Stories by Joe Gamm

Community bike ride popularity growing The "family" part of Jefferson City's inaugural Family and Community Bike Ride didn't come out as planned.The family portion of the ride was intended to host a ride in North Jefferso... July 23, 2023

91-year-old driver involved in Friday collision A 91-year-old driver's pickup rear-ended another vehicle early Friday afternoon near Eugene in Cole County.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Gail Jeffries, of Brumley, whi... July 23, 2023

Blunt's portrait unveiled Former Gov. Matt Blunt’s portrait now hangs in a hall in the Missouri State Capitol.Blunt, Missouri’s 54th governor, held the office from 2005-09. He is credited with balancing the state&r... July 22, 2023

Jefferson City crash injures two women Two people were injured Thursday evening in a crash in Jefferson City. Martha R. Nolt, 65, and Camryn R. Swinfard, 19, both of Jefferson City, each suffered moderate injuries in the crash that occurre... July 22, 2023

Rear-end collision causes two injuries A rear-end collision left two women injured early Thursday evening in Miller County. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, about 5:42 p.m., Alisa A. Flaugher, 62, of Eldon, was we... July 22, 2023

Officials unveil Matt Blunt portrait in Capitol Former Gov. Matt Blunt's portrait now hangs in a hall in the Missouri State Capitol. Blunt, Missouri's 54th governor, held the office from 2005-09. He is credited with balancing the state's budget and... July 22, 2023

United Way fundraising races ahead SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital is waving the green flag -- signaling the start to another United Way fundraising campaign.Following along with the Super Mario Kart theme this year, St. Mary's ... July 21, 2023

Lohman native enters Conservation Hall of Fame A Lohman native posthumously entered the Missouri Department of Conservation Hall of Fame late last week.MDC honored Lee Redmond, former assistant fisheries division chief, on Friday.Redmond died in S... July 20, 2023

State seeking input on parks, to host meeting next week Missouri State Parks is to host meetings concerning state historic sites -- including Jefferson Landing -- this month.The agency will host a meeting concerning two downtown Jefferson City sites, the M... July 19, 2023

Thousands enjoy traditions of St. Stanislaus picnic WARDSVILLE, Mo. -- After almost 80 years, the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Picnic is evolving, although traditions remain.The event, held Sunday, featured its traditional fare -- chicken and German ... July 17, 2023

In the Zone: Yanis’ gamble on Jefferson City pays off in 20 years downtown Taisir Yanis has been the barista in downtown Jefferson City for the past 20 years.He rubs elbows with governors, cabinet members, lawmakers and business leaders. On any given morning, you might find ... July 17, 2023

Special Olympics athletes gather from across the state for pickleball Cheers erupted Saturday each time a Special Olympics athlete made a pickleball return, and the shots didn't have to be particularly good.Cheers and screams accompanied shots that went into the tea... July 16, 2023

Runge’s 30th anniversary offers something for everyone There's something for about everyone at Runge Conservation Nature Center.Staff members hoped visitors would take that message with them as they walked through its Jefferson City grounds Saturday, ... July 16, 2023

Highway crash injures Fulton woman A Fulton woman was injured late Friday morning in a crash on Interstate 70.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Rachelle L. Reed, age 34, about 11:50 a.m., was westbound in Montg... July 16, 2023

Schnieders leaves a legacy of charity Don Schnieders' contributions to the community will be long-lasting.Schnieders died quietly in his sleep late Tuesday night. He was 89.Don and his wife, Ruth Ann, had seven children -- six of whom wer... July 13, 2023

Cole County Cattlemen’s Association grilled up ribeyes Saturday A herd of beef producers gathered outside Schulte's Fresh Foods Saturday morning to whip up some steak and taters.During an annual fundraiser, the Cole County Cattlemen's Association cooked consumers'... July 2, 2023

Fire agencies advise caution for fireworks users The Cole County Fire Protection District and Jefferson City Fire Department released a joint burn advisory Friday afternoon.The fire districts are advising the community to be aware of dry conditions ... July 2, 2023

Lincoln University’s farmers market draws in Saturday morning crowds We're in the heart of summer now, and fresh produce is coming to farmers markets."We came hungry. It was a mistake," said Tom Boyd of Jefferson City as he and his family left the Lincoln... July 2, 2023

New Bloomfield woman injured in crash A New Bloomfield woman suffered minor injuries in a single-vehicle crash Friday evening in Osage County.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, 54-year-old Deborah S. Lansford was d... July 2, 2023

County fire protection district receives another new truck The 2018 passage of a tax increase for the Cole County Fire Protection District was a bold -- but necessary -- step. The increase was intended to replace aging apparatus and equipment across its seven... June 30, 2023

Center of Hope begins transformation with small steps More and more, families with children are seeking shelter.Currently, 13 children are living in the Salvation Army Center of Hope. They make up about half the population in the 31-bed shelter.It's ... June 29, 2023

Kids turn out for Pitch, Hit and Run Boys and girls showed off their baseball and softball skills Saturday in Jefferson City.The MLB Pitch, Hit and Run event, held on the fields at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park, brought out about 50 hopefu... June 25, 2023

Event helps families remember missing people Those who have a missing family member believe that child, brother, sister or parent may be found someday.And faith can help relieve the pain of not knowing that person's fate, said Debbie Hamler,... June 25, 2023

St. Mary’s: Nonprofits have filled foster care need locally Staff members at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City were fascinated to read this week that workers at a sister hospital bent over backward to house foster children and adults with de... June 25, 2023

Early Saturday morning crash leaves two injured A single-vehicle rollover crash injured two people, including an Eldon woman, early Saturday morning in Camden County.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, 39-year-old Carrie L. M... June 25, 2023

State commission announces annual service awards A Belle man and a Crocker woman are among recipients of this year's Show Me Service Awards. Wade Guffey, of Belle, received an Adult of the Year award, while Careen Barsby received an AmeriCorps Membe... June 23, 2023

Coffee talk helps lighten veterans’ load Two Vietnam War-era veterans sat across from each other at a table discussing their scars Wednesday morning.Each had at least one telltale 7- to 8-inch scar running up a knee. One of the veterans had ... June 22, 2023

Scores of people ‘hustle’ to benefit Habitat for Humanity More than 80 participants "hustled" to raise money for River City Habitat for Humanity early Saturday morning in Jefferson City.The Habitat Hustle 5K Run/Walk saw its return after years away, thanks t... June 18, 2023

Juneteenth celebration incorporates learning with fun Music. Dancing. Good food. Good fun.Yep, it was a festival.But Saturday's Juneteenth Heritage Festival was also a chance to create connections within the community and to teach generations about t... June 18, 2023

‘Kalaf’s Corner’ dedicated in stone ST. MARTINS, Mo. -- Philip Kalaf "poured his heart and soul" into supporting all the activities put on by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.It was likely that enthusiasm that led the organization... June 18, 2023

Partners advancing on proposed day center plans Although organizations involved in discussions about a Jefferson City day center for homeless people share the same goal of providing a day space for clients, they haven't reached final agreement ... June 18, 2023

Kansas boys injured in Lake of the Ozarks collision Two Kansas teenagers were seriously injured when their personal water crafts collided Friday at the Lake of the Ozarks.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol incident report, about 6:23 p.m., a ... June 18, 2023

Friends gather to remember independent man Few people in Jefferson City knew Edward R. LeBoeuf well. Folks who grew close to him knew he loved to sing. They miss him. His friends got to say goodbye to him during a ceremony Friday morning at Fi... June 17, 2023

State employees raise awareness of senior abuse, neglect Seniors, all too often, are the targets of abuse and neglect.To raise awareness of those challenges faced by many of the elderly, state agencies recognized Thursday as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day ... June 16, 2023

Police, fire to conduct ‘high element’ training today First-responders in Jefferson City and Holts Summit are warning members of the public not to be alarmed if they see officials on fire trucks negotiating with people in high-rise buildings today.Local ... June 14, 2023

Key to success at Kids Fishing Derby could be crickets It's the crickets.Madeline Barlow, 12, doesn't mind sharing the secret to her fishing success.She pulled in perch after perch after perch Saturday morning during the annual Kids Fishing Derby ... June 11, 2023

Fiber Fest postponed; yarn art serves as consolation prize Rain was threatening.So organizers -- concerned about the damage it could do to sewing machines and spinning wheels -- postponed the inaugural Fiber Fest at Jefferson City's Memorial Park, which h... June 11, 2023

Cole County crash leaves driver injured A driver was injured in a single-vehicle crash early Friday afternoon in Cole County.Judith A. Vieth, 82, of Jefferson City, at about 2:08 p.m. was driving a Toyota Corolla westbound on U.S. Highway 5... June 11, 2023

McDonald’s to recognize work of area nurses Community members may nominate nurses for McDonald's Nurse Excellence Awards now through June 15. McDonald's restaurants are again celebrating nurses with the awards, which honor nurses who exhibit de... June 9, 2023

Cap Region to integrate into MU Health Care Full integration of Capital Region Medical Center into the MU Health Care system was long overdue, CRMC President Gaspare Calvaruso said Thursday.Calvaruso spoke during a media event as MU Health Care... June 8, 2023

Kidsfest provides fun in the sun There were no family-filled canoes in the pool Saturday at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park this year during Kidsfest.But there were plenty of kayaks.Boys and girls of all ages paddled them around the pool... June 4, 2023

Capital West hosts inaugural Foster Family Fun Night Capital West Christian Church was home to the Foster Family Fun Night on Saturday night.The free event gave foster families a chance to gather, have a good meal and enjoy time playing games and partic... June 4, 2023

Westphalia teenager seriously injured in crash Paramedics flew a Westphalia teenager to University Hospital in Columbia after a single-vehicle crash late Friday night.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, about 11:40 p.m., 19-... June 4, 2023

Veterans emphasize true meaning of Memorial Day Veterans -- particularly those who have served during wartime -- have spent the past week preparing for Memorial Day.Their preparations include solemnity they find in the holiday.Many spent hours duri... May 28, 2023

Calvary Lutheran graduates ready to face the ‘wilderness’ The 26 young adults who graduated Saturday morning from Calvary Lutheran High School share a love, Natalie Sommerer told them.Sommerer, one of the class' co-valedictorians, said during the graduat... May 28, 2023

For the People Pow Wow serves as ‘family reunion’ To dance is to pray.Linda Coulter, the head lady dancer during Saturday's 13th annual For the People Pow Wow, said all parts of native dance have meaning."You dance to the drums," Coulte... May 28, 2023

Cole County crash injures Russellville woman A single-vehicle Cole County traffic crash left a woman with minor injuries Friday afternoon.According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Debra S. Bates, 61, of Russellville, at about 3:... May 28, 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

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

Seniors find information on aging at annual fair Area seniors on Wednesday used space at Capital Mall for more than shopping or walking.They took advantage of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' annual Senior Resource Fair.Wen... May 25, 2023