Don Shrubshell photo

Columbia firefighters prepare to enter a unit at the Arrow Head Motel, 1411 Business Loop 70 E., after a natural gas leak from a water heater set off a blaze that damaged six units late yesterday morning, closing Business Loop 70 for several hours. Read the Article

Local News Stories
MOHELA may miss a payment
By TERRY GANEY of the Tribune’s staff
The troubled credit market and a new law passed by Congress have eroded the financial operations of Missouri’s college student loan agency.

Car hits MU man on break
By DEREK KRAVITZ of the Tribune’s staff
A University of Missouri senior was critically injured early yesterday when he was struck by a car outside a bar in Panama City Beach, Fla., a popular spring break vacation spot for college students.

Natural gas fuels flames at old motel
By T.J. GREANEY of the Tribune’s staff
A motel fire yesterday badly damaged a Columbia’s landmark, halted traffic for several hours on Business Loop 70 and drew groups of onlookers.

Two vie in hospital board election
By SARA SEMELKA of the Tribune’s staff
Two candidates are vying this year for the opportunity to help guide the county-owned Boone Hospital Center. That’s a far cry from two years ago, when the hospital’s lease renegotiation with BJC HealthCare was red-hot.

Festival signs blues icon
By PETE BLAND of the Tribune’s staff
They have their money, and now Roots ’N Blues ’N BBQ organizers have added the big-name headliner they hope will make the second edition of the free music festival a success.

Chase to be honored by administrators
Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Phyllis Chase is being honored next month by the University of Missouri.

Pizza delivery turns into armed robbery
A pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint last night outside an apartment building in northeast Columbia.

Suspect in transit held in meth case
A southeast Missouri man wanted on a federal drug warrant was arrested yesterday in Boone County during a traffic stop.