

County budget could top $57 million

A total budget of $57.2 million for fiscal year 2013 was proposed by Cole County Auditor Jim LePage to the county commission on Thursday.

County OKs plan to limit overtime overage

After incurring more than $100,000 in unexpected emergency medical worker salary costs during the 2012 budget year, the Cole County Commission has approved a two-pronged approach to prevent such an overage next year.

Man headed to prison for shooting robbery victim

A Jefferson City man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for robbing and shooting a man in October 2011. Demetrius Boyce, 26, was found guilty of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and armed criminal action during a July trial.

Steve Ridenhour, keeping clean water flowing to Jefferson City

Improvements in technology have made the job of operator at a water plant a little bit easier.

Voter turnout miscalculation found

No impact on vote totals

Due to a calculation error, the voter turnout percentage in Tuesday’s election increased for Cole County. By erasing an error in listing the total number of registered voters, which did not impact vote totals, the county’s voter turnout rose to 70 percent, up from the nearly 65 percent reported on Tuesday night.

Sandy volunteers 'do the best we can'

For volunteers helping with East Coast relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy, days are starting to run together. “I think it’s Friday, right?” Red Cross Heart of Missouri Chapter volunteer Steve Stacey of Jefferson City laughed as he paused from coordinating emergency response vehicles.

New water rates for Eugene delayed

The Cole County Commission decided Wednesday to delay setting the rates for the Eugene water system. The town's water customers currently pay $16.32 a month, regardless of how much water they consume.

Republicans win Cole County Commission races

Republicans Kris Scheperle and Jeff Hoelscher won their races for the Cole County Commission, defeating their Democrat opponents on Tuesday.

Clerk’s office busy Monday with absentee voting, calls

From the time they opened to the time they closed Monday, business was brisk in Cole County Clerk Marvin Register’s office. His staff reported a steady stream of people walking in to cast absentee ballots or calling the office to find out what they needed to do before today’s elections.

Stories by Jeff