TYLER CASTNER
KOMU 8 News
On December 21, 1953, KOMU 8 broadcast its signal for the first time. The station is a full-powered NBC affiliate operating as an independent commercial property. As such, KOMU 8 is the only major network affiliate in the United States that acts as a university-owned commercial television station utilizing its newsroom as a working lab for students. Recognized throughout the broadcast industry as the premiere training ground for television journalists, KOMU 8's newsroom creates a real-life lab experience for students attending The University of Missouri prestigious School of Journalism. (Via KOMU.com)
Hospital officials: VA patient care not an issue for majority
By Tyler Castner | 21 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - One local veteran and his wife are raising concerns they have with the quality of patient care they have been receiving at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia. Retired U.S. Marine Sgt. Robert Brightwell and his wife are writing to the legislature and governor to raise awareness of what they said is "horrible" patient care at the VA hospital. Brightwell said his care at the VA hospital has recently been on the decline since he began treatment there in 2009. Full story here.
High school football kicks off in heat wave
By Tyler Castner | 22 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - Missouri high school football kicked off Friday on one of the hottest days of this summer. Temperatures in Columbia reached as high as 93 degrees, but according to the heat index, it felt like 105 degrees outside.
The heat coupled with the humidity is an issue across the state. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the mid-Missouri area Thursday that will be in effect until Sunday at 7 p.m. Full story here.
Columbia holds first orientation for city bow hunting
By Tyler Castner | 19 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - The City of Columbia will hold the first of three orientation and registration sessions Tuesday for residents interested in deer hunting on designated city properties during bow season. As part of the city's deer management program, licensed hunters with a valid permit will be able to hunt at eight locations within the city limits.
Columbia will hold the classes at the Activity and Recreation Center. Tuesday's session will start at 6 p.m. and the remaining two classes will take place Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 3 and 6 p.m. Full story here.
Ex-refugee becomes minister 1 year after reuniting with family
By Tyler Castner | 16 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - Pastor Nene Peter was ordained as a minister at the First Baptist Church Saturday. Pastor Nene came to the U.S. from Kenya as a refugee in 2008. He was forced to flee his home country of Congo when a rival tribe attacked his village in 2002. Pastor Nene became separated from his family during the attack and had given them up for dead as he watched his home burn. Full story here.
Broadway bridges reopen to traffic
By Tyler Castner | 15 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - MoDOT reopened the bridge on East Broadway over Hominy Creek to full traffic Friday, six days ahead of schedule. Crews have been conducting improvement rehabilitation on the bridge for the last 39 days.
The work included improving the bridge deck and laying a new driving surface over the bridge. MoDOT officials said the improvements will extend the life of the bridge and work was for normal wear and tear. Full story here.
Boone Co. health officials offer free vaccines for students
By Tyler Castner | 12 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is offering free vaccines to students Tuesday. Students can receive the Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diptheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. They can also get the vaccine for meningitis and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Vaccines are available free of charge to students from ages 11 to 26. Students can get the vaccines at the clinic located at 1005 West Worley in Columbia from 5 to 7 p.m. No appointment is necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Full story here.
Riders and drivers adjust to new city bus system
By Tyler Castner | 4 Aug. 2014
COLUMBIA - City buses began new routes Monday morning for the first official day of Columbia's new transit plan. The new COMO Connect buses hit the streets at 6:25 a.m. The new system consists of 11 routes that are designated by color and number. Route 9, also called the "red" route, is primarily limited to the downtown area, but the other 10 lines connect to cover most of the Columbia area. Full story here.
Sheriff's department confirms pond draining related to Bell case
By Tyler Castner | 1 Aug. 2014
BOONE COUNTY - The Boone County Sheriff's Department confirmed Friday the draining of a pond near route J and EE is related to the homicide investigation of Charles Bell. Officials brought in two more trucks of pallets Friday to support another hose to pump water out of the pond. The second hose was put into the water around 2 p.m. Full story here.
Smart Decision 2014: Analyzing Amendment One - The Right to Farm
By Tyler Castner | 31 July 2014
COLUMBIA - Amendment One, also known as the "Right to Farm" amendment, is one of five possible amendments to the Missouri constitution facing voters during the Aug. 5 primary election. Although the bill was first introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives in January 2013, the origins of the bill can be traced back to 2010. Full story here.
Primary election a week away
By Tyler Castner | 29 July 2014
COLUMBIA - Missouri voters are a week away from the 2014 primary election. While in the voting booth, Missourians will choose candidates to represent their party in the November general election. Although Missouri doesn't require voters to register their party before voting in a primary, voters will have to declare which party's ballot they will vote on when they get to the polls. Voters can choose Democrat, Republican, Constitutional or Libertarian ballots.Full story here.
Local faith leaders call for peace in Israel, Gaza
By Tyler Castner | 28 July 2014
COLUMBIA - The Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation held a news conference Monday with several local faith leaders calling for peace in Gaza and Israel. They also called for Israel to end its seven-year blockade of Gaza. The group said the United States has some responsibility for the current conflict. They are urging the government to use its influence with Israel to put an immediate end to the violence and permanently end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Full story here.
Sedalia community not worried after rare jail escape
By Tyler Castner | 25 July 2014
SEDALIA - The search continued Friday afternoon for an inmate who escaped from the Pettis County Jail. 29-year-old Sedalia resident Brandon McGee escaped from the jail late Thursday. According to the Sedalia Democrat, McGee escaped after dismantling shower room equipment and entered into a service corridor leading to an exit. Full story here.
Clark Lane reopens after week-long closure
By Tyler Castner | 22 July 2014
COLUMBIA -Clark Lane will reopen Tuesday after the Columbia Public Works department shut down a portion of the road between Robert Ray Drive and the Ballenger Place roundabout. The road has been closed since July 15. Crews have expanded the shoulders on both sides during the closure to allow for more bike and pedestrian use. They also overlayed the existing road with a new surface. Full story here.
Crews begin prep for University Village apartment demolition
By Tyler Castner | 21 July 2014
COLUMBIA - Construction crews were preparing the University Village apartment complex for demolition Monday. Crews began digging at the site Monday morning looking for water and sewer lines.
Crew members said they will spend the rest of the week excavating the utility lines and making sure flow is shut off before demolition begins. Full story here.
Show-Me State Games holds opening ceremony at Mizzou Arena
By Tyler Castner | 18 July 2014
COLUMBIA - The 30th annual Show-Me State Games kicked off Friday evening with its opening ceremony at Mizzou Arena.
The games boast athletes of all ages and ability levels from across the state. Athletes can participate in more than 40 sports from basketball to gymnastics to miniature golf. Full story here.
Fraternity house seeks national recognition
By Tyler Castner | 16 July 2014
COLUMBIA - The Sigma Alpha Epsilon house reached the next step in its bid to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Columbia Historic Preservation Commission recommended the house be sent to the state level for register consideration at its meeting on July 1. The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservationwill decide if the SAE house will be added to the National Register of Historic Places at its next meeting on August 15. Full story here.
Clark Lane closing for widening shoulders, repavement
By Tyler Castner | 15 July 2014
COLUMBIA - The Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation held a news conference Monday with several local faith leaders calling for peace in Gaza and Israel. They also called for Israel to end its seven-year blockade of Gaza. The group said the United States has some responsibility for the current conflict. They are urging the government to use its influence with Israel to put an immediate end to the violence and permanently end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Full story here.
MoDOT surveying area for new Route B bridge
By Tyler Castner | 14 July 2014
COLUMBIA - MoDOT crews spent Monday morning surveying land around bridge construction on Paris Road in Columbia. Workers spent the morning marking spots where support beams will be built for a new bridge. MoDOT closed both Paris Road and parts of Business Loop 70 Friday when construction began. Crews worked through the weekend to demolish the old Route B bridge on Paris Road. Full story here.
Fallen soldier honored with park dedication
By Tyler Castner | 11 July 2014
COLUMBIA - Family and community members honored the memory of a fallen soldier with a park dedication Friday. The friends and family of the late Sterling Wyatt gathered at the former Old 63 Roadside Park Friday evening to commemorate renaming the park Sterling W. Wyatt Park. Wyatt served as an Army specialist in Afghanistan. Friday marked the two-year anniversary of Wyatt's death. The 22-year-old Army specialist was killed when his vehicle was attacked while on patrol in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in 2012. Full story here.
Mid-Missouri hit by storm damage and power outages
By Tyler Castner | 8 July 2014
COLUMBIA - Severe thunderstorms have left some 15,000 Columbia Water and Light customers without power overnight Tuesday. The 38 outages were mainly located in West Columbia. The worst of the storms came after the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for most of mid-Missouri. The storm contained high winds causing damage across the city including several areas with downed power lines and trees. Full story here.
Construction begins on Broadway bridges
By Tyler Castner | 7 July 2014
COLUMBIA - MoDOT began preparations for construction Monday on two bridges along Broadway. Crews will start rehabilitation construction on the bridge spanning Route 63 as well as the bridge on East Broadway crossing Hominy Creek. Construction is expected to last 45 days. The project will cause complete road closure at the Hominy Creek bridge and drivers will have to find an alternate route for travel. Full story here.
Walls Go up at New Elementary
By Tyler Castner | 23 June 2014
COLUMBIA - Construction crews put up walls Monday at the site of the new Battle Elementary School. The new school will be next to Battle High School, which opened last school year. Crews broke ground on the school in October and hope to have walls up and ready for framing by the end of the summer. Full story here.
The Chamois Power Plant officially shut down operations Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, in Chamois, Mo. The plant contributed more than $70 thousand in property taxes to Osage County R-1 School District.
The Osage County R-1 School District will lose more than $70 thousand in property tax revenue annually with the closing of the Chamois Power Plant on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013.
With the closing of the Chamois Power Plant Monday, Sept. 30, 2013 in Chamois, Mo., The Osage County R-1 School District will lose more than $70 thousand in annual property tax revenue. Superintendent Mike Bumgarner said the district will not begin to feel the effects of the lost revenue until 2014.
The Chamois Power Plant officially shut down operations Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, in Chamois, Mo. The plant contributed more than $70 thousand in property taxes to Osage County R-1 School District.
Residents Fear Plant Closure's Impact on School Money
Photos by Tyler Castner | 30 Sept. 2013
CHAMOIS - Monday is the last day the Chamois power plant will open its doors. Residents in the small town fear the impact the closure could have on money the schools get. The plant brought Osage County R-1 schools more than $66,000 in property tax revenue, but when it closes, it will result in loss of revenue over time. Full story here.
Jim Ruppel, a truck driver for Western Oil, fills the gas tanks at the Phillips 66 on St. Charles Rd. in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Gas prices in Missouri dropped below $3 for the first time since January.
Jim Ruppel, a truck driver for Western Oil, connects the pipeline to fill the gas tanks at the Phillips 66 on St. Charles Rd. in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. For the first time since January, gas prices in Missouri dipped below $3.
Columbia resident Millie Watson fills her tank at the Phillips 66 on St. Charles Rd. in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. The price of regular unleaded gas hit $2.99 today, the first time the price has dropped below $3 since January.
Jim Ruppel, a truck driver for Western Oil, fills the gas tanks at the Phillips 66 on St. Charles Rd. in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Gas prices in Missouri dropped below $3 for the first time since January.
Missouri Department of Transportation Central District Travel Engineer Trent Brooks discusses the diverging diamond interchange at the Stadium Boulevard exit on Interstate 70 on Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. It was the first day the interchange was in operation.
The diverging diamond interchange at the Stadium Boulevard exit on Interstate 70 requires drivers to briefly drive on the left side of the road exiting and entering the highway on Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. It marked the first day in operation for the new interchange.
The diverging diamond interchange at the Stadium Boulevard exit on Interstate 70 had some Columbia drivers turned around while entering and exiting the highway on Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. The interchange requires drivers to briefly drive on the left side of the road while crossing the bridge spanning Interstate 70.
Missouri Department of Transportation Central District Travel Engineer Trent Brooks discusses the diverging diamond interchange at the Stadium Boulevard exit on Interstate 70 on Monday, Oct. 14, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. It was the first day the interchange was in operation.
Dr. Paul Dale, the Interim Medical Director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, discusses the options available to patients when diagnosed with breast cancer on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. Wednesday marked the third annual National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, an initiative launched in 2011 to promote education, awareness and access for women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Dr. Paul Dale, the Interim Medical Director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, wears an embroidered pink ribbon on his physician’s lab coat in support of breast cancer awareness on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. Wednesday was National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, an annual initiative aimed at education for women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Patients at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center are encouraged to take pins promoting breast cancer awareness on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. Wednesday was National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, an annual initiative aimed at education for women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Dr. Paul Dale, the Interim Medical Director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, discusses the options available to patients when diagnosed with breast cancer on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 in Columbia, Missouri. Wednesday marked the third annual National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, an initiative launched in 2011 to promote education, awareness and access for women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Gas Prices at Their Lowest Levels Since January
Photos by Tyler Castner | 2 Oct. 2013
COLUMBIA - People across Mid-Missouri filled up their tank with regular unleaded gas for $2.99 Wednesday. It's the first time gas prices have been below $3.00 since January, when some unleaded gas was as low as $2.97 a gallon, according to Gasbuddy.com. Full story here.
Drivers Take it Slow on New Diamond Interchange
Photos by Tyler Castner | 14 Oct. 2013
COLUMBIA - The diverging diamond interchange is the first of its kind in mid-Missouri, and a change to eight lanes and six stoplights that may cause confusion. Another driver yelled out her window while driving, and said she hated the new setup. Construction crews were still working Monday to finish medians and sidewalk lights for pedestrians. MoDOT decided it was time to reconstruct the road because of slow traffic, long wait time and congestion. Full story here.
"BRA" Day Raises Awareness for Breast Reconstruction
Photos by Tyler Castner | 16 Oct. 2013
COLUMBIA - Experts with the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center hoped to raise awareness about breast reconstructive surgery with National BRA Day Wednesday. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Full story here.