Julia Robinson photo

Spirit riders LaShawnda Elliott, 11, pulls back in fear from her horse Reece during a training session in Callaway County. The youngest trainer in the program, LaShawnda drew the biggest horse in the group.  •  Read the article •  See the Slide Show

Local News Stories
Occupants escape arson fires
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
Columbia firefighters put out two blazes at the same address last night and early this morning in what they suspect are acts of arson.

Capital murder trial begins today
By JOE MEYER of the Tribune’s staff
Jury selection began this morning in a Lincoln County capital murder case moved to Boone County on a change of venue.

Free building too costly for county to move
By SARA SEMELKA of the Tribune’s staff
A building donated to Boone County for use as a covered horse arena to attract larger equestrian events ended up being too expensive to relocate to the county fairground, and the commission is now looking at forming partnerships with city organizations to find a use for the structure.

High school fire
Hickman High School students return to the natatorium this morning after an electrical fire under the gymnasium led to the school’s evacuation.

Poodle power
Dressed in a pink poodle skirt and saddle shoes, Molly Schuster, 3, of Boonville sits yesterday with her grandparents Joyce and Larry Schuster while listening to the ’50s music of The Krazy Kats during the Fifties Fall Festival at The Village of Cherry Hill.

College puts focus on financial gifts
Columbia College has announced a new philanthropic model for financial contributions to the institution.

MU autism center wins $890,000 grant
The University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders received a grant worth nearly $1 million to expand its programs throughout the state.

One-car wreck near campus injures driver
A one-car accident near the University of Missouri campus early yesterday left a passenger injured.