Columbia’s Rock Bridge high school

Columbia/Boone County to offer six opportunities for national prescription drug take back

October 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s Truman VA Hospital and Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey are encouraging you to drop off your expired prescription drugs tomorrow and Saturday.

Truman VA officials say the prescription drug take back event provides a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs responsibly.

There are two collection sites tomorrow from 10 am until 2 pm. They are Columbia’s Harry Truman VA Hospital and the Mizzou Student Center on East Rollins. Six sites are available on Saturday from 10 am until 1 pm: at Columbia’s Rock Bridge and Hickman high schools and at the Ashland, Centralia, Hallsville and Sturgeon Police departments.

Columbia’s city council approves SRO agreement; council to vote on budget in mid-September

September 6, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s city council has given the green light to a school resource officer (SRO) agreement with Columbia Public Schools (CPS).

The city council voted to approve the agreement on Tuesday night. Columbia’s school board unanimously approved the SRO agreement in August. Under the 11-page agreement, two CPD officers are being assigned to Battle high school, with one each assigned to Hickman and Rock Bridge. Under the agreement, CPS will compensate the city of Columbia 75 percent of the salary and benefits for the four officers, under the agreement.

The cost is $318,000.

The council is expected to vote on city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s proposed $533-million dollar budget later this month. The council held its third and final public hearing on Mr. Seewood’s budget last night at city hall. Mr. Seewood is calling for a $10-million pay raise for the city’s 1,500 employees. The proposed budget also increases the Columbia Water Utility’s budget by $1.1 million. Mr. Seewood’s budget is a $27-million increase from the current $506-million amount.

The city council also first-read a bill last night that would suspend GoCOMO bus transportation fares for the fourth straight year.

Columbia’s city council to tackle budget, SRO agreement tonight

September 5, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood (2023 file photo courtesy of city of Columbia website)

Tonight is your final opportunity to weigh in on the Columbia city manager’s proposed $533-million budget.

Columbia’s city council will hold its third and final public hearing on city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s budget at 7 pm. Mr. Seewood’s proposed budget is a $27-million increase from the current $506-million amount. He unveiled his proposed budget in July. The main highlight is a $10-million raise for the city’s 1,500 employees. The proposed budget also increases the Columbia Water Utility’s budget by $1.1 million. The council is set to vote on the proposed budget on September 18.

The council is also scheduled to vote tonight on a school resource officer agreement with Columbia Public Schools (CPS). City manager Seewood recommends passage of the bill, which is similar to previous agreements. Columbia’s school board unanimously approved the SRO agreement in August. Under the 11-page agreement, two CPD officers are being assigned to Battle high school, with one each assigned to Hickman and Rock Bridge.

CPS will compensate the city of Columbia 75 percent of the salary and benefits for the four officers, under the agreement. The cost is about $318,000. CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood says SRO’s increase the overall feelings of safety and security for staff and students.

The council will also first-read a bill tonight to suspend GoCOMO transportation fares for the fourth straight year. Tonight’s council meeting begins at 7.

1,331 students to graduate from CPS high schools this weekend

May 19, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood will be at all four CPS high school graduation ceremonies during the next two days, starting this (Friday) morning with Douglass high school’s graduation at Missouri Theatre.

82 Douglass seniors will graduate at 10 this morning. Hickman’s 422 graduates will walk across the stage at 7 this evening at Mizzou Arena. Battle and Rock Bridge seniors graduate tomorrow at Mizzou Arena: Battle at 11 am and Rock Bridge at 6 pm.

CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that tickets are not required at the graduations, and that’s why the larger ones are held at Mizzou Arena. She says CPS will have live streams.

Counselors available again today at Columbia’s Rock Bridge high school

May 9, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Rock Bridge football player Evan Avery died in Friday night’s car crash in Columbia. Rock Bridge football coach Matt Perkins helped organize Saturday evening’s vigil on the Bruin football field to mourn Evan’s loss (May 6, 2023 photo courtesy of Rock Bridge football coach Matt Perkins’ Twitter page)

Columbia’s Rock Bridge high school has extra counselors available again today, following Friday night’s deadly crash that killed freshman football player Evan Avery.

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that Rock Bridge has counselors everyday and will have extra ones for as long as needed. Ms. Baumstark also notes they also partner with community organizations to provide support when necessary.

Rock Bridge football coach Matt Perkins says Evan Avery will be in their hearts forever. Coach Perkins tells 939 the Eagle that the community, school and Rock Bridge football team are all hurting right now.

Columbia Police say the crash happened at about 11 pm Friday at West Nifong and Bethel street.