Ashland | 98.3 The Dove

Columbia’s home sales down in September and for year; building permits down 16 percent in 2023

October 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The Columbia Board of Realtors says single-family home sales were down eight percent in September and are down 16 percent for the year.

Board of Realtors chief executive officer Brian Toohey says that the average sold price in September in the city of Columbia was more than $358,000. That’s an increase of five percent. The board says building permits countywide are down 16 percent for the year, with Columbia and Ashland struggling year-to-date.

The Columbia Board of Realtors says existing home sales in the city of Columbia decreased by 27 percent in September.

Cattlemen Day’s rodeo in Ashland celebrating 50 years; expect big traffic tonight and tomorrow

August 25, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Several thousand people will be in southern Boone County’s Ashland tonight and tomorrow night for the Cattlemen Days rodeo (2022 file photo courtesy of rodeo organizer Chelsea Wren)

Big crowds are expected tonight and Saturday night in mid-Missouri’s Ashland, for the 50^th annual Cattlemen Days rodeo.

It’s been a tradition in southern Boone County since 1973. The rodeo begins tonight and Saturday night at 8. You’ll see cowboys and cowgirls competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and other events. Tickets are $18 for tonight and $20 for tomorrow night, and organizers remind you that this is a cash-only event.

Rodeo organizers also remind you that you must stay off the fence during rodeo performances. One warning will be issued, and if it happens again, organizers say you’ll be escorted from the grounds.

Rodeo enthusiasts describe the sport as the “greatest sport on dirt.” Tomorrow morning’s Cattlemen Days rodeo parade begins at 9 at the Ashland Optimist building. The Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the parade.

Jefferson City’s tri-level crash impacts traffic for five hours

August 16, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

While no injuries are reported, Jefferson City Police say Tuesday morning’s crash involving an overturned tractor trailer on the tri-level closed southbound Highway 54 traffic for about five hours.

The crash impacted the commute for thousands of motorists, preventing some from getting to work. That included some state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) employees.

939 the Eagle’s Stephanie Bell says it took her more than two hours to get from Ashland to Jefferson City because of the wreck. Jefferson City Police say the crash happened when a semi carrying livestock had a weight shift and overturned, causing a fuel spill. The cattle had to be transferred from the overturned trailer.

(LISTEN): OSHA emphasizes safety, with heat advisory in effect in mid-Missouri

July 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis is warning mid-Missourians about dangerously-high temperatures today and for the next week or so. Temperatures are expected to reach 101 today (Wednesday) in Columbia and Ashland, with highs tomorrow and Friday approaching 104.

U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) reminds employers that federal law requires employers to protect workers from heat-related hazards. OSHA Kansas City office director Karena Lorek says OSHA’s safety campaign focuses on water, rest and shade.

“Ensuring workers are drinking water. Making sure they drink a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes, whether you’re thirsty or not,” Lorek says.

Ms. Lorek says employers should have a heat illness prevention program. She also encourages you to monitor yourself and others for heat illness, as a heat dome continues to build in central Missouri.

OSHA’s Kansas City office has jurisdiction over Columbia. She tells 939 the Eagle that shade is critical.

“Anything where you’re not having that direct sunlight, because in the direct sunlight it obviously intensifies the heat. So in the shade, it’s a little bit cooler,” says Lorek.

She says that every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions.

Lorek also emphasizes that heat illnesses are preventable.

“If we all look out for each other, making sure and checking on your co-workers and looking out for signs of excessive sweating. If someone is dizzy, any nausea,” she says.

OSHA says companies should present their heat illness prevention plan to workers. Anyone who wants to file a heat complaint can contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA.

Mid-Missouri could see hail and damaging winds today

July 24, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia, Jefferson City, Ashland and Fulton could see some strong to severe storms late Monday morning and early afternoon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says today’s main threats will be large hail and damaging winds, with storms entering Columbia and Jefferson City and moving to the southeast. NWS St. Louis meteorologist Melissa Byrd tells 939 the Eagle that the storms will begin in Columbia at about 11 this morning. Byrd says there is no tornado threat today.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reminds mid-Missourians to have a way to get weather updates, if you’re going to be outside today. Keep your radio tuned to 939 the Eagle for updated forecasts and weather information.