COVID | 98.3 The Dove

(AUDIO): Columbia’s Jabberwocky says diversity award gets to its core mission

February 1, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe (left) congratulates Jabberwocky Studios executive director Linda Schust and board member Jeff Sossamon (January 19, 2023 photo courtesy of Jabberwocky)

A popular Columbia nonprofit that provides youth and children with high-quality free or low cost programming in art and dance has received a diversity award.

Jabberwocky Studios was honored at the recent Columbia Values Diversity celebration. Jabberwocky also provides high-quality free or low-cost programming in theatre and STEAM. Founder and executive director Linda Schust tells 939 the Eagle that she’s attended the celebration for years, noting it gets to the core of Jabberwocky’s mission to build equity and inclusion in Columbia.

“To have won the award is incredibly humbling and joyful for us, because it’s an award that recognizes us for doing what is at the core of our mission,” Schust says.

Columbia’s Jabberwocky Studios are located on Grand. Students explore the arts in-depth. This is resident artist Joe Schlottach (left) and Jason Stephens, a CARE intern (September 2022 file photo courtesy of Jabberwocky’s Linda Schust)

Jabberwocky’s studio is on Grand, near the Business Loop. It works to ensure that dancing, painting and performance arts are accessible to all students, no matter their background. It was founded eight years ago by Ms. Schust, who remains executive director. While she’s thrilled they received an award at the Columbia Values Diversity celebration, she has additional goals for this year.

“Because we’ve had some new board members come on and we’ve had some rearrangement of areas of responsibility within the staff, I’m really looking forward to this year as a year of growth,” says Schust.

Ms. Schust notes Jabberwocky’s motto is “Good enough is not good enough.” She hopes to rejuvenate registrations for some programs that haven’t bounced back from COVID. Finances can be a barrier for some families. Jabberwocky has implemented a tuition waiver program.

Increase in Influenza A cases at Columbia-based MU Health Care

December 19, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

MU Health Care has three Columbia quick cares, which are located inside Hy-Vee stores (2022 photo courtesy of MU Health Care spokesman Eric Maze)

Columbia-based MU Health Care is seeing a spike in influenza A and other viral infections, which is causing some longer-than-normal wait times at facilities.

MU Health Care spokesman Eric Maze tells 939 the Eagle that they’re experiencing higher numbers of patients at University Hospital’s emergency department, at the three Columbia quick cares and at the Urgent Care on South Providence.

MU Health recorded more than 250 positive influenza A cases last week, an increase of about 75 a week in mid-November. Mr. Maze says they’re also seeing RSV along children, in their clinics.

As for COVID, Maze says they saw about nine positive COVID cases per day in November, compared to about 30 cases per day in late summer. Maze says MU Health appreciates your patience, as they work to treat everyone who needs care.

(AUDIO): Boone County presiding commissioner GOP candidate Connie Leipard appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table

October 23, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia businesswoman Connie Leipard is the GOP nominee for Boone County presiding commissioner. Ms. Leipard is the co-owner of Quality Drywall. She joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday for the hour on the “CEO Round Table” to discuss her candidacy. She focused on several topics, including COVID, engagement with citizens, crime and the number of 911 operators in the county. Ms. Leipard faces former State Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia) in the November 8th election:

(AUDIO): Boone County presiding commissioner GOP candidate Connie Leipard appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table

October 23, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Seewood: federal grant helping to keep Columbia’s bus system fare free

September 20, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Passengers prepare to board a GoCOMO bus at downtown Columbia’s Wabash station on September 16, 2022 (photo courtesy of Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan)

Columbia’s city council has voted to suspend transportation fares for users of the GoCOMO bus system for the next fiscal year.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood says GoCOMO has the ability to manage expenses with current Columbia transportation sales tax funding and with a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The bus system has been operating fare-free since the March 2020 COVID-related emergency declaration. GoCOMO says 43,321 passengers ride the city’s bus system each month.