Stories by Cameron Gerber

Columbia man charged with forgery A Columbia man has been charged with forgery after allegedly writing a bad check for nearly $1,600. Christopher Wilkerson, 46, was charged with fourth-degree forgery, and a criminal summons was issued... June 9, 2023

Transformational Housing looks to start work on Jackson Street property soon A little more than a year after Transformational Housing received state funding for its second transitional housing apartment building in Jefferson City, work could finally begin this summer.The nonpr... June 7, 2023

Financial aid, academic adviser enjoys serving community Michael Garver, a two-time graduate of Columbia College and financial and academic adviser there for more than 20 years, did not expect to be where he is today."In a million years, I never would ... June 5, 2023

BIZBEAT: Out of Time Collectibles offers something for every collector Collectors of all ages and interests will find one of their own ready to guide them toward rare finds at Out of Time Collectibles in Jefferson City.The shop, which now takes up two floors of a house a... June 4, 2023

Lake resort development plan gets green light Work is set to begin immediately on a $350 million resort and entertainment district at the Lake of the Ozarks after the Osage Beach Board of Aldermen gave its unanimous approval this week. Aldermen v... June 3, 2023

Lake resort plan gets green light Work is set to begin immediately on a $350 million resort and entertainment district at the Lake of the Ozarks after the Osage Beach Board of Aldermen gave its unanimous approval this week.Aldermen vo... June 2, 2023

Acting DSS, DHSS directors elevated to full status Gov. Mike Parson elevated two acting members of his cabinet to full status effective Thursday. Robert Knodell and Paula Nickelson were tabbed to remain in their positions on a permanent basis as direc... June 2, 2023

KC man indicted for assisting in local PPP fraud A Jefferson City grand jury indicted a former Kansas City bank manager for allegedly facilitating a $12.4 million pandemic-related fraud scheme for a local business owner. Anthony Brockman, 48, was ch... June 2, 2023

Transload facility, travel plaza among economic partnership's priorities With numerous projects in the works, the head of a Jefferson City area economic development partnership says a multimodal transload facility is among the top priorities.The multimodal transload facili... June 1, 2023

Hawthorn Bank names new CEO, president Hawthorn Bancshares and its subsidiary, Hawthorn Bank, has found its new chief executive officer in Brent Giles.Giles assumed the role May 1, taking over from David Turner, who remains in his other ro... May 31, 2023

BIZBEAT: Premium Pets introduces dog treat food truck, new features Premium Pets is starting the summer months with an expanded store and a new way to reach shoppers and their furry friends.The business can now be seen around town and beyond with its new Waggin' W... May 28, 2023

Business owner fined for unlicensed liquor sales A Jefferson City business owner has been fined for allowing alcohol to be consumed on the premises without a license. Arianna Woods, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of liquor sales without a license ... May 27, 2023

Local groups taking ‘wait, see’ approach to possible federal default As officials on Capitol Hill debate the possibility of a historic governmental default, uncertainty is growing surrounding how it could affect people in Central Missouri. President Joe Biden and U.S. ... May 27, 2023

Ameren, Highway Patrol encourage safety ahead of busy lake season As the busy lake season begins Monday with Memorial Day, Ameren Missouri and the state Highway Patrol are teaming up to encourage life jacket use. The energy provider, which covers the Jefferson City ... May 27, 2023

Local groups taking ‘wait, see’ approach on debt limit talks As officials on Capitol Hill debate the possibility of a historic governmental default, uncertainty is growing surrounding how it could affect people in Central Missouri.President Joe Biden and U.S. H... May 26, 2023

Cultural arts master plan looks to next steps The city's study of how best to accentuate its artists and culture will paint a clear picture of the community's needs, but there's more research to be done before the image is complete. The Parks, Re... May 26, 2023

Jefferson City woman charged after vehicular attack A Jefferson City woman faces numerous charges following her arrest earlier this month.Roxanna Strapko, 42, was charged with second-degree domestic assault, second-degree assault, first-degree property... May 25, 2023

Jefferson City man charged with vehicle tampering A Jefferson City man faces a vehicle tampering charge after allegedly stealing a car and driving to Sedalia.Jordan Willis, 25, was charged with fourth-degree vehicle tampering. A Jefferson City Police... May 25, 2023

Lake of Ozarks resort expected to clear hurdles next week Next week is expected to be a pivotal time for the Lake of the Ozarks’ planned resort and entertainment district.The Osage Beach Board of Alderman is set to vote on a swath of concessions for th... May 24, 2023

Jefferson City man charged with unlawful use of weapon A Jefferson City man was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm over the weekend.Kenneth Munson, 43, was arrested after police responded to reports of shots fired around 3 a.m. Sunday in the 10... May 24, 2023

Jefferson City woman faces multiple charges A Jefferson City woman faces several charges after her arrest over the weekend.Cassidy Bible, 39, was charged in Cole County with possession of a controlled substance, hindering the prosecution of a f... May 24, 2023

B25 tour coming to Jefferson City Aviation enthusiasts have the opportunity to take to the sky in a B25 when it arrives in Jefferson City beginning next month.The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), an organization of members wit... May 24, 2023

Jefferson City man charged with drug trafficking, resisting arrest A Jefferson City man faces drug and weapon charges after a police pursuit over the weekend.Chaquan McClain, 20, was charged in Cole County with second-degree drug trafficking, resisting arrest and unl... May 23, 2023

Task force, state budget eyed as next steps for parking in Jefferson City With the first change to downtown parking of his administration in the books, Mayor Ron Fitzwater said there's plenty of work yet to do.The City Council approved a moratorium on enforcement for ti... May 21, 2023

BIZBEAT: Barn House Harley-Davidson closes its doors It's the end of the road for Jefferson City's Harley-Davidson location.The store, deemed the Barn House Harley Davidson, has closed up shop and is for sale following its acquisition by Momentu... May 21, 2023

BIZBEAT: New bakery business offers Killer Sweet Desserts to Mid-Missouri There's a new bakery in the area offering home-recipe treats to Jefferson City and surrounding communities.Killer Sweet Desserts owner Allison Pawlish said the new business offers treats for celeb... May 21, 2023

Local lawmakers name state employee raises among victories A week after the end of a legislative session that delivered both victories and defeats, local lawmakers said the highlight was passing measures to help state employees. Local Republican delegates Sen... May 20, 2023

St. Louis man sentenced to probation A St. Louis man was sentenced to five years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to drug charges from 2021. Charles Yelm, 57, pleaded guilty last week to possession of a controlled substance ... May 19, 2023

City Council chambers receive audio upgrade Council members and residents alike are adjusting to a new sound system at City Hall that made its debut Monday evening. "We have put a new system in here -- it's going to be a little challenging unti... May 19, 2023

JC man charged with running from police A Jefferson City man has been charged with resisting arrest after a confrontation with police Wednesday. Demetrius Jones, 34, was located walking along West Dunklin Street by police who were familiar ... May 19, 2023

Jefferson City staff enacting downtown parking enforcement changes Parking enforcement in downtown Jefferson City is back in full swing after a two-week moratorium, but city staff will be adjusting to a new way of doing things.A parking enforcement bill that passed d... May 17, 2023

Lohman man indicted on child pornography charges A Lohman man has been indicted on child pornography charges in federal court.Anthony Pitts-Fugate, 30, was indicted on one count of producing child pornography, one count of distributing child pornogr... May 17, 2023

Jefferson City Fire Department given go-ahead to participate in health financial pool The Jefferson City Council gave the green light for the local fire department to take part in a program that provides financial help for those facing service-related cancers.The resolution made good o... May 17, 2023

Fire chief to act as interim city administrator Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield will take on the role of interim city administrator next month.The Jefferson City Council and Mayor Ron Fitzwater appointed Schofield to the interim position M... May 16, 2023

Jefferson City Council vote to change downtown parking code, ends enforcement moratorium Downtown Jefferson City's unmetered parking enforcement moratorium is no more after the City Council voted to amend city code.At the tail end of its May 1 meeting, the Jefferson City Council appro... May 16, 2023

Jefferson City man sentenced on assault charge A Jefferson City man was sentenced to five years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to a recent domestic assault charge.Kelly Harrison, 35, pleaded guilty in Cole County court to second-deg... May 16, 2023

Jefferson City Council to consider parking changes Members of the Jefferson City Council will consider a proposal to end a downtown parking enforcement moratorium and bring enforcement code in line with common city practices.At the tail end of its May... May 14, 2023

BIZBEAT: New Break Time travel plaza coming to Jefferson City Work has begun to bring a new Break Time truck stop to Jefferson City.Columbia-based Little Dixie Construction confirmed via social media last week it was kicking off work on the new location on Milit... May 14, 2023

City celebrates Public Service Recognition Week Dozens of city employees gathered for a luncheon in their honor Friday, capping off Public Service Recognition Week in Jefferson City. City Hall and the municipal court closed their doors for the even... May 13, 2023

Council panel endorses ending contract for Bird scooters Bird scooters' wings may be clipped in the Capital City as the City Council prepares to consider a motion to end its contract.The council's Public Works and Planning Committee sent the proposal on to ... May 12, 2023

Downtown parking change advances The Jefferson City Council will consider a bill Monday that could change the way parking is enforced downtown following an acrimonious, back-and-forth encounter Thursday morning with a scorned busines... May 11, 2023

Amtrak to celebrate travel, tourism week in Jefferson City Passengers and volunteers at the Jefferson City Amtrak station will be receiving tokens of appreciation Friday from the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.The Jefferson City station is one ... May 11, 2023

Jefferson City officials, business community spar over parking moratorium Local business owners confronted Jefferson City officials Tuesday morning, accusing them of shutting them out of a recent City Council decision that directly impacted the downtown area.At the tail end... May 10, 2023

Biweekly state employee pay passes both chambers A change to state employees' pay schedules has made it through both chambers of the Missouri Legislature.Rep. Dave Griffith, a Jefferson City Republican, again sponsored a bill that would allow st... May 9, 2023

BIZBEAT: C&S rebrands as C&S Employment Solutions After 45 years in business, the former C&S Business Services is bringing its experience and commitment to quality service to its next chapter as it rebrands to C&S Employment Solutions.The ful... May 6, 2023

Senate parking bill shelved following city’s parking moratorium A legislative parking proposal that drew opposition from city officials may be stalled following the City Council's vote to approve a moratorium for unmetered parking enforcement downtown. Sen. Justin... May 6, 2023

Cathedral of St. Joseph rededicated The Most Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, addressed a large crowd at the rededication of the Cathedral of St. Joseph with a message about the church and its people. "Th... May 6, 2023

Records The Cole County recorder of deeds approved the following marriage licenses: Douglas Wright and Alicia Edwards, both of Jefferson City. Lamont Dobbins and Shadonica Williams, both of Jefferson City. Ry... May 6, 2023

Speakers mark National Day of Prayer at Capitol Days of prayer have been a foundational part of the U.S. since its inception, William Federer told dozens of listeners Thursday at the Missouri Capitol.Federer walked through days of prayer proclaimed... May 5, 2023

Jefferson City suspends time limits for unmetered parking Jefferson City staff began covering up time limit signs as a moratorium on parking enforcement for unmetered spots downtown gets underway.The bagging of time limit signs followed the City Council'... May 4, 2023