Local

The former Wal-Mart space has been vacant since the store moved to a new location in the Grindstone Plaza development on Grindstone Parkway in early 2006. Leaving the space vacant was a major concern when the Columbia City Council unanimously approved the store at Grindstone Plaza.

Workers at the Hubbell plant in Centralia agreed on a new three-year contract.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder urged the governor to call a special session after the Nov. 4 election to help Missourians struggling to pay their utility bills.

Derrick Luster was sentenced Wednesday, two days after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. He was originally charged with first-degree murder.

The project will involve 19 financial institutions, local government and nonprofit organizations.

KCOU's relationship with the Missouri Students Association senate will end slowly over the next five years, along with the funding it receives from MSA. The station's management hopes KCOU will survive by gaining new listeners and finding new sources of revenue.

The Social Security Administration announced Tuesday that counselors will continue to pay their retirement into Public School Retirement Security. Meanwhile, Missouri educators met Tuesday with the state Office of Administration.

MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said Tuesday that about 50 positions, including research and grant- and contract-funded faculty positions, are unfrozen. The rest of the 300 open positions will be closed.

Sheriff's deputies searched a suspected methamphetamine lab northeast of Columbia on Tuesday morning.

Five burglaries at The Links apartment complex were reported on Nov. 11, and an unknown number occured Monday, according to the Columbia Police Department.

Trevor Scott Dunn was arrested on suspicion of first-degree promoting child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to a news release from the Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force.

Despite earlier public interest, no residents offered input at Monday night's City Council meeting.

The doughnut shop will be introducing new menu items at its grand opening ceremony, one month after the store officially opened.

The City Council voted unanimously at its meeting on Monday night to authorize City Manager Bill Watkins to settle the suit on the city’s behalf. The cable access provider will pay the city $200,000, and the city will drop claims to collect Mediacom’s outstanding franchise and video service provider fees.

Robert A. Hill, 32, and Johnnie L. Spain, 27, were arrested Monday night on suspicion of commiting a number of burglaries at The Links at Columbia apartment complex, which is on Clark Lane.

"Gumbo Bottoms" is a musical by Meredith Ludwig and Cathy Barton based on the distinct character of the Missouri river community. It premieres Nov. 21 at Thespian Hall in Boonville.

Darwin Hindman proposed the change to the City Council at a meeting earlier this month.

The freeze will apply to open positions and searches currently under way and will affect administrative, staff and faculty positions.

The $16 million school, which will eventually house 400 students, is scheduled to open in 2010.