Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin

(AUDIO): No death penalty decision yet from prosecutor regarding high-profile Jefferson City double homicide

March 3, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Jefferson City’s mayor says the popular J. Pfenny’s restaurant and bar remains closed, following a late November double murder inside the restaurant.

Mayor Carrie Tergin spoke on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.”

“I am not aware of the status of their business and it’s extremely unfortunate. It was a terrible situation,” Tergin says.

Downtown Jefferson City’s J. Pfenny’s restaurant and bar has been closed since late November, after a suspect shot and killed two people near the front door. Restaurant employee Skyler Smock and customer Corey Thames were pronounced dead at the scene.

A Cole County grand jury last week indicted suspect Damien Davis of Kansas City on two counts of first degree murder and numerous other felonies. He’s waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty.

Cole County prosecutor Locke Thompson tells 939 the Eagle that he has not made a decision yet on whether to seek the death penalty against Davis. Mr. Thompson is still reviewing the case.

6,000 people expected in downtown Jefferson City for Living Windows

December 2, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

A line of people wait to enter the Missouri Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City for candlelight tours on December 3, 2021 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Weather is expected to be perfect for Friday evening’s popular Living Windows event in downtown Jefferson City.

Living Windows Committee chair Cara Alexander Stark, the co-owner of Cork and Board, tells 939 the Eagle that they’re expecting about 6,000 people. Living Windows features Santa Claus, live reindeer, carolers and lot of food. The opening ceremony will begin at 5:45 near Hawthorn Bank. Alexander Stark says it will feature Mayor Carrie Tergin and Christmas characters.

Living Windows is one of the biggest events of the year in Jefferson City. Downtown storefronts are lit up and thousands stroll the streets to experience holiday cheer. It coincides with the popular candlelight tours at the Governor’s Mansion. Missouri Governor Mike and First Lady Teresa Parson are inviting you to attend tonight’s candlelight tours at the mansion. The tree will be lit at 6 pm, and candlelight tours will take place from 6-9 pm.

A big crowd is also expected for Saturday’s Christmas parade in downtown Jefferson City. It begins at 4:30, and several thousand people are expected to attend.

COU’s new terminal can make Columbia a top medical destination, Parson and Choi say

October 20, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Hundreds of people turned out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Columbia Regional Airport’s $23-million new terminal (October 18, 2022 photo from 939 the Eagle’s Stephanie Bell)

Columbia’s mayor says the first flight at Columbia Regional Airport’s (COU) new multi-million dollar terminal will take place on Wednesday (October 26).

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Misssouri’s governor, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin and other dignitaries helped cut the ribbon on the $23-million new terminal on Wednesday, as hundreds of people watched. The turnout was so heavy that traffic on Highway 63 was bumper-to-bumper at times, heading from Columbia to COU. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told her it’s the largest crowd they’ve ever seen for a ribbon-cutting event like this.

The aging current terminal was built in 1968. Governor Mike Parson tells 939 the Eagle that he’s impressed with the new facility.

“As I said in the military, they’ll always teach you the first impression is a lasting impression. When you walk into this today, you think of an airport. If you had walked into it months ago, not so much,” Parson says.

The new terminal is 52,000 square feet, compared to the current 16,000 square foot facility. The terminal’s main funding source is a hotel tax approved by Columbia voters in 2016.

COU says the old terminal will house car rental counters until phase two is complete.

Governor Parson describes Columbia as a rising star in the medical health arena. The governor agrees with UM System President Dr. Mun Choi’s aim to make Columbia a top medical destination.

“When you talk about what they’re shipping out of here every day, that affects people all over the world. And it’s going to be more and more people that want to come here. They’re going to want to know how they’re doing it, they’re going to want to know how they can be a part of it, and I think that’s going to grow every day. So it’s a great opportunity for Missouri again,” says Parson.

The governor is referring to isotopes that are made at the MU Research Reactor (MURR) near Columbia’s south Providence road. Dr. Choi tells the audience that about 10,000 of those isotopes made at MURR are shipped out every week from Columbia Regional.

The new terminal also includes four gates and passenger boarding bridges, along with a new restaurant and a storm shelter.

Ribbon-cutting for $23-million new COU terminal is today

October 19, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (left) and then-Columbia Mayor Brian Treece visit during the November 17, 2020 terminal groundbreaking ceremony at Columbia Regional Airport (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Today is your opportunity to get a close-up view of the $23-million new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport (COU), before it becomes operational later this month.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin, UM System President Dr. Mun Choi and several other dignitaries will speak at today’s 3 pm ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Buffaloe tells 939 the Eagle that she’s excited about the new passenger boarding bridges.

“So now getting to come across a jet bridge instead of having to go pick up your own suitcases on the side of the road …. yeah, it’s going to be fantastic,” Buffaloe says.

You’ll be able to tour the terminal, as soon as the dignitaries finish the ceremony. The new 52,000 square feet terminal includes four gates and passenger boarding bridges. It also features a new restaurant and a storm shelter.

Officials will be announcing when flights will start at the new terminal, during today’s ceremony. Light refreshments will be provided.

The terminal’s main funding source is a hotel tax approved by Columbia voters in 2016.

Big turnout expected for next week’s grand opening for new COU terminal

October 13, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

UM System President Dr. Mun Choi speaks at the November 17, 2020 groundbreaking ceremony for the $23-million new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport (file photo courtesy of Governor Parson’s Flickr page)

Columbia’s mayor is encouraging you to attend Wednesday’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the $23-million new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport (COU).

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe briefed area business leaders at Wednesday’s Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board meeting. She tells 939 the Eagle that she’s excited about the new terminal.

“Because we know it’s used as a recruitment tool. You know the University (of Missouri) right now with their Mizzou Forward Campaign that they have, trying to recruit like over 100 scientists and researchers and their teams to central Missouri, that’s the first thing they’re going to see. And so I want that to be a welcoming, forward-thinking environment,” Buffaloe says.

Wednesday afternoon’s ceremony begins at 3, and you’re asked to arrive by 2:45.

Columbia-area business leaders are excited about the new terminal, saying it represents the front door to our community and that it’s been 15 years in the making.

“Governor (Mike) Parson will be there welcoming everybody (on Wednesday). We’ll obviously have the Columbia mayor, myself, and the mayor from Jefferson City (Carrie Tergin) will be there. As well as individuals from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and American Airlines. So really all the partners in this region coming together,” says Buffaloe.

You’ll be able to tour the new terminal, after the ceremony.

Jefferson City Mayor Tergin tells 939 the Eagle that many Jefferson City-area residents use COU, adding that the new terminal will boost economic development across the region.

The terminal’s main funding source is a hotel tax approved by Columbia voters in 2016.