• University of Missouri leaders celebrated the opening of a new medical school facility in Springfield last week. The school purchased the $10.3 million building on East Battlefield Road. This expansion allows medical students to complete all four years in Springfield starting next year.
• Former Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel pleaded guilty Friday to driving while intoxicated last year. Pinkel submitted a written plea Friday in Camden County. The charge stems from a July 2025 incident. A state trooper stopped to help with a tire and noticed signs of intoxication. The state recommends a $1,000 fine.
• A 69-year-old man from Columbia died after a car crash Saturday afternoon. Elbert Allen was traveling eastbound on I-70. He crashed into a guardrail near the 123.2 mile marker. Allen was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.
• Columbia firefighters quickly extinguished a balcony fire at an apartment building Monday morning. Crews rushed to the 1600 block of Hinkson Avenue. They had the second story fire under control within three minutes. No injuries were reported. Improperly discarded smoking materials on the deck most likely caused the blaze.
• A historic Columbia church closed its doors Sunday. Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church finished 112 years of community service. The landmark could no longer afford to stay open. The congregation recently lost vital rental income when a local homeless ministry moved its entire operations to the new Opportunity Campus.
• Columbia will host its 74th annual Fire in the Sky celebration this Saturday at Stephens Lake Park. The free Fourth of July event starts at 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment and food trucks. The choreographed fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m. Free GoCOMO shuttles will run from six downtown parking garages.
Abdula-Kaba Abdullah
• The Columbia Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that Abdul-Kaba Abdullah has been named its new President & CEO, effective July 1. He is currently Executive Director of Park Central Development in St. Louis and is a former city manager of Berkeley. Abdullah will replace Matt McCormick who resigned in October to lead the Ocala, Florida, area chamber of commerce.
Recent headlines:
Judge narrows CPS charter school lawsuit, but main challenge stays alive
City, county officials continue joint push on housing, homelessness
Columbia officials press their case for public safety sales tax
Recent obituaries are here.