Olivia Ingle

Salvation Army falls short of goal

Agency to continue fundraising through end of month

The Jefferson City Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is complete, but all of its Christmas fundraising efforts will continue through January. The area’s Red Kettle Campaign raised nearly $93,618, short of its goal of $110,000.

Report addresses child sexual abuse

Twenty-five percent of girls and 16 percent of boys experience sexual abuse during their childhood, according to one study cited in a report released Thursday by the Missouri Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children.

Legislators reveal priorities for 2013 session

The Legislature convenes Jan. 9, and representatives in the Missouri House have priorities they would like addressed during the 2013 session.

First Night dominates in Columbia, while JC venues host New Year’s Eve events

Whether you prefer a quiet dinner or a night of dancing to ring in the new year, Mid-Missouri has New Year’s Eve events for every one.

Library: Check out latest e-reader options

If you received one of the popular e-reader devices for Christmas, you’re probably wondering how you can use it.

Baby bumps in ER

Emergency room data released by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in 2009 shows Cole County emergency room visits are higher than the state’s average in terms of pregnancy, childbirth and reproduction, and in terms of pregnancy complications.

Elf missing, but Christmas magic still around

What began as a tragedy for a young Jefferson City boy has turned into a Christmas miracle. During his visit from Illinois, Calvin Guerrero lost his stuffed elf, Edward, which he had treasured for much of his life.

Local woman demonstrates how much people care

Vicki Bullock loves to be around people

Vicki Bullock is a woman of many trades. When she isn’t taking in stray animals, tending to her award-winning tea roses, cooking, or participating in cowboy re-enactments, she can more than likely be found helping people.

Credit card fraud can dampen holidays

With an increase in shopping during the holidays, officials with area banks warn of credit card fraud. When people are in a rush, Carol Scott of Central Bank said, they’re more likely to provide their credit card information to unknown parties.

Barnes files veterans court, tanning bills

Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, filed two proposed new bills Wednesday, one to create veterans courts to aid Missouri combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, and the other to prohibit any person younger than 6 years old from using a tanning device.

MRRL board officers to serve another term

The Missouri River Regional Library board voted Tuesday to retain its 2012 board officers for 2013.

Wrap party for the Redeem Project

The Cole County Children’s Division held its annual Christmas party and unit meeting in the basement of Calvary Baptist Church on Monday, helping wrap gifts for the Redeem Project.

New group promotes concept of ethical eating

For many people in Jefferson City, ethical eating has become a way of life. “It deals with not only your food choices, what you decide to put into your body, but also ecosystems, human hunger, social inequity, animal welfare, climate change, things like that.”

House speaker: Jobs, energy, education top priorities

Economic development for job creation, a strong state energy policy, and education funding and reform will be the Legislature’s top priorities this session, Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones said Wednesday during a stop in Jefferson City.

Local authors take advantage of changing field

Self-publishing puts writers in control

Many local authors are taking matters into their own hands by self-publishing their writing. Adam Veile, a local children’s writer, tried the traditional publishing route but realized there are only so many major kids publishers. “I realized I had the resources I needed to put my book together, so I took the bull by the horns,” he said.

Peg Craft — Bringing nature to video

When not in the office, Peg Craft can usually be found doing something involving nature, whether it’s floating on the river, hiking or biking.

New hospital's form begins to take shape

With nearly 28,000 work hours complete on the project, construction on the new St. Mary’s Health Center is on schedule and on budget, according to hospital chief operating officer Tony Houston. The new building is expected to open by January 2015.

Grant to help county health

The Missouri Foundation for Health awarded the Cole County Health Department a $304,799 grant to improve women’s health and to reduce infant mortality.

Local charities worry ‘fiscal cliff’ may jeopardize donations

With the fiscal cliff looming over America, leaders with local nonprofits worry how automatic spending cuts and tax increases could affect their agencies.

Downtown traditions embody what Christmas means to us

One of Jefferson City’s official starts to the holiday season found enjoyed a large crowd, thanks in part to unseasonably warm weather Friday evening.

Families still need to be 'adopted' for Christmas

The Redeem Project began helping 25 families with its “Hope for Christmas” program 3 years ago. Executive director Vicki Bullock expects this year’s program to help more than 350 Missouri families, but nearly 40 families still need to be "adopted" in Cole and Callaway counties.

United Way moving its headquarters

The United Way of Central Missouri announced plans Wednesday to relocate its Jefferson City office to 205 Alameda Drive in late January 2013. The office is currently at 1025 Southwest Blvd.

Earlier sales diffused Black Friday mobs

For local shoppers, retailers and restaurants, Black Friday was a little different this year. Panera on Missouri Boulevard opened three hours later than it usually does on Black Friday, 6 a.m. instead of 3 a.m.

Club: Tax credits 'great incentive for donors'

The Boys & Girls Club of the Capital City has been approved for $172,997 in state tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “This is really a great tool to help us in our fundraising efforts,” said Stephanie Johnson, club executive director.

Red Kettle campaign under way

Salvation Army: Local donations stay here

The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign began Nov. 10 and runs through Christmas Eve. Maj. Kevin Cedervall said the bells are ringing at nearly 15 locations around Jefferson City, mainly grocery stores.

Giving thanks really improves your health, experts say

The blessings of Thanksgiving may be much more than a belly full of roasted turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Local experts say giving thanks and expressing gratitude can benefit the body, as well as the mind.

Major impact on life

Maj. Richard Trimmell likes to say he and his wife, Maj. Beth Trimmell, have never had a fight.

Salvation Army wants folks to tune in Saturday to learn how to adopt a family

The Salvation Army is hosting a radiothon Saturday, allowing listeners to learn more about The Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program and giving them a chance to adopt a family for Christmas.

Local Red Cross exec sent to East Coast as utility crews head home

The American Red Cross Heart of Missouri deployed its executive director to the East Coast on Monday to assist with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Christmas Child program aims to help kids across world

Operation Christmas Child brings Starla Harper a sense of joy. The relay center coordinator will be collecting boxes this week, National Collection Week, for the project, which is part of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization.

United Way surpasses fundraising goal

The United Way of Central Missouri, its partner agencies and sponsors showcased their superhero powers and surpassed the 2012 Community Campaign fundraising goal, reaching a projected total of over $1.7 million.

Restaurant to donate all breakfast sales to animal shelter

Culver’s doesn’t serve breakfast and doesn’t open its doors until 10 a.m. But on Saturday, things will be quite different at the Jefferson City restaurant as proceeds from a pancake breakfast will benefit the local animal shelter.

'Bigs' needed for little kids

Volunteers are needed to serve as “bigs” to the nearly 60 children on a waiting list for big brothers or sisters. Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult mentors with children ages 6-17.

Final steps near on Capitol stairs

Construction that began on the Missouri Capitol’s westside stairs in March is near completion, according to Office of Administration spokeswoman Wanda Seeney.

Harlem Ambassadors tip off against Capital City Dunkers in fundraiser

Volunteers with the Capital City CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, will lace up their sneakers and hit the basketball court Nov. 12 to raise money for the program.

10 local restaurants join fight against diabetes with special menus

Capital Region Medical Center is partnering with 10 local restaurants to provide customers with the option of ordering meals from a diabetic menu.

Calendar kids help with fundraiser

In a photo in the 2013 Heart and Soul Calendar, Emerson Smith peeks out from behind the raised skirt of her pink dress, a pink flower clipped onto her head of curls.

Talking turkey to meet food pantry goal

With Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, the Samaritan Center is a little over halfway to meeting its goal of providing a Thanksgiving turkey to every family its food pantry services.

Author eager to interact with readers

Capital Read program wraps up series on ‘A Good American’

Alex George was always told to write what he knows, so for his fifth novel, that’s exactly what he did.

Gala to raise funds for foster care program

When asked about the struggles of being a foster parent, Donnie Twenter can think of only one — 11 people sharing one bathroom in the Twenter family farmhouse.

Agencies devise plans to recoup funds

Three agencies cut from the Heart of Missouri United Way’s 2013 budget have devised plans to make up for those lost dollars.

Lines form early each day at Samaritan Center

With the holidays just around the corner, officials at local food pantries and the food bank say they’ve seen an increase in the number of families using the agencies’ services.

Hospitals enacted water-outage plans

If someone had walked into St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City on Tuesday during the water outage, they might have never known there was a problem. Capital Region Medical Center was also able to maintain normal operations.

Columbia United Way chapter drops 7 agencies

JC chapter says it will continue to fund Scouts, Red Cross

Heart of Missouri United Way, which serves the Columbia area, released its 2013 budget Wednesday, and seven agencies currently funded by the chapter will not receive funds next year.

Stories by Olivia