Nick King photo

Fire Chief Steve Paulsell, left, listens with his wife, Sharon, as board member John Sam Williamson praises Paulsell for long service with the Boone County Fire Protection District yesterday at fire district headquarters. •  Paulsell out as fire chief •  Video: Paulsell announces his retirement •  See the Slide Show •  Discuss this story on Trib Board

Local News Stories
Paulsell out as fire chief
By JOE MEYER of the Tribune’s staff
Fire Chief Steve Paulsell, in a pointed statement aimed at critics of his sometimes controversial leadership of the Boone County Fire Protection District, announced yesterday he has been forced to retire after nearly 40 years of service.

Learning to be thankful
By JANESE HEAVIN of the Tribune’s staff
Children at Hallsville Primary School have another reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving Day: They weren’t born in the 1600s.

Police, NAACP group share dialogue
By SARA SEMELKA of the Tribune’s staff
Appearing as a guest at last night’s NAACP meeting, interim Police Chief Tom Dresner fielded questions from members about the department’s interaction with the public, violence at high schools, diversity training and the use of Tasers.

Hiring freeze not complete
By JENNA YOUNGS of the Tribune’s staff
University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton released a plan yesterday to assess what job openings could be filled despite a systemwide hiring freeze announced last week by UM System President Gary Forsee.

Pinkel’s contract deal exempt from restraint
By JENNA YOUNGS of the Tribune’s staff
Although the University of Missouri System hiring freeze applies to the MU Athletic Department as a whole, football Coach Gary Pinkel’s contract negotiations did not, MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said yesterday.

Arrival of an icon
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Clydesdales, the hoofed symbol of Anheuser-Busch, are out stomping the hillsides of rural Cooper County.

Paulsell’s critics, supporters saddened by news of ouster
By JODIE JACKSON JR. of the Tribune’s staff
Opponents and supporters of Steve Paulsell shared a sense of sadness this morning after the fire chief’s announcement yesterday that he had been forced to retire from the county fire district.

Offices to close for Thanksgiving holiday
Many government offices and local businesses will be closed tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Man sentenced in pharmacy robbery
A Columbia man pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with a February robbery of a pharmacy in Van Buren.