Julia Robinson photos

Audrain Medical Center physician Gene Thomas, center, makes his rounds among “disaster victims” during a simulated emergency for Mid-Missouri hospitals yesterday. Read the Article

Local News Stories
Hospital lays off workers
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Boone Hospital Center announced this morning that 35 employees have been laid off and 80 more will have hours reduced as the hospital responds to a trend of patients putting off health care in the poor economy.

Injured bicyclist wins damages
By JOE MEYER of the Tribune’s staff
A Boone County jury returned a $1.8 million verdict last night in a personal injury case brought by a University of Missouri student who was seriously injured when she was struck by two vehicles in a 2005 bicycle accident near campus.

Diversity dominates school redistricting debate
By JANESE HEAVIN of the Tribune’s staff
Making sure Hickman, Rock Bridge and Columbia’s new high school have a fairly equal number of low-income students should be a priority when the school district decides which students attend which of the three schools, parents and community members have said repeatedly at public forums.

Area hospitals drill for disaster
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Organizers got just what they hoped for yesterday: controlled chaos at the Hearnes Center, where volunteer-actors and medical professionals simulated the aftermath of a tornado. It was the first large-scale disaster exercise by Mid-Missouri hospitals, and organizers called it a success.

Health-care workers divided over Prop B
By TERRY GANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Missouri voters will have the chance Tuesday to weigh in on a plan to organize and train those who care for severely disabled people in their homes.

Man, woman accused of felony pot offense
The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a man and woman in Columbia yesterday on suspicion of felony possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after an investigation by the Troop F Eradication Team.

Stranger than fiction
Mike Denehy of Columbia performs an “aisling” routine yesterday at Schnucks grocery store off Forum Boulevard. Actors from “American Shopper” met at Schnucks to generate interest in the fictional documentary filmed in Columbia that opens tomorrow at the Ragtag Cinema.

Development plan for school area resumes
After progress ground to a halt this summer on a "sub-area plan" for future development in the vicinity of the new high school east of Columbia, members of a joint planning and zoning task force regrouped yesterday to move the plan forward.