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Today's Poll!Entrepreneur's advice: Tell what new school means to kids
Herschend outlines how to appeal to voters' emotions
Tapping into voters’ emotions offers the Jefferson City Public Schools its best shot at getting a proposed bond issue and levy increase passed, according to Peter Herschend's advice.
Wellness efforts cited in JCPS stable health costs
Jefferson City Public School’s health care costs have remained reasonable, possibly due to a wellness program the district implemented in 2008, chief financial officer Jason Hoffman told the Board of Education Monday.
Mastering the music
As the newest conductor of the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra, Patrick David Clark sees the task before him as translating the musical notes from “math code” into “musical expression.”
Coworkers wear black to remember woman killed in wrong-way DWI crash
With heavy hearts, the staff at Lutz’s Famous BBQ in Jefferson City wore black to work on Friday in memory of their friend and coworker, Chelsea Fredrickson.
Campaign over new high school heats up, but spending hasn’t
Both sides of ballot issue file finance reports
The campaign to pass a bond issue to build a new high school is heating up in Jefferson City, but the two groups involved in the contest have adopted different strategies for winning voters’ hearts and minds.
Elderly couple settles into new home, thanks rescuer and others
Heartwarming housewarming
After a blaze in early October destroyed their home and most of their earthly possessions, Jefferson City octogenarians Rudy and Dorothy Lemke were grateful to be alive, but grieved to have lost their beloved pet cat.
Barnes’ bill would fund online education at expense of schools
Missouri students would have better access to an online education, if a bill proposed by Rep. Jay Barnes is approved by the General Assembly. But some educator groups oppose the bill due to funding shifts.
Coalition: Spend more on early education
The cost of providing quality early childhood care and education to Missouri’s pre-schoolers is estimated to cost $1.9 billion, according to a report released this week by the non-profit organization America’s Edge.
Potential sites for conference center stir debate
Some Jefferson City leaders prefer the W. McCarty St. spot for easy access to the Capitol; others eye the MSP site for its vistas of the Missouri River. Relatively new to the discussion is Capital Mall.
Missouri’s teacher pension fund gets high marks
Legislators seeking a bigger role in operation
One of the largest “employers” in Cole County isn’t an employer at all. With 3,838 retirees on the “payroll” in central Missouri alone, PSRS/PEERS distributes more than $104 million in annual benefits into the Mid-Missouri economy.
And the Oscar prize goes to ...
Camdenton woman wins first prize, receives cash and movie passes
Three Mid-Missouri women — Debbie Franklin, Katie Troesser and Belinda Van Nostrand — took home cash prizes and movie passes after winning the 2013 Local Oscar Contest.
Council to meet in private with 2 hoteliers, local developer
About 3 conference center plans being pitched
Three development groups are poised to move on to the second phase of review in the Jefferson City Council’s dogged pursuit of a new conference center for the Capital City.
Tuesday's weather: Snow day or no?
For some, it was a struggle to get to work; for others, a welcome respite
Mid-Missourians found themselves either struggling to get to work or snowbound at home on Tuesday. Robyn Baylous, who operates a day care near Ashland, cleared her driveway only to find three of her four clients canceled.
Central Missouri socked with a heavy-handed snow
Wet snow downs power lines, makes shoveling more laborious
Tuesday’s snowstorm left behind a wet, heavy snowfall that downed multiple power lines and left hundreds of Mid-Missourians with the unenviable task of shoveling out their sidewalks and driveways.
Storm packed some unusual punch
As lightning bolts lit up the sky over the Capital City while blizzard conditions prevailed, Mid-Missouri experienced an uncommon phenomenon called “thundersnow” Thursday.
Early decision to cancel schools praised
Conditions might not have been at the white-out stage by late morning Thursday, but school officials likely made a popular call to cancel school. Meteorologists firmly agreed it would be a bad storm.
Educators, legislators discuss challenges for education
Dozens of public school board members and administrators from around Missouri traveled to Jefferson City on Tuesday to learn more about the challenges facing public education and discuss possible solutions with state lawmakers.
Missing JC teen found hiding
A missing 16-year-old Jefferson City teen — Kiera McLellan — has been found.
Bonding cap stymies growing districts like Blair Oaks
Enrollment gains have outpaced its borrowing ability
Due to a state law that sets a ceiling on how much a school district can borrow, Blair Oaks’ growth in enrollment has outpaced its ability to acquire enough money to build the classrooms it needs today.
Ron Hayes: Protecting consumers in the marketplace
As the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Division of Weights, Measures and Consumer Protection, Ron Hayes has probably saved you thousands of dollars.
Immaculate Conception fundraiser to benefit destroyed diner
Students, staff and patrons at Immaculate Conception School are expected to send about 6,000 Valentines this week, hoping to raise money to assist employees of Oscar's Classic Diner.
Blair Oaks takes first step in increasing security
The Blair Oaks Board of Education on Tuesday approved spending up to $8,500 to install another layer of access-control at the rear door of the elementary school building.
School district finances ‘solid’
Jefferson City Public School faculty and staff may see pay raises next school year.
Fulton State Hospital: ‘Do you think you could get better here?’
Shortcomings, challenges growing for ‘most dangerous place to work in Missouri’
A small group of lawmakers toured Fulton State Hospital Thursday to learn more about its challenges and shortcomings. “It’s the most dangerous place to work in Missouri,” Rep. Jeanie Riddle said.
Chamber speakers lash out at schools
Lack of skilled workers means jobs go unfilled
At a forum titled “Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity,” the Missouri Chamber of Commerce on Thursday offered several school reformers a platform for sharing their ideas on how to reinvent public education.
Two JCHS students honored for honesty
Jefferson City High School officials honored Jake White and Justin Fuller for their honesty after they turned in an envelope containing $150 that a wrestling referee had lost.
Safety Net sought for Cole County
A non-profit organization called Safety Net is searching for people interested in helping their cause of supporting wives and children of public safety personnel who died in the line of duty.
For NFL player and former Jay, hard work is tradition
‘He grew up wanting to work’
When San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith takes part in today’s Super Bowl, the former Jefferson City Jay and Missouri Tiger will show off the unrelenting style of play that has become his trademark.
Pilot program makes teacher evaluations more ‘developmental than judgmental’
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has embarked on a new pilot project designed to improve the state’s system for evaluating educators, in hopes it will lead to improved student test scores and an enhanced educational experience for Missouri’s children.
Mike Moffat: Helping keep state computers running
As a help desk technician for the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator, Mike Moffat is part of a seven-person team that handles about 500 calls every day.
Third-grader suspended over toy gun on fob
The mother of a third-grade boy enrolled at Pioneer Trail Elementary is upset her son was suspended from school for three days after bringing a key chain fob in the shape of a handgun to school Tuesday.
Do you know the constitution?
Although the program is not as robust as in years past, We the People, a yearly constitutional law competition, still attracted 55 students, including 13 from Jefferson City High School, to the Capitol on Monday.
Brazilian teacher shares culture, learns about Catholic American education at Helias
In her home country, Noiran Fratini teaches English as a foreign language. But last March, she decided she wanted to learn how her American counterparts perform their jobs.
Get the Blues at the Mission
Blues fans who want to hear some old-school Chicago rhythms can get their fix by heading over to The Mission on Saturday night, where Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials will be celebrating the release of their new CD.
Education issues before Legislature will be interesting, lobbyist says
It’s going to be an “interesting and tough year” in the Missouri General Assembly for people who care about education issues, a lobbyist told Jefferson City’s school board members this week.
Company implores district to hire guards
Hiring professional security guards is the best way to protect the city’s school children, a contingent of employees from J&J Security and Investigations told the Jefferson City Board of Education on Thursday evening.
April 2 vote set on new Jefferson City High School
After years of discussion, the Jefferson City Board of Education voted Thursday to place a 55-cent tax increase on the April 2 ballot.
Students ponder what to do ‘if I were mayor’
Judging from the questions a group of fifth-graders peppered Mayor Eric Struemph with on Wednesday, public safety and school security issues are definitely on the minds of Jefferson City’s school children.
JC school board to consider bond election
After years of discussing the need for a new high school and another elementary school, the Jefferson City Board of Education is poised to place a 55-cent tax increase on April 2 ballot at its Thursday meeting.
Nixon’s first order of business: early childhood education
Demonstrating where his priorities will lay, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon met with a group of early childhood education specialists shortly after delivering his inaugural address as his first order of business.
Legislators praise positive message
Mid-Missouri lawmakers gave Gov. Jay Nixon’s Second Inaugural speech generally good reviews Monday afternoon.
Running at the head of the pack
John Weghorst runs this town. As president of the Jeff City Road Runners, Weghorst leads a group noted for its Thanksgiving Day “Pie Run,” a 5K and 10K race where the fleetest of foot win pies.
Missouri's dairy loss ‘a slippery slide’
State’s dairy industry has declined greatly in nearly 40 years
Missouri may not have lost its dairy industry yet, but its strength has been greatly diminished in recent years. As of December, grade A and manufacturing dairies in the state totaled 1,348 — down from 1,504 a year earlier.
Superintendent fields questions about new high school plan
Board expected to discuss ballot issue Thursday
At Thursday’s Jefferson City School Board meeting, members are expected to suggest increasing the district’s bonding capacity by 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation and raising its operating levy by 25 cents.
Firm to ask school board to hire security guards
Company leaders with the firm J&J Security and Investigations said they plan to confront the Jefferson City School Board at its meeting Thursday, but Superintendent Brian Mitchell says he has no plans to hire armed guards for the schools.
Blair Oaks begins looking at expansion
At a work session Tuesday, the Blair Oaks School Board heard architect Cary Gampher describe a host of possible options for expanding the district’s facilities, including plans to increase the size of each of the district’s three main buildings or even possibly build a fourth school.
Sheriff: School security needs beefing up
Speaking to a group of Rotarians on Friday, Cole County Sheriff Greg White laid out a three-pronged approach — including a proposal to arm some educators as “designated shooters” — that he believes would beef up security in the area’s schools.
Sad sound of silence
The klieg lights are a little less bright on the Capital City music scene this week, since the untimely passing of venerated “Fiddling” Rick Stokes on Dec. 29. Stokes, 75, was the front man for the Road House Band, a four-man group that frequently entertained crowds at the American Legion Post and other local venues.
Couple makes cycling occupation
In days gone by, bicycle shops tended to be repair garages first and retail boutiques second.
Firm: Schools need private security
Official: ‘Things not as simple as that’
The owner of a Jefferson City-based security firm has suggested school safety could improved if local leaders would be willing to hire private — and potentially armed — security officers.
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