Julia Robinson photo

University of Missouri senior Brandon Shipman, right, practices checking a voter’s name and ID card during a training session for election workers Wednesday at the Boone County Government Center. Read the Article

Local News Stories
Clerk’s office gets ready
By JODIE JACKSON JR. of the Tribune’s staff
Additional phone lines, more polling places and a small army of temporary workers are all part of Boone County Clerk Wendy Noren’s plan to deal with an expected record voter turnout on Tuesday.

History group seeks bigger exhibit space
By SARA SEMELKA of the Tribune’s staff
After years of being squeezed into space that Director Gary Kremer estimates is four times too small, the Missouri State Historical Society is moving ahead with plans for more space. 

Preteen ruffians grab for candy in Halloween assaults
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Two boys trick-or-treating on Halloween in south Columbia were assaulted by a group of preteens demanding candy, police said.

Layoffs not in county’s plan for budget
By JODIE JACKSON JR. of the Tribune’s staff
Employee layoffs are not part of the Boone County Commission’s budgeting plans for 2009.

City makes public Taser files sought by critics of device
By SARA SEMELKA of the Tribune’s staff
The Columbia City Council tomorrow night will get a briefing on a long-awaited report on the Columbia Police Department’s use of Tasers, composed of records compiled by the department in accordance with a Missouri Sunshine Law request on behalf of Grass Roots Organizing and other groups.

Resident interrupts Hunters Gate burglary
A resident in the Hunters Gate subdivision returned home at about 8:15 p.m. Friday to find two black males burglarizing his house, with one of them walking out carrying his loaded assault rifle.

Odor, haze in ARC prompt evacuation
Patrons of the Activity & Recreation Center were evacuated last night after a strong odor and haze circulated in the municipal building at 1701 E. Ash St.